C1689. Even if the Mockery Fades. (4)
“Haaaah!”
From Namgung Dowi's sword, bursts of white energy radiated in all directions.
These were heavy and oppressive bursts of energy.
Those with sharp perception in martial arts could discern that the energy emanating from his sword was not only imposing but had reached an absolute level of mastery.
The number of approaching enemies constantly increased. The enemies that had scattered throughout the mountain to attack Mount Wudang now converged towards the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
But Namgung Dowi could not retreat even a single step.
‘I must hold my ground.’
For those at the cliff’s edge, the place Namgung Dowi defended was the only escape route. If he could not maintain this position, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance would be completely surrounded.
This overwhelming responsibility added even more weight to his sword. After all, a true king is someone who advances while carrying a burden no one else can share.
“Don’t you dare! Haaaah!”
Just as Namgung Dowi was about to unleash his full strength, someone stepped in front of him, wielding their sword. A long sword scattered fragments of white energy into the air.
Namgung Dowi, surprised, couldn’t help but look.
It was a dazzling spectacle, but it wasn’t just that.
Despite the paradox, the white energy that dispersed like snowflakes also had a solemn gravity, like that of an ancient thousand-year-old tree with deep roots.
“...Jin Geumryong?”
Namgung Dowi murmured the name of the man who had appeared before him.
The great brother of the Southern Edge Sect, acclaimed by all as the future leader of the sect. A man who, alongside him, had been one of the "Five Dragons" who led the new generation in Kangho.
And most importantly...
‘The elder brother of Baek Cheon, the Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua.’
Jin Geumryong, a man with numerous titles, glanced at Namgung Dowi.
Their eyes were surprisingly similar, yet their gazes were completely different. It was astonishing how two brothers could appear so distinct with just a look.
Jin Geumryong spoke.
“They say those with the surname Namgung are all arrogant. And it seems they were not wrong.”
“What... what do you mean?”
Namgung Dowi’s face hardened.
“It means you don’t have to carry everything on your own.”
“What?”
“You are not alone here.”
Wooooong!
Just as he finished speaking, a strong sword energy surged from another place.
A downward strike swept away the enemies advancing from the burning mountain.
“Ah...”
Namgung Dowi let out a sigh of amazement.
How could he describe that energy?
It was powerful, but not excessive. Fast, but not hurried.
Although the strength and speed didn’t reach Namgung’s, that sword had something Namgung lacked: perfect balance.
And at the core of that balance was a different gravity than Namgung’s. It wasn’t the weight of a king, but the weight of someone fulfilling their duty as a swordsman.
‘That’s the... Southern Edge Sect’s Thirty-Six Swords!’
With a single strike, Jong Rigok broke the enemies’ attack and retrieved his sword, adopting the characteristic stance of the Southern Edge Sect.
And at the same time...
Boom!
A man with an imposing figure knocked down an enemy of the Evil Tyrant Alliance with a single blow, slamming him into the ground.
“How dare you!”
A roar like that of a bear came from the mouth of Meng So, the Lord of the Beast Palace.
Meng So, charging like lightning, kicked the side of an enemy, sending his lifeless body flying like a projectile among the enemies.
Boom!
The enemies who collided with the body had no time to scream before being thrown in all directions.
The spectacle was so overwhelming that the battlefield paused for a moment.
“Just watching was making me nervous.”
Jong Rigok, who had exchanged glances with Namgung Dowi, spoke calmly.
“And... it seems there’s no point in leading the battle anymore.”
His gaze turned to the cliff.
“Abandoning their formation and scaling the cliff... what are they thinking?”
“That’s why it makes sense.”
Someone responded while slowly approaching the vanguard of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, next to Jong Rigok.
“It’s something we couldn’t imagine.”
“...”
Jong Rigok slightly frowned.
“Do you really think that, Shin Gae?”
“Of course.”
“You should know that strategies aren’t always the right answer.”
“That’s right. But we also know we can’t always follow established rules and answers...”
Poong Yeong Shin Gae, looking at the swordsmen of Mount Hua scaling the cliff, nodded slightly.
“Now I understand.”
Jong Rigok’s eyes narrowed slightly. His words were enigmatic.
“In any case, it means we can fight freely.”
Jong Rigok’s sword was enveloped in intense blue energy.
“Then I won’t hold back.”
Whoosh!
Jong Rigok’s sword energy spread in all directions. At the same time, those behind him filled with courage and charged at the enemies.
Namgung Dowi’s shoulders, without him realizing it, relaxed a bit. The tension he had accumulated slightly dissipated.
Jin Geumryong asked.
“Do you understand?”
Namgung Dowi’s face reddened slightly.
He knew leaders were present, but he had thought he had to lead everything himself. Realizing how arrogant he had been, he found it difficult to lift his head.
“I’ve been reckless. The leaders were present...”
“What are you talking about?”
“Eh?”
Namgung Dowi blinked.
“I don’t mean the leaders of the families and sects, I mean me. I’m here, so you don’t need to try so hard.”
“...”
“Don’t waste your energy and protect the rear. I’ll handle the front.”
After saying this, Jin Geumryong turned his gaze and advanced, wielding his sword against the enemies.
Namgung Dowi, stunned, couldn’t say anything. At that moment, someone passed by him and slightly bowed.
“Excuse the rudeness of my Great Sahyung.”
“...”
“But, in my view, Namgung’s techniques consume too much energy. We’ll handle the front, please take care of the rear.”
“What?”
“Thank you.”
The handsome man gave no further explanation and quickly advanced to position himself next to Jin Geumryong.
Namgung Dowi, watching the scene in shock, began to frown.
“They...!”
Suddenly, he understood why the people of Mount Hua hated the Southern Edge Sect so much.
-------------------
A cold gust of wind passed between the two men standing just three steps apart.
“Poison King, Tang Gunak.”
Cold sweat ran down the forehead of Thousand-Faced Gentleman.
In front of him was one of the most feared masters of Kangho, right in his path.
He couldn’t look away.
The pain he felt from the dagger embedded in his shoulder told him he couldn’t take his eyes off this man for a second.
Tang Gunak’s technique, which focused all his spirit on a single point, was a bad match for his own style.
'Damn it.'
The fatal mistake had been not noticing that Tang Gunak had approached while he was distracted by the Mount Hua bastards.
'But I have to stop them, somehow.'
What he had told Baek Cheon was nothing more than a tactic to demoralize them. Even if the Mount Hua’s Chivalrous Sword wasn’t there, Mount Hua remained a threat. They couldn’t allow them to scale this cliff. No way.
In that moment of tension, with no time to formulate a plan, Baek Cheon launched himself up the cliff again.
“That...!”
Thousand-Faced Gentleman’s eyes widened.
“That madman!”
He was dead. Definitely dead. If Tang Gunak had arrived a second later, Baek Cheon would have already lost his head. And Baek Cheon knew that better than anyone.
He had crossed the river of death and miraculously returned. But how could he launch himself again without hesitation?
When Baek Cheon moved, the Mount Hua disciples also began to scale the cliff again. It was an astonishing sight. Thousand-Faced Gentleman’s eyes filled with fury.
“Help the leadeeeer!”
Then, the disciples of the Hao Sect, who had understood the situation, rushed towards the cliff.
Mount Hua ascended and the Hao Sect descended.
With Tang Gunak and Thousand-Faced Gentleman as pivots, both groups collided fiercely.
Every time a sword slid or cut, blood splattered into the air. The screams of the wounded elongated, transforming into strange sounds. The impact of the clashing weapons shook the skin, and the heat of the splattered blood covered faces.
The world seemed to move in slow motion.
But even in that chaos, Thousand-Faced Gentleman’s gaze remained fixed on Tang Gunak.
Then, one of his subordinates intervened, blocking the view between Tang Gunak and him. But he still couldn’t move. Though the view was interrupted, he knew Tang Gunak was still there.
The body of Thousand-Faced Gentleman’s subordinate, soaked in blood, leaned and fell. And he had to watch Baek Cheon, covered in blood, reaching his feet.
Thousand-Faced Gentleman’s patience broke at that moment.
He screamed. Or rather, the intent to scream didn’t reach his mouth as he launched a burst of energy towards Baek Cheon.
It was a life-or-death decision. Even if he received a fatal blow from Tang Gunak, he wanted to end Baek Cheon.
But then, Thousand-Faced Gentleman saw something.
Despite facing death again, Baek Cheon, without a trace of fear in his eyes, looked directly at him.
Even someone as experienced as Thousand-Faced Gentleman felt a chill.
Crack!
A dagger from Tang Gunak pierced Thousand-Faced Gentleman’s outstretched hand.
But his hand didn’t stop. He had expected this. Even if his hand was pierced, he had to finish this guy.
However...
Boom!
Thousand-Faced Gentleman’s hand, charged with all his energy, was stopped by a sword that extended behind Baek Cheon.
Two swords, charged with red energy, also blocked his attack. As if they vowed not to let anyone touch Baek Cheon.
‘What...?’
In that moment, Thousand-Faced Gentleman realized. Baek Cheon wasn’t looking at him.
Their gazes met.
Thousand-Faced Gentleman looked at Baek Cheon, but Baek Cheon wasn’t seeing him. He was looking beyond, to another place.
And in that instant, Baek Cheon launched himself above him towards the sky.
Tatak.
In a strange silence, Baek Cheon scaled the cliff, surpassing even Thousand-Faced Gentleman, and reached the top of White Cliff. He looked ahead. Everyone at the top stopped their movement and looked at him.
Those of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, the Wudang fighters about to fall. Jin Hyun, Mu Jin, and Heo Gong, all looked at him.
“...Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua, Baek Cheon.”
Baek Cheon’s voice resonated clear and loud in everyone’s ears.
“I have just arrived.”
Woooong!
And with the pure sound of a sword.
