Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 773

“Cough!”

Yeon-wi, who had fallen in the imperial court, coughed up another mouthful of blood.

“Lord!”

Yeon-wi frowned involuntarily. The sound of Jeagal Ayeon’s footsteps approaching, and her voice, made his head throb.

Woo-oong.

Yeon-wi, who had struggled to raise his sword energy to protect his upper dantian [energy center], straightened his posture.

“What is the situation?”

Jeagal Ayeon asked quickly.

“Currently, Lord Peng is dealing with the enemy’s cannons…!”

It was then.

Kwakwakwang! Puh-uh-uh-ung!

Enormous explosions echoed from all directions.

Kkyaaaaak!

A chilling, ghostly scream was an added bonus. The giant ghost, who had left Yeon-wi and headed south, was dealing with the enemies coming head-on in a straight line.

‘Indeed.’

Yeon-wi’s eyes gleamed.

‘What tremendous divine power.’

Even after fighting that monstrous opponent, he still had plenty of power left. Moreover, he was maintaining that speed and airtime, while blasting away the enemies he saw.

It was tremendous power. It was an amazing ability.

They said that reaching the realm of the Supreme Ultimate [highest level of martial arts] wasn’t just about reaching a higher dimension, but a realm where one could roam the heavens, and that was exactly right. He, who had only obtained the Mind Sword, was in a realm that was difficult to even imitate.

“Th-that person…?!”

“It’s the Mad Demon Ghost Lord. The battle over there has ended in victory.”

Jeagal Ayeon’s face brightened.

Yeon-wi continued.

“He said he would also deal with the demons fighting in the south. No matter how well we hold out here, if the demons win, it will turn into an unimaginable chaotic battle. He said to leave the battle here to us, and that he would join us after finishing the last fight.”

“That’s a relief. That’s really a relief.”

A look of relief washed over Jeagal Ayeon’s face.

Two battles between absolute masters were taking place. If one of them ended in victory, it meant that the tide of the war had turned.

“So, what’s the situation?”

“Ah, yes! The enemies have brought hundreds of cannons and are burning down the entire outer wall.”

Yeon-wi did not waver.

“It’s to shorten their movement and break the morale of our forces defending the castle. Even if they fail, they also intend to use up all the fire bombs and draw out the imperial palace’s forces.”

Jeagal Ayeon smiled faintly.

Indeed, Yeon-wi was a wise man. Especially his ability to grasp the situation was as good as the sages of the Jeagal family.

“You’re right.”

“Lord Peng is a very competitive person, but he’s not someone who would overdo it in this situation. He will return once he has achieved a satisfactory result.”

“Yes, I think so too.”

“What about His Majesty?”

“Commander Hwangbo Jeok is frequently coming and going to check on His Majesty’s safety. There are no problems.”

Yeon-wi shook his head.

“There’s no need for the commander to move. His Majesty the Emperor still has the true Sejeong Guard who haven’t moved yet. Their martial prowess is said to be comparable to the elite masters of the great sects.”

“Yes. He will be safe even after this battle is over.”

“The problem is the number of enemies. What happened to the martial forces surrounding the outer wall?”

“There’s no contact yet. Perhaps…”

It was then.

Puh-roo-roo-roo-rook!

Numerous messenger birds flew towards the imperial court from high in the sky.

Yeon-wi’s eyes gleamed. Jeagal Ayeon’s face brightened.

“They’re the Beggars’ Sect’s messenger birds!”

Dozens of messenger birds landed around them.

Jeagal Ayeon quickly unfolded the letters tied to the birds’ ankles and shouted loudly.

“The martial forces are breaking through from the east side of the outer wall!”

Her voice, filled with internal energy, reached the entire imperial guard in an instant.

“Waaaaah!!”

The faces of the imperial guards, which had been stiff with tension, were filled with vigor.

The precarious morale that had been on edge suddenly flared up like a fire. The cheers of the soldiers drowned out even the sounds of battle taking place in the outer wall.

“Lord.”

Jeagal Ayeon said in a trembling voice.

“It’s done. If it’s like this, we’ll win!”

“Yes, we will.”

Joo-rook.

“H-huh! L-Lord!”

Yeon-wi wiped away the nosebleed that was flowing down.

His already pale complexion had become even more pale. He secretly gripped the scabbard of the Heavenly Net Imperial Sword.

“The world hates hasty certainty. At times like this, it always plays unexpected tricks.”

“……!”

“Prepare as if there is no outside help, and be as solid as iron. If the martial forces don’t arrive in time, we will have to fight, whether it’s for a short time or a long time.”

Jeagal Ayeon was worried about Yeon-wi’s condition.

However, knowing that he wouldn’t want her to worry, she replied briefly.

“Yes!”

Jeagal Ayeon, who had stepped back, quickly moved to check the formation and look around the imperial guard.

Yeon-wi looked up at the sky.

The fatigue that he hadn’t shown to others was evident in his eyes. But there was a strange anticipation in his expression.

“Finish up quickly and come back safe.”

* * *

The downward swing of the moon blade created a huge furrow in the ground.

Kwaddeudeudeuk!

Gwak Jun, who had avoided the brutal sword strike, felt a chill run down his spine for a moment and swung the Blood Night Demon Claw.

Jjeo-jeo-jeo-jeo-jeong!

A fierce roar was emitted as fingernails clashed against fingernails.

Gok Gyeong wiggled his fingers.

His fingernails were also sharply pointed. But they were not as long as Gwak Jun’s. Gwak Jun’s fingernails were almost half a foot long, as if he had attached weapons to them.

“You filthy bastard, why don’t you trim your nails?”

Hook!

Gwak Jun, who had charged in at an incredible speed, swung his arms towards Gok Gyeong’s body. It was the Blood Night Demon Claw again.

At that moment, a sharp blade wind flew towards Gwak Jun’s lower abdomen.

It was a force that could cut him in half diagonally. No matter how strong Gwak Jun was, he didn’t have the power to reattach a severed body.

Gwak Jun’s hands struck down on the blade of the moon blade.

Jjeo-eo-eong!

Although he could freely control the flow of power, there was a gap in his internal energy as he had changed the direction of his attack mid-way.

Gwak Jun’s body flew far back. At the same time, Gok Gyeong, who had predicted Yeon Ho-jeong’s attack, had already scattered the Black Death Palm.

Bang!

Gwak Jun landed on the ground with a stifled groan.

Pa-a-a-ak!

Yeon Ho-jeong and Gok Gyeong’s movements seemed terribly mismatched, yet they blended together exquisitely.

Gok Gyeong was the one leading the flow of the battle. Yeon Ho-jeong moved to positions that could fill Gok Gyeong’s gaps, and occasionally attacked Gwak Jun.

“Eek!”

Jjeo-jeo-jeong! Peo-eok!

He had deflected three sword strikes and five Black Ghost Killing Claws, but he couldn’t block the last blow. Gok Gyeong’s right hand grabbed a handful of flesh from Gwak Jun’s side.

‘……!’

Gwak Jun felt his mind snap back to reality from the pain.

‘This is dangerous.’

It was more than just ordinary danger.

If Gok Gyeong’s hand had dug in just a little further, it would have torn through his muscles and even his organs.

Of course, he could somehow recover with the Blood Essence Demonic Art’s reverse recovery, but to recover the lost muscles and flesh, he would need a corresponding amount of nutrients. If the damage was too great, he might even have to devour human blood and vengeful spirits.

‘This won’t do.’

Gwak Jun’s hateful eyes met Yeon Ho-jeong’s.

Even though their eyes met, Yeon Ho-jeong’s gaze did not change. It was clear, deep, and unwavering.

A huge moon blade was swung down towards Gwak Jun’s head.

Jjeo-eo-eo-eo-eong!

He blocked the sword strike with both arms, but the impact was transmitted throughout his entire body. The side wound that had been quickly stopped burst open with a thud!

Kwang!

Gok Gyeong’s palm struck Gwak Jun’s abdomen. Gwak Jun spat out blood and flew far away.

It was then.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes blazed.

Flash!

The moon blade that left his hand flew like a ray of light.

The one second of destruction, the Red Calamity Flash of the Crimson Flame Six Killing Art, was shot with the power of the Blade Control with Qi [internal energy], having read the time for the final battle.

Even while suffering a fatal wound, Gwak Jun felt an extreme crisis. The demonic energy throughout his body was violently fluctuating.

Gwak Jun swung both hands with superhuman strength.

Peo-eo-eo-eok!

However, before the Blood Night Demon Claw could materialize, Yeon Ho-jeong’s moon blade pierced Gwak Jun’s chest.

Kwaddeudeudeuk!

The moon blade, which had flown through Gwak Jun’s body, was embedded in the outer wall of the imperial palace.

Gwak Jun’s body trembled.

Peo-beo-beo-beo-beok!

Unusual sounds were heard from all over his body.

The power of the Four Divine Energies contained in the moon blade was traveling throughout his body, destroying his blood points. The energies that had destroyed the blood points gathered in each organ and washed away Gwak Jun’s demonic energy.

Chiiiiiiiiik!

White smoke rose from Gwak Jun’s body.

“Kuaaaaaak!!”

Gwak Jun, who was screaming while clutching the shaft of the moon blade with both hands, looked like a demon struggling in vain.

“It’s over.”

Seureureuk.

Gok Gyeong, who had landed in front of Gwak Jun’s five organs, said in a cold voice.

“He was a dangerous one.”

“Indeed.”

“It’s fortunate that we wore him down so much. I’ve never seen a demonic art like that before.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s help was crucial.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s martial arts were fast, strong, and unconventional. He was strong enough in a one-on-one battle, but his abilities in a chaotic battle were particularly outstanding.

If Yeon Ho-jeong hadn’t coordinated with Gok Gyeong, they would have been more likely to be caught in Gwak Jun’s counterattack. Even a master of the Supreme Ultimate was no better than fighting alone if their teamwork was poor.

In other words, it meant that Gwak Jun was strong enough to face dangerous moments even when they were fighting together.

“Hoo.”

Yeon Ho-jeong grabbed his knees and lowered his head.

Joo-rook.

Blood flowed from his mouth. The blood that he had tried to swallow to avoid showing weakness had regurgitated.

Gok Gyeong clicked his tongue.

“Why did you swallow it instead of spitting it out?”

“I thought he would like seeing blood.”

“Who? That guy?”

“Yes.”

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

Yeon Ho-jeong wiped his mouth and said.

“No matter how much I think about it, I don’t know what that guy’s identity is.”

“He’s the Blood Jade Demon Lord.”

“That’s not what I mean. He strangely craved my killing intent. He even got angry when I didn’t properly reveal my killing intent.”

“……Killing intent?”

“Yes. Do you know anything about it?”

Gok Gyeong shook his head.

“Demonic energy is the final destination of all yin energies. My own evil energy will also turn into demonic energy if I gain more enlightenment.”

“……Huh?”

“There’s a reason why people go crazy when they learn demonic arts that haven’t been properly refined. In the first place, it’s difficult for a person’s mind and body to contain demonic energy. That’s why demonic arts are either one of two things. Either they are completely refined and become excellent techniques, or they unleash great power but drive people crazy.”

Gok Gyeong pointed at Gwak Jun with his hand.

“That guy’s demonic art isn’t completely refined. He opened the Supreme Ultimate even after learning something like that, so his talent is truly amazing.”

“That’s chilling.”

“I don’t know what kind of killing intent he saw in you, but perhaps that guy’s demonic energy wanted you.”

“You mean energy wanted energy?”

“The energy of following the heavens melts into a deeper energy and creates symbiosis, but the energy of defying the heavens devours a deeper energy and is reborn.”

“……?”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.

“Does that mean my killing intent is more vicious than that guy’s demonic energy?”

Gok Gyeong shrugged his shoulders.

“How would I know that? But seeing that he was so desperate for your killing intent, which he had never seen before, I think you must have been quite a delicious prey.”

“……Crazy.”

“You’re the crazy one. What kind of body were you made with? How is it possible to live with that much killing intent?”

“I don’t know. And I don’t want to know.”

Yeon Ho-jeong turned his neck from side to side.

His whole body ached after the fight.

“Let’s finish this first.”

“Let’s do that. We need to clean up the battlefield and go see His Majesty.”

It was then.

“I won’t die.”

At the eerie voice, the two looked at Gwak Jun.

Gwak Jun smiled whitely.

His eyes, with the whites turned red, and his hands, which were tightly gripping the shaft of the moon blade, were dyed black.

“Do you think I, who has achieved defying the heavens, would die like this?”

Yeon Ho-jeong and Gok Gyeong swung their fists and palms like lightning.

Kwakwakwang!

The wall collapsed, raising a cloud of dust.

“……Damn it.”

Pa-a-a-a-a-ang!

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had jumped into the wall at an incredible speed, grabbed the moon blade. Gok Gyeong, who had flown after him, flew above him.

And in that place, Gwak Jun was gone.