Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 388

“A message has arrived.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s face was unusually bright.

“They say that Commander Yeon has successfully completed the deal with Vice Chief Yang.”

Excitement flickered in Yeon-Wi’s eyes. He clenched his fist without realizing it.

Tang Gwan chuckled.

“I’ll have to take another look at Yang Cheon. If he didn’t get heated by that impudent tongue, he could be considered a saint.”

As Yeon-Wi’s tension eased, Tang Gwan’s way of addressing Yeon Ho-Jeong changed again. Tang Gwan had a meticulous side that didn’t match his appearance.

“Although it’s a relationship that could fall apart at any time, it will at least be a great help in this mission.”

“If that Hong Gwan, who is known as Yang Cheon’s disciple, is a pawn of the Three Teachings [a mysterious and powerful organization], then Yang Cheon could also become an ally.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho shook his head.

“We need to watch that a bit more. Yang Cheon is too much of a burden to simply consider an enemy. The Three Teachings will also try to win him over at least once.”

Tang Gwan tilted his head.

“According to that impudent guy, the Three Teachings have quite a few masters who can compete evenly with the strong of Seongcheon [a powerful martial arts faction], right?”

“Of course, if we are prepared for an all-out war, the story would be different. However, since ancient times, the principle of war is to achieve maximum effect with minimal damage. There’s no way the Three Teachings wouldn’t know that.”

“Hmm.”

“Moreover, the Three Teachings are the ones initiating the fight against us. And we are fighting on our own territory.”

“Is it like a dog has an advantage in its own backyard?”

“…Are you implying that we are the dogs?”

“Whatever it is, isn’t it advantageous for us?”

“That’s right. It was the same when we went to capture the Eighteen Warriors of the Shinwha Cult [a cult known for its powerful warriors] before. Thanks to Commander Yeon’s wit and strategy, we defeated them quite easily, but the geographical advantage cannot be ignored. The Three Teachings are not familiar with the terrain of the Central Plains, and most of them probably don’t even know where is where.”

“Do you think they would try to wage war without even that much preparation?”

“They would have at least a map of the Central Plains. However, despite that, they still carried out infiltration operations. They know that fighting in the Central Plains is disadvantageous for them.”

“I see.”

Yeon-Wi nodded.

“The psychological advantage in a fight is more significant than you think. The opposite is also true. In the fight against the Eighteen Warriors, they must have been very flustered.”

“Lord Yeon’s words are correct.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho sighed.

It was a sigh that showed relief rather than frustration.

“In any case, we have overcome one big hurdle. Let’s discuss the rest after this operation is successful.”

“Let’s do that.”

“There is one remaining issue in this operation. That is, how strong is that Hong Gwan…”

It was then.

“Is anyone in there?”

In an instant, the three were startled.

The voice coming from outside the office was very familiar.

What was surprising was that they hadn’t sensed ‘that person’ coming all the way here. It was even more surprising because the military affairs department members were busy and hadn’t stationed anyone.

Jeagal Mun-Ho got up from his seat.

“Please come in.”

“Then, I’ll be intruding.”

Creak.

The door opened, and a monk appeared.

It was Great Master Gong Gong.

* * *

Thud thud thud.

The sound of the warhorses’ hooves, led by the Righteous Army, was full of confidence.

Most of the soldiers didn’t know exactly what their leader, Yeon Ho-Jeong, had been doing. Yeon Ho-Jeong, as well as Moyong Woo, knew that it was better not to give their subordinates more information than necessary.

However, one thing was certain.

Their leader, the Azure Wall Tiger Yeon Ho-Jeong, had fought with the Fighting King Yang Cheon, the master of the Black Dragon Unit and one of the Thirteen Seats of Seongcheon.

That fact made the soldiers look at Yeon Ho-Jeong in a new light and instilled confidence in them for this mission.

Of course, they didn’t think Yeon Ho-Jeong had defeated Yang Cheon. It was impossible. All the strong of Seongcheon were invincible monsters who displayed divine martial prowess.

However, the mere fact that Yeon Ho-Jeong had challenged the Fighting King of the world was enough to boost the soldiers’ morale to the sky.

Their leader was not just a strong person, but someone with the audacity to challenge a master of Seongcheon.

Just as the soldiers’ morale had risen as high as it could go.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was actually leading the charge, was observing his inner self.

‘What is this?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong clicked his tongue inwardly.

‘I clearly heard it was moderate? What kind of thing did he give me?’

Whoosh. Whoosh whoosh.

The Yeon Family’s Inner Core [a core of energy within a martial artist] was spinning fiercely.

It wasn’t that a fight had broken out, nor was he consciously rotating his inner core, but the Yeon Family’s Inner Core was spinning at high speed as if he had pulled up his inner energy with all his might.

The reason was one.

‘It’s absorbing.’

The medicinal power of the elixir filling his lower dantian [an energy center in the body] was being rapidly refined and gathered into the Yeon Family’s Inner Core. Yet, there was still enough medicinal power left to make his lower dantian feel tight.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s lower dantian, having reached the Limitless Realm, was wider and deeper than those of other supreme masters.

That large dantian was still filled to the brim with medicinal power.

‘Putting aside everything else.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong clicked his tongue at Yang Cheon’s audacity.

‘I have to give him credit for being bold.’

He recalled Yang Cheon’s face, exhausted after completing all the treatments.

And his voice too.

‘You were right. My true energy was contaminated by the evil energy of the Demonic Cult Leader, that damned bastard. Thanks to you, I’ve completely escaped his clutches, so this is truly something to be grateful for.’

‘But I won’t give you a separate thank you. You are still an enemy of the Black Dragon Unit. But I can’t just let you go, it would be beneath me. If you saved the life of the Fighting King, you deserve a proper reward.’

‘It’s called the Wood Spirit Pill. Don’t take it anywhere else, consume it right here.’

Even Yeon Ho-Jeong, who knew a lot, had never heard of an elixir called the Wood Spirit Pill. Of course, he didn’t have much knowledge about elixirs. So much so that he didn’t even know the names of the elixirs held by the Nine Great Sects and the Six Great Families.

However, it was clear that the Wood Spirit Pill was an extraordinary elixir.

‘When I looked at it, I only felt a moderate amount of medicinal power, but once I consumed it, it’s no joke.’

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

A faint blue-green light emanated from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes.

It wasn’t that he was using the Azure Wall Energy and the Dragon’s Roar Energy. He was using the Azure Dragon Art [a powerful martial arts technique].

‘The Wood Spirit Pill is based on wood energy. The Azure Dragon Energy is the embodiment of wood energy, the best true energy to absorb the power of this elixir.’

It didn’t end there.

Wood generates fire. When the Azure Dragon Energy blazed, the Vermilion Bird Energy, which is fire energy, naturally gained power, and when the Vermilion Bird Energy became stronger, the Black Tortoise Energy, which is water energy, created an even deeper power.

When all three divine energies gained a higher level of spiritual energy, the White Tiger Energy naturally followed, making all four divine energies stronger.

The problem was.

‘This is a damn mess.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

‘What’s his intention? I said I’d eat it slowly later, but the medicinal power is too strong!’

The density of the medicinal power was beyond imagination.

Even for the current Yeon Ho-Jeong, it was difficult to convert all the medicinal power into internal energy in a short period. It must have been one of the most precious items among the elixirs that Yang Cheon possessed.

‘Did he give me this so that I can come back and fight again?’

Given Yang Cheon’s personality, he might have really intended that. Well, it was fun, but it wasn’t like he didn’t feel any lack.

‘This might interfere with the mission.’

However, he had no confidence in absorbing all the medicinal power before reaching the destination, nor did he intend to throw away the remaining medicinal power.

‘Then…’

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked around.

In the first place, he didn’t really need the elixir. It would be good to eat it, but since his essence, qi, and spirit were already perfectly balanced and developed, he couldn’t fully utilize the efficiency even if he ate the elixir.

Unless it was for treatment like Yang Cheon, there was no need to eat the elixir.

‘It would be better to share it.’

He looked at Muk Bi.

Muk Bi was staring ahead with sharp eyes, driving his horse.

‘Muk Bi probably doesn’t need it much.’

Having broken through the Wall of No Seed [a significant breakthrough in martial arts], the efficiency of spiritual power would have drastically decreased. Even if that wasn’t the case, Muk Bi was already better than Yeon Ho-Jeong in terms of internal energy. There was no reason to share the medicinal power.

In the same vein, Moyong Woo was the same.

‘Then?’

But if he were to share it with all the soldiers, the medicinal power wasn’t that strong. Even if it were possible, it would take too much time to guide their internal energy one by one.

‘Hmm.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong smacked his lips.

‘I have no choice.’

In the end, the person to pass on the medicinal power to was decided.

[Gang Ryang. Come forward.]

At Yeon Ho-Jeong’s telepathic message, Gang Ryang spurred his horse faster.

Gang Ryang looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong with a puzzled expression.

“Why did you call me, brother?”

Even though the sound of the horses’ hooves was so loud, Gang Ryang’s voice reached Yeon Ho-Jeong’s ears clearly. He had adjusted the sound with his internal energy so that it could only be heard by the intended person, not by others.

Even on a dynamically moving warhorse, he could deliver a steady tone to his opponent. Just that alone showed how much Gang Ryang’s martial arts had improved.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said.

“Can you circulate your energy while riding a horse?”

“That’s a piece of cake. What do you take me for?”

“Then, I’ll share some internal energy with you, so make it your own within two days.”

“…Yes?”

Gang Ryang’s expression immediately became bewildered.

“What do you mean?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong told him everything that had happened in the Black Dragon Unit and what his current state was.

Gang Ryang said, as if dumbfounded.

“Then, you still haven’t digested it?”

“That’s what I’m saying, you imbecile.”

“No, more than that, you’re giving that to me?”

“There’s no time. We’ll arrive at our destination within three days. I’ll give you more than 70%, so make it your own by any means. Do you understand?”

“Ah, no!”

Gang Ryang turned around without realizing it.

Far in the rear was Yeon Ji-Pyeong. Yeon Ji-Pyeong was still engrossed in his sword, his mouth moving with a blank expression.

Yet, he was somehow managing to ride his horse. It was proof that he hadn’t been completely consumed by the sword principle.

“Brother. Give it to Ji-Pyeong. I’m fine.”

“No, Ji-Pyeong can’t have it.”

“Yes?”

“Giving Ji-Pyeong stronger internal energy now would be poison. I’ll take care of Ji-Pyeong later, so you take this medicinal power.”

“B-but, brother!”

“Don’t tell me.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes turned cold.

“You’re not going to say you don’t want to receive the elixir because it was given by an enemy, are you?”

“…”

Gang Ryang, who had been quietly looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong, nodded.

“Since you say so, I understand. I will receive it.”

“It will be enough to completely solidify your foundation. After receiving this medicinal power, don’t ever say you lost because you lacked internal energy.”

“I wouldn’t say something so embarrassing.”

“Good, you thought well.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong placed his hand on Gang Ryang’s Mingmen acupoint [an important acupoint on the back].

“I’ll transfer it all at once. Brace yourself.”

“I understand… Huh!”

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

The surrounding air vibrated fiercely for a moment.

He condensed the wood energy that filled his lower dantian to the limit and transferred it all at once. It was difficult to make it his own, but condensing and transferring the energy itself was not a difficult skill.

Whoosh!

Gang Ryang’s face flushed red.

Yeon Ho-Jeong grinned.

“You’ll use it properly in this mission. Brace yourself!”

Three days later.

The Righteous Army entered Guangdong Province, the southernmost part of the Central Plains.