Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 35 - Difference in Class (1)
Chapter 35 – Difference in Class (1)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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“So, you want me to hit that guy?”
“Resultingly, yes.”
“Nonsense. You’re using me to kill that bastard; isn’t that clearly using a borrowed knife to kill?”
“So you intend to just leave him be?”
“…”
“He is trash. Just as you said.”
“You are the same, you trash. If it weren’t for you…”
“If it weren’t for me, you’d still be soaked in a sense of defeat, biting your collar.”
“Shut up.”
“I heard your clan is clear about favors and grudges. You have a grudge against him. And I intend to give you information. Isn’t it simple?”
“…”
“What will you do?”
“…Get lost.”
“I’ll take that as an acceptance.”
“Let me ask one thing.”
“What is it?”
“Just what grudge do you have against him?”
“I have no such thing as a grudge.”
“That’s a lie even a dog wouldn’t believe. I can see the killing intent in your eyes. You definitely hate him. Extremely so.”
“I’ll contact you when he leaves. Whether you do it or not is your choice. Do as you please.”
“Hmph! What makes you trust me enough to tell me such things? To me, both he and you are the same idiots.”
“I heard that the Tang Clan’s pride is the best under heaven.”
“You devious bastard.”
“Don’t forget. You always realize that a good opportunity was good only after it has passed.”
* * *
“Ugh! Th-this is no joke!”
Yeon Ji-pyeong was practically dying.
He was experiencing a hangover for the first time in his life. Seeing him stagger, even standing up seemed a struggle.
Yeon Ho-jeong clicked his tongue.
“Circulate your energy. You’ll feel a bit better.”
When one’s internal energy reaches a certain stage, they can extract the alcohol essence on the spot. However, it was still too much for Yeon Ji-pyeong.
“Yesterday, Brother Dae-ho said that managing one’s stomach with internal energy is not what a drinker should do.”
“So, are you a martial artist? Or a drinker?”
“I’ll circulate my energy.”
“Good.”
After circulating his energy for half an hour, a fair amount of vitality could be seen on Yeon Ji-pyeong’s face.
“It’s definitely better.”
“Do you want some hangover soup?”
“I want to, but… I’m not ready to put anything in yet.”
“Then let’s gradually get ready.”
“Ready? For what?”
“We have to go home.”
Come to think of it, Yeon Ho-jeong was dressed neatly. He seemed to have already finished all preparations.
Yeon Ji-pyeong’s eyes widened.
“We aren’t disbanding together?”
“We’ve fostered enough friendship. Now we must return to our respective lives and do what befits our duties. If we get hungry on the way, we’ll stop somewhere appropriate then.”
“Ah…”
“The Goshawk Squad is also ready.”
“Th-then let’s at least say goodbye before we go.”
“We should.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong hurriedly changed his clothes. Was it because he hadn’t known they would depart so quickly? His regret was clearly revealed.
Normally, he would have given Yeon Ji-pyeong time, but this time, Yeon Ho-jeong was firm.
‘I’ve found a clue.’
There was no need to fight more with Myeong Ho-rim. The Myeong Clan’s martial arts were of the same kind as the attackers’.
‘I wonder when the contact will come.’
Ga Deuk-sang’s ability was superb. It was true when he was the Dragon Head Chief, and it was the same now as the Successor. Rather, since he had fewer things to be responsible for, his handling of affairs might even be faster.
Until then, he would return to the clan and make thorough preparations. Even in terms of martial arts, there were many parts to be settled.
‘I hope it comes soon.’
In that way, Yeon Ho-jeong headed toward the outer court, accompanied by the Goshawk Squad.
“Gasp! Brother Yeon! Are you already leaving? No, let’s at least have breakfast together!”
Since he had become close with Yeon Ji-pyeong, Peng Dae-ho now pestered even Yeon Ho-jeong.
However, the regret that appeared on Peng Dae-ho’s face was real. It was the same for Peng Man-ho. They seemed to have very honest personalities.
Yeon Ho-jeong said.
“If fate allows, won’t we be able to meet again someday?”
“Cough! You’re speaking so coldly. Don’t be like that; let’s have a drink at a nearby tavern after this is over. Brother Yeon said so! That you’d buy a round!”
“I’m sorry. I’m busy with work.”
“Heh.”
Peng Dae-ho licked his lips. There was no way to hold back a person who said they were busy with work.
Peng Man-ho revealed his shoulder with a serious face.
“The bruises haven’t faded yet. Please make sure to give me a chance to redeem myself later.”
“Of course.”
“Heh heh.”
Peng Dae-ho patted Peng Man-ho’s shoulder. Peng Man-ho fell over, letting out a piercing scream.
“Oh, sorry.”
A pleasant pair of brothers.
At that moment, the Zhuge siblings ran over with Yeon Ji-pyeong from afar.
“Huff, huff! Wh-what? Are you already trying to go?”
“Yes.”
“Why?! Stay until lunch and let’s go together!”
“The path to the Zhuge Clan is different anyway.”
What a cold fellow.
Regret was evident on Zhuge Ah-yeon’s face. It was the same for Zhuge Jun.
“Brother Yeon. Then let’s stay just one hour and go together. Let’s at least have lunch together.”
Zhuge Jun, who didn’t talk much, spoke up unusually.
Zhuge Jun was oddly uncomfortable around Yeon Ho-jeong. However, after seeing a few of his fights, he also admired him. In terms of personal regret, it would be as great as Zhuge Ah-yeon’s.
Yeon Ho-jeong stroked Zhuge Jun’s head.
Zhuge Jun’s eyes widened.
“Come and visit Jiangsu sometime. I’ll show you around.”
“Ye-yes?”
“Except for your sister.”
Zhuge Ah-yeon let out a sharp shout.
“Why except for me?!”
“Because you’re noisy.”
“Urgh.”
Zhuge Ah-yeon, who was trembling, said in a regretful voice.
“Do you really have to go?”
“I have work to do.”
He still had an indifferent face. However, Zhuge Ah-yeon read the seriousness and urgency lurking behind his expression.
“…Fine, it can’t be helped.”
After hesitating for a moment, Zhuge Ah-yeon sighed and took out a silk pouch from her bosom.
“Here, take this.”
“What is it?”
“Just take it when I tell you to.”
Yeon Ho-jeong received the gold pouch with an uncomfortable face. To anyone watching, it looked like he was receiving filth.
“It’s our clan’s Bright Polishing Plate.”
“Bright Polishing Plate?”
Zhuge Ah-yeon whispered.
“Our clan started a weapon-related business recently. There’s a business office in southeastern Anhui as well. There’s a map inside, so if you ever have a reason to go, go there.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes flashed.
“Why give me something like this?”
“Do you think my eyes are just for show? Your staff and spear techniques aren’t your real martial arts, are they?”
She had managed to notice that. She certainly was no ordinary person in terms of perception.
“I don’t know what your main weapon is, but if you have time, go and see. They said the weapons they brought in this summer are all in excellent condition.”
“Is it okay to give me something like this?”
“Thanks to you, the eldest daughter and son of the Zhuge Clan survived. This much is rather a profitable deal. If my father finds out, he’ll want to give you a thousand pieces of gold.”
Yeon Ho-jeong put the gold pouch in his bosom.
“Thank you.”
Zhuge Ah-yeon smiled.
“Let’s see each other again later.”
“No need.”
“When we meet again, do something about that way of speaking.”
It was then.
“Brother Yeon! Farewell!”
“Ji-pyeong! I’ll stop by Jiangsu later! See you again!”
“Come visit our house! I’ll give you a whole jar of alcohol!”
Numerous young talents waved their hands behind the Peng brothers and the Zhuge siblings.
Few people were looking at Yeon Ho-jeong. Most of them regretted that Yeon Ji-pyeong was leaving. It seemed he had made a great impression at the drinking party yesterday.
Yeon Ji-pyeong waved his hand with a bright face.
“See you later!”
The regret was great, but he didn’t show it. Since they had built friendships, they would be able to see each other anytime later.
A smile appeared on Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.
‘It’s good.’
Yeon Ji-pyeong had charm. Those prideful young talents wouldn’t have been fond of him just because he was young.
Yeon Ho-jeong sincerely hoped he would cultivate that charm as a person well.
The Yeon brothers turned their backs.
Zhuge Ah-yeon watched Yeon Ho-jeong’s back with a regretful face. Even though she spoke like that, seeing him actually go kept weighing on her mind.
It was then.
“He was quite an extraordinary person, wasn’t he, sister?”
Zhuge Ah-yeon turned her head.
“Ah, it’s Yeon-hwa.”
It was Murong Yeon-hwa. She had a calm atmosphere, different from Zhuge Ah-yeon.
“I think I know how the Green Mountain Yeon Clan came to be counted among the Seven Great Clans in such a short time.”
“That is true.”
Murong Yeon-hwa also watched the Yeon brothers as they moved away.
Unlike the young talents who contained pure goodwill and regret, a meaningful light appeared in her eyes.
‘Will we meet again?’
Even though she was young, she had participated in the clan’s important meetings without fail.
It was not because she was the clan leader’s daughter. It was because she had proven she had the corresponding ability.
‘Whatever the case, they are a clan that our clan must swallow, so there’s no need to have lingering regrets.’
She knew that her father had proposed a business deal to the Yeon Clan Leader.
If the Yeon Clan Leader accepted it, they would see each other at least once more. But if he refused… they would probably be unlikely to see each other again.
‘Whether they cooperate or not, the future of the Yeon Clan is decided.’
Murong Yeon-hwa glanced at the high building in the inner court in the distance.
It was Myeong Ho-rim’s residence.
“They are going.”
The eyes of Namgung Hyeon, who was looking down at the outer court from the window, were only chilling.
“Jin Gok.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Send the letter.”
“…I obey your command.”
Namgung Hyeon gave a twisted smile. It was a bizarre smile he had never shown to others, let alone his family.
“You’ve messed with the wrong person, Yeon Ho-jeong.”
At that moment, Yeon Ho-jeong turned his back.
‘…?!’
Namgung Hyeon flinched.
Because of the long distance, it was difficult to distinguish his expression. However, he could tell that Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes were pointing exactly this way.
Namgung Hyeon’s face contorted.
“That bastard I don’t even want to see!”
He roughly left the spot.
* * *
The group that left Hefei set their course for Lake Chao. They intended to resolve their meal there and then immediately board a boat to head for Jiangsu.
The road to Lake Chao was not very far.
To be precise, it didn’t feel far.
“Huff! Huff!”
“Whew, are you okay?”
“I-I’m not okay.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong panted repeatedly. Even he, whose breathing had been thoroughly trained through internal cultivation methods, was on the verge of collapsing.
Not only him. Although they had followed to guard the Eldest Young Master, the faces of most of the Goshawk Squad members had turned pale. If one were to pick a person who was still fine, it was about Shin Mo.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled and stopped Yeon Ji-pyeong.
“You too still have a long way to go.”
“Uuugh. It’s harder because of the hangover.”
“Still? It should have all been cleared by now.”
“It’s all gone now. I’m dying of hunger.”
It was also extraordinary that he felt hunger amidst all that. Looking at the Goshawk Squad members, it seemed they wanted to just collapse and sleep, hunger be damned.
Shin Mo glared sternly.
“Can you not properly reorganize the formation?!”
Yeon Ho-jeong added a word.
“Indeed. At this rate, the name Goshawk Squad will cry.”
Shin Mo’s face became fierce. To hear such words even from the Eldest Young Master, his neck felt stiff.
The Goshawk Squad members looked at Yeon Ho-jeong with hollow faces. How could there be someone so evil in the world?
Shin Mo shouted loudly.
“How dare you be so rude to the Eldest Young Master! Lower your eyes at once!”
It was a terrifying shout. The Goshawk Squad members, who were about to collapse from exhaustion, stood stiffly in a stationary posture.
Yeon Ho-jeong said to Shin Mo.
“Don’t be too hard on them. This kind of training must be a first for them too.”
“Being exhausted by hard training can be seen as the individual fault of the squad members. However, it is my great fault that their mental strength is like this. I apologize on behalf of the squad members.”
“It’s fine. If one is a martial artist, they should have that much venom. Anyway, no one was left behind, right?”
He said it to soothe them in his own way, but Shin Mo’s face contorted even more. The squad members’ faces turned deathly dark.
Yeon Ho-jeong realized he had made a mistake. But why? He didn’t feel sorry.
“It seems even moving is difficult. Rest here. I’ll go get some food.”
“El-Eldest Young Master. I will…”
“Leader Shin should look after the squad members’ bodies. We have to depart right after eating.”
With those words as the end, Yeon Ho-jeong headed toward the tavern. Shin Mo’s thunderous shout could be heard from behind.
“Hmm, this place looks good.”
There were surprisingly few people around the tavern by the huge lake. Even though it was the only tavern in the area.
Anyway, it seemed they would be able to handle the order quickly. Yeon Ho-jeong stepped into the tavern without hesitation.
Creak.
The moment Yeon Ho-jeong opened the door of the tavern, he paused.
A streak of unhideable killing intent struck his head.
“Is it after two days?”
The empty first floor of the tavern.
There was a young man sitting arrogantly by the window. He was wearing a splint, perhaps because his right arm was broken.
It was Tang Yang-seon.