Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 597

Whoooong.

A gust of wind brushed past Gang Ryang’s body.

Swoosh.

At the same time, Gang Ryang’s body, which had been pierced in the abdomen, disappeared like smoke.

Fwoosh!

A sharp sword aura struck diagonally, aiming for the masked man’s body.

The masked man softly leaped away.

Thwack!

A long sword mark appeared on the ground.

It was a sword force unleashed in an instant, but its power was tremendous. If he hadn’t dodged, the masked man’s body would have been split diagonally.

The masked man, having evaded the sword aura, turned around.

“Hoo!”

There was Gang Ryang, panting for breath.

Surprisingly, Gang Ryang’s abdomen was unharmed. He had managed to avoid the masked man’s blade.

‘That was close.’

Though he had avoided the blade, Gang Ryang’s complexion was pale.

It was the Ghost Shadow Step, the Dividing Light Ghost Shadow technique. It was an ultimate technique that allowed one to perform movements close to teleportation by consuming a large amount of internal energy.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had melted the elixir given to him by Yang Cheon, had transferred his internal energy to Gang Ryang, which was of no use to him. [Elixir: A potion or medicine believed to have magical or healing properties.]

In other words, Gang Ryang’s internal energy was no less than that of a top-tier master, if not more.

However, even with that much internal energy, his body was staggering. Although he had a lot of internal energy, there was a limit to the instantaneous output he could unleash.

‘Damn it, I almost died for real.’

Gang Ryang’s eyes turned to the masked man’s right arm.

The arm, hidden by the wind-proof clothing, was not clearly visible. However, three blue blades were protruding from the back of his hand.

They were hook-like blades, but they were not curved inward; they were stiff and sharp. It was the Three-Bladed Iron Claw, made by shaping three blades like the claws of a beast.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen one of those.’

In the dark martial world, there were many who used all sorts of unique weapons as their signature weapons. Among them, there were quite a few who used such hooked claws.

The problem was that none of those Gang Ryang had seen were as powerful as the masked man.

Gang Ryang raised his sword and said,

“That’s a cheap trick.”

“……”

“For a strong guy to resort to a sneak attack, isn’t that too unfair?”

It was a pointless thing to say. Gang Ryang knew that very well.

He had expected at least an absurd reaction, but the masked man still said nothing. He simply stared at Gang Ryang through a pair of crescent-shaped eyeholes.

Gang Ryang’s eyes deepened.

The masked man’s eyes, visible through the eyeholes of the mask, were utterly indifferent.

‘This is going to be difficult.’

Fwoooosh!

The masked man moved.

Gang Ryang’s expression hardened. Even though he was watching with his own eyes, he couldn’t grasp how he had moved; it was a bizarre movement technique.

Bang!

Gang Ryang’s legs moved elastically, shifting his body diagonally forward.

The iron sword was swung mercilessly.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

It seemed like a random swing, but it was an excellent chaotic strike technique that aimed for the opponent’s vital points and controlled the movement of the weapon.

However, Gang Ryang’s swordsmanship couldn’t even touch the masked man’s collar. With one hand, he skillfully deflected all the chaotic strikes with the Three-Bladed Iron Claw, and his movements were as dazzling and bizarre as his movement technique.

Fwoosh!

Gang Ryang lunged into the masked man’s space.

It was better to close the distance than to widen it. He didn’t know why. It was just an instinctive judgment.

Flash!

The masked man retreated as Gang Ryang slashed upwards diagonally with the Ghost Killing Sword.

He avoided the collision. Gang Ryang’s eyes flashed.

Fwip! Fwip!

He was surprised by the bizarre movements, but when it came to lightness techniques, the Ghost Shadow Step was second to none. [Lightness Techniques: Martial arts techniques focused on agility and speed.]

With a subtle movement, Gang Ryang closed the distance and unleashed the Ghost Killing Sword, the Ghost Demon Swift Slash technique, in quick succession.

Flash! Flash! Flash!

Three slashes were unleashed, but the sword light illuminating the air appeared as one. It was an incredibly fast sword strike.

Swoosh!

The edge of the masked man’s wind-proof clothing was cut off.

His flesh wasn’t cut, but he had finally managed to force a slash into the opponent’s area. That alone was a great feat.

Gang Ryang’s legs moved like the wind.

Fwip! Fwip! Fwip! Fwip!

If the masked man’s movements were like fog, Gang Ryang’s movements were like a ghost.

If the masked man’s martial arts were soft and insidious, Gang Ryang’s martial arts were fast and powerful.

Clang!

Having read the left-side blind spot while striking in all directions, Gang Ryang unleashed the Ghost Shadow Sword.

He switched from the Ghost Killing Sword, which was meant to cut off the enemy’s breath, to the basic Ghost Shadow Sword.

It was a sword technique with less power, but the timing and the difference in angles were so exquisite that it was more threatening than the Ghost Killing Sword. The masked man’s movements became hurried for the first time.

Fwoosh! Slice! Clang!

The sound of tearing through the air, the sound of something being cut, and the sound of weapons colliding were heard almost simultaneously.

It was a terrifyingly fast exchange. The masked man retreated continuously, and Gang Ryang relentlessly pursued him, swinging his sword.

This was the Ghost Sword.

Once it gained momentum, it was a killing sword that would relentlessly pursue and kill the enemy until the end. It was one of the characteristics of the Ghost Sword style itself, before the practitioner’s enlightenment or martial path.

‘Got it.’

Gang Ryang’s piercing gaze followed the masked man’s eyes to the end.

‘The flow isn’t bad…’

Clangggggg!!

Damn it!

He tried to curse, but instead of a curse, blood spurted out. Gang Ryang’s body, which had been pushing the masked man with increasing momentum, was instantly flung five yards away.

Fshhhhh.

White smoke rose from the masked man’s Three-Bladed Iron Claw.

It was a terrifying power.

Was it because he was too proud to retreat any further? In a single blow that struck at a moment’s gap, there was an immense power that he had never seen before.

“…You’re a dangerous one.”

It was the first time. It was the first time a voice had been heard from inside the masked man’s mask.

Gang Ryang’s eyes wavered for a moment.

‘He’s young?’

The age felt from his voice was very young. He had expected him to be at least the age of a Pacemaker! [Pacemaker: In this context, likely referring to an older, experienced martial artist.]

“I was letting you attack to find an opening, but if I had taken any more, I would have been in trouble.”

That was true. Gang Ryang’s Ghost Sword style was a killing sword that increased in power over time. Although there was a clear difference in their levels, if he had gone beyond the Ghost Shadow Sword and Ghost Killing Sword to the Ghost God Sword, even the masked man would not have been unscathed.

Gang Ryang straightened his back.

“I thought you were a mute, but now I see you can chatter quite a bit?”

“……”

“While we’re at it, let me ask you one thing. What the hell are you guys?”

Fwoosh!

It was a case of no questions asked.

The masked man’s movement technique, charging without answering, was even faster than before.

Gang Ryang hurriedly swung his sword.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Sizzle!

He blocked up to the fourth strike, but he couldn’t block the fifth. Three deep wounds were carved into Gang Ryang’s chest.

Thwack!

The masked man hesitated for a moment. He had tried to cut off his head in one go, but a leg technique that came up from below struck his wrist, changing its trajectory.

Even the masked man couldn’t help but be surprised this time. Judging by his stance and aura, he was clearly a pure swordsman, but the leg technique he had responded with in an instant had the scent of a practical combat technique that had reached a high level.

“Shit, I almost died without even putting up a fight. So that’s your real skill, huh?”

Gang Ryang lowered his stance.

His face was tense, but his eyes were not dead. Rather, they were burning with the will of a passionate warrior who had a strong opponent in front of him.

“I’m going to catch you today and go see my brother!”

* * *

Thwack!

Dang Jong-Heon’s mouth dropped open at the leg technique that flew like a cannonball and struck him.

Thwack!

Yeon Ho-Jeong grabbed Dang Jong-Heon by the collar and struck his chest with a palm.

Bang!

There was no scream. Dang Jong-Heon, who had spat out blood from his nose and mouth, flew far away and crashed to the ground. He had lost consciousness, and there was no strength left in his body.

He didn’t kill him. But if he didn’t receive treatment within an hour, his life would be in danger.

‘Now, then.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked ahead.

The time he had spent fighting Dang Jong-Heon was not long at all. He had attacked with various hidden weapons and firearms, but Yeon Ho-Jeong’s Vermilion Bird Flame was immune to poison and fire, and the hidden weapons couldn’t even hit him. [Vermilion Bird Flame: A powerful martial art technique associated with fire.]

However, during that short battle, quite a few masters had formed a formation.

‘They’re quite capable.’

It was an amazing response ability.

Even without orders from above, they were dealing with the situation on their own. Unless a clear order had been given, there was no reason to forgive a stranger who had infiltrated the inner courtyard and set fires everywhere.

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke. No, he was about to open his mouth.

“……?!”

Only then did Yeon Ho-Jeong realize. A very familiar yet well-contained energy had entered the inner courtyard.

‘The Clan Head.’

No matter how excited he was, if he had been fighting while causing a ruckus, he would have noticed Tang Gwan’s entry long ago.

Tang Gwan had clearly entered the inner courtyard without fighting. It didn’t seem like he had come through a path only he knew. The direction of the energy itself was between the inner courtyard and the path connecting to the main gate.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

‘He finally came in.’

There was no way Tang Gwan would have broken his promise. In other words, Tang Gwan had gathered enough troops and thought that this was enough, so he had come this far.

‘If that’s the case.’

The dispersion of troops, an appearance close to bloodless entry.

And various presences were following behind Tang Gwan.

The corners of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s mouth curled up.

“Will you look at this guy?”

He calmed his excitement and activated the Four Divine Beasts to read his surroundings. [Four Divine Beasts: A reference to a martial arts technique or a way of sensing the environment.]

Yeon Ho-Jeong was certain.

“You’ve changed a lot. I thought you would capture and kill me in front of everyone, but now you’re saying let’s discuss who’s the real one fairly.”

Tang Gwan had suppressed the anger that seemed about to explode as he came here.

Tang Gwan, instead of losing his mind and venting his anger, was trying to gain recognition from everyone in a calm and proper way.

‘Damn it, I was going to capture the traitor first and reveal all his crimes.’

Since Tang Gwan had come out like this, Yeon Ho-Jeong also didn’t need to continue his flamboyant rampage.

Fwoosh!

Paeyul, who had approached unnoticed, stood next to Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“What is it? You were setting up bonfires as if you were going to burn down the entire Tang Clan.”

There was even killing intent mixed in with the fire energy. There was a reason why Paeyul had dropped everything and flown here.

“There’s no reason to do that anymore. By the way…”

Yeon Ho-Jeong glanced at Paeyul.

“Are you alright?”

Paeyul dusted himself off.

Chiriring.

Hidden weapons were embedded all over his body. He seemed to have deflected all the dangerous hidden weapons, but there was still a considerable amount of bleeding from the hidden weapons that had pierced his skin.

“This much is nothing.”

“It looks like something to me.”

“It’ll be fine if I spit on it. By the way, where’s the Ironclad Unit Captain?”

“He’s following. I’ve cleared the path, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”

“I see.”

“Don’t worry about others and take care of yourself, senior. I don’t know if you know, but your face is turning blue. You’re poisoned.”

Paeyul gritted his teeth.

“I’m going to have a word with the Tang Clan Head after this is over. Half an hour? That’s a joke. I pushed myself to break through before the medicine wore off, and now all the joints in my body are creaking.”

“Anyway, are you okay to move?”

“Can’t you tell by the way I’m flapping my gums? If I was going to fall over this easily, I would have died twenty years ago.”

“Good. Then, let’s go out there with our heads held high.”

“What?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s hands went to his waist.

Chaaaang!

The black and white twin dragon axes, drawn with a cool sound, revealed their radiant forms as they caught the blazing firelight.

Yeon Ho-Jeong shouted,

“Everyone, clear the way! I am Yeon Ho-Jeong of the Byeoksan Yeon Clan, the commander of the Yugun Unit of the Martial Alliance, and the special adjutant of the Mukryong Unit!” [Yugun Unit and Mukryong Unit: Likely military or martial arts organizations.]

Confusion spread across the faces of the Tang Clan members.

In the current martial world, there was no one who didn’t know the name of Yeon Ho-Jeong. At least for those who made a living by fighting, the reputation of the Byeoksan Tiger General was a title they couldn’t help but hear, even if they didn’t want to. [Byeoksan Tiger General: A title of great renown and power.]

“I have come after hearing reports that the Tang Clan’s traitor is causing the people of Sichuan to suffer! As the official representative of the Martial Alliance and the Mukryong Unit, the Alliance and the Unit cannot overlook this situation, and your resistance could be seen as undermining the authority of both the Alliance and the Unit!”

A fierce dignity settled in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes.

“If you want none of the Tang Clan members in Sichuan to remain, feel free to attack!”