Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 560

The Wind and Thunder Master fixed his sharp gaze on the rugged mountain.

“Is it there?”

“Yes. The group that kidnapped the Deputy Branch Leader is reported to have moved in that direction. All witness accounts corroborate it.”

“Hmm.”

The Wind and Thunder Master frowned.

“Deung-hwa is causing trouble again. I told them to cut off all their heads a long time ago.”

He spoke such terrible words with unsettling ease.

But those words suited him perfectly. Having traded his blue Qingcheng Mountain robe for a dark, charcoal-gray martial uniform, he looked more like a sword demon than a Taoist priest.

“I’m sorry, Brother.”

A middle-aged woman standing next to the Wind and Thunder Master sighed.

She was a woman whose beauty far surpassed the chaos caused by the Deung-hwa incident. Her shoulder-length bob and natural makeup enhanced her elegance, giving her an incredibly noble aura.

The Wind and Thunder Master smiled.

“How could it be your fault? Deung-hwa has always been prone to straying. That’s why, despite his considerable skills, he remained a Deputy Branch Leader instead of a Branch Leader.”

“I have nothing to say.”

“We’ve already abandoned the pretense of our sect. Don’t blame yourself.”

The woman, Myeong-jin, shook her head.

“We haven’t yet shed the terrible pretense that the sect forces upon us. The time we truly become free will be after the Two Mountains, One Family [a reference to the alliance between Qingcheng and Emei sects] is dismantled.”

“Yes, that’s right too.”

“Until then, we cannot discard the Taoist names and Dharma names given to us by the sect. Nor should we. If we ignore reality like that, only a future full of defeat will await us.”

They hadn’t changed the world, so they couldn’t use secular names. They were bound by their own set of rules.

The Wind and Thunder Master burst into laughter.

“That’s why I admire my sister. She provides her lacking brother with enlightenment beyond what he deserves.”

“Oh ho, you flatter me.”

It was a peculiar sight.

The two of them, despite the numerous experts behind them, looked at each other with affectionate eyes.

They were a Taoist and a Buddhist nun. People who had supposedly left the secular world, yet their eyes were filled with the energy of worldly desires.

Surprisingly, most of those watching the two from behind also had faces marked by unresolved desires. They must have indulged in their lust before coming here.

It was shocking.

Some of them were practitioners from Qingcheng and Emei, and the remaining forty or so had trained in the techniques of the Two Mountains, One Family for a long time.

Those who were not affiliated with a sect might be like that, but the eleven supreme masters were clearly renowned figures holding high positions in Qingcheng, Emei, and the Tang family.

Their faces were etched with worldly desires. It wasn’t just lust. The clothes they wore were colors that blended well into the darkness, but upon closer inspection, they were made of surprisingly luxurious material.

They were no longer practitioners. They were secular people thoroughly consumed by worldly desires.

“Let’s get to work first. We have to save Deung-hwa, no matter what.”

“That’s right. But in case of an emergency…”

Myeong-jin’s eyes flashed with subtle killing intent.

“Even if it means killing Deung-hwa, we must bury this situation.”

“That’s right.”

The Wind and Thunder Master raised his hand.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Thus, about fifty experts slowly advanced towards the rugged mountain.

The remaining hundred assassins were approaching, forming a formation that surrounded them on both sides. They were grouped together under the organization called Samhyeondae, but there was an undeniable gap between the Black Eyes [a term for assassins] and the fifty experts.

It wasn’t just about martial arts; there was a significant difference in status. They were not in a position to walk together.

How long had they advanced?

“Hmm?”

The Wind and Thunder Master frowned.

“Hmm… amazing.”

“Did you sense it too, Brother?”

Myeong-jin’s eyes gleamed.

“It seems they were waiting for us.”

“Indeed.”

Although it was a rugged mountain, the area below the mid-slope was almost vertical.

Of course, it was nothing to experts of their caliber. If they were determined and used their movement techniques, they could traverse it in an instant.

But.

“If they were waiting for us, they might have set up some traps here.”

“It wouldn’t mean much, though.”

“Still, it wouldn’t hurt to be careful.”

The Wind and Thunder Master looked to the right.

“Tang, my brother.”

“Yes, Brother.”

There stood a man with a small physique. He looked to be just over fifty, but his eyes were as sharp as a treasured sword.

It was Tang Guk, the Fifth Elder of the Tang family [a family known for their expertise in poison and hidden weapons].

“What do you think? Do you sense any traps?”

The Tang family was the master of poison and hidden weapons.

But they weren’t just skilled in poison and hidden weapons. Poison and hidden weapons were most effective in ambushes and traps. Naturally, they were also skilled in formations and traps.

Tang Guk, who had been looking around, tilted his head.

“I don’t sense any traps. The terrain itself is advantageous for defense, but… it wouldn’t have much of an impact on experts of our level.”

“That’s strange.”

The Wind and Thunder Master frowned.

“Well, how about we try talking first?”

“I think that’s a good idea too.”

“Good.”

The Wind and Thunder Master raised his head.

At the point where the almost vertical slope abruptly ended.

A man with an expressionless face was looking down at them.

The Wind and Thunder Master focused his energy in his dantian [the center of one’s inner energy].

“Who are you?”

A resonant voice echoed throughout the rugged mountain.

But the sound was strictly confined to the rugged mountain. The Wind and Thunder Master’s voice did not spread backward.

It was a remarkable display of inner energy control. He was indeed an expert worthy of being the highest elder of the Qingcheng sect.

The Wind and Thunder Master continued.

“It seems you were waiting for us. Since we’ve met like this, let’s introduce ourselves.”

His voice was full of composure.

The man on the mid-slope, Pae-yul, spoke.

“You have great inner energy.”

The Wind and Thunder Master smiled.

“Thank you for the compliment. I still have a long way to go. But your skills don’t seem lacking either. Even at a glance, your stance is not ordinary.”

He was different from the experts who had been defeated by Yeon Ho-jeong in the back alleys.

The Wind and Thunder Master had come down to the secular world, tasted delicious food, learned about luxury, and indulged in worldly desires.

But rather, those experiences had elevated his martial arts to a higher level. An environment completely different from the atmosphere of Qingcheng Mountain had, in fact, drawn out new enlightenment.

Not only that, but Myeong-jin had also had the same experience as the Wind and Thunder Master.

Of course, to gain such enlightenment, they had not wasted a single day of training.

Pae-yul said.

“You must be a high-ranking figure from Qingcheng. This deep and clear inner energy is surely the Heavenly Unity Qi Gong, is it not?”

The Wind and Thunder Master laughed heartily.

“You have a great eye. That’s right. The martial art I have cultivated is indeed the Heavenly Unity Qi Gong.”

The Heavenly Unity Qi Gong was one of the most revered divine techniques in Qingcheng. If one had trained so deeply in such a divine technique, they would truly be no ordinary expert.

“It’s a pity.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve heard that there are few people in this era who have trained in the Heavenly Unity Qi Gong as deeply as you. The reason is that it is so difficult.”

Pae-yul’s eyes flashed.

“To fall into the evil path despite having such amazing talent, it is truly lamentable.”

Tang Guk shouted angrily.

“Can’t you shut your mouth! How dare you spout such filthy words!”

At that moment, the Wind and Thunder Master raised his hand.

“Calm down, my brother.”

“But, Brother.”

“Didn’t you know? As long as we don’t change everything, we will inevitably receive such evaluations. It may be unpleasant, but it’s not something to get overly excited about.”

“…I have shown a poor side of myself.”

“No, I understand.”

The Wind and Thunder Master looked back at Pae-yul.

“Our positions are so different. It doesn’t seem like there’s a need for lengthy explanations.”

“…”

“If you don’t want to introduce yourself, let me ask something else. What happened to Deung-hwa?”

Pae-yul smiled.

His cold smile, revealed under the moonlight, was so chilling that it made the viewers’ nerves stand on end.

“What do you think happened?”

“Did you kill him?”

“I’ve made him into a state where it would be better to die.”

The Wind and Thunder Master’s eyes deepened.

“Was there a need for that?”

“Need? Do you want to have that kind of conversation? Then I have more questions. You people, was there a need to step into such a wicked world?”

“Heh, you got me there.”

The Wind and Thunder Master nodded.

“Yes, now that it’s come to this, there’s no other way. A clash is inevitable, but I thought we could have taken an easier path.”

“The moment you crossed the line, no one can take an easy path with you.”

“I won’t deny that.”

Swish.

The Wind and Thunder Master drew his sword.

He didn’t know where he had left the Pine Wind Sword, which symbolized Qingcheng Mountain. The sword in his hand was not a dull Taoist’s sword, but a jewel-encrusted sword that emitted a powerful aura.

“I don’t think you’ll answer, but I’ll ask this one last thing.”

Flash!

A strange light surged in the Wind and Thunder Master’s eyes.

“Where are the others? The number of people reported was four.”

Whoosh.

Pae-yul drew his spear. His eyes were also emitting a terrifying glow.

“Why do you think I stayed here? To capture and kill all of you?”

“…?”

“Absolutely not. My companions have already scattered in all directions to make your presence known.”

Whoosh!

An enormous killing intent erupted from the bodies of the fifty experts.

It was no exaggeration to call it a storm of killing intent. Pae-yul, who would not lose to anyone in pride and courage, could not help but be surprised by the aura that these many experts were emitting.

The Wind and Thunder Master’s face hardened.

“You’re making things difficult.”

“That’s what I want to say. You’re really taking it easy in this situation.”

“Don’t be so sure. Our eyes are spread throughout Sichuan. All of your group will be captured before today’s events are even reported to the higher-ups.”

Zing! Zing!

A red glow flickered on the Wind and Thunder Master’s sword.

Pae-yul’s eyes wavered.

‘Crimson Downward Slash!’

The Wind and Thunder Master took a step forward.

“Let’s start by capturing you.”

In an instant, his sword was drawn from the lower to the upper position.

Flash! Kwakwakwang!

A vertical red sword light left a huge sword mark on the slope.

It was a domineering sword force that seemed to split the cliff in half. The intense sword force not only split the ground but also cut through the very spot where Pae-yul was standing.

Sarak!

Pae-yul flew into the air.

The corners of the Wind and Thunder Master’s lips curled up.

“Indeed, you have good skills.”

Just by dodging one sword strike, he knew that his opponent had cultivated a high level of martial arts.

“But, dodging into the air was a mistake.”

Whoosh!

About twenty experts, including Tang Guk, raised their poison skills and took out their hidden weapons.

Tang Guk shouted.

“Everyone, attack… !”

That was the moment.

Kwaaaang!

With a tremendous explosion, a huge aura surged from the front of the Wind and Thunder Master.

In an instant, shock appeared on the Wind and Thunder Master’s face.

Who was it? He couldn’t see their face. No, he didn’t have time to care about that.

He couldn’t figure out where they had come from. Could they have dug a tunnel underground and been hiding there?!?

“Who…?”

Charrrr!

The Coiling Dragon Chain whirled and aimed for the Wind and Thunder Master’s neck.

The Wind and Thunder Master hurriedly raised his sword to block it.

Clang!

A tremendous resonance pierced the ears of all the experts.

‘This!’

The Wind and Thunder Master’s eyes widened.

His wrist was aching as if it would tear apart. Even though it was a sword move in response to a surprise attack, the unknown opponent’s attack was excessively powerful.

‘What on earth is this!’

Pararak! Thud!

Along with the air pressure, a black axe struck the Wind and Thunder Master’s shoulder.

The Wind and Thunder Master, staggering backward, raised his head.

In an instant, a pure white axe blade appeared in his vision.

‘I can’t dodge…?!’

Thud!

With a gruesome sound of flesh tearing, the Wind and Thunder Master’s head was split in half like a ripe fruit.

Fwaaa!

Myeong-jin’s fist wind and Tang Guk’s palm force poured out. But the attacker had already retreated.

“Hoo.”

The attacker, Yeon Ho-jeong, muttered while spinning the White Dragon Axe.

“Only one? You guys are something.”