Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 849

“Do you see it?”

Namgoong Pyo’s voice carried a subtle note of defeat.

“That is the martial art of Yeon Ho-Jeong, the one they call the Overlord of this era.”

“……”

Namgoong Hyeon’s face contorted in a grimace.

Even when they were junior disciples, he had disliked Yeon Ho-Jeong. Their relationship was destined for conflict from the very beginning.

Not only was Yeon Ho-Jeong entangled with the woman he admired, but he also displayed a growth rate that surpassed even his genius brother. He hated to admit it, but he couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy.

And now, look at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“While you were in seclusion, the world changed. I, too, felt a great unease witnessing this transformation. But…”

“……”

“No one has surprised me as much as that monster, who became the youngest to be named a Saint of the Heavens.”

Namgoong Hyeon gritted his teeth, his eyes bloodshot.

He had thought he wouldn’t be like this. It was a vague notion, but he was confident that even if he met Jeagal Ayeon again, he wouldn’t be as shaken as before.

However, Yeon Ho-Jeong was different. That damned bastard who had given him his first taste of defeat was not only out of reach but had soared into the sky, looking down upon the world.

“As long as he exists, the next generation of the martial world will belong to the Yeon family.”

“……We can’t let that happen.”

“Yes, we can’t. But… who will face that monster?”

Namgoong Hyeon bit his lip.

Blood trickled from the wound.

Namgoong Pyo sighed.

“Why did the heavens send such an absurd monster into the world?”

As much as the Namgoong brothers were surprised, and even more despairing, was their father, Namgoong In.

‘This can’t be happening.’

Namgoong In’s face was pale.

‘Could it be that Father is conserving his strength?’

He wanted to believe that. But no matter how he looked, it didn’t seem so.

Immediately after gauging each other’s skills with basic weapon techniques, his father had immediately drawn upon the Azure Sky Grand Divine Art. [A powerful martial art technique]

And it wasn’t a moderate opening, but a full commitment. Although he couldn’t fathom the depth of his father’s power due to his own level of attainment, the serious expression he occasionally showed revealed his father’s true feelings.

‘This can’t be. This can’t be happening.’

When he first heard that Yeon Ho-Jeong had reached the Supreme Extremity, he naturally didn’t believe it. [The highest level of martial arts mastery]

However, after several incidents, it was confirmed that he had indeed reached the Supreme Extremity. At that time, Namgoong In felt a deep sense of defeat, not towards Yeon Ho-Jeong, but towards Yeon Wi. [Yeon Ho-Jeong’s father]

Even more shocking was that Yeon Ho-Jeong had killed a Vice-King and become one of the new Four Kings. [A title given to the most powerful martial artists]

That, that alone, he couldn’t believe. No, he didn’t want to believe it. If there was a god in this world, that shouldn’t have happened.

But sadly, that too was proven to be true.

The martial art of Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was fighting a close match with his father, one of the Three Supremes and the undisputed best swordsman in the world, was so rough and profound that it was unbelievable even when seen directly.

The countless people watching the duel were as shocked as the Namgoong family, father and sons.

Some were amazed while being shocked, others were frustrated while being shocked. Some were simply astonished, while others were busy delving into the enlightenment of the two.

Thus, in the vast training ground stained with the gazes of countless people.

The battle of the two monsters was reaching its climax.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Boom!

The two were finally unleashing everything they had, engaging in a full-fledged duel.

Namgoong Seung’s Azure Sky Boundless Sword Technique was heavy and dignified. The sword technique itself was fundamentally like that.

However, the Azure Sky Boundless Sword Technique, which had melted all the techniques and enlightenment that a sword could show, contained the strong sword and the soft sword, the fast sword and the slow sword, the heavy sword and the light sword, the illusionary sword and the unchanging sword.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was no different.

Mixing the White Tiger for offense, the Black Tortoise for defense, the Vermilion Bird for instant kills, and the Azure Dragon for evasion and counterattacks, he was implementing martial arts suitable for each moment, making him worthy of being called the reincarnation of the God of War.

As the peerless swordsman and the unparalleled warrior clashed, their movements gradually became more dynamic, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

Flash!

Namgoong Seung, who had approached unpredictably by mixing the Sky Wind Step and the Sky Thunder Step, unleashed the Seven Heavens Feast Sword of the Azure Sky Boundless. [A powerful sword technique]

Seven massive swords danced, emitting dozens of sword energies. The spectacle of sword energy covering the sky was filled with breathtaking beauty.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s hands gripped the Mad Dragon Axe. [A heavy, powerful axe]

Whoooosh!

The heavy weapon, weighing over eighty pounds, rotated at high speed, absorbing the barrage of sword energies falling like lightning.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s true energy, filled with a green-blue aura that was clearly distinct from Namgoong Seung’s flawless sky-blue true energy. The Dragon Army Three Forms, based on the Azure Dragon energy, had manifested. [A martial art technique based on the power of the Azure Dragon]

‘Again!’

It was the same technique that had nullified the power of the Five Dragons Ascending Pass. [A specific move within the Boundless Heavenly Sky Sword Technique]

Tension settled on Namgoong Seung’s face.

As if there was no need to evade, Yeon Ho-Jeong, having collected all the sword energies of the Seven Heavens Feast Sword, became an Azure Dragon and charged at Namgoong Seung.

His advancing steps were the Azure Dragon Cloud Treading Step, and the axe he swung, imbued with the power of the Seven Heavens Feast Sword, contained the final move of the Dragon Army Three Forms, the Dragon King’s Heavenly Roar’s explosive power. [A powerful movement]

‘I will not back down.’

Namgoong Seung’s sword moved subtly, blocking the axe blade of the Mad Dragon Axe.

Clang!

The loudest explosion of the fight so far reverberated.

The Dragon King’s Heavenly Roar was an invincible counterattack technique that used the extreme Four Ounces Deflects a Thousand Pounds, taking both one’s own power and the enemy’s power to unleash. [A martial arts principle]

Surprisingly, Namgoong Seung extinguished that immense power with a lightning-like sword strike. The sword, imbued with blue lightning, and the sword force that momentarily created a pressure that suppressed the surroundings, was not the Azure Sky Boundless Sword.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Due to the merciless rebound, Yeon Ho-Jeong was pushed back about twenty steps.

He tried to rush forward with the White Tiger Overlord Step, ignoring the pressure, but the shockwave transmitted through the hand gripping the Mad Dragon Axe was beyond imagination. If it weren’t for the power of the Azure Dragon Cloud Treading Step and the Immovable Strange Pillar, one of his limbs would have been broken. [A defensive stance]

Sizzle!

In front of Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was emitting white smoke.

Namgoong Seung, who had landed on the ground, no longer showed any sky-blue true energy.

‘This is…’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

‘The Azure Sky Grand Divine Art wasn’t the end.’

He had heard of it.

The Azure Sky Boundless Sword and the Azure Sky Grand Divine Art were undoubtedly the supreme martial arts of the world. However, the enlightenment of the best swordsman in the world was so profound that he had reorganized the family’s martial arts and created another sword path that had reached its limit.

“Impressive.”

His appearance had become even more rugged.

The fluttering hair and damaged clothes did not suit Namgoong Seung at all.

However, the smile that was cast on his cold and sharp face was full of sincere admiration and joy.

“You are truly seasoned in battle. It’s not just a matter of exchanging weapons, but your ability to deceive your opponent or create openings using your energy is also outstanding.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“But why is it? It’s definitely a great talent, but it feels more like an art based on experience rather than talent.”

For a moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong flinched.

Namgoong Seung’s smile deepened.

“Whatever it is, I have no doubt that you will be the master of the next generation of the martial world. I thought it would be enjoyable, but I didn’t expect it to be this exciting.”

Crack!

The pebbles around the ground where Namgoong Seung stood began to break one by one.

An ominous energy. A formless energy, much heavier than the Azure Sky Grand Divine Art, was flowing out in strands.

“There is no master in the martial world.”

“Think as you please. I, too, will no longer care about the gazes of others.”

He hadn’t cared about the gazes of others until now.

However, Yeon Ho-Jeong could accurately understand the meaning of Namgoong Seung’s words.

‘Is he bringing it out?’

The family’s true secret technique.

He was determined to bring out the invincible sword technique that would elevate the Namgoong family’s reputation by two more levels in front of the world.

If one didn’t know the formulas or the true energy circulation, one could not obtain the true essence of the martial art. Therefore, the higher the level of the martial art, the simpler the movements became, and the circulation of the energy became unimaginably delicate.

It was something that could not be stolen or taken just by watching. Nevertheless, it was bound to be burdensome to bring out a secret technique in front of so many people.

Namgoong Seung had decided to forget that burden.

“Do you have a martial art beyond that?”

“I have other martial arts… but I don’t have a martial art beyond that.”

Not yet.

At that moment, a piece of supreme enlightenment, tinged with gold, flashed through Yeon Ho-Jeong’s mind.

Namgoong Seung’s eyes deepened.

“What a pity.”

He took a step forward.

Rumble!

He had only lightly stepped on the shattered training ground floor, but the surroundings vibrated as if an earthquake had occurred.

Whoooosh!

The aura of the Four Symbols rose from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body. He had pulled out all of his Four Divine Energies. [The power of the four mythical creatures: Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise]

“Then.”

Namgoong Seung’s lips curled up.

“I will show you my enlightenment.”

It was then.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

The Coiling Dragon Chain, released from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body, flew like an arrow towards Namgoong Seung. [A chain weapon]

It was the Coiling Dragon Chain that he had never wielded before. Even Namgoong Seung, the best in the world, could not have imagined that he would shoot out the iron chain he wore on his body like this.

‘He’s an amazing fellow.’

In that moment when he was making subtle adjustments to his breathing to unleash his sword.

He attacks, taking advantage of a gap that even he himself had not anticipated. He was preventing the martial art from being implemented at all.

‘I will not waver.’

The sword heart is the heart of no heart. [A state of mind in swordsmanship]

Namgoong Seung stretched out his left hand.

Thwack! Thud!

Blood splattered from the arm bound by the Coiling Dragon Chain. He had not completely dissipated the explosive power wrapped around the Coiling Dragon Chain.

However, the energy to unleash a martial art had already gathered more than eighty percent in Namgoong Seung’s sword.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

Whoosh! Bang!

He pulled the Coiling Dragon Chain, disrupting Namgoong Seung’s posture, and simultaneously shot out a blazing gust of wind that was incredibly fast. It was the Crimson Lotus Flash of the Crimson Flame Six Kill Technique. [A powerful martial art technique]

Thud!

It doesn’t penetrate.

An invisible barrier surrounded Namgoong Seung’s entire body as he flew along the Coiling Dragon Chain.

It was a sword technique and a divine art. Separate, yet one. With this level of power, he could neither interfere with Namgoong Seung’s martial art nor collide and deflect it.

‘Damn it!’

A martial art that he knew but couldn’t stop. Since his battle with the Demonic Cult Leader, he had never seen such a reckless martial art.

Whoosh!

The Coiling Dragon Chain became taut.

Namgoong Seung’s sword, pointing towards the sky, slowly and heavily began to descend.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

The entire training ground floor began to crack.

Even before the sword was fully swung, he felt a pressure that made it hard to breathe. The air was stinging like a sword blade, and his body felt like it was shrinking.

‘Upper Dantian!’ [An energy center in the body]

The absolute martial art of the Sword Emperor, with the power of the Upper Dantian added.

Namgoong In muttered in a trembling voice.

“It’s the Emperor’s Sword Form.”

Flash!

The slow sword speed suddenly accelerated, and an immense force pressed down on Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Right then.

‘I won’t just take it.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong, having imbued the weightless power of fire to its limit, unleashed a strike faster than a sword.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Hwaaa!

The crimson Mad Dragon Axe, which had broken through the pressure, was gradually turning into a pure white flame. The heat was so intense that the martial artists standing beyond the training ground were startled and moved back.

Shock spread across Namgoong Seung’s face.

Blood flowed from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s nose and mouth. A pure white flame created a whirlwind around the two, creating a hellish scene.

Since returning to this body and mastering the Four Divine Arts, it was the first time he had unleashed the final move and the worst martial art of the Crimson Flame Six Kill Technique. [A powerful martial art technique]

‘Scorching Heat!!’

The axe blade imbued with the power of Scorching Heat and the sword blade imbued with the pressure of the Emperor’s Sword Form collided head-on.

Rumble!!

The training ground crumbled into dust.

The faces of those who witnessed the battle of the monsters, surrounded by a storm of light, turned pale.