Slash!
âGurgleâŚâ
The moment the neck was cut, the body grew weak. However, the warriors managed to avoid decapitation by contorting their bodies in a desperate attempt.
ButâŚ
Pat. Pat.
A searing pain shot through his side, resembling the feeling of being scorched by fire, and something brushed against his chest.
They noticed a sword being retracted. The manâs gaze met with the sword-wielder.
Those cold, emotionless eyes held no feelings. The gaze was so icy that it chilled the body.
âYouâŚ.â
Swish!
His words came to an abrupt halt. Now in motion, the sword sliced through the head this time.
Thud.
The headless body dropped to the ground.
âYou must be cautious.â
Chung Myung smiled and glanced around.
âWhoâs next?â
Instantly, fear spread among the troops as they lost their leader.
âAh⌠ahâŚâ
âE-everyone, run!â
âJump down! Donât die!â
The panic-stricken men dropped their weapons and started to run away. Some ran, some stumbled on the wall, and others leaped off.
Observing the sudden emptiness around him, Chung Myung moistened his lips.
âTsk. These youngsters have no respect.â
-Brat! Youngsters these days?
Huh.
What were you implying?
Yo Sa-Heonâs expression became tense.
âThat man isâŚâ
Definitely strange.
He didnât know who this troop leader was because when he was an elder of the Ice Palace, many of these troop units didnât exist.
However, at a glance, he was sure the man had been skilled.
It was obvious.
A leader refers to a person in charge of the military troops. Warriors did not easily follow those who werenât stronger than themselves. Among them, the one that rose to the top position would be considered as their leader.
But such a person was defeated in a handful of seconds?
This was a task Yo Sa-Heon could not accomplish.
Regardless of Chung Myungâs strength or him being Mount Huaâs Divine Dragon, they had beaten a troop leader in under 100 seconds?
It should never have been possible for them to achieve this, but this absurd sight unfolded before Yo Sa-Heonâs eyes.
Yo Sa-Heonâs body trembled.
Only Yo Sa-Heon could comprehend the significance of this.
Careless?
Right. Carelessness. To be blunt, it was the leaderâs fault for losing focus on the battlefield.
However, Yo Sa-Heon couldnât possibly blame the now-cooling corpse.
It was common knowledge that one should never lose their focus in battle, but how many people truly comprehend that?
Swish.
This insight accurately identified the gaps that shouldnât be overlooked. Based on this judgment, jumping into the middle of the enemy troops without hesitation made logical sense.
Additionally, Chung Myung boldly used his sword technique in a situation where a single mistake could lead to death.
âMonsterâŚâ
He wouldnât be surprised if this young swordsman had killed all the warriors on the wall with his sword. It was something that could be accomplished with his martial arts.
Such determination and guts alone didnât make a person strong, though. Wasnât this something Yo Sa-Heon, who had been in countless battles, wouldnât dare do?
âHowâŚâ
.
It was thenâŚ
After twirling the sword in his hand, Chung Myung slid it back into its sheath. He took a step forward and leaned towards the wall.
âMany have arrived.â
Scaling the wall was only the beginning, as the battle was far from over. The might of the Ice Palace couldnât be contained so easily.
At that moment, Chung Myung turned his head and called out to Yo Sa-Heon.
âElder!â
âHm? Me?â
âYes. Go and bring the others here swiftly! They canât be slow!â
They were not slugs. You guys were the flying squirrels here!
Chung Myung, who clicked his tongue, pointed towards the bottom of the wall.
âWhat do we do now?â
ââŚwhat do you mean?â
âHuh. This is so frustrating.â
Chung Myung pounded on his chest as if he was truly frustrated.
Yo Sa-Heon shook his head slightly. If this had been earlier, he wouldnât have cared about whatever Chung Myung said, but now, after witnessing this scene, he was concerned with every single word.
âI hear youâre trying to persuade the kid?â
âYes.â
âEveryoneâs gathered here, and this place is high, making it a good spot for talking. Whatâs your plan now?â
Yo Sa-Heon nodded with a bewildered expression.
âDoes he really want to think about all this in the current situation?â đď˝ ď˝đđđď˝ đďźđď˝ ď˝
From the outside, Chung Myung didnât appear particularly wise, but he was calmly discerning the situation all around him.
âIt seems Iâve misunderstood you.â
â⌠whatâs going through your mind?â
The answer came from behind, not from Yo Sa-Heon.
âYou half Taoist.â
âReckless young jerk.â
âYou unstopping snout.â
âHell goingâŚâ
âThe bastard monk at the back, come.â
Hae Yeon flinched and hid behind Baek Cheon.
âIs this brat hiding?â
âAmitabha! Amitabha!â
Seeing Chung Myung grabbing Hae Yeonâs shaved head, Yo Sa-Heon sighed.
âSeriously shocking.â
Thanks to the disciples of Mount Hua, who led the way, everyone was able to reach the top without much difficulty.
It was unclear whether Chung Myung intentionally took the lead or if it was just a coincidence. Either way, it was fortunate for them.
âChung Myung, you canât grab a monk by his head.â
âSasuk, itâs not about holding a monk by the head, but you shouldnât hold a human by the hair.â
âUh⌠right?â
Jo Gul tilted his head as he observed the people.
âSasuk, shouldnât we go down? Why are we just fighting?â
âGul.â
âYes?â
â⌠Arenât people approaching us from behind? There are still a few individuals left to come, so if we split up and fight now, we will be defeated.â
âAhâŚ.â
Jo Gul finally comprehended the situation and glanced back, his head still tilted in confusion.
âWhy canât they come up here when no one is bothering them?â
ââŚ.â
Baek Cheon attempted to speak but fell silent. He was considering the same idea.
âWe mustnât hurry. The opponent wonât flee. Our primary focus should be on giving our all.â
This was a notion of utmost wisdom. Most of them comprehended his perspective, but unfortunately, an oblivious individual was in Mount Hua.
âPlanning ahead also pertains to our adversariesâŚâ
âGul.â
âWhat is it?â
âIs your mouth feeling itchy? Would you like me to strike you?â
â⌠No, sahyung.â
Yoon Jongâs eyes widened, causing Jo Gul to lower his head.
As they conversed, Yo Sa-Heonâs face turned red.
âI never expected their skills to surpass ours so easily.â
Despite their long years of training, they were unable to showcase their skills. However, the majority of their opponents were elders and elites of the Ice Palace.
The young disciples of Mount Hua were unparalleled.
But strangely, they were in control of the situation. This indicates that there was something about them that couldnât be solely explained by martial arts.
âIâve been surprised numerous times today.â
He knew he shouldnât be engaging in such actions on the day when the fate of the North Sea was being decided, but he was only human, and suppressing his emotions was difficult.
âSo, what is your plan?â
Upon hearing Chung Myungâs question, Yo Sa-Heonâs expression became tense.
âI understand that keeping the distance is important for our goal.â
âYes, I agree.â
âHowever, I believe it would be more advantageous to head down the wall.â
âWhat is your reasoning behind that?â
When questioned, he replied,
âWe need to demonstrate the presence of the Young Palace Lord in a proper manner. It may be challenging to prove his legitimacy as the former Lordâs son, even if the warriors are convinced.â
âAh, I see. So, you plan to bring him there and place him in front of individuals who will brandish swords at him?â
Chung Myung gestured towards Han Yi-Myung and asked this. Seol So-Baek, positioned behind him, flinched.
â⌠that.â
Yo Sa-Heon was speechless, and Han Yi-Myung, who was listening, chimed in.
âI understand the discipleâs worries very well. However, if we donât do that, everyone will die. And this childâs life is in even greater danger.â
âHmm.â
âThis is the best option. Please try to understand.â
Chung Myung nodded in agreement.
âWell, if it is the way of the North Sea, I donât want to take any risks. Everyone has their own path, after all.â
âThank you for understanding.â
âButâŚâ
Chung Myungâs expression changed.
âSince you said itâs for the best, you ought to be ready to lead the charge and risk your life. Thatâs how you take responsibility.â
ââŚâ
âLetâs go down. They seem pissed off too.â
Chung Myung grinned as he looked down at the wall. Seol Chun-Sangâs face was flushed with anger and devoid of mercy.
âThisâŚâ
He had seen his warriors jump down from the castle wall.
âThose cowardly bastards!â
The Ice Troops were a newly formed, specially trained group of soldiers he established after becoming the Lord. He believed it would be wise to have armed troops in case of invasion, no matter how high the wall was built.
But what could he do if they fled like that?
âThat idiotic troop leader! Moron!â
Seol Chun-Sangâs furious gaze shifted to the top of the wall. Alongside the Ice Troops, others were also observing him.
His pride had been crushed.
His anger refused to dissipate despite the blood flowing from his clenched fist.
âWhat the hell are you doing? Capture them immediately!â
âP-palace Lord. If we ascend the wall, the damage will be extensive.â
âAnd whatâs your suggestion? You want to leave it as it is?â
The elder who had spoken bowed their head in response to his bloodshot eyes.
âEven then, you people, as proud warriors of the Ice Palace, do you not know how to stand by that?â
What was more important than pride were the lives of the Ice Palace people.
Who here didnât knowâŚ
âIt has all gone wrong right from the start.â
No one was able to tell their Lord that. If they did, they would die. And they wouldnât risk their lives when they could still enjoy comfort.
âBring them to me right now! Those damned Central PlainsâŚâ
âL-Lord!â
âUm?â
âT-there!â
Seol Chun-Sang turned his head at those words.
Step. Step.
A man slowly descended the wall.
âThatâŚâ
Seol Chun-Sangâs face twisted in anger.
It was Chung Myung who had removed his leather clothes, revealing his plum blossom robes. He descended the steps leisurely.
âItâs been a while, Palace Lord.â
Seeing him greet him with a calm face, Seol Chun-Sangâs face turned red.
âThis⌠I will tear you apart!â
His voice echoed around the palace.
âI! The Ice Palace showed you grace, and the Central Plains repaid it by being enemies! These rude actionsâŚ.!â
âAhh. A misunderstanding. I am one who repays the grace twofold.â
âWhat?â
âIt is a bit different now.â
Chung Myung stopped smiling, and the voice of laughter turned cold.
âI donât see people who have joined hands with the Demon Sect as humans.â
ââŚ.â
âThere is no such thing as repaying grace to a dog of the Demon Sect. Just a sword.â
It was bitter and cold.
It was so cold that it couldnât be compared to the blizzard that blew around the Ice Palace.