Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 21 - Windstorm (1)
Chapter 21 – Windstorm (1)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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Seeing Zhuge Ah-yeon, Yeon Ho-jeong turned his head away with a face saying everything was bothersome.
She might have been embarrassed, but Zhuge Ah-yeon did not mind at all. Rather, her face was full of joy.
“Have you been well?”
“It has only been two days.”
“I am happy to see you, that’s why.”
He could not understand what kind of friendship had been built that she was happy to see him.
Yeon Ho-jeong said to Peng Dae-ho.
“Anyway, I was rude.”
“Huh? Hmm? What? Ah! I-it is fine! It’s not like I’m being worn down anyway.”
“Then.”
“A-are you going?”
“That is so.”
“…Uh-huh, take care. See you later.”
In that way, Yeon Ho-jeong entered his accommodation.
It was when Zhuge Ah-yeon was about to call him once more.
“Young Lady.”
“Yes?”
“Please secure your accommodation now.”
“Oh, but Jun has all the luggage anyway. I will have a cup of tea with my friend…”
“Young Lady.”
“…”
“…”
“I got it, I got it.”
An elderly warrior bowed his head politely.
“This subordinate was presumptuous. I am sorry.”
“Ay, it’s fine! I remember my father’s words. Hey, Jun. Pick a nice accommodation, just like that!”
“Of course.”
“Eeeeek.”
“Aaargh! Why, why are you doing that! My hair will be all messed up!”
“It’s all because I love you, you brat.”
“What love! It’s spite! Eh? But why are you being spiteful?”
“…”
“…Now! Let’s go secure an accommodation! Let’s go, let’s go!”
It was when the Zhuge siblings were about to move.
In an instant, Zhuge Ah-yeon looked at Namgung Hyeon.
“Eh? Brother?”
Namgung Hyeon said with a slightly awkward face.
“It has been a long time.”
Zhuge Ah-yeon bowed her head gracefully. It was a completely different appearance from when she dealt with Yeon Ho-jeong or Zhuge Jun.
“Have you been well in the meantime?”
“Yes. Have you also been well?”
“Yes.”
“…”
“Then, I will see you later.”
Zhuge Ah-yeon’s etiquette was perfect. Anyone would say she was worthy of being called a talented woman of a prestigious family.
However, an unknown awkwardness flowed. Zhuge Ah-yeon’s act of dealing with others with etiquette did not seem very comfortable itself.
In that way, the Zhuge siblings also went in to secure their accommodation.
***
Namgung Hyeon’s gaze deepened as he watched Zhuge Ah-yeon moving away.
When he returned to his quarters, Yeon Ji-pyeong had entered before he knew it.
“Brother?”
“Have you come?”
“I called but there was no answer, so I came in just in case.”
“Yes, you did well.”
“By the way, did Sister Zhuge and Jun also come? I heard voices from afar.”
Certainly, Yeon Ji-pyeong’s senses were outstanding. Unless he had focused separately, it was not a distance to hear voices from the main gate side.
“Yes.”
“That’s good. Since people I’m acquainted with came, I feel somewhat relieved.”
“Are you nervous?”
“…A little?”
Honest fellow.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled and gestured with his chin toward the window.
“It seemed they would take a place in the western building. Go and have a cup of tea with them.”
“What about you, Brother?”
“I’m fine.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong scratched his head.
“Brother, can I ask just one thing?”
“Anytime.”
“Do you dislike Sister Zhuge?”
Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.
“No? I don’t have any particular feelings.”
“I see.”
“Why?”
“No. It’s just that it seemed you were distancing yourself from Sister Zhuge, both before and now.”
“I have no reason to dislike her, but I also have no reason to particularly like her, do I?”
Yeon Ji-pyeong’s expression became blank.
It was an expression that seemed both nonsensical and understandable. However, he had never seen a person who made human relationships clear in this way.
“Eh, then I’ll be back!”
“Yes.”
When Yeon Ji-pyeong left, Yeon Ho-jeong sat by the window.
He must have been happy to see them. Looking down, he already saw Yeon Ji-pyeong’s back, wondering when he had gone down.
‘He looks happy.’
A faint sense of self-reproach was harbored on Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.
‘He wouldn’t have been like that in the past.’
It was so long ago that the memory was hazy. However, when he came to the meeting of rising stars in the past, it was a time when he thoroughly hated his brother. He probably couldn’t build friendships with others because he was wary of his brother.
‘I will never let it be like that in the future.’
That was also the reason why he kept his distance from Zhuge Ah-yeon. Zhuge Jun found him difficult to deal with, but Zhuge Ah-yeon wanted to break down that stiff wall.
In fact, it was something to be grateful for. Even for a benefactor who saved her life, it is a great blessing that there is a person who approaches so unreservedly.
Therefore, Yeon Ho-jeong was wary of others.
To be precise, he was wary of himself.
‘This time, I will not fail.’
The back of Yeon Ji-pyeong running with full joy.
He did not want to cast fear and futility on that energetic back. He did not want to show a terrible future not only to his brother but also to his family members.
…At least he wanted to make it so until the Rebellion of the Three Cults broke out.
If possible, even after the Rebellion of the Three Cults.
‘Enemies are everywhere.’
In a situation where he doesn’t know who the enemy is, he cannot be careless. Thinking that way, the evaluation of the Peng family was also too early.
Sitting on the floor, Yeon Ho-jeong crossed his legs.
His half-closed eyes looked as hard and dark as steel.
“If possible, I hope it doesn’t go as far as the Nine Sects One Gang.”
One hour later.
“Eldest Young Master. The meeting has begun. They say everyone should gather at the banquet hall of the inner courtyard.”
“What about the Murong and Myeong families?”
“They have just arrived.”
* * *
“It has been a long time, Brother.”
“Wahaha! It has been a very long time! Is it exactly one year?”
“It is.”
“Wow! Even though only one year has passed, you have become very beautiful!”
“Then have you brothers become even larger?”
“Because we eat so well.”
“Hohoho!”
“We also poop a lot.”
“…I do not want to hear such stories.”
Entering the outdoor banquet hall, the first thing that caught the eye was definitely the Peng brothers. Their burly frames and their hearty voices that seemed to shake the heavens were all elements that caught everyone’s attention.
However, Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes did not go to Peng Dae-ho and Peng Man-ho. They headed toward the woman talking with the two of them.
‘Murong!’
She was a fresh beauty who looked to be less than twenty years old. However, the true Qi she hid within her body was truly great.
That potential was rather above even the Peng brothers. And Yeon Ho-jeong knew well what that power was and who that woman was.
‘She must be the daughter of Murong Jun.’
Murong Yeon-hwa.
She was a heroine of the age who led the Murong Clan in place of the Murim Alliance Leader Murong Jun. Aside from her personality, her ability was outstanding enough for even Murong Jun to acknowledge.
Yeon Ho-jeong turned his head.
She was a woman with whom he had clashed many times during the days he led the Dark Emperor Castle. But now, such things were not important.
‘First, the Myeong family…’
It was then.
“Are you looking for someone?”
Yeon Ho-jeong turned around.
Zhuge Ah-yeon was standing there smiling.
“You came?”
“…I think I said this before, but your tone of speech really sounds like an old man.”
“No need.”
“Again, again.”
Yeon Ho-jeong scanned Zhuge Ah-yeon’s attire.
“What is with that attire?”
Zhuge Ah-yeon wore a smile.
In her smile, which seemed to be always bright, an unknown bitterness was harbored.
“It is quite flashy, isn’t it?”
When he first saw her at the Tower of the Chu Sound and when she entered the manor, Zhuge Ah-yeon’s attire was simple. It was just that her beauty was so outstanding that even the clothes she was wearing felt flashy; in reality, it was close to moderately high-quality activewear.
Now it was different.
Her appearance wearing a flashy palace dress was truly great. The clothes made of high-quality light green silk embroidered with red plum blossoms suited her bright and fine beauty so well.
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded his head.
“It is fine.”
“Really?”
“Yes, it suits you well.”
Zhuge Ah-yeon examined Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes were transparent. They were excessively clear and insensitive, so they had a power that made the viewer feel strangely intimidated.
However, Zhuge Ah-yeon’s expression was bright.
She was someone who had heard that she was pretty since she was young enough for her ears to get calluses. However, behind such praise, there were many cases where negative emotions such as jealousy and desire were included.
It was the first time she had received such a blunt compliment from someone other than her family. Naturally, her mood could only become good.
“Right? I thought it might be a bit excessive, but…”
“It is not excessive, is it?”
“I-is that so?”
“It’s not like you’re decorated with gold all over your body. There are people all over who wear things ten thousand times more flashy than you.”
It was true.
In the Black Path, there are many people who dress up flashily beyond their means. It is because they are full of fellows who try to gather influence by showing off their ability and wealth. Compared to that, Zhuge Ah-yeon’s attire does not even count as ordinary.
A comfortable smile spread on Zhuge Ah-yeon’s face.
A person who is quick-witted is also good at managing their expression, but she did not know how to hide her emotions.
“There’s a seat over there. Let’s go and sit.”
“I’m fine.”
“Ay, don’t be so stubborn even at a good place. Let’s go and have a drink.”
Yeon Ho-jeong, who was about to tell her not to bother him, paused for a moment.
‘Come to think of it.’
If there is a mastermind family here that intends to destroy the Yeon family, the successor of that family will surely know that fact.
Naturally, they will keep an eye on him and Yeon Ji-pyeong.
‘Thinking about it, there was no need to act in a way that stands out for nothing.’
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded his head.
“Let’s do that.”
“Hehe.”
“Do not stick close to me.”
“You are really prickly.”
“Noisy.”
“Isn’t it tiring to live with such a personality?”
“If it were tiring, I wouldn’t live like this.”
“Hmm, that’s true.”
“So move away a bit. It’s hot.”
“The weather is so chilly, but you say it’s hot. Besides, with martial arts of your level…”
Zhuge Ah-yeon cleared her throat as she realized her mistake.
“Sorry. Was that useless talk?”
Certainly, her wit is an art. She did not think Yeon Ho-jeong was hiding his martial arts, but she knew that he did not particularly want to talk about it.
In that way, the two sat in their seats. Since they were pre-made dishes, they were somewhat cold, but they still tasted good.
Yeon Ho-jeong readily filled Zhuge Ah-yeon’s cup. Zhuge Ah-yeon also smiled and filled his cup.
“Can I ask just one thing?”
“Yes.”
“Are the martial arts of the Yeon family all that strong?”
“The martial arts of the Zhuge family would not be inferior to those of the main family.”
“Aha? The important thing is the person, not the martial arts?”
She gets it right away. Zhuge Ah-yeon knew how to grasp the other party’s intention well.
Zhuge Ah-yeon laughed loudly.
“You’re subtly bragging about yourself, aren’t you? Well, it seemed like it was worth bragging about.”
“It’s not a skill to brag about.”
“Is it modesty?”
“I’m serious.”
Zhuge Ah-yeon read sincerity from Yeon Ho-jeong’s face. He sincerely thought that his martial arts were not extraordinary.
Zhuge Ah-yeon, who was staring at his face, asked.
“Do you want to become stronger?”
“It’s the desire of every warrior.”
“That is true. Then is your dream to be the Best in the World?”
The corners of Yeon Ho-jeong’s mouth went up.
It was a smile where only the corners of his mouth went up slightly. However, the weight it carried was not light.
“If I’m going to be moderately strong, being the best in the world is better, isn’t it?”
“…That is true.”
Zhuge Ah-yeon, who was unknowingly muttering, nodded once more and said.
“Right. Being the best is better than being mediocre. Or becoming the worst instead.”
Zhuge Ah-yeon smiled brightly.
“I’m jealous of you. Because you have a dream.”
Being the best in the world is not my dream.
Yeon Ho-jeong did not bother to say those words.
“Do you not have a dream?”
“Me? Hmmmmm!”
Zhuge Ah-yeon clenched her mouth and agonized. No, she pretended to agonize.
“You are certainly mature, aren’t you? I haven’t thought about a dream yet.”
“Does an adult become a child because they haven’t thought about a dream?”
“Hmm, I haven’t thought about it that way?”
Zhuge Ah-yeon poked Yeon Ho-jeong’s arm with her elbow.
“Talking to you, I really feel like I’ve become a child. Even though I’ve never heard that I’m stupid.”
“Don’t talk nonsense and give me some wine.”
“Eh? When did you drink it?”
“Give me the wine bottle.”
“Okay! I’ll pour it for you! You’re really impatient. You drank it all in a flash without even giving me a toast?”
One person drinks wine with an expressionless face, and the other person chatters with a loud laugh. It was a combination that could be commonly seen anywhere, but the problem was the atmosphere of the two people.
It was truly an unreserved atmosphere. Even while the man and woman were drinking, they looked blunt and familiar.
The rising stars gathered in the banquet hall glanced at the two.
Regardless of the reason, a beautiful woman was laughing brightly while exchanging wine cups. Furthermore, the young man next to her was also sufficiently handsome, although his impression was somewhat sharp.
That sight made the rising stars fall into a strange impression. They felt as if there were separate protagonists in this banquet hall.
How much time had passed like that?
“You look very happy?”
Yeon Ho-jeong and Zhuge Ah-yeon turned their heads.
Tang Yang-seon was walking with his hands behind his back while smiling.
“I’m asking because I don’t have friends, can I join you?”