Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1208

Whoosh!

The flames and lightning that had been erupting from Cheon Wi-ryong’s hands vanished in an instant.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes gleamed with a strange light.

‘Did he give up?’

That couldn’t be.

Cheon Wi-ryong still didn’t know much about the Yellow Dragon Divine King Art. This was evident from the attacks and exchanges they had shared so far.

Yet, the fact that he had suppressed his inner energy meant something.

‘It’s a probe.’

In this incomprehensible situation, there was no reason to waste martial arts that wouldn’t work.

Yeon Ho-jeong knew, without seeing it, that Cheon Wi-ryong possessed numerous techniques. To wield such a calamitous power, he would have needed to dismantle and understand countless martial arts.

Beyond that, his opponent was the Blood Demon Cult Leader. He couldn’t have been recognized by mastering only the cult’s teachings. He would be able to freely use any martial art.

“No matter how I think about it, it’s strange.”

Cheon Wi-ryong, walking to the outer edge while observing Yeon Ho-jeong, narrowed his eyes.

“Clearly, your level hasn’t reached mine. Even if it’s not exact, I can roughly deduce the movements and power you can display at your level.”

“…….”

“Yet, you’re wielding power that doesn’t suit your level. Martial arts beyond one’s skill, power that exceeds one’s limits, usually inflict severe damage on the mind and body. But I don’t see any such signs in you.”

“I’m just naturally a bit sturdy.”

“So it seems.”

Crack. Crack.

Menacing sounds echoed from Cheon Wi-ryong’s two fists.

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“You’re already old, but if you do that often, you’ll get even older and suffer from arthritis.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

He didn’t expect such a response to a joke.

At that moment, Yeon Ho-jeong began to feel tense. The stiffness and rigidity of his opponent were giving way to flexibility.

Swoosh.

Cheon Wi-ryong’s steps halted.

Yeon Ho-jeong also relaxed his stance and lowered the Mad Dragon Axe.

“…….”

A strange silence enveloped the two of them.

Thud! Crash!

Far beyond the mountain ridge, someone else was fighting. The soaring demonic energy and the storm of sword energy made Mount Wudang groan.

However, the two of them couldn’t hear those sounds or sense the energy waves. No, they were completely ignoring them. Focusing on them would mean being vulnerable to a surprise attack from their opponent.

Then, it happened.

Flap flap flap!

Someone was flying in from afar.

It was almost sixty yards away from the battlefield.

“That is……?!”

The one flying, Chal Geuk-pyeong, widened his eyes.

The area was devastated. The surroundings were so ruined that one couldn’t tell it was a mountain.

Beside Chal Geuk-pyeong, Gi Cheon-ung’s eyes also widened.

“……Blood Demon Cult Leader.”

His eyes were drawn first to the opponent who had gathered his overflowing energy, rather than to Yeon Ho-jeong, who was holding a massive black divine weapon.

The energy had disappeared, but his presence was still overwhelming. It was as if a king of hell, ordained by the heavens, had risen into the world. The pure energy of nature writhed in agony, unable to approach the demon god.

“Blood Demon Cult Leader!?”

Chal Geuk-pyeong was startled.

“Is that the Blood Demon Cult Leader?”

“Yes.”

Gi Cheon-ung’s eyes trembled.

“That is the Blood Demon Cult Leader, Cheon Wi-ryong.”

Chal Geuk-pyeong swallowed involuntarily.

‘He’s incredible!’

Even though he had adjusted his energy, it felt as if only that man existed in the world.

It was truly a terrifying presence. It was different in nature from Gi Cheon-ung’s presence.

If Gi Cheon-ung exuded an aura of majesty like the sun, Cheon Wi-ryong boasted a dark and oppressive presence that made everyone who faced him want to bow their heads.

Furthermore, his martial arts seemed stronger than Gi Cheon-ung’s. No, it was definitely stronger. Even if he compared the Gi Cheon-ung of his prime to the current one, he didn’t think he could win.

‘It was openly said that he was the strongest among the three sects. But none of us acknowledged it.’

Seeing it firsthand, it seemed to be true.

Even at this distance, he didn’t feel like fighting him. If he had to fight, he would, but just facing him was a burden.

‘How on earth did he……?’

That’s why Yeon Ho-jeong’s presence was surprising.

Even while facing an inhuman demon god, his back was straight, and the energy flowing from him was also vigorous.

Most surprising of all, that energy was much stronger than it had been during the imperial palace battle.

He had certainly fought with all his might back then. That was certain. It wasn’t a situation where he could afford to hold back.

‘Then, did he develop that much in that short time?’

Disbelief appeared on Chal Geuk-pyeong’s face.

There was a limit to the speed of development. Especially at this level, it was nearly impossible to leap forward in a short time unless one was blessed by heaven.

‘Did that kind of heavenly luck come to that young general……?’

At that moment, Gi Cheon-ung opened his mouth.

“Relax.”

“……?”

“The fight has already begun. The fact that Lord Yeon started the fight means there’s no reason to talk to the opponent anymore. Then, our choice is only one.”

“……!”

“Prepare to join the battle at any time.”

Chal Geuk-pyeong nodded and looked back at the battlefield.

Cheon Wi-ryong, who had been watching Yeon Ho-jeong for a while, spoke calmly.

“The Divine Cult Leader and the Flame King, you’re very well prepared.”

“As I said before, plans can change at any time.”

“Even if you’ve reached the pinnacle of the Scorching Yang Art, it means nothing before the Twin Dragons. If I kill you, those two will be nothing.”

“It won’t be easy.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled coldly.

“If I die, at the very least, you’ll have one foot in the underworld as well.”

“……It’s been a long time.”

Whoosh!

The demonic energy that had been suppressed began to erupt again from Cheon Wi-ryong.

It was the power of the Twin Dragons Demonic Art. However, he did not unleash the Dark Dragon Flame Origin or the Thunder Dragon Descent.

The pure power of demonic energy. He set aside the divine-level energy art and imbued his human body with the power of hell.

Fwoooosh!

There was no need for a starting signal. There was no invitation to attack first.

Cheon Wi-ryong, approaching with the Divine Demon Shadow Step, swung his fist at Yeon Ho-jeong.

Crash!

He dodged the punch by tilting his head, but the shockwave from the fist shattered rocks and trees dozens of yards away.

He clearly hadn’t used his full power. Yet, this much power was unleashed.

The Mad Dragon Axe rose from the lower to the upper position.

Clang!

It was an impossible position to defend. An impossible position to counter.

Instead of dodging, Cheon Wi-ryong easily knocked the axe blade aside with his knee, sending it flying to the side.

It was impossible to understand how such a response was possible. Surprise flickered across Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.

Swoosh! Thud!

The hand that reached out to grab his neck was deflected by Yeon Ho-jeong’s left palm.

Cheon Wi-ryong’s left fist transformed into a spear hand, aiming for Yeon Ho-jeong’s chest.

Even though his other arm was disengaged and flung upwards, there was no disruption in the spear hand attack that pierced forward.

Swoosh!

He dodged using the Iron Plate Technique, but it was a bit slow. The tip of Cheon Wi-ryong’s hand tore through a part of Yeon Ho-jeong’s front lapel.

Thud!

While falling, he extended his leg and struck Cheon Wi-ryong’s abdomen. Evasion and attack were one. Not even the great Cheon Wi-ryong could block Yeon Ho-jeong’s attack.

No, there was no need to block it.

Thwack!

The body of Yeon Ho-jeong, who had kicked, was pushed back. The recoil was so immense that he would have been buried in the ground if he hadn’t quickly regained his balance.

And Cheon Wi-ryong didn’t miss that moment.

Flash!

It wasn’t the Divine Demon Shadow Step.

It was that strange footwork he had used on his way to Mount Wudang. It showed movements that transcended the limits of martial arts, with boundless freedom and speed.

Immediately, Yeon Ho-jeong assessed and acted.

Thud! Whoosh!

At the same time as putting down the Mad Dragon Axe, he used the Thousand Miles Cloud Flight, moving to the side and escaping Cheon Wi-ryong’s fist. Yeon Ho-jeong then flew back towards him.

Sincere admiration appeared on Cheon Wi-ryong’s face.

‘There was a guy like this?’

He had forced a close-quarters battle, abandoning his energy arts, to uncover the ambiguity of his opponent’s martial arts.

However, he was more surprised by his opponent’s judgment than his martial arts. After engaging in a few exchanges in close combat, he immediately abandoned his axe.

‘He knows the speed of my footwork. He immediately realized that even his well-honed weapon skills, which could be swung regardless of distance, had their limits.’

The moment he realized it, he acted. A perfect match between brain and body, a fighter who would use any means to win.

Flash!

Cheon Wi-ryong’s leg was swung as if erasing the air.

The long leg didn’t even touch Yeon Ho-jeong. But Yeon Ho-jeong lowered his head the moment the leg technique was swung.

Crash!

The shockwave shot from his foot shattered three trees beyond.

Even though they were engaged in close-quarters combat, the power in his hands and feet was still the best in the world. Even without being conscious of it, the ultimate power of explosive force was present, making it extremely difficult to control the distance.

Fwoooosh!

Yeon Ho-jeong, approaching with his head lowered, moved his two fists in the style of the Golden Dragon True Evil Fist.

It was simple and not difficult. Just by looking at the movements, it seemed like anyone who hadn’t reached the first-class level could block it.

However, Cheon Wi-ryong could see the explosive force and inner energy circulation within that style.

The movements were just movements. What was truly amazing was the power contained within. The formless energy wave that erupted with the fists blocked the opponent’s retreat, hindered his movements, and urged a head-on confrontation, while still accurately targeting vital points.

Cheon Wi-ryong’s two fists were swung to meet them.

Clang! Clang!

The fists collided, creating an explosion.

Surprisingly, the fist-to-fist clash was a defeat for Cheon Wi-ryong. The energy wave of Cheon Wi-ryong, who was stepping back with the explosion, fluctuated slightly.

However, Cheon Wi-ryong was not flustered. He simply looked at Yeon Ho-jeong with calm eyes, and the power contained within him.

Flash!

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had charged in with the Blood Wing Sky Dance, unleashed the Golden Dragon True Evil Fist and the Golden Dragon Sky Piercing Palm in succession.

It was a double explosive force that struck the opponent’s vital points and either retreated or entangled and shattered the opponent’s body.

He absolutely insisted on a head-on confrontation. Even though the difference in power was extreme.

If someone else had done this, they would have been interpreted as having a spirited nature. It would have been understood that they were going to fight bravely, even if they were to lose or die.

However, Cheon Wi-ryong, seeing Yeon Ho-jeong abandon his axe as soon as the close-quarters battle began, knew that he was fighting extremely efficiently.

In other words, the reason he insisted on a head-on confrontation was because it was beneficial to him.

Cheon Wi-ryong decided to play along.

Thud! Thud! Bang!

Fists and fists, explosive force and explosive force, divine energy and demonic energy collided, causing another earthquake in the area.

Close-quarters combat, yet they couldn’t land a punch on each other’s torso or face.

Both were owners of divine-level reflexes and combat experience. Even during the power struggle, they were avoiding fatal blows and targeting their opponents.

Crumble! Crumble! Bang!

The continuous collisions caused the mountain to shake as if it would collapse.

Flash!

Cheon Wi-ryong, who had been continuing the power struggle, suddenly swung a fist imbued with the power of the Thunder Dragon Descent towards Yeon Ho-jeong’s chest.

It was a speed he had never shown before. It was an attack that anyone would have to succumb to.

At that moment, Yeon Ho-jeong’s Golden Dragon Sky Piercing Palm reached out towards Cheon Wi-ryong’s fist.

He had reacted even though it was thought to be impossible to block or dodge.

Crash!

Cheon Wi-ryong retreated three yards.

Whoosh!

Yeon Ho-jeong, who was about to chase after him, was pushed back by the sudden surge of terrifying heat. The Yellow Dragon Divine King Art was unconsciously activated, cooling down all the hot energy.

“……So that’s how it is.”

Cheon Wi-ryong’s eyes trembled.

“Your martial art, it was the natural enemy of the Twin Dragons.”