Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 511

Yang Cheon, with his elbow on the armrest of the grand chair and his chin resting on his hand, looked incredibly languid.

“So, have you made up your mind?”

Yeon Sim looked up at Yang Cheon with cloudy eyes, not answering.

Yang Cheon inwardly clicked his tongue.

‘I thought she’d improve a bit… Seriously, how did she even reach such a level with that kind of mental fortitude?’

With that, no matter how sharp her sword is, she wouldn’t be able to use it.

Of course, if he were to teach her with affection, like he did with Bu Seon, she might change.

But Yang Cheon had no intention of doing so.

Those who cannot stand on their own will always fall to the ground.

Bu Seon had made up for her lack of talent with fierce effort and a terrifying obsession. If Bu Seon had only envied the talents of the first and third, she would now be weaker than the third, struggling pathetically.

Yang Cheon’s gaze turned cold.

“I thought you had improved even a little, but you’ve only gotten worse.”

“…”

“I have no hobby of comforting losers. Be gone.”

Yeon Sim’s eyes became bloodshot.

“There’s no reason for me to stay here any longer. I came here intending to leave the Black Dragon Unit as well.”

“You won’t be going far.”

“But before that, I have a request.”

The corners of Yang Cheon’s lips curled up.

“A request? Whatever kind of request it is, I don’t think there’s any reason for me to grant it.”

“I request a duel.”

“Hmm?”

Sreung.

Yeon Sim’s thumb pushed the sword out of its scabbard.

“I formally request a duel with the Lord of the Black Dragon Unit.”

“…A duel?”

Yang Cheon, who had been quietly looking down at her, suddenly burst into a fit of laughter.

“Kuhahaha!”

Wooong! Woooong!

Yang Cheon’s laughter, filling the arena, created a tremendous resonance.

Yeon Sim’s eyes twitched. The inner energy mixed in Yang Cheon’s laughter was at a level she had never heard of before. It felt like her insides were being churned just by the sound of his laughter.

But she did not waver. At least, the martial arts she had built up until now had not betrayed her.

After laughing for a while, Yang Cheon suddenly hardened his expression.

“You don’t know your place!”

Kwaddeudeudeuk!

Yeon Sim’s feet instantly sank into the floor up to her ankles.

Kwajijik!

Around her sunken feet, spiderweb-like cracks formed. Though they were not visible because of the red carpet.

Wiiiiiiing.

A strange sound came from Yeon Sim’s body. To counter Yang Cheon’s tremendous inner energy, she too was drawing upon the divine power of Bota [a Buddhist temple].

Killing intent poured out of Yang Cheon’s eyes.

Not the killing intent that was intentionally fabricated, but genuine killing intent. Yang Cheon was truly disappointed in Yeon Sim, and he genuinely harbored killing intent towards her.

“It’s your freedom to fall into self-abandonment, but your behavior of seeking death by borrowing the hands of others is too pathetic to watch!”

Wooooooong!

It felt like thousands of needles were piercing her ears and turning her brain to mush.

The voice of the enraged Yang Cheon was itself a divine art. And the pressure was becoming more intense with each passing moment.

Yeon Sim’s body was drenched in sweat.

She knew that the Ten Saints of Heaven were considered the strongest in the martial world. She also knew that the gap between her and Yang Cheon’s martial power was as wide as the sea.

But she didn’t know it would be this much. He hadn’t even thrown a punch or waved his hand, yet the pressure of his energy alone made it difficult to even move a finger.

‘This is…!’

Yeon Sim’s eyelids trembled.

‘The power of the Saint of Heaven, who is said to be the strongest in the Central Plains!’

Yang Cheon spoke in a chilling voice.

“Can’t do anything? Is it hard to gather your chaotic mind? Is the process too difficult, so you don’t even want to think anymore?”

“…”

“Then stab yourself in the neck with that sword you’re holding! I’m not so pathetic that I’ll take the life of a half-baked brat who can’t even decide how to die!”

Yang Cheon waved his hand.

In that instant, Yeon Sim felt an enormous force engulf her body.

Whiiiiiik! Kwaang!

Yeon Sim’s body flew and crashed into the wall.

Yang Cheon’s eyes gleamed.

He had intended to use his tremendous inner energy and the ultimate skill of telekinesis to blow her all the way to the door of the arena. But in the process, she had changed direction and crashed into the left wall.

She had resisted somehow. Her martial arts were certainly useful.

“Get lost.”

Ulk!

Yeon Sim, who had landed on the floor, vomited a mouthful of blood.

Her face was filled with shock.

‘Incredible!’

She had heard that her current martial arts were at a higher level than the leaders of the Nine Great Sects. Even Yang Cheon had acknowledged that.

Yet, he had blown her this far with just the skill of telekinesis.

‘A monster…!’

He was not human.

His martial arts had reached such an extreme that he could blow away a rare master of the martial world with just the harmony of his energy. This was not martial arts, but the realm of supernatural power.

That’s right. The opponent was a transcendent powerhouse who could kill her with a single finger.

That’s why it was necessary. The duel with him.

Wiping her mouth, Yeon Sim stepped back onto the carpet.

A sneer appeared on Yang Cheon’s face.

“Do you want to die that badly?”

“I ask again.”

Yeon Sim clasped her hands in a respectful bow.

An unusual light flickered in Yang Cheon’s eyes.

“Lord of the Black Dragon Unit, I request a duel with the King of Combat.”

“…”

Yang Cheon silently looked down at her.

Sreureuk.

The black lion energy that had dominated the entire arena instantly subsided.

He had gathered the energy that had filled such a vast area in an instant. The more one saw Yang Cheon’s abilities, the more they seemed inhuman.

“Anyone can see that your eyes are filled with confusion, and your behavior is beyond common sense. You are clearly broken beyond repair.”

“…”

“But it’s strange. Although I still disapprove of your attitude, upon closer inspection, you are slightly different from your previous foolish self.”

Yang Cheon’s eyes deepened.

“Do you want to fight me?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Why?”

He asked for the reason.

Yeon Sim thought it was enough. An enemy who could not live under the same sky and a giant of the martial world was finally asking her a question.

This was the starting point. She made her move.

“One sword. If even a single sword touches your body, please teach me your insights.”

“Hoh.”

It was an unexpected development. Interest sparked on Yang Cheon’s face.

“Teach you my insights?”

“Yes.”

“Does that mean you want to become my disciple?”

“You are the one who destroyed Bota Temple and are naturally my enemy. Even though I am in a situation where I cannot overcome my current confusion and cannot even lead my own life, I cannot become the disciple of my enemy.”

Yang Cheon chuckled.

“Do you think I would impart my insights to someone who is not my disciple?”

“Yes.”

“Why do you think so?”

“You destroyed Bota Temple and tried to take me away because you judged that my power was useful.”

“That’s right.”

“Also, you said at that time that you would make me the best sword. You promised explosive growth if I left Bota Temple and went under your command.”

Yang Cheon nodded.

“Indeed, I did. But that was when you abandoned the name of Bota and came to me. You want to gain everything without giving up anything? That’s not how a deal is made.”

“That’s why it’s one sword.”

Yeon Sim brandished her sword.

“A swordsman named Gang Ryang said that he would wait and wait until the moment he could defeat you.”

“…”

“I will become your hands and feet. If you give an order, I will do anything to carry it out.”

“Hoh.”

“But… if my sword does not touch your body in this duel…”

Yeon Sim lowered her head.

“Then I will serve you as a subordinate for ten years.”

Yang Cheon smiled.

Contrary to what she showed, she seemed to have been struggling. Her struggles must have been intense, and it seemed she had made this decision after those intense struggles.

Yang Cheon thought it wasn’t bad.

If one doesn’t know what they want, it might be okay to follow advice. And if she had bet ten years of her life on it, she must have had some calculations.

‘Perhaps I was also too hasty.’

Jeong An, whom Yeon Ho-Jeong had chosen, and Yeon Sim, whom he had chosen.

The difference between the two was clear. Jeong An had found what she needed to do even in the worst circumstances, but Yeon Sim had not.

That’s why he was even more disappointed in Yeon Sim. It seemed that his disappointment had been blinding him.

Yang Cheon looked at Yeon Sim again.

Yeon Sim’s eyes, which had lifted, were still full of confusion. But there was also a light of determination. She had bet ten years of her life on this one duel. It was a fight she could not back down from.

Yang Cheon nodded.

“I accept your duel.”

“Thank you. Then, immediately…”

“Do you think you can cut even my clothes with that dull blade, let alone my body?”

“Huh?”

Yang Cheon pointed his chin towards the door of the arena.

“I will give you ten days. Sharpen your dull sword within that time. Change that unsightly look in your eyes. Otherwise, no matter what you do, you won’t be able to pierce my body with your sword.”

Yeon Sim’s eyes wavered.

Even though it would be an unconditionally advantageous duel if they fought now, he was giving her time.

Make your body perfect, and refine your perfect martial arts.

Regardless of the advantages or disadvantages in the duel, he would not exchange blows with someone who was not prepared.

‘Magnificent.’

This was the attitude of an absolute being. Even if the sky were to fall tomorrow, he would not engage in a match that would diminish the dignity of a king.

Yeon Sim had no choice but to acknowledge it. That Yang Cheon was a great figure.

Regardless of morality and ethics, the opponent was a giant she could not measure.

Yeon Sim lowered her head.

“Then, I will see you in ten days.”

“Good.”

With that, Yeon Sim left the arena.

Yang Cheon, leaning back in the grand chair, felt himself smiling without realizing it.

“Interesting. She’s on the verge of collapse, but she also won’t collapse easily with just this much.”

Yes, she has to be this good to be the sword I chose.

It was a great twist. He had been greatly disappointed, but his heart was starting to beat again. Yang Cheon was looking forward to the duel in ten days.

It was then.

“Lord, the envoy from the Martial Alliance, Great Captain Yeon Ho-Jeong, requests an audience.”

“Oh, let him in.”

Kugugung!

The door opened, and Yeon Ho-Jeong appeared.

Yang Cheon smiled.

“Have you come?”

“I have. But…”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked around the arena and chuckled.

“Weren’t you too harsh on someone who wasn’t even in their right mind?”

Just by looking at the marks on the wall and the sunken carpet, he could deduce what had happened.

Yang Cheon shrugged.

“I was disappointed. But it seems like I can keep an eye on her for a while.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s right.”

“You have a big smile on your face. Why? Did that one say she would come under your command?”

That sharp one.

“She set a condition. It’s a ridiculous condition, but at least it was a choice where she bet her life.”

“So that’s why you’re so happy.”

“Hehehe.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong thought.

‘When she said she was leaving Jeong An, she meant she was leaving Bota Temple, not the Black Dragon Unit.’

She was unpredictable in many ways. Well, her sect had collapsed, her master had fallen, and she had spent months in her enemy’s territory without being able to do anything. It would have been difficult to maintain a clear mind.

“Anyway, what brings you here? Without resting from your journey.”

“I heard that Yeon Sim said she was leaving Jeong An. I came to stop it, but seeing the situation, I think I can rest assured.”

“Leaving… it’s not wrong. It’s just that she’s not leaving the headquarters.”

“I see.”

Yang Cheon chuckled.

“Why? Did you think that if Yeon Sim left, she would gather the remnants of Bota Temple and cause chaos in the martial world?”

“You certainly have a keen eye.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong sat down heavily.

“Anyway, if Yeon Sim’s matter is settled, let’s talk about our business since I’m here.”

“Take a break. Sometimes you seem like a workaholic.”

“The sooner, the better. Don’t you think so too?”

“That’s true.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed.

“I’ve been thinking, and it shouldn’t be the King of Creation.”

“Hmm?”

“If we’re going to unite all the other Saints of Heaven, we shouldn’t bring in the King of Creation first.”

Yang Cheon’s eyes flashed.

“Then, who do you think we should bring into our fold first?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled wryly.

“The Three Sovereigns.”