Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 632

Sizzle!

Faint smoke rose from the center of the open space.

Tang Gwan cleared his throat.

“If I had known it would be like this, I should have tried it in a more secluded area.”

“Indeed. I didn’t know the Clan Head was so bad at controlling his power.”

“Quiet.”

“How is your body?”

“A little stiff, but not too bad.”

Tang Gwan, rotating his shoulder, looked at the area where the smoke was rising.

‘Hmm.’

The range he wanted was one ‘jang’ [approximately 3 meters] horizontally and one ‘jang’ vertically.

However, the actual range affected was quite wide. Horizontally, it was almost two ‘jang’, and vertically, it seemed to be one and a half ‘jang’.

Tang Hyeong frowned.

“If the qi [life force or energy] control had been proper, it would have just pierced the ground, not caused an explosive burst.”

“You see well.”

“I couldn’t read the moment of impact. I tried to grab and pull, but I couldn’t read where to grab at that instant.”

“That’s why the current Manhwa-soo [a martial art technique] is so terrifying. Each time it’s used, the parts that escape qi control vary greatly.”

“Would you have been the same?”

“Yes. It’s closer to a completed form, but it’s not a completed martial art. From the start, Manhwa-soo is designed so that even the user cannot control each piece of movement. If the user doesn’t know, the enemy certainly won’t. That’s why it’s so deadly.”

“You see well.”

“That’s why it’s a martial art that shouldn’t be used carelessly. Once it’s unleashed, it can’t be stopped. Moreover, with this power, even a master of the Saintly Heaven [a high-level martial arts realm] would be in danger if hit directly.”

Tang Gwan glanced at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“Would it be difficult for you to withstand it?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“If I were to counter it, it would be okay, but breaking through or evading it would be nearly impossible. Even if I were to focus entirely on defense, I would have to endure some bleeding.”

“That’s a shame.”

“What is?”

“I was hoping you’d say that defense itself was impossible.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“When it’s truly completed, I don’t know what it will be like. After all, even the Clan Head hasn’t mastered this martial art.”

“……”

“If you want to get one over on me, master Manhwa-soo first. You’re already past the halfway point, but it seems your dreams are too big.”

“You cheeky brat.”

Though he said that, Tang Gwan didn’t seem offended at all.

However, he still seemed surprised, as he would ask Yeon Ho-Jeong about it when he had almost forgotten.

Like now.

“How is it? Do you feel like you’ve entered a new world?”

“It’s amazing.”

“I’m sure. You must be so excited about tormenting the head of that Mo family who used to grumble.”

“That wouldn’t be the Tang Clan Head, would it?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

Tang Gwan’s tone was relaxed.

He had become much closer to Yeon Ho-Jeong, but there was still a certain line. From their first meeting, things hadn’t been good, and because he was friends with Yeon-wi, he had a strong tendency to see Yeon Ho-Jeong, his son, as a subordinate.

But not anymore.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was the Tang Clan’s benefactor. If he was the Tang Clan’s benefactor, he could be considered Tang Gwan’s benefactor as well.

The Tang Clan was thorough in matters of gratitude and resentment. It was a morality ingrained in their bloodline, even before the law.

That’s why Tang Gwan’s attitude towards Yeon Ho-Jeong had become softer and more relaxed than before.

In fact, if it hadn’t been for Yeon Ho-Jeong, he wouldn’t have been able to find the Tang Clan again.

Yeon Ho-Jeong also understood Tang Gwan’s feelings.

Usually, one might be jealous of his level of mastery, but Tang Gwan didn’t have that. He had a competitive spirit, but no jealousy. It was very rare to see such a nature in this martial world.

So, it was a relief. Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t want this good relationship to break.

“Whatever the case, it’s a good thing that you’ve divided them.”

“What do you mean?”

“Manhwa-soo and Mancheonhwau [another martial art technique], I mean.”

“……Hmm.”

“The power might not be controlled right away, but dividing the forms according to the situation is definitely a big improvement.”

When creating Mancheonhwau with Yeon-wi, Tang Gwan divided the stances into three.

One ‘jang’ that focused on a small number of targets, but was sharper and had higher penetration.

Two ‘jang’ that attacked all enemies positioned around him simultaneously.

And finally, the ultimate technique, three ‘jang’, which drew all the qi from the three dantian [energy centers in the body], combining the penetration of one ‘jang’ and the range of two ‘jang’.

One ‘jang’ and two ‘jang’ were essentially the same martial art, with only differences in range and penetration. The qi consumption and the internal energy operation according to the incantation were almost identical.

But three ‘jang’ was different.

Three ‘jang’, the ultimate technique that Tang Gwan used when annihilating the Tang Clan, was a martial art that could be called the final secret of Mancheonhwau.

A peerless killing technique that devastated everything, regardless of friend or foe.

It was a desperate martial art that could endanger even the user himself.

“I followed your advice on that one.”

“Yes. I’m also proud of it.”

“Your Four Divine Arts [a set of martial arts techniques] can be used regardless of compatibility depending on the situation and opponent. I think it was an advice that suited you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled wryly.

“There is no martial art that ignores compatibility. It only works because the opponent is a person.”

“Is that so?”

“Rather, I think that’s why it’s a difficult martial art. You have to read the situation at each moment and immediately use the optimal move. It doesn’t consume little internal energy, and in fact, there are no techniques that can be called a finishing move like Manhwa-soo.”

“It suits you well.”

“Yes. It’s an advantage for me.”

The Four Divine Arts were free and creative martial arts.

That’s why they were difficult and complex. Because the power of the martial arts increased or decreased depending on the user’s ability, it was essential to develop abilities outside of martial arts.

However, if one had developed the abilities to support the Four Divine Arts, it would be hard to find a martial art comparable to the Four Divine Arts in personal combat.

‘No.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong thought inwardly.

‘A finishing move… it’s not that there isn’t one.’

The Yellow Dragon Art.

Its formal name was the Yellow Dragon Divine King Art, the final secret that was revealed when the qi of the Four Divine Beasts was harmoniously combined without any conflict.

If he had to say, the Yellow Dragon Divine King Art was the finishing move of the Four Divine Arts. However, the Yellow Dragon was not simply a martial art with the strongest attack power, but a divine art that was complete in itself.

‘How long will it take?’

He had been able to create the Bright Divine Pill and combine the conflicting qi of the Four Divine Beasts, but it was still impossible to completely merge the four energies into one.

Even during his time as the Dark Emperor, he hadn’t even been able to enter the gate. He had seen the beginning of the door, but even that was meaningless now that he had created the Bright Divine Pill.

‘I wish it would reveal itself soon.’

Finishing his thoughts, Yeon Ho-Jeong said.

“Anyway, the forms are complete, and the qi movement incantation is complete, so all that’s left is to fix the identified problems and reduce the burden on the body.”

“I suppose so.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

Tang Gwan, who had been looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong, turned his head and said.

“If you have nothing to do tonight, come by. I’ll treat you to some good liquor.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong grinned.

“Are you going to ask me more questions and try to get something out of me again?”

“You caught me.”

It was indeed an uncharacteristic answer from Tang Gwan. It was a sign that he had completely opened his heart to Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was smiling and looking at Tang Gwan, suddenly shone his eyes.

Tang Gwan said.

“You don’t need to help with the construction anymore. The ruined areas have been roughly cleaned up, and the walls have been built, so all that’s left is to handle the personnel issues and the business…”

“Before that, it would be better for you to rest today.”

“I’ve rested enough. I have a mountain of work to do, and even leisurely checking my martial arts is…”

“No matter how much work you have, you should make time for your family.”

“What are you talking about?”

At that moment, the door to the backyard opened.

Tang Gwan was startled. As soon as the door opened, he felt a presence. It meant that he hadn’t felt the approaching presence at all.

Turning around, he saw two familiar faces.

“Father.”

Tang Hyeong smiled.

“I suppressed my presence so as not to disturb your training, but it seems it’s all over.”

Although he had sealed the qi of the middle and lower dantian, he still had the upper dantian left. In fact, even though Tang Hyeong had sealed his poison arts, he had once blown Yeon Ho-Jeong away with a single blow.

From the start, sealing the upper dantian was impossible for anyone.

Tang Gwan, who had been quietly looking at Tang Hyeong, glanced at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong raised both hands.

“I was about to leave anyway. Don’t give me too much of a look.”

“Ahem!”

It was very unusual to see Tang Gwan clear his throat.

Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed to Tang Hyeong and Tang Yoon.

“You’ve worked hard.”

The moment Tang Yoon was about to bow his head silently.

“I have received a great favor.”

Tang Hyeong bowed.

Tang Gwan, Tang Yoon, and even Yeon Ho-Jeong were startled. The Dark King, a senior in the martial world and the most aloof among the Saintly Heaven, had bowed.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said in confusion.

“I haven’t done anything. It’s all the Tang Clan Head’s work. Rather, I’ve gained more than I’ve lost…”

“If it hadn’t been for you, I wouldn’t have come out even though I felt the qi of the clan.”

“……”

“Your scolding made me stay here. I don’t know how to repay that favor.”

He was not only a benefactor of the Tang Clan, but also a personal benefactor of Tang Hyeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“It was just the meddling of a nosy chatterbox. Don’t take it too seriously.”

“That won’t do.”

Tang Hyeong gently dismissed it and asked Tang Yoon.

“What is the iron rule of the main family?”

Tang Yoon smiled and replied.

“We repay kindness twice over, and grudges tenfold.”

Tang Hyeong nodded and looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“It’s not difficult to repay grudges tenfold, but it’s not easy to repay kindness as much as you’ve received. Moreover, since we have to repay it twice over, I might not be able to repay it all even if I die.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression was awkward.

He didn’t like being hated, but he also refused to receive gratitude that was too burdensome.

‘Well, the Tangs never knew what moderation was.’

They were truly uncomfortable people.

Yeon Ho-Jeong cleared his throat and said.

“I’ll think about the favor I’ve received later. Let’s start with family time first.”

“Haha, very well.”

“I’ll be going now.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had left the Clan Head’s residence, looked up at the sky.

‘Family.’

His father came to mind. And his younger brother came to mind.

After his mother passed away, his relatives had spread out to various places. The Yeon family always had only the direct line remaining to protect the family, and the warriors who protected the direct line gathered to form a martial family.

In other words, Yeon Ho-Jeong only had two family members left.

“Make time for family… how funny. Who is teaching whom? I can’t even keep it myself.”

A bitter look appeared on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

He always wanted to see his father and younger brother. But it was also true that he couldn’t think about them when he was busy.

Perhaps the two of them wouldn’t be like that. They would worry about him, thinking of him whenever they had time.

A sudden wave of guilt and longing weighed heavily on his heart.

‘I should visit them once after this is over.’

Even if his martial arts became stronger and he learned more, he was still a son of a father and a brother of a young man.

He tried not to forget that. He shouldn’t repeat the mistakes of the past.

As he was about to walk away, leaving his bitterness behind, Yeon Ho-Jeong looked to the side at the sudden presence he felt.

“Have you come?”

“That’s right.”

Moyong Gun, leaning against the wall, looked very indifferent.

Yeon Ho-Jeong asked calmly.

“Do you have business with me?”

Moyong Gun, who had been quietly looking at him, gestured to the side with his chin.

“Let’s talk.”

There’s never a dull moment.