Chapter 823: This War Is Mine (3)

 

As Jang Il-so walked away, Black Dragon King leisurely climbed up to the cliff, his expression mocking.

“Pity.”

“……”

“He should have been killed right here.”

Namgung Hwang’s face was taut with veins and rage.

“……You will die by my hand, Black Dragon King.”

“How will you do that when you can’t even step foot in the Yangtze?”

Grinding sounds came from Namgung Hwang’s clenched teeth, as if something were being crushed. Black Dragon King laughed uproariously as he watched him tremble with fury and humiliation.

“Look at you, clinging to your pride after begging for your life and barely escaping! Yes, that’s how the so-called orthodox sects are. Hahaha!”

Those words were the last. Had he continued to spew such blatant scorn, it might have been less shocking, but he simply laughed and ignored Namgung Hwang as he descended from the cliff.

“Hmph.”

The Grand Duke of Gold smirked mockingly as he looked at Heo Do-jin.

“It seems I made a profitable deal.”

“……”

When even the Grand Duke of Gold turned away, Thousand-faced Water Snake clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, tsk. So heartless, all of them.”

“……Amitabha.”

Beopgye, his face pale, muttered a low prayer, and Thousand-faced Water Snake offered a respectful bow.

“Shao-lin’s martial arts were a sight to behold, master.”

“……The martial arts of Hao Gate were also… truly formidable.”

“I hope we’ll have another chance to cross swords someday.”

Thousand-faced Water Snake sneered subtly, then added in a casual tone.

“You will have a hard time going forward, you know. Our lord is quite an unmanageable person, as you’ve seen.”

No one answered him.

The Conqueror, Jang Il-so.

Not that anyone dared to underestimate him before, but from today on, the world’s perception of him would be irrevocably changed.

After this day, no one would dare to refer to anyone but Jang Il-so as the supreme master of the unorthodox sects.

“Let’s go.”

With those last words, Thousand-faced Water Snake turned.

“Let’s head back!”

“Yes!”

With sneers and mockery left behind, the followers of the Unorthodox Alliance began their descent without hesitation.

All that remained for those left on the cliff was devastation.

It was only after they ascended that they realized they hadn’t even properly exchanged blows with the henchmen of the Unorthodox Alliance. Unlike themselves, who were covered in dirt and blood, the clothes of the others didn’t bear a single speck of dust.

That fact only deepened their sense of humiliation.

“……Heo Do-jin.”

Watching the departing figures, his lips bitten in anger, Namgung Hwang turned to Heo Do-jin.

The look in his eyes was venomous, a gaze that could hardly be directed at an ally.

“Do you even understand what you’ve done?”

“……”

“We just begged the unorthodox sects for our lives. You can dress it up with talk of negotiations and peace, but that doesn’t change the reality!”

Heo Do-jin gazed silently at the sky.

“How do you intend to fix this? How do you plan to recover our honor from the dirt, you miserable bastard?!”

Just as Namgung Hwang was about to raise his voice again, Heo Do-jin murmured.

“Then why didn’t you stop it?”

“What?”

“I asked, why didn’t you stop it?”

“……”

Namgung Hwang clenched his teeth as Heo Do-jin’s gaze turned cold.

“There were plenty of chances to intervene. Or, you could have simply led your men to attack someone, anyone, and the truce would’ve collapsed, reigniting the war. So I ask you.”

“……”

“Did you really stay silent because you didn’t know that?”

“You…”

Namgung Hwang’s hand trembled. It felt like his head was burning with anger.

“Honor?”

A clear smirk tugged at Heo Do-jin’s mouth.

“No need to worry. I’ll take full responsibility. You all will criticize me fiercely, so naturally, I’ll take all the blame.”

“……Amitabha.”

Beopgye closed his eyes, repeating his prayer, unable to look Heo Do-jin in the eye.

“But honor….”

Heo Do-jin chuckled darkly.

“I did this knowing what it would entail, but that hypocrisy… it’s sickening. You watched, standing by with your arms crossed as I knelt and begged for our lives, and now you claim that you wouldn’t have done the same?”

“Master…”

“No, it’s fine. That’s the way of this world. However…”

Heo Do-jin’s eyes, sharp as blades, scanned over Namgung Hwang, Beopgye, and Byeok Hyunja.

“I will never apologize to you.”

“……”

“Don’t expect gratitude from me. But… at the very least, know what shame is.”

“Damn…”

Namgung Hwang’s body trembled like a leaf.

But even so, he couldn’t bring himself to lash out at Heo Do-jin. He knew there was truth in his words.

“……Amitabha.”

Beopgye muttered his prayer quietly, sighing inwardly.

How were they supposed to recover from this disastrous situation?

Heo Do-jin finished speaking and lifted his gaze to the sky, letting go of any lingering attachment.

‘It’s so blue.’

The sky was mercilessly blue and cold.

He had anticipated this reaction from these people.

Apology? Why should he apologize?

He had saved all of them here. They didn’t even have the courage to bow their heads and beg for mercy from their enemy.

If he hadn’t acted, they would all be dead. His actions saved everyone here.

Yet soon, they would criticize him and place all the blame on him. So why should he apologize?

‘If there’s anything that bothers me….’

Just as Heo Do-jin was about to sigh, he heard a commotion nearby.

“Chung Myung, no! Don’t get up!”

Heo Do-jin slowly turned his head towards the noise.

The sight of Mount Hua’s Divine Dragon, pushing away his senior disciples and struggling to his feet, met his eyes.

He looked utterly battered. Mount Hua’s Divine Dragon bore the most wounds of anyone present, having fought more ferociously than anyone.

Had he not held Jang Il-so at bay, the damages would have been far worse, and they would have had to offer even more to Jang Il-so for a truce.

Heo Do-jin understood this better than anyone.

“Move aside.”

“Chung Myung, now’s not the time…”

“Elder.”

“……”

“Move aside. Please.”

“……”

Faced with this resolute tone, Baek Cheon couldn’t continue to stop him. Chung Myung walked past him toward Heo Do-jin, his killing intent so intense it unsettled everyone around.

The Wudang disciples held their breath at the sight of Chung Myung staggering toward Heo Do-jin, blood dripping as he walked.

“Stop right there.”

“You bastard!”

Hur-san and Hur-kwang sprang to block Heo Do-jin’s path.

But Chung Myung didn’t even seem to notice them as he limped forward, his eyes fixed on Heo Do-jin.

“Will you not stop?”

“Damn you…”

“Move aside.”

Hearing Heo Do-jin’s voice from behind them, Hur-san and Hur-kwang turned back in surprise.

“Master…”

“Step back.”

“But he…”

They were hesitant to back away. The killing intent radiating from Chung Myung was too real.

But Heo Do-jin simply shook his head.

“Will you shame me?”

“……”

“Stand down. And do not interfere.”

Hur-kwang bit his lip.

But, in the end, they couldn’t defy their master’s command. With reluctance, they stepped back and kept their gaze on Chung Myung with vigilance.

Chung Myung approached Heo Do-jin, each limp unwavering, ignoring all else.

Behind him, the Five Swords were tense, their eyes sharp, ready to leap forward if need be.

Seeing this, Heo Do-jin let out a bitter laugh.

‘Mount Hua alone, then.’

Among everyone atop this cliff, only they could speak of true honor…

Chung Myung spoke.

“…Why did you do it?”

“……”

“Why?”

Heo Do-jin smirked.

“Who knows…”

He muttered, his gaze hollow.

“Why did I do it?”

“You son of a…!”

Thud!

Chung Myung’s fist slammed into Heo Do-jin’s face, sending him sprawling backward. Chung Myung pounced, striking his face repeatedly.

“Why! Why did you do it? Why?!”

Smack! Smack!

“You did it again! You bastard!”

Chung Myung’s roars filled the air as he beat Heo Do-jin. The Wudang disciples tried to rush forward, but Heo Do-jin raised a hand, forcing them to stop.

“Why!”

Chung Myung grabbed Heo Do-jin by the collar, pulling him close. Their foreheads collided with a resounding thud.

Heo Do-jin, blood dripping from his split lip, stared blankly at the sky.

“I just…”

His voice was barely a whisper.

“…wanted to save my disciples.”

“……”

“That’s… all.”

Chung Myung’s body shook with uncontrollable tremors.

“You bastard!”

Chung Myung grabbed Heo Do-jin’s collar with one hand, his other hand raised high. His fist began to radiate a terrifying power.

“Stop! Don’t do it!”

“Aaaaaargh!”

Boom!

A deafening roar echoed out. Chung Myung’s fist drove into the ground beside Heo Do-jin’s face.

“Damn it…”

Chung Myung released his grip on Heo Do-jin’s collar, standing up weakly. Even after Chung Myung rose, Heo Do-jin continued to stare blankly up at the sky.

“Pathetic bastards…”

Chung Myung glared at Heo Do-jin and the disciples from the Nine Great Sects and the Five Families who were still standing atop the cliff.

Baek Cheon quickly came up to him, supporting his swaying form.

“Let’s go back, Chung Myung.”

“……”

“This isn’t our place anymore. Let’s return to our sect leader. Let’s go back to Mount Hua…”

At Baek Cheon’s words, the other disciples of Mount Hua’s Five Swords nodded. They all looked at the other sects with faces full of disgust. None of them could meet the eyes of the Five Swords.

While these people were preoccupied with saving themselves, the Five Swords of Mount Hua had fought Jang Il-so to the very end.

How could anyone dare to speak of being outmatched in front of the Five Swords?

To fight a strong enemy is the path of a warrior. Not retreating in the face of defeat is the way of honor. Fighting only when victory is assured is neither honor nor loyalty—it’s merely coercion.

‘They were taught these lessons countless times.’

But knowing and acting upon them are two different things.

The Five Swords had fought, while these others had not.

Jin Hyun closed his eyes tightly, still looking toward the sky in despair.

“Let’s go, Chung Myung.”

Baek Cheon lifted him up, supporting his weight. Jo Gul moved to help, supporting Chung Myung on the other side.

“Yes, Chung Myung… let’s leave. I don’t want to stay here any longer.”

Jo Gul’s murmuring pierced the ears of those remaining on the cliff, as clear as if he’d spoken directly to them.

At that moment, Chung Myung spoke.

“Elder…”

“Yes?”

“My sword… give me my sword.”

“…Why?”

Baek Cheon looked at him with an expression of disapproval. It was clear he meant for Chung Myung to stop speaking to these people altogether. But Chung Myung, after looking at his face for a moment, shook his head.

“There’s still…”

Chung Myung’s gaze fell toward the bottom of the cliff, his eyes as cold as ice.

“…something I still need to do.”

Blood trickled down his chin, falling drop by drop onto the cliff below.