Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 766

“……!!”Instantly leaving his residence and reaching the corridor, Yeon-wi surveyed his surroundings.The most skilled members of the Imperial Guard were stationed near the second palace gate, while the rest were on standby beyond the third palace gate.The atmosphere was incredibly tense. The eyes of the Imperial Guards, thoroughly protecting the Emperor’s residence, were as sharp as blades.Though they had rotated shifts, they had been on edge for days, so they should have been tired, but they showed no sign of it. They were ready to react immediately to any event.”Lord Yeon.”Peng Mu-gang approached Yeon-wi.Both of their faces were equally grim.”Did you sense it?””I did.”Following behind, Jeagal Ayeon’s face was filled with urgency.”We need to see what’s happening outside. We must confirm what this clash means.”Yeon-wi shook his head.”Rash movements are forbidden. From here to outside the outer walls, it would take a long time even with our movement techniques. No one knows what might happen in that time.””I’ll just check and come back. Even if not outside, if we can just observe the atmosphere within the inner palace…”It was then.Boom!A magnificent explosion was heard from the north.The three of them turned their heads simultaneously.Tsutsutsutsu.Thick smoke rose.It was from the outer walls. The distance was so great that it was difficult for ordinary people to even see properly. Only masters with powerful inner energy could see it.”That smoke is…?!””The smoke isn’t the problem.”Yeon-wi’s eyes flickered slightly.”A master who has opened the Limitless [a martial arts realm] has appeared.”A mysterious figure who had mastered demonic arts, and a mysterious figure who had suppressed their presence with unknown techniques.’What is going on?’It was only a moment ago that he had learned of the existence of a powerful master in the Imperial Palace.As soon as he learned that, a battle broke out. It was too timely to be a coincidence.’They wouldn’t know that I noticed. Unless they read my mind, or even if they did, it’s impossible. With a keen sense, you can read the opponent’s martial power, but you can’t read their intentions.’Whoooom.Yeon-wi, having raised his sword energy to its peak, activated the divine energy in his upper dantian [an energy center in the body] to the extreme.’……!’Yeon-wi’s eyes shook.’Evil Arts!’The one fighting the unknown master who was causing flames in the north.They were clashing spectacularly, emitting tremendous evil energy, and just reading that strange energy was enough to make his whole body shudder.’In the current martial world, there is only one person who has mastered that level of evil arts.’Yeon-wi opened his mouth.”The one fighting in the north is the Mad Demon Lord, Gok Gyeong.””The Mad Demon Lord!””I don’t know when he came in. But it’s fortunate. Since he was said to be on His Majesty’s side, it seems he arrived quickly after hearing the news here.”Even as he spoke, Yeon-wi could feel it. His abilities were quite erratic.He had sensed the presence of the demonic figure in the west who had suppressed their presence and the strange figure in the north, presumed to be from the Divine Cult, but he had not sensed Gok Gyeong entering the Imperial Palace.It was a serious situation, but at the same time, Yeon-wi was able to reflect on himself. This keen sense was not perfect, and it was an ability that should never be used carelessly unless it was absolutely necessary.”Then, what about the battle happening in the south?”Peng Mu-gang’s face became incredibly serious.”Surely they’re not massacring civilians outside the palace?”Jeagal Ayeon shook her head.”That’s unlikely. There’s no reason to do such a thing now. Of course… unless that demonic figure has gone mad.”It was an unlikely scenario.Yeon-wi said.”Someone is fighting.””With the demonic figure?””Yes.””Who is it?””…I don’t know. My senses aren’t perfect, so I can read the energy of the demonic figure I’ve captured, but I can’t read the identity of the one fighting against him.”To be precise, it was because the demonic energy emitted by the demonic figure was so intense that it covered the opponent’s energy.’It’s terrible!’The Mad Demon Lord’s evil energy was immense, but the demonic figure’s demonic energy seemed even greater. The Demon Lord’s energy was terrible, and the demonic figure’s demonic energy was horrific.’But…’Yeon-wi’s hand, gripping the sword at his waist, turned white.’Why? Why is my heart so heavy?’Jeagal Ayeon opened her mouth.”We need to prepare for battle.””…?””The absolute masters on the enemy side that Lord Yeon-wi has detected are being engaged by our allies who can match them. If that’s the case, then the enemies will soon target the imperial court.”Peng Mu-gang nodded.Jeagal Ayeon’s eyes gleamed.”It would have been better if we had seen the atmosphere outside the outer walls, but we can trust Lord Yeon-wi’s senses. If the two monsters have met their match, then there is hope for a siege.””But there’s still a problem.””Yes. If, by any chance, the enemy’s absolute masters win, we are as good as dead.”That was the problem.The forces in the corridor were sufficient. Especially the Imperial Guards, who were very familiar with the terrain here, and had been thoroughly trained for internal rebellions or assassinations from the outside.They were truly the best soldiers of the empire, so they would be able to hold out against most enemies.The problem was when a powerful master appeared who could overturn the tide of the battle.They had cannons and small firearms here. But the enemies also had cannons, and decisively, there were too many masters.Even if the absolute masters didn’t step forward, they were still being pushed back by the master forces.”It was said that martial forces other than the Peng family were gathering outside the palace. But it’s impossible to guarantee when they will enter the palace, or how much they will contribute once they do.””Then what should we do?”Jeagal Ayeon raised the flags she had been carrying on her back.”I will activate the formation that has been laid out throughout the imperial court.””Of course, you must.””Lord Peng, please move with the five-thousand commander as the person in charge of the defense.”Peng Mu-gang nodded.”And Lord Yeon.”Jeagal Ayeon’s expression was firm.There was firmness, but her eyes were slightly shaking, which was unavoidable.”I have one question.”Yeon-wi had a hunch about what Jeagal Ayeon was going to ask.”You’re wondering if my martial arts will work against a Saintly Heaven level master, aren’t you?””…Yes.””It won’t work.””I see.””In a head-on fight.””…?””If I were to launch a surprise attack or an ambush… I think there’s a possibility. Of course, whether I can inflict a fatal wound is uncertain.”It was a hopeful statement, but Jeagal Ayeon’s expression darkened instead.But she didn’t waste time. She knew that Yeon-wi had also made up his mind.”Choose one of the two masters’ battlefields.”Peng Mu-gang was startled and looked at the two of them.”What are you saying? Are you planning to send Lord Yeon to that battlefield?””Yes.””Ayeon-ah!””If both places are defeated, there is no hope. Even if only one place collapses, it’s just as dangerous. But waiting for the enemy’s absolute masters to be defeated in both battlefields is even more dangerous.””That’s true, but… !””I think this is the best way right now.”Peng Mu-gang looked at Yeon-wi with rigid eyes.But Yeon-wi didn’t seem worried at all. He also agreed with Jeagal Ayeon’s words.After a moment, Yeon-wi raised his head.”I will go north. The northern battlefield is the closest to the imperial court. Moreover, the Mad Demon Lord is familiar with the terrain, so it would be logical to quickly decide the outcome and prepare for the next battle.””I thought so too.”Yeon-wi looked at Peng Mu-gang and said.”This fight will soon be over.””…Indeed.””I’m counting on you to hold the center.”Peng Mu-gang closed his eyes.”Please come back alive. When the work here is done, I will gift you the finest liquor that our family boasts.”Yeon-wi smiled.”That sounds good.”Whoosh!As soon as he finished speaking, Yeon-wi’s figure disappeared.No more conversation was needed. From now on, it was a race against time.Peng Mu-gang called for Hwangbo Jeok.”The enemy’s attack will begin soon. Tell the Imperial Guards to prepare for battle.”Hwangbo Jeok’s eyes gleamed.”Understood.”He didn’t ask how he knew. Even though their relationship had soured, he trusted Peng Mu-gang’s abilities.”Ayeon-ah. You activate the formation and watch the battle situation. I’ll go see His Majesty for a moment.””Yes!”Peng Mu-gang moved quickly.Jeagal Ayeon, who had begun to plant the flags she held in her hand around the corridor, at the formation points, suddenly looked south.Her face was filled with emotion.”…I don’t know who you are, but please hold on.”* * *Crack!The terrifying sword strike not only shattered the ground but also vertically split the wall behind Gwak Jun.It was a martial art of immense power. Yeon Ho-jeong’s strength, wielding a super-heavy weapon weighing over eighty pounds, was such that it was difficult to find an opponent even in similar realms.Boom!But Gwak Jun was not to be underestimated.His evasion ability was truly bizarre. Even Yeon Ho-jeong, who had experienced all sorts of chaos and seen the martial arts and reactions of countless masters, had never seen this kind of movement technique or footwork before.Flash!A cross slash, like lightning, aimed for Gwak Jun’s body.Gwak Jun’s two hands, which had crossed at some point, spread left and right as if tearing through the air.Clang!The sword strike of the cross slash and the brutal claw attack collided, creating a powerful shockwave.’This is bad.’Yeon Ho-jeong, who was trying to break through the shockwave and launch a half-beat faster attack, quickly rotated his body and moved out of range.Chiiiik!A part of the clothing on Yeon Ho-jeong’s left shoulder was scattered into dust.It was a demonic energy intrusion. The intense demonic energy mixed with the shockwave, as if it had a will of its own, flew towards Yeon Ho-jeong.It was unbelievable.A shockwave is literally a wave caused by an impact. The true energy spreading as a wave is no longer the owner’s, and to imbue the exploding energy with will requires tremendous concentration and enlightenment.’He’s strong indeed.’Imbuing the shattered true energy with will to attack the enemy.This was no different from the principle of controlling a sword with energy. On the surface, he seemed to be using simple and brutal martial arts, but Gwak Jun’s killing techniques, which targeted these moments, were truly worthy of a Saintly Heaven master.It was then.”…?”Blood began to seep from Yeon Ho-jeong’s chest.His gaze was still fixed on Gwak Jun, but Yeon Ho-jeong was greatly surprised inwardly.’When did he stab me?’Four of Gwak Jun’s fingers had pierced his chest. They hadn’t reached the bone, but it had been a close call.Gwak Jun licked the blood from Yeon Ho-jeong that was on his fingernails.”Hey.””…””What’s your name?”Yeon Ho-jeong said coldly.”Weren’t you the one who didn’t like introductions?””I’ve become curious. Because you’re being too stubborn.””Stubborn?””I wanted to see what was inside that chest of yours, but I failed. Aren’t you hiding it too well?””I don’t know what nonsense you’re talking about.””Tell me your name. And your family relations.””Why are you suddenly like this? Did you go mad? Well, you didn’t seem normal from the start.””That terrible resentment and anger you hold. It’s almost like malice. Even if you’ve lived a miserable life, not many people can hold something so terrible and still walk around normally. Special guys like me and you are really rare.””What nonsense are you spouting?””If you don’t take that out, I’ll have to go find your father and brothers.”Yeon Ho-jeong’s face momentarily hardened.Gwak Jun tilted his head.”Surely you haven’t never exploded, have you?””…””That vicious madness that’s melted into your blood… it’s hard to build that through experience. Have you ever seen a human child give birth to a ghost?”Gwak Jun grinned.”Your ancestors must have been ghosts no less than you.”Flash!A crescent blade filled with immense killing intent was launched towards Gwak Jun’s head.