Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 357

Muk Bi’s timing for joining the battle was truly impeccable.

Puck! Thwack, thwack, thwack! Thwack!

Each time she drew the string of the Crimson Lotus Bow, the Divine Flame soldiers fell without even a scream.

One shot, one kill. Every time an iron dart sliced through the air, a Divine Flame soldier’s life was extinguished.

It was inevitable. Instead of the chest or abdomen, she was precisely piercing their foreheads. No matter how strong their vitality, once the brain was destroyed, recovery was impossible.

Seok-Gyeong was extremely flustered.

‘An archer?!’

Before engaging the enemy, he had been unsure whether there were two or three of them.

However, once the fight began, he couldn’t focus on that. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s aura was sky-piercing, and Tang Gwan’s aura was as sinister and deep as the smoke of hell.

Amidst the overwhelming, clashing auras and the chaotic battle, he hadn’t been able to consider the existence of a ranged attacker.

Only now did Seok-Gyeong realize.

‘These guys aren’t just targeting us.’

Their movements were perfectly synchronized, and their strategy was efficient.

Even while risking their lives to hold them off, they had been careful enough not to reveal such a skilled archer until the crucial moment.

‘Did Gyujeok tell them about us? Even if that’s true, to conduct a battle so boldly yet cautiously…’

Seok-Gyeong’s eyes flashed.

‘These guys don’t just know about our sect. They clearly know about the existence of the other two sects as well.’

If so?

‘The headquarters is in danger!’

He deduced all that from the appearance of the archer. Indeed, Seok-Gyeong’s mind was not ordinary.

Seok-Gyeong shouted,

“Everyone retreat to the rear! We’re returning to headquarters immediately!”

Upon hearing that, Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

Tang Gwan asked,

“Returning to headquarters? Suddenly?”

“He’s realized it.”

“Realized what?”

“He knows they’re targeting all of them. He’s realized that other forces, namely his father and Moyong Gun, are targeting the headquarters.”

Tang Gwan’s gaze turned sinister.

“We absolutely cannot let them go.”

“Of course not.”

Fwaaaak!

The two of them charged at Seok-Gyeong and the remaining sixty or so Divine Flame soldiers with all their might.

However, their retreat was incredibly fast.

A temporary retreat and a move to return to headquarters were on different levels. Tang Gwan and Muk Bi continuously launched hidden weapons and arrows, but Seok-Gyeong’s defense from the rear was so solid that it minimized the damage.

“It can’t be helped.”

A determined glint flashed in Tang Gwan’s eyes.

Due to extreme internal energy consumption, he might fall into a temporary state of combat inability.

However, there was no other way. If they let them return to headquarters, things would go awry. Tang Gwan was a man who valued the complete annihilation of the enemy more than his own arrogance.

‘It’s a bit awkward to show it to this guy.’

It couldn’t be helped. With this one move, he had to completely block their escape.

That’s when it happened.

“It’s alright.”

“……?!”

“You don’t have to push yourself.”

Tang Gwan’s eyes wavered.

‘Could this guy possibly?’

Could he possibly know? What kind of martial art he was about to unleash?

Of course, Yeon Ho-Jeong knew. However, he pretended not to know the details for Tang Gwan’s sake.

“It seems you’re thinking of using a secret technique that you haven’t shown publicly, but you don’t have to.”

“……Why not?”

“Can’t you hear it?”

“What?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled. His face was pale from extreme internal energy consumption, but his eyes were shining brilliantly.

“They’ve arrived just in time. Our allies.”

In that instant, Tang Gwan’s ears perked up.

Dududududu.

The sound of horses’ hooves was coming from afar.

Although the numbers were not large, each horse seemed to be a steed of the highest caliber. The speed at which they were charging, pounding the earth, was truly astonishing.

Yeon Ho-Jeong muttered quietly,

“Those damn bastards. They should have come sooner, making my heart race like this.”

Muk Bi, who had been firing arrows while climbing the cliff, approached Yeon Ho-Jeong’s side.

“They’ve arrived.”

“Yes, they’ve arrived.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked past the retreating Divine Flame soldiers.

At the end of the narrow path, blocked by cliffs on both sides, a thick cloud of dust was rising.

“Now, let’s squeeze out the last of our strength!”

Fwaaaak!

The three of them charged forward with terrifying momentum.

‘What is it?’

Seok-Gyeong, who had been wondering why no attacks were coming from the rear, was startled by the sensation of the earth shaking and looked ahead.

“Aaaaaah!”

Over fifty mounted warriors charging with shouts.

As if they had known this situation all along, they charged in, forming an encirclement, their momentum like a raging wave.

“Who the hell are those guys?!”

“Who else could they be?”

Bwoooom!

The Gwangryongbu [a large, axe-like weapon] flew at an incredible speed, adorned with the Vermilion Bird aura [a powerful, fire-based energy].

Jjeoeoeong!

Seok-Gyeong’s face contorted. The power of the Gwangryongbu, which had flown in, creating a wheel of fire, nearly broke his arms.

Fwaaaak!

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had soared into the air and grabbed the Gwangryongbu again, raised the axe high above his head.

“They’re my subordinates.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong slammed the Gwangryongbu down towards the earth with all his might.

Kwakwakwang!

The slash, which was imbued with the Vermilion Bird and White Tiger auras [a powerful, wind-based energy], creating a red and white firestorm, shattered the surface of the earth, sending debris flying.

The cracks reached past Seok-Gyeong and to the feet of the Divine Flame soldiers.

Just as the sixty or so Divine Flame soldiers momentarily lost their balance.

That’s when the Myulsa Army [Yeon Ho-Jeong’s personal army] stormed in.

“Kill them all!”

“Waaaaaaaah!”

Kwarururung!

The Myulsa Army’s advance, blocking the entrance and pushing forward, was accompanied by immense destructive power.

Hopelessness appeared on Seok-Gyeong’s face.

Swish! Thwack!

A throwing knife was embedded in his shoulder. It was a throwing knife thrown by Tang Gwan.

Chiiiiik!

It evaporated the bone-melting poison that was penetrating his skin. However, that momentary use of internal energy caused his footwork to falter.

Muk Bi coldly drew her bow.

Pi pi pi ping! Thwack!

Four arrows pierced the bodies of two Divine Flame soldiers, and one arrow pierced Seok-Gyeong’s thigh.

Tang Gwan quickly ran forward, passing Muk Bi.

With a short word.

“Not bad.”

Swish!

Tang Gwan, who had approached like a lightning bolt, unleashed a double palm strike on Seok-Gyeong’s chest.

Thwack, thwack!

“Kuhuk!”

Seok-Gyeong, spitting blood, fell back into the midst of the Divine Flame soldiers.

Thwack! Kwakwang!

In the front, the Myulsa Army pushed forward, deploying the Three Kill Formation [a specific battle formation], and in the rear, Tang Gwan and Muk Bi frantically fired hidden weapons and arrows.

Seok-Gyeong, who had fallen and was being trampled by the Divine Flame soldiers, barely regained his senses and stood up.

‘……!!’

He looked up at the sky, feeling as if the world had suddenly darkened.

There, a black, murderous figure wielding a massive axe was descending upon him.

“The games are over, you bastards.”

The Gwangryongbu was slammed down towards Seok-Gyeong’s head.

Kwaaang!

* * *

“The hour you mentioned is almost up.”

“Let’s wait a little longer.”

Moyong Gun was calm.

Time was on their side. Even at this moment, Yeo Sang-Do’s intelligence network was deceiving the attention of the Divine Flame Sect’s experts.

However, there was no benefit to wasting more time. In other words, it was advantageous for them to launch a surprise attack as soon as possible.

‘Are they still far?’

A hint of impatience flickered across Moyong Gun’s face.

‘They need to arrive before dawn at the latest. No matter how much one enhances their eyesight with internal energy, the difference in visibility between night and day is clear. We absolutely must end the fight before sunrise.’

That’s when it happened.

Dudududu.

The sound of powerful horses’ hooves was heard from afar.

Surprise spread across Yeon-wi’s face, and a hint of delight appeared on Moyong Woo’s face.

Moyong Gun let out a quiet sigh of relief.

“They’ve arrived just in time.”

Heeheeheeing!

The sound of the horses’ cries was truly magnificent.

Yeon-wi shouted in an excited voice,

“Ho-Jeong!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was riding at the front, smiled and waved his hand.

“Were we cutting it close?”

“How did you get here……?!”

Moyong Gun said,

“I told you, our allies would bring the goods.”

“Was that Ho-Jeong and the Myulsa Army?”

“Yes. Two days ago, I received word that they would come here immediately after the fight. Considering the quantity, I thought it would be better to leave it to those guys.”

“Hoo!”

Fwaaaak!

Tang Gwan, who had leaped off his horse, landed in front of the two of them in an instant.

“It’s been a while.”

“Clan Leader Tang.”

Tang Gwan glanced at Moyong Gun and snorted. Moyong Gun pretended not to notice him.

Yeon-wi asked,

“How did the fight go?”

“Can’t you tell by the fact that we’re here? We swept them all away on our way here.”

Yeon-wi’s expression brightened.

“You’ve worked hard. You’ve really worked hard.”

“Hmph! It wasn’t that hard.”

Tang Gwan turned to look at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“That fox-like guy is so good at using his head.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong clicked his tongue and got off his horse.

“Thanks to that, I almost died. Did you know I fainted in the middle because it was so hard?”

“Shut up, you brat.”

Yeon-wi approached Yeon Ho-Jeong and Muk Bi.

“You’ve both worked hard.”

Deep relief was etched on Yeon-wi’s face as he held and shook the hands of the children he considered his son and daughter.

There was no need for great praise or many words. That one expression alone showed how much Yeon-wi had been worried.

“Bia, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Yes.”

Muk Bi said shyly,

“I was just providing support from the rear. Young Master Yeon did all the hard work.”

Yeon-wi chuckled.

“That guy always moves so recklessly. He must have charged head-on again.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong scratched his head.

“How did you know? Well, that’s how I always do things.”

“You idiot. So, can you even fight now?”

“Of course. I’ve been focusing on building up my internal energy on the way here. I can lend a hand.”

“Alright, don’t push yourself.”

“Of course.”

After finishing the conversation, Yeon Ho-Jeong approached Moyong Gun.

Moyong Gun, who had looked Yeon Ho-Jeong up and down, snorted.

“Since you’re in that state, the enemies must be in a terrible condition. You must have turned them into minced meat.”

“They have to be at least that bad to die, those guys.”

At that moment, Tang Gwan sneered,

“That guy is funny too. I wondered why he didn’t tell me beforehand that those guys don’t die easily, but it turns out he didn’t know either.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong made an embarrassed expression.

“I really didn’t know. I was wondering why Clan Leader was killing them so cruelly at first.”

“You’re a crazy bastard for tearing Gyujeok apart without even knowing that.”

Then, Moyong Gun said,

“Let’s stop the conversation now. Shouldn’t we start the battle soon?”

He asked Yeon Ho-Jeong,

“Did you receive all the goods?”

“Of course.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at the Myulsa Army. The soldiers each took out three or four golden pouches from their waists.

A cruel smile spread across Moyong Gun’s face.

“Good. Shall we go?”

“Let’s do it.”

An hour later.

Sixty or so experts surrounding the Divine Flame Sect’s headquarters lit the golden pouches on fire.

Piyuuuuung!

A single iron dart was shot high into the sky.

That was the signal. Everyone holding the golden pouches forcefully threw the smoking pouches towards any place where there was a sign of life.

Shortly after.

Kwakwakwakwang! Kwakwakwang!

With tremendous explosions, dozens of buildings burst apart as if they had exploded.

“Kuaaaak!”

“Aaaak!”

Terrible screams echoed all around. They were all screams from the Divine Flame Sect’s experts and Divine Flame soldiers.

At that moment, Moyong Woo’s booming voice cut through the sky.

“Don’t let a single one of them live!”

Kururururung!

Five hundred elite soldiers of the Tangma Army [Moyong Gun’s personal army] stormed in with terrifying momentum.