Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1254

“Hoo, hoo.”

“Hah, hah!”

The sight of the Peng clan warriors gasping for breath was quite unfamiliar to Peng Mu-Gang.

The Peng family’s swordsmen were known for their strong physiques, honed through extreme physical training. Each of the Peng family’s inner energy cultivation methods unleashed explosive power, so if their stamina couldn’t keep up, they would be in great danger of being counterattacked by the enemy.

Even when their stamina was depleted, they were usually able to regain their strength with just a short rest, yet their breathing was still so ragged.

‘Their internal injuries haven’t been properly treated.’

It was unavoidable.

The family’s base had been destroyed by the Shin-Hwa Cult’s merciless offensive. They didn’t care about material wealth, but the loss of internal injury medicine and elixirs that had been accumulated for the swordsmen was truly heartbreaking.

If only they had managed to salvage those, it was regrettable that they had arrived at the scene so late.

“I will take the watch for a while. Those with severe internal injuries should use their inner energy to recover their strength now.”

His voice was as strong as ever.

The swordsmen all sat down and began to circulate their inner energy. Normally, they would have at least said ‘thank you,’ but they didn’t even seem to have the energy for that.

Peng Mu-Gang, having descended to the north slope, looked at the city in the distance.

Even though it was night, it was ablaze. An entire city was burning.

Crunch.

The sound of Peng Mu-Gang grinding his teeth leaked out.

‘War is supposed to be like this, but…’

Seven out of ten of the martial arts sects in Hebei had been destroyed, and the remaining three were so damaged that they couldn’t function properly.

The Peng family had also suffered severe damage in this battle. More than six out of ten of the family’s swordsmen had died in battle, and among the remaining four, only a dozen or so were in good condition.

That alone was enough to bring tears of blood, but what truly angered him was the death of innocent civilians.

Faced with the Shin-Hwa Cult’s massive offensive, the Hebei martial artists focused more on protecting the civilians than fighting back. And that was the right thing to do.

The problem was that the Shin-Hwa Cult’s attacks were far too strong.

Peng Mu-Gang thought of the Shin-Hwa Cult members.

‘What on earth was that?’

He knew that the cult had dispatched its entire force. There wasn’t a single non-expert among them, and especially the martial arts of those who charged forward without regard for their lives and used the Blazing Yang Skill to the fullest were truly shocking.

But the most astonishing thing was the firearms.

‘They looked similar to Thunderclap Bombs, but they were different. I’ve never seen a grenade that covers such a range.’

They were smaller than Thunderclap Bombs, but their power was comparable to a medium-sized cannon in the imperial palace.

They were throwing such fire bombs with their bare hands, so there was no way to stop them. In fact, Peng Heo-Gun, an elder of the Peng family, who tried to block them with his sword energy, thinking they were Thunderclap Bombs, was torn to pieces by the explosion and died instantly.

That wasn’t all.

The Shin-Hwa Cult members, who advanced while scattering gunpowder that was almost like poison and using the Blazing Yang Skill to explode everything around them, were terrifying.

Even if their arms were blown off or they suffered serious injuries, they showed no fear. They would heal their wounds using the fire essence and charge again, making it difficult for ordinary martial artists to withstand them.

In the end, the Hebei martial artists were defeated so easily that it was absurd. If they had fought with the intention of killing even one more of them, they could have taken at least two-tenths of the Shin-Hwa Cult’s forces with them.

‘Was it a wrong decision?’

Peng Mu-Gang’s eyes deepened.

‘Should we have stayed and fought to the end, even at the cost of some sacrifice?’

The civilians died, and the sect’s forces were annihilated.

Thanks to that, some civilians survived, but the damage was too severe to say that they had acted only for them.

Peng Mu-Gang closed his eyes.

‘…No. Even if we all died, it would be right to struggle to save even one more person.’

It was a failing grade for him, the head of the Six Great Families, to have even considered the annihilation of civilians and enemies.

In other words, it meant that Peng Mu-Gang’s mind was also broken to that extent. He didn’t show it in front of his warriors, but it was inevitable that he would be out of his mind, having lost the Peng family’s forces so futilely and even having to retreat to plan for the future.

‘It’s truly frustrating. The reality that we have to lie low like this is truly…!’

Boom!

Even though they were so far away, the sound of something exploding in the city reached them.

Peng Mu-Gang’s eyes were bloodshot.

What kind of explosion was that? Who else had died because of that explosion? Why were those madmen committing such a brutal massacre?

‘Let’s just endure for a moment. Just for a moment.’

It was then.

“Clan Leader.”

“You’ve come.”

Peng Il-Gyo, the third elder of the Peng family, said in a calm voice.

“I will take the watch. Go and circulate your inner energy.”

“I’m fine.”

“I know, but the clan leader is currently the greatest force of the main family. Before your martial arts, if something happens to you, we’re all as good as dead.”

He wasn’t wrong. If the commander lost his life, even the most valiant army would collapse in an instant.

Peng Mu-Gang smiled bitterly.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can concentrate even if I try to circulate my inner energy. I think it’s better for me to stand watch here.”

“Then, I will stand watch here with you.”

Peng Mu-Gang knew well that Peng Il-Gyo, who was even called the Cold-Blooded Blade because of his unusually cold personality, was actually one of the most compassionate people in the Peng family.

Swish.

Peng Il-Gyo, holding a moderately heavy broadsword in reverse, not the Peng family’s unique greatsword, and looking at the city, was like a rock that wouldn’t budge even in a storm.

Peng Mu-Gang, who had been quietly watching him, asked as if throwing a question.

“Aren’t you resentful of me?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“You and I know the tendencies of the main family’s swordsmen well. They might think it’s better to risk their lives and fight than to suffer such humiliation.”

“…”

“And that would be the same for you.”

“That’s right.”

After a moment of silence, Peng Il-Gyo said in an even stiffer voice.

“Just as I would want to do that, you would have wanted to do the same.”

“…”

“The fire bombs and various explosives that those guys use are not something that can be handled with numbers. Anyone would stand at the forefront if they were wielding swords, but charging at an enemy armed with firearms is like committing suicide.”

“…”

“There isn’t a single swordsman who doesn’t know that. They are just miserable and angry about the current situation, and no one doubts your judgment.”

Peng Mu-Gang let out a bitter laugh.

“I hope that’s the case.”

“Don’t weaken.”

“…”

“When you draw your sword, you must not hesitate, and if you haven’t drawn it, you must endure to the end. Isn’t that the Peng family’s way of the warrior?”

“That’s right.”

“We haven’t drawn our swords yet. We’re just waiting for the right time to draw them.”

“Who will comfort the souls of those who died without even being able to draw their swords?”

“Everyone must comfort them. Furthermore, when the moment to draw our swords comes, we must put in the effort for their share and cut off the enemy’s heads.”

Because it was a voice without emotion, it was a great comfort to Peng Mu-Gang.

“I have one concern.”

“Please speak.”

“There are a thousand Shin-Hwa Cult soldiers that Gicheon-Ung brought with him. And there are also the soldiers who surrendered in the northern battle of the imperial palace. They will thoroughly avoid fighting until the cult leader’s order is given.”

“I know.”

“They are stationed further behind us. If the cult leader’s order is given, they will immediately charge into Hebei.”

Peng Il-Gyo knew well what Peng Mu-Gang was worried about.

“Don’t worry. The Peng family’s swordsmen are not so foolish as to not be able to distinguish between friend and foe because of their anger.”

Even though they had become allies, they had been brutally defeated by those who had once shared the same rice pot.

Peng Mu-Gang was worried that their anger might be directed at the thousand soldiers who followed Gicheon-Ung.

“I also have one question.”

“What is it?”

“The Martial Alliance said they would dispatch troops, do you know when they will arrive?”

Peng Mu-Gang glanced south.

“They contacted us three days ago, so they should be close by now. I don’t know the exact time.”

“I see.”

“They said they would also transport supplies. I think they will arrive as early as tomorrow, or within three days at the latest.”

“It will be difficult in three days, even if it’s two.”

“I think so too.”

Peng Mu-Gang’s eyes lit up.

“But we have to endure. We must not advance now.”

“Of course.”

And so, a day passed.

The Peng family’s forces, having filled their bellies with wild greens and meat from hunting, remained quiet except during meal times.

They were quiet, but the atmosphere was like a fire bomb about to explode. They were preparing their bodies for the upcoming battle, and they were compressing their explosive anger into a murderous intent towards the enemy.

And another day passed, and when the sun was high in the sky.

Whoosh!

An unusual air rushed in.

Peng Mu-Gang slung his sword over his shoulder.

“Everyone, into battle formation.”

Clang.

They drew their swords and formed ranks.

How much could they have recovered in two days? But the Peng family’s forces were much sharper and heavier than they had been two days ago.

“Is it the enemy?”

“It must be.”

Peng Il-Gyo’s eyes turned cold.

“If they are attacking us, it means they intend to advance into Honam, beyond Hebei.”

It was then.

Whoosh! Boom!

Fireworks that had been launched from the north of the city created a huge explosion.

Uwaaaaaa!!

The forest shook with a terrifying roar.

Beyond the thick dust, the heat carried by the wind was immense. Some of the Shin-Hwa Cult’s forces were advancing towards them.

Peng Mu-Gang shouted.

“Everyone, deploy the Hegemon Formation! Not a single one of them should be allowed to cross this ridge!”

“Understood!”

Brilliant energy emanated from the bodies of the five hundred swordsmen.

Two hours later.

Waaaaaa!!

Several Hebei sects that were stationed below the ridge formed a battle line and shot arrows and threw spears.

Thud, thud, thud!

The enemies hit by the arrows and spears fell on the spot.

But that was only for a moment. The fallen ones got up again, pulled out the spears and arrows, and charged again.

It was a sight that was still chilling to see. They wouldn’t stop advancing unless their heads were blown off or their hearts and lungs were pierced. It was as if they were watching the legendary Jiangshi [Chinese hopping vampires].

Peng Mu-Gang’s eyes flashed.

“Third Elder, take one hundred elite warriors and support the sects!”

“Understood!”

It was when Peng Il-Gyo was quickly leading the swordsmen down the ridge.

Whoosh!

A tremendous energy wave was felt from behind.

The moment they felt its presence, everyone staggered from the immense military energy that was being released like crazy.

‘This is?!’

Peng Mu-Gang turned around.

Rumble.

A cloud of dust rose in the distance.

A massive army of well over ten thousand was rushing towards them.

And a swordsman was seen running at an incredible speed far ahead of that army.

A white beard, a master who was climbing the mountain like a gale with a greatsword that didn’t suit his age slung over his shoulder.

Excitement rose on Peng Mu-Gang’s face.

“Jongli Mu-Sang!”

“Why do your expressions look so serious!”

The legendary swordsman, known as the Unrivaled Blade Under Heaven, shouted in a booming voice.

“Draw your swords! And attack! Go forward with the determination to break them, not just defend!”