Chapter 1399: To Where You Belong (Part 4)

"Ah, stop..."

Paaah!

The mouth of someone trying to let out a scream was stifled by a sharp sword. Like a venomous snake, the sword pierced the heart of the next enemy, instantly ending another life.

Truly a beam of light. If one was aware of it, one couldn't block it, and even if one saw it, one couldn't respond to it.

"It's Jo Gol!"

"The Light-Splitting Sword (一劍分光)!" [a name yo?]

"It's one of Mount Hua's Five Swords!"

Those who recognized the person at the forefront shouted. Before their cries even subsided, another sword, flying through the air, created another harmony of death.

"Retreat! Create distance!"

The Myriad Man Manor members, too, prided themselves on never losing in battle. They were not ignorant of how to confront a swift sword.

However, those who quickly retreated and avoided the swords were greeted by a powerful golden light slashing through the air.

Kwaaaang!

The fierce power exploded in the midst of those retreating. The bodies, reduced to pulp, of those caught in the aftermath soared in all directions, resembling children's toys scattered by a gust of wind.

In that open space, one person stood out.

Saaaaaaa!

Which came first?

The sound of a fine sword slicing through silk? Or the momentary flash of a red sword energy? Or perhaps a severed head rising through the air?

Although it was difficult to distinguish the sequence, it was too clear who created the spectacle. Yoo Iseol, descending like a flying bird, immediately rushed forward again, driving into the ground.

Lowering her posture like a swallow, she released a crescent-shaped sword energy.

"Ah!"

Those struck by the sword energy screamed desperately.

What truly terrified them was not their arms, severed and flying, or teir stomachs, entrails spilling out.

It was the profound murderous intent in the frozen face and its chilling ice-like intensity. There was an indescribable dissonance in front of her sword, creating a terror that could not be expressed in words.

Seuguk!

Yoo Iseol, who had sliced another enemy, glanced back.

Her gaze went beyond those following her, toward Baek Cheon in the rear. No, more precisely, toward the sword in Baek Cheon's hands.

After confirming his condition once again, she turned her attention back to the front with a venomous gaze.

Paaah!

Intense sword energy, as if condensed, erupted.

By nature, she pursued the extreme efficiency in her sword. But now, her sword discarded everything she pursued and focused solely on power. All to cut a path a moment faster.

Before Yoo Iseol's sword energy could completely fade away, Namgung Dowi's sword energy exploded, and above it, Tang Pae's flying blade wove a net.

In the face of the all-out attack that threw away everything, the encirclement of the Myriad Man Manor, which was like an iron fortress, began to crumble like a sandcastle.

"Step back, you bastards!"

Kwaaaang!

At that moment, the power unleashed by Hye Yeon caused a massive explosion in front of the path they were opening.

"It's breaking through! We can't stop it! Commander!"

Ho Gakmyung, with a stern face, silently watched the unfolding scene.

Kwaaaang!

With each explosion of power, those who had been blocking their way were scattered in all directions. The airtight encirclement forcibly twisted and crumbled, and the solid iron wall began to crack.

Even in their exhausted state, they were forcibly tearing and breaking through the encirclement. Ho Gakmyung thought to himself, disgusted.

'...This again.'

How many times must he go through this sight?

Ever since he had followed Jang Ilso into the Myriad Man Manor, there had been no one who could render him so powerless.

Of course, that didn't mean he always succeeded and always defeated his opponents.

But this experience was different from everything he had been through until now.

Until now... Yes, until now, the reason was clear.

Plum Blossom Sword Demon.

He was not an entity Ho Gakmyung could handle. As long as he existed, all of Ho Gakmyung's schemes became meaningless, and tactics lost their value.

That's why he thoroughly cornered only him. Even if others saw it as deviating from the principles of military strategy, it was a sacrifice worth taking.

The strategy clearly fell into place, pushing that devilish being into a corner.

So now it should've been over. The moment Plum Blossom Sword Demon lost consciousness, this intense battle should've finally come to an end.

However...why was something like this happening again? He eliminated all possible variables, didn't he?

Was there a miscalculation? No, there was no miscalculation on his part. Moreover, he never made the mistake of underestimating his opponents. 

Ho Gakmyung had even been considering the possibility of the opponents breaking through and entering.

The only thing that was unexpected was this.

Those who should've exhausted all their strength by breaking through the encirclement and perished here were shattering this encirclement with a power that far exceeded his expectations. It was as if...

Thud.

Ho Gakmyung gritted his teeth.

'That can't be.'

They could not become the Plum Blossom Sword Demon. It was impossible for there to be so many individuals like him in the world.

"Commander!"

At the voice of the subordinate urgently calling him again, Ho Gakmyung, after several deep breaths, tightly clenched his trembling fingertips.

"....Stay calm."

"But right now...!"

"Didn't I tell you to stay calm?"

The commotion among the subordinates subsided. Ho Gakmyung coldly analyzed the situation with a calm eye. And finally, he spoke.

"Open the way in front."

"What? What does that mean...!"

The subordinates' gaze concentrated on Ho Gakmyung as if they couldn't believe it. Opening the way meant breaking the encirclement.

Considering the momentum, it would be difficult to surround them again after letting them go once. Releasing them in this situation would render all the sacrifices the Myriad Man Manor members had made so far meaningless!

"Commander! You must stay calm!"

"Does it look like I'm agitated?"

The subordinates watched Ho Gakmyung with trembling eyes. From the midst of those gazes, Ho Gakmyung, with a cool voice, said.

"Blocking the way for them now will only boost their momentum. What we should focus on right now is..."

Ho Gakmyung's gaze focused on one spot.

"The rear."

His blade-like gaze precisely scrutinized the Chung Myung that Baek Cheon was holding.

He acknowledged it. They surpassed his predictions at this moment. It was futile to deny the phenomenon that was already happening, even if it was incomprehensible.

But that didn't mean they had become invincible. Their desperation only made their weaknesses more prominent.

"Ignore the others and strictly target only the Plum Blossom Sword Demon."

The subordinates looked at each other.

"Now!"

"Yes!"

The subordinates issued orders in all directions. Amidst the busyness, Ho Gakmyung's dark gaze was fixed on the unconscious Chung Myung.

'Is this the future you were seeing, Plum Blossom Sword Demon?'

So he could be immortal even in death? Because he believed that someday they could replace everything he had done?

Really...It was such a severe arrogance that it was almost laughable.

There could never be two Jang Ilso's in the world. Likewise, there could never be two Chung Myung's in the world. Such people could not be raised; only heaven could create them.

However, a mocking laugh didn't come out.

Because there was no way to deny it. Since this moment, Ho Gakmyung confirmed with his own eyes the future that Plum Blossom Sword Demon had been envisioning.

Ho Gakmyung bit his lower lip.

'Anyway, it ends here.'

Such a future wouldn't come. No, the very possibility of such a future would disappear today. Right here, right now.

He sensed it.

Paaah!

The sensation of cutting down the enemies was felt not at his fingertips but at the tip of his sword. It might sound somewhat strange, but there was no other way to describe the current feeling.

Swiiiish!

The fiercely slashing sword pierced through the enemy's skin like lightning, tearing through flesh, veins, and eventually bones, vividly sensed at the tip of the sword.

The feeling as if the boundary between the sword and the hand had disappeared.

A tremendous sense of unity, where one had to make a conscious effort to distinguish between the end of the sword and the fingertips, was present.

Things he already knew were collapsing. The boundaries that distinguished the world were becoming blurred. Inside, there existed only the sword and himself. No, even the sword disappeared, and only he existed.

The sense of unity, which had only existed in imagination, came more transcendently than ever. If he leaped into it, surely he could take one step further.

But Jo Gol forcibly pushed himself away from the point where he had reached. No, he had already stepped into that clearly certain point.

'Weird! This is weird...!'

The enemies no longer felt strong. It seemed like anyone could trample them if they wanted.

But the satisfaction rather sent a warning to Jo Gol's senses.

The conflict in his mind became increasingly deep and confusing.

Wouldn't it be okay to go a little further?

If he could feel this sensation a little more, he would undoubtedly become unbelievably strong. But why was he pushing away this possibility himself?

'What am I?'

He was a swordsman. He wanted to become stronger. He wanted to be even more...

"Chung Myungaaaaaaaah!"

Boom!

At that moment, the blurry world surrounding Jo Gul shattered like a mirror. When he turned around, the current situation became clear.

The enemies that should be in front were crowded behind.

'What? Why?'

For a moment, he couldn't understand the situation. Did he strike too quickly?

No, that was impossible. If that were the case, the enemies should have blocked his way more forcefully. But why was the situation like this...

At that moment, Jo Gul's eyes caught a scene.

A martial artist from the Myriad Man Manor, venom in his eyes, completely ignored the flying sword and flew towards Baek Cheon.

Kraaaang!

Before Jo Gol could even scream, Baek Cheon's sword swung.

"Huahhh!"

But that was just the beginning.

The enemies began to rush towards Chung Myung. Relentless attacks poured in.

"These bastards...!"

Jo Gul immediately struck the ground towards the rear.

With that, those who were fiercely breaking through the encirclement had surrounded Baek Cheon, blocking the incoming attacks.

'No!'

Desperation flashed in Jo Gul's eyes.

Chung Myung was currently unconscious. That meant he couldn't even make minimal resistance by dodging the flying attacks. It implied that even a blind sword could stop his breath.

No, there was no need to strike at vital points. Chung Myung's body wouldn't withstand even a simple shock right now.

Uuuuung!

As the sound echoed, Jo Gul's gaze sharply turned backward for a moment. The figure of someone gathering energy was clearly visible. Even just by looking, it was evident the power gathering in his raised hand was tremendous. Jo Gol reflexively threw his body to protect Baek Cheon and Chung Myung.

"Uaaaah!"

Swinging the sword with all his might, he cleanly cut through the hand filled with energy. It was close.

Hearing the desperate screams bursting out, Jo Gul clenched his teeth so hard that the muscles in his jaw bulged.

'Who am I?'

A scream, carrying the essence of his soul, exploded violently.

"You can't touch Chung Myung! You bastards!"