Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 908

They charged towards each other with great force.

In that instant, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

‘Oh ho.’

As the distance to the enemies rapidly closed, a massive mountain that had been behind them came into view.

It was a strange thing. With that kind of width and height, it should have been visible much earlier, but only now did the mountain appear in their sight.

There was white snow piled up near the summit. Since the Qinghai region itself was at a higher altitude than other areas, it was not unusual for such a high mountain to have perpetual snow.

Amidst the noise of horses’ hooves and the rolling wheels of the carriage, Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke.

“Is that the mountain?”

Cheon Hyo-Rak’s voice came from inside the carriage.

“Can you see the mountain?”

“The peak is covered in snow.”

“That’s not the main peak. But we’re almost there.”

“What’s the mountain’s name?”

“We call it Aniseol Mountain.”

“Aniseol Mountain… By the way, is that also some kind of sorcery? With that height, it should have been visible much earlier.”

“I haven’t come this way before either… Thinking about it, as the Vice Leader said, it should have been visible a while ago. Please wait a moment.”

Cheon Hyo-Rak, leaning out of the carriage window, looked ahead.

In that instant, a demonic aura flashed in Cheon Hyo-Rak’s eyes. Okcheong, who was riding beside him, flinched.

“It’s the ‘Ignore All, Nothing Unseen’ Grand Formation.”

“‘Ignore All, Nothing Unseen’ Grand Formation?”

“It’s a wide-area formation that the Shinma Forest possesses. It’s a top-tier illusionary formation that blocks the view for dozens of miles in all directions.”

The people were startled.

Tang Gwan tilted his head.

“Our family also has a wide-area formation, but… covering dozens of miles? Is there even such a formation?”

At that moment, Bu Seon spoke.

“There is.”

Everyone looked at Bu Seon.

Without slowing down, Bu Seon continued.

“Our unit also has a formation that’s no less powerful than that. Though, we haven’t properly set it up yet.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes widened.

“You had something like that?”

“Yes. Our master said before that we would use it when we came up to the surface.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong cleared his throat.

“Is it okay for these people to hear that?”

Paeyul was dumbfounded.

“That brat? Hey, even if you’ve entered the Mukryong Bu [a type of talisman], is that something you should say? Are we strangers?”

“We are strangers.”

“…Strangers are strangers, but still, don’t say it like that! It’s hurtful!”

Bu Seon said.

“It’s alright. We can’t use it even if we wanted to right now anyway.”

“I see.”

Cheon Hyo-Rak said in a heavy, subdued voice.

“It’s strange.”

“What is?”

“The Shinma Forest doesn’t usually have the ‘Ignore All, Nothing Unseen’ Grand Formation set up either.”

“…?!”

“The ‘Ignore All, Nothing Unseen’ Grand Formation is an illusionary formation, but if used improperly, it can draw unnecessary suspicion. The deeper you go, the more bizarre illusions it creates, and without a strong mind, you can’t escape the illusion.”

“Hmm.”

“But it’s not impossible for everyone. Right now, the Vice Leader Yeon and the White Soldier God here could break through that grand formation without much difficulty.”

“So, if a master beyond the Supreme Realm discovers the formation, it’s only a matter of time before the Shinma Forest’s base is exposed?”

“That’s right. Originally, almost no one comes to this mountain. It’s too high, and the weather is bad.”

It would be better to show the mountain as it is, and just set up small formations around the Shinma Forest’s buildings.

It was a reasonable point. Indeed, who among the Supreme Realm masters would come all the way to Qinghai to climb that mountain?

“It’s definitely strange.”

“What is?”

Cheon Hyo-Rak’s eyes wavered.

“The ‘Ignore All, Nothing Unseen’ Grand Formation is a massive formation that takes at least half a year to create, even when the materials are prepared. In fact, it might take several years just to gather the materials.”

“Hmm.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

The distance between friend and foe had narrowed to within ten miles.

“So, you’re saying that the so-called First Young Master had this formation prepared in advance?”

“That’s right. But those materials…”

“Those materials must have come from the Gwanghyeol Sect.”

“The Gwanghyeol Sect Leader wants the destruction of the Shinma Forest’s main base and the absorption of its forces. There’s no reason to go to the trouble of setting up such a large formation.”

“It seems they plan to use it as a branch.”

“A branch…?”

“The Three Sects started to covet the Central Plains because they judged their power to be sufficient. In other words, they’re at a saturation point.”

“…!!”

“They’re not trying to absorb the Shinma Forest into their main base, but rather expand the power of Gwanghyeol itself, aren’t they?”

Cheon Hyo-Rak’s eyes wavered.

Yeon Ho-Jeong tapped the carriage ceiling with the handle of his axe.

“Go back inside. Your neck must be hurting. A fight is about to break out.”

Cheon Hyo-Rak’s face disappeared into the carriage. But his words did not stop.

“Vice Leader, can you feel their momentum?”

“I can.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed.

“I don’t feel any hostility yet, but they’re quite vigilant. They don’t look like defeated soldiers either.”

“Hmm.”

“Their charging momentum is considerable. And if they know we’re approaching from here, they could have waited, but they’re coming at us fully armed.”

Cheon Hyo-Rak sighed.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said calmly.

“I’ll decide based on their response. Don’t worry.”

“Understood.”

“If, by any chance, they are deemed enemies, I won’t show any mercy.”

“Yes, I understand.”

How much further did they ride?

Finally, the distance between the two groups narrowed to about two hundred yards.

At that moment, the forces from the Shinma Forest began to gradually slow down.

Paeyul shouted.

“What are we going to do?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been quietly reading their momentum, opened his mouth.

“Let’s slow down too.”

Thud thud thud thud.

The light, cheerful sound of hooves gradually became heavy.

Krrrrrr!

The thick cloud of dust that had risen was scattered by the wind.

As they slowed down, the distance between them narrowed to about a hundred yards.

Whoooosh!

The dry wind of Qinghai calmed the sharp tension between the two groups.

Yeon Ho-Jeong examined the enemy forces.

‘About five hundred… They sent quite a lot.’

The Shinma Forest itself was a group created to avoid the eyes of the Gwanghyeol Sect, and that principle was still being maintained.

Yet, the fact that they sent that many troops meant that their total force was enormous.

‘Is it Gwanghyeol? No. The momentum is different.’

Even if it was the same demonic energy, there was a clear difference. Yeon Ho-Jeong was certain that they were a unit belonging to the Shinma Forest.

After a while.

“Third Young Master.”

A middle-aged man, who had ridden forward at the head of the group, spoke in a strong voice.

“What is the meaning of this? Bringing in outside forces. There has never been a case of bringing in suspicious individuals to the sacred grounds of the Shinma Forest.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been quietly watching the man, lightly tapped the carriage ceiling with his fist.

Click.

The carriage door opened, and Cheon Hyo-Rak and Hwa Hyang appeared.

Cheon Hyo-Rak sighed as he saw the middle-aged man.

“Unit Leader Wi.”

The middle-aged man, Wi So-Gang, the Unit Leader of the Shinma Forest’s Homa Unit, spoke with a stiff face.

“Bringing in outside forces without any reason is no different from treason against the Shinma Forest. Do you have an explanation?”

“Is the Forest Lord alright?”

“I asked if you have an explanation.”

“Answer my question first. Is the Forest Lord alright?”

Wi So-Gang scoffed.

“Who in the world could harm him? Why? Are you scared now that you see us in front of you?”

“I misspoke.”

Cheon Hyo-Rak’s eyes deepened.

“Is my master alright?”

“…”

“I’m not talking about the ungrateful person who brought in outside forces, seized our Forest, and used strange sorcery to hold my master captive. I’m asking if the Forest Lord you’ve always believed in and followed is alright.”

Wi So-Gang’s smile deepened.

“Listen here, Third Young Master.”

The changed tone and voice became sinister.

“You’ve really lost your touch.”

“…”

“The Shinma Forest is a place of the survival of the fittest. It’s a place where the strong devour the existing strong and monopolize everything, and the weak are thoroughly eliminated and perish. The Shinma Forest has always been such a world, hasn’t it?”

“So, you sided with the First Senior Brother.”

“Sided? That’s quite an unpleasant word. The Forest Lord has changed, so are you saying we should defy the new Forest Lord because we can’t forget the previous one?”

“…”

“The heavens have changed, and we only live for the person who leads us.”

“Since when?”

“What are you talking about?”

Cheon Hyo-Rak said calmly. A chilling coldness was embedded in his calm expression and voice.

“Since when did our Forest recognize treachery and betrayal as the ability of the strong?”

Wi So-Gang’s face hardened.

Cheon Hyo-Rak shook his head.

“I was wary of you leading the Homa Unit. The reason was clear. You lack integrity. Other organizations are fine, but the Homa Unit shouldn’t be like that.”

“Are you done talking?”

“I should have known when you became the Deputy Unit Leader of the Homa Unit on the recommendation of the First Senior Brother back then.”

“Choose. Will you quietly retreat, or will you be dragged away covered in blood?”

“Seeing your behavior now, I know that the Shinma Forest is finished.”

“Of course, the forces you brought will all die here.”

“You trash.”

Wi So-Gang’s face contorted.

Cheon Hyo-Rak said.

“Hwa Hyang.”

“Yes, Master.”

“When the fight breaks out, you don’t need to deal with the others. Capture Wi So-Gang alive and bring him to me.”

Hwa Hyang bowed respectfully.

“I will carry out your command with my life on the line.”

Wi So-Gang scoffed.

“So, you’re determined to drink the poison. Very well. If that’s what you want…”

“Vice Leader.”

In that instant, a powerful flash of light erupted from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s hand.

Whirr whirr whirr!

The White Dragon Talisman, flying like a beam of light, severed the necks of five men in the front row of the Homa Unit before returning.

“…?!”

Wi So-Gang, as well as the Homa Unit members, were bewildered by the sudden event.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“You’re nothing, yet your tongues are slapping the cheeks of Supreme Realm masters.”

Whoosh!

A terrifying aura erupted from Paeyul and Bu Seon’s bodies.

Hee hee hee hee!

The two magnificent horses, raising their front legs and letting out a resounding dragon cry, galloped away like arrows.

Only then did Wi So-Gang shout.

“Kill everyone except the Third Young Master!”

Fwip fwip fwip fwip fwip!

About two hundred arrows, shot from the rear of the Homa Unit, flew in a small arc.

In that instant, Okcheong and Yeon Ji-Pyeong stood in front of Cheon Hyo-Rak and drew their swords. By now, Mak Won was standing next to Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had come down from the carriage roof.

Hwang Seok-Tae raised his spear. Then, the Iron Cavalry spread out to the left and right.

It was then.

‘……?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Hwang Seok-Tae.

Hwang Seok-Tae, having confirmed his gaze, smiled and lowered his spear.

‘There’s no need for us to step in.’

Whoosh!

Tang Gwan and Muk Bi climbed onto the carriage.

Muk Bi placed three iron darts on the bowstring.

Tang Gwan said.

“Take out two iron darts.”

“Huh?”

“Whether the enemy is strong or weak, don’t use too much force against such fools.”

“But… are you perhaps going to use poison?”

“Of course not. My poison technique, which hasn’t reached the Supreme Realm, takes a long time to recover. It’s a waste to use it against such trash.”

A dagger appeared in Tang Gwan’s hand.

He placed his hand on Muk Bi’s shoulder and said.

“I’ll teach you the Tang family’s ejection technique. If you don’t understand, I won’t teach you in the future. I can’t teach the family’s secrets to someone without talent.”

Muk Bi, looking up at Tang Gwan, put two iron darts back into the quiver.

“I’ll take it all for myself.”

“Try firing one first.”

Fweeeeeeeeng!

With a chilling sound, one iron dart flew and blew off the heads of two demonic figures who were approaching Bu Seon.