Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 617

The transformed Gang Ryang’s energy wave spread, reaching all the masters within its range.

‘That guy.’

Moyong Gun’s eyes narrowed.

*Flash!*

Having recovered from his internal injuries, he instantly sliced the three masked men in front of him to pieces with a lightning-fast sword strike.

‘He broke through the Martial Ancestor realm.’

The Martial Ancestor Wall is the final barrier a martial artist faces after mastering their art, marking the limits of human potential. In other words, the moment one breaks through the Martial Ancestor Wall, they transcend the boundaries of what is considered human.

Naturally, not just anyone can reach it. Even a talented individual who works hard can only barely reach this realm in their middle age, and even then, considering the vast number of martial artists, it is an extremely small minority.

That young man has now reached the realm beyond the limits that only that small minority can achieve.

*Crackle! Fizz!*

The twenty masked men who were about to pass by Moyong Gun hesitated on the spot, stunned by the dazzling lightning energy being emitted.

‘This is driving me crazy.’

Moyong Gun glared at the enemies. However, he was more concerned about Gang Ryang’s growth than how to deal with the immediate threat.

‘It’s said that the talents of the new era are bound to surpass those of the old, but isn’t this too much?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong alone is already a monster. And what about Muk Bi, who was Yeon Ho-Jeong’s adjutant? She is also undoubtedly a genius of her time.

But now, even Gang Ryang has broken through the Martial Ancestor Wall. Moreover, Gang Ryang is a year younger than Yeon Ho-Jeong. Of course, Yeon Ho-Jeong broke through the Martial Ancestor Wall at an even younger age, but from Moyong Gun’s perspective, both Yeon Ho-Jeong and Gang Ryang were monsters.

And what about the Myulsa Army that Yeon Ho-Jeong commands?

Although his younger brother, Moyong Woo, is practically leading the Uijeong Army, the Myulsa Army still mentally follows Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Most of the soldiers who make up the Myulsa Army were young people who had not shined in the Nine Great Sects or the Six Great Families. These people, after joining the Myulsa Army, were making a name for themselves as the best elite unit of the Martial Alliance.

Moyong Gun did not think all of this was a coincidence.

It couldn’t be. It was absurd to think that Yeon Ho-Jeong was just lucky and that talented people were flocking to him.

‘In the end.’

*Rumble!*

With a thunderous sound, the sword energy of the Unfeeling Heavenly Thunder Style was unleashed, causing the masked men to cough up blood and fall to the ground.

‘In the end, it’s all about Yeon Ho-Jeong again.’

Unparalleled combat ability, monstrous talent.

Political power that looks down even on the seasoned politicians who have been in the martial world for decades, and even a sixth sense that transcends imagination.

These are not abilities that should be given to one individual. And on top of that, he also possessed the ability as a ‘teacher’ to nurture the talents of martial artists?

*Kwaaang!*

With a powerful palm strike, the masked men in front of him fell in droves.

Lightning energy is strong and fast due to its nature. However, it is so volatile that it is difficult to handle delicately. If one loses focus even slightly, the consumption of internal energy becomes extreme.

Moyong Gun’s breathing became slightly rough. The power of his martial arts naturally increased due to the rising frustration, anger, and self-loathing.

‘It’s hopeless.’

It was hopeless. He, who always thought of stepping on Yeon Ho-Jeong and becoming the master of the Martial Alliance to rule the world, felt that the existence of Yeon Ho-Jeong was becoming increasingly immense.

*Faaang!*

Hwang Seok-Tae, who had passed by Moyong Gun, delivered a steel-like blow.

*Clang!*

The masked man stepped back from the fierce spear strike.

Gang Ryang shouted.

“I will take this one down!”

“Taking him down isn’t everything!”

Hwang Seok-Tae, grabbing the middle of the Red Dragon Divine Spear and spinning it, deflected the attacks that were pouring in.

*Whir! Thud! Thud!*

The attacks of the masked men who were hiding behind the yellow-masked man and launching their attacks were all rendered useless.

*Paang!*

At the same time, the yellow-masked man moved.

He was trying to get around the collapsed formation of the Black Blood Unit and the sides where Hwang Seok-Tae and Gang Ryang could not reach.

Hwang Seok-Tae shouted.

“Don’t let a single one of them into the Clan Lord’s Hall!”

“That’s obvious!”

“It’s not just because it’s our mission! These guys, something feels ominous! If they get into the Clan Lord’s Hall, they’ll do something we can’t even imagine!”

Gang Ryang’s eyes wavered.

There was no clear logic in his words. But the moment Gang Ryang heard Hwang Seok-Tae’s words, he felt himself trusting him.

The reason was clear. He had felt that way from the beginning as well.

A feeling that could not be explained by reason. Hwang Seok-Tae’s shout was awakening his mind, which had been momentarily intoxicated by the joy of breaking through the Martial Ancestor Wall and his increased combat power.

Hwang Seok-Tae stepped down hard.

*Thud! Kwaang!*

The gust of wind he unleashed with his step shattered a tree that was standing to the right of the yellow-masked man.

He missed. The yellow-masked man was also a supreme master. It would be difficult for anyone to stop him if he was determined to escape, let alone face him head-on.

‘Damn it!’

Gang Ryang poured all of his Ghost King Energy into his lower body.

*Flash!*

The ultimate Ghost Shadow Step, which he was using for the first time since reaching the Martial Ancestor Wall.

The Ghost Shadow Step, which could be considered the best in the world in terms of agility. When such a footwork was fueled by the internal energy of a supreme master and pushed to its limits, its speed far exceeded human perception.

*Thud thud thud!*

Gang Ryang’s feet tore up the ground.

He had poured too much power into it in his haste. Because it was a newly reached realm, he could not control his internal energy delicately.

What was fortunate was that Gang Ryang had already reached the front of the yellow-masked man.

“Uwaaaah!”

With a shout, the Ghost Shadow Sword slashed through the air. He could not unleash the Ghost Killing Sword due to the excessive use of internal energy.

*Clang!*

The yellow-masked man’s reaction was truly artistic.

He received the sword strike as if tilting, and with the right amount of power and softness, he neutralized Gang Ryang’s attack without any damage.

*Thud!*

It was as if he had been waiting for Gang Ryang’s attack. The yellow-masked man, having deflected the Ghost Shadow Sword, moved to Gang Ryang’s left and appeared in front of the collapsed formation of the Black Blood Unit.

Gang Ryang’s eyes wavered.

“No!”

The yellow-masked man swung his long sword. It seemed that he had many weapons hidden inside his cloak, as he was now holding a short sword in his left hand.

*Swoosh!*

Two Black Blood Unit members who had not recovered had their heads cut off.

Adding one to one does not necessarily mean two. Moreover, since that one was not whole, the combined attack of Hwang Seok-Tae and Gang Ryang was seen as a weakness by the yellow-masked man.

*Faaang!*

Hwang Seok-Tae did not attack the yellow-masked man even as the Black Blood Unit was dying. Instead, he flew towards the Clan Lord’s Hall.

It seemed cold-blooded, but it was the right decision. If the goal was to prevent the enemy from escaping from this place, then Hwang Seok-Tae’s decision was correct, even if it was somewhat ruthless.

*Flash!*

The yellow-masked man’s eyes shone.

*Faaang!*

The yellow-masked man, having skillfully avoided the sword strike from Gang Ryang who was rushing from behind, charged towards the masked men, his allies, who were not far away.

*Thud!*

Hwang Seok-Tae and Gang Ryang’s eyes widened.

Not only them. Even Dang Byeong-Chan and the Black Blood Unit members, and even Moyong Gun, who was dealing with the masked men from a distance, were surprised and opened their mouths.

*Thud!*

The yellow-masked man’s sword pierced the heart and abdomen of a masked man.

*Thump!*

The masked man fell. The yellow-masked man took the long spear that was in his hand and held it in his own.

It was from that moment.

It was from that very moment that the remaining aura of the yellow-masked man changed.

*Whoosh!*

The heavy, oppressive energy that was being emitted was much heavier and darker than before.

“……?!”

Gang Ryang, who was standing closest, could feel the change in the yellow-masked man more than anyone else.

‘What is this?’

*Whoosh!*

Just by holding the spear, the depth of the oppressive aura emanating from his entire body had changed.

‘Suddenly?’

The yellow-masked man took a deep breath.

“Whoosh!”

It seemed that the density of his internal energy was deepening with each breath he took.

He couldn’t be left alone. It was instinct. Gang Ryang rushed in and swung the Ghost Killing Sword.

*Clang!*

Gang Ryang’s body was pushed back three steps.

Considering the speed at which he was rushing and the fact that he was unable to delicately control his internal energy, it was even more surprising.

‘Ugh!’

The shock transmitted from the sword that collided with the spearhead traveled through his wrist and elbow to his shoulder blade.

If he had not instantly used his internal energy to offset the shock, he would have fallen. That was how tremendous the recoil was.

*Buzz.*

The spear held by the yellow-masked man vibrated slightly.

The sound was too clear and pure for the vibration of a weapon imbued with internal energy. Hwang Seok-Tae’s eyes widened.

“Spear Cry!”

A spear cry is the same as a sword cry. [A phenomenon where a weapon resonates with its wielder’s soul, producing a unique sound.]

The spear held in the owner’s hand cries on its own. It is not vibrating because internal energy is being injected into it, but because the weapon, which has resonated with the owner’s soul, is crying out on its own.

Breathing life into inanimate iron. It was a state of enlightenment that could only be attained by those who had reached the Way of Martial Arts, beyond martial arts and martial skills.

“Indeed, this is what was happening.”

The voice coming from inside the yellow mask was very strange.

A whispering tone. In fact, his voice was also small. Yet, everyone here could hear his words clearly.

“It wasn’t intentional, but it’s better this way. Yeon Ho-Jeong was a somewhat overwhelming opponent for me to handle. The reputation of the Green Wall Tiger General was not in vain.”

It was a strange remark.

His words sounded as if he had been fighting Yeon Ho-Jeong just a moment ago.

“I was planning to end it with that body if possible, but it seems that I will have to keep my promise with Dang Ho in a slightly different way.”

A bizarre sense of fear emanated from the voice that was muttering to itself. It was the whisper of an existence that seemed to be human but was not.

The yellow-masked man put his hand on his mask.

At that moment, Moyong Gun shouted.

“Gang Ryang! Attack!”

Moyong Gun was the one who sensed the unease faster than others.

Gang Ryang, who was tensing up and adding strength to the hand holding his sword, moved as soon as Moyong Gun finished speaking.

*Faaak! Swish!*

His movement, sword strike, and killing intent were all perfect.

However, before Gang Ryang’s sword could reach the yellow-masked man, the mask shattered.

*Crack!*

In that moment, which was split into fractions of a second.

Gang Ryang felt a flash of ominousness in a corner of his mind.

‘Danger!’

*Kwaaang!*

With an explosion, Gang Ryang’s body was sent flying.

*Bang! Thud!*

Gang Ryang, who had flown all the way to the forest far away, smashed through two trees and rolled on the ground.

The fallen Gang Ryang did not move. It was unknown whether he was dead or unconscious.

Dang Byeong-Chan shouted.

“Black Blood Unit, all of you……!”

“Fall back!”

*Faaang!*

Hwang Seok-Tae flew next to Dang Byeong-Chan and shouted.

“You guys fall back! You can’t handle him!”

“That’s nonsense! We can’t fall back……!”

“You’ll just die in vain! Fall back for now! Guard the path to the Clan Lord’s Hall!”

Hwang Seok-Tae’s voice sounded more urgent than ever.

Dang Byeong-Chan, who had been gritting his teeth, soon led the Black Blood Unit away. He had accepted Hwang Seok-Tae’s words.

*Clang!*

With a powerful resonance, Moyong Gun appeared behind Hwang Seok-Tae. He had deflected all of the masked men’s attacks and moved.

Blocking the majority of the enemy’s forces alone. That was Moyong Gun’s role, but not now.

Hwang Seok-Tae, with a tense face, pointed the Red Dragon Divine Spear at the yellow-masked man, or rather, the man who had been the yellow-masked man.

“Who are you?”

“It’s not good for you to know. You wouldn’t understand even if I told you.”

Even though he had taken off his mask, his face was not clearly visible because of the cloak that covered his face up to his nose.

However, Hwang Seok-Tae had witnessed the moment when the mask shattered in his hand.

And the bare face that was revealed inside.

‘A monster?’

It was a face that was difficult to describe in words. He couldn’t remember exactly what kind of face it was, but it had a very gruesome and repulsive appearance.

*Crackle!*

Moyong Gun, who had fully unleashed his Lightning Energy, asked with a stiff face.

“I can’t understand it at all. You suddenly became a different person. Are you possessed by a ghost or something?”

“A ghost? That’s a bit disappointing. I’m a perfectly alive person. At least in this body.”

*Whoosh!*

The yellow-masked man, spinning the spear with one hand, lowered his stance.

“Now that the Sixth Sacrificial Chief has revealed himself, Yeon Ho-Jeong will die. You will die at the hands of me, the Deputy Chief of the Seventh Sacrificial Division.”