Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1362

“It has to be Sichuan. It can only be Sichuan.”

“I think so too.”

“If we lose the Shandong war, the enemies will just push straight through the north. The reason being, it’s already been devastated by several wars.”

“I wish it weren’t so, but if we really do suffer a defeat in the Shandong war, they won’t miss that opportunity. The fact that they’ve already suppressed the martial forces means the enemy’s power is immense, and they’ll start relentlessly pushing forward.”

“That’s right. But we can’t stop their advance. Not if we really lose.”

“I understand what you mean. The Sichuan martial world is strong, but with the head of the Tang family gone to the battlefield, there’s no one of the Unrivaled level [a martial arts level of immense power]. Of course, the Yin Master is there, but he’s not skilled in strategy or tactics.”

“It seems we need to dispatch troops as soon as possible.”

“However, I cannot leave.”

“That’s why I’m saying this. I will lead the family’s forces to Sichuan. I’ll contact my father separately.”

“It’s obvious, but… it will be dangerous. Even demonic beings are appearing all over the world.”

“But we can’t just not go. Everyone is fighting with their lives on the line.”

“It’s also an uncertain situation.”

“It’s uncertain, but even if we can just move in advance and stop the enemy’s first wave, it’ll be a success.”

“If that’s what you truly wish, then go to the Yangtze River with some of the main family’s forces. I’ll contact the Yangtze River naval base separately, and from there, movement will be much easier.”

“I won’t refuse.”

* * *

Even before the Tang family’s forces moved, Ha Eun-gyo and Paeyul were already on the move. It was better for the two of them to move individually rather than coordinating with the Tang family’s experts.

“Did you receive separate support from the acting family head?”

“They agreed to provide intelligence support. They’ll share the enemy’s movement paths every half hour, so we should be able to make contact in less than half a day.”

“Good. Can we pick up the pace a bit?”

“Yes.”

Whoosh!

The two moved with the speed of a gale.

Ha Eun-gyo was inwardly surprised.

‘I knew he’d gotten stronger, but I didn’t think it would be this much.’

Just by looking at his movement technique, she could tell how high Paeyul’s level was. He hadn’t reached the Unrivaled level, but his movement speed was actually beyond that.

‘He hasn’t learned any new martial arts either. Yet he’s this fast. What kind of training did he do?’

Ha Eun-gyo wouldn’t know. How much distance Paeyul had covered alone to eliminate the demonic beings.

His movement technique, which had flashed like lightning across the Martial Alliance area to save even one more innocent person, had deepened over time. It wasn’t an enlightenment gained through contemplation, but a movement technique fiercely realized with the sole desire to save people, and now it was worthy of being called the pinnacle of the Central Plains [a region in China, often used to refer to the heartland of Chinese civilization].

“Can we increase the speed further?”

“Good.”

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

They moved not on the ground but by stepping on the air.

At this point, it was beyond air-walking and almost like land-flying. Except for Gongsun Baek-ryong, the Flying King who had met his death at the hands of Yeon Ho-jeong in the past, there would be no more than three people in the entire world who could display such an amazing movement technique.

‘It’s hot.’

Ha Eun-gyo could see Paeyul’s spiritual energy burning red.

A clear red light. A pure crimson spiritual energy without a single blemish. It meant that Paeyul’s anger was that pure.

‘The concern for the innocent… the anger that burns because of it is so pure. I’ve never seen such pure anger before.’

Yeon Ho-jeong wasn’t lacking in purity either. But Yeon Ho-jeong’s anger was dark red. His anger always had killing intent concentrated within it.

That’s why Yeon Ho-jeong always drew blood when he was angry. His actions were excessively domineering because his anger and killing intent moved as one.

But Paeyul was different.

As if he had resolved all the rough killing intent and madness while being with Yeon Ho-jeong for a long time, his anger even seemed transparent like a jewel.

‘It’s pure, but at its core is the concern for the common people. Paeyul’s anger is the anger of righteousness.’

Ha Eun-gyo felt a pang of bitterness.

‘So that’s why he’s become this strong.’

The anger he held was intense, but at its foundation was a heart for the world.

The orthodox divine arts of the righteous sects were mostly rooted in Taoist or Buddhist martial arts. These two martial arts had been completed as mind arts over generations, so Paeyul’s growth could be seen as an explosive development due to his mind arts.

‘I’m ashamed. As a mother, as a martial artist who said she would fight for the world, my anger was not pure. My martial arts are strong, but my heart is so weak that it can’t even be compared to Paeyul’s.’

Ha Eun-gyo, a middle-aged woman, saw the illusion of her passionate youth in Paeyul, who was clearly her junior.

‘I need to do better too.’

How long had they been running like that?

“An hour ago, the Northern Samyum Sword Sect was annihilated!”

“Currently, the Northern Blade Hall is under attack! The middle-ranking members are holding them off, but it seems difficult to avoid annihilation!”

“The enemies are advancing towards the Hocheol Gate! Their advance speed is incredibly fast! Their numbers are around a hundred, but it’s estimated that each one possesses martial power exceeding that of a top expert!”

“The Cheolgang Fortress has fallen!”

The numerous dire reports made the two’s hearts anxious.

“I can’t understand it.”

Ha Eun-gyo’s face became serious.

“The Blood Demon Cult’s main base wouldn’t have many troops stationed there. But the northern Sichuan sects are being defeated one by one. Considering the distance between the annihilated sects, it seems like a large number, not a small elite force, is attacking. At this rate, it’s almost like a major sect-level force.”

She was talking about numbers, not power. Just from the information they received, it seemed like the enemy’s numbers were at least five hundred, and possibly close to a thousand.

Ha Eun-gyo was there when the Blood Demon Cult’s young leader, Cheon Hwa-ryong, was defeated. The Blood Demon Cult’s forces that were moving south to save the Blood Venerable had all vanished except for the young leader.

Considering the importance of the Blood Venerable, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume that the Blood Demon Cult had brought all their experts, so where did they train so many experts again?

“For now, we have no choice but to clash with them.”

Even in the midst of all this, Paeyul didn’t lose his composure.

“It seems like Senior and I will have to split up.”

“Split up?”

“The sects are being defeated one by one, but the speed of the southward advance is faster in the west. It means the enemy’s forces are concentrated in the west, so if Senior takes charge of the west, I’ll break through the eastern front.”

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?”

“Don’t worry. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll retreat. You should do the same, Senior.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Whoosh!

Ha Eun-gyo immediately headed west.

‘This isn’t good.’

Paeyul’s face hardened.

‘The Tang family’s intelligence network is the best in Sichuan. Yet they can’t get detailed information about the enemy.’

The enemy’s numbers and power are also close to estimates. It would be difficult to get reports on what kind of weapons they’re using and what tactics they’re employing, but they should at least be able to find out the enemy’s characteristics.

‘There’s no way the Tang family would have omitted some information from us. In the end, it means the speed of their southward advance is so fast that it’s hard for the intelligence agents to even notice.’

Or it means they’re strong enough to push down without using any special methods.

Either way, it wasn’t good news.

‘I guess I have no choice but to clash with them and find out.’

How much time had passed?

Finally, Paeyul’s senses detected the presence of the enemies.

‘There are many. At least three hundred or more.’

He gripped the short spear he carried on his back.

‘Demonic energy.’

As expected, they were demonic beings. They were definitely demonic beings sent by the Blood Demon Cult.

But Paeyul’s keen senses could read the strange energy beyond the demonic energy.

‘There’s almost no life force. They’re moving based on death energy.’

Flash!

Paeyul’s eyes blazed.

‘Could these guys be?!’

Shortly after.

Rustle, rustle, rustle!

A group of beings wearing strange clothes that looked like robes or sackcloths were seen moving south.

The formation was a mess. They weren’t coming in formation but running haphazardly. But their destination was clear, as they were all using their movement techniques roughly towards one point.

‘These….’

Demonic beings wearing black robes and black bamboo hats.

The closer they got, the clearer the death energy emanating from their bodies became.

‘They’re not human.’

To be precise, they were beings who used to be human.

‘Blood Demon… Soul Summoning Technique….’

Paeyul’s eyes trembled.

‘Are they some kind of legendary Jiangshi [Chinese hopping vampires or reanimated corpses]?’

Whoosh!

Paeyul, who had charged straight ahead, swung his short spear.

Clang!

Paeyul’s eyes twitched.

The demonic being hit by the short spear flew away and crashed into the ground.

That was all. The demonic being staggered to its feet, shook its head once, and then ran again. Judging by its movements, it seemed to have taken some impact but hadn’t suffered a fatal wound.

‘Look at these guys.’

It was an attack meant to test the waters, but it was an attack that had been launched with proper internal energy, yet it hadn’t died.

Even if it didn’t die, its muscles should have been torn and its bones broken. But Paeyul felt a strong impact from the short spear that had struck the demonic being’s body.

A sensation like hitting a lump of iron, not a human body.

‘Are they really Jiangshi?’

At that moment, some of the demonic beings raised their heads.

Instantly, Paeyul felt a chill run down his spine.

The demonic beings’ faces were dyed black. The faces of the demonic beings, dyed in a bluish color different from those of the Kunlun slaves [a term for slaves from the Kunlun region], looked like those of a rotting corpse despite their smoothness.

‘They really made Jiangshi.’

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The short spear in his right hand and the oddly shaped sword in his left hand, which he had drawn at some point, vibrated powerfully.

Paeyul stepped powerfully on the ground.

Thud!

A powerful earth-shattering stomp that shook the entire plain.

A fierce fighting spirit based on pure anger spread like wildfire.

“Die!”

Paeyul’s left sword moved like a flash of light.

Clang!

The Pointed Cang Whirlwind Sword, swung with intent, blew off the head of one of the demonic beings.

It was a slash that utilized rotational force. Although it was somewhat short, the blade was thick, maximizing the slash of the Whirlwind Sword.

Not a single drop of blood flowed from the severed head of the demonic being. But the body with its head blown off seemed to move for a moment before collapsing.

Even if they were Jiangshi, they could be destroyed by blowing off their heads. It felt like cutting through a lump of iron, but they weren’t invincible.

‘I need to use this much power to blow off their heads… it’s no wonder the northern sects have fallen.’

If it took a top expert’s full power to destroy their bodies, then their hardness was truly close to that of a lump of iron. It would be difficult for even a high-level expert to make a scratch on them.

Moreover, unlike Jiangshi who had lost their reason, these guys were even using movement techniques. Using movement techniques meant they could also use other martial arts.

“Really….”

Killing intent flickered in Paeyul’s eyes.

“You guys are so annoying, really.”

Flash!

The short spear moved like a flash of light.