Chapter 1287
Because from now on, you’ll get tired of seeing it all too often. (1)
Paaaat!
Trained legs pounded the ground.
The disciples of Haenam ran with all their might. The distance to the target, Dam River, was about 400 li. If an ordinary person were to walk there without sleeping, it would take three days to cover the distance, but for disciples of a prestigious sect like them, it would take just a few hours.
The problem here was not speed but rather stamina.
By the time one reached the level of disciples of Haenam, it was possible to maintain the speed that an ordinary person runs with all their might for an entire day. To put it in extreme terms, it was even possible to run continuously for three days without rest.
Therefore, the speed of these martial artists was incomparable, not only to an ordinary person but even to horses.
However, this extreme speed was now tightening the noose around their necks.
At first, they didn’t really feel it. They simply ran with all their might as they were told.
But as the time passed without a single word exchanged, everyone began to realize.
They were now racing towards their own demise.
They were likely to encounter the net formation of Sapaeryeon from the mouth of Dam River, their target. Right now, they were charging full force towards that very encirclement.
“Jayang!”
“Why are you… cough! Why are you doing this?”
Lee Jayang replied with a tired expression. If it were his usual self, he wouldn’t have been this exhausted after running for about three hours at this pace. It seemed that the pressure of running through Gangnam was quickly draining his stamina.
“How far do you think we’ve come?”
“What?”
“Right now!”
Lee Jayang rolled his eyes as he pondered.
“Well… considering the speed we’ve been running, it’s about time we arrive.”
“Doesn’t that mean we’ll soon come face to face with the enemy?”
Lee Jayang’s face noticeably stiffened.
“…Probably.”
“Shouldn’t we start slowing down now?”
“I also think so, but…”
Gwak Hwanso glanced at Cheonumaeng’s members charging at the front. Lee Jayang is a wise person. If his thoughts align with Gwak Hwanso’s, then it must be considered common sense.
But…
‘What are they thinking?’
They had been running without caution, assuming there were no enemies nearby. But isn’t the situation different now?
It would make sense to gradually reduce speed now and move discreetly to avoid catching the enemy’s attention.
With over two hundred people running like this, wouldn’t anyone, not just Sapaeryeon, notice?
‘Vice Sect Leader!’
Gwak Hwanso’s gaze fixated on Baek Cheon’s back. Even if Gwak Hwanso knows little about war, he’s not ignorant of common sense. This is Gangnam.
Once discovered by the enemy, relentless combat will ensue without respite. Then shouldn’t they somehow delay the onset of the first encounter? At least until after being detected, if there’s no other choice. But why aren’t they still slowing down?
This time, Gwak Hwanso’s gaze shifted towards Geum Yangbaek.
Geum Yangbaek simply followed behind Cheonumaeng silently.
“Why isn’t Sect Leader saying anything?”
“Perhaps it’s difficult for him to speak?”
“Why?”
“Because it’s Hwasan’s Vice Sect Leader… As representative of Hwasan and the envoy of Cheonumaeng, wouldn’t it be burdensome for him to debate right and wrong?”
His words carried several layers of complexity.
Of course, Gwak Hwanso didn’t fully grasp all the implications of this words, but he understood one thing for sure.
“Carry on.”
“Yes!”
Lee Jayang’s firm reply indicated it was the correct answer. Gwak Hwanso pumped inner strength into his legs and ran forward.
“Vice Sect Leader! Chung Myung Dojang!”
Chung Myung and Baek Cheon, who were running ahead, turned to look at Gwak Hwanso.
“We’re almost at the place where the enemies are! Now is the time to slow down and move discreetly…”
“Gwak Sohyeop. That…”
Baek Cheon was about to say something.
“Come here.”
“Yes?”
Chung Myung reached out, grabbed Gwak Hwanso’s collar, and pulled him forcefully forward.
Gwak Hwanso was dragged along with a bewildered expression. At that moment, Baek Cheon spoke up.
“This way?”
“This way is better. Vice Sect Leader should lead Haenam.”
“…Understood.”
The conversation was entirely incomprehensible to Gwak Hwanso.
Without further explanation, Baek Cheon slipped away to the rear and headed towards Geum Yangbaek. As Gwak Hwanso looked around, a chilling voice pierced his ear.
“Don’t turn your head.”
Startled, Gwak Hwanso fixed his gaze forward. Though he couldn’t grasp the situation, hearing Chung Myung’s voice made it seem necessary.
“What, what should I do?”
“Watch closely.”
“Yes?”
“No. More precisely, observe and understand.”
“What does that mean…”
“There’s no time for explanations or teachings. No matter how much I explain, you won’t understand, and no matter how much I teach, you won’t know. You have to feel it with your skin and realize it with your senses.”
What on earth is this all about?
“One thing, remember it clearly.”
“Yes?”
“If you don’t learn, you all die.”
Gwak Hwanso’s face stiffened noticeably.
“It’s not a threat. As things stand, none of you will survive in Gangnam. So watch closely. How we fight, how we move. Feel it first and somehow convey that to them.”
“D-Dojang?”
Despite being told not to turn his head, Gwak Hwanso eventually looked at Chung Myung. What he faced then was Chung Myung’s expression, which was chillingly rigid unlike usual.
Gwak Hwanso stared blankly at Chung Myung for a moment, then turned his gaze to others. After all, Chung Myung wasn’t someone he could understand. So he sought answers from those who were at least somewhat similar to him.
But in that moment, he realized. Not only the disciples of Hwasan, but also Hye Yeon, Namgung Dowi, Tang Pae, and even Im Sobyeong and Seol Sobaek, all wore similar expressions to Chung Myung’s.
They were clearly sharing something in common right now. The only one who couldn’t share that emotion was Gwak Hwanso.
‘This is…’
If what Chung Myung said was true, then after witnessing and experiencing what was about to unfold here, he too would come to understand the nature of this expression. And that moment arrived more abruptly and unexpectedly.
“Dojang! Ahead!”
“I know.”
Chung Myung replied coldly and turned his gaze backward.
Baek Cheon, who had previously fallen behind, was suddenly back by his side. Catching Chung Myung’s glanse, Baek Cheon quickly shouted,
“Jo Geol! Yoon Jong!”
“Yes!”
“Left! Iseol, Soso! Right!”
“Got it.”
Before Gwak Hwanso’s question could fully form, the four disciples of Hwasan flew backward as if propelled by some unseen force.
‘Why to the back?’
Before Gwak Hwanso’s could even think, Baek Cheon continued his instructions.
“Nokrim King! Sect Leader Geum will take care of the rear. Please observe the overall situation from there! Monk Hye Yeon and Lords Namgung, Tang, please provide support in the centre where it’s dangerous!”
“Understood.”
“Yes!”
“Chung Myung-ah!”
“Speak.”
Baek Cheon’s voice lowered slightly.
“Go and bite their heads off!”
Hearing those words, Chung Myung smirked, raising one corner of his mouth.
“No need to say…”
Swoosh.
“It was about time.”
In that moment, Chung Myung’s body shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.
“What?”
Still dazed, Gwak Hwanso’s eyes could only see Chung Myung’s back racing ahead like a mirage. Moments later, within his field of vision, a sword soared and crimson sword energy bloomed like an illusion
Thud.
As Chung Myung’s sword severed their necks, two bodies sprayed blood like fountains. Without hesitation, Chung Myung rushed forward after claiming their lives with a single stroke of his sword.
Gwak Hwanso seemed half out of it. He hadn’t felt a thing, but how could they have known there were enemies hiding there?
‘No, wait. Is it really okay to face the enemy like this…’
“Gwak Sohyeop!”
Baek Cheon’s thunderous shout snapped Gwak Hwanso out of his thoughts.
“Yes! Yes, Vice Sect Leader!”
“Don’t lose focus and quickly follow him behind!”
“Be-… behind…”
“Absolutely don’t lose him. From now on, that’s all Gwak Sohyeop should do. Just keep it in mind.”
Baek Cheon stared Gwak Hwanso straight in the eyes as he spoke.
“If Gwak Sohyeop loses him, everyone following will die.”
“…”
“Even if you have to die, don’t lose him, and stick to him with the resolve to die. Don’t worry about what happens after.”
“Ah, understood.”
“Go!”
Baek Cheon forcefully shoved Gwak Hwanso forward.
Driven by the push, Gwak Hwanso gritted his teeth and sprinted towards Chung Myung.
‘What’s going on?’
It was an order he couldn’t fathom. Was it really such a big deal not to lose sight of the person in front? Why make such a fuss over it? Though he may not be as skilled as them in martial arts, he was still Haenam’s senior disciple. Surely he could manage something like this? And above all…
‘Why all this talk about dying and losing?’
If you don’t learn, you die. If you lose, you die. It wasn’t like they were bullying a child and instilling fear. What kind of nonsense was this?
Anxiety and frustration surged within him.
Just as Gwak Hwanso was about to exhale to relieve his frustration, Chung Myung suddenly increased his speed, swiftly widening the distance between them.
“What the…!”
Startled, Gwak Hwanso slammed his foot down with all his might. As he sprinted past the bodies cut down by Dark Plum Sword, he saw Chung Myung swiftly swinging his sword ahead.
“Aaaah!”
The ambushers lying in wait were swiftly cut down, screams filling the air as blood splattered in all directions.
Faces drenched in crimson, collapsing to the ground, came into sharp focus for Gwak Hwanso. Their bodies crumpled like rotten straw, one person trembling on their knees.
But Chung Myung left them be, rushing forward once more. Gwak Hwanso’s eyes widened slightly.
They’re still alive. That person is still…
“Cough…”
Seeing Gwak Hwanso running towards him, the trembling figure struggled to lift their sword weakly.
In that moment, an indescribable conflict surged within Gwak Hwanso. Should he kill him? But leaving him be would mean he would soon die anyway.
He had no strength left to resist. Was it really right to end someone in such a state? Should he just pass by?
But if he didn’t die before the next person arrived, someone could get hurt by the sword wielded by the person lying here.
How on earth…
Before he could finish pondering, Gwak Hwanso reached the person collapsing in front of him.
His hand holding the sword trembled uncontrollably.
‘Swi… Swi…ng’
“Ugh… Aaaah!”
In that moment, a fierce glare flashed in the eyes of the collapsing figure.
Rising abruptly, he swung his sword at Gwak Hwanso. The force behind the swing was so powerful that it was hard to believe it came from someone on the brink of death.
Startled, Gwak Hwanso widened his eyes.
‘I-I’m too late…!’
In the moment he thought it was too late to react, something hot poured over his face as he instinctively tried to close his eyes.
“Uh…”
Gwak Hwanso’s body trembled.
Protruding from the Sapa who swung the sword was something elongated. It was a sword.
Unconsciously, Gwak Hwanso reached for his damp face.
Slippery and warm sensation. What he touched was blood.
The blood that spurted out as the sword pierced through the neck… splattering all over his face…
Pow!
Chung Myung’s fist slammed into Gwak Hwanso’s face.
Crack!
Gwak Hwanso tumbled helplessly to the ground. Only then did he snap back to his senses, lifting his head to find Chung Myung, who had dashed towards him like a wild animal, grabbing him by the collar and forcing him upright.
“Get up, you worthless bastard.”
“D-Dojang…”
Before he could utter a word, Chung Myung forcefully pulled Gwak Hwanso closer, freezing him in place.
“In the battlefield, the one who hesitates dies first. A single moment of hesitation can kill not only you, but everyone.”
“…”
“If you hesitate to swing your sword even once more, I’ll kill you then. If you want to die, die by yourself! Got it?”
“Y-Yes…”
Without waiting for a response, Chung Myung shoved Gwak Hwanso aside. With a glare that could pierce through steel, Chunf Myung shot one last look before swiftly turning away.
“Get used to it.”
His grim voice pierced through Gwak Hwanso’s ears.
“Because from now on, you’ll get tired of seeing it all too often.”
Gwak Hwanso’s body trembled with uncontrollable convulsions.
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