Chapter 1295: Now, This Is Just The Beginning (Part 5)

"I, um, my arm here is a bit..."

"This should be fine. Just head to the assistant over there and get a quick disinfection."

"...Soso. Still, I'm your brother..." [lmfao, demoted to assistant healer]

"What?"

"...It's nothing."

Tang Soso, accompanied by Tang Pae, quickly began tending to the injuries of the disciples of the Southern Island Sect. While Tang Pae was confident in his medical skills, watching Tang Soso treat the wounds made it difficult for him to step forward and take charge.

"When did you become so skilled? You're so good."

"Brother, just stay in this damn sect for a year. Then you can sew cuts and other wounds while eating sugar."

"Ah..."

While he wasn't sure about internal injuries, there was no denying that Tang Soso was much more proficient when it came to external wounds.

"Here, quickly..."

"Don't fuss over minor scratches. Can't you see people with more serious injuries?"

"Sorry..."

"Next!"

"Yes, Soso! I..."

Kim Yang Baek frowned as he saw the wounded disciples flocking to Tang Soso.

'...A medical practitioner.'

It was unimaginable for the Southern Island Sect, one of the Ten Great Sects, to be without a medical hall. However, most of the medical practitioners from the Southern Island Sect had departed the sect during this crisis. Being neither key combatants nor having a reason to risk their lives, they probably saw no purpose in staying.

'Even if they were here, would they have been helpful in this situation?'

Probably not.

They likely had no experience treating someone with such severe injuries. At best, they might know how to care for minor injuries. Even if they had stayed, it would have been fortunate if they didn't become a hindrance.

"...Who is she?"

"She's from the Tang Family."

Baek Cheon replied calmly to Kim Yang Baek's question.

"She's the daughter of the current Lord of the Sichuan Tang Family, Tang Gunak. Due to some connections, she joined Mount Hua. Now, she is a core member of Mount Hua's medical team."

"...The medical team..."

"Yes."

"Since our sect often deals with various injuries, she has become proficient."

"..."

"So, you don't need to worry about injuries. Of course, handling severe injuries might be a bit challenging, but she can perform all possible treatments here."

A sigh escaped Kim Yang Baek's mouth. Seeing those receiving treatment, he now realized how crucial medical practitioners were on the battlefield. Although he had been determined to one day fight in a life-and-death war with the Evil Tyrant Alliance, he had been ridiculously complacent in considering such aspects.

Kim Yang Baek felt a sense of frustration about his carelessness.

"How long has Mount Hua been prepared for such situations?"

"We didn't specifically prepare. It just naturally happened."

"...Your humility is excessive."

In response to Kim Yang Baek's words, Baek Cheon simply smiled bitterly.

While it might sound like humility, Baek Cheon was stating the truth. Did Mount Hua load its medical team with strength to prepare for a war in the distant future?

Soso joined by chance, and through countless battles and treating the wounded during intense training, her skills had grown significantly.

Soso's abilities were remarkable, but originally, as the youngest member of Mount Hua, it would have been difficult for her to gain such strength.

if you were to ask how someone like Tang Soso could grow so freely to her full potential... Baek Cheon glanced at Chung Myung.

'It's probably because he let her win against him.'

No, looking back, even raising his voice to emphasize the importance of medical practitioners was Chung Myung's doing.

If asked whether Mount Hua had prepared for this, the answer would probably be no...

"However, we don't have time to continue like this. They're still narrowing the distance as we speak."

"...That's true."

Kim Yang Baek nodded heavily. It was fortunate to have someone capable of providing treatment even under these circumstances. If they were to press forward without addressing their wounds, the longer they were pursued by the enemy, the worse the situation would become.

"Don't worry too much about what he said a moment ago."

"Deputy Sect Leader..."

"He speaks that way, but on the inside, he's a guy with a lot of kindness."

Kim Yang Baek shook his head.

"Deputy Sect Leader, I am a human and a martial artist."

"..."

"How can I not know how difficult it is to break through a siege from the forefront? Originally, it should have been my task. No matter what words I hear from the one who has taken charge of that, how could I harbor even the slightest resentment?"

"...Your words, I appreciate them."

"No, I really mean it. Even in our Southern Island..."

Kim Yang Baek stopped mid-sentence. However, Baek Cheon could understand what he intended to say.

If there had been someone like Chung Myung in the Southern Island, the situation might not have escalated to this point. Perhaps that's what he wanted to say. However, as the sect leader, he couldn't utter words that might belittle other disciples or even elders.

Baek Cheon took a long breath and asked Tang Soso.

"Soso, how far along are things?"

There were many things to say, but now was not the time for a leisurely conversation. Even at this moment, the enemy was closing in on them.

"I'm done! Sasuk!"

Tang Soso, who answered promptly, quickly scanned the surroundings. Then, with a slight frown, she pointed.

"There!"

"Yes?"

"You have a wound on your stomach! Come here quickly!"

"Oh, no. It's alright."

"Why are you deciding that? Judging is the doctor's job! Anyway, those wielding swords must think their bodies are made of iron!"

"...Huh?"

"Why aren't you coming?"

The person with the lifted face mask ran towards Tang Soso. Roughly lifting his clothes, Tang Soso swiftly examined the wound. There was no hesitation in her touch as she applied the ointment and roughly stitched the open wound.

"Ugh..."

"Don't be so dramatic. There are people suffering more."

"...Yes."

After bandaging him, Tang Soso looked around and addressed everyone.

"There are limits to the treatment we can do while on the run. At that time, I'll only be able to provide emergency care."

"Yes."

"Still, if you have a chance, come to me right away. Ignoring injuries due to circumstances will become a burden later. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Yes, I understand."

"Good."

Tang Soso stood up from her place and looked at Baek Cheon.

"I'm really done now. Sasuk."

"That's right."

Baek Cheon nodded with a faint smile. The situation was still urgent, but the thought that Tang Soso was Tang Soso no matter where she was gave rise to an odd smile.

"Everyone, let's go immediately."

"Yes."

"Remember. The enemies we've faced so far are not the true forces of the Evil Tyrant Alliance. Soon, we'll be facing the real Evil Tyrant Alliance."

With those words, the tension that had momentarily loosened quickly tightened again. Everyone felt their spines shiver, realizing the gravity of the situation.

Even though they knew it, Baek Cheon deliberately brought it to the forefront for everyone to acknowledge.

"If you follow the instructions properly, we will definitely lead you all the way to Gangbuk. So please do your best."

"Understood, Deputy Sect Leader."

Kim Yang Baek answered before the disciples. As he took the lead, the other disciples nodded in agreement. The trust that had slightly wavered was now visibly restored, thanks to Tang Soso.

"Hye Yeon, are you okay?"

At Baek Cheon's question, Hye Yeon smiled wryly.

"About an hour should be no problem."   

"Monk..."

"However...if Chung Myung gets injured, please don't hand him to me. I'd rather die than carry him. If it comes to that, just block his mouth with something."

"What, seriously?"

"...Amitabha."

Baek Cheon chuckled lightly at Hye Yeon's nonchalant joke.

The true strength of a person showed in moments like this. In that sense, both Tang Soso and Hye Yeon were truly strong individuals.

"Let's depart. Maintain the formation well."

"Yes!"

Those who had treated the wounded immediately resumed their sprint.

Pa-ah-ah!

"Indeed..."

Guo Hansuo marveled silently, nodding his head. The difference between meditating, even for just a brief moment, and not meditating was enormous. He could feel the power surging through his legs. Thanks to it, they were able to increase their speed significantly.

The problem, however, would be that they might not even have enough time to meditate like this in the future.

At that moment, Jo Geol's voice reached his ears, addressing someone.

"Sahyung."

"Yes?"

"Doesn't it seem like the siege is weakening a bit? I don't feel anything in front of me. It could be that my senses are not reaching, but..."

"It's not a misconception."

Yoon Jong replied calmly.

"No matter how many forces and control they have over Gangnam, they wouldn't have enough numbers to fill the entire area. They're likely to build several layers of sieges. Since we broke through the first line, there might be a section with no enemies for a while."

"Isn't it easier than we thought? If we keep breaking through like this a few times..."

Guo Hansuo was about to agree with those words when Yoon Jong's voice sounded deep in his ears.

"It won't be that easy."

"Why?"

"The Evil Tyrant Alliance would not have thought that the first defense line could stop us. The role of the first defense line would be to delay us even for a moment, to buy time to set a proper trap in the next defense line."

"...Are you saying the Evil Tyrant Alliance will be mobilized in the next defense line?"

"Yes."

"Well... wouldn't we have suspected that anyway? If we keep going like this, we can break through, right?"

"Yeah, I think so too."

Smiling at Jo Gol, Yoon Jong turned his gaze slightly to the rear. He could see Hye Yeon carrying Yang Po on his shoulders, silently running forward.

'As long as it continues like this...'

The most serious problem wasn't external.

A little while ago, Yoon Jong saw the clear possibility of a rift. With Tang Soso and Hye Yeon stepping forward, they were able to smoothly overcome it.

But what if the number of wounded increases?

If the number of wounded increased and they were forced to slow down their advancing speed, they would enter a vicious cycle where more people would become injured and hold them back.

What then?

Would they die carrying the wounded? Or would they tell them to abandon their martial brothers, who were like blood brothers, and urge them to move forward?

Mount Hua had found that answer.

Having gone through a lot, fought and argued with each other, they came to accept the path they must walk. Unlike others who pointed fingers at seemingly pointless endeavors, they repeated such discussions and actions.

But there had been no such process in the Southern Island Sect.

Hence, they would have to face it from now on. What it meant to risk one's life to uphold lofty principles (善意) and righteousness that were only discussed in words.

Perhaps... after the seemingly impossible act of breaking through Gangnam, what they would have to face would be a confrontation with the repulsive sides of themselves they had deeply buried.

'Dear Heaven's Lord.'

Yoon Jong closed his eyes tightly.

He could only hope that the hell they eventually have to confront, like facing Mount Hua [idk], would not inflict wounds too deep upon them.