Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 928

Kwaaaang!

Mok Won’s eyes wavered.

It was as if he sensed something; Hyeok Ryeon-hwi’s movements became noticeably erratic for a moment.

It was fortunate for Mok Won. Thanks to that, he was able to stab six more daggers into Hyeok Ryeon-hwi’s body.

But now.

“Kuaaaaak!”

Hyeok Ryeon-hwi, unleashing a terrifying demonic energy, suddenly turned and began running towards the main camp of the Shinma Alliance. Despite being cut and stabbed multiple times, his running speed was unbelievably fast.

‘He’s not running away.’

Mok Won knew it instinctively.

‘It’s not a retreat, but he’s abandoning this fight for something else.’

Mok Won shouted.

“Hwang Danju! I will chase after the enemy!”

There was no reply. There couldn’t be. They were also engaged in a fierce life-or-death battle.

Paahhh!

The Heavenly Martial Arts Armor was gradually losing its power. Unnecessary fatigue began to overwhelm his body.

Still, Mok Won ran. He had no choice but to run.

Because Mok Won also had things to protect and responsibilities to bear.

‘Yeonje!’

* * *

Muk Bi shouted.

“W-What is that?!”

Yeon Ho-jeong did not answer. No, he couldn’t answer.

Thump-thump!

As the Five-Colored Hell Energy was released, the sealed hellish energy began to rage again.

The terrifying energy emanating from Hyeok Ryeon-hwi’s body caused the Yellow Dragon Flag to flare up once more.

That wasn’t all.

Kwaddeudeudeuk!

As Bang Won-hu’s body transformed, the density of the demonic energy emanating from his body deepened frighteningly.

The density entered the realm of the Absolute Limit [a martial arts concept referring to the peak of power] in an instant and continued to deepen endlessly. There was no way to know where its limit was.

Due to the immense density of the demonic energy, Yeon Ho-jeong had to grit his teeth and suppress the forced opening of the Yellow Dragon Divine King Art.

Tang Gwan shouted.

“Kill him!”

Hwaaaak!

Intense poison energy condensed in his hand.

The demonic energy that Bang Won-hu exuded was different from Hyeok Ryeon-hwi’s. Hyeok Ryeon-hwi’s demonic energy was mixed, but it was not different from the demonic energy recognized in the Central Plains martial world.

Bang Won-hu’s demonic energy was on a different level.

It wasn’t demonic energy, but evil energy. His very existence was evil. It was such a terrible energy that the thought that the whole world would be engulfed in flames if that energy was left unchecked naturally came to mind.

Tang Gwan unleashed the Three Yang Divine Palm, and Muk Bi fired five invisible bullets of the Oyeon style. The combined attack of two supreme masters, a powerful force that even a master who had broken through the Absolute Limit could not ignore, was unleashed.

However.

Hook!

The eyes of the two masters widened.

The destructive power of the Three Yang Divine Palm and Muk Bi’s five divine invisible bullets vanished without a sound as soon as they touched Bang Won-hu’s energy wave.

No, it wasn’t annihilation. It was as if it had absorbed the energy, and the speed of Bang Won-hu’s physical transformation gained even more momentum.

Ok Cheong shouted.

“Don’t attack! The demonic energy is transforming faster!”

Having mastered the Harmony Origin Art, he felt Bang Won-hu’s transformation as clearly as Yeon Ho-jeong.

“Eek!”

Tang Gwan and Muk Bi gritted their teeth.

Hyeok Ryeon-hwi nodded.

“We can’t touch him now. And we shouldn’t touch him. If we stop him from revealing his true form, the soul of an unknown child will continue to wander this world.”

“……?!”

“Leave him be.”

It was a completely incomprehensible way of speaking.

Tang Gwan shouted.

“Hey, senior! What are you talking about since earlier? Bringing in a soul? What is immortality? I can’t understand a single word you’re saying!”

Hyeok Ryeon-hwi smiled bitterly.

“I wasn’t trying to explain it to you. I was just talking nonsense to stimulate the memories of the ghost (鬼神) [a spirit or deity] residing in that body.”

“Senior!”

“This is not a fight for you to interfere in, so step back. This fight is my responsibility.”

At that moment, Yeon Ho-jeong raised the Gwangryong Bu [a type of ceremonial staff or weapon].

Kkung!

Golden smoke rose from the Gwangryong Bu that struck the floor.

“It is not your responsibility, Senior.”

Jiiing! Jiiiiing!

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes, flashing with golden light, were truly unlike those of a human. Since mastering the Yellow Dragon Divine King Art, the most powerful energy was boiling within him.

“It is the responsibility of everyone in the world.”

Hyeok Ryeon-hwi, who was looking at Yeon Ho-jeong, turned his gaze to Ok Cheong.

The Harmony Origin energy emanating from Ok Cheong’s body was dangerously fluctuating at a glance.

It was an anti-demonic divine art that amplified its power when facing demonic energy, but the energy that Bang Won-hu and Hyeok Ryeon-hwi were emitting, which transcended common sense, rendered even the opposing force useless.

No, it was more than just being unable to use the power; it was dangerous. If the Harmony Origin energy exploded, his own body would not be unscathed.

“Take that young Taoist and retreat a hundred paces. If you make a mistake, the Taoist’s body will explode. You will also have a hard time surviving.”

Yeon Ho-jeong nodded to Tang Gwan.

Tang Gwan gritted his teeth.

“Damn it.”

In the end, he led Ok Cheong away from the spot.

Muk Bi looked at Yeon Ho-jeong before retreating.

Yeon Ho-jeong was staring at Bang Won-hu with a resolute, mysterious, and dangerous gaze.

Muk Bi, biting his lip, followed Tang Gwan.

And a little while later.

Kureureureung!!

Bang Won-hu, having released all his demonic energy, took a deep breath.

“Huuuuh! Huu.”

The deep breath seemed to awaken all the nerves in his body.

“It’s been a while, the air of the mortal world.”

Yeon Ho-jeong felt a chill run down his spine at that voice.

His height had grown to match Yeon Ho-jeong’s, and his frame was as broad as that of a general of a nation. The phrase ‘of imposing stature’ could not have been more fitting.

‘Bone Transformation Art!’

That’s right. It was a martial art similar to Muk Ro’s Bone Transformation Art.

But while similar, it was also very different. No matter how much one could shrink or enlarge the bones of the body, it was impossible to alter the aging of the skin.

Bang Won-hu had transformed from a child into an adult. He looked to be in his late thirties or forties at first glance.

The deepened voice was mixed with the voice of the child who had been calling for his Sifu [master or teacher] a moment ago. It made those who heard it shudder.

Hyeok Ryeon-hwi’s eyes trembled.

“Who are you……?”

He didn’t know the name.

But he felt familiarity.

The familiarity was not felt in the energy or the voice. Bang Won-hu’s face, his features and frame, were too familiar.

“Could it be a member of the Cheon clan?”

“Hmm?”

As if he had just noticed Hyeok Ryeon-hwi, Bang Won-hu’s eyes widened.

But only for a moment.

“Yes, it has to be.”

Bang Won-hu smiled.

It was a smile that was too benevolent, unlike someone who was covered in terrifying demonic energy.

“It would be impossible for me, who has been sleeping for a long time, to be drawn out unless it was by a being who inherited the sacred blood of demons, not those lowly beasts of the continent.”

Was it just his imagination?

The more he spoke, the more the innocence and unique tone of the child seemed to disappear from Bang Won-hu’s voice.

“The Shinma Alliance has been devastated. I expected this kind of scene, but I didn’t expect to wake up in this situation.”

“…….”

“It seems like a half-success. Is that fortunate?”

Hyeok Ryeon-hwi’s eyes flashed.

“Who are you?”

“Hmm? Haha, yes. I haven’t revealed my name yet.”

The man who had been Bang Won-hu spoke in a calm voice.

“I am called Cheon Gyo-hong.”

So it was as he thought.

Hyeok Ryeon-hwi felt a chill run down his spine at the mad actions of Gwanghyeol. No, he felt a chill at the mad sense of purpose of those with the Cheon surname.

“Yes, I am Cheon Gyo-hong. I have no choice but to be Cheon Gyo-hong. There is nothing else that defines me, just one of the Cheon family who entrusted everything to future generations and entered eternal sleep.”

Entrusted everything to future generations?

It was a statement that was hard to ignore. For both Hyeok Ryeon-hwi and Yeon Ho-jeong.

At that moment, unbelievable words came out of Hyeok Ryeon-hwi’s mouth.

“The former leader of Gwanghyeol…….”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes widened as if they would tear.

Cheon Gyo-hong shook his head.

“That’s wrong.”

“What?”

“There is always only one leader of the Gwanghyeol Church. There is no meaning to former or previous leaders. They were just one of the many beasts who temporarily held that position.”

It was a strange tone. While calling himself a beast, he showed no bitterness or self-deprecation.

“The leader of the Gwanghyeol Church is always one. The first generation has continued until now. And it will continue to do so in the future.”

“What nonsense…….”

“It will be difficult for you to understand.”

Cheon Gyo-hong’s smile deepened.

“My distant nephew.”

Cheon Gyo-hong called him nephew.

Considering Hyeok Ryeon-hwi’s age, it was absurd. There was no way that someone who could call him nephew could still be alive.

But the Gwanghyeol Church had accomplished that unrealistic feat.

‘The Six Great Disciples!’

Yeon Ho-jeong recalled the Six Great Disciples of Gwanghyeol he had fought at the Dang Clan.

Half-baked masters who could not unleash the true power of the Absolute Limit. They could overwhelm supreme masters, but they were far from being called true Absolute Limit masters.

However, that was because the body that the Six Great Disciples inhabited was not the body they had previously controlled.

In other words, it was a mismatch between the soul and the body. That was why their bodies did not rot.

“Stop with the ridiculous titles. It’s disgusting.”

“Haha, you have quite the temper. Fine. If you wish, I will call you the Lord of Shinma.”

Cheon Gyo-hong grinned.

“Since I don’t have much time left in this world anyway, there’s no need to ruin my mood with unnecessary things.”

He was talking about dying.

It wasn’t about Hyeok Ryeon-hwi, but about himself. It meant that his own life was not long.

Yet, there was not a trace of despair or urgency to be found. It was as if he had transcended life and death.

“I don’t care about your mood.”

Kureureureung!!

A terrifying energy wave erupted from Hyeok Ryeon-hwi’s body. He was amplifying the power of the Five-Colored Hell Energy by absorbing the dark demonic energy of the Heaven Piercing Moon Blade into his body.

Even though he already had the demonic energy of dozens of people within him, he was absorbing even the power of the Holy Demon. If not for the enlightenment of the Demonic Immortal, who was closest to the strongest in the martial world, who would dare to show such ability?

Cheon Gyo-hong’s eyes flashed.

“That’s an unusual power. Truly amazing. You’ve elevated the Absorbing Demonic Art to a new realm.”

Kururung! Kureureureung!

“If you weren’t in such a miserable state, even I in my prime would have had difficulty guaranteeing victory. The sixth generation inheriting the blood of a genius… Your children must be monsters no less than you.”

“Shut up.”

Keheoeong!

A huge beastly figure appeared behind Hyeok Ryeon-hwi.

Cheon Gyo-hong’s expression changed for the first time.

“This demonic art, could it be?!”

“I also don’t have much time left in this world. Since I’m leaving anyway, I’ll take at least one of you with me.”

“You, you’ve mastered the Five-Colored Hell Energy?!”

Hyeok Ryeon-hwi unleashed his demonic nature.

“Let’s go to the underworld together, you who shouldn’t be in this world!”

Just as he was about to swing the Heaven Piercing Moon Blade.

“How noisy.”

A golden, radiant storm crashed towards Cheon Gyo-hong.

Flash! Kwareureureung!

Cheon Gyo-hong’s body, struck by the Gwangpung Nine Dragon Kill [a powerful martial arts technique], completely destroyed the remains of the collapsed main hall and crashed into the cliff.

Hyeok Ryeon-hwi’s Five-Colored Demonic Eyes wavered.

“You! Don’t interfere in this fight!”

“If you have the energy to talk, you long-tongued old man, help me with my fight!”

“W-What did you say?!”

Yeon Ho-jeong, his two eyes fiercely raised, filled with golden killing intent.

“If that bastard was the leader of the Gwanghyeol Church, this fight is no longer yours.”