Chapter 391: Chapter 391

The orthodox members facing the enemy at the border of Chongqing and Sichuan were gasping, unable to even catch their breath properly.

Although there were countless enemies in front of their eyes, their numbers showed no signs of decreasing at all.

They cut down many, and also many died.

Even though the situation where someone had to be the victor and someone had to be the loser had already long passed, they were still holding out in that spot without victory or defeat being decided.

This was partly due to the persistent tenacity of the orthodox members, but as a result, it was due to other forces flocking from all directions and lending strength to them.

Although the orthodox martial world was crushed by the Blood Heaven, there were those who swung swords with pride as orthodox members, and though it was a already collapsed Unorthodox faction, there were also those who gritted their teeth at the Blood Heaven that drove out Jeok Mu-seong.

Unorthodox martial artists who left the Martial Sovereign Castle and roamed the Central Plains were joining the Cheondo Association one after another.

“However, it is not good.”

“Indeed. At this rate, we cannot hold out even for a fortnight.”

A man muttered and frowned.

Although they said their strength grew stronger as many gathered, conversely, the Blood Heaven was the same.

As time passed, their forces swelled more and more, to a level difficult for those in this place to handle.

“I recommend retreating.”

Zhuge Hyeon.

He was the one leading the Zhuge Family in place of Zhuge Un, who did not return.

Since it was a situation where all of the Eight Great Families had to join forces, the Zhuge Family was also in a situation where they could not refuse the request of the Cheondo Association this time.

Zhuge Hyeon did not view the current situation favorably.

It had been so from the moment he first arrived here until now.

Although numbers were numbers, the opponent had not yet sent the experts who crushed the Martial Alliance, so if they appeared, this place would not hold out even for fifteen minutes.

“Everyone is already in a highly exhausted state. Those who suffered heavy injuries are also many. If we delay further, escaping while carrying them will also not be easy.”

The people in their seats took Zhuge Hyeon’s words to ear.

Not to mention the Nine Great Sects and One Association, even the Eight Great Families, and even the figures of the Unorthodox faction. Even in their view, standing and guarding this border seemed somewhat unreasonable.

Paeng Do-ung let out a long sigh.

“Have we held out long enough with this…?”

Zhuge Hyeon nodded.

In fact, even if those lending strength gathered one after another, it was basically an unfavorable situation. Had it not been for the formation mechanisms of the Zhuge Family, they would have collapsed dozens of times over.

Therefore, none among the people in this place accepted Zhuge Hyeon’s words strangely.

Also, the reason they held out in this place was also Zhuge Hyeon’s idea.

“We have already achieved our goal. We reduced the opponent’s numbers and they chased along the path just as we wanted. What remains now is to retreat and lure them slightly deeper.”

“We must pray that the fellows are foolish.”

“They are those who think they have seized the victory anyway. Since we did not show all of our strength for a fortnight, they will also know that nothing is left for us but retreat.”

“Then we must move slowly.”

Tang Jung-ak, who was listening to the conversation, shined a smile.

Retreating and luring.

The moment they cross Chongqing, enter Sichuan, and arrive at the desired place, the elites of the Sichuan Tang Family will strike them down at once. Since there are all kinds of poisons and hidden weapons, not a single one will survive.

If the Sichuan Tang Family pulled off a major feat under these circumstances, it would mean gaining the upper hand in the power struggles to come later.

Therefore, Tang Jung-ak staked his life and death on this matter.

“Then let us meet there.”

Tang Jung-ak’s gaze turned toward Namgung Yong.

He shot a sneer toward him who still looked at the outside scenery without saying anything. He felt as if he had finally caught up with the Namgung Family and risen to the highest place.

However, Namgung Yong was not interested in the slightest.

He merely looked outside and took the still heard eerie shrieks to ear.

Even while they were holding a meeting like this, many were dying.

The same was true for the unorthodox members who once gritted their teeth and brandished swords. Since it was the same single life, he felt a tremendous weight in it vanishing in vain.

‘Father…’

Namgung Yong closed his eyes quietly.

Even under the situation where things became like this, Namgung Cheon did not step forward. He found that quite painful to his heart, and also wondered if he had truly given up on the martial world.

“It won’t be so.”

At that moment, as if reading his thoughts, Namgung Gang approached, patted his father, and smiled. Although he shouldn’t be moving yet since his body was injured, he seemed to have come out of worry for his father.

“Do you feel so?”

“I only think… he is waiting for the right time. As if knowing that all of this is a skirmish.”

“Haha, I hope your thoughts are correct.”

“It will be unmistakable. And if we are truly in danger… he will appear and save us just like always.”

Namgung Gang smiled with a face full of certainty.

That was a smile possible because he held absolute trust in the Sword Emperor.

‘But it is truly not good… if this plan goes awry, the blow we suffer will be enormous.’

Namgung Yong looked at a far place.

The crowds of the Blood Heaven flocking helplessly.

He could only pray that there was no tremendous expert among them.

* * *

“Sichuan… going again.”

Watching those who began to board the carriage one by one, Dan Woo-hyun shook his head with a somewhat weary expression.

They had to prepare for a considerably long journey to Sichuan.

However, unlike Dan Woo-hyun who was weary, Dan So-mi was excited.

“We are going on a trip with the entire family after a long time!”

The entire family… Dan Woo-hyun scratched his head, looking at Dan So-mi who spoke such words with an awkward expression. Glancing to the side, Hong Jin-rang, as well as Ju Ji-yak, were clinging close to his side.

Although invisible, the White Tiger and White Cat would also be somewhere.

“You look pleased to be together with your friends.”

“Yes! This is also the first time, you know? So I am highly excited.”

Dan So-mi held Ju Ji-yak’s hand tightly and did not let go.

But it was not that these children were going forcibly. While Hong Jin-rang’s case could be called semi-forced, Ju Ji-yak was leaving with the Prince’s proper permission.

Already invisible, guards were forming camps in all directions.

Also, since they were not martial artists, none could be said to touch them recklessly, so being together with these children could be called safer for Dan So-mi.

“Do not worry. I do not know what is going on, but I will look after So-mi well.”

“That indeed… is reassuring.”

Ju Ji-yak flinched and turned her head.

Although it was a single word Dan Woo-hyun spat out casually, she felt threatened somehow.

Even her most favored yet scary uncle did not emit this level of momentum.

‘Uneasy, as expected…’

Ju Ji-yak frowned despite herself.

“This journey will not be easy.”

At that moment, Namgung Cheon approached stealthily and spoke to Dan Woo-hyun. Although he did not fail to know what Dan Woo-hyun’s purpose was, the moment he stepped foot there, he would fall into a quagmire from which he could never escape.

Did he intend to go knowing that?

Namgung Cheon wanted to know Dan Woo-hyun’s true intention.

Whether it was truly to obtain the treasure, or if not, if there was another reason.

“Do not worry. I know that much… Besides, you also did not intend to sit back and merely watch, did you?”

“…Well, that is true, but.”

“Ahem!”

Namgung Cheon and Jeok Mu-seong let out hollow coughs.

Since he had already heard the story that many unorthodox members were also joining there, Jeok Mu-seong also had no intention of staying still, sucking his fingers.

‘I will surely pay it back.’

Jeok Mu-seong’s eyes shined more bloodworthily than ever.

“Calm down, calm down. Even if you get heated like that, there is nothing we can do right now.”

“Ahem! Heated, when did I ever!”

Jeok Mu-seong coughed and raised his voice.

Soon, the moment he tried to enter the carriage following Namgung Cheon, Dan Woo-hyun glanced at Jeok Mu-seong and spoke.

“Since it is noisy, go to the driver’s seat.”

“…?”

Momentarily, Jeok Mu-seong looked around.

Jang Sam-tae, Ma Jang-gang, and Gwon Mu-jin were not seen.

Since the group was large, they were scheduled to move in two carriages in the first place, so Jang Sam-tae had gone to the other one.

If so, did he mean him?

Jeok Mu-seong pointed to himself with his finger.

“Yes.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“Drive the carriage? Me?”

“…Yes.”

Jeok Mu-seong had an expression of speechlessness.

No matter how much he played the role of a servant, there were clearly fellows like Gwon Mu-jin and Ma Jang-gang, yet asking him, the oldest, to drive the carriage made him shiver.

“No… I have my age too, yet drive the carriage as well?”

“There is no one but you who can drive the carriage here.”

“I cannot drive either!”

“If you try, you will be able to.”

“Sigh…”

He could not bring himself to rebel.

Although he wanted to throw a punch in his heart, knowing he would be shattered instead if he did, Jeok Mu-seong let out a sigh and headed to the driver’s seat.

Mu Cheon-pung watched that scene intently.

“What is it? Why is that fellow like that? They say he is one of the Five Emperors, though?”

To Mu Cheon-pung, all of these sights were strange.

If they are called the Five Emperors under heaven, it means absolute experts, the sky above skies, ranking within the top five even among countless martial artists like grains of sand.

Why does such a person crawl like that?

‘Even if he is the Family Head, it is strange, right? It’s not as if these guys would have no money…’

The more he thought, the stranger it was.

Originally, should it not be the opposite situation?

While Mu Cheon-pung tilted his head, holding doubt, Sa Do-hak patted his shoulder and spoke.

“It is better not to know, sometimes…”

“Ah… hum? Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Although he could not know what the reason was, Mu Cheon-pung nodded, thinking, ‘Let us fully trust Sa Do-hak’s words.’

“But are you going too?”

“Huh? Were we not going together?”

At Dan Woo-hyun’s question, Mu Cheon-pung opened his eyes wide and replied.

Then, he looked up at Dan Woo-hyun with a peculiar expression.

That gaze was extremely simple.

Even his eyes were clear, as if looking at a young lamb. He could not be thought of as a person who had held out gritting his teeth toward Geum Wang-su for twenty years.

Dan Woo-hyun was about to say something but closed his mouth.

“No, it is nothing.”

“A strange fellow…”

“Pfft…”

“…….”

Namgung Cheon and Sa Do-hak held laughter despite themselves, watching that scene.

Since they could not openly burst into loud laughter, they suppressed most of it inwardly.

Dan Woo-hyun casually turned his head and glared at the two.

However, their smiles held at the corners of their mouths did not easily vanish. They looked as if they were enjoying Dan Woo-hyun’s appearance, which they saw for the first time.

In such an atmosphere, the carriage departed toward Sichuan.

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