Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1052

Moyong Gun’s eyes narrowed.

‘It has begun.’

The sound of swords clashing and air bursting echoed in all directions.

The intense resonance was the highlight. The ground at the point where the two collided cracked minutely.

It was clear that they had swung with all their might from the very first blow.

Whoosh!

Mao Xiong-bai’s straight sword flew like an arrow.

Despite receiving such an impact, he immediately neutralized it and attacked. The time difference between the neutralization and the follow-up attack was almost negligible.

Impressive durability, incredible resilience. He was a martial artist whose body was astonishingly well-trained, even before considering his internal energy.

Gang Ryang’s iron sword drew a half-moon.

Clang!

A swordsmanship that struck and pushed away the thick straight sword.

The straight sword’s trajectory wavered, and the iron sword, flexible like a whip, immediately moved towards Mao Xiong-bai’s throat.

It wasn’t fast, but it was extremely flexible and natural. Mao Xiong-bai quickly leaned back to avoid having his throat cut, but then hastily retreated from the iron sword’s slash aimed at his lower body.

Moyong Gun’s eyes flashed.

‘Impressive.’

The two had just begun to fight.

However, the one who had shown more surprising skill was Gang Ryang.

‘To think that someone with a domineering sword style could wield such a natural, flexible sword.’

He didn’t need to use brute force to push away; he could threaten his opponent enough.

Experts with high levels of mastery and smooth internal energy control could break rocks with ordinary strikes.

Gang Ryang had folded away such boldness and destructive aspects. Although it was the beginning of the fight, he was facing Mao Xiong-bai with pure swordsmanship, and his technique was so impressive that even a skilled fighter like Mao Xiong-bai couldn’t easily attempt a counterattack.

‘It’s not a sword style bound by a fixed framework. He hasn’t even used his true martial arts. Yet, the power is that great… What kind of training did he undergo to develop so much?’

Swoosh!

Gang Ryang’s iron sword split into three or four, twisting like a snake.

The iron sword, filled with chilling ghostly energy, writhed like a whip, aiming for Mao Xiong-bai’s shoulder, solar plexus, and thigh.

This was also not a formal martial art. He was simply using the best moves he could at that moment, and that alone made it look like the pinnacle of martial arts.

Clang!

Following Gang Ryang’s impressive display, Mao Xiong-bai, who had been retreating several times, also began to show his true skills.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

If Gang Ryang’s sword was flexible like a snake, Mao Xiong-bai’s sword strikes were as fast and resilient as rays of light.

He had been baited into a battle of strength and had taken a hit. Even if it meant taking a slight loss, it was his turn to show his skills.

Swoosh!

Mao Xiong-bai suddenly charged forward.

Gang Ryang’s iron sword grazed Mao Xiong-bai’s shoulder.

A shallow, yet not too deep wound. However, the internal energy contained within it boasted powerful penetration. If it had only grazed the surface, it would have been one thing, but if the sword wound was deeper, Mao Xiong-bai’s left arm would have difficulty moving for a while due to the penetration of the Ghost King energy.

Nevertheless, Mao Xiong-bai was not at all flustered.

He simply cut short with his straight sword.

Clang! Thud!

Gang Ryang retreated three or four steps.

The moment the swords collided, he was already prepared to retreat. He couldn’t gauge how much the impact would be.

‘Look at this.’

Having retreated, Gang Ryang felt a subtle pain throughout his right arm.

‘If I hadn’t deflected it, it would have been a big problem.’

Even if he hadn’t used his true martial arts, he always approached things with a fully prepared mindset.

For him to receive this much impact, Mao Xiong-bai’s martial arts were also nearly on par with Gang Ryang’s.

“Strong.”

Swoosh!

He charged towards the retreating Gang Ryang, swinging his straight sword.

In an instant, a white chill swirled like smoke, beginning to freeze the surrounding air.

“You are indeed strong, swordsman of the mainland.”

The descending straight sword created a white half-moon.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

It was just one strike, but the impact felt like he had defended against four or five consecutive attacks.

Veins bulged on Gang Ryang’s forehead. He had momentarily used his Ghost King energy explosively to block it, but the pressure was so strong that his back felt stiff.

“Not many have been unscathed after facing the White Moon Blast. You have a sturdy body.”

“Shut up!”

Flash!

Gang Ryang’s iron sword, moving like lightning, cut Mao Xiong-bai’s collar.

He had been using natural and flexible swordsmanship, but in an instant, he had achieved explosive speed. No matter how skilled one was, they would be surprised. A master who could freely use such different types of power would be rare, even if you searched all of Seongcheon [a fictional place name].

“Tch! It stings.”

There was not a trace of dignity in Gang Ryang’s appearance as he spat on the ground.

However, Mao Xiong-bai neither scolded him nor looked down on him. He simply watched him with calm eyes.

Although he was showing a rough appearance, Gang Ryang had no openings.

“We haven’t even exchanged a few blows, but I think this is enough.”

Mao Xiong-bai, who had been quietly watching Gang Ryang, relaxed his stance.

“Of course, it is.”

“But.”

Gang Ryang pointed his sword at Mao Xiong-bai.

Whoosh!

The Ghost King energy naturally arose. Even without using it explosively, the internal energy that permeated his entire body changed Gang Ryang’s aura from the root.

Mao Xiong-bai’s expression changed.

The dark shadow spreading from behind Gang Ryang was colder than the north sea wind and evoked a deeper fear than a starless night sky.

Flap!

The black energy that spread to the left and right of Gang Ryang’s back looked like the wings of a giant bat.

“It would be a shame to end it like this, wouldn’t it?”

“……”

“Why? Are you scared?”

At Gang Ryang’s joking words, a smile also appeared on Mao Xiong-bai’s face.

Perhaps because his expression was usually so stiff, his smile looked strangely awkward. That aspect seemed to convey his sincerity even better.

“You are lucky. You have met an excellent warrior.”

“I’ll take that as an agreement.”

Whoosh!

Gang Ryang’s body disappeared from that spot.

At the agreed moment, he wouldn’t give his opponent time to gather strength. He would simply do his best to show his abilities.

Mao Xiong-bai’s eyes widened.

‘Where?!’

In an instant, the sky darkened.

He sensed that Gang Ryang had flown into the air and, at the same time, deployed the Han Ice White Overcoming Art [a martial arts technique] to its extreme, using the Ice Palace’s secret technique, the Ice Wave Slicing Force.

Whoosh!

Translucent white energy gathered like clouds, surrounding his straight sword.

That alone was a spectacle, but then the white energy surrounding the straight sword split into pale blue pieces, causing light to scatter.

Although the explanation was long, it was a lightning-fast movement and a rapid deployment of energy.

The Ice Wave Slicing Force’s sword technique rose into the air, and Gang Ryang, who was floating in the air, deployed the Ghost Fire Demon Sword Style, which he had completed through training with Jin Yang.

Mao Xiong-bai’s eyes wavered.

‘A scythe?’

The enemy’s figure was no longer visible.

The black-gray sword energy drawn from a single dark iron sword appeared to be curved like a scythe. However, its size was as large as a house.

The giant scythe-shaped sword energy curved and descended. Its speed was faster than before, and the power contained in the sword energy was beyond imagination.

Mao Xiong-bai’s feet, planted on the ground, gained more strength.

The sword energy falling from the sky and the sword energy rising from the earth collided head-on.

Bang!

With a magnificent roar, a shockwave spanning five yards in radius created cracks in the ground.

It was truly a powerful and intense battle of strength. Mao Xiong-bai staggered and retreated more than ten feet, and Gang Ryang, who was floating in the air, was swept away by the shockwave before barely landing.

It was then.

Crack!

The shattered energy was dyed black-gray, creating a chilling cluster of sword energy.

The scattered clusters of sword energy began to spin around Gang Ryang’s body. Soon, hundreds of pieces merged one by one, forming three streams of sword energy, and surprisingly, the sword energy seemed to be protecting Gang Ryang’s body.

Mao Xiong-bai’s eyes wavered.

‘Is this the martial arts of the mainland?’

Whoosh!

Gang Ryang’s aura, protected by the Three Sword Energies, became even more intense than before.

Despite receiving an impact, his aura only grew stronger. Judging by his aura alone, it seemed as if he hadn’t even used his full strength yet, let alone been impacted.

Bang!

It wasn’t the same stealthy and swift footwork as before.

Gang Ryang, charging forward in a low stance as if a four-legged beast was running, had eyes that were dyed black even in the pupils.

‘Danger!’

Mao Xiong-bai, holding his straight sword with both hands, swung his sword powerfully.

Gang Ryang’s aura was fierce, but Mao Xiong-bai was not one to be outdone. He exploded all his internal energy and swung his sword once more, and the Ice Wave Slicing Force’s sword technique and flesh-tearing ice shards created a whirlwind, aiming for Gang Ryang.

A smile spread across Gang Ryang’s face.

It was a big smile that revealed all his white teeth. The combination of his eerie eyes, with the whites turned black, and his wide smile was extremely gruesome.

Gang Ryang swung his sword once more.

Whoosh!

The black-gray scythe-shaped sword energy, which had grown even larger than before, swept away the Ice Wave Slicing Force’s sword energy, which was protected by ice shards.

Crack!

The already small ice shards were completely shattered and scattered.

Not only that, but this strike also delivered a great shock to Mao Xiong-bai’s insides. Blood flowed from the hand holding the straight sword, and the sword energy that grazed his collarbone dyed his white clothes red.

Sizzle!

Gang Ryang wasn’t unscathed either.

White smoke rose from various parts of his body. Frost formed on the areas where the smoke rose, and a rather deep sword wound was etched on his left upper arm.

However, there was no blood. It had frozen due to the cold as soon as the wound was inflicted.

As Mao Xiong-bai widened his eyes.

“Uwaaaah!”

Crack!

The frost that had formed on Gang Ryang’s body exploded and disappeared with a powerful shout.

Mao Xiong-bai couldn’t believe it.

‘Incredible internal energy!’

When hit by the Ice Palace’s top-tier divine art, sharp cold energy penetrates, slowing down movements. The ice flowers that bloom all over the body cause internal injuries and create severe frostbite.

It could be said to be a more fatal technique, similar to what the mainland calls hidden force [a type of internal energy attack]. Yet, Gang Ryang had exploded his energy and blown away all that energy.

It didn’t end there.

Whoosh!

The shattered sword energy gathered, forming Six Sword Energies.

Gang Ryang’s aura, protected by the six cold sword energies, was even stronger than before.

A change that was unbelievable even when witnessed. It was like facing a monster that grew larger the more you fought it.

Gang Ryang grinned.

The pale complexion caused by internal injuries made his opponent feel even deeper fear.

“Now, get ready again!”

It was then.

Boom!

A powerful explosion occurred between Gang Ryang and Mao Xiong-bai.

“……?!”

Both Gang Ryang, who was about to charge, and Mao Xiong-bai, who was in a defensive stance, flinched and stopped their movements.

“That is enough.”

The voice was low and thick, but it didn’t sound like a man’s voice.

The person who had appeared between the two was a tall woman. The woman, with white hair and eyebrows like Mao Xiong-bai, looked even younger than Mao Xiong-bai.

However, the aura emanating from her body was that of a supreme master.

Gang Ryang’s rising aura and Mao Xiong-bai’s icy aura both quieted down.

“I believe that this is enough for you to have understood each other’s true intentions.”

Her tone was extremely stiff.

The red outer garment that crossed her white clothes looked similar to a monk’s robe, but much simpler.

Gang Ryang’s eyes widened.

From afar, he had thought she was a man, but seeing her up close, she was a strikingly beautiful woman.

“……Ice Palace Lord?”

“That is correct.”

The woman, Mo Ja-seon, replied with an indifferent face.

“I am Mo Ja-seon, the current Ice Palace Lord.”