Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 893

Clang.

The heavy, chilling sound made the old man open his eyes.

Even with his eyes open, most of what he saw was darkness. Against that darkness, his torn lower garment and rather gaunt knees were visible.

Creak!

The sound of the iron door opening was eerie enough to send shivers down his spine.

“…Master.”

The old man’s eyes clouded over.

He wanted to lift his head, but he was too weak to do so.

His long, disheveled hair appeared white even in the darkness, despite being dirty.

It was a ridiculous thing.

Just before achieving true defiance of heaven, he realized that true defiance was a place one should not reach, and he turned his eyes from the extreme of the demonic to the extreme of martial arts.

Even though he prioritized martial arts over the demonic, the demonic arts he had cultivated were undoubtedly unmatched in the world. Even as he approached eighty years of age, his hair had not turned white; rather, it had become more lustrous with each passing day.

But what was this current state?

His hair had turned white, and his limbs, once boasting perfectly compressed muscles, were now as thin as insect legs.

Looking at the skin covering his gaunt knees, his once taut face must also be covered in wrinkles.

He had thought he would only experience aging right before death, but it seemed such a day had come.

“Impressive.”

His hair, skin, muscles, and vision were not what they used to be, but his mind was still working coldly.

It was just that the speed of his thoughts was noticeably slower than before.

“Even with your demonic energy completely sealed, your majesty remains… Indeed, there was a reason why those audacious Jianghu [Martial World] fellows called you a Demonic Immortal and revered you.”

The old man opened his mouth.

“…Is that you?”

His voice was hoarse.

It was weak and dull. But even though everything else had aged, his voice still retained much of its former quality.

Even in this moment, the old man thought it was fortunate.

If, by any chance, someone were to come to save him, this voice alone would be enough to prove that he was the master of the Shinma Realm [Demonic Realm].

Of course, whether he could hold out until then was something only heaven knew.

“You are indeed different. How many days have you been surviving on just water?”

“…”

“Why don’t you eat? The cook made it with sincerity, thinking of your health.”

The old man gave a faint smile.

He was too weak to lift his head, but strangely, he had the strength to speak.

“I couldn’t eat because I was thinking of you.”

“They say a person’s true nature comes out in extreme situations, and I get to see this side of you, Master.”

“It looked fragrant and delicious. Truly appetizing.”

The old man’s eyes turned cold.

Though they were not fully open, and he could not see his opponent, his gaze had changed.

“But it was filled with disgusting poison, and it was clear that taking even one bite would harm my body.”

“…”

“The moment I first saw you, I changed the rules and laws of this realm. I don’t know if another talent like you will ever appear, but with such a great genius, it would be too complacent to hand over the position of leader to an inadequate son, wouldn’t it?”

“…”

“It was my mistake.”

“…”

“I didn’t know that your seemingly flawless exterior hid a rotten bag of poison. If I had known that, would I have taken you as a disciple, no matter how great your talent was?”

“But you did take me as a disciple.”

“That’s why I’m skipping meals to avoid making the same mistake twice.”

“…”

“What were you so eager to find out from me that you injected all sorts of drugs?”

“…”

“Well, I think I know.”

Slowly.

The old man lifted his head.

He had no strength, but the more he spoke, the more energized he felt. He was actually gaining strength.

That energy was drawn from his pity for his opponent, his self-loathing, and the overwhelming anger that surpassed all of it.

The old man finally saw the man.

He could not make out his face because of the backlight. He was in a state where everything except the minimum demonic energy for survival had been suppressed.

A man who was all black. But his eyes were clearly visible.

Eyes filled with red desire.

Strange demonic eyes that were as hard as steel, as heavy as a rock, and as fierce as fire.

“Were you so greedy for the Heaven-Breaking Art?”

“…”

“Why? Did the master of Gwanghyeol [Cult of Light and Blood] refuse to teach you a separate demonic art?”

The man’s eyes deepened.

His eyes, looking at his former master, were filled with a chilling coldness that contrasted with his intense desire.

“Although I joined hands with them, I was not greedy for Gwanghyeol’s martial arts. I was afraid of their power, and I wanted their power, but I did not want their demonic arts.”

“Why?”

“Because I know that the demonic art of the Shinma Realm’s leader, passed down through generations, is no less than the demonic art of the Gwanghyeol Cult leader.”

“…”

“The martial art of the realm’s leader, created by the founder of the Shinma Realm, is truly the best in the world. Although I am temporarily bowing my head to the Gwanghyeol Cult leader because my level is low, if I fully master Master’s martial arts and train diligently, would the Gwanghyeol Cult leader be a problem?”

“…That’s an interesting thing to say. So, you’re not actually in league with the Gwanghyeol Cult, but you wanted to use them to become the greatest demon in the world?”

“If I can get my hands on that Heaven-Breaking Art that Master is hiding, I can become the greatest demon in the world.”

“You were careless.”

“…?”

“Normally, I wouldn’t have been able to see through your lies. Did you become careless because you seized control of the Shinma Realm and brought me to this state?”

“…”

“Your dream is not to become the greatest demon in the world. No, you don’t have any dreams.”

“…”

“You’re just a pathetic fool who can’t distinguish between truth and misunderstanding, a small-minded person who can only be jealous. There’s no purpose to your actions.”

Even as he spoke, the old man blamed himself.

Careless? No.

This guy was always like that. It wasn’t that he saw through the guy’s lies now because he was careless.

It was just that he had trusted his first disciple too much.

He had been too busy with his training and had neglected him. He knew he was doing well, so he paid more attention to the other disciples.

In the end, he was the one who created this situation.

“That’s interesting.”

The man turned his body.

“It would be good for you to eat. But even if you don’t, death will come.”

“…”

“Of course, you won’t die easily. Even if you wanted to, the demonic energy sleeping in your body would never allow death.”

Creak.

The man, who had half-closed the door, looked back at the old man.

A sneer was on his curved eyes.

“When you lose your mind, I’ll be able to learn the incantation of the Heaven-Breaking Art.”

“…You bastard.”

“Well, I don’t have to wait until then. Actually, I only kept you alive for the sake of a slim chance. I know who Master passed the Heaven-Breaking Art to.”

At that moment, the old man’s eyes wavered.

The iron door slowly closed.

The man’s voice grew fainter.

“My people will bring the third one soon. They should have reached the Central Plains by now, so the day the third one comes is the day Master goes to the afterlife.”

Clang!

The door closed, and the latch was locked.

The old man, once again trapped in darkness, leaned his back against the wall.

“…Hyo-Rak.”

* * *

“There’s something you haven’t said yet.”

Everyone’s heads turned.

Unexpectedly, it was Okcheong who spoke those words.

Woo-oong.

A clear and mysterious energy emanated from Okcheong’s body.

Cheon Hyo-Rak and Hwa Hyang frowned involuntarily.

Although not as much as Gong Gong Daesa, Okcheong’s Taoist divine energy was also very uncomfortable for them. Moreover, Okcheong’s Hongwon Energy was a unique divine art created by the Sword Immortal Tak Mu-Ja, who had compiled the martial arts of the Wudang Sect [a famous Taoist sect].

“Okcheong?”

“I don’t know why.”

Okcheong’s face was full of confusion.

During the journey here, he had struggled to control his rampaging Hongwon Energy.

The reason was clear. The high-level demonic energy flowing from Cheon Hyo-Rak and Hwa Hyang kept stimulating his Hongwon Energy.

It was also an opportunity. The two people’s demonic energy constantly stimulated and suppressed Okcheong’s true energy, and in the process of overcoming it, Okcheong was able to control his Hongwon Energy much more precisely.

A realization of the mind that could only be obtained in a pure energy fight, not in a unit-level battle where slaughter was frequent.

Moreover, the density of his Hongwon Energy had also increased in response to the demonic energy, so this journey had raised Okcheong’s level just by moving.

“I don’t know why, but it seems that Cheon Gongja [Young Master Cheon] is hiding something more.”

“…?!”

“And I have a feeling, no, a sense that I must know it.”

Cheon Hyo-Rak’s eyes deepened.

He looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was giving a faint smile.

‘I wondered why he brought such an awkward warrior.’

There was a reason.

Whether it was the Taoist’s good intuition or the power of his Taoist divine art, it seemed that this person could grasp the hidden secrets or purposes just by reading their voices, eyes, and energy.

‘But is that possible?’

Even that Gong Gong Daesa could not completely read his thoughts.

In other words, this was a special ability of that Taoist named Okcheong.

Cheon Hyo-Rak opened his mouth.

“I…”

“That’s enough.”

It was Yeon Ho-Jeong who cut him off.

“If there is something you must say, then say it. But there must be a reason why you are hesitating.”

“…!”

“Just tell me before we leave Seonseo. There is still plenty of time, and we have a long way to go. Do you understand?”

“…Thank you for your consideration.”

“As you know, there are quite a few gaps in your words. It’s not that you lied, but I can guess that you intentionally omitted some important facts that you should have told us.”

Even before Okcheong’s sensing ability, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s quick wit had already seen through Cheon Hyo-Rak.

“It doesn’t matter if I hear it later. But tell me this one thing now.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s pupils were tinged with a faint golden light.

The moment Cheon Hyo-Rak saw those golden eyes, he felt something in his heart shatter.

“They must be targeting you too, right?”

“That’s right.”

“For them, Seonseo is as dangerous as Hanam. I think there’s a high chance they won’t cause trouble in Seonseo.”

“…”

“But after talking with the Tang Clan leader, I thought that might be possible. So, I’ll ask.”

“…”

“Besides the reason for requesting support, is there something else they want from you?”

“…Yes, there is.”

“Cheonghaeseong is quite far away, but they know the news here well. Then we can assume that they also have some understanding of our movements. Is that right?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Then we should assume it’s certain. I’ll ask one last thing. I want you to tell me this one thing for sure.”

“…”

“The leader of the rebellion, is Gwanghyeol Cult the only one he joined hands with?”

Cheon Hyo-Rak’s eyes wavered.

He was about to talk about that part anyway, but he was asked first. That meant that Yeon Ho-Jeong’s tactical insight was that outstanding.

“That’s not the case. However, those who are not part of the Gwanghyeol Cult are also not free from the influence of the Gwanghyeol Cult.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s lips curled up.

“Yes, I knew it.”

He looked at Tang Gwan.

“We need to change the teams.”

“What? Why? What is it now?”

“Muk Bi and you are in the third team. Please take charge of sniping and ambushes.”

“This bastard is keeping things to himself again. Why all of a sudden?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned his head and said.

“The first team for the frontal breakthrough will be led by Mak Won Hyung-nim [Elder Brother Mak], with Pae Yul Sunbae [Senior Pae Yul] and Bu Seon as his deputies. I, Ji-Pyeong, and Okcheong will be the third team, sticking close to the carriage, and we will be in charge of command and reinforcement.”

“Hey, you!”

“We need to get food and other necessities as quickly as possible, and we need to take a route where there are no people.”

Tang Gwan finally got angry.

“Explain as we go! If you don’t tell me properly, I’ll put a hole in your head!”