Chapter 1570
Taking a walk is best on a day like this. (5)
“Why on earth are Jongnam’s people here?”
On the chests of those leading the charge with relentless sword attacks, there was an emblem depicting a cloud pattern. This sight was clear even to the Black Dragon King.
Jongnam and Hwasan were sworn enemies, so why had they come all this way to aid Hwasan?
Moreover, by their movements it was obvious they were targeting only the Black Dragon King.
“These…”
Gritting his teeth, the muscles on his sturdy jaw, covered in a black beard, bulged.
At that moment, a mocking voice reached his ears.
“…Are you scared?”
The Black Dragon King turned his head heavily. His chewed lips and bloodshot eyes showed just how deeply humiliated he felt.
At the end of his fierce gaze, Namgung Dowi, who was on the verge of death, was laughing.
“No way, the Black Dragon King of the world?”
“I’ll tear your mouth apart!”
With a ripping sound that tore through the air, the Black Dragon King’s guandao swung ferociously. Namgung Dowi raised his sword. The sword, imbued with a faint white aura, blocked the incoming crescent blade of the guandao.
Boom!
Naturally, it was insufficient. Namgung Dowi’s body was like a skipping stone thrown by a child, repeatedly hitting the ground and bouncing up.
Yet he still managed to get up again, even while coughing up fresh blood.
“Ha… A person’s worth… only shows… when they die…”
“You..!”
Just as the Black Dragon King was about to charge at Namgung Dowi with all his might, gripping his guandao tightly, a voice stopped him.
“Calm down, Black Dragon King. Now is the time to retreat.”
The Black Dragon King’s head snapped around. His murderous intent was clear, as if he would tear apart anyone who dared to stop him instead of the dying Namgung Dowi.
But the person who stopped him remained unfazed despite the menacing aura.
“Remember the mission.”
Gritting his teeth, the Black Dragon King trembled with anger as he gripped his weapon.
He was Jeok Segwang, the Black Dragon King, leader of the Eighteen Strongholds of the Yangtze River, and the ruler of the vast Yangtze.
Yet here was a mere lackey of Ho Gamyeong, not even Jang Ilso, daring to…
“Black Dragon King!”
The fierce energy that had filled the crescent blade of the guandao dissipated quickly.
The Black Dragon King bit his lower lip in frustration, tasting the metallic flavor of blood in his mouth, and lowered his weapon.
“Because of those bastards…”
“There’s no need to risk everything here.
There will be plenty of opportunities for revenge. Killing just a few of them is not your goal, is it?”
The Black Dragon King glared at the member of Maninbang with a dissatisfied expression. Despite his piercing gaze, the man’s expression remained unchanged.
‘Wasn’t he called the military advisor [군사전(軍師殿)]?’
He had heard that Ho Gamyeong trained these men… They certainly knew how to run their mouths.
And the Black Dragon King knew. What he had been lacking were men like these.
“What should we do?”
“Those men are nothing but moths rushing to a flame.”
The man turned his gaze toward the ones charging at them. Their momentum was indeed formidable.
“Arrows are frightening. Especially those shot from behind, which even a veteran fighter cannot avoid.”
“Hm.”
“But arrows without a target are just signal arrows. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“You have a talent for making retreat sound noble.”
“Temporarily withdrawing is not the same as fleeing. If that were the case, all the brave commanders in history would be mere cowards.”
The Black Dragon King glanced at the young warriors from Hwasan and Jongnam charging at him.
‘Indeed…’
In the past, he would have immediately tried to crush them all. Even if he realized it was a dangerous move, his choice wouldn’t have changed.
He could not retreat in front of so many subordinates, away from mere youngsters.
But the Black Dragon King of today was different.
“If those brats leave here alive… I’ll tear you apart first.”
“That won’t happen.”
The calm confidence in Maninbang’s member’s voice made the Black Dragon King nod heavily. Yet, he couldn’t shake off his unease, unable to completely take his eyes off the approaching figures.
“Black Dragon King!”
There was a peculiar urgency in the man’s voice.
“Hmph!”
Finally, the Black Dragon King moved roughly.
“Where do you think… you’re going?”
“…”
The Black Dragon King’s face, which had barely calmed down, was once again filled with intense anger.
Gritting his teeth, he turned to see Namgung Dowi, who had somehow risen to his feet and was staggering toward him.
“Cowardly… bastard”
“You…!”
“It’s just a stratagem, Black Dragon King! Ignore him!”
The Black Dragon King glared at Namgung Dowi as if to burn him with his eyes before turning away again.
“Haaah!”
But at that moment, with an unexpected burst of strength, Namgung Dowi leaped and flew towards the Black Dragon King.
This sudden attack made the Black Dragon King’s barely contained fury explode.
The Black Dragon King let out a roar like a beast and swung his blade with all his might at Namgung Dowi.
Boom!
Namgung Dowi’s body was flung back even faster than he flew to attack.
Crunch!
As the Black Dragon King was about to swing his guandao again, which he was holding so tightly it could break, a voice stopped him once more.
“Black Dragon King! Do you plan to die here?”
“Ugh!”
The Black Dragon King’s arm trembled.
“Remember when you lost that arm.”
As soon as this was mentioned, a wild gleam flashed in the Black Dragon King’s eyes. He snarled at the advisor.
“If you mention that again, I’ll tear your mouth apart!”
“Calm down.”
Reluctantly, the Black Dragon King lowered his guandao. His hand still trembled with humiliation.
“You… can’t…”
Namgung Dowi, now unable even to stand, was crawling towards him, gripping his sword.
A fleeting look of fear appeared in the Black Dragon King’s eyes.
Namgung Dowi strained to lift his head. His eyes were unfocused and glazed over. For a moment, the Black Dragon King felt his heart sink.
“What on earth are these guys…”
“Black Dragon King!”
“Lead the way!”
“Yes!”
Humiliation, rage, disgrace, and perhaps even unease.
Suppressing all these emotions, the Black Dragon King followed the lead of the one ahead.
“Where are we going?”
“We are blocked by the remaining Yangtze River, so it’s not a good move.”
“There are my ships on the Yangtze.”
“Which is why it’s not a good move. We should head west first.”
Though it was incomprehensible, it wasn’t likely a trick. If the youngsters behind caught up to the Black Dragon King, the first to die would be him.
“Then stop wasting time and move!”
“Yaaahhh!”
Jo Geol’s sword had already pierced several enemies’ necks.
Yu Iseol severed the wrist of an enemy targeting him.
“Get out of the way, you bastards!”
Jo Geol spat out harsh curses.
At this rate, Namgung Dowi would die. It was obvious to anyone that he was at his limit. He couldn’t bear to watch a comrade die before his eyes.
“Get lost… Huh?”
Jo Geol’s eyes widened.
“Sahyeong!”
“What!”
“T-The Black Dragon King is escaping!”
“What?”
Yoon Jong, who had been swinging his sword, looked up in shock. His eyes widened.
“That, that…!”
He saw it too.
The sight of the Black Dragon King, leader of the Eighteen Strongholds of the Yangtze River and one of the four most renowned figures in the Evil Sects, turning his back and retreating.
“No way…”
Yoon Jong was momentarily at a loss for words.
Running away? That was possible. It was common sense to retreat when in danger.
But the Black Dragon King? He couldn’t do that. If the renowned Black Dragon King fled from a mere group of Just Sects’ youngsters, what would the world say? Even if he survived, he would be subject to a lifetime of mockery and ridicule.
He had never imagined seeing the Black Dragon King running away like this.
“Damn it…”
Baek Cheon’s suppressed voice escaped like a groan.
They could chase him. But could they catch the Black Dragon King?
It was unlikely.
They had to cut their way through to pursue, while the Black Dragon King only needed to run without any obstacles.
Even a child could see who had the advantage in achieving their goal.
But there was no turning back now.
They were already deep in the battlefield. If they turned around now, they would have to cut down as many enemies as they had already faced, now more organized and prepared.
Those around them might manage to survive, but the safety of Namgung clan and those left behind could not be guaranteed.
“Stupid.”
Before Baek Cheon’s internal conflict could end, a sword sliced through the air like lightning.
Jin Geumryong, who had instantly cut through the chests of three enemies, sneered coldly as he spoke.
“Can an arrow that’s left the bowstring be recalled?”
“…Jin Geumryong.”
“I’ll clear the way. There’s no other choice now.”
He was right. Absolutely right.
Baek Cheon quickly acknowledged this and nodded.
“Clear a path, whatever it takes!”
“Yes!”
At Baek Cheon’s command, Hwasan’s swordsmen’s swords charged more fiercely than just moments ago.
Previously, they had been conserving some strength for a final strike at the Black Dragon King. But now, they poured all their power into clearing the way.
“Out of the way! Move!”
“Block us and die!”
“Haaah!”
The swords of Hwasan and Jongnam mercilessly cut through the enemies.
“Aaaahhh!”
“S-Save me!”
Those who blocked them died with screams, and those who hadn’t yet blocked them hesitated and stepped back in fear.
Despite this, the Black Dragon King’s figure continued to grow smaller. Even now, the distance between them was widening.
“Namgung Sohyeop!”
“Young Lord!”
Finally reaching the spot where Namgung Dowi had fallen, Jo Geol nearly crawled on all fours to support and lift him.
“Are you alright?”
“Damn it, how did it come to this…!”
Yoon Jong and Jo Geol simultaneously expressed their worry and anger.
“The Black Dragon… where is he…?”
In a hoarse voice, Namgung Dowi asked. Jo Geol’s face hardened.
“We’re chasing him now…”
At that moment, Namgung Dowi gripped Jo Geol’s shoulder tightly. The strength in his grip was astonishing, given his condition.
“Young Lord?”
“Me… me!”
Jo Geol quickly nodded. He didn’t need to hear the rest to understand what Namgung Dowi meant.
He immediately lifted him onto his back and followed the others who were clearing the way.
“Where is he?”
“There!”
Jo Geol gritted his teeth. The Black Dragon King was even further away now.
“Damn it! A cowardly Sapa with no sense of dignity, running away from a bunch of kids?”
“Kh…”
A strained laugh came from behind Jo Geol.
“Young Lord?”
Jo Geol’s face hardened with pity. He couldn’t fully grasp the depth of the emptiness contained in that laugh.
Not only had Namgung Dowi missed the chance to kill the one he desperately wanted dead, but now he also had to worry about his own survival.
However, Namgung Dowi’s next words were unexpected and random.
“The law of nature is like a giant web, although sparsely meshed, nothing could slip through [天網恢恢 疎而不失].”
“What?”
“That saying… seems to be true…”
Jo Geol, puzzled as to why that phrase was mentioned here, turned his head.
At that moment.
“Geol! Over there! Look, over there!”
“What? Why all of a sudden?”
Jo Geol saw it. No, he heard it first.
From afar, a familiar sound echoed. It was unexpected but all the more welcome and heart-stirring.
“Ah-mi-ta-bha-!”
The golden glow of Buddha’s light and the grand Buddhist chant, now all too familiar.
“Mooooonk!”
“Monk Hye Yeon!”
Hye Yeon, leading the disciples of Hwasan, blocked the path of the fleeing Black Dragon King.
The one who fulfilled his duty for others now stood in the way of the one trying to flee from his.
“Now! Catch him!”
“Yes!”
Baek Cheon, who had been conserving his strength until the end, infused his sword with all his inner strength. For a moment, his sword regained its former precision and grace.
Bright red plum blossoms bloomed.
Although the color was not clear and rather murky, sorrowful as it was, it was equally heavy and deadly.
“Aaaarg!”
“Aaaaaah!”
Those swept by the sword spat blood and fell backward, their bodies limp. Along that path, Jin Geumryong charged forward.
“You idiot! If you’re weak, step back!”
The white sword danced like a snowstorm. Yet within it, the momentum was not cold but rather hot.
“Haaaaaap!”
Jin Geumryong’s blade scattered the enemies, and above it, a straight and firm vertical strike pierced down, as decisive as if it could split the world in two.
This was a sword technique that only Lee Songbaek could possibly wield.
“Proceed, Vice Sect Leader! Jo Geol Dojang!”
There was no time for gratitude. Jo Geol, carrying Namgung Dowi, leaped forward like a spring.
Their target was one: the back of the Black Dragon King, who was confronting Hye Yeon head-on.
“Jeok Segwaaaaang!”
Baek Cheon, his white uniform fluttering, swung his sword through the air as if cutting through the void.
“Kuk!”
The Black Dragon King, pushing back Hye Yeon, urgently twisted his body.
Swish!
However, a long, crimson line immediately appeared on the Black Dragon King’s face.
Drip.
The engraved wound and the trickle of blood painted a red character [정(丁) – fourth] on his visage.
Baek Cheon aimed his unwavering sword at the Black Dragon King’s neck.
“It ends here, Black Dragon King.”
The face of the Black Dragon King was cruelly distorted.
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