Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 377

Whoosh.

The wind whistled past his ears.

Rustle.

A leaf, carried by the wind, brushed against Yeon Ho-Jeong’s closed eyes.

At that moment, a streak of light shot out from the distance.

Phew-woo-woo-woong!

A single iron dart, tearing through the air, aimed precisely for the leaf.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes snapped open.

Thwack!

A swift upward swing of the White Dragon Axe cleaved the iron dart in two.

Considering its speed and sharp penetrating power, it was split far too easily. This was partly thanks to the axe, a weapon worthy of being called divine, but it also demonstrated his perfect control over his power.

Muk Bi released the bowstring.

Pipipiping!

Five invisible arrows were fired.

It was the Five Consecutive Shots of Formless Bullets. And they weren’t just fired in a straight line.

Some arrows flew straight, while others curved. Some were slow, while others were so fast it was hard to even react.

It was an amazing archery technique designed to confuse the opponent.

Yeon Ho-Jeong swung his twin axes at terrifying speed.

Thwack thwack thwack thwack!

The five Formless Bullets were destroyed in quick succession.

Whoosh.

The shockwave sent leaves scattering into the sky.

Peeeee-ing!

Muk Bi, not missing his target, fired an arrow that created a huge gust of wind.

It was the Nine Dragons Breaking Heaven Bow, Dragon Fang Cannon. The arrow, tearing through the air, generated power like a cannon.

Flash!

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had soared into the air and positioned himself in front of the leaves, swung the Black and White Twin Dragon Axes diagonally.

Clang!

The air vibrated, and Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body was slightly pushed back.

Whoooosh!

Even while being pushed back, he released his energy through his toes. The leaves, pushed back, glided along with Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body.

Muk Bi urgently fired arrows.

Pipipipipiping!

The arrows of an archer who had broken through the Wall of No Form [a high level of archery mastery] were so fast and powerful that even a master one or two levels higher would have difficulty reacting.

Thwack thwack thwack thwack thwack!

However, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s axe strikes, which blocked all those attacks, were beyond the realm of skill level.

With his extremely sharp senses, he completely grasped the movement of the arrows. At the same time, he used the most efficient Four Divine Styles [a martial arts technique] at that moment, maximizing efficiency with minimal movement to defend. It was a skill that could make even ghosts weep.

Swoosh.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had landed lightly on the ground, hung his twin axes at his waist.

“Tch.”

Flap flap!

Muk Bi, who had flown in with an amazing movement technique, landed softly in front of him.

“I thought I could break through in five moves.”

“The arrows have become faster and sharper. The power control is also free. You’ve definitely improved since before.”

“But you still couldn’t hit a single leaf.”

“I was blocking them.”

“That’s quite the confidence.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“Thanks to you, I’ve become completely used to it. Thank you.”

Someone like Yeon Ho-Jeong could be called a master even with a weapon he had just picked up.

But that was it. What was important was not just handling the weapon well for its purpose, but making it completely melt into his own martial arts.

Fortunately, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s understanding of weapons was higher than anyone else, and he was also skilled in both axe and hand-to-hand combat, so he was able to completely make the Black and White Twin Dragon Axes his own in a short time.

Muk Bi asked.

“It definitely feels different from the Light Dragon Axe. The destructive power of a single blow has decreased, but it feels faster and more precise.”

“It’s the difference in the shape and weight of the weapons. Besides, the Light Dragon Axe is, so to speak, an extreme destructive weapon based on the spear and the sword. The destructive power of a single blow is second to none, but without the ability to adapt, there will inevitably be weaknesses in defense and continuous attacks.”

“On the other hand, the Black and White Twin Dragons are good at changes and continuous attacks, and are also outstanding in defense. Although the power of a single blow has decreased.”

“That’s right.”

“Well, that wouldn’t be a big problem for someone at your level, Young Master Yeon. Frankly, the destructive power of the Light Dragon Axe is so great that it’s almost like a siege weapon. If you’re fighting against people, you don’t really need that much destructive power.”

“But it’s good when facing a master who has reached a higher level than me. Especially when a combined attack is needed.”

Muk Bi said with a curious expression.

“Is it that difficult?”

“What is?”

“Young Master Yeon… you’re someone who has already reached the ultimate realm.”

He must be talking about his martial arts during his time as the Dark Emperor.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled wryly.

“Of course, my current enlightenment is that of the Dark Emperor. However, there is still a significant gap between my body and internal energy. I’m trying to close that gap, but I don’t know. I can’t think of a way to reach that level in an instant.”

“It’s amazing. I’ve heard that the martial arts of the Central Plains [ancient China] are usually based on the divine arts of Buddhism and Taoism, so enlightenment is more important than anything else.”

“That’s right.”

“That is, even if your body and internal energy are lacking, if your enlightenment has reached the ultimate realm, your body and energy will develop rapidly to match that enlightenment.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“The Four Divine Styles are different from the martial arts of Buddhism or Taoism. Of course, if you trace its origins, it wouldn’t be completely unaffected, but the Four Divine Styles are, after all, a thorough fighting technique that excludes enlightenment. So, there are no grand moves that can be called ultimate techniques. The main purpose is simply to kill the enemy with the most efficient movement in that moment, in that battle.”

“Was it called the Vermilion Bird Art? I heard that’s a killing technique?”

“A killing technique is just a killing technique. Of course, as you go to the later moves, the power increases and the killing intent becomes stronger, but it’s a matter of efficiency of skill, not focusing on power.”

“It’s complicated.”

“You can say that again.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Maybe it’s because it’s such a complicated martial art that it’s fun to think about. How much easier would it be if the moves were clearly defined like other common martial arts?”

He said that, but Yeon Ho-Jeong had no doubt that the Four Divine Styles were the strongest martial arts for worldly battles.

It had a clear form, but it could be freely transformed as needed. That’s why it was difficult to master, and that’s why a master could respond to any situation.

In other words, just by mastering the Four Divine Styles, the overall understanding of moves could increase rapidly. Of course, it would be incredibly difficult for the person mastering it.

“But.”

“Hmm?”

Muk Bi tilted his head.

“If Young Master Yeon achieved that level before the age of fifty, it means that there has been an overall improvement in your skills since you first mastered the Four Divine Styles, right? And quite a big one at that.”

“Well, that’s true.”

“Even if the Four Divine Styles are not a martial art of enlightenment, Young Master Yeon has already stepped into that realm.”

“So?”

“It’s strange. I’ve heard that the Four Divine Styles are martial arts of the battlefield, so their development and effectiveness are maximized in life-and-death battles, but somehow, I don’t think Young Master Yeon’s martial arts are improving as much as before.”

“……!”

“Ah, it’s not that Young Master Yeon’s level is low. It’s actually amazing. I haven’t even seen the tail of the realm that Young Master Yeon is in. But…”

Muk Bi smiled awkwardly.

“I just had that thought. For some reason, Young Master Yeon is the kind of person who makes you have such expectations. Every day, you grow another step, and even though I try my best to follow you, when I look up, you’re already further ahead.”

“Hmm.”

“So, these days, I think, ‘Oh, this person has a human side too.'”

It was a rather cautious remark from Muk Bi’s perspective, but the shock Yeon Ho-Jeong received was quite significant.

‘Is that so? Muk Bi’s words make sense?’

The Four Divine Styles were not a martial art of enlightenment, but when he thought about when he first returned, his body and true energy had definitely grown rapidly.

Of course, it wasn’t just because of the Four Divine Styles. It was also thanks to the Biseonjin Method [a cultivation technique], and because he had a deep understanding and efficiency of energy as the Dark Emperor, he was able to develop faster than anyone else.

But now…

‘What is it?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes wavered.

‘Am I stagnating? Without me knowing?’

He looked down at his hands.

The hands that were once covered in calluses had become smooth again as his true energy was activated. They weren’t completely without calluses, but they weren’t as thick as they were during his time as the Dark Emperor.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sank deeply.

‘I’ve been constantly trying my best, but was that effort too habitual?’

That wasn’t it.

Yeon Ho-Jeong had been making an effort with a clear goal every moment. His eyes were fixed on his time as the Dark Emperor, and his true energy was always sharp to reach that realm.

But why wasn’t there the same growth as before? As Muk Bi said, it was a path he had already walked, wasn’t it? Moreover, it wasn’t like there hadn’t been fierce battles, right?

“Young Master Yeon.”

“……”

“Young Master Yeon?”

“Huh? Oh? Why?”

Muk Bi cleared his throat.

“Sorry to interrupt your thoughts, but your father has arrived.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned his head.

There was Yeon Wi.

“Father.”

Yeon Wi nodded.

“Were you training?”

“Ah, yes.”

He was momentarily deep in thought, but he couldn’t show it in front of his father.

Yeon Ho-Jeong straightened his expression.

“Did you come about the Moyong Gun matter?”

“That’s right.”

“How did it go?”

Yeon Wi smiled wryly.

“He’s definitely not an ordinary person.”

“What do you mean…?”

“It was a success. Vice-Chief Yang has agreed to open the way. Although he said that, seeing Clan Leader Moyong’s face, it seems like we can get tacit support as well.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong clicked his tongue.

“As expected of Moyong Gun.”

Despite having gained some results, Yeon Wi’s expression was not very bright.

Yeon Ho-Jeong comforted him with kind words.

“Don’t be too disappointed. Moyong Gun is a thorough person. Although we can’t publicly reveal and bury the relationship with the Mukryong Unit [a group of assassins], if we can turn Yang Cheon’s heart with this, it can be seen as a greater gain.”

That’s right. What Yeon Wi had proposed when asking Moyong Gun was to bury the relationship with the Mukryong Unit.

What if the head of a prestigious orthodox sect made a deal with the head of a black-hearted alliance? If it were known to the outside world, it would be a world-shaking event. Moyong Gun’s political life would be completely destroyed, and his life could be in danger.

Not only that. If that fact were known, the Moyong family would also fall into the mud. They wouldn’t be driven to become public enemies of the martial world like the Nine Great Clans, but they would have to live without ever being able to hold their heads high.

Yeon Wi, or rather, Yeon Ho-Jeong, tried to move Moyong Gun with that as a condition. It was like a promissory note, but it could be seen as a deal with the other party with a promissory note that was certain in its effectiveness.

Yeon Wi shook his head.

“It’s not because I lost a card to defeat Clan Leader Moyong. It’s just…”

“Yes?”

“It’s just frustrating. The hearts of the people in the world may not all be like mine, but even so, aren’t they all too selfish? I thought that even the Fighting King Yang Cheon, although he walks a different path, was a chivalrous hero who knew loyalty and had generosity, but in the end, he was just another martial artist blinded by worldly desires, and that fact is bitter.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

It was a smile with bitterness.

“Desire tests people regardless of their target.”

“Yes, it seems so.”

Yeon Wi took a deep breath.

“In any case, the deal with the Mukryong Unit Chief is over. Now…”

“It’s time for us to run wild.”

“That’s right.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes changed.

“Chief Muk.”

Muk Bi bowed his head.

“Yes, Commander.”

“Tell all the Uijeong Unit to gather at the South Gate in two hours.”

“Yes.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked up at the sky.

“The king of the assassination world… is it also ‘that’ lineage?”