"Taahhhhhhh!"
White sword energy surged from Namgung Dowi's sword in streams.
The sword energy was heavy and oppressive.
Anyone with a keen sense of martial arts could perceive that the energy contained in the sword had reached the level of hegemony.
The number of approaching enemies was steadily increasing. The enemies, who had spread throughout the mountains to attack the Wudang Sect, were now gathering, targeting the Heavenly Comrade Alliance instead of Wudang.
However, Namgung Dowi could not retreat even a single step.
'I must hold on.'
For those on the cliff, this place guarded by Namgung Dowi was the only retreat. If he couldn't defend this place, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance would be surrounded and in a dire situation.
The immense sense of responsibility infused even greater strength into Namgung Dowi's sword. A king, after all, is one who bears burdens that no one else can share.
"Do not underestimate me! Taahhhhhhh!"
Just as Namgung Dowi was about to unleash his full strength with his sword again.
"Stop acting up."
"Huh?"
Someone stepped in front of Namgung Dowi, wielding a sword. A long sword scattered fragments of white sword energy in the air.
The sword energy, spreading like snowflakes in the night sky, momentarily captivated Namgung Dowi's attention.
It was magnificent, yet not merely magnificent.
Though it seemed contradictory, the dazzling white sword energy, scattering like snowflakes, carried a solemnity beneath its surface.
Like the sturdiness of a thousand-year-old tree deeply rooted.
"Jin Geum Ryong?"
Namgung Dowi involuntarily spoke the name of the person who blocked his path.
The senior disciple of the Southern Edge Sect, who was widely acclaimed to become the next Sect Leader. Once known as one of the 'Five Dragons' who would lead the world along with him.
And above all...
'Baek Cheon's elder brother!'
The man, who proudly carried all these titles before his name, glanced at Namgung Dowi.
Though their eyes bore a striking resemblance, the expressions in their eyes were vastly different. It was fascinating how siblings could appear so different with just a single glance.
Jin Geum Ryong spoke.
"They say those with the Namgung surname are all arrogant, and it seems they are right."
"What... do you mean by that?"
Namgung Dowi's face hardened.
"It means there's no need to act as if you're shouldering everything alone."
"Hmm?"
"You're not the only one here."
Wooong!
As soon as he finished speaking, strong sword energy surged from another direction.
A slashing strike, descending from above, swept away the enemies who were rushing in over the burning mountain.
"Ah..."
Namgung Dowi couldn't help but let out a sigh of admiration.
How to describe that sword energy?
It was strong, but not excessive. It was fast, but not hurried.
The power and speed did not surpass those of Namgung Dowi. However, that sword contained everything Namgung Dowi lacked.
And at the core of that balance was a different kind of weight, unlike the heaviness that comes from the burden of a king, but rather the gravity that emanates from one who adheres to the duty of a swordsman.
'That's the Southern Edge Sect's... The Thirty-Six Swords of the World!'
With a single strike, Jong Rigok broke the enemy's momentum and retrieved his sword, assuming the lower stance symbolic of the Southern Edge Sect.
Simultaneously,
Boom!
A figure, as massive as a mountain, easily struck down a charging member of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, slamming him into the ground.
"How dare you, without fear!"
The Beast Palace Lord, Meng So, roared like a giant bear.
Meng So, charging like a fierce tiger, kicked the side of the Evil Tyrant Alliance member, sending the corpse crashing into the enemies like a cannonball.
Bang!
Those who collided with the body of the Evil Tyrant Alliance member were flung in all directions without even being able to scream.
The overwhelming sight caused a momentary halt in the battlefield's flow.
"I couldn't just watch any longer."
Jong Rigok, meeting Namgung Dowi's eyes, spoke calmly.
"And... it seems command has become meaningless now."
His gaze turned to the cliff.
"Abandoning their carefully prepared formation to climb the cliff, what are they thinking...?"
"That's what makes it meaningful."
Someone replied, approaching the front of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance alongside Jong Rigok.
"It's something we couldn't even imagine."
"..."
Jong Rigok frowned slightly.
"Do you really think that way, Sin Gae?"
"Of course."
"Even Sin Gae should know that strategy is not always the right answer."
"Indeed. But it also means that not only correct theories and answers should be presented..."
Pung Yeong Sin Gae glanced at Mount Hua attacking the cliff and nodded slightly.
"Now I understand."
Jong Ri Gok's eyes narrowed slightly. It was a cryptic statement.
"Anyway, it means we can now rampage freely."
A deep blue sword energy enveloped his sword.
"Then I won't hold back!"
Pah!
Jong Rigok's sword energy spread fearsomely in all directions. Simultaneously, those behind him, encouraged, charged at the enemies.
Namgung Dowi's shoulders unconsciously relaxed a bit. The intense tension he had been feeling eased slightly.
Jin Geum Ryong asked.
"Do you understand?"
Namgung Dowi's face flushed slightly.
Even though he knew that there were unit leaders present, he thought he should lead everything. Realizing now how arrogant that was, he found it hard to lift his head properly.
"I was rash. Even though the unit leaders are present."
"What are you saying?"
"Pardon?"
Namgung Dowi blinked.
"Not only are there the unit leaders, but me too. I am here, so there's no need for you to act so wildly."
"..."
"Don't waste your strength and just hold the rear. I'll take the front."
With those words, Jim Geum Ryong quickly turned his gaze and began to wield his sword at the enemies.
Namgung Dowi, left behind, stood speechless with a face that looked extremely perplexed. At that moment, someone passing by him slightly lowered their head.
"Apologies. Our sahyung has a way with words..."
"..."
"But from what I see, Namgung's martial arts do seem to consume a lot of energy. We'll take the front, so please take care of the rear."
"Pardon?"
"Well then."
The neatly dressed man quickly moved forward without further explanation and stood beside Jim Geum Ryong.
Watching this scene blankly, Namgung Dowi's face began to slowly distort.
"You...!"
Now he understood why people from Mount Hua would grind their teeth whenever they mentioned Jongnam.
A blade-like wind from the cliff passed between the two people standing just three paces apart.
'Poison King Tang Gunak.'
Cold sweat dripped down the forehead of the Thousand-Faced Gentleman.
The master of hidden weapons, representing Kangho, was standing right in front of him.
He couldn't take his eyes off him.
The pain from the dagger lodged in his shoulder was a constant reminder: he couldn't afford to take his eyes off him for even a moment.
Ordinary hidden weapons wouldn't be a problem, but Tang Gunak's dagger, which pierced with soul infused into a single point, was incompatible with his martial arts.
'Damn it.'
Distracted by those Mount Hua bastards, he hadn't noticed Tang Gunak approaching this close—a fatal mistake.
'But somehow... I must stop him.'
What he said to Baek Cheon wasn't his true intention. It was just a way to dampen their morale.
Even without Mount Hua's Sword Saint, the Mount Hua Sect was still a significant threat. They must not let them climb this cliff, at any cost.
But at that moment of tense standoff, without any time to brace or strategize, Baek Cheon pushed off the cliff.
'That...!'
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman's eyes widened.
'That madman!'
He was dead. Absolutely dead. If Tang Gunak's reach had been a moment slower, Baek Cheon would have already been a headless corpse. And Baek Cheon knew that better than anyone.
It was like crossing the River Styx and miraculously coming back. Yet, how could he charge forward without a moment's hesitation?
And as Baek Cheon moved, Mount Hua, as if they had been waiting, started climbing the cliff again. It was a truly astonishing sight. The Thousand-Faced Gentleman's eyes were bloodshot.
"Assist the leader!"
At that moment, the Hao Sect members, understanding the situation, threw themselves off the cliff without hesitation.
Mount Hua surged upward while the Hao Sect descended.
Centred around the frozen world where the two giants, the Thousand-Faced Gentleman and Tang Gunak, stood, the two forces fiercely clashed.
Blood spattered into the air with every swing and slash of swords. Someone's prolonged scream turned into a strange sound. The impact of blades meeting blades shook the skin, and the heat of the spilled blood enveloped the face.
The world seemed to slow down to a crawl.
Yet, even in that moment, the Thousand-Faced Gentleman's eyes remained fixed on Tang Gunak.
Then, one of his subordinates intervened, blocking his view of Tang Gunak. But he still couldn't move. His line of sight might be broken, but Tang Gunak's presence was still there.
The white blade of a sword slowly emerged from the neck of the Hao Sect member who had blocked his view. Blood droplets from the sword's tip sprayed out, shattering against the Thousand-Faced Gentleman's face.
As the rigid body, losing life, tilted, the Thousand-Faced Gentleman saw it. Baek Cheon, covered in blood, had reached his feet.
The moment the Thousand-Faced Gentleman's patience snapped.
A shout. No, before the intention to shout reached his throat, the force bursting from his hand surged towards Baek Cheon.
It was like a determination. Even if it meant suffering a fatal wound from Tang Gunak's attack, he was intent on ending Baek Cheon's life.
But then, the Thousand-Faced Gentleman clearly saw.
Even in the face of imminent death, Baek Cheon's unwavering eyes staring back at him.
A chill ran down the spine of the Thousand-Faced Gentleman, who had experienced the harsh realities of the world.
Thunk!
Tang Gunak's dagger embedded in the outstretched hand.
But the Thousand-Faced Gentleman's hand didn't stop. He had expected this. Even if his hand was completely pierced, he had to end this wretched fellow's life.
However.
Bang!
A sword emerging from behind Baek Cheon blocked the Thousand-Faced Gentleman's fully extended hand.
Then, two more swords, imbued with red energy, blocked the still lingering force. As if to say they would never allow harm to come to the one in front of them.
'What...?'
And at that moment, the Thousand-Faced Gentleman realized. No, he had to realize.
Baek Cheon's gaze wasn't on him.
Their eyes missed each other.
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman was looking at Baek Cheon, but Baek Cheon's gaze was directed beyond him.
The moment the Thousand-Faced Gentleman grasped this, Baek Cheon's body soared over him to the high sky above.
Thump.
In an eerie silence, Baek Cheon, who had scaled the towering cliff and even surpassed the Thousand-Faced Gentleman, stood at the top looking ahead. All those who had filled the summit stopped moving and looked at him.
The rampaging Evil Tyrant Alliance, the exhausted Wudang warriors on the verge of collapse. Even Jin Hyun and Mu Jin, and Heo Gong, who was panting heavily with one knee on the ground, as if he might fall at any moment.
"...Mount Hua's Acting Sect Leader, Baek Cheon."
A voice clearly and distinctly rang in everyone's ears.
"Has just arrived."
Wooong!
Accompanied by the clear ringing of the sword.