Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 616

Ulk!

After spitting out a mouthful of blood, he actually felt refreshed.

Chiriring!

The Coiling Dragon Chain, wrapped tightly inside his clothes, vibrated intensely.

Yeon Ho-Jeong flung himself backward. He used the impact on his abdomen to propel himself, and in an instant, he activated the Black Tortoise Energy to dissipate the shockwave.

Tadadadak!

In about ten steps, Yeon Ho-Jeong had neutralized all the impact and looked at the White Masked Man.

Hwareureureuk!

It was like a phantom, yet also real.

Standing before a world turned into a fiery hell, there was a massive beast, covering its face with one hand, glaring at him.

It was hard to tell if it was a human or a beast. It wasn’t a metaphor; it truly looked that confusing.

‘Demonic energy!’

Just as Yeon Ho-Jeong’s explosive killing intent had confused the White Masked Man’s perception.

This time, it was the opposite. The overwhelmingly vast demonic energy was disrupting Yeon Ho-Jeong’s five senses.

Uuuuung!

He activated the Yeon Family Divine Core and drew up all four Divine Energies.

The Vermilion Bird Energy from his heart, the White Tiger Energy from his lungs, the Azure Dragon Energy from his liver, and the Black Tortoise Energy from his kidneys permeated his entire body, sharpening Yeon Ho-Jeong’s senses to the extreme.

Huuk!

The illusion caused by the demonic energy was washed away.

The Four Divine Martial Arts had the alias of being battlefield martial arts, but each energy was an unparalleled divine skill.

The clear and pure energy rose, preventing the intrusion of impure energy.

His body felt extremely activated. He hadn’t awakened all four Divine Energies often due to the continuous consumption of internal energy, but once he drew up all the energies, his body and internal energy entered an ideal state.

In other words, only a master on the verge of the Limitless Realm, who could endure the consumption of internal energy and push their divine skills to the extreme, could maintain a complete state in the face of this level of demonic power.

Kurururung!

The storm of demonic energy and the flames of divine energy collided, making the air shimmer with heat.

“Impressive.”

The White Masked Man, flicking his right fist, seemed more relaxed than before.

He was relaxed, but the atmosphere he exuded was incomparably darker than before.

“Even before your mask broke, and just now, you never let your guard down.”

“…….”

“That’s the reason for your strength.”

The more one knows the dangers of real combat, the less they let their guard down.

That was a fact everyone knew. But the White Masked Man saw a different depth in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s lack of carelessness.

A mind that doesn’t panic in the face of any change in the opponent.

Even with the explosively increased demonic energy and the strike that was more than twice as powerful, he didn’t suffer a fatal wound.

It was because he didn’t let his guard down. Because he didn’t panic. Even if he was surprised, he was constantly aware of how to respond to the enemy’s attack in that fleeting moment.

An extraordinary reaction speed created by extreme mental strength. His reflexes were so sharp that he could react even to a sudden lightning strike.

“Countless experiences, extreme mental strength, and martial arts that match your fighting style. All of that is in your body.”

The White Masked Man smiled. Though his face was covered, so it wasn’t clearly visible.

“A human specialized solely for combat. A moving war machine, indeed.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

‘He’s definitely changed.’

With the mask broken and the demonic energy surging, it felt like the person himself had changed.

It was just a feeling, but now he was becoming more and more certain.

‘He’s not the same guy I fought before.’

Twitch!

He tried to take a step forward, but Yeon Ho-Jeong stopped again.

At this moment, he clearly saw an opening. But he had the conviction that if he attacked, taking advantage of that opening, a counterattack would immediately follow.

“Your extreme reflexes have ultimately opened your sixth sense. Truly impressive. Is this a sixth sense honed not for survival, but to thoroughly kill your opponent?”

How novel.

Yeon Ho-Jeong tightened his grip on the Black and White Twin Dragons [a pair of axes].

“Who are you?”

The White Masked Man took a deep breath.

Sreureureuk.

The demonic energy that had been erupting like a volcano slowly began to be absorbed into the White Masked Man’s body.

Again, Yeon Ho-Jeong couldn’t launch a preemptive strike. He judged that it wasn’t the time to attack rashly.

And after a moment.

Hook.

The world brightened. The demonic energy that the White Masked Man had been emitting had seeped back into his body.

‘……!’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes slightly twitched.

‘Dangerous.’

He had contained the vast demonic energy within his body without leaking a single drop.

Before, it felt like the demonic energy was sealed, but now it felt like he had completely contained a large amount of demonic energy.

The difference was significant. It meant that the total amount of power he could use was different.

“A meaningless question.”

The White Masked Man shrugged.

A somewhat comical gesture. It was similar to when he first faced Tang Ho or Tang Gwan, but with a more bizarre sense of unease.

“What’s the reason for asking the identity of someone who faces you with their face covered by a mask, and then with their hand? Would anything change if you knew my name? You already know that I came from the Gwanghyeol [a martial arts sect].”

“…….”

“Let me tell you one thing. Do you think this face you’re seeing is real? You’re wrong. This face is just another mask. Just as the way you show yourself to your family is different from how you show yourself to your enemies, I too wear countless masks.”

“…….”

“In other words, you don’t need to know my name.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke curtly.

“You talk too much.”

“The enlightened are silent, the learned speak little, and the common are talkative. Furthermore, the foolish don’t even know what they’re saying.”

“…….”

“My thoughts are different. Words are power. Human society began with transmission and sharing. Transmission was language, and sharing was writing. Language and writing, the greatest superpowers in this world.”

“So what?”

“However, right now, we exist within a blood-soaked fence that cannot be resolved with either language or writing.”

“…….”

“I don’t think I can make you give up with words, nor can I move you with writing. Then, we must see this through according to the laws of this blood-filled fence.”

He was a strange one.

He had given a speech that was almost a lecture, but it wasn’t appropriate for the situation. It was meaningless, and even after pondering it, there was nothing to learn. At least, that was the case for Yeon Ho-Jeong.

It just felt like he was rambling whatever he wanted. It was like a half-baked scholar who had been lonely for a long time, wanting to chatter when he met someone.

‘One thing is certain.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong lowered his stance.

‘This is a disadvantageous fight for me.’

If it were his previous strength, he would have won easily. The White Masked Man before his mask broke was someone who showed weakness in ‘instinctual combat.’

This one was different.

He was in a position that his own power and experience couldn’t handle. It wasn’t just the density of the demonic energy; the overwhelming pressure he emitted proved that he was a master of a different caliber.

‘He’s tricky.’

It was then.

Kwaaaaaang!

With a tremendous explosion, Yeon Ho-Jeong crashed through a building.

“Oh?”

The White Masked Man, who had thrown a punch from his spot, tilted his head.

“I thought it would be a fatal wound, if not an instant kill, but he blocked it again?”

Puh-uh-uh-ung!

A massive blaze erupted from the breached building.

Hook!

At the same time, Yeon Ho-Jeong reached the White Masked Man’s face.

He had drawn out all four Divine Energies. His speed was slightly reduced compared to when he focused solely on the Vermilion Bird Flame Energy.

Still, he was fast. No matter what anyone said, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s Bloodwing Sky Dance [a movement technique] was a movement technique that had reached the pinnacle of speed.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s Black and White Twin Dragons were swung like a flurry of cuts at the White Masked Man.

Kwakwakwang!

Even though the speed had decreased, the destructive power emanating from the axes was incomparable to before. He swung a total of twelve strikes, each one carrying devastating power.

However.

Jjeoooooong!

He blocked all those intense strikes with just one right hand blade.

“Reflexes aren’t everything. Both strength and speed have reached their limits.”

Pararak!

Yeon Ho-Jeong spun in place and swung the Twin Dragons at the White Masked Man’s face and torso.

Jjejeong!

It was blocked. Too easily.

He was still covering his face with his left hand, blocking with only his right hand blade.

The speed wasn’t fast. Yet, it was blocked. Yeon Ho-Jeong couldn’t even see how he blocked it.

Hook! Kwang!

Yeon Ho-Jeong pulled down the blocked axe blades and spun, slamming his heel into the White Masked Man’s shoulder.

The White Masked Man’s body twitched.

On the other hand, Yeon Ho-Jeong felt a sharp pain in his heel. It felt like he had kicked steel without any internal energy.

The White Masked Man’s hand gently moved forward.

Kwaaang!

With an explosion, Yeon Ho-Jeong rolled across the ground.

Even as he rolled madly, he regained his posture. It was a powerful blow that made him gasp for air, but he neutralized most of the impact with the Black Tortoise Energy’s defense and the Azure Dragon Art’s Footwork.

Jureureuk.

However, the slight remaining impact caused internal injuries. His face was pale, and a streak of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.

Yeon Ho-Jeong grumbled.

“You’ve changed too much.”

“People are always…….”

“You guys are all such a pain in the ass. Damn it, it’s so frustrating.”

The personality and speech that had been changing as he spent a long time in the White Path Martial World after his regression seemed to have returned to the days when he fought with the thugs of the Black Path before he was even called the Dark Emperor.

Curses came out so naturally, like a street ruffian. The White Masked Man shook his head.

“Such vulgar language. How can someone so lacking in dignity be so highly skilled…….”

“Shut your mouth, you monster face!”

Kwang!

Even if nothing else, this spirit was undeniable.

It had only been a few exchanges, but the difference in skill was clear. With his current strength, Yeon Ho-Jeong couldn’t beat the White Masked Man even if he died and came back to life. Even if he mobilized everything he had, his killing intent, experience, and killing techniques, it would be difficult to even leave a scratch on his body.

Yet, he charged without hesitation.

The White Masked Man’s eyes deepened.

Hwaaaaaak!

Yeon Ho-Jeong was rushing in with terrifying speed.

The killing intent pouring in was more terrifying than the speed of approach.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s killing intent was another talent. The killing intent that had broken through limits by crossing all sorts of death lines was like an invisible blade that shattered the opponent’s mind and body, no less than the White Masked Man’s demonic energy.

Twitch!

In the face of that killing intent, the White Masked Man unknowingly took a step back and then stopped.

It was his pride. His mind, momentarily crushed by the pouring killing intent, tried to kill the opponent, but the fact that he felt threatened by a low-level opponent suppressed the White Masked Man’s movements.

“I can’t understand it.”

Kwang!

The White Masked Man neutralized and repelled Yeon Ho-Jeong’s unconventional attacks, which aimed for openings, with just two hand gestures.

“Cough!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong coughed up blood on the spot.

The White Masked Man said.

“You must know it too. That no matter what you do, you cannot surpass me.”

“Cough! Uwek!”

“A master of your caliber should be more aware of the difference than anyone else. Yet, why do you recklessly charge at me?”

“Kyaaak! Ptooey!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, even spitting out phlegm as if to show off, wiped his mouth and stood up.

Hwaaaaaak!

His internal injuries had deepened, but the concentration of his killing intent had also become even more intense. He was now truly like a demon.

The White Masked Man frowned.

“There is nothing as ugly as climbing a mountain that cannot be conquered.”

“Stop talking nonsense. You’re not a mountain. You’re just a moron who has learned demonic arts.”

“Stop showing such an ugly sight and die quietly. You’ve done enough.”

“Who said I’ve done enough? Your grandmother?”

“…….”

“I know best whether I’ve really done enough. And I haven’t even started yet.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong wore a ferocious smile.

“Unlike you, I hate giving up. Understand that.”

“So you desire an ugly death.”

“If I can win, even if it’s ugly, I’d be happy to have my arms and legs cut off!”

Kwaaang!

Yeon Ho-Jeong charged again.

Behind him as he charged.

The four-colored true energy, spread like silk over his long shadow, began to draw in a faint golden glow.

“Stick out your neck, you bastard!”