Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 133

Sword Immortal Tak Mu-Ja.

One of the Divine Celestial Kings among the Seongcheon Thirteen Seats, an invincible master at the pinnacle of the Wudang Sect’s martial arts of the era.

While it’s meaningless to determine who is superior in a fight between Divine Celestial Kings, at least in terms of fame, the One God and Two Immortals were a few years ahead of the Three Emperors and Four Kings. [These are all titles referring to the most powerful martial artists of the era.]

Therefore, the world respectfully regarded the One God and Two Immortals as the closest to being the greatest under heaven. This assessment was based on seniority and reputation, rather than pure skill.

The Sword Immortal was one of those Two Immortals, and was considered the strongest among those who inherited the sword lineage of the Taoist sect.

And his disciple was now standing before Yeon Ho-Jeong.

‘Okcheong, the disciple of Sword Immortal Tak Mu.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed fiercely.

‘Yes, I’ve heard that name before.’

It was said that Tak Mu-Ja, considered the greatest martial talent since the founder of the Wudang Sect, Sam-pung Jin-in, had praised Okcheong as having the talent of a Martial God when he first saw him. [Sam-pung Jin-in is a legendary figure in Wudang history.]

The rumor spread throughout the Central Plains in an instant. It was already earth-shattering news that the great master Tak Mu-Ja had taken a disciple, but the fact that he called his disciple’s talent that of a Martial God made it an even bigger topic.

‘But…’

Yeon Ho-Jeong remembered the Taoist name, Okcheong.

‘Okcheong is dead.’

During the time when Yeon Ho-Jeong was making a name for himself as the Dark Emperor.

Before the Demonic Cult fully advanced into the Central Plains, they sought out and killed powerful masters one by one.

One of them was Okcheong. And it was known that Okcheong had already reached the level of a Divine Celestial King when he was killed by the Demonic Cult’s schemes.

‘He was dead in the past. To see someone I never even met in this era.’

Curiosity flickered across Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

“Okcheong… I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Okcheong’s eyebrows twitched.

He had heard a lot about him? It was quite a presumptuous tone for a first meeting.

However, Okcheong didn’t care about the other’s tone. What was important to him was a duel with a master who could provide a clue to break through his wall.

“Are you Yeon Ho-Jang?”

It seemed to be a combination of the nickname Byeoksan Tiger General and the name Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong grumbled.

“Don’t go around modifying other people’s names as you please. I am Yeon Ho-Jeong.”

“I know it’s rude. But I’ll still ask, even if it’s impolite.”

Swoosh.

Okcheong knelt down on the spot. It was a sight that evoked a sense of tragic beauty.

“Please, duel with me.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong glanced at Muk Bi.

Muk Bi shuddered and turned his head away. He seemed to be fed up with Yeon Ho-Jeong’s wicked fate that attracted incidents and accidents.

Yeon Ho-Jeong clicked his tongue.

“I’m in the middle of training. I’m sorry, but come back later.”

“Then I will wait here until your training is over.”

What a stubborn mule.

“It’s snowing heavily, and you’re going to wait?”

“Yes.”

“You’ll get icicles in your hair.”

“……”

“Geez.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong asked with a look of disbelief.

“Why are you so insistent on dueling with me?”

Okcheong’s mouth opened naturally.

“I’ve heard that the Byeoksan Tiger General’s martial arts are as fierce and intense as a wildfire, a combat-oriented martial art that doesn’t give the opponent a chance to counter.”

“…Hmm.”

“Also, it was said that you are skilled in unconventional martial arts focused on attack, yet your transitions between offense and defense are as natural as flowing water, making you a practical martial artist who has already established his own style.”

“That’s a rumor that makes my hands and feet curl up.”

“I thought you were the opponent I needed right now.”

Okcheong pressed his forehead against the snow-covered ground.

“Please, give me guidance.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Muk Bi.

Look and learn, you imbecile. You should at least show this much sincerity to your father later.

“I guess I have no choice.”

Okcheong raised his head.

It seemed that life was slowly returning to his eyes, which had been filled with emptiness.

Whoosh.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, with the Mad Dragon Axe slung over his shoulder, nodded.

“Let’s have a match.”

“Thank you. I am truly grateful. I will never forget this favor.”

“There’s no favor to speak of. You might even win.”

Swoosh.

Okcheong drew his sword.

It was the Songmun Ancient Sword, which the Wudang Sect was proud of. The tip of the sword was slightly rounded, and the blade was somewhat dull, a ceremonial iron sword of the Taoist school. [Songmun is a reference to a specific style of sword within the Wudang Sect.]

Yeon Ho-Jeong quietly watched Okcheong.

Okcheong took a deep breath and slowly lowered his stance.

Whoooosh.

A blue aura surrounded the Songmun Ancient Sword.

In that instant, Muk Bi felt a chill.

‘Sharp.’

The Songmun Ancient Sword clearly wasn’t sharp, but as the clear aura surrounded it, it began to exude a terrifyingly sharp edge.

That meant that Okcheong’s sword was honed to that degree of sharpness. It didn’t seem like the martial arts of Wudang, which aimed for the path of the immortals.

Also, that sharpness was real. One wrong move, and he felt like he could be cut in the blink of an eye.

It was when Muk Bi was looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong with worried eyes.

“Hmm…”

Yeon Ho-Jeong scratched his cheek.

“Can we start?”

“Huh?”

Okcheong blinked like a fool.

Yeon Ho-Jeong clicked his tongue.

“Then, I’ll start.”

Flash!

‘Gasp!’

Okcheong was horrified. Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been standing five yards away, had already closed the distance to within one yard.

It was an incredibly fast movement speed. Okcheong instinctively unleashed the Taiji Wisdom Sword, the sword art representing Wudang. [Taiji Wisdom Sword is a core sword technique of the Wudang Sect.]

At the same time, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s Mad Dragon Axe moved like lightning.

Clang!

The Songmun Ancient Sword shattered from the upward strike.

Thwack!

“Guh-eok!”

Okcheong’s eyes rolled back from the Yeon Family Fist, the One Cycle Clear Wave strike, which spun around like a whirlwind. [Yeon Family Fist is a martial art style unique to the Yeon family.]

Okcheong, clutching his stomach and trembling, collapsed.

Before losing consciousness, he heard Yeon Ho-Jeong’s voice fading away.

“What, is this guy an idiot? Why is he losing strength in his body when the match has started… Are all Wudang martial arts like this… I see why he died…”

“Hah!”

Okcheong, regaining consciousness, jumped up.

“Hah… Ugh.”

He unconsciously clutched his stomach.

A dull pain rose from his abdomen. It was so painful that tears welled up in his eyes for a moment.

“Kuh-eung.”

Okcheong drew upon the Primal Chaos True Art. [Primal Chaos True Art is a powerful internal energy cultivation technique.]

Whoooosh.

The Primal Chaos Qi rising from his dantian reduced the pain in his abdomen.

He finally felt a little better. Okcheong looked around.

‘Where am I?’

It was a room. It was quite spacious, but there weren’t many clothes.

Then, the last memory before losing consciousness flashed through Okcheong’s mind.

“Gasp! The Byeoksan Tiger General!”

That’s right. He had requested a duel with the Byeoksan Tiger General, Yeon Ho-Jeong, and had lost consciousness after being struck in the abdomen in just two exchanges.

‘Two exchanges… I, in just two exchanges…?’

Okcheong couldn’t believe it.

Shudder.

His clenched fist trembled violently.

Recently, a demonic influence had taken root, and his martial arts had reached a plateau. However, the martial arts he had built up since childhood were engraved deep in his bones.

An average master could be subdued within three sword strikes, but he couldn’t even last two exchanges?

‘This can’t be. I have to meet him again.’

It was then.

Clang! Crack!

“Kuh-heok!”

A strange groan was heard, followed by the sound of a person collapsing.

Okcheong turned his gaze to the window.

This was the second floor, and looking down, he saw a tall young man with a flashy axe slung over his shoulder, looking down at someone.

“Damn it. How many times is this? I wish they’d stop coming, you bastards.”

It was a voice filled with endless annoyance.

In that instant, Okcheong’s mind snapped back to reality.

‘Yeon Ho-Jeong!’

Whoosh!

Okcheong leaped out of the window and landed on the ground.

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned to look at Okcheong.

Okcheong, who was about to open his mouth, flinched. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face was flushed red like a volcano about to erupt.

“What is it now?”

“……”

“If you’re awake, go back to your quarters.”

It was an atmosphere that made it difficult to speak easily.

However, Okcheong couldn’t back down here.

“I apologize. I, the humble one, have caused unnecessary trouble for the Byeoksan Tiger General. You are indeed the owner of martial arts that would amaze the entire world.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

From the way he spoke, it seemed like he was about to leave right away. He suppressed his rising anger and said.

“You’re still far from it. Isn’t that why you should focus on training?”

“That’s true.”

“Anyway, go back now. I’ve left your sword on the table, so take it…”

“I’m sorry, but may I ask one more time?”

“……”

“I beg you. I can’t go back like this.”

“Get in stance.”

“……Huh?”

Okcheong, who was looking up at Yeon Ho-Jeong, felt his legs go weak for a moment.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes were emitting a terrifying killing intent.

“I said, get in stance, you Taoist bastard.”

“Huh? Ah, yes.”

Okcheong unconsciously assumed a clumsy stance. It was the ready stance of the Wudang Seven Star Fist. [Wudang Seven Star Fist is a fundamental fist technique of the Wudang Sect.]

“……Geez.”

Whoosh!

The piled-up snow soared to a height of three stories.

Fortunately, Okcheong’s body only soared to the height of the second floor before falling. Fortunately, it seemed that he didn’t have any fractures.

As Okcheong’s consciousness faded, he heard Yeon Ho-Jeong’s voice again.

“Next time, I’ll have to break his legs. Muk Bi! Get rid of this guy from the Common Faction too… Ah, these crazy bastards are really here again… Die, you son of a…!”

“Hah!”

Okcheong opened his eyes again.

“Hah… Cough! Cough, cough!”

A fit of coughing came out involuntarily. He had no strength left in his entire body.

“Kuh-euk!”

Okcheong barely managed to raise his body and touched his chin.

‘Is it not broken?’

The last memory came back vividly. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s palm strike, which approached at a speed invisible to the naked eye, struck his chin, and his body flew into the air before falling to the ground.

If it weren’t for his trained body and the Primal Chaos True Art, one of his bones would have been broken for sure.

No, it was a miracle that his chin wasn’t shattered in the first place. If the opponent hadn’t been considerate, his head might have flown off.

Okcheong looked out the window.

“Is it already night…?”

Then, a chilling voice was heard.

“Yes, it’s night.”

“Kuh-heok!”

Okcheong, startled, turned his head towards the source of the voice.

There, Yeon Ho-Jeong was drinking alone, with his axe slung over his shoulder. The sight of him lighting a candle in the center of the table and tilting his glass was strangely eerie.

“Y-Yeon Ho-Jang?”

“I told you not to modify my name.”

“……Huh?”

“I said, don’t call me Ho-Jang, you imbecile.”

“Ah, yes!”

Why was it? Okcheong couldn’t help but feel his words becoming polite.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been quietly watching Okcheong, smiled bitterly and said.

“If you’ve regained your senses, go back now. I need to finish this and go to sleep.”

“Ah…!”

Only then did Okcheong realize that he had taken Yeon Ho-Jeong’s bed.

Okcheong quickly got off the bed and bowed his head.

“I-I apologize for the trouble.”

“If you understand, go now.”

“Ah… but, perhaps…”

Yeon Ho-Jeong raised the Mad Dragon Axe with a blank expression.

Okcheong’s face turned pale.

“Gasp! I’m not asking to fight! Absolutely not.”

“……?”

“……”

“Hmph.”

Thud!

Yeon Ho-Jeong put down the axe and tilted his glass again.

Okcheong swallowed hard. He was an opponent who had subdued him in just two exchanges even when he was in his normal state. With his current body, he wouldn’t last even a second. No, he actually hadn’t lasted.

‘He’s an incredible powerhouse! How can he be so strong even though he’s about the same age as me!’

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“If you have nothing to say, go back now.”

“……Is it possible?”

“What? I can’t hear you, you imbecile. Speak up.”

Okcheong hesitated and said.

“C-Could I receive guidance from the Great Hero?”

“Ah, so that’s what it was? Why didn’t you say so sooner, you bastard.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong got up with a cold face. He was truly about to finish things.

“Gasp! I-I’m not asking to fight! I mean guidance, as in guidance!”

“……Hmm?”

“I-I’ll come back tomorrow! Please, tell me my shortcomings! I absolutely won’t ask to fight!”

“……”

“……”

“……Hmm.”

Thud!

Yeon Ho-Jeong put down the Mad Dragon Axe and waved his hand.

“Okay, come back tomorrow. I’m going to sleep.”

“Yes, sir!”

Okcheong left the Pagun Pavilion faster than ever before.