Defeat in battle means the end.
This is especially true in the case of large-scale battles where tens of thousands of people fight head-on.
There are only two fates ahead of the losers who barely survive.
Become a prisoner or run away to the end of the world.
This cannot be chosen or rejected.
But the winner is different.
Therefore, three days ago, right after the bloody battle surrounding Daeseolsan (大雪山) ended with a great victory for our troops, we were given a new option.
Will they continue to defend Gansu Castle after the aftermath of the battle is resolved?
Or will they move to block the dark forces that are coming from somewhere else?
And our choice was the latter.
No, it would be more accurate to say that everyone respected my wishes.
‘I’m leaving now. ‘I have work to do.’
It was a day when the snowy field was covered with fire and smoke.
The flames that had engulfed tens of thousands of bodies were burning as if they would never go out, and the words I suddenly threw must have felt extremely harsh to those who were shedding endless tears as they watched the scene.
But even though I was deprived of time to fully grieve, they did not blame me.
Not a single person.
However, only Hyeon Cheon Jin-in, a long-time member of the communal faction, came forward and asked a short question.
‘Where do you plan to go?’
My answer was decided from the beginning.
Because the system was already clearly pointing to the next destination with the compass called the quest.
‘Cheonghae (靑海). This is Cheonghae.’
‘That’s true.’
‘yes. ‘They are coming.’
Even though my voice was filled with incomprehensible confidence, Hyeoncheonjinin did not ask why.
He just nodded with a heavy face.
‘The world will be stained with blood once again.’
‘It will be so. clearly.’
‘Do you think that if we win a great victory against them there, we will be able to end this cursed war?’
‘It will be one step closer. And the step I will take this time will be bigger and deeper than ever before.’
‘Enough to reach the Lord of Heaven?’
‘I believe so.’
‘In that case, our communal faction will also be with you.’
‘… … !’
‘I will never stop until I reach the end. At least for the sake of the souls who are currently receiving the care of the primordial Heavenly Being on that cloud.’
If Hyeoncheon Jinin was showing the same level of murderousness as when he slaughtered the surviving Amcheon cultists, I would have refused to join him.
However, the eyes of the old Taoist master, who had already lost a lot, were extremely clear, and the same was true for the disciples of the communal sect who poured out their anger and sadness.
‘great.’
In this way, about 100 disciples of the communal sect, including Hyeon Cheon Jin-in, joined, but this was only the beginning.
‘A review of the end of the Murim era. I would like to take this opportunity to ask for forgiveness for the sins of the recluse.’
Jongnam Ilyong (終南一龍) Hyuk So-pyeong.
In addition, about 300 disciples of the Jongnam faction who barely survived the bloody battle laid down their weapons and knelt down.
Noho swordsman Song Il and Taeeul martial arts swordsman Hwang Bo-eom.
When they learned of the sin committed by the two now-dead ascetics, their faces were full of shame and sadness, and blood flowed from between their teeth as they clenched their teeth with all their might.
If Windyungeomgun, the leader of the Jongnam sect, had not fallen into a state of unconsciousness due to severe injuries, he would have also knelt down with his disciples and asked for forgiveness.
And Hyeoncheonjinin, who stared at the disciples of the Jongnam faction in silence for a long time, said this.
‘Just as a father’s sins do not belong to his children, a teacher’s sins do not belong to a disciple. But why do Jongnam’s disciples ask Bindo to pay for their sins?’
‘… … !’
‘Nevertheless, if you want to receive the punishment for your sins, that’s fine. Follow Jin Doo (道友) here and move in a straight and bright direction. That will be the new path of the Jongnam faction.’
Hearing the words of the wise and benevolent monk, Hyeok So-pyeong and the disciples of the Jongnam faction bowed deeply and then bowed to me with the utmost respect.
‘I wish to walk the right path without any deviation, so I ask Jin Daehyup to join me.’
It was Hyuk So-pyeong, the first person they met face-to-face after the Yongbong Pyo-guk incident.
The gap between me and the guy who was the best later exponent of the Jongnam faction, occupying a place among the Ten Dragons, was wider than it was then.
Therefore, even though I spent many days with Jong Nampa in Gansu, I could only pass by him from afar.
Maybe that was why.
It was only then that I realized that Hyuk So-pyeong’s momentum and eyes had become so serious and deep that they could not be compared to the last time I saw them.
‘I will gladly accept that offer.’
I was polite enough to accept the joining of the Jongnam faction, and a person who had been observing the situation, which quickly grew to over 500 people due to the joining of the two factions, approached me.
‘This won’t be enough. ‘Isn’t it?’
‘well. It would be much better than filling up the population with idiots.’
‘For some reason, my ears feel itchy. ‘I guess it’s just my mood, right?’
‘Maybe not.’
The new Black Dragon Demon Gate’s new master, who laughed at me pretending to be the other way, pointed to his new subordinates lined up in rows.
‘Five hundred. Although time was tight, we thoroughly selected those who volunteered. Even if it doesn’t reach the level of the disciples of the nine factions, it guarantees loyalty and fighting spirit.’
‘So, you’ll leave it to me?’
‘no. I would be grateful if you would allow me to take you with me.’
‘what?’
‘Five hundred people under Sima Pyo, the Black Dragon Demon Master. I request the Lord of Fire Dragon to join me. Please allow me to wash away some of my past mistakes and fight for the world.’
‘… … !’
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For a moment, I was speechless for a moment.
If the big man who was hanging the small old man around his neck hadn’t shouted like this, I wouldn’t have been able to easily suppress my crying heart.
‘Taesan! Taesan is going too! ‘Go to the end with footnotes!’
‘What a disaster! Run gently! please!’
Everyone burst out laughing at the same time, as if they had made a promise.
Me and Sima Pyo, the members of Hwaryong Pavilion and the survivors of the Nine Battles.
And even Jeong Ho-gun, the Cheonho of the Geumuiwi, who always had a dull expression on his face whether he was happy or sad.
‘They are quite an interesting group. Martial people like you.’
‘okay? Since we’ve already talked about it, shall I tell you something more interesting?’
‘A more interesting story?’
‘huh. It’s a story about a certain Geumuiwi Cheonho, who was in danger of being forcibly discharged from the military after speaking informally to a powerful man like the sky. Surprisingly, he and you have the same last name. ‘It’s an interesting coincidence, isn’t it?’
‘… … Is it going to come out like this?’
‘So, do your best. Don’t let it come out like this.’
Jeongho-gun shook his head as if he couldn’t stand it, and then he took a military rite towards me in an iron tower-like posture.
‘In that case, please give me an order.’
‘Listen. Go to Cheonghae Fortress. ‘With full speed.’
‘God, Cheonho Jeong Ho-gun of the Geumuiwi. I accept the command of the majestic Sangsanhu.’
So two days ago from now.
The troops, which had grown to about 2,000 with the addition of the last piece, the Geumuiwi, left a short rest and headed straight to Cheonghae Fortress.
Of course, in the process, some people raised cautious concerns that Amcheon might target Gansu Castle once again, but the palace put an end to all concerns with one brief word.
‘The North is on the move.’
Naturally, this did not simply refer to the northern part of Gansu Province.
The northern part of the whole world, divided by the Great Wall. In addition, it meant the two losers who ruled the vast land.
The fierce tiger of Hebei, Hebei Pengjia.
In addition, Shanxi Province’s Changryong (蒼龍), Taewonjinga, has even acquired the green grassland sky.
‘Even though the speed at which each arrow is fired may be different, as long as the direction remains constant, it will eventually reach the target.’
For example, Gungseong and Geumuiwi were the arrows fired first.
It was truly a royal analogy, and no one dared refute it after that.
It wasn’t just because the person who said those words was Gungseong.
Because everyone knew that as long as the Northern Changryong and the fierce tiger spread their wings and exposed their claws, the safety of Gansu Castle was guaranteed to some extent.
And the short period of purge that took place just before leaving Gansu Province was enough to completely eliminate any possible regrets.
‘Do you have any last words? ‘It’s an excuse, and if it’s a will, I’ll listen to it.’
‘I, I did not collude with Dark Heaven. There must have been some misunderstanding!’
‘Somunju, no Munju! Why on earth are you doing this? Don’t you know that my late father and I had a special relationship, almost like sworn brothers?’
‘Yeah, you know. It was to the point where there was betrayal as well. Our relationship was so special that my father kept detailed records of everything… … Did you know?’
‘… … !’
At an important meeting that decided the future of Gansu martial arts, the space that had been transformed into a court where traitors were questioned suddenly froze.
Eyes wide open. The corners of the mouth tremble.
Seeing them like that, Sima Piao let out a small sigh and took out an old book from his arms and placed it on the table.
‘I guess I didn’t know either. ‘There should have been at least some suspicion.’
Even I thought it was surprising that Sima Gong, the thorough-going King of the Dark Nights, left behind such clear evidence. Those who had known him for decades must have been appalled.
But Sima Piao paid no heed and continued talking.
With a voice that contains a hint of bitterness toward his father and eyes that seem to be looking at bugs.
‘So, what is your will?’
That was the final blow.
‘What a brat with a head like this! this guy! Are you planning to kill me, who is no different from your uncle?’
‘her. haha. In the end, did it end up like this?’
There were only two options for the cornered rat.
Or use those cute front teeth as a weapon and attack them. Or give up everything and accept your fate.
And what awaited those who foolishly chose the former.
‘The story is over. ‘Taesan.’
‘Hmm. Taesan. ‘I almost fell asleep while listening to it.’
It was Taesan Hu Gea, the designated hitter of the Gansu Black Dragons, who had a career batting average of .909.99.
Sigh! Whoops!
There was no need for me to step out as I was there with them in preparation for any unexpected situation.
Because Taesan’s Daechojagon excitedly spewed fire, or rather, blood.
The leading members of the Black Dragon Demon Gate, who had previously rushed at Sima Biao, shouting that he was a brat with no blood on his head, lost the entire head that could contain the blood, and several lords and family heads who tried to escape with all their might were surrounded as soon as they left the palace.
The warriors of the Black Dragon Demon Gate swore allegiance to their new lord.
And to none other than his own subordinates and disciples.
‘Go, critique! ‘How could you do this to me!’
‘How can such a long-time writer do that?’
‘Stay on the road! hurry! No, no. It’s a long sentence! Stop those guys right now… … .’
‘Shut that filthy asshole.’
‘what?’
‘Because of you, my teacher, Samaega, and Sajil died! This is the grave sin of the death of a knight, so the disciples of Furang Geommun must execute Jang Mun-in summarily according to the strict civil rules!’
‘What are the members of the Nanju Hyukga (蘭州奕家) doing?’
‘Please don’t blame me. house owner. ‘It was you who betrayed first, not us.’
‘How dare these guys… … !’
Raise, poop puk!
With numerous spears and knives raining down on them from all directions, about a dozen clan owners and family heads faced death with their eyes wide open, without even leaving a proper will.
It was an extremely miserable end considering the fact that each of them was the spiritual leader of the Gansu martial arts group and the leader of a faction with a significant number of disciples.
However, the young master of the Black Dragon Demon Gate did not blink an eye even as he killed or captured a total of twenty masters.
However, as he watched the whole scene with calm and cool eyes, he suddenly opened his mouth while caressing the cold teacup.
‘Should I ask them to bring in a new one?’
‘no. It tastes awful. There’s no time. Besides, crazy humans will soon join us, so I’m just feeling sick.’
‘Darling, does he really know the fastest way to Qinghai City?’
‘To be exact, I told you about the pick-up girl. I don’t know what he was like when he was young, but I heard he was very good at geography.’
‘Right. Well then, since I’ve finished my business, I’ll go with footnotes.’
Sima Piao nodded and stood up.
The table, which had been filled with more than twenty faces just a moment ago, was now empty, with only overturned tea cups and an old book lying on it.
‘Aren’t you taking it?’
‘Because it’s something I don’t need anymore.’
With that one word, Sima Piao left, and after thinking for a moment, I took my books with me.
Even though it is a discarded item that has outlived its usefulness, this worn-out book is probably one of the traces left behind by his dead father.
And the moment I bitterly licked my lips and turned the first page of the book without thinking, I realized the true meaning of what Sima Piao had said earlier.
‘… … her.’
I laughed and put down the book.
no.
A bundle of yellowish paper, without even a single word written on it, that had clearly been left somewhere for a long time without serving its intended purpose.
‘Blood can’t fool you. ‘In a good way.’
I muttered softly and walked forward, smelling the bloody scent coming from the traitors’ bodies.
And then two days passed from that day, and another three days passed as we climbed the hillside, which was so rough that it made you swear.
“there. young friend. “What is your name?”
“Jin Tae-kyung. “You know this is the 24th time I’m telling you this, right?”
“Oh yeah. “Jangsam.”
“Why on earth is Tae-kyung Jin? … Okay, that’s it. “But why?”
“No, actually, it’s not that important.”
“Still, tell me. “It’s time to use respectful language like now.”
“It’s nothing special, where is this place?”
“yes? what?”
“Where am I?”
“f*ck you.”
I was possessed by the urge to kill that crazy guide who was calmly talking crazy things.
An impulse so strong and deep that the strings of reason could not withstand it.
Jerk.
But the moment I couldn’t bear it anymore and approached the person in person to try to have a physical conversation.
Tiring.
– Entered [Cheonghae Fortress] .
The clear sound of a bell that cemented the bond of reason that had been broken for a while rang in my ears.