Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 673

Thud!

With a sickening thud, the woman’s body went limp, her limbs twitching for a moment before falling still.

“Hmm.”

The man tilted his head, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features.

“I thought this one might last a bit longer, but I suppose I was mistaken.”

The woman’s appearance was gruesome. A gaping hole had been torn through her chest, near her heart, as if something had violently burst out from within, leaving ragged edges and a horrifying mess.

The man rubbed his forehead with a languid expression, a hint of boredom in his eyes.

“This is driving me crazy. I’ve tested so many of them, and not a single one can withstand the true energy. They boast about the Central Plains, but the people here are so weak.”

At that moment, a middle-aged man in a red robe approached him, his steps measured and respectful.

“Young Master.”

“Hmm?”

“We’ve received another message from the Samho Law [a martial arts sect].”

The man, Myeong-geuk, tilted his head, a question in his gaze.

“What message?”

“They say they’re fleeing, leaving only a small force behind.”

“…Fleeing?”

A strange expression flickered across Myeong-geuk’s face. It was hard to tell if he was sneering or genuinely puzzled.

“How badly were they beaten to resort to fleeing? Couldn’t they even hold their ground?”

“Their first message seemed quite urgent.”

“This one is different?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Let me see it.”

The middle-aged man handed Myeong-geuk a letter, his movements precise and deferential.

Myeong-geuk read the letter, his brow furrowing slightly, and then shook his head in disbelief.

“I thought they’d taken some losses, but it’s worse than that. They were utterly crushed?”

“…”

“So, that means there’s a master on the other side strong enough to defeat the Samho Law. I expected as much.”

“That’s likely the case.”

“Judging by the contents, it’s not an Eumje [a title for a powerful martial artist]…”

“It definitely can’t be an Eumje. That’s impossible.”

Whoosh!

The letter in Myeong-geuk’s hand turned to ashes in a golden flame, the embers dancing in the air for a moment before disappearing.

“The situation is getting quite complicated, isn’t it? To send two messages like this.”

“Yes, it seems so.”

“Then I can’t keep doing this anymore.”

The middle-aged man, Ha-bok, the Blood Wolf Clan leader, looked around at the carnage. Myeong-geuk was surrounded by a sea of blood. An entire village had been completely devastated by Myeong-geuk and the Blood Wolf Clan’s invasion. The number of dead was over five hundred. Among them were children who hadn’t even lived for ten years.

Ha-bok asked, his voice low and respectful,

“None of them could withstand the energy.”

“No.”

Myeong-geuk frowned, a hint of frustration in his voice.

“They died before they could even count to ten, let alone half a quarter of an hour. They were all so weak. I was going to accept them as great warriors of the Saim [a powerful clan] if they could just hold out.”

“…”

“It’s fine. I had a hunch, but it seems we shouldn’t act recklessly. They’re the ones who will pay us tribute when we conquer the continent, so we shouldn’t reduce their numbers too much.”

Ha-bok bowed his head, his loyalty unwavering.

“Young Master, you will surely become the next god of the Saim.”

“I should.”

Myeong-geuk rose to his feet, his movements fluid and graceful despite the carnage around him.

“Have the clan members all rested?”

“Yes, they have.”

“Tell them to manage their stamina well so we can arrive near Mount Jongnam before sunset tomorrow. Once the sun goes down, we’ll attack immediately.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Let’s move in two quarters of an hour.”

“But Young Master.”

“What is it?”

“What about the fleeing Samho Law and Geumyo Group [another martial arts group]…?”

Myeong-geuk smiled, a cruel glint in his eyes, and said,

“If you happen to encounter them, kill them all. Why keep those failed fools alive?”

* * *

“Hoo.”

Paeyul let out a soft exclamation, his gaze sweeping over the landscape.

“It’s not exactly a scenic wonder, but it’s a pretty decent mountain, isn’t it?”

The cloudless, blue sky framed Mount Jongnam like a painting. Though in the same province of Seomseo, it was vastly different from Mount Hwa. If Mount Hwa had a sharp, resolute feel, Mount Jongnam felt stable and peaceful, its slopes covered in lush greenery.

The abundance of trees made the air exceptionally fresh. It was a moderately tall mountain, yet it didn’t feel imposing, calming the hearts of those who looked upon it.

“The mountain is so nice, yet the people inside can be so stubborn.”

The person Paeyul was referring to was Yeo-gwang, a stubborn elder of the Jongnam sect.

Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head, a knowing smile on his face.

“Even in temples, murderers are born. It’s not where you live that matters, but what you feel and how you learn.”

“Even if they learn properly, there are still wicked people… Huh, seeing that, I understand why Sect Leader treated me like such an oddball.”

“Is that so?”

“Have you ever been to Changshan [Paeyul’s home region]?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Come visit sometime. It’s much nicer than here. The weather is a bit humid, though.”

Still, as the main base of Jeomchang [Paeyul’s sect], there was pride in his voice.

Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled and tapped the ground with his foot, his expression turning serious.

“Let’s go. Even if the Sect Leader isn’t there, there will be elders.”

“Will it be okay? What if they’re all like that old man?”

“Then we’ll have to beat them into shape. Do you think they want to be pushed around?”

“Ahem! Are you really going to do that?”

“I’m just saying. Let’s go.”

Whoosh!

The two men’s movement techniques were swift as they traversed the mountain, their bodies blurring as they moved through the trees.

Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Paeyul, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

“Senior.”

“What?”

“Have you made any recent progress? Your movements are better than before.”

Paeyul grumbled, a hint of self-deprecation in his voice.

“Damn it, to hear that from a junior, my life is truly pathetic.”

“So, you really have made progress?”

“I haven’t studied movement techniques separately. I just applied the insights I gained from training in Gwanil Gong [a martial arts technique] to my movement.”

“That’s amazing.”

“If you call this amazing, then how should I describe your current level?”

“That’s that, and this is this.”

“Alright. Let’s have a sword fight sometime when we have time.”

“If you’re still in one piece.”

“Why? Are you afraid I’ll die?”

“I don’t know… It might be dangerous.”

Paeyul’s eyes deepened, a flicker of concern crossing his face.

“Do you think it’ll be that dangerous?”

“The forces that retreated have been replaced with new ones. They’ll be at least as strong as the previous ones, if not stronger.”

“Hmm.”

“In other words, there might be someone among the new forces coming to attack Jongnam who is as strong as me or even stronger.”

Tension filled Paeyul’s face. If there was a master stronger than Yeon Ho-jeong, they would likely be at the Saintly Heaven level [a very high level of martial arts mastery].

“Wouldn’t it be better to call Eumje Senior now?”

“He wouldn’t come even if we called, and it’s hard to find him right now anyway.”

“If they’re stronger than you, they’re at the Saintly Heaven level.”

“That’s not it.”

“What do you mean?”

Yeon Ho-jeong said calmly, his gaze fixed on the path ahead,

“I didn’t know before…”

Yeon Ho-jeong coughed, interrupting his words. He had almost spoken about his time as the Dark Emperor without realizing it. It was an unconscious slip, which meant he felt comfortable enough with Paeyul to do so.

“Before, I was too caught up in life to realize it, but now I know for sure. The difference between someone who has entered the Limitless [a martial arts realm] and a Saintly Heaven is immeasurable.”

“Didn’t you say it was just a few pieces of paper difference?”

“It’s a difference as high as a mountain and as wide as the continent.”

“Your words keep changing?”

“I’m just saying how I feel. Look at Eumje Senior. He saved me, who was about to go mad with bloodlust, with just the sound of his flute.”

“Hmm…”

“It’s not just about being strong in martial arts. Their level of attainment is different, and the depth of their enlightenment is different.”

“Is that so?”

“If it’s just about a moment of enlightenment, then it’s open to me as well. However, the difference is whether you ignore that enlightenment and only increase your martial power, or whether you develop slowly but gain everything along with that enlightenment.”

Paeyul tilted his head, his brow furrowed in confusion.

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about. Isn’t it the same thing? You need to gain enlightenment to become stronger.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

“It’s hard for me to explain. What’s certain is that, based on the martial arts of the guy I fought, the Three Sects [a group of powerful martial arts sects] haven’t dispatched any Saintly Heaven level experts to the Central Plains. It’s not even a situation where they can do that.”

“Why?”

“If a Saintly Heaven from the Central Plains were to step in, they would have to leave behind experts to counter them.”

“… !”

“Of course, that’s just my guess. There could be other reasons.”

“Nothing is certain… This is tough.”

“Don’t worry too much. No matter what their strength is, as long as there aren’t two or more experts as strong as me, we can handle them somehow.”

“You’re not completely normal yet. Can you be sure?”

“When have I ever fought without taking losses?”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened, a hint of determination in their depths.

“At least, I’ll be able to hold them off until the battle is over.”

If he was so confident, there must be a reason.

‘He’ll know what to do.’

Paeyul nodded and suddenly looked at Yeon Ho-jeong. Yeon Ho-jeong was running at a fast pace, his eyes filled with determination.

Paeyul felt it anew.

‘He’s amazing.’

He felt it in the past, and he feels it now. He will probably be even more surprised in the future.

If it weren’t for this guy, all the schemes the Three Sects had been plotting would have succeeded. If that had happened, the Central Plains would have collapsed without even putting up a proper fight, if not immediately, then in the future.

‘People don’t know. How much they owe this guy.’

Paeyul quietly looked at Yeon Ho-jeong and then turned his gaze forward again.

‘I’ve changed a lot because of this guy too.’

If it were his original personality, he wouldn’t have worried about such things, and he wouldn’t have moved unless it was a battlefield.

But what about now? He was taking Yeon Ho-jeong’s request, which was more like a command, for granted.

It was because he had to. It was because it was the only way to minimize the damage to the Central Plains martial world.

He had come to take such preparations and cooperation for granted.

And Paeyul didn’t dislike that version of himself.

“Thank you.”

“Yes?”

Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head, a question in his eyes.

“What for?”

“Never mind, let’s run. We’re almost there.”

Whoosh!

Paeyul increased his speed, his body a blur as he surged forward, now running faster than Yeon Ho-jeong, far ahead of him.

Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice.

“He seems a bit embarrassed?”

Half an hour later.

The two arrived at Jongnam.

“What, what did you say?”

Horror dawned on Hong-jeok’s face, his eyes wide with disbelief.

“Did you say that Jongnam is the target?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Yeon Ho-jeong looked around. The peaceful Mount Jongnam. However, unlike before, there were countless Taoist temples, and the paths connecting them were lavishly decorated. It looked more like a worldly sect than a sect that practiced swords and blades. Such a flamboyant appearance seemed to tarnish the air of Mount Jongnam.

However, Yeon Ho-jeong didn’t show it, his expression remaining calm and composed.

“Where is Elder Yeo-gwang?”

“…He hasn’t arrived yet. Nor have his swordsmen.”

Yeon Ho-jeong frowned, a hint of concern in his eyes.

‘He should have come and discussed it with the elders by now.’

It was an incomprehensible behavior. He had been worried that Yeo-gwang’s presence here would prevent them from being properly persuaded.

Whatever the case, he had to do what he had to do now.

“The former Elder of Mount Hwa, Elder Hwgeomja, has left to request reinforcements from Mount Hwa. I don’t know when it will be, but the enemy will attack soon.”

“…!!”

“Please prepare your defenses. It would be best to send all the young Taoists who haven’t learned martial arts down the mountain.”

“Underst… !”

Hong-jeok, who was about to speak, suddenly gritted his teeth, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.

“Before that.”

“…?”

“Is what you’re saying true?”

“Yes?”

“I’m asking if it’s true. You didn’t tell us what your mission was when we stopped you before. In other words, we don’t know much about each other.”

Paeyul stepped forward, his hand instinctively moving towards his sword hilt. He was about to unleash a torrent of curses out of frustration.

At that moment, Yeon Ho-jeong stopped Paeyul with his hand, his gaze calm and reassuring.

“I understand. I don’t know Jongnam, and Jongnam doesn’t know us.”

“That’s right.”

“However, you know that we are people operating under the permission of the Martial Alliance [a governing body for martial arts sects] and the Mukryong Division [a military organization].”

“…”

“Do you really think we would harm Jongnam? Even if we had such intentions, would we tell you to prepare your defenses because the enemy is coming?”

Hong-jeok’s face turned red, a mixture of anger and embarrassment. Yeon Ho-jeong’s words made sense, and he knew it.

“If Jongnam falls, Mount Hwa will have to face the enemies alone if they invade Seomseo. Both sects are important to the Central Plains.”

“…”

“Time is of the essence. Please prepare quickly. We’ve contacted various places to help Jongnam, but we don’t know how many allies will arrive in time.”

Hong-jeok gritted his teeth, his internal conflict evident on his face.

“I understand. Wait a moment. I’ll inform the elder brothers of this fact.”

“Understood.”

Hong-jeok moved quickly, his steps hurried and purposeful.

As he disappeared from sight, Paeyul exploded in anger, his voice filled with frustration.

“Damn it! We came to protect them, and they’re acting like this? We should have just told them to handle it alone!”

“Hold it in.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened, his expression turning serious.

His fist, hidden in his sleeve, turned white, his knuckles straining against the fabric.

“We have to hold it in. Our enemy is not Jongnam.”

At least, not yet.

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