Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1300

Flames roared everywhere.

Every visible place was a scene of utter chaos. It wasn’t even sunset yet, but everything was so red that it felt like night was about to fall.

The screams of people adorned this hellish scene.

A man wailing in agony as his entrails were ripped out while still alive, a woman being violated with her limbs severed, a mother driven mad by the sight of her children’s mangled heads, and children weeping as they watched their parents’ flesh and bones stripped away.

And there were demons who burst into joyous laughter as they watched these innocent people.

They destroyed the spirit and body of every living thing they saw. Their figures, greedily drinking in the fear and madness that burned like fire, were more demonic than any demon.

“How delightful.”

In the midst of that hellish scene, there was a man pouring himself a drink.

A dazzling golden cup was held in his hand, adorned with jeweled rings. The liquor inside looked blood-red due to the flickering flames.

The man was leaning back, supported by a mountain of corpses. Atop the pile of at least a hundred bodies, the man’s face, as he swirled his cup, looked terribly languid.

“A beautiful song. How long has it been since I last heard such sweet melodies?”

He called the screams of people a song. Indeed, his languid face was filled with a strange sense of satisfaction and ecstasy.

The man took a light sip of his drink and gazed at the towering mountain in the distance.

“Still a magnificent sight. Even though the world is so red, it stands tall and majestic. Its grand aura, as if it wouldn’t change its breath even if an earthquake struck or lightning fell, is no different from three hundred years ago.”

His voice was filled with admiration. It was the joy of a master who had witnessed a masterpiece that would never be seen again.

“Three hundred years ago… yes, it was like that back then too.”

The man recalled the past.

People often used the word ‘天下’ (Tianxia) [meaning ‘all under heaven’ or ‘the world’], but they didn’t know the true meaning of it.

Three hundred years ago, the Blood Cult truly tried to kill and burn everything under the sky. Mad demons, who inherited cursed blood, launched an offensive to create a new world, and the flames of divine fire, seeking to purify the entire world, followed behind them.

And then there was the Saeum.

“Saeum… Saeum.”

The Gwanghyeol (狂血, Mad Blood) were warriors for the Blood God. They were cursed from birth, and they burned even the power of that curse for the Blood God.

Therefore, the Gwanghyeol were the vanguard. The strongest spear to plant new seeds in a new era. They were mad devils who could not be stopped by anything and would conquer even the world beyond the sea for the Blood God. That was their reason for existence, so they were like miners.

Next were the Sinhwa (神火, Divine Fire).

The Sinhwa were purification itself. When the demons of Gwanghyeol destroyed the world as the vanguard, the Sinhwa would follow and completely incinerate the world.

Corpses, death, blood, resentment, fear, and anger.

Burning everything, including culture, systems, and even blood ties, to create a clean world. The Sinhwa were responsible for thoroughly preparing for the descent of the Blood God’s seed, and so they served as servants and maids.

And finally, the Saeum appeared.

The Saeum were responsible for spreading the Blood God’s seed in the cleansed world. They would use the power of those who followed the Blood God to build pillars and roots in the new home and create those who would live within it.

Therefore, the Saeum were the true future of the Blood Cult. Without the Saeum, the destructive acts of the Gwanghyeol and the incineration of the Sinhwa would all be useless.

‘They didn’t know that.’

To be precise, they thought such old legends were irrelevant.

What the Blood Cult wanted was only blood and death.

Blood was the symbol of life, and death was the foundation of another life.

Therefore, the roles of the three factions that supported the Blood Cult were clear. To kill, to burn, and to sprout another life. That was the Blood Cult, and that was the reason for the existence of the Three Dukes (三公家) [referring to the three main factions within the Blood Cult].

People pointed fingers and criticized the Blood Cult as a heretical or demonic group. But that was just the outcry of foolish people who only knew one thing and not two.

The universe always repeats creation and destruction. The great nature, which is a part of the universe and the universe itself, is the same.

The historical records of the Blood Cult’s secrets contained the history of the world with numerous ends and rebirths that had continued from the past. There was no detailed explanation of what era it was, but it was recorded as a clear ‘fact.’ For example, like this:

Thousands, no, hundreds of millions of years ago, there were no humans. Other living things, different from the countless plants and animals that now roam the world, lived in the world.

But at some point, the era collapsed. The reason was not clearly revealed.

And after a long time, other plants and animals took root in the world again.

It was said that creatures of unimaginable size roamed the world. Even though it was an era when Qi (氣) [vital energy] was less active than now, monsters reaching thousands of ‘gwan’ (관) [a unit of weight] roamed this land.

But that era also repeated several destructions, and the world was rebuilt again.

Destruction and creation were repeated like that, and finally, humans were born. The Blood Cult was an ancient religion that had been passed down since then.

By offering human sacrifices and various offerings, they scattered blood filled with wishes into the world. The heavens calmed their anger, and they gave rain to the drought-stricken areas and the sun to the flooded areas.

When prayers reached the heavens, they gave wisdom to catch the beasts in places where they were abundant and warmth to survive the unprecedented cold.

The Blood Cult developed through faith. Its name changed from time to time, and it spread to various countries and cultures. Some places disappeared, and some flourished greatly.

But in a place far away, spanning deserts and glaciers, there was the main headquarters of the true Blood Cult. That place was the origin and core of the Blood Cult.

The man clicked his tongue.

“It was truly a good era. A good moment. For the world, for the true god, everyone held a festival of joy.”

It was absurd that the one who ruined that festival was the legitimate seed of the Blood Cult.

“Well, thanks to that, we are here now, so this must also be the will of heaven.”

Even if everything had ended three hundred years ago, it would have been fine. He too would have lived with the new era back then and returned to the bosom of God.

But if that had happened, he would not have thought of reaching the realm of the Blood God himself.

In the end, the world goes round and round. The spirit of the Blood Cult never disappears, and one failure became the foundation for another success.

Like the cycle of life.

And now, finally, the light of the cycle of life was directed towards him. The man liked it very much.

It was then.

“You’re just a vengeful spirit who couldn’t even find your own grave, yet you speak so well.”

At someone’s voice, the man felt his brow furrow.

He could never get used to it. The existence of those who spoke in his voice but with a different tone was truly displeasing.

The man unfurrowed his brow.

“If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t exist.”

“If it weren’t for us, you wouldn’t exist either.”

“The arrogance of losers who have repeatedly failed deserves to be condemned regardless of the era. You are merely offerings that exist for me.”

“Absolutely not. We didn’t even have a chance to fail. You took that chance away from us.”

“That’s an interesting thing to say. You existed because of me. It’s the same now and it was the same back then. My countless seeds existed because of me, and it’s not wrong for a master to command his servants.”

It was a bizarre sight.

The man asked and answered himself. He spoke alone and spoke again.

His voice was the same, but his tone and expression changed from moment to moment. If a stranger saw him, they would have plenty of reason to think he was mentally ill.

“By that logic, you are no different from a traitor. You devoured your grandfather, your warriors, your followers, and even the masters of the Central Plains.”

“My grandfather and father could have done it if they wanted to. But they couldn’t because they were obsessed with mere sentiment rather than the sect’s ambition.”

“That’s true.”

“In that sense, you can indeed be called my seeds. I’m not foolish enough to accept those who are unqualified. You are the ones among my seeds who are closest to me.”

“Then you must know? That you can’t show even the slightest gap. Because we are the most like you, we desire this body more than anyone else.”

“That’s a good thing. We are such beings by nature. I’m proud that you are my children.”

“I’m not proud that you are my ancestor.”

“Think as you please.”

Then, another tone came out of the man’s mouth.

“Is that Mount Tai?”

A voice that was somehow wistful.

Even though it was the same voice, it sounded like a completely different person. Unlike the two who had been conversing, it was as if someone who was truly seeing the magnificent scenery of Mount Tai with their own eyes had emerged.

“Three hundred years… it’s been three hundred years. I thought I would never see this famous mountain again.”

The man’s face contorted.

Thump.

He rose from the corpses and clenched his fist. The golden cup crumpled and fell to the ground.

“Even if it was unavoidable, you’re still committing such terrible acts. Is this what you wanted?”

At the same time, the man slightly shook his head. Then, his original languid expression returned to his face.

“It’s not what I wanted, but it’s necessary. The screams of the non-believers who will die and disappear anyway are just a bonus. Their pain and fear are ten thousand times more thrilling than embracing the most beautiful woman in the world.”

“You’re insane.”

“Hahaha! I’m not insane. People don’t understand those who don’t set limits, and they fear or reject them. You had clear limits, and I just surpassed those limits.”

“That’s sophistry.”

“It would be better to be honest with yourself. You too can seek life in this world again if our work succeeds. Isn’t that why you came to me? Isn’t that why you tried to help me?”

No answer was heard. The man laughed.

“Appearances are important. But appearances and honesty are different things.”

It was then.

“Lord.”

A sorcerer appeared from below.

“What is it?”

“Would it be wise to let the warriors rest now? The blood light of the Evil Jade (邪玉) is already half full.”

“The Gwangok (光玉, Light Jade) is complete, and the Hwaok (火玉, Fire Jade) is also complete with the death of Gi Uhwan.”

Flames flared in the man’s hand. The flames were burning around something that formed a perfect circle, like a bead.

“Now that only the Saok (邪玉, Evil Jade) needs to be completed, why would you tell me to hold back?”

The sorcerer swallowed hard.

“Then, shall we proceed again?”

“…Hmm.”

The man smiled and turned his head.

A young man with a blank face stood there.

“Jeok Heum, what do you think?”

The young man called Jeok Heum bowed his head.

“As the god wills.”

The man chuckled.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve tasted screams. Advance without rest. Crush, violate, and grind them until you reach the summit of Mount Tai.”