Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 134 - Price of Greed (4)
Chapter 134 – Price of Greed (4)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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Sword Immortal Tak Mu-ja.
One of the Gods, Immortals, Emperors, and Kings among the Saintly Heaven Thirteen Seats, an invincible master said to stand at the peak of the Wudang Sect’s martial arts of the current generation.
In a fight between the Gods, Immortals, Emperors, and Kings, it was said there was no meaning in weighing who was superior, but at least the time when the One God and Two Immortals made their names known was several years earlier than the Three Emperors and Four Kings.
So people of the world respectfully evaluated that the One God and Two Immortals were the closest to Number One under Heaven. Aside from pure skill, they made such an evaluation based on seniority and fame.
The Sword Immortal was one of those Two Immortals and a master evaluated as the strongest among those who inherited the sword lineage of the Taoist gate.
And his disciple was standing in front of Yeon Ho-jeong right now.
‘The disciple of Sword Immortal Tak Mu, Ok-cheong.’
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes shone terrifyingly.
‘Right, I have heard that name before.’
It was said that Tak Mu-ja, referred to as the greatest martial talent since Immortal Sanfeng, the founding ancestor of the Wudang Sect, highly praised Ok-cheong when he first saw him as a child born with the talent of a Martial God.
That rumor spread throughout the entire Central Plains in a single breath. The world-renowned master Tak Mu-ja taking in a disciple was a world-shaking matter on its own, but since he said his disciple’s talent was that of a Martial God, it couldn’t help but become a hot topic.
‘However…’
Yeon Ho-jeong remembered the Taoist name Ok-cheong.
‘Ok-cheong died.’
The days when Yeon Ho-jeong made his name known as the Dark Emperor.
Before the Evil Lust Cult advanced into the Central Plains in earnest, they went to find the difficult-to-deal-with masters one by one and killed them off.
One of them was exactly Ok-cheong. And Ok-cheong was known to have already reached the stage of the Gods, Immortals, Emperors, and Kings level at the time he died due to the dark schemes of the Evil Lust Cult.
‘He died in the past. To think I would see a person whose face I had never even seen before in this era now.’
Curiosity dwelt on Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.
“Ok-cheong… I have heard a lot about you.”
Ok-cheong’s eyebrows twitched.
He heard a lot? It was quite an arrogant tone for a first meeting.
But Ok-cheong did not mind his opponent’s tone. What was important to him was a bout with a master who would provide the clue to break his wall.
“Are you Tiger General Yeon?”
It seemed he combined the title Green Mountain Tiger General and the name Yeon Ho-jeong.
Yeon Ho-jeong grumbled.
“Do not modify another person’s name as you please. I am Yeon Ho-jeong.”
“I know it is rude. Still, braving the discourtesy, I will make a request.”
Seureuk.
Ok-cheong knelt down right there. It was an appearance where a tragic beauty could be felt.
“Please have a bout with me.”
Yeon Ho-jeong glanced at Muk Bi.
Muk Bi shivered and then turned her head away. She seemed to have gotten sick of Yeon Ho-jeong’s vicious destiny that called for incidents and accidents.
Yeon Ho-jeong smacked his lips.
“I am training. I am sorry, but please come back later.”
“Then I will wait here until your training is finished.”
A dog-like single-minded person.
“You will wait while snow is pouring down heavily?”
“That is so.”
“Icicles will form on your hair.”
“…”
“Goodness.”
Yeon Ho-jeong asked with a face that couldn’t understand.
“Why do you purposely want to have a bout with me?”
Ok-cheong’s mouth naturally opened.
“I heard that the Green Mountain Tiger General’s martial arts are fierce and intense like a wildfire, a combatative martial art that gives no room for the opponent to counterattack.”
“…Hmm.”
“Furthermore, it was said you are a practical combat martial artist who has already achieved his own school, being skilled in an unconventional martial path focused on offense while your offense-defense transition is as natural as flowing water.”
“That’s a rumor that makes my hands and feet curl up.”
“I thought you are the exact opponent I need right now.”
Ok-cheong pressed his forehead against the snow-covered ground.
“Please give me guidance.”
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Muk Bi.
Watch and learn, punk. I mean show that much sincerity to Father later.
“It cannot be helped.”
Ok-cheong raised his head.
Vitality seemed to slowly dwell in his eyes full of emptiness.
Huung.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who hung the Crazy Dragon Axe on his shoulder, nodded.
“Let’s do one bout.”
“Thank you. Truly thank you. I will never forget this grace.”
“Is there a need to call it grace. You might win.”
Seureureung.
Ok-cheong drew his sword.
It was the Pine Pattern Ancient Sword boasted by the Wudang Sect. The sword tip was slightly rounded and the blade was somewhat blunt, it was the Taoist’s standard-issue iron sword.
Yeon Ho-jeong silently watched Ok-cheong.
Ok-cheong took a deep breath and slowly lowered his posture.
Wuuuuung.
A blue energy lingered on the Pine Pattern Ancient Sword.
At that moment, Muk Bi felt an eerie chill.
‘Sharp.’
The Pine Pattern Ancient Sword clearly didn’t have an edge, but as that clear energy lingered, it began to exude a frighteningly sharp sharpness.
That would also mean Ok-cheong’s sword was tempered that sharply. It did not seem like the Wudang’s martial arts that pursued the Tao of Immortals.
Moreover, that sharpness was real. A slight mistake and it felt like one would be cut in the blink of an eye.
It was when Muk Bi was looking at Yeon Ho-jeong with worried eyes.
“Hmm…”
Yeon Ho-jeong scratched his cheek.
“May we start?”
“Yes?”
Ok-cheong blinked his eyes like a fool.
Yeon Ho-jeong smacked his lips.
“Then, I will start.”
Flash!
‘Gasp!’
Ok-cheong was startled out of his wits. Yeon Ho-jeong, who was standing five zhang away, had entered within one zhang before he knew it.
It was a tremendously fast movement speed. Ok-cheong instinctively unfolded the sword learning representing Wudang, the Taiji Wisdom Sword.
At the same time, Yeon Ho-jeong’s Crazy Dragon Axe moved like lightning.
Jjeooeooeooeong!
With the upward striking blow, the Pine Pattern Ancient Sword broke.
Peooeok!
“Kkeooeooeok!”
With a Yeon Clan fist strike swung and struck down like a whirlwind, the One Stream of Clear Wave strike, Ok-cheong’s eyes rolled back.
Ok-cheong, who trembled violently while clutching his stomach, collapsed just like that.
Before losing consciousness, Yeon Ho-jeong’s voice reached his ears as if gradually fading away.
“What’s with this fool? The bout started so why is he relaxing his body and doing this… Are all Wudang martial arts like this… I know why he died…”
“Heook!”
Ok-cheong, who regained his senses, abruptly stood up.
“Heokheok! Ugh.”
He unconsciously clutched his stomach.
A dull pain rose from his abdomen. It was so painful that tears momentarily welled up in his eyes.
“Kkeueung.”
Ok-cheong pulled up the Primordial True Formula.
Wuuuuung.
The Primordial Qi rising from his dantian reduced the pain in his abdomen.
Only now did it seem a bit bearable. Ok-cheong looked around.
‘Where is this?’
It was a room. It was quite a spacious room, but there weren’t many clothes.
At that moment, his last memory before losing consciousness came to Ok-cheong’s mind.
“Gasp! Green Mountain Tiger General!”
That’s right. He had requested a bout from Green Mountain Tiger General Yeon Ho-jeong, and was struck in the abdomen and lost consciousness in merely two exchanges.
‘Two exchanges… I lost in merely two exchanges…?’
Ok-cheong could not believe it.
Burureureu.
His tightly clenched fist trembled mercilessly.
Recently, a heart demon dwelt in him and a period of stagnation in his martial arts had arrived. But the martial arts he had built up from his childhood until now were deeply engraved in his bones.
It was a skill capable of subduing an ordinary master within three swords, yet he couldn’t endure even two exchanges?
‘It cannot be like this. I have to meet him again.’
It was then.
Clang! Crack!
“Keuheok!”
Along with a bizarre groan, the sound of a person flopping down was heard.
Ok-cheong turned his gaze out the window.
Since this place was the second floor, looking down from the window, a tall young man with a flashy axe hung on his shoulder was looking down at someone.
“Damn it. Exactly how many times is this? I wish they would just stop coming, damn.”
It was a voice dripping with endless annoyance.
At that moment, Ok-cheong suddenly came to his senses.
‘Yeon Ho-jeong!’
Paaak!
Ok-cheong, who threw his body out the window, landed on the ground.
Yeon Ho-jeong looked back at Ok-cheong.
Ok-cheong, who was about to open his mouth, flinched for a moment. Yeon Ho-jeong’s face looking at him was flushed red like a volcano right before erupting.
“What now?”
“…”
“If you are awake, go to your quarters.”
It was an atmosphere where it was difficult to easily strike up a conversation.
However, Ok-cheong could not retreat here.
“I apologize. This poor Taoist has caused unnecessary trouble for Green Mountain’s Tiger General. You are indeed an owner of martial arts capable of surprising the whole world.”
Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.
Somehow, just hearing the words, it felt like an atmosphere where he would return immediately. He suppressed his surging anger and said.
“It is far, very far away. So isn’t that why you are putting effort into training?”
“That is so.”
“Anyway, please return now. I left your sword on the table, so take it…”
“I am sorry, but may I ask just one more time?”
“…”
“I beg you. I cannot return like this.”
“Take your stance.”
“…Hmm?”
Ok-cheong, who raised his head and looked at Yeon Ho-jeong, felt a chill run down his spine for a moment.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s two eyes were emitting a terrifying killing intent.
“I said take your stance, you Taoist bastard.”
“Eh? Ah, yes.”
Ok-cheong unconsciously took an awkward stance. It was the starting posture of the Wudang Seven Stars Fist.
“…Goodness.”
Peoeoeoeong!
The piled up snow shot up to the height of the third floor.
Fortunately, Ok-cheong’s body only shot up to the height of the second floor and then fell. Thank heavens, it seemed there were no fractures.
Through the ears of Ok-cheong, who was losing consciousness, Yeon Ho-jeong’s voice was heard again.
“Next time I’ll have to break their leg clubs. Muk Bi! Clean up the guy from the Kongtong Sect here too… Ah, these crazy bastards really came again… Die, you son of a…!”
“Heook!”
Ok-cheong opened his eyes again.
“Heokheok! Cough! Cough cough!”
A dry cough came out naturally. There was absolutely no strength in his entire body.
“Kkeueueuk!”
Ok-cheong, who barely raised his body, stroked his jaw.
‘Is it not broken?’
The last memory came back freshly. Yeon Ho-jeong’s half-palm, approaching at a speed invisible to the naked eye, struck his jaw, and his body flew through the air and fell to the floor.
If it weren’t for his trained body and the Primordial True Formula, somewhere would have definitely been broken solidly.
No, it was fortunate that his jaw wasn’t smashed to pieces in the first place. If the opponent hadn’t shown consideration, his head might have been blown off just like that.
Ok-cheong looked out the window.
“Is it already night…?”
At that moment, a cool voice was heard.
“Yes, it is night.”
“Keoheok!”
A startled Ok-cheong turned his head to where the voice came from.
There, Yeon Ho-jeong was drinking alcohol alone with his axe slung over his shoulder. The sight of him tilting his glass with a candle lit in the middle of the table was strangely eerie.
“Y-Yeon Tiger General?”
“I told you not to modify my name.”
“…Yes?”
“I said don’t call me Tiger General, punk.”
“Ah, yes!”
Why was it? Ok-cheong couldn’t stop his words and actions from becoming polite without realizing it.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who silently watched Ok-cheong, smiled bitterly and said.
“If you have come to your senses, return now. I also have to finish drinking this and sleep.”
“Ah…!”
Only then did Ok-cheong realize that he had taken Yeon Ho-jeong’s bed.
Ok-cheong, who hurriedly got down from the bed, bowed his head.
“I-I have caused you trouble.”
“If you know, just go.”
“Ah… But by any chance…”
Yeon Ho-jeong raised the Crazy Dragon Axe with an expressionless face.
Ok-cheong’s face turned deathly pale.
“Gasp! I am not asking you to fight! Absolutely not.”
“…?”
“…”
“Hmph.”
Kuung!
Yeon Ho-jeong, who lowered the axe, tilted his glass again.
Ok-cheong swallowed his saliva. He was an opponent who subdued him in two exchanges even when he was normal. With his current body, he wouldn’t be able to last a single second. No, he actually couldn’t last either.
‘A tremendous strongman! How can he have such strength even though he is around my age!’
Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.
“If you have nothing to say, return now.”
“…Can I?”
“What? I can’t hear you, punk. Speak louder.”
Ok-cheong spoke hesitantly.
“C-Could I receive teachings from the Great Hero?”
“Ah, it was that in the end? Say it quickly, you bastard.”
Yeon Ho-jeong stood up with a frigid face. He really intended to see the end of it.
“Gasp! I-I am not asking you to fight! Literally teachings, teachings!”
“…Hmm?”
“I-I will come back tomorrow! Please point out my shortcomings! I will absolutely not ask you to fight!”
“…”
“…”
“…Hmm.”
Kuung!
Yeon Ho-jeong, who put down the Crazy Dragon Axe, waved his hand.
“I got it so come back tomorrow. I am going to sleep.”
“Yep!”
Ok-cheong left the Army-Destroying Pavilion at a faster speed than ever before.