Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 65 - The Eldest Son of Green Mountain (5)
Chapter 65 – The Eldest Son of Green Mountain (5)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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“Mm, it’s done.”
Yeon Ho-jeong clenched his fist.
Ssssk.
Naturally, the White Tiger Qi permeated it.
He wanted to thrust his tightly clenched fist right away. If he swung it at a rock, the rock would split; if he swung it at a tree, the tree would be smashed to pieces.
Of course, such a thing was also possible with the Jade Gauze True Formula, whose attainment was gradually deepening.
However, using the Jade Gauze True Qi to maintain balance while operating and striking with the White Tiger Qi made a difference in the attack power itself.
‘Now it can be operated properly.’
The White Tiger Qi was fierce. It was not a heavy and static energy like the Black Tortoise Qi.
Therefore, it always struggled to break free. If one could not properly grasp and control the White Tiger Qi, it would become difficult to even control one’s martial arts.
What if one could not control their martial arts?
Then it was self-destruction. Even a rare treasured sword only shone with value when used when it should be used. If one overused the uncontrolled White Tiger Qi, the body would collapse first before the internal energy was exhausted.
‘Still.’
A sense of pride rose in Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.
‘Having the White Tiger as well certainly makes me feel reassured.’
Eight days had passed since he obtained the White Tiger Qi.
During that time, he controlled the true energy and refined it to fit his body.
He hadn’t swung his axe or practiced his footwork, but he felt that his martial arts had improved significantly. No matter how much one pursued an extreme martial path, there had to be at least a minimum of balance.
Yeon Ho-jeong stood up, picking up his axe. Having lived in the forest for several days, his beard was bushy, but his skin seemed clearer.
“Then.”
He took a powerful first step.
Thump!
The footstep that shook the earth announced the owner of the mountain.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s body scattered like smoke.
Thwack!
At the moment he seemed to have disappeared, he appeared ten paces away and split a tree diagonally.
Originally, Yeon Ho-jeong’s lightness art was not that fast. Even now, his attainment in lightness art was not much different from before he obtained the White Tiger Qi.
However, his footwork was different.
He was originally fast at penetrating close range. But now, he was even faster than before. It was a speed truly like a bolt of lightning.
That was the White Tiger’s Sovereign Step. It was the footstep of the Western Great Emperor who reigned over battlefields where blood and flesh splattered.
A footwork that could deal with all enemies entering his domain. It was a footwork specialized for combat.
Yeon Ho-jeong swung his axe again.
Whirrrr!
He swung it so powerfully that the shaft seemed like it might bend.
It was similar to the Wild Beast Spear technique yet entirely different. Only now did the true subtle essence of a ‘single-strike certain kill’ begin to be contained within it.
It was the Sovereign Tiger’s Nine Thunderclaps, an ultimate martial art that crushed the opponent’s momentum even before the actual attack landed.
After swinging the axe dozens of times, he struck the base of a rock with the axe held in his right hand.
Boom! Rumble!
A fairly large rock rolled five zhang away before stopping its advance when blocked by a giant tree.
Striking and sending a rock flying with explosive power. There was no other Herculean strength like this.
Thud!
Setting down the axe, Yeon Ho-jeong looked down at his hands.
The tips of his fingers were trembling slightly.
‘The Qi is perfect, but the body can’t keep up.’
Since he struck it with an axe imbued with White Tiger Qi, it was only natural for the rock to split. However, Yeon Ho-jeong pushed and sent the rock flying with that destructive energy.
This meant the supply and demand of true energy was free and flexible. It was proof that he could perfectly control the White Tiger Qi.
However, his muscles, ligaments, and joints were unable to handle that destructive technique.
‘It’s fine for now. But if I don’t loosen it up in advance, it will inevitably break down someday.’
Yeon Ho-jeong was not worried.
The White Tiger Qi was rough. However, the muscles and bones grew because of the White Tiger Qi.
In other words, aside from physical training, if he operated the White Tiger Qi well, this problem would eventually disappear.
Yeon Ho-jeong took a deep breath.
Vrrrrm.
After centering himself with the Jade Gauze True Qi and recovering his true energy with the White Tiger Qi, he dispelled any wicked energy with the Black Tortoise Qi.
Recovery was truly fast. His body, which had been feeling stiff, was instantly filled with vitality.
“Now then.”
Slinging the axe over his shoulder, he looked at the tall tavern towering in the distance.
His stomach gave a growl.
“Shall I grease my stomach for the first time in a while?”
The place Yeon Ho-jeong arrived at was Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan.
Kaifeng was one thing, but the crowds in Zhengzhou were different. The streets were more flamboyant than Kaifeng, and the pavilions were even larger and taller.
Entering a particularly large and flamboyant tavern among them, Yeon Ho-jeong immediately secured a room.
He hadn’t been able to wash properly for several days. He washed his body for over half a double-hour before changing his clothes.
The clothes he had requested in advance were martial robes. They were black martial robes that didn’t show dirt easily.
After changing into his martial robes, he headed to the dining area with his axe.
Hubbub.
The tavern was noisy. Even though the sun hadn’t set yet, there were many people having drinking parties.
He sat in a corner on the top floor and ordered some dishes. Of course, liquor was a bonus.
“The smell is good.”
Three ordered dishes came out. Yeon Ho-jeong finished the food as if he were possessed by a gluttonous ghost.
However, as expected, he was not Ga Deuk-sang. After finishing two dishes, he felt appropriately full.
‘It will be just right to use as snacks with the liquor.’
He even downed a cup of liquor lightheartedly.
He could feel people’s glancing eyes. But he didn’t care. To begin with, he wasn’t the type of personality to be uncomfortable with others’ gazes, and he had become quite accustomed to it.
Just as he finished one bottle of liquor and was about to order another.
“The way you drink is very spirited.”
Yeon Ho-jeong raised his head.
Standing there was a woman with a brilliant appearance. Whether she had already drunk a fair amount, both her cheeks were flushed red.
It was an attractive appearance. Whether she wore such clothes on purpose, her curvaceous figure was clearly visible. She was a woman from whom any man would find it difficult to look away.
“Are you a warrior of the Jianghu? My goodness, do you carry that big axe around? That’s amazing! You must have the strength of a giant?”
Yeon Ho-jeong replied calmly.
“I use my strength appropriately.”
“Heehee, you’re a stiff one, aren’t you? You have charm.”
She openly said he had charm. It wasn’t easy even for a fairly brazen person to do this.
The woman leaned her hand on the table.
It was a bold and seductive posture. Through the split front of her robe, her deep cleavage was revealed.
“How about it? I happen to be alone too, shall we drink together?”
“Is that allowed?”
“Oh my. Why? Is there a law that says a man and a woman can’t drink together?”
“There isn’t, right?”
“Then let’s drink together.”
“I don’t want to.”
A look of disappointment appeared on the woman’s face.
“Why? Do you want to be alone?”
Yeon Ho-jeong pointed to the surroundings with his chin.
“People aren’t looking at me.”
“Yes?”
“Because I carry such a hideous thing around, you see. Everyone usually steals glances while pretending not to. But right now, no one is looking at me.”
“Oh my, then are they looking at me?”
The woman looked around. However, no one was looking here.
Yeon Ho-jeong smirked.
“I suppose there were quite a few fellows getting in the way while I wasn’t around? Since people aren’t even looking at you?”
The woman was still looking around.
“You’re right. They’re not looking at me. I wonder why?”
“Why else? Because they’re afraid of you.”
“Afraid of me? What did I do?”
“How should I know? Whether you dealt with a few fellows or acted like a crazy bitch.”
The woman fell silent.
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“You guys are also quite clumsy. If you were going to deceive your opponent, you should have deceived others as well. Did you think it would work just by deceiving me?”
“Hmm.”
“I’ll play with you when the time comes, so just wash your feet and go to sleep today.”
“Oh my, those are strangely expectant words.”
The woman turned her head back to Yeon Ho-jeong.
Her face was still beautiful. However, her gaze was cold as ice, unlike a moment ago.
“How did you know, little brother?”
Her way of speaking changed.
“I just told you everything, didn’t I?”
“No, not that reason. I’m curious how you really knew.”
“I’ve said all I have to say. Go.”
“…Ho-oh, it must have been real then? That you can realize it so simply?”
Of course.
However, there was also a sense that could not be explained logically. Having seen so many fellows who deceived their opponents only to plunge a knife into their stomachs, he could smell them from the moment they approached.
Thud.
The woman sat down opposite him with a thick-skinned attitude.
Yeon Ho-jeong grumbled.
“Let me eat some food, you lot.”
“Eat. I won’t touch you.”
She was sincere. Yeon Ho-jeong read sincerity in her words.
Sincerity always came from confidence. The woman… no, they… were certain that they could easily capture Yeon Ho-jeong.
The woman leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand.
It was still a seductive posture, but it no longer radiated the same sensuality as before. Her two eyes, which were cool yet pure, revealed a certain innocence.
“Amazing. You were the fastest. Usually, men become dazed when I approach them.”
“You must have dealt only with fools.”
“Is that so? But among the kids we caught, there was a fairly decent one too. He was called the Mount Heng Sword Hero, I think?”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes gleamed.
He also knew the title ‘Mount Heng Sword Hero.’ The reason was that he was the last master of the declined Mount Heng Sect.
What was important was his martial prowess.
The Mount Heng Sword Hero was a rare master who had fought to a draw with an elder of the Qingcheng Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang. That they caught such a master meant their abilities were exceptionally outstanding.
“How many of you are there?”
“Well? About seventy? I haven’t counted well since several new recruits joined.”
“Quite a lot of you swarmed to catch one guy.”
“Hey, no way. We’re not that unreasonable. Only five went to catch the Mount Heng Sword Hero.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes sparkled.
That was quite a surprising thing. How many organizations could catch a warrior on the level of a Qingcheng Sect elder with just five people?
“How many came this time?”
“All of us.”
“Ho-oh?”
“That’s why I was curious. I wondered if the target was perhaps one of the Saintly Heaven Thirteen Seats. My curiosity was piqued, so I came out first.”
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“I guarantee you, no matter what kind of fellows you are, you absolutely cannot catch one of the Saintly Heaven Thirteen Seats.”
The woman smirked.
Her gaze became even cooler.
“Why are you so confident? Don’t you know that the Jianghu is a place where even a first-rate master dies to a dagger thrown by children?”
“I know. But not the Saintly Heaven Thirteen Seats.”
“Do you know those gentlemen?”
“There are things you know even without seeing their faces. With your level, forget the Saintly Heaven Thirteen Seats, you wouldn’t even be a match for my father.”
“Judge Sword Yeon Wi. I heard he is a man of great skill.”
“If you see him in person, you’ll piss and shit yourself.”
“Look at you, bragging about your own father.”
“If you get the chance, try to visit him. Ah, wait, that won’t do. You all have to die by my hand before that, right?”
The woman shook her head as if it were absurd.
“You’re a little brother who doesn’t know how scary the world is.”
Yeon Ho-jeong waved his hand dismissively.
“If you’re done with your business, you go and rest too. I want to get a bit drunk today.”
The woman, who had been staring at Yeon Ho-jeong, stood up with a smile.
“Drink a lot. You can’t drink once you’re dead.”
“I got it, so just go already.”
“Ho-ho-ho.”
The woman left the place with a trilling laugh.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.
‘She’s quite something.’
The smell of blood is thick.
She was a woman who had killed countless people. Likely everyone in the organization she belonged to was the same.
‘And there are seventy such fellows?’
This is interesting.
Fellows who reeked of blood like that would never enter under a prestigious family. To begin with, if it were a prestigious family, they wouldn’t even accept them.
But it seemed that wasn’t the case for the Myeong Clan.
“Truly a greedy lot.”
It was then.
[It’s the Beggars’ Gang. The Murong Clan Head has arrived in Zhengzhou.]
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes flashed.
‘Finally.’
He has come. Him.
Yeon Ho-jeong muttered softly.
“Tell them I’ll do one more cleanup before I go.”
[Yes.]
Murong Clan Head Murong Jun.
The rare master who had been given the title of Sword God and became the Murim Alliance Leader, a comrade-in-arms and enemy who had climbed Tianzhu Peak with him to subjugate the Evil Lust Cult Leader.
Finally, he was meeting him.
Not as the Dark Emperor Castle Lord, the Dark Emperor, but as the Eldest Son of the Green Mountain Yeon Clan, Yeon Ho-jeong.
Calming his thumping heart, Yeon Ho-jeong raised his hand.
“One more bottle here.”