Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1057

‘Is this the man?’

An unwavering expression, and a powerful aura.

However, Mo Ja-Seon was greatly surprised.

‘This man is the pinnacle of the martial world, known as the Black and White Emperor.’

While there might be those who surpass him in raw power, his influence was said to be unmatched, not just in this era but throughout history. That was the reputation of the Black and White Emperor, Yeon Ho-Jeong.

His fame was so great that even before he entered the mainland, the four characters of his title, ‘Black and White Emperor,’ were occasionally heard.

‘I heard he was young, but…’

She didn’t know his exact age. Her focus had been on the achievements and influence of the master known as the Black and White Emperor, not his age.

Still, she knew he was young. But she hadn’t expected him to be this young. He looked to be around thirty at most, yet he exuded such extraordinary energy.

‘He’s different.’

Tall and slender.

By the standards of the Ice Palace, his skin wasn’t pale, but it was very smooth and supple. Combined with the mystical aura that only those who had reached the highest realms could display, he had a presence that would captivate anyone.

However, Mo Ja-Seon could see the brutal power lurking beneath that mystical aura.

‘He’s so different from what I vaguely imagined.’

The martial arts of the Northern Sea and those of the mainland were similar yet different.

However, when one reached the highest realms, many commonalities would appear even between those who had trained in completely different martial arts.

Mo Ja-Seon could find no such commonalities in Yeon Ho-Jeong.

‘But one thing is certain…’

Within her loose sleeves, Mo Ja-Seon’s slender fingers clenched tightly.

‘This man is a warrior.’

And not just any warrior.

A veteran who had survived countless battles, making a hundred battles seem like nothing. His achieved level was astonishing, but even more surprising was the warrior’s aura hidden within his mystical energy. She couldn’t fathom what kind of life this young man, who appeared to be around thirty, had lived to display such chilling composure.

“I thought I’d never meet someone like you in my life, but fate has brought us together in this way.”

Why was it?

Mo Ja-Seon thought Yeon Ho-Jeong’s voice was very pleasant to listen to.

With his hands behind his back, Yeon Ho-Jeong walked step by step towards the river. With each step, the Black Dragon Hand Axe dangling from his waist made a clanking sound.

“You wanted to see me?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s tone was straightforward. He didn’t use honorifics, even though she was much older than him.

In truth, considering his past life, he had lived to the twilight of his years, but he wasn’t making such remarks because of his age.

This was about status.

Yeon Ho-Jeong knew that his status was in no way inferior to his opponent’s.

A faint smile appeared on Mo Ja-Seon’s face.

It was an awkward smile, like that of the Palace Lord, Mo Ung-Baek. That made it feel all the more sincere.

“You already knew about me.”

“The moment you entered the Central Plains, all sorts of intelligence organizations began watching you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong still didn’t turn to look at Mo Ja-Seon.

Looking at the lapping river under the dark sky, he felt a rather unique sense of emotion.

“Impressive. Your martial arts are similar to ours yet completely different. It might not matter much now that you’ve reached that level, but if your subordinates and mine were to fight, there would be some bloodshed.”

“Are you assuming we will fight?”

“I don’t have a hobby of smiling at people only to get stabbed in the back.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s voice was firm yet very comfortable to listen to. Even though it was a rather tense situation, even Gang Ryang could sense that Yeon Ho-Jeong’s voice had changed slightly.

His words were harsh, but his voice was so calm that it didn’t create a sharp atmosphere. It was a mysterious ability.

Mo Ja-Seon, who had been quietly watching Yeon Ho-Jeong, took a step forward.

It was then.

Swoosh.

The Black Dragon Hand Axe revealed itself.

His voice had been calm, and the atmosphere had been pleasant. But with that one action, even the sound of the lapping river seemed to disappear.

Mo Ja-Seon asked bluntly,

“What does this mean?”

Whoooosh.

A cold aura rose from Mo Ja-Seon’s body.

It wasn’t that she had released her energy intentionally. The moment her opponent drew his weapon, she felt tension, and that tension naturally released her inherent nature.

Swoosh.

Gang Ryang and the Dragon Corps naturally retreated ten paces.

Their posture was relaxed yet provocative. They were ready to draw their swords at any moment upon command.

They had come here smiling together, but the moment their lord gave the order, any personal ties would become less than burnt paper. They were prepared to attack Mo Ja-Seon at any time.

Mo Ja-Seon, after looking at Gang Ryang and the Dragon Corps, turned her gaze back to Yeon Ho-Jeong.

At that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke.

“You’ve died once.”

“…?”

“The moment you turned your head, you had already died once by my hand.”

“I know you don’t intend to kill me.”

“Even if I don’t intend to kill, if I must, I will.”

They had never met before, yet they were having such a brutal conversation.

It was an even more tense situation than when they had faced the Divine Cult Leader, Gi Cheon-Woong. For those who knew Yeon Ho-Jeong, the current situation would be hard to understand.

Mo Ja-Seon’s eyes deepened.

“So, do you want to fight?”

“Depending on your answer, I might.”

“This is an interesting situation. I had something I wanted to ask you when we met. It seems you were the same.”

“Someone once said that life is interesting because it’s full of unpredictable fun.”

Mo Ja-Seon, who had been silently watching Yeon Ho-Jeong, spoke again after half a beat.

“On my way here, I tried some tea from the mainland. It was somewhat exotic and strong, but it was quite drinkable.”

“……”

“If we have no particular grievances against each other, could I be treated to a good cup of tea?”

“You seem confident.”

“Ask what you want to ask.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong asked directly.

“Why do you use the surname Mo?”

“……”

“I know your surname is different.”

Confusion arose on Gang Ryang’s face.

Her surname was different? Then, was Mo Ja-Seon not a Mo?

Mo Ja-Seon spoke in her usual blunt tone.

“All the high-ranking members of the Ice Palace use the surname Mo.”

“The question is whether you are truly a member of the bloodline.”

It was an unusual statement.

“Or does the Ice Palace use the term ‘bloodline’ even if there is no blood relation?”

“That is correct.”

She answered confidently.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was quite surprised by Mo Ja-Seon’s honest answer.

‘She knows.’

The moment he asked about her surname, Mo Ja-Seon had guessed. She knew that her opponent was aware of her true identity.

Yet, she didn’t beat around the bush and answered honestly and truthfully.

“What was your surname before you became a member of the bloodline?”

“I do not know.”

“Are you avoiding the answer?”

“I truly do not know, so that is why. However, I have one question for you as well. Does my answer hold such great significance for you?”

“It’s not just me.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s calm voice became sticky.

The pleasant voice began to smell of blood. It was as if the person had changed in an instant.

“It’s not just for me, but for everyone living in the Central Plains. If you didn’t come here to play word games with me, you must know the significance of this.”

“……”

“We are currently fighting an unprecedented enemy. If a full-scale war breaks out with them, an immeasurable number of lives will be lost.”

“I suppose so.”

“We carry those countless lives on our backs, and we live on. If the leader of an organization doesn’t know that we have no choice but to be on edge, then you are not qualified to lead the Ice Palace.”

Mo Ja-Seon’s eyes narrowed.

A bitter look flashed across her eyes.

“Yes. From the start, I never wanted to become the Palace Lord.”

“I don’t care what your story is. I answered your question, so don’t avoid answering this time.”

“……”

“What is your original surname?”

“My answer is the same. I truly do not know. I was not properly given my surname.”

Whoooosh.

A faint golden aura pulsed from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s Black Dragon Hand Axe.

There was no need for further discussion. Yeon Ho-Jeong was truly prepared to blow Mo Ja-Seon’s head off.

At that moment, Mo Ja-Seon opened her mouth.

“However, if you insist on mentioning a surname… to some, it might be considered Cheon.”

Gang Ryang’s eyes flashed.

Cheon.

Having heard about Shinma-rim [Demonic Realm] and the Blood Demon Cult from Yeon Ho-Jeong, he knew about the hidden story behind the Cheon surname.

Whoooosh.

The golden dragon energy that had been swirling around the Black Dragon Hand Axe subsided.

“Explain in detail.”

“It’s just an old story from the past. It’s not something I want to talk about where everyone can hear.”

“……”

“Wasn’t what you wanted to know what my surname was before I used the Mo surname?”

“Don’t just skim the surface of the question.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong continued with a stern face.

“I am asking if you are a member of the Blood Demon Cult.”

The letter that Hwa Jin-Cheon had given him contained one piece of information.

That the current Palace Lord, the woman known as the Ice Demon King, was likely the illegitimate child of the former Blood Demon Cult leader.

The moniker of Ice Demon King was also a nickname given to her because of her ruthless methods, which were unlike those of the Ice Palace. Everyone had feared her for her distinctly different methods and decisiveness compared to the previous Ice Palace Lords.

However, after the reign had stabilized, her uniquely sharp and decisive rule was recognized by many in the Ice Palace.

Northern Sea Demon Queen.

That was the real nickname given to Mo Ja-Seon during her terrifying purge.

Mo Ja-Seon’s eyes deepened.

“I have never once considered myself a member of the Blood Demon Cult.”

“……”

“However, it is true that the blood of a mad demon flows in my veins.”

“According to reliable intelligence organizations, I heard that you were taken to the Ice Palace in your mid-teens and trained under their protection.”

“Protection? More like breeding.”

For the first time, a strong emotion was felt in her blunt voice.

It was anger.

Even though she was over fifty and nearing sixty, her anger was vivid. As if she were dealing with something that had just happened, her anger was hot and full of life.

Yeon Ho-Jeong asked inwardly.

‘Is it true?’

Who was he asking?

Surprisingly, an answer to that question came.

‘It is true.’

The anger that Mo Ja-Seon was showing was transparent. A strong anger towards the Ice Palace was felt.

However, Yeon Ho-Jeong was focused on the Blood Demon Cult.

In Mo Ja-Seon’s statement that the blood of a mad demon flowed in her veins, there was a strong sense of disgust that was no less than the anger that followed.

Yeon Ho-Jeong opened his mouth.

“I heard that the reason you led your people here was not because you were afraid of death, but because you didn’t want to live a life of humiliation.”

“……”

“That’s not something you can easily say without knowing them well. You must have known a lot about the Blood Demon Cult.”

Mo Ja-Seon did not answer.

“Answer one more thing.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong pointed the Black Dragon Hand Axe at Mo Ja-Seon’s neck.

“Show me proof that you are not a pawn of the Blood Demon Cult. If that proof is confirmed, the Martial Alliance might not, but the Black Emperor Castle will welcome you as a guest.”