Chapter 1301
What the heck is this guy? (1)
It was quiet.
No, actually, quiet isn’t the right word.
The sounds of groaning and screams from the injured and poisoned individuals echoed continuously.
Yet, despite that, it was quiet.
Even those tending to the wounded, assisting them, and preparing to move on had little to say.
Because it had sunk in.
They had been fighting the enemy until now.
Desperately breaking through the enemy lines, thrusting swords into throats, fighting with every ounce of strength.
It had been exhausting and terrifying, but at least then, the enemies had been equally desperate to stop them.
So, paradoxically, they could see hope.
The fact that their desperate battle had been progressing in the right direction was evidence of that.
But just a while ago, their staunch opponent had, for the first time, willingly cleared the way for them.
As if implying they could be targeted again at any moment.
As if saying there was no escape without desperately blocking the way.
It made everyone here realize the harsh reality.
Gwak Hwanso pressed his energy into the lower abdomen of the poisoned Sahyeong trembling in agony.
While desperately helping the wounded, his mind was preoccupied with another thought.
‘Can we survive?’
Could there truly be light at the end of this road?
Perhaps… Perhaps they had already set foot in a swamp from which they could never escape.
The more they struggled to break free, the deeper they sank into the abyss…
Gwak Hwanso clenched his lips tightly.
‘What foolish thoughts are you entertaining?’
After all, he knew there was hardly any chance of returning alive.
It was merely to prove a point.
To show the world that those who bore the name of Haenam did not succumb to the enemy without resistance.
Acknowledging the fact they already knew, there was no need to dwell on the confirmation.
“Sahyeong.”
The approaching Lee Jayang spoke up. Gwak Hwanso asked.
“How is the situation?”
“With the presence of the Tang clan, we can manage to treat the poisoning. If it were just us, we wouldn’t have been able to do much.”
“Thank goodness.”
A sigh of relief escaped Gwak Hwanso’s lips involuntarily.
‘If it weren’t for the Tang clan…’
He realized anew how reckless and naive their attempt to resist Sapaeryeon in Hainan had been.
If they had engaged in a decisive battle in Hainan island, even if they utilized the terrain to their advantage, they would have ultimately been slaughtered one-sidedly.
There wouldn’t have been any way to even begin to neutralize the enemy’s poison, let alone overcome it.
It’s common knowledge in martial arts that those with strong inner power can expel toxins. However, that’s a scenario where one can focus solely on purging the poison under the condition of being in perfect health. How many disciples of Haenam could possibly achieve that?
Every time the topic of poison came up, there was a strong desire to rip out the tongue of his past self who blithely claimed that increasing one’s skills made poisoning nothing to worry about.
What did they even know to speak so easily about it?
“But… while poison can be neutralized, the wounds…”
“That’s right…”
It’s not that they were poisoned through breathing, but rather they were stabbed by weapons coated with poison. Even if the poison didn’t take effect, such wounds are still lethal. Recovering from such injuries in a short period of time is impossible.
“The casualties?”
“About four.”
“At least that’s fortunate.”
Gwak Hwanso replied casually, but then hesitated for a moment, closing his mouth.
‘Fortunate?’
Four dead.
Four out of those who he had lived with face to face for over a decade.
Despite that, he casually called it fortunate.
A profound sense of disgust washed over him.
Without even bothering to confirm who those four were, I’ve simply accepted human death as mere numbers.
“Let’s move.”
At that moment, Gwak Hwanso turned his sharp gaze toward the source of the voice. There was no room for being polite now.
The battlefield was just like this, as people said…
But for a moment, Gwak Hwanso was at a loss for words.
Namgung Dowi. He was sending a pitiful gaze.
“We can’t delay any longer. We don’t have much time. If we don’t move, we’ll lose more people.”
Gwak Hwanso had heard it too.
Namgung clan had lost more than half of its forces at Maehwado.
Namgung Dowi barely escaped from the hellish Maehwado with the help of Hwasan. He lost his family there, even his father. He has already experienced a situation much more dire than the one he’s in now. Yet, instead of fleeing, he willingly walked back into this hell.
How could he do that? Gwak Hwanso hadn’t taken it seriously until now, but after going through all this, he could understand.
He could see how absurd Namgung Dowi’s actions were right now.
“…Young Lord Namgung.”
“Yes?”
“…Are you okay?”
It was a somewhat unexpected question, but Namgung Dowi responded calmly, as if he understood perfectly what Gwak Hwanso was trying to convey.
“I cannot say that I am.”
Gwak Hwanso fell silent, unsure of what to say next.
“But what can we do?”
Namgung Dowi’s gaze was calm.
“Our fate is not tied solely to Namgung or Haenam. If we cannot overcome Sapaeryeon, eventually everyone will face similar trials.”
“But…”
“If running away and ignoring the problem would solve it, then naturally, that’s what we would have done. But if that’s not an option, there’s only one way forward: to face it head-on.”
Gwak Hwanso’s shoulders trembled.
Seeing his expression, Namgung Dowi spoke with a hint of humility.
“Of course, well… I may sound confident, but I haven’t figured it all out myself. I’ve simply observed and learned.”
Namgung Dowi glanced towards Chung Myung and Baek Cheon. His mood seemed quite serious, as if he was talking about his future direction.
After a moment of contemplation, Namgung Dowi shrugged and continued.
“To be honest, I’m still not sure. I don’t know what the right thing to do is, or the best direction to take.”
Gwak Hwanso listened in silence.
“But at least there are people who do know. So, all I can do is follow. I believe that someday, I’ll see what they see.”
Taking a momentary pause, he took a deep breath and nodded slowly.
“Yes, that’s all there is to it.”
That’s why he was standing here.
“…I don’t understand.”
“Of course, it’s natural not to. Even I, who’s speaking, don’t fully understand.”
Namgung Dowi chuckled softly and patted Gwak Hwanso’s shoulder.
“But one thing I do know is that whoever takes a leadership position shouldn’t show such expressions.”
“…”
“Even if it’s tough, even if your heart is in turmoil, at least outwardly, you must remain steadfast. That way, others won’t waver either.”
Gwak Hwanso nodded in agreement.
It was a valid point.
Many eyes were upon him here.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
Gwak Hwanso heaved his heavy body up and immediately joined Geum Yangbaek, who was encouraging the disciples, to assist him.
Watching their figures for a moment, Namgung Dowi turned his head towards Baek Cheon and Chung Myung with a heavy heart.
It would be difficult.
Despite his confident words, Namgung Dowi himself had been unable to do anything properly and had fallen into confusion when Namgung’s swordsmen began to die in Mahwado.
Facing the sight of someone who had laughed and talked to you just yesterday now dying in agony before his eyes was not a shock one could easily endure.
Time passing by did not make the thorns in his heart any less sharp.
No matter how dulled, the pain in the heart never truly disappears, lingering as an eternal scar.
Continuing such wars will eventually lead to the heart being engulfed by those scars and wounds, disappearing entirely.
“Vice Sect Leader.”
Baek Cheon turned to Namgung Dowi.
“The number of those having difficulty moving has increased significantly.”
In response, Baek Cheon nodded heavily.
Namgung Dowi asked.
“What do you intend to do next?”
It was a question that contained many things.
While it might be difficult to be brought up in front of others, Baek Cheon and Namgung Dowi held positions as leaders of their respective sects.
Every aspect must be considered.
“I’ll lead everyone.”
“It will slow us down.”
“I know. Still, I’ll lead everyone.”
“…Understood.”
There are many things I want to say.
Leading all these injured people will only make it more difficult to evade the pursuing main forces of Maninbang.
This could put everyone in even greater danger.
But Namgung Dowi remained silent. The decision rested entirely with Baek Cheon.
And before that, Baek Cheon couldn’t possibly be unaware of all these facts.
Namgung Dowi simply wanted to ask one thing.
“Vice Sect Leader.”
“Yes, Young Lord.”
“What does Haenam mean to you?”
In response to that question, Baek Cheon looked Namgung Dowi straight in the eye.
After silently looking at Namgung Dowi for a moment, Baek Cheon slowly began to speak.
“It’s no different.”
“…”
“From Namgung.”
Namgung Dowi, who had been silent for a moment, burst into laughter.
It was a wise answer to a dumb question.
Up until now, Namgung Dowi had considered Baek Cheon to be excellent in every aspect, but lacking in the qualities of a true Taoist.
But it seemed that even this was a misconception on Namgung Dowi’s part.
No different from Namgung.
Indeed. Upon reflection, Hwasan had no reason to come all the way to Maehwado.
Yet Namgung Dowi had regarded them as a ray of hope, kneeling fervently before them, and Hwasan had willingly risked their lives at his plea.
What more answer was needed?
They were always like this.
The light Namgung Dowi had seen then was dazzling.
As if longing to be consumed by it.
But upon entering that light, he understood.
They were like a burning candle.
Burning themselves to emit light.
But precisely because of that, it’s even more dazzling.
“What’s the plan?”
“No different from the beginning.”
Baek Cheon stated firmly.
“Judging from the enemy’s movements, it seems that they are rebuilding their defense lines ahead.”
“Nokrim King said the same.”
“We’ll break through.”
“…”
“We don’t have time to detour. The enemy’s main force led by Ho Gamyeong must have reached nearby by now. Moreover, they’re likely closely monitoring our movements, so there’s no way to escape.”
“Vice Sect Leader. I’m not trying to oppose your opinion. But if we proceed like this, won’t it be no different from what we’ve been doing?”
“It will be different.”
The one who gave that answer was not Baek Cheon but Chung Myung.
Namgung Dowi looked at Chung Myung with a puzzled expression.
Without any further explanation, Chung Myung reiterated firmly.
“It will change.”
After briefly staring at him, Namgung Dowi nodded slowly.
If Chung Myung said so, there was no need for further explanation.
Namgung Dowi firmly believed in him, Hwasan Geomhyeop Chung Myung.
Namgung Dowi lightly tapped his chest.
“In that case, I’ll wager my life too. We will break through without fail.”
Seeing Namgung Dowi’s bright smile, Chung Myung chuckled.
“Greenhorn.”
For the first time in a while, a small laugh escaped his lips.
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