Chapter 1574: Not Just Any Fox (Part 4)

The sensation of the sword piercing through something resonated in Baek Cheon's entire body deeply.

Thud.

The refined cold steel sword effortlessly penetrated the sturdy and resilient body, hard as iron and tough as glue.

Baek Cheon, who had been staring blankly at his own sword that had cleaved through the giant's body, suddenly lifted his gaze.

He wanted to witness the loathsome expression of the Black Dragon King in his final moments with his own two eyes.

However, what Baek Cheon saw at that moment wasn't the resigned eyes of a beast facing death.

Instead, it was the fiery gaze of a wounded beast, eager to run amok.

Kwaaah!

Baek Cheon's body was thrown backward.

"Kuh... Haaaah!"

Thud!

The Black Dragon King Jaeksekwang grabbed Baek Cheon's cold steel sword that was embedded in his abdomen with the hand holding the scimitar. Despite the intention to break it, the sword did not yield easily. Instead, it only stirred up more turmoil within his stomach.

In the end, the infuriated Black Dragon King forcefully pulled the sword from his own flesh.

Pahat!

Blood gushed from the dark hole where the sword had pierced through. The Black Dragon King threw the retrieved sword harshly, glaring at those surrounding him with hatred and venom.

"How dare... how dare these brats…"

Those who live by the sword must always be prepared for the day when the blade pierces their own throat.

And the Black Dragon King Jaeksekwang was no fool who believed he would never die.

However, he never thought he would be surrounded by these brats, pushing him to the crossroads of life and death.

"Uuh..."

Squelch.

The Black Dragon King grabbed the wound on his stomach and squeezed it. It was a crude method of staunching bleeding. He couldn't afford the luxury of calmly applying pressure and dressing the wound now.

The area around the whites and corners of the Black Dragon King's eyes turned a reddish hue.

"I... I! Jaeksekwang..do you think I will die in a place like this!"

Letting out a roar, Jaeksekwang swung the scimitar. The thick dark energy expelled from the sword flew straight towards Baek Cheon, who was lying on the ground.

Just before the dark energy covered Baek Cheon, Yoo Iseol soared like a swallow, grabbing Baek Cheon's shoulders and rolling away.

Kwaaaaah!

"This guy!"

"Stay calm, Jo Gol!"

While Jo Gol was about to charge towards the Black Dragon King with clenched teeth, Baek Cheon, lying on the ground, raised his head and urgently shouted.

"He's injured... Cough! Cough! He's the one in a hurry! Don't rush in and give him an opportunity to escape!"

The members of the Mount Hua Sect and Hye Yeon were the first to react to Baek Cheon's words. Suppressing their excitement, they tightened the encirclement around the Black Dragon King even more, as if determined to make sure he couldn't escape from this place, just as Baek Cheon had suggested.

"Huaaah!"

The Black Dragon King once again unleashed a massive dark energy.

"Amitabha!"

Hye Yeon's powerful attack diverted the dark energy, even though the Black Dragon King had exerted his full strength.

Kwaaaah!

The energy he released hit the ground, shattering into pieces. At that moment, the Black Dragon King's eyes trembled with frustration. It wasn't that his attack was blocked or that the power of the unleashed energy was pitifully weak.

Those who had blocked his attack continued to calmly encircle him, applying relentless pressure. Unlike before, where he tried to exploit their agitation and create openings, it seemed these brats had become seasoned hunters, responding to his every move.

"This…"

While biting his lip, the Black Dragon King exclaimed.

"These pompous righteous sect bastards! Aren't you ashamed?"

It was a blatant provocation, a trivial challenge not worth responding to.

Upon hearing those words, Jo Gol let out a burst of laughter.

"Haha. Listening to this, it's quite an interesting situation."

"What, what did you say, you bastard!"

Though he laughed, Jo Gol's eyes were anything but amused.

"Before, I might have been excited by those words. However, thanks to Su Lo Chae, I've learned how immature such thoughts are."

Jo Gol, who said this, sought agreement without turning his head.

"Isn't that right, Sahyung?"

"...I still get startled just by seeing a net. I haven't been to the riverside since then."

Jo Gol chuckled at Yoon Jong's indifferent words. Despite his laughter, his eyes, as always, did not waver from the Black Dragon King.

It wasn't just a joke.

On the Yangtze River, they had learned a harsh lesson. How meaningless it is to discuss cowardice on the battlefield. How dangerous it is to be overly confident in one's martial arts.

And above all, how terrifying it was to be surrounded.

Without such experiences, they could never have grown to this extent. So...

"This is the method I learned from you, Black Dragon King."

"..."

"So give up. You can never escape."

Jo Gol gritted his teeth in hostility and mockery, Yoon Jong calmly observed the Black Dragon King, Yu Iseol looked at a prey with indifference, and Hye Yeon wore a conflicted expression.

Lastly, Baek Cheon's fallen body rose with a determined expression.

The expression of the Black Dragon King Jaeksekwang, changed gradually as he scanned everyone.

Even Lee Songbaek and Jin Geumryong were managing to get up and join.

The anger that had been burning in Jaeksekwang's face began to change slowly, but clearly, into a different emotion.

He instinctively started to realize.

No matter how many subordinates he had here, even if Su Lo Chae's power remained intact after killing all these people, they couldn't save the Black Dragon King's life.

The creatures surrounding him were of no help in this situation.

The question that had been rising slowly from before became more apparent.

'Why...? Why haven't they arrived yet? Why!'

By now, they should have arrived. The main forces of the Eighteen Yangtze River Fortresses of the Su Lo Chae. The elites of Su Lo Chae, not the mediocre people here.

But why didn't they show up even when things had reached this point? There was no way they hadn't heard the news of his ambush, right?

"Ugh..."

The hand holding the scimitar trembled slightly.

His breath involuntarily became rough. The dreadful pain surged from the wounds covering his entire body. Among them, the most fatal was undoubtedly the wound on his stomach, where the sword of that guy pierced through.

His internal energy didn't gather properly, like water leaking from a rusty vessel. The sword definitely scratched even his Dantian while piercing through the stomach.

Could he escape? From here?

The Black Dragon King tightly gripped his beloved scimitar. He tried to look bold, but his gaze trembled.

At that moment, Yoon Jong slightly stepped forward, pressuring the Black Dragon King.

Unconsciously trying to retreat, the Black Dragon King bit his lips.

"My method... is."

A sinister energy overflowed from his eyes.

"Do you know what my method is, you maggots!"

Kwaaaah!

The Black Dragon King charged straight towards Baek Cheon.

"I am the Black Dragon King! Even if I die, I won't die alone! You bastards from this Mount Hua Sect!"

Baek Cheon, who lost his sword, couldn't display his true strength. If the Black Dragon King had to choose a sacrifice, it was an obvious choice.

However, the problem was that others had already anticipated the Black Dragon King's choice.

"A predictable move!"

As if waiting for it, Jo Gol blocked Baek Cheon's path. His sword reached out towards the Black Dragon King like a streak of light.

"Kuhhhaaaap!"

However, instead of retreating upon seeing the sword coming at him, the Black Dragon King, like a crazed bull, rushed even faster. As if determined to die, he collided with Jo Gol.

Jo Gol was momentarily caught off guard.

'What?'

Phewooook!

Jo Gol's sword pierced through the chest of the Black Dragon King.

Kwaaaah!

At the same time, the bewildered Jo Gol was struck by the Black Dragon King with a sweeping blow. Unanticipated, Jo Gol spat out blood and collapsed.

"Kurk!"

The Black Dragon King coughed roughly, spewing more than a bowl of fresh blood, yet his momentum showed no signs of diminishing. He gazed at Baek Cheon again with eyes full of renewed vigor.

"Stop!"

Moving urgently, Yoo Iseol and Yoon Jong sliced diagonally through the Black Dragon King's body. Two streaks of blood were drawn in the air.

However, the Black Dragon King did not stop and continued to move.

"Deputy Sect Leaderi!"

As Lee Songbaek and Jin Geumryong blocked the path in front of Baekcheon and Namgung Dowi, the Black Dragon King's scimitar swung with full force.

Kiiiiiiing!

"Uuuaaaah!"

Gathering strength as if it would burst out at any moment, the Black Dragon King's arm swelled. The gathered power erupted from the tip of the scimitar.

Quaaaaaa!

Lee Songbaek and Jin Geumryong, who had gritted their teeth and planted their legs into the ground like the roots of a tree. Then, they swung their swords with all their power towards the approaching sword energy.

Kuuuuuuung!

It was too powerful to resist with hastily gathered inner energy. The two were mercilessly pushed backward, unable to withstand the onslaught of energy.

"Aaaah!"

The two, who had been desperately holding on until the end, were finally swept away by the energy, their bodies tumbling backward.

Bang!

Baek Cheon and Namgung Dowi, entangled and rolling helplessly, also tumbled away from the force.

In the chaos, the string that had bound Namgung Dowi to Baek Cheon was torn. Namgung Dowi's body, now loose, rolled like a leaf in the wind.

The Black Dragon King, showing madness and ferocity without restraint, continued to attack as if having a fit.

"Dieeee!"

"Deputy Sect Leaderrrrrrrr!"

Hye Yeon, desperate, put all his strength into a strike.

At that moment, he saw it.

The Black Dragon King, in the midst of a frenzy as if giving up on life, turned his gaze straight towards the power unleashed by Hye Yeon.

No. There was no madness visible. There was only a gaze as cold as ice, settled like frozen water.

"Got... hit...!"

Kuuuuuuuuung!

Before Hye Yeon could even scream, the Black Dragon King, struck by the power, was sent flying, spewing blood. He soared over Baek Cheon and the group lying on the ground.

"No way!"

A scream-like cry erupted from Yoon Jong's mouth.

He didn't stop. He didn't even think about avoiding it in the first place.

Because he never had the intention of avoiding it from the beginning.

The Black Dragon King, with half of his life hanging by a thread, was still desperately looking for a way to survive.

Kwung!

As if on cue, the Black Dragon King, who had been sent flying more than ten zhangs [3.5 yrds], frighteningly pressed his remaining hand to the ground and thrust it forward as if sweeping the earth.

Pouring blood with each step, he moved forward half-crawling, half-rolling.

'...Survive!'

Even if his limbs were cut off. Even if he lost his martial arts and became a cripple. It didn't matter.

The one thing he learned in this harsh Kangho. Opportunities are only given to those who survive.

Nothing is given to the dead. No matter how great or honorable the death may be.

Any opportunities, ultimately, can only be seized by those who are alive.

'...Survive...'

His legs wobbled as he touched the ground. Exhausted and severely injured, his body was almost like a half-dead corpse. However, he gathered his last bit of strength to stand upright.

When he raised his massive body and stood straight, the world spread out widely before his eyes. He could see the pirates rushing towards him with all their might.

His breath became clear. Instead of the stench of blood, the scent of life wafted in.

Now, all he had to do was run forward. He could endure any sword strike that might pierce his back.

"Uu... Uuaaaaah!"

As he spewed out suppressed emotions, the moment the Black Dragon King was about to thrust his strength into the ground...

Twitch!

His body suddenly convulsed, freezing as if struck by lightning. In an instant, it froze completely.

"What...?"

No one could understand it.

Even the Mount Hua party, including Baekcheon, couldn't see anything. All they could see was the back of the Black Dragon King.

However, the pirates who were rushing toward the Black Dragon King could clearly see it.

The moment when the joy, filled with the belief that he could survive, faded from the face of the Black Dragon King. The expression transitioning into confusion, frustration, and gradually sinking into despair.

"Yo-you...."

The Black Dragon King stared blankly at the expanse before him.

No, in truth, what he was seeing wasn't the land, nor the pirates filling that land, but something beyond.

He couldn't help but have a hunch.

What lay beyond wasn't life.

It was the death he struggled so hard to avoid.

"Ugh... ugh..."

Only then could he realize. Why the elites didn't come. Why he was driven to this state.

Who was standing at the apparent end of this bright world.

However, knowing wouldn't change anything.

"Aaaah!"

The Black Dragon King turned abruptly. Eyes filled with terror wandered around, reaching those lying here and there, having fallen without a place to go.

Quaang!

He struck the ground. The only way to survive in this place was right there.

"This way...!"

His one remaining hand stretched out, fingers spread wide, threw out the scimitar. He reached out, half-conscious, towards Baek Cheon's neck. Everything he had was at stake there.

"Come here! Here!"

Abandoning the prestige of the Black Dragon King, and even the dignity he had to uphold. Letting go of everything, he appeared as a pitiful human yearning for life.

But because of that, his appearance was desperate and vivid.

"Aaaah!"

Unable to control the deep desire, the Black Dragon King screamed as he flew through the air. His fingers, fully spread to the tip, finally touched Baek Cheon's neck.

'It's over....'

Pwuoooooosh!

At that moment, a thunderous roar echoed in his mind.

"...."

His hand stopped. In the air, just an inch away from Baek Cheon's neck.

The Black Dragon King looked at Baek Cheon, his hand, and the sky in disbelief.

No, perhaps he wasn't seeing anything at all.

His gaze slowly descended. A chilly sword, stained with a drop of blood, came into view.

It was a familiar sword that he could never forget.

Juuk.

The flowing blood reddened the sword and even the hand holding it.

The last place the Black Dragon King's gaze fell upon was the face of the one holding the sword. More precisely, the twisted face of the one who had become a wreck, and the chilly gaze flowing from that face.

"You..."

The distorted face twisted strangely.

The Black Dragon King could understand. That distortion was undoubtedly a 'smile.'

"I... said... you would die in my hands."

The twisted corner of his mouth opened, revealing bloody teeth. Spiteful yet refreshing, the laughter was eerie.

"Nam... Gung..."

"The blood... has been accepted. Jae... Sekwang...."

The Black Dragon King, who had been silently staring at Nam Gung Dowi, slowly raised his head. A vast, blue sky spread out. 

No matter how one made the Yangtze River their world, the heavens (蒼天) couldn't be avoided or escaped.

"My..."

The colossal body of the Black Dragon King collapsed like a rotten tree.

"...Damn..."

 Kuung!

An unworthy testament for a giant who once commanded the world, indeed a pitiful farewell.