Just engrave that name. (7)

“Nokrim King! Behind!”

“I know!”

Im Sobyeong, who had glanced back, quickly redirected his gaze.

‘These ruthless creatures!’

They had truly pulled off an unbelievable stunt. This was why he couldn’t escape from these Hwasan’s bastards.

“Now, we just need to escape!”

Despite the relentless assault from the cursed Sapaeryeon, individually they weren’t particularly impressive. They were just a bunch of rabble without any real skill.

‘Even if they’re countless in numbers, they can’t endlessly mobilize people.’

Of course, they could increase their numbers, but there was no way to bridge the qualitative gap.

If Jang Ilso had personally intervened, the situation would have been different, but they were here by the orders of Ho Gamyeong.

So the problem lies not ahead, but behind.

Im Sobyeong’s role is to somehow outmaneuver the pursuit of those pesky Maninbang bastards.

His job is to devise a way to evade them.

“To the right! Damned Young Lord! Don’t just charge head-on, look for gaps, you muscle-bound fool!”

“Then spit it out quickly!”

Namgung Dowi cursed but swiftly followed Im Sobyeong’s directions.

Watching the situation, Im Sobyeong’s eyes gleamed with blue light.

‘Having numbers doesn’t always mean an advantage!’

Especially in situations like this, where orders aren’t properly communicated, and when personnel is being mobilized from all directions, confusion in the command structure is inevitable.

If utilized properly, this confusion could be used to entangle their own forces.

‘It’s not something I can just make happen, but something I absolutely must do!’

“You’ve gone too far! A bit more to the right!”

“What in the…”

“Just shut up and do as you’re told!”

With Im Sobyeong shouting with more severity than usual, Namgung Dowi flinched and adjusted the direction further to the right.

As he did, the oncoming assailants seemed to part ways, almost as if intentionally avoiding him.

Namgung Dowi inwardly panicked but wasted no time in driving his blade into the ground. Gradually, a wide path began to open up where his sword swung.

Seeing this, Im Sobyeong smirked subtly.

‘You were in a hurry, Ho Gamyeong.’

He felt someone watching him closely.

And understandably so.

After almost capturing Hwasan Geomhyeop, in the end he regrouped with their main force, even those who had ventured to rescue him managed to survive, risking their lives in the process.

Though they managed to slay a few more of Haenam’s scoundrels along the way, it amounted to nothing in the end.

Failure. Looking back on the process up to now, there’s no other way to describe it.

Everything that had been invested in this gorge went back with nothing to show for it.

A whole Squad perished. And countless Maninbang’s members, along with the sects mobilized, all suffered incalculable losses.

“A precise assessment.”

“…C-commander?”

Ho Gamyeong’s eyes, calmly watching those embarking on a desperate flight, settled grimly.

The talent of Nokrim King was truly outstanding. With his focus solely on fleeing, his handling of the army had noticeably changed pace.

“Commander! They are gradually escaping.”

“I’m aware.”

The ones in front couldn’t stop their escape at all. Furthermore, once they broke through, they couldn’t even track them.

Their actions amounted to nothing more than blocking the path of those who had broken through and turned into a wall, unable to pursue them.

The failure of handling large numbers brought about by excessive greed.

If interpreted as a military strategist, Ho Gamyeong would have undoubtedly criticized the situation. He was paying the price for pushing uncontrollable elements recklessly onto the battlefield all at once.

However…

“Surely Nokrim King is a remarkable talent. If we’re talking about intellect alone, he’s better than me.”

“…Commander?”

“But he lacks experience.”

Doubt flickered in the eyes of the subordinates looking at Ho Gamyeong. To them, it was an incomprehensible statement.

That person had led Nokrim and engaged in countless battles with Maninbang. To say he lacked experience seemed absurd.

Of course, from Ho Gamyeong’s perspective, it might not be wrong to assess him that way, but by common standards, Nokrim King seemed to belong to the ranks of veterans despite his age.

“How much one has fought isn’t always important. Sometimes, too much experience can be poisonous.”

They held their breath, refraining from asking questions. The fact that answers were coming without them being asked meant that Ho Gamyeong wasn’t speaking with them right now but rather organizing his thoughts.

In such moments, one must never disturb Ho Gameyong.

“That certainty shouldn’t turn into despair.”

A cruel smile played at the corner of Ho Gamyeong’s lips.

“Nokrim King!”

Yoon Jong, who received Chung Myung from Hye Yeon, carried him on his back and dashed right behind Im Sobyeong.

Im Sobyeong’s face hardened upon seeing Chung Myung.

“Is he alive?”

“That’s a given…!”

“…He looks awful.”

Im Sobyeong gritted his teeth. Watching Chung Myung’s miserable face stirred up an indescribable anger from deep within.

“Damn it!”

“Nokrim King! Where to now?”

At the sudden question, Im Sobyeong turned around.

Baek Cheon left them behind and flew to the rear, blocking the pursuit of Maninbang chasing behind.

With some ragtags attacking from the front and Maninbang chasing from behind, it was a natural decision.

This meant that it was entirely the role of Im Sobyeong to lead everyone forward and rescue them from danger.

“Did you ask where I was going?”

“Yes!”

“Asking the obvious!”

The conditions of where they should head were already decided.

A place where a minority could leverage the terrain advantage against the majority.

And a place where it was absolutely advantageous for the fleeing minority to hide.

There was only one such place around here. It had been proven by history, and countless people had proven its worth with their blood spilled there. Hence, it had become a cursed land where no one dared to set foot.

“Hundred Thousand Mountains!”

Yoon Jong raised his head sharply.

A broad plain stretched out, followed by the horizon, and above it, jagged peaks rose like swords thrust into the sky.

A shiver ran down their spines for a moment.

The mountain range spanning thousands of li across Guangdong and Guangxi, the world called it the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

“This way!”

Im Sobyeong grabbed Chung Myung firmly and hoisted him onto his shoulder.

“Help the Young Lord! It takes just one step to get there! Then we can beat them!”

“Yes!”

Yoon Jong dashed forward without a word. Currently, among the disciples of Hwasan, he and Baek Cheon were in the best condition. He had to fulfill his role.

“There’s an ambush on the left! To the right!”

“Yes!”

“They’ll attack from the front afterward! As soon as you pass the ambush, veer left! Don’t increase your speed too much! If you waist time on breaks, it’ll be a big problem!”

“Understood!”

Yoon Jong fiercely swung his sword.

‘Different!’

Facing the enemy wasn’t any easier. However, by taking down just one more opponent, they could advance further.

‘Is this what war is about?’

The sensation of understanding the enemy’s flow and piercing their resolve was something that resonated in his body. They were realms he could never have known. Now, he felt like he could grasp, albeit crudely, how those strategists viewed the world.

“Don’t hesitate, just move forward!”

“Yes!”

Im Sobyeong gnashed his teeth.

‘Just one step is enough!’

If they could hide in the Hundred Thousand Mountains and buy some time to recover, that would be enough. Then the situation would improve drastically compared to now. So all they needed to do was make it to the great mountains.

“Straight ahead! Break through with full force!”

“Yes!”

As the front picked up speed, Geum Yangbaek shouted until his throat felt like it would burst.

“Don’t fall behind! We must keep up!”

At the same time, the elder was seen collapsing to the ground. But Geum Yangbaek tightly shut his eyes and turned away. There was no time to spare for it.

“Run, quickly!”

Im Sobyeong checked behind.

Hwaaaaaaa.

Explosive bursts of red plum blossoms erupted from the rear. Even though they were Maninbang, piercing through such absurd sword techniques wasn’t an easy task.

In this pursuit, the disciples of Hwasan showed an unparalleled skill that could only be described as unbelievable to witness.

However, Baek Cheon’s swordsmanship displayed at this moment stood out even among those disciples of Hwasan.

‘It’s fortunate I am not facing him an enemy.’

Baek Cheon would surely block the rear. So, for now, they only needed to focus on moving forward.

“Keep going!”

Im Sobyeong shouted until his throat was raw. Simultaneously, he deftly waved his fan. Those who rushed from the side were cut down by the swift strokes he unleashed.

“Push forward!”

Gwak Hwanso, charging towards the wavering enemies, forcefully thrust his sword. The disciples of Haenam, brave and resolute, also swung their swords with the last of their strength and dashed forward.

Their numbers had already decreased by more than half. The sacrifices made to reach this point were immense.

But now was not the time to look back on the sacrifices already made. They had to focus solely on what lay ahead. That was where they needed to go now.

“Ugh, ugh…”

“Watch out!”

Covered in blood, Yoon Jong and Namgung Dowi charged like demons, causing Sapaeryeon’s bastards to panic and retreat. The two of them swung their swords as if to devour those terrified people.

The explosive swordsmanship of Namgung Dowi harmonized perfectly with Yoon Jong’s restrained sword, devastating the enemy amidst the discord.

“Aaaaargh!”

Slash! Slash! And slash again!

Yoon Jong, swinging his sword somewhat half-consciously, struck down an enemy right before his eyes.

“Argh!”

The one whose throat was slit grabbed onto his wound and collapsed to the side. In that moment, Yoon Jong realized there was no one left to stop him.

Suddenly, a hill-like mountain loomed closer before him.

Between the towering peaks, a clear path emerged.

“Nokrim King!”

“Guard the rear! Stop the pursuers! Send Haenam’s bastards first!”

The moment he heard those words, Yoon Jong felt an indescribable thrill coursing through him.

They had arrived.

After crossing the sea, breaking through Guangdong, and piercing through the hellish gorge, they had finally reached this place.

“Keep going as you are! We’ll handle the rear!”

“But…”

“Move, quickly!”

At Yoon Jong’s command, the disciples of Haenam gritted their teeth and dashed forward. Between the moderately tall mountains rising on both sides, the disciples of Haenam sprinted, even though the terrain was so steep it seemed like a cliff.

“Aaaargh!”

Some fell outright from the momentum of their flight, while others arrived only to collapse from exhaustion.

However, most of Haenam’s disciples, amidst all this, swiftly entered the promised land of the Hundred Thousand Mountains without looking back.

“Monk!”

“Yes!”

Hye Yeon, carrying Yu Iseol on his back, followed closely behind them. Tang Soso, carrying Jo Geol, also ran at full speed and took the lead.

“S… sahyeong…”

“Go ahead, Geol!”

Locking eyes with Jo Geol, Yoon Jong nodded firmly.

Yoon Jong quickly glanced behind. At that moment, the plum blossoms decorating the land of Gangnam were in their full bloom.

Every stroke of his sword was flawless!

Baek Cheon, who separated the clinging enemies, was sprinting towards them.

“Sasuk!”

Baek Cheon’s body was drenched in blood. Yoon Jong had thought it was the enemy’s blood, but upon closer inspection, he realized it was Baek Cheon’s own blood. A scream involuntarily erupted from Yoon Jong’s lips upon realizing this.

“Run!”

But Baek Cheon only urged Yoon Jong on further.

Yoon Jong, along with Im Sobyeong, Namgung Dowi, and Tang Pae, passed by Baek Cheon and entered the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

“Sasuk!”

“We’ll shake them off before they catch up! Let’s go!”

“Yes!”

Yoon Jong’s voice was slightly hoarse.

They hadn’t completely shaken off the pursuit yet. But now, the situation would be much different. The thorn-like mountains rising from the earth would provide them with hiding places and make it difficult for the enemy to pursue.

Just being able to set up an ambush would change everything completely. Wasn’t that what he had thought while looking at Hundred Thousand Mountains on the way to Hainan?

‘We can do it!’

The sacrifices made to reach this point weren’t in vain.

As Yoon Jong clenched his fist unknowingly, he saw the figures crowded ahead.

“Don’t wait, keep going, in any direction!”

At that moment, Haenam’s disciples leading the way turned to look back. As soon as the disciples of Hwasan behind them saw their faces, they instinctively knew that something was wrong.

The faces of Haenam’s disciples were ashen, as if they had encountered a ghost.

“W-What’s wrong?”

“Um… It’s…”

“Yes?”

Despair filled Gwak Hwanso’s voice as he spoke.

“The… the path ahead… it’s blocked, Dojang.”

For a moment, everyone seemed to be at a loss for words. Silence fell over the space, broken only by the eerie wind sweeping through.

Cold sweat formed on Im Sobyeong’s forehead.

“N-No way…”

Im Sobyeong hastily looked out beyond the mountain valley.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Ho Gamyeong slowly approached the valley where Hwasan and Haenam had entered. A smile of satisfaction played on his lips, revealing his true feelings.

“They were an enemy, even though they were so great. So…”

An emotionless voice emerged.

“Just engrave that name. So everyone can clearly see their fate.”

It was a declaration marking the end of the long pursuit.