Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 172

“Hoo.”

“Are you awake now?”

“Brother?”

“Yes.”

Moyong Woo nodded, looking tired.

Moyong Gun frowned.

“Was it very difficult?”

“……Yes.”

He hesitated before finally answering in the affirmative.

Moyong Woo, who would usually say it wasn’t that bad and that he could endure it, admitted it this time. It seemed like he had really gone through a lot.

“Why did Abbot engage in a martial arts contest with you? Of course, a contest with such a master is a great learning opportunity, but still.”

Abbot Gong Gong of Shaolin.

The direct disciple of Mu Heo, the Fist God and one of the Thirteen Seats of the Saintly Heaven [a group of the most powerful martial artists], and a man considered to have the highest martial arts among the heads of the Nine Great Sects and Six Great Clans [major martial arts organizations].

He had rarely revealed his martial arts, but the heads of each faction had tacitly agreed that Abbot Gong Gong was the strongest, excluding the Thirteen Seats of the Saintly Heaven.

It was inevitable. Even the little martial arts he had shown were enough to shake the world.

Moreover, he was a person who had directly received the teachings of the Divine Immortal Emperor, who was compared to the absolute beings of three hundred years ago, the strongest era of the martial world. He was worthy of being called the leader of the righteous path.

Such a master giving a martial arts contest?

Its value was more than a billion gold. It would surely be of great help in the future development of martial arts.

However, the question was why he had come all the way to give a martial arts contest at this particular time.

“I don’t know the exact reason.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I definitely felt goodwill, but even that felt ambiguous.”

Moyong Woo’s voice was quite cautious.

Even for him, it was difficult to speak of Abbot Gong Gong. He was a man with such a great reputation.

Moyong Gun nodded.

“It’s not unreasonable for you to feel that way. In fact, even I haven’t yet grasped Abbot Gong Gong’s true intentions.”

He was clearly a compassionate and righteous person with no impurities in his heart, a true righteous person.

But he also felt like he was hiding something. His heart for the world was genuine, but it also seemed like he was pursuing something more.

Yet, he always maintained a neutral political stance, so he was a concerning figure for Moyong Gun, who was trying to seize the highest power.

“One thing was certain.”

“Hmm?”

“His martial arts. I could feel why Shaolin Temple is called the best sect of the righteous path.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes sparkled.

“It must have been overwhelming, but was it that great?”

“Yes.”

Moyong Woo nodded.

“Shaolin’s martial arts were great, but Abbot’s martial arts were also great.”

“What do you mean? The martial arts that Abbot uses are Shaolin’s martial arts.”

“That is……”

Moyong Woo clicked his tongue. He looked troubled.

“It’s a little… different.”

“Different?”

“Yes. Of course, the martial arts he uses are Shaolin’s martial arts, but…”

Moyong Gun shook his head.

“That’s a meaningless statement.”

“I can’t express it well either. But he was really strong. It was the first time I felt so strongly that there was an insurmountable wall.”

“Hoo.”

“That’s why.”

A subtle excitement settled on Moyong Woo’s face, which was stained with fatigue.

“I think I’ve also grasped a clue. A clue to break through the wall of martial arts.”

* * *

Boom!

With a booming sound that pierced the air, Abbot Gong Gong’s figure landed on the ground.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes sparkled.

‘So it is like that.’

Not a speck of dust was on Abbot Gong Gong’s body as he stood on the ground.

Even after releasing the Tiger King’s Nine Wall Stance [a powerful defensive technique] with a fist strike, he was like that. He had easily blocked a punch that would have incapacitated even a master of the highest level with one blow.

Swoosh!

Yeon Ho-jeong stood opposite Abbot Gong Gong.

Abbot Gong Gong admired in a low voice.

“Did you perhaps read my movements?”

“That’s right.”

“Huh! Did you know Shaolin’s martial arts?”

“How could I?”

“Then how?”

Clatter.

Yeon Ho-jeong raised the Gwangryong Axe again.

His eyes were now gleaming with a four-colored light.

“If you try to kill the strong as a weakling, you will naturally awaken to it.”

Thud!

The earth shook once again.

It was twice as powerful as the first step he had shown. Yeon Ho-jeong, who had gained power from the powerful step, advanced like a shooting star.

‘He’s coming.’

A faint golden light appeared in Abbot Gong Gong’s pupils.

‘A straightforward advance. But…’

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Even though he was running lightly, the earth trembled every time his toes touched the ground. It was as if a huge tiger was running.

‘Mysterious.’

It was footwork.

It was footwork, but it was definitely not ordinary footwork.

‘It’s as if even the footwork is an attack…’

Just the momentum of his advance was enough to diminish the enemy’s will to fight.

This was not just Yeon Ho-jeong’s fighting spirit, but it had to be seen as a characteristic of the martial art itself. The way he gathered his energy while advancing powerfully was incredibly refined.

Whoosh!

The huge blade of the Gwangryong Axe, bathed in sunlight, was swung at Abbot Gong Gong’s collarbone.

A diagonal strike. It was a momentum that would split his chest in one blow.

A strange excitement arose on Abbot Gong Gong’s face.

‘This extraordinary power and enlightenment.’

It seemed like a simple movement, but it was an attack that could not be easily blocked or avoided. Before the movement, the energy wave that dominated the space was reading all of the opponent’s reactions.

Abbot Gong Gong’s right palm struck the axe blade head-on.

Clang!

Surprise appeared on Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.

It was a blow that had drawn all the power of the White Tiger’s Forest Step [a powerful movement technique]. That destructive blow had been deflected by a single palm strike.

But even if the attack didn’t work, there was no panic. Yeon Ho-jeong, who had ridden the flow of the deflected Gwangryong Axe, kicked up into the air.

Wham!

The kick that struck the air created a shockwave like a ripple.

Abbot Gong Gong, who had stepped half a step to the left to grab his ankle, had to give up his choice at that moment.

‘This is…’

Whoosh!

The shockwave spreading from the air was strongly pushing away the hand that was trying to grab his ankle.

If he tried to grab it by force here, a counterattack would come immediately. The outcome of a battle between masters is decided in an instant, so there was no need to force a technique that might not work.

Swoosh!

This time it was Yeon Ho-jeong’s turn to be surprised.

‘Fast!’

In Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes, who had lost his balance and spun in the air, he saw Abbot Gong Gong’s fist coming in from the left corner.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s left palm moved urgently. His left hand, which was swung like lightning, contained the Black Tortoise energy [a defensive energy].

Clang!

‘Kuh.’

Yeon Ho-jeong’s body flew and landed on the ground.

‘I couldn’t block it perfectly.’

His left wrist and elbow throbbed. He had used the Black Tortoise energy in an instant, but he didn’t have enough time to properly use the defensive stance.

“Amazing.”

Abbot Gong Gong was also surprised.

“The strong resilience felt from the true energy itself is outstanding, and even a defense like an iron wall? And with one hand?”

Yeon Ho-jeong took a deep breath.

He had no time to open his mouth. Abbot Gong Gong, who had finished speaking, launched another attack.

Wham! Wham! Wham!

The Diamond Fist of Shaolin poured in.

Not only was the speed so fast that it made his eyes spin, but the fist pressure transmitted from the air was beyond imagination. If he was careless because he hadn’t used a special technique, the bones in his whole body would be shattered.

Clang!

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had stepped on the strongest White Tiger’s Forest Step of all the fights so far, unleashed the Tiger King’s Nine Wall Stance.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

It was an incredible clash.

He showed a fist technique that was the most ideal form for the intention of attack, and that did not give an inch while facing the Gwangryong Axe, which was swung in response to each moment.

‘The unrivaled fist technique of the thousand-year-old Shaolin…’

He inhaled as if his lungs would burst to build up his stamina, and attacked with all his might, spewing out explosive blood flow with the Vermilion Bird energy [an offensive energy].

It was a steel attack that pushed with the weight of a thousand pounds. But that attack was not exerting its full power.

‘It’s blocked. There are no gaps, and there’s no sign of it being penetrated.’

It was perfect.

Abbot Gong Gong’s unremarkable fist technique was deflecting all of the Gwangryong Axe’s attacks.

It wasn’t even a defense. Abbot Gong Gong was also attacking back. The two people’s attacks, fighting spirits, and powers were colliding head-on.

‘Amazing.’

Attack is the best defense.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s martial arts were like that. He was a martial artist who even attacked with the Black Tortoise energy, which was a defensive stance.

Abbot Gong Gong was also capable of that. Moreover, Abbot Gong Gong had not even used Shaolin’s famous techniques.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes flashed.

‘He’s above my father!’

Clang!

Abbot Gong Gong’s two feet dug two inches into the ground as the Gwangryong Axe pressed down on his crossed forearms.

Sizzle.

It was an attack that was struck down with the intent to truly kill. Blood was splattered on Abbot Gong Gong’s forearm, which had defended against the attack.

That was all.

He had blocked an axe strike that would have shattered several people on the spot with his bare body, and only his flesh was injured.

“…That was dangerous.”

Bang!

Yeon Ho-jeong retreated with a booming sound.

His eyes shook.

‘Huh?!’

Whoosh.

A faint golden aura rose from Abbot Gong Gong’s body. It was as if his skin itself had turned golden.

Abbot Gong Gong smiled wryly.

“It seems that this is the limit without drawing out the sect’s special technique.”

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had looked at Abbot Gong Gong’s arm and then turned his gaze to his own axe blade, clicked his tongue.

“Is that the famous Diamond Unbreakable Divine Art?”

“That’s right.”

Abbot Gong Gong smiled.

“I don’t know how long it’s been. Since I’ve used this martial art in a martial arts contest with someone else.”

“Hoo.”

Yeon Ho-jeong took a breath.

His heart and lungs were burning from the explosive clash just now. It was also the first time he had used this much power in a one-on-one battle.

Except for the martial arts contest with his father.

Swish!

He held the Gwangryong Axe in his right hand and untied the Azure Dragon Chain that was wrapped around his upper body with his left hand.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had already stabilized his breathing, smiled and said.

“Let’s go for the second round…”

“Shall we stop here?”

“……Yes?”

Yeon Ho-jeong blinked.

“Did you say we should stop here?”

“That’s right.”

“Why, why?”

Yeon Ho-jeong was flustered.

He had given his all from the beginning, but he still had plenty of energy left. If he managed his stamina well, he could fight for another half a day.

But Abbot Gong Gong shook his head calmly.

“It seems that you don’t need any more martial arts contests.”

“Where is there a martial artist in the world who doesn’t need martial arts contests?”

“Haha, that’s very true, but it’s because I have nothing more to give you.”

“……?”

Abbot Gong Gong put his hands behind his back.

He showed with his actions that he did not want any more fighting. Seeing Abbot Gong Gong, who had truly relaxed his stance, Yeon Ho-jeong couldn’t help but feel deflated.

‘I haven’t even shown the Azure Dragon Art and the Azure Dragon Chain yet.’

He was planning to properly train this opportunity since he said he would accept all of his martial arts.

But he suddenly said that he would stop. He couldn’t help but feel resentful towards his opponent.

Yeon Ho-jeong grumbled and relaxed his stance.

“It was a good opportunity, but it’s a shame.”

“Haha, a good opportunity? Were you trying to create new martial arts against me?”

“Did you know?”

“I could see it in your movements. And that chain, you can handle it, but it doesn’t seem easy.”

It was a sharp insight. He could read what the opponent wanted through their martial arts, and he could understand the opponent’s level through their movements.

“Don’t worry. If it’s you, you don’t need to train through me. If you complete enough training, you’ll be able to use it in actual combat right away.”

“Tch.”

Abbot Gong Gong’s eyes deepened.

Yeon Ho-jeong flinched without realizing it.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“……”

“……?”

“Young Clan Head Yeon.”

Yeon Ho-jeong straightened his posture without realizing it. It was because the weight of his voice was different from before.

“Please speak.”

“I hope you will stop now.”

“What do you mean?”

Abbot Gong Gong’s clear and deep eyes suddenly became sharp like an awl.