Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 73

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who hadn’t fully integrated his enlightenment, was clearly at a disadvantage against Myung Hak at that moment.

However.

Yeon Ho-Jeong possessed the ability to turn the tide of the match. Despite the difference in skill, he had enough experience and understanding to bridge that gap.

He had stubbornly engaged in a head-on fight, fueled by his surging killing intent. But realizing that this approach wouldn’t work, he attempted to change his tactics.

It was at that precise moment that the Black Tortoise Energy reacted.

Woo-oong.

The turbid energy, which had surged due to his internal injuries, was being expelled at a terrifying speed.

Even minor damage to the blood points could cause turbid energy to rise. Such energy would hinder the cultivation of internal energy, and in severe cases, it could even degrade the quality of the internal energy.

Yeon Ho-Jeong used the amplified Black Tortoise Energy to completely expel the turbid energy in an instant. Just by doing that, he felt his internal injuries gradually recovering.

That wasn’t all.

‘Come to think of it.’

In a flash, Myung Hak’s fist technique came to mind.

Short but smooth movements. It was a fist technique that drew out maximum power with minimal movement.

However, it was clear that the technique would demonstrate more outstanding power in defense rather than offense.

The reason being.

‘The Twelve Walls of the Northern Sky!’

That’s right.

Myung Hak’s Spirit Turtle Divine Art was similar to the Black Tortoise Art, only different in color.

It was an astonishing fact. It was so unexpected that even his killing intent and anger vanished.

In that instant, Yeon Ho-Jeong recalled what Jeagal Ayeon had said during the meeting.

‘The history of the Myung family is quite long. But it’s not as long as the Five Great Clans, except for your family. The ancestors who founded the Myung family helped the Four Directional Emperors end the Blood Cult Rebellion three hundred years ago. That’s how the Myung family’s history began.’

The Four Directional Emperors, and the Blood Cult Rebellion.

Yeon Ho-Jeong recalled another thing Jeagal Ayeon had said.

‘Anyway, if the Four Directional Emperors’ skills are as they are in history, they would definitely be called invincible, right? Because they mastered not one, but four martial arts to the extreme.’

There was no certainty.

However, Yeon Ho-Jeong guessed that the person called the Four Directional Emperors was a descendant of the Four Divine Beasts [Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise].

‘Later, he was even called the Yellow Dragon Emperor because he used a golden dragon. Even I think that’s too much.’

Four martial arts that were skilled in offense, defense, evasion, and counterattack.

And a golden dragon.

The probability of him being a descendant of the Four Divine Beasts was high. No, at this point, he could be certain that he was a descendant of the Four Divine Beasts.

And the ancestors of the Myung family helped the Four Directional Emperors end the Blood Cult Rebellion.

‘Could it be that the person called the Four Directional Emperors passed on some of his martial arts to the ancestors of the Myung family?’

That was the only way he could think of it.

He wondered if the ancestors of the Myung family had stolen the Four Directional Emperors’ martial arts, but that was highly unlikely.

No one could defeat the one who had completed the Yellow Dragon Energy, the secret art of the Four Divine Beasts, also known as the Yellow Dragon Divine King Art.

The existence of someone who generated the Yellow Dragon Energy was like a natural disaster. A match was only possible against a person, not against a natural disaster.

In other words, the Myung family could be seen as a branch of the Four Directional Emperors.

‘That…?!’

In an instant, Yeon Ho-Jeong realized another thing.

The subtlety of the explosive force, a righteous skill, but a strange color of energy that was different from the martial arts of the Central Plains.

Even though his upper dantian [an energy center in the body] had grown larger, it was difficult to remember each characteristic of the martial arts of the beasts at the time when he was busy running away.

Yet, Yeon Ho-Jeong remembered their internal energy color and explosive force characteristics.

How?

‘Because they are similar.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes became bloodshot.

The Azure Dragon Energy subsided, and the Black Tortoise Energy took over his entire body. Then, the color of the energy surrounding Myung Hak’s body was immediately detected.

‘The color is different. But the essence is the same.’

He recalled Myung Hak’s fist technique.

It was completely different from the explosive force of the Twelve Walls of the Northern Sky. However, there were many similarities in the counter-force that created an internal energy shield during defense to inflict damage on the enemy.

In other words, Myung Hak’s fist technique was a fist technique that used the counter-force of the Twelve Walls of the Northern Sky to gain offensive power. He must have suffered a loss in defense because of that.

‘How could this be? I didn’t know this…’

It was inevitable.

No one would have imagined that fragments of the martial arts he had learned would be passed down to his mortal enemies. Even Yeon Ho-Jeong might have felt familiarity, but it was difficult to feel the connection.

Until now, before directly confronting them.

Yeon Ho-Jeong felt a sense of emptiness for some reason.

‘The martial arts that my master taught me, the Four Divine Beasts, are related to the martial arts of the beasts that harmed my family…?’

It was absurd.

After returning to the past, he had never experienced such a great mental shock. For a brief moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong felt the urge to tear out the White Tiger Energy and the Black Tortoise Energy from their roots.

‘That’s how it was. That’s why I…’

Everything fell into place.

Before fighting the Qingbai warriors at Mount Myungchi, he felt an unknown sense of déjà vu while recalling Myung On-Ji’s martial arts.

It was because her martial arts followed the characteristics of the Black Tortoise Art. However, Myung On-Ji’s level was so low that he could not feel the unique water energy and heaviness of the Black Tortoise.

In the first place, if Myung On-Ji had fully mastered the Black Tortoise Energy, she would not have lasted even a single move.

‘The Four Divine Beasts… The Four Divine Beasts!’

“Black Tortoise Art? What nonsense are you spouting!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong stared at Myung Hak with a blank look.

Myung Hak twisted his lips.

“What’s with that expression? Hmph! Are you stunned by my martial arts?”

“…”

“You’re speechless. Good, I’ll finish you off now.”

Thud!

Myung Hak approached with a strong step.

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head without realizing it.

‘You shouldn’t use the Immovable Strange Pillar [a defensive stance] like that.’

Even his footwork was similar. Like the fist technique that enhanced offensive power through the Twelve Walls of the Northern Sky, that footwork was also based on the gait of the Immovable Strange Pillar, making it a forward-moving style like the White Tiger’s Descent.

“Kaaah!”

With a shout, Myung Hak’s fist headed for Yeon Ho-Jeong’s chest.

It was a fatal blow. If he received it without internal energy, his sternum to his spine would be crushed.

Yeon Ho-Jeong closed his eyes.

Bang!

“Huk!”

Due to the unbearable impact, Myung Hak retreated five steps.

Weeeeee.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had put down his axe, had his hands spread out. The shape of a hexagonal tortoise shell was floating around his outstretched hands.

It was a move from the Twelve Walls of the Northern Sky, the True Martial Great Emperor’s Heavy Wall.

The True Martial Great Emperor was also the Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven, and the Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven was the deified form of the Black Tortoise. Just by looking at the name of the move, one could tell how outstanding its defensive power was.

However, the reason Myung Hak was repelled was not simply because the counter-force of the True Martial Great Emperor’s Heavy Wall was strong.

“Again.”

Cheeeeee!

With a puff of black smoke, the semi-transparent internal energy shield of the hexagonal tortoise shell disappeared.

Yeon Ho-Jeong flicked his hand.

“Come again.”

Myung Hak’s face flushed red.

“You bastard!”

Kwaang!

This time, he would give it his all. He didn’t care if he died from this blow.

Myung Hak’s attack revealed his killing intent. Following an explosive footwork, the final move of the Spirit Turtle Divine Fist was unleashed.

Myung Hwi and Myung Heon, who had retreated ten feet away, shouted.

“Brother!”

“Don’t kill him!”

The giant fist struck Yeon Ho-Jeong’s chest.

Kwaang!

A loud explosion rang out.

It was as if he had detonated gunpowder with his fist. It was an incredibly crude power.

Crack.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s feet dug five inches into the ground.

‘……!!’

Horror spread across Myung Hak’s face.

His fist had reached Yeon Ho-Jeong’s chest. And Yeon Ho-Jeong’s hands were holding his arm.

Yeon Ho-Jeong slowly raised his head.

“…Not bad.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face became even paler.

But that was all. He could not avoid the internal injuries, but he had prevented his bones from breaking.

It was not the Twelve Walls of the Northern Sky. Nor was it the Tiger King’s Nine Wall Stance.

Before being struck by the fist, he had reversed the surging force by tracing the moves of the Twelve Walls of the Northern Sky, completely nullifying it.

Since the destructive force had been completely eliminated, it was impossible for its power to be unleashed. His muscles and hardened fist were protected by the Azure Dragon Energy.

“H-How?!”

Myung Hak’s mouth gaped like a fish.

“How… did you nullify it?!”

“Like this.”

The Black Tortoise Energy surged on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s upper body.

Tsu-tsu-tsu-tsu.

The Black Tortoise Energy, which had risen with a throbbing sensation, moved over his shoulders to his hands.

And the Black Tortoise Energy that had been swirling around his hands instantly penetrated Myung Hak’s arm.

“Huk!”

Startled, Myung Hak tried to pull his fist back.

But his fist wouldn’t budge. The grip of this young brat was becoming stronger at a terrifying speed. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t pull his arm out.

“You!”

Thwack!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s head turned from the fist that struck him on the other side.

His mouth was torn, and blood gushed out.

Myung Hak’s face turned pale.

‘W-What is this?!’

He was capable of breaking a log with a fist that wasn’t imbued with internal energy. It wouldn’t be strange if his cheekbones and jaw were shattered.

But Yeon Ho-Jeong was fine. Only his lip was torn, and blood was coming out, that was all.

Witnessing the surreal scene, Myung Hak had a chilling realization.

‘He’s getting stronger, and I’m getting weaker?’

At that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong opened his mouth.

“The Black Tortoise is the North Black and winter. As the water god of Guihai, it governs water.”

“…?!”

“Tributaries flow into the main stream. That is water. The countless branch powers that have spread throughout the world will soon return to the main family.”

“W-What nonsense are you talking about?!”

“Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise. These are also called Dragon Wave, Tiger Ferocity, Flying Kill, and Strange Wall. The Black Tortoise symbolizes the Strange Wall, that is, complete defense and an invincible shield.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes were filled with majesty.

Looking at those eyes, Myung Hak felt himself shrinking, unbelievably.

“You have loosely modified the invincible martial art that has reached perfection. In the near future, your energy will reverse, and your original essence will be shattered. The reason is that in the Four Divine Beasts, energy and technique are one.”

“…!!”

“To implement martial arts by shortening your lifespan. You have turned a peerless divine art into a half-baked demonic art.”

Myung Hak’s mouth dropped open.

Shortening his lifespan? This was a truly meaningful statement.

Cheeeeee!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes were completely dyed in darkness.

“I, the master of your lineage, will take everything from you.”

Crack!

“Kuaaak!”

Myung Hak knelt down. His thick arm was crushed by Yeon Ho-Jeong’s grip.

That wasn’t all.

Swish!

Myung Hak’s mouth gaped open.

The energy of the Spirit Turtle was being sucked into Yeon Ho-Jeong’s hand. It was flowing away at a terrifying speed like a rushing river, and he could not resist it in any way.

Fear clouded Myung Hak’s face.

The internal energy he had cultivated for decades, and the internal energy he had transformed into Spirit Turtle True Energy after learning the Spirit Turtle Divine Art not long ago.

All of that energy was being transferred to his opponent. So easily, so smoothly.

‘Could it be… essence absorption?!’

Cheeeee!

All of his true energy was sucked into Yeon Ho-Jeong. Most of the impurities in the absorbed Spirit Turtle True Energy were blown away, and a small amount of pure Black Tortoise Energy seeped into Yeon Ho-Jeong’s kidneys.

Thud!

Yeon Ho-Jeong grabbed Myung Hak’s face with one hand.

Myung Hak could not turn his head. He had lost his strength as his true energy had been drained.

Myung Hwi and Myung Heon, who were watching from afar, sensed an ominous atmosphere.

“Brother?!”

“W-What are you doing!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

His smile was somehow blank yet full of majesty.

“Are those your brothers?”

“Cough.”

“I’m curious what kind of fake martial arts your brothers have learned. I’ll send them to where you are soon.”

“S-Save…”

“Farewell.”

Crack!

Myung Hak’s skull was crushed.

“Huk!”

“T-This bastard?!”

Paah-ahk!

Myung Hwi and Myung Heon charged with tremendous force.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

It was a speed that was not easy to react to, but he could see it now. He could instantly tell what kind of martial arts those two had learned. He could tell at once which of the Four Divine Beasts’ martial arts their modified martial arts were based on.

Jjeo-eo-eo-eong!

A sharp slash and a flame-like palm force pushed Yeon Ho-Jeong back. If he hadn’t raised his axe and blocked it with the shaft in that instant, he would have died.

Pshhhhh.

White smoke rose from the shaft.

It was an immense killing intent, a terrifying killing technique. With one slash, the energy of ten thousand kills was imbued, and with one gesture, the blood of a thousand people was scattered.

Yeon Ho-Jeong raised his head.

In the North Black’s gaze, a sun-like power raised its head.

“…Vermilion Bird.”