To The Place You Belong. (5)

“They’re coming from the right!”

No sooner had Baek Cheon’s voice burst out than Namgung Do-Wei flew through the air and moved to Baek Cheon’s right.

“Ooooooh!”

A blinding white radiance flared forth.

Kwaaaaargh!

The sword qi, pouring down like a waterfall, crushed the attackers. It was a sight that made the spine chill just to watch, yet the Ten Thousand People Clan members, even as their comrades were crushed beside them, pressed on relentlessly without hesitation.

“E-exeek!”

A look of bewilderment crossed Namgung Do-Wei’s face. The enemies who charged without regard for themselves seemed not to see him as they passed and lunged sword attacks toward Chung Myung, whom Baek Cheon was holding.

“You bastards!”

Namgung Do-Wei’s enraged sword sliced the air again. But even as their waists were severed, the Ten Thousand People Clan members did not stop swinging their blades.

The moment Namgung Do-Wei widened his eyes, Seol So-Baek intercepted an attack flying toward Chung Myung.

“Gyaaaah!”

Seol So-Baek’s sword, imbued with a cold qi, pierced an enemy’s throat. The Ten Thousand People Clan member’s body, corroded by the cold, was quickly covered in white frost.

“Young Palace Lord!”

“I-I’ll stop them! In the front!”

Seol So-Baek grit his teeth and glanced at Namgung Do-Wei. Seeing the desperation in his eyes, Namgung Do-Wei nodded and turned his body.

The Ten Thousand People Clan members were charging madly only toward Chung Myung.

It was a familiar sight, but their momentum felt different from before. They seemed less like fanatics and more like terrified people.

He felt he understood.

‘They’re afraid too.’

They were terrified at the thought of letting Chung Myung go from here, terrified that he might regain consciousness, raise his sword, and fight back.

What on earth had they seen in Chung Myung that made them fear his survival more than their own deaths?

“Hoooaah!”

With beastlike roars, enemies surged from the opposite side.

Ssshhh! Waiting for them was Yu Yiseol, who had already turned and was furiously swinging her sword.

Shick! Shick! Shick!

Wherever her blade grazed, red blood blossomed like flowers. But those with half-severed necks or entire thighs cut away did not stop advancing, as if they felt no pain.

Kaaaarang!

A Ten Thousand People Clan member’s sword, swung as his entrails spilled out, bounced away before it could even touch Chung Myung.

Ugh.

The shock contorted Baek Cheon’s face horribly.

Of course he had blocked it perfectly. But Baek Cheon could not stop his own body from trembling.

Right now, Chung Myung could die from the slightest impact.

“Block harder, damn it! Don’t even let them swing their weapons!”

There was no answer. No answer was needed.

Everyone already felt the same. Even if it cost them their lives, they’d save Chung Myung. From the moment they turned back from leaving the Southern lands, their purpose had been one thing.

“Oooooooh!”

Hae Yeon’s force flared wide, mercilessly pushing the attackers back. Tang Pae’s throwing dagger leapt forward and sliced the air like a shaft of light.

“Yoon Jong!”

“I know, sasuk!”

Yoon Jong leapt into the air and dove between enemies falling from above. His sword painted a massive plum-blossom shadow in the air.

‘Chung Myung!’

Even in the brief moment he cut foes and descended, Yoon Jong turned to check Chung Myung’s condition. Dried blood covered his face, and the glimpsed complexion was corpse-pale.

Gnash.

Yoon Jong bit his lip and spun his body. Sword qi streamed out in succession.

The enemies still came without ceasing. The Five Swords’ advance had long since been halted. Just pushing back the foes charging Chung Myung was exhausting every ounce of strength here.

“This…”

For a moment, a hollow laugh escaped Im So-Byeong’s lips.

“We’re really screwed.”

He looked around. He was searching for Ho Ga-Myung hidden among them. But Ho Ga-Myung was buried in the crowd and not visible.

If the Ten Thousand People Clan members had tried to stop them from the front, he might have broken through. But if they were aiming for Chung Myung, there was no way to stop them. Protecting one person is harder than killing a hundred.

Even amid that chaos, they identified weaknesses and targeted them thoroughly. That’s why Ho Ga-Myung was terrifying.

‘I must escape.’

Realistically, survival came first. Even if it meant abandoning Chung Myung, he had to leave this place. If that couldn’t be done, then he’d have to dash out even if Chung Myung took some wounds.

Yes, that’s right. As a warrior, that’s the opinion one would give.

But as he was about to speak, Baek Cheon’s back caught his eye—steadfast, without a hint of hesitation.

His mouth involuntarily closed.

‘He must know.’

Yes. Even without Im So-Byeong, everyone would know what to do to survive.

Mad waves of attackers; successive strikes poured toward the unconscious Chung Myung.

If even one of them turned away, pretended not to see the attacks, they could be free. They could save their own life.

But no one hesitated. As if they could not bear to see Chung Myung die before their own lives ended, they drew out every last drop of their strength.

What could be said to people like this?

Im So-Byeong’s gaze went to Chung Myung in Baek Cheon’s arms. The one who had repeatedly done foolish and reckless things—who, though he knew it was wrong, had never once hesitated.

A short, rueful laugh escaped Im So-Byeong.

“…Commander this and that…”

If they wanted to discuss strategy, coming this far had been a mistake from the start.

‘That’s why fools like me are useless in the end.’

Im So-Byeong stamped the ground and swept the attackers away with his fan.

‘Right. You win, Ho Ga-Myung.’

Defeat is always bitter. But this defeat didn’t sting as before. Unpleasant as it was to admit, there seemed to be defeats better than victory.

“Kill me first! You filthy Evil Sect bastards!”

Im So-Byeong howled and swung his fan, sending forth a spray of deep-blue qi.

Watching his actions, Baek Cheon slowly scanned the surroundings.

It felt as if all around, the entire world was filled with enemies.

But Baek Cheon felt no fear. All he felt was pity.

‘So this is the spectacle you saw.’

Fighting alone in a place like this—what state of mind did he swing his sword with? What feelings kept him holding on?

“You always make people annoyed.”

As Baek Cheon snorted, a large explosion occurred above his head. Black poisonous vapor began to spread. Bloodshot fury flared in Baek Cheon’s eyes.

“Block it!”

“Oooooooooh!”

Hae Yeon leapt straight into the air. His hands multiplied into hundreds, thousands. The sky being covered in golden hands was a sight beyond words.

But the successive bursts of poisonous vapor even penetrated Hae Yeon’s force.

Kwaaaargh!

Namgung Do-Wei, who had leaped in an instant, unleashed a torrent of sword qi. The immense sword qi wrapped the poison and shot it up into the air.

Once! Again! Once more!

Sweat poured like rain, but Namgung Do-Wei didn’t stop and swung his sword until his dantian felt like it would burst.

‘It’s a life already indebted!’

His life had never truly been his. There was nothing to save, nothing to regret.

Paaaah!

Under the sword qi he released, Mount Hua’s red plum blossoms fell like rain.

Even on land where plum blossoms shouldn’t bloom, as if on some barren mountain in far-off Shanxi.

Kwaaang!

“Ugh!”

“Young palace lord!”

“Don’t look back, fight! Look ahead!”

At the worried shout, Seol So-Baek cried out like he had a seizure. He had used his body to block an incoming dagger that his sword had been too late to intercept, his chest split open and bleeding.

But Seol So-Baek made no effort to staunch the wound and struck the incoming dagger again.

‘I won’t die from this.’

Wounds like this won’t kill him even if he took ten more. But Chung Myung was different—now a single small wound on him could cost him his life. Yet there was no time to complain.

“Dieeeeeee!”

But when the wound slowed him even a little, an attacker leapt over Seol So-Baek without missing the opening and tried to thrust a dagger into Chung Myung. Seol So-Baek’s eyes widened.

In that instant, someone’s arm blocked the space in front of Chung Myung.

Kwaduk!

With the sickening sound of a dagger driving into bone, blood gushed out.

“Taoist Yu!”

Seol So-Baek roared and swung his sword, cutting the Ten Thousand People Clan member’s throat. But Yu Yiseol didn’t spare a glance that way and continued cutting down others.

The qi wrung out to the limit and focus pulled to the brink was now exhausted. Yet despite clearly feeling the limits, no one lost their resolve.

“Kuhk!”

A dagger charged with blue blade qi fell fiercely toward Tang Pae, whose shoulder had been pierced. Just as he squeezed his eyes shut, a steel fan that had leapt from behind fiercely struck the falling dagger.

“Pull yourself together!”

“Green Forest King!”

Im So-Byeong gritted his teeth and swung his fan. The neat cap he always wore was gone, and his face was a wreck.

Still, he fought. Until the very end.

“Dieeeee!”

Sensing their momentum falter, the Ten Thousand People Clan increased their assault. From distances where the daggers couldn’t even reach, blue dao-qi streamed toward Chung Myung.

“No chance! You sons of bitches!”

Kwaang!

With the impact, Jo Gul spat up a rush of blood.

But he, showing no sign of pain, struck away every incoming blade qi without leaving one. Each time blade met blade qi, his insides lurched and his consciousness swam away, yet still the sword never stopped.

Kwaaaaang!

Then a blast of force someone had sent crashed onto Jo Gul. His body was flung backward like a shot projectile.

“Gul!”

G-grrgrrk!

Jo Gul drove his sword into the ground and managed not to fall, forcing his body to a stop. Spitting more blood, he painfully turned his head. He saw the fallen who had knocked Chung Myung unconscious.

“You sleep well, you little…”

Jo Gul gave a grim smile.

“Gul! Back off for now…”

“Waaah!”

Ignoring Baek Cheon’s protests, Jo Gul charged forward again. Baek Cheon bit his lip and struck a spear flying at Chung Myung with all his strength.

Kaang!

At the same time Baek Cheon spun. Two hidden daggers that had flown in under the spear stabbed mercilessly into his back. Excruciating pain spread. Yet even then Baek Cheon poured more qi into Chung Myung’s body.

Outmatched.

Suddenly a laugh slipped from Baek Cheon’s lips.

How would the world speak of them?

Would they be called heroes who kept their honor to the end? Or comrades who perished opposing the Four Sects Alliance for the sake of agreement?

‘I don’t care either way.’

Because they’re neither.

Those here were just fools who couldn’t restrain themselves, who ran here and died. They were idiots who couldn’t protect the world, their sect, or anything, and threw away their lives.

But…

“Being idiots is fine.”

A laugh kept escaping.

If he’d only sought reason and theoretical righteousness, he wouldn’t have taken up a sword. At least Baek Cheon thought so. Now he was where he had wanted, meeting the end he had chosen.

So how could there be regret?

He hadn’t looked into others’ hearts, but perhaps they felt the same.

Kwaduk!

The dagger that had been stuck at Yoon Jong’s hip slid free. But Yoon Jong made no sound and drove his sword into the back of the one trying to pass him. Only desperation shone in his eyes.

Baek Cheon quietly called out within himself.

‘Yoon Jong.’

“Aaaaaah!”

Tang Soso, covered in blood no matter where she’d been cut, screamed and stabbed at enemies. Every time her wild hair whipped, her eyes flashed an icy blue.

‘Soso.’

Kwaduk! Kwaduk!

Jo Gul, his leg cut, rolled on the ground and kept driving his sword into the tops of enemies’ feet, even as blade qi detonated along his back.

‘Jo Gul.’

Kwaang!

Yu Yiseol, who had blocked the incoming force, was pushed back. The blood she gagged up poured over her chest. The arm not holding the sword twitched and then fell limp—perhaps it no longer obeyed her.

‘Yiseol.’

They were not alone.

Kuuuuung!

“Monk!”

“Ooooooooh!”

Hae Yeon raged like the asura. The man who had so resisted opening his killing intent now let himself go and poured every remaining ounce of strength into holding the enemy.

‘Hae Yeon.’

Kwaaaang!

Namgung Do-Wei fell, spattering blood. Seol So-Baek hurled himself and blocked the blade qi raining onto Chung Myung with his back.

Tang Pae, his leg pierced by a spear, still sent out assassination weapons; Im So-Byeong, who had thrown away his broken fan, now spewed force with both hands like a madman.

‘Everyone…’

Baek Cheon’s face was so pale it was almost blue. Black blood trickled from his lips. The backlash of the force he’d forced himself to raise was coming. A sharp, cutting pain rose persistently from his dantian. Still, Baek Cheon did not stop pouring his internal energy into Chung Myung’s body.

“…How are you, you damned bastard?”

Baek Cheon smiled faintly, his blood-soaked lips twisting.

“Everyone’s doing this to protect you alone. So… don’t go acting lonely and pitiful again. Don’t try to show off and do things alone.”

They couldn’t be fully protected.

Their strength was insufficient. They couldn’t hold him safe.

But…

“Don’t worry.”

His hand gripping Chung Myung’s shoulder tightened.

“Because we can die with you.”

Baek Cheon chuckled and shoved every last scrap of qi into Chung Myung. Those shoved back by the enemy rolled and bled in front of him.

Baek Cheon looked down at the battered fighters. Perhaps sensing their limits, the enemies slowed their pace and cautiously tightened the encirclement.

“I’m sorry.”

For some reason, the words slipped out.

“Bullshit.”

Jo Gul gritted his teeth.

“Don’t apologize, sasuk. This was my choice.”

“It wasn’t even the sasuk who ordered this from the start.”

“So arrogant.”

“I always thought he was… kind of an asshole.”

The blood-soaked Mount Hua disciples each threw out a word.

Baek Cheon laughed lightly instead of getting angry.

“Fine. Take your apologies… from this bastard.”

“We should take that.”

“I’ll beat him up. I’ll beat him till he dies.”

“…Go to hell.”

“Still, to a Taoist…”

Even those who weren’t Mount Hua disciples spat curses. Yet there was no trace of regret in their eyes—only the will to fight to the death.

‘Not bad.’

Baek Cheon laughed.

It wasn’t the death he had imagined. Still… this wasn’t bad. Far better, hundreds or even thousands of times better than dying a cowardly long life. At least he could be proud of himself.

There was only one regret…

Baek Cheon closed his eyes briefly, burying the lingering remorse, then snapped them open and shouted resolutely.

“Until the end, we are Mount Hua’s disciples. Die with pride!”

“Yes!”

As if his words were a signal, the enemies howled and surged forward.

“Oooooooooh!”

The Ten Thousand People Clan’s blade qi poured toward them like a waterfall. An unstoppable onslaught. Baek Cheon widened his eyes.

He would watch closely. To the last person’s end. That was his final remaining duty.

But in that moment, what he saw was a green flash of light.

Kwa-dududududduk!

A sound like eardrums being torn rang out and the charging enemies were flung away like being struck by a runaway cart. The terrifying torrents of blade qi were shredded and crushed.

‘…What?’

Startled, Baek Cheon watched dumbfounded. What on earth…

“…Looks like they’re not completely too late.”

Everyone, including Baek Cheon, turned their gazes to the same place.

Far away, a familiar figure appeared.

“Ah…”

Why was that person there? Was it a dream?

Standing composed and steady, his cold, taciturn face bore anger like a chill.

And then another person appeared beside him.

“Ah…”

“Aaah…”

The Mount Hua disciples who saw them collapsed on the spot.

White hair thick with age, black martial robe, a plum blossom engraved on the chest, and… an austere prayer-like aura, with refined rage.

His gaze turned to Baek Cheon at the center. The moment their eyes met, Baek Cheon’s entire body went limp.

It was neither dream nor illusion.

“I command Mount Hua’s disciples!”

“Sect Leaderrrrr!!”

A scream like a wail tore from Baek Cheon’s mouth.

“Annihilate the enemy!”

Hyun Jong’s sword, which had risen high into the sky, fixed itself firmly ahead.

“Save Mount Hua’s disciples!”

“We take the order!”

Un Geom and Hyun Sang surged forward at the lead and leapt. Behind them, Mount Hua’s disciples in black robes ran with barely contained fury.

On the dry land of the Southern lands, red plum blossoms bloomed like a dream.