Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 512

“The Three Sovereigns.”

It was a title referring to the three individuals among the Thirteen Seats of the Celestial Heavens, excluding the ten Divine Immortal Emperors. [The Thirteen Seats of the Celestial Heavens are a group of powerful martial artists, with the Divine Immortal Emperors being the most powerful.]

While clearly inferior to the ten Divine Immortal Emperors, they were, without a doubt, the strongest martial artists in the Central Plains, aside from them. The fact that they were grouped under the same Celestial Heavens title, despite the considerable difference in skill, meant that their martial prowess had reached an unfathomable level.

They were younger than the Divine Immortal Emperors but were treated as elders or even more so in the martial world—true masters.

– Blood Jade Demon Lord (血玉魔君) Gwak Jun (郭俊)

– Mad Soul Ghost Lord (狂魂鬼君) Gok Gyeong (曲硬)

– Hundred Weapons Divine Lord (百兵神君) Mak Won (幕源)

Their ages did not even reach sixty. They were similar in age to, or even younger than, the leaders of the Nine Great Sects. [The Nine Great Sects are the most influential martial arts schools in the Central Plains.]

They had earned the title of Celestial Heavens at such a young age. The Three Sovereigns were monsters whose talents were considered equal to, or even greater than, the Divine Immortal Emperors.

“The Three Sovereigns, huh?”

Yang Cheon stroked his beard with his fingers.

“Blood Jade Demon Lord Gwak Jun seems to be following the demonic path, like Blood Demon God Hyeok Ryeon-Hwi or the Demonic Immortal. I don’t know who taught him, but his martial prowess is genuine.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“Mad Soul Ghost Lord Gok Gyeong. He’s a typical unorthodox practitioner. But he’s never called himself a black or unorthodox practitioner.”

“Have you ever met him?”

“I saw him once before establishing the Black Dragon Unit. I wanted to bring him in.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed.

The meeting between the One Sovereign, the Fighting King, and one of the Three Sovereigns, the Ghost Lord, was a significant event in itself. Yet, the fact that no information had spread suggested that they had approached each other secretly.

“How was he?”

Yang Cheon frowned.

“He was a pain in the ass.”

It was a very Yang Cheon-like assessment.

“He immediately asked to fight and threw a punch at me. I was so dumbfounded that I almost got hit. But he didn’t seem like a madman obsessed with fighting. He just didn’t like being considered inferior to me.”

“So, he’s someone who cares about reputation?”

“How many martial artists don’t care about their reputation? In that sense, he was quite easy to understand.”

Judging by how he spoke, his first impression must have been terrible.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and asked,

“So, how did the match go? You didn’t lose, did you?”

“Is that even a question? I knocked him down in thirty moves. If it had dragged on, he would have tried to bite me even if his limbs were broken.”

“You managed to spare him.”

“Well, we’re both from the unorthodox path. I still have no intention of bringing him under my command, but the future is unpredictable.”

Yang Cheon’s eyes deepened.

“Besides, his talent was worthy of the Celestial Heavens title. I can’t even guess how much he’s grown since then.”

“Hmm.”

“Actually, it was thirty moves in name only. If I hadn’t exploited his openings, it could have gone over a hundred. The difference between him and the Divine Immortal Emperors was clear, but a momentary mistake could have reversed the outcome.”

That’s how matches are. No matter how high their level is, unexpected variables can lead to surprising results.

For example, even if Yeon Ho-Jeong and Yang Cheon were to fight. Considering their achieved levels, inner energy, and the destructive power of their martial arts, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s defeat is almost certain. However, if a ‘miracle’ level of luck and variables were to occur, Yang Cheon could lose.

There is no 100% certainty in a match. That’s why fighting is interesting.

“What about the Blood Jade Demon Lord?”

“I’ve never seen him. But a reliable friend of mine said this.”

Yang Cheon smacked his lips.

“In ten years, the name of Blood Jade will be spoken in the same breath as the Divine Immortal Emperors. But in fifteen years, Blood Jade will surpass the Divine Immortal Emperors.”

“Oh ho.”

“That friend isn’t very strong in martial arts. But he has a real eye for people. If he said that, it’s likely to be true.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t ask who that friend was.

“Then, have you ever met Mak Won?”

“No.”

Yang Cheon shook his head.

“But the secret of him, or rather, ‘them,’ is known to very few people, including me.”

“That’s likely. Even the Martial Alliance doesn’t know about it.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong took out a piece of paper from his pocket. It was the information document about So Hyun-Rip that Yang Cheon had given him earlier.

“To think that Mak Won was a disciple of So Hyun-Rip.”

That’s right.

It was said that the Spear King So Hyun-Rip was a seeker who risked his life for a single spear, without a master, siblings, or disciples.

But the reality was different. He had a disciple, and now he was estranged from that disciple.

Hundred Weapons Divine Lord Mak Won.

He was one of the Three Sovereigns and a disciple who had studied under So Hyun-Rip.

“I don’t know why they became estranged. But is it okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“You said you would try to win over the Three Sovereigns first. If you bring Mak Won to our side, isn’t it likely that the Spear King won’t join us?”

“Isn’t that the same the other way around?”

“Well, that’s true.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said, resting his chin on his hand.

“Anyway, I’ll start with the Three Sovereigns. I don’t know the whereabouts of the Blood Jade Demon Lord, and I don’t like the Mad Soul Ghost Lord, so I’ll target the Hundred Weapons Divine Lord first.”

Yang Cheon, who had been quietly watching Yeon Ho-Jeong, tilted his head.

“But why did you come up with that idea? Is there a reason why you have to start with the Three Sovereigns?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“I’ll tell you that later. Whatever the case, it would be good if they all turned to our side.”

“Hmm.”

It seemed like there was something he couldn’t say. Or maybe he just didn’t want to tell him.

Yang Cheon nodded.

“Alright. Then let’s start with Mak Won.”

“The information about him…”

“I know where he is. Mak Won didn’t bother to hide his location.”

“That’s a relief.”

“However, the more information we have about him, the better it will be for persuasion. Wait a month. I’ll gather as much information as possible.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“A month is too long. I’ll leave in ten days. I hope you’ll send me information about him from time to time.”

“Do as you wish. But why ten days?”

“There’s a weapon I want to get used to.”

“A weapon?”

“A spear.”

Yang Cheon’s eyes lit up.

“You can use a spear too?”

“Of course. I don’t have it with me now, but you know what kind of weapon I used to wield, don’t you?”

“Hmm, that’s right. Was it called the Mad Dragon Axe?”

“That’s right.”

“Indeed, to handle such a heavy and long weapon, you must be a master of the spear. Come to think of it, it would be hard to find someone who handles a spear as well as you.”

Yang Cheon smiled.

“Why? Do you think you’ll need spear skills to persuade Mak Won and So Hyun-Rip?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shrugged.

“It’s not that I haven’t thought about it, but I’d like you to think of it as pure martial passion. Lately, I haven’t been able to get used to the existing weapons.”

“Not getting used to them… It must have been like that even before you reached ‘that’ realm?”

“Do you have a guess?”

“I do. But I have no intention of telling you.”

It wasn’t that he was displeased with Yeon Ho-Jeong’s growth. It was because he wouldn’t understand even if he told him, and he thought it was better to overcome such problems on his own.

Yeon Ho-Jeong stood up from his seat.

“Provide me with a training ground and a spear.”

“Of course…”

Yang Cheon, who was nodding, suddenly stroked his chin.

“Spear skills?”

“Hmm?”

“You’re quite skilled in mounted tactics while leading the Righteous Army, aren’t you?”

“I don’t know if I’m skilled in mounted tactics, but I seem to be quite good at mounted combat.”

“Is that so?”

A meaningful smile spread across Yang Cheon’s face.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said with a sullen face,

“What are you going to make me do again…”

“Since you’ve been dispatched to the headquarters, it would be good to have a decent position.”

Yang Cheon grinned.

The deeper his smile became, the more sullen Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression became.

* * *

“Yeon Ho-Jeong?”

“That’s right.”

Hwang Seok-Tae’s face hardened.

“Did I hear correctly? You’re bringing Yeon Ho-Jeong in as a special adjutant of the main unit?”

Baek Seo shook his head.

“To be precise, it’s temporary. Also, due to the special nature of his position, he’s not below you. He’s an adjutant in name only. In the end, the only person who can give him orders is the Vice Chief.”

“Then there’s nothing more to see.”

Hwang Seok-Tae turned his body.

“I refuse. Find another unit.”

“It’s an order directly from the Vice Chief.”

Hwang Seok-Tae’s body flinched.

No matter how much he was, he couldn’t refuse the order of Yang Cheon, the head of the Black Dragon Unit. Refusal was insubordination, and insubordination meant death.

Aside from anything else, Hwang Seok-Tae respected Yang Cheon. His martial prowess, his boldness, and his position were objects of worship.

That’s why he was even more angry.

He knew he was skilled, but he was still a young man who hadn’t even turned thirty. He couldn’t understand why Yang Cheon was so concerned about him, and he hated the very existence of Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was favored by Yang Cheon.

“Why our unit of all places?”

“Yeon Ho-Jeong is said to be skilled in spear techniques in addition to axes and iron chains. Considering his martial prowess, there probably aren’t many people in the headquarters who can match him.”

“Is that even a thing to say… !”

“Furthermore, Yeon Ho-Jeong is the representative of the White Path Martial Alliance. He’s in a position where we can’t just throw him into a common unit and mistreat him.”

Baek Seo, uncharacteristically, tried to appease Hwang Seok-Tae with kind words.

“Please understand. Isn’t your unit the strongest in the Black Dragon Unit?”

It was an attempt to appease him, but the words themselves were not false.

The Dragon Fang Iron Cavalry.

It was the strongest combat unit currently possessed by the Black Dragon Unit. It was also a mounted unit, unlike most martial arts combat units.

But they were not only skilled in horsemanship. Each and every one of them was a warrior who was also proficient in close combat without horses, allowing them to operate their already powerful forces more efficiently.

Their number was one thousand, and the martial arts of Hwang Seok-Tae, the leader of the Iron Cavalry, had reached the realm of the transcendent. He was one of the hidden powerhouses of the Black Dragon Unit.

Hwang Seok-Tae, who had been quietly looking at Baek Seo, turned his head away.

“I will accept the Vice Chief’s order. But I will judge whether or not that guy is suitable for the main unit. Don’t interfere with how I handle him.”

“That’s up to you.”

After Baek Seo left, Hwang Seok-Tae looked down at the cliff below.

The Dragon Fang Iron Cavalry rarely entered the Black Dragon Unit due to the nature of their forces. Most of them repeated training on plains and mountains, and naturally, they spent many days living outdoors.

‘The best of the younger generation in the world?’

The strongest of the younger generation of the righteous path, shaking the Central Plains with the alias of the Wall Mountain Tiger. [The Wall Mountain Tiger is Yeon Ho-Jeong’s alias, signifying his strength and ferocity.]

Hwang Seok-Tae’s eyes turned cold.

‘A brat.’

He was said to have outstanding talent and insight, and even the Vice Chief was impressed by him.

But that was that, and this was this. The Iron Cavalry had its own rules.

‘I need to suppress his spirit first so he doesn’t cause any unnecessary trouble.’

Half an hour later.

Three men were walking from afar.

‘They’re here.’

Hwang Seok-Tae recognized Yeon Ho-Jeong at a glance. He had seen him at the Great War.

Soon, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s group arrived in front of Hwang Seok-Tae.

Yeon Ho-Jeong clasped his hands in greeting.

“I am Yeon Ho-Jeong. I will be in your care for a while.”

Hwang Seok-Tae raised his chin.

“If you don’t want to be treated like leftovers, you must prove your worth.”

It was a cold and arrogant attitude. Considering Yeon Ho-Jeong’s position, it was rude to speak down to him so abruptly.

Gang Ryang’s eyes changed, and Pae Yul’s aura became fierce.

On the other hand, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression was extremely relaxed.

“The only way a martial artist can prove their worth is through martial prowess. Do you want to see my martial arts?”

Hwang Seok-Tae’s eyes lit up.

“Yes.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

There is a way of the White Path, and a way of the Black Path. And he was a man who was more familiar with the ways of the Black Path than anyone else.

“Gather your men. I’ll show you who I am.”

“…?!”

“Or would you like to take my spear right now?”