Thud.
Baek Sang collapsed to the ground as if he had been struck, a sigh of relief escaping his lips.
"He's alive…"
He stared blankly at Baek Cheon, who was lying on the bed. A sense of indescribable relief washed over him, making his entire body feel heavy, like a waterlogged sponge.
"How is Sasuk?"
"Hmm…"
Tang Gunak cautiously placed his hand on Baek Cheon's danjeon. After a long moment of careful observation, he slowly nodded.
"Indeed… he has stabilized. Although I can't say he's completely recovered medically, there shouldn't be any more complications."
"Are you saying…?"
"His life is not in danger."
Even Tang Gunak couldn't hide his amazement as he spoke.
Since even someone like Tang Gunak said this, only then did the cautious Yoon Jong collapse into his seat with relief.
"Ah…"
Tang Gunak's astonished gaze turned to Chung Myung.
'How on earth did he do it?'
The situation was clearly one where conflicting energies were running wild. Even Heo Gong, who had mastered the principles of Yin and Yang, had almost failed to control it.
The condition was that bad, yet how did Chung Myung manage to subdue the clash of these two energies in an instant? What kind of miraculous technique did he use?
But Tang Gunak's doubts didn't last long.
"Elder!"
A thought flashed through his mind, reminding him that he had forgotten about Heo Gong due to the astonishing phenomenon. The Wudang swordsmen anxiously called out as they held onto the fallen Heo Gong.
Tang Gunak quickly turned his attention to Heo Gong. Baek Cheon wasn't the only patient here.
"Move aside."
He pushed the Wudang disciples away and quickly checked Heo Gong's pulse. As he examined Heo Gong's condition, a complex and regretful expression crossed his face.
Mujin, whose face was drenched in sweat, asked cautiously.
"How is the Elder…?"
Tang Gunak hesitated for a moment before sighing softly.
"His life is not in danger. However…"
His words were similar to when he spoke about Baek Cheon, but Tang Gunak's expression was much graver.
"His energy has been disturbed. As a warrior… he might no longer…"
He couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence, but Mujin could guess the rest.
"…I see."
Any faint hope Mujin had was shattered. However, after a brief sigh, he quickly regained his composure.
"It's alright. Don't make that face."
Mujin gazed silently at the unconscious Heo Gong.
"This was what the Elder wanted. I doubt… he would mind."
"You…"
"Wudang may have lost the warrior Heo Gong, but we have gained the Taoist Heo Gong. How could what we've gained be less than what we've lost?"
Mujin softly recited a Taoist mantra. Then, he turned his gaze to the other Wudang disciples who stood solemnly.
"Besides, Wudang has already lost too much to dwell on this."
The Wudang disciples bit their lips in silence.
Of the ones who had set out to face the Evil Tyrant Alliance, fewer than a hundred remained here. Mujin's words reminded them of the grim reality they had momentarily forgotten.
The disciples of Mount Hua also watched them with sympathetic eyes, staying silent. Any words would be meaningless in this situation.
But Mujin bowed respectfully to the Mount Hua disciples.
"I cannot speak for Wudang, but on behalf of those who remain, I thank you."
"Ah, no…"
"Thanks to you, Wudang can continue. We are… we are simply grateful."
The Mount Hua disciples awkwardly scratched the back of their heads. Jo Gul muttered under his breath.
"This is so embarrassing after we almost drew our swords on each other earlier."
"…Please, shut your mouth."
"But it's true, isn't it?"
"An adult knows when to keep his mouth shut, even if it's true."
And you'll probably never become an adult, I suppose. Yoon Jong let out a deep sigh.
Ignoring Yoon Jong, Jo Gul glanced around at the disciples of Mount Hua and Wudang, then out past the gates of Wudang.
"So… is it over now?"
A moment of silence followed. Who could be certain at this point?
Yoon Jong silently called out to Chung Myung, who was gazing at Heo Gong.
"Chung Myung. What about Jang Ilso?"
"…"
"What happened to him?"
Only then did Chung Myung turn to look at Yoon Jong, his eyes heavy with something dark.
---
"Commander!"
The adjutants hurriedly bowed their heads in front of Ho Gakmyung.
"We have withdrawn all those who entered Wudang Mountain as you ordered."
Ho Gakmyung nodded briefly. He turned to look back, taking in the sight of the burned Wudang Mountain. Only the uppermost part of the mountain, which was still green, had barely retained its original appearance.
How should he evaluate this?
Should he praise the fact that they had burned most of the mountain? That they had trampled it so thoroughly that it would take a long time to recover its original form?
Or should he lament and regret the fact that he couldn't turn even that remaining part into ash? Even if they had trampled it this thoroughly, someday this mountain would be covered in green again.
While others might have different evaluations, Ho Gakmyung had only one conclusion to make.
"What about the Southern Sea Sun Palace?"
"They have now left Wudang Mountain, according to a messenger. And…"
"And?"
"It seems that the condition of the Sun Palace Lord is quite severe."
A faint sneer appeared on Ho Gakmyung's lips.
"Was it just Mount Hua that reached the summit, and yet they suffered severe injuries fighting them?"
11111111111111111
"...."
"Against Mount Hua without even Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword?"
"Yes, it seems so."
Ho Gakmyung's smile deepened. It wasn't directed at the Sun Sovereign. Clearly, it was a self-deprecating smile aimed at himself.
"A Mount Hua without Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword is nothing."
"...."
"There was a fool who said such nonsense. It's a pity even the air he breathes."
"Military Advisor…."
Ho Gakmyung shook his head and erased his smile.
"Enough. Send word to head to the gathering place we informed the Southern Sea Sun Palace of in advance."
"Yes, Military Advisor."
Ho Gakmyung was about to say something more but closed his mouth.
'The gathering place….'
If it was something bound to succeed, there would be no need for a gathering place in case of failure. Nevertheless, he arranged one. Was it because of his characteristic meticulousness, or did he subconsciously consider the possibility of failure?
No, what meaning does that have now?
"Tell the remaining people to retreat quickly."
"Yes, Military Advisor."
Ho Gakmyung's eyes darkened. Just as he was about to step forward again—
"Ho Gakmyung!"
Suddenly, a loud roar like a wounded beast pierced Ho Gakmyung's ears.
When Ho Gakmyung glanced back…
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman, Dam Yeohae, covered in blood like a demon, was charging toward him.
"W-wait!"
The startled members of the Evil Tyrant Alliance instinctively blocked the path of the Thousand-Faced Gentleman. Normally, no one would dare obstruct his path, but even they could sense that the killing intent directed at Ho Gakmyung was no ordinary matter.
"Lord of Hao Sect! Please, calm…."
"Out of my way!"
Boom!
Those who had blocked him were sent flying, spewing blood. It was a merciless assassin's strike. Ho Gakmyung's guards were too weak to withstand the full force of the Thousand-Faced Gentleman.
"Ho Gakmyung!"
Bloodthirst surged from the eyes of the Thousand-Faced Gentleman.
"S-stop him!"
Boom!
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman ruthlessly slaughtered those who tried to block him. In an instant, he broke through the human barrier surrounding Ho Gakmyung and reached his face.
Even at that moment, Ho Gakmyung's gaze remained steady, watching the Thousand-Faced Gentleman with an expressionless face.
"You…!"
Crunch!
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman grabbed Ho Gakmyung by the throat.
Boom!
Pressing down on his throat, the Thousand-Faced Gentleman slammed Ho Gakmyung to the ground, growling with his face inches from his own. His eyes burned like molten lava.
"Military Advisor!"
"What are you doing!"
Ho Gakmyung's subordinates were horrified, but they couldn't muster the courage to charge at the Thousand-Faced Gentleman. The other hand of the Thousand-Faced Gentleman, which wasn't gripping the throat, was glowing with fierce energy. That hand looked ready to strike down at any moment.
Who could imagine what would happen if that hand moved to strike Ho Gakmyung?
"L-Lord of Hao Sect! Please, calm down!"
"If you do this, there will surely be a problem…."
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman didn't even glance at those desperately trying to persuade him. He simply glared at Ho Gakmyung, ready to tear him apart, and shouted.
"Explain yourself."
"...."
"Were you planning to kill me too?"
The tighter the grip on his neck, the paler Ho Gakmyung's face became. Yet, his expression remained unchanged, without the slightest hint of emotion. Even on the brink of suffocation.
"Explain yourself. Why did you blow up the cliff without a word? Why did you throw me into the middle of that hell? If I don't hear a convincing answer, I'll crush your head right here and now."
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman's eyes gleamed with madness. Just by looking at his gaze, it was clear that his threat was no mere bluff.
But somehow, even in his deranged state, he seemed to retain a sliver of reason. The hand strangling Ho Gakmyung loosened slightly, as if to give him a chance to speak.
"Cough."
Ho Gakmyung coughed lightly and then looked up indifferently at the Thousand-Faced Gentleman, who was pressing down on him, and spoke.
"So, did you die?"
"…What?"
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman, Dam Yeohae, had a momentary look of shock as if he had been hit in the back of the head.
"Aren't you still alive?"
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman's face twisted into a hideous scowl.
"You…."
"Of course, you survived. You're the Thousand-Faced Gentleman."
Ho Gakmyung remained calm. The hand of the Thousand-Faced Gentleman, which was still gripping his neck, began to tremble slightly. Uncontrolled rage was seeping through his body.
"You…!"
Gritting his teeth, the Thousand-Faced Gentleman's eyes overflowed with murderous intent.
"Do you think that's something you can say!"
In a fit of rage, the Thousand-Faced Gentleman finally struck down with his hand.
Boom!
But with a short, powerful impact, the Thousand-Faced Gentleman's body was suddenly thrown back as if he had been kicked away by something.
Thud!
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman hit the ground, bounced up, and spat out dark red blood.
Thunk.
"Guh…."
A fierce glare rose in the Thousand-Faced Gentleman's eyes.
"My, my. It seems you're quite upset."
At that moment, a gentle voice, ill-suited to the tense atmosphere, echoed out.
"But you know…."
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman turned his gaze toward the source, gritting his teeth.
As expected, a man dressed in a red robe, draped over his entire body, with a peculiar smile on his white face, stood there.
"Still, you've gone too far by laying a hand on my precious Military Advisor. Don't you think?"
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman's hand, which was gripping the ground, trembled.
Paegun, Jang Ilso, was laughing lightly.