Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 248

Clatter! Clang! With a deft hand, Yeon Ho-jeong retrieved the Coiling Dragon Chain and quickly mounted his warhorse. The warhorse reared up, neighing as if in triumphant cheer. Heeheeheeing! It was a magnificent cry that shook the mountains and forests. It was a warhorse that had galloped through the wilderness for months without a master. Now, finally carrying its master and becoming one, its cry was filled with pride and joy. “Commander!” “Brother!” The faces of the soldiers calling out to Yeon Ho-jeong were filled with joy. However, the situation was not good for sharing the joy of reunion. “Everyone, to the north!” The eyes of the Myeolsa soldiers instantly changed. It was an order from the Pyoksan Tiger General that seemed to vibrate their lower abdomens just by hearing it. Their faces, once full of joy, instantly turned grim. Whoosh! As Yeon Ho-jeong led the way, the Myeolsa army, instantly forming ranks, followed behind. Thundering! The shattered pieces of rock from the hooves of fifty warhorses scattered in all directions. ‘Hoo.’ Even for someone skilled in horsemanship, riding a horse on a dark mountain path required caution. Moreover, Yeon Ho-jeong was also suffering from internal injuries. Although he could ignore it and engage in battle, he was inevitably not at his usual best. Whoooosh. He pulled up the Azure Dragon Flag, maximizing his liver’s energy. It was the energy of mutual growth that constantly dispelled fatigue. He drew in the Azure Dragon Wood Qi and further ignited the Vermilion Bird Fire Qi in his heart. The principle of wood generating fire, pushing aside the burden on his body for another battle and drawing out explosive power. Thump! Thump! His heart pounded as if it would burst. He forcibly increased his cardiac output, tensing every muscle in his body. Whoooosh! The Vermilion Bird Qi flowing along the black shaft of the axe manifested on the white axe blade, emitting a dazzling light. He was ready to strike at any moment. The fighting spirit of Yeon Ho-jeong, leading the vanguard, blazed like a flame, naturally causing the fighting spirit of the Myeolsa army to ripple like a heat haze. “Young Master Yeon.” Muk Bi moved closer to Yeon Ho-jeong’s side. Yeon Ho-jeong, keeping his eyes on the front, said, “You’ve had a hard time coming here. It was quite dangerous.” “It’s nothing.” Tension was evident on Muk Bi’s face as well. “But why are we in such a hurry? Of course, I know we need to be mindful of pursuing reinforcements, but…” “The White Fang Unit.” “Yes?” “The White Fang Unit, those who were chasing us before we clashed with them. I thought they had given up the chase since the distance had widened, but seeing them, I think differently.” At that moment, Jeagal Ayeon, who was riding behind Muk Bi, spoke. “Flank.” Yeon Ho-jeong nodded. “That’s right. That’s highly likely.” The Four Soul Squad was made up of several groups of thirty members each. They were specialized in battles against masters, so they didn’t need a large number. What was important to them was mobility, perfect teamwork, and thorough investigation of their targets. The White Fang Unit was different. They were a combat unit made up of murderers who had killed as easily as eating in the Black Path [a term for the criminal underworld]. Although their combat methods and tactics were different, their tenacity was no less than that of the Four Soul Squad, if not more. “We were heading north. They could come up to the northernmost part of Honam, or even the southern part of Hubei. Moreover, with Yang Cheon awakened, they will try to catch us by any means.” Jeagal Ayeon’s face also became serious. “Then the people who went ahead are in danger!” “Although it’s the north, the border is extremely wide. The probability of meeting them is lower than the probability of passing them. But if, by any chance, the White Fang Unit flanked and blocked the path of our group…” Anxiety clouded Yeon Ho-jeong’s face. “The exhausted working group will never be able to handle them. If they even take a rest in the northern part of Cheonja Mountain to conserve their strength, the probability of encountering the White Fang Unit that has circled around will be even higher.” Muk Bi shouted. “Increase the speed!” Heeheeheeing! The movement speed of the Myeolsa army increased even further. “But what’s reassuring is…” Yeon Ho-jeong glanced back and chuckled. “They’ve been trained properly, haven’t they? Their discipline is sharp.” Muk Bi smiled. “It’s not just their discipline that’s improved.” “Indeed. The series of processes of gathering and dispersing the formation has become incredibly fast and smooth. Moreover, the individual martial arts have also become much more practical.” Yeon Ho-jeong nodded, praising her efforts. “You’ve worked hard. It must not have been easy.” “The working group must have had it much harder than us.” “That’s true. By the way, when did you learn spear techniques?” “My father said that if I were to engage in mounted combat, it would be better to learn one more martial art besides archery.” “Your father?” “Yes. But it wasn’t suitable to learn swordsmanship, and short spears were easier to handle than long spears, so I learned them. It hasn’t been long.” “For not having learned it long, you were following the forms properly.” “My father has suffered a lot because of me.” If Yeon Wi had taught her directly, he wouldn’t have taught her carelessly. However, Muk Bi’s talent and sense in deflecting the attack of the Four Soul Squad leader with a short spear technique that she had not learned for long was also remarkable. She had mastered one weapon to the level of a master, so the speed at which she learned other weapons was also fast. Of course, arrows and spears were too different. “Unless there’s no need, it’s good to be able to handle it if you have the ability. Indeed, there was too much of a difference in distance between fist and kick techniques and archery.” Jeagal Ayeon shouted. “Let’s talk about that later! Let’s focus on running now!” “Ah, my apologies.” Thundering. The speed of the warhorses was much faster than expected. It was comparable to the movement techniques of a top-tier master. Considering the size of the warhorses and the difficult mountain path, it was even more impressive. How long had they been running? It was when they had crossed several mountain peaks and jumped over several streams. ‘Hmm?’ Yeon Ho-jeong’s expression suddenly hardened. ‘The sound of weapons.’ The sound of iron clashing against iron could be heard from somewhere far away. A chilling murderous intent flowed through the desolate mountain scenery. It was clearly a battle of killing and being killed. Muk Bi shouted. “Young Master Yeon!” “I know! Increase the speed even more!” Heeheeheeing! The warhorses had been running without proper rest until now. They should have been tired by now, but when he shook the reins, their speed increased even further. Even just looking at their endurance before their speed, they far surpassed the level of any famous horse. Whoooosh. Above the Vermilion Bird Qi that had formed on the axe blade of the Mad Dragon Axe, the roar of the Mountain King echoed. Yeon Ho-jeong gripped the shaft of the Mad Dragon Axe with both hands. “Euaaah!” Whoosh! He advanced, destroying everything that blocked his path. The surging shockwave tore apart giant trees and shattered rocks, scattering them. Muk Bi and the soldiers each swung their weapons, wildly striking away the wooden fragments and stones that blocked their vision as they ran. And again, another moment. “You bastards!” Pow pow pow! Even while panting, the power in his palm strikes was overflowing. The secrets of the palm techniques that unleashed powerful internal energy were truly amazing. The occasional dragon roars that could be heard shook the mountain peaks. Jeagal Ayeon exclaimed without realizing it. “The Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms?!” The best secret technique of the Beggar Clan, also known as the Subduing Dragon Palm. The destructive power contained in a single strike, as well as the continuous attacks, were the best palm techniques in the Central Plains. Its power was so immense that it was said that no one in the Beggar Clan could master it except for the Clan Leader and the Vice Leader, and that martial art was now being displayed. ‘This is bad.’ Yeon Ho-jeong’s face contorted. ‘It’s not just the Vice Leader.’ Whoosh! Slash! The mad killers screamed and died from the soft yet resilient sword strikes. It was the advent of practical swordsmanship that illuminated the dark night sky in red. The martial arts of the Jeomchang Sect, which was said to possess the most practical martial arts among the nine great sects, were ravaging the enemies. Thud thud thud! If there was any consolation, it was that the flying knife techniques that tore apart the surroundings were more ordinary than expected. However, as if mocking that assessment, the enemies bled and died just by being grazed by the flying knives. Anyone could see that poison had been added to the flying knives. Pa Yul, Ga Deuk-sang, Tang Sang-ah. They were the ones who wielded the secret techniques of the most famous Nine Great Sects and Six Great Families in the martial world. ‘Which means.’ Whoosh! The warhorse of Yeon Ho-jeong, who was leading the way, kicked off a large rock and soared into the air. ‘It means it’s that dangerous.’ Whoooosh! Pristine white energy gathered on the Mad Dragon Axe. Whoosh! Yeon Ho-jeong, kicking off the soaring warhorse and leaping even higher, fell into the middle of the battlefield. Whoosh! “Kuaaak!” “Aaaak!” A savage shockwave swept around the axe that had struck the ground. More than ten members of the White Fang Unit, swept away by the shockwave, were sent flying, spitting blood. It was a strike with all his might, the Howling King’s Nine Wall Stance unleashed with the Mad Dragon Axe. ‘It’s been a while.’ He skillfully rotated the eighty-pound Mad Dragon Axe and slashed horizontally at the approaching White Fang Unit member. Whoosh! It was not a cut, but a strike that sent them flying. The White Fang Unit member, with all the bones in his body broken, flew away, breaking a tree and collapsing. ‘It’s been a long time indeed.’ He had internal injuries, but it seemed that he was twice as strong as when he fought with his bare hands. Whoosh! Yeon Ho-jeong, advancing with the White Tiger Descending Step, swung the Mad Dragon Axe like a madman. Thud thud thud! He reached the peak of destructive power. The Vermilion Bird Fire Qi soared on the axe blade that destroyed the enemy, a form reminiscent of a storm. With the martial arts of the general who freely manipulated weight and speed, more than thirty members of the White Fang Unit were instantly slaughtered. Ga Deuk-sang exclaimed without realizing it. “Young Master Yeon… !” Thud! “Cough!” “Shut up.” It was Pa Yul who hit the back of Ga Deuk-sang’s head. Although he had already used his own sect’s martial arts, he did not call out his real name to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances. Yeon Ho-jeong shouted. “Kill them all!” “Uaaaaa!” The Myeolsa army rushed in, fiercely pushing back the White Fang Unit members. They had certainly grown. Even though no separate orders were given, they each scattered and attacked the enemies, and their combat efficiency was remarkable, even before their power. Yeon Ho-jeong shouted again. “I’m changing the strategy! Annihilate all enemies in sight!” They were the ones who had seen the secret techniques of the White Path [a term for the orthodox martial arts world]. Not a single one could be left alive. Murderous intent flashed in the eyes of Pa Yul, Ga Deuk-sang, and Tang Sang-ah. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to vent my frustrations.” Whoosh! Pa Yul, approaching with godlike footwork, unleashed sword strikes that were much more brutal than before. Allies who could be trusted to watch their backs had joined the battle. That alone changed the momentum. Not only that. Ga Deuk-sang’s palm techniques and Tang Sang-ah’s hidden weapon techniques had also become sharper and more refined. Originally, allies, comrades, were like that. They were beings who gave you strength just by appearing in a moment of crisis. “Oh, you’re safe?!” It seemed that he had taken down a few of them. Gang Ryang, panting, had thick blood on his sword. “Are you okay?” “Of course. By the way…” Gang Ryang stared at the Mad Dragon Axe with a dumbfounded look. “Is that your weapon?” “Yes.” “You swing something like that?” Yeon Ho-jeong grinned. “If you don’t believe it, just watch.” Whoosh! Every time a fiery hot whirlwind arose, the White Fang Unit members were brutally torn apart and sent flying. The Mad Dragon Axe, the Coiling Dragon Chain. And the Myeolsa army. It wasn’t just the working group that was overflowing with strength after meeting their comrades. Yeon Ho-jeong was also displaying his martial arts without limits, seeing the Myeolsa army. Half an hour later. All nine hundred and eighty members of the White Fang Unit who had flanked and ambushed them were killed.