Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 638

The pain was there, but the impact itself was negligible.

However, the shock to his mind was significant.

“That’s an incredible combat ability. That impetuosity and aggression, you’d be hard-pressed to find it anywhere in the world.”

“…….”

“I don’t know why, but you seem very familiar with that level. Your ability to regulate your inner energy is nothing short of perfect. But…”

Tang Hyeong shook his head.

“That’s all it is. If you keep attacking like that, you won’t even touch my sleeve today.”

Srrr.

Yeon Ho-Jeong got up from his spot.

Tang Hyeong smiled.

“You’ll have to come back in, right?”

“Of course, I will.”

“Then, don’t delay and come in.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Tang Hyeong without answering.

Tang Hyeong tilted his head.

“Why aren’t you coming in?”

“I’m thinking.”

“Thinking… From what I see, your martial arts are closer to a fighting technique that stems from instinct rather than reason. Do you really need to think?”

“I’d usually try to rely on my tenacity and instinct, but this time, I’m a bit lost.”

Tang Hyeong’s smile deepened.

“Is that so?”

‘He’s not ordinary, after all.’

‘Is that also an instinct?’

People inevitably rely on familiar actions. They can’t easily throw themselves into something new, awkward, or different.

That wasn’t a bad thing. Even when a martial artist loses consciousness, they instinctively execute their techniques because they’ve trained to the point where they can unconsciously kill an enemy.

In other words, it’s an instinct essential for survival and victory. All martial artists in the world live with such instincts ingrained in their bodies.

However, there are times when one must break free from those instincts.

Right now, Yeon Ho-Jeong was facing such a moment.

‘Was my method wrong? No.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong inwardly shook his head.

‘My fighting style hasn’t changed much from before. Even during my time as the Dark Emperor, I fought this way.’

He was much stronger back then.

And as always, he engaged in fierce battles, killing his opponents and surviving. His fighting technique was not so simple that it would change just because his level had changed.

‘But it’s not working. With this method, I can’t even touch his sleeve, just like the old man said.’

What could be the reason?

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

‘That energy emission technique.’

Tang Hyeong’s energy emission was the epitome of perfection.

He freely used an immense penetrating force, reminiscent of the Sound Demon Lord’s Yin-Yang martial arts [a martial art that combines opposing forces]. It was fortunate that this was just a sparring match; in a real fight, he would have been defeated before he could even make a move.

‘He instantly converts formless inner energy into an energy emission. It’s not impossible for me, but his generation speed and ability to seize the initiative are unparalleled.’

Then, what should he do?

Simply put, the answer was simple. He just needed to attack faster than Tang Hyeong could generate his energy emission.

The problem was that he couldn’t possibly achieve that speed. Regardless of strength or techniques, Tang Hyeong’s energy emission was being generated the moment he willed it.

If the energy emission was already created the moment he decided to make it, it was practically the speed of light. No matter how great Yeon Ho-Jeong’s martial arts were, he couldn’t swing an axe at the speed of light.

‘There’s a weakness.’

Tang Hyeong only used that energy emission technique when blocking his attacks.

The speed of his energy emission noticeably slowed down when he was about to attack. Of course, it was only relatively slower; even that was as fast as Yeon Ho-Jeong’s attack speed.

‘I didn’t read that time difference.’

The moment he grabbed his collar, he read Tang Hyeong’s intention. So, he tried to release his strength a beat earlier and then reapply it, but in that instant, he was countered and knocked down.

‘The difference between attack and defense is clear. The old man can’t spam that energy emission, and when he attacks, his speed slows down.’

It was only natural. If even his attacks were accompanied by light-speed energy emissions, no one in the world would be able to defeat Tang Hyeong.

‘This is incredible. No matter what, I can’t break through.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

‘That guy who sealed his middle and lower dantian [energy centers in the body] is really… Huh?!’

His mind suddenly snapped to attention.

Srrr.

Tang Hyeong’s eyes lit up as he watched Yeon Ho-Jeong put away the Black Dragon Axe.

Thud. Thud.

He even removed the armor of the Black and White Twin Dragon Axes and threw the two axes far away.

“It doesn’t seem like you’ve given up.”

“I have a favor to ask.”

“Go ahead.”

“Does the Tang Clan’s smithy have any large and heavy weapons?”

“How heavy are we talking about?”

“The heavier, the better. Besides these two axes, my favorite weapon was a giant axe weighing over eighty geun [a traditional Korean unit of weight, approximately 600 grams].”

Tang Hyeong clicked his tongue.

“Could you even wield it?”

“The feel was amazing. So, do you have a weapon like that? It doesn’t have to be an axe.”

Tang Hyeong looked at Tang Yoon.

It seemed he had heard the entire conversation from that far away. Tang Yoon bowed his head and said,

“I’ll be right back.”

Whoosh.

Tang Yoon disappeared from the spot.

Tang Hyeong asked,

“Do you think you can fight back if you change your weapon?”

“I’m not planning to fight back; I’m planning to learn.”

“Haha.”

“I’ll attack with the intent to kill, but you’ll accept everything, right? I’m thinking of using this time to vent some frustration and try out different things.”

It was hard to tell if he was serious or joking.

Tang Hyeong chuckled.

“Consider yourself lucky that I’m not using hidden weapons. If I just threw a handful of poison, you wouldn’t be able to fight back at all.”

“Feel free to use them if you think I’m catching up.”

“If you catch up, that is.”

“By the way, you’re really amazing.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your upper dantian control is superb. Fifty moves… So that’s why it was fifty moves.”

For a moment, surprise flickered across Tang Hyeong’s face.

“You’ve already figured it out?”

“I don’t know what you mean by ‘figured out,’ but I know that your ability to use your upper dantian is incredible. A lightning-fast energy emission speed, the world is indeed vast.”

Tang Hyeong, who had been quietly watching Yeon Ho-Jeong, let out a hollow laugh.

“You’re really sharp. I think we should include quick wit in the category of talent.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I’m looking forward to the second match.”

A moment later.

“I’ve brought this.”

What Tang Yoon brought was a giant mace that was over five feet long.

It was a steel shaft with a round mace head made of alloy. The size of the mace head alone was about the same as Yeon Ho-Jeong’s upper body.

“It weighs about a hundred geun. It wasn’t made as a weapon, so it doesn’t seem to be balanced. It would be difficult to balance it anyway.”

“Hmm.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong lightly lifted the iron mace.

Tang Yoon inwardly clicked his tongue. To lightly lift a weapon weighing nearly a hundred geun with one hand, that was an incredible feat of strength. He thought it might have been similar even before he opened his Limitless [a state of enhanced power].

He seemed extremely familiar with handling heavy weapons.

“It was made to break down walls or gates in case of emergency. It’s been stored in the armory for a while because no one would use it, but it’s been well-maintained.”

“I see.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong grabbed the center of the shaft and swung the iron mace.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The sound of it cutting through the air was truly ferocious.

Tang Yoon stared at Yeon Ho-Jeong with a stunned expression. To wield an unbalanced, hundred-geun steel mace so lightly, it was spine-chilling just to watch.

“It’s true that it’s unbalanced, so unnecessary force is wasted, but it’s still fine.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, with the iron mace resting on his shoulder, looked at Tang Hyeong.

“Shall we begin?”

“Whenever you’re ready.”

“Then, here I come.”

Whoosh!

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had approached like lightning, swung the iron mace powerfully.

Tang Hyeong’s eyes flashed.

Swoooosh!

The speed of the iron mace descending through the air was truly breathtaking.

The Black and White Twin Dragon Axes were also considered divine weapons, but the level of intimidation was different. It was an attack that felt much larger and longer than it actually was.

Tang Hyeong’s hands spread wide open.

Kwaaaang!

The iron mace, missing the formless energy emission, struck the ground directly.

Kugugung!

The ground shook as if there had been an earthquake.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes lit up.

‘Just as I thought.’

Thwoom!

He approached with the White Tiger Overlord Steps [a powerful movement technique] and swung the iron mace from the lower to the upper level.

Jjeooong!

The movement of the iron mace, which had hit the energy emission shield, was slightly distorted.

Thud!

Yeon Ho-Jeong took a step forward and swung the iron mace.

Jjeooong!

Again, the movement of the iron mace was disrupted.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was not flustered. He took another step and swung the iron mace, aiming for Tang Hyeong’s collarbone with a faster and more intimidating strike than before.

Jjeooong!

Again, the iron mace, blocked by the energy emission shield, was deflected away.

Considering the weight and speed of the iron mace, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body should have lost its balance. However, Yeon Ho-Jeong never lost his balance. His body, trained to the limit, and the constantly flowing inner energy kept his body perfectly centered.

Strong power gathered in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s hands, which were gripping the shaft.

Whoosh!

Tang Hyeong’s face hardened.

This attack was different from the previous ones. The speed was faster, and crucially, it was a thrusting attack rather than a swing.

Jjeooong!

The iron mace, which had been thrust straight in, slightly changed direction again.

Thwack!

The iron mace flew off and embedded itself in the ground.

At that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong rushed at Tang Hyeong. It was because Tang Hyeong had not blocked the iron mace head-on but had deflected it sideways.

‘He read it, after all.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s fists were swung fiercely.

Kwa kwa kwa kwang!

The quality of the exploding sounds was different.

For the first time, Tang Hyeong was pushed back. He didn’t fall, but he had to retreat, unable to dissipate Yeon Ho-Jeong’s power.

Whoosh!

In Yeon Ho-Jeong’s right hand, which had been fiercely attacking Tang Hyeong, the shaft of the iron mace was now held.

Tang Hyeong’s eyes wavered.

‘Telekinesis!’

He had pulled the hundred-geun iron mace to him with telekinesis without even realizing it.

It was an incredible mastery of inner energy. For a guy who hadn’t even opened his Limitless for long to use telekinesis so smoothly and naturally!

Yeon Ho-Jeong forcefully slammed the iron mace down.

Kwaaaang!

The iron mace pierced the ground.

Tang Hyeong, who had been preparing for a follow-up attack, tilted his head. Yeon Ho-Jeong had released his stance.

“Aren’t you coming in?”

“That was fifty moves.”

“……?”

“Take a breather. I came here to learn, not to see you get hurt.”

Tang Hyeong let out a hollow laugh without realizing it.

“You were counting all of that?”

“If I don’t want to get killed by the Tang Clan Head, I have to pay attention to these things.”

“Hahaha.”

Tang Hyeong, who had released his stance, asked casually,

“How did you know? The nature of my energy emission shield, I mean.”

“I didn’t know. I just thought that for you, who has your middle and lower dantians sealed, the only option was to maximize the power of your upper dantian.”

“…….”

“The upper dantian is the power of the mind. No matter how much I threatened you with two flimsy hand axes, it would be hard to break through your solid mind.”

“Hoo.”

“That’s why I wielded a heavy weapon. The intimidation is different. To shake the opponent’s mind and lower their defense itself. That was my judgment.”

Tang Hyeong was quietly impressed.

“You’re really amazing.”

“You flatter me. It’s practically a trick.”

“If any method works against your opponent, that’s the best.”

“Is that so?”

Tang Hyeong, who had been quietly watching Yeon Ho-Jeong, shook his head.

“I was planning to teach you step by step, one by one. But it seems there’s no need for that with you.”

“…….”

“Let’s start again in a moment.”

“Alright.”

“Next time, it will be thirty moves.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes lit up.

Fifty moves had been reduced to thirty. If the limit his body could endure remained the same, it meant he would face him with even greater power within that limit.

Tang Hyeong’s pupils took on a faint green glow.

“I’ll teach you how to properly use the upper dantian.”