Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 27 - Reason for Fighting (2)

Chapter 27 – Reason for Fighting (2)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Ga Deuk-sang grinned.

His hair was disheveled, his face was covered in grime, and the clothes he wore were no different from rags, but only his teeth were shining white.

“Dragon Head Chief? Thinking about that alone is enjoyable. Unfortunately, my master’s life is tougher than a whale’s sinew. It seems far-off for the next few years.”

“…….”

“By the way, you know this beggar, but this beggar doesn’t know you, young sir? Let’s see, if I use all my wits from begging for food for over twenty years to take a guess……”

“I am called Yeon Ho-jeong.”

“Eh?”

Yeon Ho-jeong took the rare step of cupping his fists.

“I am Yeon Ho-jeong, the eldest son of the Green Mountain Yeon Clan of Jiangsu. It is a pleasure.”

Ga Deuk-sang’s eyes widened.

It was a greeting that maintained courtesy and formality. At least there was no sign of ignoring the opponent.

“Uh…… yes, it’s a pleasure.”

He was secretly surprised.

The Beggars’ Gang is a sect that stands shoulder to shoulder with the Nine Great Sects and the Seven Great Clans. However, it was also the sect most avoided by the children of prestigious families.

The reason was simple. Because all the disciples of the Beggars’ Gang advocated for being beggars.

Martial artists with much experience in the Jianghu recognized the greatness of the Beggars’ Gang, but young men and women were different. They were just busy avoiding them because they were dirty beggars.

Seen that way, Yeon Ho-jeong’s greeting certainly had a unique side.

‘To see him in a place like this.’

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes, as he looked at Ga Deuk-sang, held sincere goodwill.

It could only be so. Even though he had built up power not inferior to the Orthodox Murim, the Unorthodox Path was treated with contempt, being called the Black Path. However, Ga Deuk-sang had truly treated the Unorthodox Path as comrades.

In those bleak years, Ga Deuk-sang was one of the few people for whom Yeon Ho-jeong had human goodwill.

“My, how long has it been since I received such a greeting?”

Ga Deuk-sang scratched his head vigorously. Looking at his state, it seemed as if a bucket of dandruff would come out, but surprisingly, there was no such thing.

“Then you must be the second young master of the Yeon Clan?”

Yeon Ji-pyeong cupped his fists with discipline.

“My greeting is late. I am Yeon Ji-pyeong, the second young master of the Green Mountain Yeon Clan of Jiangsu. It is an honor to meet the Successor of the Beggars’ Gang.”

Yeon Ji-pyeong’s greeting also possessed courtesy and formality. Since it was their first meeting, there was no talk of goodwill or anything, but at least there was no sign of disregarding the opponent at all.

Ga Deuk-sang hesitated for no reason. It was a very welcome greeting, but he didn’t know what kind of face to make.

However, he knew one thing.

‘Huh! He’s so different from the rumors.’

Yeon Ho-jeong asked with a smile.

“Have you finished your meal?”

“Meal? Ah, I just finished. I ate until my stomach was about to burst. I can’t even remember how long it’s been since I had such delicious food.”

“That’s a pity. If you’re alright with it, let’s have lunch together.”

Yeon Ji-pyeong looked at Yeon Ho-jeong in surprise. He had never seen his brother ask someone to eat first.

Ga Deuk-sang nodded with a reluctant face.

“L-let’s do that.”

“Then, may you rest comfortably.”

“Ah, you too.”

With that, the Yeon brothers entered the dining hall.

Ga Deuk-sang, who was looking at the backs of the brothers, smacked his lips.

“I was going to dig into everything one by one starting from the incident at the Tower of the Chu Sound, but I was suddenly preempted.”

Could it be that Yeon Ho-jeong knew his intentions and made a preemptive strike?

‘That’s not it.’

To become the successor of the Beggars’ Gang, an eye for seeing people is essential. In Ga Deuk-sang’s view, Yeon Ho-jeong’s goodwill was perfectly pure.

‘That’s why it’s even stranger.’

It was when he was scratching his head due to a lingering sense of unease.

“Are you the Successor of the Beggars’ Gang?”

Ga Deuk-sang turned his head.

There stood a beautiful young man with a blue sword. He was a great beauty of the era, dressed handsomely in silk clothes.

Ga Deuk-sang grinned.

“A child of the Namgung Clan?”

Namgung Hyeon cupped his fists.

“I am called Namgung Hyeon. It is a pleasure.”

“Ah, it’s a pleasure for me too.”

“But what brings you here?”

“I stopped by because I had business nearby, and I heard there was a gathering of rising stars. The smell wafting out from outside the gate was incredible. I came in without regard for my face.”

Namgung Hyeon frowned slightly.

Since it was a gathering of the rising stars of the Seven Great Clans, if someone had given permission, there was no need to argue further. However, wasn’t it the Namgung Clan that hosted this gathering? They should have given a heads-up in advance.

Besides, a beggar in a place where the children of prestigious families gathered? No matter how much he was the successor of the Beggars’ Gang, he couldn’t feel good about it.

“May you have a pleasant stay.”

Ending with a formal greeting, Namgung Hyeon also headed for the dining hall.

Ga Deuk-sang chuckled.

“This is normal.”

There was no talk of feeling bad or anything. He was already over thirty, and his Jianghu experience was abundant.

However, Yeon Ho-jeong weighed on his mind. That gaze that looked at him was so clear.

“Have I met him before somewhere?”

* * *

“No.”

“Ah, I see.”

“I’ve been stuck at home, so when would I have seen the little master of the Beggars’ Gang?”

“I suppose so.”

“Why?”

“It’s the first time I’ve seen you ask someone to eat first, Brother.”

Is that so?

Come to think of it, it seemed to be so. Even during his time as the Dark Emperor, he enjoyed eating alone, except for places with political intentions or when gathering forces.

‘He’s the same.’

Ga Deuk-sang’s smile was still clear. He thought it wouldn’t be easy for someone who was the head of information for the Orthodox Murim to be that innocent.

‘Hmm?’

Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head at a sudden thought.

‘But that person, he didn’t come during the gathering in the past?’

In his life when he was the Dark Emperor, that is, the gathering of rising stars he participated in before returning to the past, he had never seen Ga Deuk-sang.

That was certain. Because he only saw the person named Ga Deuk-sang after becoming the Lord of the Dark Emperor Castle.

‘Why now?’

What is it? Is my memory wrong? That can’t be?

‘If my memory is accurate, it means the past has changed?’

Thinking that far, his thoughts even reached the Zhuge siblings.

‘In the past, I didn’t stop by the Tower of the Chu Sound. But this time I did. If we hadn’t been there, the Zhuge siblings would surely have been done in by that madman who mastered the Yin Fire Red Type.’

This is certain. That guy, the Hall Master of the Thunder Fire Hall or whatever, would have set fire to it just the same, and given the personality of the Zhuge siblings, they would have stood their ground without running away.

If so, what happened to the Zhuge siblings in his previous life?

Thoughts followed one after another.

‘The Zhuge Clan existed even then. Although their family influence declined significantly, fortunately, they were able to maintain their lineage with the support of other clans.’

And that clan is…….

“May I excuse myself for a moment?”

Yeon Ho-jeong raised his head.

There stood a middle-aged swordsman with a handsomely trimmed beard. His perfectly refined attire and the blue longsword hanging on his back emitted a chilling sharpness.

‘Namgung!’

The middle-aged swordsman frowned.

“Is there something on my face?”

“I was looking because you’re handsome.”

The swordsman’s eyebrows twitched. Because it somehow sounded as if he were being mocked.

“But who are you?”

“Hmph! I am called Chu Seong.”

“……?”

“I am the guard leader who accompanied Young Master Namgung to this gathering.”

Someone eating nearby gasped.

“Lightning Hero Chu Seong?!”

The murmuring grew louder.

He seemed to be a fairly famous master. Yeon Ji-pyeong also looked up at Chu Seong with surprised eyes.

However, Yeon Ho-jeong did not know who Chu Seong was. It was a name he had not heard even when he came out into the world to pacify the Unorthodox Path or when he reigned as the Lord of the Dark Emperor Castle.

“And?”

Chu Seong’s face contorted noticeably.

No matter how much he belonged to the Namgung Clan, he was an adult over forty. As an escort warrior, he provided some courtesy, but seeing the crooked appearance of the much younger rising star, he couldn’t help but feel angry.

Yeon Ji-pyeong stood up, realizing the situation.

“Please sit down first.”

Chu Seong, who had been staring down at Yeon Ho-jeong, sat across from him. He didn’t even glance at Yeon Ji-pyeong.

Chu Seong opened his mouth.

“I will speak point-blank.”

“Go ahead.”

“The banquet will begin at noon today.”

“I am aware.”

“Leave this manor before the banquet.”

In an instant, Yeon Ji-pyeong’s eyes widened.

“W-what does that mean?”

“Didn’t you hear? Then I will say it again. I said leave the manor before the banquet begins at noon today.”

Unlike the flustered Yeon Ji-pyeong, Yeon Ho-jeong’s expression remained unchanged.

No, there was a change. An interesting look had appeared on Yeon Ho-jeong’s face. Although it was extremely slight.

“You’re asking me to leave?”

“That’s right.”

“The reason?”

“Historically, there has never been an unfortunate incident in the gathering of the rising stars of the Seven Great Clans. However, you have turned this prestigious and long-standing gathering into a mess.”

Chu Seong’s gaze was incredibly cold.

“You have no qualification to participate in this gathering. I believe you know this well yourself.”

Listening to Chu Seong’s words, Yeon Ho-jeong glanced at the window at the end of the dining hall.

Namgung Hyeon was there. He was sitting in front of a sunlit table drinking tea, and his appearance was truly overflowing with elegance.

Then, a clattering sound was heard.

“That is nonsensical!”

The person who stood up so strongly that the chair fell over and shouted was Yeon Ji-pyeong.

“Yesterday’s incident has already been settled! My brother also said he would apologize to everyone at today’s banquet! Yet you’re asking him to leave now?!”

“Before the issue of apology, it’s an issue of dignity. Furthermore, that act of coming out to the dining hall since morning and showing your face nonchalantly makes me wonder if you are truly reflecting.”

“Don’t be stubborn! What does coming to the dining hall have to do with reflection? Also, as for dignity……”

“I have delivered all I had to say. I don’t want to have more bad blood over this matter, so please leave before the banquet.”

With those words, Chu Seong stood up from his seat.

However, Yeon Ji-pyeong’s words were not finished.

“Crucially!”

His booming voice echoed throughout the dining hall.

It was a voice so loud it was hard to believe it was the voice of Yeon Ji-pyeong, who was always busy smiling. It was enough to surprise everyone here.

“You are the escort warrior of a clan. Your job is to protect Young Master Namgung, not to discuss the qualifications of the participants.”

Chu Seong laughed coldly.

“Is that really so?”

“What do you mean?”

“The hosting clan of the Seven Great Clans gathering changes every five years. And the hosting clan for this year’s gathering is the Namgung Clan.”

“……!”

“I have been granted authority over the overall operation of this gathering along with Young Master Namgung. And that was directly from the Clan Head.”

“…….”

“I didn’t step forward yesterday because Second Young Master settled the matter, but today is different. Second Young Master ended it with settling the matter because his heart is soft, but I have no intention of leaving the risk factor that could ruin the gathering alone.”

Yeon Ji-pyeong was flustered. He received orders directly from the Namgung Clan Head? No matter how much he thought about it, it was hard to believe.

However, it was only natural for Yeon Ji-pyeong not to know.

The gathering of rising stars was a gathering in name, but it had a strong nature of promoting friendship. That’s why they held a banquet and provided drinks and food.

However, there was also a sufficient risk of various accidents happening with young hot blood. The hosting clan side sends a reliable person along to suppress such unavoidable incidents and accidents.

Yeon Ji-pyeong had never been on the hosting side of a gathering in his life. No, this was also his first time participating in a gathering. He couldn’t help but be ignorant of such fine details.

“The hosting clan has the right to expel matters or people who are problematic to the gathering. Such customs have been numerous. What I am doing now is nothing special.”

“Ugh!”

“I think I’ve said enough for you to understand. If you two also know dignity, it would be better for you to leave quietly.”

A sense of difficulty appeared on Yeon Ji-pyeong’s face.

It was then.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been looking at Namgung Hyeon, who was quite far away, opened his mouth.

“Pyeong.”

“……Yes, Brother.”

“Don’t get heated, just sit down and eat.”

Yeon Ho-jeong picked up a piece of Dongpo pork and took a big bite.

“Chomp chomp, have you forgotten Father’s words? To distinguish well whether the opponent is a human or a beast. Even I, who am a blockhead, can distinguish, so you shouldn’t be like that.”

“……Gulp.”

“Eat quickly. It’ll get cold.”