No matter how insignificant the fertilizer may be.(3)
“Stay still!”
“I-I’m not the priority… the other wounded…”
“Stay still. Unless you want to end up swinging your sword by gripping it in your mouth from now on!”
When Tang Soso shouted fiercely, Namgung Dowi slowly closed his mouth. Tang Soso examined Namgung Dowi’s red hand with a serious expression and then bit down hard on her lip.
After a brief hesitation, Namgung Dowi spoke again.
“Dojang. Your father is in critical condition….“
“I said shut your mouth!”
Namgung Dowi flinched and fell silent. The killing intent emanating from Tang Soso was no small thing.
Her body was stained with blood in various places. It wasn’t likely her own blood. How many deaths had she witnessed on her way here, and how many final moments had she kept watch over?
“Don’t underestimate the Tang Clan. The Young Lord’s medical skills are on a completely different level compared to the likes of me.”
Namgung Dowi nodded slowly.
Eventually, after focusing intently on Namgung Dowi’s right hand, Tang Soso clenched her teeth.
“We have to cut it off!”
Namgung Dowi’s expression hardened.
“My hand…… is that what you mean?”
“No. Your fingers are stuck together. If you don’t cut away that scorched flesh right now, they’ll end up permanently fused.”
“…Ah, what a relief.”
“A relief? Just because they’re stuck together doesn’t mean you’ve lost all feeling. It’ll hurt as if you’re tearing living flesh.”
“Let’s hurry. Only then can you treat the others, right?”
Tang Soso lifted her head and looked intently at Namgung Dowi. Though the burn marks were clearly visible, Namgung Dowi’s gaze remained calm, showing neither bravado nor pretense of resolve.
Tang Soso promptly drew a short dagger [소도(小刀)] and thrust it into Namgung Dowi’s hand.
“…”
This treatment was practically the same as slicing away living flesh. But Namgung Dowi did not even blink. To not prolong the pain, Tang Soso swiftly separated all the fingers that had stuck together and then, without hesitation, sprinkled a white powder, that she took from her sleeve, onto the affected area.
“Kkugh…….”
This time, Namgung Dowi’s tightly clenched lips quivered. He had endured the pain of tearing living flesh without so much as a flinch, but the anguish brought on by this powder seemed truly horrific.
Tang Soso, as though she didn’t care in the slightest about his reaction, proceeded to spread the powder across his now fully exposed chest as well.
Namgung Dowi squeezed his eyes shut tightly. Still, he never once screamed.
‘Good.’
Tang Soso let out a quiet sigh of relief.
In the past, many people had suffered burns while confronting the Sun Palace. So this time, she had hastily prepared Yang Regulating Powder [이양산(理陽散)]. If not for this, it would have been difficult even to ensure Namgung Dowi’s survival.
After applying a couple of ointments on top of the scattered white powder, she used her lightning-fast hands to wrap the bandages. Then she tried to force some medicine into Namgung Dowi’s mouth.
“Wait.”
But Namgung Dowi suddenly pulled his head back and clamped his mouth shut. Tang Soso spoke firmly.
“Open your mouth.”
“What kind of medicine is it?”
“It’s not medicine, it’s a spiritual pill [영단].”
Namgung Dowi shook his head in refusal.
“I’m fine. Give it to someone else.”
“Ah, seriously, you’re so stubborn! It’s not some amazing pill – it’s just a cheap spiritual pill that barely helps with burns. Taking it won’t raise your internal energy at all!”
“That’s exactly why I can’t take it.”
“…What?”
“If I take it, I’ll have to circulate my energy. Now isn’t the time for that, is it?”
“…But you’ll suffer long-term consequences.”
“I’ll have to bear it.”
Namgung Dowi rose to his feet. Tang Soso instinctively tried to press down on his shoulder but then paused and withdrew her hand. As Namgung Dowi had said, this was hardly a situation where they could devote themselves to leisurely treatment.
“Please look after the others.”
“You might really die if you go on like this.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t die in a place like this. And….”
Namgung Dowi suddenly cast his gaze off into the distance.
Not far away, Maeng So, Hye Yeon, and Lee Songbaek were taking part in fierce combat. They too must have been so badly wounded that they could barely keep their footing.
But if he were to just stand by and watch from behind simply because he’d been burned, what would people say once this war was over?
“It’s better to die than be called a weakling.”
“Seems like it’s too late for that.”
“…Don’t say something so awful.”
Namgung Dowi shuddered as if he didn’t even want to imagine it.
“Anyway, thank……”
But just then, a strange sound began to ring out.
“Re… Retreat!”
“Run! Everybody, run!”
Namgung Dowi froze on the spot. Tang Soso, who was about to move on to the next wounded, did the same.
“…What did they just say?”
It wasn’t just shouting – urgent screams spread in all directions. Sapaeryeon’s fighters, who had initially looked puzzled, quickly fell into disarray.
Turning to see what was happening, they could already glimpse the rear lines beginning to withdraw.
“Those bastards…!”
A retreat. They would not continue the war but pull back.
Such a simple tactical decision can mean something entirely different depending on the position of the one receiving the order.
For those at the rear, it’s enough to simply turn around and run. On the other hand, those facing the enemy cannot even retreat unless they leap over the mountain of allies surrounding them. They must even run with their backs turned to the enemy.
Hence, there is no choice but to decide. Either continue fighting and holding out, waiting for all the allies behind them to withdraw, or else thrash their way through their own forces in a desperate attempt to survive.
For Sapas, this choice was hardly a difficult one.
Fwoosh!
Crimson blade energy surged up.
“Ugh!”
The sword energy, red as fresh blood, flew towars the ranks of Sapaeryeon. One fighter, who never imagined an attack would come his way, was split into two where he stood.
“Get out of my way.”
Red Dog, who had just turned Sapaeryeon’s fighter into a wandering soul, leapt forward in an instant. Then, as if it had all been planned, the other Red Dogs likewise slashed down their own allies without mercy and broke straight through to the rear.
Anyone would have been enraged in such a situation, but what actually descended upon Sapaeryeon was a profound terror rather than anger.
“Uwaaaaaa!”
Sapaeryeon’s fighters began screaming as though their very souls were leaving them, turning their backs and fleeing.
“What the……?”
Watching the sudden chaos unfold, Namgung Dowi let out a stunned whisper.
❀ ❀ ❀
“Hmm. It seems we should stop here.”
The one who grasped the situation first was, of course, Cheon Myeon Susa. He lightly pressed on his left arm, which was bleeding profusely, to stanch the flow, and smiled as though he felt regretful.
“What do you think?”
Jongli Gok silently glared at Cheon Myeon Susa. Wherever his energy had brushed against his clothing, it had turned to dust, and through the torn fabric, patches of blackened, dead flesh were visible. Yet Jongli Gok’s eyes were as fierce as ever.
“In this situation, continuing to fight any longer seems impossible.”
“Forget about trying any tricks.”
Jongli Gok spat out his words.
“Whatever happens, I will never let you go. Especially now, in a situation like this, just as you said.”
The ‘situation’ the two spoke of clearly had different meanings. What Cheon Myeon Susa meant by ‘situation’ was this entire battlefield, where Sapaeryeon’s sudden retreat had begun. But Jongli Gok was referring only to… this place and this fight.
Cheon Myeon Susa’s gaze shifted slightly to the side.
“Huff… huff.”
Jeok Ho – who had taken a thorough beating – was panting harshly.
“…Tsk”
Cheon Myeon Susa clicked his tongue in irritation.
‘He only knows how to talk.’
He had already reached his limit long ago. The willpower keeping him from collapsing, even as his eyes threatened to roll back, was praiseworthy… but that was the only thing praiseworthy about him, which was precisely the problem.
Meanwhile.
“Retreat, is it.”
Im Sobyeong slowly fanned his face with his opened fan.
“…What a goddamn mess.”
He showed no visible wounds on his body. It was certainly not because Jeok Ho was weak. Rather, Im Sobyeong had utterly destroyed someone who even Cheon Myeon Susa doubted could be subdued without giving up at least something. Im Sobyeong’s martial prowess was something even Cheon Myeon Susa had not foreseen.
‘This is not good.’
Cheon Myeon Susa narrowed his eyes, thinking.
‘My legs are still fine. But…’
Rescuing Jeok Ho and fleeing? Of course he wasn’t entertaining such a foolish idea. The problem was that even fleeing alone would hardly be easy. Facing Jongli Gok alone was already difficult – if Im Sobyeong joined in, he might have to forfeit his life.
‘No other way. I’ll just have to sacrifice an arm and…’
At that moment.
“Kkkeuung…“
Im Sobyeong, who had been gazing calmly ahead full of composure, suddenly began to fidget like a puppy in desperate need of relief. In the end, he plopped down on the spot with a thud.
“I can’t do it anymore.”
Jongli Gok frowned at him.
“What on earth are you doing?”
“Ahh, I can’t fight anymore.”
“…You still have the nerve to joke around in a situation like this? You must be completely insane.”
“Does it look like I’m joking?”
Jongli Gok bared his teeth at the collapsed Im Sobyeong.
“Stop whining! Or are you actually showing mercy because he’s also a Sapa?”
“It’s not that. I really don’t have any strength left. I can’t even move a finger.”
“How can that make any sense?”
“Why wouldn’t it? I have a severed-meridian condition.”
“You…!”
Jongli Gok was about to snap in anger, but he froze for a moment. Im Sobyeong, who had turned to look at him with a faint smile, was now letting a stream of black, clotted blood flow from his mouth.
Im Sobyeong spoke in a calm – no, more like a sickly, frail voice.
“I’m a genius because I’m crippled, so I guess that part is true… but because of that, I have no stamina. I can’t fight for long.”
“…”
“What can I do? It’s a trade-off. But it does make me a bit more human, doesn’t it?”
“…I’m going to lose my mind.”
Jongli Gok scowled, unable to help his expression.
It was still absurd, but Im Sobyeong didn’t seem to be lying. His complexion had gone deathly pale as if he were a corpse, and cold sweat was pouring out nonstop – things that would be impossible to fake.
‘Well. That actually does make sense…’
Not even Jongli Gok himself was confident he could have overwhelmed Jeok Ho so thoroughly. He could have won in the end, but not without a tough, drawn-out battle.
If Im Sobyeong had been able to wield such power without limitations, his fame would already have soared throughout the land. He might even have claimed the title of the greatest in the Evil Sects.
Im Sobyeong muttered in a hollow voice.
“Kkeuung. What a shame. If only I could have fought a little longer…”
“Close your mouth and focus on recovering. You really look like you’re about to breathe your last.”
“Oh-ho. Just because we fought together for a moment, you’ve grown attached? My, our Sect Leader isn’t quite what I-”
“I said shut it.”
Jongli Gok, shaking with anger, suddenly asked.
“What condition are you in?”
“You told me to shut up, didn’t you?”
“Just answer me!”
“…I can’t even move a single finger.”
Jongli Gok’s mind began to calculate swiftly.
Im Sobyeong couldn’t move. If Jongli Gok were to rush at Cheon Myeon Susa right now, he might be able to stall him by grabbing onto his ankle… but…
Jongli Gok glanced briefly at Im Sobyeong.
‘He’ll die.’
No matter how badly wounded Jeok Ho was, he’d still be able to swing his blade at least once. Then Im Sobyeong would be finished. After that, if Jongli Gok were to tie down both of them, how would things turn out…?
After pondering for a moment, Jongli Gok finally lowered his sword.
“…Get lost.”
A flicker of surprise flashed in Cheon Myeon Susa’s eyes.
“Huh, so easily?”
“I said get lost, before I change my mind.”
“Haha. Am I supposed to thank you?”
Cheon Myeon Susa slowly approached Jeok Ho and, standing behind him, lightly gripped his shoulder, as Jeok Ho still aimed his blade.
Watching this, Jongli Gok’s eyes twitched. Cheon Myeon Susa added with a faint smile.
“I’m a rather cautious type.”
“What do you take me for?”
“A hypocrite?”
“…You filthy Sapa scum dare…”
Using Jeok Ho as a shield, Cheon Myeon Susa grinned shamelessly with a face full of mockery.
“As a token of my gratitude, I’ll give you one piece of advice.”
“Hmm?”
“Keep your eyes wide open and watch carefully. Otherwise… you might end up in big trouble. I never expected they’d use that here, but here we are.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“That’s all I’ll say. Let’s meet again sometime.”
Fwoosh.
Cheon Myeon Susa sped off. Jongli Gok muttered to himself.
“What a stubborn, tenacious bastard.”
The aftertaste in his mouth was bitter. Finally, taking his eyes off the place where Cheon Myeon Susa had disappeared, he looked at Im Sobyeong and asked.
“Are you all right?”
“…You could have killed him.”
“Beyond my ability.”
“Really?”
Jongli Gok did not answer. He himself had no idea why he made such a choice. Shaking his head, he asked.
“So, what in the world is going on right now?”
“Who knows…”
Im Sobyeong’s expression hardened slowly, as he had been quietly observing the state of the battle.
“As you can see. Those bastards are retreating.”
“For what purpose? They must be suffering enormous losses.”
“Indeed. But loss is relative, isn’t it? If there’s more to be gained by taking that loss, that’s all that matters.”
“More to be gained? What could possibly…”
Jongli Gok, about to protest, stiffened abruptly as though struck by lightning. He shifted his gaze to the side and quickly surveyed a certain spot.
Nothing.
“Where did he go?”
He could see Ho Gamyeong. But the one who should naturally be with Ho Gamyeong was nowhere in sight.
“That man? Jang Ilso!”
“…Something worth protecting and securing at the cost of countless sacrifices.”
Even without hearing the rest, Jongli Gok guessed what it meant and bit down hard on his lower lip.
“Yes. If that something is Jang Ilso’s life… it’s not so crazy from their point of view either.”
A chill ran down Jongli Gok’s spine.
________
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Return of the Mount Hua 
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