Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 637

“Hmm, this place should do.”

Tang Hyeong led Yeon Ho-Jeong to a spot not far from the confinement area.

Tang Gwan had suggested that he move out of the confinement area and live in the inner courtyard, but Tang Hyeong had decided to stay there for the time being. He had a lot to sort out, and it was also a good place for him to take care of himself.

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked around.

“It’s spacious and nice.”

The open space was easily over thirty yards wide.

It was more than enough for a battleground for top-tier masters. It was spacious enough to maintain a safe distance, unless one was planning to flee, and it was perfect for controlling shockwaves.

“Moreover.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sharpened.

“Is it a mechanism, or a formation?”

“Oh ho, you noticed?”

“The smell of metal suggests it’s a mechanism, but the flow of the air makes it seem like a formation.”

Tang Hyeong’s face showed satisfaction.

“I tinkered with it in my spare time. It’s not exactly a masterpiece, though.”

“The shock from inside won’t leak out.”

“It cancels out most shocks. I did various training while living alone, and I didn’t want to harm the family members, so I made it.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed.

‘Impressive.’

He was genuinely impressed by Tang Hyeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong knew a lot, but he also didn’t know a lot.

He didn’t bother looking into areas he wasn’t interested in. He was second to none in areas like survival, combat, psychology, and politics, which were necessary to fight against the world, but he was almost a layman when it came to mechanisms, medicine, and formations.

Tang Hyeong was different.

He never neglected learning, even in his old age. He was well-versed in all areas, including martial arts, academics, mechanisms, medicine, and formations.

‘They said he’s the all-rounder of the Tang family’s studies, and it’s true.’

A true genius was someone like him.

Even considering the time he spent in the Black Underworld, Tang Hyeong had lived fifteen years less than him, but Tang Hyeong’s deep and vast knowledge was so outstanding that it made those fifteen years seem insignificant.

“By the way, you’re amazing too. It seems like you haven’t even properly looked into your own martial arts yet.”

“Can you see that too?”

“I can see everything. I’m your senior, after all.”

Tang Hyeong burst into laughter.

Yeon Ho-Jeong also smiled.

His impression was very different from when they first met. It was truly pleasant to see him smile comfortably and without ulterior motives.

“I haven’t organized the manufacturing method and the formation incantations yet, but if I invest a couple more months, it should be almost complete. I’ll have to pass it on to Gwan then.”

“He’ll be deeply moved.”

“What’s there to be moved about? It’s natural for parents to pass on what they made to their children.”

He had a different opinion on that, but he could tell that Tang Hyeong and Tang Gwan had become much closer.

“Alright, then.”

Tang Hyeong, who had been patting his waist, walked to the center of the open space.

“Yun, you go stand by that big tree and don’t move.”

“Yes.”

Tension was evident on Tang Yun’s face as he stood by the tree.

It was the first time in his life that he would witness the martial arts of an absolute master. As a martial artist, he couldn’t help but feel nervous.

Tang Hyeong gestured to Yeon Ho-Jeong with his chin.

“Shall we start when you’re ready?”

Tang Hyeong’s calm tone made it seem like they were out for a stroll.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

“Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Hmm?”

“You’ve sealed the Emperor’s Poison Art. Since you’ve sealed your middle and lower dantian [energy centers in the body], wouldn’t there be restrictions on the power you can use?”

“You’re a fighter, indeed. You anticipated a clash, didn’t you?”

“Otherwise, there would have been no need to come to such a grand place.”

“Haha, you’re not wrong.”

The smile on Tang Hyeong’s face slowly turned expressionless.

“Do you know when I opened the Limitless?”

“…….”

“It may be presumptuous, but no matter how outstanding your talent is, it will be difficult for you to last ten seconds against my three-dantian-opened hands. Even with good luck, you won’t last more than thirty moves.”

It wasn’t a voice filled with arrogance or pride.

It felt like he was simply stating the facts. And it was indeed the truth.

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“I acknowledge that.”

“You’re calm for a young man. You certainly have a unique aspect.”

“But…….”

“Even though only my upper dantian is open, my body is a vessel that has contained the infinite natural energy for over twenty years.”

“…….”

“It’s enough to help you. Don’t worry.”

A light of determination appeared on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

“There’s nothing more ridiculous than a novice worrying about a master. Since you say so, I’ll unleash myself properly.”

“Of course, you should. I’m telling you in advance, even in your current state, it’ll be hard for you to even touch my clothes within fifty moves.”

He meant that he would use the essence of his body and the power of his upper dantian to fulfill the roles of the middle and lower dantian.

The limit was fifty moves. After that, his body would be strained and it would be difficult.

A stern aura surrounded Tang Hyeong’s face.

“If you want to gain something properly, you should come at me with the intent to kill.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong grinned.

“My life has been a struggle. I had to kill to survive.”

“Good.”

“Then, let’s begin.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong took a light breath.

It was the first time he was properly unleashing his power since fighting the demons of the Blood Demon Sect. No, even then, he hadn’t unleashed all of his power. There was no need to.

‘Let’s not think about anything. I’ll draw out all the power that’s inherent in my body.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong took a step with his right foot and then powerfully stomped on the ground.

Kuuuuuung!

It was a powerful stomp.

But it was distinctly different from his previous stomps. The stomp, which had been destructive and direct, as if causing an earthquake, had now changed to a deeper and heavier feeling.

Using the power that seemed to reach the depths of the earth, the world of the underground, as a reaction, he was opening the core of the power sleeping inside him in one go.

Flash!

Divine light appeared in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes.

Hwaaaaaak!

The net of light that had formed in his solar plexus spread throughout his body in an instant.

Whirrrrr!

In an instant, his hair and clothes fluttered wildly and soared towards the sky.

Crackkkkk!

The cracks that had started under Yeon Ho-Jeong’s right foot spread to a radius of about ten yards in an instant.

Flash! Flash!

The four-colored true energy rose, gradually condensed to the size of a fist, and then began to spin around his body.

The mysterious four-colored light spinning horizontally and diagonally.

If the Bright Divine Core was the core of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s martial arts, the Four Divine Energies were the channels through which he received power and the means of attack themselves.

Such divine energy was being released outside the body, yet it was perfectly under the control of its master. To operate the divine energy sleeping inside the body faster and more immediately, he was pulling it out and controlling it.

A subtle admiration arose on Tang Hyeong’s face.

“You haven’t looked back, but it seems you’ve been pondering your enlightenment. Very impressive.”

Swoosh.

Yeon Ho-Jeong drew the Black Dragon Axe.

Among the spinning four-colored energies, a red sphere seeped into the axe.

Fwoooosh!

In an instant, a huge fire ignited on the Black Dragon Axe.

It was a flaming axe that soared to a height of one yard in an instant. Because it was a small hand axe, the axe looked like a mere handle, and rather, the soaring flames looked like a huge blade.

Throb throb!

The veins on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s arm throbbed wildly.

Tang Hyeong tilted his head.

“That’s a great skill. But…….”

“…….”

“When are you going to come at me?”

Whoosh!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s figure appeared behind Tang Hyeong’s back.

Tang Yun, who was watching from afar, was momentarily shocked. He couldn’t read when or how Yeon Ho-Jeong had moved.

Yeon Ho-Jeong swung the flaming axe towards Tang Hyeong’s neck.

Clang!

The slash of the Black Dragon Axe, swung diagonally, created a two-yard-long mark on the ground.

Small fires ignited around the deeply dug ground. The area where the slash had landed was charred black. It was a terrifying firepower.

“Your power is good.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed. It was because Tang Hyeong’s voice was now heard from over three yards away.

Fwaaaaaang!

He turned his body using the elasticity of his waist and extended his left palm.

Kwaaang!

The formless palm force shot into the air flipped the ground where Tang Hyeong had been standing.

Like the slash of the Black Dragon Axe, the power of the palm technique was also vastly different from before. The flipped ground, as if it had been torn apart by a meteor falling from beyond the sky, was chilling just to look at.

But this time too, Tang Hyeong had evaded Yeon Ho-Jeong’s attack.

“Your power is good, and your true energy control is incredibly delicate. Very good.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong quickly turned his body and swung the Black Dragon Axe again.

Jjeooooooong!

In an instant, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body was pushed back over ten yards.

Even while being pushed back madly, he dispersed the shock by stepping on the ground with both feet. It was an extreme improvisation that had become ingrained in his body.

“Oh ho.”

Tang Hyeong’s eyes widened slightly.

His extended hand was perfectly fine. Even the Vermilion Bird Fire contained in the Black Dragon Axe hadn’t been able to create a single scorch mark.

“I thought you wouldn’t be able to evade it, but I knew you’d somehow block it. You didn’t block it, but you neutralized it with an attack, is that it?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was about to rush in again, flinched for a moment. He felt a small shock in his ankle the moment he tried to kick off the ground.

He had dispersed the shock with his improvisational skills, but the power that had been emitted from Tang Hyeong’s light gesture remained at the tip of his foot.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes wavered.

‘It’s an incredible penetration technique.’

He had thoroughly blocked his interior with Black Tortoise energy. But Tang Hyeong’s penetration technique had easily broken through it and left a shock.

It wasn’t a matter of strength. The movement of the energy, the sharpness of the power emission, was truly at the level of the heavens beyond the heavens.

He hadn’t regained his previous level, but his body wasn’t one that could be so easily penetrated.

‘At this level…….’

He didn’t know about power.

‘He rivals the Demonic Cult Leader!’

His penetration technique was comparable to, or even surpassed, that of the Demonic Cult Leader.

Whoooosh!

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had completely evaporated the shock in his ankle by sending out Azure Dragon energy, rushed at Tang Hyeong again.

Kwaaang!

In Yeon Ho-Jeong’s left hand, which was tearing through the air, was the White Dragon Axe.

Finally, the two axes were drawn. Tang Hyeong momentarily felt as if Yeon Ho-Jeong’s energy wave had doubled.

The Black and White Twin Dragon Axes fiercely tore through the air.

Jjejejejejeong! Pubububububuck!

The slashes that were being wildly cut out couldn’t break through the formless power emission and bounced off the ground, leaving gruesome marks.

Kugung! Kugugugung!

Each time an attack was blocked, the entire open space shook as if an earthquake had occurred.

The collision of immense power, the air screamed, and the earth groaned.

The brilliantly advancing Crimson Flame Six Kill Technique mercilessly attacked Tang Hyeong, but Tang Hyeong was deflecting all of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s fierce attacks with hand techniques that seemed to be swung haphazardly.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s forehead creased.

‘How is he blocking it?’

It was a hand technique centered on power emission, but he couldn’t understand how he was blocking these fierce attacks.

The movement of his hands was too bizarre. It wasn’t like he was swinging at the axes, but rather, it was like he was vaguely sweeping through the empty air.

Yet, it was blocked. The emitted power emission was rotating incredibly, deflecting the follow-up attacks one after another, and even Yeon Ho-Jeong, the best in the world, found it difficult to read the way he was using his energy.

‘Then.’

Jjeooooooong!

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had swung the Black Dragon Axe with all his might, extended his left hand like lightning.

His hand, which had already put down the White Dragon Axe, grabbed Tang Hyeong’s collar.

‘With power!’

In an instant, Yeon Ho-Jeong saw the world turn upside down.

Kwaaaang!

A strong shock was felt on his back.

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked up at Tang Hyeong with a surprised face.

Tang Hyeong, looking down at the fallen Yeon Ho-Jeong, adjusted his clothes and asked.

“Is that coming at me with the intent to kill?”