Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1205

Flash!

Light flared in Cheon Wi-ryong’s eyes.

“It’s that way.”

Yeon Ho-jeong could also tell. A chilling demonic energy was rising from Mount Wudang, which was usually filled with divine energy.

‘As expected.’

It wasn’t coming from the main Wudang faction. It was emanating from a certain peak of Mount Wudang.

However, that didn’t prove that the Wudang Taoists weren’t spies of the Three Teachings. Like other Taoist sects, Wudang also had Taoists who had retired from active duty scattered across various peaks, focusing on cultivating their minds and bodies.

But.

“Indeed, I can feel an immense demonic energy.”

“The child dispatched by the Four Yin [a demonic sect] has activated the Red Orchid’s demonic energy. It’s certain that the Blood Revered Master is nearby.”

“Blood Revered Master…”

Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.

“Indeed. The Blood Revered Master is there.”

Cheon Wi-ryong glanced at Yeon Ho-jeong.

“If the Red Orchid has been activated, they will soon find the Blood Revered Master. It seems we’ve timed it well.”

“Is that so?”

Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.

“But once that Red Orchid is activated, does it return to its original state?”

“The Red Orchid is also a divine object that tracks demonic sounds. Once activated, it consumes the demonic energy within half a day and returns to a normal bead.”

“Fascinating.”

“It’s a masterpiece created from the research of the Blood Jade, the source of the Blood Sect.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes flashed.

Blood Jade.

A demonic object and divine artifact that could turn back time, defying the very laws of heaven.

Yeon Ho-jeong realized, through memories he had forgotten and conversations with his master, that the Blood Jade existed, and that it was last used on him.

‘They researched the Blood Jade…’

A meaningful smile settled on Cheon Wi-ryong’s face.

“The Blood Jade is the very thing that the insane traitor who created the martial arts of the brothers stole and ran away with.”

“You must hate him.”

“I have for a long time. But I don’t hate him.”

Yeon Ho-jeong asked nonchalantly.

“Why? Even if I don’t know what the Blood Jade is, it seems like a treasure. How can you not hate the person who stole it and ran away?”

“If it had happened in my time, I might have hated him. But we have maintained our existence for a long time without the Blood Jade. There’s no point in looking for the lost Blood Jade now, nor is there any reason to waste emotions on that insane traitor.”

“You have a rational personality.”

“Decisively, I don’t like the idea that there exists a demonic object that can turn back time.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes widened.

“That’s unexpected. If such a thing existed, unifying the Three Teachings [Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism], and even the world, wouldn’t be difficult.”

“That’s why I don’t like it.”

Cheon Wi-ryong’s eyes turned cold.

“Unifying the world by relying on a mere object? What meaning is there in that? A true demon reaches the pinnacle on their own, achieving immortality. It’s absurd to project demonic power onto an object that isn’t even fully mine.”

Not transcending time with an object, but making one’s own existence eternal, achieving an immortal life.

That was the true demon that Cheon Wi-ryong envisioned.

“So.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s face turned cold.

“Do you think you’ve reached the end of the demonic path you so desire?”

The corners of Cheon Wi-ryong’s mouth curved upwards.

“If I had truly reached the realm of the Blood God, I wouldn’t have been temporarily sealed by the family’s formation that handles poison. Even if I had been sealed, I would have torn through it immediately.”

“…”

“But it’s one step. That one step before and after is completely different.”

His words felt sincere.

It was said that those who understood the demonic path and gained great power had no reason to lie.

‘Then, you haven’t truly understood the demonic path yet.’

Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.

“Shall we go? To get the Blood Revered Master.”

“Let’s.”

“I’ll guide the way.”

Cheon Wi-ryong smiled ominously.

“There’s no need for that, but if my brother wishes, I’ll gladly do so.”

Whoosh!

Yeon Ho-jeong unfolded the Thousand Miles Swift Steps [a movement technique]. Cheon Wi-ryong followed behind him.

Yeon Ho-jeong naturally detoured around the place where the demonic energy was rising. In reality, detouring was the right way to reach that place.

Of course, experts of their caliber could jump over cliffs, so they could have gone straight, but Yeon Ho-jeong deliberately detoured.

Chiiik.

A smile spread across Yeon Ho-jeong’s face as he walked ahead.

He could feel the heat haze rising from Cheon Wi-ryong’s body as he followed.

It wasn’t for any other reason. Cheon Wi-ryong’s demonic energy was expressing its displeasure due to the abnormal divine energy of Mount Wudang.

Yeon Ho-jeong was clearly aware of it. Cheon Wi-ryong wasn’t intentionally emitting demonic energy. The power of the Yellow Dragon Divine King Art was so great that it could see through Cheon Wi-ryong’s condition, who was stronger than him.

And.

Yeon Ho-jeong slowed down.

Cheon Wi-ryong asked.

“Why are you slowing down?”

“…”

“So, are you planning to end it here?”

In an instant, Yeon Ho-jeong’s body spun fiercely.

Kwaang!! Kurururung!!

The Blazing Dragon Axe, swung with all his might, struck Cheon Wi-ryong.

With speed that surpassed the speed of sound, the concentrated Yellow Dragon Golden Energy was swung with the power of the Mountain Shattering Stance. It was a powerful blow that even the mighty Cheon Wi-ryong couldn’t ignore.

Chiiiiik!!

Cheon Wi-ryong, who had been pushed back by more than ten yards, had intense lightning crackling in both his hands.

Pajijijijik! Thud! Thud!

The lightning that had traveled up the Blazing Dragon Axe penetrated Yeon Ho-jeong’s hand, but the power of the Yellow Dragon Divine King Energy destroyed the lightning in an instant.

Cheon Wi-ryong’s face hardened slightly.

“You easily brushed off the power of the Thunder Dragon’s Descent?”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“So you knew?”

“…Of course, I knew.”

Cheon Wi-ryong smiled coldly.

“Your killing intent towards the Lord of Yeong-eum Mountain was real. You are definitely my half-brother, close to a demon. However, I read a lie in your attitude that you don’t care what happens to other sects besides the Four Yin Sect.”

“That’s where you caught on.”

“I was hesitant. But no matter how much I thought about it, it didn’t seem like your true feelings.”

Cheon Wi-ryong tilted his head.

“However, what I’m curious about is this.”

“…”

“If you were going to do this anyway, why didn’t you just let me die in the first place?”

Cheon Wi-ryong didn’t know. He didn’t know that Yeon Ho-jeong knew nothing about the Blood Revered Master.

If he hadn’t heard the word ‘Master’ from Ga Deuk-sang, if he hadn’t known that Cheon Wi-ryong was after that Master, and if he hadn’t known that the Three Teachings thought of obtaining the Blood Revered Master as similar to gaining the legitimacy of the Blood Sect, he wouldn’t have bothered to bring Cheon Wi-ryong back.

The problem was where that Blood Revered Master was.

If the guys dispatched by the Four Yin Sect contacted the Blood Revered Master first and took him to the Four Yin Sect’s headquarters, that would be a big problem. If obtaining the Blood Revered Master was just a matter of gaining legitimacy, it would be one thing, but if it led to gaining even greater power, it would be a great harm to the Central Plains martial world.

In other words, Yeon Ho-jeong was trying to use Cheon Wi-ryong to find out where the Blood Revered Master was. If it was someone that all three sects were after, then the Central Plains martial world had to secure him as well.

He didn’t expect that the Blood Revered Master would be on Mount Wudang, but as a result, it became an even better opportunity.

No matter how deep Cheon Wi-ryong’s demonic energy was, he couldn’t be unaffected by the divine energy that covered the entire Mount Wudang.

“Well, should I say my mind changed in the middle?”

“Changed your mind?”

“I thought about it while coming here, and it seems like it’s more beneficial for us to kill you after all.”

Cheon Wi-ryong’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the smirking Yeon Ho-jeong.

“It’s just wordplay. You had a reason for helping me escape, and now you have no more use for me. That’s why you’ve thrown away your mask.”

“Think what you want.”

“If you’re revealing your true colors now, it means you also want the Blood Revered Master.”

The smile disappeared from Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.

His expression, which turned serious in an instant after smiling, was so chilling that it made even the Lord of the Blood Demon Sect flinch.

“Too many people who didn’t need to die have died because of you, you dog-like madmen.”

“…”

“Personal grudges? I don’t need that. Your very existence is a sin.”

“A sin…”

“If you had just stayed out of our sight and lived in the outer regions, I wouldn’t have bothered to go find you and destroy you.”

Yeon Ho-jeong pointed the Blazing Dragon Axe at Cheon Wi-ryong.

“You’re all going to die. That’s my desire, and that’s the life I’ve lived for.”

“…”

“There’s no need to make an exception for you in my plan to eradicate you. Isn’t that right?”

Pajijijijik! Hwareureureuk!

Flames and lightning surged in Cheon Wi-ryong’s hands.

He was beginning to fully utilize the Twin Dragon Demonic Art. The power was so immense that even the divine energy of Mount Wudang couldn’t approach him and scattered.

Cheon Wi-ryong said in a blunt voice.

“Aren’t you curious, brother? Why I came all the way here with you, even though I read your lie?”

“It must be because you have absolute confidence in your own power.”

“Indeed, that’s correct. I have absolute confidence in my power. Unless it’s a formation that transcends the principles of the Sichuan Tang Family [a family known for their poison and formations], no human can surpass me. I have that confidence.”

Cheon Wi-ryong raised his chin.

“It’s a pity. We are all those who branched out from the Blood Sect. Therefore, I’ll ask one last time.”

“…”

“Do you have any intention of watching the world turn red by my side?”

Yeon Ho-jeong said coldly.

“Even the strongest tiger wouldn’t think of resting next to a poisonous snake.”

“…”

“I can use you, but I have no intention of joining hands with you. Not in the past, not now, and not in the future.”

“That’s a regrettable thing.”

At that moment.

Hwaaaaaak!!

Cheon Wi-ryong began to unleash his energy waves properly.

It was a tremendous power that shook the entire Mount Wudang. The divine energy that had been pressing him from all sides was pushed back dozens of yards, and the manifested demon glared at him worriedly.

Saaak.

A sinister ghost image was superimposed over Cheon Wi-ryong’s face.

“Brother, do you have any last words?”

“Aren’t you curious?”

“What are you talking about?”

“If it were a pure battle of strength, if we were to discuss the level of achievement, I’m not your match yet. But why did I start a fight?”

“I don’t want to think about it. You don’t seem to be carrying around bothersome things like reason, just like a demon.”

“You’re wrong. It’s because I’m confident I can defeat you.”

“Ho, is that so?”

Yeon Ho-jeong slung the Blazing Dragon Axe over his shoulder.

That itself became an attack stance. The yellow dragon that had been sleeping inside his body bared its teeth and growled.

Yeon Ho-jeong realized. He felt the yellow dragon’s reaction and Cheon Wi-ryong’s energy, and he was certain.

The Yellow Dragon Divine King Art was also the natural enemy of the Twin Dragon Demonic Art. It was the very core of the anti-Blood Sect battle that his master had left behind, thoroughly dismantling all the demonic arts of the Blood Demon Sect.

Of course, that alone wasn’t enough to guarantee victory. There were always variables in a fight. Moreover, his opponent was the Lord of the Blood Demon Sect, who was stronger than him.

“I left many markers while coming here.”

“…?”

“Heo Baek, a subordinate who followed me, said he would always be by my side. But where is he now?”

Killing intent emanated from Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes.

“I called people from the Three Teachings to learn about the Blood Demon Sect’s entry into Sichuan.”

“What?”

“It seems that person also couldn’t understand your actions and was moving with his close aides. He must have had a hard time running from the imperial palace to the mainland?”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“I never thought I would end up working together like this to kill you, but plans can change at any time. You, who have lost your reason, wouldn’t understand.”

At that moment.

Hwareureureuk!!

From the northeast, people with terrifying fire energy were approaching.

Surprise flickered in Cheon Wi-ryong’s eyes.

“The Divine Fire Sect?!”

“That’s not all. Now that we know the Blood Revered Master is on Mount Wudang, the forces of the Martial Alliance will descend and spread a net of heaven and earth in the area.”

“…!!”

“You can’t escape anywhere. We’ll catch you all. And…”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled fiercely.

“From now on, I will avenge the grudge of the greatest in Sichuan, the Supreme Elder of the Tang Family.”