Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 203

Sweeek! The spear’s sharpness, thrust out like an arrow, was beyond imagination. Even without touching the skin, a tingling sensation ran through his entire neck. It was a practical spear technique, marked by intense killing intent and chilling precision.

‘Fast.’

It was fast, but not so fast that he couldn’t react. Cheong-Ho shifted his upper body slightly to the side.

Thud!

The spear shaft shot past him into the air. With a short, elastic half-palm strike, he not only changed the spear’s trajectory but also deflected it. That one move was enough to reveal Cheong-Ho’s genuine skill. His hand-to-hand combat was at a masterful level.

‘He’s strong.’

Cheong-Ho’s eyes gleamed.

‘He’s strong, but lacks experience…’

Just then, whoosh! A leg technique, bursting through the air, flew in even more ferociously than the spear. Cheong-Ho was startled. The speed was even faster than the surprise spear attack, and the destructive power seemed to push his entire upper body backward. It was an added bonus.

Wham!

Cheong-Ho staggered. It was a heavy blow. If he hadn’t crossed his arms to block it, his neck bones would have been broken instantly.

‘Is his bare-handed combat stronger?’

Was the spear technique not his main martial art?

Thud!

That alone was surprising, but it didn’t end there. Even though he used a leg technique with large movements and great power, his footwork, which penetrated in that short moment, was light and nimble. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s fists blazed.

Thud thud thud!

Cheong-Ho’s skill in receiving the barrage of punches with both hands was also remarkable.

Whoosh!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s robe burst open, unable to withstand the air pressure.

Ziiip!

The shoulder area of Cheong-Ho’s clothing was torn open where a sharp, piercing hand had grazed past. It was a close match. Of course, Cheong-Ho wasn’t intentionally using lethal moves, but their fundamental skills seemed to be similar.

Whew!

Perhaps his pride was hurt by constantly retreating. Cheong-Ho, who had deflected Yeon Ho-Jeong’s fist with an elastic short strike, instantly closed the distance. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sparkled.

‘He’s like a beast.’

It was completely different from the formal martial arts of the White Path. A bare-handed combat style where the form is free and greatly influenced by the user’s senses. It was a martial art of the Black Path. Unlike the martial arts of the White Path, which anyone can master with consistent practice, it was a fighting style greatly influenced by innate talent and forcibly developed reaction speed.

Cheong-Ho’s fist aimed for various parts of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s upper body.

Wham wham wham!

Yeon Ho-Jeong blocked Cheong-Ho’s attacks with godlike movements. It was an elastic close-quarters battle. The shockwaves that had not yet dissipated were tearing the upper body clothing of both men to shreds.

“That’s amazing.”

Jeagal Ayeon, who had approached Ga Deuk-Sang, said in a heavy voice. “His skill is incredible. To think he’s putting up an equal fight with the Third Brother…”

“That’s not it, Junior Sister.”

“Yes?”

Jeagal Ayeon looked at Ga Deuk-Sang with puzzled eyes. Unexpectedly, Ga Deuk-Sang’s expression was subtle. He seemed surprised, impressed, and also slightly worried.

“The Third Brother really… there’s nothing he can’t do.”

“What do you mean?”

At that moment, Pa Yul said in a small voice, “He’s deliberately matching his level to his opponent.”

Jeagal Ayeon’s eyes widened.

“Matching his level?”

“Yes.”

Tang Sang-Ah also chimed in, as if entranced. “The Third Brother’s skill is much stronger than that Cheong-Ho. But on the surface, they’re putting on a close fight. It’s truly amazing.”

Jeagal Ayeon was inwardly puzzled. Since he possessed strong martial arts, wasn’t it not that difficult to create a close match with someone weaker than himself?

Ga Deuk-Sang said, “Even a master Go [a strategic board game] player who has reached the pinnacle of the game would find it difficult to make a novice think they are playing at the same level. It’s the same in any field.”

“…Ah!”

“It’s not just about matching hands, but about continuing the fight in a way that makes the opponent mistakenly believe they are of similar skill. It’s impossible without tremendous real-world experience and a free way of implementing martial arts.”

Ga Deuk-Sang gave a wry smile. “I don’t want to admit it, but if you’re with the Third Brother, there’s never a dull moment.”

Jeagal Ayeon looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong with a renewed gaze.

‘Just what are you, really?’

He did things that ordinary people couldn’t even imagine, as naturally as breathing. It was as if there was no limit to his abilities.

“But…”

Jeagal Ayeon looked at the six experts with a tense gaze. The six experts, emitting a chilling killing intent, were surprisingly not participating in the duel.

“It’s dangerous, that method.”

“Yes. It’s dangerous.”

“Can we really prove that we’re from the Mujong Sect by doing this?”

“Well… I don’t know either, but I don’t think the Third Brother would have stepped forward without some kind of conviction.”

Jeagal Ayeon quietly looked at Ga Deuk-Sang.

“So, you know the Third Brother best, Eldest Brother?”

“Huh?”

“I heard you two had a pretty serious fight two days ago.”

Ga Deuk-Sang snorted. “The Third Brother and I have different views of the world. If we didn’t acknowledge each other, we would have drawn our swords from the start, let alone become friends.”

“Heh.”

“I don’t like his methods, but he’s still the Third Brother.”

Ga Deuk-Sang gave a wry smile. “He’ll manage somehow. I have that much faith in him, in each other.”

Whoosh!

The explosive sound of air tearing was particularly loud. Cheong-Ho’s eyes, having retreated a few steps, deepened.

‘He’s an amazing guy.’

It was a terrifying bare-handed combat style. It was impossible to guess where or what kind of attack would come from, whether it was up, down, left, or right. Even with his beast-like honed reaction ability and battle-hardened predictive skills, he couldn’t read the man’s next move.

‘And.’

Thud!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body, which had been rising low, suddenly soared into the air and unleashed a dazzling leg technique.

Wham wham!

It was a continuous triangle kick. A variant attack technique, a skillful change of martial arts that even a seasoned expert could fall victim to if they weren’t careful.

‘He’s mastered various martial arts.’

While receiving Yeon Ho-Jeong’s attacks, Cheong-Ho had seen at least five different types of his bare-handed combat techniques. Even Cheong-Ho, who was skilled in hand-to-hand combat, had rarely seen someone who had mastered so many martial arts. And they weren’t similar styles, but bare-handed combat techniques with completely different characteristics.

‘Is this the Mujong Sect?’

A combination of martial arts with completely different characteristics, types, and purposes. Could there be a more direct way to prove oneself?

‘But this isn’t enough.’

Cheong-Ho’s eyes flashed with a sharp light.

‘If he stops at this level, he will never be able to meet the Elder.’

He recalled the words of the Elder, Yang Cheon.

‘It’s important to prove that they are from the Mujong Sect, of course. But what’s truly important is something else. It’s how freely they can act without restraint.’

‘……?’

‘Before I hope that they are truly from the Mujong Sect, I want them to be the kind of people who can prove their own worth. If they are the kind of people who please me, I won’t care even if they are from the orthodox sects.’

‘……Understood.’

‘Talent that can act without restraint. And if they have brains, bring them no matter what. It doesn’t matter if it’s a little dangerous.’

Cheong-Ho knew exactly why the Elder had sent him. Like the other members of the Twelve Earthly Branches, he was particularly skilled at controlling his emotions. This was also due to the nature of his martial arts. The more beast-like and sensory his martial arts were, the more important reason became. From Cheong-Ho’s perspective, Yeon Ho-Jeong was somewhat ambiguous.

‘He proved he was from the Mujong Sect with his martial arts. I can let that slide, but…’

Cheong-Ho’s eyes deepened.

‘Will he cross the line, or will he be satisfied with just proving it?’

It was then.

Wham!

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had pushed Cheong-Ho back with an unusually powerful fist wind, suddenly kicked up the spear shaft that was lying at his feet.

‘A spear?’

Cheong-Ho’s eyes wavered.

‘He can use a spear too?’

Was the initial spear attack not just a move to draw out his opponent’s carelessness? In that instant, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s palm came into Cheong-Ho’s sharp view. Calluses that could only be formed by gripping and wielding something, calluses that were properly embedded.

‘A spear master!!’

Whoosh!

Yeon Ho-Jeong jumped towards the spot where the six experts were standing. Cheong-Ho shouted, “Scatter!”

His shout was a little late.

Thwack thwack thwack!

Two of the Tiger Demons were knocked unconscious by the spear techniques. It was a powerful and elastic spear technique. If they had been hit by the spearhead instead of the shaft, their temples would have been pierced and they would have died. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s spear blazed.

Thwack! Ting! Slash!

The remaining four Tiger Demons staggered back. They didn’t groan or scream. They were trained that way. But they couldn’t hide their expressions. Their faces clearly showed their urgency. In an instant, Cheong-Ho’s body moved with an uncanny speed.

Flash! Thud!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s spear was forcefully pushed to the side.

Thud! Thud!

With heavy thuds, the two men retreated five steps each. Cheong-Ho looked down at his abdomen. Above the small hole in his clothing, red blood was spreading.

‘That was close.’

If he hadn’t retreated instantly, a hole would have been made in his stomach.

‘Such a powerful spear technique. Was his main martial art not hand-to-hand combat, but spear techniques?’

At that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s voice was heard. “Damn it.”

Cheong-Ho looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong. Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned and stroked his shoulder. “Were you hiding your skills after all? That hurt quite a bit.”

Cheong-Ho asked in a low, subdued voice, “What are you doing?”

“What?”

“Why did you attack my subordinates?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled wryly. “You told me to prove that I’m from the Mujong Sect, right?”

“I said prove it, not use lethal moves.”

“That’s a joke. Would I let those who said they’d kill me if I couldn’t prove it go free?”

“……!”

“And this isn’t a bad thing for that Elder either, right?”

“What?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong rested the spear shaft on his shoulder. In his relaxed movements, the ferocity of a beast with a blurred distinction between friend and foe was clearly evident.

“The martial arts of the Fighting King are said to be at the pinnacle of the Central Plains. But if the guys fighting under him can’t even withstand my attacks, shouldn’t he be grateful that I got rid of the weak?”

“……”

“And as a bonus, we can avoid unnecessary displays of skill, like a welcoming ceremony, right?”

Cheong-Ho’s eyebrows twitched.

‘He’s a cunning one.’

It meant that he had thought about the next step even before the fight had started. He was smart. At least he wasn’t stupid. And that arrogant confidence that he would naturally be able to meet the Elder. Cheong-Ho made a decision.

“You pass.”

“Hmm?”

“I will take you to the Black Dragon Unit.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled. “Is that enough?”

“Yes.”

“Isn’t the verification too sloppy?”

Cheong-Ho turned his body. “All judgments will be made by him. My mission ends here.”

“……”

“We will depart soon. Prepare yourselves.”

“Alright.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said with a smile, “Let’s get along well in the future.”

Cheong-Ho woke up the fallen Tiger Demons without answering. Ga Deuk-Sang approached Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“How is it? Do you think it’ll be okay?”

He meant, would it be okay to go straight to Yang Cheon like this? Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded slightly. He explained with telepathy instead of words.

[Judging by their response, it’s certain. Yang Cheon is currently lacking in talent. Even if it’s a bit risky, he’ll be willing to meet anyone with ability and brains.]

Ga Deuk-Sang clicked his tongue. [I didn’t expect that the meeting would be arranged so quickly after being so stagnant.]

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled. [Where are the Beggar Clan members now?]

[I only know that they’re nearby. I deliberately didn’t memorize their location, in case I was captured and forced to reveal it.]

[Is there a way to contact them?]

[We can do it the way we’ve been doing it. It’s a somewhat passive method, though.]

[Continue to leave traces along the way.]

[Don’t worry. You’ve worked hard.]

[And, Eldest Brother.]

[Huh?]

[I’m sorry about the other day.]

Ga Deuk-Sang spat out one word. [Bullshit.]

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled and said to Pa Yul, “Please prepare, Uncle Master.”

“Alright.”