Chapter 59 - Canyon Battle (2)
"Be careful, family head."
At Sama Song's heavy voice, Dongbang Ri lowered her sword into the water and spread her feet shoulder-width apart. From what she'd observed, the strongest enemy was charging fiercely toward them.
Wooong.
Sama Song's sword began to hum. He was one of the Iron Blood Family's top leaders, yet almost nothing was known about his martial prowess. Still, no one dared underestimate him. As the head of the prestigious Sima family—a traditional noble house—that alone commanded universal awe and respect.
Meanwhile, Dongbang Ri couldn't hide her tension. There were simply too many enemies rushing in for just the two of them to handle.
'He must have accounted even for a situation like this.'
Dongbang Ri trusted Yeon-hoo.
Chirrrk.
A brilliant blue flame sparked at the tip of her sword. The reflected light turned her face an eerie shade of blue.
"How dare you mongrels from the Northwest crawl in here!"
A roar exploded from Sama Song's mouth. His sword followed, unleashing a blast of energy straight at Wi Dong-hoe.
Almost simultaneously, Wi Dong-hoe's sword spun like a windmill.
Boom!
The explosion rocked the air, sending Wi Dong-hoe staggering mid-air. His long robe tore in places, smoke rising from his waist.
Wi Dong-hoe's eyes widened in shock. He'd thought escaping two opponents would be easy. But after taking that strike, his heart froze solid.
'Damn it... what the hell is this guy?!'
Sama Song was a thoroughly enigmatic figure. No one in Northwest Murim would recognize him. Wi Dong-hoe was no exception, which made the surprise hit even harder.
But he couldn't afford to stay stunned forever. Gritting his teeth, Wi Dong-hoe swung his sword—not at Sama Song, but at Dongbang Ri beside him. At the same moment, the enemies chasing him swarmed Sama Song in perfect unison, their movements fluid and swift as if rehearsed.
Scree!
Dongbang Ri slashed with all her might at Wi Dong-hoe's lightning-fast strike.
Boom!
Another explosion shook her body violently. Wi Dong-hoe paused for only an instant before charging at her again. Though the shock had numbed her sword hand, Dongbang Ri clenched her teeth and swung once more.
That was when Wi Yeon Gwang ignored her entirely and darted to the left—a cunning feint to probe for an escape.
Dongbang Ri couldn't pursue. Had Wi Dong-hoe targeted her again, she might have been in real danger.
"Stand down!"
Her sharp cry rang out as her sword flew toward Wi Dong-hoe's back. But he was already out of range, and her blade sliced only empty air.
Shiver...
Dongbang Ri's eyes trembled. Then—
"...!"
They widened in astonishment. Yeon-hoo stood blocking Wi Dong-hoe's path.
'How did he get there so fast...?'
Their eyes met, and Wi Dong-hoe felt his body freeze like a monkey facing a massive serpent. He'd never seen such terrifying eyes in his life. But it was just a moment—he poured every ounce of strength into charging at Yeon-hoo, desperate to escape alive.
"Out of my way, you scum!"
Flash!
The sword's gleam blinded Yeon-hoo momentarily. The blade piercing through it moved at astonishing speed.
Yeon-hoo stood motionless as it came. But it was an illusion—his left hand had already seized Wi Dong-hoe's wrist.
Crack!
"...!"
Crunch!
"Gaaargh!"
Wi Dong-hoe's left arm dangled like a mollusk's tentacle, every bone pulverized.
Clang!
The sword meant to end Yeon-hoo clattered uselessly to the ground. Then his arm cleanly severed below the elbow.
"Kaaaaagh!"
Wi Dong-hoe writhed in agony, screaming in torment. Yeon-hoo's gaze upon him was demonic, utterly merciless.
"I-I surrender!"
The few remaining enemies behind him dropped their swords in unison. Yeon-hoo turned to Gwan-ryang, who grinned wickedly, reading the intent in his eyes.
Sneer.
"Heh heh heh. Don't worry. We don't take prisoners."
Gwan-ryang's words were a death sentence.
"Kill them all. Not one left alive."
"Yes, sir!"
It took the Red Wolf Corps mere breaths to slaughter them all.
"Guhhh..."
Yeon-hoo looked down at the beast-like Wi Dong-hoe. In this one-sided massacre, he was the sole survivor.
"You kidnapped people ignorant of martial arts. Some even died because of you. Don't expect a merciful death."
"Urgh... Who are you?!"
"The man who'll soon bring down your Northwest Murim."
Yeon-hoo tapped several pressure points on Wi Dong-hoe with his sword tip. His face flushed red as if burning, and he began rolling on the ground. No screams escaped—Yeon-hoo had sealed his mute acupoint. Agony no human could endure, doubled by the silence.
Everyone gathered around Yeon-hoo. He scanned them. A few warriors bled from wounds, but none had fallen. The Red Wolf Corps had lost a handful, yet they grinned in satisfaction at the victory.
Yeon-hoo turned to Ma Ui Tae. Covered in blood, breathing raggedly, his eyes were utterly transformed from that morning.
"No survivors means they won't know we were here."
Ma Ui Tae bowed his head. In truth, Yeon-hoo had planned to send Wi Dong-hoe back alive—to spread word of their deeds to Wall Thunder Manor. But not this time. He didn't want to worry Ma Ui Tae unnecessarily. The man was essential to his grand ambitions.
Yeon-hoo addressed the warriors.
"Everyone alright?"
"Yes!"
"We're fine, my lord!"
Their resounding reply shook the canyon. A faint smile finally touched Yeon-hoo's lips.
"Well done."
Whoooosh!
Fierce winds swirled atop the mountain peak, where Yeon-hoo and Gwan-ryang stood side by side, each holding a bottle of fiery liquor favored by the Red Wolf warriors. One sip scorched the throat like fire—and both bottles were drained in two gulps.
Gwan-ryang spoke.
"If we meet again, I'll buy you a proper round then."
"I'll buy next time. But first, one question."
"..."
"Why go to war with Northwest Murim?"
Gwan-ryang furrowed his brow.
"The world sees us as mercenaries who fight anyone's war for gold. But this time, it was personal."
Crack.
The bottle shattered in his hand and fell.
"Our captain had a half-sister. She went into a city under Northwest Murim's rule and lost her life. We haven't pinned down who did it yet, but it doesn't matter to him. All that counts is where she died..."
"My deepest condolences."
"Thank you."
"How long do you plan to keep fighting?"
"We've killed thousands of their dogs already. He's not satisfied, but drag it out too long, and we'll face their hundreds of thousands strong. Time to pull out soon—after one more smash, though."
It was unexpected. A war over something so personal.
Yeon-hoo recalled brushing past Gwan Baek on the road once. No one had left such a vivid impression at first sight.
"Allow a formal introduction. Gwan-ryang, captain of the Red Wolf Corps' First Unit."
"Yeon-hoo."
"I pray to the heavens you become master of the North. Though you probably will anyway..."
"Appreciated."
"Until next time, then."
"Won't have to buy the drinks if we don't meet?"
Sneer.
"I'll be waiting."
Gwan-ryang departed. Yeon-hoo watched his back, thinking of Gwan Baek—and the tens of thousands of Red Wolf warriors under him.
'One day, they'll serve under me.'
Ma Ui Tae was wounded, but not gravely. Gwak Hong applied golden sore medicine to the injury, bandaged it, and spoke cautiously.
"That side of you, Commander... it's been a while."
"Wasn't it ugly?"
"Ugly? Nothing cooler in the world. Show it more often."
"You must want me dead in battle. Think you'd make commander then?"
"Such harsh words..."
A faint smile graced Ma Ui Tae's lips. Gwak Hong grinned too.
"Look at those kids."
Ma Ui Tae glanced at the warriors clustered together, tending the wounded. A blazing fervor poured from them—something he'd never sensed before.
"What do you think today's battle means to them?"
"Hm..."
Ma Ui Tae exhaled softly, his gaze steady. He already knew: every warrior was exhilarated by the victory.
"Come to think of it, it's our first."
"First what?"
"Time we've deliberately sought battle with the enemy."
"Exactly. It unleashed the fierce battle spirit buried deep inside them."
"Think my way was wrong?"
"No, never. Unlike the North, we've avoided war here—no sacrifices among our men. They're grateful."
"I want your honest thoughts."
"..."
Gwak Hong hesitated, then bit his lip and continued.
"Maybe we should take a harder line against the Northwest from now on."
"Like today?"
"Yes, like today."
Ma Ui Tae fell silent. Gwak Hong worried he'd offended him, but he didn't regret his words.
'You need to change. Then the whole Southern Defense Army will fight to the death for you.'
"Pass the liquor."
"Here."
Ma Ui Tae downed it in one go. Gwak Hong chuckled.
"Finishing that killer stuff in one shot... feeling it, huh?"
"Haven't exerted myself like that in ages. Thirsty as hell. Help me up?"
"Yes."
With Gwak Hong's support, Ma Ui Tae rose. That's when Yeon-hoo entered the canyon. The resting warriors stood as one, bowing deeply.
Yeon-hoo went straight to Ma Ui Tae.
"Feeling better?"
"It's nothing—embarrassing to trouble you over it."
"What's shameful about a battlefield wound? Let's head back, Commander."
"Yes, my lord."
Gwak Hong watched the two walk off, smiling. "My lord" had slipped so naturally from Ma Ui Tae's lips.
'Feels good.'