He’ll be waiting for us. (1)

“Faster!”

Baek Cheon tirelessly urged the others on, constantly scanning their surroundings.

Even though it wasn’t a situation where simply moving faster would solve everything, Baek Cheon shouted as if the enemies were constantly stabbing at their backs.

“More!”

However, the pace of the group didn’t seem to quicken.

“Strike swiftly!”

Encountering enemies along the way? Of course, they would have an impact on their speed.

“Sasuk! Enemies are closing in from behind!”

“Damn it, I’ll handle it myself!”

Even when you think you’ve shaken them off, they sticks back to you? Naturally, they would greatly affect the pace. Since there was no way to speed up while engaging in combat. Especially for those who were running with the determination not to allow even a single person to fall behind.

But those who knew, knew. The reason why the group’s speed didn’t pick up wasn’t solely because of that.

“That’s enough! Let’s go!”

With Namgung Dowi, Baek Cheon swiftly annihilated the enemy and shouted with a booming voice. But upon hearing his voice, some of the people didn’t hasten their pace. Instead, they looked back.

There was nothing behind them. They had already passed that point.

“What are you doing! Keep moving, Young Lord.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Tang Pae gritted his teeth and turned his head forward again. It sounded like there was a choking sound coming from his throat, as if forcibly suppressing something that couldn’t be turned back.

Their eyes kept shifting back.

Like someone who left behind something that should not have been left behind.

‘Why hasn’t he joined us yet?’

As they neared the Yangtze River and widened the gap between themselves and the enemy, they began to realize the stark distance between them and Chung Myung.

And they sensed it.

They were not fools, so they knew what it meant that they hadn’t seen the enemy’s main force or Chung Myung’s figure all this time.

They were becoming safer.

The hellish journey to Gangnam was finally showing its end. Now, with the Yangtze River just a stone’s throw away, if they could withstand the enemy’s ambushes along the way, they would reach the Yangtze River without major issues.

However, this fact only made Tang Pae more uneasy.

“Nokrim King.”

Tang Pae, who hit the ground once again, turned his head and looked at Im Sobyeong, who had an expressionless face as if he was wearing iron armor.

“Is there no one blocking our path?”

“…”

“Isn’t it strange? If they’ve driven us this far, they must surely be planning to surround us. Aren’t more than half of Maninbang’s forces still at the Yangtze River? What are they doing now?”

“You have quite a nasty temper.”

A grumpy voice emanated from Im Sobyeong’s lips, forming a stark contrast with his serious expression, creating an eerie dissonance. Yet, paradoxically, it made his voice even more distinct.

“Why bother asking something we already know? Are you seeking confirmation through my mouth because you lack certainty, or do you wish to excuse yourself by claiming ignorance?”

Despite the spiteful words dripping with disdain, Tang Pae remained silent. He felt the chilly edge in the words was not directed at him.

Seeing his reaction, Im Sobyeong’s lips twitched slightly.

“Where could they have gone?”

“…”

“Let’s not ask the obvious. There’s nothing we can do about it anyway.”

What Tang Pae was feeling right now was an indescribable heaviness. But perhaps Im Sobyeong was experiencing more than just heaviness – he might even be feeling despair.

The role of a strategist is to find the best course of action within limited circumstances. When a strategist fails to find that best course, their existence becomes utterly worthless.

The despair Im Sobyeong was feeling was evident in his words: “There’s nothing we can do about it.”

“…It seems they’ve gone after Dojang.”

Im Sobyeong’s face showed irritation. What difference does it make to confirm a fact that won’t change anything?

Observing Im Sobyeong’s expression, Tang Pae turned his head to look ahead. In his eyes, he saw the disciples of Hwasan cutting through the enemy fiercely.

‘They must know, too, right?’

Why were they heading so easily towards the Yangtze River, and where were the enemies gathering?

How could they fight without ever looking back?

Even though he wasn’t eating from the same bowl as Hwasan Geomhyeop, Tang Pae couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was catching up to him from behind, making him look back involuntarily. What emotions were they wielding their swords with?

He couldn’t even begin to guess.

“Young Lord Tang.”

Someone called out to Tang Pae. When he turned, he saw Gwak Hwanso running beside him, looking at him with stern eyes.

“Is it true that Hwasan Geomhyeop is luring the enemies?”

“…I’m not sure.”

Tang Pae couldn’t bring himself to answer definitively.

Whichever answer he gave, it would only be a painful one from Haenam’s perspective. They were neither shameless nor foolish. They keenly felt that Chung Myung was taking excessive risks.

How could he thrust a knife into the hearts of such people?

“Soon… He will probably join us soon. Chung Myung Dojang has always been like that. It’s difficult to judge his actions from a normal person’s perspective.”

Tang Pae stopped there and turned away. He felt it was too difficult to continue.

Gwak Hwanso seemed to have caught on that Tang Pae was lying. Though he seemed about to say something, he ultimately kept quiet.

“Hurry!”

At that moment, Baek Cheon’s powerful voice erased their lingering thoughts.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Now wasn’t the time to dwell on such thoughts. Despite the concerns and hesitation, they must simply follow Baek Cheon’s lead. That was Chung Myung’s will, who remained alone in a dangerous place to save them.

‘But…’

Tang Pae shifted his gaze and slowly scanned the surroundings. The faces of Hwasan’s disciples were not visible, but the faces of Namgung Dowi, Hye Yeon, and even the disciples of Haenam were extremely stiff.

‘Dojang. Is this really what you wanted?’

Perhaps everyone here could survive without sacrifice. But even if they survived, could they accept their survival without guilt? Could they truly embrace the life they gained at the cost of the one who should never have died?

If Chung Myung truly believed that, then Tang Pae would resent him. If he thought of them as people with at least some integrity, he couldn’t make such a judgment.

None of them would have wanted to save their own lives at the cost of Chung Myung’s sacrifice.

‘But why…’

Tang Pae bit his lip.

He was asking, but he already knew. Ultimately, there was no choice. It was either the path where he put himself in danger or the path where others were endangered. If those were the only two options left, Chung Myung would naturally choose the path that puts himself at risk.

Chung Myung had always made such choices before. That’s why everyone followed him. That’s why everyone liked him.

But the method that had led them to follow Chung Myung until now was coming back to haunt them with the worst possible outcome at this moment. It was as if it had always been the price he and they all had to pay.

So, resentment was inevitable. At least, no one wanted such a worst-case scenario. No one.

And then, at that moment…

“Ah…”

In Tang Pae’s eyes, a sight that seemed like a lie appeared. The end of the road that seemed never-ending. The end of the vast forest that seemed to stretch on forever.

Beyond the low ridge lay an expanse of land. The end of that land was dyed in a dark black color even darker than the sky.

Those who understood the identity of that black line stopped in their tracks, as if unable to overcome the turmoil gripping their bodies.

A voice, as if possessed, quietly flowed among them.

“Y-Yangtze…”

Yangtze River.

The massive river dividing the north and south of the Central Plains. And the place they had all longed to see.

The sight of that Yangtze River now unfolded before their eyes.

Their legs weakened. Even the most confident among them, who had thought they wouldn’t falter, had to steady their swaying bodies for a moment.

How could one express this feeling?

Relief? Elation? Or simply joy?

Defining the whirlwind of complex emotions with a single word would be impossible.

Amidst that intense emotion, Tang Pae and those surrounding him, could only tremble with excitement.

“Finally.”

In that moment, Lee Jaeyang, who was standing front of Tang Tae, lowered his head.

“Jayang,”

Gwak Hwanso placed a hand on Lee Jayang’s shoulder. Lee Jayang then spoke with a trembling voice.

“Honestly…”

From deep within, something boiling was forcefully swallowed by him, as he struggled to speak.

“I have never thought… I’d live to see this sight… Honestly.”

His words represented the sentiments of all the disciples from Haenam.

Just ten.

There were only ten of them, ten who had come to rescue them.

Who would have dared to believe in them and think of breaking through Gangnam? It was the land of Gangnam they stepped upon with the mindset that even if they had to die, they would not die in misery, but with pride.

After enduring countless sacrifices and a road akin to hell, they finally reached this place.

Of course, it’s not over yet.

Crossing that river is no easy task either. Perhaps during that process, the remaining ones might all perish.

But despite knowing that, they couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed as they looked upon the Yangtze River.

“…This is truly one step closer.”

“Yes. Sahyeong.”

Lee Jayang nodded at Gwak Hwanso’s words.

“It’s almost time.”

Without mentioning the remaining dangers of the river, Gwak Hwanso and Lee Jayang reassured each other. Hearing their words, the disciples of Haenam also became serious.

And at that moment, Baek Cheon, who had only been looking straight ahead until now, turned his head.

His expression was impenetrable. Baek Cheon, with a face as stern as if it was a mask, looked at Gwak Hwanso.

“Gwak Sohyeop.”

“Yes, Vice Sect Leader.”

Gwak Hwanso faced Baek Cheon head-on.

He would now do as Baek Cheon commanded, even if it meant leaping into a pit of fire, and he would sacrifice his life if necessary. Because Baek Cheon deserved it.

“That’s the Yangtze River over there. Once you cross it, there’s Gangbuk. Once you reach Gangbuk, whether it’s Cheonumaeng or Gupailbang, they’ll come to welcome Haenam.”

Gwak Hwanso’s eyebrows twitched.

It wasn’t that he felt uncomfortable or offended. He was simply curious about Baek Cheon’s intentions in saying such things. Baek Cheon he knew wasn’t one to utter obvious words.

“In the grace of Hwasan…”

“Sohyeop.”

Baek Cheon clasped his hands together and bowed deeply. Gwak Hwanso flinched at this unexpected gesture and looked at Baek Cheon.

“The help Hwasan can offer you ends here.”

“…What?”

Gwak Hwanso asked with a bewildered expression.

What did he mean all of a sudden?

“The defenses of the Yangtze River may not be as strong as you think. Cross the river before dawn. That should ensure Haenam’s safety.”

“Wait a minute, Vice Sect Leader. What on earth are you saying? Cross the Yangtze River? Then what about Hwasan?”

Baek Cheon lifted his head to meet Gwak Hwanso’s eyes.

That look.

The moment Gwak Hwanso saw the unwavering gaze, he knew what Baek Cheon was going to say.

“You’re asking the obvious.”

The disciples of Hwasan approached Baek Cheon’s side. Their eyes were no different from Baek Cheon’s.

“We’re going to fetch that stupid bastard.”

“Vice Sect…”

“Without a doubt.”

Baek Cheon’s voice flowed with determination.

“He’ll be waiting for us.”