Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 323

The empire’s power had been waning for some time.

However, the empire still existed, and even though it wasn’t what it used to be, it still wielded considerable influence in governing the people.

As the empire weakened, the martial world naturally grew stronger. The martial world stepped in to maintain order where the empire couldn’t, and the righteous sects, in particular, focused their efforts on ensuring the safety of the populace.

Of course, the treaty of non-interference between the government and the martial world was still in effect. In a way, the martial world taking over the empire’s duties was also a violation of that treaty.

However, the imperial court and government officials couldn’t argue about the violation. They were the ones who couldn’t maintain public safety due to their lack of power, so they were actually in a position to be grateful for the martial world’s intervention.

Yet, the martial world still didn’t dare to challenge the imperial court and government. They couldn’t.

The nation was the root that supported the world. If the martial world caused chaos and the nation disappeared, then the world would truly collapse.

That was why famous sects would send a few of their disciples to the imperial court and government. The martial world had many talented individuals with both martial and literary skills, so they would occasionally send renowned talents to support the empire.

That was how the empire barely managed to sustain itself. The martial world respected the imperial court and government, and they were courteous to the officials who acted on their behalf.

That was also why Yeon Ho-Jeong could recognize Gyujeok’s official uniform and know his position.

To establish an organization, one had to be mindful of the local sects as well as the government. To create a massive force like the Black Imperial Castle, one had to be mindful of the empire itself.

As the Black Emperor, the leader of the Black Imperial Castle, Yeon Ho-Jeong had memorized almost everything about the imperial court and government, including their ceremonial robes, uniforms, duties, and income.

“Impressive.”

Gyujeok’s eyes deepened.

In his eyes, which were shining with competitiveness and murderous intent, a hint of surprise appeared.

“You look quite young, but you know the Jhinmu [Imperial Guard] uniform. You have great insight for your age.”

“So, it was as I thought.”

The corners of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s lips curled up sharply, as if they could pierce the sky.

“The Divine Path is operating secretly within the imperial court and government… I knew it, but seeing it directly like this confirms that you guys have been working hard.”

Gyujeok’s competitive spirit subsided.

Instead, surprise and agitation filled his eyes.

“You knew about that?”

Recognizing the Jhinmu uniform was something anyone with knowledge could do. Since this high-level expert had suddenly attacked, he thought that the other person might have realized he was from the Divine Path.

However, knowing that the Divine Path was operating secretly within the imperial court and government was a completely different matter. It was like comparing apples and oranges.

Crack.

Yeon Ho-Jeong loosened his fingers and lowered his stance again.

“Judging by your appearance, you’re not going to amount to much. Exchanging names? That’s ridiculous.”

“……”

“Since it’s come to this, I’ll vent some anger and then use you as firewood.”

Originally, Yeon Ho-Jeong had intended to follow Gyujeok and thoroughly investigate his movements.

However, Gyujeok’s movement technique was faster than he had expected, and his senses were also sharp.

Perhaps Yeon Ho-Jeong’s anger towards the Three Teachings had also played a part. He had tried to calmly gather his energy, but it was difficult to constantly control his emotions.

Furthermore, it was impossible to reduce his presence and catch up to Gyujeok’s speed when he was determined to run. So, he decided to capture him and get it over with.

“Vent anger? Firewood…”

Gyujeok’s face twisted strangely. It seemed as if he was extremely angry at Yeon Ho-Jeong’s words, but it also seemed as if he was welcoming the other’s reaction.

“Try it if you can, you little brat.”

Whoosh!

Gyujeok’s body slid backward.

Even without a ‘ready, set, go,’ he would always attack first.

A fight with someone who knew the essence of real combat. It was a life-or-death battle with a true expert, unlike Beom Oh, who had similar power but lacked flexibility.

Tap tap tap!

Yeon Ho-Jeong approached at a terrifying speed.

Although the speed was similar, unlike before when he had approached with Blood Wing Sky Dance, he moved forward with short, elastic steps, creating countless footprints. It was a movement that could respond to any counterattack at any time.

‘This guy.’

Just by looking at the transformed footwork, one could tell how skilled the opponent was in real combat.

Gyujeok’s eyes were filled with intense excitement again.

‘I can have some real fun.’

Whoosh!

This time, Gyujeok also ran forward.

The two men approached each other at a terrifying speed and finally collided.

Bang!

The first clash was a body slam, as if it had been decided by no one.

Whoooosh! Crack!

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had summoned the wind of the White Tiger, dug his feet into the ground.

Whoosh! Thud! Thud!

Gyujeok, who had summoned the flames of the Azure Flame, had his feet pushed back slightly.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was the one who endured and pushed forward with his strength. It had been a long time since he had fought a high-level expert from the Three Teachings, leaving aside the branch leaders. His strength, fueled by extreme murderous intent and excitement, was different from before.

Gyujeok took a short breath.

Whoosh!

Gyujeok, who had flexibly lowered his body, grabbed Yeon Ho-Jeong’s arm and threw him backward.

Although Yeon Ho-Jeong’s strength was great, Gyujeok’s strength was not weak either.

Sizzle!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s forearms, which had been grabbed by Gyujeok, turned red.

He had used his Black Tortoise energy to block the fire energy the moment he was grabbed, but he had almost been burned.

The ability to penetrate energy in an instant was superb. It was a fantastic display of internal energy control, showing that this was a battle where anyone could lose their head in an instant.

Bang!

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been thrown backward by Gyujeok, took a powerful step.

Gyujeok, who had been rushing towards Yeon Ho-Jeong, quickly straightened his body. He had sensed an unusual counterattack from the opponent’s step.

Tap tap tap!

He needed to kick four times just to stop his momentum, as fast as he had been moving.

Although his speed decreased quickly, Gyujeok’s body was barely within Yeon Ho-Jeong’s attack range.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes were filled with murderous intent.

Thud!

He unleashed the power he had drawn from his powerful step as a devastating fist wind.

Gyujeok’s eyes widened.

‘Hundred Step Divine Fist?!’

A legendary Shaolin martial art that completely crushed the opponent with a powerful step and explosive fist wind.

Although he didn’t have deep knowledge of Central Plains martial arts, the movements seemed very similar to the Hundred Step Divine Fist he had heard about. The destructive power was also immense, making his spine tingle the moment the fist wind was unleashed.

Of course, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s martial art was not the Hundred Step Divine Fist.

It was the first step of the White Tiger’s power, the White Tiger’s Descent, which drew power from the earth and unleashed the Tiger King’s Kill.

‘Too late!’

The destructive power was one thing, but it was unleashed at the perfect moment. He had to defend, not evade.

Boom!

Gyujeok also straightened his body with a strong step and thrust his fist forward at the mid-section. It was the Fire Dragon’s Path, a high-level technique of the Divine Path’s Eight Fiery Fists.

The two experts’ powerful and fiery fists collided head-on.

Clang!

With a loud explosion, Gyujeok stepped back a couple of steps.

He couldn’t have been pushed back by force. Gyujeok was pushed back because his attack was late, and he couldn’t put his full power into the fist wind.

Tap tap tap!

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had absorbed the impact a beat earlier, rushed towards Gyujeok again.

It was a fierce martial arts battle, drawing on all their internal energy. If one blow landed properly, the affected area would evaporate.

Gyujeok quickly took a stance and looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Whoosh!

‘……!’

On a stage of flames burning everywhere.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, with a cold expression but eyes that were hotter and more wicked than the flames, was truly terrifying as he rushed forward.

Before the mastery of martial arts, his aura was different. He even seemed to have a fierce obsession, as if he were a messenger of the King of the Underworld, chasing after a runaway ghost.

Gyujeok gritted his teeth and wildly swung his fists.

Bang bang bang!

Fists collided, creating a tremendous shockwave. The shockwave was so intense that even the flames burning everywhere were pushed back in a circle.

The fierce battle between the high-level experts who knew real combat, the overwhelming destructive power, and the chilling murderous intent, even the wildfires that had spread like a disaster couldn’t approach.

Thud!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s fist landed on Gyujeok’s abdomen.

Crack!

Gyujeok’s knee struck Yeon Ho-Jeong’s chin.

Yeon Ho-Jeong staggered backward. He was lucky to have not lost his mind after being hit directly on the chin.

Gyujeok’s eyes flashed.

Whoosh!

At this short distance, there was no difference in speed between him and Yeon Ho-Jeong. Gyujeok, who had instantly closed the distance, aimed for Yeon Ho-Jeong’s Adam’s apple with a straight punch.

That was when it happened.

Whoosh!

“Ugh!”

There was no sign, but he didn’t know when he had been kicked. The pile of dirt kicked up by the tip of his foot was thrown directly into Gyujeok’s face.

Startled by the unexpected tactic, his upper body swayed. Gyujeok’s straight punch grazed Yeon Ho-Jeong’s shoulder.

Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t miss the opportunity. He had almost lost his mind for a moment, but he held on with superhuman patience and endless murderous intent towards his enemy.

His two hands struck Gyujeok’s upper body at an incredible speed.

Bang bang bang bang!

“Cough!”

It was an eighteen-hit combo unleashed in an instant. The power of each blow wasn’t great, but it was a continuous attack that was enough to shake the insides of a high-level expert protected by internal energy.

Tap tap tap!

Gyujeok retreated in a daze. Blood was now flowing from the corner of his mouth.

It was Yeon Ho-Jeong who had seized the advantage with a moment’s counterattack. Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had immediately gone on the offensive, quickly retreated as a massive barrage of flames approached from the left.

Whoosh! Clang!

The flames that had crossed the air scraped the surface of the earth and disappeared. Gyujeok, who had read the follow-up attack, had drawn in the fire energy and blocked the attack itself.

A divine technique that drew in and attacked with the burning flames. It consumed a fair amount of internal energy, but if he hadn’t done this, he would have been pushed back and eventually defeated.

Crack!

Yeon Ho-Jeong grabbed his knee. He had not only stopped his body, which had been approaching at an explosive speed to avoid the attack, but had also been thrown backward. His joints throbbed as if they were about to break.

Thud thud thud!

Gyujeok, who had brushed the dirt off his face, glared at Yeon Ho-Jeong with a sinister look.

“You use some pretty underhanded tactics.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong grinned.

“I’ll do anything to win.”

“Do you value the strength of the victor more than the victory of the strong?”

“That’s what a fight is all about, you little brat.”

Little brat. Looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong’s much younger face, the words sounded very awkward.

However, despite his youthful appearance, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s voice was filled with the dignity of a master.

While exchanging murderous blows with the enemy’s expert, he had already regained the appearance of the emperor who had ruled the darkness.

Gyujeok’s face hardened.

He had sensed the emperor’s aura emanating from Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“……Good.”

Gyujeok stomped hard on the ground.

Bang! Whoosh!

In an instant, all of his hair shot up into the sky.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The fire energy emanating from Gyujeok’s body gradually turned blue. He had pushed the Azure Flame Purification Art to its extreme.

“The preliminary skirmish is over. I won’t hold back anymore, you nameless brat.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled wickedly.

By now, he was holding an axe that had been lying on the ground.

“I’ll chop you into pieces alive until you beg me to kill you, you little brat.”

Boom!

The winter night sky.

Thunder rumbled through the cool clouds.