Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 828

“……!!”

Zhuge Mun-Ho was startled.

He never imagined that Moyong Gun would come in person to request a duel with Grand Master Gong Gong. He truly never thought such a thing would happen in his lifetime.

Zhuge Mun-Ho looked at Grand Master Gong Gong.

Grand Master Gong Gong was equally surprised. However, his eyes remained calm, and his breathing was steady. Though surprised, his composure was not disturbed.

He was a monk, but also a martial artist. Anyone who has stepped into the martial world can be challenged at any time.

Whether he actually felt that way was unknown, but it was clear that he had no particular aversion to duels with others.

Grand Master Gong Gong spoke.

“May I ask why you have suddenly requested a duel with this old monk?”

“There are too many reasons. It’s difficult to explain them all one by one.”

“I see.”

“However, if I were to pick the reason that makes my heart beat the most among those many reasons…”

Moyong Gun’s eyes flashed.

“In terms of martial arts, there is no one in the current Martial Alliance who has reached a higher level than you, Grand Master.”

Grand Master Gong Gong smiled wryly.

“You flatter me. Even Master Seung-Hyeon is no less than I, and seeing the sword skills of the Yeon Clan Head who returned from the Imperial Palace, it is enough to…”

“Master Seung-Hyeon is a Taoist.”

“……?”

“He is a great master, enough to have a good match with you, Grand Master. But whether it’s the nature of the Wudang martial arts or the limitations of Master Seung-Hyeon, it’s difficult to see the complete opening of martial arts.”

“…….”

“And the Yeon Clan Head…”

Moyong Gun smiled bitterly.

“His understanding of swordsmanship is far greater than mine.”

Grand Master Gong Gong’s eyes widened.

“You recognized that?”

“It was hard not to. To be honest, it felt like he wouldn’t be far behind the Sword Saint Namgoong, who has his name on the Heavenly Stele [a legendary list of the greatest martial artists].”

It was an enormous overestimation.

Because such an evaluation came from Moyong Gun, Zhuge Mun-Ho was even more surprised.

“But that is just swordsmanship. You, Grand Master, would know the difference between the realm of martial arts and swordsmanship.”

“Of course, I know.”

“The Yeon Clan Head is like a noble sword. If a fight were to break out, we could have a very exciting match regardless of the outcome…”

Moyong Gun shook his head.

“Somehow, I don’t want to fight him.”

“May I ask why?”

“Because I don’t want to show him my weaknesses.”

Zhuge Mun-Ho, as well as Grand Master Gong Gong, were surprised by Moyong Gun’s statement.

Moyong Gun was not the type of person to say such things. He was a man with high ambition and strong pride, who acknowledged what needed to be acknowledged, but he was also someone who thought he was superior to everyone else.

But to say he didn’t want to show Yeon-wi his weaknesses? That meant he saw the head of a clan with a shorter history than the Moyong Clan as equal to, or even greater than, himself.

“The weaknesses I show to the Yeon Clan Head will go straight to Yeon Ho-Jeong, the Vice Clan Head. I don’t like that.”

“But you are colleagues…”

“Are you still saying such things?”

Moyong Gun shook his head.

“Before being colleagues, we are rivals, and before being rivals, we are adversaries. That’s how we have been.”

“Moyong Clan Head.”

“Although we don’t know what will happen in the future, that’s why I can’t show any weaknesses.”

Grand Master Gong Gong said casually.

“Not showing weaknesses to someone whose future is uncertain, does that mean you are certain that this old monk and the military advisor here will not become your enemies?”

Or does it mean he doesn’t even see them as enemies?

“It’s because you are people I don’t mind showing my weaknesses to.”

“……!”

“I’ve talked too much. Let me say it again. This is my first and last request. Please fight me.”

Grand Master Gong Gong, who had been quietly looking at Moyong Gun, raised his hand and pointed to the back of the residence.

“Let’s go over there.”

“Thank you.”

Zhuge Mun-Ho was surprised and looked at Grand Master Gong Gong.

“Grand Master!”

“I know you have been living without leisure due to your work. The military advisor is also a martial artist, so let’s go together as observers of this fight.”

It was even more surprising because those words came from Grand Master Gong Gong, not Moyong Gun.

Thus, the two followed Grand Master Gong Gong’s guidance and arrived at an open space in the deep forest.

“So, it was here.”

Moyong Gun smiled and fastened his sword to his waist.

“I heard that my younger brother received teachings from you here before his first campaign.”

It wasn’t just Moyong Woo. The Tangma Army and the Myeolsa Army had set out at the same time, and Yeon Ho-Jeong had also exchanged blows with Grand Master Gong Gong.

Grand Master Gong Gong smiled and said.

“Didn’t the Moyong Clan Head also train here a few times?”

“That was a long time ago.”

“If it’s a familiar place for both this old monk and the Moyong Clan Head, it would be perfect for a duel.”

It meant that they could minimize the variables of the surrounding environment. It was an unusual remark that showed a competitive spirit for Grand Master Gong Gong, yet it also carried the noble dignity unique to a monk.

“Then, shall we begin?”

“Very well.”

Grand Master Gong Gong smiled and lowered his stance.

Grand Master Gong Gong was wearing loose monk’s robes and a kasaya [a Buddhist monk’s outer robe]. He also had a large rosary around his neck, not exactly suitable attire for a duel.

However, Moyong Gun’s face showed a tension that had not been seen in a long time.

Swoosh.

The treasured sword that emerged from its scabbard emitted a chilling light.

Although it was called a duel, it was a sharp battle between supreme masters. A single mistake could cost a life.

“Since my opponent is you, Grand Master, I will discard all formalities and go all out.”

“I am grateful for your high evaluation of this old monk.”

“Then…”

Moyong Gun’s eyes changed.

“I’m coming.”

Flash!

The ten-foot distance turned into nothing in an instant.

Moyong Gun’s movement, as he thrust his sword in front of Grand Master Gong Gong, was incredibly natural and beautiful, despite its speed.

Swish!

It was a speed that made one’s eyes spin, but Grand Master Gong Gong avoided Moyong Gun’s sword by slightly tilting his head.

Shak!

Moyong Gun, who had anticipated the dodge immediately after the thrust, swung his sword horizontally.

Attack and evasion, an attack anticipating the evasion, followed by another evasion with a lowered stance.

The two exchanges passed in an instant.

Zhuge Mun-Ho’s eyes were filled with shock.

‘Strong!’

In just two exchanges, he realized that the martial arts of the two far surpassed his own.

Moyong Gun’s movements and sword speed were beyond imagination, and Grand Master Gong Gong’s evasions were relaxed and elegant.

Moyong Gun was impressive, but he was especially surprised by Grand Master Gong Gong. It was hard to believe that the movements were from Grand Master Gong Gong, who was usually so relaxed and leisurely.

And then.

What Zhuge Mun-Ho saw was a blow that clearly showed why the Abbot of Shaolin was called the leader of the Nine Great Sects.

Kwaang!!

With a tremendous explosion, Moyong Gun was pushed back madly.

It was neither a fist nor a palm. He had simply swung his voluminous sleeve lightly, but Moyong Gun’s body, hit by the sleeve, was flung away as if he had been hit by a flying rock.

Zzzzzzzzz!

Blue lightning flickered all over Moyong Gun’s body. It was the natural activation of the Thunderclap Technique to disperse Grand Master Gong Gong’s power.

Grand Master Gong Gong, who had gathered and arranged his fluttering sleeves, moved his opposite foot forward and raised his hand to the middle. He looked like a noble crane.

“I am honored.”

Moyong Gun, who had brushed off his chest, now had a threatening blue light flashing on his treasured sword.

“I see the famous Panseon Sleeve [a Shaolin technique using sleeves as weapons].”

“You recognize it.”

It was a divine skill that used absolute internal energy to make the fluttering sleeves harder than steel, drawing out extreme offensive and defensive power.

“Indeed.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes trembled slightly.

“I can withstand it twice. Three times would be difficult.”

Grand Master Gong Gong smiled and changed his outstretched hand into a fist.

“I will not let it go to three times.”

“I take that as a high evaluation of me.”

Paah!

This time, too, Moyong Gun moved first.

The first sword strike was not a casual one, but it was not with all his might either. Still, to react so easily?

‘He’s the real deal.’

Grand Master Gong Gong’s martial arts were the real deal.

Moyong Gun’s sword, scattering blue light, was swung towards Grand Master Gong Gong’s chest with the merciless destructive power of the Unfeeling Heavenly Thunder Style.

In an instant, Grand Master Gong Gong’s eyes turned golden.

Kwaang!

It was a head-on confrontation with no room to dodge.

He had put the power of lightning into a sharp point like an awl, and he had deflected that sword strike with a single punch.

Moyong Gun, who had been pushed back three steps, and Grand Master Gong Gong, had also retreated three steps. Since Moyong Gun had rushed in first, it was clearly Moyong Gun’s loss.

But Moyong Gun could smile.

‘With this level of martial arts…’

No, it was precisely because of this level of martial arts.

‘I can let go of my lingering attachments.’

Pa-ba-ba-bak!

Moyong Gun, who had advanced by quickly striking left and right immediately after retreating, instantly took Grand Master Gong Gong’s left side.

Grand Master Gong Gong’s eyes flashed once more.

‘Fast.’

It was a movement that resembled lightning. Lightning never strikes in a straight line, and Moyong Gun’s footwork was comparable to the best footwork of Shaolin.

Chwa-reureureuk!

With a chilling sound, blue sword light spread like a spider web, pressing down on Grand Master Gong Gong.

Wherever that sword light touched would surely be cut and burst. It was not just a simple cut, but a high-level martial principle that could burst the wound area and cause internal injuries through the penetration of true energy.

Grand Master Gong Gong’s hands turned light blue. It was a different color from Moyong Gun’s blue sword light, a color that felt comfortable yet unyielding.

Kwarleureung!

It was a terrifying pressure.

Using the Unfeeling Heavenly Thunder Style, the Sword Thunder Net, for attack rather than defense was something he himself thought was ingenious.

However, the Guanyin Azure Steel Hand [a Shaolin technique], which overwhelmed that creative sword strike with force, was indeed a terrifying martial art worthy of being named among the Seventy-Two Supreme Arts.

‘Amazing.’

Even as he staggered back, Moyong Gun’s spirit did not die.

‘No one has ever faced the power of the Thunderclap Technique head-on and suppressed it.’

Jjeo-jeo-jeo-jeo-jeong!

The sword winds of the twelve swords he unleashed while retreating aimed at Grand Master Gong Gong’s vital points.

It was a sword wind unleashed off-beat, making it even harder to avoid.

But.

Ti-ri-ri-ri-ring!

All twelve powerful sword winds were deflected.

It was as if Grand Master Gong Gong’s hands had increased in number to match the number of sword winds. Like the arms of Guanyin [a Buddhist deity] in a painting, Grand Master Gong Gong’s arms seemed to have actually multiplied.

‘Thousand-Hand Guanyin!!’

Thousand-Hand Guanyin Palm. This was also one of the Seventy-Two Supreme Arts.

The Shaolin Seventy-Two Supreme Arts were divine skills that were enough to be called a supreme master even if one mastered only one to the extreme. Yet, in this short moment, Grand Master Gong Gong had already shown three supreme arts.

It was not just the use of high-level martial arts that was impressive. It was the fact that he used each of those difficult martial arts as naturally as breathing, as if he had possessed them since birth.

His spirit, energy, and mind were one, and he had embodied all the martial arts he had learned and cultivated.

He was not someone to question about practical experience. It was the moment when the true nature of the completed martial arts, the leader of the Shaolin, was revealed.

‘Still.’

Kwaang!

Moyong Gun, who had kicked the ground hard, swung his treasured sword greatly with both hands.

‘Still, I will win!’

Flash!

Towards the descending sword, Grand Master Gong Gong’s fist flowed in.

A fist that was so soft that it seemed to contain no power at all.

Kwang!

With an explosion, Moyong Gun’s body flew away.

“…….”

Grand Master Gong Gong, who was watching Moyong Gun land with a serious expression, suddenly looked at his own fist.

His fist had a deep cut. Even though it was a cut, the wound was blackened. The lightning had burned the flesh.