A hand's shadow covers the world.
It feels like being stranded alone in a stormy open sea. The moment he is engulfed by the giant wave looming over him, his life will end without a chance to react.
An overwhelming sense of despair.
But Heo Gong steadied his shaking heart, standing alone amidst the horrific scene.
'It's an illusion.'
In the end, illusions are meant to deceive and mislead people. No matter how grand, an illusion can never harm a person.
What he had to do was find the true venom hiding in this dreadful illusion, ready to strike at him.
It might not be a difficult task.
Wudang's martial arts are the orthodox martial arts that destroy all evil in the world, perfectly opposite to the martial arts of the Evil Sect.
Taaang!
Indeed, the sword Heo Gong extended accurately struck the hand of the Thousand-Faced Gentleman hidden among the numerous illusions.
But that hand, after being pushed back, instantly emitted numerous illusions again, like water quickly filling a spot where a giant rock had fallen in a lake.
An endless repetition.
His sword could pierce through the true form hidden among the illusions, and his eyes could find the single truth among countless lies.
However, the problem was that it wasn't a single battle.
If he missed the true form even once amidst the countless illusions, the impact would directly accumulate on Heo Gong's body.
Puh-uh!
Just like now.
Crack.
Heo Gong bit his lip until it bled.
Out of dozens of attacks, he only missed the true form once. The hand he missed now struck his chest, injecting a dense sinister energy.
It felt like his chest was being seared with a branding iron.
But more agonizing than the pain was the fatigue—no, the 'fear' of this endless repetition.
Puh-uh!
Was it the momentary shake that disrupted his rationality?
The illusions he missed consecutively struck his shoulder and thigh in succession.
"Ugh!"
Heo Gong instinctively took a step back. The more he retreated, the wider the enemies' range of movement on the cliff would become, even though he knew this.
The pain from the struck areas was persistent but 'weak.'
No matter how pure Heo Gong's martial arts were, it was impossible to remain unharmed after being hit by the energy of such a high-level opponent.
However, the struck areas felt as if they were not fatal, as if he had been hit during a sparring match.
In other words, even the energy that could be called the true form carried almost no force. If the illusionary attack without force is called an illusion, what should the weak force be called?
How should one distinguish between illusion and reality?
Heo Gong was now precisely in that gap. In the ambiguous distinction between truth and falsehood, reality and illusion.
"You seem frustrated."
At that moment, the storming energy disappeared like it had been washed away, revealing the relaxed figure of the Thousand-Faced Gentleman with his hands behind his back.
Others might call it an arrogant posture, but to Heo Gong, it looked completely different. It was a behavior born from the thoroughness of not showing even a trace of a small scar imprinted on his hand during the exchange.
Heo Gong's chest cooled at the thoroughness.
"Impressive swordsmanship. I acknowledge it. As expected of Wudang."
"..."
"But... you've stayed in the mountains too long."
Clench.
Heo Gong ground his teeth and asked.
"Do you have no intention of fighting fairly?"
"Is there any battle fairer than this? I exploit my strengths to attack the enemy's weaknesses. I will use any means necessary to secure victory. That's the fairness I know."
"..."
"Be happy. The fact that I go to such lengths means I acknowledge you."
Heo Gong took a short breath.
If this were a fair one-on-one duel, Heo Gong would not be in a hurry. But this is not that kind of battle. He has to defeat this person as soon as possible and stop those climbing the cliff.
From the beginning, the scales were tilted towards this person. Does Heo Gong have the ability to tilt the scales back in his favor now?
Heo Gong gritted his teeth and gripped his sword tightly.
'No. It's not about whether I can do it. I have to do it!'
In the past, he would have shaken his head, saying it was a difficult task. It is foolish to act recklessly without ability and invite disaster. But now Heo Gong knows. There are things in this world that must be done, even if one lacks the ability.
The only regret is not realizing it a little sooner.
Ssst.
Heo Gong's feet moved slowly forward. Seeing this, the Thousand-Faced Gentleman squinted his eyes.
"Impatient, aren't you?"
For the Thousand-Faced Gentleman, there was no harm in leisurely conversing like this. If he joined forces with those climbing the cliff, he could easily take Heo Gong's head without much effort.
But Heo Gong's situation was entirely different.
"Do you intend to keep repeating meaningless actions? By now, you should know that your swordsmanship can't break through my energy."
At those words, Heo Gong chuckled.
It's not a wrong statement. Wudang's techniques are orthodox, waiting for the opponent's real move with solid, unhurried swordsmanship. Even if one has the ability to identify the real attack instantly, if the opponent isn't in a hurry, one cannot help but drag out the time.
But.
"I realized one more thing."
From that unforgettable duel in his life.
Ta-at!
Heo Gong kicked off the ground and rushed towards the Thousand-Faced Gentleman.
"It's not the swordsmanship that matters!"
Hwaaaaaaak!
At that moment, the energy of the Thousand-Faced Gentleman exploded forward. The sight was momentarily overwhelming. But unlike his previous responses, Heo Gong swung his sword wide behind his head.
And then he struck down.
Paaaang!
One strike, two halves. The swirling black and white energy from his sword spun out like a vortex.
The overwhelming energy of the Thousand-Faced Gentleman, which was spreading like a whitewash, shattered as if it were an illusion when it met the fearsome sword aura.
There is no distinction between real and illusion. If you break everything, the distinction becomes meaningless.
The Taiji Wisdom Sword, said to contain all the wisdom and harmony of the world, was unleashed as violently as the sword of the Evil Sect.
"Huh?"
Momentarily taken aback by the ferocious momentum, the Thousand-Faced Gentleman instinctively stepped back. Heo Gong didn't miss this opportunity, and followed him closely, gritting his teeth.
Puh-uh! Puh-uh!
The residual energy that hadn't fully dissipated hit his body, but it didn't matter. After all, it wasn't an energy attack with proper force.
"I won't let you go."
The sword shot out like lightning again. In an instant, the Thousand-Faced Gentleman's body disappeared from the spot, as if collapsing. Known as the best in both martial arts and movement in the Evil Sect, his reputation wasn't false, as it was impossible to track his movements with the eye.
But Heo Gong was also Heo Gong.
Paaaang!
The sword, rapidly changing direction, slashed through the empty space above.
Skrch.
There was no sensation. But the sound of the sword cutting through something clearly reached his ears.
Puh-uh!
Simultaneously, a strong pain surged from his back.
There was no avoiding creating an opening when forcibly twisting his body. Besides, it was impossible to capture him without the resolve to sustain injuries.
"Haaah!"
He exhaled a breath, along with the blood welling up in his mouth, and raised his sword. The two powerful energies surged and united at the sword's tip, and the blade was brought down.
Kwooooaaah!
An immense energy shattered the rock surface and extended out. It uprooted several pine trees growing behind the cliff and only stopped when it hit the adjoining mountain slope. A massive scar was left in the surroundings.
"Hoo!"
A rough breath burst from Heo Gong's mouth.
After a while, the Thousand-Faced Gentleman revealed himself and landed on the ground. His eyes were dark and somber.
Glancing down, a small wound was visible near his calf. It looked like a scratch, but the wound had split his muscle by at least half an inch.
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman's hand, which was behind his back, twitched slightly.
A wound on the leg was different from one on the hand. If the hand was a tool for mocking the enemy, the leg was essential for survival. It was like his lifeline.
And that lifeline had been wounded by the previous attack.
"I didn't realize Wudang was such an aggressive sect."
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman muttered as Heo Gong took a deep breath.
This was not the usual way of wielding Wudang's martial arts. Operating outside the norms consumed more than twice the usual inner strength. Even under normal circumstances, using the Wisdom Sword drained a lot of energy. Twisting its use like this was sheer madness.
Indeed, after just two strikes, his shoulders were already heaving. And this was not in line with Wudang's swordsmanship principles.
But Heo Gong also knew.
"A sword is just a sword."
"Hmm?"
"The important thing is that I am a Taoist of Wudang, not how I wield the sword."
Heo Gong's panting face twisted into a smile, a mix of amusement and irritation.
"Even while using a sword like the Evil Sect, there was someone who was more Taoist than anyone."
"..."
"The sword is merely a tool to carry out my will. If I have to use the same sword in every situation, I would only be the one being dragged by the sword."
"It might be better to preach your sword theory to your disciples. Ah, if any of them survive this war, that is."
"It seems you've realized it's difficult to kill me. Seeing you speak like that."
"You've gotten a bit sharp-tongued."
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman chuckled. Heo Gong gripped his sword again.
There was no need to lament his grievances. If he didn't fight the way his opponent wanted, he could lead the battle in his own way. If it was someone he didn't want to see, he would surely say so.
It's funny.
Reaching the highest level of swordsmanship is closely tied to disregarding the sword more than anyone else.
"Things taken to the extreme will reverse."
Heo Gong's big toe tensed.
There is no certainty that it's the right choice. But at least he knows being dragged along like this is the wrong choice.
He has to try something. Not just wait helplessly for impending defeat!
"Gan...."
Just as Heo Gong was about to kick off the ground and charge again, the Thousand-Faced Gentleman glanced sideways and spoke.
"It seems... this isn't a situation you can handle by exerting yourself alone."
"What?"
Finally, it was clear to Heo Gong's eyes.
His subordinates, who had gone to block the slope, were climbing back up to this place.
"Sasuk!"
"We can't hold them off any longer!"
Heo Gong's eyes widened to their limit.
Their exhausted and wounded figures climbing back up to Baekanam, trying to regroup somehow, seemed utterly futile.
Giving up this cliff?
Against so many enemies?
Did they understand the implications of abandoning the slope?
Countless thoughts swirled in his head, but there was nothing Heo Gong could do right now. The determination that filled his eyes ebbed away like the tide, replaced by a sense of emptiness. His gaze turned back to the Thousand-Faced Gentleman.
With a mocking expression, the Thousand-Faced Gentleman spoke kindly.
"This is what war is."
"..."
"It's time to end this. I won't remember your name, so die in despair."
Finally, an inescapable sense of hopelessness settled on Heo Gong's face.