Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 157

“That’s incredible.”

Namgoong Pyo’s expression, as he watched the training grounds from a distance, was truly peculiar.

His face, a mix of admiration, competitiveness, jealousy, and envy, was a jumble of emotions that created an indescribable atmosphere.

“It’s an amazing duel. And not just any duel, but one that disregards life and death.”

*Kwaang!*

With a thunderous roar, a terrifying heatwave spread even to where they were standing.

It was the fire energy of the Vermilion Bird [one of the four symbols representing constellations], the madness of the clash, and the killing intent that should never have emerged from a father-son duel.

“I heard that the eldest son of the Yeon family is stronger than the One Dragon Three Peaks [a reference to a group of powerful martial artists]. Seeing it in person, it feels like the rumors were actually understated…”

Namgoong Pyo, who was speaking, trailed off.

Namgoong In’s face, as he watched the training grounds, was expressionless. It wasn’t the same man who always wore a relaxed expression, no matter the situation.

‘…’

Namgoong Pyo felt like he could understand his father for some reason.

‘Is my father looking at the head of the Yeon family the same way I’m looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong?’

He was right.

Namgoong In was greatly shocked by Yeon Wi’s orthodox yet powerful swordsmanship.

‘Just how…’

He could clearly see Yeon Wi’s face as he moved at a terrifying speed.

A face filled with joy and tension, competitiveness and pride.

‘When did he become so strong?’

The Namgoong family was the best martial arts family, renowned throughout the martial world as the ‘First in Swordsmanship’.

As the best sword family in the world, the Namgoong family head’s martial arts had to be outstanding enough to represent the family. In fact, Namgoong In’s skills were more than sufficient as the head of one of the Six Great Families.

Yeon Wi was beyond that.

‘How can he be so fluid…’

It was a terrifying sword.

Its basic structure was that of a powerful sword, but it displayed countless sword techniques depending on the situation. Moreover, the degree of its fluidity was like flowing water, making it difficult to discern when these changes occurred, even when watching.

A master of ten thousand sword techniques.

It was as if he had compiled all the sword arts in the world. He was truly worthy of being called one of the best swordsmen of this era, blessed by the heavens.

Of course, Namgoong In knew that the Yeon family’s sword techniques were the most orthodox of all. He also knew that if one mastered them to the extreme, they could display such amazing sword techniques.

In other words, Namgoong In’s great surprise was not simply because Yeon Wi’s martial arts were outstanding.

*Saaah!*

The sword wave of the longsword, cutting in a straight line, made the air seethe.

It was as if invisible flames were clinging to the blade. Those flames gave Yeon Wi’s sword a terrifying majesty and a mountain-like weight.

He was dominating the air.

Yeon Wi’s sword, his very presence, was dominating the training grounds and the entire plaza.

And that overwhelming presence made Namgoong In think of one person.

‘Father?!’

The Sword Emperor, Namgoong Seung.

A monarch who was more than worthy of the title of the strongest among the martial artists of this era who lived by the sword. The shadow of the invincible swordsman who rivaled the Sword Immortal, Tak Mu-Ja, for the title of the ‘Greatest Sword Under Heaven’ was also visible in Yeon Wi.

*Drip.*

Blood flowed from his lips, which he had unknowingly bitten.

‘This bastard.’

He had the talent for the sword, but not as much as his father.

So, Namgoong In gave up on the idea of becoming the best with the sword. Instead, he turned his attention to schemes and strategies. If he couldn’t be the best with the sword, he thought, he would at least raise the family’s status to the highest level.

But why?

The dream of becoming the strongest swordsman, which he had long since given up on, was stirring as he watched Yeon Wi’s terrifying swordsmanship. He was even more furious because he knew that his talent could never catch up to that arrogant swordsman.

And he was thrilled.

He wanted to make that sword his own, no matter the cost. As the head of one of the Six Great Families, that desire was even more intense.

Namgoong In’s eyes, which had been as hot as fire, gradually cooled down.

‘You can never be the best in swordsmanship.’

The Namgoong father and son were not the only ones shocked by the terrifying duel between the Yeon father and son.

“Gang-ah.”

“Yes, Martial Uncle.”

Paeyul’s eyes deepened.

“When the Myeolsa Army [a military unit] swept through the bandits, did Yeon Ho-Jeong, or rather, Commander Yeon, participate in the battles?”

Even while staring blankly at the training grounds, Cheokgang’s answer was respectful.

“Sometimes he did, and sometimes he didn’t.”

“It depended on the situation?”

“Yes. He didn’t step forward unless it was a truly dangerous moment. It was like he knew it like a ghost. The moments when we were about to be in danger.”

“…I see.”

Paeyul’s eyes deepened.

He was inwardly amazed by Yeon Ho-Jeong’s martial arts, which moved an enormous heavy weapon weighing over eighty pounds as if it were a whip, and continued with devastating attacks.

‘Had he become weaker? Or had my senses dulled?’

When he saw Yeon Ho-Jeong at the Azure Dragon Gate of the Martial Alliance [a martial arts organization].

Paeyul saw a gap in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s fierce yet clear energy.

It was a gap that a master of that level should not have shown. So, he thought that Yeon Ho-Jeong must have been seriously injured.

He was wrong.

Seeing it now, he understood. Yeon Ho-Jeong was not the kind of martial artist who would show a gap, even if his body was not in perfect condition.

‘The absence of real combat. Had his senses dulled because he was worried about his subordinates?’

A subtle desire flickered in Paeyul’s eyes.

It was pure competitiveness.

‘He’s fired up, Yeon Ho-Jeong.’

*Kwaang!*

With a thunderous roar, Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been thrown backward, spun his body and swung the Gwangryong Bu [a type of axe].

*Whoooosh!*

The Gwangryong Bu rotated at high speed and flew towards Yeon Wi. In that short time, it had accumulated so much powerful true energy that the rotating Gwangryong Bu looked like a giant wheel of fire.

Yeon Wi’s response was simple yet efficient.

*Kwaang!*

It was similar to the feeling of striking away a boulder that had rolled down from the top of a mountain.

Yeon Wi’s body, which had swung his sword from the lower to the upper level to strike the Gwangryong Bu, flinched. The impact remaining on the sword was too strong.

*Paaak!*

He didn’t know when he had flown into the sky.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had flown up with a red glow, grabbed the Gwangryong Bu that had been thrown out and swung it directly at Yeon Wi.

*Thud! Crackle!*

The ground beneath Yeon Wi’s feet shattered madly.

“That guy is completely insane.”

Paeyul felt dumbfounded as he watched Yeon Ho-Jeong’s attack.

“To think of throwing an axe there? Ha!”

That was how it was.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s martial arts were extremely unconventional, but also surprisingly practical. Although it contained the essence of a single, decisive blow, it was a movement that assumed a series of attacks, making full preparations to pressure the opponent again.

‘A battle between those who glimpse the ultimate realm in one field.’

The incarnation of the sword, Yeon Wi.

The incarnation of real combat, Yeon Ho-Jeong.

They were monstrous father and son. In their completely different martial arts, they were gradually resembling each other’s realms.

‘Now, I can’t see any weaknesses.’

The gap in Yeon Ho-Jeong had disappeared.

The relaxed atmosphere tightened in an instant. Now, his eyes would only see his father, Yeon Wi.

So many people watched the duel between the Yeon father and son.

In the midst of the father and son’s brutal exchange, which evoked shock in some, jealousy in others, and admiration in others.

Finally, this duel was also heading towards its end.

*Clang!*

With a collision that deafened the ears, the two men stepped back.

“Hoo.”

“Hah, hah!”

Unlike Yeon Wi, who was taking short breaths, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s breathing was very rough.

He had been extremely focused on killing his opponent. But Yeon Wi had blocked all of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s martial arts with his impenetrable skills.

Yeon Wi smiled.

His face was flushed red with excitement.

“Magnificent.”

“Hoo, hoo.”

“It’s an exhilaration I’ve never felt before. I didn’t know your extremely practical martial arts could make me feel this overwhelmed.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been catching his breath for a while, smiled.

“Father, you haven’t used your full power, have you?”

“Of course not. You’re still far from being able to handle my full power, you rascal.”

“Hahaha!”

That was true. There was still a clear difference in their skills.

If Yeon Wi were to use his martial arts with the intent to kill, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s current skills would not be able to withstand even thirty moves.

Of course, he would only know for sure if they actually fought.

“Shouldn’t we wrap things up soon?”

“I think so too.”

“You should be the one to finish this duel.”

“Huh?”

Confusion settled on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

Finish it? What did that mean?

*Swoosh.*

Yeon Wi lowered his stance.

It was the starting stance of the Thirty-Six Forms of the Great Iron Sword, the Lightning Flash.

“Are you afraid?”

It was an unexpected question.

Yeon Wi’s eyes deepened.

“I’ve felt your martial arts becoming sharper as time passes. Your reactions have also become faster, and you’ve been expanding your thinking every moment to respond to each of my attacks.”

“…?”

“You didn’t grow during the fight. This reaction speed and creative practical ability that transcends human common sense are talents you’ve had from the beginning.”

“Huh?”

“How did that amazing sense become so broken?”

“That’s… ?”

“You didn’t even know that?”

*Flash!*

Strict energy settled in Yeon Wi’s eyes.

“What are you afraid of? What were you so worried about?”

“…?!”

“Was your changed appearance, that transformation, such a great burden?”

In that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong felt like he had been struck on the back of the head.

The corners of Yeon Wi’s mouth rose as he saw his son’s expression.

“There is nothing in this world that does not change, not people, not objects, not ideas, not even truth. However, your own principles must not waver.”

*Whoosh!*

Yeon Wi’s body appeared a foot away from Yeon Ho-Jeong.

*Swoosh.*

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at his abdomen with a bewildered expression.

The tip of his father’s sword was touching his right abdomen, where his liver was located.

“No matter how you change, the main family will always welcome you. So, shake off the remnants that have settled in your heart and soar once again.”

Yeon Wi smiled.

“And don’t go around showing such obvious weaknesses.”

*Thud!*

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body shook greatly.

“Cough!”

The blood that poured out looked particularly murky.

Surprisingly, a significant amount of turbid energy was mixed in that blood. It was turbid energy that Yeon Ho-Jeong himself was unaware of, turbid energy obtained from a heart wound.

In an instant, his mind cleared.

“How is it?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked up at Yeon Wi.

“I know you have a hidden card that you haven’t taken out. Am I right?”

“…Yes, you are.”

“Then, how about using that card to finish this splendid duel?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“I’d like that.”

*Whoosh!*

Yeon Wi’s sword pointed upwards, towards the sky.

They were so close that their breaths could touch. If he were to swing the sword down, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body would be split in two.

It was then.

*Zzzzzing! Zzzzzzzing!*

Formless lightning crackled from Yeon Wi’s longsword.

It was not a martial art of the Yeon family. That sword was a new martial art that Yeon Wi had obtained through enlightenment.

The one sword he had wanted to show his son before.

That absolute one sword was about to unfold at this very moment.

“….”

A moment of silence fell.

The silence of the Yeon father and son brought a terrifying pressure to everyone watching.

Cheokgang swallowed hard. Paeyul clenched his fist without realizing it.

Namgoong In’s eyes were bloodshot, and a strong tension was cast over Namgoong Pyo’s face, whose mouth was tightly shut.

How much time had passed?

*Rumble!*

With a thunderous sound, Yeon Wi’s sword fell like lightning.

At that very moment.

*Flash!*

A cyan light burst from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes.

*Kwaaang!*

Soon, with a tremendous explosion, the entire training ground was enveloped in a thick cloud of dust.

And within that.

*Whoooosh.*

Something huge, shimmering with cyan scales, began to writhe like a phantom.