Chapter 1394
He’ll be waiting for us. (4)
Dark and damp. The stench of something decaying stung his nostrils. Yet even that pungent odor felt strangely muted.
Chung Myung was familiar with it.
The smell of the dead. It permeated the surroundings. As if already halfway between life and death.
Nothing new. That smell had been clinging to him for some time now. Like the scent of blood that wouldn’t wash away, no matter how hard he tried.
“Are you still alive?”
At the question, Chung Myung turned his head slightly. Upon seeing the newcomer entering the cave, he nodded slowly.
“Well, humans can be quite resilient.”
Upon hearing those words, Chung Myung leaned his head against the cave wall with a somber expression and asked.
“Where are they?”
“It seems they haven’t figured out where we are yet… They’re probably setting up a net formation, whether it’s necessary or not. Happened one or two times, didn’t it?”
“Probably.”
With a click of his tongue, Tang Bo assessed Chung Myung’s condition and frowned.
“Let’s see. Looks like it’s swollen.”
“Leave it. It’s not fatal.”
“Those who end up dead always say that. Move your arm away.”
Chung Myung furrowed his brows slightly, but Tang Bo paid no attention and forcibly removed his arm. A muffled groan escaped Chung Myung’s lips.
“Ugh, damn it…”
“Hmm, seems like you are in pain.”
As Tang Bo lifted the hem of his robe, his face contorted in disgust. A long gash ran from his armpit to his lower abdomen. Although it was a wound that had already been treated once, it was now reopening with dead blood and pus pouring out.
“Do you have any idea how to say ‘treatment,’ or is your head too empty to grasp such a concept? Did you even learn the Thousand Character Classic?”
“Shut your trap. You’re annoying.”
“You’re the one acting like a lunatic.”
Grumbling, Tang Bo skillfully removed the threads stitching Chung Myung’s wound. Despite the pain of reopening the mended wound, Chung Myung remained silent.
After a moment of silence, he asked.
“Got any liquor left?”
“We’re short on disinfectant as it is.”
“Just give it to me.”
“No, you crazy bastard. How many times do I have to say it? We’re short on disinfectant.”
“I get it. Just give it to me.”
“Ugh…”
Tang Bo stared at Chung Myung incredulously for a moment before relenting. He reached for a small bottle of liquor at his waist and tossed it towards Chung Myung’s face.
“Drink it and shut up.”
With a swift movement, Chung Myung caught the bottle and skillfully opened the cap with one hand. Pouring the liquor into his mouth in one gulp, he closed his eyes and leaned his head against the cave wall. Tang Bo muttered.
“Did you get possessed by a ghost that can’t drink?”
“Exactly. You drink it all before becoming a ghost. You won’t be able to drink after you’re dead.”
“Ugh…”
As if he couldn’t stand dealing with Chung Myung any longer, Tang Bo shook his head and resumed tending to his wounds. He squeezed out the pus and cut away the dead flesh. Most people would collapse from the pain, but someone like Chung Myung could endure it.
“There’s no clean cloth, damn it! We need to disinfect with alcohol.”
But Chung Myung continued to ignore him and kept drinking. Tang Bo rolled his eyes and swallowed his curses. He was the one at fault for trying to reason with this man.
As he applied the last remaining golden ointment to Chung Myung’s wounds, Tang Bo flopped down beside him.
“Give it to me.”
“I need to drink…”
“I’m going to drink it too, so hand it over!”
With a smirk, Chung Myung finally handed the bottle of liquor to Tang Bo. Tang Bo snatched it eagerly and gulped it down.
“Drink sparingly.”
“I’d rather drink it than have the patient guzzling it all.”
Chung Myung chuckled softly, his words not entirely wrong.
As Tang Bo set down the bottle, his gaze turned towards the entrance of the cave. Outside, the cultists were swarming like ants. It wouldn’t be long before this place was discovered too.
“Taoist Hyeong.”
“What?”
“Do you think we can make it out alive?”
“Well?”
An indifferent response came back. Tang Bo sighed heavily.
“So let’s just let that damn Bishop go. Is it right for you to come all the way here just to rip that bastard’s head off? If you die like this, you will die naturally! Natural death!”
“You kill the one who was supposed to kill you.”
“Does that mean we’re doomed to die?”
“Well, it can’t be helped.”
Silently pulling his hair, Tang Bo muttered incomprehensible words. It was clear to anyone that they were unspeakable curses directed at Chung Myung.
‘Doomed to die…’
A strange smile formed at the corners of Chung Myung’s mouth.
What difference does it make?
In this damned land, dying is nothing out of the ordinary. They are all just becoming swarming corpses, rotting away like boiled flies. So what difference does it make if Chung Myung’s corpse is added to the mix?
While they are alive, they have things to do. Just because the price is death doesn’t mean they can’t do what needs to be done.
“Just looking at you, Taoist Hyeong, is quite something.”
“Huh?”
“It’s like you’re missing something in your head.”
“…”
“No, well, can you expect anyone among those called absolute masters to be sane?”
“You included.”
Tang Bo, who had been momentarily speechless, laughed.
“That’s true. If I were sane, I wouldn’t be sticking around someone like you.”
“Sure.”
Chung Myung snatched the bottle of liquor from Tang Bo’s hand and firmly pressed the cap shut.
Rising slowly, he clenched and loosened his fist as he nodded, then handed the bottle back to Tang Bo.
“Hang it well. Make sure it doesn’t break.”
“Huh?”
“I will have to finish it when we get back.”
“…Are we leaving now?”
“If the encirclement tightens, it’ll be harder to break through. Let’s go.”
With a solemn expression, Tang Bo looked at Chung Myung.
Of course, Chung Myung’s words weren’t wrong. The longer they waited, the thicker and more dangerous the encirclement became. It meant the probability of returning alive decreased even further.
But wasn’t that something to be discussed based on the person’s condition? Could Chung Myung break through the encirclement in his current state?
Biting down on the inside of his cheek, Tang Bo said.
“No, Hyeong… If we wait a bit longer, reinforcements might come. Maybe Sect Leader Chung Mun…”
But there was no response. Tang Bo sighed deeply.
In truth, he knew. Their main unit wasn’t in a position to support the two of them right now. Wasn’t Chung Myung’s attempt on the Bishop’s life in the first place to rescue the ambushed main unit?
Sending reinforcements to handle the situation alone would be impossible given the gravity of the circumstances.
“If you’re done crying, get up.”
“Who said anything about crying…”
Grumbling, Tang Bo finally got up. His eyes quickly scanned Chung Myung’s body once again.
“Can you fight?”
“I’m probably more capable than you.”
“…I assure you, Taoist Hyeong, you’re going to hell.”
“How reassuring.”
With determined steps, Chung Myung strode out of the cave.
The sword in his hand felt heavy. His body, swaying with each step, has long been out of his control.
The pungent smell of death filled the air. Somewhere in the mountains spread out before him, his meager grave might be waiting. He murmured softly.
“Don’t give up.”
“To whom are you saying that?”
Chung Myung chuckled. That’s how it should be.
Thud!
As he charged into the forest, his eyes soon caught sight of figures dressed in sinister black robes. Demonic Cultists rushed towards him, their eyes already turning red.
With a casual swing, Chung Myung’s sword beheaded several cultists in one clean stroke.
Hot blood splattered across his face. The warmth of something that had been breathing just moments ago would soon dissipate, cooling rapidly.
“Coming!”
Tang Bo’s flying dagger slices through the air like a flash. Chung Myung, spitting out the blood accumulated in his mouth, squinted slightly.
‘Should’ve taken one more sip before heading out, huh?’
The persistent smell of blood in his mouth dispelled all traces of the alcohol’s scent.
‘I’ll have to drink until I’m wasted when I get back.’
But what if he doesn’t return?
Hmm. He’ll probably regret not having that one more sip. That’s all.
Paaaat!
He parried the sword charging towards him. However, perhaps due to his wounds, his reaction was slightly delayed, and he failed to block the sword grazing his side.
Now, pushing aside the overwhelming pain, Chung Myung swung his sword. Another life was ruthlessly cut.
‘No one wants to die.’
However, there are some people who are not so desperate for life. Those who find breathing tiresome.
“Tang Bo.”
“Are you really starting a conversation in this situation?”
As Tang Bo moved swiftly, Chung Myung pierced the heart of the cultist with the tip of his sword and spoke calmly.
“Will you return to the Tang clan once the war is over?”
“Wouldn’t you return to Hwasan? Is there anywhere else for us to go?”
Chung Myung chuckled dismissively. It sounded like a foolish question.
Paaaat!
As Tang Bo threw his recovered dagger once again, he asked.
“Would you like to go on a journey with me?”
“A journey…”
“If you have nothing else to do, why not?”
“…Not a bad idea.”
Chung Myung muttered as he pondered Tang Bo’s words that rang in his ears.
Better than rotting away while blaming himself for surviving, or watching the desolation of Hwasan.
“Well, stop babbling and hold your sword properly. We need to stay alive first before we can go on any journeys!”
“Right. Once we’re back, let’s start with a drink.”
“I got it, now focus on what’s ahead!”
Chung Myung laughed.
A journey, not a bad idea. Following that guy back to Tang clan and spending time as vagabonds might not be so bad. Maybe returning to Hwasan wouldn’t be as bad as he thought.
Even a life lived within an empty shell might be better than rotting away in despair.
Chung Myung adjusted his grip on the sword.
Yet, amidst it all, the thought of taking one more sip lingered in his mind.
Demonic cultists were closing in, their figures dark and ominous. The corner of Chung Myung’s mouth twitched eerily.
“No matter what…”
Chung Myung, revealing his teeth, unleashed ferocious energy.
“Until I’ve slit the throat of the Heavenly Demon, I will not die.”
Kicking the ground fiercely, Chung Myung, the Sword Saint, pressed forward.
❀ ❀ ❀
His fingertips lacked strength.
Leaning against a tree trunk, his head kept drooping to the side. Even at the slightest lapse in concentration he felt like he would lose consciousness.
Between the blood-soaked strands of hair, his eyes seemed fragile, as if their light could extinguish at any moment.
Where was he?
A burning thirst surged through him. It was an unbearable thirst. Amidst the overwhelming lethargy that enveloped his entire body, only that thirst remained intact.
Thud.
As soon as he opened his mouth slightly, his dry lips cracked and blood oozed out.
“Alcohol…”
His head slumped backwards.
He gazed at the distant sky brightening with the dawn. Even though it was just a glimpse through the dense trees, it was extremely beautiful.
“…Should’ve brought some.”
A laughter escaped his lips, which seemed on the verge of closing.
“Over here!”
Peace was short-lived as the surroundings erupted into chaos.
Thunk.
Instinctively, Chung Myung grasped the Dark Plum Sword.
“No time to rest… they never give a chance. Damn bastards.”
Chuckling, Chung Myung turned his head to look at the oncoming attackers.
‘How did we make it out back then?’
The memories were fuzzy. Perhaps he had experienced too much of such events.
Or maybe the memories were too distant to recall clearly.
And perhaps…
Thunk.
Chung Myung threw himself forward with all his might, followed closely by Maninbang, their eyes filled with fervor.
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