Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 877

I don’t remember when it started, this deep affection I hold.

From the moment he first saw her, Namgoong Hyeon harbored feelings for Jeagal Ayeon.

It was inevitable. From a young age, Jeagal Ayeon possessed remarkable beauty and intelligence, and unlike the typical daughters of prestigious families, she was unpretentious.

She was different from the countless women who would cover their mouths while laughing, always conscious of others’ gazes. She was kind, yet also unreserved.

She was nothing like the women who would flirt in front of him. She didn’t ask him for anything, as if she lacked nothing, and she showed no sign of admiring the Namgoong name.

At first, he thought she was arrogant. The Jeagal family, even though they were a renowned family, couldn’t compare to the Namgoong family in terms of power and influence. He fell in love at first sight, but he refused to acknowledge it.

However, as time passed, Jeagal Ayeon became even more beautiful, and Namgoong Hyeon couldn’t sleep at night thinking about her.

Years passed like that, leading to the present day.

He could have made her his woman in the meantime. He had actually made moves to do so, and his heart had pounded so hard during that time that he couldn’t even describe it.

But the marriage never happened.

The Jeagal family head, whom he had expected to nod with a smile, had refused the marriage.

After that, Jeagal Ayeon lived vibrantly, as if she had been freed from all constraints. At least, that’s how it appeared to Namgoong Hyeon.

‘Do I disgust her that much? Does she hate me that much?’

What fueled his already shattered self-esteem was when Jeagal Ayeon started hanging around with a rising star.

Yeon Ho-Jeong.

A genius martial artist who had risen to the rank of a new Saintly Heaven [a very high level of martial arts mastery], a talent rarely seen throughout history.

Unlike Jeagal Ayeon, he had disliked the guy from the moment they met.

So, he deliberately instigated a fight between his family’s martial artist and Yeon Ho-Jeong, intending to humiliate him. But the guy overwhelmed the master-level martial artist, earning everyone’s praise.

It didn’t end there. He suddenly appeared in the martial world and rose rapidly, earning the title of the best rising star in the world, and unbelievably, he ascended to the Saintly Heaven, even being called the greatest genius of all time.

Now, Namgoong Hyeon couldn’t even dare to look at him. That made Namgoong Hyeon’s jealousy boil over.

He also couldn’t forget the humiliation he suffered on his way to the newly established Martial Alliance. His resentment towards Jeagal Ayeon, who had no interest in him, had actually faded due to Yeon Ho-Jeong’s appearance.

Now, all that remained for him was a much deeper affection than before and an endless jealousy towards Yeon Ho-Jeong.

In that situation, he saw Jeagal Ayeon now.

“Ayeon, it’s you.”

Namgoong Hyeon’s voice trembled faintly.

Jeagal Ayeon lowered her head.

“Young Master Lee.”

Namgoong Hyeon’s eyes flickered slightly.

‘Young Master Lee?’

“Why do you call me that?”

Jeagal Ayeon said in a monotonous voice.

“I am a military strategist of the Righteous Army under the Martial Alliance.”

“……!”

“I’m on my way back from studying the new formation of the Righteous Army along with the selection of the Alliance Leader. I’m here on official business, so I ask that you, as a member of the Namgoong family, treat me as such.”

She draws a firm line with her beautiful voice.

Namgoong Hyeon opened his mouth.

“You are a military strategist of the Righteous Army, but I am not here on official business. There’s no need to distinguish between public and private matters so strictly, is there?”

It might seem a bit pathetic, but it wasn’t entirely wrong. Jeagal Ayeon wouldn’t ask others to treat her as a military strategist, citing official business.

“Is there anything else you wish to say?”

“…Ayeon.”

“If not, I have an urgent report, so I’ll be going first.”

Jeagal Ayeon strode away.

Jeagal Jun looked at his sister with a strange gaze, then nodded to Namgoong Hyeon before following her.

Left alone, Namgoong Hyeon didn’t look back at Jeagal Ayeon. No, he couldn’t.

His clenched fist trembled. A rough energy surged from Namgoong Hyeon as he bit his lip.

“Sister.”

Jeagal Jun, who had quickly followed Jeagal Ayeon, asked.

“Why did you do that?”

“What do you mean?”

“I know you’re on awkward terms, but there was no need to react so coldly.”

Jeagal Ayeon shook her head.

“You were in class then, so you wouldn’t know.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know why our main family went through such a difficult time?”

There was a time when the once-prosperous Jeagal family suddenly experienced financial difficulties, businesses closed, and they faltered.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that just a few years ago, Jeagal was at the bottom of the six great families, or rather, the seven great families. Considering their history, it was a significant fall.

“It was because of Namgoong.”

“……!!”

“To be precise, it was because of Namgoong In, the family head at the time. He didn’t have the talent of the Sword Saint [a legendary martial artist], so he wanted to increase his family’s power through politics, not martial arts, to become the most powerful family in the world.”

“Then, could it be?”

“Yes. All of our businesses that closed and transactions that were suspended were due to Namgoong’s schemes.”

Jeagal Jun’s eyes deepened.

He didn’t show any signs of anger carelessly. His expression was very calm, a sign of Jeagal Jun’s growth.

Jeagal Ayeon sighed.

“Even so, we didn’t protest because we shouldn’t fight each other at a time when we need to unite. At least, that was Father’s thought.”

“……”

“Besides, after Father took on the role of military strategist for the Martial Alliance, Namgoong couldn’t touch us anymore. They couldn’t. Unless the Alliance Leader appears, the military strategist position is practically the highest authority in the Martial Alliance.”

Indeed, after Jeagal Mun-Ho became the military strategist, various businesses and sects sent treasures to the Jeagal family and proposed transactions.

That’s how the world is. When you’re falling, they cut ties, but when you start to rise again, they pretend not to know and try to get on board.

“In the midst of all that, there was a family that helped us even before Father became the military strategist.”

“Which family is it?”

“The Yeon family.”

Jeagal Jun’s eyes wavered.

A smile appeared on Jeagal Ayeon’s cold face.

“Of course, they didn’t openly support us or provide funds. But the only family that secretly supported us, led by Ho-Jeong, who destroyed the Nine Provinces Famous Clan [a powerful group of martial arts clans], was the Yeon family.”

“I see.”

“Ho-Jeong is my friend. But before being a friend, he’s my benefactor.”

“He’s my benefactor too.”

“Huh?”

Jeagal Jun smiled.

“Have you forgotten? When we first met, it was Brother Ho-Jeong who caught the bandits who were burning down the tavern.”

“That’s right. Come to think of it, we’ve been receiving Ho-Jeong’s help since then.”

“If Brother hadn’t taken care of that place then, both you and I would have been in a terrible state.”

Jeagal Ayeon chuckled.

“We’ve been entangled for a long time, haven’t we?”

“But is that all?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Jeagal Jun glanced back.

Namgoong Hyeon was visible in the distance. He still stood there, looking a bit pitiful.

“Is it just because of the Namgoong family head that you drew a line?”

“……”

Jeagal Ayeon stopped walking.

She looked up at the sky. It was cold, but the sky was clear.

“There was a marriage proposal from Namgoong.”

“I know. It was Young Master Namgoong Hyeon.”

“You know, yet you ask?”

“I’m just saying that you seemed to draw a line more than necessary.”

Jeagal Ayeon smiled bitterly.

“Is there anything more burdensome than the blind affection of someone you don’t care about?”

“……”

“Leaving aside the issues between families, being nice to someone who has feelings for me is cruel. I have no intention of holding hands and envisioning a future together.”

“Is that so?”

“Giving hope when it’s unattainable is truly cruel.”

“And burdensome too?”

“Yes, you brat.”

Jeagal Jun chuckled.

“It seems my sister is quite popular. Well, as siblings, I admit your beauty.”

“You’re only realizing that now, you brat.”

“But other than your beauty, you’re like an old man, which is a problem.”

“Shut up, you!”

Jeagal Ayeon, who had shouted exaggeratedly, chuckled and started walking again.

Jeagal Jun opened his mouth again.

“Sister.”

“Ah, what is it again! Why are you so curious?”

“Then, what about Brother Ho-Jeong?”

“……!”

As if struck by an unexpected blow.

Jeagal Ayeon stopped walking without realizing it.

Jeagal Jun, who had been quietly observing her face, shook his head.

“I said something unnecessary. Let’s go.”

“Ho-Jeong…”

Her voice was filled with a strange sense of longing.

Soon, Jeagal Ayeon smiled and said.

“Well, if Ho-Jeong also likes me, it might be fun to live together.”

Jeagal Jun looked at her with surprised eyes.

“But, well.”

Jeagal Ayeon shrugged.

“That guy is so busy. Besides, as you said, he treats me like a complete old man. There’s no possibility of us getting together.”

“…Is that so.”

While answering calmly, Jeagal Jun could interpret the hidden meaning in Jeagal Ayeon’s words.

‘If only Brother Ho-Jeong also likes me…?’

That meant that Jeagal Ayeon herself had some feelings for Yeon Ho-Jeong.

‘I guess it’s natural.’

Even if only half of the rumors circulating in the Central Plains were true, Yeon Ho-Jeong was a very attractive man.

Of course, Jeagal Jun knew that Jeagal Ayeon wasn’t someone who admired someone based on their background or reputation. However, from a younger brother’s perspective, if he had that much ability, he would be the best brother-in-law.

‘I don’t know if that’s actually the case. I’m not my sister. They say men and women think very differently, so maybe I’m mistaken.’

It was then.

“Huh?”

Someone was walking towards them from afar.

“What? When did you get here?”

A familiar and friendly voice, extremely free-spirited yet comfortable.

It was Yeon Ho-Jeong. Yeon Ho-Jeong was approaching from the direction of the Martial Arts Training Hall.

Jeagal Jun, who had been smiling with joy, suddenly looked at Jeagal Ayeon.

Jeagal Ayeon’s face was slightly flushed. It was a completely different expression from when she met anyone else, a bright face of his sister that Jeagal Jun was seeing for the first time.

“Yo! How have you been?”

Jeagal Ayeon said in a hearty voice.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“You’re still the same.”

“Neither of us can fix our personalities for life.”

“I guess so.”

“By the way, what are you aiming for at the Martial Alliance that you’ve come here in person, Vice Sect Leader?”

“Ah, stop it. I’m already exhausted.”

“You went there on your own, and now you’re getting angry at someone?”

“Okay, okay, just go and do your report. I don’t know what kind of report it is.”

“What are you doing later? Shall we have a meal together for the first time in a while?”

“I’m not as free as you are. If you’re bored, come to the Broken Army Pavilion and chat with people.”

The two of them chatted cheerfully.

Jeagal Ayeon’s face, full of laughter, seemed even brighter than before. It was as if starlight was pouring down on her radiant face.

Then, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s gaze turned to Jeagal Jun.

“But who are you?”

Jeagal Jun, realizing his mistake, lowered his head.

“It’s been a while, Brother.”

“Oh? You’re Jeagal…”

“……”

“Jun?”

“It’s Jun, Brother. Have you already forgotten?”

“Haha, it’s been a while. How have you been? You’ve become a complete adult?”

The three of them burst into laughter and chatted.

It was a conversation between handsome men and beautiful women that anyone would smile at. Their appearance, which was full of energy, was the very essence of vibrant youth.

As the three of them laughed and talked while walking down the road.

Far away, Namgoong Hyeon was watching them with bloodshot eyes.

In those red eyes, there was terrifying jealousy, intense anger, and violent emotions that could not be defined.

Time has passed, and the era has changed.

The Central Plains, which had unknowingly suffered from the machinations of the Three Teachings, had regained its original form.

Even at this time when a new Alliance Leader was about to be born in the Martial Alliance, darkness was gathering.

In the Martial Alliance, where everyone was gathered, everyone was laughing, and everyone was busy.

A streak of dark will was slowly raising its head.