The sky had grown dark, with the full moon partially hidden behind thick clouds. The rain had transformed into a mere trickle, leaving the roads and dry fields devoid of any signs of life on this cold winter night. The only sight to behold was the vast expanse of dirt roads and bare trees.
Under the faint glow of the moon, a group of soldiers, both on foot and on horseback, pressed forward along the mountain path.
"Young lord." Zhu Taijin rode alongside him, matching his steady pace. "Once we cross this mountain, we should reach the Southern pass and arrive at the camp by midday."
"Our scouts have informed us that Wang's main force is a day behind us."
"We are now left with only a few hundred soldiers after the second battle. As the young sect master, I feel great shame." zhu taijin confessed. Jin woo still had little understanding of the situation he found himself in, aside from his new name, Sheng-ge Jizhu, and his role as sect master.
He had yet to grasp the full extent of his responsibilities or what lay ahead. All that mattered to him now was winning the war. He knew nothing else. Survival was his sole focus.
"Don't worry, young sect master. Our men have all seen how you fought against the mings Imperial Army in the second battle. You've won their hearts, and they're willing to follow you to hell and back," Zhu reassured him.
"What of the rest of our men? How many are we left with?"
"Our army is scattered across the mountains, and many have fallen during the second battle. There are approximately three thousand of us."
Jin Woo frowned at the thought. It wasn't a good number for what lay ahead.
"We must prepare ourselves to face an ambush by Wang's forces."
"You mean the two-headed snake?" If they didn't have that siprit beast on their side Sect
master we still would have more hope."
"That is what I fear."
"If they do attack us, we'll be forced to face them head-on, even if it means death."
"The enemy has twice the numbers. I'm sure they've also learned of our losses, and their commanders will no doubt use this to their advantage."
"It's a shame we cannot rely on any allies."
Jin Woo shook his head.
"It is as you know young lord, all we have are three thousand men that equal our whole sect. Even with the help of our allies, I'm afraid there won't be enough. The two-headed snake will have to be put down alone."
"But the cost?"
"Our lives."
Zhu Taijin said and nodded in agreement.
The two of them were silent as they rode up the mountain.
The rain had ceased, and the wind carried with it the cold winter chill.
Jin Woo was grateful for the fur coat he had been given. It helped shield him from the bitter wind. The coat was the only piece of clothing he had brought with him, Jin woo thought of his original world he wondered if anyone miss him now that he was no longer in that world.
He knew he dident leave anything or one behind that he would miss, he was will to take on this knew identity as Sheng-ge jinzhu .
All that remained were the memories he carried with him.He was now a new man. A new person with a new name and a new role to play.
From Jinwoo's gathering, only those with a spiritual root could refine qi, the force that the old man shared with him.
If one lacked a root, they would only become a mortal practitioner. Those with a spiritual root could ascend to the middle earth and become immortals, cultivating their power.
During their journey, Jin Woo tried to sense the spiritual qi that Zhu Taijin spoke of. He wasn't sure if it was because his body was already accustomed to sensing qi, but he could feel the immense spiritual qi in his dantian.
Jinwoo believed this was understandable, considering he was the young sect master.
He had no idea if he was the most talented amongst group.As he and Zhu Taijin continued their climb up the mountain with soldiers, a loud roar echoed through the night sky.
Jin Woo and Zhu Taijin pulled their horses to a stop, turning their heads toward the direction of the noise.
"That sounded like some beast!" Jin Woo exclaimed.
"The two-headed snake?"
Jin Woo turned his horse toward the sound.
"Let's go and see!"
"We shouldn't be going that way! We must reach the Southern pass, young leader," Zhu Taijin tried to convince him otherwise.
"The Southern pass, we might not make it if that beast is tracking us. I need to know if it's the two-headed snake."
Jin Woo was about to ride off when Zhu Taijin grabbed his reins.
"Young lord, I beg you to reconsider!"
"Release my reins. Now!"
Jinwoo was well aware that venturing into the unfamiliar was not a prudent decision. However, as the thunderous roar echoed through the air, he realized that the creature was drawing nearer.
Understanding the significance of having allies by his side, he recognized the urgency of preserving their dwindling numbers. Having just embarked on a new lease of life, Jinwoo was not prepared to relinquish it so easily.
Zhu Taijin reluctantly did as he was told.
Jin Woo turned and took off towards the sound of the roaring spirit beast, leaving Zhu Taijin no choice but to follow behind him.
The roar of the two-headed snake grew louder as they approached. Soon, Jin Woo could make out the spirit beast's silhouette.
The two-headed snake stood several feet tall, its body was covered in long, black scales, and it had two heads. One head had long, pointed fangs, while the other had a flat snout.
Both heads had glowing green eyes and a long, forked tongue. The spirit beast was coiled around a boulder, its tail whipping back and forth.
As the two of them approached, Jin Woo realized the two-headed snake was not alone. A group of soldiers stood before the beast, their swords drawn.