Chapter 1569: A Walk Is Good On Days Like This (Part 4)

"This...." 

The face of Black Dragon King Jaeksekwang was distorted in a rather complicated way.

Mount Hua. 

The reason Black Dragon King came to Gangbuk in the first place was to tear apart those Mount Hua bastards one by one. 

But once Black Dragon King had the Mount Hua Sect right in front of him, his expression was not as bright as anticipated. It was because the situation had deviated from what he had expected. 

"Why, why are they here!" 

"Do not, do not retreat! Even so, they're only a few!" 

Screams erupted from everywhere, piercing into his ears. 

The most confusing moment for a hunter is not when the prey has escaped. It's when the prey, which was thought to run away immediately, suddenly turns around to attack the hunter. 

If one had anticipated and prepared, there wouldn't be a big problem. But if the prey unexpectedly turns hostile, even the life of a skilled hunter might be taken away. 

The forces facing Mount Hua, another prey that suddenly appeared behind while hunting the Namgung Family, were thrown into chaos. 

Grinding his teeth, the Black Dragon King turned his gaze to Namgung Dowi.

"...You were buying time?" 

"Cough!" 

Namgung Dowi, who spat out a bowl of black blood, looked at Black Dragon King with a resentful breath. 

"...Those... those people... are like that." 

Suddenly.

The Black Dragon King Jaeksekwang was the leader of the Eighteen Yangtze River Fortresses. He was more skilled than anyone else in looting and causing chaos. 

So he could perfectly understand Namgung Dowi's words. 

If Su Lo Chae had been given a little more time, the forces here would have spread even more widely to Gangbuk. If that happened, to prevent further damage to other civilians, Mount Hua would have to further disperse its forces. 

The Black Dragon King could just wait leisurely, and once the Mount HUa guys who came to capture Su Lo Chae were here, he could turn the situation around by capturing them. 

After all, the Mount Hua guys wouldn't just leave the dying civilians alone. 

It was just one day. If only one more day had been given, the plan could have been easily realized. 

However, contrary to expectations, the Namgung Family rushed straight here, causing the Su Lo Chae to be tied down as well. 

"...It seems you've done quite a bit of sophisticated scheming, but in the end, it's just a petty trick. Do you think you can deal with the rulers of the Yangtze River with those guys?" 

Black Dragon King's words were not wrong. 

If the entire Mount Hua Sect had come here, or even if only the Tang Family had arrived together, the situation might have been different. However, it was impossible to handle the Su Lo Chae with just them. 

But Namgung Dowe didn't waver at all. 

"If the opponent is... Su Lo Chae, then it's true...." 

"...What did you say?" 

Namgung Dowi turned his head laboriously and looked at the Mount Hua Sect approaching from this side. 

"I know." 

Namgung Dowi grabbed the sword stuck in his foot and tightly grasped the shaky body. He forcibly lifted the corners of his mouth. 

"I learned this from those people...." 

"...." 

"I... I'm just doing my role." 

He slowly drew the sword. The sharp sound of the sword blade scraping against the bone echoed eerily. 

"I'm still alive.... It's not over until I die." 

Black Dragon King's hair trembled sharply at the sight of Namgung Dowi trying to lift the trembling sword. 

"Move! You bastards!" 

Paaat! 

Jo Gol's sword shone like a ray of light. 

Aiming to retreat, the enemy was pierced by the sword. But Jo Gol's face was gradually contorted. 

'Damn it!' 

The enemy's numbers were more than expected. 

Too many. 

Of course, it could be pierced. But at this rate... 

"Too late." 

A voice without a single emotion sounded in his ears. 

"When we arrive, Sogaju will die." 

Jo Gol bit his lower lip with the intention of blocking the surging emotions. Even if he was furious, he couldn't make a fuss in front of Sago. 

"Damn it... I know too!" 

But what else can be done here? Leading those behind and moving forward was the most they could do in this situation...

"Jo Gol! Yoon Jong! Iseol!" 

At that moment, Baek Cheon's voice echoed. 

"Stick close to me!" 

Sasuk!" 

"What are you trying to do?" 

"Baek Sang!" 

"Yes, Sahyung!" 

Instead of answering Jo Gol's question, Baek Cheon commanded Baek Sang. 

"Take command!" 

"S-Sahyung! I... I..." 

"You can do it! It's more than possible!" 

Pushed by the force that sounded like a threat, Baek Sang nodded unknowingly. 

"Ah, understood." 

Baek Cheon, finishing his words, immediately stared ahead. If things continued like this, he would had to watch with his eyes wide open as the Black Dragon King killed Namgung Dowi and escaped. 

Even if the remaining Namgung Family's warriors could be saved, what would be the meaning if Namgung Dowi was lost? 

"Break Through as quickly as possible!" 

"No, Sasuk! It's too dangerous!" 

Though Yoon Jong tried to dissuade him, Baek Cheon was firm. 

"There's no time for arguing! Move!" 

"This..." 

Just as Yoon Jong tried to intervene somehow, Yoo Iseol and Jo Gol unexpectedly lifted their bodies forward, as if coordinated. 

"Hat!" 

"Ooooh!" 

The red plum blossoms sprayed by the two swept away the enemies in front in an instant. 

"Aaaah!" 

In an instant, a momentary opening appeared as if space had been punctured. The two who descended into that place thrust the ground and dashed forward as if competing.

Paaat!

Caught up in the whirlwind of the two's attacks, the bodies of those who couldn't regain their senses were mercilessly pierced by Baek Cheon's sword.

As the enemy's bodies fell, creating a small gap, Baek Cheon, who had inserted himself into that opening, thrust the ground and shouted,

"If you don't want to come, take command from behind!" 

But in the eyes of the scattered enemy soldiers who fell pierced by Baek Cheon's sword, a momentary resurgence of murderous intent occurred. It was a final madness and resistance. With all their strength, they launched a fierce attack towards Baek Cheon. 

Just as Baek Cheon realized this, at that very moment. 

Boom! 

"Damn it." 

Yoon Jong, who had swept away the enemies and cut off their breath, stuck next to Baek Cheon and roared. 

"Are you pretending to be cool in this situation?" 

"This bastard..." 

"If you want to go that badly, stick to my back. It's not my fault if you can't keep up!" 

Paaat! 

He didn't even hear the reply. Yoon Jong kicked the ground and swiftly moved forward. 

His sword stretched in all directions simultaneously. It wasn't a sword to kill the enemy, but a sword to threaten and push them away. 

The determination not to let a single enemy approach Baek Cheon was in that sword.

Looking at that sword, Baek Cheon's face slightly stiffened. But only for a moment. 

"Please, Sang-ah!" 

"Yes, Sahyung!" 

Baek Cheon also followed behind Yoon Jong and advanced. 

Although they had never discussed and coordinated verbally, the goal was too clear. 

"Black Dragon King!" 

Baek Cheon roared loudly. 

In times of numerical disadvantage, they aimed for the enemy's leader. Of course, usually, the enemy was not foolish enough to reveal themselves where it was easy to be targeted. 

But now, Black Dragon King Jaeksekwang was undoubtedly within their reach. 

They couldn't miss this opportunity that Namgung Dowi had staked his life to create. If they missed capturing Black Dragon King here, how many more lives would they have to risk to kill that guy? 

"Haaaaap!" 

Baek Cheon's sword drew crimson petals. 

Whoosh! 

At the same time, a pain pierced his Dantian as if he were being sliced with a knife.

In the past, vivid plum blossoms bloomed effortlessly like breathing. Now, painting even dull petals incomparable to the past made enduring pain a necessity.

'So what?'

It didn't matter.

He didn't fight because he was strong. He didn't throw himself into battle because he could win.

He fought because he had to, and he threw himself into it because it was necessary. It was the same now.

"Sogaju!"

Jo Gol's shout echoed from the front. Soon, Namgung Dowi, pushed back by the Black Dragon King's scimitar, was vividly seen spilling blood and falling.

"Get out of the way, you bastards!"

At that moment, dozens of nets burst overhead.

"Block them!"

"Don't try to kill them! Just trip them up by grabbing their ankles!"

Jo Gol sword and swung his sword upward.

"So obvious…!"

The nets that once tormented him so much in the past were torn to shreds by a single stroke.

Jo Gol's sword had become incredibly sharp compared to before. Now, it would be challenging for Baek Cheon to imitate it.

Yoo Iseol's sword also displayed a refined grace at its peak. Even following her sword's path was no longer easy.

However, even for the two powerful individuals, it was challenging to break through the crowd and dodge the hooks flying from all directions.

'At this rate, it'll be too late!'

Baek Cheon bit his lips. His hand holding the sword trembled.

If only his martial arts were still in good shape. If only his sword were as sharp as it used to be.

Baek Cheon would have been the one at the forefront. And he would have broken through such obstacles long ago.

But now, he couldn't afford to do that. He knew that standing at the forefront would only delay the advance.

With an overflowing sense of helplessness, he continued to move forward. [not sure] Was this "righteousness" advocated by the weak merely an indulgence from the beginning?

"You reckless fool."

A familiar yet unfamiliar voice reached his ears.

Baek Cheon turned around.

As if he were looking through a mirror, a man with a face resembling his own was sticking close to him.

"Huh...?"

"Beyond recklessness, it's sheer madness. But..."

Jin Geumryong passed by, muttering to himself.

"This time, I'll join in that madness. Only this time."

"I'll clear the way, Deputy Sect Leader!"

Lee Songbaek, with a determined expression, brushed past Baek Cheon.

It took Lee Songbaek no time to catch up to the front. His sword descended like a great mountain, splitting through the enemy forces.

"I am Lee Songbaek of Southern Edge! Anyone who wishes to die, step forward!"

A massive shout erupted along with a spurt of red blood.

Baek Cheon couldn't hide his bewildered expression.

"What, what are you guys?"

"Don't jump around like a monkey."

"What, you little... No. What did you say?"

"Get out of the way! You're in the way!"

Jin Geumryong expelled a relentless barrage of white snowflakes with his sword, pushing Baek Cheon aside.

Witnessing this scene, Jo Gol also swung his sword forcefully, drawing a vibrant plum blossom.

White and red energies intertwined, the swordsmanship that used to be directed at each other in the past, seemingly impossible to mix, were now aimed in the same direction.

"...To think I'd lived long enough to see this."

Yoon Jong muttered absentmindedly, a statement that perfectly encapsulated Baek Cheon's feelings.

But there was no time to savor the sentiment. Baek Cheon shouted.

"Yoon Jong!"

"Yes?"

"Clear the path!"

"..."

"I beg you!"

Yoon Jong bit his lower lip tightly.

"It's faster to move forward than to go back."

"..."

"Stick close, Sasuk!"

"Got it!"

Hesitation disappeared from Yoon Jong's face.

Their intentions were still different. He didn't think this was right.

But if the goal was the same, such things could be overlooked.

"Yahhhh!"

Yoon Jong, who dashed to the forefront in a single breath, swiftly slashed the flank of a retreating enemy.

"What are you doing! Are you going to lose to those Southern Edge bastards!"

"I understand! Damn it!"

In response to Yoon Jong's shout, Jo Gol twisted the corners of his mouth.

"Yeah, that's how it should be!"

With boiling eyes, Jo Gol laughed and thrust his sword forward.

"Don't fall behind! We're moving in one go!"

With a forceful strike into the ground, he surged forward.