Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 116 - The Price of Insult (4)
Chapter 116 – The Price of Insult (4)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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“The weather is nice.”
The sunlight seeping in from the window was surprisingly clear.
It could be considered full autumn now. The wind was cool, and the sky was clear. Since there was still time left until the fallen leaves fell, it was an even more precious weather.
“You should have a cup of tea too.”
“Yes? Ah, yes!”
Yi Geon put down the object that had been resting on the bridge of his nose and received the teacup as if thankful.
Murong Yu looked at the object with fascinated eyes.
“Is that the thing called Spectacles?”
“Yes? Ah, this. Yes, it is. Come to think of it, I haven’t shown it to the Branch Leader yet.”
Murong Yu smiled.
“I’m sorry. I’ve been so busy lately that I couldn’t pay proper attention to you.”
“Haha, please don’t say that.”
Yi Geon picked up the Spectacles.
“I got it through a merchant. It’s an item that came over from the West, but surprisingly, it makes the letters look big and clear.”
“Is that so?”
“Would you like to try wearing it once?”
“It’s fine. It’s not polite to easily use other people’s belongings.”
Yi Geon smiled awkwardly.
Murong Yu tilted his head.
“But do you need Spectacles? With your internal energy, you should be at a level where you can read letters engraved on a grain of rice, right?”
“As you know, my internal energy is not omnipotent.”
Murong Yu nodded his head.
Yi Geon was originally not a person of the Murong Clan. He was a person who coincidentally formed a connection with Murong Yu, and Yi Geon, who had received a favor from Murong Yu, voluntarily took it upon himself to be his subordinate.
‘He was amazing, back then.’
The Yi Geon that Murong Yu saw was a strong person.
And not just a normal strong person, but a strong person on a level that far surpassed himself. If Yi Geon hadn’t been gravely injured back then, he wouldn’t have even been able to endure ten exchanges, let alone dare to fight him.
However, just as Yi Geon’s internal energy, no, his martial arts emitted immense power, its drawbacks were also clear.
That was also the reason why he couldn’t properly utilize his internal energy usually.
“Anyway, ever since I got this thing called Spectacles, my work has gained speed. We are thinking of trying to produce it on our side as well.”
“It will require its own sophisticated technology. Even if you have the materials, it won’t be easy.”
“Haha, I suppose so.”
Murong Yu leaned his back against the chair.
Yi Geon smiled.
“You look comfortable.”
Murong Yu smiled bitterly.
“My body is comfortable. Being freed from a mountain of work, I don’t even know what to do.”
“Then does that mean your mind is uncomfortable?”
Murong Yu just smiled.
Naturally, that could only be the case. He had a huge worry that Yi Geon didn’t know about.
And that worry would be resolved in some way or another. The problem was the fact that no matter how it was resolved, an even bigger worry would greet him afterwards.
‘A worry, huh.’
A light of agony lingered on Murong Yu’s face.
He recalled the contents of the letter Yeon Ho-jeong had sent.
‘If Murong Yeon-hwa goes, you have to make a choice. Will you abandon them, or will you embrace them and go? The lives of all of them depend on your judgment.’
Murong Yu closed his eyes.
‘The lives of others depend on my choice…’
It was a burdensome matter.
He had lived taking responsibility for his subordinates for several years. But this time, the depth of responsibility was different.
‘People who have no connection to the Murim. Among them, there are also many who do good deeds every year. That such people could end up on the streets with my single choice.’
Murong Yu sighed.
Yi Geon tilted his head.
“Why are you like that?”
“Hmm? Ah, it’s nothing. I’m just drowsy.”
“Hahaha! We don’t know when we’ll get busy again later. It’s good to rest properly when you can rest.”
“You are right.”
The two people exchanged conversation while laughing.
Just how much time had passed like that?
‘…?’
The wind blowing in from the window seemed to have become a little cooler.
Murong Yu spoke calmly.
“Yi Geon.”
“Yes, Branch Leader.”
“Bring her in.”
Yi Geon stiffened his expression.
“Please be careful.”
“Don’t worry.”
Yi Geon, who stood up with documents in hand, left the office.
After a while.
“Branch Leader. A person from the main Murong family has arrived.”
“Bring her in.”
Clack.
The door opened and a person revealed herself.
She wasn’t a great beauty whose eyes would pop out, but for some reason, she was a beauty who drew people’s attention. Luxurious silk clothes suited her very well.
The woman, Murong Yeon-hwa, bowed her head.
“Yeon-hwa greets Uncle. It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”
Murong Yu stood up from his seat.
“Yes, it has been a long time.”
Murong Yeon-hwa.
Actually, the age difference between the two was not that big. Because Murong Yeon-hwa was born during Murong Yu’s childhood when he was earnestly practicing the sword.
With an uncle-niece relationship with an eleven-year age difference, an adequately friendly atmosphere could be formed.
However, there was a strange wall between Murong Yu and Murong Yeon-hwa. It was an invisible wall the two had set up for each other.
Murong Yeon-hwa smiled radiantly.
“Has it been a year?”
“I suppose so.”
“While I haven’t seen you, it seems Uncle has become more handsome. If you go out to the marketplace, women will line up, won’t they?”
Murong Yu smiled bitterly.
“I haven’t been able to hold a wedding ceremony even as I approach thirty. I think I’ll be alone in the future too.”
“Hohoho, you shouldn’t say that. What woman in the world would refuse Uncle.”
It wasn’t something to easily bring up even between close uncle and niece. Murong Yeon-hwa was treating Murong Yu like an older stranger rather than an uncle.
“I’m fine, but I hope you marry a good person first.”
“I’m still a long way off. How many things there must be to do for the clan.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. There are so many things that I can’t even focus. My father makes me do so much work.”
“It must be very hard.”
“What can I do even if it’s hard. Since my father trusts me that much.”
Murong Yu was inwardly puzzled.
‘Did this child know how to say these kinds of things?’
Although they had only exchanged a few words, Murong Yu felt Murong Yeon-hwa’s change.
He didn’t know exactly what that change was. But he could know one thing. Unlike before, there was a clear crack in the solid wall surrounding Murong Yeon-hwa.
She complained about being busy but was subtly bragging. It was a side of her he had never seen before.
‘Has there been anything that shook her heart recently.’
Indeed, now was not the time to worry about Murong Yeon-hwa.
“I made you stand for too long. Sit here.”
“Yes! Ah, you were drinking tea.”
“It wasn’t bad.”
“Would you make a cup for me too?”
Murong Yu flinched.
Make tea for her?
No matter how much he was out of favor with the clan, it was not something a niece should say to her uncle. Even if it went against etiquette, it went against it a lot.
Murong Yu looked at Murong Yeon-hwa.
Murong Yeon-hwa smiled radiantly.
“Is there something on my face?”
Different.
The more they talked, the more he looked, the more he felt Murong Yeon-hwa’s change.
‘She is forcing a smile.’
It was a completely different mask from the mask she usually wore. The Murong Yeon-hwa that Murong Yu saw was definitely overexerting herself.
Murong Yu, who was staring blankly at his niece, asked as if throwing the words.
“Are you asking me to make tea for you?”
“Yes.”
Murong Yeon-hwa tilted her head with a smile.
“Why? Is there any reason you shouldn’t, by any chance?”
“…”
“You’re not offended, are you?”
Murong Yu wasn’t offended at all.
Rather, seeing her show this kind of response, his tension relaxed and he even gained some leisure.
Because it was so unexpected, he also briefly doubted whether this might be a trap. Of course, Murong Yu’s instinct could immediately realize that his niece’s response like this was definitely not a trap.
‘I don’t know why, but…’
Beyond the smiling face, he felt an unstably maintained ego.
‘I’m glad.’
Murong Yu was afraid of Murong Yeon-hwa.
It wasn’t that the existence of his niece itself was scary, but he was afraid because he was worried about how far she would go astray. He didn’t want even his niece to live a cold-blooded life like his older brother.
Murong Yu stood up from his seat.
“I will make you the absolute best one.”
“Thank you. As expected, there is no one but Uncle.”
“I’m grateful even just for the words.”
Murong Yu lit the fire in the brazier beneath the window. Then he poured water and boiled it gently.
Murong Yeon-hwa looked around the office and spoke.
“The books have increased compared to before?”
“I read a lot of books during my break time.”
“Heh, really? What books do you… these days…”
“When you finish drinking the tea, return to the clan.”
Murong Yeon-hwa’s eyes stiffened.
She felt as if the naturally continuing conversation had been abruptly cut off.
She looked at Murong Yu.
His back as he boiled water with his back turned looked like a scholar.
“I’m sorry. I must have misheard. What did you say?”
“I said to return when you finish drinking the tea.”
“Uncle.”
“Seeing your face is enough. It seems I have nothing more to say to you.”
It was a quite cold remark.
Murong Yeon-hwa could not help but be inwardly embarrassed. And as much as she was embarrassed, she was subtly angry.
“You have nothing to say to me?”
“Yes.”
“Well? That shouldn’t be the case?”
“No matter what you say, my intention is clear. Therefore, it seems we don’t need any further conversation between us.”
Murong Yu turned his body.
Murong Yeon-hwa flinched. Her uncle was smiling bitterly looking at her.
“You don’t really have any interest in my personal affairs, do you?”
“I…”
“Yes.”
Murong Yu nodded his head and cut off her words.
“The reason you came here is because of Clan Head older brother’s command. Your intention is to observe the situation here and notify me that you will swallow the Zhejiang trade alliance, isn’t it.”
“…”
“Since I have no intention of listening to that notification, I’m telling you to drink a cup of tea and return.”
Murong Yeon-hwa’s expression hardened.
“You have no intention of listening to the notification… That’s unexpected. I didn’t know Uncle would come out this rudely.”
“I too am surprised. I didn’t know you would be so broken.”
“…!!”
“I don’t know if older brother knows your condition either, but wounds of the heart are not easy to heal. Try to pull yourself together first.”
“…How amusing.”
Honest feelings of anger were colored in Murong Yeon-hwa’s eyes.
“I am a person who came representing the main family. No matter how much you are my uncle, shouldn’t you take appropriate etiquette towards me?”
“Even a person who came representing the clan is a niece. Even if they say the laws of the world have fallen to the ground, your way of speaking is excessively spoiled to just listen to.”
“…!!”
“Return to the clan and take a good rest for a few months. What you need is not excessive work, but time to reflect on yourself.”
Instantly, the corners of Murong Yeon-hwa’s eyes trembled.
Excessive work? Reflect on myself?
‘This…!’
Curse words almost popped out without her realizing it. The dangerously maintained self-esteem was about to shatter into pieces.
Yeon Ho-jeong and the descendants of the merchant alliance ignored her, and now even her uncle who was kicked out of the clan ignored her.
Bang!
Murong Yeon-hwa pushed her chair back and stood up.
“Branch Leader Murong.”
Murong Yu’s eyes deepened.
Murong Yeon-hwa continued speaking coldly.
“Bring all the logs related to the merchants.”
It was an unhesitating tone of command.
Murong Yu shook his head.
“There are no such logs. And even if there were, I have no intention of showing them to you.”
“Branch Leader! I’ll say it again! Bring the documents right now!”
“I will say it again as an uncle. If you won’t drink tea, go back now.”
“This…!”
Murong Yeon-hwa, who was trembling, shouted towards the outside of the window.
“Red Wind Squad Leader! Come into the office right now!”
Murong Yu shook his head.
“Don’t do that.”
“Shut up!”
Murong Yeon-hwa ground her teeth with a crunching sound.
“Because I treated you with the courtesy of an uncle all this time, it seems this person has lost the distinction between high and low. You should be glad that Father hasn’t purged you!”
Murong Yu remained silent.
Bang!
The office door opened and Cheon Il-sang came in.
“Did you call for me, Young Lady.”
Murong Yeon-hwa pointed at Murong Yu.
“Subdue this person right now! We will escort him to the main family!”
“…”
“What are you doing! Right now…”
Instantly, Murong Yeon-hwa’s eyes widened like a full moon.
Thump!
Cheon Il-sang fell forward just like that.
Behind the fallen Cheon Il-sang, Yi Geon was standing.
“Yeon-hwa.”
The startled Murong Yeon-hwa looked at Murong Yu.
Murong Yu’s two eyes shone a deep blue.
“Return to the main family now.”