Chapter 1378: Preparations Are Now Complete (Part 3)

"Shoot, shoot them!"

Paaaah!

Arrows cut through the air, flying swiftly. Jo Gol's face contorted.

"Damn arrows! I'm sick of them!"

Thud!

As he kicked the ground, his sword cut through the air like a beam of light. In the space filled with the sword's brilliance, the shower of arrows bounced off like raindrops hitting a roof.

"Ugh."

After dealing with the arrows, Jo Gol landed and groaned, holding his side. Then, he burst into laughter.

"Are these Evil Sect bastards too scared to come at us with swords and resort to cowardly shooting arrows? How shameless!"

Baek Cheon muttered in disbelief.

"...Aren't they Evil Sect because they're cowardly?"

What on earth did the Evil Sect look like in that bastard's mind?

While Baek Cheon found it absurd, Yoon Jong was worried about Jo Gol.

"Don't talk back, just step back! You're not healed!"

"Hey, is there anyone here who's in perfect condition? We're all the same."

"That crazy guy..."

Jo Gol charged forward like a wild horse. Yoon Jong mumbled something absurd.

It wasn't entirely untrue. In this place, there were more wounded people than those who were not.

The problem was that even among the wounded, there were different levels.

"You're no better than a half-dead man!"

Yoon Jong's eyes lit up as he struck the ground. Instead of advising Jo Gol to calm down, it would be better to preach to a three-month-old puppy not to bark.

"Taap!"

Yoon Jong, who had rushed ahead of Jo Gol, pierced the throat of an Evil Sect opponent who was facing Jo Gol.

Jo Gol widened his eyes.

"Sahyung! That was mine!"

"Shut up, punk."

 Yoon Jong, who spat out uncharacteristically harsh words for a Taoist, immediately lowered his posture and struck the Evil Sect member who was rushing at him. But just as he was about to counterattack, someone suddenly appeared behind him, slammiong a sword downward.

Thunk!

"Sssshh!"

The Evil Sect guy who was stabbed in the center of his chest crumbled with an unbelieving expression. The person drew the sword without hesitation, shoving aside the falling Evil Sect member.

"Sasuk... huh?"

Yoon Jong, who naturally thought it was Baek Cheon, flinched for a moment. It wasn't a Mount Hua uniform.

"Crush them in one go! They're nothing special!"

"Yes!"

To the left and right of Yoon Jong, warriors in blue robes fiercely rushed past. Yoon Jong couldn't help but let out a slight laugh.

"Where have I seen this scene before...?"

Guo Hansuo, who had knocked down the enemy, didn't look back. Behind him, the disciples of Southern Island followed suit like predators.

Yoon Jong habitually twirled his sword to shake off the blood, and straightened his waist.

'Is the term 'reliable ally' used in times like this?'

Of course, they were still lacking. If he were to mimic Chung Myung's tone, he would say, "You still have a long way to go, you brats."

It wasn't just a statement from Yoon Jong's self-conceit. Even objectively, they still looked like children wielding fancy swords. They seemed particularly hesitant to fully utilize the martial arts they had mastered.

Still, they were wielding that sword. It was a vastly different sight from when they first held it, trembling in fear without even knowing what was in their hands.

"...Experience is definitely something..."

"Oh, damn it! Be careful with your words!"

"Huh?"

While muttering, Yoon Jong turned around without understanding. Jo Gol, with his face twisted, shouted loudly.

"I know what you're thinking, Sahyung. But if you say it out loud like that, that rotten bastard over there will justify rolling us through all kinds of hell!"

He was obviously talking about Chung Myung.

"...That's not possible."

That was that, and this was this. Ugh.

"So just keep your mouth shut!"

"...Understood."

Yoon Jong humbly replied. However, he soon chuckled.

It was true that the enemies blocking the way ahead weren't particularly strong, but if it weren't for Southern Island stepping forward and providing support, there wouldn't be a chance for Jo Gol and Yoon Jong to chat so comfortably.

'If we fight calmly, we can't lose in terms of strength.'

Though they were known as a corner of the Ten Great Sects, they were still one of the Ten Great Sects. The difference between places part of the Ten Great Sects and those not called so was inevitably immense.

If they continued to fight like this, they would undoubtedly become a formidable force. And when they no longer hesitated in their battles, they might even become one of the representative sects of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

Especially...

"The tip of your sword is shaking! Don't get too excited!"

"Yes!"

Yoon Jong squinted his eyes.

'That person is truly remarkable.'

His gaze was fixed on Guo Hansuo, who fought fiercely while never forgetting precise instructions.

'Because of him, I sometimes forget there's Sect Leader Kim here.'

Originally, it was an impossible scenario. Even if he became a Sect Leader later, he couldn't dare to compare him to the current Sect Leader. Wasn't it an unrealistic aspiration to compare someone who had already achieved something with someone with vague potential?

However, what was impressive about Guo Hansuo was that he sometimes made even Yoon Jong, who was well aware of the fact, momentarily forget.

The image of Guo Hansuo at the Shaolin Martial Arts Competition in the past was already fading from his memory. His current image was too powerful, making the past completely forgotten.

A wry smile appeared on Yoon Jong's mouth.

He now clearly understood the reaction of those who used to know about Mount Hua Sect upon seeing the current Five Swords. If even Yoon Jong, who knew the truth, could be occasionally impressed by Guo Hansuo's appearance, it was certain that others would be amazed at least half as much. [not sure]

"Sahyung, enemies are ahead!"

"I know!"

"I'll take the front."

"Step back! This is my place!"

And the disciples of Southern Island who received Guo Hansuo's instructions also showed absolute trust in him.

People often become closer when overcoming crises together. The bonds they had built in this short period might surpass the long time spent together within the sect.

'They will become stronger.'

Of course, the damage suffered by Southern Island was not easily recoverable.

They had lost so much. They had to leave behind Southern Island, which was a strong foothold, along with many disciples. Nearly half of the remaining disciples were sacrificed during the breakthrough of Gangnam.

Evaluating it objectively, the current Southern Island Sect may have already lost the right to be called one of the Ten Great Sects. Even if they didn't suffer further losses, it would still take a considerable amount of time to regain the lost strength.

But even so, Yoon Jong believed that Southern Island would become stronger.

He already knew that what made a sect strong was not its circumstances. A stronghold, assets, and even a cause were not significant.

The only thing that made a sect strong was the heart and will of its members.

And the Southern Island Sect had that now. The will that didn't exist when they left Southern Island.

"Yes. Get stronger..."

"Don't daydream on the battlefield, you pathetic guy!"

Baek Cheon roared and rushed forward like a gust of wind.

Yoon Jong's eyebrows twisted strangely.

'Should I suggest changing the Sect Leader for Southern Island?'

Would Southern Island accept it?

Laughing at his own thoughts, Yoon Jong quickly followed behind Baek Cheon, gripping his sword.

"Sasuk, they're increasing in numbers."

"There'll be more."

Baek Cheon calmly assessed the enemies rushing towards him.

'They're still in a transitional phase.'

Honestly, they weren't a significant threat. There was no need for him to step forward against small and medium-sized sects that came with simple summons. Even Southern Island was no longer a suitable opponent for them.

What was important now wasn't how easy the enemies were to deal with, but that the enemies had started to pinpoint the positions of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and the Southern Island Sect.

From now on, they would have to cross the path of danger again.

'But in other words, that means we're almost at the Yangtze River.'

Once they overcame this crisis, there was Gangbuk. A peaceful land where no one would attack even if they lay down with both feet stretched out.

Although a hell worse than anything they've experienced so far awaited them, there was no way to reach Gangbuk without breaking through it.

"Nokrim King!"

"Yes, Deputy Sect Leader."

"How much longer to Nanjing?"

"If we run at full power..."

Im Sobyeong glanced up at the sky for a moment. After checking the dim sky, he answered in a calm voice.

"It will take at least a day."

"A day..."

Baek Cheon's complexion darkened slightly.

'Our fate will be decided within a day.'

With the Yangtze River right in front of them, there was no option to look for an opportunity to cross it. The decision must be made the moment they arrive at the river. Whether to cross the river or fight until death.

'And the latter isn't an option.'

It had to be that way.

"Deal with those over there, and then change direction!"

"Do we have to? We're only about a day away now."

"The problem is not the front but the rear! Aren't there people chasing after us?"

"Oh..."

Jo Gol quickly nodded. The ones they really needed to be cautious of at this point were not the clumsy Evil Sects blocking the front but Ho Gakmyung chasing them with a fiery determination.

"They know we're heading to the Yangtze River, but they don't know we're going to Nanjing. No need to accurately inform them of the direction."

"Understood!"

"This way, Sohyeop!"

"Yes, Deputy Sect Leader!"

"Please convey it to the Sect Leader! And make sure to leave clear markings so that the directions don't get confused!"

"Don't worry. I will personally check."

Baek Cheon nodded.

Thanks to the Southern Island Sect Leader Kim Yang Baek leading the elders separately, his breathing had eased. Defense was inherently more comfortable when the areas to cover were more narrow. The simple act of splitting the group had brought tremendous advantages.

'He's a remarkable person.'

He didn't have the strong commanding presence that other sect leaders showed. However, he had an unwavering trust that others didn't have.

There was not way it was an easy choice to entrust the command of his disciples to someone else and to form a separate unit, moving in the middle of enemy territory.

But Kim Yang Baek assumed that role for the sake of saving at least one more disciple and sending them to Gangbuk.

"I can't lose either."

"Huh?"

Instead of answering, Baek Cheon grasped his sword and focused straight ahead.

"Let's go! Follow me with the determination to die!"

"Yes!"

Leading the elites of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, he rushed forward.

The will to fight, the hope to survive, and the enthusiasm to overcome. All of these were mixed together and surged forward.

But even in such an excited atmosphere, one person's gaze remained calm and cold.

'One day...'

Chung Myung, who had been observing the entire situation from the rear, glanced around slightly.

A day. Short if it was short, but too long if it was long. Especially when spent in the enemy territory.

Chung Myung's eyes, who knew the cruelty better than anyone else, were dark.