Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 213

As Yeon Ho-Jeong followed Gang Ryang, he thought,

‘That was definitely the Ghost Shadow Steps.’

The figure was completely covered in a cloak.

He was quite tall and seemed bulky. However, his gait was light, and unlike his light steps, his energy felt somewhat unstable.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was able to grasp all of this in an instant.

Having broken through the Wall of No Form [a state of enlightenment in martial arts] and with all four of his Divine Beast Energies having reached the formal level, his five senses could read everything about someone he had once captured.

‘But I couldn’t read his true energy.’

The distance was too great, it was an open area, and there were many people.

No matter how strong Yeon Ho-Jeong was, it was difficult to discern the characteristics of a person’s true energy from that far away.

However, that movement… He could never forget Gang Ryang’s unique Ghost Shadow Steps, one of the Five Great Generals of the Black Emperor Castle and a renowned iron-blooded gambler.

‘Extraordinary within the ordinary. A unique sense of rhythm that you wouldn’t notice unless you looked closely. Gang Ryang was only able to freely control that rhythm towards the end of a fight.’

In other words, there was a high probability that the current Gang Ryang had not yet mastered the Ghost Shadow Steps. Even if history had changed, it would be difficult for the depth of his enlightenment to change.

‘Is it you?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flickered with agitation as he pushed through the rushing wind.

‘Is it really you?!’

The annihilation of the Ghost Iron Sword Clan was due to the Mukryong Faction. In other words, it could be said that Yang Cheon had ordered it.

‘If it’s him, he could do it.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong thought of Gang Ryang.

He had become unperturbed by most things due to his experience and age, but he remembered the eyes of a man who was naturally courageous and would achieve whatever he set his mind to, no matter what.

‘If it’s him, he would have come to scout the enemy lines, even if just to steel his resolve.’

One needed a certain amount of courage to scout enemy lines. Just the fact that the Mukryong Faction, or rather, the Fighting King Yang Cheon, was involved would deter most martial artists from even attempting it.

But Gang Ryang was capable of it. Gang Ryang was originally that kind of guy. Whether the opponent was strong or weak, once he had marked someone as an enemy, he would kill them even if it cost him his own life.

‘If it’s really you…’

Was this also fate?

He had met Gang Ryang by chance in the past. After subduing him with force, he had joined hands with him, but if fate hadn’t intervened, they would never have been together.

A guy he wouldn’t have even spared if it hadn’t been for that time and those circumstances.

Was he meeting Gang Ryang again by chance like this?

‘…!’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

In the distance, he saw a black-clad figure wearing a cloak staring at Akrok Mountain for a long time.

And he could even sense the intense killing intent emanating from his entire body.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression changed.

‘Ghost King True Energy!’

The unique, chilling aura that accompanied the killing intent.

It was much lower in level than he remembered, less refined, and the heart was too agitated, making it seem excessively rough.

‘But it’s definitely Ghost King True Energy!’

It was a top-tier inner cultivation technique, one of the best in the Black Path martial world. It was a secret divine art that was not even taught in its entirety, except to the head and successor of the Ghost Iron Sword Clan.

‘It’s you!’

It was really Gang Ryang.

His feet almost moved on their own due to the overwhelming emotion. Yeon Ho-Jeong struggled to suppress his pounding heart.

Swoosh.

Having calmed his mind, he pulled up the Azure Dragon Energy [one of the four Divine Beast Energies].

It was not an energy drawn to its limit, but a refined, formless, Yin-type Azure Dragon Energy.

Whoosh.

The Azure Dragon Energy spread in all directions, scanning all the presences nearby. It was no wonder that countless presences were detected by the Azure Dragon Energy, given the number of people around.

‘None.’

But there was no one.

At least, among those caught by the Azure Dragon Energy, there was no one who had mastered suspicious inner energy or was hiding a secret power.

Then?

‘Can I relax?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

‘There’s no way.’

Moyong Gun was a thorough person.

There was no way he had come to Honam Province out of pure intention. Moyong Gun had clearly come into the world to carry out some scheme, in addition to this mission.

‘Moyong Gun rarely moves alone. But according to Hugae, he didn’t bring any subordinates.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

‘He must have brought a bodyguard skilled in stealth.’

It wasn’t just because it was Moyong Gun. Just as high-ranking officials brought bodyguards, those in high positions in the martial world all brought bodyguards.

The only difference was whether they were openly displayed or not.

‘If he really brought a bodyguard skilled in stealth, there’s no way he wouldn’t have sent him after noticing my change in expression.’

He tasted bitterness.

A person who couldn’t be detected by the Azure Dragon Energy? This was definitely top-tier in the industry.

‘He brought someone incredible.’

It was then.

Swoosh.

The black-clad figure, presumed to be Gang Ryang, moved.

Whoosh.

He wasn’t running, but his speed was considerable.

Watching the black-clad figure heading towards the eastern forest, Yeon Ho-Jeong felt dumbfounded.

‘That, that bastard!’

Was he an idiot?

If the successor of the Ghost Iron Sword Clan had been missed, the Mukryong Faction would naturally be desperate to capture him.

Yet, what was with that foolish gait?

It was a movement technique that clearly showed a high level of martial understanding. The person who had been glaring at Akrok Mountain with killing intent was now leaving with a high-level movement technique.

Who wouldn’t be suspicious?

Swoosh.

Yeon Ho-Jeong flinched for a moment.

‘There was one, as expected.’

The Azure Dragon Energy hadn’t detected anyone suspicious.

But that was because there were no eyes on him. This was the Mukryong Faction’s front yard, and naturally, countless informants surrounded the area.

And he could feel that the eyes of those informants were all focused on Gang Ryang.

The gaze was so natural that even Yeon Ho-Jeong hadn’t noticed it. It was a stark reminder that the informants of the Black Path were on a different level than those of the White Path.

The problem wasn’t that.

‘You idiot!’

Whether he couldn’t control his agitated heart or not, he was now fully using the Ghost Shadow Steps.

Anyone with a good eye would recognize that movement technique as the martial art of the Ghost Iron Sword Clan.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was about to chase after Gang Ryang, flinched for a moment.

‘….’

Damn it.

‘He’s definitely attached.’

He couldn’t feel any gaze or presence.

However, Yeon Ho-Jeong was certain. Moyong Gun’s eyes were watching him now.

The reason was that he would have done the same thing himself.

‘Damn it. I can’t even find him and kill him.’

It didn’t seem like he would be found even if he looked.

‘First, I need to get him to listen to my request… Huh!’

In the short time he had paused, the black-clad figure, presumed to be Gang Ryang, had disappeared into the distance.

Yeon Ho-Jeong felt a sense of urgency.

That forest was dangerous to anyone. It was surrounded on all sides, and judging by the sound of flowing water, there was also a valley. Going into such a place recklessly was perfect for being surrounded.

No, there was an extremely high probability that traps had been set up even before being surrounded.

However, he couldn’t send a telepathic message. Judging by his clumsy actions, there was a high risk that he himself would get caught up in it if he made a mistake.

He couldn’t ruin his mission to save Gang Ryang.

But he couldn’t watch Gang Ryang die to complete his mission either.

Swoosh.

Gang Ryang disappeared from his sight.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s fist clenched.

‘What should I do? Should I just go back like this?!’

Was their connection ending here? Now that he had returned to the past, was his fate with Gang Ryang, whom he had met again, going to end with just a handful of blood?

It was then.

Sss.

The Black Tortoise Energy [one of the four Divine Beast Energies] stirred, and at the same time, the Vermilion Bird Energy [one of the four Divine Beast Energies] surged.

‘Killing intent?!’

It was killing intent. And it was a very sinister and sharp killing intent.

And that killing intent was emanating from the forest where Gang Ryang had entered.

Yeon Ho-Jeong closed his eyes.

‘…You damn bastard.’

Whoosh.

“Hey.”

The Azure Dragon Energy rising from his entire body stabilized his body to the extreme.

He had mainly used the Azure Dragon Energy when clashing with the Black Path. For the time being, he had to fight with the Azure Dragon Energy and practical combat techniques.

“I know you’re listening to me.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke as calmly as possible.

“Moyong Clan Head may have sent you to monitor me, but this is the Mukryong Faction. And everyone here is an informant of the Black Path.”

He didn’t know if it would work or not. But he had to do everything he could.

If he still didn’t take his eyes off him after this… then there was nothing he could do.

‘Since I’ve made a choice, I have to take responsibility for it.’

Flash!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes widened.

“From now on, I will indiscriminately reveal the location of your lord to all the Black Path informants. Of course, they shouldn’t know it’s me, so I’ll send it out through telepathic messages.”

Mu Yeon, who was hiding and watching Yeon Ho-Jeong, was inwardly surprised.

Yeon Ho-Jeong continued.

“Whether you inform your lord of this information or follow me as your lord ordered is up to you. I’ll tell you in advance, if the Mukryong Faction finds out that someone from the Moyong Clan has come, they will send a considerable force.”

“…!!”

“The decision is yours.”

Crack!

The moment he finished speaking, Yeon Ho-Jeong moved like a gale.

* * *

Clang! Thud!

A heavy greatsword split the head of a black sheep-masked warrior vertically.

It was a powerful and domineering strike. It was simple and straightforward, but it was so fast that the sword force itself was strong.

Swish!

Thirty or so members of the Black Sheep Squad instantly surrounded Gang Ryang.

Just when it seemed like they were charging in, they formed a formation, and just when they formed a formation, they attacked. It was a simple yet very effective tactic. It was a formation for martial artists that could never be used unless they were in perfect sync with each other.

“Hoo.”

Gang Ryang’s eyes, as he looked around, trembled slightly.

‘They’re strong!’

Since the battle had begun, he had killed nine enemies.

He had used more than 30% of his Ghost King True Energy to kill those nine.

‘These guys are strong!’

They were at a level that could be compared to the best elites within the Sword Clan.

Whoosh!

Power surged from all directions. They had taken advantage of the brief moment he had taken to catch his breath.

‘Damn it!’

Gang Ryang’s body spun.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The Black Sheep Squad’s power was scattered by a circular slash.

The power wasn’t as strong as he had expected. But there were more than twenty of them. Gang Ryang felt his palm, which was holding the sword hilt, throb as if it were about to tear.

‘Damn it!’

The Black Sheep Squad never got excited and ran wild.

They were thorough and persistent. Furthermore, they were skilled at disrupting the opponent’s sense of rhythm, attacking the moment they seemed to gather their strength.

The attacks were so meticulous and precise that his breathing was already starting to falter.

If his breathing faltered, his inner energy control would become clumsy, and if his inner energy control was clumsy, the true power of his martial arts would not be unleashed.

What was even more chilling was that the leader, Heukjang [Black Leader], was just watching with his arms crossed.

Gang Ryang shouted.

“You bastards! Fight me properly!”

Whoosh!

Gang Ryang, who had charged to the left like a beast, brought down his greatsword.

Clang!

Gang Ryang’s martial arts were definitely impressive.

The air seemed to burn as he brought down his sword. Four members of the Black Sheep Squad had to combine their strength to block that one strike.

Swish!

Gang Ryang’s body swept around like a storm for a moment.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Thud! Thud!

It was the Ghost Shadow Sword Style following the Ghost Shadow Steps. Three more members of the Black Sheep Squad lost their lives to the murderous technique, which was unleashed at the cost of considerable inner energy consumption.

“Cough! Huff. Huff.”

At the same time, Gang Ryang’s breathing became even more ragged.

Whoosh!

The Ghost King True Energy shook his dantian [energy center] wildly like boiling water.

‘Damn it!’

He had disrupted the formation with force and killed three more.

Yet, the Black Sheep Squad remained the same. They were still aiming at him with the same posture, wearing those ominous masks, and the chilling feeling he hadn’t felt before seemed to be grabbing at his ankles.

Gang Ryang gritted his teeth.

He couldn’t see a way to break through.