Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 681

“Prepare to activate the Sword Formation!”

“Left flank! Be careful of the side path leading to that cliff!”

“They might use projectile weapons! The enemy has a history of using fire bombs! Watch out for explosives!”

“Light the fires!”

Loud, chaotic voices echoed throughout Jongnam Mountain.

However, the commotion didn’t last long. Once the preparations for activating the Sword Formation were complete, and the defenses against external attacks were fully in place, everyone held their breath and began to watch their surroundings intently.

“Something’s strange.”

In the center of the Jongnam main compound,

Yeon Ho-jeong stared intently at the north, his eyes deeply focused.

‘They’re definitely coming.’

A murderous aura, transformed into a military presence, was advancing slowly but surely.

The same was true now. Although the distance was still too great to know the exact numbers, the oppressive feeling of the enemy he had felt before was still present.

‘But what’s bothering me so much?’

Yeon Ho-jeong, still staring at the north, sent a telepathic message to the distant Hwageomja.

[What do you think, Senior Noh?]

Hwageomja shook his head.

[I am different from you. I can sense that someone with power equal to yours is moving, but I don’t have the eyes to grasp the enemy’s full force.]

They had discussed this point earlier.

Someone who had awakened to the teachings of the Tao through martial arts. It was certainly a great study, but he had not reached this level, so there were limits.

He could only barely sense that the enemy was coming, or rather, that the enemy’s leader was moving, with his sharpened senses.

“…….”

Yeon Ho-jeong was lost in thought.

‘They’re approaching quickly. They don’t even seem to be trying to hide their presence. Since we already know they’re invading, there’s no need to conceal themselves, I suppose.’

At that moment, Hwang Seok-tae, who had come from the rear, spoke.

“Are the enemies coming?”

“Yes, they are.”

“…Even with my senses fully open, I can’t feel anything. The state of ‘Limitless’ [a state of enlightenment or heightened perception] is truly amazing.”

Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Hwang Seok-tae with a puzzled expression.

“Anyway, why did you come here? You should be guarding your position.”

In such large-scale battles, Hwang Seok-tae was someone who displayed outstanding capabilities. If Yeon Ho-jeong hadn’t had his experience as the Dark Emperor, he would have entrusted the command of this operation to Hwang Seok-tae.

Hwang Seok-tae frowned.

“There’s something that bothers me.”

“What is it?”

“In your opinion, the enemy is quite familiar with the terrain of the Jongnam Sect, right?”

“I believe so.”

He said it like that, but it was a thought close to certainty.

It was logical to think so, but he was especially certain because of his past battle experience as the Dark Emperor.

At that time, the Demonic Cult was much more meticulous than it was now. It was only natural, as there was no history of anyone like Yeon Ho-jeong now, who could recognize and defeat the Demonic Cult’s schemes one by one.

The important thing was the perfection they had shown back then.

Even if he didn’t know the specific individual missions, in large-scale battles, they had almost perfect knowledge of the enemy’s terrain and strengths and weaknesses.

There were many victories and defeats, but most of the battles the Demonic Cult had initiated were the kind that they wouldn’t dare attempt without being intimately familiar with the area.

That experience and current common sense gave Yeon Ho-jeong certainty.

“Hmm, if you say so, then it must be so. Even if it’s not true, it’s right to assume they know this place well and prepare accordingly.”

“Yes, that’s right. But why is that?”

“If we think that way, there are a few places that could be weaknesses.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes flashed.

“Weaknesses?”

“Yes, weaknesses.”

“Where are they?”

“Those places are…”

That’s when it happened.

Boom!

With a powerful explosion, the peak opposite the Jongnam main compound was engulfed in crimson flames.

Everyone was startled and turned their gaze toward it.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

It was a terrifying sight. The flames that had erupted from the top of the peak were spreading rapidly in all directions.

Even from here, it was quite fast. If one were inside, it would be difficult to escape the spreading flames.

“A fire attack?!”

“It’s not just a simple fire attack.”

Of course.

If they were planning a real fire attack, there would be no reason to burn the opposite peak. They would have approached silently and then concentrated their fire attack on this side from the moment of the attack.

Showing such a sight would only be a disadvantage to them. It would only confirm to this side that they possessed a tricky means of fire attack.

‘There’s a reason.’

The hand holding the Heavenly Communication Talisman turned white.

‘There must be a reason. That guy I saw half a day ago is definitely not an idiot.’

Thrummm.

At that moment, a faint vibration echoed from the distant peak.

It wasn’t a rhythmic vibration. It was a chaotic vibration caused by countless things running amok.

‘Animals?!’

That’s right.

Already, more than a third of the peak was on fire. Countless mountain animals, trying to escape the fire, were running around in a frenzy.

Woo-oo-oong!

Yeon Ho-jeong’s pupils turned red.

It was the Vermilion Bird Fire Qi, fueled by the power of the Light Divine Core. His heart rate soared, and a thrilling tension coursed through his body.

‘A fire attack during the advance. They’re driving the mountain animals this way, but that only serves to create confusion. And even that confusion is insignificant in the face of this much military force.’

Woo-oo-oong.

His heart rate increased, and his head grew hot.

A large amount of blood, fueled by the fire qi, rushed to his upper dantian [an energy center in the body], stimulating his brain madly.

The speed of his thoughts increased, and countless possibilities flashed through his mind in an instant.

However, no particularly significant idea came to mind. There were certainly threatening tactics, but they were all unlikely to be realized.

‘…I have no choice.’

Whoosh!

His pupils, which had been burning red, now emitted a pure light.

“Unit Leader Hwang.”

“Speak.”

“I spoke to Elder Gu-yun beforehand. If I leave the battlefield, I asked him to appoint you as the military strategist. Not only Elder Gu-yun, but also the other elders, and even Senior Hwageomja, agreed.”

Surprise flickered across Hwang Seok-tae’s face. He had never imagined that such a conversation had taken place without his knowledge.

“Besides me, you are the only one skilled in this kind of battle. I’m leaving it to you.”

“Then what about you?”

Yeon Ho-jeong slightly turned his shoulder.

“I think I need to go.”

“To the enemy camp?!”

“Yes.”

“That’s not possible! How do you know what kind of traps they have set? You are the biggest shield to block the enemy’s attacks in case of emergency!”

“I’m also the most powerful spear.”

“……!”

“Something’s strange. The enemy is definitely approaching. That’s for sure. But…”

Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.

“It’s hard to explain. I need to see it with my own eyes.”

Hwang Seok-tae said in a subdued voice.

“It won’t end with just confirming. Do you think the enemy leader will leave you alone when you come alone?”

“Of course, they won’t.”

“Then…!”

“Then I’ll have to fight with the intent to kill.”

Yeon Ho-jeong placed his hand on Hwang Seok-tae’s shoulder.

Hwang Seok-tae flinched for a moment.

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled and said,

“At first, I was a bit hesitant. Honestly.”

“What do you mean?”

“But now, I’m really grateful that you came with me on this martial arts journey.”

Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes wavered.

“I’m sorry for passing this burden onto you. But because you’re here, we were able to avoid shedding more blood.”

“…….”

“I’ll definitely treat you to expensive liquor. Please do your best this time as well.”

Hwang Seok-tae, who had been quietly looking at Yeon Ho-jeong, chuckled.

“This time as well? Are you planning to use me again next time?”

“You’re only sharp at times like this.”

Yeon Ho-jeong turned his body.

“Don’t tell me about those weaknesses. From now on, you are the commander of this battlefield. Execute everything you deem right.”

He shouted to the distant Hwageomja.

“Senior Noh! I’m going to the enemy leader! From now on, follow Unit Leader Hwang’s orders!”

Whoosh!

With those words, Yeon Ho-jeong dashed towards the burning peak.

Hwang Seok-tae turned his body.

“Damn it, I’m busy now. Those damn bastards from the Open Sect need to hurry up.”

* * *

Oink! Oink!

As Yeon Ho-jeong sped forward, he saw quite a few wild boars.

The wild boars living in the Shaanxi region were not of ordinary size. Each one seemed to be at least half the size larger than average.

It wasn’t just wild boars. From horned deer to rabbits, and even a pack of wolves in the distance, they were all running madly towards him.

Whoosh!

Yeon Ho-jeong, having broken through the animals with the Blood Wing Soaring Sky [a martial arts technique], arrived at the foot of the peak in an instant.

‘Let’s see what kind of scheme they have.’

That’s when it happened.

In a split second, Yeon Ho-jeong felt the vague unease he had been harboring reveal its true form.

Boom!

Another tremendous explosion echoed from the top of the peak.

The explosion was so powerful that the entire mountain shook. Judging by the way the air vibrated, it seemed to have created a much more powerful shockwave than the first explosion.

‘It’s not a fire bomb.’

Moreover, the fire qi was not amplified.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes flashed.

‘Could it be a signal?!’

Crack!

He stopped his advancing footwork and quickly turned around.

In that instant, Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes wavered.

Whoosh!

The Jongnam main compound, which was now far away. From the rear, not the front, a fierce military aura was rising like a wave.

‘They’re here!’

That’s right.

Surprisingly, the enemies were pushing in from the rear of the main compound, far from where Hwang Seok-tae was stationed.

He couldn’t see them, but he could read it from the flow of the military aura. In other words, they had been hit from behind.

‘But how?!’

Clearly, the enemy leader and his subordinates’ military aura could be felt from beyond the peak.

‘Did they split their forces?!’

Whoosh!

At that moment, an absolute master, creating a whirlwind, rushed down from the top of the peak.

His speed was truly fast. He had already rushed down in the short time it took Yeon Ho-jeong to assess the situation, and by the time he tried to react, he was already within Yeon Ho-jeong’s sight.

It was too late to dodge. It wasn’t a matter of speed, but of timing. If he retreated here, he would lose the momentum from the very beginning.

“Uwaaaah!”

Yeon Ho-jeong swung the Heavenly Communication Talisman with a fierce shout.

Clang!

With a tremendous shockwave that felt like an earthquake, Yeon Ho-jeong and Myeong Geuk were each pushed back.

Whoosh!

The impact was so strong that the flames that had been rushing down were pushed back up the mountainside.

“Impressive!”

Myeong Geuk, stepping on the air and landing behind Yeon Ho-jeong, looked at him with admiration.

“You came at the right time. Your senses are truly exceptional.”

“…You were waiting for me to come.”

“That’s correct.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.

“I read the military aura of the forces with you?”

“Are you talking about that?”

Myeong Geuk smiled and reached out towards the sky.

Swoosh.

It wasn’t visible to the eye. There was no sound, but it felt like he had heard such a sound.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes wavered.

The presence of the enemies who he thought were rushing with Myeong Geuk from behind the peak had completely disappeared.

“It’s a technique called Spirit Qi Vibration. It’s one of the highest-level techniques of our cult, which materializes illusory qi and increases its numbers to an absurd degree. I believe the Blood Demon Sect has something similar, right?”

“……!”

“Actually, I thought this wouldn’t be enough. That’s why we even used a fire attack. I thought you might see through the artificial increase in presence of the Spirit Qi Vibration, so we added to the confusion with fire.”

By creating a massive wildfire, they had concealed even the slightest suspicion Yeon Ho-jeong might have had with the chaotic fire.

Yeon Ho-jeong involuntarily cursed.

“You bastards, don’t you think this is cheating?”

“It’s all because of you.”

Myeong Geuk lowered his stance.

“We spent more than half a day preparing this troublesome scheme, using our cult’s highest-level technique and a fire attack, all because of you.”

“Instead of putting that passion to work diligently in the outer realms, why did you crawl all the way here, you dog-like bastards?”

“Well, let the leaders fight each other, and the soldiers fight each other!”

“Agh!”

Whoosh!

The two supreme masters rushed towards each other.