Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1291

Several days ago.

“They are getting closer.”

The indifferent voice of the Flying Swallow Sword Master, Bi Yeon-sang, awakened Yeon-wi’s spirit.

“Yes, I know.”

The sound of cannons had already grown louder. Occasionally, flames could be seen beyond the small island in the distance.

‘The navy wouldn’t have just let them pass. They would have been prepared to fight to the death in a naval battle, but the fact that they’ve come this far means either the enemy’s numbers are that great, or…’

It was said that the majority of the navy in the northern East Sea had been annihilated.

Of course, Yeon-wi did not believe that the navy had been annihilated.

Although the soldiers of the nation had lower combat power compared to the martial artists, they utilized group tactics and various firearms to demonstrate a combat power that martial artists could not imagine.

The navy was especially so. Their ship handling skills were incomparable to those of martial artists, and especially their methods of preserving gunpowder quality at sea and their cannon training were at a level that even the Janggang Water Fortress [a major naval base] could not match.

And in this battle, which determined the fate of the continent, more than half of the navy from the East Sea had rushed out. That level of power was enough to reverse the fate of a nation.

They might have been outmaneuvered, but they would not have been annihilated. Yeon-wi believed that.

‘The problem is that I can’t see them.’

Yeon-wi was thoroughly controlling his upper dantian [an energy center in the body].

The power of the upper dantian, which was growing uncontrollably day by day, was now reaching an unprecedented level. However, that unknown growth was actually harmful to Yeon-wi.

Even if it wasn’t for Gok-gyeong’s words, he intuitively knew that things would go wrong if he left it as it was. Therefore, he had sealed off most of his upper dantian.

Yeon-wi looked at Bi Yeon-sang.

Bi Yeon-sang was looking at the sea with eyes as deep as an abyss.

‘It’s a relief that you’re here.’

Bi Yeon-sang was two years older than Yeon-wi, and they had trained together in the Yeon family since childhood. Later, after proving his explosive potential, he became the Flying Swallow Sword Master and trained in seclusion for a long time.

‘I thought you would reach the Supreme Realm [the highest level of martial arts] first. Of course, even if I reached it first, I can’t say that my talent is better than yours.’

In terms of pure martial talent, it was difficult to beat Bi Yeon-sang. Even now, Bi Yeon-sang was on the verge of reaching the Supreme Realm.

He was at a level where it was difficult to guarantee victory even against a Grand Master before reaching the Supreme Realm.

‘But what’s more amazing than your martial talent is your almost supernatural insight.’

From a young age, Bi Yeon-sang’s ability to sense danger was comparable to that of a fortune teller.

His innate upper dantian must have made it possible. Perhaps Bi Yeon-sang’s upper dantian was now comparable to that of a Supreme Master.

Yeon-wi looked behind him.

Thirty swordsmen were sitting freely about five yards away, tending to their swords.

Considering the rules of the Yeon family, this was an unimaginable attitude. In fact, the swordsmen of the Yeon family, led by the Spear Hawk Unit, the Falcon Unit, and the Black Hawk Unit, were lined up and preparing for battle.

‘That’s why the Flying Swallow Swordsmen are strong.’

The reason why armies conduct drills is for the sake of a proper command system and thoroughness.

But the Flying Swallow Swordsmen were different. They were not army-style warriors who gathered together to exert great power, but talents who defeated enemies with their freedom.

They were not given special treatment. They were not divided by talent.

It was just that their talents were ‘different.’

‘Please, give it your all.’

It was then.

“Greetings to the Family Head.”

Hwang Seok-tae, who had come after reorganizing his unit, bowed respectfully.

“I am Hwang Seok-tae of the Yong-a Iron Cavalry.”

“It’s a pleasure. I am Yeon-wi, the Family Head of the Yeon family.”

“I’ve heard much about you. You are our lord’s father, so you are an elder to us. Please treat us comfortably.”

Yeon-wi shook his head.

“I cannot treat you carelessly just because you are my son’s subordinates. Moreover, Ho-jeong is the Lord of the Black Emperor Castle. If I treat you comfortably, others will also take you lightly, so I hope you will understand even if it is uncomfortable.”

A smile spread across Hwang Seok-tae’s face.

‘As expected.’

Unlike the unconventional and free Yeon Ho-jeong, he was formal.

However, even within the formality, a strange sense of freedom was felt. That freedom was similar to Yeon Ho-jeong.

“Then, we will do as you say.”

“You’ve had a long journey.”

Yeon-wi clicked his tongue as he looked at the army stationed in the distance.

“It’s truly overwhelming when seen like this.”

The Black Emperor Castle had dispatched a large army, reaching as much as eighty percent of its total strength.

Although the Black and White [referring to the Black and White Paths of martial arts] had formed an alliance, they did not want to create unnecessary conflicts, so they were deployed at a distance. It was unavoidable.

That made it look even more impressive. Even though they were so far apart, the left and right sides were vast. More than ten thousand warriors were preparing for battle.

“Every single one of them is a well-trained warrior.”

“It is eighty percent of the main castle’s forces, excluding the low and mid-level warriors. They have remained in the rear as support troops, transporting the wounded and handling supplies.”

It was a good decision.

It wouldn’t be bad to overwhelm with numbers by bringing even the riffraff. But the opponent was the Evil Sound Cult.

The low and mid-level warriors were likely to die meaninglessly, and there was a high possibility that they would disrupt the formation of the elite troops. It would be better for them to play a support role in the rear.

Of course, no one knew when or what would happen if the battle became too intense.

Clang! Boom!

Yeon-wi turned his head again.

Beyond the sound of cannons, he could even hear the sound of cannonballs falling into the sea.

Booooooo.

Along with a strange horn sound, warships were seen returning around the island.

“They’re here!”

“Everyone, prepare for battle!”

Chiririring!

All the martial forces of the White Path in the front line and the martial forces of the Black Path in the second line drew their weapons.

Hwang Seok-tae immediately returned and mounted his horse, and Muk-bi and the archers twanged their bows several times.

Gok-gyeong crossed his arms and glared at the sea from a high building, and Yeon-wi touched the handle of the Imperial Sword on his back.

‘They’re coming.’

Whoosh!

A pungent smell wafted in with the sea breeze.

The smell of gunpowder, and the smell of evil energy.

‘It’s immense!’

Just when it seemed like one or two ships were visible, dozens of ships appeared in an instant.

Behind the dozens of warships were dozens more. It didn’t even take a moment for the number to reach three hundred.

Uwaaaaaa!!

Before they knew it, a bizarre cry replaced the sound of cannons.

Yeon-wi instinctively frowned.

‘It’s immense.’

The military spirit that was carried by the wind was truly immense.

The evil energy within that military spirit was so strong that even Yeon-wi wanted to take a step back. Perhaps it was because he had mastered the most orthodox martial arts.

‘They’re coming.’

Booooooo!

It was a terrifying sound.

Flap!

A huge flag was raised from the central flagship.

The two characters, “Evil Lust,” were clearly imprinted in Yeon-wi’s eyes.

And to the left and right, warships raised flags with the characters “Yin Wasteland” written on them.

“Prepare yourselves.”

“Yes.”

Below the martial artists, cannons hidden by leaves and rocks slowly turned their direction.

There were thirty special imperial cannons brought directly from the navy. It took a long time to reload, but their destructive power was excellent, and it was a dangerous weapon that could destroy a decent warship with just a couple of shots. They were able to be deployed on the coast by the Emperor’s special order.

“Just a little more.”

The warships were approaching rapidly.

The characters written on the fluttering flags became clear to everyone’s eyes.

“…Just a little more.”

Booooooo!!

Cold sweat formed on everyone’s foreheads.

Then, the commander directing the cannons raised his hand. It meant that the warships had entered the range of the cannons.

“Just a little more!”

The commander clenched his fist.

Yeon-wi could even see that his fist was trembling slightly.

And after a while.

Yeon-wi shouted.

“Now!”

The commander forcefully pulled his fist down.

“Fire!”

Kwakwakwakwang!!

All thirty cannons spewed fire.

The huge cannonballs, flying at tremendous speed, pierced through several warships.

Kwarurung!!

In an instant, five warships were half-destroyed.

Even though it was within range, the distance was considerable, yet they had destroyed five warships in one go. They were much smaller than the Empire’s warships, but it was still an amazing feat.

“Again!”

The soldiers moved quickly and reloaded the cannons. They were selected from among those who had been thoroughly trained, but their actions seemed slow because of the speed of the approaching warships.

But the cannons were reloaded in time.

“Fire!”

Kwakwakwakwang!

Cannons spewing fire, cannonballs flying away.

They didn’t explode like thunderbolts, but cannonballs fired with this much firepower were a disaster in themselves. No matter how sturdy a warship was, its hull would be shattered if hit.

And finally, five cannonballs made two warships that appeared to be flagships stagger.

At that moment, Yeon-wi shouted.

“Now!”

Papapapapang!!

Yeon-wi, Gok-gyeong, and Muk-bi rushed out at tremendous speed.

Their speed was like a ray of light. The moment they kicked off the coast, they were already running on the water.

“Pull them up!”

Chwarurururuk!!

Dozens of iron plates that had been submerged in the sea revealed themselves on the surface. Hidden masters had pulled up the long iron nets they had laid out.

With the abilities of the three, they could have used the water-walking technique. But during the war, they had to minimize their internal energy consumption.

Papapapapang!

The three, stepping on the iron plates, charged like rays of light.

Paahhh!

Muk-bi, who had stopped in the middle, fixed his posture and drew his Crimson Lotus Bow. Even though the iron plates were shaking with the splashing seawater, his posture did not waver.

And the two others.

Yeon-wi and Gok-gyeong charged towards the general ships that were coming out in the lead.

Kwaaang!

Gok-gyeong’s Illusory Destruction Evil Art showed truly terrifying power.

After surrounding his entire body with a shield of internal energy, he directly struck the hull, and it seemed to exert more power than a cannon.

In an instant, the hull was shattered, and the Evil Sound Cult members on it fell into the sea.

Pupupupupung!

Rapid palm strikes followed.

The Black Evil God Palm, unleashed with the Illusory Destruction Evil Art, struck the chests of all the cult members who were falling.

It was an incredibly precise palm technique. The cult members struck by the palm force died instantly.

‘One more.’

Gok-gyeong’s middle and thumb touched and then fell strongly.

Pipipiping!

He fired five finger strikes in a row, the Finger Flicking Skill, Piercing Shadow Finger, which was unleashed with his mastery of internal energy.

It had the power to easily pierce through iron plates. Ordinary hulls could be penetrated like tofu.

Gok-gyeong, who had made holes in the lower parts of the left and right warships, immediately moved and unleashed the Black Killing Ghost Claw.

Snap! Crack!

The heads of the cult members were torn off by the cruel claw technique. It was a truly fast and relentless method.

‘Yes, this is good.’

These guys never had their leaders come forward first. It had been like that in all the wars so far.

But this side was different.

‘Just defending doesn’t suit my temperament.’

The strongest masters took the lead to reduce the enemy’s power and induce confusion. In the rear, they occasionally fired cannons to prevent them from setting foot on land as much as possible.

That was the move that the martial forces were aiming for.

Pung! Kwaang!

Gok-gyeong, who seemed possessed, single-handedly destroyed four warships and killed dozens of cult members on them.

In his eyes, he saw a flash of sword light in the distance.

The divine might of the Judge Sword Yeon-wi, the third owner of the Heavenly Net Imperial Sword in the history of the Imperial Palace and the contemporary Sword King, filled Gok-gyeong’s eyes.