Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 643

The next day.

“Well, well.”

Paeyul said with a grumpy face.

“Our junior, who neglected his senior in favor of martial arts training, what brings you here today?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said with an awkward expression.

“Are you sulking?”

“Who’s sulk… !”

Paeyul, who was about to burst out, snorted instead.

“Whatever, did you get good training in the short course?”

“Yes. Senior No went through some trouble for my lacking self.”

“Lucky you, you rascal. Getting taught by the best in the world.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“Senior No is the best in the world?”

“He’s as good as the best in the world. Anyone belonging to the Divine Immortal Emperor could be said to be vying for the top spot, wouldn’t you say?”

“That’s what you meant.”

“Since we haven’t seen them fight directly, it’s meaningless to say who’s stronger than whom. So, it’s not an exaggeration to call them all the best in the world.”

It was both right and wrong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“I don’t know who the real best in the world is, but I know that I’m far behind them.”

“Isn’t that obvious? Even among top-tier masters, and even among supreme masters, the gap can be like heaven and earth. It would be even more so among those who have opened the Limitless [a state of martial arts mastery].”

This was also both right and wrong.

There would certainly be differences among the masters who had opened the Limitless. But the gap between them was as thin as a piece of paper.

However, crossing that one-paper difference might be impossible for a lifetime. On the other hand, because it’s just a one-paper difference, it wouldn’t be strange for anyone to win.

Even masters who have opened the Limitless are not free from the variables of battle. It might even be much greater than the variables between masters who have not opened the Limitless.

A realm where nothing can be certain. That’s why the Limitless is lonely.

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed and said.

“Before, Muk Bi said to the White Military God, ‘The difference between you and me is only a piece of paper.’ Then the White Military God said, ‘It’s a piece of paper thicker than Mount Tai [a metaphor for something very significant].'”

“That’s a difficult saying.”

“Depending on perception, it can be a real piece of paper, or it can be a piece of paper as big and thick as a mountain peak.”

“Is that so?”

“Whatever the case, the gap between me and them is probably about a dozen pieces of paper.”

“I don’t know about such complicated things, you rascal.”

It was a very Paeyul-like remark.

“So, you’ve finally crawled here, does that mean it’s time for you to leave?”

Even though he was a junior and a master who had opened the Limitless, Paeyul’s attitude towards Yeon Ho-Jeong remained unchanged.

That’s why Yeon Ho-Jeong liked Paeyul. Paeyul’s consistent attitude was truly not easy to maintain.

“Yes, I should go and get the last mission.”

Paeyul’s face hardened slightly.

“You’re going to see the Sound Demon.”

“That’s right.”

“Are you confident you can win?”

“Against the Sound Demon?”

“Yes.”

“You just said that the gap would be greater than between supreme masters.”

“That’s my perspective. And having confidence is a separate matter.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“I don’t know. A battle of strength against strength… realistically, I have no chance of winning.”

“Damn it, I knew it.”

“By the way, are you already thinking about fighting?”

“We don’t know what situation the Sound Demon is in. If we can resolve it through talk, that’s fine, but in the worst case, we’ll have to fight for our lives.”

“That’s true. But Senior, you like fighting, don’t you?”

Paeyul openly growled.

“A fight where fists clash and swords meet is the only unique fun that warriors can extract from the gap between life and death. What’s fun about fighting those who spread poison and throw hidden weapons? Especially the Sound Demon? Killing people with sound? How fun is that?”

It was then.

“That’s a hard thing to just let pass.”

Paeyul flinched for a moment.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and said.

“You’ve arrived.”

Tang Gwan, who had appeared like a ghost, looked at Paeyul with a stern face.

“I didn’t know you thought of the main family that way.”

“Don’t misunderstand. It’s not that I think badly of the Tang family. It’s just my view on fighting.”

“Is that an excuse?”

“I don’t make excuses. Isn’t it actually boring? You calculate where to spread poison and when to throw hidden weapons. It doesn’t suit me.”

Even though he had become softer than before, Tang Gwan was still Tang Gwan. There would be few people who would speak so boldly in front of the head of the Sichuan Tang Clan [a powerful martial arts clan known for their use of poison and hidden weapons].

Tang Gwan snorted.

“It seems I don’t need to repay the favor I received from you. By letting that remark slide, I’ve saved your life once.”

Paeyul shrugged his shoulders.

“It’s not like you helped me much, so it’s fine.”

“It would be wise to watch your mouth from now on. If you don’t want to die without a sound.”

“That’s why I don’t like it. I can’t fight those who kill without a sound.”

Paeyul didn’t back down an inch.

Tang Gwan snorted again. It was a very arrogant remark to just let pass, but he knew that Paeyul wasn’t looking down on the Tang family.

Yeon Ho-Jeong asked.

“I was going to visit you, but why did you come here yourself?”

“I had some free time, so I came myself. And you guys have wasted quite a bit of time here. Instead of going through all the procedures to get to the family head, it’s better to leave quickly.”

Clatter, clatter.

Turning their heads at the sudden sound, they saw a cart approaching from afar.

The person pulling the cart was Gang Ryang. And next to him, Hwang Seok-Tae was walking side by side.

Gang Ryang grumbled.

“Why am I the only one pulling this?”

Hwang Seok-Tae said.

“Tell me if it’s hard.”

“…It’s not hard.”

“Then pull it alone.”

It was a conversation that felt strangely friendly.

Thus, Gang Ryang arrived pulling the cart.

Inside the cart were items well-wrapped in cloth.

And in the middle of them, there was a large weapon.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes widened.

“What’s that?”

“It’s yours.”

Tang Gwan picked up the weapon himself.

The cart swayed as he lifted the weapon. It meant that the weapon was incredibly heavy.

It was understandable. The shaft alone was six feet long, and the end of the huge single-edged axe had a spearhead attached to it, making it a savage great axe.

“It’s different from the Twin-Bladed Axe you used to use, called the Mad Dragon Axe. But the weight should be about the same, and since you’re skilled in handling weapons, it won’t be difficult to wield.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression became awkward.

“I was supposed to receive the Mad Dragon Axe from the Moyong family head.”

“So, you were going to meet the Sound Demon only after receiving that?”

“That’s not it.”

“You know that this is a time-sensitive situation. Yet, you stayed here and helped us. I wish I could do more for you, but we don’t have the resources right now, so this is all we can give you.”

Tang Gwan handed the great axe to Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“Take it.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong respectfully received the great axe.

Tang Gwan was right. The weight of this great axe was almost the same as the Mad Dragon Axe. Since it wasn’t a twin-bladed axe, the center of gravity on the axe blade side was different, but that wouldn’t be a problem at all when using it.

It was a completely different weapon from the iron mace he used in the duel with Tang Hyeong. It was a perfect shape for wielding on the battlefield.

“It wasn’t made in a hurry, it was an item in the main family’s warehouse. It’s called the Sky Piercing Axe.”

“Sky Piercing Axe…”

“Despite its arrogant name, it’s not a top-tier item. It can’t compare to the Mad Dragon Axe or the Black and White Twin Dragon Axes. But it won’t be bad for use in a short battle.”

Tang Gwan was right.

The Mad Dragon Axe was a masterpiece created by the best craftsman, worthy of being called a divine weapon. It was a weapon on par with the Black and White Twin Dragon Axes.

On the other hand, this Sky Piercing Axe was definitely a lower grade than those three axes. It seemed to have been made by a master, but the material was different.

‘That’s good.’

If he always fought with divine weapons, how could that be considered his own skill?

With a heavy weapon like this, the weight itself is a threat, regardless of the material. However, Yeon Ho-Jeong would have unknowingly become accustomed to the material of the Mad Dragon Axe or the Black and White Twin Dragon Axes.

It would be good for showing his true strength in unexpected situations, and it would also be good for training.

For the current Yeon Ho-Jeong, it was the best gift he could receive.

At that moment, Hwang Seok-Tae opened his mouth.

“Sky Piercing Axe, you say…”

Everyone looked at Hwang Seok-Tae.

Hwang Seok-Tae tilted his head.

“The Sky Piercing Axe of the Mountain Covering Demon God?”

Tang Gwan looked at Hwang Seok-Tae as if surprised.

“Do you know the Mountain Covering Demon God?”

“Yeah. He’s one of the former masters of the Black Path [a term for unorthodox or evil martial arts]. He acted alone, but his skills were said to be on par with the heads of major sects.”

“That’s not wrong. It was said that he fought the former head of the Qingcheng Sect [a famous martial arts sect] for three hundred rounds without a victor.”

“Why is that master’s item kept in the Tang family?”

“Why do you think?”

Gang Ryang smacked his lips.

“He messed with the Tang family.”

Tang Gwan nodded.

“After causing trouble with Qingcheng for being slow to develop, he somehow came to the main family alive. He said he wanted a match with the head of the family.”

“…?”

“The family head at the time was my father.”

How pitiful.

That was the thought that ran through everyone’s minds.

Even before reaching the Limitless, the Dark King Tang Hyeong was known as one of the most dangerous masters in the world.

To ask such a master for a match, death would have been inevitable.

Even if he had won against Tang Hyeong, he would have been evaporated without a single piece of flesh left by the enraged Tang family members.

“He was a man who committed murder as if it were a meal. Not out of necessity, but a mad killer who killed anyone, regardless of age or gender, if they displeased him. But my father said that his fighting spirit and the attitude he took to risk his life for development were worth emulating.”

Sky Piercing Axe.

It was a good weapon, but the name was too grand compared to its craftsmanship.

But that name contained the Mountain Covering Demon God’s wish.

Sky Piercing (通天) is Sky Opening (開天), which contains the Mountain Covering Demon God’s dream and desire to open the sky and soar.

Yeon Ho-Jeong slung the Sky Piercing Axe over his shoulder.

“Thank you for the good weapon.”

“It’s well-made, but it’s quite old. I’ve done some basic repairs, but if you clash with a master of the Seongcheon [a powerful martial arts group], it probably won’t last long.”

“It’s enough. Besides, I don’t even know if I’ll actually fight.”

“That axe was wielded by a notorious killer, but whether it’s martial arts or weapons, they can take on a divine aura or a demonic aura depending on the will of the owner. It’s an old soldier, but make sure it has a glorious last hurrah.”

“Don’t worry.”

Tang Gwan pointed his chin towards the back gate.

“I’ve prepared horses. I’ll guide you.”

“Family Head.”

“Hmm?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed his head.

“Please stay healthy until we meet again.”

Tang Gwan chuckled.

“When we meet again, I will witness the birth of another absolute master in this era.”

The backs of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s group, who were leaving on horseback through the outer gate, were free-spirited and dignified.

Tang Gwan’s eyes, watching them with his hands behind his back, deepened.

‘Don’t die.’

He owed them, especially Yeon Ho-Jeong, a great debt.

He didn’t show it in front of them, but if Yeon Ho-Jeong fell into danger, the entire Tang family would come to his aid. They had received a favor that was truly worth it.

However, that was impossible right now.

That’s why he felt regret. He knew how difficult this mission was, so he wanted to lend a hand, but he was the head of the Tang Clan.

He carried countless lives on his shoulders. That responsibility felt heavy once again.

How much time had passed?

Before they knew it, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s group was far away, now looking like dots.

“Close the gate.”

“Yes.”

Thud!

As the gate closed, Tang Gwan also turned his body.

The people who were leaving had left, and the people who were staying had stayed.

Now, they would have to live fiercely so that they could wave the flag of victory on their respective battlefields.

“Send a letter to the Dragon Head Chief. Tell him to have a drink together.”