Chapter 1292
Now it’s just the beginning. (2)
Fwoosh!
Dozens of messenger pigeons flew incessantly. Men guarding Ho Gamyeong swiftly caught each one, untying messages bound to their feet.
“Chwihomun had been breached!”
“Gonglyeongbang has been breached too!”
“The defense line is compromised, commander!”
“Hmm.”
The speed at which they broke through the formation was beyond impressive.
“It seems the situation is not looking too good.”
Goe Ryang said with a sly grin as he glanced at Ho Gamyeong.
“Isn’t it twice as fast as we expected? It seems commander’s predictions can be wrong too.”
“There’s nothing particularly surprising about that.”
Ho Gamyeong responded without a hint of change in his expressionless face.
“Because my predictions aren’t applicable to him.”
“Hmm.”
There was a hint of curiosity in Goe Ryang’s eyes. Normally, strategists despised being wrong in their predictions. However, Ho Gamyeong showed no signs of embarrassment or discomfort, making him an intriguing figure indeed.
Ho Gamyeong casually continued.
“And it’s not necessarily bad news.”
“Huh? Why’s that?”
“Unless Hwasan Geomhyeop is advancing alone, which is highly unlikely, this speed doesn’t make sense. From my observation of Hwasan Geomhyeop so far… it’s clear they’re pushing beyond their capabilities.”
“That doesn’t add up. Wasn’t it you who said we shouldn’t underestimate his abilities?”
“Of course. His abilities are undeniable. However, it’s not just Hwasan Geomhyeop over there.”
“Hmm.”
“Even disregarding his capabilities, the forces from Haenam are far from extraordinary. It’s highly unlikely they can keep up with this pace.”
Ho Gamyeong’s mind raced quickly.
He wasn’t disparaging Haenam’s forces. The name “Gupaillbang” wasn’t earned on a whim. Even if they were considered insignificant among Gupaillbang, they were still a force to be reckoned with in a region. Being part of Gupailbang meant that much.
However, the strength of that force needed to be interpreted differently depending on the situation. If Haenam were defending their stronghold against incoming enemies, even with their lack of practical combat experience, they could have demonstrated their skill at around 70 percent.
But not now.
In this situation, maintaining such a pace alone would rapidly deplete their energy reserves. Moreover, facing incoming blades amidst all this would be a feat even for the most skilled.
‘Breaking through the net formation? Perhaps it might seem that way to the complacent ones.’
Taking an objective view of the situation, they were currently fleeing from the pursuing Ho Gamyeong’s group. It’s common knowledge that the most casualties occur during battles where the fleeing side is pursued. This is a basic principle.
No matter how well-trained a strong army is, they cannot fully utilize their abilities when being pursued by the enemy. Hwasan Geomhyeop must be aware of this fact, so this can be seen as a willingness to accept a certain level of sacrifice.
This was the point that troubled Ho Gamyeong.
‘What are you thinking? Hwasan Geomhyeop?’
Despite their straightforward approach, this encirclement is only a part of net formation. Isn’t the area they need to break through not Guangdong, but the entire Gangnam?
It wouldn’t be a wise decision to consume so much energy from the beginning. The faster they move, the more intense the fight becomes, and their position becomes even more exposed. What’s the point of exposing their position just to gain a few extra steps?
Ho Gamyeong’s eyes darkened with contemplation.
If others had resorted to such means, Ho Gamyeong would have simply mocked them, drained their energy, and leisurely captured them. But among them are Chung Myung and Im Sobyeong.
Chung Myung is totally unpredictable, and Im Sobyeong, no matter how lowly you judge him, is a strategist who is nothing short of inferior to him. In a group that includes these two, there’s no room for such clumsy moves.
“Ihyeongmoon has been broken through!”
“Ihyeongmoon…”
At that moment, Ho Gameyong’s eyes widened slightly.
“Say it again.”
“I-Ihyeongmoon…”
“From the beginning!”
“…Yes?”
“The recent breakthroughs by the sects, in order!”
The subordinate nodded hastily.
“Gwi-Gwihomun, Gonglyeongbang, Ihyeongmoon, in that order.”
In that moment, a map of the southern central region formed in Ho Gamyeong’s mind. Instantly, the positions of the sects he had arranged overlapped on it.
‘To the east?’
Ho Gamyeong’s expression hardened.
It was certain. Their route was not north where the Yangtze River lies, but northeast.
‘Why is that?’
For them, Gangnam is enemy’s territory that they must escape from as quickly as possible. So why are they moving northeast instead of north?
As time passes, the inescapable net formation will become stronger, and more people will target them. Soon, not only the small and medium-sized sects of Guangdong, but also powerful sects like Haomun, will start targeting them.
‘It’s unreasonable.’
Ho Gamyeong continued his thoughts with narrowed eyes.
While it’s not unusual to bypass a tightening encirclement, in fact, they could break through any encirclement if they were determined enough. So why choose a distant destination?
‘What’s in the northeast?’
If they continue in a straight line…
“Anhwi?”
Are they heading through Zhejiang, to where Namgung clan is located?
No, that would be reckless beyond measure. If they reach Zhejiang, they might receive assistance from the sects following Namgung clan, but it would be better to head towards the headquarters of Cheonumaeng…
At that moment, Ho Gamyeong’s body jerked abruptly.
“Could it be…?”
Goe Ryang showed interest, his eyes widening slightly.
“Why do you say that?”
“It’s nothing.”
Ho Gamyeong bit his lip tightly.
“We need to pick up the pace.”
“Do we really?”
Goe Ryang sent a puzzled gaze, as if finding it difficult to understand.
“Why bother pushing useless trash into the mix to tire out the prey? Isn’t simply tracking them at a leisurely pace more advantageous?”
Goe Ryang understood perfectly well. They could never stop Hwasan Geomhyeop. However, admitting defeat didn’t mean it was pointless.
Even if they couldn’t deplete their internal energy, they could still wear them down to some extent, dull their swords.
All they needed to do was gradually pressure and push them away, ensuring that not even the Hwasan Geomhyeop, let alone Cheonumaeng, could refill the empty cup of their stamina.
Just doing that could ensure victory, so why attack them before they were sufficiently weakened?
“It’s not like sympathizing with the bastards we’ve sent to the slaughter, after all, we’re the ruthless ones.”
“The situation has changed. Or… it could change.”
“…Could you explain?”
“You wouldn’t understand, no matter how I try.”
Goe Ryang shot a frustrated look, but Ho Gamyeong didn’t elaborate. In truth, it wasn’t that he chose not to explain, but rather he couldn’t explain it.
The thoughts swirling in his mind were just as bewildering to him.
“For now, let’s increase the speed.”
“Go ahead as you wish, commander.”
Goe Ryang snorted with displeasure. Ignoring him completely, Ho Gamyeong swiftly issued orders. With the orders given, Maninbang’s warriors dashed forward increasing their speed.
‘Hwasan Geomhyeop.’
Ho Gamyeong gnawed at his lips. His thoughts began to jumble up on their own.
‘What on earth are you thinking?’
❀ ❀ ❀
“Chung Myung-ah!”
“…”
“Chung Myung!”
After being called repeatedly, Chung Myung turned back with a chilling glare. Though he seemed momentarily startled, Baek Cheon shouted without hesitation.
“We need to take a break at this point!”
“No.”
“It’s not a matter of whether we can or cannot! Some are falling behind! At this rate, we won’t even reach halfway to our destination!”
Chung Myung stared at Baek Cheon silently.
However, Baek Cheon stood firm, meeting Chung Myung’s death glare without flinching.
After a brief standoff, Chung Myung was the first to retreat.
“Fine.”
As Chung Myung’s words fell, Baek Cheon raised his hand sharply.
“Everyone, stop! Let’s regroup!”
At his command, the disciples of Haenam, who had been running with all their might, collapsed on the spot like severed puppets.
“Cough… Cough!”
“Heuk! Heuk! Heuk! Heuk!”
“Damn it…”
Under normal circumstances, no one would have stooped so low as to collapse on the ground in front of others. The pride associated with the prestigious name of Haenam was too great for that.
But now, no one paid any attention to such matters. As Baek Cheon had warned, had they pushed themselves any further, it was uncertain how many more would have fallen behind.
The elders and Geum Yangbaek, perhaps out of dignity or because they still had some energy left, were standing up and catching their breath. However, even they didn’t blame those who had collapsed on the ground.
“Sit up and replenish your energy,”
Chung Myung’s emotionless voice rang out.
“Rather than gasping for air, use this time to recover as quickly as possible. Those who still have energy, guard those who are recovering. We don’t know when the enemy might strike again.”
The disciples of Haenam glared at Chung Myung, but deep down, they knew he wasn’t wrong. However, if they had the strength to do so, would they have collapsed and gasped for air so desperately in the first place?
Despite receiving resentful and indignant glances, Chung Myung remained unchanged in expression as he spoke.
“Don’t act childish,”
he said calmly.
“No matter how hard or painful it is for you, the enemy doesn’t care. In fact, they enjoy it. If you think it’s okay for you to collapse because it’s tough, just lie down.”
It wasn’t a voice of anger, nor was it a tone of petulance scratching at pride. It was simply a calm, almost monotone voice. Yet, that made it all the more piercing to the heart.
“…Everyone, start recovering.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
For those who couldn’t find a reason to withdraw, Geum Yangbaek opened a path. Those who received Geum Yangbaek’s instructions quickly got up and started recovering.
“Guard them.”
“Understood.”
Baek Cheon quickly issued instructions to Cheonumaeng’s members. They gathered in the center, surrounding the disciples of Haenam who were recovering.
Chung Myung clenched and loosened his fist in silence.
Only Baek Cheon observed this behavior closely. Such actions were a sign of Chung Myung being anxious. Only Baek Cheon understood the significance – it meant that Haenam was unable to maintain its pace as expected.
But there was no solution beyond this point. While Hwasan had trained to synchronize their movements with Chung Myung for years, these people had never undergone such training.
Even if it were Baek Cheon himself, had he attempted to follow Chung Myung’s movements upon their first encounter, he might have appeared no different from them, or perhaps even worse.
“Chung Myung, for now…”
Baek Cheon was about to say something when suddenly.
“Vice Sect Leader.”
Geum Yangbaek had approached the two of them, his expression stern.
Comments