Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 18 - A Martial Artist's Values (2)

Chapter 18 – A Martial Artist’s Values (2)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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“Whew, it is frustrating.”

Yeon Ji-pyeong, who was hugging his knees, had a very depressed face.

“Am I wrong?”

Yeon Ji-pyeong felt stifled.

He, who had lived his whole life according to the laws and teachings of the Yeon family, was greatly shocked by the actions his brother had committed at the Tower of the Chu Sound two days ago.

‘Brother.’

Yeon Ji-pyeong recalled Yeon Ho-jeong from that day.

His gaze was so cold that even the North Wind and Cold Snow would be startled and flee. His brother’s indifference showed no sign of concern even when a person fighting evil was in danger.

In the end, his brother went to help the Zhuge siblings, but until then, he had not shown any behavior that could be called that of a person of the White Path.

Some people say that the result is important and what the problem is. However, by Yeon Ji-pyeong’s standards, the process was as important as the result.

He did not know what his brother was thinking, but his brother’s actions at that time were clearly wrong.

So Yeon Ji-pyeong was confused. Although his brother had made things difficult for him once, he had never thought that his brother was a bad person.

Rather, he thought he was a kind and weak person. He also had many regrets about his thoughtless actions that had given such a brother a sense of frustration.

‘Yes, there must have been a reason for that. They were being attacked by evil people, but… if there hadn’t been a reason of his own, there’s no way my brother would have done that.’

That was right. It was embarrassing, but he could somehow understand up to that point.

However, the appearance of his brother when he killed the arsonist, Ma Bang, was shock itself.

‘It was too terrible.’

Thinking back to that time, Yeon Ji-pyeong felt goosebumps rising once again.

His brother, who had suppressed the opponent with incredible martial arts and then grabbed him by the collar and dragged him in front of the flames.

The ruthless act of throwing the evil person into the fire with an expressionless face.

‘A person alive…’

Even after killing him so cruelly, his brother did not seem to be shocked at all.

I would rather if there had been a sign of feeling gratified. His brother’s gaze looking at the dying Ma Bang was the height of insensitivity.

Even looking at a rolling stone on the street, one could not look at it so heartlessly. That action, that gaze, and that atmosphere were a huge shock to Yeon Ji-pyeong.

‘Brother. Are you really the brother I know?’

Now he did not know what was what.

Yeon Ji-pyeong, who had been burying his face in his knees for a long time, sighed and stood up.

“I am being foolish.”

If there is a question, one can just ask, and if there is a misunderstanding, one can just resolve it. Anyway, it was not something that would be solved by worrying. Yeon Ji-pyeong wanted to find Yeon Ho-jeong and have a conversation.

While walking toward the place where the group was, Yeon Ji-pyeong suddenly discovered two people, a man and a woman, moving away.

‘Eh? Brother?’

It was his brother and the children of the Zhuge Clan.

‘Where are they going?’

After hesitating for a moment, Yeon Ji-pyeong followed behind the two people.

How much time had passed like that?

“This much should be enough.”

“…”

“I have something to ask.”

“Ah, yes!”

Something to ask?

Curiosity dwelled on Yeon Ji-pyeong’s face. Normally, he would have felt a sense of rejection toward eavesdropping on someone else’s conversation, but now he was somehow watching as if possessed.

“How much do you know about your clan?”

“Pardon?”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes flashed.

In the dark forest, Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes, shining vividly blue, were as eerie as phosphorescence. Zhuge Ah-yeon involuntarily gasped and sucked in her breath.

“The martial arts you used when you fought the arsonist at that time were truly extraordinary.”

“T-that is…”

“Judging by the level of the martial arts, it would not be out of place even if it were a secret technique of a sect. It was just that your level of training was low, but the completeness of the martial studies was very outstanding.”

“…”

“If you were not the next family head, they would not easily pass down such martial arts even to a blood relative.”

Zhuge Ah-yeon’s neck turned slightly red.

“Are Young Master Yeon’s words implying that I stole and learned the martial arts?”

“I am not saying that.”

“Then…?”

“I am asking if the Zhuge Clan possesses various martial arts to the extent of passing down secret techniques even to those who are not successors.”

Zhuge Ah-yeon tilted her head.

It was difficult to grasp the intent of the question. Possession of various martial arts? Naturally, once one reached the level of the Zhuge Clan, they possessed hundreds of types of martial arts.

“I will put it more simply. Does your clan also possess ‘different types’ of martial arts?”

“By ‘different types,’ do you mean…?”

“I am asking if there are martial arts that are ‘orthodox’ but have never been presented in the Central Plains.”

Even if one asked such a question, it would be fine as long as the person involved did not answer honestly. However, Yeon Ho-jeong did not have any expectations that the other party would tell the truth in the first place.

There was only one thing he was looking at.

The opponent’s eyes.

His discernment, trained in the life of the Black Path where he had been betrayed more times than he could count and had almost died countless times, was second to none. Not only Yeon Ho-jeong, but such discernment was close to a basic requirement for those who had survived for a long time in the Black Path.

A sharpness that could pierce through the opponent’s disposition just by looking into their eyes and exchanging a few words.

A meticulousness and stubbornness that repeatedly re-verified even after the confirmation was finished.

It was the reason why Yeon Ho-jeong could be called the Dark Emperor and why he could survive for a long time even though he stood at the peak of the Black Path.

“I do not know why you are asking such a thing, but… even if I knew, I cannot tell Young Master Yeon about the internal affairs of the main family.”

Zhuge Ah-yeon answered calmly.

She had never had a private conversation with him, but she already recognized Yeon Ho-jeong as a dangerous person. He was a person whom she should not tell even a trivial thing.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.

Zhuge Ah-yeon involuntarily swallowed her saliva.

‘Just what is this person’s identity?’

Is he really the Eldest Young Master of the Green Mountain Yeon Clan?

If he were the eldest son of a prestigious family counted among the Seven Great Clans, something had to be different. However, Yeon Ho-jeong deviated severely from that extent.

Martial arts were not the problem. That gaze and atmosphere were truly those of a warrior who had gone through all sorts of hardships.

It was as if she were seeing a barbaric warrior walking leisurely through the wilderness after defeating numerous enemies.

‘He is like Uncle Hwang.’

It was not about strength, but the disposition was like that. Uncle Hwang was the roughest, sharpest, and scariest person she knew.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who was looking at Zhuge Ah-yeon without a word, nodded his head.

“I understand.”

“Yes.”

“…”

“Pardon?”

“I said I understand. You may go now.”

Zhuge Ah-yeon was flustered once again.

‘What is with this person?’

When he first called her and talked, his gaze was as ominous as if he were going to devour her right then. But now, he told her to leave with a face saying everything in the world was bothersome, as if he had lost interest.

…It hurts my pride. Why do I have to be treated like this?

“Excuse me.”

“What?”

She had asked, but she could not think of what to say.

Zhuge Ah-yeon was flustered for the third time at her own hesitation. She had always been bold anywhere and anytime, but strangely she felt intimidated in front of Yeon Ho-jeong.

‘What did I do wrong to this human that I keep…’

In an instant, Zhuge Ah-yeon’s expression stiffened.

She bowed her head deeply.

“I am sorry.”

“For what?”

“It was something that happened because of our siblings, precisely because of me. I caused you to fall into unnecessary danger because of my situation. I sincerely apologize.”

She bowed her waist while clasping her hands with discipline.

It was an action from which sincerity could be felt. Since she bowed her head, her face could not be seen, but one could expect an expression full of self-reproach.

“Were they people with whom you had a grudge?”

“Rather than a grudge…”

Zhuge Ah-yeon briefly explained the situation.

Yeon Ho-jeong nodded his head.

“Then there is nothing to apologize for.”

“Pardon?”

“It was something that happened while helping a person with good intentions. The people who should be punished are those fellows who chased you to the end, not you. Since there is no fault on your part, there is no need for you to apologize.”

“E-even so…”

“If it really weighs on your mind, find the restaurant and the people who suffered damage and give them at least some material support. That is what you should do.”

Zhuge Ah-yeon could not easily continue her words.

It was not a sin since she helped a person with good intentions?

It was a correct statement. Even if Yeon Ho-jeong were her, she would have said the same thing.

However, it was amazing that Yeon Ho-jeong had said such a thing. It was because the Yeon Ho-jeong she saw was close to a cold-blooded pragmatist.

“That… I must definitely do so.”

“Right.”

“…”

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going?”

“Can I ask just one thing?”

“What is it?”

“If I say it in advance, I am not interrogating you. I do not even have the qualification to interrogate Young Master Yeon. I am asking because I am really curious, so I hope you do not feel too bad.”

“So what is it?”

“Don’t you think it was somewhat cruel?”

“Hmm?”

“That guy who burned to death. The guy who called himself the Thunder Fire Hall Master.”

Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.

“Why is that cruel?”

“From the perspective of an ordinary person, it could be sufficiently cruel. Everyone who saw that sight must have been shocked.”

“Just with that?”

“…It is not ‘just.’ You burned a person alive, even if he was an enemy.”

“Well, you might think so.”

He easily brushed it off. Zhuge Ah-yeon was dumbfounded by Yeon Ho-jeong’s indifference.

“He was an evil person who tried to kill commoners by setting a fire, but I think it was somewhat excessive. At least it was not a normal method, was it?”

“Then is it a normal method to cut the neck with a single stroke of a sword?”

“…Well, that is not it either, but at least there is no pain.”

“Then that won’t do. That fellow must die painfully.”

Zhuge Ah-yeon’s eyes widened.

“Whether he aimed only at your siblings I do not know, but he unnecessarily set a fire and tried to kill numerous commoners. This is naturally a capital offense.”

“That is true, but still.”

“Death is fair to everyone. To evil people and to good people. If so, it is my thought that at least the process until reaching death should be painful.”

“Do you think of yourself as a magistrate?”

“I am not a magistrate, so I kill them instead of locking them in a prison.”

To have seen such a monstrous person.

Zhuge Ah-yeon was surprised by Yeon Ho-jeong’s words, but at the same time, she felt a strange envy.

She did not know how much deep contemplation there had been, but Yeon Ho-jeong had conviction. He had a firm standard of his own.

Sometimes it is more difficult to live simply than to live complexly. Yeon Ho-jeong’s ideology was simple, but it was a simplicity accompanied by agony that transcended imagination.

Coming to this point, it was even more unbelievable.

‘Just how old is this person?’

Words, deeds, ideology, determination, martial arts, etc. he did not look to be at that age at all.

Zhuge Ah-yeon, who was staring at Yeon Ho-jeong, burst into laughter.

“Thank you.”

“How many times are you going to say thank you?”

“Wasn’t it Young Master Yeon who managed my internal injuries and pulled out the poison from my brother?”

Yeon Ho-jeong did not answer.

Zhuge Ah-yeon bowed her head once again.

“Young Master Yeon is our siblings’ benefactor. I will somehow repay this kindness.”

“No need.”

“Do you know that? Your tone is somehow the tone of an old person.”

“Noisy.”

“Tch, how stiff.”

Zhuge Ah-yeon grumbled and turned around.

“I have talked a lot as soon as I woke up, so I am hungry. I should go and grab something to eat. Do you want to go together?”

Yeon Ho-jeong glanced toward the bushes.

Rustle.

The movement of the bushes gradually moved away. It was a mole-like movement.

“Let’s do that.”

“Hehe.”

“Do not stick close to me.”

“Ah, excuse me.”

“…”

“By the way, how old are you?”

“Forty-six.”

“Do not lie, Mister.”

“Eighteen.”

“Gasp?! What? I was the older sister! Hey! I am one year older than you!”

“…”

“Do you want to be friends?”

“No need.”