❀ ❀ ❀
Jang Ilso tapped his lips with a dissatisfied expression.
"This is getting boring."
His gaze was fixed on one place.
'Jin Songwon.'
The leader of Diancang, whom Jang Ilso once brought to his knees. Around him, Diancang disciples were now gathering.
Of course, they weren't turning their swords toward this side. Still, in this fierce battlefield, one by one, they were lowering their swords. It at least meant they were prepared to withdraw.
Ho Gamyeong spoke with a hardened expression.
"Ryeonju-nim, at this rate..."
"Tsk, tsk. Always so weak-willed."
Jang Ilso let out a dramatically heavy sigh.
"Not much we can do. It's too late to bring out the whip again now."
"But we have to do something, don't we? I'll go."
"Ah, just leave it be."
Jang Ilso waved his hand dismissively, clearly uninterested.
"This was half-expected anyway. Those who kneel easily never see their will through to the end."
"Then at least we should send a warning. They must pay..."
"Planning to make more enemies?"
Jang Ilso's gentle but pointed question silenced Ho Gamyeong.
If they were to immediately execute the hostages, it would certainly be the most effective punishment. But from that moment on, those people would become their most determined enemies, willing to risk their lives in defiance.
"Just the fact that we have hostages means they won't be able to fight back against us with all their might. Even in the worst case scenario. So let's just leave them alone."
"...Understood."
Ho Gamyeong reluctantly nodded.
It was undoubtedly a wise decision, looking further into the future. He couldn't deny it.
In any case, Evil Tyrant Alliance and Heavenly Comrade Alliance would at least reach a conclusion in this place. They could punish the defectors afterward.
To be honest, they'd already gained massive benefits just by using them up until now.
'But still...'
Despite that, Ho Gamyeong felt uneasy. The situation was turning increasingly unfavorable.
It wasn't just because of Jin Songwon and Diancang's defection. What frustrated him more was that the major figures they'd deployed were failing to exert their strength. On top of that, even the Red Dogs, who were supposed to deliver the decisive blow, had failed to penetrate the enemy's defenses.
'Those bastards...'
Ho Gamyeong bit his lip slightly.
Mount Hua. It was Mount Hua again. Those bastards were blocking the Red Dogs. He had run out of curses to hurl at those persistent pests.
Mount Hua wasn't exactly fighting the Red Dogs evenly. But wherever Mount Hua showed weakness, certain individuals always appeared.
The ones bearing the black-and-white Taiji symbol on their chests.
'Those Wudang...'
Mount Hua and Wudang were the twin pillars of the Taoist sects.
They should've been natural enemies. But now they were fighting side by side at the frontlines. And it was a significant source of pressure.
'I should have wiped them out completely.'
If Mount Hua and Wudang were the reasons they couldn't dominate the frontlines, who was to blame?
Despite holding full authority, Ho Gamyeong had failed to deliver on his promises.
War wasn't about fighting to win. It was about securing victory before fighting. He had failed to uphold this eternal truth.
Ho Gamyeong barely managed to speak.
"Ryeonju-nim, if this continues..."
They would lose.
But he couldn't bring himself to say it.
Jang Ilso probably knew it too. While evil sect was terrifying when riding high on momentum, they faltered when battles dragged on. Their martial arts simply weren't suited for prolonged warfare.
If they couldn't break through the frontlines and create chaos, this plain would eventually be filled with evil sect's corpses.
Jang Ilso lightly scratched his cheek, muttering as if making a joke rather than expressing concern.
"Ah, it's tiresome."
"Ryeonju-nim..."
"Hmm, should I step in personally?"
"But that's..."
Ho Gamyeong swallowed the rest of his words. What he should've said was obvious, 'You must not'. However, he couldn't bring himself to say it because there were no other solutions.
Perhaps this was Jang Ilso's last chance to step in. No matter how strong a hand they held, if the tide of battle turned against them, they might lose without ever making a decisive move. This was more common than one might think.
Jang Ilso's voice broke through Ho Gamyeong's lingering worries.
"You seem concerned."
Startled by the insight, Ho Gamyeong flinched. Even without looking his way, Jang Ilso seemed to read him perfectly.
"My apologies."
"Ah, don't mention it."
At that moment, Ho Gamyeong felt something strange.
Not just composure, but Jang Ilso was too relaxed.
Until just now, Ho Gamyeong had thought this attitude stemmed from confidence in victory. But now, a strange sense of incongruity crept in.
"There's no need to worry. We've already taken measures, haven't we?"
Jang Ilso gestured lightly toward a direction. Following his gaze, Ho Gamyeong's eyes widened.
"That's..."
"What do you think?"
Ho Gamyeong was momentarily speechless. Was it a brilliant move? Not necessarily.
But was it a critical one? Absolutely.
There was no trick that could instantly reverse the tide in this situation. Even if unexpected reinforcements suddenly appeared, it would only prolong the battle, not shift the momentum.
But that...
"Ryeonju-nim, did you plan this from the start?"
"Do you think I'm that clever? I was just lucky."
Ho Gamyeong stared silently at Jang Ilso.
Perhaps Jang Ilso had foreseen all of this. Or maybe he had forced the situation into unfolding this way.
If that were the case… what form would the end of this war, as envisioned by Jang Ilso, take? Could he have already visualized it, or…
Lost in thought, Ho Gamyeong unconsciously bit the inside of his cheek. It was only then that he realized something—he had never heard Jang Ilso describe what that 'end' would be.
❀ ❀ ❀
A swift sword aura swept through the enemy ranks.
"Uraaaaaah!"
Crunch!
With absurd ease, the sword pierced through the enemy's heart without giving them a chance to defend.
"Argh! This isn't right!"
However, Jo Geol, the one wielding the astonishing sword, roared in frustration, looking as though he wanted to collapse from exasperation.
His sword had undoubtedly improved. Faster, more precise, and more powerful—he was even surprised by his own progress.
But that was it. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't recapture the sensation he'd had just moments ago. He knew clinging to it would only push it further away, but it was hard to forget that fleeting moment of perfection.
Especially for someone like Jo Geol.
Just then, a sword suddenly came flying toward his neck from somewhere.
"Watch out!"
Clang!
Before Jo Geol could even react, a sword intercepted the sword. The wielder drove their sword into the chest of the assailant from the Evil Tyrant Alliance.
"You didn't have to help me."
"Just in case."
"Ugh. Well, thanks anyway."
Seeing Jo Geol's grumpy expression, Jin Hyeon from Wudang smiled faintly.
'Jo Geol…'
It had been a long time since Jin Hyeon had seen him. Back then, Jo Geol had been watching Jin Hyeon duel Baek Cheon.
At that time, Jin Hyeon hadn't expected Jo Geol to become this formidable. Not that he lacked discernment—nobody would have predicted it.
What set Jo Geol apart wasn't effort or talent but rather an unwavering will to stay true to his path.
Jin Hyeon could sense that about him. And…
"Look out!"
Clang!
Jo Geol deflected a sword flying toward Jin Hyeon and smugly declared.
"Debt repaid!"
"It wasn't even a crisis."
"Same for me!"
Jin Hyeon chuckled. Fate was truly strange. He never would have imagined fighting alongside these people back then.
"Hey, Jo Geol Dojang."
"What?"
"Do you drink alcohol?"
"What's with the sudden question?"
No one knew how this war would end—whether victory would be theirs or not. Jin Hyeon couldn't even guarantee his own survival.
But if he and Jo Geol both made it out alive, he thought it wouldn't be so bad to share a drink with him someday.
"What are you talking about?"
"Never mind."
"Come on, now I'm curious! What are you talking about?"
"…Forget it."
Of course, it wouldn't be easy. Even if they escaped without further losses, Mount Wudang had already sunk too deep into the mire. Those who survived would face a long and arduous path ahead.
But for now...
Woooong.
Jin Hyeon's sword hummed with a clear tone.
Yes, for now, knowing which direction to move was enough.
A member of the Red Dogs charged at him, their blade slicing through the air with a sharp sound.
"Taap!"
Jin Hyeon elegantly swung his sword in response.
Clang!
The sword slid along the blade's arc. Instead of brute force, he met power with fluidity—the way of Mount Wudang.
After deflecting the blade, Jin Hyeon's sword traced a smooth circle and etched a long wound across the enemy's shoulder.
"Wow…"
Jo Geol, engaged in another fight nearby, couldn't help but express his admiration.
No matter how many times he saw it, Mount Wudang's swordsmanship was nothing short of magical. To Jo Geol, it looked more like acrobatics than swordplay. He wouldn't even dream of trying it himself. He instinctively knew that no amount of training would let him wield a sword like that.
"A pine caterpillar should eat pine needles!"
[tl note: This is a proverb that implies that one should stick to what they are good at or know their place and act accordingly. It suggests that people should not overreach or attempt things beyond their abilities, just as a pine caterpillar naturally eats pine needles instead of something else. In this scene, Jo Geol uses this phrase while fighting, likely meaning that each person should fight in their own way—perhaps implying that he should stick to his own fighting style rather than trying to imitate Wudang's sword techniques.]
Before his opponent could fully swing their weapon, Jo Geol stabbed their side.
Fear began to flicker in the eyes of those nearby.
"What, you wanna eat a sword too—"
Jo Geol's playful taunt was cut short. His expression froze as he instinctively kept an eye on the rear during the fight.
"Dojang?"
Noticing Jo Geol's odd demeanor, Jin Hyeon called out curiously. But Jo Geol remained silent, staring intently at something.
'What's he looking at?'
What could possibly be behind them? Beyond the frontline were only the unengaged Heavenly Alliance forces and the vast plains. If he looked even farther…
Jin Hyeon's gaze shifted, and his body stiffened. Not the plains—beyond them. Toward the unsightly mountain peaks rising in the distance.
"…Huh?"
Jin Hyeon's eyes trembled violently.
Though still sparse and far from lush, the green of Mount Wudang was slowly returning.
Near the mountain's summit, something red caught his eye.
"That, that's…?"
Shock spread across Jin Hyeon's face.
It was distant and blurry, but clearly visible—a sizable group was climbing Mount Wudang.
Why were they ascending the mountain? What could they possibly want up there?
Jin Hyeon's gaze lifted slightly. The faint outlines of rooftops became visible, and an unwelcome image formed in his mind.
A wave of unspeakable dread washed over him, turning his face pale.
"Ah- No! Nooooooo!"
A desperate scream tore from his throat.