Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 74

Tss tss tss! From Myeong Cheon’s seated body, a fiery energy surged.

‘Hmm.’

A sense of pleasure flickered across Myeong Cheon’s face.

The red energy that erupted from his dantian [energy center below the navel] spread throughout his body in an instant. The energy coursing through his Eight Extraordinary Meridians [key energy pathways] was undoubtedly the epitome of Yang [positive, active energy].

The extreme of Yang was the symbol of the emperor. The energy that had been stirring through every tiny blood vessel and acupoint gathered towards his heart, making him feel more invigorated than ever before.

The heart was the source of life. A strong heart meant a strong life force.

‘Indeed!’

Myeong Cheon finally became certain. His ancestors’ martial arts were the solution to the curse that had been devouring his family.

The martial art that only the head of the Myeong family could master, the Myeongryeon Namhwa Gong, was in itself a peerless divine art.

However, it could not escape the issue of lifespan. The longest-lived head of the family had barely reached sixty years. The average lifespan was around fifty.

Myeong Cheon was already over fifty. How many years had he lived, agonizing every day, wondering when death would come?

‘With this, the curse that has plagued the main family will end!’

Flash!

When he opened his eyes, his gaze was as fiery as the sun.

His body was burning hot. He felt his life force was more vigorous than ever. Overflowing with power, he felt an urge to swing his sword right away.

He raised his right hand.

Woo-oong! Whoosh!

A red energy seemed to gather, and before he knew it, actual flames erupted.

Surprisingly, his hand was unharmed even though it was covered in flames. This was because his abundant energy was perfectly protecting his body.

“Phoenix Flame… Indeed, with just this fire-based hand technique, I could aim to be the best in the world.”

Myeong Cheon burst into laughter.

“Kuhahahaha! Now, as the true best in the world, I can place the Central Plains [the heartland of the martial world] under my feet.”

The Phoenix Divine Art was the most powerful and outstanding martial art among the Four Divine Arts. It was ranked first among the Four Divine Arts and naturally boasted unparalleled power.

First, he would master the Phoenix Divine Art to boost his life force, and then he would gradually learn the remaining martial arts. The remaining three martial arts were the Spirit Tortoise Divine Art, the Azure Dragon Divine Art, and the Qilin Divine Art. Although they were a step below the Phoenix, they were still martial arts that could dominate an era.

Myeong Cheon intended to master all four divine arts. He would master them all and become the strongest martial artist in history, leaving his mark on the martial world.

Myeong Cheon was lost in his dreams, laughing and imagining for a long time.

“Family Head.”

Myeong Cheon spoke calmly.

“Come in.”

Squeak!

The door opened, and Myeong Woo-San entered.

“What is it? I told you not to disturb me during training unless it was extremely important.”

“I apologize. It was a rather urgent matter, so I had no choice.”

“Urgent matter?”

Myeong Cheon’s eyes flashed.

“Don’t tell me it’s about Yeon Ho-Jeong, that bastard?”

“Ah, it’s not that.”

“Then?”

Myeong Woo-San took out a neatly folded letter from his chest. The envelope containing the letter was luxuriously decorated in gold.

Myeong Cheon’s eyes lit up.

“Isn’t this a secret letter from the Martial Alliance?”

“That’s correct.”

“The Martial Alliance has a building, but they haven’t elected a leader. With no temporary leader either, who sent this?”

“It’s from the Moyong Family Head.”

Myeong Cheon frowned.

“The Moyong Family Head? Why?”

“Please, take a look.”

When Myeong Cheon unfolded the letter, surprise filled his eyes.

“He’s invoking the Grand Assembly Right?”

“That’s correct.”

The Grand Assembly Right was a right to convene a meeting used by the heads of the Nine Great Sects and the Seven Great Families when proposing a specific agenda.

They rarely held a meeting using the Grand Assembly Right. If they made a mistake, they could end up paying an astronomical sum.

‘Why on earth?’

Myeong Cheon tilted his head, then suddenly noticed that there were two sheets of paper. The letter that had come to him was two sheets placed on top of each other.

It was a method they had always used when exchanging letters with the Moyong Family Head.

Myeong Cheon carefully peeled off the back of the letter and read it, then burst into a loud laugh.

“Kuhahahaha! As expected of the Moyong Family Head. When we weren’t working together, I didn’t know, but now that we are, he’s definitely pushing me forward!”

Myeong Woo-San tilted his head.

“What’s so funny that you’re…”

“Hahahaha! It’s because of the Yeon family.”

“The Yeon family?”

“Starting with Yeon Ho-Jeong, that impudent bastard, he’s saying he’ll get rid of the Yeon family. Since I’ve branded him as a heinous villain, he’s saying he’ll make this matter public and burn the Yeon family to the ground.”

Myeong Woo-San’s face brightened.

“That’s unexpected help.”

“Indeed. To receive such great help at such an unexpected time.”

Myeong Cheon’s smile did not fade, as if he was truly enjoying himself.

“If someone shows this level of friendship, wouldn’t it be okay to make them a relative through marriage?”

“Absolutely.”

“I’ve had my eye on the Moyong Family Head’s daughter, Yeonhwa, for a long time. She’s an outstanding child. A girl like that would be a good match for my eldest son.”

“Moyong Yeonhwa’s wisdom is said to be the best of her generation, just like her father, the Family Head. If you take her as your daughter-in-law, it will be good for the eldest son.”

“That’s right.”

Myeong Cheon put down the letter.

“After this matter is over, I should send a matchmaker. My son will be satisfied with Moyong Yeonhwa.”

“Congratulations in advance.”

“Hehehe!”

The two men looked at each other and burst into laughter.

“Ah! Then, what will you do?”

“About what?”

“Since the Moyong Family Head has used the Grand Assembly Right, all the leaders of the White Path Martial World [orthodox martial arts factions] must gather. Of course, those who are too busy will not be able to attend.”

Myeong Cheon grinned.

“I’ve now channeled all my energy into the Phoenix Divine Art. After achieving some progress, I plan to try the other three divine arts.”

Myeong Woo-San smiled.

“I will contact them, saying that I am unable to attend due to pressing matters.”

“Do so. Since the Moyong Family Head is the one leading this meeting, they will understand.”

“They will.”

“Ah, by the way.”

Myeong Cheon tilted his head.

“What happened to Yeon Ho-Jeong? I heard you gave the Azure Cloud Gang as bait.”

“Half an hour ago, I sent the three brothers Hak, Hwi, and Heon, along with the White Dragon Army. By tomorrow morning, we should be able to bring Yeon Ho-Jeong in.”

“Kuhahahaha!”

Myeong Cheon’s laughter did not stop, as if he was enjoying himself immensely.

Myeong Woo-San, who had been smiling along with Myeong Cheon, suddenly tilted his head.

‘Huh? What is it?’

Myeong Woo-San noticed that a blood vessel in the upper part of Myeong Chan’s chest, in the middle of his loose front flap, was particularly prominent.

‘A blood vessel?’

Myeong Woo-San was about to speak when Myeong Cheon said,

“Well, since I’m in a good mood, you should go and do your work. I need to train more.”

“Yes? Ah, yes! I will.”

In the end, Myeong Woo-San had to leave the training room without expressing any doubts.

On the way to his residence.

He was seized by an unnecessary sense of unease, and he glanced down at his chest.

‘Hmm.’

He was also practicing one of the Four Divine Arts, the Qilin Divine Art. Fortunately, he was fine.

Myeong Woo-San cleared his throat.

‘Perhaps I’ve been worrying too much lately.’

If he was fine, then the Family Head would be fine too. He believed that.

He strode into the main office.

Since learning the Qilin Divine Art, he had been coughing a little more than before, but he did not think much of it.

* * *

‘This can’t be!’

Thump thump thump!

The power of the Phoenix Soaring Sky Sword was being swept away by the axe that was being swung with such tremendous speed, as if it was creating a typhoon.

It was an unbelievable power. Even though he was clearly injured internally, the power of the wind pressure emanating from the great weapon grew stronger over time.

Not only that.

Clang clang clang!

Myeong Hwi’s face contorted.

The sword blade of the soaring flames, a sword technique that could sweep away any enemy, was shattered in a single move. Even though he had pushed the Phoenix True Energy to its limit, he was still pushed back.

It wasn’t just a few steps. His body was sent flying three yards away.

Trickle.

The guard holding the sword hilt was torn. It had been five years since he had started training in swordsmanship, and his guard had never been torn before.

“Kuaaah!”

Paah!

As Myeong Hwi retreated, Myeong Heon rushed in.

He had also mastered the Phoenix Divine Art and trained in the hand technique, the Phoenix Flame Hand.

His advancing footwork was as flamboyant as flames and as fast as a ray of light. It was a divine movement technique called Phoenix Flight, which boasted outstanding speed.

Following the Phoenix Flight, a bizarre palm technique erupted.

Whoo-oong!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

The North Black’s axe was swung heavily, drawing a huge circle.

Clang clang clang!

“Kuh!”

Myeong Heon was the same.

No matter how strong the Phoenix Flame Hand was, it could not break through the North Heaven Twelve Walls, which was deployed with the Black Tortoise energy.

It was said that water energy was the opposite of fire energy. In order to break through the martial arts of the Water God with the martial arts of Yang, an overwhelming fire power was needed. Their level was not enough to break through the Black Tortoise.

Thud!

Defense was followed by offense.

The Strange Step of Immovability instantly transformed into the White Tiger’s Reigning Step, drawing out the power of a strong advance.

The claws of the Mountain King could break even steel. The fierce power of the Tiger King’s Nine Wall Stance poured down on Myeong Heon.

Clang clang clang! Thwack!

“Kuaaak!”

Myeong Heon screamed. The axe had struck his left upper arm.

It hadn’t been cut off, but it was as good as cut off. The axe blade had severed the outer flesh, muscles, and bone. His arm, barely hanging on, was a source of terrible pain.

“Y-you bastard!”

Myeong Heon stared at Yeon Ho-Jeong with horrified eyes.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression was, unexpectedly, ambiguous. He was neither smiling nor angry. He was simply indifferent.

An irresistible atmosphere.

It was as if the head of a sect who had mastered the best martial arts in the world was standing there. Even in the midst of terrible pain, Myeong Heon unconsciously shut his mouth.

At that moment, Myeong Hwi rushed in again.

“You monster!”

Flash!

He was faster than Myeong Heon.

He approached with terrifying speed and swung the Phoenix Soaring Sky Sword. He seemed to be giving it his all, and a hot fire energy and unrestrained destructive power could be felt.

Bang! Woo-oong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s movements, who had been rushing towards Myeong Heon with powerful strides, slowed down for a moment.

Slow and soft. It was a natural change, like flowing water.

From the Strange Step of Immovability to the White Tiger’s Reigning Step, and from the White Tiger’s Reigning Step back to the Strange Step of Immovability.

He was implementing completely different martial arts according to the situation, and the speed of the martial arts changes was as fast as lightning and as natural as could be.

The martial arts of the Four Divine Beasts were gradually becoming ingrained in his body as he experienced real combat. Just a few hours ago, such a change in footwork would have been impossible.

This was the martial art of the battlefield, the Four Divine Arts. Those who mastered the Four Divine Arts grew exponentially faster the more they risked their lives.

The heavy axe and the light, flamboyant sword collided head-on.

Claaang!

Myeong Hwi spat out blood and retreated.

Now, he was even being pushed back in terms of strength. The two of them, who had the upper hand in pure skill, were as helpless as mice in front of a cat when facing Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was weaker than them.

“You shouldn’t use it like that.”

Thump!

Yeon Ho-Jeong lowered his stance.

“The Blood Wing Sky Sweep is a footwork of extreme killing. Using it as a movement technique will only lead to ruin.”

“Y-you bastard!”

“That martial art is too much for you.”

“Uaaaaaah!”

Myeong Hwi and Myeong Heon screamed and charged.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

Whoo-oong.

Before they knew it, his body had passed between the two of them.

At the same time, Myeong Hwi and Myeong Heon, who had thrust out their sword palms, tilted their heads.

Fwoosh!

The two men’s bodies were split diagonally.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s gaze cooled down.

“As expected, with your level of power, the Vermilion Bird energy cannot be opened.”

He raised his head.

The three hundred White Dragon Army soldiers were looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong with shocked eyes.

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked up at the sky.

Late at night, the white moon and countless stars were twinkling as if they were about to pour down.

Thump!

Yeon Ho-Jeong, with his axe resting on his shoulder, lowered his head and looked at the White Dragon Army.

“Bring the Family Head.”