Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 943

Whoo-oong.

The spiritual energy writhed.

The spiritual energy, flowing like mist, ceaselessly tried to penetrate Tongcheon Jin-In’s body.

However, surprisingly, Tongcheon Jin-In was unaffected by the spiritual energy. The demonic energy he possessed thoroughly protected his body.

But even that had its clear limits.

Unless it was demonic energy he had cultivated himself, no matter how powerful, he could not remain unscathed in this terrifying spiritual energy. As time passed, the demonic energy within him would begin to shrink.

If he did not leave this place, he would eventually meet his death.

Tak Mu-Ja, who had been quietly watching Tongcheon Jin-In, shook his head.

“I can’t understand it.”

“I am the one who cannot understand. To possess such power and yet be confined to this stuffy place because of a mere nobody like me.”

“This wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t been possessed by a ghost.”

“How fortunate, then, that I am now offering to disappear.”

Whoo-oong.

Tak Mu-Ja’s pupils glowed white. The supreme art of the Taoist martial arts, the Tai Chi Immortal Technique, one of the secret techniques of the Wudang Sect, was being unleashed.

However, even with the enlightenment of a half-immortal who had reached the state of non-being, and the divine energy of the Tai Chi Immortal Technique, it was difficult to understand Tongcheon Jin-In’s true intentions.

It seemed much faster to find out through conversation. Although he had fallen into the demonic path, Tongcheon Jin-In’s upper dantian [an energy center in the body] was no less than Tak Mu-Ja’s own.

Rather, compared to his own upper dantian, which had been pierced, it was like an impregnable fortress.

‘To fall into depravity with such mental strength, it is the end of one who could not bloom his innate talent.’

Tak Mu-Ja opened his mouth.

“You want me to capture the leader of the Divine Fire Cult?”

“Isn’t it inevitable? If you tell me how they are coming, how much power they will unleash, and what their martial arts characteristics are.”

“Surely, you didn’t think I would believe that?”

Tongcheon Jin-In chuckled.

“If you can’t even believe me when I offer my life…”

“What is your life worth?”

“……?”

“Why should I follow your lead just because of a mere you?”

Tongcheon Jin-In’s expression immediately hardened. It was a face he could never get used to, no matter how many times he saw it.

“Those are not words that should come from the mouth of someone who has built a realm of immortality with a sword.”

“What about the empty words of one who, despite realizing he has fallen into the demonic path, is still deluded by it and does not try to understand the heavenly principles?”

“……”

“Looking at it that way, it seems that your act of reading the heavenly secrets was against the natural order from the start. After all, as a mere human, you dared to see and speak of the flow of fate, so it is no wonder that your end is like this.”

It was unusually harsh language for Tak Mu-Ja.

Tak Mu-Ja’s heart was not at ease either, speaking these words. However, he could not fight against a Taoist who was like an incarnation of defying the heavens by just being himself.

Moreover, the very presence of the opponent provoked such behavior, so it seemed that the saying ‘one who is near ink gets stained black’ was not wrong.

“I never thought I would have this kind of conversation with you. It’s amusing.”

“I find it extremely unamusing.”

“Anyway, are you refusing my offer to bury my life and the life of the Divine Fire Cult leader together?”

Tak Mu-Ja tilted his head.

“Putting everything else aside, I’m curious as to why you’re trying to kill the leader of the Divine Fire Cult.”

“……”

“If the leader of the Divine Fire Cult’s martial arts are at least equal to the leader of the Evil Sound Cult, then you are essentially saying that you will destroy an entire army.”

“Everyone has their own circumstances.”

“If they are people, that is.”

“……”

“If only the leader of the Divine Fire Cult dies, then that would be fine. But if the leader of the Divine Fire Cult dies, the cult members will go crazy trying to find the culprit, and naturally, they will find me.”

“Are you perhaps afraid of them?”

“Of course, I’m afraid. Even the innocent disciples of the main sect could be harmed, so how can I not be cautious?”

“I didn’t know you were such a difficult person.”

“What else don’t you know? You only knew how to look at the sky, but you didn’t know how to look at people, even before you fell into depravity.”

Tongcheon Jin-In flinched. He seemed to have been strongly shocked by Tak Mu-Ja’s words.

Tzzzz.

A faint demonic energy rose from Tongcheon Jin-In’s body.

In an instant, a terrifying light flashed in Tak Mu-Ja’s eyes.

“How dare you!!”

Jjeo-eo-eo-eong!

The roar that burst from Tak Mu-Ja’s mouth became a terrifying storm that swept over Tongcheon Jin-In’s body.

His body was fine, but the demonic energy that had been rising from his body was completely scattered and blown away by Tak Mu-Ja’s great roar. The scattered demonic energy was instantly purified by the spiritual energy that enveloped the entire peak and flowed out.

Whoo-oo-oo-oong!

Tak Mu-Ja’s eyes emitted a divine light.

Although he was a Taoist who followed the path, his appearance was like a Buddhist Ming Wang [a wrathful deity], trampling on the demons of hell.

Tongcheon Jin-In’s body was instantly drenched in cold sweat. No matter how skilled a sorcerer he was, or how powerful a master he was with absolute demonic energy, he could not remain unscathed in the face of the sword aura of a sword immortal who had created a legend with a single sword.

Tak Mu-Ja said with a calm face.

“Tell me. What benefit is there for you if I eliminate the leader of the Divine Fire Cult?”

“What benefit is there for me if I die? It’s just that the god I serve and his followers…”

“There are many secret arts in the main sect. To explain one of them, it is to take the abundant spiritual energy of this peak and permanently erase the soul tainted by evil.”

“……!”

“In Buddhist terms, it is not only to escape the path of the six realms of reincarnation, but also to prevent one from becoming a Buddha or even a hungry ghost. The annihilation of existence, the complete death of the spirit and flesh, you could say?”

Tongcheon Jin-In’s eyes deepened.

“Don’t lie.”

“Let it be up to you to judge whether my words are true or not.”

“Even if that is the truth, you cannot use that secret art. To completely annihilate a spirit is against the natural order.”

“That’s why I’m risking my life, isn’t it?”

“……?!”

“Surely you didn’t think I allowed you to come here without any preparation?”

“……!!”

“The fight with you cannot be a battle of martial arts. In the end, it is a battle of souls, a battle of sorcery, and if I can erase someone as corrupted as you from the world, would I begrudge an old life?”

Tak Mu-Ja’s composure did not change.

Just as it was difficult for Tak Mu-Ja to see into Tongcheon Jin-In’s mind, it was also difficult for Tongcheon Jin-In to confirm whether Tak Mu-Ja’s words were true.

That was why the two men’s fight could only be a normal conversation. A conversation of deception and being deceived, a fight that could be much sharper than a fight with swords drawn, or unbelievably easy.

Tongcheon Jin-In’s cheek twitched.

“Would it be right for the sword immortal, who is respected by all, to die just to catch me? Would you risk your life for a mere me?”

“You may be a mere you, but when I think of the world that will groan because of you, there is nothing to regret.”

“You are a truly interesting person. You seem to be so good at lying that I almost want to believe you.”

Tak Mu-Ja smiled silently. His gentle smile looked more like a Buddha than a Taoist.

Tongcheon Jin-In, who had been quietly watching Tak Mu-Ja, nodded.

“Alright. I’ll be deceived.”

In that instant, Tak Mu-Ja’s eyes sparkled.

‘He’s been deceived.’

It was the first time he had caught Tongcheon Jin-In’s lie. That meant he was wavering that much.

Tongcheon Jin-In smiled and spoke. He still looked bizarre.

“The leader of the Divine Fire Cult has deviated from the teachings of the Blood God.”

“What are the teachings of the Blood God?”

“Don’t try to know that. But what is certain is that the leader of the Divine Fire Cult has changed in a way that does not suit us.”

Was it true, or was it a lie?

Tak Mu-Ja thought it was true. At least that statement was true.

“Is that the only reason you would eliminate such a force?”

“It’s not the only reason. Moreover, the leader of the Divine Fire Cult also knows that we are not pleased with him. When we are together, we are a force, but when we are apart, wouldn’t we be a threat?”

Tak Mu-Ja chuckled.

“Then I can’t follow your proposal even more. Why would we eliminate a being that could be a threat to you?”

“If he is not killed, I will not die, and if I do not die, I will attack Wudang Mountain first.”

Tak Mu-Ja’s eyes deepened.

“I could just kill you here and now.”

“Do you think I’m a fool to come here empty-handed?”

He was returning Tak Mu-Ja’s words.

“If I die by your hand, the demonic energy within my body will fly away in search of a new host. And that host will surely be someone nearby.”

Tongcheon Jin-In, looking at Tak Mu-Ja, smiled and turned his head.

“There is a forest far away. Are those your fellow disciples?”

“That’s right.”

Tak Mu-Ja did not bother to hide it.

Tongcheon Jin-In nodded.

“None of them have reached your level. If it is the demonic soul of the Blood God, I can taint them in half a moment.”

“What have you been listening to? I said I have a secret art to erase your spirit and flesh.”

“Even if that is the truth, it cannot be denied that it is against the natural order. Instead of trying to become the same demon, how about negotiating at a reasonable level?”

It meant that they should achieve what they wanted cleanly and go their separate ways.

Tak Mu-Ja shook his head.

“You’ve had a long journey.”

“……”

“It’s no problem to scatter your spirit and flesh, except for my own resolve, but there are many people in the world who contribute to peace day and night, even if it’s not me, so let’s keep each other in check until we reach the abyss.”

Murdurous intent flickered in Tongcheon Jin-In’s eyes.

“Are you truly going to see this to the end?”

“Who started this fight first? The negotiation has failed.”

“You’re not even frustrated… !”

“My true essence.”

Whoosh!

Tongcheon Jin-In’s dark face immediately turned pale.

The primordial energy flowing from Tak Mu-Ja’s body was on a different level from that of Jade Purity. The moment he revealed his aura, Tongcheon Jin-In could not even move a finger. It was the power of an absolute being that could seal even Tongcheon Jin-In’s body and demonic energy, which had reached the sky in terms of sorcery, even though he was not using his full power.

“Do I have to make your spirit and flesh into something less than dust in this place to be satisfied?”

“……!”

“I’ll say it one last time. The negotiation has failed, so go to a cliff that suits you and live by eating grass. After all the wars are over, I will erase your shrunken demonic soul from the earth.”

It was a terrifying pressure. Considering the way he had shown himself to Yeon Ho-Jeong and his disciples, it was such a tremendous dignity that it was doubtful whether he was the same person.

Tongcheon Jin-In, glaring at Tak Mu-Ja with trembling eyes, soon chuckled.

“I’m leaving with a good gift.”

He was referring to the information that he was displeased with the leader of the Divine Fire Cult.

“This peak is the first peak of Wudang, where Sam Pung Jin-In [a legendary Taoist] placed all the wisdom and spiritual energy he had realized in his later years. Since you have come to a sacred place, consider it an entrance fee.”

“It’s the most expensive entrance fee in the world. It’s information that could change the direction of the world’s flow.”

“That’s enough of the lies. You wouldn’t have come without considering the possibility of a failed negotiation.”

“……”

“The day we meet again, one of us will disappear from this world.”

Tongcheon Jin-In’s body gradually became blurry.

As he disappeared from the peak, Tongcheon Jin-In said.

“You and I will never meet again.”

Whoosh!

With that, Tongcheon Jin-In disappeared. It was a sorcery that was hard to believe even after seeing it.

Tak Mu-Ja sighed and looked up at the sky.

The cloudy night sky was still the same.

“……Hey, monk. I might end up leaving all the karma we were supposed to share to you soon.”