Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 346

Clang!

The force from the palm strike, though lightly delivered, shattered everything it touched.

‘Impressive.’

Tang Gwan, having evaded Yo-roe’s palm technique with the Thunder Chasing Footwork, observed his opponent with a cold gaze.

Whoosh!

Yo-roe, engulfed in red flames, had transformed into a blazing inferno.

The heat he emitted was so intense that even ten yards away, it stung the skin. It was a high-temperature true energy that one couldn’t dare approach without a strong internal energy shield protecting the body.

‘To emit such flames and remain unharmed?’

Those who trained in poison arts always had to be wary of the balance between resistance and toxicity.

If one increased the concentration of poison without resistance to it, their body would melt away. And that applied not just to poison, but to all martial arts in the world.

If the body wasn’t sturdy enough to withstand highly concentrated true energy, no matter how great the enlightenment, the body wouldn’t hold. It was a matter of imbalance between qi [life force or vital energy] and the physical body. There was a reason why the realm of the ‘Ultimate Wall of Martial Arts’ existed.

The same would apply to Yo-roe’s Scorching Yang Energy. It wasn’t a matter of the type of martial art, but a matter of principle.

‘So, his body has a heat resistance that can withstand most fire attacks.’

Boom!

Yo-roe’s palm strike once again scorched the air as it passed.

The ground cracked under the domineering force, and countless trees were engulfed in flames from the flying debris. The area around the Divine Flower Cult’s primary information hub was instantly turned into a sea of fire.

It seemed Yo-roe was enraged by Tang Gwan’s unexpected attack earlier, each strike filled with an unusual killing intent. Though he used his martial arts for the sake of the cult rather than personal ambition, he was still human and couldn’t help but feel anger.

Boom! Boom!

The explosions echoed continuously, and the flames soared into the sky.

His stamina was truly remarkable. He could unleash such powerful palm strikes in succession without even a change in his breathing.

Stamina, internal energy, mental fortitude—all were top-tier. Yet, he never lost sight of Tang Gwan’s movements as he evaded.

Apart from his suppressed desires and competitive spirit, Yo-roe was a martial artist close to perfection. He was fully displaying his capabilities as one of the Divine Flower Cult’s Eighteen Martial Generals.

“Indeed.”

After unleashing countless palm strikes, Yo-roe finally relaxed his stance.

A sneer appeared on his face.

“A rat who doesn’t even have the courage to fight back. It seems all you can do is run.”

Tang Gwan chuckled.

“I’m observing you. This outfit is expensive, you know. It’s not worth getting it dirty just to catch a bug.”

“I’ll give you credit for your mouth.”

Crack!

An even stronger fire surged from Yo-roe’s body.

It was the Divine Flower Cult’s ultimate martial art, the Pure Lotus Flame Art. Yo-roe had pushed his power to the extreme, and the flames emanating from him formed a halo like a red lotus.

Tang Gwan’s eyes narrowed.

‘Indeed.’

His raw power was impressive. His physical conditioning was excellent, and his internal energy was formidable.

At least in terms of internal energy, he might even be superior to himself. The absolute power of the flames was limitless, and even a master would suffer severe burns if they got within a certain distance.

But that was all he had.

‘Outfit, huh.’

Tang Gwan lightly adjusted his sleeve.

This robe was a gift from Tang Sang-ah not long ago. It was of good quality and more comfortable than he expected, so he had been wearing it often.

‘How amusing.’

Though he said that, Tang Gwan knew it too. He couldn’t defeat Yo-roe without revealing his true strength.

Yo-roe was that strong. Even the great Tang Gwan had to momentarily put aside his arrogance.

“No choice then.”

Whoosh!

The eerie true energy of the Guiding Reversal Three Yang Return to Origin Technique [a powerful and dangerous martial art] enveloped Tang Gwan’s entire body.

It wasn’t as flashy as Yo-roe’s Pure Lotus Flame Art, but it emitted an unsettling aura.

‘They said poison wouldn’t work?’

Before, Yeon Ho-Jeong had said that the Divine Flower Cult members were masters of Scorching Yang Energy, so it would be wise not to use poison.

Tang Gwan smirked.

The world was unaware. They didn’t know how far the Tang Clan’s poison and hidden weapons had advanced. No one knew that they had already far surpassed common sense.

“I’ve had my fill of watching, shall we begin?”

Swoosh!

Tang Gwan’s figure moved like lightning.

At least in terms of footwork, Tang Gwan was far superior to Yo-roe. Yo-roe’s reflexes were also excellent, so he didn’t miss Tang Gwan’s movements, but his inability to move at that speed was a major weakness.

Tang Gwan’s hand pierced through Yo-roe’s flames.

Boom!

Yo-roe’s body staggered back a couple of steps.

Sizzle!

White smoke rose from Tang Gwan’s hand and sleeve.

Yo-roe’s lips curled up.

“Impressive speed, but can such an attack even scratch me?”

Tang Gwan didn’t answer.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Lightning never struck in a straight line. It constantly curved and struck the earth at various angles.

Tang Gwan’s footwork was the same. Like the name of his footwork, ‘Chasing Thunder,’ his body moved as if folding space, hitting countless blind spots.

Tang Gwan’s foot, now behind Yo-roe, moved like a whip.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Yo-roe’s body shook again.

But that was all. He had allowed the Triple Kick, but he only felt a dull ache, not any significant damage.

Yo-roe’s hand swung horizontally.

Flash! Clang!

It was a hand blade strike imbued with fire energy. The moment a red crescent moon appeared in the air, four or five trees within its range were split apart.

Crash! Boom!

The split trees fell, creating countless sparks.

It was brute force, pure and simple.

“What are you trying to do?”

Step.

Tang Gwan, having retreated another ten yards, landed lightly.

Yo-roe frowned.

“Your attacks are too weak. With such martial arts, you can’t inflict any damage on my body.”

Tang Gwan smiled.

“Your body is certainly tough.”

“…I’ll take that as a compliment. Seeing that your hands and feet are fine even after breaking through the internal energy barrier of the Crimson Lotus Fire, you certainly have the makings of a leader of a prestigious clan.”

It wasn’t arrogance, but confidence.

If one trained the Divine Flower Cult’s Scorching Yang Energy to its peak, they could emit a protective aura of flames.

That protective aura was difficult to penetrate even for a top-tier master unless they attacked with full force. Moreover, since it contained high-temperature fire energy, it was impossible to even approach, let alone penetrate it.

In other words, Tang Gwan had struck the body of a living fire god several times with his hands and feet, yet he was unharmed.

“But if that’s all you have.”

Thud!

Yo-roe’s powerful stomp seemed to shake the entire mountain peak.

A glint flashed in Tang Gwan’s eyes.

‘A stomp?’

Did the martial arts of the outer regions have such a thing as a stomp?

“You can never defeat me.”

Whoosh!

Yo-roe, who had been blocking approaches with ranged attacks, now closed the distance without hesitation.

Though not comparable to Tang Gwan, his footwork was also impressive. Tang Gwan had simply displayed an extraordinary speed, but Yo-roe also possessed martial arts at the level of a master.

Yo-roe’s fist tore through the air.

It was the fist technique that Gyu-jeok had used before, the Divine Flower Cult’s ultimate technique, the Eight Fists of the Flame King.

Boom! Boom!

The fiery fist strikes exploded in the air, creating terrifying shockwaves.

Yo-roe’s Flame King Fist was different from Gyu-jeok’s. While Gyu-jeok used sharp fist techniques, Yo-roe used endlessly powerful and heavy fist techniques.

Even if they learned the same martial art, the nature of the martial art could change depending on the interpretation.

It was fitting for the fist technique of the Fierce Tiger Martial General, who was said to be the best in terms of power among the Eighteen Martial Generals.

Boom! Clang!

The overlapping fist energies amplified their power, creating a breathtakingly powerful explosion.

Each fist was reminiscent of a fire bomb. Tang Gwan kept retreating, evading his fists, but the barrage of fist techniques finally began to restrict Tang Gwan’s movements.

A sinister smile appeared on Yo-roe’s face.

‘I’ve got him.’

There was nowhere left to retreat. Behind him was a cliff, and even if he tried to jump over him and take the rear, the flames of the Crimson Lotus would ensnare his lower body.

‘That’s why you people are no match for us.’

The reason the Sichuan Tang Clan could rule with fear was because of their poison and hidden weapons.

But hidden weapons would be useless against a master who could emit such a protective aura. Moreover, due to the nature of poison, its toxicity would evaporate in the face of fire energy.

Even if they were of similar levels, one would have the advantage in terms of compatibility. Yo-roe had no doubt about his victory.

Thud!

Finally, Tang Gwan’s foot reached the edge of the cliff.

Whoosh!

Walls of red flames formed to Yo-roe’s left and right. He had blocked all possible escape routes.

Tang Gwan glared at Yo-roe with cold eyes.

Yo-roe, meeting his gaze, spoke in a chilling voice, unlike his martial arts.

“It’s over, you snake.”

Thud!

Just as he was about to unleash his final blow with a powerful stomp.

‘…?’

Yo-roe’s eyes flickered for a moment.

‘What is this?’

The internal energy surging from his dantian [an energy center in the body] was suddenly shaken violently, like a raft caught in a storm.

In a split second, Yo-roe was caught in a terrible dilemma, whether to extend his fist or not. He believed in his own strength, in the cult’s martial arts, and in the history of his training.

There was no way he could be wrong. It was just a temporary fluctuation in his internal energy. He just needed to strike.

That’s what his reason told him. But his instincts were different.

A beast’s intuition whispered.

‘No. Don’t strike.’

Already, following the incantation of the Eight Fists of the Flame King, his true energy was flowing from his chest to his right shoulder.

And his true energy was creating an even more violent wave as it approached his fist.

‘It’s dangerous to extend that fist!’

A chill ran down his spine.

He didn’t know why he felt that way. But Yo-roe clearly sensed danger.

And Yo-roe.

‘That’s nonsense!’

He decided to ignore the warning his instincts were shouting. With this one blow, he could crush that arrogant man.

Yo-roe forcefully unleashed his fist.

Boom!

“…?!”

Silence fell.

Tang Gwan looked at Yo-roe with a pitiful gaze. And Yo-roe stared at his own fist with an expression of disbelief.

His fist had exploded from the inside, mangled to the point where bone was visible.

Sizzle!

The surging flames cauterized the wound and evaporated the blood.

It must have been incredibly painful. Yet, Yo-roe just stared blankly at his fist.

“If you’re empty-headed, you should at least be careful, but you don’t even have that.”

“…What did you do?”

“It’s none of your concern. You wouldn’t understand anyway.”

Tang Gwan raised his right hand.

He snapped his fingers, his index finger and thumb touching.

Snap!

With a crisp sound, Yo-roe’s face turned pale.

“Ugh!”

He vomited a mouthful of blood.

Whoosh!

That wasn’t all. The flames that had been burning everywhere began to subside at an alarming rate.

The flames, which had been narrowing their range around their master, began to condense on his back and both of his upper arms.

Those were the areas where Tang Gwan’s palm and foot techniques had struck earlier.

‘Danger!!’

Tang Gwan grinned.

“They said poison doesn’t work? How amusing.”

Whoosh!

The true energy of the Guiding Reversal Three Yang Return to Origin Technique that emanated from his body penetrated Yo-roe’s pores.

In an instant, a white light exploded from Yo-roe’s body.

Crack!!

With a tremendous explosion, a vortex of flames soared into the sky.

Tang Gwan brushed off his sleeve. Fortunately, there was nothing wrong with his robe.

“There’s no one who is immune to poison. As long as you don’t use it clumsily.”