Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 13 - Activation of the Four Gods (3)
Chapter 13 – Activation of the Four Gods (3)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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When Zhuge Ah-yeon and Zhuge Jun arrived near the backyard of the Tower of the Chu Sound.
Boong! Ka-ang!
A heavy sound that shook the air, the sound of iron clashing against iron and resonating, filled the backyard.
“Keuh!”
A stifled groan escaped. The short sound contained a will to somehow endure.
“Aha! Your lower body is open!”
“Eek!”
Yang Heum, whose entire body was wrapped in bandages, hurriedly lifted his left foot.
However, the heavy iron staff aimed not at his lower body but at his abdomen.
Tung!
“Keuk!”
Yang Heum, letting out a groan, staggered before collapsing. He tried to hold on somehow, but the impact spreading across his entire abdomen made his legs give way.
“Hmm.”
A look of satisfaction, which no one had seen before, appeared on Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.
‘As expected, I was right.’
A faint haze rose from his hand holding the iron staff.
‘If it is the family’s cultivation method, I can become stronger.’
He had practiced the Yeon Clan’s martial arts since childhood. However, after the clan was annihilated, he met a master and learned new martial arts, gaining a glimpse into a new world.
In other words, there was a separate internal energy cultivation method that had brought him the fame of the Dark Emperor. However, he boldly decided to master the Yeon Clan’s martial arts.
Yeon Ho-jeong recalled his master’s words.
‘In truth, if your level had been decent when we met, I would not have necessarily passed down the Great Heaven Qi. It is enough to draw out the true power of the Four Gods Martial Arts, but one cannot see beyond that. Of course, even with the Great Heaven Qi and the Four Gods Martial Arts, you could easily dominate an era.’
The Great Heaven Qi was a cultivation method that focused solely on the enhancement of internal power, excluding so-called enlightenment. Thus, it was the best cultivation method for someone who entered the world of martial arts at a late age.
However, there were many cultivation methods in the world that surpassed the Great Heaven Qi.
Naturally, the Yeon Clan’s divine arts were also of a higher level than the Great Heaven Qi. In particular, the greatest divine art of the Yeon Clan, which could only be formed after mastering the Five Great Divine Arts to their limit, was said to be a cultivation method capable of leaving a mark on the history of the martial world.
This was the reason Yeon Ho-jeong had told Yeon Wi that he had memorized all the mnemonic formulas of the Five Great Divine Arts. Because he had to touch upon them whenever he was ready.
‘It is indeed better than the Great Heaven Qi.’
Just looking at the degree of amplification of the explosive power, he could tell that the Jade Gauze True Formula was a step above the Great Heaven Qi.
‘Once my achievement rises further, I can immediately practice the Four Gods Martial Arts.’
As Yeon Ho-jeong relaxed his posture in satisfaction, Yang Heum’s voice reached his ears.
“S-Such a trick…”
Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.
“A trick? Those words are quite bothersome.”
Yang Heum, who stood up while clutching his abdomen, could not even maintain a proper stance. Although it was not a fatal wound, the impact had been quite significant.
“Did you not say it was the lower body?”
Yeon Ho-jeong was dumbfounded.
“Just because the lower body is open, must I only attack the lower body?”
“B-But!”
“If I had even loaded explosive power into the iron staff, you would not have even been able to stand up like that. Will you complain about it being unfair even after you die?”
Yang Heum bit his lip.
It was not that he did not know what Yeon Ho-jeong was saying. In fact, disparaging it as a trick was not something a member of the Goshawk Squad should say.
But he was frustrated. From yesterday until today, in a total of twenty-three sparring matches, he had not won against Yeon Ho-jeong even once.
Yang Heum could not believe it.
No one in the Yeon Clan was unaware of the eldest young master Yeon Ho-jeong’s skill level. Although it was said he had recently won against the daughter of the Namgung Clan, the warriors of the Yeon Clan did not think it was a fair fight.
To not even secure a single victory in a fight against such an eldest young master? Considering the quantity and quality of internal energy, it was an even more nonsensical result.
“Well, anyway, it was fun. Thanks to you, I’ve clearly learned how to swing against a person.”
It was a remark that completely scraped away the opponent’s pride.
Just as Yang Heum was about to shout to fight again.
“Yang Heum.”
“……Yes, Squad Leader.”
“Withdraw for now.”
Yang Heum, gritting his teeth, bowed his head.
“I thank the eldest young master for his teachings.”
“Me too.”
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Shin Mo.
“I should wash up. I leave the rest to you.”
Shin Mo’s eyes sparkled.
“Did you know?”
“Is there any reason not to know?”
“……Understood. Please rest well.”
“Yeah, good work.”
With those final words, Yeon Ho-jeong moved toward his quarters.
Yeon Ji-pyeong, who had been watching the sparring from the side, scurried after him.
“Brother! Brother! You’re amazing!”
“What is?”
“To not even allow a single defeat against a member of the Goshawk Squad? It’s incredible! No, more than that, when did you train in staff techniques?”
“While you were playing.”
“Ugh!”
The brothers entered their quarters while bickering.
Shin Mo, who had been watching them until they disappeared, turned his head.
“You two over there, come out now.”
Seureureuk.
The Zhuge siblings appeared with awkward faces.
Shin Mo spoke in a cold voice.
“You appear to be descendants of a prestigious clan in the Jianghu; do you not know that peeking at someone else’s training and sparring is impolite?”
Zhuge Jun bowed politely.
“I ended up watching blankly, overwhelmed by the atmosphere. It is a fault for which there is no excuse. I apologize.”
It was a concise apology.
Regardless of right or wrong, Shin Mo was impressed by Zhuge Jun’s appearance. Even at a generous estimate, he was younger than the eldest young master, yet his behavior was very mature.
There was a sense of composure even in the midst of a sincere apology. From that appearance alone, Shin Mo felt his wariness toward the opponent disappear quite a bit.
It was just as Shin Mo was about to speak.
Ttak!
“Uheok!”
Zhuge Jun staggered.
“My goodness! You dummy!”
“Ah, why are you doing that again!”
“Do you even know who that person is?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Goodness, are you really a Zhuge? How will you lead the clan with that head of yours? I remember just by looking at him.”
“……Eh?”
Zhuge Ah-yeon, after clearing her throat a few times, bowed gracefully to Shin Mo.
“It’s been a long time, Great Hero Shin.”
Shin Mo’s eyes widened.
“The Zhuge Clan? Then you all are…?”
“Hehe, has it been five years? We met in Hubei, right?”
“Ah!”
Surprisingly, Shin Mo had met the Zhuge siblings before.
Five years ago, there was a villain in Hubei who committed all sorts of crimes. He was someone whom no one could catch because his martial arts were excellent and he was meticulous.
It was the Zhuge Clan that punished that villain, and Shin Mo had somehow participated while traveling the Jianghu. Shin Mo formed a connection with the Zhuge Clan at that very time.
Zhuge Jun also seemed to recall it then and looked at Shin Mo in surprise.
“Heok! Great Hero Mad Wind Sword?!”
Shin Mo cleared his throat.
“I would prefer if you didn’t mention that embarrassing nickname.”
“Then the person who was using those staff techniques…?”
“He is the eldest young master of the Yeon Clan.”
“Ah!”
Zhuge Jun looked at the quarters where the Yeon brothers had entered with a fresh expression.
The name of the Green Mountain Yeon Clan was a hot topic even among the fellow Seven Great Clans. It was only natural, as it had risen to the ranks of the most prestigious clans in the Jianghu less than fifty years after becoming known in the Central Plains.
Zhuge Ah-yeon asked with a smile.
“I heard that Great Hero Shin joined the Yeon Clan as a vassal. The Green Mountain Yeon Clan is a martial family that everyone admires. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
Although they had only spent a few days together and it had even been five years since they last met, there was no awkwardness between Shin Mo and the Zhuge siblings.
Such is life in the Jianghu. Even if the friendship is shallow, it is helpful to stay on good terms. Shin Mo, as well as the Zhuge siblings, were people who knew that well.
“Have you all also come to participate in the Gathering of the Rising Stars?”
“Yes!”
“I see, the children from back then have already grown up like this.”
Zhuge Ah-yeon whispered with a devious look.
“Do you happen to have time? Since it’s a coincidence meeting like this, how about a drink?”
“N-Noona!”
Shin Mo laughed and shook his head.
“I have a connection with you all, but right now I am merely the Goshawk Squad Leader of the Yeon Clan. Since I must guard this place, let’s have a drink later.”
“Heh, then how about this? Great Hero Shin is also going to Hefei, right?”
“That is so.”
“Go with us!”
“With you all?”
“Yes! Anyway, the Yeon brothers are also participating in the gathering, aren’t they?”
“That is true, but…”
Shin Mo glanced toward Yeon Ho-jeong’s quarters.
“I must first ask the eldest young master.”
“Hehe, understood!”
“By the way, did you two come alone? What about guards?”
Zhuge Ah-yeon grumbled.
“That is, that stubborn old geezer…”
At that moment, Zhuge Jun covered Zhuge Ah-yeon’s mouth from behind.
“Ahahaha! Great Hero Shin! Then we will visit you again tonight! It was good to see you, Great Hero!”
“Eueup!”
“Let’s go! Let’s go, Sister!”
“Puhap! This- this brat put his unwashed hand on my mouth…!”
“Oh, come on!”
Zhuge Jun dragged Zhuge Ah-yeon away and disappeared in a flash. Seeing how he was even using internal energy to drag her away, it seemed he was quite in a hurry.
Shin Mo shook his head as he watched the siblings distance themselves in an instant.
“They’ve grown up to be incredibly lively.”
* * *
“Then I will convey it as such.”
“Fine.”
When Shin Mo left, Yeon Ji-pyeong scratched his head.
“Is it really okay?”
“What is?”
“That… going together with the Zhuge siblings.”
Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.
“Why shouldn’t it be? They’re people we’ll see at the gathering venue anyway.”
“That is true, but…”
“Besides, they said they have a connection with Squad Leader Shin, right? That means there’s at least not much risk of them stabbing us in the back. Though not much time is left, it’s good to have even one more expert with us.”
“Oh, Brother. They are the children of the Zhuge Clan. Of course they wouldn’t do something like stabbing someone in the back.”
“Did that rotten bitch from the Namgung Clan act like that because she was a child of a crumbling family?”
“……That’s not it, but…”
“The Jianghu is a place where killers are born even in temples and saints are born in back alleys. Hurry up and discard such stereotypes.”
“Yes.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong lowered his eyes, appearing a bit dejected.
Yeon Ho-jeong ruffled his hair vigorously.
“Uaaaak!”
“I’m just saying that’s how it is, you rascal. You should go and rest now, too.”
“Huh? Aren’t you going to eat, Brother? It’s almost time for a meal.”
“I’ll eat after resting for a bit. My limbs are aching. If I can’t get up, just eat first.”
“Ah!”
Indeed, it was natural to be tired after doing nothing but sparring since morning without any rest.
Yeon Ji-pyeong stood up with an embarrassed face.
“Please rest. I’ll come by later.”
“Okay.”
And so, Yeon Ji-pyeong also left the room.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s face, which had been full of smiles, gradually turned cold and icy.
“Zhuge, huh?”
He had felt the Qi of the Zhuge siblings while he was sparring.
‘It is completely different. Both the nature of the true Qi and the method of utilizing internal energy.’
He had seen the nature of the true Qi when he noticed their presence, and he felt the method of internal energy utilization when Zhuge Jun dragged Zhuge Ah-yeon away.
‘It is certainly different from the Qi of the attackers. However… I should keep an eye on them while going to Hefei.’
This was the reason he, who disliked complications, had allowed the Zhuge siblings to accompany them. Although he was quick-witted and had well-developed intuition, he tried to analyze more even if it wasn’t just intuition this time.
‘Ideally, I’d like to properly see those siblings’ martial arts.’
Yeon Ho-jeong’s wish was fulfilled sooner than expected.
That night, when the Tower of the Chu Sound was bustling with numerous guests.
Kwa-ang!
One of the outer gates of the Tower of the Chu Sound collapsed entirely.
“You dog-like bastards! I wondered where you went, and it turns out you were hiding here! Come out this instant!”