Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 361

The Authority of the Strong (4)

Beonjak, the First Martial General.

He was the leader of the Eighteen Martial Generals of the Divine Flame Church, the strongest martial general in both name and reality. His martial prowess was on a different level from the other generals, earning him the title of ‘Divine General’ among them.

Despite being over sixty years old, his achieved level was so high that he looked no older than his mid-forties. Although he had not reached the realm of the Supreme [a legendary level of martial arts mastery], he was a powerhouse who could not be said to be walking the same path as those who had merely broken through the wall of martial arts [a significant but lower level of mastery].

Moreover, as the leader of the Eighteen Martial Generals, who were the vanguard of the Divine Flame Church, Beonjak was worthy of being called a great general of a nation. In other words, Beonjak was the best vanguard that the Divine Flame Church could confidently send out in any war.

In Beonjak’s eyes, he saw the face of a young powerhouse wielding a huge axe.

A cold, calm gaze, a face devoid of expression, yet conveying terrifying rage and a chilling sense of intimidation—a powerhouse from the Central Plains [the heartland of the martial world].

“Annoying.”

Beonjak threw a punch towards the falling axe blade.

Clang!

Yeon Ho-Jeong coughed up blood and flew backward.

He had blown away the power of the Wall Mountain Tiger Palm [a powerful palm technique], the weight of the Mad Dragon Axe, and the attack power of the White Tiger Fist [a fist technique] with a single punch. Moreover, he seemed completely unfazed, his face full of composure.

However, his eyes held a strange light.

‘It didn’t go in properly?’

The fist’s power had not penetrated the opponent properly. It meant that while being repelled, he had dissipated almost all of the volcanic force.

‘He dispersed the power at the moment of impact, even though I struck with all my might?’

He was an interesting fellow.

Even though his capabilities were far below his own, he was using such tactics. Beyond practical experience, his sense of martial arts itself was remarkable.

It was then.

“Ho-Jeong!”

Whoosh!

Yeon-Wi, Tang Gwan, and Muk Bi rushed to Yeon Ho-Jeong’s side.

Just a moment ago, everyone had been pushed back by the powerful explosive force that Beonjak had unleashed. Immediately, Beonjak had moved a great distance to strike Moyong Gun, and at the same time, Yeon Ho-Jeong had chased after Beonjak to land a blow.

“Are you alright?”

“Ptoo! I’m fine.”

Wiping the blood from his mouth, Yeon Ho-Jeong glared at Beonjak.

Beonjak spoke with interest.

“You are all outstanding powerhouses. It seems like it’s been quite a while since I’ve seen such strong individuals gathered together.”

Fwoosh!

The flames that had been erupting from all directions had gradually subsided.

Neighhhhh!

The cries of countless horses.

The combined forces of the Tangma Extermination Squad [a group dedicated to eliminating demonic threats], having defeated all the Divine Flame soldiers, were slowly forming ranks and gathering here.

Finally, the last battle had begun. All those who were qualified to end this fight had gathered.

On the Divine Flame Church side, Beonjak and Cheon Gang.

On the Martial Alliance side, the three heads of the Six Great Clans, the commanders of the Yu Army, and over five hundred and fifty powerhouses.

They glared at each other, their fighting spirit burning fiercely. The final chapter of the long battle was near.

Beonjak said to Cheon Gang.

“You didn’t handle things properly.”

“I-I apologize.”

“Tsk, it was my misjudgment to think that you were enough. I won’t hold you accountable separately.”

“…Thank you.”

Beonjak looked around again.

“This place has been breached this much… Interesting. Could it be that all the martial generals scattered in Henan have been defeated?”

At that moment, Tang Gwan spoke.

“Did you think we would have left them alive to reach this place?”

Beonjak turned to look at Tang Gwan.

His Westerner-like blue eyes deepened like an abyss.

“Poisonous energy. I know that only the experts of the Sichuan Tang Clan [a clan famous for their poison techniques] possess such poisonous energy in the Central Plains.”

“You see well. I am Tang Gwan, the head of the Sichuan Tang Clan.”

He spoke confidently, but Tang Gwan was inwardly surprised.

The Three Yang Returning to Origin Technique [a technique to conceal poison] perfectly concealed the poison within the body. Even Yo Roe had not known that he was from the Tang Clan until he released his poison.

Yet, Beonjak had seen through it at once. His pride was hurt, but he could not help but acknowledge that he was a powerhouse of a different level.

Beonjak smiled.

His eyes were chilling, but only the corners of his mouth turned up. It was a sinister smile.

“Not bad. Truly not bad. Judging by your faces, you all seem to be from the Martial Alliance [a coalition of martial arts clans]. Did you already know about our existence?”

Yeon-Wi spoke.

“Surrender.”

“Hmm?”

“We recognize your strength. However, there is nowhere left for you to escape.”

Beonjak chuckled.

“If I surrender? You’ll spare my life?”

“That is correct.”

“A tempting offer. Do you have the authority to do so?”

“No. However, I believe that at least for now, I can guarantee your lives.”

“So, even if I don’t die immediately, I could be killed after being taken away.”

“That is correct.”

“You’re honest.”

“I do not like lies. Even if I were to speak a lie, I don’t think you would believe it.”

Beonjak, who had been quietly looking at Yeon-Wi, asked as if throwing a question.

“I want to know your name.”

“I am Yeon-Wi, the head of the Gangdong Byeoksan Yeon Clan.”

“Yeon-Wi of the Judge’s Sword! Indeed, your character is as good as your reputation. You show at least some courtesy to your enemies… Even though you are an enemy, you are a great hero with whom I would like to share a drink.”

“So, what is your answer?”

Beonjak shook his head.

“I will not surrender.”

“That is regrettable.”

“I too find it regrettable. To think that you believe you can capture me with this much force, you are quite underestimating me.”

His words were filled with terrifying confidence.

Tang Gwan’s lips twitched.

“Would you like to test that?”

“There’s no need to test anything. From the start, you gathered to capture us, so of course, swords will have to be exchanged, won’t they?”

“Arrogant fool!”

It was then.

Flash! Clang!

A streak of lightning-like sword energy struck Beonjak.

Fwoosh.

A thick, hazy smoke rose up.

Everyone looked towards the source of the lightning.

It was Moyong Gun who had suddenly unleashed the sword energy.

Moyong Gun spoke coldly.

“Stop the useless chatter and let’s capture him quickly.”

Whoosh!

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had leaped into the smoke, said briefly.

“Agreed.”

Whoooosh!

A murderous aura, like a raging fire, filled the Guanglong Division. The Hongyeom Yuksal Gong [Crimson Flame Six Kill Art] had been activated.

Clang! Clang!

With a thunderous boom, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s upper body was thrown backward.

“Tsk, tsk.”

Whoooosh.

Beonjak emerged through the dissipating smoke. Despite taking Moyong Gun’s sword energy and Yeon Ho-Jeong’s attack, he seemed completely unharmed.

“To gather this many troops and still resort to a sneak attack, you are truly ignorant of proper conduct.”

Just then, Muk Bi released his bowstring.

Whoosh! Thwack!

The arrow, flying like lightning, was caught by Beonjak’s hand. It was an astonishing display of reflexes. The ease with which he snatched it, as if there was no need to dodge, exuded immense composure.

Tang Gwan shouted.

“Kill him!”

Wham! Wham! Wham! Wham! Wham!

A barrage of Five Consecutive Palms and the Tang Clan’s Thousand Poison Hands shook the air.

As if waiting for this moment, Yeon Wi leaped in, wielding the Iron Sword Grand Evolution’s swordsmanship. Muk Bi’s arrows, shot again, weaved through the two like ghosts, aiming for Beonjak’s head and chest.

Beonjak’s eyes deepened.

Even for one called a divine general, these were not attacks that could be taken lightly.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Invisible flames gathered in his hands, forming a massive Dragon Head Blade.

It was the Divine Flame Sect’s ultimate technique, the Fire Dragon Demonic Blade. However, it was on a different level from the Fire Dragon Demonic Blade used by other warriors.

It was far more intense, emitting a much more powerful fire energy. The fire energy alone was enough to weaken half of the incoming attacks.

Beonjak swung his twin blades.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Zzzt!

Beonjak’s Fire Dragon Demonic Blade was not just powerful. Its sharp cutting power, along with the shockwaves from the fire blade, disrupted the attacks of the masters. It was a terrifying display of power and masterful internal energy control.

Krrrrrr!

There was something else astonishing.

Beonjak’s martial arts were not only powerful but also as fast as Cheon Gang’s.

Flash!

Tang Gwan’s eyes widened. He could feel Beonjak’s presence behind him.

“If we keep clashing, your poison will be hard to endure. You should be the first to go.”

Wham!

Tang Gwan spat out blood as he was sent flying sideways.

Beonjak’s eyes narrowed.

‘It didn’t land properly.’

He had momentarily switched from the Tang Clan’s Thousand Poison Hands to the Diamond Five Poison Palm. While the poison was not as potent as the Thousand Poison Hands, the Diamond Five Poison Palm’s strength and resilience were superior.

A master who instinctively changed his martial arts to adapt.

‘It’s not just him.’

Beonjak turned his head to the side.

Flash!

A sword energy, flying like an arrow, grazed his cheek.

It was Yeon Wi. He had arrived here unnoticed, his swordsmanship, wielded with a cold aura, was like an iron wall.

Beonjak swung the Fire Dragon Demonic Blade again.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

The blades clashed over a dozen times, creating a massive shower of sparks.

Yeon Wi staggered backward. Although he embodied near-perfect martial arts, he was no match for Beonjak’s raw power.

However, Beonjak was surprised.

Trickle.

A sword wound appeared on his shoulder. It was a wound inflicted by Yeon Wi’s Iron Sword Grand Evolution.

‘He broke through it?’

He had broken through the double barrier of the Fire Dragon Demonic Blade and the Golden Restraint Harmonious Art to inflict a wound. Although it was just a cut on the flesh, the important thing was that he had broken through such a powerful internal energy defense.

Swish! Swish!

Yeon Wi, uncharacteristically, used agile footwork to flank Beonjak.

Krrrrrr!

A thunderous sound echoed from Beonjak’s hand.

It was not the Fire Dragon Demonic Blade. It was the Blazing Divine Palm.

The mere gathering of the Blazing Divine Palm’s power created a massive explosion. It was a roar that made his opponent predict that the power of the strike would be comparable to a fire bomb.

‘Let’s see if you can take this.’

Beonjak swung the Blazing Divine Palm.

Whoosh!

It was a terrifying flame.

With just one swing, a golden pillar of fire erupted.

At this level, the Blazing Divine Palm used by other warriors was nothing more than child’s play. The moment the flames erupted, the wooden structures five yards away caught fire.

Swoosh!

The surrounding masters involuntarily retreated over ten yards. They could not withstand the ultra-high temperature.

Then, what about Yeon Wi?

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The force, like a cannon blast, collided with the sword barrier created by Yeon Wi, creating a series of explosions.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Whoosh! Whoosh!

With the continuous explosions, the gradually diminishing force suddenly soared high into the sky.

‘…!’

Beonjak’s face hardened.

“Hoo.”

In front of him stood Yeon Wi, lowering his stance and holding his sword. His clothes were burned in several places, but his expression remained cold.

“You blocked that?”

He had not just blocked it. He had blocked and deflected it repeatedly, and when the force of the energy had diminished to a certain extent, he had pulled it down and sent it flying high into the sky.

It was truly a divine swordsmanship. Tang Gwan, and even Moyong Gun, could not help but admire the perfect counter.

“You are indeed strong. But I can somehow manage to receive it.”

Yeon Wi, having released his stance, took the ready stance again.

It was an uncharacteristically aggressive stance. As if he would take a life with one strike, an even sharper aura enveloped his entire body.

The head of the Byeoksan Yeon Family, the Judge’s Sword, Yeon Wi.

The one who wields the most perfect swordsmanship among the current martial artists.

Regardless of the strength of his internal energy, his understanding of the sword had reached the highest level. The overwhelming ability to counter even stronger forces with simple techniques came from that very understanding.

Beonjak’s eyes twitched slightly.

‘Was the Yeon Family Head this strong? The head of a sword family that has only been famous in the martial world for fifty years?’

It was then.

Thwack!

A gruesome sound of flesh tearing was followed by Cheon Gang’s scream.

Beonjak reflexively turned his head.

“Hah! Hah! Ah, that bastard is damn fast.”

Beonjak’s face contorted.

A bloodied Yeon Ho-Jeong was grabbing Cheon Gang by the collar. Cheon Gang had been hit squarely by the axe, with a massive wound on his upper body.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, panting heavily, glared at Beonjak.

“Now, it’s really just you left.”