Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 857

“……!”

Cheon Hyo-rak’s face was filled with astonishment.

“What is this energy?”

Hwa-hyang was equally surprised. Her face was completely frozen, and her feet were already moving towards the door.

“Hyang-ah.”

“…….”

“Hwa-hyang!”

Startled, Hwa-hyang turned to look at Cheon Hyo-rak.

“M-Master?”

“Don’t go out.”

“But……!”

“Whatever is happening, we came here as honored guests. We must not act rashly.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright.”

Cheon Hyo-rak understood Hwa-hyang’s impulse to open the door and go outside.

‘Even I almost lost my senses.’

The tips of his fingers trembled.

‘Just what is the source of this energy?!’

It was an energy that was hard to define. It was as if a pleasant, golden wind was sweeping through his entire body.

A wind that offered no resistance, a surprisingly gentle yet strong-willed wind.

And the strange power carried by that wind was so great that it could shake even the minds of perfectly sane people.

‘Such a strong will… Most martial artists probably didn’t even feel it.’

Only those who had broken through the wall of the Martial Ancestor and awakened their upper dantian [the energy center located in the forehead, associated with spiritual power], or those who were born with a naturally developed upper dantian, would be able to feel the true nature of the power mixed in this wind.

“Someone… a tremendous master seems to have arrived.”

Hwa-hyang’s voice was still trembling as she spoke haltingly.

“Yes, it seems so.”

Cheon Hyo-rak’s eyes deepened.

“With this level of martial arts… it’s far beyond even my eldest brother.”

He didn’t know if it reached the level of their master. He had never seen his master’s true power in the first place. His master’s level was so profound that he couldn’t even guess where the limit was.

However, one thing was certain.

“I don’t know about the Sword Saint, but it’s definitely stronger than Yeon Ho-jeong, the Vice Leader.”

“……!”

“It seems a master from the Sacred Heaven has arrived. But this aura, it’s hard to guess who it is.”

It was an incredible feat to emit such a subtle yet intense will mixed with qi [life force or energy]. Usually, when a master’s heart is stirred, their qi, united with their will, reacts and emits such a qi wave.

‘However, the scent of this wind is…’

It wasn’t the qi wave of someone who was surprised or greatly moved.

The depth of the qi was terrifying, but the atmosphere was very comfortable. Yet, it was a familiar and majestic energy that made one want to meet them at least once.

“I don’t know who it is, but…”

Cheon Hyo-rak sighed.

“The greatest martial alliance in the world… seeing such tremendous masters gathering one after another, it seems the reputation of representing the Central Plains is not in vain.”

* * *

A commotion had broken out, but those who had identified the source of the strange energy returned to their residences. They were deeply surprised and impressed.

Of course, there were those who wanted to meet Yeon Ho-jeong, but Mak Won stopped them.

“When someone who has reached the pinnacle of martial arts gains such great enlightenment, they need more time than anyone else to organize it. It doesn’t seem like the right time to disturb him now, so let’s go back. If we’re not careful, it could even lead to regression.”

Enlightenment that has not been fully integrated can be harmful to a master of the pinnacle. Because power that transcends human limits invades even the upper dantian, if it is not perfectly internalized, the new qi becomes unstable, and the memory of the existing enlightenment can fade.

Fortunately, the Sword Saint, Namgoong Seung, was there with him. At least he was not someone who would harm Yeon Ho-jeong, so they could return with peace of mind.

*Gurgle.*

The sound of birds was beautiful.

Seeing Yeon Ho-jeong emerge from the private room, Namgoong Seung’s eyes widened.

‘He’s changed.’

The qi had changed.

The traces of the four energies, each with their distinct characteristics, had vanished without a trace. If even the Sword Saint’s sharp senses couldn’t detect them, it was safe to say they had truly disappeared.

And what filled the space where the qi of contemplation had been was….

‘I don’t know.’

The moment a single enlightenment exploded, the entire private room was bathed in golden light.

Namgoong Seung had never experienced such a majestic and comfortable energy before. It was clearly powerful enough to inspire awe, but strangely, it didn’t make people feel intimidated or tense.

It was an energy that was reminiscent of a familiar yet stern father.

At the same time, it was similar to a benevolent mother who would give anything.

‘One thing is certain.’

Yeon Ho-jeong had become stronger.

That terrifying enlightenment had not diminished his martial power but had increased it.

And by a large margin.

Namgoong Seung said in a calm voice.

“Congratulations on your great achievement.”

Yeon Ho-jeong bowed his head.

“It is thanks to you, Senior. I have received a great favor.”

Namgoong Seung’s expression became strange.

The way Yeon Ho-jeong bowed and spoke was quite different from when they had tea together.

Of course, Yeon Ho-jeong had been honest then as well. But if he thought about whether that was his true self, it didn’t seem quite right.

‘It’s like he’s wearing the right clothes.’

He had become calmer and more solid.

It was as if he was naturally showing that this was his true self.

Namgoong Seung asked.

“Shouldn’t you reflect on your enlightenment?”

“I should. However, a day should be enough.”

“I don’t know what enlightenment you’ve gained, but it seems you’ve acquired a very gentle and comfortable martial principle.”

“That is not the case.”

“Hmm?”

“My martial arts from before and my martial arts now are the same. It’s just a matter of whether I’ve reached the source or not.”

“I see.”

“It’s an enlightenment, but it’s not something new. It’s just become deeper.”

Namgoong Seung smiled.

“How was it? That source.”

Yeon Ho-jeong looked up at the sky.

The blue sky and the scattering clouds were clearly visible.

“I didn’t know it was so warm.”

*Thump.*

His heart beat strongly.

In the place where the Radiant Divine Elixir had been, a dragon with a huge golden body was coiled up with its eyes closed.

The Radiant Divine Elixir and the Four Divine Energies had all disappeared. But it wasn’t that those energies had completely vanished.

They had become one. So they disappeared, but at the same time, they were eternal.

Yeon Ho-jeong placed his hand on his chest.

The huge being that had been coiled up with its eyes closed slightly opened its eyes.

*Thump!*

It was strange.

Like the Four Divine Energies, this golden divine beast seemed to be parasitizing his body. It was an energy with spirituality.

However, unlike the Four Divine Energies, it had a much more concrete and clear will. It was as if a real spirit was inside his body, and the gaze of the world’s greatest divine beast looking at him was as benevolent and strict as that of a god.

Yeon Ho-jeong released his thoughts as he took his hand off his chest. Then, the divine beast closed its eyes again.

‘Finally.’

His heart beat again.

It wasn’t because of the divine beast. The fact that he had finally reached this level, the fact that he had obtained this martial art, gave him tremendous pride and pleasure.

‘The Yellow Dragon Divine King Art.’

The ultimate of the Four Divine Martial Arts.

According to his master, those who awakened the Yellow Dragon could aspire to be the greatest in the world, surpassing even the ancients.

Now, Yeon Ho-jeong realized the truth of those words. At the same time, he could clearly recognize the difference between himself and his master.

‘My master and I are different.’

Before awakening the Yellow Dragon, his master had already obtained all the enlightenment that could be gained in the realm of martial arts.

Such a person awakened the Yellow Dragon and, through constant training, gained even deeper and higher enlightenment. In other words, even before awakening the Yellow Dragon, his master was already a powerful figure who could be considered the best of all time.

He was different.

During his time as the Dark Emperor, he had obtained martial power that placed him among the top three in the world, even without awakening the Yellow Dragon. It was a martial art that was thoroughly focused on combat, so he didn’t obsess over unnecessary enlightenment.

‘That’s why I couldn’t ascend. That’s why I couldn’t reach it.’

The Yellow Dragon is the source and enlightenment.

The martial arts of the Dark Emperor, which pursued stronger power, faster speed, and a tougher body, might have allowed him to experience an increase in combat ability, but it could not lead him to the Yellow Dragon.

There are many paths to becoming stronger. But the Yellow Dragon was not on those paths.

The current Yeon Ho-jeong was different.

He had learned the true qi that would support the Four Divine Martial Arts, and he had learned the fundamental mental cultivation method differently.

If he had mastered the Hongcheon Qi and completely melted down the enlightenment of the Dark Emperor, he would have been able to regain his past martial power within two or three years of re-cultivating his martial arts. Even if his body was not the same as before, the enlightenment engraved in his soul would not disappear.

In other words, the formation of the Yeon Family Divine Elixir, which led to the Radiant Divine Elixir, was a foundation built entirely with the goal of the Yellow Dragon.

Because it was such a mysterious energy, it supported the Four Divine Martial Arts well, but since the true goal of the elixir formation was the Yellow Dragon, it was inevitable that his martial power would grow slowly over the years.

Also, that was why he was able to reach the Yellow Dragon even with a level that was several steps below his past self.

However, if it hadn’t been for Namgoong Seung’s scolding, he might never have awakened the Yellow Dragon.

‘How strange.’

Yeon Ho-jeong took a deep breath.

‘It feels strange.’

He was thrilled and happy, but also strangely calm.

‘I thought I would be writhing in joy as if I had the world in my hands.’

That was not the case.

He was happy, but his heart was strangely at peace. Even though he knew almost nothing about the Yellow Dragon, he didn’t feel a strong desire to explore or any anticipation.

He just felt a peaceful feeling, like having a cup of tea while watching the rising sun in the east after waking up refreshed.

“If you’re not in such a sensitive state, it doesn’t seem necessary to lend you Namgoong’s private room.”

“Of course.”

“I found this place very comfortable. But it won’t be the most comfortable place for you.”

Namgoong Seung nodded.

“Go to a place where you can gather your enlightenment.”

“Yes.”

“And when you’ve gathered all your enlightenment, let’s have another fun match, old man.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“I hope my grown martial arts will be of great help to you, Senior.”

“There’s no need to feel burdened. Just fighting someone as skilled as you is enough for me. I’ve burned three-tenths of my lifelong competitive spirit, so I want to burn the remaining seven-tenths.”

“If you call, I will come to you with my axe at any time.”

“Thank you for just saying that.”

Namgoong Seung looked at Namgoong Pyo.

Namgoong Pyo was staring blankly at Yeon Ho-jeong. He was completely mesmerized by the golden energy that Yeon Ho-jeong had emitted.

Namgoong Seung sighed.

“If it’s not too much trouble for you, I’d like to ask you to look after my children later.”

He didn’t know exactly what he was asking for. But Yeon Ho-jeong seemed to understand Namgoong Seung’s frustrated heart.

“Since you have given me enlightenment by saying that the four seas are the same path, I cannot help but extend that grace to others.”

“I would be grateful if you thought so.”

“However, I do not have the ability to change their personalities or talents. Please keep that in mind.”

“If they can die by the sword of a master, that would also be a great blessing for a martial artist. Don’t worry.”

Yeon Ho-jeong bowed his head.

“I will see you again.”

“Come anytime. I think I’ll be busy for a while.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes widened slightly.

“How did you know?”

Namgoong Seung said in a cheerful voice.

“Because your eyes and spirit are directed towards the world rather than martial arts, I just threw out a word.”

“You are amazing.”

“I’ll be sharpening my sword until you return.”

“I won’t disappoint you.”

With those words, Yeon Ho-jeong left the Martial Arts Pavilion.

When he first entered the Martial Arts Pavilion, he had received the envious gazes of the Namgoong swordsmen.

But now, as he left the Martial Arts Pavilion.

The Namgoong swordsmen didn’t even notice Yeon Ho-jeong, who was suddenly opening the door and leaving.