Chapter 138
The citizens fleeing from the advancing army of corpse piles were mostly heading towards the city of Tianjin.
The reason was simple.
Tianjin had the Dragon-Subduing Fortress.
It was home to the strongest guild in the north, led by Wi Ji-gang, an SSS-rank hunter and one of the top rankers among the strongest.
In addition to the Dragon-Subduing Fortress, Tianjin also housed several other renowned guilds of the north.
As the gathering place of the most powerful forces in the north, people believed it could withstand the corpse piles.
However, this was merely the surface situation, the citizens' perspective.
The executives of the Dragon-Subduing Fortress felt that the current situation was beyond worst.
Understandably so, as the army of corpse piles was literally endless.
There were at most a few thousand hunters, while the corpse pile army boasted tens of thousands in their ranks.
The difference in strength was overwhelming, to say the least.
Moreover, the corpse piles neither tired nor died.
Even if the Dragon-Subduing Fortress took the lead, it was impossible for the northern forces alone to handle the undying army of corpse piles.
In the end, they had no choice but to wait for support from the Chinese government.
But it was safe to assume that no help would come from the government.
If they had intended to send support, they would have notified them in advance about the corpse pile invasion.
This meant that the current situation indicated only one thing.
"It seems the government has decided to abandon us, the Dragon-Subduing Fortress... the north."
Though somewhat sudden, the executives of the Dragon-Subduing Fortress nodded at the words of the chief strategist, Zhou Yilong.
The reason was clearly understandable.
Just a few months ago, Li Huning, the Standing Committee member of the Politburo and third in the Communist Party hierarchy, who had made the request, was purged for treason.
This meant that the Chinese government had decided not to accept Lee Seong-jun, and was eliminating forces that supported him.
And now, the Dragon-Subduing Fortress had become their target.
They aimed to clean up the Dragon-Subduing Fortress based in Tianjin through these corpse piles, and then send a new force to increase government control.
The very act of not notifying about the invasion was a political conspiracy.
Wi Ji-gang, the lord of the Dragon-Subduing Fortress, furrowed his brow.
"Damn those government bastards."
If they were to evacuate immediately, he, Wi Ji-gang, and the main executives of the Dragon-Subduing Fortress could escape safely.
However, that was exactly what the Chinese government wanted.
'...They'll try to purge me and all the executives of the Dragon-Subduing Fortress under the pretext of abandoning the city we were supposed to protect.'
The current situation was a petty and meticulous trap set by the Chinese government.
In the end, Wi Ji-gang and the executives of the Dragon-Subduing Fortress had only one choice.
'Even if we have to risk everything... we must protect Tianjin at all costs.'
Of course, they weren't planning to make a reckless attempt without any countermeasures.
"What response did we get to our earlier contact?"
At Wi Ji-gang's question, his eyes gleaming, Zhou Yilong immediately spoke up.
"As per your orders, Lord, we reached out, and the Korean Hunter Association has agreed to urgently send 100 elite hunters, while the Japanese Aqua Guild will send 50 elite ninjas, including Kento."
"Indeed, the friendships we've built over time weren't in vain."
"With Kento from the Aqua Guild and their elite ninjas, we'll have a formidable force!"
The executives of the Dragon-Subduing Fortress raised their voices, expressing their joy.
But Wi Ji-gang's expression remained stiff.
Certainly, getting help was a good thing.
However, the support Wi Ji-gang most desperately wanted wasn't from forces with big names to show off externally, like the Korean Hunter Association or the Japanese Aqua Guild.
"...What about Lee Seong-jun?"
"He reportedly moved to the airport as soon as he received our contact."
"Huh... that's a relief."
A sigh of relief escaped Wi Ji-gang's lips.
It was a natural reaction.
The army of corpse piles was strong.
To be precise, the power of the Death Knight, Rage, and the Lich leading the corpse piles was terrifyingly overwhelming.
'The strength of Kento and the Aqua Guild's elite ninjas won't be enough to handle this.'
Originally, Japanese hunters, or ninjas, specialized in stealth and ambush abilities.
While certainly a threatening force, it would be difficult for them to fully utilize their power in this all-out war.
But Lee Seong-jun was different. As a pure martial artist, he could exert his full power even in an all-out war.
In fact, Lee Seong-jun had a record of successfully clearing a Red-grade raid that had turned into a Frenzy Gate all by himself.
This meant he possessed power comparable to the top-tier rankers.
'He has power that surpasses even me, Wi Ji-gang.'
While his growth rate was surprisingly unexpected, given that he was born with the Heavenly Martial Body, it was somewhat anticipated.
Of course, not everything was expected.
'To think he would even possess such overwhelming charisma...'
It wasn't just his martial prowess that was exceptional.
In less than half a year since returning to Earth, Lee Seong-jun had managed to unite major forces of a country under his command.
'He was born with the qualities of a ruler, an emperor!'
He was someone who could turn the tide of unfavorable battles and inspire morale to that extent.
With Lee Seong-jun's help, they could break through the trap set by the Chinese government and gain the upper hand in the war against the corpse piles.
It could be seen as an opening for a breakthrough. However, it was too early to feel relieved.
Not all problems had been solved yet.
'In the end, it's up to the Dragon-Subduing Fortress and me to defend the city until Lee Seong-jun arrives.'
Currently, the corpse piles had reached Tangshan City, right in front of Tianjin.
'Considering their marching speed, they'll reach here, Tianjin, within 2 hours at the latest.'
Given that the flight time from Incheon Airport in Korea to nearby Beijing Airport was only 2 hours, one might think they only needed to hold out for a short time.
However, this was only if they could engage in a defensive battle in Tianjin.
'...We can't fight the corpse piles in Tianjin.'
No, they shouldn't.
'If we wage war in Tianjin...'
The result was predictable without even seeing it.
The entire city would suffer severe damage, and the casualties would be beyond imagination.
In the end, it would lead to a situation where the Dragon-Subduing Fortress would be held responsible, just as the government wanted.
'We need to build defensive positions and fight in a place where the city won't be damaged.'
This meant that even at the shortest, they would have to face the corpse piles for about an hour with just the strength of the Dragon-Subduing Fortress and the northern hunters.
'Can we hold out?'
Even with the most optimistic calculations, they could only withstand for about 30 minutes.
'A solution, we need to find a solution.'
He racked his brains, but given the overwhelming difference in strength, it was impossible to come up with any effective countermeasure.
'Damn it...'
Just as Wi Ji-gang's brow furrowed at the sight of a battle with no apparent chance of victory, it happened.
Bang.
Someone burst through the conference room door, revealing themselves.
Naturally, everyone turned with surprised expressions to look at the figure who had kicked open the door.
"Huh...?"
"Master Jajan?"
Despite the flood of gazes that would normally be burdensome, Jajan looked at Wi Ji-gang and the executives of the Dragon-Subduing Fortress surrounding him, and moved his lips.
"Fast, it's too fast... In the end, a variable has appeared."
"I don't quite understand what you're saying, Master Jajan... No, this is not the time for this. The corpse piles are marching here, you need to evacuate as quickly as possible."
Despite Zhou Yilong's kind words, Jajan still stood rooted to the spot.
"Given the urgency, I'll get straight to the point. I came here because I want to help you."
"Really? Can you help us?"
At Zhou Yilong's question, his eyes wide open, Jajan hardened his expression.
"But before that, there's one thing I want to ask."
Raising his head high, Jajan captured the faces of the Dragon-Subduing Fortress executives in his gaze.
"The corpse pile army is strong. Even if everyone here fought with all their might, they couldn't stop it. It means you have to risk your lives. Have you all made up your minds to that extent? Are you prepared to face death?"
At Jajan's heavy voice, the executives of the Dragon-Subduing Fortress couldn't easily open their mouths.
Although they had vaguely recognized it in their minds, hearing it in direct words made a cold feeling settle in their hearts.
"..."
As the executives' faces hardened like plaster statues, consumed by the fear that the word 'death' brought, it happened.
Bang!
With a loud noise, Wi Ji-gang stood up from his seat and declared in a dignified voice.
"I, Wi Ji-gang, although I can't claim to be righteous, I have pride as the leader of a sect. I have no intention of living a petty life that only looks after my own safety!"
It wasn't just empty words.
Even if he had the chance to escape alone, Wi Ji-gang would have continued to hold his position.
After all, what was the reason he had pursued strength and walked the path of a martial artist?
It was to maintain his own beliefs and pride.
It meant he had no intention of living an ignoble life, barely surviving.
"I will fight with all my might! No, even if I die, I will fight to the end to protect my people."
Finally, as Wi Ji-gang's gaze met Jajan's, a firm resolve rose in his eyes.
It wasn't just Wi Ji-gang.
With Wi Ji-gang's declaration, the executives of the Dragon-Subduing Fortress gathered their wits and ignited their resolve.
"We too will risk everything."
"We will live as proud martial artists of the glorious Dragon-Subduing Fortress, and carry that pride until the moment we die."
A smile crept across Jajan's lips as he confirmed the sincere hearts of the Dragon-Subduing Fortress executives.
"Stubborn, stubborn to the point of foolishness. Jin Ja-un. I wondered what that guy had learned... The answer was here."
No further questions or inquiries were necessary.
"Let's see how well us fools can get along."
* * *
They had gained an unexpected ally in Jajan, the barrier master.
Some might think it was just one person joining.
But that was something only those who didn't know better could say.
Jajan, who had accumulated countless accolades and achievements, possessed barrier construction skills that could be counted among the best.
In fact, the power of the barriers Jajan deployed was so remarkable that it drew spontaneous praise.
With his mysterious power to change the terrain as desired, he built a fortress in an instant on an empty plain.
This alone was amazing, but the defensive walls surrounding the fortress boasted defensive power comparable to those made of mana stones.
Perhaps because it was a spark of hope in the desperate situation of the north?
This news quickly spread by word of mouth, and hunters scattered across China voluntarily gathered at the fortress.
It wasn't just ordinary hunters.
Major guilds based in the north, including the Extreme Martial Sect, the Seven Dragon Association, and the Changbai Faction, all gathered at the fortress Jajan had constructed and declared their participation in the war.
As everyone's hearts united and burned with resolve, it happened.
Beyond the plain, the massive army of corpse piles revealed itself.
Wi Ji-gang, observing this scene from the platform at the center of the fortress, spoke with internal energy in his voice.
"I won't say much, as I'm sure we all share the same feelings."
Though somewhat out of context, no one questioned it.
From the moment they came to the fortress and declared their participation in the war, everyone had been of the same mind.
"Honorable hunters of the north, all forces..."
Taking a deep breath for a brief moment, Wi Ji-gang shouted.
"Protect our territory, the north, from those evil corpse piles!"
His loud voice covered the fortress and even the heads of the corpse piles in the front.
"Wooaahh-!"
A roar followed.
It was the moment the war between the Chinese hunters and the corpse piles began.