Chapter 803: "Hey! Grab the Spare Liquor!" (3)

 

"Elder!"

"I am aware!"

Beopgye's voice rose, unusually sharp.

Shaolin traditionally teaches its disciples the importance of maintaining an immovable mind. Beopgye, too, was well aware of this principle's significance.

But the sight before him shattered his years of cultivation in an instant.

Blood splattered, and screams filled the air.

Moments ago, these people were alive, but now, they lay as cold, lifeless corpses.

"Elder! We must go!"

"Disembark!"

With a yell, Beopgye leaped from the boat, landing on solid ground.

A thick stench of blood hit his nose, mingled with the acrid smell of gunpowder, rising dust, and strange, unknown scents. It was enough to make his head spin.

Not only Beopgye, but the other Shaolin monks’ faces were flushed.

"Hurry! We cannot let it be said that Shaolin stood by idly!"

"Yes!"

At Beopgye's signal, the Shaolin monks surged forward. The sight of monks in yellow robes, rushing forward in a tidal wave, was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

However, there was one person.

Hye-yeon could not join the charge.

Watching the backs of his seniors advancing ahead, he closed his eyes tightly.

‘No.’

This isn’t right.

At least, this is not the Shaolin he knows. The Shaolin he knows would never act like this.

Fighting bravely against the enemy?

Of course, it’s the right thing to do. And that fight needs to be guided by a steadfast purpose.

But right now, the Shaolin monks charging forward held no intention of protecting the innocent. Instead, they were fueled only by a desire not to be outdone by other sects.

‘Why does this feel so empty?’

Hye-yeon bit his lip hard.

A face kept coming to mind.

The one who always shouted that ideals meant nothing and that gain was everything, who couldn’t stand seeing other sects gaining fame.

But in the end, his actions always benefitted everyone.

‘So different.’

Chung Myung speaks of gain but enacts justice, while Shaolin speaks of righteousness but pursues profit.

Of course, Chung Myung would have laughed if he had heard this, but at least to Hye-yeon, that’s how it seemed.

That difference weighed heavily on Hye-yeon's steps.

Compared to the time he spent with these monks in Shaolin, his time at Mount Hua was short. Even so, Mount Hua held a vast space in his heart.

"Amitabha."

He let out a deep sigh and looked back.

There was no way he could see them from here. All he saw was the towering cliff, the valley, and the ships of Cheongseong entering the narrow path.

The one who usually rushed ahead was nowhere to be seen, nor were those who supported him from behind.

‘Don’t think about it.’

Hye-yeon murmured softly.

Even if the situation troubled him, he couldn’t leave his brothers to fight alone.

"Amitabha!"

Forcing out the disturbing thoughts, Hye-yeon charged forward fiercely.

“Argh! Damn it!”

“You filthy bastards! Four against one? And you call yourselves a righteous sect?”

“D-don’t back down!”

The direction of the battlefield was determined in an instant.

Of course, not every member of each sect was present here. Many remained behind, and there were those who hadn’t boarded the ships.

But that was the same for Black Dragon Stronghold.

Even if all the Eighteen Waterway Factions united, they could barely compare to one of the sects present here. Although Black Dragon Stronghold accounted for half of the Eighteen Waterway Factions' total force, even they struggled against just one of the sects here.

And now, four sects had joined forces.

From the start, Black Dragon Stronghold had no chance of victory.

Wooooooosh!

With a fierce burst, the weighty swords of the Namgung Family and the swift yet firm swords of Wudang competed as they relentlessly cut down the pirates.

"Amitabha!"

And indeed, Shaolin lived up to its reputation.

Boom!

The golden aura of the Shaolin monks’ fists sent the attackers flying as if they were mere leaves in the wind.

Shaolin isn’t just a martial sect relying on fists. Every Shaolin monk is proficient in all eighteen classical weapons. Even so, they persist with bare fists because no other method is as effective in subduing opponents without killing them.

Thump!

After striking down a pirate, Beopgye let out a lion’s roar.

"The path of the Buddha is not merely to look upon others with compassion! Removing evil to open the way for all is also the role of a Buddhist! Do not temper your mercy at the tip of your fists!"

"Yes!"

The monks, clothed in green, white, and yellow, tore through the black-clad forces of Black Dragon Stronghold with ferocious tenacity.

‘Where is the Black Dragon King?’

‘Where is the enemy leader?’

With the battle reaching this point, the number of enemies defeated no longer mattered. Now, it was simply a matter of who would take down the leader of the Eighteen Waterway Factions, the Black Dragon King.

"Push forward!"

"Cut them down!"

The Black Dragon King was undoubtedly in that hall. The outcome would be determined by who breached it first.

‘I’ll be first!’

Namgung Hwang’s eyes burned with determination.

The Black Dragon King was a powerful figure who commanded respect across the martial world, a leader with unmatched reputation even among the unorthodox factions.

But Namgung Hwang was the Imperial Sword.

He wouldn’t lose to the Black Dragon King.

However, the problem was that there were too many people here with the same idea. Although he conceded the vanguard, neither Heo Do-jin nor Beopgye would let him claim the Black Dragon King uncontested.

‘I’m not about to let someone else reap the reward!’

If they defeated the Black Dragon King, all the effort Namgung’s forces had put in to pave the way would be overshadowed.

Boom!

The force of Namgung Hwang’s sword cut through the front like a bomb.

"Patriarch! Save your strength!"

"We’ll clear the path!"

Namgung Dowi pushed ahead, and Namgung Hwang gritted his teeth as he watched.

Though his heart urged him forward, the Black Dragon King wasn’t an opponent to underestimate. Wasting his strength here might lead to the worst outcome of all—defeat.

Namgung Hwang calmed his urgency and looked to his side.

Wooooosh!

Heo Do-jin’s sword, surrounded by a white and black aura, moved smoothly.

It was a strange sight.

Smoothness and speed are opposing qualities, yet they coexisted in Heo Do-jin’s sword.

It appeared to move slowly, gracefully, but instantly found its mark in the opponent’s weak spots.

‘Heo!’

A surge of competitive spirit welled up within Namgung Hwang.

One man was the head of the Namgung Family, regarded as the greatest family in the world. The other was the head of Wudang, renowned as the foremost Taoist sect.

The two sects, in their rivalry, vied for the title of the foremost sword sect.

Yet, despite their complex relationship, they had never crossed swords.

Each had too much to lose for an imperfect duel.

As Namgung Hwang’s gaze sharpened, Heo Do-jin glanced over, exuding calm.

‘Even after seeing my sword, he remains so composed?’

Namgung Hwang gripped his sword tightly.

"Fine. Let’s see how long that calm lasts!"

With his competitive spirit fully ignited, Namgung Hwang spurred forward.

"Patriarch!"

"Conserve your strength!"

"Step aside!"

Boom!

Namgung Hwang’s sword swung again, sweeping away the enemies in front of him.

“Why should I hold back against the likes of the Black Dragon King? I am the Imperial Sword, Namgung Hwang!”

If anyone else had said it, it would have been arrogance. But Namgung Hwang’s sword proved he had every right to claim it.

Boom!

The enemies splattered and flew from Namgung Hwang’s blows. The warriors flanking him followed his lead, morale soaring.

“Follow the Patriarch!”

“Ensure his path remains unimpeded!”

Although each faction has its strengths, the loyalty to the patriarch and unity among members are the advantages of a clan. Here, the Namgung Family’s tightly woven bonds were on full display.

Boom!

Seeing Namgung Hwang pushing forward, Heo Do-jin frowned.

‘A charging boar.’

That’s not how a sword should be wielded.

‘Yet, still...’

Heo Do-jin brushed his face lightly. Even at his age, he still felt the thrill of competition. His heart beat with excitement.

However.

“Do not lose control.”

He said quietly, his words reaching the ears of the disciples following him.

“If an opportunity arises, seize it swiftly. Do not lose your composure!”

The disciples of Wudang, who had been uneasy at the Namgung Family’s charge, steadied themselves, taking deep breaths and advancing with renewed focus.

‘Beopgye. This is your mistake.’

If only Namgung Hwang or Byeok Hyeon-ja were present, Beopgye alone could lead Shaolin. But with Heo Do-jin here, Shaolin’s chance to shine was minimal.

“Push forward!”

With the Namgung Family and Wudang pressing ahead, the pirates’ defenses collapsed.

“No… no more!”

“We can’t hold on!”

Heo Do-jin and Namgung Hwang seized the opening without hesitation.

“Move aside, you fools!”

As Namgung Hwang charged, Heo Do-jin leaped, bypassing the pirates and flying into the hall.

“There!”

Namgung Hwang’s eyes blazed.

“Take this!”

Namgung Hwang crushed the remaining pirates in his path and charged forward like a starving beast, hot on Heo Do-jin’s trail.

“Damn it!”

Boom!

Namgung Hwang kicked down the door and glared around.

‘Where?’

Before he could process, his body moved. He darted like lightning toward the center, where the broken door lay.

"Black Dragon King!"

Namgung Hwang’s fierce charge halted.

In the spacious chamber, he saw an ornate chair and Heo Do-jin, staring solemnly at it.

“Where is the Black Dragon King?”

“…He’s not here.”

“What?”

For the first time, Namgung Hwang’s face twisted in disbelief.

This was the heart of the Eighteen Waterway Factions. The Black Dragon King, who unified them, couldn’t simply abandon it.

Beopgye, catching up, saw their bewildered faces and frowned.

“The Black Dragon King isn’t here?”

“It seems so, Master.”

“How…”

Beopgye, too, fell silent, stunned.

“The Black Dragon King isn’t here?”

Hearing the repeated question, Heo Do-jin's face flashed with irritation. Turning to reprimand, he stopped, surprised at who had spoken.

"Wasn’t Cheongseong supposed to secure the rear?"

Byeok Hyeon-ja’s presence meant that Cheongseong’s disciples had also entered.

"Why are you here? Why!"

“Well… you did proceed inward without saying a word. I assumed the plan had changed.”

"You…"

Heo Do-jin’s face showed frustration.

‘So brazenly lying!’

Clearly, Byeok Hyeon-ja’s ambition had made him disregard the plan, driven by his desire for fame. But now wasn’t the time to argue.

“Where is the retreat route?”

“We came in easily enough; there’s no need for a retreat…”

Heo Do-jin’s face turned steely.

“Then… everyone is inside this pit?”

Only then did the faces of the sect leaders begin to pale.

“No…”

“No way! Black Dragon Stronghold is right here! These aren’t mere minions; they are the leaders, the heart and mind of the Eighteen Waterway Factions! Who would set a trap here?”

“…The Black Dragon King wouldn’t, surely.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Ah…”

Beopgye let out a gasp as he understood, his face drained of color.

“A… a trap…”

At that moment.

“Wahahahahahaha!”

A tremendous roar of laughter echoed from above.

The overwhelming sound, charged with immense internal energy, resonated off the cliffs, filling them with dread.

It was the moment when everyone finally realized with perfect clarity that something was going wrong.