Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 172 - Sweeping Demons and Annihilating Evil (2)
Chapter 172 – Sweeping Demons and Annihilating Evil (2)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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“I felt a bright and clear Sword Qi like a cloudless sky, so I thought perhaps, and indeed the Yeon Clan Head was also here.”
Perhaps because it was a private setting, his way of speaking was different from during the meeting.
Yeon Wi took a fist-palm salute.
“Abbott.”
The Shaolin Abbott, Abbott Kong-kong, received the greeting with a half-palm salute.
Yeon Wi motioned to Yeon Ho-jeong with his eyes.
Yeon Ho-jeong politely took a fist-palm salute.
“I am Yeon Ho-jeong of the Yeon Clan. It is an honor to meet you, Abbott.”
“Hehe, it is my honor as well. This is the first time we’ve met in a private setting like this, right?”
“That is correct.”
Yeon Ho-jeong, who raised his head, shone his eyes.
‘As expected.’
An ordinary physique.
The appearance of Master Kong-kong, wearing a gray monk’s robe and a red kasaya, was truly like the standard of a monk with high dharma power.
However, the heavy power hidden within him was like a sea full of golden light.
‘It is huge.’
High-density seawater, which wouldn’t even form a ripple against a blowing strong wind, was tightly filling Master Kong-kong’s three dantians without a single gap.
Even that was merely a guess. At Yeon Ho-jeong’s current stage, he couldn’t see the total amount of power Master Kong-kong was harboring.
‘As expected of the Mount Tai and Big Dipper.’
A person he had never met during his past life as the Dark Emperor.
However, he had the experience of forming a joint front with the martial monks of Shaolin several times and defeating enemies. The majority of those who fought together at that time were first-generation disciples, and their ages were mostly similar to or younger than Yeon Ho-jeong.
Their martial arts were all astonishingly amazing.
All martial arts under heaven originated from Shaolin. The saying that all martial arts under heaven came from Shaolin wasn’t for nothing.
Furthermore, the stage of martial arts he had achieved during his time as the Dark Emperor overwhelmed the current Master Kong-kong. Even so, Yeon Ho-jeong was startled by the density of the power Master Kong-kong was harboring.
‘What kind of internal energy is this brutally immense.’
Yeon Wi asked in his characteristically blunt voice.
“But for what matter have you come here without a single attendant?”
Even the Yeon Wi of the world was polite in front of Abbott Kong-kong. There was a difference in age, and it was also because of the extraordinary weight of being the Shaolin Abbott.
Master Kong-kong smiled and said.
“Yeon Clan Head.”
“Please speak, Master.”
“May I have a brief chat with the Clan Head’s eldest son for a moment?”
Yeon Wi looked at Master Kong-kong with surprised eyes.
‘…’
Master Kong-kong’s eyes were clear.
How deep and clear that gaze was, if one kept looking at it, it felt like they would be sucked right in. It was the insight of an enlightened one that couldn’t be shown through half-baked cultivation.
‘Come to think of it.’
Even though he had trained such surprising internal energy and mighty martial arts, his face was full of fine wrinkles.
Despite harboring high-density Qi, his appearance was fitting for his age. A power that didn’t go against the natural order, the divine arts of Shaolin that had been passed down for a thousand years pursued such natural strength.
Yeon Wi nodded his head.
“Please do so.”
“Thank you.”
Yeon Wi looked at Yeon Ho-jeong.
Yeon Ho-jeong bowed his head.
“I will be back.”
“Okay.”
At that time, Master Kong-kong said.
“Did you say you use a heavy weapon that exceeds eighty geun?”
“Yes? Ah, yes.”
“Since you’re at it, bring that along too.”
It was a meaningful remark.
Yeon Ho-jeong picked up the Crazy Dragon Axe as if there was no problem at all. Just in case, he even packed the Flood Dragon Chain.
Subtle interest rose on Master Kong-kong’s face upon seeing the Flood Dragon Chain.
But that was all.
“Now, let’s go.”
The place Master Kong-kong headed to while taking Yeon Ho-jeong was a forest deep inside the Alliance.
While going to that place, Master Kong-kong didn’t bring up any words. And that was the same for Yeon Ho-jeong.
Finally, a large clearing appeared before the eyes of the two people who had been walking while pushing through the bushes.
‘A clearing…’
Its width was tremendous. It seemed three times wider than the inner castle training ground where he had fought a spar with his father.
Master Kong-kong opened his mouth.
“It is that place.”
“Yes.”
Soon, the two stood in the center of the clearing.
Yeon Ho-jeong looked around his surroundings.
‘It looks like a place made openly for fighting.’
In fact, it seemed someone had recently done extreme training here. There were plenty of scratched and burst marks left here and there on the ground.
“Your patience is good.”
Yeon Ho-jeong turned his gaze to Master Kong-kong.
Master Kong-kong’s face was full of a relaxed smile.
“To not open your mouth once while coming here, your patience is good, unlike the youths these days.”
“It is because I have many thoughts. It is not that my patience is outstanding.”
“Hehehe.”
Master Kong-kong burst into a hearty laugh.
The sound of his laughter was truly pleasant to hear.
“Let me introduce myself formally. I am a fake monk who kills time with trivial tasks while cooped up in the abbot’s room of Songshan’s Shaolin.”
Yeon Ho-jeong unconsciously chuckled.
It was a quite impressive self-introduction. Normally, when one thinks of the Shaolin Abbott, they would recall a merciful and heavy impression, but Abbott Kong-kong was different.
Probably, the appearance he showed in public and private settings was also different.
“I am the idiot of the Yeon Clan who only recently came to his senses after driving nails into his family’s hearts.”
Master Kong-kong laughed loudly again.
“What kind of bizarre introduction is that?”
“Is it as much as yours, Master?”
Even though it was their first meeting, it was a quite familiar tone.
Master Kong-kong smiled and nodded his head.
“As expected, you are different from the rumors.”
“Yes?”
“They said you were a hot-blooded youth whose innate talent was solely focused on martial arts, but you seem completely different from the rumors of the world.”
“Is that so?”
“It is. You are a Tiger General, but a talent possessing the fox’s trickery and the snake’s wisdom, as well as an ever-changing face like a dragon.”
Yeon Ho-jeong unconsciously flinched.
“Your praise is excessive.”
“Is it? Hehe, what does it matter if it’s excessive. If scolding is excessive, it becomes a problem, but good words shouldn’t be a problem even if they are excessive.”
“If praise is excessive, a person becomes arrogant.”
“Are you such a person?”
“I could be.”
“I’m saying this because it’s just us, but with that level of martial prowess at your age, I think it’s okay to become a little arrogant.”
It was strange.
He was clearly the Shaolin Abbott who had deeply learned the Buddhist dharma, but the current conversation felt like a conversation between ordinary people.
‘The sound that it’s okay to be arrogant comes from a monk’s mouth?’
It was unique.
It was clear that he was sincere, but looking at it differently, it was profound. It seemed like he was asking in a roundabout way if he really intended to be like that, and it also sounded like words without any meaning.
‘Whatever it is, he’s definitely not an ordinary person.’
Master Kong-kong asked.
“Why? Do I not seem like the Shaolin Abbott?”
Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.
“You are no different from a ghost.”
“Tsk! To call a person who pursues the Buddhist dharma a ghost, even if he is a fake monk?”
“…You get angry at strange places.”
“Hehe, so your answer?”
“I thought so until just now.”
“Not anymore?”
“Isn’t it said that people’s personalities are all different. Whether a monk or a Taoist, they are ultimately the same people, and just because they pursue enlightenment, their innate natures don’t have to be similar, right?”
“Hehehe!”
Master Kong-kong laughed loudly.
A pleasant emotion emanated from his laughter that even sounded hearty. It seemed Yeon Ho-jeong’s words were quite amusing.
“One thing seems certain. Until now, in front of the Shaolin Abbott, and on a first meeting at that, there has been no one who spoke as boldly as you.”
“There is no reason not to be bold either.”
“Right.”
Master Kong-kong’s eyes shone.
“That is exactly it. Even if worldly etiquette can’t be helped, there is no need to bow your head more than necessary.”
“Did you like it?”
“Enough.”
Yeon Ho-jeong hardened his expression.
“Now please tell me. The reason you called me to this place.”
“The reason?”
Master Kong-kong tilted his head.
“Isn’t this place telling you the reason?”
“Is it just a spar?”
“If it wasn’t a spar, would I have told you to even pack that heavy axe?”
Yeon Ho-jeong was a little flustered.
“Is that so…?”
“Hehehe. That face of yours, now you finally look like a youth of your age. I am relieved.”
Relieved?
Master Kong-kong brought his palms together as if praying and slowly spread them.
“My words have been too long. Now, let’s slowly begin.”
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Master Kong-kong without a word.
‘A spar?’
A first impression, and a little conversation, one can roughly get a feel of what the opponent’s personality or reaction will be like.
But Master Kong-kong was not. Even with the eyes of the Tiger General of Green Mountain, or the eyes of the Dark Emperor, he couldn’t grasp Master Kong-kong’s true appearance.
To be precise, it was difficult to read his intentions.
‘…’
Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been staring at Master Kong-kong for a long time, held the Crazy Dragon Axe upright in front of him.
Interest rose on Master Kong-kong’s face.
“I was surprised earlier too, but you really hold it lightly.”
“Because it’s my main weapon.”
“That iron chain wouldn’t be an ordinary item either, right?”
“I brought it just in case.”
“Hehehe.”
Master Kong-kong said in a pleasant tone.
“Shall I say one last word?”
“Please do.”
“Before calling you, I also had a bout with Commander Murong.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes flashed.
“You mean with the Demon-Sweeping Army Commander?”
“Yes. He was amazing. The spar was only for a quarter of an hour, but in that brief moment, he grew explosively.”
“Hoo.”
A natural smile was cast over Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.
Master Kong-kong’s eyes shone.
‘He’s sincere.’
It was a clear smile that showed no emotions like competitive spirit or jealousy.
It was unexpected. Usually, the more outstanding a youth is, the more impatient they become at the growth of another genius, but Yeon Ho-jeong showed no such appearance at all.
‘Is it confidence? Or is he purely acknowledging the opponent?’
Whatever it was, he was definitely extraordinary.
Just as Yeon Ho-jeong couldn’t read Master Kong-kong’s true nature, Master Kong-kong also couldn’t read Yeon Ho-jeong’s true nature.
That was truly a surprising matter for Master Kong-kong. He didn’t have the experience of pushing through a brutal Asura path like Yeon Ho-jeong, but he had innate wisdom, Shaolin’s divine arts, and True Eyes obtained through cultivation.
‘As expected, it was good that I called him.’
Master Kong-kong asked.
“Shall we really begin now?”
“…Good.”
Kuung!
The earth shook from a powerful foot stomp.
Master Kong-kong’s eyes shone. He was admiring Yeon Ho-jeong’s leg strength transmitted through the ground.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s smile turned chilly.
“I’ve been using my head so much lately, I momentarily forgot my appearance from when I was simple.”
“Hehehe.”
“I believe you will appropriately receive everything.”
“I am none other than the Shaolin Abbott.”
It was then.
Flash!
Master Kong-kong’s eyes widened.
‘Heo?!’
Hwarrrruk!
It seemed a streak of light flashed, and before he knew it, Yeon Ho-jeong had reached a distance of one zhang in front of him.
‘He is fast!’
It was as if a giant fireball had been shot. The radiance of the deep red internal energy blooming all over his body was like the flapping of a Fire God’s wings.
Yeon Ho-jeong swung the Crazy Dragon Axe.
Flash! Kwarrrrng!
A terrifying flurry of strikes turned the surface of the ground upside down.
It was a real attack that showed absolutely no mercy. He didn’t put killing intent into the Vermilion Bird Qi, but the Vermilion Bird Art itself was a vicious killing art in the first place.
Pararararak!
The hem of Master Kong-kong’s kasaya, who had flown up into the air, fluttered in the wind.
‘It is amazing.’
A merciless axe strike of one technique and six forms.
He was truly surprised. He hadn’t even imagined that he would pour out such a violent attack from the start.
‘Furthermore, that footwork is…?’
Paaaak!
Master Kong-kong’s eyes widened even more.
This time, it wasn’t footwork but a movement technique. Yeon Ho-jeong’s appearance, flying up with his back kept straight, reminded one of the noble posture of a gentleman.
A gentleman holding a wicked axe.
At that appearance, which completely didn’t match yet strangely matched, and at the surging fighting spirit, Master Kong-kong shouted vigorously.
“Is it like this from the start!”
“You said you’d receive everything!”
Master Kong-kong vigorously stretched out his hand.
Peeoooong! Kaang!
The Crazy Dragon Axe, hit by the soft palm force, bounced off at tremendous speed and lodged into the ground.
Master Kong-kong’s eyes flashed.
‘He let go of his main weapon?!’
Paak.
Before he knew it, Yeon Ho-jeong appeared on his left side.
Master Kong-kong was inwardly surprised.
‘He read it?’
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled bloodthirstily.
“Carelessness is forbidden, Master.”
White Tiger Qi exploded from his fist.
Boom!