Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 734

‘Where is it?’

He quickly scanned his surroundings, not slowing his pace.

Gang Ryang’s movement technique was faster than ever. He was even more desperate because he couldn’t call for reinforcements, and even if he could, it wouldn’t matter.

‘It’s this way!’

Whoosh!

The secret and dazzling footwork of the Ghost Shadow Step turned his body into an invisible gale.

Gang Ryang began his pursuit, following the faint footprints. Even though he was wearing light armor and wielding a large greatsword, he was much faster than before.

‘……?!’

As he rushed forward, Gang Ryang felt a moment of bewilderment.

‘What is this? These are definitely my brother’s footprints.’

Around the footprints, there were countless other faint traces.

They were so subtle that anyone would have missed them if they hadn’t enhanced their vision with internal energy.

‘It’s a supreme level of footwork. Were there so many skilled people who are not inferior to me?’

Whoosh!

Gang Ryang’s eyes gleamed.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

From afar, he heard strange sounds of clashing. It was the sound of swords colliding. It was the first time since leaving the Black Dragon Unit that he had heard such hostile swordplay.

‘It’s there!’

Bang!

Gang Ryang ran with all his might.

Pushing through the numerous bushes, he finally saw Yeon Ho-Jeong wielding his glaive.

‘Brother!’

At that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong shouted.

‘Be careful!’

Be careful?

Instantly, Gang Ryang felt a subtle killing intent targeting his back.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Swish!

He spun around and swung his greatsword, severing the enemy’s dagger and shoulder in one strike.

‘Wh-what?’

Gang Ryang was bewildered.

He thought that someone with this level of footwork would be a match for him, but he had easily cut off an arm. It meant that while their footwork was excellent, their actual combat power was far below his. They were not true masters, except for their footwork.

Whirr! Whirr! Whirr!

The heavy greatsword moved like a storm, creating a dazzling net of blades around him.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

Those who had charged at tremendous speed, Gongson Baek-Ryong’s subordinates, were swept away by the net of blades and sent flying.

Gang Ryang frowned.

‘What are these weaklings?’

It was then.

Flash!

With the terrifying speed of the Blood Wing Sky Dance [a movement technique], Yeon Ho-Jeong reached Gang Ryang and unleashed the Tiger King’s Defense and the Tiger’s Roar [defensive and offensive techniques].

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

With a series of dazzling clashes, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body collided with Gang Ryang, pushing him backward.

‘Ugh!’

While catching Yeon Ho-Jeong, he dug his feet into the ground to slow down.

Blue veins bulged on Gang Ryang’s forehead.

‘Heavy!’

It wasn’t Yeon Ho-Jeong who was heavy. It was the attack from the unknown master who had pushed Yeon Ho-Jeong back that was heavy.

‘Could it be the Mad Demon Lord?!’

Whoosh!

As if waiting for it, a storm of evil energy erupted.

However, the direction of the evil energy was not towards Yeon Ho-Jeong and Gang Ryang.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

A section of the forest, swept by a gray wave, was horribly torn apart.

‘That fly-like bastard!’

Bang!

Gok Gyeong staggered, gritting his teeth. Gongson Baek-Ryong had kicked him and disappeared. The kick was angled, so its power wasn’t that strong. The problem was that he couldn’t block it. With his keen senses, he knew an attack was coming, but he was hit before he could react.

It was a terrifying speed. It was not a power allowed to humans.

‘Brother!’

Gang Ryang said, looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

‘Are you alright?!’

‘I’m not alright! You join the fight too!’

‘J-join the fight?!’

‘The Bi-wang [a title], Gongson Baek-Ryong, is the enemy! The Mad Demon Lord is an ally!’

Gang Ryang’s eyes wavered.

The Bi-wang is the enemy, and the Mad Demon Lord is an ally? Not the other way around?

However, Gang Ryang’s movements were fast.

Whirr!

Following Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had instantly entered full combat mode, Gang Ryang swung his greatsword at Gongson Baek-Ryong’s subordinates.

Clang! Clang! Thud! Thud!

Blood splattered, and two of the subordinates’ heads flew off.

The greatsword Gang Ryang wielded was made of steel, but it was not a treasure weapon. It was made for use on the battlefield, so it was thick enough not to break, and the blade was as thick as an axe blade.

It was a weapon designed to crush or break rather than cut. Most heavy weapons were like that.

Gang Ryang deliberately did not ignite his sword energy when attacking the enemies. It was to prevent unnecessary consumption of internal energy.

Thud! Thud!

With brutal impact sounds, the bodies of the subordinates were crushed.

They possessed amazing footwork compared to their martial prowess, but Gang Ryang’s footwork was no less impressive. Moreover, he was a true master who used sword techniques beyond just footwork.

Naturally, they were no match for him. Many of Gongson Baek-Ryong’s subordinates, who were brought to attack Gok Gyeong’s men and distract Gok Gyeong, became wandering spirits under Gang Ryang’s greatsword.

Gongson Baek-Ryong frowned.

‘I don’t know what that thing is.’

Whirr! Bang!

Blood spurted from Gang Ryang’s mouth.

In the middle, Yeon Ho-Jeong had swung his glaive to cut Gongson Baek-Ryong. He had changed direction at the last moment and struck Gang Ryang’s torso, which was fortunate, or he would have died.

‘Gang Ryang!’

‘Cough! I’m alright!’

He was not alright at all.

It was a glancing blow, and the high-density power of the Ghost King’s True Energy protected his body, but the opponent was an absolute master who had opened the Limitless Realm [a high level of martial arts].

Even a graze was a severe shock. With this one move, Gang Ryang had suffered considerable internal injuries.

‘Get behind me!’

Gang Ryang stood back-to-back with Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Flash!

Gongson Baek-Ryong, who had moved like lightning, leisurely crossed his arms. He showed no signs of fatigue.

Gongson Baek-Ryong asked Yeon Ho-Jeong with a languid expression.

‘Who are you?’

Bang!

Gongson Baek-Ryong’s expression did not change as he scattered Gok Gyeong’s fist wind with his palm.

It was a quick attack to gauge his reaction, but it was not an attack that could be easily received.

Gok Gyeong gritted his teeth. Although he was the weakest of the Divine Kings, the Bi-wang’s martial arts, even without his footwork, were not an exaggeration, as there was no gap between him and the Three Armies [a reference to a powerful military force].

Yeon Ho-Jeong pointed his glaive at Gongson Baek-Ryong.

Gongson Baek-Ryong frowned.

‘That light armor, are you from the Black Dragon Unit? I haven’t heard of anyone like you in the Black Dragon Unit.’

Whoosh!

The aura emanating from Gongson Baek-Ryong’s body was tremendous.

It was in no way inferior to Gok Gyeong’s murderous evil energy. For Yeon Ho-Jeong, a direct confrontation with such a master was a burden.

However, Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled. Because he was talking to them, it gave them some breathing room.

‘You seem to have absolute confidence in your speed.’

A clear displeasure appeared on Gongson Baek-Ryong’s face.

‘You don’t answer when I ask you a question. You’re a very rude fellow.’

‘Otherwise, how could I have deliberately revealed myself and lured the Mad Demon Lord, a key part of His Majesty’s forces, all the way here?’

‘…….’

Gongson Baek-Ryong’s eyes deepened.

On the other hand, Gok Gyeong was startled.

‘What are you talking about?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been quietly watching Gongson Baek-Ryong, infused his glaive with Vermilion Bird Fire [a type of powerful energy].

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Flames surged over the red-hot blade with a whooshing sound.

‘It seems like you have some other purpose… well, I don’t know about that.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong said coldly.

‘I’ll ask you just one thing.’

‘…….’

‘I’ve heard that the Three Sects are in a symbiotic relationship while also keeping each other in check. The fact that you, a member of the Blood Fiend Sect, are helping the Imperial Palace, which is occupied by the Divine Transformation Sect, means that there’s no need to keep each other in check, at least in that regard, right?’

‘…….’

‘I see.’

Even as he spoke, Yeon Ho-Jeong observed Gongson Baek-Ryong’s eyes, expression, and energy.

And he came to a conclusion.

‘Impressive.’

Even the most audacious person would show some emotion on their face if they were probed this directly.

But Gongson Baek-Ryong had none of that. There was no change in his eyes, lips, skin, or energy.

‘It’s been a long time since I’ve met someone so hard to read.’

At that moment, Gongson Baek-Ryong spoke.

‘It must have been Gok Gyeong who told you that I’m a member of the Blood Fiend Sect.’

‘Of course.’

‘Even so, not many people know much about the relationship between the Three Blood God Sects.’

Instantly, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed.

‘The Three Blood God Sects?’

Gongson Baek-Ryong’s lips curled up.

‘You must be the famous Yeon Ho-Jeong.’

‘That’s right.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong admitted it cleanly.

He was the strange man who had secretly shaken the information network of the Central Plains. It wouldn’t be difficult for him to deduce his identity.

Gongson Baek-Ryong chuckled.

‘It’s an honor. To see the invincible general who has secretly defeated members of the Three Sects, the monster of both literary and martial arts who has crushed all sorts of schemes based on his divine strategies and extreme insight.’

It was a very flowery description. Even though it wasn’t the time for it, Gok Gyeong glanced at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

‘Why did you reveal yourself? You should just focus on what you were doing.’

‘Of course, I will continue to do my best in the future.’

‘If you survive, that is.’

‘Do you think you can chase me?’

He was a hard man to read, but his confidence in his speed was as clear as day.

And he had reason to be. Even including the Dark Emperor era, it was the first time he had seen such an unbelievably fast master of lightness techniques. The fastest person he knew was Muk Bi from his time in the Divine Bow Unit, but even he was not at a level where it was impossible to react.

Even if he predicted the killing intent and tried to defend, it was difficult. It was one thing in a one-on-one fight, but if anyone else intervened, it was impossible to stop him.

That was why Gongson Baek-Ryong brought his fast subordinates with him. If a powerful master came, the subordinates would confuse the opponent’s vision, and he would rush in and cut their throats in an instant.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

‘The fact that you started a counterattack after being chased means that something must have happened on your side, right?’

‘Think what you want.’

‘I will think what I want. After all, I trust the situation.’

Gongson Baek-Ryong flinched.

It was the first reaction he had shown. Yet, his expression was as stiff as a mask.

It seemed pointless to read his eyes, voice, or expression.

‘I have a proposal.’

‘Oh, a proposal?’

‘I don’t really expect it to happen, but do you want to have a short duel with me?’

Instantly, Gongson Baek-Ryong flinched again.

Not only that, but the surrounding subordinates, as well as Gok Gyeong and Gang Ryang, were all startled and looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

‘B-brother!’

Yeon Ho-Jeong just stared at Gongson Baek-Ryong without a word.

And even he seemed to find his own words absurd. Gongson Baek-Ryong asked back, as if dumbfounded.

‘You want to have a one-on-one duel with me?’

‘It’s romantic and good, why not?’

‘Are you out of your mind? If I wanted to, even Gok Gyeong wouldn’t be able to survive.’

Murderous intent filled Gok Gyeong’s eyes.

‘That mouth…!’

‘Be quiet. We’re talking.’

‘Wh-what did you say?’

Gok Gyeong looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong with his mouth agape.

Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t even look back at Gok Gyeong. He looked at Gongson Baek-Ryong with a languid face and his chin raised, exuding a feeling of contempt.

‘I’m also confident in my speed. I think it’s possible to have a match.’

‘…….’

‘What do you say? Will you do it or not?’

Gok Gyeong shouted.

‘You crazy bastard! What nonsense are you talking about! He’s not someone you can handle alone!’

Yeon Ho-Jeong asked again.

‘What are you going to do? Are you going to do it or not?’

‘Hey, you bastard!!’

At that moment, Gongson Baek-Ryong grinned and pointed his short sword at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Instantly, Yeon Ho-Jeong felt as if thousands of blades were piercing his body.

‘I’ll kill you in ten seconds.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

‘Don’t run away. You’re just a fast guy with nothing else to show for it, but you sure talk a lot.’

Flash!

Gongson Baek-Ryong’s short sword was swung down towards Yeon Ho-Jeong’s crown.