Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 37 - Difference in Class (3)

Chapter 37 – Difference in Class (3)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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“Are you going?”

“Yes.”

“…Right, see you later.”

The Zhuge siblings bowed their heads and turned their backs.

Namgung Hyeon’s face was completely hardened as he watched them. He had seen that Zhuge Ah-yeon’s gaze toward him was particularly stiff.

‘Damn it.’

This was all because of Yeon Ho-jeong. If he hadn’t been put to shame in front of Yeon Ho-jeong, Zhuge Ah-yeon wouldn’t have looked at him like that.

This meeting was, in many ways, a meeting that left only wounds. The wounds were so deep that he was on the verge of losing his reason.

Recalling Zhuge Ah-yeon’s gaze, Namgung Hyeon gnashed his teeth.

‘I wanted to kill him with my own hands.’

It was a pity, but it was also refreshing in its own way.

The types of poisons in the Tang Clan are beyond imagination. He had heard there were countless types, from potent ones that kill before one can even perceive them, to those that paralyze the body, those that strictly inflict only pain, and even those that cause physical disability.

Namgung Hyeon had seen Yeon Ho-jeong’s skill.

Though it was frustrating, Yeon Ho-jeong’s martial arts were worthy of recognition. Overwhelming Chu Seong like that was not an easy thing even for himself.

‘Like a dog! There must have been some kind of trick.’

Chu Seong’s movements when he received the initial three moves were far too clumsy. Surely, it must have been that Chu Seong made a mistake while flustered by the unexpected skill while trying to go easy on his opponent.

He would ask when he woke up. Just why he had been so careless.

‘Thinking about it, that too was a surprise attack.’

When Yeon Ho-jeong suppressed Tang Yang-seon, it was not through normal means that he won either.

Listing them one by one, wasn’t he a truly cowardly fellow? People saw the result, not the process. That’s why they seemed to think Yeon Ho-jeong was extraordinary.

“A piece of trash. With such meager skill, he dare…”

In extreme situations, people tend to see only what they want to see.

Having suffered an injury to his pride for the first time in his life, he could not use his smart head properly.

“Where is Brother Myeong?”

“He has already left.”

“Without even saying goodbye?”

Namgung Hyeon furrowed his face.

‘These people.’

He didn’t like it. Truly, not a single thing sat well with him.

“Is the cleanup finished?”

“Not yet. It seems it will be finished soon.”

Namgung Hyeon shouted.

“The sun will set soon! Hurry and wrap it up!”

“Ye-yes!”

The servants moved busily.

In that way, after finishing the work in about half an hour, Namgung Hyeon left the estate.

It took a long time to travel from Hefei to the vicinity of Huangshan, where the Namgung Clan was located.

People often wonder. Why the Namgung Clan, the number one power in Anhui, settled in Huangshan instead of the provincial capital, Hefei.

But that was a question based on the outcome. When the progenitor of the Namgung first settled the site, the power of the Namgung Clan was not this great.

Of course, things were different now. The eyes of the Namgung Clan were embedded throughout Anhui, and the provincial capital Hefei was no exception.

“We have received the carriage in advance. Please board.”

Even when a member of the Namgung traveled within Anhui, top-quality carriages and boats were provided. It was because everyone engaged in making a living in Anhui was mindful of the Namgung’s eyes.

This was a privilege no different from that of a royal family in a small country.

In that way, Namgung Hyeon crossed the river after five days and entered the vicinity of Huangshan, within the territory of the Namgung Clan.

‘What’s this?’

Walking on the main road, Namgung Hyeon felt a strange sense of alienation.

Numerous people were glancing at him.

It was not a thing to be surprised about. Since the guard warriors were carrying three or four giant flags with the characters ‘Namgung’ engraved on them.

Though he was someone who usually received many gazes from people, today was different. They were glancing and whispering something, and their appearance was not favorable.

Namgung Hyeon’s face gradually contorted. He was displeased.

When the group reached the Namgung Clan in that way.

“Is that you, Hyeon?”

“Ah, Uncle.”

Namgung Dae-san, the master of the Outer Hall of the Namgung Clan, approached with an urgent air.

Namgung Hyeon felt increasingly anxious.

“Is something wrong?”

Namgung Dae-san asked point-blank.

“You, just what on earth did you do?”

“Pardon?”

Namgung Dae-san beat his chest as if frustrated.

“They say you used the ‘plan of using a borrowed knife to kill’ by telling the eldest son of the Sichuan Tang Clan to kill the Eldest Young Master of the Yeon Clan!”

In an instant, Namgung Hyeon’s face turned pale.

Was he too surprised? Namgung Hyeon opened his mouth unconsciously.

“H-how do you…?!”

Namgung Dae-san’s eyes deepened.

“You…? It was true.”

Only then realizing his mistake, Namgung Hyeon shut his mouth tight.

But it was already after everyone who was supposed to hear had heard. No, even if Namgung Hyeon had denied it, the incident had already occurred.

“The rumor has already spread like wildfire beyond Anhui to other regions. It’s not just a simple rumor; the source is clear and the witnesses are certain.”

“Th-that’s impossible!”

“Hurry and enter the Clan Lord’s office!”

Sss-k. Sss-k.

The movement of the brush across the rice paper was cautious yet unhesitating.

Artisanship was embedded in the movements of Namgung In, who was painting an orchid. Calculating even the shade and thinness of the ink perfectly, the sight of him painting the orchid was already at the ultimate stage.

Namgung Hyeon felt his mouth becoming parched.

His father had been painting orchids for an hour already. What was not to his liking, that more than twenty sheets of rice paper had fallen to the floor.

“Hmm, now it’s worth looking at.”

A satisfied light appeared on the face of Namgung In as he held up the rice paper and shook it gently.

While drying the ink in the wind, Namgung In’s mouth finally opened.

“Is it true?”

The question asked after an hour was extremely direct.

Namgung Hyeon swallowed his saliva. It was because he felt the faint rage embedded in his father’s calm tone.

He had seen this side of his father often. But he hadn’t known the target would be himself.

His father’s rage, which he was receiving for the first time. Namgung Hyeon felt himself becoming diminished.

“It is true.”

Lies wouldn’t work anyway. No, it was not a situation to tell a lie.

Namgung In’s eyes deepened.

Traces of disappointment were evident.

“The reason I sent you to the young talents’ meeting was not because there were no people in our clan. Even if not the firstborn, there are many children more brilliant than you.”

They were words that gouged his chest. Namgung Hyeon’s face turned pale.

“Nevertheless, I sent you. Because you wanted it. Of course, it was also because I recognized you.”

“…”

“It is difficult for a person to be recognized by another person. However, disappointment is instantaneous. You too must know this.”

Only then did Namgung In turn his gaze to his son.

“Your intention to try and resolve the matter with the Yeon Clan was commendable. I also knew that you would not overdo things. So I sent you, but I didn’t know you would go as far as drawing a blade.”

“…”

“If one uses people well, it is praised as the art of using people, but if one uses them poorly, it becomes a conspiracy. I thought you had the capacity to at least erase your own name, if not reach the point of using people, but was my eye wrong?”

Drip.

Blood seeped from Namgung Hyeon’s lips. He had unconsciously bitten his lip.

Namgung In’s eyes shone brightly.

“I trust my insight. There is no way you, my bloodline, would have made such a nonsensical mistake. If so, why did such a result come out?”

“…”

“The reason must be one of three. Something happened to disturb your composure, or the boy named Yeon Ho-jeong’s scheme overwhelmed you.”

“…!”

“If not that, then both.”

Bloodvessels stood out in Namgung Hyeon’s eyes.

Even if it were a scheme, he didn’t want to admit that Yeon Ho-jeong was better than himself.

Namgung In saw his son’s agitation. A faint pity appeared in his eyes that had been full of anger and disappointment.

“Was it because of the eldest daughter of the Zhuge Clan?”

Startled, Namgung Hyeon looked at his father.

Namgung In said.

“Wondering what happened, I have heard the events that took place there in detail.”

“…”

“Do you like the eldest daughter of the Zhuge Clan that much?”

“I, I…”

“…As I thought.”

A stern air appeared in Namgung In’s eyes.

“It was said that what a man must be most careful of is female charms. I told you to be on guard and on guard for your whole life, yet could you not manage even that one heart and make things reach this state?”

“…I am sorry.”

Namgung In clicked his tongue.

“I have sent a matchmaker to the Zhuge Clan Head.”

“Pardon?!”

“Though you are not the firstborn, you are also not a child who would be heard to be lacking anywhere. The Zhuge Clan’s firstborn will also succeed the clan, so they should be able to accept giving away a daughter.”

“F-father.”

Namgung Hyeon felt something welling up.

While severely reprimanding him, he had sent a matchmaker for his son. His father cared for him that much.

“I am the Clan Lord before I am your father. Thinking of your contributions to the clan in the meantime, I will overlook this mistake.”

“Thank you.”

“Do not have high expectations. The eldest daughter of the Zhuge Clan is merely a whetstone to refine you. That child is not my daughter-in-law, but merely your wife.”

They were cold words. He spoke extremely calmly that he would not recognize his son’s wife as his daughter-in-law.

But for Namgung Hyeon, that alone was enough.

Seeing his son’s flushed face, Namgung In clicked his tongue once more.

“Go back now.”

Namgung Hyeon raised his head.

Having glimpsed a side of his father’s heart, he was already regaining his composure. Unlike his flushed expression, his gaze regained its former coldness.

Namgung In nodded inwardly. He had wanted to see exactly that gaze.

“Then how do you intend to handle this matter?”

“Why? Do you intend to step forward personally?”

“…”

“You stay out of this matter. There is nothing more unsightly than clinging to a matter that has failed once.”

“But Father.”

“Also.”

Namgung In’s face became indifferent.

“I heard that the boy named Yeon Ho-jeong’s literary and martial skills are extraordinary. Even just by listening to the recent circumstances, the boy named Yeon Ho-jeong was not an opponent you could handle.”

Namgung Hyeon’s cheek trembled. His wounded pride winced once more.

However, he soon corrected his expression. It was in front of none other than his father. He could not show a pathetic side any longer.

A satisfied light finally appeared on Namgung In’s face.

“Seeing the opponent clearly is the beginning of development. You have finally taken one step.”

“I lost once. But I am confident that I will not lose twice.”

“I know. Still, stay out of this matter. For the time being, focus on refining your mind and body.”

It was a matter to be thankful for, even just for being spoken to this much.

Namgung Hyeon bowed his waist.

“I understand. Then, your son shall take his leave.”

“You suffered a lot on the long journey. Rest well today.”

Having sent his son away like that, Namgung In leaned his back into the chair.

“At an age that has just passed twenty, hot blood cannot be helped.”

Indeed, it seemed there was no younger brother as good as the elder. Because the firstborn was not like that at that age.

That was not all. The firstborn’s talent for martial arts was as outstanding as his personality. Since he had realized the stage that himself had realized only in his thirties before even reaching twenty, there was no need to speak regarding talent.

Probably the world will be surprised when the firstborn comes out of seclusion.

Namgung In opened his mouth.

“Chief Steward Cheon.”

A moment later, a middle-aged man with a solid build entered the Clan Lord’s office.

“Did you call for me, Clan Lord?”

Namgung In looked out the window.

The deep sunset light was unusually beautiful.

“The cauldron has been sufficiently heated by now.”

“…”

“Make sure to reveal everything Sang-hwa has done.”

“Will it really be okay to do that?”

“The appearance may be unsightly, but we must seal it. Seeing him a moment ago, the son who at least puts on a mature air is better than the reckless young daughter.”

“…I understand.”

Namgung In’s eyes were dyed red by the sunset light.

“Green Mountain Yeon Clan… I thought they were merely a clan exceptional only in martial arts, but the Clan Lord and his son are no ordinary people.”