Chapter 1270
Worry about Maninbang’s bastards! (5)
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Of course, Ho Gamyeong’s shock would have been significant. However, it was not comparable to the shock experienced by Haenam’s disciples scanning the coast from the ship.
“That…”
Gwak Hwanso’s face drained of color, rendering him speechless.
On the beach, now completely dyed red, blood was being scattered incessantly like foam.
“How…?”
Maninbang, the perennial leaders of Guandong, so much feared by Haenam.
And only one person is standing in front of Maninbang, to block the entire force which was sent to destroy Haenam.
Gwak Hwanso’s emotions as he watched this unfold were too complex to articulate.
It could be said that this was his first real battle. While there had been genuine clashes with opponents before, this was the first time they had fought with the sole purpose of killing, and it was also the first time such a large-scale war had been witnessed by them.
As a result, from the moment he escaped the coast, he felt like collapsing on the deck from exhaustion.
However, Hwasan Geomhyeop was single-handedly blocking Maninbang even after enduring everything they had thrown at him. No, he was even pushing them back.
“He’s not even human…”
A quiet voice came from beside him. Glancing over, he saw Lee Jayang’s face pale and devoid of color.
Seeing his trembling jaw, Gwak Hwanso slowly turned his gaze back to Chung Myung, who was wielding his sword. The round object that had suddenly erupted above him was undoubtedly the head of Maninbang’s member.
‘Are they really the same person…?’
It was hard to believe.
The demon-like entity now chopping off the heads of Maninbang was the same person who had giggled and poured drinks with them just a few days ago.
At that moment, the voice of Namgung Dowi rang out.
“…Isn’t it getting too far?”
The voice was filled with deep concern.
“Of course, I understand the need to create distance, but it feels like we’re getting too far.”
“It’s still fine.”
However, Baek Cheon’s response to the concern was unyieldingly calm.
“Vice Sect Leader, but…”
“I said it’s fine.”
Baek Cheon cut in sharply once again. Gwak Hwanso observed Baek Cheon quietly. Though his expression was somewhat hardened, there was no trace of hesitation in his eyes. All that could be felt was unwavering trust, and that alone.
Having spoken so, Namgung Dowi seemed to have lost his voice as he alternated his gaze between Baek Cheon and the coast in silence. Eventually, he spoke up.
“Of course, it’s not that we doubt the prowess of Hwasan Geomhyeop. No one would dare think such a thing when it comes to Cheonumaeng.”
“…”
“But isn’t this the battlefield? Even a slight excitement can completely distort the situation there. Isn’t it possible to lose your life just by losing it for a moment?”
Some people showed signs of unease at these words.
The idea of Chung Myung being defeated was unthinkable to them, at least to those present here.
However, since Chung Myung was also human, there was a possibility that in the heat of battle, he might miss the moment to retreat. If that happened, he would inevitably become isolated among the forces of Maninbang.
“Sasuk.”
Jo Geol called out to Baek Cheon with a voice tinged with concern, as if to affirm Namgung Dowi’s words. It was like thought they should send a signal now and call Chung Myung back.
However, Baek Cheon remained silent, looking only at Chung Myung.
Jo Geol, feeling frustrated, called out to Baek Cheon once again.
“Sasuk.”
“Excitement?”
However, Baek Cheon’s response was directed not to Jo Geol but to Namgung Dowi.
“Would be nice to someone who can do that.”
“Um?”
With darkened eyes, he looked out at the battlefield as spoke.
“He doesn’t get excited. He only pretends to be.”
“…”
“Of course, he’s human too, so there may be times when he gets so excited that he loses himself, but at least not now.”
Upon hearing this, Yoon Jong and Yu Iseol nodded in agreement.
“You mean he’s not excited?”
Namgung Dowi cast his gaze towards Chung Myung, who was rampaging like a mad demon, as if he couldn’t comprehend what was happening. Even the onlookers couldn’t help but feel the adrenaline rush at the sight. But how could the one creating such a spectacle remain calm?
“You’ll see.”
However, Baek Cheon didn’t feel the need to elaborate further.
Namgung Dowi eventually fell silent. While Baek Cheon’s words might have seemed a bit brusque, Namgung Dowi understood his perspective.
It wasn’t about withholding an explanation – it was about something that couldn’t be explained. It was a response born not of logic and theory but of something accumulated through shared experiences. How could one express the source of that trust in mere words?
‘This is getting tiresome.’
In some ways, it was indeed chilling. Someone standing alone against the formidable force known as Maninbang, never getting excited, never faltering, never making mistakes – it bordered with delusions, didn’t it? Though the form might be different, the faith they showed in Chung Myung resembled the belief of Maninbang in Jang Ilso or the devotion of Demonic Cult towards Heavenly Demon.
Chung Myung hadn’t gained such tremendous trust from them through authority or power – it was solely based on his skill and achievements.
Namgung Dowi witnessed Chung Myung fighting like crazy.
‘Will I ever be like that?’
He found myself biting my lips tightly as he looked at Chung Myung’s back.
Crack!
A fragmented body soared and scattered. Blood sprayed from the severed body, covering Chung Myung’s face.
Even amid the searing heat, ready to burn him, Chung Myung’s eyes grew colder than ever.
‘The distance?’
His eyes instantly gauged the distance to where Ho Gamyeong was.
‘Far.’
There were too many obstacles blocking the way ahead. If there were even slightly fewer, he might have rushed forward, even at the risk of his own life, to sever that man’s neck.
But now, while breaking through might be possible, escaping unscathed was truly impossible.
He drove Dark Plum Sword into the fleeing man’s back. Twisting the sword lodged in the trembling back, he struck upward.
As much blood as possible scattered. So that everyone could witness this spectacle more clearly.
‘What should I do?’
Instinctively, he wanted to capture him, even if it meant forcing his way through.
Instinctively… No, it didn’t even need to be mentioned. That man called Ho Gamyeong was more difficult than anticipated.
From Chung Myung’s perspective, he might be even more challenging to deal with than Jang Ilso, who constantly came up with unreasonable schemes.
Strategizing usually involves taking risks to gain certain benefits. However, Ho Gamyeong faithfully and silently performs his role without taking unnecessary risks.
If someone like him caught him, Chung Myung couldn’t predict the calamity that would unfold.
While there was a desire to eliminate Ho Gamyeong to escape from Gangnam and prepare for future battles with Sapaeryeon, but…
“Ugh, ugh!”
Seemingly realizing there was nowhere else to flee, those who had been scrambling away turned back towards Chung Myung. With eyes widened in panic, they charged forward.
Like a mouse cornered by a cat, they recklessly rushed even as the predator closed in. Caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, they were overwhelmed without a chance to escape.
However…
Shimmering!
Chung Myung’s sword trembled with an insane speed, unleashing a stream of crimson plum blossom petals from its tip.
“Ah!”
The scattered plum blossom petals, seeming to possess a life and will of their own, scattered in all directions, striking the approaching warriors of Maninbang.
“Aaaagh!”
Their desperate screams added another layer of horror to the blood-stained shore.
Those pierced through dozens of times spat blood from every hole in their bodies as they collapsed. Yet, Chung Myung, the one responsible for this horrific scene, remained relentlessly cold-eyed.
‘A mob.’
Chung Myung slightly eased off the offensive. If he were determined, he could easily overwhelm them and aim for Ho Gamyeong in a single breath, but the retreat was uncertain.
Especially since the ones he was facing now were just rabble even within Maninbang. The real forces were guarding Ho Gamyung, behind him.
They would likely be the ones he would have to fight soon.
‘That’s why I hate them. Revolting Sapa bastards.’
Chung Myung never hesitated to charge into enemy’s territory to save even one disciple. However Sapa, while appearing to rampage outwardly, didn’t hesitate to sacrifice their own comrades to drain the enemy’s strength.
A momentary wave of disgust furrowed Chung Myung’s brow.
‘Their position?’
He briefly measured the distance between the ships and himself.
Just about right.
‘This far.’
Chung Myung twirled his sword, gripping it in reverse.
“This time, I’ll just go straight…”
His bloodied lips parted, revealing menacingly white teeth.
“Still, I have to say hello.”
Crack!
With a powerful thrust into the ground, Chung Myung leaped upwards. He twisted his waist backward in mid-air, and instantly, a crimson aura emanated from his sword, spreading out with incredible force.
Boom!
Accompanied by a thunderous roar, a red line soared through the air, splitting the blue sky of the Southern Sea in half and heading straight towards Ho Gamyeong amidst the forces of Maninbang.
“Block it!”
The men surrounding Ho Gamyeong rushed forward as if they had been waiting for this moment. They swung their massive swords at Chung Myung’s soaring sword energy.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
‘What?’
Despite the clash between the sturdy swords and the delicate aura blade imbued with immense power, the aura blade didn’t bounce back or shatter. Instead, it pushed through the heavy swords.
“Oh, no…”
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The strengthened swords screamed as they were sliced apart. But what was even more terrifying was the overwhelming force carried by the it.
“Aaaargh!”
The defenders could no longer withstand the impact and were knocked back. And with unabated momentum, Chung Myung’s aura blade continued its straight path towards Ho Gamyeong.
“Commander!”
“Dodge it…”
Roar!
Sand erupted behind Ho Gamyeong like an explosion, but he remained on the spot, standing firmly in his place without even blinking.
Swoosh.
In that moment, a long crimson line appeared from the corner of his left eye down to his cheek, near his ear. His left side was instantly stained red with the blood he shed.
The wound was so deep that his bones were exposed. Yet, Ho Gamyeong, with his endlessly dark eyes, seemed to feel no pain as he gazed at Chung Myung.
“Hmph.”
Chung Myung, now descending, twisted his lips in a mocking smile.
‘As expected, he’s no fun.’
But since greetings were exchanged, it was enough. Chung Myung, having separated himself from the enemy clinging to him with a vigorous swing of his sword, turned his body like a swift wild weasel.
Just at that moment.
Roar!
From the ground beneath Chung Myung, soaked in blood-red sand, about a dozen swords shot up.
But Chung Myung twisted his body with a sneer. Indeed, it was a sharp move, but he was not one to be caught off guard by this level of attack.
But then.
Boom!
The swords that shot up exploded in an instant, emitting light for a moment before scattering into hundreds of pieces in all directions.
‘What?’
Chung Myung momentarily widened his eyes in surprise.
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