Chapter 1384
Of course, such a thing would never happen. (4)
“Damn it, now he’ll haunt my dreams! That damn bastard!”
Jo Geol spat out harsh words. Now, just looking at Ho Gamyeong’s face was enough to send shivers down his spine. If asked to name the most despicable person in the world, without hesitation, it would be Jang Ilso… No, Beop Jong? Uh…
Anyway, if someone asked, he would have probably named Jang Ilso or Beop Jong, but now, without a doubt, Jo Geol had no hesitation in shouting Ho Gamyeong’s name as the scariest person in the world.
Even though he screamed out in agony, the situation was far more serious than his voice could convey. The real enemy, unlike the ragtags blocking their path, had reappeared.
‘Already?’
Baek Cheon’s situation was the same.
In the end, he had anticipated that they would catch up, but he hadn’t expected them to be this fast. He had thought it would be after they had almost reached Nanjing at least.
However, there was no time to reconsider where his predictions had gone wrong.
“Break through at full speed!!”
“Yes!”
This area was adjacent to the Yangtze River, a wide open plain. There was no risk of being pushed into unfavorable terrain by the enemy’s maneuvering, as before, but on the contrary, it meant there was nowhere to hide.
So now, all that remained was to clash head-on with sheer force.
“Hye…”
Baek Cheon urgently tried to call out to Hye Yeon and Namgung Dowi, but they were already rushing to the rear. They seemed to know what needed to be done without needing to be told.
With his mind somewhat at ease, Baek Cheon decided to do what he had to do.
Boom!
With the force equivalent to crushing the ground, Baek Cheon charged past Gwak Hwanso and surged forward.
“Iseol, Geol, Soso! Cover our rear!”
“Yes!”
“Vice Sect Leader! We’ll assist as well!”
“Stick with us!”
Without looking back, Baek Cheon directed a fierce strike to the front, emitting crimson energy from his sword.
“Hyaah!”
The fierce plum blossoms surged forward towards the enemies ahead like a torrential downpour, causing their faces to pale.
“B-Blood…”
Before they could even scream, they were swept away by the rushing crimson energy. Baek Cheon shouted.
“We’ll reach the Yangtze River soon. Let’s go in one breath!”
“Yes!”
A faint smile played at the corner of Ho Gamyeong’s mouth as he watched.
“It’s not too late.”
Logically, it should be impossible for a majority with lower martial prowess to catch up with a minority with higher prowess. Yet, what seemed impossible became possible due to their foolish decision.
Ho Gamyeong narrowed his eyes. He could clearly see the wounded people they were carrying around.
‘If they drag around the wounded, even those who are swift and agile won’t be able to reach their own optimal speed.’
Moreover, they had to intermittently conceal themselves to avoid detection by the enemy, which would have significantly slowed down their usual pace. It wasn’t particularly difficult to catch up to them under such circumstances.
“Idiots.”
If it were up to him, he would have mercilessly abandoned the wounded. Even if some of them could potentially become useful in the future, there was no need for everyone to risk annihilation for the sake of those who couldn’t immediately contribute to their strength.
However, Ho Gamyeong knew – they could never make such a choice. The two words ‘humanity and righteousness’ that they had cried out countless times before had become shackles binding them. No matter how much they struggled, they could never break free from those unyielding chains.
“Every choice comes with a price. Spare no one. Kill them all.”
Maninbang’s warriors surged forward without a word, their eyes filled with bitter malice. Hatred towards the members of Just Sects was not exclusive to Ho Gamyeong alone. Even if camaraderie among Sapa was sparse, if one does not hold a grudge even after being toyed with by those who are much less numerous and weaker, isn’t he considered a warrior before being a Sapa?
Furthermore, they were Maninbang, those who forget grace but never forget resentment. Like predators rediscovering prey they had once bit them, Maninbang poured forth with a ferocity akin to wild beasts.
“Kahaaaat!”
As if crimson waves crashing forward, they charged relentlessly, only to be met by the vanguard of Cheonumaeng.
“Monk!”
“I know, Siju!”
As the approaching enemies drew near, Hye Yeon and Namgung Dowi exchanged glances.
One was the top disciple of Shaolin, who was certain to represent the leader of Gupailbang, while the other was Young Lord, destined to walk only the glorious path as the successor of Namgung clan, the greatest Family of swordsmen in the world.
Standing side by side in a place considered the most dangerous and daunting in the entire Gangho, where ones who should have walked the most blessed path in the world, but there was no hint of hesitation in their eyes.
“Ooooh!”
“Haaaaaaap!”
The powerful aura and sword energy emitted by the two fiercely surged towards the approaching enemies.
Kwaaaaang!
The Buddhist light of Shaolin and Namgung’s sword energy exploded like bombs, momentarily illuminating the world brightly. It was indeed a powerful strike. The charging members of Maninbang were literally pulverized in an instant.
‘Ruthless.’
Ho Gamyeong, not even blinking as he watched the scene, unconsciously bit his lip.
Logically, they should have been exhausted by now. Their strength should have waned, and their swords dulled. So it was expected.
Yet, the sight before him was sharper than ever, even to the discerning eyes of Ho Gamyeong.
‘Are they still growing amidst this chaos?’
In his mind, he understood.
They were the most promising talents in Gangho, having experienced what no one else in the world could.
Undoubtedly, even if one were to search every corner of Gangho, there would be no one who had endured as grueling real combat as they had.
Yet, knowing it in theory and witnessing equally formidable talents growing before his eyes were entirely different sensations.
Perhaps what Ho Gamyeong was feeling now was fear. It was the fear of watching a beast grow day by day, uncontrollably, right beside him, something he could not directly influence.
Ho Gamyeong clenched and loosened his fist lightly. Yet, he knew he now had the opportunity to cut short the breath of the young beast.
Was it to claim their lives?
No.
Ho Gamyeong’s gaze shifted to one side. The true lifeline of the beast known as Chung Myung. And he was the source nurturing it.
‘Hwasan Geomhyeop. No… Maehwa Geomgwi.’
Locking eyes with Chung Myung, who was coldly glaring at him from the center of the group, Ho Gamyeong’s gaze brimmed with determination.
“Listen up. This is not my order. It’s an order from Ryeonju. Carry it out at the risk of your lives!”
“Yes!”
“Even if it means making sacrifices.”
The moment those words rang out, the faces of his subordinates hardened even more.
“Hwasan Geomhyeop is to never be left alive. Kill him without fail! Even if it means sacrificing all others!”
“Understood!”
Listening to the resounding responses, Ho Gamyeong nodded slowly.
He had suffered a devastating defeat. Perhaps the mistakes he had made would be irredeemable for a lifetime.
But he could say with confidence that it was not a worthless defeat.
Because of that defeat, Ryeonju had resolved to claim the neck of Maehwa Geomgwi. So it would never be meaningless.
“You will never live to see another day, Maehwa Geomgwi.”
Ho Gamyeong murmured to himself, as if reaffirming his own resolve.
❀ ❀ ❀
“They’re closing in from both sides!”
“We’ve been through this, respond!”
Haenam was no longer the Haenam of the past. Without waiting for someone’s command, they engaged in combat. Swift and precise. There was hardly any need for words.
But…
“This doesn’t look good.”
There was something in Im Sobyeong’s eyes that wasn’t visible. He glanced at Chung Myung beside him and asked.
“Isn’t it sooner than expected?”
“…”
“Then there must have been an unexpected variable… I usually start by considering one thing in situations like this.”
“That’s not the case.”
“You’re saying it’s not betrayal.”
“No, it’s not.”
There was a subtle gleam in Im Sobyeong’s eyes. He sensed that there was much contained in that answer just now.
Chung Myung didn’t say there wouldn’t be a traitor. But he didn’t consider the fact that there might be one.
Because identifying a traitor in this situation would be meaningless.
Instead, he had decided it was better to trust each other and move forward, even if it meant risking being led into a trap.
“You’re still as reckless as ever.”
Im Sobyeong nodded slightly with a strange smile.
“But what will you do? We’ve used up all the tricks we had, and the enemies are closing in from behind. Even though the Yangtze River is nearby, once we engage with them and arrive at the riverbank, there will probably be only about a ten of us left.”
About a ten.
Chung Myung understood why Im Sobyeong had mentioned the numbers. He was subtly suggesting abandoning Haenam now.
“Wasn’t it predetermined from the beginning?”
It had been said. By Chung Myung himself.
If they were truly in an unavoidable crisis, he would abandon Haenam. The members of Cheonumaeng were far more important than them.
If in trying to save them, those who had come with Cheonumaeng from Haenam ended up losing their lives, Chung Myung would never forgive himself.
“Or perhaps, Dojang was truly a more righteous person than I had anticipated?”
Chung Myung sneered, lifting the corner of his mouth.
“I’ve said it before… I’ve never once considered myself a righteous person. I don’t want to be one either.”
There was something unsettling within that voice. Im Sobyeong glanced at Chung Myung with narrowed eyes before nodding.
There was one reason he could regain his composure after leaving the gorge. Regardless of any failures, as long as they were not blocked by the enemy, there was always the option to detach from Haenam and survive as Cheonumaeng.
“That’s a good answer. So the conclusion is already decided, isn’t it?”
“Of course it is. However…”
“Yes?”
A chilling voice came into Im Sobyeong’s ear.
“This isn’t much of a crisis.”
“…Dojang?”
Chung Myung’s eyes were ablaze.
It was an unexpected change from the recent dark and calm demeanor. Im Sobyeong felt a lump in his chest. He sensed it. Chung Myung had finally released something he had been suppressing.
“Is this how you’re going to do it?”
Chung Myung muttered as he turned and ran forward.
Im Sobyeong, realizing what he intended to do, hurriedly reached out. He tried to grab his clothes, but all he caught was empty air. Chung Myung was already running ahead.
“Dojang! Dojaaaaaaang!”
Im Sobyeong screamed until his throat felt like it would burst. His eyes widened. He couldn’t understand why he was so frantic, but it felt like his insides were about to explode.
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