Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 609

Thud!

Tang Sa-beon collapsed on the spot.

“Kuh-euh-euh!”

He couldn’t even scream. His face, contorted in agony, was flushed crimson as he let out a groan.

Moyong Gun frowned.

“What are you doing?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why aren’t you killing him? Given your personality, you should have chopped him into pieces.”

Yeon Ho-jeong hung the Black and White Twin Dragons [a pair of axes] at his waist.

“You certainly have a knack for saying chilling things.”

Moyong Gun glanced at the Black Blood Squad.

“These guys are one thing, but…”

The Black Blood Squad members’ faces turned cold. Calling them ‘these guys’ to their faces was too much, even for the head of the Moyong family.

Moyong Gun pointed his chin at Tang Sa-beon.

“From what I overheard, that guy deserves to die. Isn’t he the one who teamed up with that Tang Ho fellow to lead the charge in framing the family head as a traitor?”

Just from a few words, he had grasped everything that had happened. His insight was as sharp as ever.

Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.

“That’s right. But no matter how detestable he is, he’s nothing compared to the family head. I’d want to kill him myself.”

“Hmm, that’s true, I suppose.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes deepened.

“This isn’t the time to be nitpicking over such things.”

“……”

“You felt it too, didn’t you? This ominous energy.”

“I did.”

The two of them simultaneously looked west.

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“He’s finally gotten off his heavy ass. That’s a relief, at least.”

“Is this the power of the Dark King?”

Even Hwang Seok-tae couldn’t help but tremble, feeling the subtle yet pervasive pressure.

Moyong Gun sighed.

“If he had stepped up sooner, we wouldn’t have had to go through all this trouble.”

“What can you do? We did our best in our own way. Let’s not dwell on the past anymore.”

“Alright, that’s that.”

Swoosh.

Moyong Gun drew his sword.

“The source of the ominous energy I mentioned isn’t him.”

“I know that too.”

Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.

“Is it demonic energy…?”

It wasn’t just martial arts filled with killing intent, or a technique that increased internal energy through unorthodox methods, or impure true energy that made it demonic.

The energy Yeon Ho-jeong felt now was true demonic energy. A power that defied the natural order. The very way the energy circulated was different from existing internal energy cultivation methods, a true demonic energy that eroded the soul and mind of the practitioner with darkness.

‘This demonic energy is no ordinary one. Demonic energy itself is difficult to master in the first place…’

If the basis of righteous energy was to refine and accumulate natural energy in accordance with the cultivation method, demonic energy began by forcibly making the natural energy obtained through breathing impure by leading it in the opposite direction of its natural flow.

The impure energy put a tremendous burden on the body. If one endured that burden and suppressed the energy according to the secret formulas, a massive attractive force would be generated in the body.

And that attractive force would draw in more energy, laying the foundation for creating impure energy as a source of evil.

The movement of energy, as well as changing its nature, was the power of thought. To mold the clumped impure energy into a source of evil, one would forcibly stimulate the middle dantian [energy center], changing the nature of the energy itself with all sorts of negative thoughts such as anger, sorrow, murderous intent, frustration, and desire.

If the source of evil created in this way was finally reprocessed according to the cultivation method, it would eventually become demonic energy.

It seemed complicated, but once mastered, the body would automatically generate demonic energy. It would draw in more energy and accumulate more vicious demonic energy.

That was why the speed of demonic energy cultivation was fast. At the same time, one’s character would rapidly deteriorate. It was only natural, as the upper, middle, and lower dantians were filled with all sorts of negative stimuli.

The reason why most who mastered demonic energy were branded as enemies of the martial world was because the martial art controlled the person, not the other way around.

“Indeed.”

Crackle.

Lightning crackled on Moyong Gun’s sword.

“It must be those guys, right?”

“Most likely.”

Those guys.

Yeon Ho-jeong closed his eyes.

“It’s not the Evil Sound Sect, and it’s unlikely to be the Divine Flame Sect. Then…”

“The Blood Fiend Sect?”

“That’s most likely.”

The Divine Flame Sect had always practiced the Scorching Yang Art. The religion itself was one that worshipped fire. Even if they practiced demonic energy, they wouldn’t practice such sticky and sinister demonic energy.

‘The Blood Fiend Sect.’

The Blood Fiend Sect.

One of the three pillars of the Mad God Sects, and the most mysterious of the three.

In fact, when Yeon Ho-jeong was the Dark Emperor, he had never encountered a single member of the Blood Fiend Sect.

He had clashed fiercely with the Evil Sound Sect, and he had seen some of the experts of the Divine Flame Sect.

Whether it was luck or something else, after returning to the past, he had clashed more with the experts of the Divine Flame Sect than the Evil Sound Sect.

He knew more about the Evil Sound Sect than anyone else, and he also knew quite a bit about the Divine Flame Sect.

However, he knew almost nothing about the Blood Fiend Sect.

“But, are you alright?”

“Hmm?”

Moyong Gun glanced at Yeon Ho-jeong.

“You’re a bit different than usual.”

“What do you mean?”

“Whenever those three sects appeared, you’d go berserk no matter who the opponent was, wouldn’t you? But today, you’re very calm.”

“Is that so?”

Yeon Ho-jeong was indeed calm. No, he was trying to be calm.

He had no choice. He thought that all of the Mad God Sects deserved to die, but this was the Tang family.

It would be different if it were another sect or martial family. But he had to be cautious, especially in the Tang family.

‘The Tang family must never fall.’

The Tang family was the center of Sichuan, and the wall that first blocked the enemy’s advance.

Other sects shouldn’t fall either, but the Tang family especially shouldn’t fall. Even if this place became a ruin, the Tang family’s technicians must never lose their lives.

“I have to be careful. I can’t go berserk just because I’m angry.”

Crack.

A chilling sound came from Yeon Ho-jeong’s fingers.

“I have to fight calmly, one by one, without missing a single one.”

“…I see.”

Yeon Ho-jeong spoke to the Black Blood Squad.

“What are you going to do?”

The first squad leader asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Currently, there are unknown demonic beings inside the Tang family. We have to go deal with them.”

“……!”

Everyone was surprised, but the first squad leader’s expression remained unchanged.

“By demonic beings, do you mean those who have cultivated demonic energy?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“How can we trust you?”

“If you want to make a relationship that’s already difficult to trust even more chaotic with useless chatter, then keep questioning me.”

“……”

“Either way, we have to eliminate the demonic beings even if you don’t cooperate. You can either wait here quietly or help us, it’s up to you.”

Yeon Ho-jeong spoke to Moyong Gun and Hwang Seok-tae.

“Let’s go. The group of demonic energy seems to have already passed through the center of the outer compound.”

“Let’s.”

It was then.

“Please wait a moment.”

The person who staggered out was Tang Suk-chong.

Yeon Ho-jeong spoke with a gentle expression.

“Do you have something to say?”

His expression and words were very kind and gentle.

It was only natural. The elders trapped in the Ghost Jade were people who had trusted Tang Gwan to the end and risked their lives.

They were people with the right beliefs and stubbornness. Yeon Ho-jeong respected such elders.

Tang Suk-chong bowed his head.

“I apologize for the late greeting. I am an old man named Tang Suk-chong.”

“I am Yeon Ho-jeong.”

“I should thank you a thousand times for being our benefactor, but I ask for your forgiveness for not being able to do so due to the circumstances.”

His attitude was very polite, unlike that of a Tang family member.

This was also natural. The Tang family did not forget grudges, but they also did not forget favors. For them, who lived by clear debts and favors, Yeon Ho-jeong and his group were no less than lifelong benefactors of the Tang family.

“It’s alright. So, what is it that you wanted to say?”

“Please save the family head.”

“……”

“We are ashamed to face our benefactors. But the Tang Ho we know, though he may be clumsy, is a man who would do all sorts of terrible things for his own safety.”

“…That’s what I’ve heard.”

“There’s no way he would have dragged the family head into this without any countermeasures, but unfortunately, we don’t have the power. So, I humbly ask that you help the family head before eliminating the demonic beings.”

Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Moyong Gun.

Moyong Gun’s face was also troubled. He was someone who liked to argue, but even he was conflicted about which side to support.

Yeon Ho-jeong, looking back at the elders, took out the Black and White Twin Dragon Axes.

Swoosh.

The two hand axes that were drawn with a cool sound were clearly masterpieces.

“These are the axes that the family head made for me.”

“I know. Just by looking at them, I can tell they are the work of the main family’s artisans. I can see at a glance that they were made by the best craftsmen.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“I have also received many favors from the family head, so of course, I have to help him.”

“Then… ?”

Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Moyong Gun and Hwang Seok-tae.

“Can you hold out until I return?”

Moyong Gun snorted.

“Have you forgotten? You’re weaker than me.”

“Isn’t it the opposite?”

“That’s ridiculous. Don’t worry about others and take care of yourself. Don’t lose your life to a sudden ambush.”

Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Hwang Seok-tae.

Hwang Seok-tae tapped his Crimson Dragon Spear.

That was it. It meant not to worry, and Yeon Ho-jeong nodded, reassuring Hwang Seok-tae.

“And.”

Tang Chung-ho looked at the first squad leader of the Black Blood Squad.

“You guys will help them too. The truth you desire hasn’t been revealed yet, but the demonic beings are a common enemy. No matter who is real, it would be troublesome to leave the evil beings who have set foot in the main family alone.”

The first squad leader’s eyes deepened.

“We are the last bastion guarding the main family head’s residence.”

“So you’re not going?”

“……”

After a moment of contemplation, the first squad leader shouted to his squad members.

“Everyone, prepare for battle! We will settle everything after crushing the enemy!”

“Understood!”

It was a decisive decision.

In a way, the first squad leader’s judgment was absolutely correct. If they made a contribution to defeating the enemy, their crimes could be reduced when the truth about Tang Gwan was revealed later.

Yeon Ho-jeong clashed the Black Dragon Axe and the White Dragon Axe together.

Clang! Clang!

Everyone looked at Yeon Ho-jeong.

“Since the former family head and Senior Dark King have also stepped forward, this battle will probably be the last one.”

“……”

“Let’s each finish our battles splendidly.”

It was then.

Boom!

With a powerful explosion, a sinister energy swirled in the air and disappeared.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.

Moyong Gun pointed his chin towards the north of the family head’s residence.

“You should go first. It seems like a demonic being has attached itself to the Tang family head as well. It’s a formation that even erases the presence… It’s not ordinary.”

“Then I’ll go first.”

Whoosh!

Yeon Ho-jeong, igniting the Vermilion Bird Flame, shot towards the north of the family head’s residence in an instant. It was the place where Tang Gwan and the White Masked Man were fighting, the direction where that formation was.

Moyong Gun spoke to Hwang Seok-tae.

“Shall we go too?”

“Let’s.”

“You might die, but you’re not running away.”

“Stop the grumbling and let’s move. The situation has become urgent.”

“Hahaha!”

Thus, the masters who were the core of this battle each flew towards their final battlefields.

And, a young master who was also becoming the core of the battle.

Fwoosh!

“Krrrk.”

“Huff! Huff! So you were human after all. Damn it, you’re one tough bastard.”

Swoosh.

Looking down at the fallen Yellow Masked Man, Gang Ryang knelt on one knee, momentarily dizzy.

His whole body was covered in blood. There wasn’t a single unscathed spot.

“Huff! Huff!”

Looking at the Yellow Masked Man with bloodshot eyes, Gang Ryang looked down at his sword as if he couldn’t believe it.

‘How did I win, me?’

He didn’t know. While he was concentrating to the extreme in this battle, a strange power led his swordsmanship, bisecting the Yellow Masked Man’s body.

Gang Ryang, who was staring at his sword, gripped it tightly.

“Hoo! It’s not over yet. I have to go to my brother.”

Gang Ryang staggered past the Yellow Masked Man’s corpse.

After a while.

Fwoosh.

The Yellow Masked Man’s corpse collapsed, leaving only his clothes and mask behind.