บท 39: Chapter 1681 - That's None of My Business! (1)
"Urahh!"
Jo Gul's sword sliced through the air like a flash of light.
Perhaps because he hadn't aimed at an enemy for a while, his sword seemed faster and sharper than usual today.
"If you block it, you'll die! You bastards!"
As he launched himself off the ground, Jo Gul pierced through three Evil Tyrant Alliance members, then spun his body horizontally, swinging his sword wide to fend off the enemies.
'Somehow...'
This was the first time he led anyone from the front. There is a clear difference between'standing at the front' and 'leading'. A person standing at the front has someone giving directions from behind, but a leader has no one to give them orders.
That was a significant difference.
'I think I get it!'
But there wasn't a hint of hesitation in Jo Gul's sword.
He understood. Though it was inexplicable, it was clear.
He knew exactly where Baek Cheon was, where Yoon Jong was attacking from, and how Namgung Dowi and Hye Yeon were assisting them without even seeing it.
Probably... right now!
Boom!
A huge explosion erupted. This was probably Namgung Dowi's sword strike. And if that's the case?
Boom!
Slightly slower than the previous explosion, a much heavier sound echoed. This was definitely the sound of Hye Yeon's fist power.
The explosion of fist power meant the enemy's resistance was concentrated at the front. And that means?
"Sasuk will charge forward!"
Flash!
Jo Gul's sword darted out like lightning.
Fist power and sword energy disrupted the enemy, creating a gap which the main force penetrated. In that moment, those who struck from the left and right pierced the enemy violently, preventing them from regrouping towards the center.
They've done this countless times. Countless times!
Though distinctly different, it wasn't really different. Probably Baek Cheon, Yoon Jong, Hye Yeon, and Namgung Dowi are thinking the same thing right now.
The horrendous past battles had imprinted themselves on their bodies as valuable experiences.
"Move aside!"
Shh!
Truly unparalleled speed.
Jo Gul's sword extended instantly, splitting into twelve branches in mid-air. Each sword shadow, like a beam of light, pierced through the bewildered enemies one after another.
"This... Sword Divi..."
Slash!
Jo Gul's sword pierced the mouth of the enemy, trying to shout his nickname, silencing him instantly.
"Urahh! If you don't want to die, move aside!"
"That idiot!"
Yoon Jong bit his lip hard.
He could hear Jo Gul's voice from here. It seemed he was rampaging without looking back. He had no intention of adjusting his speed to match those following him.
But.
'Well, I expected this!'
Otherwise, it wouldn't be Jo Gul. Jo Gul would naturally do this, and he should. It was up to Yoon Jong himself to match Jo Gul.
"Hah!"
Yoon Jong deflected a spear flying towards him. A clean sword strike without any waste. If Jo Gul was the piercing spear, then he was the blocking shield. It wasn't something they learned or were taught. They practiced the same sword techniques, but their swords evolved in completely different directions.
"It's hard to keep up with you, you bastard!"
Thud!
Yoon Jong stepped forward forcefully, his foot sinking into the ground as he twisted his body, shaking off the sword in his hand. The sword energy he emitted shattered in the air, enveloping the concentrated enemies.
"Ahhh!"
Unlike Jo Gul, who instantly severed the enemy's lifeline, Yoon Jong's sword exerted a power that made the enemies too afraid to approach.
As Jo Gul pierced the enemies from the opposite side, there was no need for words; everything flowed naturally.
Though it was incredibly difficult to synchronize with Jo Gul's rather clumsy sword, Yoon Jong was already accustomed to such challenges.
And there were plenty of ways to make up for a slight delay.
"Forward! Keep pushing!"
"Yes!"
The disciples swung their swords in unison on either side of Yoon Jong. No one surged ahead, and no one lagged behind. Following Yoon Jong's lead, the frontline unified to push against the enemy.
Yoon Jong's eyes caught the sight of the densely packed enemies swaying.
Naturally?
Boom!
Boom!
"...Really, think about what's behind you."
A sigh escaped Yoon Jong's lips, contrasting with the situation.
"I told you not to waste your energy!"
"...Amitabha."
"Well, I saw an opening."
Baek Cheon's face contorted with frustration.
'I should just keep my mouth shut.'
No matter how many times he reminded them that the real battle hadn't even started, these people couldn't resist attacking when they saw grouped enemies. Even the disciples were swept along, throwing their energy attacks whenever fist and sword energy burst out in front.
"Ugh. Better than whining... no, that's not right!"
Baek Cheon almost mimicked someone else's bad habit, shaking his head before looking ahead.
'The distance?'
Close now. If that's the case?
"Let's go! We'll break through in one go!"
Baek Cheon's unit, advancing in a triangular formation, picked up speed. The target was their wedge, the backs of the two people leading the way.
Hup!
Baek Cheon kicked off the ground.
The moment all the disciples followed behind him, he saw a familiar sword move.
Whoosh.
Yoo Iseol soared into the air, descending into the middle of the enemy lines.
'Anyway!'
It was incredibly dangerous. Without absolute confidence in one's martial arts and movement techniques, it was a stunt no one would dare attempt. It was a specialty only Yoo Iseol could pull off, even Baek Cheon couldn't attempt it.
But the effect was undeniable. Who could ignore someone falling from above in the middle of a battlefield where lives were at stake?
While the enemy's swords wouldn't reach him until someone in front of him fell, a sword descending from above could cut his neck at any moment. Maintaining formation under such circumstances was a pipe dream.
Sssht!
Yoo Iseol's sword drew a crescent moon in the air. Her extended sword energy shattered momentarily, then burst into numerous petals, raining down on the enemies' heads.
"Ahhh!"
Her Moon Maiden Swordsmanship, the harmony she initially learned, merged with her Plum Blossom Sword technique.
Yoo Iseol's sword, descending into the panicked enemies' center, mercilessly pierced their vital points.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
Those who couldn't even scream crumpled to the ground.
In the fierce battlefield's center, where tranquility and stillness couldn't exist, an unnatural silence enveloped Yoo Iseol, standing in the space created by her sword.
"At, attack...."
Flash!
Hundreds of sword shadows flew at those mesmerized by the scene.
"W-what?"
A spectacular sight like a mountain of swords pouring down. Yet, there was no one to marvel at this spectacle.
"Ahhh!"
"Ahhh!"
In an instant, Jin Geum Ryong incapacitated dozens of enemies, slightly furrowing his brows.
His Thirty-Six Heavenly Swords were powerful enough, but like this....
"They're practically serving it on a silver platter!"
"What? You little...."
At that moment, Baek Cheon brushed past Jin Geum Ryong, leaping over the fallen enemies.
Flash!
Baek Cheon's sword cleanly severed the necks of the still-dazed enemies. As he prepared to strike again, something moved in front of him.
"What the...!"
"Where to?"
"..."
Raising his head, Baek Cheon saw Yoo Iseol blocking his path with her back.
"Samai?"
"Where? That way?"
"..."
Before Baek Cheon could nod, Yoo Iseol charged forward.
Flash!
Her sword instantly beheaded three people, creating a narrow but clear path through the tightly packed enemies.
"Don't fall behind. We're not stopping."
"Who are you telling that to?"
"Sahyung."
"I wasn't really asking."
Ta-tat.
The moment Yoo Iseol dashed forward, someone grabbed Baek Cheon's head, pushing him back and followed Yoo Iseol.
"Move aside, female swordsman! The front is my place."
"Slow."
"This woman?"
The swords they swung competitively brought down the enemy in an instant. Baek Cheon, blinking at the sight, flinched and raised his voice again.
"Follow me! Let's break through at once!"
"Yes!"
"Anyway, such a bad temper."
Baek Cheon shook his head again.
"Both of them."
He clearly saw Yoo Iseol and Jin Geum Ryong piercing through the last line of defense.
"Hmm."
The sound of a sigh fell heavily.
He could see it.
The image of the enemy, as if ravaging below, sweeping through the Evil Tyrant Alliance.
"Did the Heavenly Comrade Alliance have such capabilities?"
While he couldn't deny their strategic abilities, this seemed more in the realm of tactics. It was hard to believe that those who had been playing in the warmth of a grand mansion could fight like this.
"Are they the children of Mount Hua?"
The only ones he could think of were them. But even then, could they display such leadership?
"Hmm."
In the meantime, the enemy finally set foot on the slopes of Wudang after breaking through the forces clustered at the foot of the mountain. It didn't take even half a moment for the first line of defense to collapse.
Even though the remaining ones were just a motley crew gathered from here and there.
"As expected."
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman turned his gaze away from below and looked at someone.
"They don't seem to be like you."
"..."
Heo Gong gripped his sword tightly and glared at the Thousand-Faced Gentleman.
Reinforcements had arrived. Those reinforcements had just started ascending Wudang now.
So, what they had to do was survive until those reinforcements arrived here. It was a simple goal, but also an incredibly difficult task.
'But we must.'
Hope had arrived before their eyes. Whether they could reach that hope depended entirely on them.
"A vain hope has arisen."
"..."
"Could they even make it here in the first place?"
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman slowly unclasped his hands behind his back. Then, he slightly extended his hand, looking at Heo Gong and the disciples of Wudang.
Half? Or less?
Well. He wasn't sure. The number of these people.
"I promise."
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman smiled faintly.
"In less than half a sichen, half of you will be gone. And after another half sichen, no one will be left standing. That will be the end of Wudang."
(Sichen is two hours.)
"..."
Heo Gong glared at the Thousand-Faced Gentleman with determined eyes.
"We will definitely hold out."
"You should know the difference between desire and reality."
"Is that why you bowed your head to Jang Ilso? The Lord of the Hao Sect?"
For a moment, the expression vanished from the Thousand-Faced Gentleman's face.
"If that's reality, I'd rather die holding onto my desires."
"..."
From behind the mask covering the Thousand-Faced Gentleman's face, malicious anger began to seep out.
"I take back my words about half a sichen."
White energy erupted fiercely from both of the Thousand-Faced Gentleman's hands.
"I'll exterminate you all within one gak!"
His energy swelled like clouds, explosively fast.
Heo Gong, seeing this sight, bit his lips tightly.
'Though it's shameful, I beg you! Please!'
Hoping he could endure until those swords reached here. Hoping that Wudang's name would be left, even just a trace here.
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