Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 698

Thwack!

A single arrow tore a large hole in his sleeve.

From the arrowhead to the fletching, the penetrating power was exceptional, but the target area was inevitably small. Even if it pierced, it shouldn’t have created such a large hole.

‘Formless Shot!’

Sowol’s face was filled with shock.

Formless Shot, a supreme technique that kills enemies with pure energy without arrows.

Of course, Sowol also knew how to use this technique. In fact, any martial artist who had mastered archery had to reach the level of Formless Shot.

Archery is a martial art that is completely different from swordsmanship, spear techniques, or fist techniques. Since the number of arrows is limited, there are also limits to attacks.

The technique that could overcome this was the Formless Shot. Although it consumed a considerable amount of inner energy, if one could freely unleash Formless Shots, an archer’s combat ability would increase infinitely.

Fwip! Fwip! Fwip!

Invisible arrows chased after Sowol’s body.

‘Such an absurd level!’

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Pfft!

He dodged three Formless Shots, but one grazed his shoulder.

A chill ran down his spine.

He survived thanks to his battlefield instincts, honed to the extreme. If he hadn’t dodged instinctively, his left shoulder would have been pierced straight through.

Sowol also drew his bow.

Whoosh!

A huge arrow, boasting an extraordinary size, flew towards Muk Bi.

Bang!

At that moment, Muk Bi’s Formless Shot struck Sowol’s Iron Extreme Arrow. [A powerful arrow technique]

Even with the Formless Shot, the trajectory of the Iron Extreme Arrow did not waver. However, its power was dispersed, and its speed slowed down.

And at that moment, Muk Bi’s body rotated.

Thwack!

A terrifying technique.

Muk Bi, who had caught the Iron Extreme Arrow with her bare hand after slowing it down with a Formless Shot, fired the arrow towards First Squad Leader Hwahan.

Thwaaaang!

If Sowol’s archery was simple and destructive, Muk Bi’s archery was elastic and sharp.

However, that also changed depending on the situation. Elasticity and sharpness represented Muk Bi’s archery, but in reality, she was a master who had mastered all aspects of archery.

There was no way that the power of the Iron Extreme Arrow fired by that master would be inferior to Sowol’s.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz!

Hwahan’s body was pushed back violently.

His face turned pale. He had defended with his greatsword, but the power was enough to break through his defense. It was an attack that caused internal injuries even though it wasn’t a direct counterattack.

Sowol’s face hardened.

‘Fast!’

Before the power or variety of archery, the opponent’s reflexes were far superior to his own.

Her eyes that captured the attack, her response ability, as well as her judgment and movements.

Every element was superior to his own. Before the actual understanding of archery, he had to admit that he was a step behind in skill.

‘I have no choice.’

Whoosh!

Sowol, who had descended to the edge of the cliff, aimed at Muk Bi.

Muk Bi also moved back and aimed at Sowol.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Thwack!

Between the two, the Jongnam swordsmen and the Blood Wolf members, who were surging up like a tide, engaged in a fierce battle.

Hwang Seok-tae gave orders, and Yong Ho-jin and Dong Kwon filled the gaps in the sword formation. First Squad Leader Hwahan stood at the forefront of the Blood Wolves and pushed forward, while Fourth Squad Leader Geukpa deflected the attacks aimed at the Blood Wolf members one by one.

The appearance of one archer changed the form of the battle.

The casualties on the Jongnam side noticeably decreased, but conversely, the number of Blood Wolf members climbing up the cliff also increased. Although they no longer launched suicide attacks like before, the eyes of the Blood Wolves, who were constantly looking for openings in Jongnam’s defenses, were truly those of predators hunting their prey.

Hwang Seok-tae thought.

‘Amazing.’

The appearance of the unknown archer was very welcome.

However, because of her appearance, the Blood Wolf members began to occupy Cheongmok Cliff.

At the same time, the standoff between Muk Bi and Sowol continued, and the deaths of the Jongnam swordsmen noticeably decreased. This was because Sowol’s sniping was no longer directed at the swordsmen.

‘It’s a great help. This war is a defensive war. If the sacrifices of the Jongnam swordsmen are minimized, that alone is valuable. But…’

The problem was time.

‘If we reach the third or fourth day, it will be advantageous for us. But until then, it’s dangerous. In the first place, it will be difficult to hold out for three or four days.’

It was better to finish quickly than to hold out ambiguously.

Hwang Seok-tae shouted.

“Swordsmen, retreat to the main camp!”

Dong Kwon was startled.

“What are you saying!”

“We must reduce the casualties!”

“That’s true, but!”

“Trust me!”

Muk Bi released her bowstring.

Thwaaaang!

Sowol released his bowstring as soon as he dodged the Formless Shot.

Bang!

Muk Bi, who had dodged the attack, aimed her Crimson Lotus Bow at the Blood Wolf Clan.

Sowol also aimed his bow at the Jongnam swordsmen.

Swish!

The two archers, as if by unspoken agreement, switched their aim to each other.

Muk Bi’s change of stance was slightly faster, but the distance between them was too great. Considering the archers’ movement techniques, it was impossible to land a significant hit. Moreover, in a situation where they had to protect their allies and kill their enemies, it was not a fight between the two of them in the first place.

A fierce psychological battle between archers. They became shackles that bound each other.

“Retreat! Little by little!”

In response to Hwang Seok-tae’s shout, Hwahan also shouted in a rough voice.

“Push forward! Don’t overdo it! Be ready to fire the fire arrows at any time!”

Thus, the two groups eventually reached the front of the main mountain, crossing Cheongmok Cliff. Until then, the two groups fought like madmen, yet suffered almost no casualties.

‘They’ll attack soon.’

Even while wielding his spear, Hwang Seok-tae’s mind raced.

The enemy wasn’t stupid either. If they had retreated this far, they would have sensed that there was something up their sleeve.

However, he couldn’t recklessly order a charge, so someone would definitely step forward.

‘They will step forward. Definitely.’

Hwang Seok-tae prepared himself.

If the first decisive battleground was Cheongmok Cliff, the second decisive battleground was right here.

‘When will you step forward!’

It was then.

Whoooosh!

Hwahan and Geukpa, who were leading the Blood Wolf Clan, soared high into the sky.

Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes flashed.

“Elder Dong Kwon, remain in the sword formation! Yong Ho-jin, face the enemy’s martial artist!”

Whoooosh!

Yong Ho-jin jumped up and clashed with Geukpa, and Hwang Seok-tae, who also jumped up, clashed with Hwahan.

Sowol shouted.

“Blood Wolf Clan, advance with all-out fire!”

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The Blood Wolf Clan finally fired their fire arrows and gained speed, while the sword formation retreated, deflecting the fire arrows.

The speed at which the sword formation retreated was very fast. In order not to be hit by the fire arrows, they had no choice but to create distance.

‘Now is the time.’

Hwang Seok-tae, who had knocked away Hwahan’s greatsword, cried out inwardly.

‘Now!!’

Whoosh!

In an instant, with a splendid momentum, about fifty masters charged from the main camp.

Dong Kwon shouted.

“They are the Plum Blossom Spear Masters!”

Whoosh!

The Plum Blossom Spear Masters, who had pierced through the sword formation in an instant, began to sweep through the front of the Blood Wolf Clan.

Thwack!

* * *

Clang!

Blood finally spurted from Cho Suk’s mouth as he was pushed back.

Pyeongso grinned.

“Just die already, old man!”

“Shut up!”

Thwack!

Cho Suk, who had shaken off Pyeongso, gritted his teeth. Already, a steel dart was embedded in his side.

It wasn’t a burning fire arrow. However, the steel dart that had pierced through the gap had drastically tilted the balance of the fierce battle between the two masters.

Pyeongso swung his single spear.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Slash!

A deep wound appeared on Cho Suk’s cheek.

‘Damn it!’

Not his arms or legs, nor his torso. He had taken a blow to his face, his head.

Being attacked in the head, which should be thoroughly protected, meant that Cho Suk’s condition was not normal. The steel dart he had allowed into his side, his abnormal physical condition, had finally caused a problem.

‘This won’t do!’

Cho Suk’s sword techniques changed.

From the powerful Falling Thunder Nine Swords to the Nine Palaces Divine Movement Sword, known for its mysterious defense, and then to the Supreme Ethereal Sword, one of the best in Jongnam.

Pyeongso’s expression changed.

Whoosh! Thwack!

Pyeongso’s body was pushed back by the splendid sword energy.

Cho Suk’s eyes gleamed.

‘It worked…!’

Thwack!

Cho Suk staggered back.

Already, a single spear was embedded in his thigh. Pyeongso had thrown one of his twin spears and embedded it.

“Ugh!”

It was deep. Fortunately, it had missed the bone, but it had severed the inner artery.

Cho Suk staggered. He hurriedly circulated his inner energy to stop the artery from rising, but it was only a temporary measure.

‘This can’t be happening.’

He knew that their martial arts were different from those of the Central Plains. [A region in China]

However, he never expected that they would throw their main weapons. There were hidden sword techniques and hidden spear techniques in the Central Plains martial arts world, but they were not techniques that involved throwing personal weapons.

Pyeongso, who had closed the distance in an instant, swung his twin spear.

Clang!

Cho Suk, who had spat out blood, flew back three yards and collapsed. He had avoided instant death, but his right arm, which had blocked the spear strike, was broken. He had not been able to put his full strength into it.

“Ugh!”

Thwack!

The remaining twin spear pierced Cho Suk’s heart.

Pyeongso gasped for breath.

Thud.

At the moment of his death, Cho Suk’s sword pierced Pyeongso’s side. It was truly a superhuman effort of will.

Clang!

Pyeongso, who had pulled out the sword, staggered slightly. The inner energy of the Supreme Ethereal Sword that had entered through the wound had completely shaken his internal organs.

However, he was not in a state where he could not fight.

Pyeongso, who had pulled the twin spears from Cho Suk’s body, shouted.

“We’ve killed the enemy commander! Everyone, push forward!”

Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo!

A cruel war cry echoed.

The faces of the swordsmen forming the sword formation turned pale.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

A serious look appeared on Paeyul’s face as he knocked away Hopae’s sword.

‘It’s true.’

He didn’t have to see it to know. Cho Suk’s stern energy was no longer felt.

‘Damn it…’

Bang!

With a strong kick, a single spear attack poured down.

Bang!

Hopae fell along with the Blood Wolf members. It wasn’t a fatal injury, but he couldn’t just take the attacks that were launched at the right places.

Whoosh!

Paeyul, who had quickly left the front line, charged towards the sword formation. More precisely, it was to stop Pyeongso, who was attacking from behind the sword formation.

Pyeongso swung his twin spears.

Thwack! Thwack!

Four swordsmen lost their lives.

Two rear sword formations changed direction to stop Pyeongso.

At the same time, the eyes of the Blood Wolf members changed.

Paeyul shouted.

“No!”

It was too late.

Bang! Bang!

About ten Blood Wolf members jumped into the front sword formation.

Their bodies exploded, creating a large hole in the front line of Sadoam. They had judged that they could break through the formation in an instant since there was no sword formation supporting them from behind.

It was a chilling tactical maneuver. Even the great Paeyul felt a shiver down his spine at the madness of the guys who were committing suicide attacks.

Flash!

Paeyul’s body moved with divine speed.

Wham!

Pyeongso’s body was pushed back by a merciless kick.

Paeyul shouted.

“You!”

Pyeongso grinned.

“You’ve lost!”

It was then.

Whoosh!

From far away, from the rear of Sadoam, a momentum like an erupting volcano burst forth.

Cold sweat trickled down Paeyul’s forehead.

‘What is it? Another enemy?!’

He was wrong.

Pyeongso’s expression was as serious as Paeyul’s. A rather powerful momentum was surging like a flood.

Thwack!

About twenty Blood Wolves in the rear were swept away and annihilated by a wave of spears and swords.

A young man with a frail appearance at the front, wielding a halberd that did not match his slender body, shouted.

“We are from the Shaanxi Fire Bear Clan! Don’t worry about Jongnam, just hold them back!”

It was a strange way of speaking that did not fit this urgent battlefield.

A sect he had never heard of, and a voice he had never heard before. But Paeyul felt strength in that voice.

Paeyul shouted.

“I don’t know who you are, but I’m counting on you to cover our rear!”

“We’ll hold out until our sect leader arrives!”

“Just hold out until the end!”

“I’ll think about it!”

What a strange guy.

Clang!

Paeyul, who was clashing spears with Pyeongso, shouted.

“Am I the only normal one here?!”

Unlike his words, his face was extremely bright.