Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 829

Kwaang! Kwa-rung! Pow!

Various explosions erupted in succession, causing terrifying tremors throughout the earth.

Grand Master Gong Gong’s fists and palms were as hard as ten-thousand-year-old cold iron, and the inner energy of the Shaolin divine art [a type of martial art] that enveloped his hardened fists and palms was as majestic as a mountain and as heavy as a rock.

Moyong Gun’s sword was no different. The power of the Lightning Spirit Art [a martial art focused on lightning-like speed and power] contained within his dazzling treasured sword was extremely destructive, yet it did not lose its sharpness.

Both were supreme masters skilled in techniques that could kill with a single blow. Rather than attacking the vital points of the human body by exploiting gaps in inner energy, they were more adept at unleashing devastating strikes with their vast inner power.

Therefore, with each exchange of blows, the earth-shattering roars and shockwaves caused by the colliding explosive force were shaking the heavens and the earth.

Although they had not reached the realm of the Supreme Ultimate [a theoretical pinnacle of martial arts mastery], the two men’s energetic battle was as spectacular and perilous as a fight between masters of the Supreme Ultimate.

And Zhuge Mun-Ho’s eyes were darting about frantically as he watched.

‘Incredible!’

It was a contest that was difficult to describe in words.

When Moyong Gun’s lightning sword cut through the space, Grand Master Gong Gong’s palm gently shattered the sword strike like a wave. When Grand Master Gong Gong’s fist unleashed an attack like a landslide, Moyong Gun’s sword wind countered with a massive net of swords, neutralizing the attack through defense and evasion.

It was a close battle where it was impossible to say who had a clear advantage. Grand Master Gong Gong seemed to be half a step ahead, but even that was only a paper-thin difference.

Moyong Gun’s movements were fierce, while Grand Master Gong Gong’s movements were relaxed. At first glance, it seemed like Moyong Gun, who was moving busily, was being pushed back, but that was because his martial arts were fast, powerful, and unconventional.

In reality, Grand Master Gong Gong’s face, as he received and countered Moyong Gun’s destructive martial arts, was not relaxed. His movements were just that way, but it was a fight on a cliff where a single moment of carelessness could determine victory or defeat.

‘Even if it’s the Grand Master, how did Master Moyong reach such a level…!’

It was said that one could learn more if one knew more.

Zhuge Mun-Ho was gaining tremendous enlightenment as he watched the two men’s exchanges.

The martial arts of the Zhuge family were characterized by meticulous and precise techniques. Their outer martial arts were first-rate, but they were especially skilled in handling qi [life force or energy], as they included mental cultivation methods where contemplation was important.

The characteristics of that divine art allowed him to absorb everything that could be gained from the two supreme masters’ exchanges.

‘Ah!’

For the first time since becoming a military advisor for the Martial Alliance.

Zhuge Mun-Ho forgot his position as a military advisor and returned to being a pure martial artist.

He couldn’t help it. The martial arts of those two masters were overflowing with a force and enlightenment that made it impossible for anyone watching to breathe.

Whether they knew that they were giving Zhuge Mun-Ho enlightenment in real-time or not.

The two masters’ exchanges became even more intense as time passed.

Paah!

Moyong Gun, who had shot out like an arrow released from a taut bowstring, swung his three swords.

Compared to before, it wasn’t a particularly fast sword, but if one was careless and faced it head-on, one would not escape a fatal injury. The number of swords increased by the variable sword technique was only three, but the formless sword energy swirling within them was dozens of bundles.

Whoosh!

In an instant, Grand Master Gong Gong’s body disappeared like a phantom.

Moyong Gun’s eyes wavered. It was the first time he had missed Grand Master Gong Gong’s movements.

‘Behind?!’

Quickly retracting his three swords and turning his body, he unleashed the Unfeeling Heavenly Lightning Style, the Lightning Form Intersecting Slash [a sword technique].

Moyong Gun’s sword moved strangely, like lightning that bent and twisted as it pleased.

Jjeo-jeo-jeo-jeong!

Moyong Gun’s face, as he retreated, became slightly pale. He barely swallowed the blood that was rising up.

‘Incredible!’

He had pushed the Lightning Spirit Art to its extreme. Although it was a sword technique unleashed in a moment of urgency, it was a strike that could cut through steel, yet it was so easily neutralized by a single punch from Grand Master Gong Gong.

And that wasn’t the end of it.

Flash! Flash!

The distance between the two, which had been seven spans [a traditional unit of length], narrowed in an instant.

Grand Master Gong Gong’s body, which seemed to be segmented, appeared right in front of Moyong Gun. Even though his legs didn’t move much, he was already launching an attack from the front.

‘Diamond Immovable Body Technique!!’ [a Shaolin lightness technique]

It was one of the two great lightness techniques that Shaolin boasted.

The depth of the lightness technique itself was said to be greater than any fist or palm technique, so to master that lightness technique, one had to separately master the corresponding mental cultivation method.

It was truly the legendary Diamond Immovable movement.

Following that was the martial art that represented the Seventy-Two Arts of Shaolin, the Great Strength Diamond Palm [a powerful palm technique].

Kwaaaang!

Finally, blood poured from Moyong Gun’s mouth.

‘Such power…’

It was beyond the point of being described as incredible.

In that instant when he blocked it with the Sword Lightning Divine Net, his mind flew away and then returned. If he hadn’t maintained his tension until the end, the outcome would have been decided by that.

Pshhhhh.

White smoke flowed from Moyong Gun’s body as he released the penetrating force.

“You are amazing.”

The Great Strength Diamond Palm following the Diamond Immovable Body Technique.

Among those who had exchanged blows with Grand Master Gong Gong so far, he was the first to regain his senses after being hit by this martial art.

Admiration appeared on Grand Master Gong Gong’s face.

“How amazing is this martial art.”

Was he referring to Shaolin’s martial arts?

No, it wasn’t.

Trickle.

Both of Grand Master Gong Gong’s shoulders were soaked with blood.

The sword energy of the Sword Lightning Divine Net, which had blocked the Great Strength Diamond Palm, naturally bounced up and cut through his shoulders.

It wasn’t a lucky strike. Moyong Gun’s will had controlled the rebounding sword energy to attack Grand Master Gong Gong.

Controlling the sword energy that had left his hand with his will to kill his opponent.

It was a move that could not be achieved by someone who had not glimpsed the realm of sword control. It was not a perfect sword control technique, but it meant that Moyong Gun’s level as a swordsman was just before reaching its peak.

“The ancient secret art that contains lightning energy, and even the enlightenment that matches it. You are truly a peerless genius.”

Flap!

Grand Master Gong Gong changed his stance again.

His face was also slightly pale. He had suffered internal injuries from Moyong Gun’s sword energy.

It was a sword energy that could penetrate the Shaolin divine art, which possessed steel-like attack power and mountain-like defense. Although the martial arts he had mastered were great, he would not have been able to penetrate the Supreme Great Power without the enlightenment to support those martial arts.

“From now on, this old monk will only face you with the best secret arts.”

For Moyong Gun, there could be no more terrifying words at this moment.

However, Moyong Gun was not intimidated. A tremendous fighting spirit was surging in his blazing eyes.

“I feel the same way.”

It wasn’t a bluff. He had hidden secret sword techniques, not revealing them because he didn’t know how the battle would turn out at the decisive moment.

A smile spread across Grand Master Gong Gong’s face.

It was a sense of liberation and fighting spirit that he had felt in a long time. That burning heart, which a monk who followed the Buddha should not have, was pushing the power of the Supreme Great Power to its limits.

Whoosh!

Grand Master Gong Gong appeared two spans to the right of Moyong Gun.

Even though he knew he would approach, the surprise did not fade. The fact that the Diamond Immovable Body Technique was a lightness technique that was considered the best in the world was once again felt.

Moyong Gun’s treasured sword moved like a gale.

Jjeo-jeo-jeo-jeo-jeong!

Even though they were exchanging such fast blows, the ground was cracking and splitting everywhere.

Even the fists and swords that were extended unconsciously contained immense power. Both of them had internalized the martial arts they had practiced to the point of instinct.

And finally.

In the midst of an exchange that could not be followed by the eye, Grand Master Gong Gong’s fist moved like a ray of light.

Puh-uh-uh-uhk!

Moyong Gun’s face contorted.

His left shoulder drooped. It had been dislocated.

It wasn’t an ordinary fist. It was a fist with a protruding middle finger, the Bone Piercing Fist [a Shaolin fist technique], which had accurately pierced the point where the shoulder bone and arm connected.

Sharp pain that made the hair on his head stand on end. Even in the midst of that, Moyong Gun’s sword aimed for Grand Master Gong Gong’s vital points like a greedy viper.

Swoosh!

A long sword wound was etched on Grand Master Gong Gong’s chest. The thick prayer beads he wore around his neck were also cut and flew high into the sky.

‘……!’

Grand Master Gong Gong’s eyes wavered.

It wasn’t a wound that reached the bone, but it was a fairly deep cut. Due to the high heat unique to lightning energy, not much blood flowed.

However, the lightning energy that penetrated the wound was more fatal than the bleeding. Grand Master Gong Gong’s body momentarily paused to block the penetrating force.

And Moyong Gun did not miss that moment.

Flash!

He penetrated like lightning and aimed for Grand Master Gong Gong’s shoulder.

Joy flashed in Moyong Gun’s eyes.

‘With this…!’

Taaaaaaang!

With a tremendous resonance, Moyong Gun’s body was pushed to the left and staggered.

The tremor that started from the hand holding the sword rushed through his entire body. Something had struck his sword, pushing not only the sword path but also Moyong Gun’s torso to the side.

Confused, Moyong Gun’s eyes turned to Grand Master Gong Gong’s left hand.

‘Prayer beads!’

Grand Master Gong Gong, who had grabbed the end of the severed prayer beads, had used the power of the Supreme Great Power to strike the sword.

It was a combat ability that transcended imagination. The martial art of grabbing the severed prayer beads to neutralize the attack, and even more so, his chilling judgment was more amazing than the martial art itself.

And that wasn’t the end of it.

Whooooooong!!

The one hundred and eight beads that had poured out from the severed prayer beads each floated into the air, emitting a faint golden light.

A desperate look appeared on Moyong Gun’s face.

Pi-pi-pi-pi-pi-ping!!

The one hundred and eight beads were shot towards Moyong Gun at tremendous speed.

Ta-da-da-da-da-dang!

Even though they were wooden beads, each time he blocked one, the joints in his entire body ached.

It was truly tremendous power. Moyong Gun was retreating further and further, spreading a net of swords, let alone approaching.

‘This is bad!’

The One Hundred and Eight Buddhist Prayer Beads Continuous Shot [a Shaolin hidden weapon technique].

It was said that all martial arts under heaven came from Shaolin. Although it was a small number, Shaolin also possessed hidden weapon techniques.

Ta-da-da-da-dang! Thud!

The last bead shattered as it was pierced by the tip of the sword.

‘One hundred and eight!’

It was then.

Puh-uh-uh-uhk!

An explosion erupted on Moyong Gun’s left thigh, and his body tilted.

‘There was one more left?!’

No, it wasn’t.

It wasn’t the feeling of being hit by a bead. It was a finger wind.

Grand Master Gong Gong, who had attacked Moyong Gun with a hidden weapon technique of manipulating objects in the air that transcended imagination, had already flicked his middle finger, which was touching his thumb.

‘Finger Flicking Divine Power!!’ [a Shaolin technique]

Puh-buk!

The formless finger wind, which flew faster than a hidden weapon, struck Moyong Gun’s left shoulder and thigh once more.

It was a speed that could not be avoided or blocked. Grand Master Gong Gong’s enlightenment, which made the speed faster instead of producing penetrating power, was remarkable.

Moyong Gun’s body was collapsing. He never knelt, but his precarious posture seemed to indicate who the victor was.

Koo-oong!

With a powerful step, Grand Master Gong Gong’s right fist was dyed in a golden vortex.

Whooooooong!!

A terrifying power gathered. It was a fist power that was on a different level from the martial arts he had used so far.

That fist technique, filled with the power of the Supreme Great Power.

The best secret technique that had turned a rock a hundred paces away into dust and made the greatness of Shaolin martial arts known to the world.

The moment that legendary martial art was used.

Flash!!

Moyong Gun’s eyes were dyed with a blue lightning glow.

Grand Master Gong Gong’s face hardened.

‘Danger!’

Pa-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-ak!

Grand Master Gong Gong’s fist, which had withdrawn the Hundred Step Divine Fist [a Shaolin fist technique], moved quickly and softly.

And.

Flash! Crack!

The Dragon King Gentle Fist [a Shaolin fist technique] broke Moyong Gun’s left upper arm.

Jing! Jing!

Grand Master Gong Gong, who was looking down at Moyong Gun in front of him, slowly turned his gaze to his left shoulder.

There, a sword gleaming with fierce lightning energy was placed. Even though it was emitting that much power, his clothes and skin were intact.

“Huk! Huk!”

Moyong Gun was panting.

“How is it, Grand Master?”

Grand Master Gong Gong closed his eyes.

“This old monk has lost.”