Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 316

In front of Grand Master Gong Gong’s residence, the two men stood facing each other in the spacious yard.

Yeon Ho-Jeong respectfully clasped his hands in greeting.

“I am Yeon Ho-Jeong of the Byeoksan Yeon Family from Gangdong.”

Beomoh’s eyebrows twitched.

He was using the casual ‘hao’ form from the start. Even a glance would tell their ages, yet he seemed quite arrogant.

However, he couldn’t act carelessly just because his opponent did.

“I am Beomoh of Shaolin.”

Grand Master Gong Gong, watching them from afar, clicked his tongue quietly.

Tang Gwan, who was sitting next to him with his arms crossed, chuckled.

“Thanks to that Arhat [a Buddhist term for a perfected being], you won’t be bored, Grand Master.”

“Hehe, it’s just troublesome.”

The conversation between the two was clearly audible to Beomoh, who was quite a distance away.

Beomoh’s eyes deepened. He felt displeased, as if he were being treated like an inexperienced child.

‘……Mu-nyeom [no thoughts]. Let’s empty my mind.’

After taking a small deep breath, Beomoh noticed the hand axe hanging from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s waist.

It was an axe with a poorly sharpened blade. Its size was a little longer than an adult man’s forearm.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Beomoh asked,

“Do you use an axe?”

“Ah, this?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong gave a wry smile.

“The axe is my main weapon, but I haven’t used it lately. Of course, I’ll use it when the time comes.”

“Hmm.”

Beomoh subtly looked down on his opponent.

‘An axe, really?’

Originally, an axe was not a weapon that orthodox martial artists would use. It was a weapon for the thugs of the Black Path or third-rate bandits who relied on brute force.

Yet, the so-called best of the younger generation was using an axe? Moreover, a descendant of the Yeon Family, who was famous for his swordsmanship?

‘He’s a truly unique one.’

Beomoh, who had been looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong with a smile, refocused his mind.

‘Regardless of the weapon he uses, his skill in controlling his energy is genuine. I must not be careless.’

The fact that he couldn’t sense his presence was enough to acknowledge his skill.

However, there were many types of martial arts in the martial world. Among them, there were many divine arts and secret techniques that were particularly specialized in controlling inner energy.

Beomoh thought that his opponent’s martial art was similar to that kind.

“Then, shall we begin?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“Weren’t we already started? I’ve been waiting.”

Beomoh’s face showed confusion.

“What do you mean? I never said I would make the first move.”

“……Hmm, so it’s your side?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and nodded.

“I understand. Let’s begin.”

Beomoh felt inexplicably displeased. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s gaze and words were similar to those of the Abbot or the Tang Family Head.

‘Arrogant.’

Swoosh.

Beomoh lowered his stance.

The smooth stance was reminiscent of a solid rock. There was no opening to be found.

A faint golden inner energy emanated from Beomoh’s body.

Woo-oong!

A sound like a Buddhist bell reverberated.

Grand Master Gong Gong slapped his knee.

“It’s the Great Brahma!”

It was the activation of the Great Brahma Divine Art, one of Shaolin’s supreme martial arts.

The energy waves spreading in all directions were incredibly powerful. Rather than feeling flashy or special, it was a magnificent martial art that quietly spread its presence.

Beomoh said,

“Come at me first.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“Alright.”

Step, step.

Beomoh frowned.

‘What is he doing?’

He had told him to come at him, but he was just walking over without any preparation.

He hadn’t activated his inner energy technique or taken a cautious stance. He was approaching with a light step, as if he were taking a stroll in the backyard.

Moreover, there was no fighting spirit or tension in his eyes.

‘Is this guy playing with me?’

Before he knew it, Yeon Ho-Jeong had come within a few feet of Beomoh.

That’s when it happened.

Whack!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s right foot shot out like a spiked whip towards Beomoh’s face.

Beomoh’s eyes flashed.

‘Fast!’

He had approached slowly, then suddenly unleashed an explosive kick.

Even Beomoh, known as the best of his generation, was taken aback by the terrifying speed. However, as a martial monk renowned for his talent, his body reacted first to Yeon Ho-Jeong’s brutal kick.

Whoosh!

Beomoh’s right fist twisted like a snake, aiming for Yeon Ho-Jeong’s calf. He intended to deflect it before it could hit his face.

At that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s foot disappeared from Beomoh’s sight.

Thud!

“Huh?!”

The kick, which had been aimed at his face, came down like an axe, stomping on Beomoh’s instep.

Beomoh’s face turned red.

‘Damn it!’

He never imagined he would step on his instep. Although his bones didn’t break thanks to the protection of the Great Brahma Divine Art, a tremendous shock was transmitted to his instep.

‘What is this nonsense!’

What martial artist in the world would step on their opponent’s instep? It was an unheard-of attack.

Fwoooosh!

Enraged, Beomoh swung both fists.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed.

It seemed like a random swing, but it was filled with the power and momentum to break rocks. It was the Shaolin Vajra Fist.

Thump!

Beomoh’s eyes widened as if they would tear.

Before he knew it, his two fists were deflected to the left and right. The opponent’s palm had struck his wrist pulse points.

He couldn’t understand what technique he had used, even after seeing it. It was a lightning-fast maneuver.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s left hand struck Beomoh’s chest.

Thwack!

‘Ugh!’

The intense pain made his head spin.

Even with the inner power of the Great Brahma Divine Art, it was difficult to dissipate the shock. It wasn’t a forceful punch, but a soft fist technique, a type of hidden energy that attacked the opponent’s internal organs.

Beomoh, who was retreating madly, involuntarily screamed.

“Agh!”

Crack!

Before he knew it, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s foot was once again stepping on his instep.

He pressed down so hard that his entire foot dug into the ground. The pain was suffocating, and the pain in his instep felt like it would break, making Beomoh’s aura turn fierce.

“You bastard!”

It was a lion’s roar that burst out involuntarily.

Woo-oong!

Along with the sound of a ringing bell, Beomoh’s fist twitched, aiming for Yeon Ho-Jeong’s upper body.

It was an incredibly fast and flexible fist technique. It was a single strike filled with mysterious principles that could even catch Yeon Ho-Jeong off guard.

It was one of the Shaolin Seventy-Two Supreme Arts, the Dragon King Soft Fist, finally revealing its form. As its name suggested, its aura was magnificent, like a dragon writhing.

‘Indeed.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong inwardly expressed his admiration.

‘As expected, Shaolin martial arts…!’

Even in the hands of a mediocre martial monk who was excellent in learning but unable to utilize it properly, it created immense power and energy waves.

It was indeed worthy of being called the martial art of the Taishan Bukdu [a term referring to the most prestigious martial arts schools]. It would be difficult to find such a sophisticated and magnificent martial art anywhere in the world.

‘However.’

Woong!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s arms emitted a faint blue-green glow. He was using the Azure Dragon Energy.

Whoosh!

The power of the Dragon King Soft Fist, which aimed to break through with its momentum, was gently scattered.

Not only that, but Yeon Ho-Jeong’s arms, which had been swung, wrapped around Beomoh’s arms like snakes.

Beomoh’s eyes widened as if they would tear.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had wrapped around Beomoh’s arms, leaned his upper body backward.

Crack!

“Kuaaaak!”

Beomoh’s left arm broke completely.

It was fortunate that his joint wasn’t destroyed. However, the mental shock was similar to having his head cut off.

‘Damn it!’

It was the first time his arm had been broken in a martial arts match.

However, Beomoh wasn’t just taking it. He shifted his weight and aimed for Yeon Ho-Jeong’s chin with his right hand, from which a blue glow was spreading like a wave.

It was the Guanyin Pure Steel Hand. It was an attack that used complex inner energy manipulation in a short moment. Although his practical skills were lacking, all the martial arts he had learned and mastered were ingrained in his body.

Yeon Ho-Jeong put strength into his foot.

Crack!

“Cough!”

Beomoh’s body tilted forward.

Swoosh!

The Guanyin Pure Steel Hand’s strike grazed Yeon Ho-Jeong’s shoulder.

There was no need to avoid the attack. It was enough to disrupt the opponent’s stance. It was a technique that could only be used by someone who was extremely familiar with real combat.

Before Beomoh could even realize why his attack had missed, he was met with a shocking blow that made his vision flash.

Crack!

A knee that shot up like an axe struck Beomoh’s chin. Beomoh felt a shock that made him feel like he was losing his mind.

That was the beginning. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s real attack.

Thwack! Crack! Thud!

Three powerful consecutive strikes landed squarely on Beomoh’s body.

They didn’t cause severe internal injuries, but they were attacks that made him lose his mind from the shock. If they had been filled with killing intent, Beomoh would have died before the third strike.

Whoooosh!

A pure white wind surged from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body.

Wham!

With a powerful step, the Tiger King’s strike was unleashed.

Thwack!

“Cough!”

Beomoh spat out blood and collapsed on the spot.

It wasn’t an attack that deflected the force, but one that transferred all the power into the body. It wouldn’t kill him or cause severe internal injuries that required treatment, but it would be difficult for him to use proper martial arts for a while.

Yeon Ho-Jeong dusted off his hands.

“I’ve gained some insight.”

“Kuh-heuk!”

“Then.”

“Wai, wait!”

Beomoh struggled to stand up.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“You are amazing. As expected of the Shaolin monks, they are all strong-willed. I didn’t expect you to get up again after taking that blow.”

“Wh, what is this all about!”

“What do you mean?”

Beomoh gritted his teeth with a pale face.

“Stepping on my instep! How can you call such ridiculous tactics a fight… !”

That’s when it happened.

Whoooosh!

Beomoh felt a momentary illusion that the world was turning red.

And in that red world, Yeon Ho-Jeong finally drew his axe.

Whoooosh!

A hot wind, as if it were holding flames, wrapped around Beomoh’s body.

‘Gasp!’

Beomoh’s eyes widened as if they would tear.

A demon with madness and flames in its eyes was wielding an axe.

That’s right. It was an axe.

At the same time, it wasn’t an axe. Because no axe in the world was as big as a mountain.

Whoosh!

The axe blade, cutting through the air, was on fire. The flaming axe blade was falling with terrifying speed, as if it would cut his body in half.

Beomoh involuntarily closed his eyes tightly.

Whoooosh!

In an instant, the hot wind disappeared, and a cold winter breeze cooled Beomoh’s body.

Beomoh, who had tightly closed his eyes, opened them, his complexion even paler. The hand axe that Yeon Ho-Jeong had swung was already touching his forehead.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled faintly.

“I’ve heard that Shaolin’s martial arts are profound and vast, and that they are high-level martial arts capable of responding to any technique in the world.”

“…….”

“Is the martial art you have learned so light that you cannot even respond to such petty tricks?”

Beomoh’s cheeks trembled.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had hung the hand axe on his belt, clasped his hands in greeting.

“Shaolin’s martial arts were indeed as famous as they are said to be. It is you who lost, not Shaolin’s martial arts.”

“……!”

“Let’s have another match when the time comes. Then, I will also fight you with strength. Take good care of yourself.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned his gaze to Grand Master Gong Gong.

Grand Master Gong Gong sighed and nodded.

On the way back to their residence.

Tang Gwan asked casually,

“Why did you do that?”

“What do you mean?”

“You were uncharacteristically lenient.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at him with a dumbfounded expression.

“Are you saying I should have killed him on the spot?”

Tang Gwan snorted.

“Even if you didn’t kill him, you could have suppressed him so that he wouldn’t dare to challenge you again. Grand Master Gong Gong was the one who asked for the match first, so he wouldn’t have been able to say anything.”

“That wouldn’t do. Rather, that martial monk should be burning with the desire to challenge me again.”

“Why is that?”

“If he knows he can learn something from me, the Grand Master will be more likely to entrust the Family Head’s position to me, wouldn’t he?”

Tang Gwan clicked his tongue.

“You snake.”

“By the way, the time is a bit awkward, would you like to have a meal?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Mealtime has long passed.”

“Hmm.”

“Forget about food, buy me some drinks.”

“Shall we? Yes, let’s do that then.”