Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 402

“It’s that way.”

Moyong Gun looked at Gang Ryang.

“Is that correct?”

“Yes, it is.”

Gang Ryang’s eyes were fixed on a spot between the small peaks.

“The operational principles of assassins are similar to those of spies. Because they cannot openly reveal their names and operate in the shadows, their bases are also thoroughly hidden, as a rule.”

“Hmm.”

“However, places that are too deserted should be excluded. The principle of ‘the darkest place is under the lamp’ also applies to assassins. Top-tier assassins often live disguised as merchants, courtesans, or butchers.”

“But it would be different for the Yin God.”

“That’s right. The Yin God is the king of the assassin world. He has no choice but to hide thoroughly. The principle of ‘the darkest place is under the lamp’ does not apply to his position.”

“So, even if they build an impregnable fortress, they won’t blend into the lives of ordinary people?”

“That’s correct.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes gleamed.

“The earthquake occurred in an area about fifty li [approximately 20-25 kilometers] from here.”

“If we go there, we’ll be annihilated. It’s likely a trap, a death trap from which we can never return.”

“Hmm.”

“I was suspicious from the start. Brother, or rather, Senior Brother Yeon, the location you heard from Muk Ryong Bu-ju [a title, likely a leader of a group or sect] was similar, yet the terrain was subtly different. That’s why the intelligence advisor secretly believed that the earthquake site was the Yin God’s main base.”

“I suppose it was inevitable.”

Gang Ryang wore a bitter smile.

“It’s the way of assassins and the way of the Black Path [a term for the underworld or criminal organizations]. They’ve always lived on the run. Setting up double and triple traps is their basic strategy. Otherwise, it’s hard to survive.”

Moyong Gun looked at Gang Ryang.

He knew Gang Ryang’s background. Gang Ryang was the successor of the Gwichul Sword Clan, known as the best sword clan of the Black Path, and a vengeful survivor after being betrayed by his own clan.

That’s right. Gang Ryang had a grudge to settle. And one of the targets of his revenge was Muk Ryong Bu-ju, Yang Cheon.

“Weren’t you upset?”

It was an unexpected moment, but Moyong Gun wanted to ask.

Gang Ryang tilted his head.

“What do you mean?”

“Didn’t you meet Yang Cheon with Senior Brother?”

“…I did.”

“I know this isn’t a question for this situation, but I still want to ask. The Fighting King, Yang Cheon, is your sworn enemy. You can’t live under the same sky, yet you just saw his face and came back.”

It was a question that could easily be considered rude. Moyong Gun, unlike his usual self, asked this question because he knew how strong Gang Ryang’s heart was.

Gang Ryang shook his head.

“You’re right, but the order of revenge is different.”

“Different order?”

“Yang Cheon destroyed countless sects, including the Gwichul Sword Clan, to conquer the Black Path. Sometimes he acted directly, and sometimes he used schemes and spies.”

“I know that too.”

“He is a conquering monarch. He is powerful enough to be called a conquering monarch, and his personal martial prowess has reached the pinnacle of the martial world.”

Gang Ryang smiled bitterly.

“He is the enemy I must ultimately defeat, but not yet. How can I attack Yang Cheon when my strength is severely lacking? Moreover, I don’t have the strategic mind or the insight that Senior Brother has.”

“…”

“That’s why Yang Cheon cannot be my first target for revenge. My first target for revenge is the traitor who betrayed my clan.”

“I see.”

Moyong Gun sighed.

“I admire your self-control. Even a seasoned martial artist would find it hard to control their emotions in front of their enemy. You know what’s a priority even at your young age.”

“You’re overestimating me. To be honest, I don’t even remember how I managed to keep my composure. I wanted to draw my sword the moment I saw Yang Cheon.”

“…”

“But that would have been meaningless. Yang Cheon didn’t even glance at me.”

“Is that so?”

Gang Ryang touched the hilt of his sword.

He was remembering the time he met Yang Cheon with Yeon Ho-jeong. Thinking about that time, even now, when he was more composed than in the past, he felt a surge of anger.

“I don’t want to distinguish the methods of revenge when it comes to punishing the traitor of my clan. I will kill him in the most miserable way possible, no matter what it takes. But Yang Cheon is different.”

“…”

“He probably didn’t even know that I was the successor of the Gwichul Sword Clan. He probably just thought of me as a common warrior that Senior Brother brought along.”

“…I see.”

“I will make him turn his eyes to me. I will become strong enough that he can’t help but look at me, no matter the situation. It is then that I will declare my revenge against Yang Cheon.”

Moyong Gun nodded.

“You can do it. I dare to guarantee it.”

It wasn’t because of Gang Ryang’s talent.

Apart from anything else, Gang Ryang had a terrifyingly tight self-control. Moreover, he was surrounded by the geniuses of the Yeon family and outstanding senior swordsmen.

Gang Ryang would become stronger. At a terrifying pace.

He would grow explosively in secret and become a strongman who would engrave his name in the world.

“The conversation has gotten long. Shall we go and strike the enemy’s main base?”

“Let’s. Ah! Before that, I heard that you requested something separately from the intelligence advisor.”

“It’s not really a request. It’s more like a scheme that Senior Brother and I came up with.”

“A scheme?”

“What else would we request from an intelligence organization? It’s information, of course.”

“…?”

“You’ll naturally find out as we go.”

“Hmm, then I understand.”

Chaaang!

Moyong Gun drew his Tangma greatsword.

“All troops, advance!”

Kurururung.

The five hundred Tangma troops crossed the mountain ridge.

And about one hundred and fifty li behind them, a master emitting golden true energy was approaching at a terrifying speed.

* * *

Jjeoeoeoeong!

The Gwangryong Axe flew through the sky.

The deflected Gwangryong Axe, following the movement of the Azure Dragon Chain, drew an arc again and was swung towards the ground.

Kwarurung!

The rocks shattered, and the surface of the earth was overturned.

Although there was a difference in martial arts, the destructive power of the Gwangryong Axe was already heading towards the pinnacle of the martial world. Even if there were countermeasures against the forms, the destructive power could not be ignored. Whether it was Yayul Jeok or So Bang, even if they were stronger than Yeon Ho-jeong, they would suffer fatal injuries if they allowed the Gwangryong Axe to hit them.

Teoeoeong!

The movement of the Azure Dragon Chain was astonishing.

It was effortlessly withstanding the weight of the heavy weapon, which was over eighty geun [a traditional Korean unit of weight, approximately 48 kilograms], and the weight that had increased several times due to centrifugal force.

This wasn’t simply because the material of the Azure Dragon Chain was special. It was because Yeon Ho-jeong’s internal energy control while holding and wielding the Azure Dragon Chain was extremely delicate.

Chwareureureureuk!

The Azure Dragon Chain folded, and the Gwangryong Axe that had risen into the air returned to Yeon Ho-jeong’s grasp.

Yayul Jeok’s eyes deepened.

“He’s strong.”

Yeon Ho-jeong was strong.

Beyond the realm of martial arts, his skill in handling heavy weapons and unconventional weapons was an art in itself. Furthermore, his mastery of lightness skill [a martial arts technique focused on agility and speed] had reached its peak, perfectly complementing his weapon techniques and preventing any attacks from landing.

It seemed like he could easily close the distance and land a blow, but he would always evade the attack line. It was an incredible feat.

‘At least in terms of lightness skill, he’s not inferior to me.’

Yayul Jeok was a master who was highly regarded even within the Saim Cult [a fictional martial arts sect].

He had entered the service of the former Yin God and mastered the strongest assassination techniques in the Central Plains. He had reached the pinnacle not only in direct combat as a martial artist but also in assassination techniques.

Moreover, he was a step above So Bang in terms of the versatility of his martial arts. At least, that’s what Yayul Jeok thought.

‘This guy…’

Beonjjeok!

Yayul Jeok, who had closed the distance at a terrifying speed, swung a chop with his hand.

Jjeoeoeoeong!

The tightly stretched Azure Dragon Chain momentarily loosened and nullified the impact of Yayul Jeok’s chop.

‘This guy is even better than me!’

Tuuwooung!

Blood appeared at the corner of Yeon Ho-jeong’s mouth as he was thrown backward.

He had deflected most of the power, but the minute amount of power that he couldn’t deflect had shaken his insides.

‘He deflected the Yin Fire God Slash and is only this injured?!’

And that wasn’t all.

Huuuwoooong!

The true energy that surged from Yeon Ho-jeong’s body in an instant was a vibrant wood energy that resembled spring.

After that wood energy flashed like lightning, Yeon Ho-jeong’s shaken energy pathways regained stability in the blink of an eye.

Yayul Jeok’s eyes wavered.

‘He’s healing his internal injuries? In that instant?’

Was that even possible? Even if it was possible, how could he dare to think about healing his internal injuries while facing a master who had reached a higher level than himself?

‘This guy.’

And it didn’t end there.

Pa-a-a-a-ang!

Yeon Ho-jeong had already blocked So Bang, who was about to rush towards Ok Cheong and Sama Hyeon.

It was an action that defied imagination. While engaged in a fierce battle with Yayul Jeok, a master of his caliber, he had moved with lightning-like footwork and swung his axe to protect Ok Cheong and Sama Hyeon.

Jjeoeoeoeong!

So Bang’s face contorted.

The forms of the Blood Sound Palm were disrupted in an instant. This was because Yeon Ho-jeong’s Gwangryong Axe had cut off the flow of the Blood Sound Palm, which was supposed to be a continuous series of attacks.

“This bastard!”

Peoeoeong!

Blood spurted from Yeon Ho-jeong’s mouth.

Even if he knew the counter to the Blood Sound Palm, the difference in power was too great. When So Bang abandoned the Blood Sound Palm and struck with his maximum internal energy, even Yeon Ho-jeong found it difficult to block.

The situation was different from when he had formed a formation with Muk Bi, Ok Cheong, Yeo Guk, and Jin. Back then, he could overwhelm So Bang with the power of the formation, but now he had to bear So Bang’s power entirely on his own. Even Yeon Ho-jeong, who was called the embodiment of practical combat, could not easily dream of a counterattack in the face of the overwhelming power that crashed like a wave.

It was then.

Beonjjeok!

A streak of white light shot towards the center of So Bang’s chest.

So Bang, who was about to approach immediately and launch a follow-up attack, was greatly alarmed and stepped aside.

Kwaang!

The White Dragon Axe grazed So Bang’s collar and flew away, shattering a rock into pieces.

So Bang’s eyes trembled slightly.

“Hoo! Hoo!”

Yeon Ho-jeong gasped for breath.

Unlike his pale complexion, his energy pathways had once again become stable. He was igniting the energy of the Wood Spirit Pill given by Yang Cheon with the Azure Dragon Energy, instantly suppressing his internal injuries.

Of course, that wasn’t all. Although Yeon Ho-jeong’s combat sense was worthy of being called the best in the world, it was clearly impossible to face two people with only the healing power of the Azure Dragon Energy.

“I see.”

Seureureuk.

Yayul Jeok, who had already approached So Bang, looked at Yeon Ho-jeong’s rear.

There was Ok Cheong. A Taoist of the Wudang Sect [a famous martial arts sect], who was watching them while gathering the true energy of the Tai Chi with both hands.

“They were able to temporarily deploy a formation. Even with just the two of them.”

Huuuwoooong.

The Taoist divine art of the Wudang Sect encompassed all the righteous martial arts of the world.

Behind Yeon Ho-jeong’s flexible and unyielding true energy was Ok Cheong.

Ok Cheong was the axis of the formation. At the same time, Ok Cheong was supporting Yeon Ho-jeong’s true energy control with the supreme divine art of the Primordial Chaos Energy.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s practical combat ability, combat sense, extreme weapon techniques, and overwhelming lightness skill.

It was because Ok Cheong was supporting him that he was able to endure while being constantly pushed back.

‘But.’

While So Bang was giving his all, Yayul Jeok was not. It was because of his habit as an assassin, to exert maximum efficiency with minimum power.

‘If we continue like this, we won’t be able to win…’

In that instant, Yayul Jeok’s eyes flashed.

Kwa-a-a-a-ang!

“Keok!”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s body slid back. If Ok Cheong hadn’t supported him from behind, he would have retreated three jang [a traditional Korean unit of length, approximately 3 meters] further.

So Bang looked at Yayul Jeok with surprised eyes.

Yayul Jeok was emitting killing intent in streams and reaching out his hand. It was a blow with all his might.

“So Bang! This is not the time to be playing around! We must kill them with all our strength!”

“What?”

“These guys aren’t trying to fight us.”

Yayul Jeok’s face contorted.

“They’re just stalling! They must have something planned!”

It was then.

Huuk!

From beyond the retreat path, five heavy energies were approaching at a rapid pace.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes flashed.

“They’ve arrived.”

The personnel capable of deploying two Annihilation Three Kill Formations.

Five of the soldiers who had been stretched out along the center of Guangdong Province had arrived, forming a formation.

Yeon Ho-jeong swung the Azure Dragon Chain.

Chwareureureureuk! Cheolkeong!

The Azure Dragon Chain was caught in Yayul Jeok’s hand.

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled coldly.

“You can’t go, even if that woman can.”