C1702
"Duck!"
Jin Geumryong grabbed the back of Lee Songbaek's neck and pushed him against the cliff. Almost simultaneously, a powerful gust of wind and impact shook their bodies.
Gritting his teeth, Jin Geumryong scanned the direction of Jong Rigok as soon as the explosion subsided. His mouth was dry, and his eyes were bloodshot.
When the dust cloud finally settled, Jong Rigok's figure appeared.
"Sect Leader!"
Fortunately, Jong Rigok remained firm on the cliff.
"Sect Leader, are you alright?"
"…Stop making a fuss."
"But…"
Lee Songbaek wanted to say more but bit his lips.
Although Jong Rigok hadn't been thrown off by the explosion, his clothes were torn and bloodied. He hadn't been able to completely block the impact.
"…Cheap tricks."
Jong Rigok muttered with a hardened face.
Although he managed to block this explosion, handling many more would not be easy.
The warriors of the Southern Sea Sun Palace hanging from the cliff carried dynamite on their chests. And they could detonate it with just their internal energy, meaning the entire cliff was filled with walking bombs.
"They can detonate the dynamite on their chests at will. Be careful."
"But, how…?"
Lee Songbaek's face showed confusion.
They could protect themselves from the explosion if they attacked from a distance. But now they were in a situation where they had to face them in close combat. How could they handle a bomb exploding at point-blank range?
"How?"
Jong Rigok's eye twitched. At that moment, one of the warriors from the Southern Sea Sun Palace charged at him.
"Ahhh!"
An orange energy burst from his hands. With relentless force, he directed it all towards Jong Rigok.
"Sect Leader!"
Lee Songbaek screamed with all his might.
Not because he feared Jong Rigok could be defeated by such an opponent, but because he clearly felt the desperate determination on the face of the one charging at Jong Rigok.
However, Jong Rigok showed no hesitation in facing the enemy.
Wuung!
Jong Rigok's sword extended forward, resonating with a clear sound. It wasn't an especially fast or strong strike, but it wasn't weak either.
Tatadat!
The sword cut through the air with a series of consecutive strikes. The sword's energy filled the space, creating a sort of large shield that repelled the enemy's energy.
Tuuwung!
But at that moment, instead of retreating, the warrior from the Southern Sea Sun Palace opened his eyes with determination and lunged at Jong Rigok, with red flames bursting from his body.
Lee Songbaek's eyes widened as he sensed another imminent explosion.
Paaat!
Jong Rigok's sword moved with a different speed, stabbing into the enemy's chest. And then…
Swish!
The sword spun in a perfect circle in the warrior's chest, flinging something into the air.
‘Ah…’
Lee Songbaek and Jin Geumryong watched the scene in awe.
Paaf!
The decapitated head of the Southern Sea Sun Palace warrior shot upwards. The dynamite on his chest and his head separated from the cliff, falling in a parabola in the air.
Moments later...
Boom!
The dynamite exploded in the air, far from the cliff, causing no damage.
"If something is going to explode, you just have to eliminate it before it does."
Jong Rigok muttered as he watched the enemy's body roll down the cliff. Then, he coldly looked at the enemies still occupying the cliff.
Lee Songbaek's heart began to pound uncontrollably.
‘This is… the sword of the Southern Edge Sect!’
He felt an overwhelming difference throughout his body.
He had arrogantly thought he might have caught up with his masters, who were at an unattainable level as if they were in the clouds.
But Jong Rigok's sword demonstrated how wrong that assumption was.
Someone with talent like Jin Geumryong, but who had spent twice as much time without ever settling, could only reach that level.
‘I can never reach that with a simple attitude!’
At that moment, a loud shout echoed in his ears.
Jin Geumryong and Lee Songbaek instinctively looked down, seeing Namgung Myung quickly climbing up the cliff.
Namgung Myung had arrived with the Alliance's elites, just in time to help.
Jong Rigok asked.
"Will you retreat?"
The two's eyes showed determination.
"Southern Edge Sect does not retreat."
"Then, follow behind me. Don't let any escape!"
"Yes, Sect Leader!"
Paaf!
Jong Rigok charged at the enemies without saying more. Jin Geumryong and Lee Songbaek desperately followed him.
‘Jin Dongryong.’
As he moved like lightning, Jin Geumryong briefly glanced at the cliff.
‘You said choosing Mount Hua was the right decision. But I still disagree.’
Maybe for Baek Cheon until now, Mount Hua was the best choice. But will it be so from now on?
Southern Edge Sect has someone who can guide and teach you, someone you can trust and follow.
But what about Baek Cheon? He's injured, exhausted, and still must lead and forge his own path.
"Sogaju!"
Then, Namgung Myung grabbed Namgung Dowi and dragged him down.
"Sogaju, I'll handle it here! Protect yourself!"
"No Commander! I…"
"Do as I say, Dowi! Before I drag you away by force! I'm your uncle before I'm the Namgung Commander!"
Hearing those passionate shouts, Jin Geumryong pressed his lips and stared intently at the warriors of the Southern Sea Sun Palace.
If the cliff collapses, no one will survive. That means Baek Cheon, his annoying little brother, will die too.
‘There are still things I haven't shown you.’
And also things I haven't done yet.
Jin Geumryong kicked the cliff harder.
"I won't let them destroy it!"
His eyes shone with fierce determination.
-------------
"Sahyung, what's wrong?"
"…Nothing. Forget it."
Baek Cheon, who had briefly looked back, quickly turned to look ahead.
It wasn't the time to worry about strange sensations on his back. No matter what was happening on the cliff, there was nothing they could do from here.
They only had one task: to carve their way out of here with the Wudang survivors.
‘They're strong.’
The enemies in front of them were not easy.
Perhaps they were the strongest they had faced so far. Mount Hua hadn't had to face an entire sect directly like this.
Fwoosh!
The scorching heat constantly enveloped Baek Cheon. It was hard even to breathe.
Moreover, they were carrying the Wudang survivors. Advancing like this was like running barefoot on a path of thorns.
"Deputy... Sect Leader… Leave us…"
Even in his conscious state, Mu Jin knew what was happening. Baek Cheon responded firmly.
"Don't talk nonsense!"
"This place… soon…"
"I know!"
Baek Cheon also knew. This cliff would soon become dangerous. Maybe no one would survive. Maybe it would be better to abandon Wudang and try to save themselves.
But that wasn't an option. Not for Baek Cheon.
"Deputy Sect Leader…"
"Damn it! Why did you take up the sword if you value your life so much?"
"…"
"Once you take up the sword, your life is given away. It's not life we must protect."
Yes, it's not life we must protect.
That's why Baek Cheon could keep fighting. Although he had lost much and would lose more, he didn't waver.
"And don't underestimate Mount Hua."
Baek Cheon's eyes focused firmly forward.
"Those guys aren't ordinary people."
Even if he wasn't enough, they weren't. What he had lost, they would make up for.
