Chapter 1328
Nothing is out of the question. (3)
Kwaaaah!
Kwaaaah!
The sound of artillery fire echoed through the valley, resonating loudly. Despite the narrow field of view, it wasn’t difficult to grasp what was happening outside.
One of the elders of Haenam, struggling to fend off the flying cannonballs with his body impaired by poison, was struck head-on by a shell in mid-air and bounced into the gorge with a violent crash.
Witnessing his gruesome state, one of Ho Gamyeong’s subordinates instinctively clenched his fist.
‘As expected.’
His gaze turned towards Ho Gamyeong beside him. In a situation like this, even a seasoned warrior couldn’t help but shiver.
However, Ho Gamyeong showed no sign of excitement even in such a situation. He seemed solely focused on not missing a single detail unfolding before his eyes.
In moments like this, he couldn’t help but admire Ho Gamyeong once again.
Was it because he presented remarkable strategies?
No, that wasn’t the reason.
In truth, upon reflection, the strategy itself wasn’t particularly remarkable. Firing cannonballs and arrows at those trying to escape from a confined space was basic tactic. It wasn’t anything worthy of being called a brilliant strategy.
What was truly remarkable was the meticulousness in preparing for the aftermath, even when the opponent had willingly stepped into the trap of the gorge.
If it were anyone other than Ho Gamyeong, they would have… Perhaps, they would have deployed all available forces into the gorge without hesitation.
Their aim would have been to sever as many lives as possible within the narrow confines of the gorge.
But looking back now, in the winding curves of the narrow gorge, there would have been no room for arrows to exert their full power, nor could cannons be fired. Instead, they would have been hindered, trapped in the cramped terrain filled with their own allies.
Even if they were to fortify the heights above the gorge, it would be impossible to shoot cannons downward from such a height. Shooting arrows would have been futile, as their impact would diminish by the time they reached the ground, ultimately resulting in nothing but waste.
If those passing through the gorge were ordinary soldiers, even arrows without internal energy would suffice to have a significant effect. However, for trained martial artists, wouldn’t arrows without internal energy be useless trinkets?
Thanks to the artillery troops stationed outside the gorge, they are now inflicting devastating damage on the enemy.
Of course, that might not be the case, but at first glance, the damage inflicted by a single barrage of arrows and artillery seems greater than the damage suffered within the gorge.
“C-Commander.”
At that moment, another subordinate hesitantly spoke up.
“D-did you anticipate all of this and deploy them accordingly?”
Ho Gamyeong furrowed his brow slightly. Upon seeing this, the questioning person quickly lowered his head in contemplation.
“I-I apologize.”
Now was not the time for idle questions and answers. He knew that perfectly well, yet his curiosity got the better of him, making it a clear mistake.
But then, Ho Gamyeong spoke.
“Strike the opponent’s weak spot.”
“Uh…yes?”
“That’s basic strategy.”
Ho Gamyeong’s gaze remained fixed on the enemy.
Attacking the enemy from advantageous terrain is also basic tactics, as is targeting the enemy’s weak spots.
While others focused only on what was in front of them, he simply focused on what lay beyond.
“When you say ‘weak spot’…”
But the subordinate didn’t quite grasp his words. Weakness? What did that have to do with the current situation and the enemy’s weakness?
The enemy’s weakness lay in their lack of real combat experience and their small numbers.
“What problems arise when they enter the gorge?”
“They haven’t experienced…that.”
“No.”
Ho Gamyeong spoke quickly.
“It means their formation is elongated.”
“T-then, if the number of units that can attack at once decreases, it’ll be difficult to fully utilize our strength.”
Ho Gamyeong’s eyes twitched again.
The one who answered without thinking quickly bowed deeply.
“The order was to think. It’s already been proven within the gorge who has the advantage when small numbers face off against each other, hasn’t it? This gorge isn’t advantageous terrain for us.”
“I…I was foolish.”
“The only advantage we gain from their elongated formation is one.”
Ho Gamyeong’s gaze was fixated on one place: Hwasan Geomhyeop, who was intercepting Goe Ryang’s pursuit alongside Yu Iseol.
“The point is, they can’t be in two places at once.”
“Ah…”
“The absence of a strong point is the absence of a weakness. From a different perspective, the absence of a weakness is the absence of a strong point. The moment Hwasan Geomhyeop ceases to exist, their weakness is exposed.”
“…”
“Thoroughly targeting the enemy’s weaknesses is the basics of tactics.”
“Then, did you anticipate he would be in the rear…?”
“No.”
“Huh?”
“It doesn’t matter which side. If he were in the front, it would have been impossible to inflict damage with those arrows and cannonballs, but instead, the rear would have been thoroughly ravaged by Goe Ryang.”
“Ah…”
“It’s just turned around now. With him in the rear, even the Blood Sword Squad can’t exert their strength, but it allows us to destroy the front.”
Finally understanding Ho Gamyeong’s thoughts, those present nodded involuntarily.
It sounded obvious now that they heard it, but no one here had thought of the obvious before, except for Ho Gamyeong.
He closed his eyes slightly.
The reason for sharing such stories wasn’t to teach them a lesson. It was to verbalize what he was doing, to rekindle his own determination.
‘Fancy tactics aren’t necessary.’
No, to be honest, he didn’t know how to employ fancy tactics.
If Jang Ilso were here, he would have used completely different methods from Ho Gamyeong.
He would have brought down the cliffs in unimaginable ways, burying them in an instant, or he would have turned the earth upside down and crushed them.
But those were things only Jang Ilso could do. Ho Gamyeong couldn’t come up with such methods. So, he delved deeper, more relentlessly adhering to the basics.
‘This war is one of attrition.’
While it was impossible to know how Hwasan Geomhyeop interpreted this war, in Ho Gamyeong’s judgment, it was a thorough war of attrition.
So, instead of taking extreme measures, he decided to erode them thoroughly. By steadily reducing their numbers one by one, eventually even Hwasan Geomhyeop, the main obstacle, would fall into the net he had laid.
Ho Gameyong’s gaze shifted towards Hwasan Geomhyeop. Weariness showed on his face.
‘He must know, right?’
Ho Gamyeong didn’t overestimate himself. He didn’t think Hwasan Geomhyeop wouldn’t understand what he was aiming for.
Yet, the reason Ho Gamyeong didn’t hesitate was because the saying “quantity has a quality of its own*” existed in the world.
There are things that, even if you know about them, you cannot stop. There are things that, even if you notice them, you cannot intervene in. That’s why it’s often said that the outcome of a war is determined before it even begins.
A war that cannot be won.
Their involvement in such a war was the limit of Hwasan Geomhyeop, and it was a weakness that those who claimed to be righteous had to inevitably endure.
Ho Gamyeong briefly glanced at Chung Myung. His eyes, which had been dark and turbulent, quickly cooled down.
Now was not the time to be intoxicated with victory. He had to make his next move before the enemy acted.
“Nothing is out of the question.”
Everything still existed smoothly within his perception.
Chung Myung couldn’t overcome his anger and bit his lip.
‘Ho Gamyeong.’
He glared fiercely at the distant figure of Ho Gamyeing. In his thoughts, he wanted to break through immediately and slit his throat. However, the cunning old fox would never allow him that kind of distance.
The unease Chung Myung felt towards Ho Gamyeong began to manifest at this moment.
His natural explosiveness and knack for turning the tide were at their worst when paired with those who didn’t let the situation sway them and thoroughly focused on their tasks.
‘Damn it!’
Chung Myung glanced back briefly.
Though Haenam was putting up a desperate resistance, it was merely holding on.
But it was also difficult to withdraw. The moment they chased the enemy out from there, those who hadn’t yet escaped the gorge would be left vulnerable to the onslaught of attacks pouring down upon them.
‘We’re short on swords!’
Not content with just holding on, but needing a sword to cut through the enemy alone…!
Chung Myung immediately grabbed Yu Iseol’s shoulder.
As she looked at him with surprise, Chung Myung pushed her back and shouted.
“Hurry and go help over there, quickly!”
“Sajil!”
“Go!”
Finally, Yu Iseol could see the situation clearly. She understood why Chung Myung had pushed her. The side that needed help now was…not just there, but there.
But…
There was a momentary twitch in Chung Myung’s leg as he pushed forward. It was something he couldn’t completely hide anymore.
Both were in danger. Neither could be let go.
Then what…?
“I said go!”
Chung Myung shouted forcefully, glaring at her in confusion. The situation was unpredictable, with the possibility of Goe Ryang charging again at any moment.
The moment Yu Iseol met the determined gaze of her Sajil, she clenched her fists until blood showed up.
She knew.
Because she had learned. Because she had been taught. Because she had reflected on it.
In a situation where she couldn’t choose either side, Yu Iseol, holding her sword, knew all too well where she needed to run.
The teachings bestowed upon her by Hwasan now felt as sharp as a dagger. It was agonizing to think she could never turn away from that learning.
With determination, Yu Iseol swiftly turned her body. As if trying to shake off any lingering regrets, she shot forward with a speed akin to a flash of light.
Seeing her resolve, Chung Myung immediately gave the same order to Tang Pae.
“Go and help!”
“Yes!”
Tang Pae also ran back without a word.
Having sent the two ahead, Chung Myung then faced Goe Ryang.
Goe Ryang approached slowly, flicking his sword in his hand.
“I thought you’d at least thank me?”
“That’s more likely something for me to hear.”
“Hehehe.”
A gleam of satisfaction flashed in Goe Ryang’s eyes.
It wasn’t an incorrect statement. Giving them time to regroup was indeed a fact, but it wasn’t particularly disadvantageous for Goe Ryang.
There was no reason to object when wounded prey decided to separate from the herd and be left alone.
He had no concern for the situation ahead. The only thing that caught his interest was Chung Myung in front of him.
It was evident. His injured leg was convulsing, and the wound he had staunchly stopped was reopening, causing blood to flow again.
That wasn’t all. His entire body was covered in countless minor injuries, and his complexion paled as if he had internal injuries as well.
With so much blood already shed, even if he were the greatest master in the world, he wouldn’t be able to exert even a fraction of his true ability in this situation.
A short breath escaped Chung Myung’s lips.
Honestly, it was getting a bit tough now.
The world seemed blurry, perhaps from losing too much blood. Even his grip on the sword lacked strength. He was familiar with pain, but the helpless feeling that came at the end of exhaustion and fatigue was something he could never get used to.
But still, he had to fight.
“It’s tiring.”
Goe Ryang closed the distance with a sneer.
“Not being able to retreat even though you know you should is something, isn’t it?”
“… “
“That… It’s the path to death, even though it’s clear.”
Despite the blatant mockery, Chung Myung laughed lightly instead.
“Do you know why you’re weak?”
“What?”
Goe Ryang narrowed his eyes at the sudden question. Chung Myung smirked at him and said.
“You know why? Because when you wanted to run away, you did.”
“…”
“The reason I’m strong is simple too. When I wanted to run away, I didn’t.”
It’s as simple as that, anytime.
They don’t understand. What it truly means to be strong. What he truly wanted to become.
Yet, Chung Myung still pursued it.
The one who never once backed down. The one who was stronger than anyone in the world.
“…Go to hell with your bullshit.”
Goe Ryang, accompanied by the Blood Sword Squad, charged like a flood.
In front of Chung Myung, who stood his ground without flinching, the back of the one he always admired flickered, like a fading dream.
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