Baek Cheon's face contorted.
He had faced the frenzied onslaught of river bandits before. He had faced powerful strikes aimed at his life by absolute powerhouses. Black Dragon King, no matter how strong, was no match for the bishop they had to deal with in Hangzhou.
But unbelievably, this was the first time both had combined.
"By heavens!"
Baek Cheon fiercely cut down the river bandits rushing towards him.
At that moment, amidst the river bandits, Black Dragon King, who had been lying in wait, swooped in like a hawk, swinging his guandao downwards.
Baek Cheon's eyes boiled.
'Don't underestimate me!'
He had already been prepared, so blocking the guandao wasn't difficult. But there was still damage.
*Thud!*
*Kuk!*
At the moment of collision between the guandao and the sword, the impact shook his entire body. His insides literally trembled, and blood surged back through his throat.
If Baek Cheon had been in perfect condition, he might have been able to withstand this blow somehow, but now it was difficult.
"You!"
Nevertheless, Baek Cheon forcibly swallowed the lump of blood and swung his sword like a seasoned warrior.
But unfortunately, he only managed to graze Heo Kong. Black Dragon King had already withdrawn behind the river bandits.
"This cowardly bastard!"
Jo Gol cursed, watching the river bandits who continued their attack and Black Dragon King who hid behind them.
"And you call yourself Black Dragon King! You don't even know what shame is!"
"...That's why they're part of the evil sect. Let them wish for it."
"They're not all cowards like that bastard from the evil sect!"
Jo Gol and Yun Jong's desperate aggressive plan.
They tried to somehow provoke their opponents, but Black Dragon King merely stared at Jo Gol with a face like that of a snake hunting its prey.
Ready to pounce at any moment and sink his fangs into his throat.
"...Damn it."
Jo Gol's face gradually hardened.
The situation had changed. Behind the hunting dogs blindly rushing forward, a cunning hunter stood firm, ready to withstand and confront.
'Wasn't this supposed to be a straightforward charge?'
His mind grew increasingly tangled.
That's when it happened.
"Amitabha!"
With a somewhat rough Buddhist prayer, Hye Yeon emitted a golden glow.
The Hundred Steps Divine Fist. In terms of striking opponents by traversing distances, there was nothing better than this technique from Shaolin!
However, instead of directly facing the golden authority, Black Dragon King adeptly turned his body and avoided the attack.
"You can't escape!"
*Bang!*
As if he had already anticipated it, Hye Yeon dashed straight towards Black Dragon King.
In an instant, Black Dragon King smiled sardonically and grabbed a nearby river bandit, hurling him towards Hye Yeon.
"Despicable...!"
As Hye Yeon bit her lip and attempted to push away the airborne river bandit, *thud*, something sharp emerged from the river bandit's chest. It was Black Dragon King's guandao.
Thrown to block her view, the river bandit's body was pierced, and the guandao pierced through, aiming at Hye Yeon.
'What...?'
It was a vicious blow. Even the usually calm Hye Yeon couldn't help but stiffen.
The guandao stabbed into Hye Yeon's chest.
*pow*
"S-Sister!"
A startled Jo Gol screamed out.
As Hye Yeon, pushed back, lifted her head, she crossed both hands and squeezed the guandao, digging it into her chest.
Thanks to her efforts, the guandao that should have pierced her heart stood still, merely piercing through her flesh.
However, in exchange, Hye Yeon suffered deep wounds on both wrists.
"Hmph!"
As Black Dragon King retrieved his guandao and swung it broadly, Hye Yeon's body floated in mid-air. The corpse of the river bandit, with its chest pierced, shattered into pieces, scattering in all directions.
"Black Dragon King!"
Li Songbaek roared in anger, his eyes bloodshot with fury.
And rightfully so, for he had never heard of, nor imagined, such an act.
Who in the world would throw their subordinates as bait, using their blood to injure others for their own gain?
No one, or at least no one with a shred of humanity or decency, would ever do such a thing.
Li Songbaek's rage-filled sword descended from the sky like a lightning bolt.
But it wasn't Black Dragon King who stopped him.
*Squeak!*
In an instant of lost sanity, a barrage of long arrows flew towards Li Songbaek's side from the river bandits. The flashing arrows cruelly cut through Li Songbaek's skin and muscles.
But even amidst this, Li Songbaek's sword clashed head-on with Black Dragon King's guandao.
*Kwaaaang!*
The outcome was inevitable.
With a thunderous explosion, Li Songbaek's body was slammed into the ground like a rock. The river bandits swept away by the aftermath also scattered, bloodied and defeated.
Black Dragon King quickly scanned the surroundings before slipping behind the river bandits again. His movements were like that of a ghost.
Watching this, Baek Cheon felt cold sweat run down his spine.
From the start, Black Dragon King's prowess was superior to theirs. How terrifying would it be for a strong individual to create a situation where they could only fight on their terms?
"Support?"
There was none. Except for Nangong Dowi, the Nangong Family could only hold their ground. And even with everyone Baek Cheon had brought, it would take much longer to reach here. Baek Sang might be giving it his all, but realistically, immediate help was difficult.
In other words, it meant that only those present here had to capture Black Dragon King.
For the first time, a strange emotion appeared on Baek Cheon's face.
"...No, it wasn't wrong."
It wasn't wrong. It definitely wasn't wrong. His decision was right.
But... was he truly prepared for the consequences? Could he accept losing everything because of this choice?
...Did he simply underestimate his opponent?
Baek Cheon bit his lower lip fiercely.
Black Dragon King was strong.
It wasn't just about martial prowess. Even in a desperate situation, he remained calm and managed to turn the Heavenly Friendship Alliance against them by using everything at his disposal.
Baek Cheon knew that 'strength' in the Martial Arts World wasn't just about one's abilities, but even so, he pushed forward with all of this.
If someone like Black Dragon King was cunning and intelligent, his cunning and intelligence would surely be unmatched.
"Is he not coming?"
As proof of this, Black Dragon King stared at them without a hint of anxiety. His face showed complete understanding of how time worked to his advantage.
"A fox."
Those words lingered in Baek Cheon's mind. A fox that took on the tiger's might. Fox fakes tiger's prestige.
"Just a fox bastard..."
Baek Cheon clenched his sword tightly.
Then, a faint trembling voice was heard from beside him.
"...Hasn't he come yet?"
Nangong Dowi, carrying Jo Gol on his back, fidgeted as if searching for something.
"H-He must have heard the news... Then by now..."
*Crack*
Baek Cheon ground his teeth.
His anger wasn't directed at Nangong Dowi's carelessness.
The longer they waited, the more river bandits would gather. They couldn't afford to delay for even a moment.
Yet Baek Cheon stalled under the pretext of devising a plan. His own inner thoughts, which he hadn't fully understood, were awakened by Jo Gol's words. So he became angry.
He had been waiting. Waiting for Chung Myung to come and solve the crisis as usual.
Yes. Like a fox waiting for a tiger.
*Crack*
Baek Cheon, overwhelmed by a surge of self-loathing and disgust, tightened his grip on his sword. But someone's voice pierced through his thoughts.
"He's not coming."
"Senior brother!"
It was Yun Jong. With blood trickling from his side, he stepped forward and aimed his sword at Black Dragon King.
Even the blood-stained Yu Yiseol stood firmer, speaking more strongly next to Yun Jong.
"He shouldn't come."
Her icy gaze pierced Black Dragon King. Baek Cheon and Jo Gol flinched at her gaze.
"Amitabha..."
Hye Yeon also walked forward, her head bowed.
"While Chung Myung is indeed remarkable... we are not people who can do nothing without him."
Yun Jong turned his head to gaze at Baek Cheon. There was a look in his eyes that didn't convey any particular emotion.
Baek Cheon trembled slightly.
It seemed like Yun Jong's eyes were saying something.
Is this really the situation you wanted? To recklessly rush in without your abilities and drag other sect members into it, ultimately throwing away their lives for nothing?
Of course, he knew this was the voice of his guilt. Still, he couldn't help but bow his head.
But what came out of Yun Jong's mouth was completely different.
"Elder brother."
"...Yun Jong, I..."
"Follow orders."
Baek Cheon's face froze with surprise.
In Yun Jong's eyes, there was not a reprimand, but... steadfast trust.
"...This is not a situation where we can win with 'difficult to talk about'. If the opponent is fighting with multiple people, shouldn't we do the same?"
"He's right."
"Indeed!"
Yu Yiseol nodded lightly, and Jo Gol strongly agreed as well.
"If it's the deputy sect leader's command, I trust it."
Li Songbaek, whose body had been thrown out by Black Dragon King's attack, approached Baek Cheon, wiping the fresh blood from his lips. Jin Geumryong, with a clear expression of dissatisfaction on his face, also moved to Baek Cheon's side. Though he didn't like it, it seemed there was no other choice for now.
Baek Cheon looked blankly at all their movements and the expressions of trust on their faces. His eyes blinked briefly.
Just a fox bastard. A fool who boasted with the tiger's might.
But they believed in him. They trusted the culprit who had dragged them into this crisis without a shred of doubt.
Then what should he do?
"...It was decided from the beginning."
What he should do. What he had intended to do.
Baek Cheon reached out his hand to Nangong Dowi, who was slowing Jo Gol's movements.
"Elder brother?"
"Come here."
Baek Cheon took Nangong Dowi and lifted him up, wrapping bandages around his body and securing them tightly.
"Jo Gol! Yun Jong! As always. Clear the way!"
"Yes."
"Leave it to us!"
They had forgotten for a moment, but Jo Gol and Yun Jong were essentially one when fighting together. Their strength was fully realized when fighting together rather than alone.
"Monk! This young warrior!"
"Speak, benefactor."
"Yes, deputy sect leader!"
"He puts all his strength into one strike. When the two in front clear the way, make sure to completely block that attack!"
"Yes!"
"You must succeed."
Baek Cheon's gaze fell on Yu Yiseol's back.
"Junior sister. Keep an eye on him! Anytime!"
"Got it."
Yu Yiseol replied calmly.
"What about me?"
Baek Cheon glanced at Jin Geumryong.
As soon as he saw that unlucky face, a firm voice burst out of Baek Cheon's mouth.
"Protect me, idiot."
"...If we survive here, you're next. Remember that, Jin Dongryong."
Baek Cheon chuckled at Jin Geumryong's angry voice.
With his sword tightly gripped, he continued to watch Black Dragon King, who was still moving cautiously.
Opportunities wouldn't come several times. No, maybe only once this time. If this attack failed, all that remained would be dying as a pitiful fox.
No... even if he was a fox, it didn't matter.
He hadn't learned how to become a tiger. If he couldn't become a tiger, then becoming a fox that could fight was enough. If he couldn't become a tiger, then becoming a fox that could bite and kill a tiger would suffice.
As he stared intently, the tip of Black Dragon King's guandao swayed slightly with his breath.
Up, down, up again, and then...
"Now!"
As Baek Cheon's signal fell, Jo Gol shot forward like lightning. Everyone followed suit as if drawn in.
The thick smell of blood, the heat burning their faces, the pressure gripping their hearts, and even the killing intent piercing their skin.
They overcame it all, and as Jo Gol's sword extended, Baek Cheon realized that although he had lost his own sword, he gained—Jo Gol's.