Chapter 1301: Who The Hell Is That Guy? (Part 1)

Silence.

Well, in fact, the word "silence" didn't quite fit.

The sounds of groans and screams from the people injured and poisoned filled the air continuously.

But even so, it was silent.

Even those treating the injured, assisting, and preparing to move again had nothing particular to say.

Because they felt it.

They had been fighting enemies until now.

Desperately breaking through the enemies blocking their way, fighting fiercely with swords thrust into throbbing necks.

It was exhausting and terrifying, but back then, at least the enemies were also desperate to stop them.

So paradoxically, they could see hope in that desperate battle progressing in the right direction.

But a little while ago, their enemy in front willingly opened the way for the first time.

As if they could target them again at any moment.

As if they were saying that even without someone desperately blocking their way, there was no way out.

It made everyone here realize reality.

Guo Hansuo pushed his energy into the lower abdomen of his trembling martial brother, who was poisoned. 

Even while desperately helping the injured, his mind was busy with other thoughts.

'Can we survive?'

Was there really light at the end of this tunnel?

Maybe... maybe they've already set foot in an unescapable swamp.

In the swamp, where the more you struggle to get out, the deeper you sink...

Guo Hansuo soon bit his lips.

'What a foolish thought.'

After all, he had known that the possibility of surviving was almost nonexistent.

It was to prove a point.

To let the world know that those who bear the name of Southern Island wouldn't be defeated without resistance.

There was no need to feel discouraged just to confirm a fact he already knew.

"Sahyung."

Suddenly, Lee Ziyang approached.

Guo Hansuo asked.

"How's the situation?"

"With the presence of Tang Family members, we can somehow treat the poisoning. If it were just us, we wouldn't be able to do anything."

"...Thank God."

A relieved sigh involuntarily escaped Guo Hansuo's lips.

'If there weren't the Tang Family...'

He realized how reckless and complacent it was to resist the Evil Tyrant Alliance in the Southern Island Sect's name.

If they had resolved to fight a decisive battle in Southern Island, despite having the advantage of the terrain, they would've been swept away one-sidedly.

Even if they had taken advantage of the terrain, what could they have done without a way to detoxify the poison?

The strong had the ability to drive out toxins.

This was common knowledge in Kangho.

However, that was only when one's body was in a completely healthy state and the situation was such that one could expel poison while attacking simultaneously.

But how many people in the Southern Island Sect would be capable of it?

In the past, every time they discussed toxins, he wanted to tear out his tongue because he told himself poison was nothing if he improved his skills.

Why did he speak so easily as if he knew everything?

"But... although we can detoxify the poison, the wounds..."

"That's right..."

Breathing in the poison wasn't the issue; it was being stabbed by a weapon coated with poison. Even if the poison didn't take effect, the injury was still fatal. Recovering from such wounds in a short period was impossible.

"How many casualties?"

"About four."

"That's fortunate."

Guo Hansuo who had answered indifferently, was momentarily shocked and snapped his mouth shut.

'Fortunate?'

Four people died.

Four people whom he had known face to face for at least ten years died.

Yet, he nonchalantly called it fortunate.

A profound sense of disgust welled up in Guo Hansuo.

He hadn't even confirmed who the four were, accepting human deaths as mere numbers.

"Let's move."

At that moment, a voice interrupted, and Guo Hansuo turned his bloodshot eyes in that direction.

He couldn't afford to listen carefully to what anyone said anymore.

Just accepting that the battlefield was supposed to be like this...

However, for an instant, Guo Hansuo found himself speechless. Namgung Dowi was staring at him with sad eyes.

"We can't delay any longer. We don't have much time. If we don't move, we'll lose more people."

Guo Hansuo had heard of it too.

That the Namgung Family had lost more than half of its forces at Plum Blossom Island.

That the Sogaju had barely escaped the hellish Plum Blossom Island with the help of Mount Hua.

There, Namgung Dowi lost his family, even his father.

He had experienced a situation far more dire than the one they were in now.

Yet, rather than running away, he willingly walked back into this hell.

How could that be possible?

He hadn't taken it seriously, but after going through this, Guo Hansuo could now see.

How insane what Namgung Dowi was doing right now.

"...Namgung Sogaju-nim."

"Yes."

"..Are you okay?"

It was a somewhat random question, but Namgung Dowi, as if understanding what Guo Hansuo wanted to say, gave him a calm look and replied.

"I can't be okay."

".."

"But what can we do?"

Namgung Dowi's gaze was calm.

"It doesn't end with Namgung and Southern Island. If we can't handle the Evil Tyrant Alliance, eventually, everyone in the world will experience this."

"But..."

"Even if you turn your eyes away and run away, it won't solve the problem. If that's not possible, there's only one way: to face it without turning away."

Guo Hansuo's shoulders trembled. Seeing his gaze, Namgung Dowi responded as with a hint of humility.

"Of course, well... I might've made it sound like bragging, but I didn't choose this myself. It's just something I learned from watching."

Namgung Dowi looked towards Chung Myung and Baek Cheon. The atmosphere there seemed serious, as if they were discussing the future direction.

After a brief silence, Namgung Dowi shrugged and spoke again.

"Actually, I still don't know well. What I should do, what is the right thing, the best direction."

"...."

"But at least there are people who know that. So, I can only follow. I believe that someday I will see what they are seeing together."

After a moment of silence, he took a long breath and nodded slowly.

"Yes. That's all it is."

That was why he was still standing here.

"I don't understand."

"Of course, you wouldn't. Even I, who is speaking, doesn't understand it well."

Namgung Dowi smiled slightly and patted Guo Hansuo's shoulder.

"But one thing I know is that the one who leads should not show such an expression."

"...."

"Even if it's difficult, even if your heart is complicated and confused, at least the expression shown outwardly should never waver. That way, others won't waver either."

Guo Hansuo nodded his head, acknowledging the truth.

Many people were watching him here.

"Let's go."

"Yes."

Guo Hansuo raised his heavy body.

He immediately joined Kim Yang Baek in helping raise the disciple's spirits.

Watching his figure for a moment, Namgung Dowi turned his head in the direction of Baek Cheon and Chung Myung with a slightly sorrowful heart.

It would be difficult.

Although he had spoken confidently, when the disciples started dying in Plum Blossom Island, wasn't he unable to do anything properly and fell into confusion?

Facing the sight of a person with whom he had laughed and talked just yesterday, dying in front of his eyes, was not a shock that could be endured reasonably.

The thorns don't disappear just because time passes.

No matter how blunt it gets, the thorns left in the chest remain and never disappear.

Continuing this kind of war, someday, those scars and wounds would cover the heart so much that the concept of a heart would disappear forever.

"Deputy Sect Leader."

Baek Cheon looked back at Namgung Dowi.

"The number of people who have difficulty moving has increased significantly."

At his words, Baek Cheon nodded heavily.

Namgung Dowi asked.

"...How are you going to handle it?"

It was a question with a lot of meanings contained within.

In front of other people, he couldn't bring it up, but Baek Cheon and Namgung Dowi were in a position to lead a sect.

They must consider everything.

"I will lead everyone."

"It will delay our speed."

"I know. Still, everyone will be led."

".... I understand."

There were so many things he wanted to say.

If he led all these injured people, avoiding the pursuit of the main force of Myriad Man Manor would become more complicated.

Then, everyone might really be in danger.

But Namgung Dowi didn't say anything. All the choices were up to Baek Cheon.

And before that, there was no way Baek Cheon didn't know all these facts.

Namgung Dowi just wanted to ask one thing.

"Deputy Sect Leader."

"Yes, Sogaju-nim."

"What does the Southern Island Sect mean to you?"

At that question, Baek Cheon stared straight at Namgung Dowi. Without saying anything, Baek Cheon slowly opened his mouth.

"It's no different."

"...."

"From the Namgung Family."

Namgung Dowi, who had been silent for a moment, laughed.

It was a dumb question and a wise answer.

Until now, he had thought that Baek Cheon, despite being excellent in every aspect, lacked something that was truly Taoist-like.

But it seemed that this was also Namgung Dowi's misconception.

They were no different from the Namgung.

Yes, now that he thought about it, Mount Hua was a sect that had no reason to come all the way to Plum Blossom Island.

But Namgung Dowi had considered them a ray of light, kneeling desperately before them, and Mount Hua willingly risked their lives at Namgung Dowi's request.

But what other answer was needed?

They were originally such people.

The light that Namgung Dowi saw at that time was too dazzling.

So much so that he wanted to be like that himself.

However, once he stepped into that light, he understood.

They were like a fireworks.

Spreading light by burning themselves.

But precisely because of that, it was even more dazzling.

"What is the plan?"

"It's not different from the beginning."

Baek Cheon said firmly.

"Looking at the movements of the enemy, it seems that a new defense line is being built up ahead."

"Nokrim King said the same."

"We'll break through."

"...."

"We don't have time to detour. The enemy's main force led by Ho Gakmyung has probably reached nearby by now. Moreover, they will be closely monitoring our movements, so there is no way to escape."

"Deputy Sect Leader. I'm not trying to oppose Deputy Sect Leader's opinion. But then, isn't it the same as before?"

"It's different."

The one who gave that answer was Chung Myung.

Namgung Dowi looked at Chung Myung with a puzzled expression.

Without giving any other explanation, Chung Myung said firmly again.

"It changes."

After staring at him for a moment, Namgung Dowi nodded slowly. If Chung Myung said so, there was no need for further explanation.

Namgung Dowi lightly tapped his chest.

"In that case, I'll stake my life too. We will definitely break through."

Seeing Namgung Dowi's bright smile, Chung Myung chuckled.

"Little friend."

For the first time in a while, a small smile appeared.