Chapter 1671
Isn’t this the situation you were hoping for? (1)
Swoosh!
A flying oil pouch bursts in the air, scattering oil in all directions.
Whoosh!
As a flaming arrow cuts through the air, the sparks ignite the oil, quickly growing into a blaze. The fire advancing toward the swordsmen looked like the hand of a demon.
“Haaap!”
But what met it was a single sword.
Swish.
Contrary to the strong and short shout, the extended sword drew a very graceful circle. The movement was soft yet delicate, like a hand wrapping around a child.
The oil, trapped within the circle that spun round and round, couldn’t expand any further and whirled only in the air.
A moment later, the sword slashed forcefully, and the flames swirling in the air surged toward the cliff as if obeying a command. It was truly a sight from another world.
It was as if the sword was containing the flames.
“Stay focused! Not a single mistake is allowed!”
“Yes!”
Whoosh!
Even amidst the chaos, flaming arrows soared from below. Those flying from above and those shooting up from below. Anyone who has experienced it would find the latter far more troublesome.
Swoosh!
Clang!
However, Wudang swordsmen deflected all the arrows. There was not a trace of hesitation or confusion in their swordsmanship.
They can handle it.
Even if it was something they had never experienced, or an attack they had never imagined, the method to counter it was already ingrained in the sword techniques they had learned.
In the end, all human actions are powerless before greater nature.
The sword of Wudang, striving to emulate nature, should rightfully be able to handle any human action they faced.
Realizing this, the confusion vanished, and determination and confidence shone in the eyes of Wudang swordsmen.
“Sahyeong! The fire is spreading!”
“Cut down the nearby trees! We need to block the fire’s path in advance! Cut the trees and dig up the ground!”
“Yes!”
As soon as the order was given, the sword energy burst out in unison. Tree trunks were cut down, and the ground was torn apart.
If they could just prevent the fire from spreading quickly, they could hold their ground here indefinitely. After all, this steep slope was the perfect place to suppress the enemy’s strategy as much as possible.
As expected, a look of frustration crossed the faces of the enemies who had been relentlessly launching oil and arrows from below. They must have realized that their tactics were no longer effective.
Instead, that look ignited fury in Mu Jin’s heart. He gritted his teeth.
‘Did it seem that easy to you?’
Did they really believe that these petty tricks would work against the world’s best Wudang until the end?
Now it was time to show them that the enemy they faced was unlike any they had encountered before, and that the name of Wudang, the greatest sword sect under heaven, was not just an exaggerated boast.
“Even more…!”
Mu Jin was about to raise his voice again when suddenly.
Thud.
The enemies lowered their bows, and those who had been throwing oil pouches also dropped their arms. They opened a path to Wudang swordsmen standing on the slope, as if the killing intent they had just been emitting was a lie.
“…Hmm?”
A hint of surprise flashed in Mu Jin’s eyes. He noticed several people walking up the path where the flames had almost died down.
Chills.
At the sight of the middle-aged men leisurely walking up the open path, Mu Jin’s skin reacted first, goosebumps rising on the back of his hand.
‘Are they elders?’
Each one of them exuded an extraordinary aura. While Mu Jin was unfamiliar with the hierarchy of the Evil Sects and Sapaeryeon, if he compared it to the Just Sects, they seemed to be at least at the elder level.
Mu Jin’s body began to stiffen with tension.
For warriors of such caliber to step forward meant they were serious about opening the path. They intended to break through not by throwing small fry or employing petty tricks, but with sheer force.
“Not easy!”
“Yes!”
As Mu Jin tried to raise Wudang swordsmen’s alertness and issue further instructions, someone shouted urgently.
“Sasuk! Sasukjo is…!”
“Hmm?”
Reflexively looking up at the cliff, Mu Jin was taken aback.
Clang!
Heo Gong’s figure confronting someone came into view.
‘When…?’
When did the enemy manage to infiltrate up there?
“Who is it?”
“Well, it’s someone I’ve never seen before…”
“Th-that martial art… It’s the Master of the Thousand Faces! It’s Haomun’s Munju, Dam Yeohae!”
Someone with keen eyesight recognized Dam Yeohae’s identity just from the glimpse of the techniques. It was no wonder they couldn’t recognize him by face alone, as he was known for his elusive appearance.
The mention of Haomun’s Munju sent a wave of tense apprehension through the previously confident and determined Wudang swordsmen.
Panic-stricken voices soon erupted from all around.
“Cheon Myeon Susa…!”
“Sasuk! We must help Sasukjo! I’ll go!”
“We must guard the cliff…”
Thud!
At that moment, Mu Jin’s powerful step shook the slope violently.
Silencing his fellow disciples, he focused on the advancing enemies and addressed Wudang swordsmen.
“Do not take your eyes off the enemies in front of you.”
“…”
“Sasuk will not be defeated. If you wish to help him, ensure that the enemies here cannot target him! We are not the only ones in Wudang!”
With those words, the swordsmen regained their composure, raising their swords one by one to check the enemies.
Mu Jin secretly bit his lower lip.
‘Can he handle it?’
Despite his words, he was just as uneasy. Although Heo Gong was currently the most promising talent in Wudang, Mu Jin did not know his exact level of martial arts. He could only guess that Heo Gong had surpassed the usual level of an elder by a considerable margin.
But is he strong enough to defeat Cheon Myeon Susa? Especially when he’s already exhausted his inner strength?
Doubts were inevitable. However, Mu Jin had only one option.
‘Believe!’
If this path was breached, the enemies lurking below like wolves would sink their fangs into the heart of Wudang.
They must not give up the open battlefield where the enemy’s advantage could come into play.
Even if Heo Gong falls, a path would open, but if this place falls, a path opens just the same. Right now, they could only rely on each other.
“…So that’s how it is.”
“Yes?”
“No. It’s nothing.”
Mu Jin lightly tapped Jin Hyeon on the shoulder, who was standing beside him.
“Can you handle it?”
“That’s such an obvious question.”
“Arrogant.”
Mu Jin chuckled lightly and tightened his grip on his sword.
Thud!
With a sudden surge of power, Heo Gong did not resist but instead let his body float back. Cheon Myeon Susa, Dam Yeohae, softly landed on the cliff with both feet.
“To think a mere cliff could give us so much trouble.”
His gestures and voice were ordinary and light, yet they carried a different weight.
The relaxed ease was embedded in each movement.
The world would call that ‘leisure.’
Few in Gangho would dare show such leisure in front of Heo Gong. Yet, he couldn’t easily move to condemn him. The subtle intimidation emanating from the opponent wrapped tightly around him.
‘..Dam Yeohae, The Master of the Thousand Faces.’
To be honest, it wasn’t a name he had considered very important. The figure of Paegun Jang Ilso loomed too large for him to pay attention to Dam Yeohae.
But now, facing him with sword in hand, Heo Gong truly realized how imposing the name Dam Yeohae was, previously overshadowed by the booming name of Jang Ilso.
The ancestors must have fought against people like him.
He can understand, even a little, the choices of the previous generations, which he sometimes found frustrating or even foolish. When facing opponents like these, the children they led must have seemed endlessly weak and lacking.
At that moment, Dam Yeohae spoke up.
“What do you think?”
“…What are you talking about?”
“Do you think there’s a possibility?”
Heo Gong frowned. Cheon Myeon Susa grinned.
“No, it’s difficult. That’s impossible. Even if you manage to hold the enemy off for now, as humans, you will eventually tire. In the end, the path will open.”
Heo Gong’s eyes darkened.
“And unless you push me off this cliff, that moment will come even sooner. Whether you like it or not, your end is predetermined.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“I’m saying there’s still a chance right now.”
“…”
“Those coming out now are the Guardians of the Southern Sea Sun Palace. No matter how sharp the sword of Wudang is, it will be a tough battle. Even if you can win the fight, it will be hard to block them completely, especially with an immature sword.”
Dam Yeohae’s voice tempted Heo Gong’s ears.
“If the end is already decided, wouldn’t it be better to retreat now? Then you could still save about half of Wudang’s disciples. Isn’t that a better choice than losing innocent lives?”
“……You’re spewing nonsense.”
“Nonsense? No, it’s a matter of perspective.”
Cheon Myeon Susa turned his head and looked down the cliff. It was an obvious move that exposed a vulnerability, but Heo Gong’s sword did not move.
“Well, while Ryeonju is willing to bear sacrifices to erase Wudang… I’m different. I have my own position to consider, don’t I? Losing too many disciples here would make my neck feel chilly once the war is over.”
“…”
“What do you think? If you retreat, I won’t pursue you. You’d be glad to save your Sajes too, wouldn’t you?”
Heo Gong’s gaze unconsciously turned to the slope where Jin and Mu disciples were.
The path blocked by Elder Heo San-ja and others would never open, but the left slope, where Mu and Jin disciples were positioned as the main force, was surely struggling.
The problem was that even if they gave their all, there was no guarantee they could block all those villains. In that case, it might be better to…
At that moment, Heo Gong let out a small laugh.
“It was deserved.”
“Hmm? What do you mean all of a sudden?”
“Our Sect Leader.”
Heo Gong’s smiling face looked desolate. His face had been tense and vigilant, but for a moment, he seemed to regain the face of a Taoist.
“I kept wondering why that Hwasan’s guy was so angry… It wasn’t that the choice was wrong. The problem was not being able to trust.”
“…”
“I refuse.”
Heo Gong, who flatly refused, pointed his sword straight at Cheon Myeon Susa.
“It would be truly disgraceful if both my senior and I were to be beaten by the same person.”
Heo Gong was not Heo Do Jinin.
To Heo Do Jinin, they might have been foolish disciples to protect and guard at any cost, but to Heo Gong, they were brothers and comrades to fight alongside with their backs against his own.
Not trusting them was no different from not trusting Wudang itself.
And more than anything else…
“By the way, it would be better if you became more adept at lying, Munju.”
“……What do you mean?”
“Your face.”
At Heo Gong’s gesture, Cheon Myeon Susa reflexively touched his own face.
Heo Gong coldly retorted.
“No matter how much you hide your face with an expressionless mask, it seems you can’t conceal your eyes. Your eyes are telling me that you are determined to take my life here.”
“…Ha.”
A deflating sound escaped from Cheon Myeon Susa’s lips.
“Not knowing how to hide one’s eyes? Truly, that’s the first time I’ve heard such a thing.”
“The ones who have looked into your eyes until now were probably of a similar sort.”
“Are you saying you are different?”
“I am a Taoist, before being a swordsman.”
Heo Gong’s unwavering voice pierced Cheon Myeon Susa.
“The life of a Taoist is to reject all falsehoods and delusions and to see the truth hidden within. You are too malicious to hide your intentions before me.”
“Heh…”
Cheon Myeon Susa let out a long sigh as if slightly exasperated and muttered.
“This is why dealing with the Just Sects’ bastards is so troublesome.”
His voice suddenly changed. It was now an old, worn out voice, devoid of youthful vigor.
Heo Gong sensed that this was Cheon Myeon Susa’s true voice.
For someone known not to show his true self even to his closest subordinates, revealing his real voice was as good as declaring his intent to kill Heo Gong here.
“Someone once said.”
Cheon Myeon Susa slowly opened his hand. Thick internal energy began to form in his grasp.
“If one refuses a drink of goodwill and insists on taking the punishment, then shove it down their throat.”
“…I think I know who might have said that.”
Heo Gong also took a slow step forward.
‘I will not lose.’
There was a defeat he needed to avenge. There was someone he needed to overcome.
So he would not die in a place like this.
Not until he faced that damned sword once more…!
“Prepare yourself!”
Heo Gong’s sword was enveloped in a white and black aura.
The sword of Taiji, which simultaneously wielded yin and yang, unfolded with the ultimate divine power, enhanced by human wisdom.
❀ ❀ ❀
“Sahyeong!”
“Yes, I see it too!”
Jo Geol’s and Yoon Jong’s eyes lit up as they looked forward.
They began to see it faintly in the distance.
A majestic mountain range rose at the horizon’s end, and among them, one mountain stood out prominently.
Jo Geol shouted with a growl, his breath heavy.
“Mount Wudang!”
At last, the mountain was within the reach of Cheonumaeng.
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