Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 206

The dwelling the four entered was so comfortable that it was hard to believe it was a room in an underground chamber. It wasn’t particularly luxurious or antique, but it was quite spacious and even had a bed and table. Like the open space, it was brightly lit with night-shining pearls embedded in the walls.

“Oh?”

Ga Deuk-Sang stroked a small bead embedded in the wall with an admiring look.

“I never thought I’d see one of these here.”

Pa Yul tilted his head.

“What is it?”

“It’s a moisture-repelling pearl.”

“Moisture-repelling pearl?”

“Yes. It’s a device that removes moisture within a certain area. It’s a treasure that’s three or four times more expensive than a night-shining pearl of the same size.”

Pa Yul looked at the moisture-repelling pearl with fresh eyes. It looked no different from an ordinary bead.

Ga Deuk-Sang’s eyes deepened.

“It’s not just any moisture-repelling pearl either. It’s a device that not only removes moisture but also controls the degree of humidity.”

“Is it more expensive then?”

“Like night-shining pearls, the price of moisture-repelling pearls varies greatly depending on their quality. This one isn’t top-grade, but it’s a high-quality item that even wealthy people would have difficulty obtaining.”

Pa Yul smacked his lips.

“You know a lot, don’t you?”

“Well, I’ve seen a lot of things. There’s a lot to know.”

At that moment, Jeagal Ayeon frowned.

“That’s strange.”

“Hmm?”

“The value of goods is determined by supply and demand. In that sense, moisture-repelling pearls are bound to be expensive. They’re not even from the Central Plains [the heartland of the martial world] in the first place.”

Ga Deuk-Sang nodded.

“That’s right. I heard that moisture-repelling pearls come from the Western Regions [areas west of the Central Plains, often associated with exotic goods].”

“Exactly. The problem is, how many of these moisture-repelling pearls are there in this huge underground chamber?”

“Hmm…”

“Even if this place is only for VIPs, the width of this chamber is beyond imagination. There must be at least dozens of these moisture-repelling pearls.”

“That’s true.”

A serious look appeared on Jeagal Ayeon’s face.

“I’m really curious. It’s strange. How much money does Yang Cheon have to decorate this place with such rare items?”

Pa Yul said,

“Or, he might have received support from someone.”

“Even so…”

“Why? Is it too out of the ordinary?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“It’s not that strange to me. It’s surprising, but I don’t think it’s that unbelievable.”

The three looked at Pa Yul with puzzled eyes.

Pa Yul tapped his scabbard.

“In the martial world, isn’t martial prowess power, a title value, and past achievements proof?”

“… !”

“The Thirteen Seats of the Saintly Heavens [a group of exceptionally powerful martial artists] are said to be comparable to, or even surpass, the absolute masters of three hundred years ago, the peak of the martial world. It means they are monsters who were born as humans but have transcended the human realm.”

Dang Sang-A, who had been silent until now, opened his mouth.

“Are you saying that Yang Cheon is worthy of receiving this level of support?”

“I think so. To be honest, there are many ways to make money, but it’s nearly impossible to become as strong as Yang Cheon.”

Pa Yul asked Dang Sang-A,

“You should know better, shouldn’t you?”

It wasn’t wrong.

Each of the Thirteen Seats of the Saintly Heavens is called a god of martial arts. Even the Three Monarchs, who are said to be one step behind the ten Divine Immortal Emperors [legendary figures of immense power], would have been more than capable of becoming the greatest under heaven if they had been born in the right era.

In other words, their existence itself is precious. Regardless of their individual ideologies, they are in a position to receive this level of support.

“Then only one question remains.”

“Hmm?”

Jeagal Ayeon’s eyes sparkled like stars.

“If there is a person or group supporting him, what do they want from Yang Cheon in return for this level of support?”

* * *

“Here it is.”

The old man who had brought Yeon Ho-Jeong stopped in front of a black stone wall. The unusually dark stone wall was large enough to resemble a castle gate.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

‘The Black Rock Gate.’

It was an independent space located in the deepest part of the Blood Dragon Vein, or rather, the Ink Dragon Faction [a martial arts group].

The terrain was generally high, and the air flowed the best. If you opened the door and went inside, there was a staircase that went straight up, with a total of ninety-nine steps.

It was a place that still remained in his memory due to its unique characteristics.

And the way to open this door was…

“Deputy Leader.”

The old man bowed and said in a respectful voice.

“I have brought the representative of the Martial Sect [a major martial arts organization].”

It was then.

Thud!

With a heavy sound, the Black Rock Gate moved inward by about five inches.

Clatter!

The Black Rock Gate, which had gone inside, slowly disappeared to the left. It was in the form of a sliding door.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sharpened.

‘It’s different.’

Originally, there was a large protrusion at chest height on the right side of the Black Rock Gate.

The protrusion was so heavy that it wouldn’t budge unless you pressed it with internal energy [a form of energy cultivated through martial arts]. And when that protrusion was pressed, the Black Rock Gate would open.

It was different now.

The place where the protrusion had been was now hollowed out. They had removed that part and created a new mechanism in its place.

‘They’re not ordinary.’

Instead of meticulously creating it from small parts, they had modified an already existing divine mechanism to their liking.

It was an incredible feat of engineering. It seemed that countless mechanism experts had been brought into this place, which had become the Ink Dragon Faction from the Blood Dragon Vein.

The more he looked, the more he thought.

Yeon Ho-Jeong could feel it. This was something that Yang Cheon could never have built on his own.

‘Yang Cheon.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong controlled his rising questions and killing intent.

‘Are those bastards really behind you?’

He didn’t know yet. It wasn’t something to jump to conclusions about.

He took a deep breath.

‘Calm down.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong vowed not to jump to any conclusions in this mission. He was even going to temporarily put aside his intuition and instincts.

Transparently and clearly.

He would never jump to conclusions unless they were supported by reasonable inferences and verifiable facts.

Thump!

Finally, the Black Rock Gate opened wide.

Yeon Ho-Jeong immediately saw a staircase leading upwards. It was a gentle slope, so it didn’t seem difficult to climb.

The old man said,

“Go in.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong took a step without a word.

Then, the old man continued,

“I’ll say this out of concern.”

“…”

“Do not commit any disrespect to that person.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong glanced at the old man.

This old man was someone he had never seen when he fought Yang Cheon in the past. The same was true for Cheong Ho.

But he was strong.

Surprisingly, the old man’s strength was reminiscent of his father. He had perfectly concealed his explosive power, making it difficult for Yeon Ho-Jeong to even grasp the source of his internal energy.

Yeon Ho-Jeong opened his mouth.

“I want to ask you something too.”

“…”

“Are you from the Central Plains?”

The old man didn’t answer.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been staring at the old man, started to climb the stairs.

Thud!

As soon as he stepped onto the stairs, the Black Rock Gate closed. Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t know how it worked.

And so, Yeon Ho-Jeong climbed the stairs step by step.

‘Yang Cheon.’

A man who had set out into the world with a fierce gaze and a terrifying desire.

A black lion who had sought the path to becoming the best in a world different from the White Path [a metaphor for the righteous path].

‘What a strange fate. To meet you again here, in the place where I buried you.’

In the face of the passionate challenge of a young master of the Black Path [a metaphor for the path of evil or ambition], Yang Cheon had shown more delight than anger.

Perhaps he had been struggling with the loneliness of a strongman who had no one to face. Or maybe he was excited at the thought of having him under his command.

Whatever the reason, Yang Cheon’s capacity was not ordinary.

‘Although I killed you with my own hands, I never hated you.’

A strongman who had great drive but was lacking in many ways to achieve his ideals, a strongman who could have etched his name in history if he had just existed as a Fighting King [a title for a powerful martial artist].

That was the Yang Cheon that Yeon Ho-Jeong remembered.

That’s why he hoped.

‘Although many things have changed in the world that has returned, I don’t want to hate you again, someone who remains as a not-so-bad memory.’

Whoosh!

He could feel it as he climbed step by step.

The presence of his opponent, pressing down on his entire body. The powerful force that was slowly leaking out and dominating the entire space.

Crack!

The edge of the stairs slightly crumbled. He had unknowingly put strength into his feet to withstand the immense pressure.

‘So I hope you didn’t join hands with those damn bastards.’

Whoosh.

A hot wind blew.

Flap, flap.

It was a wind of considerable force. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s clothes fluttered as they were hit by the wind.

His body was gradually becoming heavier.

The higher he climbed the stairs, the closer he got to ‘him,’ the more the burden on his body increased exponentially.

‘You old man.’

A bitter smile appeared on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s lips.

‘What are you so curious about, and what are you so bored that you’re testing me?’

He had decided to put aside his intuition for a while, but he couldn’t ignore the reality that his intuition was screaming.

Yang Cheon was not this kind of person. He was a man with more boldness and a weighty presence. He was closer to a hero than a cunning schemer.

He wasn’t someone who would waste his precious power by testing a young master who was running wild, like he was doing now.

‘Has he already become intoxicated by the taste of power?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong closed his eyes.

Crack!

He stepped on the ninety-seventh step. The edge of the stairs crumbled again.

Crunch!

He stepped on the ninety-eighth step. His entire foot dug half an inch into the stairs.

And finally, the ninety-ninth step.

Whoosh!

The air vibrated.

Ts, ts, ts, ts.

A faint cyan glow emanated from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body. It was the manifestation of the Azure Dragon Qi [a powerful form of internal energy].

The Azure Dragon is the Dragon Wave, and it is skilled in evasion and counterattacks. It was similar not only in its techniques but also in the characteristics of its true energy.

Whoosh.

A significant portion of the pouring pressure was relieved. This was because the Azure Dragon Qi spread throughout his body and guided him through the gaps in the pressure.

Thump!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s left foot stepped on the last step.

Swoosh.

The heavy energy wave that had created a pressure of a thousand pounds disappeared as if it had been washed away.

At the same time, a low voice echoed through the air.

“Impressive.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong opened his eyes.

Finally, he saw a black lion with a faded mane.

“Cheong Ho, that guy, needs to train more. Same level? That’s ridiculous. Even if he unleashes the Tiger Dance, I doubt he could last twenty moves, yet he was given a single line of praise saying he was useful?”

Surprise appeared on the face of Yang Cheon, who was sitting on a grand chair.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

‘Yang Cheon!’

It was a distant connection that he had finally met again.

“Youth is a time when one lives with as many fatal flaws as there are advantages. Even if they say they aren’t, they can’t help but be easily elated or dejected by the evaluations of others.”

“…”

“Knowing that, I can’t help but say this.”

Yang Cheon was honestly impressed.

“You are truly an amazing young man. I haven’t been this surprised by anyone in recent times.”

A faint smile appeared on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

Yang Cheon’s eyebrows twitched at the smile, which was difficult to understand.

Yeon Ho-Jeong clasped his hands respectfully.

“I greet Deputy Leader Yang. I am Jeong of the Martial Sect.”