Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 72 - Enemies, and the Source of Water (2)
Chapter 72 – Enemies, and the Source of Water (2)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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“Chief Steward. A report has come in that Yeon Ho-jeong has headed southwards after encountering and annihilating the Blue Hall!”
“Is that so?”
Myeong Wu-san clenched his fist.
‘It’s done.’
The Blue Hall was, so to speak, nothing more than bait.
Based on Yeon Ho-jeong’s personality reported so far, it didn’t seem likely that he would be captured peacefully. If he were escorted to the Myeong Clan without a fight, that would also be a good thing.
In the end, people must have seen Yeon Ho-jeong’s ruthless side. It was the moment the rumors became the truth.
This is as far as it goes. Myeong Wu-san, who had made Yeon Ho-jeong into a serious criminal with just the Blue Hall, had no intention of consuming any more troops.
“Contact the three brothers. Tell them to engage in battle in a crowded place. They must capture Yeon Ho-jeong with overwhelming power.”
“Understood.”
Myeong Wu-san could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
‘It’s finally over.’
Thinking about it, they had been beaten quite absurdly.
Yeon Ho-jeong was a remarkable fellow. He had flustered the Myeong Clan with martial arts beyond imagination, combat power beyond imagination, and responses beyond imagination.
However, thinking about it a bit more, it seemed that the entire Myeong Clan hadn’t been flustered only because of Yeon Ho-jeong. While Yeon Ho-jeong was the main pillar, he felt that something else had been whittling away at the Myeong Clan’s flesh.
He didn’t know what it was. An unknown unpleasantness kept stimulating his mind.
‘…Well, it won’t matter now.’
Myeong Wu-san would never know in his lifetime. That it was destiny.
Yeon Ho-jeong had made the wheels of destiny turn faster through his own effort and sacrifice. He simply wanted to destroy them with his own hands before he himself collapsed.
Myeong Wu-san, the Myeong Clan, did not know that.
“Anyway.”
After reviewing several documents, Myeong Wu-san fell into thought.
“It’s too fast, even if it’s fast.”
It was the Myeong Clan that had spread the rumor that the suspect for the unsolved crimes in Jiangsu Province was Yeon Ho-jeong.
It was information manipulation to obtain legitimacy and a justification. It was also the Myeong Clan that had taken measures so the rumor would spread quickly.
However, it was excessively fast.
It would take at least five days for a rumor to spread, but the information released near Zhengzhou and Kaifeng had spread to the whole of Henan in just three days.
Myeong Wu-san was flustered by that terrifying speed. Myeong Cheon had chided him, asking what the problem was, but it always became a problem when something unintended happened.
‘Could it be the Beggars’ Gang? That shouldn’t be possible.’
If the Beggars’ Gang had fanned the rumors, it would be possible for the whole of Henan to be in an uproar in three days.
The problem was the reason. The Beggars’ Gang had helped Yeon Ho-jeong until now. If anything, they would have tried to eliminate the rumors, so there was no reason to inflate them.
Therefore, the probability of it being the Beggars’ Gang was low.
Then who could it be?
“…Right, just as the Clan Head said, let’s pass over the trivial things. That’s not what’s important right now.”
He was wrong.
He should have hung onto that part until the end. He should have constantly dug into which organization inflated the rumor and why they inflated it.
Of course, by the time he found out, the situation would have already grown out of control.
* * *
Wooooong.
While walking along the public road, Yeon Ho-jeong thought about his martial arts.
‘The Jade Gauze True Formula has reached the eighth stage.’
The Jade Gauze True Formula, which had stayed at the sixth stage before he left the family, had grown by two stages in that short time.
He already knew everything about the Jade Gauze True Formula. Since it was a process of applying the enlightenment he had accepted with his mind to his body, his achievement could not help but be faster than others.
Even so, it was not to the extent of growing by two stages in that short time. If he had only practiced the Jade Gauze True Formula, he would only now be eyeing the seventh stage.
‘It’s thanks to the Four Gods Martial Arts.’
The White Tiger Qi, the Black Tortoise Qi.
Thanks to the two types of energy, the total amount of Qi accepted by his body had increased. At the same time, he discharged turbid energy every moment to maintain his body in the best condition.
His Qi pathways, which had been like a stream, became as wide as a river. Then, the quantity and quality of the flowing Qi also increased.
A constant virtuous cycle. Thanks to that, the achievement of the Jade Gauze True Formula took a steep upward curve.
Woooong. Wooooong.
Every time he took a step, the pale blue internal energy rose from the soles of his feet like smoke.
It was a mysterious sight. It was partly to seize the atmosphere, but at the same time, he was also refining his martial arts.
He was increasing the density of the outer wall of his dantian with the Jade Gauze True Qi.
‘Eighth stage… that’s not enough.’
Although it was a fast achievement, he still felt it was insufficient.
It was because he didn’t know what kind of expert would pop out from the Myeong Clan. If a peak master appeared, even the great Yeon Ho-jeong would find it difficult to block him.
‘Well, thinking like that, heading toward the Myeong Clan itself makes no sense.’
The Myeong Clan is truly the Number One Clan under Heaven. They must possess an uncountable number of experts.
‘I should have raised it to at least the ninth stage. It would be good if I could raise it even now.’
It is impossible. For now.
Of course, there is one way to raise the achievement of the Jade Gauze True Qi immediately.
‘If I can call forth just one more of the remaining two energies of the Four Gods Qi…’
He had called the Black Tortoise and opened the White Tiger.
Now, there is no need to specifically obtain another Four Gods Qi through a life-or-death battle. By balancing the White Tiger Qi and the Black Tortoise Qi and endlessly increasing their size, he would be able to call forth another Four Gods Qi at some point.
However, that also lacks time.
In the end, he had to see the end with the Jade Gauze True Formula at the eighth stage as it is now.
‘If I can call forth one of the remaining two in this battle.’
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes shone.
‘Which one should I choose between the Vermilion Bird and the Azure Dragon?’
No matter which one he obtained, his body and overall martial arts would significantly improve.
Furthermore, calling it forth is not everything. Even if he came to possess all of the Four Gods Qi, endless refining would be necessary. The Four Gods Qi was an energy that deepened without limits, not dividing its achievement like the Jade Gauze True Formula.
‘In other words, I must first complete the Jade Gauze True Formula and then master the other Five Great Divine Arts. Looking at it that way, rather than the Vermilion Bird…’
It was the Azure Dragon.
If he obtained the Azure Dragon Qi, his body as well as the divine arts he was practicing would be completely transformed. Such was the characteristic of the Azure Dragon Qi itself, and it would be even more so because it was after obtaining the White Tiger, which is on the opposite side of the Azure Dragon.
‘I wonder if that’s possible.’
Yeon Ho-jeong smacked his lips.
‘For now, let’s use what I have well.’
The Black Tortoise Qi, which he had called forth first, had grown significantly through interaction with the Jade Gauze True Formula.
On the other hand, the White Tiger Qi was still far off. Although it had completely settled down due to the training and life-or-death battles so far, its level was about one-fifth compared to the Black Tortoise Qi.
He would refine the White Tiger first. That was the order.
“Eldest Young Master.”
Yeon Ho-jeong looked back.
It was Shin Mo.
“What is it?”
“Will it be alright like this?”
Not much distance remained to the Myeong Clan. After another half a day, they would enter the Myeong Clan’s territory.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“Why? Are you nervous?”
“Of course.”
One of Shin Mo’s countless strengths was his honesty. He also knew the timing when he could reveal his honesty.
“They are desperate to capture you, Eldest Young Master. And yet, the reason they sent the Blue Hall was…”
“To make the rumors into truth. It’s an intention to show everyone a confirmation before their eyes.”
“I also think so.”
A cold sharp edge emanated from Shin Mo’s eyes.
“They will no longer consume troops. They will send the real thing. They will send an expert with the will to drag you away without letting you enter the Myeong Clan.”
“I think the same.”
Shin Mo inwardly sighed.
He knew it all. This rough and reckless yet wise Eldest Young Master was clearly seeing through the opponent’s moves.
And yet, heading toward the Myeong Clan meant there was something he believed in. However, as Shin Mo, who had volunteered to be the Eldest Young Master’s guard, he couldn’t help but be worried.
Yeon Ho-jeong spoke as if tossing a word.
“If you’re that worried, why don’t you bring out the hidden power as well?”
Momentarily, Shin Mo’s eyes widened.
“Pardon?”
“Was it not so? You seem to have sealed an immense amount of internal power.”
Shin Mo was startled.
“H-how did you know that?”
“How did I know? I know because I see it.”
“Are you saying that it was visible?”
“I didn’t feel it before. When I saw you this time, I finally realized it.”
Admiration gradually appeared on Shin Mo’s face, which had been full of surprise.
“You are remarkable, Eldest Young Master. No one has ever seen through this power before.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.
“But that power is very familiar. Is it a divine art of our family?”
“That’s right. The Clan Head has passed down the Dragon Robe Divine Art to this unworthy fellow.”
This time, astonishment appeared on Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.
“The Dragon Robe Qi?”
“Yes.”
The Dragon Robe Divine Art was one of the Five Great Divine Arts of the Yeon Clan.
Among the Five Great Divine Arts, if the Jade Gauze True Formula is the most stable and the Sword-Limit Thought Qi is the most upright and sharp, the Dragon Robe Divine Art was considered the number one martial art in terms of the destructive power of the discharged force.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled faintly.
“I can just hide behind Squad Leader Shin if anything happens later.”
“N-no. Through heaven’s fortune, I was able to take a spiritual medicine, but if it weren’t for the Dragon Robe Divine Art, I would have fallen into a state of demonic possession because I couldn’t control the Qi. I am still very lacking.”
“So that’s why you were hiding it. You haven’t been able to properly master it yet.”
“That’s right.”
“Still, can you open it?”
“If it’s for a moment, it’s alright.”
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.
“Keep that power well-hidden. There’s no need to inform the enemy of a decisive move.”
Shin Mo’s expression stiffened.
“Understood.”
The Eldest Young Master seemed to intend to see the end with this opportunity.
‘I won’t be able to stop him.’
He was a person who would absolutely do what he said once he decided. That was the Yeon Ho-jeong Shin Mo saw.
If that’s the case, there is no choice. He had no choice but to protect the Eldest Young Master even if he buried his bones here.
Thus, the Yeon Ho-jeong group headed south without hesitation.
Now and then, people would see them and flee in shock. It was because the rumors were much faster than their movement speed.
Yeon Ho-jeong was resolute. He did not react to the people’s angry gazes or fearful gazes. He simply went his way step by step.
‘The sun is setting.’
The sun began to cross the mountain ridge far to the west.
A red sunset illuminated the world. It was a warm color of emptiness.
Night would soon arrive.
A night where ominous murderous intent would fluctuate amidst the cold wind and silence.
‘…’
Just before entering the territory of the Myeong Clan.
‘…What is this.’
Yeon Ho-jeong felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
Something familiar was carried in the blowing wind. It was murderous intent and at the same time a fighting spirit.
“Eldest Young Master.”
“I know.”
A deep tension appeared on Shin Mo’s face.
“He is a remarkable expert. And there are as many as three of them.”
“I see.”
Far across the public road, which was not easily visible even with concentrated visual power.
From there, three people were walking leisurely. And behind those three people, three hundred martial soldiers could be seen emitting a powerful military aura that could not even be compared with the Blue Hall.
Three peak masters who appeared leading a combat unit and a military organization.
Momentarily, Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes wavered.
‘They are strong.’
The martial arts of those three are strong. It was not just a strong level, but remarkably strong.
In terms of pure martial arts realm, they were several stages above the current Yeon Ho-jeong. Since there were as many as three such experts, that alone was a formidable force.
However…
‘Why are they so familiar?’
The reason Yeon Ho-jeong was surprised was not because of the opponent’s strength. Since he had wiped out the Blue Hall, it was time for experts of that level to come.
The problem was their aura.
Since they were experts of the Myeong Clan, they would have naturally practiced the Myeong Clan’s martial arts.
Those martial arts of the Myeong Clan were familiar. It was an energy he had felt once upon a time.
‘Exactly when?’
Tap.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s steps stopped for the first time.
“Eldest Young Master?”
“…”
Wooooong.
The wind settled low.
Shin Mo, who was looking at Yeon Ho-jeong with a puzzled gaze, felt a chill run down his spine at that moment.
Sssssss!
The Jade Gauze True Qi surged from the two feet that stepped on the ground.
However, that internal energy was not as usual. The mysterious pale blue Jade Gauze True Qi had become a terrible and ominous blue madness at this moment, supporting Yeon Ho-jeong’s body.
Whirrrr!!
A whirlwind began to blow around the low-settled wind.
“Huff!”
“Urgh!”
The entire Goshawk Squad retreated a few steps.
Shin Mo shouted in a fluster.
“Eldest Young Master!”
Crack, crack!
Following the blue madness and the white storm, even a dark chill pushed in.
It was the dark and cold energy of the north. The energy of death blowing from the end of life, the destination of the world, was fully loaded in Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes.
Roar!
From somewhere in the west, the roar of the Tiger King was heard.
The axe containing the White Tiger Qi and the Black Tortoise Qi simultaneously squirmed of its own accord.
The Jade Gauze True Formula, the White Tiger Qi, the Black Tortoise Qi.
Three types of divine energy with different characteristics arose simultaneously.
“…You could have appeared a little more slowly.”
His voice trembled.
Was it fear, or was it joy?
“I could have endured more. No, I could have endured forever.”
Woooong!! Wooooong!!
The axe vibrated terrifyingly. As if asking him to swing it immediately, it was filled with deep murderous intent.
“I didn’t know I would meet you so soon.”
The pupils containing blue madness saw through the three experts standing at the front.
Yeon Ho-jeong was living in the present, but his eyes were scanning the past.
‘Father.’
Father, who had blocked the enemy’s onslaught until the end with a sword like an iron wall.
And the leader of the strange sword who had made such a father’s body bloodied.
‘Pyeong-ah.’
My younger brother, who had chosen to flee for the future of the family while avoiding engagement with the enemy.
And the leader of the strange palm who had broken such a brother’s spine.
Furthermore, the vanguard with a massive build who had broken the main gate of the historic Yeon family and invaded.
The whites of Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes gradually became stained with red.
The single emotion connecting the present and the past, the past and the present.
It was the sky-shattering anger toward the mortal enemies.
Boom!
A single step of the White Tiger.
With that single step, Yeon Ho-jeong’s body vanished from the spot.
Boom, boom, boom!
The consecutive explosions that broke out moved away at a terrifying speed.
“W-what?”
The massive middle-aged man standing at the front looked into the air in surprise.
A beast that had traversed that long distance only with the White Tiger Sovereign Step flew high into the sky.
Flash!
Was it reflecting the sunset light, or was it spraying blood-colored murderous intent?
The king of the black darkness, who sprayed fiery visual power to the whole world, lifted a ferocious massive weapon.
“Glad to see you, friends.”
The axe fell toward the man’s crown.
Whoosh! Thud!