Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: The Nanman War (3)
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#050 The Nanman War (3)
"Didn't you hear me? We're not going back."
"What do you mean...?"
"We will advance as planned and carry out our mission."
Stunned by this sudden additional quest, I immediately confronted Bukgung Baek.
"Advance now? Don't you know the skill level of our men? We could all be wiped out!"
He was right.
For the Outer Hall warriors, who were second-rate at best, breaking through enemy lines was no different from a death sentence.
Despite my protests, Bukgung Baek remained unyielding.
"On the battlefield, orders from a superior are absolute."
"Even so!"
Just as I was about to raise my voice again, he held up a hand to stop me.
"What do you think of the men outside?"
"They're..."
His question left me momentarily speechless.
As I hesitated, Bukgung Baek's voice cut through the silence.
"Do you remember the saying, 'A warrior is one who lives on the edge of a blade'?"
"...Yes."
"That is the only answer I will give you. Regardless of their skill, a time will always come when a warrior must risk their life. That time is now. And."
He continued, a characteristic smirk on his face.
"Who said we're going alone?"
"...?"
"The Black Mountain Tigers will join us."
* * *
A short while later.
I gathered all the Outer Hall warriors, including the squad leaders, and relayed Bukgung Baek's orders.
And their reaction was very different from what I had expected.
"Ahem, well, it can't be helped."
"It's about time we showed them what we're made of."
"I was sick of those Inner Fortress bastards looking down on us every time they passed by. Let's use this chance to make a name for ourselves."
"Will we get a reward if we distinguish ourselves?"
"Of course. It'll be pouring down like a blizzard."
Contrary to my worries that their morale would plummet, they were surprisingly motivated.
As I stood there, bewildered and speechless, someone quietly approached me.
"Squad Leader, no, Mujeon."
It was the Second Squad Leader, who had looked after me like a young uncle since I first joined the Outer Hall.
"I think I know what you're thinking, but don't worry too much. These men are warriors, too."
"...I suppose you're right."
*Grin.*
As I nodded, he gave me a friendly smile and said.
"Then we'll be counting on you, First Squad Leader. Please lead us well."
"Of course."
I looked around and saw the Outer Hall warriors watching me with eyes full of trust.
Something stirred in my chest.
A moment later, we set off for the Nanman jungle.
As always, Bukgung Baek led the Outer Hall from the front, while I brought up the rear, guarding against any potential attacks.
Three days passed like that.
After several battles, we entered a mountain.
There, we encountered thirty warriors clad entirely in black robes.
*'Are those the Black Mountain Tigers?'*
I had only heard stories; this was the first time I'd seen them in person.
It was said that every single one of them was a peak master, and their aura was no joke.
Overwhelmed by the dense killing intent they exuded, the Outer Hall warriors didn't dare to speak.
They truly deserved their reputation as the human grinders of the Nine Dragons Fortress.
We faced each other in a tense standoff.
"It's been a while."
"Indeed. I hope you've been well."
When Bukgung Baek stepped forward, an old man who seemed to be the leader of the Black Mountain Tigers greeted him warmly.
And with considerable respect, at that.
Considering their reputation, it was an unexpected reaction.
After exchanging greetings with Bukgung Baek, the old man's eyes lit up as if he recognized me, and he spoke.
"Are you the boy they call the Fighting Dragon?"
"I am, but..."
"Your presence isn't bad. If you continue to train, you'll become a decent fighter."
It sounded like a rather bleak future, but since the old man meant it as a compliment, I cupped my fist and replied.
"You praise me too much."
"Heh heh, if you wish to grow stronger, come find me anytime. Someone like you could become a fine Black Mountain Tiger."
The mere thought was horrifying.
"...Yes."
At that moment, Bukgung Baek interjected.
"Enough. He is a subordinate I value."
"Oh! Forgive my presumption. Please, don't take offense."
"I don't mind."
Listening to their conversation, I couldn't help but feel indignant.
*'Seriously, if you value me, treat me a little better.'*
Stop beating me up.
In any case, with the Black Mountain Tigers joining us, our combat strength increased dramatically.
We picked up the pace and began to advance even faster.
Ten days passed as we crossed the heart of the jungle.
I witnessed a sight that made me frown.
A mountain of corpses dressed in familiar attire.
They were the Nanman tribesmen I had seen before at Mount Cangshan.
"..."
As everyone stared at the gruesome scene with grim silence, Bukgung Baek's voice rang out.
"From now on, we move at full speed."
At his command, the Second Squad Leader asked.
"What do we do if we encounter the enemy?"
"Slaughter them all."
And so the advance began.
It wasn't long before we met the enemy.
After seeing the bodies of the tribesmen, we were somewhat prepared for this.
The Outer Hall warriors quickly took their positions and began to fight back.
*Crack. Boom!*
As always, Bukgung Baek took the lead and seized the initiative.
The thirty Black Mountain Tigers charged forward, clearing a path.
"Kill them all!"
Our warriors pushed through the opening and engaged in a fierce battle.
*Clang, clang. Aaargh!*
The clash of weapons and screams filled the heart of the jungle.
I watched from the rear, leading the battle while covering for those in danger.
"First Squad, with me! We hold them back!"
"Yes!"
With Woo Je-jun's reply, the members of the First Squad began to follow me.
Nearly twenty men stuck close to my back and sides, swinging their swords.
The Suppressing Darkness Sword Art.
The heavy, defensive greatsword style excellently blocked the enemy's attacks.
They had spent their own money to learn it at the Black Dragon Martial Hall even after the special training, and it seemed to have paid off; their swordsmanship had improved significantly.
*Clang, clang, slice.*
Though they were pushed back by warriors of a higher caliber, they did not die easily.
Thanks to them.
*Whoosh.*
An opening was created for me to step in.
"Ugh!"
I used the War King Step to move, and my target, startled, thrust his sword at me, but it was deflected by the Dragon Scale Armor.
*Boom. Splat.*
I threw a punch, and with the sound of an explosion, flesh scattered everywhere.
The enemies who witnessed this cried out in fear.
"A-a monster!"
"If I'm a monster, then what does that make Bukgung over there? The King of Hell?"
With those words, I unleashed all the raging War King energy within my body.
*Crackle.*
A storm of force raged through my entire body, including my hands and feet.
Trusting in my protective garment and the Dragon Scale Armor, I plunged straight into the enemy ranks.
*Swoosh. Thud!*
An incoming saber slid off my garment, and a thrusting sword shattered against the Dragon Scale Armor.
"Ugh!"
I slammed my fist into the stunned enemy's face, and his head vanished without a trace.
*Crack.*
The ground split from my stomping kick.
*Slice!*
Every time I used my kicking technique, the Ultimate Death Force erupted.
The enemies' bodies were torn in half, creating an opening through which our warriors charged, swinging their swords.
Of course, our side suffered casualties as well.
The risk between defending and attacking was worlds apart.
One by one, the Outer Hall warriors began to fall to the enemy's attacks.
To reduce the casualties, I moved faster and more frequently, focusing on slaughtering the enemy.
*Boom! Splat.*
I made the scene as gruesome as possible to break the enemy's morale.
After about fifteen minutes of this.
Seeing that the situation was mostly under control, I raised my head.
I needed to assess the overall state of the battlefield.
I could see the Black Mountain Tigers and Bukgung Baek breaking through towards what appeared to be the enemy commander.
They were carving a path of blood.
*Stab. Slice.*
One Black Mountain Tiger would swing his sword, and another following behind would take an enemy's head.
"Gah!"
I don't know what they did, but an enemy froze like a block of wood and fell, and the Black Mountain Tigers swarmed in, swinging their swords wildly.
*Splat. Slice.*
A spray of blood erupted from all directions, turning the area into a scene of carnage.
I couldn't help but marvel at their martial arts.
*'Their swordsmanship has no form.'*
It was a perfect combat sword.
When it needed to be heavy, it was infinitely so, and when it needed to be fast, it moved like a beam of light.
The principle was the same as the combat swords of mercenaries, but the power was on a completely different level.
Terrified by these blades filled with pure killing intent, the enemies began to back away and then fled.
However.
"Kill them all!"
At the Black Mountain Tiger Lord's command, a black wave began to sweep up the fleeing enemies from behind.
And then.
*Crackle. Kaboom!*
With a single strike from Bukgung Baek that seemed to shatter the ground, the body of the man who looked like the commander vanished without a trace.
The battle for that day was over.
* * *
We pressed on without any rest.
The journey from the Nine Dragons Fortress to this place was three thousand li.
On top of that, the recent series of battles had taken a heavy toll on everyone.
Naturally, everyone's condition worsened by the day.
Moreover, the high temperatures and poisonous insects of the Nanman jungle only exacerbated their condition.
"Ughhh..."
A squad member who had suffered a minor injury in a previous battle lost consciousness and collapsed.
Since this had happened a few times before, another warrior beside him skillfully hoisted him onto his back and continued walking.
*'...This isn't good.'*
We didn't know how many more days we had to travel, and if our pace slowed like this, we could run out of water and food.
*'This is dangerous.'*
No matter how skilled a warrior was, they couldn't escape hunger and thirst.
If the enemy attacked in that state, we could suffer unexpected losses.
*'I should have watched some survival shows...'*
Bear Grylls would have known how to find water and food in a jungle like this.
However, my worries were soon resolved.
"Welcome, men of the Central Plains."
A man of enormous build appeared before us, leading dozens of tribesmen.
And I couldn't help but be surprised by the person who came with them.
"You've endured much to make it through this difficult path."
"It was better than I expected."
Because Vice Hall Master Ga Rip emerged from among them.
As I stared in bewilderment, he approached and patted my shoulder.
"Good work."
"Vice Hall Master..."
"We can catch up later. Let's get going. We don't have time."
"Yes."
After replenishing our water and food, we resumed our march, which was even more arduous than before.
We advanced where there was no path.
We walked with our shoulders pressed against sheer cliffs.
We crossed bridgeless valleys relying on a single rope.
After three days of this.
We arrived at a mountaintop that no one ever visited.
"...So this was Mount Song?"
"Yes. This is the summit."
In a clearing the size of four or five soccer fields, a vast number of Nanman tribesmen had gathered.
*'...It's a crater.'*
In a terrain similar to Baengnokdam, temporary shelters made of wood and vines were lined up.
As I marveled at the unexpected sight, Bukgung Baek's voice was heard.
"For now, let everyone rest."
At his words, everyone collapsed wherever they stood and began to sleep.
Having arrived after more than ten fierce battles, their fatigue must have reached its peak.
And I was no exception.
*'I should eat before I sleep...'*
I was so exhausted that I fell into a deep sleep, oblivious to the thunderous rumbling of my stomach.
Had about half a day passed?
When I came to my senses, the sun was up.
*Rumble.*
"Ugh... I'm hungry."
I left the barracks to fill my stomach first thing.
*Murmur, murmur.*
I saw a huge number of Nanman tribesmen surrounding our area.
When I came out, they all approached and began piling food in front of me.
"...?"
As I stared at the food with a look of utter bewilderment, the great chieftain's voice reached me.
"They want you to avenge their dead families. You can think of it as a kind of tribute."
The man, as large as a bear, plopped down next to me and offered a small wooden bottle.
"Care for a drink?"
"Ah, yes."
*Gulp.*
It was alcohol. Very strong alcohol.
"Cough. Keck, keck."
"It seems it's not to your taste."
"It's strong."
"It was aged with the venom of a poisonous snake."
I reminded myself once again that in this world, you shouldn't just eat or drink whatever people give you, and looked at the food before me.
"That is safe to eat."
"...Is that so?"
I was a little suspicious, but what could I do?
My stomach was screaming its final cry, as if on the verge of starvation.
If my grandmother from my past life had seen me like this, she would have quickly prepared a 21-dish royal meal and served me a heaping bowl of rice the size of a cold noodle bowl.
*Chomp, chomp.*
As they say, hunger is the best sauce. Though it was only fruits and grains, it tasted incredibly delicious.
A moment later.
"Ahhh. I feel alive."
Once my stomach was somewhat full, I finally noticed the Outer Hall warriors and the Black Mountain Tigers.
They too were inhaling the mountains of food placed before them.
"Thirty thousand have died."
I turned my head at the sudden remark.
The great chieftain was looking at his people with eyes full of rage.
"That was more than half of our entire tribe."
"..."
"We were powerless, forced to watch them die."
"May I ask why you came into conflict with the Southern Heaven Palace?"
In truth, this was what I was most curious about.
If they hadn't resisted, they might have lived as slaves, but at least they wouldn't have died.
The great chieftain answered my question with difficulty.
"...The Southern Heaven Palace demanded we offer them maidens and young children. A thousand of them."
"Those bastards are insane."
"Do you know what's funny?"
"...What is it?"
"We obeyed out of fear."
"..."
"We thought if we just closed our eyes and endured it once, it would be over. How foolish we were."
"It wasn't a one-time demand?"
"For some reason, they demanded the same number every month."
"An impossible demand."
"So we resisted. As you can see, the young men of our tribe were massacred."
I followed his gaze and looked around.
I hadn't noticed before, but now that he mentioned it, I saw almost no young men.
There were only old men, a few children, and women.
The great chieftain continued, his body trembling.
"...The Lord of the Southern Heaven Palace is truly a monster. Every time he swung his saber, dozens of bodies were dismembered. Our warriors, overcome with fear, started to flee, only to be hunted down one-sidedly by the pursuing martial artists."
With those final words, the great chieftain rose from his seat.
"I beg you. Please, grant us our revenge."
"...We will surely win. No matter how skilled the Lord of the Southern Heaven Palace is. But... do you trust the Nine Dragons Fortress?"
"I don't know, I haven't experienced it. But I doubt they would order us to offer our people."
"That's true."
"Then I am satisfied."
Watching his retreating back left a bitter taste in my mouth.
This martial arts world is truly hardcore.
That evening.
Bukgung Baek gathered everyone.