Can we retreat? (3)
“Ahhhhhhh!”
Hell was unfolding in the human world.
Surochae, like a black wave, crushed everything in sight.
Hatred alone cannot explain all of this.
The Eighteen Strongholds of the Yangtze River. On the river, they were more feared than the Grim Reaper himself.
However, after becoming a part of Sapaeryeon, their status never reached what it once was.
Moreover, since the Black Dragon King was defeated by Hwasan Geomhyeop, the Yangtze River has served as nothing more than the boundary line between the two factions. In the end their status has steadily declined.
Thus, the Eighteen Strongholds of the Yangtze River fell to the point where they had to watch the reactions of those they once considered equals.
The resentment that built up was beyond imagination. Its aftermath was incomparable to the petty crimes committed by the lowly rogues of the Evil Sects.
“Block them!”
The minor and medium sized sects, who had been watching the situation with their hands tied, were startled and began to resist.
They had no choice but to fight back. Unlike the petty criminals who avoided places where enemies might be, Surochae advanced, searching and destroying any place where enemies could be hiding, like catching rats.
They had to choose: flee or fight. But in reality, there was no choice to be made.
“Ahhhhhhh!”
The swordsman pierced through the chest by a trident spewed blood from his mouth and convulsed. The eyes of the one who had driven the trident into him gleamed with murderous intent.
“Heh… heh. Did you think you would be safe hiding up here in the north?”
When the swordsman, trembling, tried to grab the trident with his shaking hands, the pirate twisted it with a sneer. A dreadful sound echoed as the chest was gouged out.
“Ughhh…”
With each spasm of swordsman’s pain, the pirate’s eyes gleamed with even more heat.
“You bastard!”
Someone came rushing in from somewhere, swinging a sharp sword aimed to slice the pirate’s neck in one go.
At that very moment.
Boom!
A black crescent-like energy tore through the air. It immediately split the rushing person in half.
Boom!
The energy, that didn’t lose the momentum even after cutting a person in two, completely shattered a boulder that had been jutting out behind.
“Oh…”
It was truly a horrifying sight. The pirate, terrified, turned around trembling.
“B-Black Dragon King.”
Jeok Segwang, who had somehow crept up behind him, was glaring at him with blazing eyes.
The pirate froze as if he had suddenly encountered a tiger.
Bang!
The Black Dragon King struck the pirate with a single punch. He glared at the blood-spitting figure as if he could crush him with his gaze alone.
“You worthless bastard..”
“S-Sorry…”
The bloodied pirate endured the pain, continuously bowing his head.
After a brief glance at him, the Black Dragon King lifted his head and shouted in a thunderous voice.
“I’ll tear apart and kill anyone who holds us back! Stay sharp!”
“Yes!”
The frightened pirates tensed their muscles and surged forward.
Their faces displayed a mix of unease and excitement.
Uneasiness from knowing they wouldn’t survive if they fell out of the Black Dragon King’s favor, and excitement from the confirmation of the Black Dragon King’s power.
Armed with both, the pirates ran across the unknown land like well-trained hunting dogs.
Crunch.
The Black Dragon King, tightly gripping his guandao, took another step forward.
This grand beginning would surely spread beyond this place to the entire world.
‘Don’t run away. No, try running away!’
Because I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth.
❀ ❀ ❀
“Young Lord!”
“Are you here?”
Namgung Myeong, who was running towards him, greeted Namgung Dowi with a smile.
Namgung Myeong quickly examined Namgung Dowi’s expression. Upon hearing the news, he had run at full speed to join Namgung Dowi.
Unexpectedly, Namgung Dowi appeared calm. He must have heard that the enemy who killed his father was lurking nearby.
“Are you alright?”
“What do you mean?”
Namgung Dowi tilted his head as if puzzled.
‘Is he really this composed?’
Seeing this, Namgung Myeong felt both relieved and worried. It was certainly a good thing that he wasn’t agitated, but…
Namgung Myeong cautiously asked again.
“Did you hear?”
“About the Black Dragon King?”
Namgung Dowi shrugged as if it was nothing important.
“Yes, I heard. Hmm. The situation has become a bit complicated, uncle. This was unexpected. Perhaps their original intention was to strike us from behind.”
“…”
“That means all those scoundrels they drove into the north were used as pawns… I don’t know if this is the right way to say it, but indeed, Paegun is Paegun. To sacrifice so many people… He is someone you can never understand.”
Although Namgung Dowi was speaking such chilling words, Namgung Myeong secretly sighed in relief.
The Young Lord was currently calm.
That was the most important thing right now.
Namgung Myeong had run here with a pounding heart, fearing that Namgung Dowi, burning with vengeance, might rush to the Yangtze River at any moment.
But fortunately, Namgung Dowi had grown more than he had expected.
Namgung Myeong let out a short sigh and nodded.
“We need to come up with a plan.”
“Yes, Uncle. It’s obvious what they are aiming for. If we leave it as it is, the damage will only grow.”
They were evacuating the people of Anhui as best they could, but how many could they quickly move?
Evacuating an entire city’s population in a short period was impossible even for a nation. A mere family, even an alliance, could not manage it.
“Then, for now, we should follow the orders from Cheonumaeng…”
“No.”
Namgung Dowi shook his head calmly.
“That would be too late. Even with a good communication network, Cheonumaeng can’t know all the details of what’s happening here. We need to do what we can immediately to minimize the damage.”
Namgung Myeong glanced at Namgung Dowi and cautiously asked.
“And what exactly can we do…?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
Namgung Dowi smiled faintly.
“I need to kill him. The Black Dragon King.”
The air instantly turned icy cold.
Namgung Myeong was at a loss for words. He forgot to be cautious and simply stared blankly at Namgung Dowi.
Yet, Namgung Dowi remained unfazed, as if he had merely stated the obvious.
“Y-Young Lord. That is…”
Cold sweat formed on Namgung Myeong’s forehead.
“I understand how you feel. But now is not the time to act impulsively. First, we should…”
“Do not misunderstand me, Uncle.”
Before he could finish, Namgung Dowi slowly shook his head.
“I’m not angry right now, nor am I being swayed by emotions. I’m simply stating the obvious.”
“Young Lord!”
“The pirates have invaded Anhui. Who should stop them?”
Namgung Myeong closed his mouth.
“…That would be…”
“Of course, it should be Namgung clan. And didn’t they themselves show us that it’s far more efficient to cut off the head than to eliminate numerous enemies one by one?”
“Young Lord!”
“So, I will do the same.”
Namgung Myeong’s face turned pale.
This isn’t just composure. Or perhaps, he really is in a state of true composure.
But if the conclusion is the same regardless of his state, isn’t it ultimately the same? Unable to hold back any longer, Namgung Myeong raised his voice.
“Why are you acting like this, Young Lord! You know very well that Namgung clan alone cannot confront Surochae. Don’t you see that?”
“Uncle.”
Namgung Dowi looked at Namgung Myeong with unusually dark eyes.
“Will you retreat because of that?”
“…What?”
“Will you run away, leaving those who rely on Namgung because we lack strength? Are you saying we should hide here, holding our breath until others come to help us?”
Namgung Myeong’s fingertips trembled.
“Yes, Uncle, you’re right. That would be the wise choice. But, Uncle, don’t forget. Namgung barely survived because of those who didn’t choose that wise path. If they had taken the ‘wise path’ like Gupailbang, the name Namgung would have been erased from the world long ago.”
“Young Lord…”
“It’s the azure sky.”
Namgung Dowi smiled slightly and looked up at the sky. It was a clear, cloudless blue sky. That sky was looking down on them.
“I’ve thought about it since I was young. Why does Namgung take the azure sky as its banner? I’ve heard many answers, but none made perfect sense. But after seeing my father, and others, and as the situation of Namgung changed, I finally understood. Uncle, do you know why Namgung is the azure sky?”
“…Why?”
“Because there must be no shame under the sky.”
Namgung Dowi slowly stood up.
As he did, the bodies of those watching the two men began to tremble slightly.
“If we retreat from here, can you be proud, Uncle?”
“Dowi…”
“I cannot.”
Namgung Dowi shook his head and looked straight at the sky.
“Perhaps my father wouldn’t want this. He might consider his choice a mistake, and see revenge as meaningless.”
“Indeed, your father would surely think that…”
“But I don’t. I find it hard to imagine my father allowing us to abandon the people of Anhui and retreat.”
Namgung Myeong’s body also started to tremble. He thought of Namgung Hwang, his brother and the head of the family.
There was no doubt. If it were Namgung Hwang, he would have taken up his sword and headed to the Yangtze River immediately upon hearing the news. He would ensure that not a single one of those filthy pirates would return alive. But…
“Uncle, please do not say we lack strength. Even if my father lacked strength, he would have staked his life.”
A heavy aura emanated from Namgung Dowi.
“If you tell me, who must carry on the Namgung name and become a family head like my father, that I cannot do it, then wouldn’t it mean that Namgung is no longer truly Namgung because of me?”
“Dowi…”
Namgung Dowi smiled faintly.
“Uncle, you should step back. This is an order as the Young Lord… No, as the acting family head.”
“W-what do you mean by that?”
“If, by any chance, I fail, someone must lead the family in my place, right?”
For a moment, Namgung Myeong’s heart turned cold.
Namgung Dowi wasn’t going because he believed he could win. Regardless of victory or defeat, he was going because he had to.
This meant that no matter what, Namgung Myeong couldn’t stop him.
“I’m going to protect the name of Namgung. Personal vengeance… Hmm, I can’t honestly say I don’t have any. But isn’t that fine? It’s only difficult if the two motives contradict each other, but when they align, it’s a convenient situation.”
Namgung Dowi tapped his sword.
“This is my father’s sword. Even if its strength isn’t what it used to be, Namgung is still Namgung. I will prove it with this sword.”
Namgung Myeong closed his eyes. His eyelashes trembled faintly.
“So, Uncle, you should…”
“You are the acting family head. Not the Lord.”
When Namgung Myeong opened his eyes again, his gaze was cold.
“So don’t order me around. You can’t exclude me from avenging my brother.”
“Uncle…”
“To be honest, not a single day has passed since that day without me dreaming of this moment. The day I tear this bastard who killed my brother to shreds and drink his blood.”
Namgung Myeong abandoned reason, filling the void with his thirst for revenge.
“I will lead the charge.”
“…”
“Will you stop me?”
Namgung Dowi shook his head.
“I cannot do that.”
“Good. The others are also Namgung. They won’t crumble just because I’m gone.”
With Namgung Myeong now on Namgung Dowi’s side, everything proceeded smoothly.
“Is there anyone among you who wants to retreat?”
“No!”
“I will take revenge with my sword!”
“We cannot let Surochae trample Anhui! Never!”
Namgung Myeong nodded.
“Young Lord, when everyone arrives…”
“No.”
Namgung Dowi shook his head.
“If we set out first, those who wish to follow will come on their own. We cannot force anyone on a path they might not return from.”
“…Yes, you are right.”
Namgung Myeong nodded heavily and said,
“I am ready.”
“Raise the Flag!”
“Yes!”
A large azure flag ascended, symbolizing the head of the Namgung clan. It affirmed the presence of Namgung here.
Namgung Dowi turned his head slightly.
Perhaps… someone might be rushing towards this place with all his might. But this time, they couldn’t wait for him.
‘I’m sorry, Dojang.’
Whether he curses or blames him, sometimes people must confront a brewing crisis head-on!
“Where is the enemy located?”
“According to the information from the Beggars Sect, they have not yet moved far from the Yangtze River.”
Namgung Dowi nodded. Considering the time it would take for the reinforcements from other Namgung’s teams scattered in Anhui to join, he adjusted the speed accordingly.
“About a day’s distance.”
Everyone firmly nodded in agreement.
“A day…”
Namgung Dowi smiled faintly.
“It’s just the right amount of time.”
It was time to sharpen the blade of revenge.
“Let’s go! We won’t return until we have avenged our brothers!”
“Glory!”
They set forth.
The azure flag of Namgung began its journey towards the Yangtze River, aiming to stain it red with the blood of the Black Dragon King.
________
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Return of the Mount Hua 
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