Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 391

Before entering Guangdong Province, Yeon Ho-Jeong had predicted three main ways the enemy might respond.

First, to observe.

In the world of assassins, caution is a virtue. More than any other martial artists living on the razor’s edge of the martial world, assassins are the most cautious.

They watch until the end. Even when they are confident they can take a life, they only gather information about weaknesses and strengths, remaining thoroughly hidden.

Of course, that’s usually the case. Guangdong Province had already become a region firmly controlled by assassins, led by the Yin God. Moreover, the Yin God’s abilities were at least on par with the leaders of the Nine Great Sects, and the current Yin God was even from the Evil Sound Sect.

They couldn’t have missed the rumors of the Divine Light Church’s warriors being annihilated. If so, it was unlikely they would just sit back and watch after hearing that a unit had been dispatched from the Martial Alliance.

Therefore, the second possibility was to observe quietly and then, at some point, deploy all available assassins to form an inescapable net.

An assassin’s very existence is a threat. Even a master of the highest caliber can read and react to the killing intent of most first-rate assassins, but they can still be caught off guard.

Of course, it would depend on the environment. They might send a few assassins to gauge the level of the vanguard unit, lure them to a favorable location, and then attempt to annihilate them all at once.

Personally, Yeon Ho-Jeong considered this second scenario the most likely. There was no reason to waste time when they already knew each other well.

However, this scenario had the disadvantage of risking the complete exposure of their existence to the outside world.

There is a huge difference between keeping something secret and revealing its existence to the world. It’s a matter of public sentiment, and in such a situation, both the Martial Alliance and the Three Sects would face immense pressure.

It was the most likely scenario, but not overwhelmingly so. That’s what Yeon Ho-Jeong thought.

And the third and final possibility was to send an extremely powerful master to eliminate the leader of their side.

This was the most assassin-like approach and also a way to avoid revealing the existence of the Evil Sound Sect to the world. Although they already knew about the Three Sects, it was a way to exploit the Martial Alliance’s weakness, as they couldn’t easily reveal the existence of the Three Sects without risking chaos throughout the Central Plains.

In other words, it could be considered the smartest decision. However, this third scenario required one prerequisite.

And the person who met that prerequisite was now approaching Yeon Ho-Jeong.

‘Strong!’

That’s right.

The Yin God couldn’t personally step forward to deal with the enemy’s leader. Even to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, the leader couldn’t be at the forefront of the initial battle.

Therefore, there had to be a supreme master capable of at least harming the enemy’s leader. Only then could the third scenario be valid.

‘But to think that it would be a master directly dispatched from the Evil Sound Sect!’

Whirr!

A muddy, sticky energy seized the air.

It approached, steadily pushing back the fierce fighting spirit emanating from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s White Tiger Qi. It was like the surging waves of the Northern Sea crashing against a river of blazing flames.

Chiiiik!

The Yeon Family’s Divine Pill rotated, adding power to the White Tiger Qi.

Most of the Wood Spirit Pill’s effects that Yang Cheon had given him were passed on to Gang Ryang. However, a portion of it helped enhance Yeon Ho-Jeong’s internal energy, allowing him to completely recover from his internal injuries and even gain slightly more amplified internal power than before.

As a result, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s internal energy was now comparable to Muk Bi’s enormous, unfathomable internal power.

With that level of internal energy, there would be few people who could rival Yeon Ho-Jeong in terms of true energy manipulation. How efficiently one uses an enormous amount of internal energy depends entirely on one’s enlightenment.

Fwoosh!

The tiger wind of the White Tiger Qi, which was creating a whirlwind, was gradually being pushed back.

The vast internal energy, and the qi wave of Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was using that internal energy more efficiently than any other supreme master, was being pushed back.

This was entirely due to being overpowered in terms of raw power. No matter how great Yeon Ho-Jeong’s enlightenment was, if he was behind in the density of actual power, he would inevitably be pushed back in an internal energy clash.

Just like during the battle with Beonjak.

‘A powerhouse from the Evil Sound Sect who has reached the limit. And this evil energy…?’

It was a familiar martial art. A familiar true energy.

‘…Blood Drink [a martial art that drains the opponent’s blood and energy]!’

In an instant, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes exploded with intensity.

Kwaaang! Whirr!

Fearsome Vermilion Bird Qi was imbued in the double palms that Yeon Ho-Jeong thrust out.

The Vermilion Bird Qi shattered the trees that stretched out to the left and right, forming a massive wall of flames. It was as if he had deliberately unleashed such firepower, and four or five broken trees instantly fell across the road, creating a wall of fire.

At that moment, the master who was approaching with a storm of evil energy threw a punch.

Puh-uh-uhng!

A powerful gust of fist wind shattered the burning trees.

Puh-puh-puh-puhng!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s response was swift. He blocked the splintering pieces of wood with the Northern Sky Twelve Walls [a defensive technique] of his left palm, and with the Scarlet Flame Six Kill Palm [an offensive technique] of his right palm, he further intensified the density of the scattering flames.

He simultaneously manifested the Black Tortoise Qi, which was water-based, and the Vermilion Bird Qi, which was fire-based, without any wavering. He was simultaneously manifesting yin and yang energies without causing his internal energy to collapse.

The approaching master, Sobang, was astonished.

Kwaaang!

Sobang couldn’t break through the wall of fire and landed in front of it.

Thus, with the wall of fire in between, the two men and women faced each other. The constantly flickering flames made their vision blurry, but still, the two could clearly recognize each other.

Soon, a strange look appeared on Sobang’s face.

“Yeon Ho-Jeong?”

“……”

“Hmm, seeing that barbaric axe and chain, it seems you are indeed the Myeolsa Army Commander, Yeon Ho-Jeong.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t answer. He simply stared at Sobang with an unreadable, indifferent gaze.

Sobang ignored the other’s gaze. From the start, he had no desire to know the other’s feelings or thoughts.

“By the way, why are you doing this childish trick? Someone of your caliber should be able to roughly estimate my strength, right? This means nothing to me.”

“……”

“Don’t you want to answer? Or are you frozen in fear?”

Sobang smiled coldly.

“You’ve brought some pretty useful kids. That archer girl behind you seems quite threatening. And those kids who have mastered Daoist martial arts? Not bad.”

It was understandable that he noticed Muk Bi, but he even detected Ok Cheong and Yeo Guk, who were waiting in the forest quite far away. It was a testament to how sharp Sobang’s senses were.

Sobang, who had been quietly observing Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face, shrugged his shoulders.

“Looks like you’re in shock. Well, I guess it’s understandable. With that level of skill at your age, you have every right to be arrogant. At an age when you’re full of arrogance, a powerhouse like me suddenly appears. And seeing that you’re not even trying to put on a show of pride, it’s clear that…”

Kwarurururung!

At that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s double palms once again created a sea of fire in the forests to Sobang’s left and right.

This time, it was so fast that even Sobang had difficulty reacting. He had unleashed the exploding killing intent, controlling it with the Vermilion Bird Qi, and then detonated it all at once. It was no wonder.

Hwaaaaaaaak!

In front, and to the left and right.

Hot fire surged from all directions except the rear.

Sobang frowned.

“What are you trying to do?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shouted.

“Muk Bi! If you see an opening, don’t hesitate to shoot! Absolutely no approaching!”

Pa-a-a-a-ang!

No sooner had those words left his mouth than Yeon Ho-Jeong broke through the wall of fire and approached Sobang.

It was the Blood Wing Soaring Heaven [a movement technique] technique, unleashed in an instant. Naturally, its speed was indescribable. Even Sobang’s face hardened for a moment at Yeon Ho-Jeong’s explosive movement speed.

Whirr!

The flames screamed with joy.

The left hand, surging with Vermilion Bird fire, flew towards Sobang’s face. It was a strike that emphasized speed rather than destructive power, the sharply pointed fingertips aiming for Sobang’s Adam’s apple.

Sobang was dumbfounded.

‘He’s choosing a head-on fight?’

The opponent probably didn’t even know him properly. In other words, they had launched a murderous attack without even introducing themselves.

Even if that was understandable, what was even more absurd was the gap between him and his opponent.

Sobang was confident. Even if there were three Yeon Ho-Jeongs, they wouldn’t be able to catch him.

The gap between him and his opponent was that vast.

‘He’s more reckless than I thought. Well, he is young.’

The speed was fast, and the sharpness of the left hand was excellent.

But that was all. He was just surprised by the unexpected movement.

Sobang, who had quickly regained his composure, casually blocked Yeon Ho-Jeong’s left hand.

That was when it happened.

‘……?!’

Sobang’s eyes changed.

‘What?’

In that moment, splitting a moment into fractions of a second.

She could feel the subtle change in the trajectory of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s left hand, which had been moving like lightning. It was a sensation that she could feel because her actual skill was superior to Yeon Ho-Jeong’s.

‘Wrap around?’

Srrk!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s Scarlet Flame Six Kill Hand moved as lightly as a feather, wrapping around Sobang’s wrist.

Sobang urgently unleashed her true energy.

Puh-uh-uhng!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s left hand was pushed back as if it had been bounced away.

The series of internal energy manipulations—gathering true energy, circulating true energy, initiating power release, changing force, and finally unleashing explosive force—had reached a divine level.

She was a terrifying master who could freely manipulate internal energy and even change the nature of her power release in just a moment. Yeon Ho-Jeong was not incapable of doing the same, but he could not unleash a power release as powerful as Sobang’s in the same amount of time.

But it was okay.

There was a reason why Yeon Ho-Jeong had created a wall of fire and engaged in a head-on confrontation against Sobang, who was a master several levels above him.

Bwoooom!

The massive axe blade of the Mad Dragon Axe rose diagonally from the lower left.

In that instant, Sobang felt goosebumps at the force emanating from the Mad Dragon Axe.

‘What is this? What is it?’

Swaaaaaaak!

Considering the weight of the axe, it was being swung at an unbelievable speed. However, Sobang had enough skill to respond to that speed.

Even so, Sobang felt her body stiffen for a moment.

Was it because of the killing intent emanating from the Mad Dragon Axe? Not at all.

‘Why from this direction…?’

There was no time to hesitate now. Sobang quickly used her footwork to deflect the axe blade of the Mad Dragon Axe.

Jjeo-eo-eo-eong!

It was heavy.

Even though it was a kick infused with abundant Blood Drink Evil Qi, she felt considerable pain in her instep and shin. It meant that the axe was heavier than it looked, and the true energy contained within it was more than she had expected.

But that wasn’t the problem right now.

Shhhik!

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had rotated his body, aimed for Sobang’s chin with a rising kick that seemed to wrap around.

Sobang, who was about to launch a follow-up attack, was startled and retreated.

Pa-a-a-a-ang!

It wasn’t a kick that was swung with momentum, but a kick that was thrust upward with force. Yet, there was the sound of air exploding. It was an enormous power.

Hook!

Sobang’s body retreated backward. The footwork that moved a distance of nearly five yards in an instant was dazzling.

Yeon Ho-Jeong lowered his leg with a calm face.

Sobang’s eyes twitched.

“…What are you?”

The hand techniques he had used with his left hand, the slash he had made with the axe, and the rising kick aimed at her chin.

In that sudden close-quarters battle, the trajectory of the Blood Drink Palm she had been trying to use was blocked from the start. It was so difficult to even use her hands properly.

It was a counter.

There was a divine counter to the Blood Drink Palm.

“What are you!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shouted.

“Form the formation!”

Flash!

Ok Cheong and Yeo Guk, who had moved through the left sea of fire, pointed their swords at Sobang from five yards behind, burning their true energy.

The Myeolsa Three Kill Formation [a coordinated combat technique], the Three Kill Small Formation, was activated.

Only then did Yeon Ho-Jeong look at Sobang and say,

“You came at the right time, you half-baked thing.”

“…?!”