Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 42 - Flaw in the Rules (2)

Chapter 42 – Flaw in the Rules (2)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Yeon Wi, who had entered the Clan Head’s office, immediately began his work.

However, the documents did not catch his eye. This was because the words his son had spoken moments ago would not leave his mind.

‘Even if our paths differ, my heart will always be here.’

Yeon Wi’s eyes deepened.

To say that their paths differed meant that his son’s gaze was truly directed toward the world.

‘It is truly difficult, my wife.’

He thought of his wife, who had passed away not long after giving birth to Ji-pyeong.

‘I wanted to raise our two sons splendidly so as not to be ashamed before you, who left first. However, under the pretext of being the head of a family, I only treated them with severity.’

Yeon Wi remembered it vividly. His younger self harshly scolding the young Yeon Ho-jeong.

Thinking back, Yeon Ho-jeong was only six years old at the time. At an age when he should have been laughing at butterflies in the spring, he had spent his days with his father’s rebukes and training.

At that time, Yeon Wi had realized. Watching his eldest son grow thinner by the day, he saw that there was a problem with his methods.

So, when he taught his second son, he never pushed him. Although Yeon Ji-pyeong feared his father, who was a man of few words, he still grew up well and kind-hearted.

However, Yeon Ho-jeong was different.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who grew jealous of his younger brother’s talent, eventually went astray. He threw away his martial arts training and began frequenting taverns.

Yeon Wi could not bring himself to reprimand such a son. It was because he himself was the one who had raised him that way. He, who should have taught him that martial arts was not everything, had instead made his son’s perspective narrow.

As time passed, Yeon Wi realized another thing.

When he first started going astray, that was when he should have caught him. In other words, he had rebuked him when he should have comforted him, and stood by as a bystander when he should have guided him.

I am a failure.

Yeon Wi truly thought so. Thus, he always felt ashamed to face his eldest son.

‘But, my wife. That Ho-jeong is now growing up to be a man. He has grown this much on his own, without anyone’s help.’

When his son changed, Yeon Wi could not hide his inner joy. Even though he had done nothing for him, his son seemed to have suddenly realized something.

Although he was somewhat aggressive, Yeon Wi lived each day with a fluttering heart at his son’s magnificent growth.

However, the son who had grown so splendidly said he had no intention of becoming the master of the Yeon Clan.

‘Thinking about it, I suppose it makes sense.’

Yeon Wi felt bitter.

‘Who is there to blame? It is all because of my own shortcomings. If I had shown Ho-jeong a responsible image, he would not have tried to turn his back on the family.’

It was already a thing of the past. Yeon Wi could tell that he could not change his son’s mind.

Yeon Wi looked toward the window.

He saw his son’s back as he headed toward his quarters. He looked truly dignified.

“……Yes, since you say your heart is here, that is enough.”

That was enough. Despite growing up under a lacking father, the fact that his heart remained with the family was something Yeon Wi felt he should be grateful for.

He spent some time staring out the window like that.

“Clan Head. It is the Chief Steward.”

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Tae-gyeong entered.

“Oh, it is still cold outside.”

“It is.”

“How did it go? Did the duel with the Eldest Young Master end well?”

Yeon Wi said nothing.

Tae-gyeong, feeling somewhat awkward for no reason, took a letter from his robe.

“Here, I have brought what you mentioned before.”

“Give it to me.”

As he unfolded the letter, Yeon Wi’s eyes deepened.

“They are truly persistent.”

“Has the Murong Clan still not given up?”

Yeon Wi looked at Tae-gyeong.

Certainly, Tae-gyeong was also quick-witted. Though he was a bit flippant at times, the wisdom and quick work he occasionally showed were more than enough for his role as the Chief Steward of the Yeon Clan.

A thought suddenly occurred to Yeon Wi, and he asked.

“What do you think?”

“Are you speaking of the Murong Clan’s matter?”

“Indeed.”

It was rare for the Clan Head to ask for his opinion on such a significant matter.

Tae-gyeong replied immediately.

“My opinion is that it would be good to join hands.”

“The reason?”

“The Murong Clan is a family counted among the Seven Great Clans along with our own. If we expand our business by joining hands with such a family, we will be able to accumulate more wealth.”

“…….”

“Ah, of course, I know that you, Clan Head, have no great interest in riches. However, do you not spend a fortune every year for those affected by floods?”

“By accumulating more wealth, we can save more of the people’s livelihoods?”

“That is correct. In living in this world, money is indispensable.”

Tae-gyeong’s words also had merit.

Yeon Wi agonized. His son’s matter was his son’s matter, and business was business. If they could contribute more to the stability of the people’s livelihoods, joining hands with the Murong Clan was not a bad idea.

However.

“Perhaps you are concerned about the possibility of the Murong Clan harboring other intentions?”

“The Seven Great Clans are different from the Nine Sects One Gang. While they walk the Orthodox Path, they seek to solidify their positions as powerful families. Most of them are frantic to increase their influence.”

“Hmm.”

Tae-gyeong, after thinking for a moment, clapped his hands.

“Ah! Then how about this method?”

“……?”

“Have you heard of the daughter of the current Murong Clan Head? They say that not only is her martial talent outstanding, but her intellect is also brilliant, and her personality is very graceful.”

“The child named Murong Yeon-hwa?”

“You knew of her?”

Naturally, he knew the names of the children of the other Seven Great Clans.

“But what about her?”

“How about marrying the Murong Clan’s daughter to the Eldest Young Master?”

Yeon Wi’s eyes flashed.

“A marriage?”

“Yes. In truth, pushing for a marriage just for one business deal might seem a bit excessive, but no one knows the future. If the two families move forward together with this business as a catalyst, would it not be even more helpful to the people in the future?”

Yeon Wi shook his head.

“It is a great matter of human life. I have no intention of forcing a marriage for such a thing.”

It was common to arrange marriages for cooperation between families. However, Yeon Wi had no particular intention of doing so.

“But Clan Head, it could also be a good thing for the Eldest Young Master.”

“For Ho-jeong?”

“Yes. Recently, the Eldest Young Master has changed a lot. However, when you hand over the family to him, will he not need someone by his side to help him?”

“…….”

“A talented woman from the Murong Clan would be more than enough help.”

Tae-gyeong did not know. He did not know that Yeon Ho-jeong had no interest in the position of Clan Head.

Yeon Wi, who was about to shake his head, suddenly thought of Yeon Ho-jeong.

‘……His gaze is set on the world?’

Yeon Ho-jeong’s change had been abrupt.

Of course, he did not think Yeon Ho-jeong would change back to his old self. Even so, Yeon Ho-jeong’s age was nineteen. It was an age where it was still difficult to know the world.

He did not know what his son’s dream was, but it was certainly not bad to have someone by his side who could give him reliable support.

After deep consideration, Yeon Wi nodded.

“I shall think about it.”

“Speaking of which, the sooner the better.”

“I know what you mean.”

Tae-gyeong bowed his head.

“I apologize. I have stepped out of line, haven’t I?”

“I was the one who asked. It is fine.”

“Ah, yes.”

“You may go now.”

“Yes, then.”

After Tae-gyeong left, Yeon Wi fell into thought.

“A marriage?”

* * *

Returning to his quarters, Yeon Ho-jeong lay down on his bed.

“Young Clan Head?”

He had not expected that his father would have any intention of appointing him as the Young Clan Head.

Yeon Ho-jeong unintentionally burst into a hollow laugh.

‘One truly never knows what will happen in life.’

In truth, even in his previous life, he had not wanted to become the Young Clan Head. He had only exploded with inferiority when he heard that his younger brother, and not himself, would be appointed as the Young Clan Head.

It was different now.

He knew his own limits. While it was possible to gather and refine a coarse Unorthodox gang, leading an Orthodox family was impossible.

He had naturally assumed that the position of Young Clan Head would be given to his younger brother. Since his own changed appearance was so rough, he thought so even more.

‘I wanted to test your capabilities as a Clan Head, but knowing that your heart is not tied to the family as a father makes me feel stifled.’

Yeon Ho-jeong closed his eyes.

‘I am sorry.’

It seemed his father thought this: that although he was aggressive, he would one day walk the same path as him. That bloodline could not be hidden.

But he was wrong.

He was of his father’s blood, but he had lived a hellish life that even severed those blood ties.

It would be a misfortune for everyone if such a person became the master of the Yeon Clan.

‘And, I have work to do.’

The culprit who destroyed the family.

The task at hand was too large and overwhelming. Just looking into it and preparing for it was enough to make his head split.

Was that all?

‘I must also stop the movements of the Three Teachings.’

He had realized something significant while participating in the Gathering of Rising Stars.

The current world did not flow like the history of the past. The reason was that he was moving differently than he had in the past.

The same went for the Three Teachings. They could appear later than scheduled, or even sooner.

No, perhaps the possibility that they had already permeated the Central Plains could not be ignored.

‘The Three Teachings, especially the Evil Lust Cult, do not compromise. Their blind hatred was almost comparable to faith. To stop such bastards, everyone from both the Black and White Paths must join forces.’

Yeon Ho-jeong, who was deep in thought, scratched his head.

Trying to think about the future after so long made it feel like his brain was cramping. Of course, he had set up his own plans.

‘In fifteen days, when the Successor comes, it will begin. Until then, I will focus as much as possible only on myself.’

Yeon Ho-jeong sighed.

He felt he really should rest today.

The next morning.

Coming out to the Great Martial Arts Ground, Yeon Ho-jeong saw a strange sight.

“Does this training seem like a joke to you?”

“No, sir!”

“Then why do you not listen?”

“I am sorry, sir!”

“I told you clearly. Everything, from meals to rest, is thoroughly calculated.”

“…….”

“Are you saying you are going to rebel?”

“No, sir!”

“If not? Do you not trust me?”

“N-no, sir!”

A man stood with his hands behind his back, having lined up a squad of the Flying Eagle Squad.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes sparkled.

‘The Flying Eagle Squad Leader?’

It was Kang Yun, the Flying Eagle Squad Leader who had recovered the rice balls and Yeon Ji-pyeong, who had secretly entered the Investigation Cave on his first day back in the past.

Kang Yun said in a cold voice.

“I am stronger than you. It means I broke through the realm you are currently treading over a decade ago. I know exactly how each and every one of you should train.”

“…….”

“Despite this being a schedule I personally drew up, why do you not follow it? Do you not want to become stronger?”

“I am sorry, sir!”

“Or did you want to stand out? If not that, was there too much sleep? Is your strength overflowing?”

“No, sir!”

Thoroughly breaking down the opponent.

Kang Yun was, in common parlance, hounding his subordinates. However, that sight did not look particularly good.

“Deviating from a schedule drawn up under thorough calculation. That itself is a serious violation of the rules. I assume you are prepared?”

“…….”

“Why is there no answer? Are you deaf?”

“No, sir! I am sorry, sir!”

Kang Yun snorted.

“It is collective responsibility. You will practice the Flying Eagle Sword Technique until midnight today. There will be no meals or rest. Since you have the stamina to train without sleep, you should be able to handle this much, right?”

“…….”

“Why is there no answer? Do you not want to do it?”

“N-no, sir!”

“We start now. Bring the Iron-Core Wooden Swords for training.”

The faces of the Flying Eagle Squad members turned pale.

The Iron-Core Wooden Sword was a training sword that weighed more than ten catties. To swing such a sword all day without rest?

“What are you doing! Move now!”

It was then.

“Stop.”

Kang Yun turned around.

Yeon Ho-jeong was frowning as much as he could.

“This isn’t even some third-rate thug behavior, you’re doing all sorts of things.”