Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 191

A flicker of interest sparked in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes.

“This is quite an intriguing situation.”

“Is that so?”

Paeyul smiled. A chilling aura accompanied his smile, casting the shadow of a fierce predator.

“I thought you’d understand. From my perspective, you and I aren’t that different.”

“Do you see it that way?”

“Of course. You’re not like those old-fashioned mountain hermits. Whether they’re from the Nine Factions or the Six Clans, they all try to live like noble cranes. But you, aren’t you more like a tiger, tearing into the flesh of its prey without hesitation?”

“You overestimate me.”

“I don’t care what you think of yourself. What matters is how I see you.”

Cheokgang fidgeted uncomfortably in the middle.

“S-Senior Uncle.”

At that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong raised his hand, stopping Cheokgang.

His gaze had also become serious.

“Are you serious?”

“Hmm?”

“That if you lose to me, you’ll immediately follow my orders? That you’d really die, not just pretend to, if I told you to?”

Paeyul’s face hardened.

“When I was young, I was often called a troublemaker, just like Gang-i. But even those who disliked me admitted one thing.”

“What is that?”

“I don’t go back on my word.”

The corners of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s lips curled up.

Surprisingly, his smile seemed somewhat similar to Paeyul’s.

“Not going back on one’s word… that’s an important virtue.”

“So, are you feeling a bit moved?”

“Were you itching for a fight?”

Paeyul chuckled.

“You’re definitely my kind of person. You saw right through me, didn’t you?”

“Anyone with a bit of sense would have noticed, even if they weren’t of the same ilk.”

“Is that so?”

“If you were so eager for a fight, why didn’t you just grab anyone and have a spar? You don’t seem like the type to hold back when drawing your sword.”

Paeyul shook his head.

“You’re wrong. I may be someone who doesn’t care about formalities, but now that I’m older and hold the position of Elder, I can’t completely ignore the dignity of the sect.”

“But you’re okay with taking orders from a junior who’s much younger than you?”

“If you defeat me, that is.”

The air slowly grew tense.

Paeyul’s smile deepened.

“You’ve sustained quite a bit of internal and external injuries. Let’s get you treated first…”

“Are there any rules?”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“Do you want a spar to test each other’s skills? Or do you want a real fight where a single mistake could cost us our lives?”

“Of course, the latter.”

“I see.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“I trust you have a clear understanding of real combat.”

“Of course…”

That’s when it happened.

Whoosh!

Paeyul’s eyes widened.

Yeon Ho-Jeong had closed the distance and suddenly unleashed a palm strike.

The force of the palm technique was so powerful that it felt like the air was being sucked in. It was the Yeon family’s secret martial art, the Reversing Dragon Palm.

‘Hmph!’

Thud!

Paeyul retreated with agile footwork and shouted.

“What’s with this sudden attack?!”

In an instant, Yeon Ho-Jeong powerfully stomped his foot.

Boom!

The force emanating from his palm strike was twice as fast as before.

It was an unavoidable blow. If he were to block it, it would be a struggle against the overwhelming power.

‘No thoughts!’

Too many thoughts. Paeyul immediately drew his sword.

Swish!

The force of the Reversing Dragon Palm was split in half.

Clang!

The split force slammed into the ground, tearing up the earth on either side.

Paeyul’s voice, filled with anger, erupted.

“What is the meaning of this?!”

Whoosh!

Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t answer.

Approaching with the powerful momentum of the White Tiger’s Descent, he unleashed a storm of twin fists.

Paeyul’s eyes widened.

‘Incredible power!’

The barrage of fists was exquisite. Each punch seemed to draw the fangs of a massive beast.

There was no room to hold back. Paeyul’s sword spun rapidly, creating a deadly sword wind.

Whack! Whack! Whack! Bang!

“Ugh!”

It was brute force.

Although he hadn’t unleashed even half of its original power due to the suddenness of the attack, the Forty-Eight Swords of the Returning Wind and Dancing Willow was one of the Point Cang Sect’s most prized secret sword techniques.

The power of the sword was restricted from the root. It wasn’t just about disrupting the power; it was a highly practical fist technique that targeted and ruptured the meridians of the opponent’s martial arts.

Whoosh!

Despite the sudden turn of events, he didn’t panic. Paeyul’s body spun quickly, instantly moving to Yeon Ho-Jeong’s right rear.

It was an exquisite movement. A miraculous footwork, Point Cang’s Shadow Step.

Having secured the rear, Paeyul immediately struck with his sword. His target was the center of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s back. It was a strike that would inflict serious injury whether the opponent dodged or blocked it.

That’s when it happened.

Clang!

Paeyul’s eyes widened.

‘He blocked it with his bare hand?!’

Without even turning around, Yeon Ho-Jeong extended his hand.

The sword strike was blocked by his hand. A strange, dark blue aura was emanating from the hand that blocked the strike.

It was the Xuanwu Qi [Black Tortoise Qi]. The unique rebounding force of the Xuanwu Qi was so strong that it caused Paeyul’s sword, which had launched the attack, to bounce back.

Whoosh!

It didn’t end there.

As if he had expected it, he gathered the strength of his entire body, spun around, and kicked with his foot, the speed of which was like lightning.

Speed is power. A kick as fast as a quick sword would surely have immense power.

‘I can’t meet it head-on.’

He had to dodge. Blocking it would push him back, but dodging would allow him to counterattack.

Thud!

The tip of the foot, tearing through the air, ripped through the hem of Paeyul’s robe.

‘Here!’

Paeyul’s sword aimed for Yeon Ho-Jeong’s neck. It was a timely strike and a perfect defense. It was a sword strike that anyone would find difficult to avoid.

In that instant, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes blazed.

Sizzle.

Paeyul’s face was filled with shock.

The tip of the sword pierced the air.

A strong attack inevitably creates an opening. It was a strike that targeted that opening, but Yeon Ho-Jeong’s figure had vanished from sight.

‘W-Where did he go?!’

In that instant, he felt a chilling killing intent rising from below.

Whoosh! Thud!

“Ugh!”

He dodged the moment he felt the killing intent, but he was slightly late. The kick that flew up low struck his thigh.

Throb.

‘This is bad.’

The pain rising from his thigh was immense. But he was lucky. If he hadn’t dodged, even belatedly, and had been hit directly, his bones would have been broken, and his muscles and flesh would have been torn apart.

Terrifying attack power. Paeyul clicked his tongue at his opponent’s steel-like martial arts.

‘That was a feint?!’

He used a lightning-fast kick as a feint to lower his opponent’s guard, then launched a fatal blow.

It was a fighting style of a seasoned veteran. Moreover, even the feint attack was powerful enough to cause serious injury if it had landed.

‘But!’

This time, it was real. Paeyul endured the pain as if his thigh was breaking and unleashed a resilient sword strike.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s pupils dilated.

Paeyul didn’t miss the change in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes. This time, it was clear that his opponent was also taken aback.

At that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s hand moved strangely.

‘……?’

Paeyul’s eyes widened.

‘What…?!’

Whoosh.

Like a snake or a dragon.

From Yeon Ho-Jeong’s hand, which twisted and turned as if it had no bones, a jade-green light surged. And that light instantly wrapped around Paeyul’s sword and hand.

Thud! Clang!

‘It’s broken.’

His wrist was broken. The sword he had been holding tightly flew high into the air.

Whoosh!

Paeyul, who had immediately retreated, felt a shiver run down his spine from the mysterious energy emanating from behind him.

He had been outmaneuvered. Even though he had been watching closely.

It didn’t emit a fiery killing intent, nor did it create a heavy flow like water, nor did it display a light movement like the wind.

But it was smooth.

Smooth yet majestic, fast and mysterious. It was a terrifying footwork that made his mind go blank for a moment.

A footwork that created the ultimate evasion ability and a thorough counterattack posture.

It was the Azure Dragon Qi [Qinglong Qi], the Azure Dragon Cloud-Stepping Footwork. It was beyond Paeyul’s current ability to grasp the essence of that bizarre footwork.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, having secured the attack point with the Azure Dragon Cloud-Stepping Footwork, extended his fist.

Whoosh!

Around the swirling fist power, a warm breeze seemed to gather. It was clearly a single strike, yet it exuded a deadly aura that seemed capable of blowing away the opponent with its layered destructive power.

It was the Azure Dragon’s Art, the Dragon Group’s Three Forms.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Cough!”

Paeyul, who had been sent flying with a groan, crashed into a wall.

Crackle.

Stone fragments flew from the cracked wall.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled. His complexion was somewhat pale, but there was no sign of pain.

“I’ve won.”

“Cough! Cough!”

Paeyul knelt on the spot. His legs had given out, and he could no longer stand.

‘What incredible martial arts.’

If it had been a deliberate attack, it wouldn’t have ended there. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s martial arts were extremely practical and full of destructive power.

If he hadn’t withdrawn his power at the last moment, Paeyul’s ribs would have been crushed, his internal organs would have been mangled, and his body, reduced to a bloody mess, would have broken through the wall and flown another three yards.

Paeyul’s face turned red.

‘If he hadn’t held back, I would have died.’

People tried to keep it quiet, but those who knew already knew. Yeon Ho-Jeong was the greatest rising star of the current martial world.

Paeyul finally realized the truth of those words. Those who acknowledged Yeon Ho-Jeong had seen his talent and the level he had reached, but Paeyul had now witnessed his practical combat skills and his masterful tactics through this spar.

‘Where did this guy learn such techniques?!’

He looked up at Yeon Ho-Jeong with trembling eyes.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was panting. He had pushed himself too hard, using his power despite his considerable internal and external injuries, which had deepened his internal wounds.

“You’re amazing, Senior.”

“Cough! Cough!”

“Honestly, I thought it would be over within the first three exchanges. You seemed incredibly careless.”

“…Did it look that way?”

“It did.”

Drip.

Yeon Ho-Jeong had a nosebleed. The mucous membrane in his nose had been injured due to the excessive use of power and the continuous acceleration.

He wiped the blood flowing down and said,

“Have you been preoccupied lately? You didn’t seem to show your full potential.”

Paeyul’s eyes wavered.

“Your sword tip is shaking, and your movements are half a beat late. The techniques you use to counter my martial arts are all practical, but your body can’t keep up.”

“……”

“I think I could have won even without the surprise attack.”

Cheokgang, who had been blankly watching the sudden match, was startled and opened his mouth.

“C-Commander! Even so, a surprise attack?!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“You said you wanted a real fight. But we can’t actually kill each other, being members of the Martial Alliance, so I had to subdue you quickly.”

“B-But!”

At that moment, Paeyul spoke.

“There’s no room for excuses.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong and Cheokgang looked at Paeyul.

Paeyul, who seemed to have regained some strength, staggered to his feet and said,

“Whatever the reason, it’s my defeat for not responding properly.”

“But, Senior Uncle!”

“Whether it’s a surprise attack or a fair fight, if you die, that’s the end of it. You know that too.”

“……”

Paeyul sighed. The dangerous atmosphere from before the fight was no longer present.

“To be that good with a body that’s not even fully healed. You truly are different.”

“Your martial arts were also impressive, Senior. You didn’t even use the Point Cang’s secret techniques a few times.”

“Isn’t that because you didn’t let me?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled faintly.

It was a sharp insight. Although he had lost, he was someone with an incredibly keen sense of martial arts.

Paeyul closed his eyes.

A sudden wave of extreme fatigue washed over him.

“I thought that if I fought you, we’d be exchanging blows for days on end.”

“Is that so?”

Paeyul gave a wry smile.

“I lost.”

“It was a good match.”

“Didn’t I say? I don’t go back on my word.”

“You did.”

“I will join your command.”

Cheokgang was startled and looked at Paeyul.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said with a serious face.

“It will be very dangerous, are you sure you’re okay with that?”

“What danger could be greater than your fists?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“Congratulations. You’ve come under the command of a junior who is much younger than you.”

Paeyul’s face crumpled like a piece of crumpled paper.

“Congratulations. You’ve gained an Elder of the Point Cang Sect as your subordinate.”