Boom!
A straight punch hit the opponent's chest squarely. The body of the one struck by the repeatedly trained fist flew out like a swept leaf.
Thud!
The move seemed to embody the very word "discipline." The essence of Shaolin's Arhat Fist, a martial art that divides the world alongside the ultimate softness of Wudang's Taiji Sword, was fully displayed at Hye Yeon's fingertips.
'Incredible.'
Namgung Dowi unconsciously followed Hye Yeon's movements with his eyes.
Although sometimes forgotten due to his immense power, Hye Yeon was, in fact, a master who embodied everything about Shaolin.
As he leaped into the midst of the storm of weapons, the enemies wielding them were sent flying back twice as fast as they charged.
Namgung Dowi gasped involuntarily. For a brief moment, he lost track of Hye Yeon's movements.
'I can't lose.'
Gritting his teeth, Namgung Dowi shouted a battle cry.
"Haaap!"
He lunged forward and swung his sword.
No matter how great a swordsman one becomes, everyone starts by simply swinging an iron sword.
The Emperor Sword Twelve Forms, the foundation of the Namgung Family, were unleashed to their full extent at the tip of Namgung Dowi's sword.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
Practical swordsmanship that minimized internal energy consumption. The charging enemies were cut down instantly. Some enemies were missed here and there, but it didn't matter. They weren't the only ones here.
"Don't let a single one get past!"
"Kill them all!"
"Retreat slowly while advancing! Very slowly!"
Encouraged by the efforts of Hye Yeon and Namgung Dowi, the disciples stood firm with their backs to the mountain, blocking the enemies like an iron wall.
Bolstered by this momentum, Namgung Dowi swung his sword widely.
"What's the gap between us and the vanguard?"
"A bit widened, Deputy Leader!"
"We mustn't fall behind! Increase the speed!"
"Yes!"
Namgung Dowi glanced back, still on high alert.
"If the formation collapses due to the burning mountain, we could be attacked individually... Wait, what the fuck is that?"
Namgung Dowi's eyes widened in disbelief.
A black path was opening through the burning Wudang Mountain. A path that was clearly visible.
"...Lumbering? In this situation?"
No, that can't be...
"At least the path is clear."
"Huh, what?"
Namgung Dowi flinched at Hye Yeon's calm response.
Come to think of it, it made sense. A clear path would prevent confusion among the followers. Rather than following people, they could follow the path. In a way, it was a smart approach.
But to do this when every second counts? Or is it faster this way?
'Damn it, I don't know.'
Namgung Dowi chuckled to himself. There must be a reason. Because it's them.
"It's good that the speed has increased, but... if we're not careful, the formation could break."
"Then we just need to catch up faster."
"Hmm. You're right, indeed, benefactor."
As Hye Yeon smiled, Namgung Dowi let out a chuckle.
'They always trouble me.'
Fighting off those pursuing from behind while catching up to those charging ahead was no easy task. Additionally, enemies could attack from the sides as they were now in the mountain.
But Namgung Dowi didn't complain.
He could almost hear the retort he'd receive if he did.
'Can't do it? Why? What's the big deal? You pampered greenhouse plants always...'
"Not wrong."
"Huh?"
"No, nothing."
Namgung Dowi forced a bitter smile.
It was natural for things to be difficult. There's no easy task in this world. If something feels easy, it's because one hasn't exerted all their strength.
Now he understood. Without pushing himself to the limit, he would never achieve the desired results.
There's nothing more wasteful than pretending to act while taking a step back.
If only he had realized this simple truth a bit sooner...
"They're coming, benefactor!"
"Yes!"
Namgung Dowi emptied his mind and gripped his sword tightly.
"Not one of them gets through!"
His sword gleamed with a brilliant, pure white aura.
'What's the situation?'
Baek Cheon quickly glanced back. Enemies were swarming like ants, but Namgung Dowi and Hye Yeon were blocking them perfectly.'
It felt reassuring, as if two shields were firmly protecting their rear. And those shields wouldn't easily falter.
Baek Cheon turned his gaze forward again.
"If you want to die, just try blocking, you bastards!"
Jo Gul's rash words couldn't be helped, but he was indeed piercing through the enemies like a spear. Yoon Jong, guarding the front, was always ready to support Jo Gul.
With sharp eyes, Baek Cheon gave an order.
"Yoon Jong! Left front! The enemies are targeting the front!"
"Yes, Sasuk!"
Yoon Jong led his disciples and dashed forward. As the enemies, aiming for Jo Gul, approached, Yoon Jong intercepted them, ensuring no one disturbed Jo Gul.
"Samae! Right side! Lead the disciples and support there!"
"Yes."
Before Baek Cheon's words had fully left his mouth, Yoo Iseol had already sprang into action. Soaring like a swift bird, she occupied the space before the enemies arrived, standing firm like a mountain. Her presence was truly intimidating.
Enemies swarmed where Yoon Jong and Yoo Iseol stood a moment later.
Their response was a half-step, no, a full step faster.
"...You?"
Jin Geum Ryong, somewhat surprised, looked at Baek Cheon with a fresh gaze.
Baek Cheon subtly clenched his fist.
--
'It's visible.'
It might sound strange, but it feels as if he is viewing this mountain from the sky, seeing the movements of the enemies clearly.
This is definitely a sense he did not possess until recently.
'Ridiculous!'
Baek Cheon understood. He realized what this newfound sense stemmed from.
In the past, Baek Cheon never needed to observe the entire battlefield. If someone aimed for the vanguard, he would step forward and block them himself. If they aimed for the rear, he would hurl his body and swing his sword.
He would accomplish what he could directly.
Carrying the most weight at the forefront was Baek Cheon's way, and the way of Mount Hua.
Ironically, the moment Baek Cheon could no longer adhere to that method, he began to see what he hadn't before. For example...
"The distance with the rear is widening! Support the rear and maintain formation!"
"…Are you talking to me right now?"
"Move, immediately!"
"Damn it."
Jin Geum Ryong, gritting his teeth in dissatisfaction, hurled his body backward. Baek Cheon, glancing at him briefly, fixed his gaze straight ahead.
'Is this the battlefield that lunatic always saw?'
A bitter laugh escaped him.
So, that madman had been wielding his sword at the front while viewing the battlefield with such eyes? Wider, more detailed?
"Indeed, the more I know…."
Baek Cheon ground his teeth.
No one understands the height of a mountain better than the one climbing it.
Baek Cheon, now climbing towards where Chung Myung once stood, was truly realizing how monstrous Chung Myung was.
But there was no time for admiration or despair.
A black path was opening through the land of flames.
And the current Baek Cheon could catch the slightest movements beyond the flickering flames.
'They are coming.'
They were closing in.
Not just from the front. From the left, right, and even the rear. Enemies were approaching from three sides. The speed at which the Heavenly Comrade Alliance was advancing was allowing them to break through the encirclement, but this situation wouldn't last forever.
'The method?'
If it were the old him, he would have chosen the simplest method. Rushing forward and opening a path faster than Jo Gul. That was the surest way to break through the enemy's encirclement.
But not now.
"Haap!"
Baek Cheon kicked off the charred ground and dashed towards where Yoon Jong was. The disciples following him clenched their teeth and followed Baek Cheon.
"Sasuk?"
"Join forces, Yoon Jong!"
Baek Cheon swung his sword instantly as he joined Yoon Jong.
Slash!
The sensation of his sword cutting through human flesh was vivid.
"Gah!"
The Evil Tyrant Alliance member, unable to properly resist Baek Cheon's unexpected intrusion, collapsed, spraying blood.
"Sasuk, I will handle this!"
"No. We advance!"
"What?"
Instead of issuing another command, Baek Cheon rushed forward, swinging his sword.
No commander can be perfect. No matter who they are.
Even the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, with its simple command structure, had limited orders it could give in this situation. Thus, even the Evil Tyrant Alliance couldn't give detailed orders to everyone on this mountain.
That meant if they disrupted their plans once, it would definitely take time to regroup.
"Crush them all!"
"Damn it! Understood!"
Yoon Jong didn't fully understand Baek Cheon's intention, but he followed without question.
For now, that was enough.
"Haap!"
Sword energy erupted from Yoon Jong's sword, scattering and creating the image of countless plum blossoms in the air. The plum blossoms from Mount Hua bloomed amidst the charging enemies, sweeping them away in an instant.
"Ahh!"
"Fall back!"
Stronger now, the brilliant plum blossom sword energy from Yoon Jong swept the charging enemies, and Baek Cheon couldn't help but stare at the spectacle briefly.
The dazzling petals that bloomed so brilliantly began to fade. The radiant splendour was fleeting, but that made it all the more beautiful.
"Sasuk?"
Thud.
Baek Cheon stepped forward. At Yoon Jong's voice... No, before that voice even reached his mind.
"Take the lead, Yoon Jong! I will support you!"
"Yes!"
As Yoon Jong charged forward, Baek Cheon felt a strange sensation. Inappropriately for the situation, he paused to look around.
Jo Gul still fiercely opened the path at the front, Yoon Jong and Yoo Iseol were attacking the sides according to orders, and Hye Yeon and Namgung Dowi perfectly blocked the rear.
It all felt like a rough painting on a large canvas. Or maybe it was just a dream.
Then, a rough voice interrupted.
"Jin Dong Ryong!"
Baek Cheon quickly turned to see Jin Geum Ryong running towards him at full speed.
"What are you doing, you idiot! Give the order!"
Baek Cheon snapped back to reality and looked ahead. Jo Gul had almost reached the sheer white cliff.
Clench!
Baek Cheon tightly gripped his sword.
"Fall back! Join the vanguard!"
"Yes!"
Baek Cheon gritted his teeth.
'Not yet!'
Even if it becomes unavoidable, not now.
He was not finished yet.
Baek Cheon dashed forward, not towards Chung Myung's back, but towards Jo Gul's back.
"Open the way, Gul!"
"Arghhhh!"
Jo Gul's sword ruthlessly cut through the enemies blocking his path. Blood droplets flew from a deep cut on Jo Gul's cheek.
Slash! Slash! Slash! Crack!
Jo Gul's gaze focused forward. His sword pierced through the enemy's bodies, reaching the cliff.
The white cliff, now stained with blood, stood like a fortress in front of him.
"Damn it! We've broken through, Sasuk!"
His ecstatic, frantic shout echoed around.
The white cliff, now dyed red, marked the point the Heavenly Comrade Alliance had finally reached.