Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 408

“Hoo-ooh.”

Yang Cheon’s face brightened as he let out a light breath.

He looked down at his hands.

The motion of clenching and unclenching them felt remarkably natural.

‘So, this was it.’

They say that to realize you’ve lost something precious, you need only regain it.

Yang Cheon couldn’t deny his mistake.

‘I just thought I was a little tired from having too much on my mind, that was all.’

He hadn’t even realized that his physical condition was abnormal. He had only felt that he was getting tired a little faster than before, and that his senses were duller than when he was younger.

Looking back, it was absurd. He had reached the realm of the Supreme, and even within that realm, he had constantly strived to become an absolute being, aiming for the pinnacle of the world.

In the realm of a martial god, age had no influence. Rather, maturity, wisdom, and enlightenment only added to one’s skills; they would never diminish.

Yet, he had lamented the passage of time, claiming that age had brought him to this state. It was truly absurd.

Yang Cheon closed his eyes.

He heard Yeon Ho-Jeong’s voice in his ears.

‘The Evil Sound Sect Leader is powerful. Powerful enough to defeat Vice-Chief Yang. Why do you think such a master, who uses martial arts that are powerful but whose countermeasures would be exposed if they became known, spared Vice-Chief Yang’s life?’

‘The person involved wouldn’t know. The reason is that they see the world through already tainted inner energy. If they had engaged in a life-or-death battle with someone, it might be different, but just looking at their wounds without a proper fight won’t yield an answer. They haven’t even squeezed out their ultimate power.’

Yang Cheon sighed.

“I haven’t even fought properly… haha.”

In truth, being defeated by the Evil Sound Sect Leader was infuriating, but he was more surprised than angry. He had been outmatched in skill, so while he felt defeated, he could accept it.

What truly angered and shamed Yang Cheon was the fact that he had only looked at his wounds without fighting properly, that he had lost his identity as a man who lived by the name of the Fighting King.

He had wanted to make the powerless and dispirited black martial world another sun of the martial world. His personal desires were great, but he pushed forward with the belief that only he could do it.

That was how he established the Black Dragon Unit, and he had built up a force that even the Martial Alliance was wary of.

But he was the Fighting King. The king of fights, an invincible gambler who was considered the best in the world in combat techniques.

Yet, he had forgotten the very foundation that had made him who he was, simply because he had become a ruler.

It was truly shameful.

‘I thought I would be different from the countless rulers who had existed in thousands of years of history, that I would become a magnanimous ruler befitting the identity of the Fighting King.’

Yang Cheon sighed.

‘But what is my current state? I’m failing as both a ruler and a Fighting King.’

Whirr.

A dark crimson aura rose from his fist.

The aura of a lion chastising the continent was there. It was darker and more ferocious than when he had sparred with Yeon Ho-Jeong, with not a speck of impurity to be found.

This was the true Black Lion Aura. It was an invincible divine art that, although incomplete due to the lack of the final piece, still boasted an overwhelming concentration and versatility compared to the Blood Lion Aura.

“…From now on, things will be different.”

Whack!

The Black Lion Aura disappeared, and in its place was the will of the Fighting King.

“The world is undergoing a great change, and there’s no reason for us to live cautiously within it.”

Yang Cheon turned his gaze to the window.

“Evil Sound Sect… you have crossed the line.”

They were a relationship of mutual deception, where they would use each other and then discard the other once their usefulness was gone.

But the Evil Sound Sect Leader’s actions, not only tainting his inner energy as the ruler of the black world but also trying to make him a puppet, were absolutely unforgivable.

“I will kill you with my own hands.”

A thick killing intent emanated from Yang Cheon’s eyes.

Kugugugung!

Without even releasing his inner energy, the main hall shook.

The air vibrated just from the display of his killing intent. Dust fell from the stone walls of the ceiling.

This was the true power of an absolute master who had reached the realm of the Supreme. This was why his disciple, Bu Seon, even though he had reached a similar level, couldn’t look his master, Yang Cheon, directly in the eye.

A moment later.

“Vice-Chief.”

“What is it?”

“Someone has come from Bota Hermitage.”

Yang Cheon’s eyes flashed.

“From Bota Hermitage?”

“Yes, they have.”

“My disciple said that things there had been resolved.”

“They say they will speak to you in person about the details. However, after a brief investigation, it seems they have come seeking help in determining the next Sword Queen.”

Yang Cheon’s eyes turned cold.

Seeking help in determining the next Sword Queen. In other words, they were trying to seize power by borrowing the strength of an outside force.

‘I thought they would cause internal strife, but they’ve come to ask for help from the main headquarters?’

He had sent his disciple to cause internal strife in Bota Hermitage, but it was truly laughable.

Those who had never been tainted by the world were frightening in this way. They were clumsy and foolish, but at the same time, you never knew where they would jump.

‘But it’s not bad.’

Bota Hermitage was a sword sect that had produced Sword Queens for generations.

The Sword Queen’s abilities were far more impressive than one might think. They rarely appeared in the martial world, but whenever they did, they showed such immense power that they could turn the world upside down.

Their power was so great that it was said that every time a Sword Queen appeared in the world, another spot had to be made among the Ten Great Masters of the World.

‘If the main headquarters gets involved in the Bota Hermitage’s conflict, we will have a bridge to intervene in Bota Hermitage’s politics.’

He had only tried to prevent them from interfering in his affairs, but they had reached out first.

This was an opportunity. A golden opportunity to create a useful chess piece.

“Let them in.”

* * *

Swoosh!

An extremely destructive sword strike pierced the air, leaving behind a trail of light.

Thud.

A hole about half an inch wide was punched into the center of a rock five yards away.

Considering the explosive sword energy, the mark left by the sword energy was too small. It wouldn’t have been strange if that sword had pulverized several rocks of that size.

But Tang Gwan, who had witnessed the sword strike, could not dismiss its power as weak.

Rather, he felt a chill.

‘Is it to this extent?’

Goosebumps rose all over his body.

‘Is it possible to condense such immense power and unleash it like that?’

The small mark was not something to be ignored; rather, the fact that the mark was so small made the sword strike even more impressive.

Yeon Wi’s absolute sword strike was so overwhelmingly destructive that even Ilho Mujang Beonjak would have difficulty withstanding it. In other words, it was a sword force that no one except the strong of the Saintly Heaven could block.

It was difficult to unleash such immense power, but maintaining and controlling that power was several times more difficult.

Yeon Wi had made the power that exploded like a volcano as small as a campfire. Although small in size, the heat was so condensed that it was powerful enough to evaporate a lake.

‘What a monstrous martial art.’

Swoosh.

Yeon Wi sheathed his sword.

“I am ashamed.”

“What do you mean?”

Yeon Wi clicked his tongue.

“What I seek is not an absolute single sword, but three swords. Yet, I can’t even properly control the first sword.”

“…?!”

“Originally, there shouldn’t have been even a speck of a mark… but such a large hole has been made. What I wanted was penetration and diffusion, not piercing.”

Yeon Wi shook his head.

“Indeed, the path of martial arts is a difficult one. I thought I was sufficient, but I am still far from it.”

Tang Gwan felt dumbfounded.

“Is that what you have to say right now?”

“Hmm?”

“In the current martial world, how many people do you think could block that single sword, excluding the strong of the Saintly Heaven?”

Such words came from the mouth of the proud Tang Gwan. It was the highest of praise.

Yeon Wi smiled.

“I appreciate the praise, but I am merely trying to perfect what I seek. I am grateful that you say it is impressive, but it is still far off.”

“Hah.”

“I think the Tang Clan Leader’s Myriad Sky and Fire Rain techniques are far more impressive than my single sword. I have never seen a martial art that can manipulate inner energy so delicately. Perhaps in the realm of technique, no martial art in the world can match it.”

Tang Gwan chuckled.

“That’s not comforting. Unlike me, who throws out every hidden and unhidden weapon, Yeon Clan Leader seeks absolute killing with a simple single sword. I feel somewhat pathetic.”

It was an uncharacteristic jest from Tang Gwan. Of course, even though he said that, Tang Gwan’s pride in the Myriad Sky and Fire Rain techniques was no less than Yeon Wi’s absolute sword.

“Besides, isn’t the Tang Clan Leader still far from perfecting those techniques? It’s hard enough to handle the Myriad Sky and Fire Rain techniques separately, but you say you’ll combine them into a single work of art. My crude creativity can’t even imagine it.”

“Enough. Let’s stop flattering each other. It’s too embarrassing.”

Yeon Wi burst into a hearty laugh.

Tang Gwan asked with a puzzled expression.

“By the way, do you think he’ll try to take that sword?”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“I’m talking about the Clan Leader’s eldest son.”

“Are you talking about Ho-Jeong?”

“Yes.”

Yeon Wi tilted his head.

“I have no intention of passing this sword on to Ho-Jeong.”

“Huh?!”

Tang Gwan’s expression turned bewildered.

“You’re not going to pass on that sword?”

“Ah, of course, if my eldest son wants it, I will pass it on. But would he want it? He’s already steadily creating his own martial path.”

Yeon Wi shrugged his shoulders.

“Who knows? Judging by his growth rate, he might have already surpassed my level.”

“That’s nonsense. No matter how much of a genius he is, that’s impossible.”

“Haha.”

“Anyway, if you’re not going to pass it on to Yeon Ho-Jeong, who are you going to pass it on to?”

“…My son is not just Ho-Jeong.”

“You’re going to pass it on to your second son? That sword?”

“Why not?”

Tang Gwan frowned.

“I’m not looking down on the Clan Leader’s son, but… can your second son handle it? It would be a blessing if he didn’t fall into a demonic state while chasing that sword.”

Yeon Wi’s sword was as dangerous as it was powerful. If one approached it with a half-baked understanding, they could even regress. It was that high of a level.

Yeon Wi smiled.

“If it’s too difficult to handle, I can pass it on after he has grown enough to handle it.”

“That’s true, but…”

Tang Gwan trailed off.

Tang Gwan felt that he was different in this aspect. He had no intention of passing on the completed Myriad Sky and Fire Rain techniques to anyone who was not his true successor.

Because that martial art, that absolute martial art, was the authority of the Clan Leader.

“And that time won’t be too far off. Ji-Pyeong’s understanding of the sword is astonishing. As far as the sword is concerned, he is more talented than Ho-Jeong.”

“Yeon Ho-Jeong said the same thing. I don’t believe it, though.”

“Hahaha.”

As if trying to change the mood, Tang Gwan threw out a joke that was truly like him.

“No matter who you pass it on to, you have to come back in one piece to even have a proper worry. Let’s put off the happy worries for a while.”

It was a very harsh joke.

Yeon Wi smiled wryly and looked up at the sky.

“No. I’ve decided to believe that my children are not the kind of people who would die in such a place. So, I’m going to worry from now on.”

Although he said that, Yeon Wi’s worries were growing deeper with each passing moment.

It was also the reason why his absolute sword had grown so quickly. He had constantly swung his sword to forget his worries.

After looking up at the sky for a long time, Yeon Wi closed his eyes.

“Come back safely, you troublemakers.”