Chapter 1399
To where you should be. (4)
“Sto… stop!”
Pahaat!
A swift sword struck forcefully into the mouth of the one attempting to scream, like a venomous snake piercing into the heart of its next prey.
Truly a streak of light. Unstoppable even if one knows, and unmanageable even if one sees.
“It’s Jo Geol!”
“O-one sword that separates the light*!”
“The Plum Blossom Sword!”
Those who recognized the leading figure shouted out. Before their cries could even fade, the flying swords mercilessly turned another into a corpse.
“Retreat! Create distance!”
Even the members of Maninbang pride themselves on never lagging behind in combat. They were well aware of how to confront the swift sword.
However, as they quickly created distance and prepared to evade that sword, what greeted them was a golden light streaking through the air with fierce intensity.
Kwaaaang!
The overwhelming power erupted amidst those retreating. The bodies of those caught in its aftermath were flung in all directions like a ball hit by a child.
Amidst the open space created, one figure descended strongly.
Saaaak!
Which came first?
The sound of silk being cleaved by a renowned sword? Or perhaps the momentary flash of crimson sword energy? Or was it the severed head soaring through the air?
Though distinguishing the sequence was difficult, the identity of the one who created the spectacle was unmistakable. Like a mighty storm, Yu Iseol, sharp as a razor, surged forward once more, driving into the ground with force.
Lowering her stance like a flying swallow, she emitted crescent-shaped sword energy one after another.
“Euaaaaack!”
Those struck by the waves of sword energy screamed in agony.
What truly instilled fear in them wasn’t just the severed arms bouncing off or the spilled entrails.
A face that looked like it was carved out of cold iron and the intense murderous aura akin to boiling ice. The swordsman in front of them felt disharmonious to the point it was difficult to express. Her demeanor instilled an ineffable terror.
Swish!
Yu Iseol, who had just defeated another foe, glanced back momentarily. Her gaze extended beyond her pursuers to the figure behind them, to Baek Cheon, or more precisely, to Chung Myung he held.
After confirming his condition once again, she turned her gaze forward with eyes as sharp as a hawk’s.
Swoosh!
A fierce sword energy surged, dense and menacing.
Originally, she pursued the pinnacle of efficiency with her sword. But now, she abandoned everything she had pursued and focused solely on power, just to carve out a path a moment faster.
Before Yu Iseol’s sword energy could fade, Namgung Dowi’s sword energy erupted, and on top of that, the rain of flying daggers of the Tang clan embroidered the sky.
In the face of the all-out assault, the iron-clad encirclement of Maninbang began to crumble like a sandcastle.
“Out of the way, you bastards!”
Kwaaaang!
At that moment, the power unleashed by Hye Yeon caused a massive explosion right in front of the path they were opening.
“It’s, it’s breached! We can’t hold it! Commander!”
Ho Gamyeong silently gazed upon the unfolding spectacle with a stern expression.
Kwaaaang!
With each explosion of power, those who had been blocking were scattered in all directions. The tightly knit encirclement, like a leak-proof net, was forcibly twisted, and cracks were appearing in the sturdy iron wall.
Even in their current exhausted state, they were forcibly twisting and tearing apart the encirclement. Ho Gamyeong thought to himself.
‘..I am sick of it.’
How many times must he endure this sight?
Since he followed Jang Ilso into Maninbang, no one had rendered him so powerless.
Of course, that didn’t mean he always succeeded and always defeated his opponents.
However, this experience was unlike anything he had encountered before. Until now… Yes, until now, the reason had been clear.
Maehwa Geomgwi.
A being that Ho Gamyeong could not contend with. As long as he existed, all of Ho Gamyeong’s schemes became meaningless, and tactics lost their value as tactics.
That’s why he thoroughly cornered only that one person. Even if others criticized him for deviating from the principles of military strategy.
The strategy had undoubtedly fallen into place perfectly, pushing that devilish being into the corner.
So, it should have been over by now. The moment Maehwa Geomgwi lost consciousness, this vicious battle should have finally come to an end.
But… why is this happening again? All possible variables should have been eliminated, right?
Was there a miscalculation? No, there couldn’t have been. Moreover, he had never made the mistake of underestimating his opponents, not even once.
Ho Gamyeong had even considered the possibility of the enemies breaking through the encirclement.
There was only one thing he hadn’t predicted.
That those who should have been exhausted after breaking the encirclement were smashing it again with a strength far beyond his expectations. It was as if…
Thunk.
Ho Gamyeong ground his teeth.
‘This can’t be happening.’
There couldn’t another sword demon. It was impossible for such people to exist in the world.
“Commander!”
Ho Gamyeong, after several deep breaths in response to his subordinate’s urgent call, clenched his trembling fingertips tightly.
“…Stay calm.”
“But right now…”
“I told you to stay calm, didn’t I?”
The commotion among the aides subsided. Ho Gamyeong calmly analyzed the situation with cold eyes. And finally, he spoke.
“Open the way.”
“What? What does that mean…?”
For a moment, the subordinates’ eyes concentrated on Ho Gamyeong as if they couldn’t believe what they were hearing. Asking to open the way meant to lift the encirclement.
Considering the momentum, it would be difficult to encircle them again after letting them go once. Releasing them in this situation would render all the sacrifices made by Maninbang’s warriors meaningless!
“Commander, you must stay calm!”
“Do I seem agitated?”
The subordinates watched Ho Gamyeong with trembling eyes. From amidst those gazes, Ho Gamyeong spoke in a chilling tone.
“Blocking their path now would only bolster their momentum. What we should aim for right now is…”
Ho Gamyeong’s gaze focused on one spot.
“Behind them.”
His blade-like gaze fixed precisely on Chung Myung held by Baek Cheon.
He admitted it. They had surpassed his predictions at this moment. Whatever principle allowed for this was unknown to him, but denying the phenomenon already underway would be pointless.
However, that didn’t mean they had become omnipotent. Their desperation only highlighted their weaknesses even more.
“Ignore the others and focus solely on Maehwa Geomgwi.”
The subordinates looked at each other.
“Now!”
“Yes!”
The aides promptly issued orders in all directions. Amidst the flurry of activity, Ho Gamyeong’s dark gaze remained fixed on the unconscious Chung Myung.
‘Was this the future you envisioned, Maehwa Geomgwi?’
So, is it possible to be immune even to death? Because he believed that one day they could replace everything he did?
It’s truly staggering arrogance, bordering on absurdity.
In this world, there cannot be two ‘Jang Ilso’. Similarly, there cannot be two ‘Chung Myung’ in this world. Such beings are not nurtured by someone – they are solely bestowed by the heavens.
But there was no ridicule.
There was no denying it. Ho Gamyeong, at this moment, with his own eyes, confirmed the future Maehwa Geomgwi had envisioned.
Ho Gamyeong bit his lower lip.
‘It ends here anyway.’
Such a future will not come to pass. No, even the possibility of such a future will vanish today. Right here, right now.
He sensed it.
Swoosh!
The sensation of cutting through the enemy was not felt at the fingertips but at the tip of the sword. It might sound somewhat strange, but there was no other way to describe the feeling at the moment.
Slash!
The sword surged forward like a tidal wave, piercing through the enemy’s skin, slicing through flesh and veins, and eventually severing bones, all vividly felt at the tip of the sword.
It felt as if the boundary between the sword and the hand had disappeared. There was a profound sense of unity, as if one had to painstakingly distinguish between the tip of the sword and the tip of the hand, a remarkable sense of being one entity.
Everything he had known collapsed. The boundaries that delineated the world blurred.
Within that blur, there existed only the sword and himself. No, even the sword disappeared, leaving only himself.
The sense of unity that had existed only in imagination now transcended into something even more profound. If he leaped into this realm, he was certain he could take one step further.
But Jo Geol had reached a state where… No, he forcefully pushed himself away from a state that he had undoubtedly stepped into.
‘This is strange! It’s strange…’
The enemy no longer felt formidable. It seemed like anyone could trample them if they set their mind to it.
Yet, that sense of satisfaction sent a warning to Jo Geol’s senses.
The internal conflict in his mind grew increasingly deeper.
Just a little further, wouldn’t it be okay?
If he could feel this sensation a little more, he would undoubtedly become unbelievably strong. But why was he pushing away this possibility himself?
‘Me?’
He is a swordsman. He wanted to become stronger. He wanted to be even more…
“Chung Myuuuung!”
Kwaang!
In that moment, the hazy world surrounding Jo Geol shattered like a mirror. When he looked around, the current situation became clear.
The enemies who should have been in front were now crowded behind him.
‘What? Why?’
For a moment, he couldn’t understand the situation. Did he charge too far ahead?
No, that couldn’t be it. If that were the case, the enemies would have blocked his path even more fiercely. So why was this happening?
In that moment, Jo Geol’s eyes caught sight of something.
A scene where Maninbang’s warrior, with venom in his eyes, completely ignored a sword flying towards him and instead leaped towards Baek Cheon.
Despite swords piercing his body all over his sword was solely directed towards the unconscious Chung Myung.
Kaaaang!
Before Jo Geol could even scream, Baek Cheon’s sword swung down.
“Aaaargh!”
But that was just the beginning.
The enemies began rushing towards Chung Myung. Relentless attacks poured down.
“These bastards…!”
Jo Geol immediately struck the ground and went back.
At the same time, those fiercely breaking through the encirclement were now surrounding Baek Cheon, protecting him from the onslaught.
‘No!’
Desperation flashed in Jo Geol’s eyes.
Chung Myung is currently unconscious. This means he can’t even offer minimal resistance against the flying attacks. It also implies that even a blind sword could end his life. No, there’s no need to aim for vital spots. Right now, Chung Myung’s body wouldn’t even withstand a simple impact.
Wooooong!
At the sound, Jo Geol’s gaze sharply turned back for a moment. The figure gathering energy was clearly visible. The gathered force in the raised hand was immense. Jo Geol instinctively leaped in front of Baek Cheon and Chung Myung, blocking them from the attack.
“Aaaargh!”
Swish!
With all his strength, Jo Geol swung his sword, cutting through the hand charged with energy. It was a close call.
As he heard the desperate screams, Jo Geol clenched his jaw muscles so hard they bulged.
‘Who am I?’
His soul-infused shout erupted explosively.
“You can’t touch Chung Myung! You bastards!”
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