Chapter 273: Chapter 273
Six days passed quickly after their departure. The Extermination Unit entered Western Forest (Xilin), located on the border between Hubei and Sichuan.
If they had unfolded their footwork like when they attacked the Red Tiger Stronghold, they could have arrived faster, but this time Cheon-hwi only rode a horse.
Unfolding footwork also meant consuming internal energy, so it was a choice made for the battle that would unfold later.
When they were riding their horses like that for a long time.
Neigh…
Cheon-hwi, who was climbing an unknown narrow mountain path, snatched his horse’s reins.
As Cheon-hwi, who was running at the front, stopped, the Extermination Unit following behind also grabbed their horses’ reins.
The noisy sound of horse hooves abruptly stopped, and silence slowly spread out like waves.
In the silence, Cheon-hwi stared straight ahead.
The snow that had started falling two days ago had already dyed the world in white.
In that white world, Cheon-hwi shifted his gaze to a place where colorful hues could be seen.
Smoke-spewing pavilions revealed their appearances under the faintly shining sunlight.
Antique pavilions and a grand manor.
They blended together with the surrounding snow, exuding a very elegant feeling.
Traces of a long history were smeared everywhere on the pavilions and the manor.
It was the target of this mission, the Blood Rain Sword Clan.
‘It’s exactly like the picture in the book.’
Before arriving here, Cheon-hwi recalled the book he had seen several times.
Numerous information about the Blood Rain Sword Clan.
Familiarizing himself with it in advance was very efficient for battle.
After putting the Blood Rain Sword Clan in his eyes for a long time, Cheon-hwi let go of the reins and lightly dismounted from the horse.
Pitch-black leather shoes stepped on the snow.
With a crunching sound, Cheon-hwi, who stood on the pure white snow flurries, looked back.
Was it because they had run continuously without resting?
Even though they didn’t unfold their footwork, they looked a bit exhausted.
Looking at them, Cheon-hwi opened his mouth.
“Let’s rest for a moment before entering the mission.”
“Understood.”
As if waiting for those words, the Extermination Unit members answered, dismounted from their horses, and uniformly prepared to rest.
First, Mu Hong and a few Extermination Unit members quickly leveled the ground, creating a clearing.
Then Ho Gwang-gae and Danli Gwan-cheon, who had outstanding internal energy, ignited the Samadhi True Fire and completely dried the wet firewood. And a few Extermination Unit members took out Fasting Pills and beef jerky from the knapsacks tied to the horses.
It was a swift movement.
Their movements, which had become skilled due to several times of sleeping outdoors, had no unnecessary actions at all.
A moment later, smoke rose.
Blaze…
The Extermination Unit entrusted their bodies to the bonfire lit by throwing a fire starter, melting the cold.
A strange silence lingered.
It couldn’t be helped.
From now on, the place they were going to face was not just an ordinary sect, but the Blood Rain Sword Clan.
A clan that had reigned over Western Forest for two hundred years.
Its prestige and power were so great that it was incomparable to the Red Tiger Stronghold, the target of their previous mission.
“Phew.”
When Im Ha Yul, who looked extremely tense, stopped chewing the jerky and unconsciously let out a sigh, spitting out cold air.
“Now, since we’ve rested to some extent, let’s talk about this mission.”
Cheon-hwi spoke in a low voice.
“This mission, well, as everyone knows, is to destroy the Blood Rain Sword Clan.”
All the Extermination Unit members held their breath.
It was a mission they already knew from hearing it beforehand.
However, hearing it directly from the mouth of the Squad Leader, Cheon-hwi, the weight felt different.
“Therefore, I will divide the forces into two.”
Cheon-hwi narrowed his eyes and continued speaking.
“Into a force that attacks the Blood Rain Sword Clan and a force that blocks their retreat.”
The Extermination Unit all nodded and agreed.
Wasn’t it a mission where not even a single person should be allowed to escape?
Blocking the retreat was essential.
At that time, Danli Gwan-cheon, who had been quietly listening to Cheon-hwi’s words, asked softly.
“Then how do you plan to divide the forces?”
It was an important question.
The Extermination Unit members all looked at Cheon-hwi’s mouth.
It was because they were curious about how he would divide the forces.
Before long, Cheon-hwi’s mouth opened.
“I was actually going to select two Vice Squad Leaders right now.”
“Vice Squad Leader?”
In an instant, all the Extermination Unit members murmured.
It was none other than the position of Vice Squad Leader.
The Extermination Unit would continue to be active as long as the war continued, and if so, they could spread a great reputation in Jianghu due to this position.
Cheon-hwi, looking at a few Extermination Unit members revealing their desires because of that, moved his finger and scanned them one by one.
And finally, the place where the tip of his finger reached was Danli Gwan-cheon, who was looking indifferent as if he had no interest in this matter.
“……Me?”
Danli Gwan-cheon spat out a stiff voice.
Dissatisfaction appeared on his face.
Because he wanted to fight the enemies alone according to the mission each time, rather than leading someone.
“Squad Leader. I cannot command people. I’d rather other people…….”
When he was about to express his intention of refusal.
“It’s already been decided.”
Cheon-hwi cleanly cut off his words.
“However…….”
“Given that you’re just a mere member, you should just do it if the Squad Leader tells you to. Don’t you think?”
“…….”
Danli Gwan-cheon fell silent.
Soon, Cheon-hwi turned his gaze away from Danli Gwan-cheon, who had closed his mouth, and immediately pointed at someone else.
“And the second one is you over there.”
The pointed Ho Gwang-gae scratched his greasy hair.
“Hahaha. Vice Squad Leader, huh…….”
For a moment, he soon pounded his chest with his fist.
“Good, very good. Let’s do our best.”
Ho Gwang-gae accepted it heartily.
Because there was no reason to refuse.
Rather, it was something to welcome.
‘Vice Squad Leader……. I couldn’t even think of it, but it’s good. I’ll be able to build a reputation.’
When he was smiling and thinking about the position of Vice Squad Leader.
“Then I’ll distribute the personnel that the two Vice Squad Leaders will take charge of. For now…….”
Cheon-hwi divided the personnel of the Extermination Unit.
‘Considering the compatibility of martial arts, for Danli Gwan-cheon, this side and…….’
Recalling their martial arts skills accurately found out through sparring, Cheon-hwi distributed the personnel one by one.
And a moment later.
“It’s all done, right?”
Looking around the divided forces, Cheon-hwi revealed a satisfied expression.
“Then everyone, memorize the faces.”
Around the time the Extermination Unit looked at their comrades mutually.
“Oh right, and this time, the attack will be.”
Cheon-hwi looked at Danli Gwan-cheon and continued speaking.
“Your side will take charge of it.”
At those words, Danli Gwan-cheon’s eyes shone.
Becoming a Vice Squad Leader and leading the members wasn’t to his liking, but it was a different story if it was a surprise attack.
“I understand.”
Unlike him, who was burning with enthusiasm, the Extermination Unit members lined up behind him swallowed their saliva.
Taking charge of the attack meant stepping out to the front.
It was in the same vein as taking the lead and clashing with the Blood Rain Sword Clan.
At that time, Ho Gwang-gae smacked his lips.
“Then are we blocking the retreat?”
Ho Gwang-gae, who had generously accepted the Vice Squad Leader position, had his voice trembling very shallowly as if it was hard to hide his tension.
“That’s right.”
Cheon-hwi smiled beamingly.
“You know where the retreat that needs to be blocked is, right?”
At the ensuing question, Ho Gwang-gae also smiled beamingly back.
“Haha, Squad Leader. Although I look neat, I’m a beggar of the Beggars’ Sect for a reason. I’ve already put that much in my head.”
At those words, a few burst into laughter.
Unlike his words, Ho Gwang-gae had the appearance of a faithful beggar.
Watching that, Cheon-hwi chuckled.
The tense atmosphere instantly loosened.
It was all thanks to Ho Gwang-gae’s joke.
‘Just as I expected.’
Cheon-hwi gently stared at Ho Gwang-gae.
One of the people he had first thought of as a Vice Squad Leader of the Extermination Unit was him.
Personality, martial arts, and tolerance.
Because everything was fitting.
And right now, in a short moment, he properly showed the reason for the choice.
‘That side will show its true value when they properly enter the mission…….’
Cheon-hwi stared at Danli Gwan-cheon for a moment, then spoke towards the Extermination Unit.
“Then let’s go now.”
As soon as Cheon-hwi’s low command ended, everyone hurried and moved.
Sizzle…
Lastly, the Extermination Unit, who put out the bonfire by covering it with snow, caught their breath with tense expressions.
White steam soared from between their lips.
Around the time everyone was stiff like that.
Clap! Clap!
Ho Gwang-gae clapped his hands vigorously.
“Now, now! Let’s relax! If you get tense for nothing and can’t display your proper skills, the Squad Leader won’t leave you alone.”
He, who was smiling radiantly, glanced at Cheon-hwi with his pupils, then winked one eye.
Right after, he asked Cheon-hwi.
“But Squad Leader. How are you going to attack? It’s broad daylight to do a surprise attack.”
He approached and very carefully added words into Cheon-hwi’s ear.
“It seems like it would be better to wait until it gets dark and then go…….”
At those words, Cheon-hwi waved his hand.
“Hey, when are we going to wait for it to get dark?”
“Then how…….”
“What do you mean how. Of course…….”
Cheon-hwi, who was speaking, raised the corners of his mouth.
“It’s a frontal breakthrough.”
* * *
The Blood Rain Sword Clan was in the midst of a clamor.
“To think that the Martial Alliance would declare war on the Four Black Alliances…….”
So Cloud Step, an elder of the Blood Rain Sword Clan, frowned his white eyebrows at the rumors floating around the town.
“It wouldn’t be a lie, right?”
He glared at the old man next to him and asked.
The Blood Guild Leader, who was in charge of information, heavily nodded his head with an incredibly somber expression.
“It is information confirmed by the Hao Sect. Not only that, we also obtained information that the Martial Alliance organized a separate detachment and is thinking of tearing down all the Unorthodox Factions in Jiangbei.”
Groans flowed out from here and there.
They judged that if the Hao Sect had confirmed it, this information couldn’t possibly be a lie.
It was then.
“So this clan is also included.”
A heavy voice descended.
Everyone’s gaze headed upwards.
It was a voice flowing from a middle-aged man with white hair and white eyebrows sitting on the jade throne of the seat of honor above the stairs.
Those watching swallowed dry saliva.
He was the current Patriarch of the Blood Rain Sword Clan, and the absolute ruler reigning over Western Forest. Supreme Blood Sword So Gwang-pae.
“Are my words correct?”
So Gwang-pae, who was asking, cast down his eyes.
Incredibly cold blue eyes flashed, receiving the sunlight shining through the window paper.
At that gaze, the Blood Guild Leader flinched.
“……That is probably correct.”
At those words, everyone gathered in the Grand Conference Hall of the Blood Rain Sword Clan murmured.
“The Martial Alliance is attacking our clan?”
“These crazy!”
Curses and malicious shouts burst out.
No matter how much they were the Blood Rain Sword Clan ruling over Western Forest, the opponent was the Martial Alliance.
The gap in power was too great.
When the clamor was gradually getting louder.
Thump!
A heavy sound echoed out.
So Gwang-pae, who had instantly ended the clamor by striking the armrest, asked once again.
“Have you made contact with the Four Black Alliances?”
The Blood Guild Leader nodded his head and answered.
“We have already made contact with the Four Black Alliances. However, no matter what, the time is…….”
The Blood Guild Leader slurred the end of his sentence.
But with just that, everyone could grasp what the end of the sentence was.
So Gwang-pae stealthily turned his head.
His gaze headed toward the middle-aged man who had continuously been next to the jade throne since earlier.
“Is there a way to escape?”
The middle-aged man, the Chief Steward of the Blood Rain Sword Clan, Myo Ryeon-gwang, spoke with a faintly stiff expression.
“The best method is to abandon the Blood Rain Sword Clan and head to the Jiangnan Martial World.”
At Myo Ryeon-gwang’s words, opposition immediately arose.
“That’s nonsense.”
“We cannot abandon our clan.”
Especially the elders fiercely opposed it.
It was the place where the Blood Rain Blood Sword, the founder of the Blood Rain Sword Clan who was one of the Ten Great Swordsmen of the World two hundred years ago in the past, had established a foundation and protected until now.
It was a place that had endured even under the threat of the Qingcheng Sect in Sichuan to the west and the threat of the Wudang Sect located in Hubei to the east.
To say that they were abandoning it now.
It was an unacceptable matter.
And So Gwang-pae, the Patriarch of the Blood Rain Sword Clan, was also of the same opinion as the elders.
“Is there no other way?”
“If so, there is no choice but to wait until the help from the Four Black Alliances arrives.”
So Gwang-pae’s eyebrows wiggled.
Didn’t it mean that there was no way to change the war situation with the hands of the Blood Rain Sword Clan.
At that time, the Blood Guild Leader hurriedly spoke.
“S-still, they said that they sent the Black Yaksha and the protectors from the Four Black Alliances.”
“Black Yaksha!”
A few people sprang up.
Black Yaksha was the youngest disciple of the current Leader of the Four Black Alliances, and he was known as a person whose realm surpassed that of an outstanding rising star and could be called a formidable master even in Jianghu.
“Moreover, if it’s the protectors…….”
Everyone put on an expression of relief.
If it were the protectors to protect the Black Yaksha, there was no way ordinary people would come.
At that time, So Gwang-pae smacked his lips.
“About when will they come?”
It was the most important question.
At that question, the Blood Guild Leader swallowed dry saliva, and his Adam’s apple moved greatly.
Soon, he answered carefully.
“The message bird hasn’t arrived yet, but still, it will take at most five days.”
“Five days, huh.”
So Gwang-pae muttered lowly.
Ordinarily, it was a short time.
But in an urgent situation like now, it was just bound to feel very long.
“Do you think the Martial Alliance will make a move in the meantime?”
“I cannot know for sure.”
The Blood Guild Leader’s answer was vague.
However, it couldn’t be helped.
A matter with the survival of the Blood Rain Sword Clan at stake.
If he spoke containing ambiguous certainty for nothing, he would have no choice but to be put in danger.
So Gwang-pae narrowed his glabella.
“……If so, do we ultimately have no choice but to hold out for five days no matter what.”
At that time when silence flowed at his words.
Baaaaang!
An explosion sound burst out from outside.
“Don’t tell me?!”
“The Martial Alliance already?!”
The gathered people were surprised and sprang up.
And the moment everyone instinctively escaped the Grand Conference Hall and swung open the outside doors.
“T-the main gate?”
“Just what bastard…….!”
They burst out in anger.
The main gate that had protected the Blood Rain Sword Clan for a long time of two hundred years was smashed to pieces.
And on top of that broken main gate, a young man with an arrogant expression was looking down at them.
The young man, Cheon-hwi, scanned the martial artists of the Blood Rain Sword Clan running out panting one by one, and slowly curled up the corners of his mouth.
“Is everyone out now?”