"Bend down!"
Jin Geum-ryong grabbed Lee Song-baek's nape and shoved him towards the cliff. Almost simultaneously, a powerful gust and an impact strong enough to shake their entire bodies overwhelmed them.
Clenching his teeth, Jin Geum-ryong looked towards Jong Rigok the moment the explosion subsided. His mouth was dry, and his eyes were bloodshot.
As the dust settled, Jong Rigok's figure emerged.
"Sect Leader!"
Fortunately, Jong Rigok was still standing on the edge of the cliff.
"Sect Leader, are you alright?"
"There's no need for fuss."
"But...!"
Lee Song-baek bit his lip, stopping himself from saying more. It was fortunate that Jong Rigok hadn't been blown away, but through his torn and shredded clothing, blood stains were visible. He hadn't completely blocked the impact.
"...You resort to such petty tricks."
Jong Rigok muttered, his face hardening. Though he managed to block it this time, it wouldn't be easy if the attacks continued.
The Sun Palace disciples hanging on the cliff each carried a large explosive in their chests. The fact that they could detonate it with their Sun Yang Energy alone meant that the cliff was filled with walking bombs.
"They can explode the explosives in their chests at will. Be careful."
"But, how...?"
Lee Song-baek's face showed confusion.
When he maintained a distance and used his sword aura, he could protect himself from explosions. But now, he had to engage in close combat with the enemy. How could he deal with bombs exploding right in front of him?
"How?"
Jong Rigok's eyes twitched. Just then, one of the Sun Palace elites watching the situation rushed at Jong Rigok.
"Ahhhh!"
Orange energy surged from his hands. With fierce momentum, he seemed determined to pour all his energy into Jong Rigok.
"Sect Leader!"
Lee Song-baek shouted loudly.
He wasn't worried that Jong Rigok would fall to such an opponent. He could clearly see it. The desperate resolve etched on the face of the person charging at Jong Rigok.
However, Jong Rigok calmly faced the oncoming attack without any hesitation.
Woong!
Jong Rigok's sword extended forward with a ringing sound. Though not particularly fast or powerful, it was precise and sufficient.
Tadadadak!
The sword emitted a resonating sound as it continuously pierced through the air. It occupied the space where the opponent's energy was projected, acting like a giant shield, deflecting the attack.
Toowoong!
But at that moment, the Sun Palace disciple, who should have retreated, instead glared at Jong Rigok and lunged at him. At the same time, red flames burst from his body.
In that instant, Lee Song-baek's eyes widened in realization of another explosion.
Paat!
Jong Rigok's sword, moving at a different speed than before, pierced the enemy's chest in an instant. And then...
Seok!
The sword in his chest drew a clean circle. Something from the Sun Palace disciple's chest flew up.
'Ah...'
Lee Song-baek and Jin Geum-ryong watched the scene as if in a dream.
Paat!
The beheaded head of the Sun Palace disciple shot up. The explosive and the severed head, two round objects, fell off the cliff in a parabolic arc.
Shortly after.
Kwaaang!
The falling explosive caused a massive explosion. It was far enough from the cliff and happened in the air, so it had no impact on the cliff.
"If it explodes, just remove it before it does."
Jong Rigok muttered as he watched the enemy's body rolling down the cliff. He then coldly assessed the remaining enemies still occupying the cliff.
Lee Song-baek's heart started pounding suddenly.
'This...is the sword of the Southern Edge!'
The overwhelming gap was felt throughout his body.
Shamefully, he had thought he might have caught up a bit. He might have glimpsed the level of his masters, who once seemed like they were above the clouds.
However, Jong Rigok's sword, displayed before him now, clearly showed how ridiculous his thoughts were.
Someone as talented as Jin Geum-ryong, who hadn't rested for over twice the years Jin Geum-ryong had lived, had to push himself continuously to reach such a level.
Could one easily catch up to such a level with mere determination?
"Oooooh!"
At that moment, a loud shout pierced his ears.
Jin Geum-ryong and Lee Song-baek instinctively looked down and saw Namgung Myung climbing up the cliff with terrifying momentum.
Namgung Myung, along with the Heavenly Comrade Alliance elites he led, had just arrived. They would be more helpful than the current group.
Jong Rigok asked.
"Will you retreat?"
Determination flashed in the two men's eyes.
"There is no retreat in Southern Edge."
"Then stay behind me. Don't miss a single thing, and learn everything!"
"Yes, Sect Leader!"
Paat!
Without a single word of encouragement, Jong Rigok leapt towards the enemies. Jin Geum-ryong and Lee Song-baek desperately followed their Sect Leader.
'Jin Dong-ryong.'
As he moved like lightning, Jin Geum-ryong's gaze momentarily turned towards the top of the cliff.
'You said choosing Mount Hua was the right choice. But I still don't agree with you.'
Perhaps Mount Hua was indeed the right choice for Baek Cheon so far. But what about from now on?
In Southern Edge, there were those who could lead the way, creating a path just by following them. So, one could believe and follow.
But what about Baek Cheon? With his worn-out body, he still had to fight at the forefront. Could he alone pave the thorny path that lay ahead?
Baek Cheon was already wounded and completely worn out. Yet, he continued to push through the thorny path.
"Sogaju!"
At that moment, Namgung Myeong grabbed Namgung Dowi's shoulder and pulled him down.
"Sogaju, I'll handle this! You need to stay back!"
"No, Chief! I..."
"Do as you're told, Dowi! Before I have to force you! I am your uncle before I am the Chief of Namgung!"
Hearing the intense voice, Jin Geum Ryong bit his lip and glared at the Sun Palace disciples.
If the cliff collapses, everyone above it will not survive. That means Baek Cheon and his troublesome younger brother will die too.
'There are still things I haven't shown them.'
And there are still things he hasn't done for them. Jin Geum Ryong pushed off the cliff face even harder.
"I won't let you destroy this place!"
A fierce determination flared in his eyes.
* * *
"Sahyung! What's wrong?"
"...Nothing."
Baek Cheon, who had momentarily looked back, quickly turned his gaze forward again.
There was no time to worry about the strange feeling from behind. Whatever was happening below the cliff, there was nothing he could do about it now.
There was only one thing they could do: clear this path and escape with the Wudang survivors.
'Strong.'
It was clear that the enemies blocking their way were formidable.
They might be the strongest foes they have faced so far. Mount Hua had rarely faced another sect head-on like this.
Hwaaaah!
The scorching heat relentlessly enveloped Baek Cheon's entire body. It was difficult to even breathe.
Moreover, they were carrying the Wudang survivors. Trying to push through like this was no different from running barefoot through a field of thorns.
"Sect Leader...Deputy. Leave us..."
Even in his dazed state, Mujin seemed aware of this. Baek Cheon cut him off sharply.
"Don't say such foolish things!"
"This place... this place will soon...."
"I know!"
Of course, Baek Cheon knew. The cliff was on the verge of becoming perilous. Perhaps none of them would survive. Maybe the best course of action was to abandon Wudang and save themselves, as Mujin suggested.
But that option was never worth considering for Baek Cheon.
"Sect Leader... Deputy!"
"Dammit! Why would a person who values life so much hold a sword?"
"..."
"From the moment you grip a sword, your life is already forfeit. What you need to protect is not your life."
Yes. What needed protection was not life itself.
That's why Baek Cheon could fight now. Despite the great losses and the even greater losses to come, he could fight without hesitation.
"And don't underestimate Mount Hua."
Baek Cheon's eyes resolutely focused ahead.
"Those bastards aren't ordinary."
Even if he fell short, they would not. They would make up for what he lacked.