He intends to take that guy’s life. (2)

“Over there! Screams were heard from that direction!”

“Hurry!”

Maninbang rushed forward with all their might.

“Captain! It’s over here! Screams were heard from the side!”

“Damn it! What in the world is happening? Let’s go this way!”

As they surged towards the front, some groups swiftly followed in their wake.

And so, as the world once again fell into deep silence.

“Let’s move.”

A group hidden among the thick bushes came out into the open.

“This way.”

“Yes!”

Led by Baek Cheon and Im Sobyeong, the survivors of Cheonumaeng and Haenam began sprinting across the land where the enemies had disappeared.

“Soso.”

“Don’t worry, Sasuk! I won’t let her slip away, even if I have to die.”

Soso, with Yu Iseol on her back, replied boldly. Baek Cheon nodded at her determination. Yoon Jong, carrying Jo Geol, also kept up with them smoothly.

“What about the front?”

“I’m keeping an eye on it.”

Baek Cheon mustered up his energy and spread his senses forward. Their priority was not to fight the enemy but to safely escape while the attention was on Chung Myung.

“This way, hurry!”

In a moment, Baek Cheon’s eyes gleamed as he quickly gave instructions and changed direction.

Right after they had hidden themselves in a corner of the high mountainside, a group of Maninbang swiftly ran towards the path they had been on just a while ago.

As they moved further away, Baek Cheon once again led everyone forward.

“Nokrim King, how much further?”

“Hundred Thousand Mountains stretches for thousands of li horizontally, but the mountain range is not that wide. It won’t take more than an hour!”

“Then let’s hurry!”

At that moment, Geum Yangbaek rushed up from behind.

“Vice Sect Leader.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“The number of people heading towards the direction where Hwasan Geomhyeop went is not insignificant! Is everything okay?”

There was a deep concern in his eyes.

If things go on like this, they might be able to escape from Hundred Thousand Mountains without a major confrontation. But doesn’t that mean Hwasan Geomhyeop will have to face all of Maninbang’s members alone?

Though most of those who survived were either heavily or lightly injured, Haenam, in no position to speak up, felt compelled to voice their opinion.

Geum Yangbaek couldn’t feign ignorance any longer. The debt owed to Hwasan Geomhyeop was beyond words.

“Hwasan Geomhyeop’s condition isn’t perfect still, is it? Anyone should help…”

“No, please refrain from such remarks.”

Interrupting sharply was not Baek Cheon but Im Sobyeong. Running beside Baek Cheon, his face contorted, he glared at Geum Yangbaek.

“Who should help whom! Who!”

“Oh, no… But the injuries Hwasan Geomhyeop sustained…”

“Why do you think that bastard got injured in the first place? Wasn’t he carrying a load of baggage? Would he have gotten hurt if he were alone?”

Geum Yangbaek kept his lips tightly sealed, understanding what Nokrim King was trying to convey.

It wasn’t an incorrect statement. The journey from Hainan to this mountain was undoubtedly treacherous, but even such a path might not have been so difficult if Chung Myung had attempted to break through alone.

While it’s challenging for a minority of strong individuals to fight against a majority of weaker ones, disrupting that majority isn’t as difficult.

A powerful force with mobility can seize the timing and location of the battle at will. So, if they swing their swords until exhaustion, retreating before getting tired is the solution.

However, in this battle, Chung Myung faced the enemy with his mobility restricted. In a situation where he couldn’t retreat due to exhaustion or escape due to injury.

It’s akin to fighting with one’s body shackled.

This meant that, thanks to everyone keeping their distance, Chung Myung had finally broken free from the shackles that had bound him from the start.

“People need to understand the situation! What are we helping with? Helping is not grabbing onto his ankles!”

Geum Yangbaek’s face involuntarily contorted at the blatant disregard and rebuke.

However, deep down, he knew there was truth in those words.

Baek Cheon interjected subtly to mediate the situation.

“First, focus on getting out of the mountains. He’ll come on his own.”

“…Understood, Vice Sect Leader.”

As Geum Yangbaek retreated with a hardened expression, Baek Cheon let out a deep sigh.

Nokrim King was clearly overbearing at the moment. However, Baek Cheon didn’t want to blame him. After all, Im Sobyeong’s face was also stiffened in a manner uncharacteristic of him.

That, too, was a blow to his pride.

Understandably so, Im Sobyeong was the leader of Nokrim. It would be difficult for someone who was a respected figure in Gangho to accept his current status as a mere burden.

Inevitably, he would be infuriated by Geum Yangbaek’s insistence on verbally acknowledging the situation.

Baek Cheon took a long breath.

‘Now is not the time for such thoughts.’

Everyone had their roles to play. What Baek Cheon needed to do now was not to unnecessarily assert his pride but to lead these injured people and swiftly escape from the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

“This way!”

“Yes!”

Sensing movement up ahead, Baek Cheon swiftly changed direction. However, this time, the response was slightly delayed, and they found themselves confronted by those who had been running in the same path.

“Enemies!”

“Kill them!”

“Ugh.”

Baek Cheon and a few others clenched their lips and charged towards the enemy. In a matter of moments, the few remaining Maninbang’s warriors were swiftly disposed of.

“Ugh!”

Hearing the sound of bodies hitting the ground, Baek Cheon glanced around and issued orders.

“If we all move together, we’ll attract too much attention. As we discussed earlier, let’s scatter.”

“Yes!”

Namgung Dowi, Tang Pae, and Hye Yeon nodded firmly. Their injuries, not severe, had somewhat recovered with just two days of rest. So, leading Haenam’s swordsmen wouldn’t pose a significant problem for them.

“The rendezvous point remains as planned!”

“Understood, Vice Sect Leader.”

“Good luck!”

“Yes!”

As discussed earlier, the group scattered in all directions. Watching their backs, Baek Cheon turned to Yoon Jong and Tang Soso, who were guarding his rear, and said softly,

“Let’s go too.”

“Yes, Sasuk.”

Baek Cheon, accompanied by Haenam’s disciples, ran forward. He glanced back at Hundred Thousand Mountains, which were immersed in darkness.

‘Don’t be late, you damn bastard.’

❀ ❀ ❀

“Second group is under attack!”

“Where are they?”

“W-Well, you see, their exact location is currently unknown!”

“What nonsense are you babbling! Didn’t you say they were under attack!”

“R-Right now, everyone is swiftly moving through their assigned areas. We don’t know exactly where the attack occurred…”

“And that’s your report!”

Ho Gamyeong’s direct subordinate glared menacingly at the messenger. The terrified man flattened himself, but there was no escaping the lack of a clear answer.

The subsequent reports were equally unsettling.

“Fourth is under attack!”

“Ghost Sickle Unit is under attack!”

“We don’t have precise information on their current locations! The number of reporting lines is insufficient!”

Despite the incessant clamor and shouting of those rushing in, there was no clear conclusion to be drawn from their combined words.

The only thing evident from these reports was that the hastily deployed troops scattered throughout Hundred Thousand Mountains were being slaughtered left and right.

“C-Commander.”

A person called out to Ho Gamyeong with a trembling voice. However, despite hearing all the reports, Ho Gamyeong remained unresponsive, simply gazing at the darkened mountain.

Swallowing hard, the subordinate considered calling out to him once more but ultimately remained silent. It wasn’t that Ho Gamyeong didn’t react because he was unaware of the situation – it was because reacting would be pointless.

Ho Gamyeong’s eyes were dull. His lips, deeply cracked, parted, and a hoarse voice escaped.

“…Feels like butting my head against a wall.”

With everyone scattered, dealing with Hwasan Geomhyeop… No, facing Maehwa Geomgwi was never going to be easy. He understood that much. But the reports now surpassed even his expectations.

It felt as if they weren’t chasing the demon, but rather, the demon was luring them to where it wanted, picking them off one by one like helpless prey.

By now, the main force of Haenam would likely be escaping Hundred Thousand Mountains. This wasn’t a scenario Ho Gamyeong hadn’t anticipated.

But there was currently no way to capture them. With the report lines in shambles, there was no way to call back those rushing towards Hwasan Geomhyeop and no new orders to give.

All that remained was to be thoroughly exploited by Hwasan Geomhyeop and lose sight of the main force.

Given how quickly Hwasan Geomhyeop had recovered and reappeared, the outcome was as predetermined as it could be.

‘Where did it all go wrong?’

Should he have been more thorough? Perhaps if he hadn’t rushed to spread his forces the moment he lost track of them, but calmly waited, the situation might have improved.

No, there must have been another way.

But Ho Gamyeong considered such thoughts meaningless.

The more meticulously planned the operation, the more vulnerable it became to minor deviations. No matter how tightly he crafted his perfect plan, Maehwa Geomgwi could forcibly twist it.

All of this was simply the price paid for targeting an opponent too formidable to handle.

“…Withdraw the troops.”

“C-Commander!”

“We need to minimize any more unnecessary sacrifices.”

The subordinate bit their lip.

Despite knowing it was the right command, they couldn’t bring themselves to deliver it directly. The moment they retreated from here, all plans would end in failure. And ultimately, wouldn’t that signify Ho Gamyeong’s complete defeat?

Everyone knew what consequences this failure would bring.

“C-Commander! We still…”

“Don’t make me sin against Ryeonju any further.”

In the end, the subordinates silently bowed their heads.

There was too great of a sacrifice to present only a hundred of Haenam’s heads as an achievement. With the operation carried out without permission ending in failure, even the mightiest Ho Gamyeong of Maninbang couldn’t escape responsibility.

It was when Ho Gamyeong was about to close his eyes tightly and let go of everything.

Kiiiiiip!

A strange sound echoed. In that moment, his eyes snapped wide open.

Was it the sound of a whistle? No, this wasn’t. This was the cry of an animal he was familiar with.

‘Could it be?’

He hastily looked up. Amidst the night sky, where even the moon had set and no starlight was visible, there was a faint crimson glow.

Reflexively extending his arm, the light that had been wandering through the air descended upon it as if drawn by a magnet.

Flutter.

It was a crimson-colored hawk.

As he looked at the small hawk perched on his arm after flapping its wings vigorously, Ho Gamyeong’s eyes trembled.

“R-Ryeonju…”

The complexion of everyone who recognized the identity of the hawk turned ashen.

They knew that this small hawk with red and black feathers was the messenger of Jang Ilso, carrying only the orders of its master.

Ho Gamyeong cautiously opened the pouch attached to the hawk’s leg and took out a scroll. Even as he unfolded it, his hands trembled faintly.

As he read, everyone held their breath, waiting for his reaction. However, even after reading the scroll, Ho Gamyeong closed his eyes for a moment, showing nothing.

Finally, after an agonizing wait, Ho Gamyeong opened his eyes again. Folding the scroll, he spoke.

“Transfer the responsibility of dealing with him to this party.”

“C-Commander, then…?”

“We will continue the pursuit.”

“Y… Yes?”

Ho Gamyeong’s eyes reflected the cold light of the darkened mountains.

“Ryeonju declares he intends to take that guy’s life.”

A strange exhilaration emanated from his face.

Ho Gamyeong couldn’t contain it. Hwasan Geom… No, now he should rightfully be called Maehwa Geomgwi. But…

‘If Ryeonju intervenes, the situation will change.’

No matter how formidable Maehwa Geomgwi may be, now he must accept the end of his fate.

From now on, the one he must face is none other than Paegun Jang Ilso.