Chapter 1327
Nothing is out of the question. (2)
Outside the gorge, those who were encamped there, looked on with dismay.
Enemies, who were initially as insignificant as rats, had now climbed out of the narrow gorge, overcoming all obstacles and reaching this point.
“S-Stop them!”
Someone shouted desperately, but even the one shouting knew it was futile. What chance did they have of stopping those who had overcome all barriers to reach this far?
Then, the first to charge forward drove home the realization.
“Errachaaaa!”
Jumping forward like a poisonous snake, Jo Geol effortlessly pierced through the oncoming foes with dozens of sword strokes.
Thud!
As he landed, Jo Geol’s eyes beheld the vast expanse of the world unfolding before him.
“We made it! Dammit, we broke through!”
Elation surged through his entire being. Following in his call, others leaped out of the gorge one after another.
“Aaaaaaah!”
“Damn it!”
“We made it out alive!”
Particularly excited were the disciples of Haenam, deeply moved by the unfolding turn of events.
Narrow gorge, seemingly endless adversaries blocking the path, and even the relentless pursuit of Manibang.
It was a hopeless situation. More than half of them believed this gorge would be their grave.
Yet, to emerge alive and set foot on the vast land again filled them with indescribable happiness.
Those who regained their light ran in joy.
“Commander.”
Subordinates looked at Ho Gamyeong with eyes filled with various emotions.
“Hmm.”
Inside the gorge, Ho Gamyeong, who had been observing the situation ahead, spoke with a somber tone.
“It’s breached.”
There was no room for interpretation. His plan to blockade the gorge and annihilate the enemy had completely crumbled.
He couldn’t decide whether to praise the enemy or blame his own shortcomings. And Ho Gamyeong’s choice was neither.
“Don’t stop, keep going! The enemy is still behind us!”
“Yes, Sasuk!”
In response to Baek Cheon’s shout from behind, Jo Geol answered loudly and continued to run.
‘Well, impressive anyway!’
He momentarily forgot the situation in his excitement, but Baek Cheon remained calm, observing everything rationally. With someone like him in command, even the Sapaeryeon couldn’t stop Hwasan and their group.
Perhaps escaping Gangnam wouldn’t be as difficult as they thought.
“Where to? Where are we going, Sahyeong?”
“Are you asking for directions? Head north!”
“Where’s north?”
“Damn it! Come the way I’m going!”
“Yes!”
Jo Geol swiftly followed behind Yoon Jong, glancing back to ensure the disciples of Haenam knew which direction to go.
“Everyone, this way…”
But then it happened. An unusual sight unfolded before them amidst the vast forest, contrasting sharply with the treacherous gorge.
‘What…?’
Was it an ambush? Despite the confusion, Jo Geol quickly analyzed the situation.
Taking advantage of people’s complacency was likely the intention behind the ambush. While it was a nerve-wracking moment, logically, they could handle it.
Moreover, by revealing themselves too early, the ambushers had given away their position, allowing for preparation.
Jo Geol intended to warn about the ambush ahead when something caught his eye. Gripped in the hands of those emerging from the forest were horn bows [각궁(角弓) – a type of a bow].
In a moment of panic, Jo Geol’s voice erupted like thunder.
“Get down!”
However, before his warning could register fully, the powerful arrows flew indiscriminately, faster than his voice.
With a deafening thud, the arrows pierced through the bodies of Haenam’s disciples, who were cheering in joy.
“Gah…!”
“Aaaaaah!”
Some collapsed, their faces pierced, while others screamed in anguish as the arrows lodged into their bodies.
“Damn it!”
Frustrated and overwhelmed by anger, Jo Geol cursed under his breath.
The ones who braved through that hellish gorge ended up like this!
“Sahyeong!”
“It’s still okay! There are only a few of them!”
Arrows, inherently difficult weapons for martial artists to use. Even with an abundance of troops like within Sapaeryeon, there couldn’t be many who could shoot arrows infused with internal energy at such a speed.
Considering the sudden mobilization, there probably wouldn’t be more than ten. If they don’t panic and respond appropriately…
At that moment, Yoon Jong’s eyes widened. His gaze was fixed on the sky.
As they emerged from the gorge and finally faced the vast sky… it was turning ominously dark.
It’s not just clouds. Those are hundreds, even thousands of arrows flying from the forest.
Yoon Jong’s voice erupted in despair.
“Dodge! Right now!”
But it was impossible.
The disciples of Haenam were all partially outside the gorge’s exit. Those still trapped within couldn’t even withdraw. And the rain of arrows was targeting them mercilessly.
Baek Cheon and Namgung Dowi instinctively raised their bodies and desperately swung their swords to deflect the arrows.
Although they tried their best, Baek Cheon and Namgung Dowi couldn’t possibly deflect all the arrows pouring down like rain.
Nearly half of the incoming arrows continued their relentless descent onto the heads of Haenam’s disciples.
Poisoned arrows pierced through their bodies mercilessly, causing agonizing screams to erupt all around. The sudden onslaught caught them off guard, amplifying the severity of the casualties.
Witnessing their comrades falling under the rain of arrows, terror rapidly spread among the other Haenam’s disciples’ eyes.
“Sa, Sahyeng! Are you…”
Kwaddeudeuk.
“…Kkeuk.”
An arrow flew sideways into the temple of the person who was looking around in panic. Unlike the regular arrows raining down from above, this was a powerful and deadly one. Haenam’s disciples were helpless against it.
In an instant, over ten people collapsed.
Despite successfully fending off various attacks, they suffered immense casualties in a single moment of assault. They had managed to barely escape the hellish gorge, only to face this.
A profound sense of despair gripped everyone’s hearts.
“We, we need to get out!”
“What are you doing? Keep running forward!”
“Don’t stop! Maninbang are coming from behind! Hurry!”
At the exit of the gorge, Haenam’s disciples began to collide each other, torn between those who couldn’t run due to blockages or the unpredictable barrage of arrows, and those who desperately needed to escape the gorge.
Neither side could afford to yield.
Eventually, chaos erupted as Haenam’s disciples pushed and pulled each other.
“What are you doing, you bastards!”
Haenam’s senior disciple, Gwak Hwanso, shouted.
“Don’t panic! These are just arrows! Stay calm and we can deflect them! You are disciples of Haenam!”
As another volley of arrows rained down from the sky, Gwak Hwanso gritted his teeth and leaped upward.
Though not as skilled as Baek Cheon or Namgung Dowi, he felt compelled to step forward and try to salvage the situation.
Just as Baek Cheon and Namgung Dowi followed suit, someone leaped over their heads.
“Sect Leader!”
Suddenly, the elders and Geum Yangbaek rushed forward, their worn out bodies unyielding as they shielded the disciples from the onslaught of arrows.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The clash of arrows against swords rang out loudly.
Despite their poisoned bodies, they didn’t flinch as arrows pierced them in several places. Yet, they didn’t utter a single groan.
This time, the disciples of Haenam fought back fiercely against the raining arrows. Though they couldn’t completely block them, but the damage inflicted was significantly reduced compared to before.
With a resounding cry, Geum Yangbaek deflected the incoming barrage of arrows with a powerful swing of his sword.
The impact was enough to jolt his wrist. This arrow was clearly different from the previous ones.
“Sect Leader!”
“Vice Sect Leader! Leave this to me!”
“Yes!”
Without hesitation, Baek Cheon surged forward.
To resolve this situation, they needed to swiftly deal with those shooting arrows. If they couldn’t kill them, they wouldn’t be able to advance any further.
“Yoon Jong! Jo Geol! Scatter and deal with those shooting the arrows!”
“Yes, Sasuk!”
As if expecting it, Jo Geol and Yoon Jong immediately responded. They dashed straight towards the direction from where the arrows were being shot.
Quaaaaang!
A deafening blast erupted, and simultaneously, something black flew towards the disciples of Haenam.
‘A cannonball?’
Haenam’s elder instinctively swung his sword at the incoming object. But if a sword could deflect a cannonball, would artillery even exist in this world?
Kuwong!
The sword broke in two as the cannonball struck the elder’s body with great force. There was no chance to scream. The mortally injured elder was thrown back, blood spewing from his wound.
Quaaaaang! Quaaaaang!
Successive explosions reverberated. Of course, they were not numerous. No matter how powerful Sapaeryeon was, or even if this was the land of Guangdong, they couldn’t mobilize multiple cannons prohibited by the government.
So, the cannons spewing fire were just a handful. However, those few cannons, combined with the simultaneous downpour of arrows and the barrage of powerful arrows flying like sniper shots targeting key figures, made the scene reminiscent of hell.
Arrows flew incessantly over Jo Geol’s head towards the disciples of Haenam.
He could easily rush forward and bring down the enemy.
However, in the meantime, those behind him could suffer devastating losses. To win, he had to attack. But attacking meant exposing himself to danger.
What was he supposed to do in such a situation?
“Jo Geol!”
Baek Cheon’s shout pierced through Jo Geol’s ears.
“Don’t hesitate!”
“B-But…”
“I’ve got your back!”
No further words were needed.
Baek Cheon’s eyes were filled with unwavering conviction.
The moment Jo Geol confirmed this, his feet were already pounding against the ground with force. With each step, Jo Geol’s confidence grew stronger.
He was Hwasan’s assault team, blocking wasn’t his forte. The quickest way to help them was to bring the enemy down as swiftly as possible.
“You bastards!”
Jo Geol roared with fury, surging forward like a streak of light.
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