Black Wolf Unit Vice Commander Cho Ji-gwak crossed the foothills in a rush and arrived at the flatlands, then looked back. Twenty-one Black Wolf members were close behind him. Also descending the slope were a similar number of Black Sky Lotus disciples.
"Phew…"
Letting out a sigh of relief, Cho Ji-gwak smiled at the thought, I'm safe now!
Fortunately, there was no pursuit from the Orthodox Faction. But deciding it was too soon to relax, he ran straight toward the Sichuan Branch, skirting the foothills he had just crossed.
Those following him were panting heavily, but he showed no sign of fatigue. Whether it was luck or skill, he hadn't suffered so much as a scratch.
In truth, that was because he had spent the entire battle shouting orders from the rear. When he was with his older brother, Cho Ji-myeong, he had no choice but to stay right behind him.
However, his brother was strong. Even at the very front, he could advance without much difficulty, smashing through any who blocked his way. All Ji-gwak had to do was finish off the wounded enemies behind him and collect achievements.
Swish, swish.
As he used light footwork to move swiftly, the sound of the wind brushing past his ears was crisp and refreshing.
"I'm not running away. I'm just going to inform my brother and the Thousand Wolf Commander about this dangerous situation."
Muttering this flimsy excuse to himself, he tried to justify his position. After running about two leagues across the plains, dust rose on the low hill ahead, and a group of people appeared.
Cho Ji-gwak let out an involuntary gasp. "Huk!" The fear that they might be more Orthodox warriors gripped him—until his face lit up in delight.
It was the Black Wolf Unit, led by his brother. Now he truly was saved.
"Brother!"
Cho Ji-gwak ran up to Cho Ji-myeong in one breath.
Holding a Green Dragon Halberd nearly a gu-cheok (nine feet) long, Cho Ji-myeong blinked.
"Ji-gwak… what are you doing here?"
Though glad to see his younger brother, Cho Ji-myeong was also puzzled. Catching his breath, Ji-gwak quickly replied,
"The Orthodox dogs have appeared in force and are attacking us. Time is critical."
"Hmm… So the Thousand Wolf Commander's fears have come true. That man is truly worthy of the title 'Heavenly Demon Sword.'"
Just as he was about to move, Cho Ji-myeong frowned deeply.
If a battle was raging, why was Ji-gwak here? And who were all these Black Wolf subordinates and Black Sky Tower warriors trailing behind him? Together, they looked to number over forty.
"No… don't tell me…"
Cho Ji-myeong's eyes blazed as he swallowed a groan. These were deserters, plain and simple.
As his anger surged, Ji-gwak, oblivious to the situation, spoke up.
"Brother, we must hurry to help them. If we take the mountain pass between the two peaks and strike from behind, the Orthodox will—"
Cho Ji-myeong cut him off.
"How could you…? How could you disappoint me like this?"
"What?"
"When our parents passed away, they told me to take good care of you… and I've raised you like this. Pampering you has only made you into a coward. Haah…"
"Brother, what are you talking about? I only came to inform you of the danger as quickly as possible—"
"Silence! Why didn't you send a subordinate instead of coming yourself? With me absent, you were responsible for the Black Wolf Unit—how could you abandon it? You are not an ordinary soldier, you are the Vice Commander! How could you? How!"
His voice shook with uncontrollable fury. The Black Wolf members and Black Sky Tower warriors who had just arrived fell silent, sensing the tension.
Only now did Ji-gwak realize the seriousness of the situation. His face paled. Though his brother had been angry before, this was nothing like those past moments.
"B-brother, I'm sorry. This will never happen again. I acted without thinking. I only wanted to bring you the news as soon as possible… Please forgive me."
Looking at his brother, Cho Ji-myeong's chest tightened even more. What made it worse was that not a drop of blood stained Ji-gwak's clothes.
The affection he felt for his brother was now mixed with a deep, cutting sense of betrayal.
"My love for you is personal. But how could you abandon your men in a death trap to save yourself? If I die and meet our parents in the afterlife, I will have no face to show them. Ji-gwak… Ji-gwak… I cannot forgive you. I'm sorry."
"What?"
Cho Ji-myeong raised the Green Dragon Halberd from where it had rested on the ground. Ji-gwak's face went deathly pale.
"Brother, please forgive me!"
The forty-some men behind him also fell to the ground in shock, prostrating themselves.
But Cho Ji-myeong's face was resolute.
"There's no time, so I won't hear your last words."
"…!"
As despair filled Ji-gwak's eyes, the First Squad Leader of the Black Wolf Unit rushed in.
"Commander, please forgive him."
The Second Squad Leader added,
"We beg you to give the Vice Commander one more chance."
When they finished speaking, the two hundred Black Wolf members present shouted as one,
"Commander! Please forgive him."
Cho Ji-myeong shook his head.
"I cannot."
The First Squad Leader cried out urgently,
"You've risked your life for us countless times. For you, we would carry kindling into a fire without hesitation."
The Second Squad Leader followed,
"That's right, Commander! We all know how much you care for your brother. We don't want to see you grieving for the rest of your life after losing him."
The Third Squad Leader spoke up,
"Please give the Vice Commander one more chance! He is still your only remaining blood relative!"
The deserters behind Ji-gwak also shouted,
"Please give him a chance!"
The Green Dragon Halberd trembled in Cho Ji-myeong's hands, reflecting the blazing sunlight. His lips parted heavily.
"I… am the Commander of the Black Wolf Unit. Not an ordinary soldier, but the Commander of the Black Wolf Unit."
His eyes grew red. Then, suddenly, a flash of cold light passed through them.
"No one can be an exception. And the higher your rank, the greater your responsibility. All except Vice Commander Cho Ji-gwak will be given one more chance. Fight with your lives, and remember it is your last."
The forty or so black-clad warriors slammed their heads into the ground.
"Thank you!"
Now left alone, Ji-gwak rubbed his hands together desperately.
"Brother! Please forgive me. I'll truly do better from now on. Didn't Father, on his deathbed, tell you to take care of me? Please be lenient just this once for your only brother's mistake. Just once!"
The First Squad Leader spoke to the Commander in a sorrowful tone.
"I've served you for nearly twenty years. Do you think I can't see your pain? But the Vice Commander's mistake is also our fault for failing to support him properly. Commander, he truly seems remorseful—please give him a chance. We… we truly don't want to see your sad face."
Cho Ji-myeong lifted his head to the sky.
"Ji-gwak… Ji-gwak…"
His voice was endlessly regretful, endlessly sorrowful.
Hearing it, Ji-gwak finally grasped at a thread of hope. Prostrating himself fully, he pressed his forehead to the dirt and cried loudly,
"Brother! Please forgive me. Sob, sob…"
His sobs were pitiful. At last, tears rolled down Cho Ji-myeong's face.
"Just once."
As soon as the words left his mouth, relief bloomed on Ji-gwak's and the Black Wolf members' faces.
"Yes! Brother, I'll never disappoint you aga—"
Whoosh!
The Green Dragon Halberd fell, and Ji-gwak's arm was severed from his body.
"Aaaargh!"
His scream echoed across the field. Above it, Cho Ji-myeong's stern voice rang out.
"You deserve death, but I'll end it with just your arm. Remember that it was the voices of the men who shared life and death with you that spared your life—always be grateful."
"Ugh… Brother…"
"Return to the Sichuan Branch. A coward like you will never stand on the battlefield again. Remain in seclusion until further orders."
Cho Ji-myeong quickly stanched the bleeding of his writhing, pain-filled brother, tears dripping heavily. Then he rose and called out solemnly to his subordinates.
"We will fight for my brother's share as well. Even if I must give my life, I will save those trapped in the jaws of death."
His shout silenced the men.
"There's no time. The more we delay, the more comrades will die! Move at top speed!"
The two hundred twenty Black Wolf members and twenty Black Sky Tower warriors responded as one.
"Yes, Commander!"
Just as the Invincible Sword Han Chu-gwang was to Kunlun, and the Heavenly Demon Sword Baek Yun-hoe was to the Thousand Wolf Unit, so too was Cho Ji-myeong essential for the Black Wolf Unit to show its true strength.
They charged forward without hesitation.
Hyeol-jeol was filled with dismay. The battle situation was already unfavorable, and now that the Black Sky Tower subordinates had fled, morale was utterly crushed.
Like waves crashing down and destroying a sandcastle, the Black Sky Tower subordinates collapsed under the assault of the Kunlun Sect and the Emei Sect.
I need to get out of here.
The thought burned in his mind. But no matter what he tried, he could not shake off the Invincible Sword Han Chu-gwang, who clung to him like a tick. Every strike, every technique was so fierce that even the slightest lapse in focus could mean a swift trip to the Yellow Springs.
If I can just shake him off somehow, then in that gap…
"Haaap!"
With a shout, Han Chu-gwang thrust his sword toward Hyeol-jeol's dantian. Hyeol-jeol spun his body sharply to the side and swung his blade at his opponent.
In that instant, his expression twisted in disbelief.
Han Chu-gwang had swiftly withdrawn his sword, tapped the ground, and launched himself into the air.
This is my chance!
Hyeol-jeol exulted inwardly.
In a fierce close-quarters battle between peak masters, leaping into the air was a massive mistake. Hyeol-jeol had been looking for any opening to break away—but this was an opportunity to kill.
He extended his arm, almost throwing his sword toward Han Chu-gwang's legs.
Shaaak!
The blade tore through the air toward its target, but Han Chu-gwang smoothly twisted in midair, sliding half a jang (about five feet) to the side. Hyeol-jeol's eyes went wide in shock.
He moved… in the air?
The Invincible Sword Han Chu-gwang—had he surpassed the peak and stepped into the realm beyond the peak masters?
Even in his astonishment, Hyeol-jeol hastily turned his body. Han Chu-gwang's sword was already streaking toward him like a bolt of lightning.
Papapapap!
The sword energy that spilled from the blade narrowly missed Hyeol-jeol and tore into the ground—but the true sword itself seemed to know exactly which way he would dodge, lunging straight toward him.
Slash!
"Urgh!"
A fiery pain from the cold steel burned in Hyeol-jeol's side. Gritting his teeth, he flung himself backward. And then his eyes widened to the point of tearing.
The Invincible Sword Han Chu-gwang!
He was still in the air. Not only that, he was coming straight toward him, bringing his sword down.
Crack!
Han Chu-gwang's sword struck Hyeol-jeol's head. The sound of a skull breaking rang out, and Hyeol-jeol's mouth fell open.
Thud!
His legs buckled, and he fell to his knees.
The light of life had already left his eyes.
Only then did Han Chu-gwang land, speaking coldly,
"This is the Cloud Dragon Eight Forms of Kunlun."
The Cloud Dragon Eight Forms—an ultimate movement art said to embody the image of a dragon roaming among the clouds, hailed as the greatest lightness skill under heaven.
Han Chu-gwang had completed Kunlun's supreme art, one that no one had mastered in four hundred years, and for the first time, revealed it to the world.
Hyeol-jeol was already dead and did not hear him. His body tilted and collapsed forward.
"Waaaaah!"
"Hyeol-jeol is dead—killed by the Invincible Sword!"
"Hero Han has slain Hyeol-jeol! Waaaaah!"
The Kunlun Sect and Emei Sect roared in triumph. Now fewer than thirty elite Black Sky Tower warriors remained, their vacant eyes staring as they were cut down in a storm of blades.
The only forces left were the Thousand Wolf Unit, led by Elder Black Ghost Blade, and the Black Wolf Unit.
The Thousand Wolf Unit had been reduced to just over eighty, more than half its number gone, while the Black Wolf Unit had only thirty men left.
They flinched when they heard the shout that Hyeol-jeol had died, but they silently swung their swords.
Heavenly warriors—they simply fought on, awaiting the orders of the Black Ghost Blade.
Having arrived at the entrance between the two mountains with the 4th and 5th squads of the Black Tortoise Corps, Cheon Ryu-yeong tilted her head at the distant rumble of shouts. It was a messy mix of yells, screams, and the clash of weapons.
Dok Go-seol's face lit up.
"Hero Han has slain the Black Cult's Elder Hyeol-jeol."
Jo Jeon-hu nodded with a smile.
"He will be a pillar supporting the Orthodox Martial World. He is also the greatest master Kunlun has produced in four hundred years. It is only natural. There's a reason he is considered a candidate for the Star of the Overlord."
At the words Star of the Overlord, the eyes of those listening sparkled.
Among martial artists who lived and died by the sword, there was hardly anyone who hadn't once thought, Could I be the Star of the Overlord?
The Star of the Overlord!
It was a dream for every martial artist.
Even knowing the odds of reaching that pinnacle were essentially zero, it was still a tantalizing fantasy—an impossible hope that was sweet simply to imagine.
At that moment, Cheon Ryu-yeong's stomach let out a loud "gurgle." The sixty reserve troops turned to look at her, pressing their lips together. Their comrades were still fighting. This was no time to laugh.
Scratching the back of her head, Cheon Ryu-yeong smacked her lips.
"Sorry. I was called here in the middle of a late breakfast… I didn't get to eat properly."
Dok Go-seol handed her the pouch hanging at her waist.
"Jerky."
"Oh! Thank you."
Cheon Ryu-yeong accepted it gratefully, pulled out a strip, and bit down.
Dok Go-seol, watching her chew, allowed a faint smile. She liked the clarity in Cheon Ryu-yeong's eyes despite her plain features. And somehow, the way she chewed jerky made her seem endearingly childlike.
Then Jo Jeon-hu suddenly let out a groan.
"Mmm… Is that… the Black Cult?"
At the sudden words, the sixty reserve troops and Cheon Ryu-yeong snapped their heads around, eyes narrowing.
They bit their lips as they watched figures appear in the distance, scattered at first but soon forming a solid line.
Cheon Ryu-yeong swallowed the jerky in her mouth and asked quickly,
"How many do you think there are?"
After a brief silence, Jo Jeon-hu replied. He was, without question, the highest-ranked master and the eldest among them.
"They're still far, but I'd say at least two hundred."
A ripple of tension ran through them. Their numbers were less than a third of that. Cheon Ryu-yeong furrowed her brow and bit her lip.
"Two hundred? I thought there'd be maybe a hundred at most…"
"That fluttering banner—can't read the characters yet, but judging by the color, it's the Black Wolf Unit."
"More than expected… but at least the Heavenly Demon Sword isn't here. I guess we can call that a small blessing."
Cheon Ryu-yeong truly felt relieved.
But she didn't know that not far behind, the Heavenly Demon Sword was already leading the Thousand Wolf Unit toward them.
At her words of relief, Jo Jeon-hu took a deep breath and spoke.
"That unit will likely have the Black Wolf Commander with them."
"I suppose so."
"You don't seem to know much about the Black Wolf Commander."
"No, I've never really heard much."
Jo Jeon-hu nodded.
"I suppose so. The Thousand Wolf Unit's fame has overshadowed the Black Wolf Unit. He's not young and handsome like the Heavenly Demon Sword, nor is he an undefeated general. But the Black Wolf Commander has fought in countless battles. He's returned alive from places no one could possibly survive. He is not a man to underestimate."
"…"
"Three years ago, he went into the North Sea Ice Palace with only thirty men to rescue a hundred subordinates trapped there."
For the first time, Cheon Ryu-yeong's eyes wavered. The reserve troops also looked astonished. Jo Jeon-hu stroked the massive five-cheok greatsword in his hand as he continued.
"The task was bigger than the man. In the end, fewer than twenty Black Wolf members survived the Ice Palace's pursuit. But that's not the important part. Tell me—what commander would march into certain death for the sake of his men, taking only thirty with him? The Ice Palace suffered over four hundred casualties."
The listeners' faces paled. The North Sea Ice Palace was an outside power even Orthodox martial artists avoided—filled with experts skilled in ice arts, a tricky enemy indeed.
Jo Jeon-hu grinned.
"The world only knows that the Heavenly Demon Sword Baek Yun-hoe conquered the Ice Palace. But in truth, the Ice Palace had already lost its will to fight after being struck by the Black Wolf Commander Cho Ji-myeong."
"…"
"The reason I tell you this, even though it could hurt morale… is to warn you. Don't get complacent. Don't think all we need to do is stall until reinforcements arrive. One wrong move and we could be wiped out in an instant. You must steel yourselves."
Cheon Ryu-yeong, still in shock, asked,
"That story… where did you hear it? Couldn't it just be an exaggerated rumor, like so many tales are?"
The others seemed to agree with her skepticism. After all, the events had happened far away in the northern seas.
Dok Go-seol shook her head.
"Our deputy leader… was originally from the North Sea Ice Palace. She left when she was young because she disliked its closed-off nature and the cold… but she kept in touch with some close friends. This is the first time I've heard this story myself, though."
Jo Jeon-hu gave a wry smile.
"She left because she disliked it, but it's still her home. She never wanted to speak about how her homeland was so utterly crushed."
Stretching, his eyes gleamed.
"Many of my friends died to the Black Wolf Commander back then. I don't know much about the Heavenly Demon Sword. I still think he's a youngster. But the Black Wolf Commander Cho Ji-myeong… is a fearsome foe."
The faint tremor in his sword hand was plain to see.
Shrrrng.
The massive, thick blade slid from its sheath.
"Finally… I'll get to fight an opponent worth staking my life on. I've always thought—if I could die fighting such a man, I'd have no regrets as a warrior."
The battle aura of the Yacha Sword Jo Jeon-hu completely changed, chilling the air around him. Every member of the 4th and 5th squads bit their lips and took deep breaths.
It was time to repay the rest they'd had while their comrades fought.
By Jo Jeon-hu's estimate, the Black Wolf Unit would arrive in about an hour and a half.
Short if short, long if long.
But as the mass of warriors thundered closer, it stirred both fear and fighting spirit.
Cheon Ryu-yeong stared intently at the Black Wolf Unit and cautiously said,
"Um… Could I… sit this one out?"
"…"
"I mean… I can't fight, you know."