Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1161

Sizzle!

White smoke rose from Ha Eun-Gyo’s palm.

Having regained consciousness, she was instinctively expelling the tainted energy remaining in her body. This was thanks to her divine skill, which was more than enough to contend for the pinnacle of the Central Plains [a region often used as a setting in martial arts stories], and it also meant that her enlightenment was remarkable.

Regaining her senses, Ha Eun-Gyo immediately closed her eyes and examined her body. Although she valued yin [a concept in Chinese philosophy representing the feminine, passive principle] more than martial prowess, she knew that as a martial artist close to the strongest in the world, rectifying her condition was the top priority.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been quietly looking down at Ha Eun-Gyo, soon noticed that the smoke emanating from her palm was rapidly decreasing.

And the moment the smoke stopped coming out.

Thud.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had struck her shoulder like lightning and released the blood point seal, knelt down.

“Senior.”

Ha Eun-Gyo’s eyelids fluttered.

“…Where is this?”

“Shaanxi.”

“Shaanxi.”

She took a light breath and slowly opened her eyes.

Her eyes were filled with fatigue, but her beautiful eyes with their clear black and white were still the same.

“How is your body?”

“I’m a bit tired, but I’m fine.”

Given her personality, she wouldn’t usually say she was tired. Even with her abundant inner energy, it was proof that her mental and physical exhaustion was extreme.

Yeon Ho-Jeong supported Ha Eun-Gyo, helping her to sit up.

Ha Eun-Gyo’s face was pale. Her deep gaze was still the same, but her eyes trembled anxiously, as if she hadn’t shaken off the confusion.

“How did I get here…?”

Suddenly, Ha Eun-Gyo frowned and touched her head.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was supporting her upper body from behind, placed his hand on her forehead.

“I have temporarily filled your upper dantian [an energy center in traditional Chinese medicine] with my divine energy.”

“… !”

“I will slowly withdraw it. Please relax.”

Whoo-oong.

A gentle suction force arose from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s hand.

The divine king energy that had filled Ha Eun-Gyo’s neck slowly moved to his hand.

Originally, he could have drawn it in with suction from outside the body without physical contact. However, Yeon Ho-Jeong had not accurately grasped Ha Eun-Gyo’s current condition. To be as cautious as possible, it was better to directly touch her forehead and the Baihui point [a specific acupoint on the top of the head], which were the passages of true energy, and control the suction.

How much time had passed?

Twitch!

Ha Eun-Gyo’s body trembled.

Yeon Ho-Jeong gritted his teeth.

‘Damn it.’

He hadn’t detected this part either.

He thought everything was over after killing the poison and removing the venom, but that wasn’t the case.

Even though the poison was dead and the venom had disappeared, the cursed poison connected to her upper dantian was still alive. Of course, the amount was extremely small, but the moment the divine king energy was removed, it would flare up and begin to activate.

‘And also.’

The cursed poison was a poison of sorcery that was spiritually connected to the sorcerer.

‘The sorcerer who holds the hidden poison will think that Senior Ha is dead.’

That much was certain. The cursed poison hidden in Ha Eun-Gyo’s brain had not even properly ignited, so he would have mistaken it for having died along with the poison.

However, if the cursed poison that had not even bloomed awakened, the sorcerer would immediately realize that Ha Eun-Gyo was alive.

‘I have to eliminate it without letting the seed germinate.’

It wasn’t difficult.

To be precise, the method wasn’t difficult, but Yeon Ho-Jeong’s own decision was necessary.

‘Senior is too exhausted right now. The divine energy in her upper dantian is almost depleted. If the cursed poison starts to activate, she won’t have the strength to stop it right away.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong made a decision.

‘If I can save Senior’s life by giving up a piece of my divine energy, it’s a more than worthwhile trade.’

Whoo-oong!!

In the center of the slowly escaping divine king energy, a circular attractive force was created, directed towards the center of the upper dantian.

After a while.

Whoosh!

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had taken a part of his divine energy and wrapped the seed of the cursed poison, took his hand away.

Thud.

Feeling dizzy for a moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong slumped down on the spot.

“Ho-Jeong.”

Even in her exhaustion, she realized what Yeon Ho-Jeong had done. Ha Eun-Gyo quickly turned her body and supported Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“You…”

“I’m fine.”

Ha Eun-Gyo’s eyelids fluttered.

Right now, Yeon Ho-Jeong had done something similar to when he had given the Yellow Dragon Energy to Muk Bi. He had not only left behind the vessel of inner energy that would refill when emptied, but had also taken a part of the vessel and planted it in Ha Eun-Gyo’s upper dantian.

At the same time, it was a completely different situation from when he had given the Yellow Dragon Energy. In the case of the Yellow Dragon Energy, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s accumulation ability would allow him to recover to his original state in half a year, or as little as two or three months, but the divine king energy, which was the upper dantian’s divine energy, was different.

Although it was only a piece, it was like Yeon Ho-Jeong had left behind a part of his own enlightenment and heart.

He might recover all of his divine king energy tomorrow, or he might never recover it in his entire life. If it hadn’t been for the divine king energy’s formula, the moment he left the seed, the remaining divine energy might have been swept away in a lump.

‘It’s ringing.’

Somehow, his vision seemed a little darker.

It might be his imagination, but it would take some time to handle the upper dantian without any problems like before.

Yeon Ho-Jeong made an effort to gather his senses and said,

“Senior. Listen carefully. What has happened in the meantime is…”

“I know without you telling me.”

Tears flowed from Ha Eun-Gyo’s eyes.

“I know everything.”

Not everything, but Yeon Ho-Jeong’s memories were also contained in the seed of the divine king energy.

Especially the things that had happened recently were still vivid, allowing for almost complete memory transfer. Ha Eun-Gyo received most of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s memories from the past two years.

“I know how you have developed, how much hardship you have gone through, how severe your anguish was, and…”

“…”

“I also know how much you have understood the inconvenience of someone who hasn’t done anything as a senior, and how much you have cherished such a person.”

Ha Eun-Gyo, who had lowered her head, sobbed quietly.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and said,

“If I were in the same situation, wouldn’t you have stepped forward for me as well, Senior?”

“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”

“If it’s difficult to erase your feelings of guilt, then apologize to me. I will gladly accept that sincere apology and forget all of today’s events.”

It was a way of saying that if it would make her feel better, he would accept her apology as much as she needed.

He was young, but he was truly a great person. From the first time they met, she had felt like he was her child, but seeing Yeon Ho-Jeong now, it was like seeing a son who had grown up and was soaring through the sky.

Ha Eun-Gyo quickly gathered her thoughts. Now was not the time to be caught up in emotions and shed tears.

“Let’s go.”

“Please wait a moment.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong stared intently at Ha Eun-Gyo. More precisely, he was looking at the area near the top of her head.

Whoo-oong.

The unstable divine king energy flickered again, brightening her eyes.

‘It’s gone.’

The white line that connected to the leader of the White Yin Ghosts had disappeared.

In other words, the relationship connected by spiritual power had been completely severed. If so, it was understandable. Normally, the White Yin Ghosts should have gone berserk the moment Ha Eun-Gyo regained consciousness, but the leader among them must have died or was in a life-threatening situation.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had withdrawn the divine king energy, vomited out a lump of blood that had suddenly surged up.

“Are you alright?”

“I feel refreshed after throwing up.”

It was a lie. He was even getting a nosebleed due to the excessive use of his upper dantian. He had ringing in his ears, and he felt so nauseous that it was difficult to walk.

“Let’s rest here for a bit. After all, your subordinates must be surrounding them.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong did not refuse her suggestion.

“Understood.”

After a while.

Swoosh.

Heo Baek, the leader of the Dark Martial Group, appeared behind Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“Lord.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong asked with his eyes closed,

“What happened to them?”

“Everyone except the one who appeared to be the leader is dead. The leader also collapsed, vomiting blood, and seems to have suffered severe internal injuries. His breathing is faint.”

Ha Eun-Gyo’s eyes flashed with killing intent.

It was a killing intent that had flashed for a moment and disappeared, but it was so sharp that even Heo Baek flinched.

“Those are the White Yin Ghosts.”

“White Yin Ghosts.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“They are the vessels to complete the Blood Yin Demonic Art using Senior, right?”

“How do you know that…?”

Ha Eun-Gyo, who was speaking, suddenly exclaimed.

“You know about the Evil Yin Cult unusually well. Yes, the memories you left in my head also included information about the Blood Yin Demonic Art.”

“There were circumstances.”

“I understand. I won’t ask about that part.”

Ha Eun-Gyo sighed.

“I have almost no memories of the Yin Mountain. However, what I do know is that they tried to complete the Blood Yin Demonic Art using me, and that they coveted my martial arts.”

“I understand.”

Whether it was poison or sorcery, she had lost consciousness and control of her body. It wasn’t just that part of her memory that had been cut out, but also some of her memories from before. It was only natural.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said to Heo Baek,

“Bring him here. Summon the Black Blood Demon and our allies as well.”

“Yes!”

As Heo Baek disappeared again, Yeon Ho-Jeong asked,

“Is there anything else?”

“What do you mean?”

“If you lost your memory, Senior, there’s a high chance you fought with the Evil Yin Cult leader. Do you have any memories of that part?”

Ha Eun-Gyo’s brow furrowed slightly.

She concentrated as if trying to recall something, then sighed.

“I don’t remember well. I can recall some fragmented images, but I can’t remember his face at all.”

“I see.”

“However… I do remember that the person sitting on the grand chair had many gold rings on his right hand.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes turned cold.

‘That’s him.’

In the past, when they had a fierce fight, he had also been wearing gold and jewels all over his body like decorations.

Yeon Ho-Jeong made an effort to put aside his thoughts about the Evil Yin Cult leader. That wasn’t important right now.

“So, how is it?”

“…”

“Did you see your child?”

It was a sensitive question, but Yeon Ho-Jeong asked it honestly without embellishment.

Although her mind and body were extremely exhausted, her divine king energy was protecting her brain, so she wouldn’t collapse or lose her reason due to the shock. He thought it was better to deal with anything that could become a problem later as soon as possible.

“…I don’t know.”

Ha Eun-Gyo sighed.

“I don’t know. My memory is hazy.”

“I see.”

“It’s like something is coming to mind… but I don’t know if it’s a fabricated memory, or a nightmare that has twisted my wishes.”

In the end, she hadn’t even been able to properly sort out her own life.

Ha Eun-Gyo lowered her head.

“I’m really sorry to you.”

“Senior.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said with a kind face,

“I understand your feelings, even if it’s just a little. That’s why I sent you away. If not, I would have stopped you even if I had to use all sorts of sweet talk.”

“…”

“I know that you had to go, even if it meant throwing away your life.”

“Thank you, thank you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t say whether her child was alive or dead. There were things that had to be said even if it meant touching a wound, and things that shouldn’t be said.

“It hasn’t been long since you woke up, so your head must be complicated. Please rest well and sort out your memories.”

“I should. However, before that, I will say one thing clearly.”

Ha Eun-Gyo’s white hand firmly grasped Yeon Ho-Jeong’s rough hand.

“I know that my actions have caused trouble. Honestly, I thought it didn’t matter. I had to sort out my life.”

“I know.”

“But, there must be a reason why the heavens sent you to save me. You are my life’s savior. If it weren’t for you, I might have been killing my hometown people while out of my mind.”

“…”

“Until this war is over, I will help you and do what I can.”

“You don’t have to stay with me, but I am truly glad for your determination, Senior.”

Ha Eun-Gyo silently stroked Yeon Ho-Jeong’s shoulder. It was a touch that conveyed her apology, gratitude, and unspoken affection.

Yeon Ho-Jeong felt a genuine warmth for the first time in a long time.

“Now that things have turned out this way, please rest well for a few days and go to Miss Ji.”

“Ah! So-Hyeon!”

“She is in Jongnam right now. Perhaps by now she has…”

It was then.

“Gasp!!”

Ha Eun-Gyo’s face turned pale.

“No!”

“Senior?”

“So-Hyeon is in danger!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong jumped up.