Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 155 - Infamy and Name of Chivalry (5)
Chapter 155 – Infamy and Name of Chivalry (5)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Edited by Celestial Knight
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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A night with beautiful moonlight.
The faces of the two people who set up a drinking party on a flat wooden bench in the rear garden, where no one’s eyes could reach, looked quite bright.
“There’s no need for long words. Let’s have a drink first.”
“Sounds good.”
Clink.
The cups clinked against each other, making a clear and beautiful sound.
Yeon Ho-jeong emptied his cup refreshingly.
“Kyaa!”
Refreshing.
He briefly put down the burden on his shoulders, and even his accumulated fatigue was completely relieved. His body was light, and the moonlight was also good. Adding a cup of alcohol to that, he felt infinitely languid.
Murong Yu smiled faintly.
“You drink heroically.”
“Because there’s no chance of being ambushed while drinking.”
He smoothly talks about bloodthirsty things with a smiling face. Murong Yu spoke with an awkward expression.
“Was it very hard?”
“It was alright.”
Actually, thinking back to his days as the Dark Emperor, it wasn’t hugely difficult either. Isn’t a fight of killing and being killed all the same.
However, throughout the fighting, he had to pay attention to the safety of his soldiers, and furthermore, he checked one by one wondering if there was anyone he knew in the past among the Black Path groups.
Is that why? He expended a lot of mental energy every moment. It was a schedule where mental fatigue was actually greater than the physical fatigue his body received.
“It’s fine. Because I feel like I can shake it all off from now on.”
Murong Yu smiled.
“I don’t know what happened, but your expression looks very good. Yes, that is enough.”
Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.
“The things this side did are obvious, but I can’t quite imagine how that side has endured?”
“…”
“Tell me how you’ve been doing all this time. There aren’t any proper snacks either, so I should drink alcohol using that as a snack.”
Murong Yu gave a clear smile.
He’s the same as always. At the same time, something was subtly different.
He gave off a more human feeling than when he saw him before. Murong Yu liked that change in Yeon Ho-jeong.
He had only met Yeon Ho-jeong a few times, but it was certain he wasn’t a bad person. Murong Yu sincerely thought so.
‘A younger brother I can rely on.’
Because he’s not a bad person? That wasn’t it.
Even if Yeon Ho-jeong were an extremely atrocious villain, he felt he would think of him once in a while.
Why is that? Is it because he is the person who allowed him, who had been cowering, to come to his senses?
‘No.’
Starlight sparkled in Murong Yu’s clear eyes.
‘There is something in Younger Brother Yeon that makes the viewer feel a sense of admiration.’
Yeon Ho-jeong was not like the eldest son of the Yeon Clan, highly renowned for its laws and chivalry. He was sometimes rough and unconventional, and sometimes soft and human.
Those contrasting personalities gathered together to make Yeon Ho-jeong’s atmosphere unique.
Like a person with wings, it felt like freedom that he could go anywhere once he moved.
“What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?”
“No. Perhaps because I haven’t seen you in a long time, I just thought you’re a truly reliable younger brother.”
Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.
“Boring.”
“I’d like to drink with a little more ease if possible, but it would be better to finish talking about work first, right?”
“Right.”
Murong Yu explained in detail how he had been doing and what had happened over the past time.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes widened.
“The Tang Clan?”
“That’s right.”
“Where did the Central Plains Bank go, and suddenly it’s the Tang Clan?”
“He probably thought the Tang Clan was better than the Central Plains Bank.”
“Hmm.”
Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.
“If we assume a faction war, the Tang Clan is definitely better than the Central Plains Bank. Moreover, since the Tang Clan Head is also an honoured guest, it would be good to push for something during the honoured guests’ meeting.”
Murong Yu nodded his head.
“I think so too. However…”
He couldn’t easily continue speaking.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled faintly.
“Why? Are you a bit reluctant to marry a person whose face you’ve never even seen?”
“That’s right.”
Murong Yu let out a deep sigh.
“How many people in today’s world marry after building affection first. I also never thought I would be able to escape such rigid relationships. However…”
“Because of Murong Jun?”
“…That’s right.”
The two people planned to oust Murong Jun in the future.
But Murong Jun was trying to join hands with the Tang Clan Head Tang Kwan. In other words, it means they will become a political community with the Tang Clan.
What if they cannot exclude the Tang Clan in ousting Murong Jun?
Murong Yu would have to cut down his older brother as well as his wife’s family.
“It’s worth worrying about.”
Yeon Ho-jeong didn’t say that Murong Yu’s resolve was half-baked, or ask if he joined hands with him without even that level of determination.
Because it was a sufficiently worrisome problem. Also, it was because Murong Yu had such humanity that he thought of setting him up as the Murim Alliance Leader.
“Actually, even when talks about the eldest daughter of the Central Plains Bank came out, I was surprised. I didn’t think he would try to join hands with a new faction through me.”
“Solidifying a power base through marriages between powerful families is a method frequently used since ancient times.”
“I know. I know, but since the target is me, I can’t help but worry deeply.”
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“I’ll tell you straight up. It’s a useless worry.”
“What do you mean a useless worry?”
“Didn’t you say you haven’t even met the daughter of the Tang Clan yet?”
Murong Yu spoke as if flustered.
“Of course that’s true. But my older brother and the Tang Clan Head will push ahead no matter what…”
“There’s no way that will happen.”
“Hmm?”
Unlike Murong Yu’s starlight-like eyes, Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes were intense like the sun.
“When faced with a situation of choosing between two alternatives, the Murong Jun I know never gives up his person.”
“…!”
“Murong Jun’s words were sincere. The words that if you don’t like the daughter of the Tang Clan, he will break off the marriage.”
“Of course, I think so too.”
“Then there’s nothing to worry about, right?”
Yeon Ho-jeong grinned.
“Put down the heavy burden of a union between families, and just meet her first.”
“…”
“As a joke, it’s not like both families will push for an immediate marriage just because you two met, right? It literally is just meeting.”
“T-that’s true, but…”
“Why? Do you want to speed things up as soon as you meet?”
“Y-Younger Brother Yeon!”
Murong Yu’s face turned red. It seemed he was embarrassed just thinking about it.
Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled. Such a naive gentleman.
“Don’t feel pressured. It’s just a person meeting a person. Attaching this and that meaning to it is nothing but an armchair theory. There’s a saying that seeing is believing, right.”
Murong Yu let out a deep sigh.
“Younger Brother Yeon is right. Perhaps the reason I feel awkward is because there is no pure intention in the meeting itself.”
“How many people would want to meet with pure intentions? Was there any purity in my intention when I went to seek you out?”
“…”
“It’s all like that. It’s better to discard thoughts like ‘this is different, that is acceptable’ if possible. Of course, there are also issues that cannot be compromised.”
“Hoo.”
He came to a good place, but somehow he kept sighing. A bitter light crossed Murong Yu’s face.
Yeon Ho-jeong filled his cup.
“If you’re so bothered, change your way of thinking.”
“Hmm? Change my way of thinking, what does that mean?”
“If you don’t like the daughter of the Tang Clan, it can’t be helped. But what will you do if you do like her?”
Murong Yu’s expression instantly turned serious.
“Then I absolutely shouldn’t marry her. For her sake, and furthermore, for my sake.”
Yeon Ho-jeong wore a strange smile.
“Righteous. Romantic. But you need to expand your thinking a bit more.”
“What do you mean?”
“Why can’t you think of completely making that person your person?”
“…!!”
“Give up because you like her? Don’t make me laugh. If you like her, move as your heart dictates. So what if you marry her? Then it’s good.”
Murong Yu gaped his mouth.
“Think about the aftermath later. Isn’t it like tasting death anyway, staying under your brother while hiding your true intentions? I think it wouldn’t be bad to relieve your fatigue facing a person you love.”
“…What if.”
“Hmm?”
“What if that person receives a great shock? No, she certainly will.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes flashed.
“Then you just have to receive all of the opponent’s resentment.”
“…”
“You’re not meeting that person to gain the power of the Tang Clan, or for the Murong Clan. You’re meeting because things turned out this way. At least to you, there is absolutely no intention to hurt the opponent.”
“…”
“If it still weighs on your mind despite that, you can just say you won’t marry after meeting the daughter of the Tang Clan tomorrow. That’s all there is to it.”
Ultimately, it meant everything should be decided after meeting her.
Murong Yu, looking quietly at Yeon Ho-jeong, smiled bitterly.
“I’m sorry. I showed you an ugly side as an older brother.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Huh?”
Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.
“I have never acknowledged you as my older brother? Even calling me younger brother is purely you calling me that as you please, right?”
“What?”
Murong Yu, who looked at Yeon Ho-jeong in surprise, laughed loudly.
“Hahaha!”
A clear and elegant laughter filled the night sky.
Come to think of it, how long had it been since he laughed this refreshingly. It truly felt like the anxiety and worries nested in his chest were completely blown away.
Murong Yu, who laughed for a while, soon spoke calmly.
“It’s about time we organize our titles. Call me older brother.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Why? Although I also know I am lacking, I’m confident I can at least remain as your foolish older brother, Younger Brother Yeon.”
“Don’t make me laugh. I don’t intend to have an ugly person groaning over matters with the opposite sex as an older brother.”
“It’s natural for anyone to be clumsy at first.”
Yeon Ho-jeong, staring blankly at Murong Yu, turned his head and drank his alcohol.
“Keuheo, refreshing.”
Murong Yu cleared his throat as if embarrassed.
“I was just saying it. If you really hate it, I don’t intend to force a sworn brotherhood either…”
“Just go and meet the Tang Clan’s daughter well tomorrow.”
“Huh?”
“Meet her well without losing this side of you today. Don’t make a slip of the tongue stuttering like an idiot.”
In the pouring moonlight, Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes shone mysteriously.
“If you meet her well like a man and return, then I’ll call you older brother.”
Murong Yu’s face brightened.
“Do not worry. Despite how I look, I have a somewhat manly side…”
“You don’t.”
“I do! What do you take me for?”
“Well? A half-wit who doesn’t know how to use his innate talent?”
“Ahem, what kind of way is that to speak to an older brother.”
“Shut up.”
Murong Yu burst into a hearty laugh.
It was a good drinking party. It was a truly good drinking party. Murong Yu sincerely thought it was a relief he sought out Yeon Ho-jeong tonight.
Like that, several rounds of drinks went around.
“So, did you look at everyone who will enter the Demon-Sweeping Army?”
“I did.”
“How were they?”
Murong Yu’s eyes shone.
“Every single one of them was an outstanding person.”
“They would be. Since Murong Jun must have paid considerable attention.”
“And there is one thing to discuss regarding that part.”
“What is it? How to grasp your subordinates?”
“Don’t worry about that since I’ll take care of it well.”
“You have a strange intensity in these areas. Right, what are you thinking of discussing?”
Murong Yu spoke seriously.
“I will have to snatch one of my younger brother’s pieces.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes sparkled.
“Take back a move?”
“I think I’ll have to.”
“Hmm.”
“About the situation on this side…”
“It’s fine. You don’t have to talk about that.”
“Still, wouldn’t it be better to listen?”
“I know about your relationship with Murong Jun without even looking. Moreover, if I know too much in detail, I think it’ll be confusing instead. There’s room for me to make a mistake when I meet Murong Jun later.”
“Hmm, I understand.”
“Are you doing well?”
“I think so.”
“Then that’s fine. Just do as you’ve done until now.”
Yeon Ho-jeong stroked his chin.
“Take a piece… Hmm, what should I hand over for Murong Jun to like?”
“There’s no need to overdo it. I just thought it was time to engrave my presence into my brother.”
“If you’re going to reveal your presence anyway, it would be better to hand over a pretty thick one without raising suspicion.”
Instantly, Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes sparkled. A good idea had come to mind.
“When is the scheduled departure date for the Demon-Sweeping Army?”