Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 84

The opening words were quite harsh.

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

‘Did I get a reputation as a butcher?’

He took it with good humor. Hwa Jin-Cheon burst into laughter.

‘Did you think you wouldn’t get a reputation? They say your axe skills are an art. That you used the heads of the Myeong family as firewood?’

‘They weren’t even good enough to be used as kindling.’

‘With their heads full of nothing but crap, I suppose that’s possible.’

‘Indeed.’

‘I heard you even tried to kill Myeong Cheon?’

‘Is that surprising?’

‘It’s not surprising. To spare an enemy who tried to kill you? It might sound good, but to someone on the battlefield, it’s a pipe dream.’

Hwa Jin-Cheon tilted his head.

‘The problem is this. You went on a rampage to cut off limbs after the fight was already decided.’

Jeagal Ayeon was startled and looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong calmly admitted it.

‘I did. I collapsed on the way, so I couldn’t complete my goal.’

‘Why did you do that? The fight was over, and the situation was being resolved. Was there a need to give such an insult?’

‘Your joke is too much.’

‘Joke?’

‘I don’t insult my opponents unless it’s necessary.’

‘What else is cutting people into pieces if not an insult?’

‘He said he would cut off my limbs, chop off my head, salt it, and throw it in front of my father.’

‘…….’

‘I can usually tolerate it, but I couldn’t at that time.’

Hwa Jin-Cheon, who had been staring at Yeon Ho-Jeong with ambiguous eyes, shrugged his shoulders.

‘I guess you’re someone I shouldn’t mess with.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong wore a faint smile.

‘Did you see everything?’

Hwa Jin-Cheon’s eyes flashed.

‘Did you know?’

‘A disciple is bound to resemble their master. It was exactly like this when I first met Hu Gae.’

‘To be compared to that leech, I still have a long way to go.’

He spoke lightly as if joking, but Hwa Jin-Cheon was inwardly surprised.

‘He’s smart.’

Those who handle information prioritize understanding the personality of the person at the center of an incident before grasping the cause and effect of the incident.

It was something he always emphasized to his disciple. After all, people cause incidents, so if you can see people properly, you can grasp the flow of things.

But it seemed this young upstart knew that as well.

‘He’s no ordinary guy. He wasn’t surprised at all that I came. He might not have predicted it, but he knew it wasn’t strange for me to come.’

Hwa Jin-Cheon sighed.

‘I don’t know what will happen to the Beggars’ Union in the future.’

‘Yes?’

‘When a tiger starts thinking like a human, the area becomes hell. My disciple has befriended a tiger with human intelligence, so he won’t die a natural death either.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

‘Don’t worry. He’s not a crazy guy who bites and kills anyone.’

‘If he were a crazy guy who bites and kills anyone, you wouldn’t have become friends with him.’

‘I suppose so.’

Hwa Jin-Cheon chuckled and turned to Jeagal Ayeon.

‘Are you the eldest daughter of the Jeagal family?’

Jeagal Ayeon bowed.

‘I apologize for the late greeting, as I was hesitant to interrupt the conversation. I am Jeagal Ayeon of the Jeagal Clan, and I greet the Dragon Head Chief [Leader of the Beggars’ Union].’

Hwa Jin-Cheon scratched his head.

Still, it seemed like he had less dandruff than his disciple.

‘Are you allowed to be here?’

‘Me? Me?’

‘Yes, you.’

Jeagal Ayeon looked bewildered.

Hwa Jin-Cheon chuckled.

‘I heard the Namgoong family sent a matchmaker?’

‘……!’

‘I don’t know if the marriage will happen, but at least until then, it would be good to behave properly, wouldn’t it? Even if you haven’t reached adulthood, you’re still a man, and I don’t think the Namgoong family would like that.’

Jeagal Ayeon’s face hardened.

She didn’t expect such a major matter between families to be mentioned out of the blue. She was too flustered to speak.

Hwa Jin-Cheon laughed heartily.

‘Haha, did I bring up something unnecessary?’

‘…….’

‘I’m sorry. Even at my age, I can’t seem to control my mouth. It was just a random thought, so please understand.’

‘It’s okay…’

Hwa Jin-Cheon raised both hands.

‘An old beggar came and ruined the mood. I’ll be going now. I apologize for coming in without permission.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong clasped his hands in respect.

‘Please be careful on your way.’

‘Let’s meet again if fate allows.’

Hwa Jin-Cheon, who was walking away, stopped.

‘Ah! But do you know this?’

Hwa Jin-Cheon’s eyes turned to Jeagal Ayeon.

Jeagal Ayeon’s eyes widened.

‘Do you think your father didn’t know this?’

‘……Yes?’

‘I was wondering if he didn’t know how sending his daughter to the eldest son of the Yeon family would look to the Namgoong family.’

‘……!!’

‘As you know, your father is one of the most intelligent people in the martial world, isn’t he? The master of the Divine Strategist Jeagal.’

Shock filled Jeagal Ayeon’s face.

Hwa Jin-Cheon grinned.

‘The relationship between parents and children is a wonderful thing. Don’t you think so?’

With those words, Hwa Jin-Cheon left.

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked uncomfortable.

‘Things are going to get a bit tiring.’

Shin Mo asked, puzzled.

‘Are you talking about the Dragon Head Chief?’

‘Yeah.’

‘Why…?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been deep in thought, shook his head.

‘No, it’s nothing. My worries are probably excessive.’

The way Hwa Jin-Cheon looked at him was truly unusual.

It had been quite a while since he had stepped down from the front lines, and there were rumors that he would soon pass the position of chief to his disciple.

But that didn’t mean the Dragon Head Chief’s divine eyes were dead. He had instantly grasped what kind of person Yeon Ho-Jeong was with just a few conversations.

He had seen through Yeon Ho-Jeong’s true nature, which Ga Deuk-Sang had taken months to discover, in just a brief conversation.

‘Indeed.’

He saw Ga Deuk-Sang’s image in Hwa Jin-Cheon’s appearance.

However, Ga Deuk-Sang during the Black Demon era was similar yet different from him. Perhaps because of his personality, he was more open and sincere.

In other words, he had a human charm. However, he thought that Hwa Jin-Cheon’s caution might be better for running the Beggars’ Union.

Yeon Ho-Jeong clicked his tongue.

‘I thought I had found a good sponsor, but it seems it will be difficult to benefit from it for a while?’

He might issue a strict order to Ga Deuk-Sang not to get involved with him.

‘It can’t be helped. Come to think of it, I have been causing too much trouble.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed and said to Jeagal Ayeon.

‘Let’s go get some food.’

‘…….’

‘Hey.’

‘Huh! Me, me?’

‘Well, who else would it be?’

Jeagal Ayeon looked bewildered.

‘Do you think what the Dragon Head Chief said is true?’

‘What? The engagement?’

‘Yeah.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

‘It’s highly likely. Even if it’s not one of the Seven Great Families, a head of a family wouldn’t be unaware of what it means to send their daughter to the battlefield.’

‘……!’

‘Well, if you think about it that way, the Jeagal family head is using me. Maybe the Small Heaven Pill [a rare and powerful medicine] is a gift to repay the favor, but it might also be a gift to make up for his guilt.’

Jeagal Ayeon’s mouth dropped open.

Yeon Ho-Jeong walked towards his room.

‘I’ll change my bandages and come out, so think about what to eat in advance. Chief Shin, please help me change my bandages.’

‘Understood.’

At that moment, Jeagal Ayeon shouted.

‘Wait!’

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned around.

‘Why?’

‘That is…’

Jeagal Ayeon hesitated.

‘What do you think?’

‘About what?’

‘About the Namgoong family sending a matchmaker.’

‘What do I think? It could happen.’

‘It could happen…’

‘Isn’t it Lee Gong-ja? The one who sent the matchmaker?’

‘That’s right.’

‘The Namgoong family is a sword family with the highest reputation. But they are not doing well because of the Nine Great Families and the Moyong family, which has recently gained power.’

‘…….’

‘They form a marriage alliance with one of the Seven Great Families to strengthen their power base. Moreover, their son happens to be interested in a certain lady, so it’s a perfect excuse.’

‘Hmm.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong said with a serious face.

‘Of course, no one knows what the Namgoong family head is thinking. However, the moment the marriage is finalized, the surrounding forces will start to get nervous. If they are caught off guard, they will only be checked.’

‘That’s right.’

‘There’s no way someone like the Namgoong family head would just sit back and take it. He wouldn’t be unaware of it either. In other words, he also has quite grand ambitions.’

Jeagal Ayeon asked casually.

‘What about the Yeon family?’

‘Our house?’

‘……You’re saying it so casually.’

‘What about our house?’

‘I mean, is the Yeon family also considering a strategy to expand their power through marriage?’

It was a sensitive question.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

‘My father said that since it’s someone you’ll be spending your life with, don’t look at their family, look at their heart.’

‘……!’

‘Isn’t that cool? There aren’t many people who live with such romance in this chaotic world. That’s why I like my father.’

Jeagal Ayeon smiled.

‘Your father is a really wonderful person.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned back.

‘Wait. I’ll change my bandages and come out.’

With that, Yeon Ho-Jeong went into his room.

Jeagal Ayeon, who had been grinning, became more serious.

‘……I wonder if he’s overdoing it.’

* * *

‘Woof!’

Thud!

‘Kuaaak! Why are you hitting me again!’

‘Oh, it was you? I thought a crazy dog was barking.’

Ga Deuk-Sang rubbed his head.

‘I’m going to get a bump, damn it.’

‘Damn it?’

‘……Hehe, you must have misheard. Would I ever say that to my master?’

‘You’re full of it.’

Hwa Jin-Cheon walked along the main road.

Ga Deuk-Sang followed behind him, clicking his tongue.

‘How was Yeon Ho-Jeong?’

‘Yeon Ho-Jeong?’

‘Yes.’

‘He was more than the rumors said?’

Ga Deuk-Sang’s eyes lit up.

‘Even you think he’s extraordinary, right?’

‘Yes, the rumors were actually an understatement. He’s so extraordinary that he’s dangerous.’

Ga Deuk-Sang’s face hardened.

Hwa Jin-Cheon shook his head.

‘Do you know what kind of impression I got from that guy?’

‘……’

‘A demon.’

‘……!’

‘He’s a guy who cultivates a barren land where even a single blade of grass can’t grow, within a mysterious energy. He’s the kind of guy who would turn the world into a mountain of corpses to make that land fertile. I’ve seen many martial artists, but I’ve never seen anyone as dangerous as him.’

Ga Deuk-Sang’s face showed a hint of displeasure.

‘He’s not that kind of person.’

Unexpectedly, Hwa Jin-Cheon nodded.

‘He might not be.’

‘Yes?’

‘His nature is that of a barren land, but on the other hand, he also has a human side. I don’t know if the Yeon family head nurtured him well or if he’s cultivating himself.’

Ga Deuk-Sang’s face brightened.

Hwa Jin-Cheon asked casually.

‘Why? Are you happy because I praised your friend?’

‘That friend isn’t my friend? I’m ten years older than him.’

‘The era of making friends based on age is over, disciple.’

‘Hehe.’

‘Keep a close eye on him. I still think I’ve given you a proper moral education so that you don’t fall into evil. If you see him falling into the wrong path, break his head.’

‘If I had the strength to do that.’

‘Tsk, that’s why I told you to stop wandering around and start practicing the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms [a powerful martial art].’

‘When the time comes.’

‘You know, I might actually cut you off from Hu Gae’s position.’

‘I’d be fine with that.’

‘Ugh, to call a guy like you my disciple.’

Ga Deuk-Sang subtly asked.

‘Did you resolve things well with Jeagal Ayeon?’

‘Do you think I should be getting resentful looks instead of my disciple at this age? You should handle things like this from now on.’

‘Haha! I’ll think about it.’

At his disciple’s easygoing attitude, Hwa Jin-Cheon chuckled.

As he walked along the main road and looked up at the sky, Hwa Jin-Cheon suddenly felt an unknown unease.