Chapter 341: End (2)

Rumors spread throughout the entire Martial Alliance in less than half a day.

The death of So Un-hwi, the Alliance Leader and the best swordsman in the world.

The rumor that the strongest force of the Martial Alliance had been killed by a mysterious being leading monstrous creatures sent everyone into shock.

Though some were skeptical, the news that even Baek Hyang-muk—the strongest swordsman of Wuhan—was defeated and lost his martial power made the rumor even more credible.

> "The greatest swordsman in the world is dead!"

> "I can't believe it. How could this happen…"

> "True or not, if even they fell, aren't we all doomed?"

> "We're fighting things that aren't even human to begin with."

> "Damn it!"

The news had a huge impact on everyone preparing to face the enemy.

The vague fear of the enemy crushed their fighting spirit and lowered the morale of the Martial Alliance.

> "It's a lie... it can't be true."

> "My brother is dead? What does that even mean?"

The ones who mourned this tragedy the most were So Yeong-yeong and Sa Ma-yeong.

At first, they refused to believe it.

They knew better than anyone how strong So Un-hwi—no, Jin Un-hwi—was.

But when they saw the broken blade of Namcheon Cheolgeom, the sword he cherished like his own life, they began to accept it might be true.

> "Miss… sob…"

> "Sister, our brother... hic!"

The two women held each other tightly and wept for more than two hours.

Only after their eyes were swollen and their voices hoarse could they stop crying.

But in truth, they hadn't stopped because their sorrow ended—it was because growing rage and the looming worst-case scenario demanded their attention.

> "Sister, I must go see Master Sa Baek again."

> "Will you be okay? You've already tried several times…"

> "Still, I have to try once more. There's still no word from Master Sa Ma-chak, right?"

Sa Ma-yeong nodded in response.

> "It's only been four days."

It had been four days since her father, Sa Ma-chak the Wolak Sword, left the Martial Alliance.

There was still no word.

She believed her father would have arrived at his destination by now. The lack of contact made her increasingly uneasy.

> "I'm sorry. This isn't even your problem, yet I've dragged you into it…"

> "What are you talking about? Your problem is mine now."

> "But still…"

She couldn't bring herself to say the rest.

Because once she said her brother had died, it would feel like she had fully accepted it as truth.

Understanding her feelings, Sa Ma-yeong simply held her hand tightly.

> "It's alright. But you should hurry."

> "...Okay."

So Yeong-yeong quickly headed to the Martial Alliance's headquarters.

Not long after, around mid-morning, the elders and some forces remaining at the Martial Alliance were preparing to move to the front line at Demonic Castle (Maseong).

Before that, she had to persuade them once more.

At the headquarters building, she spotted Jo Cheong-un, the Hyeongsan First Sword and her master, standing with a few elders.

> "Master!"

> "Yeong-ah."

The moment he saw her, Jo Cheong-un sighed and placed his hand on his forehead.

As if he already knew what she was going to say.

> "Please spare me a moment."

He shook his head.

> "You've come to talk about that again?"

> "...Yes."

> "Didn't I already say no? Even if the council approved it, it's already too late. It's not feasible in terms of time or distance to request reinforcements from the Blood Sect."

Indeed, her request had been to ask the Blood Sect for reinforcements.

The Martial Alliance, encompassing all orthodox factions, had the highest numbers, but the enemy's forces numbered around 300,000.

There was no way the Alliance could face that alone.

With deep sincerity, she pleaded:

> "Please, Master. Convince the Deputy Leader and the Elders. Now's not the time to be debating orthodoxy versus evil. The whole martial world must unite."

> "I know what you're saying. But it's too late. And forming an alliance like that isn't something done easily."

Jo Cheong-un understood her argument.

But the Martial Alliance's hands were tied.

Just five days ago, the monsters' numbers were much lower than the Alliance's.

No one had predicted their exponential growth.

> "Right now, the best option is to wait for the reinforcements we've requested from Musang Fortress. That's the council's decision."

As he said, the Elders' Council had urgently sent a messenger to Musang Fortress three days ago.

It was, of course, a request for reinforcements.

Musang Fortress, located in Shaanxi Province, just north of Hubei, where Wuhan lies, was a practical source of support—especially when compared to the Blood Sect in the south, which would need two weeks just to cross the Yangtze River.

> "We'll know soon enough. If the reinforcements from Musang arrive within five days, and the imperial troops from the capital join us within ten, there's a sliver of hope."

> "But that means we have to hold out for at least five days, doesn't it?"

> "...Yes, that's right."

So far, no place had lasted even a day.

They were gambling on a chance smaller than one in ten.

> "Have you considered this?"

> "What do you mean?"

> "What about retreating to the south of the Yangtze River?"

> "What?"

Jo Cheong-un frowned.

> "You're suggesting we abandon Wuhan, the center of our defenses?"

Which was exactly what she was implying.

> "No matter how great our strategy is, how can we hold out against 300,000 non-human enemies?"

> "Still, Wuhan is the sacred ground of the orthodox factions."

> "What use is a sacred ground if everyone is dead?"

> "Your point is valid, but what about the powerless civilians if we retreat?"

> "Ah…"

His sharp remark silenced her.

Wuhan wasn't just home to martial artists and troops.

It was filled with civilians living their everyday lives.

> "Do you even understand the meaning of responsibility?"

> "..."

> "If we leave, the powerless civilians will be slaughtered without even a chance to defend themselves."

So Yeong-yeong bit her lip hard.

She couldn't justify a full retreat south of the Yangtze.

They weren't like the evil sects or wandering clans.

They were orthodox martial artists, devoted to justice.

If the righteous Martial Alliance abandoned the weak, how were they any different from the unorthodox?

> "...You're right, Master."

> "I understand your feelings, but please be more calm—and trust your seniors a bit more."

With that, Jo Cheong-un turned to rejoin the waiting elders.

But So Yeong-yeong grabbed his sleeve.

> "If... if the Blood Sect sends reinforcements, couldn't we at least lower the defensive line a bit and stall the enemy?"

> "The Blood Sect?"

Jo Cheong-un sighed.

It was clear the Blood Sect had recently changed compared to how it used to be.

But trusting them to send a large-scale army was another matter entirely.

That's why the elders had only requested help from Musang Fortress and the imperial capital.

> "I doubt the Blood Sect will send any reinforcements."

> "But what if they do?"

> "There's no alliance, and we didn't even make an official request—how could they possibly...?"

> "...I made the request."

> "What?"

Jo Cheong-un froze.

His own disciple—someone from the Hyeongsan Sect—had contacted the Blood Sect without permission?

> "What on earth were you thinking?!"

> "No one else was asking them for help, even though this is no time to care about orthodoxy!"

> "Didn't I say it already? There's little chance the Blood Sect would ever help the Alliance. We once annihilated their sect. Why would they risk themselves to help us now?"

> "But…"

> "You acted thoughtlessly. You've only made the Martial Alliance look more desperate and foolish."

Jo Cheong-un clicked his tongue in disappointment.

> "They might send reinforcements…"

> "That's impossible. You really think the Blood Sect would respond to a lone disciple's plea without any formal alliance or request?"

So Yeong-yeong, furious, almost revealed the truth—that her brother, the Alliance Leader, was also the Blood Demon.

But if she said that, no matter how dire the situation, she would be branded a spy from the Blood Sect.

> Ahh... is there really no way...?

At this rate, everyone was in danger.

Just as Jo Cheong-un said, she couldn't even be sure that the Blood Sect would respond to her message.

And even if they did, the enemy was already at their doorstep.

> Now, it's all up to everyone's last stand...

–FWOOOOOOOOOH!

Just then, the sound of a war horn echoed throughout the entire fortress.

'!?'

So Yeong-yeong and Jo Cheong-un, who heard it, couldn't hide their confusion.

This sound signified an emergency wartime alert.

"No way…?"

At that moment, a martial artist of the Murim Alliance, who seemed to be a messenger from Masang, rushed toward the main base using light footwork.

"What's going on?"

Jo Cheong-un quickly asked the messenger.

The messenger, who was running inside, shouted,

"T-The monster army has already arrived at Masang!"

---

This exceeded everyone's expectations.

Based on when the monsters last appeared and the time needed to travel, they were expected to arrive late the next day or the evening after.

But the monsters had moved far faster than anyone had predicted.

As a result, all remaining forces in the Murim Alliance were urgently deployed to Masang.

Even the government troops joined in, and the defensive formation assembled was grander than during the Great War.

However, the thirty thousand demon beasts filling the horizon just ten ri (about 4 km) away painted a bleak picture.

One couldn't help but rethink after seeing them.

Everyone was left speechless.

"...There are too many."

"Is this what it means to be outnumbered three to one?"

"How are we supposed to stop that?"

The Murim Alliance warriors and government soldiers watching from the front lines began to lose morale.

Even Vice Alliance Leader Jin Gyun and the elders were no different.

One had to question whether they could last more than five days against such a force.

'Haa... It's hopelessly outnumbered.'

There was no choice but to acknowledge the reality.

But retreat was not an option.

If they lost here, not only Murim but all of the Central Plains would fall into danger.

Shing!

"Prepare for battle!"

Jin Gyun drew his unique weapon, the Paeyeoldo (Blade of Defeat and Rage), and shouted.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Following him, everyone drew their weapons.

But once crushed, morale is not easily restored.

Unlike the tense warriors of the Murim Alliance, the monsters were excited, as if they could sense their fear.

KUWOOOOHHHH!

GRRRRRRRRR!

GOOOOOOOHHHH!

The eerie roars of the monsters shook the land of Masang with dread.

At their front stood a half-human, half-demonic being, eyes glowing yellow, who couldn't hide his satisfaction.

"Master. Can you feel it?"

"Yes... Fear and terror are rich nourishment for demons."

"Their fear has peaked."

A man in a black robe, with eyes like a snow-white serpent, reached out his hand.

His gesture was like plucking a ripe fruit.

"They're utterly foolish. Despite the danger, they remain here like moths flying into flames."

"Even their last bit of bravado will soon kneel before you, Master."

"There is no need for surrender. Drench this land in blood."

"Your will shall be done."

With that, the half-demonic being stepped forward and pointed toward the 80,000-strong defensive force of the Murim Alliance and government troops.

"By the command of the Demon Lord, ruler of ten thousand beasts—leave no human alive!"

KUWOOOOHHHH!

WOOOOOHHHHHH!

As the order was given, the 300,000-strong monster army let out a unified roar and charged forward.

Though they were ten ri away, the sight of the dark tide surging forward made every warrior instinctively swallow hard.

So Yeong-yeong and Sima Yeong were no different.

'Brother...'

'Sir!'

DUDUDUDUDU...!

The earth began to shake more violently.

They were approaching.

Everyone gripped their weapons tighter.

At that moment—

DOONG! DOONG! DOONG! BWOOOOOOH!

From somewhere came the sound of drums and a war horn.

The monsters that had been charging suddenly stopped and looked northwest.

From a high hill on the plateau came the sound—and the small silhouettes of two people appeared.

"Sister!"

So Yeong-yeong grabbed Sima Yeong's wrist tightly.

It was no wonder—standing on the hill were none other than Sima Chak of Wolak Sword and Jin Seong-baek, the Lord of Musang Fortress, known as the Wind God Without Emotion.

'Ah… Father!'

The direction Sima Chak had gone to was indeed Musang Fortress.

They had expected a delay of several days—but it had arrived earlier than anyone thought.

Jin Seong-baek looked down from the hill at the massive monster army and spoke.

"...In-law. Looks like we made it in time."

The term "in-law" still felt awkward.

"...Seems so. In-law."

Sima Chak felt the same awkwardness.

But regardless, it was fortunate.

If Musang Fortress hadn't already been marching south, they might have lost their daughter to war.

THUD!

As Jin Seong-baek raised his hand, a huge crowd appeared on the hill behind him.

It was the entire force of Musang Fortress.

At a glance, there were at least thirty thousand.

"WAAAAAAAH!!!"

The morale of the Murim Alliance, which had been faltering, surged back with a roar.

"It's Musang Fortress! Vice Alliance Leader! They arrived so quickly!"

"Aaaah! I'm so grateful!"

Even the high command was in chaos.

Their entire plan had been to hold out until reinforcements arrived—but they hadn't expected Musang Fortress to arrive so soon.

In truth, they had come on their own without being summoned.

But Jin Gyun's expression was still firm.

'Still not enough.'

Even with thirty thousand reinforcements, the gap in numbers was still threefold.

That's likely why the monster army hadn't reacted strongly.

Just as he thought, the demon lord and the half-demon leading the monster army looked at the situation with interest.

"No need to go north anymore, Master."

Musang Fortress had been a target anyway.

Now that they'd all gathered, it was a chance to wipe them out at once.

The demon lord snorted.

"Nothing's changed. Kill the—"

Flinch!

Before he could finish, the demon lord suddenly turned his head to the southwest.

"Master?"

Puzzled, the half-demon's four glowing eyes widened.

'What's that?'

From the low southern mountain ridges came another massive crowd.

It wasn't just the demon lord's army who saw it.

The Murim Alliance leaders saw it too.

"This can't be…"

"Could it be…?"

Though far away, the red clothing and flags were unmistakable.

"Blood Sect!"

It was none other than the forces of the Blood Sect.

Musang Fortress had been expected—but no one had anticipated the Blood Sect's arrival.

No one could even comprehend why they were here.

"Why would the Blood Sect send reinforcements?"

"Did they really?"

"Oh my god!"

"Wait… That's not just the Blood Sect!"

There were far too many to be only them.

Looking closely, there were others in different clothing besides red.

"Wait! Those on the mountain ridge are from the Green Forest!"

"That looks like the Eighteen Clans of Chang River!"

Beyond the Blood Sect were several other unorthodox factions.

Altogether, they seemed to number fifty thousand.

No one had ever imagined they'd be glad to see them.

"Why are they here?"

"I can't believe it…"

But unlike the shocked leadership, Jo Cheong-un, the Sword of Mt. Heng, was dumbfounded.

He had been certain that no reinforcements would come even if requested.

Especially since the request had come not from the leadership—but from a mere sub-leader of a clan.

Yet, it had happened.

'Ha… They actually answered Yeong-yeong's request?'

It was hard to believe even while seeing it.

His gaze naturally turned to So Yeong-yeong.

She too was overwhelmed by emotion at the sight of the Blood Sect, arriving far earlier than she had hoped.

'They came!'

Even tears welled up in her eyes.

She hadn't been sure they'd answer—especially without her brother present.

But they really had come.

Leading the Blood Sect over the mountain ridge were Baek Hye-hyang, wearing a demon mask and red hair, and Seol Baek, her silver hair fluttering.

"Hey. Aren't we earlier than you said?"

To Baek Hye-hyang's sharp tone, Seol Baek snorted.

"As vice leader, you speak too rudely to the cult leader's second wife."

"Second wife? Who said I acknowledged you as the second wife?"

They looked ready to start fighting right there.