Chương 516: Chapter 1404: Infinitely More Than Enough (Part 4)
"Anyone who blocks will die!"
In addition to the thunderous roar, the sword raised in his hands clearly revealed his determination.
Paaaah!
Like lightning, the sword energy shot toward the Myriad Manor members. Faced with the attack full of destructive power, the Myriad Manor members couldn't block it and reluctantly stepped back.
"Uaaaah!"
The red plum blossom sword energy rained down on the retreating Myriad Manor members.
"You bastards!"
"Guak Hye, you bastard! Hold your ground!"
"Don't get excited! Our goal is not to defeat them!"
Gwak Hye, who was about to rush towards the retreating enemies, bit his lips.
The disciples of Mount Hua were furious but at the same time, they were calm. They knew exactly why they had to wield their swords now.
Every time the red sword energy was unleashed, the enemies scattered. The red sword energy emitted by the frontline, Mount Hua, served as a clear signal to other sects.
"Follow Mount Hua!"
The Namgung Family, who had been holding off the enemies with all their might, also started to follow Mount Hua.
"These bastards!"
As those who had been viciously attacking them tried to escape, anger filled the eyes of the Myriad Manor members. Even though orders were given to retreat, letting the enemies go with their dignity intact was a disgrace.
However, their boiling anger and resentment quickly cooled in the face of the overwhelming venomous rain that covered the sky.
"Defend!"
Shooosh!
Toxic needles poured down like rain.
"Ugh...!"
"This... this is..."
Liquid so deadly that even a graze could rot the flesh. Only madmen who cared not for their lives could dare to leap into the rain of those toxic needles.
"Explode them!"
Boom! Boom!
Clouds of black poisonous smoke burst one after another in the space created by the rain of poisonous needles that pushed away the enemies.
"Retreat!"
"Hold your breath! Damn it, step back!"
The Evil Sect was accustomed to poison. To achieve their goals, they did not hesitate to coat their weapons with poison and throw poison bombs without reservation.
But what covered the field of vision now was a venom so deadly that it couldn't be compared to anything they had used before.
The Sichuan Tang Family, the master manipulators of world-class poisons. Anyone who was insane enough to want to experience the power of their poison firsthand would undoubtedly be nonexistent in the world.
A wall made of toxic needles and venom emerged. It was an insurmountable barrier that completely blocked the path of the Myriad Manor members.
"Take advantage of this opening! We'll handle the rear!"
Courageous individuals rushed at the Tang Family. Even at that moment, the Tang Family held their ground like iron towers. Holding their venomous weapons tightly, they stared at the Myriad Manor members beyond the toxic smoke.
"After all allies have escaped, we'll also withdraw! Hold the position until the end!"
"Yes."
The elder of the Tang Family, who had given the order, wore a strange smile.
'I never thought we would take on such a role.'
A family that cared only about the security of its own lineage, indifferent to blood and tears. That was the world's assessment of the Sichuan Tang Family. And the Sichuan Tang Family had no intention of denying that assessment.
But now, they were volunteering to guard the rear of other sects. All without being asked to do so.
'The Tang Family has really changed a lot.'
The flow created by the arrival of Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword in Sichuan, driving out the Elders' Council. That change was even altering the identity of the Tang Family.
"...It's not such a bad feeling."
The elder of the Tang Family, with a smile, tightly gripped the hidden weapon in his hand.
"Commander! They're retreating!"
"They're currently withdrawing!"
The expected reports poured into his ears like a slap in the face. Ho Gakmyung barely suppressed the urge to say, 'I have eyes too.'
They were getting farther away. Rushing in like sudden waves, plundering the coast, and leaving like a departing tide.
Ho Gakmyung's gaze was focused on a spot beyond the dense venomous mist.
Where the Mount Hua swordsmen in black attire surrounded like a fortress. It was the place where the Plum Blossom Sword Demon, which he had tried so hard to kill, was located.
"...There's no way."
Ho Gakmyung slowly closed his eyes.
He had done everything he could. He had poured out everything within his capabilities. But at this moment, that Plum Blossom Sword Demon was slipping away from his grasp once again.
He had exhausted his skills, his ghostly judgment, and even incomprehensible luck.
Ho Gakmyung had to fully admit it. With his abilities, he couldn't capture that Demon.
"Evacuate the wounded. Leave them alone, of else we'll die from venomous poisoning."
"Commander!"
"We will reorganize the formation and start tracking again."
At his command, the subordinates nodded their heads.
At that moment, Ho Gakmyung admitted that all their his had come to naught. In the end, all the sacrifices they had endured to capture just one Plum Blossom Sword Ghost resulted in nothing.
How much had they sacrificed? From Southern Island to this place, hundreds of casualties were sacrificed. However, what they gained amounted to no more than capturing about half of the disciples of the Southern Island Sect.
They had experienced defeat countless times. Yet, throughout the history of the Myriad Manor, there had never been such a painful defeat as this.
"Didn't I give the order to reorganize the formation?"
When Ho Gakmyung issued the command again in a firm tone, the subordinates nodded their heads.
It was a powerless movement. It had to be. A person who planned and executed strategy could not help but know how much they had lost in this incident.
Something like lost forces was truly nothing compared to what they had lost. The truly horrifying fact was that they had built an unbreakable image for that Plum Blossom Sword Demon with their own hands.
From traversing Gangnam to rescuing Southern Island, returning to Gangbuk while evading the pursuit of the Myriad Manor – such was his achievement.
The countless things the Plum Blossom Sword Demon had demonstrated would now become legends.
And the Plum Blossom Sword Demon would confront the Evil Tyrant Alliance once again as the master of that legend. Wherever the Plum Blossom Sword Demon existed, the morale of the righteous sects would soar to the sky, and the Myriad Manor members who had to face him would be enveloped in fear.
Only those discussing strategies could understand. How terrifying an unyielding image could be.
With their own hands, they had crafted a perfect nemesis.
Ho Gakmyung subtly glanced at his subordinates. Their expressions alone revealed what they were thinking.
Stupid guys, Ho Gakmyung thought to himself and muttered briefly.
"Do you think it's all over?"
"..."
"Of course, with our current strength, even if we continue tracking, we cannot stop them. That is a clear fact."
As the calm evaluation poured in, the faces of the subordinates darkened even more. But Ho Gakmyung paid no attention and continued speaking.
"But that doesn't matter at all. Have you forgotten that Ryeonju-nim is coming to the place they are heading?"
At his words, the subordinates raised their heads with a sudden realization.
"They are undoubtedly formidable. But do not forget. From now on, the one they have to face is none other than Paegun Jang Ilso. We are just pawns in Ryeonju-nim's hands. And there is no defeat for pawns against the master player!"
It might not be the most suitable thing to say to boost morale. However, upon hearing those words, a newfound vigor emerged in the eyes of the subordinates, which hadn't been there just a moment ago.
It was the right thing to say.
They might have lost. But they were not just the Myriad Manor, nor were they the Evil Tyrant Alliance. The Myriad Manor without Jang Ilso could not be the Myriad Manor, and the Evil Tyrant Alliance without Jang Ilso could not be the Evil Tyrant Alliance.
"Move. Ryeonju-nim is undoubtedly observing all of this. Those who disrupt his plans with petty self-blame will be torn apart by my hands!"
"Yes, Commander!"
The subordinates moved like lightning to begin reorganizing the half-collapsed formation. Ho Gakmyung, silently observing the scene, turned his head to see the distant Heavenly Comrade Alliance forces retreating.
There was no room for excuses in this failure, a complete defeat where not even anger arose.
In this situation, an odd thought crossed Ho Gakmyung's mind.
'Ryeonju...'
Did he anticipate this? Did he think he would capture the Plum Blossom Sword Demon, or did he ultimately expect failure?
Ho Gakmyung shook his head. There was no need to think about it. He just had to stay true to his role.
"Hurry up. Quickly reorganize the formation and track them down!"
He was just a pawn in the game of chess. There was no need to speculate on the intentions of the one placing the pieces.
No matter how much he thought about it, understanding the will of Jang Ilso perfectly was impossible.
Ho Gakmyung simply watched the last remnants of the Tang Family retreat with icy eyes.
❀ ❀ ❀
"Ah, ahh! It hurts!"
"Don't be such a wimp, you bastard!"
Un Geom struck Jo Gol's back with the hilt of his sword as Jo Gol screamed. Jo Gol let out a wail.
"I-I'm going to die!"
"Shut up."
Un Geom raised his head nonchalantly. Though it was difficult to endure tears until he was rescued, now that he was saved, a flood of emotions erupted within him.
"But how did you know?"
"Hmm?"
"You were in Gangbuk."
Jo Gol's question seemed to pique the curiosity of the other Five Swords, who nodded. Thanks to them, they survived, but they never dreamed that the Heavenly Comrade Alliance would come to help.
Crossing the Yangtze River was a matter of determination, but wasn't tracking them beyond the river a different story?
"We were lucky."
"Yes?"
Un Geom nodded his head slightly.
"Maengju-nim made a decision to cross, and we did plan to help, but... honestly, I was at a loss for what to do. But that guy suddenly ran like crazy."
"That guy?"
"Him."
Un Geom pointed backward. It was Chung Myung, held by Tang Chung at the neck. To be more precise, it was Baek-ah clinging to Chung Myung's neck.
"Ah, Baek-ah! He led you to us?"
"No."
"...Huh? Then?"
"He encountered us where we met Southern Island."
"..."
"It was amazing. He said he had met those guys briefly and even remembered the scent of the ones we encountered. We were heading to the Yangtze River mouth to wait for the right moment to cross to Hanam, when the Southern Island Sect, had been waiting for us, guided us here without delay."
"Ah, no, how?"
Jo Gol's question was answered by Guo Hansuo, who was running next to him.
"What's strange about it? That's the mark we've used countless times."
"...Huh?"
"Didn't we send Ziyang with you? He continued to leave marks. We tracked you by following those marks."
"Ah, but didn't Ziyang fall somewhere halfway?"
"It was enough. Once he got close enough, Baek-Ah could find you."
"Ah..."
Jo Gol smiled as if it was absurd.
There was no need for them to speak to each other, yet coincidences piled up. However, looking at it the other way, inevitabilities also overlapped.
If the Heavenly Comrade Alliance had not risked their lives to cross the river, if Southern Island had not sent Ziyang to them, and if Southern Island, who had already crossed hell, did not have the courage to leap into hell once again, they would not be standing now.
"Nevertheless..."
"Why are you like that?"
"No, no. Just..."
Jo Gol gazed silently at the sky.
"...Just."
Nothing they did was wrong. Just...that was what it felt like.
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