Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1259

“Hoo, hoo.”

“Hah, hah!”

The sight of the Peng clan warriors gasping for breath was quite unfamiliar to Peng Mu-Gang.

The Peng family’s swordsmen were naturally strong, their bodies honed through extreme physical training. Each of the Peng family’s internal energy cultivation methods unleashed explosive power, so if their stamina didn’t keep up, they would be in great danger of being counterattacked by the enemy.

Even when their stamina was severely depleted, they were the kind of men who could regain their strength with just a short rest, yet their breathing was still so ragged.

‘Their internal injuries haven’t been properly treated.’

It was unavoidable.

The family’s base was destroyed by the Shin-Hwa Cult’s merciless offensive. They didn’t care about material wealth, but the loss of internal injury medicine and elixirs that had been accumulated for the swordsmen was truly heartbreaking.

If only they had managed to secure those, it was regrettable that he had arrived late at the scene.

“I’ll take the watch for a while. Those with severe internal injuries should use their inner energy to recover their strength now.”

His voice was as strong as ever.

The swordsmen sat down without exception and began to circulate their energy. Normally, they would have offered at least a word of thanks, but they didn’t even seem to have the energy for that.

Peng Mu-Gang, having descended to the north slope, looked at the city in the distance.

Even though it was night, it was all lit up. An entire city was burning.

Crunch.

The sound of teeth grinding escaped from Peng Mu-Gang’s mouth.

‘I know war is like this, but…’

Seven out of ten of the sects in the Hebei martial world had been destroyed, and the remaining three were so damaged that they couldn’t function properly.

The Peng family had also suffered severe damage in this battle. More than six out of ten of the family’s swordsmen had died in battle, and among the remaining four, only a dozen or so were in good condition.

That alone was enough to bring tears of blood, but what truly angered him was the death of innocent civilians.

Faced with the Shin-Hwa Cult’s massive offensive, the Hebei martial world focused more on protecting the civilians than fighting back. And that was the right thing to do.

The problem was that the Shin-Hwa Cult’s attacks were far too strong.

Peng Mu-Gang thought of the Shin-Hwa Cult members.

‘What on earth was that?’

He knew that the cult had dispatched its entire force. There wasn’t a single low-level fighter among them, and in particular, the martial arts of those who advanced without regard for their lives and used the Blazing Yang Skill [a powerful fire-based martial art] to the fullest were shocking.

But the most astonishing thing was the firearms.

‘They looked similar to thunderclap bombs, but they were different. I’ve never seen a grenade that covers such a range.’

They were smaller than thunderclap bombs, but their power was comparable to a medium-sized cannon in the imperial palace.

They were throwing such fire bombs with their bare hands, so there was no way to stop them. In fact, Peng Heo-Gun, an elder of the Peng family, who tried to block them with his sword energy, thinking they were thunderclap bombs, was torn to pieces by the explosion and died instantly.

That wasn’t all.

The Shin-Hwa Cult members advanced by scattering gunpowder that was almost like poison and using the Blazing Yang Skill to explode everything around them, and their offensive was terrifying.

Even if their arms were blown off or they suffered serious injuries, they showed no fear. They healed their wounds using fire energy and charged, making it difficult for ordinary martial artists to withstand them.

In the end, the Hebei martial world was defeated so easily that it was absurd. If they had fought with the intention of killing even one more of them, they could have taken at least two-tenths of the Shin-Hwa Cult’s forces with them.

‘Was it a wrong decision?’

Peng Mu-Gang’s eyes deepened.

‘Should we have stayed and fought to the end, even at the cost of some sacrifice?’

The civilians died, and the sect forces were also annihilated.

Thanks to that, some civilians survived, but the damage was too severe to say that they had only acted for them.

Peng Mu-Gang closed his eyes.

‘…No. Even if we all died, it would be right to struggle to save even one more person.’

It was a failing grade for him, the head of the Six Great Families, to have even considered the choice between the civilians and the annihilation of the enemy.

In other words, it meant that Peng Mu-Gang’s mind was also broken to that extent. He didn’t show it in front of his warriors, but it was inevitable that he would be out of his mind, having lost the Peng family’s forces so futilely and even having to retreat to plan for the future.

‘It’s so frustrating. The reality that we have to lie low like this is truly…!’

Boom!

Even though they were so far away, the sound of something exploding in the city reached them.

Peng Mu-Gang’s eyes were bloodshot.

What kind of explosion was that? Who else died because of that explosion? Why on earth were these madmen committing such a brutal massacre?

‘Let’s just hold on for a moment. Just for a moment.’

It was then.

“Clan Leader.”

“You’ve come.”

Peng Il-Gyo, the third elder of the Peng family, said in a calm voice.

“I will take the watch. Go and circulate your energy.”

“I’m fine.”

“I know, but the clan leader is currently the greatest force of the main family. Before your martial arts, if something happens to you, we’ll all be as good as dead.”

He wasn’t wrong. If the commander lost his life, even the bravest army would collapse in an instant.

Peng Mu-Gang smiled bitterly.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can concentrate even if I try to circulate my energy. I think it’s better for me to take the watch here.”

“Then, I will also take the watch here with you.”

Peng Mu-Gang knew that Peng Il-Gyo, who was even called the Cold-Blooded Blade because of his unusually cold personality, was actually one of the most compassionate people in the Peng family.

Swish.

Peng Il-Gyo, holding a moderately heavy broadsword in reverse, not the Peng family’s unique greatsword, and looking at the city, was like a rock that wouldn’t budge even in a storm.

Peng Mu-Gang, who had been quietly watching him, asked as if throwing a question.

“Aren’t you resentful of me?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“You and I know the tendencies of the main family’s swordsmen well. They might think it’s better to risk their lives and fight than to suffer such humiliation.”

“…”

“And that would be the same for you.”

“That’s right.”

Peng Il-Gyo, who had been silent for a moment, said in an even stiffer voice.

“Just as I would want to do that, you would have wanted to do that as well.”

“…”

“The fire bombs and various gunpowder that they use are not something that can be handled with numbers. Anyone would stand at the forefront if they were wielding swords, but charging at an enemy armed with firearms is the same as suicide.”

“…”

“There isn’t a single swordsman who doesn’t know that. They are just miserable and angry at the current situation, and no one doubts your judgment.”

Peng Mu-Gang let out a bitter laugh.

“I hope that’s the case.”

“Don’t weaken.”

“…”

“When you draw your sword, you must not hesitate, and if you haven’t drawn it, you must endure to the end. Isn’t that the way of the warrior of our family?”

“That’s right.”

“We haven’t drawn our swords yet. We are just waiting for the right time to draw them.”

“Who will comfort the souls of those who died without even being able to draw their swords?”

“Everyone must comfort them. Furthermore, when the moment to draw our swords comes, we must put in the strength for their share and cut off the enemy’s heads.”

Because it was a voice without emotion, it was a great comfort to Peng Mu-Gang.

“I have one concern.”

“Please speak.”

“There are a thousand Shin-Hwa Cult soldiers that Gi Cheon-Woong brought with him. And there are also the soldiers who surrendered in the northern battle of the imperial palace. They will thoroughly avoid fighting until the cult leader’s order is given.”

“I know.”

“They are stationed further behind us. If the cult leader’s order is given, they will immediately charge into Hebei.”

Peng Il-Gyo knew well what Peng Mu-Gang was worried about.

“Don’t worry. The Peng family’s swordsmen are not so foolish that they can’t distinguish between friend and foe because of their anger.”

Although they had become allies, they had been brutally defeated by those who had once shared the same rice pot [a metaphor for being part of the same group or community].

Peng Mu-Gang was worried that their anger might be directed at the thousand soldiers who followed Gi Cheon-Woong.

“I also have one question.”

“What is it?”

“The Martial Alliance said they would dispatch troops, do you know when they will arrive?”

Peng Mu-Gang glanced south.

“They contacted us three days ago, so they should be close by now. I don’t know the exact time.”

“I see.”

“They said they would also transport support supplies. I think they will arrive as early as tomorrow, or within three days at the latest.”

“It will be difficult in three days, let alone two.”

“I think so too.”

Peng Mu-Gang’s eyes lit up.

“But we have to hold on. It’s absolutely not the time to advance now.”

“Of course.”

And so, a day passed.

The Peng family’s forces, having filled their bellies with wild greens and meat obtained from hunting, remained quiet except for meal times.

They were quiet, but the atmosphere was like a fire bomb about to explode. They were preparing their bodies for the upcoming battle, and they were compressing their explosive anger into a murderous intent towards the enemy.

And another day passed, and when the sun was high in the sky.

Whoosh!

An unusual air rushed in.

Peng Mu-Gang slung his sword over his shoulder.

“Everyone, get into battle formation.”

Clang.

They drew their swords and formed ranks.

How much could they have managed their bodies in two days? But the momentum of the Peng family’s forces was much sharper and heavier than it had been two days ago.

“Is it the enemy?”

“It must be.”

Peng Il-Gyo’s eyes turned cold.

“If they are attacking us, it means they intend to advance into Honam beyond Hebei.”

It was then.

Whoosh! Boom!

Fireworks that had been launched from the north of the city created a huge explosion.

Uwaaaaaa!!

The forest shook with a terrifying roar.

Beyond the thick dust rising, the heat carried by the wind was immense. Some of the Shin-Hwa Cult’s forces were advancing towards them.

Peng Mu-Gang shouted.

“Everyone, deploy the Overlord Formation! Not a single one of them should be allowed to cross this mountain ridge!”

“Understood!”

From the bodies of the five hundred or so swordsmen, brilliant energy erupted.

Two hours later.

Waaaaaa!!

Several Hebei sects stationed below the mountain ridge formed a battle line and shot arrows and threw spears.

Thwack! Thwack!

The enemies hit by the arrows and spears fell on the spot.

But that was only for a moment, the fallen ones got up again, pulled out the spears and arrows, and ran again.

It was a sight that was still chilling to see. They would not stop advancing unless their heads were blown off or their hearts and lungs were pierced. It was as if they were watching the legendary Jiangshi [Chinese hopping vampires].

Peng Mu-Gang’s eyes flashed.

“Third Elder, take one hundred elite warriors and support the sects!”

“Understood!”

It was when Peng Il-Gyo was quickly leading the swordsmen down the mountain ridge.

Whoosh!

A tremendous energy wave was felt from behind.

The moment they sensed its presence, everyone staggered from the immense military energy that was erupting like crazy.

‘This is?!’

Peng Mu-Gang turned around.

Rumble.

A cloud of dust rose in the distance.

A large army of well over ten thousand was rushing towards this place.

And far ahead of that large army, a swordsman was seen rushing up the mountain at an incredible speed.

A white beard, a master who was carrying a greatsword that didn’t match his age on his shoulder and climbing the mountain like a gale.

Excitement rose on Peng Mu-Gang’s face.

“Master Jongli Mu-Sang!”

“Why do your faces look so serious!”

The legendary swordsman, known as the Unrivaled Blade Under Heaven, shouted in a booming voice.

“Draw your swords! And attack! Go forward with the determination to break them, not just defend!”