Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1213

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Powerful palm strikes exploded in succession.

The air vibrated, and the mountain held its breath.

The power of the Ten Layered Gold Palm, the pinnacle of the Wudang Cotton Palm and said to have expanded the limits of Wudang Qi Gong [a system of coordinated body-posture and movement, breathing, and meditation used for health, spirituality, and martial arts], was relentlessly shattering Yayul Daeguk’s Yin Soul Demonic Power.

No trace of composure could be found on Yayul Daeguk’s face anymore.

Boom! Kwaaang!

The Death Spirit General, emitting deathly energy more fiercely than ever, roared.

It wasn’t just simple martial arts. Having absorbed the evil energy of Yeong-eum Mountain and refined his sorcery to a high level, his martial arts possessed the ability to shake the human soul and cause anguish with each strike.

However.

‘Damn it.’

It wasn’t working.

Whoooosh!

The pressure of the divine energy pouring down from all directions was truly immense.

Was it consuming all the essence of the mountain? That couldn’t be. Wudang Mountain was vast and wide, and if all its earth energy were drawn, a natural disaster would occur. That was the power of the mountain as seen through the eyes of a sorcerer.

However, even if it was only a small portion, by using the accumulated divine energy and the mountain’s terrain to deploy a formation, it unleashed a terrifying power that could push back even a powerhouse from beyond the heavens.

Pow! Pow! Kwaaaang!

He didn’t know how many times they had exchanged blows.

Geumto Jin-in, known as the First Fist of Wudang and who harmoniously used both hard and soft techniques, already had a pale face.

No matter how great the Seven Star Divine Sword Formation was, his opponent was a powerhouse surpassing the Three Emperors of Seongcheon. Even fighting with the energy of heaven, earth, and man was bound to be a burden.

Trickle.

Blood dripped from Geumto Jin-in’s nose.

He couldn’t withstand the pouring heavenly energy. The power of Yayul Daeguk’s rampant martial arts was immense, but Geumto Jin-in’s spirit and body were just a little, a very little, short of fully receiving the power of the Seven Star Divine Sword Formation.

‘He’s a monster!’

Those who have reached the Supreme state say that the quality and breadth of enlightenment each person gains at that level are all different, making it impossible to predict the outcome of a fight.

That was probably true. Fighting was inherently like that, and all of them, having surpassed human limits, possessed the power to take a life with a single blow.

However, Geumto Jin-in, and indeed all the previous Seven Star Divine Swords of Wudang, realized.

‘He’s not much less than the Great Senior Brother!’

Yayul Daeguk’s power was beyond words. He looked to be in his thirties, perhaps having undergone a reversal of aging, but the martial arts he had accumulated within him, even if it was a demonic art of the evil path, possessed an astonishing depth.

Even with two missing from the Seven Star Divine Sword Formation, it was astonishing that someone who had mastered demonic arts could endure this much. No, it wasn’t just enduring. Even amidst the increasingly intense pressure, his fist and leg techniques and power generation were extremely consistent and fluid.

It was as if he was unaffected by the pressure of the formation. Of course, if he were truly free from the pressure, the five Jin-in would have already been dead.

‘What to do?’

Geumto Jin-in knew.

Although he was showing a consistent level of power, the demon in front of him was also preparing a decisive blow.

And that time was not far off.

‘This demon is assessing the situation properly. He has every reason to be impatient, but he’s not being reckless.’

The Seven Star Divine Sword Formation was also the nemesis of the demonic path. If they were on a peak of the Cloud Sea filled with divine energy, bound by Sampung Jin-in, Yayul Daeguk might have already died.

However, that divine energy was only concentrated on the peak where Tak Mu-ja had rested, and through some strange twist, it was impossible to release it even with Wudang’s Taoist or magical arts.

In the end, they had no choice but to draw the divine energy scattered throughout Wudang Mountain to fight him. Even then, it wasn’t all seven of them. That was why Yayul Daeguk was able to push back his opponents even while his demonic energy circulation was being disrupted by the intense pressure.

He knew that his own power wouldn’t be affected by this level of divine energy.

‘Then.’

There was only one way.

Kwarurung!

An immense power, unimaginable for Wudang’s martial arts that harmonized strength and softness, was unleashed.

The secret techniques of the Ten Layered Gold Palm emerged one by one. Yayul Daeguk also didn’t let his guard down and unleashed the Soul-Quelling Demonic Fist.

Kwaaang!

It was the first time.

For the first time, Geumto Jin-in was pushed back.

‘Is he shedding it off?’

Hwaaaak!

The demonic energy of the Yin Soul Demonic Power was growing stronger.

It was the limit of Geumto Jin-in, who was receiving the power of heaven, earth, and man from the Seven Star Divine Sword Formation. Rather, it was amazing that he had managed to hold back a master like Yayul Daeguk until now.

‘It would be fine if only I were to die…’

As if knowing his mind, Joyang Jin-in’s telepathic message came.

[It’s time for you to come out.]

It was a voice that had transcended everything.

In the end, it had come to this. The strongest force of the Seven Star Divine Sword Formation, Joyang Jin-in, had no choice but to come out.

And Joyang Jin-in coming out meant… that everyone, including him, had to end their lives in this world.

‘It’s a useless thought. Life and death are one, and if it’s a life that is sacrificed to protect the Great Wudang, how glorious is that? Not just me, but everyone will think so.’

Flash!

A bright light burst from Geumto Jin-in’s eyes.

At that moment, an unimaginable demonic energy gathered in Yayul Daeguk’s hand.

Kwarurung!

It was a palm strike that swept away everything in front of it.

Even within the divine energy formation, he felt suffocated and his bones vibrated. Sensing an unusual change, Yayul Daeguk deflected the pouring pressure with his extreme power and attacked.

The Death Spirit General flew away.

Geumto Jin-in’s figure was gradually obscured by the massive palm strike.

And.

“…?!”

The palm strike disappeared.

“Hoo.”

Hook!

The descending energy was on a different level from Geumto Jin-in’s.

Just by changing positions, the pouring pressure was immense. Yayul Daeguk’s eyes wavered.

“So, you’re all going to die, is that it?”

Joyang Jin-in smiled.

It was a smile filled with enlightenment that had transcended everything, without a trace of bitterness.

“That wouldn’t be so bad either.”

Whoooooooong!

The heavenly energy that hadn’t been properly activated poured fiercely towards Joyang Jin-in’s Baihui point [the acupoint at the crown of the head].

The earth energy of the mountain, Joyang Jin-in’s true energy, and the heavenly energy of the sky intertwined, and the Seven Star Divine Sword Formation was finally revived.

Ulk!

The four Jin-in each spat out blood.

Joyang Jin-in said without looking back.

“Even though I’m the senior brother, I should go first, but it seems I’ll have to go a little later.”

Hyeoneum Jin-in smiled bitterly.

“I’ll be waiting at the ferry to the underworld, so bring that guy’s head with you.”

“Yes, I will.”

Comfortably, and naturally.

And therefore, sublimely.

The moment the four former elders of Wudang resolved to give their lives.

Paah! Paah! Paah!

Yayul Daeguk, having once again broken free from the pressure of the divine energy with his Yin Soul Demonic Power, charged straight ahead.

He didn’t use fist winds or palm strikes. Yayul Daeguk, who flew like lightning, instantly reached Joyang Jin-in’s face.

Joyang Jin-in’s sword moved reflexively.

‘Tai Chi’

Weeeeeeeng.

The true energy that unraveled from the tip of the sword drew a small circle.

It was slow, so slow. If one were to watch it, it would be truly frustrating.

But before one knew it, that circle had grown so large that it seemed to envelop the entire peak, without the viewer even realizing it.

It was the pinnacle of the delayed attack. Wudang Tai Chi Wisdom, the supreme sword technique that bound yin and yang into a Tai Chi Harmony [a concept in Chinese philosophy representing the balance of opposing forces].

A power that no demon could ever escape.

‘……!!’

Joyang Jin-in, who had summoned the power of heaven, earth, and man and burned his Tai Chi true energy, widened his eyes for a moment.

‘This guy!’

Just as he was about to collide head-on with the Tai Chi Wisdom Sword, Yayul Daeguk’s body instantly soared high into the sky.

It was the roof of the divine energy, the place where a massive vortex was rising. It was as if he was fearlessly throwing himself into the flames.

Of course, Yayul Daeguk wasn’t going to his death.

Kwaaang!

He soared up and then descended. It was a technique called the Thousand-Pound Drop, but it was no exaggeration to call it the Ten-Thousand-Pound Drop.

Having broken free from the control of the divine energy and taken the opponent’s rear, Yayul Daeguk coldly threw a punch.

Joyang Jin-in shouted.

“Disciples!”

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The Jin-in, defenseless, were struck by four Death Spirit Generals.

Pshhhhh.

Yayul Daeguk’s eyes deepened.

His complexion was somewhat pale, having suffered internal injuries from breaking through the pressure of the divine energy.

‘Was I a little late?’

There was no blood or flesh to be seen where the Death Spirit Generals had swept through. Only torn pieces of their robes fluttered.

Hwaaaak!

Instantly, a terrifying divine energy swirled from behind.

Paah!

A spinning kick, swung with brute force, aimed for Joyang Jin-in’s neck.

Jjeooooooong!

Surprise flickered across Yayul Daeguk’s face.

“That was close.”

Trickle.

Blood dripped from Joyang Jin-in’s eyes.

He closed his eyes and raised his left arm to block Yayul Daeguk’s kick. His upper body was almost at a right angle, but the true energy that surged from his entire body was truly fierce.

“The lives my disciples gave me, with that power, I will leave this world with you.”

Flash!

A long sword flew in.

At that moment, Yayul Daeguk felt a sense of urgency for the first time.

‘Danger!’

Paah!

He poured his inner energy and retreated, but his speed was noticeably slow. It was less than half of his usual speed.

Shhh!

On the other hand, Joyang Jin-in’s sword technique was smooth and natural, yet as fast as lightning.

A sword that pierced Yayul Daeguk’s shoulder in an instant.

Thud! Thwack!

Blood burst from various parts of Yayul Daeguk’s body due to the pouring divine energy. The Tai Chi power that had penetrated his body was breaking through his skin.

The pinnacle of the Seven Star Divine Sword Formation, the Martial Song, completed by gathering all of their life force.

It was a technique that elevated Joyang Jin-in’s physical abilities and energy to the same level as his enlightenment of the sword, which was said to be no less than that of a master of the Supreme realm.

“It’s over, you demon.”

“…Is it really?”

At that moment, Yayul Daeguk’s eyes emitted a strange light.

A feeling that made his hair stand on end. Even with his eyes closed, Joyang Jin-in, who had read everything about his opponent, hurriedly turned his head to the side.

Flash!

It was a flash of light emitted from his eyes. That flash turned Joyang Jin-in’s left ear and some of his hair into dust and pierced through three trees far away.

‘This is absurd!’

It was a power generation technique that gathered true energy in the eyes and shot it out.

It was truly an extraordinary trick. He had experienced so many martial arts in the world, but this was the first time he had seen such a Qi Gong.

Thud!

His mind became flustered, and a gap was revealed.

Yayul Daeguk’s Soul-Quelling Demonic Fist accurately pierced Joyang Jin-in’s solar plexus.

Joyang Jin-in, who was sent flying with a boom, stopped abruptly in mid-air. Because the Seven Star Divine Sword Formation was not destroyed, he did not fly out of it.

“It’s a tiresome trick. But it was quite impressive.”

Yayul Daeguk touched his shoulder.

“I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve been injured.”

He glanced at Joyang Jin-in’s side.

He saw the Blood Venerable Master staggering to his feet. He looked somewhat dazed, but it seemed he had finally accepted the Four Hundred Tribulations.

“Yes, it’s all done, is it?”

Whoooooooong!

The Yin Soul Demonic Power surged fully.

Joyang Jin-in’s eyes widened. It was a power he had never seen before, emitting a different dimension of energy, as if he was finally unleashing his true power.

“I was worried that if this formation was destroyed, that ghostly old man would also be harmed. I don’t know if that’s actually the case, but just in case.”

In other words, he had been buying time for the sake of the Great Master.

“I was truly impressed. It was amazing. If it had been a completed formation, it would have been truly difficult to escape even with all my might.”

Yayul Daeguk’s smile turned cold.

“But there’s nothing as futile as ‘if’. I’ll send you to the underworld that you all love so much.”

Hwaaaak!

A demonic energy that burned like fire.

No, it was not demonic energy, but evil energy. It was an energy that didn’t need to be distinguished, but also an energy that had to be clearly distinguished.

Joyang Jin-in’s face darkened.

The moment Yayul Daeguk’s hand was about to move like lightning.

Flash!

A golden energy, flying like lightning from afar, shattered the Seven Star Divine Sword Formation and sent Yayul Daeguk’s body flying.