Chapter 152: Shoot the Arrows
'Brothers?'
Cheong Sam-nyeo stared at Bai Ze's retreating figure with an expressionless face as he vanished into the distance.
She wasn't ignorant of the bonds of brotherhood. She too had close friends like Luk Ban-jang.
If not for them, she never would have come all this way to Qingzhou, a land with no ties to her.
But this world didn't revolve solely around brotherly affection.
Cheong Sam-nyeo tilted her head back and gazed at the sky. Her conflicted emotions were fully reflected in her eyes.
It was clearly worry for Luk Ban-jang.
The current situation had spiraled far beyond a mere rivalry among the younger generation. When wars broke out between young warriors from Jungto Sinju, there were always lines drawn—barriers that no one was allowed to cross.
Yet Changmok Academy and the Dark Society had long since shattered those controls. They were already committing their full might.
This wasn't aimed at Yeop Hyeon, but at eliminating his master.
For two colossal forces to bare their fangs at full strength was an unprecedented sight in Jungto Sinju. The aftermath would be too devastating.
As everyone knew, alliances existed even among factions. A small spark between two could ignite a massive war engulfing all of Jungto Sinju's powers.
And how profound was the foundation of Changmok Academy and the Dark Society, rooted there for three thousand years?
If those forces came at them in earnest, how many in this world could stand against them?
This was no scale that could be resolved by a single Sword Immortal stepping forward.
Not even two would suffice.
Even beings like Sword Immortals were human, after all—not invincible.
Cheong Sam-nyeo let out a low sigh before stepping forward like a calf being led to the slaughterhouse.
This was for Luk Ban-jang, not Yeop Hyeon.
Pleading would be futile, but she couldn't just let her die.
A vast plain stretched out, where a dozen black wolves raced like mad.
Though Yeop Hyeon and Luk Ban-jang hadn't reached the Divine Fusion Realm, their skills were more than sufficient.
Kanguk's southern borders had already fallen. This was undoubtedly thanks to Daeun Empire's support. In such a dire state, Gang Gu leading a handful of soldiers wouldn't turn the tide.
They had to provide reinforcements as swiftly as possible.
Neung Han and the others had already ascended to the Divine Fusion Realm and were equipped with top-grade weapons. On the battlefield, they would be like razor-sharp swords carving rivers of blood through tens of thousands of foes.
A atop the walls of Jeoguk's Imperial City.
Cheok Bal-eon, clad in her dragon robe, stood with hands clasped behind her back, gazing into the distance. An elderly woman approached her side.
"Your Highness, our investigations confirm that Daeun Empire has mobilized. Their soldiers were mixed in among those of Cho Country and Wol Country."
Cheok Bal-eon narrowed her eyes and asked,
"And the Black Flame Cavalry?"
"No confirmation yet."
Cheok Bal-eon's eyes slowly closed.
"Prepare the Golden Guard and the Shadows for immediate deployment at any moment."
"Your Highness... but..."
Cheok Bal-eon snapped her eyes open and declared,
"When the fangs are gone, even the gums ache!"
Meanwhile, in Kanguk's Chwi Seon Ru, O Ru-ju and Pal Ru-ju sat facing each other.
Besides them, an elder occupied the seat of honor.
This was Sa Ru-ju, urgently dispatched from Chwi Seon Ru headquarters.
His realm was known to be at least Myriad Laws Realm, but no one knew the exact details.
Sa Ru-ju set down his teacup lightly and spoke quietly.
"We should withdraw."
O Ru-ju jumped in surprise.
"Headquarters' orders?"
Sa Ru-ju nodded.
"Decided in the full assembly."
"I can't understand this. Didn't we support Yeop Hyeon with all our resources, even risking the ire of Changmok Academy and the Dark Society? Pulling out now would mean massive losses, wouldn't it?"
Pal Ru-ju nodded in agreement.
"He's right. What's the reason for withdrawing at this point?"
Sa Ru-ju glanced between their faces before replying.
"There's something you don't know. Changmok Academy and the Dark Society have requested a Life-Death Order from the Arbiter. And the Arbiter has accepted."
Life-Death Order
Pal Ru-ju and O Ru-ju's faces hardened instantly.
Factions in Jungto Sinju couldn't wage war recklessly. If unavoidable conflict arose, they had to obtain this Life-Death Order.
Once activated, it meant bloodshed until one side was utterly annihilated. Securing it now signaled that Changmok Academy and the Dark Society had resolved to full-scale war.
In other words, this was no longer just a clash among the youth.
Sa Ru-ju said quietly,
"They're aiming to eliminate not just Yeop Hyeon, but the Sword Immortal as well. If we continue siding with him, we'll be dragged into all-out war with them—and Chwi Seon Ru lacks the power for that."
O Ru-ju and Pal Ru-ju's expressions grew darker.
This was now total war.
In simple terms, while battles had been limited to those below Myriad Laws Realm, now even that realm's powerhouses would join.
Qingzhou would soon be swept by a colossal storm of blood.
And Chwi Seon Ru had no intention of joining and suffering massive losses.
Moments later, Sa Ru-ju sighed lightly and continued.
"Pull one hair, and the whole body follows. If we don't withdraw now, we'll suffer severe internal injuries—not to mention risking Chwi Seon Ru's destruction. Of course, we can offer limited aid within our means, like procuring needed items or sharing information. But sending our warriors? Absolutely not."
Sa Ru-ju suddenly met O Ru-ju's eyes.
"Once things here are settled, head to Jungto Sinju and enter secluded cultivation to reach Myriad Laws Realm."
O Ru-ju hesitated before speaking to Sa Ru-ju.
"Yeop Hyeon needs a high-grade spirit sword from the Namgyeong level."
"Understood. I'll dispatch someone immediately to find one."
Finishing his words, Sa Ru-ju walked toward the door. Pausing at the threshold, he said sternly,
"You represent Chwi Seon Ru. Remember: letting personal feelings dictate actions could lead us down the path to ruin."
As Sa Ru-ju departed, O Ru-ju remained in the room, flashing a bitter smile.
"This seems like the best we can do."
O Ru-ju nodded at Pal Ru-ju's words.
"I know. Sigh, I never imagined Changmok Academy and the Dark Society would go this far."
"Yeop Hyeon possesses talent surpassing even geniuses, backed by a Sword Immortal. They have no other choice. Letting him grow further would cloud their future. Moreover, he might forge an entirely new path."
O Ru-ju looked at Pal Ru-ju quizzically.
Pal Ru-ju continued.
"What I mean is, their decision involves more than meets the eye. What if Yeop Hyeon joins a Jungto Sinju faction? Say, something like Canglan Academy. Then Changmok Academy wouldn't face just him and the Sword Immortal."
"Though I doubt any faction would dare take him in now, antagonizing those two."
O Ru-ju let out a deep sigh that seemed to shake the earth.
No other faction—not even Chwi Seon Ru now—could afford to shelter Yeop Hyeon.
Changmok Academy and the Dark Society appeared ready for mutual destruction.
O Ru-ju's eyes hardened with resolve.
"In any case, let's help to the maximum of our ability!"
Kanguk's southern border.
Gaeyang Fortress.
Gang Gu stood atop the watchtower, scanning the front lines. Her eyes caught sight of pitch-black cavalry.
Cho Country's ironclad riders—a force numbering at least a hundred thousand.
It was no exaggeration to say they'd brought every cavalryman they had.
Surrounding them were infantry prepared for siege warfare.
Gaeyang Fortress housed its own hundred thousand troops, but their faces were uniformly grim.
For amid those cavalry lurked Daeun Empire's powerhouses.
As Qingzhou's overlord faction, Daeun Empire inspired terror. Especially their famed Black Flame Cavalry—an army of legend.
Everyone knew how fewer than a hundred had recently annihilated an entire nation.
How terrifying were they?
To these soldiers, Daeun Empire was a ghost straight out of nightmares.
Kanguk had no choice but to resist. Failure meant erasure from the map that very day.
Gang Gu turned to her deputy general.
"What's the situation to the east?"
"General Im So's army is holding, but it's not good. Reports say Divine Fusion Realm experts are mixed among Wol Country's troops—not just one or two. Ordinary soldiers can't handle them. Things improved slightly after Supreme Commander Bae So-ho joined, but they're still on the defensive!"
Gang Gu nodded curtly.
"Got it."
At that moment, movement stirred among the cavalry.
Soldiers atop the walls craned their necks to peer down.
A siege infantry unit of twenty thousand positioned itself before the Cho Country cavalry. Ahead of them stood thousands more—civilians, not soldiers.
Kanguk's own people.
Among them were elders, women, and children.
Seeing their faces, the Kanguk soldiers' expressions twisted in agony.
Soon, Cho Country's private guards herded the civilians toward the fortress. Spotting the soldiers, the people went mad, sprinting desperately toward the gates.
In a final bid for life, grasping at any blade of grass.
All eyes on the walls turned to Gang Gu.
The civilians drew nearer, with Cho Country's siege unit close behind.
Gang Gu fell into contemplation.
Opening the gates would invite the enemy to breach and slaughter everyone inside. Worse, losing Gaeyang Fortress would allow them a bloodless march to the Imperial City.
Moment by moment, Kanguk's people and Cho Country's soldiers closed in.
Then, Gang Gu stepped forward, her face impassive, and issued the order.
"Shoot the arrows."