Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 456

“Ho ho, it has begun.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, Jeong-An, and about thirty warriors who had arrived at the battlefield watched the two men fight.

“It seems he succeeded in his attack.”

Though they were far away, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s sharp eyes could clearly see the sword wounds etched on Jeon Hong’s upper body and shoulder.

Jeong-An’s eyes gleamed.

“He’s amazing, isn’t he?”

“Who? Gang Ryang?”

“Yes.”

“In what way?”

“That man, though he’s excessively fierce, his physical strength is incredible. His protective aura permeates every strand of his muscle, making it difficult to even scratch him with an ordinary swordsman’s strike.”

“You have a good eye.”

“To leave two sword wounds on the body of such a master, it means Gang Ryang’s swordsmanship is incredibly sharp.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“Sharp indeed. The Black Iron Demon Sword is a sword that can be said to be the best in the world when it comes to cutting and pressure. It’s difficult to master, but once you reach its peak, it’s hard to find a martial art that can match it in a head-on fight.”

“That’s impressive.”

“It’s impressive, but as I said, reaching its peak is difficult. Martial arts, by nature, are hard to embody multiple elements. If it’s fast, it lacks weight; if it’s sharp, it’s fragile; and if it’s soft, it can’t be strong.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sparkled.

Far away, the ghostly swordsmanship Gang Ryang was wielding was emitting a tearing, ghostly wail.

“Such things can only be achieved through personal enlightenment, and the Black Iron Demon Sword is a divine art that has fused that high-level martial principle. It’s hard enough to obtain one properly in this world. How much harder would it be to get two?”

“The entry difficulty must be immense.”

“Still, it’s fortunate. He has mastered the Ghost Shadow Sword, which is the entry to the Demon Sword, so now he just needs to spread his wings.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been focused on Gang Ryang, glanced behind him.

There, about thirty warriors, led by Yang Il, were standing awkwardly.

Although Yeon Ho-Jeong and Jeong-An had their backs exposed, they didn’t even dare to attempt a surprise attack. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s single move at the tavern had been that shocking.

However, they couldn’t abandon Jeon Hong, whom they served as their master. It was a truly impossible situation.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been quietly watching them, chuckled and turned his head back to the battlefield.

Whoooosh.

Jeon Hong, exuding a fierce killing intent along with his crimson aura.

And in front of him, Gang Ryang, gathering an intangible force with a serene expression.

“He’s nothing special if you know him. Just step on him and move on.”

Kwaaang!

Jeon Hong’s attack method changed.

In addition to his unique grappling and tearing techniques, he was now using powerful fist techniques, and their force was truly formidable.

‘He’s making craters in the ground.’

Gang Ryang was involuntarily amazed by the destructive power.

He could create such marks himself if he wanted to. The problem was that he had to want to.

Each of Jeon Hong’s punches, even his basic ones, had such power. A mere graze could break bones and cause internal injuries.

“You bastard!”

Jeon Hong roared and continuously swung his fists.

“Are you just planning to run away like a rat!”

Kwarururung!

The air was shaken by the fist wind that was being released.

It was an incredibly powerful fist technique, one of Yang Cheon’s many techniques, the Crushing Rock Divine Fist. [A powerful fist technique focused on destructive force.]

Yang Cheon had three true divine techniques. However, those were just techniques that Yang Cheon had selected, developed, and modified to suit himself; he knew many other martial arts.

One of them was the Strange Rock Martial Art that Jeon Hong was using. It was a martial art that was unmatched in terms of the destructive power of the palm and its heavy attack power, a secret technique comparable to the secrets of the Nine Great Sects. [The Nine Great Sects are the most prestigious martial arts schools.]

Hwaaaah! Kwarurung!

Jeon Hong showed not only fist techniques.

Using his unique flexible body, he kicked out with his leg, breaking a whole large tree, and the elasticity and power were incredible.

It was the Crushing Rock Kick, following the Crushing Rock Divine Fist. At its peak, it was a supreme martial art that could even manifest the Inner Strength Heavy Hand Technique with leg techniques. [Inner Strength Heavy Hand Technique is a martial art that uses internal energy to enhance physical attacks.]

Paah-ah-ahng!

Gang Ryang, who had been dodging Jeon Hong’s attacks like a phantom, moved like lightning for a moment.

Pshwiiik!

Gang Ryang’s figure, soaring into the air past Jeon Hong, was like a bird.

The fast movement speed, combined with the Demon Sword’s single strike, created another sword wound on Jeon Hong’s body.

However, this sword wound was shallower than the previous ones. Jeon Hong’s body, having maximized his Blood Lion Aura [A martial art technique that enhances physical abilities] and activated the Strange Rock Martial Art, boasted a strength that was almost impervious to swords.

Gang Ryang was not disappointed.

Jeon Hong roared again and swung his fists.

“With this much… !”

Kwaaang!

Before he could finish his sentence, Jeon Hong’s body was pushed back.

Jeon Hong’s eyes gleamed.

‘Palm technique?!’

The palm technique, shot from a distance, exploded at the moment the Crushing Rock Divine Fist was unleashed.

Thanks to that, the power and fist wind were completely nullified. It was an amazing tactic that evaporated great power with little force.

‘This guy.’

Kwang!

Jeon Hong, closing the distance with a stomp, swung both palms.

Hwaaaah!

Gang Ryang, who was trying to create distance again, felt his body’s freedom being taken away by a strong suction force.

It was the Blood Wind Pull of the Blood Lion Aura. The Blood Wind Pull, used with all one’s inner force, boasted tremendous suction power.

Gang Ryang’s face turned red.

He tried to lower his stance and resist, but he was getting closer and closer to Jeon Hong.

‘His inner force is incredible.’

It was a force strong enough to pull him in while he was resisting with his strength. The technique itself was mysterious, but without that level of inner force, it wouldn’t have such power.

Jeon Hong grinned.

“I’ve finally caught you, you damn rat.”

Whoooosh! Whoooosh!

He, who had manifested the Blood Wind Pull with both palms, clenched his right fist.

Weeeeing!

A tremendous force gathered in his right fist. It was the power of the Crushing Rock Divine Fist.

It was an amazing ability. The Blood Wind Pull itself was a martial art that consumed a lot of inner force. Moreover, the formulas and inner force manipulation were complex, making it difficult to combine with other martial arts.

And it wasn’t just the Blood Wind Pull. It was difficult for anyone to manifest different types of martial arts at the same time. Yet, Jeon Hong was doing this difficult thing.

Even though he hadn’t broken through the wall of martial arts. [A metaphor for reaching a higher level of mastery.]

‘He’s a genius.’

Gang Ryang had no choice but to acknowledge it. Jeon Hong’s talent.

His talent was amazing, but his effort must have been tremendous as well. It wasn’t a technique that was possible just because of talent.

‘At least he’s not just a prideful brat.’

Jeon Hong let out a maniacal laugh.

“Let’s finish this!”

Kwang!

The fist wind of the Crushing Rock Divine Fist, which had struck the air, was shot towards Gang Ryang.

The pulling force of the Blood Wind Pull, the restricted body, and the powerful fist technique that targeted that gap.

It was a moment that even Gang Ryang couldn’t avoid.

That’s when it happened.

‘……?!’

In a split second, Jeon Hong felt the strong resistance from his left hand completely disappear.

Paah-ah-ahng!

Gang Ryang, who had been resisting the pulling force, instead used a movement technique and rushed towards Jeon Hong. He not only yielded to the pulling force but also increased his speed.

It was a moment of surprise. He even changed the direction he was coming from, causing the fist wind of the Crushing Rock Divine Fist to miss.

‘As expected.’

Gang Ryang was already right in front of Jeon Hong. His sword was accurately aimed at Jeon Hong’s neck.

It was a difficult moment to avoid.

If he hadn’t already predicted it.

‘I expected that your cunning mind might do something like this.’

To yield without resistance and launch a surprise attack?

It was something that one wouldn’t even attempt without considerable courage. But Gang Ryang had dared to do such a dangerous thing.

The problem was that Jeon Hong had already seen it coming.

Urrurung!

Jeon Hong’s arm, which had unleashed the Crushing Rock Divine Fist, folded, and his elbow aimed for Gang Ryang’s sword.

It was a very timely moment. Gang Ryang was a swordsman, and if his sword was broken, his combat power would drop sharply.

Contrary to his appearance, Jeon Hong was also quite capable of using his head.

‘This is the end!’

That’s when it happened.

Doong.

Jeon Hong’s eyes widened.

The sword of Gang Ryang, which had been hit by his elbow, did not break. No, far from breaking, it was falling to the ground powerlessly.

‘He dropped his sword?!’

Jeon Hong’s gaze reached Gang Ryang.

Gang Ryang, who had dropped his sword, had his left hand neatly spread out.

It was a hand blade, a hand sword.

‘This…!’

The slowed-down time suddenly sped up to a terrifying pace.

Pa-ba-ba-ba-bak!

“Kuh-uk!”

Jeon Hong’s body was covered in blood from the countless slashes that were unleashed like lightning.

It was a terrifying slash. It was the manifestation of the Demon Sword Divine Hand, a swordsmanship used with bare hands.

Jeon Hong’s eyes trembled.

The sword wounds that had passed over his upper body like a spiderweb were quite deep. The amount of bleeding was also tremendous. His head was spinning for a moment.

“Crazy!”

Puh-uhk!

The tip of Gang Ryang’s foot struck Jeon Hong’s Adam’s apple.

No matter how impervious to swords one’s body was, the defense of the neck and face was bound to be weaker. Jeon Hong staggered, spitting out something similar to vomit.

Gang Ryang’s foot, which had struck Jeon Hong’s Adam’s apple and retracted, hit the end of the sword hilt that had fallen to the ground.

Chiriring!

The sword, which had risen with a clear sound, had already fallen in front of Gang Ryang.

Kkuuk!

Gang Ryang grasped the sword with both hands.

Not with one hand but with both hands, Gang Ryang’s Demon King True Energy, [A powerful internal energy] which had read the moment of the decisive battle, emitted a black haze on his greatsword.

The Demon Killing Sword of the Black Iron Demon Sword, activated. [A powerful sword technique that enhances cutting power.]

Gang Ryang’s two eyes, which had been merciless, suddenly emitted a blue phosphorescent light.

“Slash!!”

Flash!

A single ray of brilliant sword light pierced through Jeon Hong’s right arm.

Puhwaaaak!

A cleanly severed arm fell to the ground.

Jeon Hong screamed.

“Kuaaaak!”

The pain was pain, but the psychological shock of losing a part of his body was beyond imagination.

That shock turned into anger, and the anger soon turned into murderous intent, which was poured out on Gang Ryang.

“You bastard!”

Jeon Hong, who had released the Blood Wind Pull, swung the Crushing Rock Divine Fist again. Even in the midst of that, the speed of his inner force manipulation and the rhythm of his martial art manifestation were outstanding. He was definitely a great talent.

Gang Ryang’s eyes gleamed.

“Net.”

Pa-ba-ba-ba-ba-bak!

The Demon Killing Sword, wielded as if possessed, created another spiderweb-like sword wound on Jeon Hong’s entire body, the technique of the Demon Killing Net. [A technique that creates multiple cuts in a net-like pattern.]

Puhwak!

A large amount of blood burst out.

No matter how well-trained the body was, it couldn’t withstand this much bleeding.

Kung!

Jeon Hong, who had been staggering, soon sat down on the spot. His legs had given out.

Jeon Hong’s face, which was completely distorted, held an emotion that was truly difficult to describe.

“Th-this…”

He was so angry and dumbfounded that he couldn’t even speak properly. He had lost so much blood that his eyes kept closing, and his consciousness was gradually fading.

“Me… to a nobody like this… !”

Gang Ryang chuckled.

“I don’t know. It seems like you’re the nobody.”

He kicked Jeon Hong’s chin.

Ppah-gak!

Jeon Hong, who was spitting blood and falling backward, eventually lost consciousness. About six or seven of his teeth were broken, and his jawbone was fractured, but even with that pain, Jeon Hong did not regain consciousness.

It was definitely a strong body. Even without the protection of the Blood Lion Aura, his jawbone had not been shattered.

Sreureung.

Gang Ryang, who had sheathed his sword, looked down at the fallen Jeon Hong and said in a cold voice.

“As promised, I’ll take one arm. Learn how to use chopsticks again.”

Gang Ryang, as if there was nothing more to see, turned his body and walked towards Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong gave him a thumbs up.

Gang Ryang scratched his head.

“I couldn’t kill him.”

“That’s why I watched, you idiot.”

“But what about those guys…?”

“Ah, those guys?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at the warriors.