Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 343

Tang Sang-ah’s face was flushed red, as if it were on fire.

Tang Gwan, who had been quietly observing his daughter’s face, opened his mouth.

“Enough.”

“Cough!”

Tang Sang-ah collapsed on the spot.

“Hah, hah!”

Her body, gasping for breath, was drenched in sweat.

She was so exhausted that her whole body was trembling. She was in no condition to speak, or even lift her head.

Tang Gwan placed his hand on her back.

Whoooong.

A sharp stream of true energy [internal energy] coursed through her blood points, blowing away the impurities.

Not only that, but it also invigorated her extremely depleted inner energy, helping her regain her vitality, and promoted rapid recovery with concentrated true energy.

After a while, Tang Sang-ah straightened her body.

“Thank you, Father.”

Tang Gwan said in a stiff voice.

“You’ve improved since yesterday, but you’re still far off.”

“Yes.”

“The martial arts of the Emperor’s Poison Scripture are by no means easy. Although the Three Yang Return to Origin Art is one of the best martial arts of our family, the Emperor’s Poison Art is beyond that. It requires not only the proliferation of poison, but also an ideal understanding of martial arts. Therefore, knowing the formulas does not mean you can master it, and abundant poison cannot generate true energy.”

Tang Sang-ah listened to Tang Gwan’s words with a serious expression.

“However, the ideal understanding of martial arts is not something that can be obtained simply by endless contemplation. To approach it, you need ascetic practices that continuously break the limits of the body.”

“Yes.”

“Those who know pain know the value of a single sip of water. When you realize that value, a new path opens.”

It was then.

Ga Deuk-sang appeared in the distance.

“Clan Leader.”

Tang Gwan raised his hand without turning around. Ga Deuk-sang flinched and stopped in his tracks.

Tang Gwan continued.

“The cycle must be faster. To break through the limits, the best physical condition must be a prerequisite. Perfect recovery and complete breakthrough, in this harsh process, you must capture what your strength, your soul, is trying to unleash. That is the realm of ‘Collapse the Peak and Ascend to Emperor’ that the Emperor’s Poison Scripture speaks of.”

“Yes.”

“I will be leaving the Alliance for a few days.”

Surprise flickered across Tang Sang-ah’s face.

“Is something the matter?”

“It’s top secret. It could take as little as three days, or as long as fifteen.”

“Ah…!”

“When I return, you must have improved even a little. Remember, the reason I am teaching you the Poison Scripture before Yang-seon is because I saw a glimmer of potential in you to elevate the family’s reputation.”

Tang Gwan turned his body.

“Don’t overdo it.”

His steps towards Ga Deuk-sang were unwavering.

Tang Sang-ah cried out without realizing it.

“Father!”

Tang Gwan stopped walking.

Tang Sang-ah tried to speak brightly.

“Please be careful on your trip.”

Tang Gwan looked up at the sky for a moment, then turned back towards Ga Deuk-sang.

“Let’s go, beggar.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Last night, Clan Leader Moyong left the Alliance. Considering Clan Leader Moyong’s skills, it is predicted that he will reach Kaifeng in four to five days.”

Jeagal Mun-ho’s eyes gleamed.

“The movements of the Vice Commander have been detected. He is currently at a tavern called Sang’an Pavilion in Kaifeng. We don’t know what he’s doing there, but the fact that the highest-ranking official of the Henan Province military administration has been staying at a tavern for several days is strange.”

Yeon-wi asked.

“Isn’t Clan Leader Moyong in danger?”

“He will have made sufficient preparations. Even if something happens, he will somehow return alive. Moreover, there are many top experts from the Beggars’ Sect in Kaifeng. There seems to be nothing to worry about.”

“That’s a relief then.”

“The problem is Clan Leader Tang and Commander Yeon.”

Jeagal Mun-ho asked Tang Gwan.

“Are you in good condition?”

Tang Gwan replied curtly.

“Who are you talking to?”

One could sense his unyielding confidence. Jeagal Mun-ho nodded.

“We must assume that the opponent’s skills are equal to or greater than our Clan Leaders. If there are any helpers that the Beggars’ Sect has not detected, it could be truly dangerous.”

Tang Gwan chuckled.

“I’ll be the safest, so don’t worry about unnecessary things.”

Jeagal Mun-ho nodded.

“Understood.”

It wasn’t just simple confidence.

Tang Gwan was the head of the Sichuan Tang Family and the son of Tang Hyeong, the Dark King, one of the Thirteen Seats of the Heavenly Star [a group of powerful martial artists]. Tang Gwan’s talent and skills were recognized by Tang Hyeong, the strongest in the martial world. Perhaps, as Tang Gwan said, he was the safest person.

“And Commander Yeon.”

“Yes.”

“Will you be enough on your own?”

“Hmm.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed.

“Honestly, I’m not confident. So, I’m thinking of taking one more person.”

“Who?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong silently pointed to Muk Bi.

Jeagal Mun-ho smiled.

“Yes, if it’s Deputy Commander Muk, I can trust his skills.”

Muk Bi bowed his head.

“I will do my best to handle it without any problems.”

“You’ve worked hard. Ah! By the way, it’s really right around the corner now.”

“Yes?”

“The Wall of Martial Arts, I mean. It’s the first time I’ve seen someone break through so smoothly and gradually like you.”

“Ah….”

Muk Bi bowed his head, looking embarrassed.

“I’m still far off.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong snorted.

“You’re still a long way off.”

Tang Gwan sneered.

“You’ll be caught up to soon.”

“I can’t let that happen, that’d be embarrassing.”

“Those who rise by their mouths, fall by their mouths. You seem to need some humility?”

“Are you the one to talk?”

“…You have no manners.”

Jeagal Mun-ho, who was watching the two bickering with an expression that said he couldn’t handle them, turned his gaze to Yeon-wi.

“Clan Leader Yeon, please take charge of the front of the Alliance’s Eastern Gate. If Clan Leader Tang fails, that person will surely come to the Martial Alliance.”

“Understood.”

“In other words, Clan Leader Yeon and I are the final gatekeepers. Clan Leader Tang and Commander Yeon will handle things on their own, but we must not let our guard down either.”

Yeon-wi smiled.

“I’m keeping my sword well-sharpened, ready to swing at any time.”

Jeagal Mun-ho smiled and nodded. He had so much faith in Yeon-wi’s sensible response.

“Well, then.”

Jeagal Mun-ho rose from his seat.

“Let’s begin.”

Whoosh.

No sooner had he finished speaking than everyone in the room disappeared.

* * *

Drip. Drip.

The sound of cold sweat dripping from his forehead onto the floor sounded as loud as thunder.

It was inevitable. The person standing in front of Dong-gak right now was a stronger expert than Gyu-jeok, the Twelfth Martial General he had seen not long ago.

‘I expected a general from within the Ten Martial Generals to come.’

Dong-gak swallowed involuntarily.

‘I never thought this person would come.’

It wasn’t just a matter of being stronger or not.

This person was a master with a terribly cold and cruel personality, in addition to his martial arts.

Gyu-jeok knew dignity. He knew restraint, and he was quite lenient with the mistakes of his subordinates. But this person was not.

Yo-roe, the Fifth Martial General, one of the Eighteen Martial Generals of the Divine Flame Church, and a true powerhouse among the generals.

‘Damn it! Why him of all people…?!’

It was then.

“You’re Dong-gak, is that right?”

Dong-gak flinched.

“Yes, Yo-roe-nim.”

“So, you don’t know Gyu-jeok’s whereabouts?”

Dong-gak’s face turned pale. The intense killing intent and authority in his voice seemed to shake him to his core.

What made him even more afraid was that he shouldn’t make excuses. No, whatever his answer, it had to be clear and truthful. If he told the facts as they were, there might be a glimmer of hope, but if he made excuses or lied, he would die immediately.

Dong-gak closed his eyes tightly.

“I apologize.”

“……”

Silence fell.

It was less than a moment, but to Dong-gak, it felt like at least half a day.

After a while.

“Get up.”

“Yes!”

Dong-gak quickly rose from his seat.

Then, he saw Yo-roe.

‘…!!’

Dong-gak’s eyes shook as if an earthquake had struck.

‘He’s become stronger.’

The figure of a man sitting in a relaxed posture, reading the documents brought by the old man.

A huge man, as large as a mountain, was there.

Even though he was sitting, his height was not much different from Dong-gak’s. His arms and legs were as thick as an adult man’s waist, and his torso was as thick and sturdy as a giant tree.

He was a massive man whose entire body was covered in enormous muscles. He was truly worthy of being called a giant.

Moreover, despite his overwhelming physique, his beard and hair were neatly trimmed. His appearance was fierce, but his attire and demeanor were no less than that of any nobleman.

Whoooong!

‘Hah!’

Dong-gak calmed his inner energy, which was trying to run wild, with all his might.

It was worse than with Gyu-jeok. The pressure he felt up close was truly immense. It was said that a single level difference was like heaven and earth for masters of that level, but he had never imagined that the gap would be this great.

Those who had mastered the same inner energy were bound to be disarmed in the face of a higher and more powerful force. Dong-gak controlled his inner energy with superhuman patience.

The giant man, Yo-roe, spoke without taking his eyes off the documents.

“On the way here, I saw a place where there had been a fire.”

His voice was low and resonant, like it was coming from a cave.

It was a completely different atmosphere from Gyu-jeok. Apart from the degree of strength, the disposition he exuded was different.

“I looked at the traces just in case. It was such a large area that I couldn’t search it all, but at least from what I saw, there were no traces of the Scorching Yang Art [a martial art technique].”

“……!”

“Yes, it certainly seemed that way. But this damn intuition keeps making me pay attention to that place.”

Yo-roe asked, as if throwing a question.

“What do you think?”

This kind of question was truly difficult to answer.

Dong-gak tried to remain as calm as possible.

“If Yo-roe-nim is concerned, there must be a reason. I will look into it once more.”

It was inevitable that his voice trembled. Yo-roe let out a sneer.

“Hey, Dong-gak.”

“Yes, Yo-roe-nim.”

“Do you know why I’m keeping you alive?”

Dong-gak swallowed. His face was already as pale as it could be.

“I… I don’t know. I apologize.”

“If I kill you, I’ll have to wastefully take another person and bring them here secretly. Of course, I’d have to train them again. But right now, there’s no time, and there’s no one to spare. That’s why I’m keeping you alive.”

“……!”

“But there won’t be a second time.”

“Yes, yes!”

Whoosh.

Yo-roe burned all the documents in his hand.

“Find Gyu-jeok’s whereabouts. I’ll give you ten days. If you don’t find him within that time, I’ll find a replacement, even if it’s a hassle.”

Dong-gak prostrated himself on the spot.

“I will find him without fail!”

“You will have to take responsibility for those words.”

“Yes!”

Yo-roe stared at Dong-gak for a long time, then yawned.

“Still, it feels good to have run a bit after a long time. The other side is so frustrating.”