Tok!
The sound of the severed head being thrown into the sandbank was grotesquely frightening.
It wasn’t particularly loud, but it was clearly heard by everyone fighting in this wide place.
“Cha- Chaeju....”
“Ugh....”
Chaeju is dead.
Not by the hand of the one who was rampaging like crazy just a moment ago, but by someone else’s hand. The implications were all too clear.
‘We, we can’t win.’
‘Damn it, we shouldn’t have come to this place.’
Basically, whether it’s a stronghold or a water fortress, the backbone of newly formed such groups consist of those with mediocre skills, those who don’t fit in elsewhere, or those who have committed crimes and fled.
There is no such thing as loyalty to such people, so with Chaeju dead, there was no will to fight any longer. Only fear and confusion spread.
The pirates’ eyes were filled with despondency and despair.
Thinking that the atmosphere was ripe, Chung Myung grinned and stepped forward.
“We’re all gonna die.....”
“Drop your weapons. I will spare those who surrender.”
“....”
Chung Myung looked back with his eyes wide open.
Before he knew it, Baek Cheon was stepping forward and shouting.
“Those who resist should be prepared to give up their lives! I won’t warn you twice! Drop your weapons!”
The pirates trembled and looked at each other at the sound of a stern shout.
In fact, Chaeju’s death was merely symbolic. Regardless of his life or death, the outcome was already determined. They never had a chance of winning.
Realizing this, they quickly threw their weapons and fell flat on the ground.
“What? Are we sparing them again?”
“Just kill them all! What good would it do to spare these bastards?”
Then, an absurd situation arose where the bandits were vehemently insisting that they should kill all the pirates. (Literal meaning of ‘pirate’ is water bandit.)
If it were Chung Myung, he would have scrutinized such bandits first, but Baek Cheon was someone who knew what minimal courtesy was due to those who had helped them
“I want to avoid unnecessary killing.”
“Hmm...... Well, you’re a Taoist after all.”
The bandits nodded and backed down as if they were convinced.
Initially, they were just here to provide support, and they didn’t make a significant contribution to this battle that warranted raising their voices. After all, most of the credit goes to Chung Myung, who was waving around next to Baek Cheon.
“Drop your weapons, you bastards!”
“Huh? Are they resisting?”
Most surrendered immediately, but there were some who fought to the end.
If it were Mount Hua’s disciples who surrounded them, they might have tried somehow to subdue them without killing them. But those surrounding them now are bandits from Nokrim. They could not be so merciful as to save those who resisted.
“Arghhh!”
“Kkeuk!”
In an instant, those pierced by the dao collapsed as they died. Only after seeing that, those who had been holding their weapons until the end hurriedly surrendered.
“Hmm.”
Baek Cheon’s mouth hardened as he watched the scene.
Really, it was too easy.
It was undoubtedly difficult for them, but it took less than a day to take down two water fortresses since Chung Myung appeared and to subdue them.
‘It’s disappointing.’
This simple task.....
No, thinking about it coldly, it’s not a simple task. If all this had actually been simple, would there be any reason for other sects to just sit back and watch?
It’s the other way around.
It’s not that this task was simple, it’s simple because it’s Chung Myung.
Looking back, all they went through were nothing but tough and complex situations.
They fought with Southern Edge Sect, made friends with the Sichuan Tang Family, visited Namman Yasugung Clan, and fought with the Magyo in the North Sea.
‘It was all possible because of him.’
He thought he understood that enough already. But looking back, Mount Hua’s disciples, including Baek Cheon, have underestimated Chung Myung’s ability while focusing only on his martial prowess.
“Why are you so sullen?”
“Huh?”
At the sudden voice, Baek Cheon looked back. Chung Myung was looking at him with a puzzled face.
“We won.”
“....Ah, we did.”
At Baek Cheon’s hesitant answer, Chung Myung chuckled.
‘He must have realized it.’
Increasing one’s skill is a good thing, and it’s of utmost importance.
But what’s most important in real combat is creating a situation where one can fully utilize the skills they have developed. Five Swords’ biggest mistake this time wasn’t rushing out to the Yangtze River or hastily moving and handing over the advantage to the enemy.
It’s that they got dragged into a situation where they couldn’t fully utilize their skills.
‘And this is also my mistake.’
Watching this situation unfold, he felt the meaning of what Hyun Jong said to the bone.
The existence of Chung Myung was a great fortune for them, but conversely, it was also a big obstacle.
– No, this yangban! If you have a plan, speak and act upon it! Or at least move with common sense. you fly by yourself, poke this side, and poke that side! If you turn it upside down every time, what about the people who follow you!
– You’re so noisy, punk!
The scholar-like man who faced Dark-Haired Ghost nodded with a cold face.
“Do you need to check?”
“Is there any need to?”
He took something out from his sleeve and extended it to Dark-Haired Ghost.
“Here it is.”
Dark-Haired Ghost carefully received the paper that the man had handed over and spread it open.
“This is a confirmation slip issued by Jungwon Bank. I sent the money to the place you designated. If you add up the advance payment I gave you the other day, it should be exactly the agreed amount.”
“......It’s confirmed.”
The nodding Dark-Haired Ghost folded the paper well and tucked it into his bosom.
“You could have received it directly.”
“You don’t know what’s going to happen in the world, do you? You have no choice but to be careful of everything for a small fish like me. I hope you understand.”
“I can’t say I don’t understand. As you say, one should be cautious in all matters.”
The man nodded lightly, then continued speaking.
Then, our deal is done.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Now what will you do?”
“As promised, I will wash my hands of this and will not set foot in Kangho. I plan to take the money and flee to a distant country, or settle down in a decent place and live out the rest of my life.”
“Quite persuasive.”
“People won’t believe me when I say something, but it’s good to be certain.”
“That’s why I chose you.”
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Dark-Haired Ghost.
“It was no big deal to deceive those fools, and I feel like I’ve received an excessive amount.”
“It was well worth it.”
“By any chance... May I ask why you did this?”
The man of scholarly elegance raised his index finger to his lips.
“Loose lips cause trouble. There are things in this world that are better not known.”
“......I’ll forget. No, I’ve forgotten.”
“Good. You’ve worked hard. Farewell.”
“Yes. Farewell......”
It was that moment.
Swaeaeaek!
Dozens of short swords rained down from the forest with incredible speed, and it was precisely stuck in the necks of those standing by the shore.
“Kkeureuk!”
“Kkeuk!”
Their eyes bulged as they clutched their throats and shook violently before collapsing.
“....”
Dark-Haired Ghost looked down at his chest with a blank face. A short sword was buried in his chest, almost to the hilt.
Slowly raising his head, he opened his mouth in a trembling voice as he looked at the man standing in front of him.
“Why....”
“Didn’t you say it yourself?”
The man of scholarly elegance replied in a flat voice.
“It’s better to be certain of everything. But why should I leave your mouth behind?”
“......the, the money is already......”
“That’s a separate matter. Oh, of course, there’s no doubt about it. The money has been sent. And you don’t need to worry about your family who will come looking for it. I swear on my name that I won’t touch them. Your family will live out the rest of their lives in peace.”
“....”
Dark-Haired Ghost crumpled down on the spot. Sitting on his knees, he breathed heavily.
“Why, Why did you have to......”
“This matter is far more important than you think. No one should know. Yes, none. So, the price was not as exorbitant as you worried. Considering the price of your life.”
“....”
“Get some rest now.”
Thump.
The man spoke in a calm voice as Dark-Haired Ghost hat collapsed in desperation.
“Cut off the head and bury it separately. Throw the body in the river.”
“Yes, General!”
man
Ho Gamyeong, known by the title of Myriad Man Manor General, looked at the distant island with a slightly complex gaze.
“Harvesting. Harvesting......”
Soon a twisted smile appeared on his thin lips
“If you sow the seeds, you have to harvest. Thanks to those Mount Hua guys, things will be much easier.”
Ho Gamyeong turned around without hesitation.
“Let’s go back before we get caught. Hurry up.”
“Yes!”
And so, a moment’s time passed.
There was no trace left on the clean riverbank..
Only the indifferent river flowed steadily.