Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 294

“Hoo.”

Tang Sang-ah exhaled softly.

‘Okay.’

The Tang Clan’s secret technique, the Chasing Thunder Movement Technique, granted incredible speed and agility, but it also severely drained internal energy and stamina.

Unlike other movement techniques, which focused on efficient travel with minimal energy expenditure, this technique was clearly designed for combat. It wasn’t about moving further or faster with less energy; it was about maximizing combat effectiveness.

‘I’ve completed one *gak* [a unit of time, roughly equivalent to 15 minutes].’

Tang Sang-ah’s understanding of the Chasing Thunder Movement Technique was already at a master’s level. However, she hadn’t been able to fully utilize it because it didn’t align with her flexible and precise martial arts style.

But neglecting such a powerful technique was a significant waste.

‘Hmm. Well, those are minor issues that will resolve themselves as my skill improves, so they’re not that important.’

‘Is that so? What do you think is my biggest weakness?’

‘Stamina.’

When she first heard those words from Yeon Ho-jeong, Tang Sang-ah had disagreed.

The effectiveness of poison and hidden weapons depended heavily on accurate distance gauging. Naturally, the Tang Clan masters invested heavily in movement techniques, and as such, stamina was rarely an issue.

But now, Tang Sang-ah understood the deeper meaning of stamina that Yeon Ho-jeong had been talking about.

‘It’s not just about simple endurance. It’s about the explosive power that can be unleashed in an instant, the stamina to maintain consistency even when breathing freely.’

The more power used, the faster breathing would become erratic. And disrupted breathing directly impacted stamina.

Maintaining a constant level of power was something anyone could do, with varying degrees of proficiency.

However, the ability to unleash a series of fatal blows with explosive output and then quickly return breathing to normal was something that required grueling training.

The training Tang Sang-ah had been undergoing was precisely that kind of stamina training.

Even Tang Sang-ah, who was known for her toughness in martial arts, felt like giving up multiple times a day due to the high-intensity regimen.

Surprisingly, as the training accumulated, she could now use the Chasing Thunder Movement Technique for more than one *gak* without any disruption in her movements, something she couldn’t even maintain for half a *gak* before.

‘And that’s not all.’

Extreme stamina training consumed more breathing.

But as much as breathing was consumed, the amount of breathing taken in was also high. As the intake and output of breathing repeated, the density of the *qi* [vital energy] held by the muscles gradually increased.

‘It’s not enough to just train internal energy. This kind of training process is what gives elasticity in real combat.’

She felt a renewed sense of admiration for Yeon Ho-jeong.

Yeon Ho-jeong possessed exceptional practical combat abilities. Aside from experience, he must have engaged in extreme training every day without fail to develop such a keen sense of combat.

When stamina increased, the density of *qi* increased, and when the density of *qi* increased, the utilization of internal energy also increased. As the utilization of internal energy increased, techniques became more diverse, and as techniques became more diverse, it became possible to find a breakthrough even in adverse conditions.

Training stamina. One drop of sweat shed today could save a bucket of blood shed in real combat.

Tang Sang-ah deeply understood this principle.

“Impressive.”

“Ah, you’re here.”

Moyong Gun looked at her with admiration.

“Your stamina has increased tremendously. It seems you’ve been training fiercely.”

Tang Sang-ah smiled.

“I’m still far from it.”

“Of course. But if you continue to do what you’ve been doing, the blind spots in real combat will be greatly reduced.”

He immediately grasped the purpose of stamina training. In other words, Moyong Gun, like Yeon Ho-jeong, had already recognized the importance of stamina training.

‘As expected.’

Tang Sang-ah looked up at the sky.

‘There are so many people to learn from.’

Called the pinnacle of the younger generation of the Tang Clan, and the only person to receive teachings from the Tang Clan’s strongest, the Dark King.

Perhaps that fact had unknowingly fostered arrogance. Tang Sang-ah reflected deeply on her past self.

“Is that movement technique the Chasing Thunder Movement Technique you mentioned before?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Chasing lightning… Indeed, it’s an impressive technique, just like its name. If you use poison techniques with that movement technique, the person on the receiving end would be truly disoriented.”

Tang Sang-ah shook her head.

“Of course, it pairs well with poison techniques, but what really complements the Chasing Thunder Movement Technique is hidden weapon techniques.”

“Why is that? No matter how precise the hidden weapon techniques are, it seems difficult to hit the target if you use such a violent movement technique.”

“There are three people in the main family who can do that. And I’ve seen firsthand how terrifying their martial arts are.”

“…”

“That’s why I say that the Chasing Thunder Movement Technique is most effective when used in conjunction with hidden weapon techniques.”

Curiosity appeared on Moyong Gun’s face.

“Who are those three?”

“One is my grandfather.”

Moyong Gun let out a soft groan.

“The Dark King, Elder.”

“That’s right. And the Great Elder of the main family is also someone who can combine the Chasing Thunder Movement Technique with hidden weapon techniques.”

“Then who is the last one?”

“That’s right.”

Tang Sang-ah’s eyes sparkled.

“The person who practically controls the Sichuan martial world, my father.”

* * *

Clang! Thud!

The iron piece, which had been striking the iron staff repeatedly, suddenly writhed strangely and tore off a piece of Yeon Ho-jeong’s shoulder.

Fortunately, it didn’t reach the muscle, but the sensation of flesh being torn was very unpleasant. Moreover, the surface of the iron piece was rough like a saw blade, making it easy to tear the skin.

Thud!

Yeon Ho-jeong’s figure soared vertically into the sky.

It was the Yeon Family’s secret technique, the Heavenly Soaring Movement Technique. Unlike his previous explosive movements that had pushed Tang Gwan, he was now demonstrating a graceful and fluid movement technique.

Whoosh!

When Yeon Ho-jeong, who had escaped from the range, re-gripped the iron staff, Tang Gwan’s figure was already right in front of Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes wavered.

‘He’s gotten faster.’

It was an incredible movement technique.

It was different from the Vermilion Bird Art’s Blood Wing Soaring. Blood Wing Soaring was an attack in itself, the fastest combat footwork. There was no elegance to be found in it, only the madness of a butcher who wanted to kill the enemy in the shortest amount of time.

Tang Gwan’s movement technique was different.

His movement technique was fast yet ever-changing. Like lightning striking from a sky full of dark clouds, it was fast but also changed direction at will, making it impossible to predict where the attack would come from.

If Yeon Ho-jeong’s extreme sense of combat made it impossible to distinguish between the real and the fake, Tang Gwan’s movement technique itself was creating an extreme shift in the principles of martial arts.

Thump! Thump!

Tang Gwan unleashed a Triple Layer Palm with all his might.

He blocked the three layers of palm force that came in succession with the iron staff imbued with Black Tortoise *qi*, but its destructive power was on a different level from the first blow.

Yeon Ho-jeong descended at a terrifying speed. It wasn’t that he was descending on his own accord, but rather that he was falling due to not being able to withstand the shockwave.

Whoosh!

Tang Gwan chased after Yeon Ho-jeong at a terrifying speed.

‘It’s over.’

Not only was his posture broken, but the flow of his internal energy was also somewhat disrupted. This blow would decide the outcome. That’s what Tang Gwan thought.

Thud!

Tang Gwan’s eyes widened.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had laid the iron staff horizontally and pushed off with both feet, flew diagonally and instantly regained control of his internal energy.

‘Huh!’

At this point, even Tang Gwan, who had looked down on Yeon Ho-jeong, couldn’t help but be impressed.

‘Is there such a guy?’

Tang Gwan swung the iron piece.

Whirr!

Surprisingly, the iron piece, which was only one *jang* [approximately 3 meters] long, stretched to nearly five *jang* and wrapped around Yeon Ho-jeong’s body.

It wasn’t made of special iron like the Coiling Dragon Chain. The transparent lines connecting the small iron pieces had tremendous tensile strength and elasticity, allowing the length to be increased or decreased at will depending on Tang Gwan’s internal energy.

Whirr!

The iron piece that wrapped around Yeon Ho-jeong’s body dug into his skin.

Even with the powerful rebound force of the Black Tortoise Art, it was difficult to block the sharpness of the iron piece that tore through the skin. If he wasn’t careful, he could even damage his muscles.

In that instant, Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes emitted a blue light.

Thud! Thwack!

Tang Gwan’s eyes wavered.

He had intended to bind him and throw him to the ground, but the iron staff that had suddenly flown in struck his wrist, causing him to lose his grip on the iron piece.

‘Telekinesis?!’

He was dumbfounded.

Every time he thought he had him cornered, he would evade or block the attack with a technique that exceeded his imagination.

He never imagined that he would use the iron staff to make him lose his grip on the iron piece in this urgent moment. It was a breathtaking and mind-boggling display of combat sense.

Whoosh! Bang!

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had landed on the ground with a Thousand-Kilogram Drop, quickly released the iron piece.

Thud!

Tang Gwan, who had landed on the ground almost simultaneously, was holding the iron staff in his hand.

“Hoo.”

Yeon Ho-jeong took a breath and looked at Tang Gwan.

Tang Gwan’s eyes were slightly wavering.

“…You’re an amazing fellow.”

Whirr! Clang!

The iron staff tumbled to Yeon Ho-jeong’s feet.

Yeon Ho-jeong also rolled up the iron piece and threw it at Tang Gwan. As Tang Gwan reached out for the iron piece, the unraveled iron piece was sucked into his sleeve like a snake.

Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.

“That iron piece, isn’t it a hidden weapon?”

Tang Gwan’s eyes widened.

“You knew?”

“It scratched me several times, of course I had to know. With that iron piece, if the Clan Leader wanted to, it could become hundreds of pieces of hidden weapons and sweep through the enemy lines.”

He had seen through that.

Tang Gwan, who had been quietly looking at Yeon Ho-jeong, lowered his stance.

Fwoosh.

The wind that had been blowing suddenly calmed down.

Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.

“Why are you doing that?”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you perhaps going to stop?”

“That’s right.”

“I haven’t even seen the Clan Leader’s hidden weapon techniques or poison techniques properly.”

Tang Gwan smiled coldly.

“I’m holding back for your father’s sake. If I use the main family’s secret martial arts, you’ll most likely die or become a cripple.”

In the midst of it, he didn’t say that he would definitely die. That meant that Yeon Ho-jeong’s martial arts were that impressive.

Yeon Ho-jeong muttered softly.

“It was a good opportunity to see the Tang Clan’s secret martial arts, it’s a shame.”

Tang Gwan was inwardly dumbfounded.

“You, if you live like that, you won’t be able to keep even ten lives intact.”

“It’s not like the Clan Leader would be sad if I died anyway, right?”

He had no words to say.

“So, how was it?”

“What do you mean?”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“Does my potential seem decent enough?”

Tang Gwan, who had been staring at Yeon Ho-jeong, turned his head away.

“You’re similar to Moyong Gun.”

“I don’t know whether to be happy or displeased with that assessment.”

“But there’s one thing that’s different from Moyong Gun.”

“What is it?”

“At least you don’t hesitate when you have to draw your sword.”

“Hmm.”

“No matter how much you scheme with politics and such, it’s useless in the face of overwhelming power. The martial world is ultimately about power. And those who know when to use that power are the ones who can achieve great things.”

“…”

“Even in the vast history of nature, countless values have been altered and disappeared. But there is one principle that never changes, and that is the law of the jungle.”

Tang Gwan turned his body.

“Use your head moderately. A guy who was born with a decent set of fangs will dull them if he only uses his tongue.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“I’ll secure the meeting with the Western Region Divine Maiden.”

“Hmph.”

Tang Gwan jumped up to the second-floor window and said.

“Clean up before you leave.”