Chapter 1676
Isn’t this the situation you were hoping for? (6)
“Sasuk! They’re pushing their way up!”
Mu Jin, who had climbed up to the White-Faced Cliff, shouted urgently. The enemies, quickly pursuing their retreat, were pressing forward without stopping.
Mu Jin kicked off the ground and charged in reverse.
Crunch!
His sword mercilessly pierced the neck of an enemy who was chasing with pure madness. There was not a trace of a Taoist’s compassion in the act, but at this moment, no one could blame him for his coldness.
“Attack! Don’t let them get up here!”
“Yes!”
Wudang swordsmen, who had been retreating urgently, regrouped and fought back against those climbing the rocks from all sides.
‘We can hold them! No, we must hold them!’
Mu Jin bit his lip hard.
The rapid retreat had indeed opened a path for the enemy, but it also brought a clear advantage: the fire raging like hell hadn’t yet reached this place.
Moreover, this was a rocky area. In a place where not a single tree or blade of grass could be found, the enemy’s prepared attack with fire was rendered meaningless.
Thus, what remained was only the martial arts each carried. In such a fight, Wudang would never be defeated.
“Get lost, you Evil Sect scum!”
“Aaaagh!”
As expected, as soon as Wudang reversed their stance, the bodies of those climbing the slope were pierced by the Pine Crest Swords. The swords, filled with resentment and anger, did not allow even a counterattack from the enemy.
Even considering that those climbing the slope were just impulsive riffraff who couldn’t contain their impatience, Wudang’s superiority was undeniable.
“You bastards!”
At that moment, Mu Jin saw a swordsman about to head toward the slope the enemies were climbing. Gritting his teeth, Mu Jin darted like lightning and grabbed his nape, pulling him back.
“Ugh! S-Sasuk!”
“You idiot!”
Mu Jin shouted with a face full of anger.
“Don’t let your emotions control you! Our goal is not to kill them but to hold out even a moment longer! If we give up this place, Wudang is finished!”
Did his voice, full of resentment and desperation, reach them?
A solemn determination spread across the faces of Wudang swordsmen. Mu Jin was right. If they lost this place, it wouldn’t end with just losing their lives.
‘Wudang.’ The long-standing history of Wudang Sect could end today.
The burden on their shoulders was too significant to be swayed by trivial emotions like revenge.
“Hold the line! Defend this place to the last man!”
“Yes!”
Just as Mu Jin was about to grasp his sword again.
“Sasuk! The cliff! The White-Faced Cliff!”
At those words, Mu Jin quickly turned his head.
Fighting against the temptation to keep his eyes fixed on the cliff behind, he saw a hand reaching up over the cliff.
‘Ah….’
Mu Jin’s eyes shook.
“Ugh…”
The rough hand clutched the edge of the cliff with a crunch. Soon, a man hauled himself up over the cliff.
“This damned cliff!”
Sapaeryeon’s warrior, who had climbed up the White-Faced Cliff, ground his teeth and drew the sword at his waist. Simultaneously, more warriors of Sapaeryeon began to climb up the cliff one by one.
‘Ah, no!’
A deep despair settled over Mu Jin’s face.
They had to be stopped. They had to be prevented from climbing this cliff.
“Kill them all!”
“Hyahhh!”
Sapaeryeon’s warriors who had climbed the cliff through countless hardships charged with eyes full of hatred and anger.
“Ugh!”
“This won’t do.”
Clang!
The sword Heo Gong desperately thrust was easily blocked by Cheon Myeon Susa’s pale hand. Cheon Myeon Susa muttered.
“I thought that Maehwa Geomgwi was the most arrogant in the Just Sects… but you’re no less. To dare take your eyes off me while I’m right here.”
Heo Gong ground his teeth.
Insufficient. His strength.
He did not have the power to overcome this moment and save Wudang from danger.
‘Sect Leader! Just what….’
At this point, no matter how they blocked the slope, there was no way to prevent them from occupying the White-Faced Cliff. The enemies, with their superior numbers, would start pressing down on them.
“Outnumbered.”
Indeed, Cheon Myeon Susa’s face was filled with composure.
“I’ll give you credit. You’ve done well in your own way. But that’s all there is.”
Meanwhile, Heo Gong could do nothing but grit his teeth.
Is this really the end? After enduring the painful Bongmun and asserting his will, is this really the outcome?
“Ugh…”
Just as Heo Gong was about to let out a cry of frustration.
“What are you doing!”
Whoosh!
Someone flashed past Heo Gong like lightning and blocked the enemies charging from the cliff.
Swish!
A sword, swiftly and gracefully swung, drew a gentle arc towards the screaming Sapaeryeon’s warriors.
Slash! Slash!
In an instant, three heads flew into the air. The swordsman, who had broken the enemy’s momentum, didn’t stop there and sent sword energy towards those already crowding the cliff.
“Jin Hyeon-aaaah!”
“Hyaaaaah!”
There were no words of encouragement, nor bold declarations. He simply used all his strength to stand against the enemy.
Mu Jin bit his lip tightly at the sight.
‘Yes.’
Yes, his young Saje had not given up at all. Instead of surrendering, he fought. Until the very end. That was what they had vowed from the beginning.
“Divide the men! Push those climbing the cliff back down!”
“Yes!”
Just as Mu Jin was about to shout again.
“They’re coming again, Sasuk!”
“What?”
Mu Jin quickly turned his head again.
This time, he couldn’t even make a sound. He saw a group of martial artists charging over the mountain ridge behind the cliff.
Their identity wasn’t clear, but it was obvious they weren’t allies.
‘When?’
If they had taken a detour since Wudang started defending this place, they could never have reached there. This meant they had sent a detached force that way from the start of the ascent.
Isn’t it strange? From the very beginning? Had they anticipated all of Wudang’s responses?
Crack.
Mu Jin’s fingernails dug into his palms until they bled.
‘In the end, were we merely dancing on the Buddha’s palm?’
“Sasuk!”
As the urging voice echoed, Mu Jin clenched his teeth.
“Regroup! Fall back! Defend the center!”
“What? S-Sasuk!”
“Hurry!”
“Yes!”
At Mu Jin’s command, those blocking the slope and those guarding the cliff retreated in unison toward the back.
“Deploy the Grand Nine Palaces Sword Formation [대구궁검진(大九宮劍陳)]!”
The blood drained from the faces of Wudang swordsmen.
The Grand Nine Palaces Sword Formation is a variation of the Nine Palaces Sword Formation, designed for fighting against larger numbers of enemies. Especially now, it was specialized for large-scale deployment, making it undoubtedly the best choice against many opponents.
However, that also depends on the situation.
If they deployed the Nine Palaces Sword Formation in the center now, they would expose all sides to the enemies advancing over the cliff. This essentially meant they were cutting off their own retreat.
“S-Sasuk!”
“There’s no turning back now!”
Mu Jin bit his lip hard, cutting off any dissent.
“If we must die, it will be here.”
Those who had been trying to dissuade Mu Jin resolved themselves, their eyes now filled with determination.
“Deploy the Nine Palaces Sword Formation!”
“Clear the area!”
“Yes!”
Everyone knew. In this situation, retreat was impossible. Whether intended or not, the enemy’s inescapable net had already been cast, and attempting to flee would only make them prey to be hunted down and killed.
“Mu Jin.”
“Sasuk…”
Heo Gong, who had fallen back, kept a wary eye on Cheon Myeon Susa as he approached Mu Jin.
“I’m sorry. I acted on my own…”
“No.”
Heo Gong shook his head.
“We all know this is the best option.”
“…”
“Now let’s prove it. What we couldn’t accomplish that day.”
“Yes, Sasuk!”
Mu Jin resolved himself and raised his sword. How long could they hold out? One hour? Half an hour?
It probably wouldn’t be that long.
“Half an hour…”
A hollow laugh escaped Mu Jin’s lips unconsciously. The fate of the once-renowned Wudang was now reduced to barely half an hour.
But there was no time for sentiment. The enemy didn’t care at all about their resolve.
Clang!
“Aaaaah!”
On the White-Faced Cliff, which had lost its original color and turned a dark crimson, a deadly battle of life and death began. Swords and heavy blades clashed wildly. Blood and death rained down.
“Maintain your distance! Don’t get pushed back!”
“Die, you vile evil bastards!”
“Sasuk!”
Amidst the thick chaos, Mu Jin raised his sword. He saw Jin Hyeon and Heo Gong fighting fiercely at the forefront.
“We are not fighting to die.”
Mu Jin tightly gripped the sword that had always been with him like an extension of himself.
“We will survive!”
He then charged toward the enemy like a flash of light.
❀ ❀ ❀
“Hurry! Faster!”
As the distance narrowed, the blazing view of Mount Wudang became clearly visible.
Midway up? No, it had already spread beyond that.
It was unbelievable, but the sight of burning Wudang conveyed the current situation of Wudang Sect without any additional explanation.
The moment the flames reached the top of the mountain, the name of Wudang would disappear from Gangho.
“We’re late! Faster, faster…!”
“No, it’s not too late yet! Calm down, Geol!”
“We’re late, Sahyeong!”
“Everyone’s at their limit! If we push harder, we won’t be able to fight even if we arrive!”
“Damn…!”
Jo Geol clenched his teeth.
‘Please, just hold on a little longer.’
They could do it if they could just keep running! Wudang’s endurance is formidable. Hadn’t they already experienced this?
This time, they would save people from those damned Sapaeryeon’s bastards. This time, definitely…
“Huh…?”
Then, Jo Geol flinched as he noticed something. There… right in front… something…
“What…?”
Jo Geol’s face turned pale as a sheet.
“Up ahead, agh! It seems they’ve…! Established a defensive line!”
Having already taken off his long robe and holding it in one hand, Im Sobyeong wiped the sweat streaming down his face and shouted.
“It seems they’ve found suitable terrain and are making a last stand! If it’s come to that… whew, I’m dying here! Once it’s reached that point, they won’t be able to hold out for long!”
“You think we’re too late?”
“Damn it! Whew! Would Wudang really fall that easily? Even a rotten fish is still a fish. Wudang will manage somehow!”
Chung Myung nodded briefly. He thought the same. At this rate, they would be able to enter the mountain before Wudang was wiped out.
Just as Chung Myung was lost in thought, silent for a moment.
“Whew, I’m dying… Argh!”
Im Sobyeong was flung backwards, rolling on the ground.
“What, what the! Damn it!”
He jumped up and looked ahead. It turned out that the person running in front of him had suddenly stopped, causing him to crash into their back.
“Why did they stop all of a sudden… huh?”
About to complain, Im Sobyeong closed his mouth. Before they knew it, everyone ahead of them had stopped.
Im Sobyeong’s face turned cold.
Everyone stopping meant they could advance no further. It also meant something had happened at the front.
But the strange thing was that there were no shouts, screams, or the sound of weapons clashing.
Then does that mean the vanguard stopped of their own accord? What could cause that?
“General?”
Chung Myung walked silently toward the front. Cheonumaeng’s members sensed his presence and stepped aside quietly to make way for him.
Silence filled the air. Chung Myung walked forward along the path that had formed, his steps heavy, as if his earlier urgency had been a lie.
The eyes of many focused on him.
And Chung Myung sensed it. While those at the back appeared clueless, the further he went toward the front, the more he saw that everyone’s eyes were clouded with confusion.
Finally, when he saw the eyes of those at the very front – the ones he knew best – Chung Myung understood everything.
What was reflected in their eyes was not just bewilderment. Not much could cause them to be so flustered.
Jo Geol, Yoon Jong, Hye Yeon, Baek Cheon, and even Namgung Dowi.
Those watching Chung Myung slowly made way for him. At last, the reason became clear to Chung Myung.
The enemy, Sapaeryeon.
But it was not an army. There were not nearly enough to stand against those present here.
The number of enemies was not the issue. What mattered was the one standing before them.
“How long has it been?”
An elegant tea table, out of place in the desolate landscape, was unexpectedly set up. A man sitting in front of it slowly picked up a liquor bottle and tipped it at a leisurely pace.
Drip, drip, drip.
It was strange.
Despite the presence of thousands, the sound of liquor filling the cup was distinctly audible.
Clink.
As the cup filled to the brim, he set the bottle down and smiled at Chung Myung, who had stepped forward.
“Why the hesitation?”
His smile gradually twisted into something sinister.
“Isn’t this the situation you were hoping for?”
The man blocking the path of Cheonumaeng was none other than Paegun Jang Ilso.
“I’ve prepared some excellent liquor. Enough to satisfy you.”
His beautiful yet eerie smile pierced the hearts of everyone present with an indescribable sense of terror.
Next chapter>>>
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