Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 739

Gang Ryang looked around with a blank stare.

It wasn’t just him. Yeon Ho-Jeong also looked around, seemingly curious.

Meanwhile, Gok Gyeong sat on the platform, arms crossed and eyes closed, but a hint of bewilderment was mixed with his serious expression.

How much time had passed?

“Hehehe, how is the air?”

An old Taoist, who had walked up from a side path, asked in a hollow voice.

Srrreuk.

Gok Gyeong’s eyes opened.

The eyes of Yeon Ho-Jeong and Gang Ryang, who had been looking around, also turned to the old Taoist.

“The air is very clear, isn’t it? Almost suffocatingly so.”

They hadn’t ascended to the main peak of Wudang.

The ones who had come to find them were old Taoists with a cloud-like aura. Each of them boasted a refined energy that marked them as supreme masters, but when faced directly, their unique, ethereal atmosphere was more impressive than their martial arts.

They had invited the three to an unnamed peak of Mount Wudang, not the main peak.

It was a completely random invitation. They were people who had just finished fighting, and the atmosphere wasn’t good. Even though it was their first meeting, the old Taoists treated them as if they had seen them yesterday.

Gok Gyeong had protested, calling it nonsense, but the old Taoists had said nothing. They just smiled and looked at the group.

In the end, Yeon Ho-Jeong persuaded Gok Gyeong, and so the group ascended to the peak guided by the old Taoists.

That was where they were now.

“Looking around, all you see are dense trees, and looking down, there’s only thick mist. It’s eerie, yet if you let your body relax in the air, your mind becomes peaceful.”

The old Taoist chuckled, as if something was very amusing.

“Nature is like that. It’s both scary and comforting. Since you’ve come all this way, I hope you can at least find some peace of mind.”

At that moment, Gok Gyeong opened his mouth.

“Who are you?”

His tone was extremely blunt.

Even though he was a strongman who had made a name for himself in Seongcheon, his opponent was a Taoist whose age was hard to guess. Although he hadn’t revealed his identity, his appearance and energy made it clear that he was a figure from a previous era.

Regardless, just considering their positions, Gok Gyeong’s tone was too rude. Of course, since they walked different paths, there was no reason to consider their positions.

The old Taoist smiled and said,

“I believe you have some idea.”

“I only guess that you belong to the Wudang Sect. And that you are a figure from a previous era, not someone currently active.”

“Hehehe.”

“Reveal your Taoist name. And the reason why you brought us all the way here.”

“You’re very impatient. How about washing away the murky air of the secular world for a moment and experiencing the abundance of this mountain?”

“What does experiencing abundance have to do with you revealing your identity?”

The old Taoist’s eyes widened.

As if he had been caught off guard, his eyes widened in surprise. Even so, his eyes, which were clearly black and white despite his age, were very deep.

“Ahehehe! You are right. I tried to teach you something and ended up being taught myself. It seems I’ve forgotten the ways of the secular world after living in such a place for so long.”

“I’ll ask again. What is your identity?”

The old Taoist shook his head.

“I am just me. I’ve forgotten my secular name and Taoist name from my youth, having lived in the mountains, forgetting the secular world.”

“Such nonsense……”

“I am the one who is curious. You know I am from Mount Wudang, and that I am not from this era, so what would you gain from knowing my Taoist name?”

“……?”

“Hehe, you are a person who can overcome anything with your powerful strength, yet your mind is so narrow-minded.”

Narrow-minded?

It was not something easily said to the Ghost Lord of Seongcheon, known as one of the top martial artists in the world, a master of the heavens beyond the heavens. [Ghost Lord of Seongcheon is a title given to Gok Gyeong, indicating his high status and power.]

He had set aside his identity as a member of the Black Path and was acting as an agent of the Emperor, but Gok Gyeong’s pride was as strong as ever. No matter how old the Taoist was, he couldn’t just let it slide.

However.

“…….”

Surprisingly, Gok Gyeong closed his mouth. What the old Taoist said wasn’t wrong.

The Taoists had only invited them, and they had accepted. Although he had been persuaded, if he really didn’t want to come, he would have resisted to the end.

In the end, he was here because of himself, as the old Taoist had said.

His confidence that he could overcome anything with his power, no matter what tricks the Wudang Sect played.

However, regardless of that fact, it was still a statement that was enough to make him feel bad. But for some reason, he wasn’t angry as usual.

He just pondered the strange old Taoist’s words with a sullen feeling.

The old Taoist shook his head.

“We only invited you. You are the ones who accepted the invitation. If you don’t want to stay here any longer, you can go down anytime. No one will stop you, and we won’t use any tricks.”

“Is that lie true?”

“Hehe, you are a very suspicious person.”

The old Taoist turned around.

“I’ll bring some tea, so enjoy the mountain scenery. You can go down now, or you can wait. If you all leave, we’ll just drink the tea ourselves.”

With those words, the old Taoist disappeared back into the side path.

“……Hmm.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong scratched his head.

“I didn’t expect this situation at all.”

“Me neither.”

Gang Ryang smacked his lips.

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Gang Ryang and asked,

“Are you feeling any different?”

“Me? I’m fine. Except for the place where I got hit by the Biwang, I’m fine. It feels like it’ll heal soon, too.”

“Is that so.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been looking around, activated the Light Divine Art. [Light Divine Art is a martial art technique that enhances the user’s senses and healing abilities.]

Whoooom!

The light’s true energy spread through his limbs and activated his senses.

He used some of the true energy that had been healing his internal injuries to activate his senses. As his senses came alive, sharp pain rose from the wounds he had suffered from the Biwang.

‘I was hit pretty hard.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong, trying to ignore the pain, spread his true energy in all directions.

Whoosh!

The subtle mist gently swayed and scattered.

But the scenery was still the same. His vision had widened a little, but what he felt was almost the same as before.

The emptiness was so excessive that it was eerie, yet at the same time, it was comforting.

It felt like a peak where immortals lived. The feeling of being the only peak standing tall in the entire world was not unpleasant, and it soothed his mind.

‘It’s strange.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face became serious.

‘I thought it was definitely the Sword Immortal’s call.’

That was why he had persuaded Gok Gyeong to accept the invitation to this place, not the main peak.

The entire mountain must have been noisy with the clash of countless deaths and the collisions of absolute masters who had soared into the sky. At least, if they were supreme masters, they couldn’t have been unaware of the shockwaves coming from the bottom of the mountain.

Of course, the Sword Immortal would have seen through this. That’s why he thought they had sent someone.

‘But… something….’

He hadn’t shown it, but he had been quite tense. He couldn’t help but be tense.

However, for some reason, after arriving here, he couldn’t feel that tension.

It wasn’t like there was any unnatural force involved. It was just that this place, this atmosphere, this air, calmed his mind.

‘Damn it. I don’t really like this.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Gok Gyeong and asked,

“Senior.”

“What is it?”

“Do you feel anything different?”

Gok Gyeong snorted.

“Are you saying that after I was persuaded to come here?”

“Let’s not talk about being persuaded when you were the one who was persuaded.”

“You impudent brat.”

Gok Gyeong shook his head.

“I don’t feel anything particularly suspicious.”

“I see.”

“……No, I can’t say it’s not suspicious at all.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

“What did you feel?”

“There’s no evil energy.”

“……?”

“I came here as if I was possessed, but the process was too suspicious. If it were me normally, my true energy would have scanned the surroundings following that feeling. But it didn’t.”

“So, your intuition also judged that this place is not dangerous.”

“Maybe.”

Whether he was comfortable or not.

Even though he was frowning, Gok Gyeong’s expression was somewhat relaxed.

‘It’s definitely a strange place.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong touched the Crescent Blade placed on the platform. [Crescent Blade is Yeon Ho-Jeong’s signature weapon.]

The cold touch of the metal made him realize that this was indeed Mount Wudang.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face gradually hardened.

‘Anyway.’

Even though they had told him to relax, he was not in a position to rest easy anywhere.

The moment his body felt comfortable and his mind had some peace, he thought of his father in the Imperial Palace.

‘Is he alright?’

He must be in danger.

According to what Muk Bi had told him, his father had also made tremendous progress. He had heard that he had become a completely different person, to the point where he wouldn’t recognize him if he didn’t see him in person.

But even if he had made great progress, he still wouldn’t have opened the Limitless Realm. [Limitless Realm is a state of martial arts mastery.] If his father had opened the Limitless Realm, the rumors would have already swept through the Central Plains.

‘Then he’s in danger.’

The Shin Hwa Cult was currently stationed in the Imperial Palace. [Shin Hwa Cult is a powerful and dangerous organization.]

He couldn’t be sure that there wouldn’t be any strongmen who had opened the Limitless Realm among them.

‘No, if I just think about the possibilities, there will definitely be a very strong person. Even if they’re not at the level of Seongcheon, there’s a high chance that there will be someone with at least my level of power.’

As his thoughts reached that point, his chest felt heavy.

‘Damn it. I should have used Gi Woo-Hee to divert their attention here instead of stopping by Wudang.’

Once he started worrying, even this space, which had felt somewhat comfortable, seemed uncomfortable.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been staring at the Crescent Blade, turned his head towards Gok Gyeong.

“Sen…….”

At that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong was startled.

“……Senior?”

Gok Gyeong was gone.

Without any sign, the person who should have been there had disappeared like a ghost.

Ooooh!

A strange, eerie feeling that rose from his toes wrapped around his entire body.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had jumped up, looked around and shouted,

“Ryang! Be careful! I don’t know what’s going on…….”

As he spoke, Yeon Ho-Jeong felt a strange eeriness.

He slowly turned his head towards Gang Ryang.

“……!!”

Gang Ryang was gone.

Whoosh!

A murderous aura began to rise from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body.

The Light Divine Art was activated, and the Evil Divine Energy, which had been seeping into each organ and healing his internal injuries, blazed all at once, displaying its majesty in all directions. [Evil Divine Energy is a powerful energy source that Yeon Ho-Jeong uses.]

His body and mind instantly entered a battle stance.

His eyes, scanning all directions, were more serious than ever.

‘What is it?’

Gok Gyeong and Gang Ryang had disappeared without him even noticing.

Even though he had been thinking about other things, this was the first time this had happened. Moreover, he had entered a realm where he had opened the Limitless Realm and begun to accept the energy of heaven and earth.

Even if the masters of the Divine Immortal Emperor had hidden their presence, he wouldn’t have failed to notice them at this distance, let alone Gok Gyeong.

‘Did they get possessed by something?’

It was then.

Sbak.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

Swish!

Yeon Ho-Jeong, rotating at an incredible speed, swung his Crescent Blade.

‘……?!’

His Crescent Blade stopped in mid-air.

“Heo.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes trembled.

“I came all the way from a distant peak to offer you a cup of tea, but you immediately swing your sword.”

His Crescent Blade was stopped half an inch in front of an old Taoist’s neck.

It was half an inch in words, but for the person being attacked, it was a distance that would make them think their neck was about to be cut off. Yet, the Taoist showed no signs of panic.

“Who are you……?”

“Hey, put away your sword. The stench of blood is suffocating.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been staring at the old Taoist, sheathed his sword.

The old Taoist grinned.

“I thought you were just a worrywart, but your senses are incredibly sharp. You’re like a beast.”

He was similar to the old Taoist who had come to find them earlier, yet he was also very different.

Even though he was so old, he was almost as tall as Yeon Ho-Jeong. He was wearing a worn-out blue Taoist robe, but there was no sign of dirt on his face or fingernails.

Other than that, he was very ordinary.

“Sit here. Don’t worry too much about your companions.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face hardened.

“Do you know where my senior and Gang Ryang are?”

“Of course, I know. I’m the one who took them away.”

“……?!”

“Don’t worry and sit down. It’s impossible to harm them in here, even if you wanted to.”

The old Taoist chuckled.

“Well, I thought I’d get beaten up if I tried to correct your bad habits. What was his name, Gok Gyeong? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a vicious guy. I heard he was a Ghost Lord, but he was pleased with the title! I wonder what’s wrong with his mind.”

“How did you……”

“But you know.”

The old Taoist looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

At that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong closed his mouth without realizing it. The old Taoist’s eyes were so clear and serious.

“You are a thousand times more vicious than that Gok Gyeong.”

“What do you mean?”

“You damn brat, is my lovely disciple doing well?”

Disciple?

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s mouth dropped open.

“……Sword Immortal Tak Mu-Ja?!”