Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 885

Uwaaaaaah! A thunderous roar erupted. The fierce battle between the Overlord and the Sword Saint, the best of the new generation and the strongest of the established masters, was enough to send shivers down everyone’s spines. It wasn’t just the ordinary warriors of the Alliance. Rather, the higher their level of martial arts, the more they were mesmerized by the clash of the two supreme masters. Amidst the deafening cheers, Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke. ‘It is my defeat.’ ‘No, it is my defeat.’ ‘I no longer have the strength to attack you, Senior.’ They had each shown all the means they could. What remained was who could endure to the end, who had inflicted more damage on the other. In that aspect, Yeon Ho-Jeong was a step behind. Gaining enlightenment of the Yellow Dragon [a concept of inner energy cultivation] did not inherently increase his internal energy. To interpret it, it was likely due to Yeon Ho-Jeong’s clumsiness in using martial arts without experience in extremely detailed control of his true energy, which forced him to endure more internal energy consumption than usual. Jongli Baek shook his head. ‘I didn’t say it was my defeat just because you received all of my martial arts.’ ‘What do you mean?’ ‘In the fight with me, you refined what you originally had and took a step forward.’ Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sparkled. ‘Did you see it?’ ‘How could I not? I was the one who faced you directly.’ ‘…I see.’ ‘Before you merged your enlightenment, it was clearly my advantage. However, considering after you merged your enlightenment, the difference between your skill and mine is close to nothing.’ It was a draw. Yeon Ho-Jeong had achieved a draw with the Sword Saint, one of the Three Saints of the Heavens [legendary figures of immense power]. In fact, if he were to further refine the Yellow Dragon Energy and fully master the enlightenment gained from this fight, he would be able to display much more delicate and powerful martial arts than now. Considering that, it would be truly difficult to gauge who was superior between him and the Three Saints. Of course, a match is unpredictable until it happens, but to be at a level where one could have a life-or-death duel with a Saint before the age of thirty was truly unprecedented. ‘Besides, you took my sword. Well, I gave it to my disciple, so it’s not my sword anymore.’ Jongli Baek looked down at his hand. ‘I was confident that even if I fought Ilshin or Yiseon, they wouldn’t be able to take the sword from my hand. Yet, you severed my sword control technique and changed the owner of the sword.’ ‘…’ ‘In my life, that is the first time I’ve had such an enlightenment. This is clearly my defeat.’ The meaning of defeat would vary depending on which side one focused on. However, in the life of the Sword Saint Jongli Baek, he had lost matches before, but he had never had his sword taken. This was a humiliation beyond defeat. Moreover, the opponent was a new generation master who had not even reached the age of thirty. It was a humiliation, but as a martial artist who had witnessed another enlightenment, it was not an unpleasant defeat. He had lost, but the opponent had reminded him that this world still held countless enlightenments, making it worth living. ‘If you say so.’ Whoosh. The Great Evil Sword, floating gently, flew towards Jongli Baek. As Jongli Baek grasped the hilt, Yeon Ho-Jeong made a fist salute. ‘I will accept it as a proud victory.’ Jongli Baek, holding the sword in reverse, returned the fist salute. ‘It was a great lesson. If there is a chance in the future, let’s fight again.’ ‘It would be an honor.’ As the two masters exchanged courtesies, the cheers that erupted doubled in volume. At that moment, Great Master Gong Gong flew down to the center of the arena. Even as he descended rapidly, his movements were very relaxed. As if he were someone who was born to fly, Great Master Gong Gong landed on the ground with stability. His mastery of movement techniques was truly beyond the heavens. It was the Soaring Sky Stairway of Shaolin [a legendary martial arts technique]. Great Master Gong Gong bowed his head in a half-salute. ‘As the Alliance Leader, I would like to express my gratitude to the two of you for heating up the atmosphere of the Alliance on the day of my inauguration.’ The cheers, which seemed like they could not get any louder, grew even more intense. The arena was destroyed, but there were three masters of the Heavens, revered as legends of the martial world, in that place. Where else in the world could one see such a sight? Names that were passed down as legends, like immortals above the clouds, had finally descended to earth, and the warriors of the Alliance now realized that they were living in the same world as them. ‘There will be a small banquet in the evening. I hope the Sword Saint will also attend…’ ‘I am not a senior.’ ‘…?’ Jongli Baek casually slung the Great Evil Sword over his shoulder. ‘It was a satisfying festival. It was beyond my expectations. Therefore, I will also accept your proposal.’ Great Master Gong Gong’s eyes wavered. ‘Does that mean?’ ‘From now on, I, Jongli Baek, am the Martial Advisor of the White Path Martial Alliance.’ The cheers were so loud that only a very few people heard Jongli Baek’s words. Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and looked at Great Master Gong Gong. ‘Congratulations, Great Master.’ ‘It’s not something you should be congratulating me on, is it? We should be happy together.’ Wasn’t it that they were on the same side, moving forward together as allies? Yeon Ho-Jeong laughed heartily. ‘Yes, you are right, Great Master.’ Even Great Master Gong Gong, who was always calm, finally burst into laughter. Jongli Baek’s decision was a surprise and a joy for him as well. The fact that one of the Three Saints of the Heavens would join as a Martial Advisor at the same time as the first Alliance Leader was selected would greatly enhance the reputation of the Martial Alliance and the status of the Alliance Leader. He was not happy because the reputation was rising, but because the worries were disappearing and the forces to face the enemy were gathering. Therefore, Great Master Gong Gong’s laughter was filled with selfless purity. Just as the cheers that filled the surroundings were dying down. ‘Vice Alliance Leader, please return to your residence.’ Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Great Master Gong Gong. A strange look appeared on Great Master Gong Gong’s face. ‘If my eyes are not mistaken, it seems you have something to study on your own.’ There was a reason why he did not specifically mention Yeon Ho-Jeong in the invitation to the evening banquet. Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed his head. ‘Then, I will excuse myself without shame.’ ‘Anytime.’ As Yeon Ho-Jeong came down from the arena, his group welcomed him. ‘Are you okay?’ At Muk Bi’s question, Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head. ‘I’m not okay at all. It stings so much, I’m dying.’ Although he said that, the surging Yellow Dragon Energy was already sealing his wounds. Even if he couldn’t replenish the blood he had spilled, it was possible to quickly restore his body to its original state. Rather, the Yellow Dragon, which was concentrated into one energy, was restoring Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body faster than the Four Divine Beasts [mythical creatures associated with elemental powers]. ‘This is… you’ve really become a monster.’ Tang Gwan, with his arms crossed, had a look of being fed up on his face. He too had been greatly stimulated recently by watching his father’s martial arts. But even that seemed to be only a tenth of his true power. The power of the Saints of the Heavens, when they fought seriously, was no different from a natural disaster. Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled bitterly. ‘I’m still far from it.’ ‘With that one sentence, you’re insulting everyone here.’ ‘My problems are just my problems.’ Tang Gwan snorted. Yet, the surprise on his face did not disappear. He had known that Yeon Ho-Jeong was stronger than him, but he had never seen the true nature of that power. Only today did he realize how terrifyingly high Yeon Ho-Jeong had risen. His fighting spirit was ignited. He was far from his father, but not from the Yeon family. Although their first meeting was the worst, there was no one as close to them in the martial world as they were now. His junior, who was like a son to him, had shown such a splendid performance, so he was jealous and greedy. ‘Then, I’ll go first…’ It was then. From afar, Mak Won approached. He had been out of sight for a while, and it seemed he had gone somewhere. ‘Hey, little brother.’ ‘Brother.’ ‘I saw the match. It made my blood boil.’ ‘It’s nothing. I’m still far from it.’ ‘It seems so.’ Mak Won chuckled and pointed somewhere with his thumb. ‘There was the Azure Dragon Axe in the Eight Star Pavilion. I’m bringing it back. I left it behind there.’ ‘…?!’ ‘Your body is quite a mess, but it should be enough to hold and swing, right?’ Everyone was surprised. They thought that Mak Won, feeling competitive, was going to have another match. Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled. ‘Did you read it?’ ‘Don’t overdo it. The new divine art may be an unparalleled martial art, but the body that holds it is still human.’ ‘Yes, I understand.’ Muk Bi asked. ‘Are you going to fight again?’ ‘I have to. With myself.’ ‘Huh?’ Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes lit up. ‘I have to move right now. Otherwise, I’ll forget it.’ He hurried out. As Mak Won had said, outside the waiting room, the black Azure Dragon Axe and the Black and White Twin Dragon Axes were neatly placed. Yeon Ho-Jeong, with the Twin Dragon Axes on his waist and the Azure Dragon Axe on his shoulder, rushed out. ‘…’ Everyone looked at the waiting room door with bewildered eyes. Jin Yang asked Mak Won. ‘What…?’ ‘The martial arts of the little brother who gained new enlightenment are still rough. He created three martial arts of fist, palm, and step with amazing insight, but it can’t be helped that he lacks finesse.’ The group was shocked. Yeon Ho-Jeong had fought against the Sword Saint Jongli Baek without being pushed back even an inch. Yet, his martial arts were still lacking in finesse. It was unbelievable. ‘Well, it’ll be fine once he gets used to it, but the problem is weapon techniques. He’s skilled in all kinds of martial arts, but if you were to say what Ho-Jeong’s main martial art is, it would be axe techniques.’ Mak Won’s eyes deepened. ‘Senior Jongli’s sword technique has similarities to axe techniques. Having experienced it firsthand, Ho-Jeong has finally gained the first step to creating a new axe technique.’ One fight was not the end. The martial path was a journey of swimming in an endless sea. He, who had fought against a storm-like opponent, was now trying to gain another power so that he could create a tidal wave himself. ‘I can’t beat him. He says martial arts are just a means, but there’s no one as enthusiastic about martial arts as that guy.’ * * * Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had come to an empty space alone, felt his vision go dark for a moment. His head was spinning. He had lost too much blood. Whoooosh. The Yellow Dragon Energy, which had been poured out to the bottom, surged up and cleared Yeon Ho-Jeong’s mind. Yeon Ho-Jeong took a deep breath. ‘I won’t be able to last long. I’ll at least lay the foundation within that time.’ Whoosh! He took a powerful step and swung the Azure Dragon Axe. Whoooosh! A heavy axe that cut through the air. A super-heavy weapon that was more difficult to handle than a glaive made a crisp movement. ‘Like the old master who bet everything on one sword strike, my martial arts must be like that too.’ It didn’t need to be complicated. It shouldn’t be complicated. Simple but certain, without needing to be fast. So that a single swing could destroy everything. The face of Yeon Ho-Jeong, swinging the Azure Dragon Axe, was already filled with joy. He had forgotten the hardship in the joy of creating a new martial art. And. Swoosh. Yeon Wi, who had arrived at one side of the empty space, could see his son swinging the axe with great enthusiasm. Like a seeker who had bet everything for the sake of martial arts, yet like a genius who enjoyed the difficult process itself. Flash! Flash! The huge axe, gleaming in the sunlight, seemed to be very happy, just like its owner’s heart. Yeon Wi’s eyes wavered. ‘But the first goal has only been accomplished. Father must move towards higher places next year and the year after. Because human life does not end just because one goal has been achieved.’ What was left for a father who had sent his children away from his arms? What was the joy that parents who had lived by watching their children found after sending their children away? What have I dedicated my life to? ‘The sword…’ Yeon Wi closed his eyes. Flash! A streak of light that pushed back the sky soared from Yeon Wi’s body. Chiiiiiiiiik!! A large amount of true energy was emitted from his entire body. Hundreds, thousands of swords instantly became four or five times larger and clearer, and began to cheer in unison. The Judge’s Sword was rising into the sky.