Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 549

Swoosh!

The Black Dragon Unit moved with blinding speed, their strikes like chilling gusts of wind.

Swish, swish!

The White Dragon Unit, linked by the Azure Dragon Chain, twisted and coiled, forming an impenetrable cage.

It was a breathtaking display. Few could wield such diverse movements with both hands as naturally as breathing.

‘Hmm.’

Whap whap whap!

Yeon Ho-Jeong, with his godlike axe technique, sliced through the air thousands of times, retrieving the Black and White Twin Dragons.

Yeon Ho-Jeong gazed down at his two axes.

‘They’re slowly becoming extensions of me.’

The Mad Dragon Axe had felt somewhat alien. The Black and White Twin Dragons weren’t as bad, but they too had felt distant, like the Mad Dragon Axe.

But now, he felt like he was gradually rediscovering the rhythm of the Black and White Twin Dragons.

‘How strange.’

The sensation of his main weapons feeling unfamiliar was not something to dismiss lightly. Especially for a master, and even more so for someone on the cusp of a great breakthrough, it was a matter that demanded attention.

However, he still couldn’t grasp the reason. Even during his reign as the Dark Emperor, this had never occurred.

‘The weapons became unfamiliar and then familiar again. The feeling of unfamiliarity and familiarity is a matter of the mind, and the mind is a matter of Qi [vital energy]. So, it means my true Qi is gradually changing.’

The sensory issue should be viewed similarly.

Even when he was intensely focused on one thing, he could accurately perceive his surroundings.

And that was normal. For a master of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s caliber, it would be concerning if he lacked that level of awareness.

However, recently, when he concentrated on one task, he found himself losing track of his surroundings.

It was the same now. However, just as the Black and White Twin Dragons had become familiar once more, his senses were slowly returning to their usual sharpness.

‘This must also be a matter of Qi. Qi is the will, and the will is the mind. Because my Qi is constantly seeking change, my martial arts and my overall condition are also changing…’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression darkened.

‘That’s what I suspected.’

His understanding of martial arts was on par with the Thirteen Seats of the Saintly Heaven [a group of powerful martial artists]. It was only natural, given the heights he had reached in the past.

However, he had never encountered this situation before. He recalled that no one else had ever experienced such a peculiar phenomenon either.

‘Yang Cheon was different.’

That’s right. Yang Cheon had seemed different.

In the past, Yang Cheon had observed his own changes and understood them, but he had said there was no need to explain it. He had to realize it himself.

Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t believe Yang Cheon was being disingenuous. He wasn’t that petty.

In other words, Yang Cheon had gone through the same experience he was currently facing.

‘What on earth could it be?’

It didn’t seem like his level would increase simply by understanding the nature of this situation.

Still, he had to find out. If he remained ignorant of his own condition, it would inevitably lead to disaster in the future. Not just in his martial arts, but also in his mind and body.

‘Yang Cheon didn’t tell me because it wouldn’t have helped even if he did. But if I were in a truly dangerous situation, he wouldn’t have ignored me like that. So, even if I don’t fully understand the current situation, it doesn’t mean there’s anything seriously wrong with my body or martial arts right now.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been lost in thought, sighed.

“Damn it, am I really lacking in talent?”

He had clawed his way through countless life-and-death battles and mastered the Four Divine Arts, gaining the power to contend for the title of the strongest in the world, despite his perceived lack of talent.

But at this moment, he clearly saw his limitations. Anyone else would scoff at such a statement, but Yeon Ho-Jeong couldn’t deny that his talent was lacking.

‘It can’t be helped. It’s not the time to dwell on my lack of talent.’

He retrieved the Black and White Twin Dragons and returned to his residence.

In front of his residence, Pae Yul, Gang Ryang, and Hwang Seok-Tae were already waiting.

Pae Yul frowned.

“Didn’t you sleep? Or did you wake up early and go train?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Have you been waiting long?”

“I thought you’d come tomorrow.”

“I’m sorry. I had a lot on my mind.”

“I can imagine.”

“Did you meet Senior Mak Won?”

“They said he’s undergoing treatment? We shouldn’t disturb him.”

“Even if it’s treatment, it’s something the Western Divine Maiden should be handling, not something Senior Mak Won should be worrying about.”

“Whatever.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong asked Gang Ryang.

“Are you ready?”

“Of course.”

“This mission is particularly dangerous. You have to be careful not to die.”

“If I die, it just means that was the limit of my abilities.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned his head to Hwang Seok-Tae. Hwang Seok-Tae was still wearing light martial arts attire, clutching his Crimson Spear.

“Did you say goodbye to the Ironclad Unit?”

“Anyone would think we’re going to our deaths.”

“This could be a more difficult mission than any we’ve had before.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll run away if it gets too dangerous.”

It was unlike him to say that. At least, that’s what Gang Ryang thought.

Gang Ryang said with a sly grin.

“Even the Ironclad Unit Commander is afraid of death?”

Hwang Seok-Tae said in a stiff voice.

“This mission is not as the Ironclad Unit Commander, but as the martial artist Hwang Seok-Tae. If it’s not a glorious death as the Ironclad Unit Commander, I’m ready to flee at any moment.”

“That’s quite a pride you have?”

“I know.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“Anyway, it seems like you’re all ready. Let’s go.”

Pae Yul asked.

“But where are we going to start? The Tang Clan? Or the Yin Emperor?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said, picking up his iron spear that was placed in front of his residence.

“Of course, it’s the Tang Clan.”

* * *

Krrrr.

The wall slid open, and Baek Seo entered.

“Vice Chief.”

“Speak.”

Yang Cheon, who was standing with his arms crossed, looked up at the ceiling.

“I wonder if Yeon’s group will return safely.”

He knew well that Yeon Ho-Jeong’s abilities were exceptional.

What was truly remarkable about Yeon Ho-Jeong was not that he succeeded in missions with extraordinary methods.

As he had said to Baek Seo before, Yeon Ho-Jeong had an uncanny sense of when to attack and when to retreat.

It was a matter of survival, regardless of the mission’s success. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s instincts were sharper than anyone else’s, and because of that, he might lose, but he wouldn’t die.

That’s why he was trustworthy. His senses were keen, and his abilities were even greater.

If he had to choose a subordinate he could trust to handle a task, there would be no one better than Yeon Ho-Jeong.

However, even for Yeon Ho-Jeong, this time would not be easy.

Yang Cheon’s gaze deepened.

‘Perhaps the line that separates the success and failure of this mission will be Yeon Ho-Jeong’s martial arts, rather than his senses or insight.’

He intuitively realized that for Yeon Ho-Jeong to succeed in this mission, he had to elevate his martial arts.

Otherwise, it would be extremely difficult to navigate that death trap. He didn’t believe it was a situation that could be resolved with strategy and tactics alone.

Especially in the case of the Yin Emperor.

Ha Eun-Gyo was a master who had spilled a great deal of blood, contrary to what was known to the public. He had received that information yesterday.

Of course, there was no detailed information. The Yin Emperor was like someone who had fallen from the sky.

Just like the Founding King So Hyun-Lip and the White Soldier God Mak Won.

‘The Yin Emperor…’

Yang Cheon’s eyes narrowed.

‘She’s a tricky one. Perhaps the trickiest of the strong in the Saintly Heaven.’

It was a personal assessment. But he could sense something from her.

A dangerous, savage, and crazed aura of blood that made it feel like you would be mercilessly butchered if you crossed her.

“Did you inform Yeon about it? The information about the Yin Emperor?”

“Of course. We will continue to provide updates about the Yin Emperor as they become available.”

“Good.”

“But… Vice Chief.”

“Speak.”

Baek Seo asked cautiously.

“It’s a question that might be considered rude…”

“You’re not usually so hesitant. Speak.”

“A while ago, didn’t you say you would send the Second Princess along with them?”

Yang Cheon smiled.

“I did.”

“But why did you suddenly change your mind?”

He didn’t think it was because he was worried about the Vice Chief’s safety. Yang Cheon wasn’t that kind of person.

“It would be a good experience for the Second Princess.”

“She’d lose her life trying to gain some experience.”

Baek Seo’s eyes widened.

Did he really care about the Second Princess’s life?

Yang Cheon closed his eyes.

“I’ve been thinking. What am I lacking? No, rather than lacking, I’ve been contemplating whether it’s okay to continue as I am, or if I need a change.”

“…”

“I haven’t found the answer yet. But I had this thought.”

Yang Cheon, who opened his eyes, smiled mischievously.

“If the second one dies, I’ll have to train another disciple, and I don’t want to go through that trouble.”

He was someone who could talk about gruesome things with a smile.

“Well, aside from that, the second one is a decent fellow. A good ‘disciple’. Unless it’s an extremely dangerous battlefield, why would I send him to a place that is clearly a death trap?”

Yang Cheon glanced down.

There, Yeop Seong and Hyo Geuk, bound in chains, were lying on the ground.

“…Regardless of the process, the second one is now the closest to the position of successor. Although it’s not yet confirmed, I plan to officially announce the second one as my successor soon.”

“…!”

“Now that I’ve decided on a successor, I have to start seriously improving his martial arts, don’t I?”

Baek Seo bowed his head.

“I didn’t understand your intentions, Vice Chief. I’m sorry.”

“Hehe, why are you sorry? It’s just that the way I’ve presented myself to you has been so heartless. You can think that way.”

Yang Cheon looked at Yeop Seong and chuckled.

“Just like this fellow lived in his own delusion, seeing my heartless and indifferent past.”

Baek Seo was flustered. He didn’t know what to say.

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not being sarcastic. I’m sincerely reflecting on my past words and actions and my disorganized beliefs.”

“…Vice Chief.”

“We can’t undo the past. Even if I regret it, will the relationship between this fellow and me be repaired?”

In an instant, Yang Cheon’s eyes turned cold.

“Now that I’ve decided to make the second one my successor, I have to eliminate all the bastards who will stand in his way. That’s the only thing I can do for my successor.”

“…”

“Now, I only have the second one. If I confused my disciples as a bad teacher in the past, I have to dedicate myself to my precious disciple from now on, as a teacher should. Don’t you think so?”

Yang Cheon put his hands behind his back and turned around.

“Send the criminals back to the prison. Burn the corpses.”