"There's a shortage of personnel in the northern region!"
"But there's the Peng Family over there! And there shouldn't be many who have gone as far as the north yet."
"The Peng Family has left their main base now. We need to provide more support. If we hesitate, the invaders might breach into Beijing. And if that happens..."
"Then send reinforcements from the groups in Hanam to the north. Hanam has Shaolin, so they can hold on longer."
"Isn't Shaolin on Mount Song still inactive?"
"It's fine! Just do as I said!"
"Understood!"
Tang Soso urged quickly, "Next!"
"There's a group requesting additional medical personnel due to injuries."
"They got injured just dealing with them?"
"...One got injured during treatment."
Tang Soso bit his lip slightly.
Targeting the injured before the one wielding the blade or spear is human instinct. But it's also human instinct to seek to finish off the weaker ones who show their backs first.
It's a folly not to anticipate this.
If the opponents were just slightly more skilled, the damages would have escalated exponentially.
"We need to reassess our tactics. First, send replacements for the injured."
"We don't have any spare personnel right now."
"Merge two smaller groups and provide support from one medical station. If possible, choose among those who have headed north!"
"Yes, understood!"
All instructions flowed smoothly without obstruction.
Those observing from a distance all nodded in admiration.
"...Impressive."
"Indeed."
Giving orders while seated isn't that difficult. But making immediate decisions and finding the best solutions amidst sporadic reports and pouring issues is challenging even for a seasoned martial artist.
And it's Tang Soso who handles it skillfully.
"Is it innate?"
"Probably because of his father... He must have seen and learned a lot since childhood."
"The lineage of the Tang Family, huh."
Everyone admired Tang Soso's calm demeanor.
But in truth, her inner self was deteriorating. With a slightly raised voice, she asked, "What about the Tang Family groups sent to support the Yangtze River area?"
"Well... they've arrived, but there's a bit of a problem."
"A problem?"
Tang Soso's gaze sharpened. Startled, the one who spoke blurted out their answer.
"They, they reached nearby for support, but some groups encountered river bandit groups while operating alone! It seems they couldn't join Mount Hua due to the engagement."
Tang Soso clenched his fist tightly within the wide sleeves of the Tang Family's attire.
"So, what's the plan?"
"They're asking for orders, as attempting to break through seems to incur too many casualties."
Tang Soso's eyelashes trembled.
Even if orders were given here, by the time they receive them, the situation would likely have already ended.
Those on the battlefield wouldn't be unaware of this. Asking for orders essentially means they won't dive into the battlefield.
But it's an unavoidable task. Trying to break through a river bandit group's forces with just a dozen or so personnel isn't it akin to suicide?
"So then..."
Tang Soso's mouth, which had been spitting out answers like a flowing stream, stopped for the first time.
He couldn't afford to show any signs of panic or anxiety. That was the duty of the one who stood here. But knowing that... sometimes that duty felt harsh. Just like now.
"Well, first..."
Just as he was about to suppress the turmoil that seemed like it would overwhelm him...
"Urgent report! From the Yangtze River! Urgent report from the Yangtze River!"
Tang Soso's head snapped in that direction.
"Some groups have launched an assault on the enemy! Those from Mount Hua have assassinated the Black Dragon King's commander!"
Assassinated.
The moment Tang Soso heard that word, all strength seemed to drain from his legs.
"The remnants of the river bandit groups are scattering!"
"Oh..."
Tang Soso staggered, and Tang Ming quickly grabbed her arm, supporting her. His voice was choked with emotion.
"You did it! You did it, Soso!"
"..."
A disappointed sigh escaped Tang Soso's lips. He wanted to unleash a barrage of curses or something similar, but he didn't even have the energy for that now.
"Anyway, truly..."
The relief that had washed over her face was now tinged with worry again.
"Are there any casualties?"
"T-That... we're still waiting for reports..."
"If the river bandit groups are scattering, then the ones blocking our path will also retreat! Inform everyone immediately and send doctors to the battlefield, quickly!"
"Yes!"
Tang Soso breathed another sigh of relief.
The worry hadn't completely dissipated until they received definite reports, but knowing that they had averted the worst-case scenario they had imagined provided some comfort.
"Thank goodness, Soso."
"...Yes, uncle."
Tang Ming nodded with a bright smile.
"I never doubted you'd pull through. Your senior and junior brothers are truly remarkable individuals with no apparent limits."
"...Except causing trouble. They seem to have no limits on that either. Can't believe even senior brother Chung Myung isn't around and they're still stirring up trouble."
"Haha. Senior and junior brothers are originally alike... Ahem."
As Tang Soso's gaze sharpened, Tang Ming cleared his throat and subtly averted his eyes. His little joke eased the tension in the air.
"Anyway, I'll give you an earful later until your ears bleed. What were you thinking!"
Tang Soso gritted his teeth, but her face was noticeably more relaxed compared to before.
"Well, for now..."
She gathered herself and was about to issue instructions again.
Beep!
A sudden, piercing cry echoed from above.
Tang Soso quickly looked up to see a small golden bird circling the blue sky.
His eyes narrowed briefly.
"That's..."
Instinctively reaching out, the golden bird, which had been about to turn away, swiftly landed on his outstretched arm. A scroll was tied to its leg.
Tang Soso quickly untied the scroll and unfurled it.
"Ah..."
Eventually, a sigh escaped his lips, sounding almost like a groan of despair.
* * *
"Hey, long time no see."
"...That crazy bastard."
"He's here so quickly, damn it!"
"He looks completely unscathed."
"Senior sister, why the black attire?"
Chung Myung appeared nonchalantly, waving his hand. Baek Cheon and Yun Jong cursed, while Yu Yiseol drew her sword.
Chung Myung shrugged.
"But hey, everyone's still alive, huh?"
"Elder brother... Can I kill him?"
"...If only I had the ability, I would've done it by now."
"Sigh. If only my body was in better shape."
Baek Cheon, who had been wincing, suddenly chuckled. Despite the pain that seemed to shoot through him with every laugh, Baek Cheon, who now knew better than anyone else that being able to feel this pain was a blessing, laughed. It was close; they almost made a name for themselves here.
"I thought I was really going to die this time."
"Why state the obvious? It's always been like this."
"...True enough."
Is this normal? Is there something fundamentally wrong from the start?
At that moment, Chung Myung caught a glimpse of the Black Dragon King's body lying on the ground. The sight was indescribably gruesome. But for a villain who had committed countless atrocities, it was a death fitting his deeds.
"This guy... you all..."
Chung Myung's words trailed off slightly, as if he felt a bit choked up. Baek Cheon chuckled.
"Yeah. We really did it. Now..."
"Only..."
"...Huh?"
Chung Myung's gaze shifted to the Five Swords, his eyes flickering ominously.
Both Five Swords and Hye Yeon involuntarily flinched.
"You're thrashing around like that just to catch one measly bastard?"
"Huh?"
"Just for this? Just for one?"
"..."
"Oh my, my arm... Oh! What sin did I commit in my past life to end up with these...! How many years did I raise you for, and you still can't properly catch one scoundrel!"
"...You didn't raise me."
If you raised me, then my feet would be dragging on the ground. You should think about your height...
No, wait, that's not it.
"Is that what you have to say after sneaking out after everything's settled?"
"Then wait! Why do you start without a word among yourselves and then blame me!"
"That's true."
"Honestly, that was elder brother's mistake."
"You idiot."
Thud.
Baek Cheon gritted his teeth. While it might be normal for the others to act like this, why was that guy just sitting there in silence? He should be harboring the biggest grudge against Jin Geumryong right now!
"Why are you staring? Got something to say?"
Baek Cheon's face twisted slightly.
But the sight of Jin Geumryong's back, who had unhesitatingly shielded him in moments of crisis, still lingered in his mind. So, even if he wanted to say something, he couldn't. He had to erase this memory quickly...
"Anyway."
Tsk tsk. Chung Myung, with a tongue click, turned his gaze to Nangong Dowi this time. The surviving members of the Nangong Family and doctors from various groups were tending to Nangong Dowi's wounds.
While others also sustained injuries, Nangong Dowi seemed like a mere corpse, barely clinging to life.
"Hmm."
As Chung Myung approached Nangong Dowi, those surrounding him parted to make way.
Nangong Dowi, who had been sprawled out, turned his head laboriously upon sensing Chung Myung's arrival.
"D-...Dong...jang..."
"You... turned out pretty handsome, huh? Truly a charming man?"
At those words, Nangong Dowi's swollen face broke into a faint smile. It wasn't a smile that looked impressive even as an empty compliment. But it undeniably appeared endlessly relieved.
"I prefer this side, too."
"It's a shame you lack admiration. Those words could make you regret."
Chung Myung chuckled wryly.
Of course, he said it like that, but Chung Myung himself found Nangong Dowi's current appearance much more appealing. There couldn't be a more reliable soldier's face than this.
"However..."
Nangong Dowi flinched as if trying to turn to one side. It seemed he wanted to take in the sight of those who had been sacrificed among those who had come here together.
"It may be a good choice, but I can't say it was worth dying for."
But Chung Myung didn't let him turn his head and dwell in self-blame.
"At least Nangong Huang will be proud."
Surprised, Nangong Dowi stared blankly at Chung Myung. Chung Myung spoke bluntly.
"...Well done."
"No, sir. Disciple..."
Chung Myung inspected Nangong Dowi's wounds and clicked his tongue.
It's a glorious wound, but it's excessive. Shouldn't he lie like a corpse for at least a month to fulfill his role as a human?
"But after this... things will surely change."
A soldier who has crossed one mountain tends to become a different person than before.
"Chung Myung."
Jo Gol finally spoke up.
"But..."
"Hmm?"
He was staring at the fallen body of the Black Dragon King with a puzzled expression.
"...Why did he come back?"
Yun Jong couldn't answer.
He wondered too. The Black Dragon King had managed to break through the encirclement. If he had just kept running, he could have thrown himself into the sea of those river bandits and eventually escaped.
Their side, wounded and exhausted, would have found it difficult to catch him again.
Of course, the wounds inflicted on the Black Dragon King were severe, but even so, wouldn't he have survived if he had just escaped?
"But why..."
What could be the reason for his return? Jo Gol looked to Yun Jong for an answer, but Yun Jong had no response to give.
"I don't know... Maybe I wasn't in my right mind, shedding too much blood."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. And..."
Yun Jong spoke calmly as he looked at the fallen Black Dragon King.
"Even if he had escaped, he would have died here eventually. We would have chased him down and ended his life no matter how many times he tried to run."
"Senior brother?"
"I'm not sure about that..."
Yun Jong's gaze shifted elsewhere. At the end of it stood someone leaning on the Black Dragon King's guandao as if it were a trophy, resting his weary body.
Yun Jong's eyes filled with various emotions.
"...If it's that fucker, he would have done it like that."
"..."
Jo Gol, looking at Baek Cheon after Yun Jong's words, nodded as if in agreement.
"Seems so."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
*squeak*
The river bandit with a large hole in his chest coughed up foam. The light in his eyes dimmed as a sense of futility took over.
"Why... Why did... you..."
One of the Eighteen Bandits of the Yangtze River poured out blood foam. In his fading eyes were countless corpses, a sea of blood dyed red. They were all river bandits from the Jue Chao's faction who had rushed to save the Black Dragon King.
They all had to give up their lives to the sword of a single person who had suddenly appeared.
"Why... did... you... come... back... here..."
The vicious sword pierced through his neck as he muttered.
A sudden convulsion shook his body as his breath was cut off.
"That evil sect bastard keeps blabbering."
Chung Myung, without any particular emotion, turned his gaze towards him.
Between the dense forest, a wide field was faintly visible. Chung Myung muttered towards that distant place.
"That fox bastard..."
With a swift motion, the Dark Incense Plum Blossom Sword swung towards Heo Kong, sending droplets of blood flying.
Chung Myung casually sheathed his sword and glanced around before heading towards the field.
However, his steps halted after a short distance.
As if pondering something, Chung Myung stood still for a moment before murmuring again.
"...Just..."
His voice, mixed with a strange emotion.
"...Not just a fox anymore."
A refreshing smile finally appeared on his lips.
"Now, it's time to talk."
His steps, now much lighter, moved forward without hesitation.
As Chung Myung walked, Baek Cheon approached him.
"It's time to start moving again."
"Hmm?"
Chung Myung furrowed his brow subtly. While Baek Cheon wasn't comparable to Nangong Dowi, objectively speaking, it wasn't a good sight to see him already...
"Three-fifths of the fleeing river bandits headed north. If we don't deal with them, capturing the Black Dragon King will be meaningless."
"Hmm."
Chung Myung nodded silently as if acknowledging the logic behind Baek Cheon's calm words. Then, he glanced at the remaining Five Swords and spoke.
"You're right."
"Yeah. So, let's..."
"But why should we be the ones to do that?"
"...Huh?"
Chung Myung gestured towards the north.
"If I'm going to handle everything myself, why bother creating a gang? I might as well handle it all alone."
"..."
As Baek Cheon began to speak, Chung Myung calmly continued.
"If you can do something on your own, it's only right to let others handle what they can too. That's how it should be."
Baek Cheon's face displayed confusion involuntarily.
"Has anyone who knows that survived?"
"What do you mean?"
"...Well, say it. My ears might as well hurt from it."
Baek Cheon replied, feeling puzzled.
Although they had just finished a fierce battle, the atmosphere wasn't bad. No, it was downright cheerful.
Although they didn't express their opinions explicitly, it was clear how beneficial capturing the Black Dragon King would be in this war.
Baek Cheon quickly regained his composure, suppressing the urge to relax.
"First, we should take care of the wounded..."
Just then,
*Keeeek!*
An unfamiliar screech reached their ears.
Instinctively turning their heads, they saw a familiar white figure racing towards them from a distance.
"...Baek Ah?"
"Huh?"
Chung Myung's face also stiffened slightly.
Baek Ah, known as the White Lightning, rushed over and leaped onto Chung Myung's body.
*Keeeek!*
Then, with its small front paws, Baek Ah unpacked the bundle it was carrying and pulled out a scroll from inside.
"What's going on..."
Chung Myung, with a stern expression, took the scroll Baek Ah offered.
Heading north towards the Four Tyrants Alliance. Engaging in battle with the Shaolin and Nine Sects. Need your opinion.
Chung Myung's eyes widened.
"Now?"
The color drained from his face. With a creaking sound, he turned his head westward.
Towards the ominous land beyond a thousand miles.
---
"Sir, Alliance Lord."
"Hmm?"
"...We've lost contact with the agent assigned to the Black Dragon King. Maybe..."
"Hmm."
Jang Ilso's lips curled up slightly.
"Tsk tsk. Unfortunately... If we had the time, we could have given him a proper funeral."
Hu Jiaming's expression hardened.
"It's just a loss of contact. Even if we've lost one arm, there's still a little more..."
"Jiaming, Jiaming. Don't you think he's lacking in understanding even after such a loss?"
"..."
"It's just a matter of time. Even if the Black Dragon King's arm was intact."
Unable to deny his words, Hu Jiaming nodded.
Black Dragon King couldn't return. His role was just a decoy from the start. Since he had lured the one they were after with his life, he had fulfilled his role sufficiently.
In that sense, the Black Dragon King's death was invaluable, wouldn't you say?
"Bring it over here."
When Hu Jiaming gestured, one of the subordinates hurriedly approached and handed Jang Ilso a bottle of liquor. Without diverting his gaze, Jang Ilso opened the bottle and took a sip.
"Hmm."
After savoring the aroma, Jang Ilso tilted the bottle slightly and drank it calmly.
"This is good liquor."
"..."
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing, sir."
Hu Jiaming seemed a bit flustered. Jang Ilso chuckled.
"Why? Did you think I was going to use this liquor for a funeral for the Black Dragon King?"
Hu Jiaming couldn't reply. That's what he had thought, after all.
"No need for that."
Jang Ilso's lips formed a cool smile.
"It would be a waste of liquor for such a lowly individual."
Just as Hu Jiaming was about to bow his head in silence,
"Besides... Don't we have a separate funeral for him?"
"What do you mean?"
Jang Ilso's gaze shifted to the vast expanse ahead. His eyes, shining fiercely, seemed to be boiling now.
It's almost time.
When the sun sets today, this land will be dyed crimson. With blood thicker than this liquor, darker than the sunset that paints the sky.
"All the pieces are in place. It's time to open the funeral. Not for those who have died, but for those who will die."
His voice marked the ominous atmosphere flowing through this land.