Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 80

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s momentum was overwhelming.

Zhiiiing! Zhiiiing!

The White Tiger aura, pushed to its limit, was densely packed on the axe blade. The white glow overlaid on the steel’s natural color made it look like a divine weapon wielded by a celestial general.

Kwaaaang!

Myeong Cheon realized that the situation was turning strange.

‘This is absurd.’

The residual energy of Yeon Ho-Jeong on the greatsword’s blade was infiltrating his sword energy, degrading the sword’s power itself.

Myeong Cheon shouted,

“You bastard! What kind of demonic art is this!”

“Demonic art?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong scoffed.

“The demonic art is what you’ve mastered!”

Kwakwakwang!

It was another charge. The White Tiger Overlord Steps, a storm-like rush of consecutive advances, amplified the weight of the axe several times over.

Kkwaang!

Myeong Cheon’s thigh swelled.

This blow was truly heavy. As if crushed by the weight of a mountain, his entire body felt like it would burst.

A reddish murderous intent flickered in Myeong Cheon’s eyes.

Puh-uh-ung!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body faltered. He had taken a blow from Myeong Cheon’s palm force.

He had unleashed a one-hit-kill attack like a series of blows. His momentum was so outstanding, but once he faltered, his entire aura seemed to waver.

Kwang!

Myeong Cheon stomped the ground roughly.

“You… dare…”

His voice, speaking one word at a time, was filled with ominous madness.

“You, a lowly brat, dare to do this to me!”

The relentless attacks were non-stop. Moreover, the opponent’s true energy had a strange ability to scatter his internal energy.

That’s why he couldn’t unleash it. The newly acquired power.

But not anymore. Myeong Cheon finally had the time to unleash the Phoenix Divine Art to its maximum.

Kwaaang!

The momentum, blazing like a wildfire, seemed to swallow Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body whole.

Hwarururuk!

It was truly an immense momentum. He was unleashing all his power with surging rage.

Fearsome fire spread in all directions. The momentum was so fierce that even the surviving Four Swords retreated ten feet away.

Puh-ruh-ruk!

A blood horse, which was near Myeong Cheon and had a broken leg, died with its tongue hanging out. It had suffered a mental shock from the fire and murderous intent that had erupted right in front of it.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Myeong Cheon, looking down at the dead blood horse, wore a crazed smile.

“Cutting off the head can be done anytime. I need to see you writhing like a bug with your arms and legs cut off to relieve my anger.”

With the release of the Phoenix Divine Art, even the murderous intent and madness he possessed seemed to have gone beyond the limit.

Myeong Cheon’s face, dripping with vicious murderous intent, was worthy of being called a demon. Even the fire he emitted was very gloomy and dark.

Internal energy arises and is created according to one’s thoughts. The fact that the fire was so eerie meant that his mind had become that much more devastated.

Yeon Ho-Jeong pulled up the Black Tortoise energy.

Chiiiiik!

Heat haze rose from the empty air.

‘He’s strong, as expected.’

He had naturally set up the Twelve Walls of the Northern Sky [a defensive technique] while pulling up the Black Tortoise energy. However, even though he hadn’t been attacked, the surface of his internal energy shield was boiling. The fire that Myeong Cheon was emitting was that toxic.

‘But…’

Weeeeing!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes pierced through Myeong Cheon’s insides.

‘At that level…’

The red energy rising from his dantian [energy center] was boiling like lava in his heart.

It was power that had gone beyond the limit. That massive energy had gathered in his heart without balancing with other energies, so he would surely self-destruct.

Moreover, a single red thread crossed his neck and philtrum, reaching his forehead. The Vermilion Bird energy had invaded the upper body.

It was a serious situation. But he wouldn’t die immediately.

That pleased Yeon Ho-Jeong. He didn’t want him to self-destruct with a fake Vermilion Bird technique.

Hoo-oong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong took a soft yet heavy step.

Even though he stepped on the ground, there was no sound. It was as quiet and soft as water seeping in.

It was the footwork of the absolute defense secret technique, the Immovable Strange Pillar [a defensive stance].

“What are you doing? You’re wasting time.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong flicked his hand.

“Come at me.”

Kwaaang!

The hand and arm that had been flicking were thrown back.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed. Myeong Cheon had already reached right in front of him.

‘He’s fast!’

It was an incredible speed. He had completely lost sight of him for a moment.

Myeong Cheon swung his greatsword.

Jjeojeojeojeong! Chiiiiik!

Indeed, the Black Tortoise energy was amazing.

It was somehow blocking the quick sword that couldn’t even be seen. Moreover, water was the opposite of fire. The Black Tortoise energy, meeting the fire, increased its nature fiercely.

Hoo-oong! Kuu-oong!

It was a giant’s blow. The axe split Myeong Cheon in half.

‘He’s not there?!’

But it was just an afterimage. The axe cut through the empty air.

Then where was Myeong Cheon?

Puh-uh-ung!

Yeon Ho-Jeong coughed up blood.

His entire back felt like it was burning. It was the palm force boasting terrifying power, the Phoenix Flame Hand.

It was a different level of power than the Phoenix Hand that the Four Swords used. Even the powerful Black Tortoise energy couldn’t suppress the fire that was penetrating it.

Yeon Ho-Jeong stepped on the Immovable Strange Pillar again.

Hoo-ooo-oong!

The shape of a hexagonal tortoise shell clearly emerged around his body.

At the same time, Myeong Cheon’s full-scale attack began.

Kwakwakwakwang! Puh-uh-uh-ung!

He was fast.

He was fast and powerful. He was attacking with the power from his speed directly on the tip of his sword, and the weight was immense.

Ulk!

Yeon Ho-Jeong coughed up blood again.

There was a limit to the opposition of elements. With this level of Vermilion Bird energy, even the Black Tortoise energy couldn’t handle it. All he could do was block the attacks pouring down with the Twelve Walls of the Northern Sky.

Kwang! Kwarururung! Puh-uh-ung!

The attacks didn’t stop.

As if he had gained infinite stamina, he was continuing his increasingly fierce attacks as time passed.

It was thanks to the Vermilion Bird energy. The White Tiger energy maximized the lung function, growing stamina and flesh, but the Vermilion Bird energy stayed in the heart, drawing out life force itself.

That’s why this kind of attack was possible. He was able to unleash attacks with no regard for the consequences, putting even his own life on the tip of his sword.

Kwakwakwang!

He coughed up blood again and again.

The accumulated internal injuries were quickly leading Yeon Ho-Jeong into the abyss of death.

He had deployed the Twelve Walls of the Northern Sky, but he didn’t even know which techniques he was using. He was just unconsciously implementing the Four Divine Martial Arts [a set of powerful martial arts]. It was to survive.

‘No, that’s not it.’

Blocking attacks to survive?

No. He wasn’t that kind of person. The Dark Emperor, who was the first in the history of the Dark Path to receive the title of Grand Master of the Dark Path, was not that kind of person.

Kwaang!

The Black Tortoise energy shook entirely. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body also shook.

But his eyes didn’t waver.

Hoo-ooo-oong.

It was the first time.

For the first time, Myeong Cheon’s attack was visible. Even if he couldn’t avoid it, the fact that he could see it was an encouraging achievement.

Puhwaaaak!

Another sword wound was etched on his chest.

This time it was deep. It was a blow that almost cut to the bone. The fire that was burning prevented bleeding, but the pain was worse.

That pain made him snap back to his senses.

‘I saw it. I saw it.’

Hwarururuk!

The left palm, not holding the sword, struck. It was a fiery blow.

Kwaang!

Yeon Ho-Jeong coughed up blood again.

He was really going to die like this. If he allowed another blow like this, he would surely go to the afterlife.

Huuk!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes blazed.

Myeong Cheon’s body, which had been in his sight, disappeared. It was a lightning-like movement technique. He couldn’t track where he had gone.

‘……?!’

That’s when it happened. A stream of fire pierced through his mind.

‘Movement technique?’

No.

There was no movement technique in the martial arts of the Four Divine Martial Arts. There were only martial arts techniques and footwork to deal with enemies.

That’s right. There was no movement technique.

Then what was the movement technique that Myeong Cheon was using now?

‘Blood Wing Sky Sweep!!’

Flash!

The Vermilion Bird’s wing flap, the Vermilion Bird’s movement freely flying through the sky, embodied Yeon Ho-Jeong’s realization.

Myeong Cheon burst into a maniacal laugh.

“Fall!”

Kwaaang!

The ground split with a roar.

Myeong Cheon, who was about to laugh even louder, felt a strange sensation for a moment.

‘……Huh?’

The left palm that had unleashed the Phoenix Flame Hand.

That left palm was touching a hand stained with blood.

Hwaruruk!

A red energy blazed.

It wasn’t Myeong Cheon’s Phoenix energy. It was smaller, but much brighter and purer, a true flame-like fire was finally rising from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s hand.

Hwaaaak.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, with his upper body lowered, slowly raised his head.

In that moment, Myeong Cheon felt an unknown eeriness.

The opponent, the eldest son of the Yeon family’s eyes.

From those eyes, a pure flame that he had never seen anywhere was blazing.

“……I found it.”

His heart was burning hot.

In the gap between life and death, even the Vermilion Bird energy had been revived.

* * *

“Shouldn’t we enter now?”

“……”

“Hoo-gae?”

Then, a loud explosion echoed.

Kwaaang!

Even though they were so far away, it was deafening. If they were in the middle of the battlefield, they would have had to use all their internal energy to protect their eardrums.

Ga Deuk-Sang’s eyes deepened.

‘Young Master Yeon.’

He recalled his conversation with Yeon Ho-Jeong.

‘What?!’

‘……’

‘Is this guy crazy? What do you think Myeong Cheon is? Myeong Cheon is the head of the greatest family in the world, the head! At the very least, he’s equal to your father!’

‘I know.’

‘You don’t seem to know? Even if a person goes crazy, they should go crazy nicely, how can you think of fighting Myeong Cheon! Just because you eliminated a few of the Myeong family’s warriors, do you think Myeong Cheon is easy?!’

‘That can’t be.’

‘Then why! Even you can’t beat Myeong Cheon!’

‘I can win.’

‘……!!’

‘A master below Myeong Cheon is overwhelming. But I can beat Myeong Cheon.’

‘What kind of nonsense is that…’

‘Besides, this is the last time.’

‘The last time?’

‘The chance to catch the head of the beasts who are going to kill my parents and siblings.’

‘……’

‘Did I tell you to trust me? I trust you. So please trust me too.’

‘……Damn it.’

‘I will never lose.’

Ga Deuk-Sang saw an indescribable resentment and immeasurable anger on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

It was an old emotion that had been piled up and wouldn’t melt or break. The only way to resolve that emotion would be to defeat the desired enemy.

‘Damn it, even so.’

He was angry, but in reality, the Yeon family hadn’t suffered any damage so far. It wasn’t something to build up that much resentment and anger.

But Ga Deuk-Sang couldn’t stop Yeon Ho-Jeong.

He had seen the anxiety and anticipation that surrounded that gloomy and fiery emotion. Like someone who had been waiting their whole life, his eyes were filled with a complex light.

“Hoo-gae.”

“If we go in now…”

Ga Deuk-Sang licked his dry lips.

“If we go in now, a free-for-all will break out. In that case, it would be better to surround the remaining remnants after the fight is over.”

“But if it goes on like this, Young Master Yeon will be in danger!”

“He said he could win.”

“What, what did you say?”

“Let’s trust him. The reason I called two more places, the sect leader and the Shaolin lay disciples, was not to fight them. It’s to make sure they can’t move.”

“But still…”

“Enough blood has been shed. Let’s not create unnecessary sacrifices.”

That’s when it happened.

Puh-ruh-ruk.

A black bird descended from high in the sky at a terrifying speed.

Ga Deuk-Sang’s eyes lit up.

He stood up from his seat and reached out his hand.

Padadak!

The bird that landed on Ga Deuk-Sang’s wrist with a stylish flap of its wings was surprisingly a crow.

Ga Deuk-Sang hurriedly unfolded the letter tied to the crow’s ankle.

Lee Cheol-Kyung tilted his head.

“Who is the letter from?”