Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 869

“How profound.”

Yeon-wi nodded at Namgoong Seung’s calm words.

“And deep.”

“Indeed.”

Namgoong Seung chuckled.

“Even so, to enter the Infinite without a word, that’s something.”

In the open space in front of the detached room.

Next to the pavilion, a monk sat cross-legged.

Though he was sitting cross-legged, he wasn’t gathering his inner energy with his hands on his lower abdomen like other internal energy masters.

His right hand was gently placed on his right knee, the fingertips touching the ground.

His left hand was placed in front of his navel, palm facing the sky.

It was the Earth-Touching Mudra [a symbolic hand gesture] of Sakyamuni [the historical Buddha]. A hand gesture that subdues and eliminates all demons, and a symbol that the earth god testified to the enlightenment that Sakyamuni attained.

Whooong! Whoooong!

The Supreme Great Power of Shaolin encompassed the lower and middle dantian [energy centers in the body] and soared to the upper dantian in an instant. A beautiful golden flame ignited on Great Master Gong Gong’s forehead.

The incantation and dharma [Buddhist teachings] of the Supreme Great Power contained the enlightenment of the ancient Buddhist scriptures. As the condensed meaning and power were drawn into the depths of his soul, the unknown world he had reached but tried to forget opened its doors so easily.

And the moment he entered the Infinite.

The immense energy emitted from Great Master Gong Gong’s body began to sweep through the surroundings.

Namgoong Seung and Yeon-wi, who immediately sensed the energy, erected barriers in all directions. If the barriers hadn’t been deployed at the right time and place, the walls of the detached room would have collapsed, and cracks would have appeared in several buildings of the Mugokgak [a building in the Martial Alliance].

Naturally, many warriors caught in the energy would have been injured.

‘What a tremendous energy.’

Yeon-wi clicked his tongue, watching the flickering golden inner energy of Great Master Gong Gong.

‘Such powerful energy. It’s an enlightenment that has reached a completely different realm than mine. The released energy is so strong because the power burst out all at once.’

He had attained an enlightenment that was only granted to those who had reached the Infinite realm, without having entered it himself.

The discrepancy between the enlightenment and his physical body was severe. Therefore, the level of his body and inner energy had to rise to match the enlightenment, and the shockwave from the sudden change was intensifying.

‘Perhaps I’ll be the same.’

The moment Yeon-wi entered the Infinite, his body and inner energy would also undergo tremendous changes to follow the enlightenment.

Perhaps, it might be even stronger than the shockwave that was now erupting from Great Master Gong Gong’s body.

‘Still.’

Yeon-wi’s lips curved into a smile.

It was because he saw a small smile on Great Master Gong Gong’s face, which had been filled with confusion and agony.

The gentle smile, the expression filled with peace, was very pleasing to see. He wondered if the smile of a Buddha, free from all worldly worries, would be like that.

‘Please, become a good leader.’

Krrrrrr!

At that moment, a thunderous sound echoed from Great Master Gong Gong’s body.

At the same time, the golden inner energy that had shot up into the sky slowly began to lose its light.

Crack!

A chilling sound.

Thud! Thump! Trickle.

Unusual sounds continued from Great Master Gong Gong’s body.

“Remarkable.”

A deep voice was heard from the side.

Namgoong Seung turned his head. There stood Jongli Baek, arms crossed.

“They say all martial arts under heaven come from Shaolin, but just by reaching the Infinite, the very roots of the body are being reconstructed.”

Jongli Baek clicked his tongue.

“Is it the marvel of Shaolin martial arts? Or is it because his own enlightenment is extraordinary?”

The very roots of the body are being reconstructed. In other words, it was a rebirth.

It seemed like a true rebirth, not just a metaphorical one.

Bones were breaking and reassembling, acupoints were breaking and reforming. Muscles were shattered and reconnected, thicker and more defined, and even blood vessels, nerves, and skin were changing.

When one breaks through the realm of the Martial Ancestor, the vessel of the body is elevated to a higher level to contain more powerful energy.

The same was true for the Limitless realm. However, neither Namgoong Seung nor Jongli Baek had ever seen or experienced such clear and direct changes.

“They say that those who have perfectly mastered the fundamentals of Shaolin martial arts, like the Muscle Change and Marrow Cleansing, can completely reassemble not only their souls but also their bodies in the midst of ultimate enlightenment.”

At Namgoong Seung’s words, Jongli Baek looked at him.

Namgoong Seung smiled wryly and withdrew his hand.

Whoooooooooo!

The energy of the Great Divine Art of the Azure Sky that had covered the entire detached room vanished as if washed away. Similarly, Yeon-wi’s sword energy also disappeared.

It was because there was no need to maintain the barrier of inner energy anymore.

“Indeed, he is worthy of being the beloved disciple of the Sword God.”

Jongli Baek, who had been quietly watching Namgoong Seung, suddenly sat down on the spot.

Namgoong Seung looked at Jongli Baek.

Jongli Baek, looking up at Namgoong Seung with his arms crossed, had a strange look of interest in his eyes.

“Is this the first time we’ve met like this?”

It was a peculiar way of speaking.

He seemed to be showing respect, yet he was speaking casually.

A smile also appeared on Namgoong Seung’s face.

“It seems so.”

“So, what brings the esteemed First Sword Under Heaven to call this butcher all the way here?”

Butcher.

It was a sudden moment, but Yeon-wi was reminded of Yeon Ho-Jeong by the word butcher. He remembered how his son always belittled himself as a dog butcher.

“Is there only one butcher? All martial artists who kill people with swords are butchers. Is there any other reason for a butcher to call another butcher?”

“Oh? Does that mean?”

“Sword and saber. Although many people have praised me as the First Sword Under Heaven, I have never truly thought of myself as the First Under Heaven.”

“Courtesy, humility, or something like that?”

“However, I have always wanted to meet you, who are connected by the names of sword and saber. Whose insight is superior, whose enlightenment is more sublime, and…”

“Whose weapon is sharper.”

Even though Jongli Baek interrupted him, Namgoong Seung could smile without any ulterior motive.

“That’s right. That’s why I’ve always wanted to see you.”

“I didn’t particularly want to see you, but I wasn’t uninterested. I thought that if we ever met, we could have quite a spectacular fight.”

“It’s an honor that you still have the fighting spirit for a retired old sword.”

“We seem to be about the same age, but you’re using such old man-like language.”

Jongli Baek, who had already stood up, had a glint in his eyes.

In that instant, Yeon-wi flinched involuntarily. Jongli Baek’s sharpened gaze was like a martial art in itself, causing his body to react first.

“I came to the Martial Alliance for other business. I didn’t come to fight you.”

“I didn’t expect to meet you either.”

“Hmm.”

Jongli Baek, who had been quietly looking at Namgoong Seung, stroked his chin.

“You’re better than I thought.”

“What do you mean?”

“I vaguely imagined you to be a sensitive and sharp person. I predicted that you would be a person with an extremely delicate mind, but I was completely wrong.”

“On the other hand, my imagination of you seems to have been quite accurate.”

“How did you see me?”

“I thought you would be a master with a resolute nature that straddles courtesy and rudeness, and with a more intuitive insight than anyone else.”

The corners of Jongli Baek’s mouth turned up.

“You’re amazing, aren’t you? You’re creating a flow that forces us to fight.”

“That’s why we, who love fighting so much, haven’t been able to put down our weapons even at this age.”

“That’s true.”

Swoosh!

The Evil-Slaying Saber, which had been stuck in the ground, rose on its own and was grasped by Jongli Baek’s hand.

Admiration appeared on Yeon-wi’s face.

Sword control. He could use it if he wanted to, but the natural sword control that Jongli Baek was showing was different. It was as if there was an invisible person who was drawing the sword and handing it to Jongli Baek. The art of manipulating objects in the air had reached its peak.

It was a much more delicate and smooth sword control technique than the one Yeon-wi himself used. Considering his personality and the size of the sword, it was imbued with an unimaginable meticulousness.

“I was planning to leave my incompetent disciple and eat my fill before leaving, but it’s become quite interesting… Huh?”

Jongli Baek, who had been burning with fighting spirit while looking at Namgoong Seung, suddenly turned his gaze to Yeon-wi.

“…What is this?”

A perplexed look appeared on Jongli Baek’s face.

“Wasn’t I able to see it because that old man’s sword pressure was too clear? Or were you hiding yourself?”

“…”

“What is your identity?”

For Yeon-wi, it was another moment of bewilderment.

The Mad Demon Lord had done so in the Imperial Palace, Namgoong Seung had done so in the Alliance, and now even Jongli Baek was using semi-formal language with him.

Yeon-wi clasped his hands in a respectful bow.

“I am Yeon-wi, the head of the Byeoksan Yeon Family of Gangdong. It is an honor to meet Senior Saber.”

“Byeoksan Yeon Family? One of the Six Families?”

“That is correct.”

Jongli Baek’s eyes widened.

“What? If you’re from the Yeon Family, isn’t that the family that produced the youngest Saintly Heaven? And the head of the Yeon Family is at this level?”

“…”

“Are you a monster?”

Yeon-wi lowered his head.

“You flatter me.”

“Flatter you, my foot. You’ve got a Heavenly Sword inside that frail body.”

Jongli Baek glanced at Namgoong Seung.

“I should fight that old man, and exchange enlightenment with you.”

Namgoong Seung’s face slightly crumpled.

Jongli Baek chuckled and stood up.

“It’s going to be a great day. If possible, I’d like to show it to my disciple too… Huh?”

Jongli Baek was startled and turned his head.

“What? Some strange monsters are coming again?”

His reaction surprised Namgoong Seung and Yeon-wi even more.

Someone of Jongli Baek’s level should have noticed it long ago. Yet, he was surprised as if he had only just noticed it.

In fact, it was because the two didn’t know much about Jongli Baek.

He, who had almost suffered a breakdown of his divine energy due to the extreme development of his upper dantian, had sealed off the energy of his upper dantian itself. That was why his upper senses were weaker than other Saintly Heavens.

After a while.

Whoosh!

Two people flew through the air and landed on the wall of the detached room. It was Yeon Ho-Jeong and Mak Won.

Thud!

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had landed on the ground, clasped his hands in a respectful bow.

“I greet Senior Saber.”

“…?!”

“I am Yeon Ho-Jeong, the eldest son of the Byeoksan Yeon Family of Gangdong and the Deputy Chief of the Mukryong Unit [a special military unit].”

Shock appeared on Jongli Baek’s face.

“…So it was you.”

“Yes?”

“That golden wind. You were the owner of that energy that I’ve never felt before in my life.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes trembled.

The golden wind that Jongli Baek was talking about was clearly referring to the Golden Dragon.

It had been a while since he had attained the Golden Dragon, but Jongli Baek seemed to have accurately read the energy and moved. It was no exaggeration to say that he had read it from hundreds of miles away.

‘Amazing.’

Mak Won, Namgoong Seung, and Jongli Baek.

They had all made their names as Saintly Heavens, but they were all seeing the world with different eyes. The levels they had reached were all supreme, but their characteristics were different, and the enlightenment they had gained was different.

They were all unique and full of individuality.

‘Am I like that too?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head and suddenly looked at Great Master Gong Gong, who was sitting cross-legged.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

‘It will take quite a while.’

Still, it was a relief that he had found his focus. He knew that he was trying to shed his shell and move forward, but seeing it with his own eyes made him feel grateful.

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke to Yeon-wi.

“I have something to tell you separately, Father.”

“Hmm? Oh, is that so?”

Yeon-wi glanced around.

Namgoong Seung and Jongli Baek were standing there with blank faces. Even though they were legends of the martial world, they had only exchanged greetings and were now saying that they had something to say to him.

Even Yeon-wi, who possessed an unwavering mind as strong as Master Seung-Hyeon, couldn’t hide the awkwardness and embarrassment that washed over him.

“Is it urgent? If not, then with these elders…”

“It’s urgent. It looks like I’ll be going out again. I think it’ll be fine to have a match with these elders after we’re done.”

“H-a match? What are you saying, you rascal…”

“I’m sorry for interrupting. Let’s go for now.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong dragged Yeon-wi away, almost pulling him along.

Mak Won followed them with an awkward expression, and in the end, only Namgoong Seung, Jongli Baek, and Great Master Gong Gong, who was sitting cross-legged, remained in the courtyard of the detached room.

“…”

Jongli Baek, who had been standing silently, spat.

“Give me some booze.”

“Sure, let’s do that.”