What has happened? (1)

Cold sweat streamed down his’s face.

“…We’re trapped.”

It was a terrain where three mountains met. The path was open to both the left and the right, but regardless of which path they took, they faced the same obstacle at the end.

A sheer cliff.

A steep rocky wall, more fittingly named “despair,” blocked the path between the mountains.

Even in perfect condition, climbing such a cliff would not be easy. And now, exhausted as they were, it seemed futile to even consider.

They could attempt to climb the cliff, but the outcome was obvious. They would be defenseless against the pursuing members of Maninbang, and they would be easily slaughtered.

Yet descending the mountain was no different. With steep slopes and dense forests, the expenditure of energy would be excessive, increasing the risk of being attacked.

So, in the end, this place was like a jar with cliffs blocking every direction. Im Sobyeong led everyone into this terrain with cliffs blocking all sides.

“Why…”

The Hundred Thousand Mountains were so densely layered with overlapping peaks that understanding the terrain was extremely difficult. It was also not easy to discern what lay beyond the mountains.

They had already confirmed such obstacles on the way to Hainan, which was why Im Sobyeong chose this route for their escape. But even Im Sobyeong hadn’t imagined there would be such sheer cliffs behind the mountains.

“Ho Gamyeong…”

A muffled sound.

He bit his lips until they bled.

He thought he had broken through the encirclement. He thought he had defeated all his opponents. At least, in terms of a strategy, he believed he was ahead by more than a half.

That’s how it had been until now.

But at this moment, he realized. From the moment he entered the gorge until now, he had been playing into Ho Gamyeong’s hands.

‘It wasn’t just a fluke…’

He had thought his hastily assembled forces could only make a lot of noise. But it wasn’t just that they could only do that, it was also enough. It was enough because it opened a path visible only to his eyes and guided him along it.

Would it have been different if he had bypassed that gorge?

No, it wouldn’t have been different. Just because the route was different didn’t mean the destination would change.

There might have been a difference in timing, but ultimately, he would have reached the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

Why didn’t he suspect? Why didn’t he guard against the Poisoned Heart Rakshasa Ho Gamyeong? Why did he believe he could always stay one step ahead if he just set his mind to it?

Ho Gamyeong had achieved more than what Im Sobyeong had accomplished while leading Nokrim.

“N-Nokrim King.”

Geum Yangbaek’s voice trembled. It was the first time in Im Sobyeong’s life when someone had approached him, and he realized how intimidating it could be.

“What should we do now?”

He gritted his teeth. What should they do? In fact, he wanted to ask the same question. What on earth should they do in this situation? The path they intended to take was blocked by steep cliffs, and Maninbang’s troops were closing in from behind.

And now, all of his allies, who must face the overwhelming enemies, have long reached their limits. Their fighting strength has already been depleted.

“Nokrim King!”

Even though Geum Yangbaek raised his voice again, Im Sobyeong couldn’t muster any response.

Countless thoughts raced through his mind, but none seemed to lift morale in this situation.

And in that moment, Im Sobyeong saw it. No, he felt it.

As he hesitated to respond, he noticed something draining from the faces of Haenam’s disciples he had been staring at. The hope they had desperately clung to was crumbling away.

‘Oh, no…’

What had kept their exhausted bodies moving was hope that they could survive and the determination to fight against the enemy.

As they lose that hope and determination, they’ll be nothing more than rats trapped in a hole.

But how can he prevent them from completely losing their morale?

Should he encourage them to fight at their best, hoping to take one more enemy down before they meet their end?

Or should he advise them to face their inevitable deaths with dignity and valor, knowing that they’ll likely perish anyway?

No tactic or experience Im Sobyeong had ever mastered could provide an answer to this question. So, he could only flounder in the face of the looming despair.

Then, a calm voice broke through the turmoil.

“Surrounded on all sides…”

It was Baek Cheon, who had fought fiercely to hold off the pursuers and finally arrived here, covered in blood.

Baek Cheon calmly scanned his surroundings without any sign of haste, meticulously examining the towering cliffs and the terrain nearby. He then nodded slowly.

“It’s a difficult situation.”

For Im Sobyeong, a sudden wave of exhaustion washed over him. He realized he had relied on Vice Sect Leader emotionally to some extent without even realizing it. When Baek Cheon uttered those words, it felt like Im Sobyeong’s tether of hope was severed.

Baek Cheon turned his body to survey the path they had come through.

“Well, there’s no choice. We’ll have to break through again and find another way out.”

Im Sobyeong momentarily doubted his own ears. What did that guy just say?

Baek Cheon continued calmly, addressing Im Sobyeong.

“Nokrim King.”

“Yes?”

“Are there many similar terrains like this around here?”

Though somewhat unexpected, Im Sobyeong grasped Baek Cheon’s intention amidst it all.

“It’s unlikely. If there were many places like this, Demonic Culr wouldn’t have chosen this spot for their warfare…”

“Then it’s settled.”

Baek Cheon took a deep breath.

“We just need to break through here and re-enter through a side path.”

“…”

“Is that right?”

Im Sobyeong couldn’t bring himself to answer.

Of course, it was right. It was the only logical course of action.

Except to find another way out of here, they’d have to break through the main force of Maninbang.

“Well, Vice Sect Leader, isn’t that…”

“Is there any other way?”

Baek Cheon’s calm question shut Im Sobyeong’s mouth once more.

Another way? Surely there couldn’t be one. If there were, Im Sobyeong would have utilized it by now.

Baek Cheon’s words held no lies. The only option available to them now was to reopen that path. Or perhaps, rather…

“Is it as simple as just opening the path?”

Yoon Jong’s question from behind prompted Baek Cheon to nod without looking back.

“It seems so.”

“It’s nice that it’s not too complicated. Then, Nokrim King.”

“Yes?”

“Please take care of this guy for me.”

Yoon Jong handed Chung Myung over to Im Sobyeong.

“But…”

“Protect him with your life.”

Im Sobyeong accepted Chung Myung with a bewildered expression. Then, Yoon Jong silently stood beside Baek Cheon.

“Monk, please take care of Sahyeong.”

“Dojang…”

“Hurry.

Tang Soso also attempted to pass Jo Geol to Hye Yeon and move forward. Jo Geol urgently reached out and grabbed the hem of Tang Soso’s clothes.

“I, I also…”

“Ha?”

“I also… I’m still going to fight… Ah!”

Jo Geol’s hand, which had grabbed Tang Soso’s clothes, was suddenly struck by her needle without mercy. Looking startled, Jo Geol watched as Tang Soso smirked.

“The bleeding should stop a bit.”

“…”

“Take care of yourself. You’re really going to die if you don’t. Anyway, it’s inevitable, Sahyeong.”

Tang Soso quickly retrieved the needle and stood next to Yoon Jong.

Everyone watched the three of them with blank eyes.

“Nokrim King.”

“…Yes?”

“We’ll hold off the pursuers. Lead everyone through the opened path. Young Lords Namgung and Tang will help.”

“…”

“I trust you.”

Im Sobyeong’s pupils trembled slightly. How could they step forward so calmly even in such a dire situation? He knew. It was like trying to break a rock with an egg. No matter how much strength they exerted, avoiding total annihilation would be difficult.

Yet they willingly stepped forward. Unlike him, who was trapped in despair and didn’t know what to do.

Im Sobyeong bit his lip tightly. Logically, the only choice available here was one: abandoning Haenam, as it was a burden, and climbing the cliff, at least with them. Then, Haenam’s disciples following from below would serve as a shield, allowing the rest to climb the mountain safely.

Did they not know this fact?

No, they know. They must be well aware. There’s no one more accustomed to climbing cliffs than Hwasan.

But everyone behaves as if such a method doesn’t exist in the first place. They’re determined to defend Haenam to the very end.

Foolish and ignorant.

Yet even Im Sobyeong, who has lived his whole life as a Sapa scoundrel seeking profit, couldn’t bring himself to speak those words aloud. It would be the same for anyone else.

“Sasuk. It seems like there are quite a few enemies ahead.”

“They’ll have a tough time.”

“…You’re good with words.”

“Don’t be arrogant with Sasuk.”

The trembling hand of Tang Soso, who was engaged in a conversation with Baek Cheon, betrayed more than just a calm demeanor. It wasn’t that she wasn’t afraid, rather, it was the desperate effort to suppress the urge to flee at that very moment.

This fact was unbearable for Im Sobyeong. Even if others were unaware, Im Sobyeong knew. It was his own arrogance that had caused all of this.

Had he harbored even a shred of doubt while overwhelming Ho Gamyeong, he might not have walked into this trap of his own accord.

Im Sobyeong was about to say something when…

“Let’s stop here, Vice Sect Leader.”

A calm voice cut through the air, momentarily drawing everyone’s attention in its direction. Pale-faced from injury and poisoning, Geum Yangbaek was looking at Baek Cheon.

“Please, don’t embarrass us any further.”

“Sect Leader…”

Baek Cheon began, but Geum Yangbaek continued.

“You’ve already shown more than enough of your righteous path for the sake of Haenam. Anything more would just be shameful.”

“Sect Leader, we still…”

“Take the injured and climb the cliffs. Haenam will hold off the pursuers.”

“Sect Leader!”

Haenam’s disciples looked at Geum Yangbaek in astonishment, but he simply responded with composure.

“Wasn’t that the plan from the beginning?”

Geum Yangbaek’s gaze shifted towards Chung Myung, who was unconscious on Im Sobyeong’s back.

“Hwasan Geomhyeop advised us not to sit and wait for death. He urged us to go to a place where we can die with honor..”

“…”

“In my opinion, this might be that place.”

“Sect Leader, we still…”

“Vice Sect Leader.”

Geum Yangbaek interjected with a gentle smile.

“To be honest, I found it difficult to agree with that sentiment. I couldn’t quite grasp the honor in rushing into enemy’s territory to fight and die.”

“…”

“But now, it’s okay. While it may be hard to find honor in facing death in the midst of battle with Maninbang…”

Geum Yangbaek looked at Chung Myung and said.

“Now, I think I understand. What honor we must uphold as our final duty. What we must protect in our final moments. What our role truly entails.”

Baek Cheon’s shoulders began to tremble faintly. The disciples of Haenam looked at Geum Yangbaek, unable to speak.

“Until now, you have protected us.”

“…”

“You shed blood for us, and carried burdens that should have been ours to bear. So, at least… now, allow us repay that debt.”

Geum Yangbaek looked around at everyone and asked.

“Wouldn’t that be the right thing to do?”

Light returned to the eyes of Haenam’s disciples.

They may not understand this situation just because they are them. All that was needed was the resolve for the end. And now, Geum Yangbaek’s words are giving them the courage for that final resolve.

“As much as possible, let’s do it the Haenam way. Isn’t it too shameful for the people of Haenam, who have only received help from those on land, to die without doing anything?”

“Yes, Sect Leader!”

“We must do it!”

“In fact, haven’t we been running away enough?”

The disciples of Haenam raised their voices as if scolding each other. They had only tried to run away without even trying to fight properly.

To flee, protected by someone as a shield until the very end, only to be struck down by a sword in the back, was unacceptable. That fact would tarnish even their final moments.

“Even if we go to the underworld, we should have something to say to the comrades who died before us.”

At those words, Geum Yangbaek nodded firmly.

“That’s right.”

Ironically, they were having one of the calmest and most solemn conversations they’d had so far.

Baek Cheon’s face darkened as he observed them. There was no desperation visible, no boiling morale. Yet, precisely because of that, he could see their determination was solid.

Here, insisting further would be an insult to them. Baek Cheon could recognize that much.

“Hwanso, Jayang!”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

Gwak Hwanso and Lee Jayang, with firm determination in their eyes, responded promptly to Geum Yangbaek’s call.

“You two, follow them.”

“Huh?”

“Sect Leader, what do you mean?”

“As long as you survive, Haenam will not be completely destroyed. Survive, and someday restore Haenam’s name to its former glory.”

“Sect Leader!”

As Gwak Hwanso tried to protest strongly, Geum Yangbaek momentarily grasped his shoulder.

“I’m asking you.”

“…”

Gwak Hwanso’s shoulders trembled uncontrollably.

“I beg you, Sahyeong.”

“Sahyeongs, please. Do not turn our deaths into vain sacrifices.”

“Survive.”

Amidst the overwhelming voices and stares, tears began to stream down the cheeks of the two men.

They couldn’t bring themselves to refuse. There was no time to delay by refusing to go.

Therefore, even a brief refusal was out of the question. This fact made it even harder for Gwak Hwanso and Lee Jayang to bear.

“Vice Sect Leader, I entrust them to you.”

“Sect Leader…”

With a gentle smile, Geum Yangbaek stepped forward.

And as he passed by Baek Cheon, he whispered softly enough for only him to hear.

“Hwasan Geomhyeop must be saved.”

Baek Cheon could only bite his lip without replying.

“Cough…”

“Chung Myung!”

“Hwasan Geomhyeop!”

Chung Myung, who had been lying on Im Sobyeong’s back, coughed up blood and opened his eyes. His hazy eyes, half-closed, scanned the surroundings.

“Here…”

His gaze gradually sharpened.

“I see.”

Im Sobyeong lowered his head. However, what followed was unexpected.

“As expected…”

Im Sobyeong lifted his head in surprise.

Meanwhile, Chung Myung’s expression remained ambiguous, making it impossible to discern his intentions.