Chapter 1294: Now, This Is Just The Beginning (Part 4)

Having completed a brief rest, Guo Hansuo opened his eyes.

As soon as he did, a gloomy expression enveloped his face as he checked his physical condition.

'It's like this....'

Normally, meditation alone would have been enough to relieve most of the accumulated fatigue in his body. However, that wasn't the case now. Although his internal energy had somewhat recovered, his body still felt as heavy as a soaked sponge.

Even worse, there was a fog lingering in his head that wouldn't go away.

But Guo Hansuo decided not to be more greedy and got up, brushing off the uneasy thoughts.

Even while they were in this state, the enemy was pursuing them relentlessly. If they were to be caught in this condition, it would be a real disaster.

'But... can we really escape?'

Their actions so far were not wrong.

In fact, they were piercing through the enemy lines at an astonishing speed. If it weren't for the help of the Mount Hua Sect, they wouldn't have dared to attempt it.

However, this only increased his anxiety.

'Even at this speed, can we not shake off the enemy...?'

Could they really reach the Yangtze River safely? Could they maintain this speed throughout the journey through Gangnam?

Guo Hansuo shook off the anxious thoughts that were digging into his mind. It was not only due to his mental strength but also because Lee Ziyang, who had been cultivating energy beside him, stood up at that moment.

"Are you okay?"

"...My body's numb."

"Yeah. Me too."

Lee Ziyang took a deep breath and looked around. Many other disciples were still cultivating energy. Lee Ziyang bit his lip and spoke.

"Sahyung."

"Don't think about anything."

Guo Hansuo shook his head.

"Let's just think about escaping from their clutches for now."

"...Yes, Sahyung."

The disciples of the Southern Island Sect, having completed their energy cultivation, one by one, stood up. Their faces also bore a thick sense of fatigue that they couldn't shake off.

"Are you okay, Sajil?"

"Yes, Sahyung. I'm fine."

"There's no hell like this...."

Those who had already stood up had to wait for those who hadn't finished cultivating energy yet. During that time, all they could do was talk about the situation they were in.

And neither Kim Yang Baek nor Guo Hansuo could stop the words exchanged between them.

"...How far have we come?"

"We've just reached Guangdong. We barely crossed the Dam River."

"Just now?"

The one who asked the question looked pale, lost in thought.

Of course, it wasn't a short distance. The distance from the coastal area they landed to the Dam River was not much different from crossing Southern Island. For ordinary people, it would take over a full five days.

Yet they had covered this distance in just half a day, which was undoubtedly a record-breaking achievement. However...

"Barely...."

The disciples of the Southern Island Sect also knew.

Gangnam was vast. And the distance they had covered so far was only one-tenth of the distance they had yet to break through.

Yes. One tenth.

They had only covered that distance, and yet their stamina had already plummeted to the bottom and they had lost six disciples. Including those lost in Southern Island, there were as many as a dozen sacrifices to get to this point. According to this simple calculation, there would be over a hundred lives lost by the time they reached the Yangtze River.

No. Actually, that calculation was not accurate. As they advanced, the enemies would become stronger, more persistent, and more ruthless.

Taking that into consideration...

Having the capacity to think was not necessarily a good thing. Those who had been doing their best to move their tired legs suddenly found themselves contemplating the situation as they gained a little breathing room.

How reckless their actions were at the moment, and how dire the situation they had willingly walked into was becoming, started to occupy their thoughts.

Amidst the confusion, someone spoke with a fearful voice.

"The main forces of the enemy haven't even arrived yet, right?"

This was undoubtedly the worst statement that could be made in this situation.

"With the Myriad Man Manor chasing us from behind... if a similar force catches up from the front, won't we just be surrounded and killed?"

"Why are you suddenly saying that now? It's not like we didn't know!"

"Well, I did know, but..."

What they had vaguely considered and what they were experiencing firsthand was entirely different. However, these words couldn't be uttered out loud. That would only acknowledge their complacency.

They didn't know. How easily people could die.

And that a human's death could be treated so insignificantly.

They had envisioned heroic deaths in battle since childhood, so who would have imagined themselves fleeing desperately, repeatedly, only to be fatally stabbed in the side, and then being left abandoned on the road after death?

"If this was the case, we should have stayed in Southern Island..."

"Enough."

Guo Hansuo cut off their conversation aptly.

"Useless talk can be saved for after we escape the enemy's clutches. Save your strength for now."

"Sahyung... But..."

"Didn't you hear what Sahyung said?"

Lee Ziyang glared fiercely, and the disciples all bowed their heads. Guo Hansuo let out a heavy sigh.

'I shouldn't be the one saying this.'

He had the same thoughts just a while ago. Well, in fact, there was nothing different now.

Then, the last person who had been cultivating energy until the end stood up.

"Yangpo, are you okay?"

"Yes, Sahyung."

Yangpo stroked his blood-soaked thigh. The pierced thigh had not yet healed.

"Your wound looks severe..."

"Can you walk?"

Other disciples gathered around him with worried faces. Even at a glance, Yangpo's wound did not look ordinary.

"I... I'm fine."

"Is it really okay!"

"No, the wound is not normal..."

"Damn it! Can't you go?"

Suddenly, when Yangpo shouted, everyone was surprised. All eyes focused on him.

"I said it's okay! Why are you all like this!"

"No, I just..."

"I can run! Didn't I say I'm okay!"

Those who were speaking stopped talking. They understood now what Yangpo was thinking.

If he couldn't run properly, if his injuries were too severe to keep up with the group's pace, what would happen? Would someone carry him instead?

Other members were exhausted as well. It wasn't easy to move even their own bodies in this situation. Amidst this, there was no room to care for an injured person.

If they were conducting a well-organized and systematic retreat, they could bring the injured along. However, when fleeing from the enemy, the injured were usually the first to be abandoned. No matter how overflowing with loyalty, how many would be willing to sacrifice their lives to save others?

"What are you thinking! You crazy guy!"

Those bloodshot eyes alone revealed it. Yangpo was afraid of being abandoned. He was afraid that, after a lifetime of being together, his martial brothers would consider him a burden and leave him behind.

"No, we just..."

Those who had been expressing their doubts and fears fell silent for a moment, unable to continue speaking.

They were suddenly frightened.

Saying they would never abandon him, that they would die together—normally, they could confidently make such declarations.

But now, they understood. The word 'normally' had no meaning here. Everything they had upheld until now was worth nothing in this place.

That's why they were afraid. Afraid of facing a situation where their spoken words contradicted their actions.

"What? What do you want to say?"

Yangpo shouted, spitting furiously as he spoke. At that moment, a calm and firm voice intervened.

"Please step aside."

Unnoticed, Tang Soso had approached, holding several tools in her arms.

"Aren't you going to step aside?"

"Are you a doctor?"

"Yes, because I'm from the Tang family."

"Ah..."

Those surrounding Yangpo quickly stepped aside. Tang Soso approached him with swift steps and examined the wounded area.

"Hmm, it's gotten worse."

In reality, if he hadn't continued running after getting injured, the penetrating wound might have started to show signs of recovery by now. However, due to the continuous running with the injury, it had worsened even more than initially. Fortunately, it hadn't become infected yet, but immediate treatment was necessary.

"Someone, bring clean water."

"Y-yes, right here."

Someone handed Tang Soso a water bottle, and she examined Yangpo closely.

"Hold on."

"Yes...? What are you— Ahhhh!"

At that moment, a scream erupted from Yangpo. Tang Soso had used her fingers to spread the wound open and poured water inside. Afterward, she licked her lips with a displeased expression.

"This won't do."

Those damn Evil Sects guys didn't properly maintain their weapons. The disciples of the righteous sects were taught to treat their weapons as their loved ones, resulting in well-maintained, clean equipment even during battle. Therefore, wounds from their weapons were less likely to fester.

However, the weapons of the Evil Sect guys were often rusty or covered in filth. Consequently, injuries tended to get infected easily. Without proper cleaning, the blood would coagulate, making it irreversible.

"Sahyung! Chung Myung Sahyung!"

At Tang Soso's shout, Chung Myung, who was some distance away, furrowed his brow.

"What?"

"Do you have alcohol?"

"Tsk."

Chung Myung tossed the flask tied to his waist to Tang Soso. Catching it, she immediately opened the cap and sniffed.

"Ugh, poisonous."

The smell of alcohol was so strong that it made her frown.

"Anyway, that guy only drinks poison."

But in situations like this, it could be quite helpful. Tang Soso looked at Yangpo and said firmly once again:

"Hold on."

"What?! What is— Ughhh!"

This time, Yangpo turned his eyes upside down and fell backward.

Even though it could be harsh even for those with normal mouths, it was especially unbearable for Yangpo. The toxic liquor, even when drunk with a sound mouth, gave a sensation as if the throat were burning. Injected into an open wound, it would cause unbearable pain.

"Enough."

Tang Soso, who had put down the flask, began to apply the medicine to the wound and swiftly started stitching it up with a needle and thread.

"Cough... Ugh..."

Even to an onlooker, it was an incredibly swift and precise touch. The wide-open wound closed in an instant, leaving no trace.

"You endured well."

Tang Soso nodded as she wrapped the area with a bandage. This should be enough to prevent any issues. The alcohol carried by Chung Myung was so potent that just pouring it would act as an effective disinfectant.

"However... you shouldn't use your leg for a while."

At her words, everyone exchanged pale faces and turned to look at each other.

How could they not use their legs in this situation? This was more desperate news than the revelation that the wound couldn't be treated.

"Who will carry him?"

The disciples of the Southern Island Sect exchanged glances.

Naturally, the desire to carry their injured comrade was as strong as a chimney. [idk] However, the hesitation stemmed from the realization that this choice might end up killing Yangpo as well.

"Well then, I can—"

As Guo Hansuo, who had been observing the situation, was about to step forward, Tang Soso turned her head and called someone.

"Monk Hyeon."

"Yes, Siju."

"About one hour's worth of carrying. Can you handle it?"

"Amitabha. Of course."

"Please try to be as steady as possible. If the wound opens up, it'll be a real headache."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Hyeon's face remained calm. The Southern Island Sect's disciples looked at him dumbfoundedly.

'How can he take this so casually?'

How could someone unrelated to the Southern Island Sect...

"And also."

At that moment, Tang Soso's voice once again caught their attention.

"Whether it's a minor injury or anywhere else, it doesn't matter. If you've got even a slight injury, don't waste time and come quickly. If the wounds worsen later, it'll be really bad."

"..."

"What are you waiting for, hurry!"

"Um, then, my arm here..."

"I also injured my leg."

Those with injuries began to gather around Tang Soso.