Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1214

Chiiiik! The demonic energy that hadn’t been extinguished. It was more unstable than ever, but the demonic energy itself hadn’t disappeared. Should it be called a blessing? The Yellow Dragon Divine King Art, empowered by the Guangse Demonic Art, instantly healed Yeon Ho-Jeong’s right arm as before. Crack. Crack. The bleeding stopped, and the twisted bones returned to their original positions. It was said that a master who had reached the pinnacle could perfectly control their body, but they couldn’t achieve this kind of speed. And from now on, Yeon Ho-Jeong wouldn’t be able to display this kind of recovery ability. This ability was born solely from the Yellow Dragon Divine King Art’s struggle against its natural enemy, the Guangse Demonic Art. However, Yeon Ho-Jeong was more concerned with the axe handle in his hand than his right arm, which was quickly returning to normal. ‘Farewell.’ The Black Dragon Axe. It was a short hand axe, just over a foot long, but it contained the essence of the Sicheon Tang Clan’s secret forging techniques. It was a masterpiece among masterpieces, almost a divine weapon. One of the two black and white axes that had been with him, defeating countless enemies, had been shattered. It couldn’t withstand the shockwaves of the Evil God and the Demonic God. If the Black Dragon Axe had a will, would it be pleased to have lost its life alongside the Demonic God, who aspired to be the strongest in the world? “…Impressive.” Yeon Ho-Jeong, looking at Cheon Wi-Ryong while letting go of the Black Dragon Axe, which was now just a handle. Unexpectedly, his face no longer held the intense anger or resentment he had shown before the fight. His expression was calm, almost serene. And Cheon Wi-Ryong was the same. “I had heard that the continent was vast. If possible, I wanted to make this vast Nine Provinces world the palace of the Blood God.” The demonic energy was writhing more and more erratically. For a martial artist of that caliber to be unable to control their true energy meant they had suffered a fatal wound. The cuts from the Soul-Shattering Light Dragon on his legs and torso hadn’t healed either. Death was imminent. Yeon Ho-Jeong closed his eyes. “Just one question.” “…” “How was his end?” In his dry voice, there was a longing for a small connection he would never see again. Cheon Wi-Ryong’s lips curled up. “Him… Are you talking about the Dark King?” “…” “You don’t seem to have any close relationship with him, so I don’t know why you’re asking.” They weren’t close friends. But he had always thought of him as someone close. He was Tang Gwan’s father, one of the Seongcheon [a powerful group or clan], and crucially, he had received a lot of guidance from him after the Sicheon Great War ended. He only had one master in his life, but Tang Hyeong, who had guided him to enlightenment like his father and Namgoong Seung, could also be considered a master. Perhaps sensing the sadness behind his calm face. Cheon Wi-Ryong spoke in a heavier voice. “He was a great man. There are stronger people under me, but there was no martial artist as impressive as him. It’s not because he mastered poison arts. In my life, there was no opponent as threatening as him. Except for you, that is.” Yeon Ho-Jeong opened his eyes again and looked up at the sky. The Supreme Clan Leader, who had bravely set out knowing he would die to protect his family and children. Even though he was an unredeemable villain, if the Demonic God, who had reached a great realm, gave him such an evaluation, would he be able to smile contentedly in the afterlife? ‘I must tell him.’ He would definitely tell Tang Gwan what Cheon Wi-Ryong had said. The son who couldn’t even avenge his father. He must have shed tears of blood in this situation where he couldn’t step forward because he was the clan leader. At least, hearing these words would wash away some of the deep resentment in his heart. “How futile.” Yeon Ho-Jeong lowered his head again. Cheon Wi-Ryong was speaking as if grumbling while kneeling. It was a completely different tone from what he had shown so far. Was it because his demonic art was breaking down, revealing his human side? “The heavens have never allowed a sole ruler. I always thought that someone would appear to challenge me someday. But… I didn’t expect it to be this soon. I didn’t expect to meet you when I first set foot on the continent.” “The heavens not allowing a sole ruler means that you were aware that you could be destroyed at any time. Knowing the heavenly principles, you went against them, and knowing that your natural enemy would come, you killed innocent people. This result is entirely your own doing.” It was a distant voice. Moreover, it was something that the usual Yeon Ho-Jeong would never say. He was a man who had been called a god on the fierce battlefield, but perhaps he had glimpsed the principles of heaven while fighting his destined nemesis. Cheon Wi-Ryong’s face gradually hardened at Yeon Ho-Jeong’s words. “But I don’t regret it. I have lived my life well. The fact that my natural enemy appeared and I couldn’t win this fight is less regrettable than the fact that I couldn’t reach the realm of the Blood God.” “How arrogant.” “But you should be careful.” Pshhh. A strange powder fluttered over Cheon Wi-Ryong’s hand. Even though the skin on his hand was intact, it was a gruesome sight, as if shredded flesh was scattering. Yeon Ho-Jeong knew it was because of the rampaging demonic art. The rampaging demonic art had reversed the flow of demonic energy, and the reversed demonic energy was breaking the vessel of his original essence, the source of his life. It was an irreversible detail. The energy of the Yellow Dragon Divine King Art, which had been unleashed by the Soul-Shattering Light Dragon, had shattered the body of his natural enemy, who had reached the indestructible state, and the vessel of his demonic art. Of course, Cheon Wi-Ryong would have a way to revive even in this state. If he could gather all the demonic energy flowing back into his broken original essence and control it, he might be able to survive. But Cheon Wi-Ryong didn’t do that. Because there was no meaning in living like that. Rather, he might lose his reason and become a monster who only knew destruction. “In our sect, there is a successor who is not yet fully mature but has more talent than me. He is an unparalleled demon who has grasped the principles of demonic art that I only awakened in my forties, before he even reached the age of thirty. Even for you, it won’t be easy.” “Don’t worry.” Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes were tinged with a faint golden light. “No matter who the opponent is, if they have inherited the bloodline of the Mad Blood, they will never escape my grasp.” The Evil Sound Sect, and the Evil Sound Sect Leader, were enemies he could never forget even in death, and the greatest adversaries he had to eliminate in his life. There was no need to talk about heavenly principles with him. Terms like natural enemy or nemesis didn’t suit him. To Yeon Ho-Jeong, he was the most vicious enemy, the worst adversary he had to destroy unconditionally. But the Mad Blood Sect Leader, Cheon Wi-Ryong, was different. He was an evil person and an invader who had to be destroyed, but he was also a destined nemesis who had to be faced as someone who shared the same origin. Yeon Ho-Jeong had learned a lot while fighting Cheon Wi-Ryong. It would be difficult to display the earth-shattering power he had shown just a moment ago, but if he developed the Yellow Dragon Martial Arts with the enlightenment he had gained from this fight, he could become the strongest master worthy of his master’s name and the title of the Four Divine Weapon General. Two people who were destined to meet from birth, even before personal grudges. Chaaang! Yeon Ho-Jeong drew the White Dragon Axe. The blade of the White Dragon Axe, trembling with the sadness of losing its partner, emitted a mysterious killing intent. Cheon Wi-Ryong smiled. “So, you mean to send me off as a warrior?” “Bok Ho Sa Tae [a title or name of a respected figure].” “…” “The Bok Ho Sa Tae of the Emei Sect, he was truly a great man. Although he was a natural enemy sent by the heavens, he was too great to die at the hands of a demon like you.” “…” “The Dark King was the same. Although his life was stained with killing and tyranny, he was always willing to risk his life for the people of Sicheon.” Hwaaaak! Yeon Ho-Jeong’s killing intent swept through the surroundings. “How many innocent lives have you taken? However, as someone who doesn’t know them all, I will try to avenge those who had a deep connection with me.” Sreuk. The blade of the White Dragon Axe, filled with righteous energy, touched Cheon Wi-Ryong’s neck. “Do you have any last words?” It was something he would never have said normally. He would have immediately swung his axe and cut off his head. Even so, Yeon Ho-Jeong showed a certain courtesy to the leader of the Mad Blood Sect, who could be considered another enemy. It wasn’t because his opponent was great. It was just that such behavior came naturally. Cheon Wi-Ryong closed his eyes. “My life is my declaration of war and my last words. I have been defeated by a natural enemy sent by the heavens, not just some mediocre strongman, so at least I can leave with my pride intact.” The worst traitor, the Four Color Madman. His life, the direct descendant of the Blood Sect, was about to be taken by the descendant of that Four Color Madman. The only fortunate thing was that, despite the fact that the Cheon clan had difficulty producing offspring, he had a son who was born with even greater talent than himself. ‘How ironic.’ Cheon Wi-Ryong’s lips curled up. ‘Even if it is a martial art that is already heading towards completion, I wanted to see it one more time as the sect leader, not as a father.’ The sharpness disappeared from his neck. The white hand axe floated into the air. The sharpness had disappeared, but the killing intent had become stronger. ‘I hope you can revive the Blood Sect.’ Thwack! Cheon Wi-Ryong’s head was cut off by the descending axe. It was a flawless strike. It not only ended his life but also tore apart the demonic energy that was packed with the Yellow Dragon Divine King energy. Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! The headless body, which had been shaking madly, finally collapsed to the side. Saaak. The fallen body gradually hardened like stone, turning white, and then crumbled with a ‘psh!’ sound. It was the end of the demon. It was the death of a great master of the demonic path who had not reached the realm of the Blood God and was still just a human. “…” Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened. He felt strange. The first time he had seen the leader of the Three Sects was with Gi Cheon-Woong. When he first saw him, how nervous he had been inside at the shocking aura and amazing enlightenment he had felt. But he was certain that he would not become his enemy. It was an intuition that could not be explained by logic. The Mad Blood Sect Leader, Cheon Wi-Ryong. Even before he came out of the Wind and Earth Soul Formation, he was certain that they were destined to clash. And now. Even though he had killed the Mad Blood Sect Leader, who was said to be the strongest of the Three Sects in terms of martial arts alone, he didn’t feel any particular emotion. A demon he had never seen in his past life, which was also his future. The death of the Mad Blood Sect Leader could be seen as the collapse of one axis of the Three Sects’ power structure, which would be a blessing for the Central Plains. ‘How futile.’ He felt like he understood why Cheon Wi-Ryong had muttered those words. It was futile. Even though the Mad Blood Sect Leader, who had threatened the world, had died, he didn’t feel relieved. He even wondered if they had to meet in this way. ‘It’s not over yet.’ He looked up at the sky, and the Yellow Dragon Divine King energy, which had shown him a new world, had become calm. Fatigue was rapidly setting in, and his full internal energy felt as heavy as a stone. With the demonic art he had to face gone, the burden he had gained from this fight was weighing down on his mind and body. ‘Only when I have driven out all the Three Sects and killed that Evil Sound Sect Leader will I be able to feel relieved.’ Yeon Ho-Jeong turned his head and looked at Gi Cheon-Woong. The two people who hadn’t dared to approach during the fierce battle. When Gi Cheon-Woong nodded, Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed respectfully. And when Yeon Ho-Jeong raised his head again, his eyes caught the intense divine energy rising from one side of Mount Wudang. The demonic energy of the Red Calamity, the bizarre evil energy. Woo-woo-woo-woong! Yeon Ho-Jeong, holding the White Dragon Axe in his left hand and the Mad Dragon Axe in his right, powerfully kicked off the ground. The Yellow Dragon Footwork he had gained from fighting his nemesis, the footwork of a legendary warrior, instantly took its master to his destination. Shortly after. Kwaaang! The evil energy that had been rising with an explosion shook violently.