This time, we’ll wager your neck. (4)

Thud.

Baek Sang collapsed to the ground as if his legs had given out beneath him, a sigh of relief escaping his lips.

“He’s alive…”

He stared blankly at Baek Cheon, who was lying on the bed.

An overwhelming sense of relief washed over him, making his entire body feel as heavy as if it were soaked in water.

“Lord Tang, how is Sasuk?”

“Hmmm.”

Tang Gunak carefully placed his hand on Baek Cheon’s dantian. After a long moment of examination, his face serious, Tang Gunak finally nodded slowly.

“He’s definitely… stabilized. I can’t say he’s fully recovered from a medical standpoint, but it seems there won’t be any further complications.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means his life is no longer in danger.”

Even as Tang Gunak spoke, he couldn’t help but be amazed by the words coming out of his own mouth.

When someone as knowledgeable as Tang Gunak said this, Yoon Jong, who had been cautious until now, also collapsed onto the ground with relief.

“Ah…”

Tang Gunak’s astonished gaze turned toward Chung Myung.

‘What exactly did you do?’

The situation had involved clashing energies of opposing natures. Even Heo Gong, who had mastered the principles of yin and yang, had nearly failed to control it.

Even though Baek Cheon’s condition had been so precarious, how had Chung Myung managed to quell the clash of those two opposing energies in an instant? What kind of miraculous technique had he employed?

But Tang Gunak’s thoughts didn’t dwell on this mystery for long.

“Elder!”

The realization struck him that, in the midst of this miraculous event, they had forgotten about Heo Gong. Wudang swordsmen, who were now gathered around the collapsed Heo Gong, raised their voices in concern.

Tang Gunak quickly pushed past Wudang’s disciples and grasped Heo Gong’s wrist to check his pulse. As he assessed the situation, a deeply complex and regretful expression crossed his face.

Mu Jin, who was drenched in sweat, quietly asked, 

“Lord Tang, how is the Elder…?”

Tang Gunak hesitated for a moment before letting out a low sigh.

“His life isn’t in danger. But…”

The words were similar to what he had said about Baek Cheon, but Tang Gunak’s expression was far graver.

“His energy has been disrupted. As a martial artist… it’s likely that…”

He didn’t finish the sentence, but Mu Jin could easily guess what was left unsaid.

“…I see.”

Any hope he had held onto was now thoroughly crushed. However, after a brief sigh, Mu Jin quickly regained his composure and spoke calmly.

“It’s alright. Please don’t look so troubled.”

Mu Jin gazed at the unconscious Heo Gong and spoke quietly.

“The Elder did this of his own will. I believe… he wouldn’t be too troubled by it.”

“You…”

“Wudang may have lost Heo Gong as a martial artist, but we have gained Heo Gong as a true Taoist. How can we say that what we’ve gained is less than what we’ve lost?”

Mu Jin softly chanted a Taoist prayer and then turned his gaze to the other Wudang’s disciples who stood with downcast expressions.

“Moreover, Wudang has lost far too much to dwell on this alone.”

Wudang’s disciples bit their lips in silent grief.

Of those who had originally set out to confront Sapaeryeon, less than a hundred remained. Mu Jin’s words forced them to confront the harsh reality they had momentarily forgotten.

The disciples of Hwasan also remained silent, looking at them with sympathetic eyes. In such a situation, no words could offer real comfort.

Yet, Mu Jin bowed respectfully towards Hwasan’s disciples.

“Although I cannot claim to represent all of Wudang, I want to express my gratitude on behalf of those who remain here.”

“Oh, no…”

“Thanks to you, Wudang can continue its lineage. For that, we are deeply thankful.”

Hwasan’s disciples scratched their heads awkwardly, unsure how to respond. Jo Geol muttered under his breath, feeling slightly uncomfortable with the situation.

Jo Geol scratched his head and, with a confused smile, said. 

“Well, if you keep thanking us like that, it’s going to feel pretty awkward considering we almost drew our swords against each other just a little while ago.”

“…Please, Geol, just stop talking,” 

Yoon Jong sighed deeply.

“But it’s true, isn’t it?”

“A true adult knows when to keep certain truths to themselves,” 

Yoon Jong retorted, his exasperation evident. He added inaudibly.

‘And you’ll probably never be an adult at this rate.’

Unbothered by Yoon Jong’s reaction, Jo Geol glanced around at the disciples of Hwasan and Wudang before casting a quick look beyond Wudang’s mountain gate.

“So… does this mean it’s finally over?”

A brief silence followed. Who could confidently answer that question?

Yoon Jong, sensing the uncertainty, called out to Chung Myung, who was still staring into the distance.

“Chung Myung. What about Jang Ilso?”

“…”

“What happened to him?”

Only then did Chung Myung turn to face Yoon Jong. His gaze heavy. 

❀ ❀ ❀

“Commander!”

The subordinates rushed forward, bowing their heads before Ho Gamyeong.

“We’ve withdrawn all the forces from Mount Wudang as per your orders.”

Ho Gamyeong gave a brief nod. As he turned, the charred landscape of Mount Wudang came into full view. Only the summit, still clinging to a trace of its original greenery, had escaped the flames that had consumed most of the mountain.

How should he assess this?

Should he praise the fact that they had burned most of the mountain? That they had trampled it so thoroughly that it would take a long time to regain its former glory?

Or should he lament and regret that they hadn’t managed to turn even the summit into ashes? Despite the thorough destruction, this mountain would eventually be covered in green once again.

While others might have differing opinions, Ho Gamyeong had only one conclusion to draw.

“And the Southern Sea Sun Palace?”

“A messenger reported that they have withdrawn from Mount Wudang. And…”

“And?”

“It appears that the Sun Palace Lord’s condition is quite serious.”

A faint smirk crossed Ho Gamyeong’s lips.

“So, despite only facing Hwasan at the summit, the Sun Palace Lord sustained severe injuries?”

“…”

“Against Hwasan without even Hwasan Geomhyeop?”

“Yes. It seems that’s the case.”

Ho Gamyeong’s smirk deepened, though it wasn’t directed at the Sun Palace Lord. It was a laugh aimed at himself.

“Hwasan without Hwasan Geomhyeop is nothing.”

“…”

“Some fool actually said that. It’s almost a shame he is allowed to breathe.”

“Commander…”

Ho Gamyeong shook his head, wiping the smirk from his face.

“Enough. Send word to the Southern Sea Sun Palace to head to the prearranged meeting point.”

“Yes, Commander.”

Ho Gamyeong seemed about to say something more but then stopped himself.

‘Meeting point…’

If the mission had been guaranteed success, there would have been no need for a meeting point in case of failure. Yet, he had planned one. Was it due to Ho Gamyeong’s characteristic thoroughness, or had he subconsciously acknowledged the possibility of a failure?

But now, what did any of that matter?

“Hurry the retreat for the remaining forces.”

“Yes, Commander.”

Ho Gamyeong’s gaze darkened as he prepared to move again.

Just as he was about to step forward, a sudden, loud cry echoed through the air.

“Ho Gamyeooooooong!”

Suddenly, a thunderous roar, like that of a wounded beast, echoed in Ho Gamyeong’s ears.

Ho Gamyeong turned slightly to look…

It was Cheon Myeon Susa Dam Yeohae, charging forward like a demon drenched in blood.

“Wait-!”

The startled members of Sapaeryeon instinctively moved to block his path.

Normally, no one would dare obstruct Cheon Myeon Susa’s way, but the murderous intent he was emitting towards Ho Gamyeong was far from ordinary, even in their eyes.

“Haomunju! Please, calm-“

“Get out of my way!”

Boom!

Those who tried to block him were sent flying, blood spraying in all directions. Cheon Myeon Susa was a killer who showed no mercy, and Ho Gamyeong’s guards were far too weak to withstand the full force of his attack.

“Ho Gamyeooooooong!”

Blood-red murder radiated from Cheon Myeon Susa’s eyes.

“Stop him!”

Boom!

Cheon Myeon Susa mercilessly slaughtered anyone who stood in his way. In a flash, he broke through the wall of bodies surrounding Ho Gamyeong and stood right before him, face-to-face.

Even in that intense moment, Ho Gamyeong remained expressionless, his gaze unshaken as he stared back at Cheon Myeon Susa.

“You…!”

Crack!

Cheon Myeon Susa’s hand shot out, seizing Ho Gamyeong by the throat.

Boom!

With a forceful slam, he drove Ho Gamyeong into the ground, bringing his face inches from Ho Gamyeong’s and growling, his eyes boiling with fury like molten lava.

“Commander!”

“What are you doing?!”

Ho Gamyeong’s subordinates were horrified, but none dared rush to his aid. Cheon Myeon Susa’s free hand was brimming with deadly energy, poised to strike. They knew all too well what would happen if that hand moved to deliver a blow.

Anyone could see the catastrophic outcome if that hand were to strike Ho Gamyeong.

“Munju! You must calm down!”

“If you do this, there will be severe consequences…!”

Despite the desperate attempts of others to reason with him, Cheon Myeon Susa didn’t even glance in their direction. His focus was solely on Ho Gamyeong, glaring at him as if he would tear him apart at any moment.

“Explain yourself.”

“…”

“Were you planning to kill me too?”

As Cheon Myeon Susa tightened his grip, Ho Gamyeong’s face began to pale, yet his expression remained completely unchanged, even as he faced the threat of imminent death.

“Explain yourself. Why did you blow up the cliff without so much as a word to me? Why did you push me into the middle of that hell? If you don’t give me a satisfactory answer, I’ll crush your skull right here and now.”

Cheon Myeon Susa’s eyes gleamed with madness, and it was clear that his threat wasn’t just empty words.

However, even in his fury, some faint trace of reason seemed to remain, as the hand squeezing Ho Gamyeong’s throat loosened slightly, giving him a chance to speak.

“Cough.”

Ho Gamyeong let out a small cough, then looked up indifferently at Cheon Myeon Susa, who was pinning him down, and spoke.

“So, did you die?”

“…What?”

For a moment, Cheon Myeon Susa’s expression went blank, as if he had been struck on the back of the head.

“You’re still alive, aren’t you?”

Cheon Myeon Susa’s face twisted in fury.

“You…”

“If it’s you, you should survive. If you’re the Master of the Thousand Faces.”

Ho Gamyeong remained calm, even as the hand gripping his throat began to tremble violently. Cheon Myeon Susa’s uncontrolled rage was manifesting physically, making his body shake.

“You…”

Gritting his teeth, the murderous intent in Cheon Myeon Susa’s eyes grew increasingly ferocious.

“Do you really think you can just say something like that and get away with it?!”

Finally, Cheon Myeon Susa couldn’t hold back any longer and brought his hand down with furious force.

Bang!

However, instead of the sound of a skull being crushed, there was a sharp, powerful impact, and Cheon Myeon Susa’s body was suddenly flung back, as if he had been kicked by an unseen force.

Thud!

He crashed into the ground and then rebounded, coughing up dark, crimson blood.

Crash!

“Urgh…”

Rage filled Cheon Myeon Susa’s eyes as he struggled to regain his composure.

“Oh my, oh my. It seems someone’s quite angry.”

At that moment, a smooth, almost gentle voice, entirely out of place in the tense atmosphere, drifted through the air.

“But you know…”

Cheon Myeon Susa, gritting his teeth, turned his gaze towards the source of the voice.

As expected, it was the man draped in a red robe, his face obscured with a white hue, who stood there with a peculiar smile.

“Even so, laying a hand on my dear Commander was a bit excessive, don’t you think?”

Cheon Myeon Susa’s hand, which had been pressing against the ground, trembled slightly.

It was Paegun Jang Ilso, whose light, mocking laughter now filled the air.