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**

Inside the fortress, the Sapa’s high master, Dong Bang-hyang, twisted his neck in the prison cell.

I can tolerate a lot of things. But this? This is just not okay.

It’s true that a super-high master is dangerous. But come on! You poison me and then bind my arms and legs like this?

“Do you really have to go this far when I can’t even raise my internal power?”

“Shut up, prisoner.”

“You little punk. Once I get out of here, I’ll be sure to take your head first.”

“Keep running your mouth!”

A stick stretched through the bars presses down on his body. It doesn’t hurt, but it feels disgusting.

Dong Bang-hyang spat out a string of curses and then turned his head. The subordinate trapped in the same room was better off, but he was still unable to use his arms and legs.

…Why am I feeling even more irritated?

“Damn it… why are you so calm?”

“Well, I’m not as strong a master as the captain.”

“But you’re still a peak master!”

“I’ve been poisoned too.”

“………”

Ugh.

For someone who had made quite the name for himself in the Sado Clan, being treated like this is infuriating.

Dong Bang-hyang flipped his body over to crawl towards the bars, glancing at the commotion outside.

“Seems like something’s happening… what do you think?”

“I have no idea, Captain. How would I know?”

“…Why are you speaking so cheekily? Want to die?”

“Isn’t it the same for both of us?”

“Prisoner exchange, damn it! They might try to pull us from the Sado Clan! You better be ready to die when that happens!”

“I find it hard to believe they would even bother to rescue us… Honestly, we’ll just end up dead or sent off to the labor camp like this.”

“Shut your trap! Do you know how much I’m worth?”

“Worth or not, anyway, we’re screwed. Brother.”

That tone. That insolent tone.

I just want to stick my tongue out and sew up that mouth. But all I can do is squirm around like this.

Damn it. Damn it. I need to figure out how to loosen this knot somehow…!

“If I hadn’t met that crazy guy…!”

“Captain.”

“What is it, you punk?”

“But… was that guy really that strong? To be honest, I thought only someone at the level of the Cheonryong Association’s Jeonju could easily take you down with martial arts…”

“…….”

Jeonju level… huh.

That’s not wrong. No. Damn it. Honestly, I thought that even someone at Jeonju level would have a hard time taking me down.

My soldiers, and I too, faced it like that. Adding the advantage of the terrain, I figured anyone who came would be held back and struggle.

But damn.

That seemed a bit off.

“Could it be… Captain, was it all just talk?”

“Damn it. You’ll definitely die in my hands.”

“Just lay it all out. Was he a peak master or not?”

“I’ll pop your head with my friggin’ strength!!!”

“Then you can’t do it.”

“Guard!!! You damn bastard!!! Just loosen this for a second!!! It’ll only take a moment!!!”

Dong Bang-hyang, gasping for breath, slumped down.

“That guy. Yeah. I’ve never fought someone at Jeonju level. But I have fought a master who has entered the Huaxing stage.”

“What happened?”

“I got my ass kicked. But at least I learned one thing. If you can block the first blow, then you can cling on like a damn dog. Huaxing is still a person, after all. Damn it. Even if I can’t win, I can hold my ground. Unless that strange Yi-hyeong Ki thing shows up, that is.”

“Yi-hyeong Ki… I’ve heard of it, but… I don’t think that was what he used.”

Dong Bang-hyang fell silent.

After a pause, he muttered.

“It was just a ki.”

“Eh?”

“It was just a ki! Damn! Yi-hyeong Ki is bull! I lost to a ki that isn’t even that! But what’s crazy… you know what the problem was? There was a difference in realm, so I can see how that could happen. Damn it. But that wasn’t it. The sword itself was strange.”

“Was he at least using a hewing sword?”

Dong Bang-hyang recalled the past.

Unknowingly, his hands and feet trembled.

“…That bastard is the sword.”

“Eh?”

“That bastard is the sword! Damn! If you clash with him, you’ll see! He’s just… a sword! A sword!”

“…Captain, are you alright?”

“You damn punk. I might not know much, but I can say for sure. I’ve seen the masters of Huaxing. I’ve even clashed swords with one. The scar on my back is from that time. That damned old man was ridiculously strong. For real. But… damn…”

Dong Bang-hyang hung his head in defeat.

“That guy can’t be stronger than him. For sure. It feels like… some abnormal blade…”

…

The mobilized forces of the Sado Clan exceeded three thousand five hundred.

That was quite an overwhelming number to occupy a fortress. The general of the Sado Clan, Song Nam-cheon, scanned the barracks spread out over the vast plain from atop the watchtower.

It was dawn, the perfect time to advance. But there was something he had to do first.

If possible, it would be best to secure a surrender. If blood could be spared, wouldn’t that be a great thing?

Of course, the captured would ultimately be used as prisoners.

“How did the sent letter go?”

“No reply.”

“Send someone again. If we get no response by noon, we’ll move out immediately.”

“You know they’re going to refuse, right? Those idiots who value their honor more than their lives. If news spreads that they bent a knee to the Sado Clan, they’ll die at the hands of their allies before our hands ever touch them.”

“But a guy with a brain would realize. If they stick around here, they’re gonna end up dead for sure.”

“The opponent is the Dragon of the Earth Command, right? If he abandoned the strategic fortress, he knows it’ll cause more casualties… He won’t budge.”

“…He’s quite obstinate.”

The war had dragged on for over ten years. An endless series of meaningless attrition battles had caused the territories to continuously shift.

In that chaos, General Song Nam-cheon had come to know his opponent well. The reverse was probably true as well.

Even though their swords had clashed only a few times, strange feelings sometimes sprouted within the exchanges.

Why are we doing this? If we had met in another way, wouldn’t we have become friends?

“…Tsk.”

To be honest, the Dragon of the Earth Command was a guy whom I found quite likable personally.

He wasn’t hiding any money. And things like seduction and backhanded schemes just wouldn’t work on him.

A rare human among upright people. He genuinely cared for his subordinates, often showing himself on the battlefield.

Each time, it was him whom I shared the sword with. Because swords tell you what kind of person you’re dealing with the more you clash.

…Honestly, it feels like a shame.

To think that such a person would die here.

Even so, personal feelings must be set aside. I’m under the command. The general waited. But no reply came to the offer of surrender.

Instead, only their bolstered defenses showed their determination.

In the end, it seems we must fight.

This will likely be… our last battle. I’ve never moved like this without thinking about the consequences.

Steeling his resolve, Song Nam-cheon surveyed the enemy’s condition.

Even with the naked eye, their number barely exceeded a thousand. They likely had fewer masters and weapons.

The only thing that bothered him was the terrain. The opponent was based on high ground, with gorges blocking both sides. The steep slope allowed for clear visibility, and there were no side paths.

The ridge of the gorge was too steep to climb, looking almost cliff-like. In the end, they would have to advance through the only opened path…

That entrance was narrow, limiting the number of troops that could enter at once. Probably a few dozen at best.

“The position is really good. It’s not called a natural stronghold for nothing. Those steep paths blocking both sides…”

“…What do we do about that?”

“What’s there to do? We just have to use our standard strategy. Wave tactics. What we have in abundance is peak masters. Let’s push through the lines with them. A warrior armed with a sword can’t be blocked by ordinary folk. As long as we can clear the way to the gates, it should be easy to go in.”

The sound of trumpets blared. At the command of the commander, the soldiers of the Sado Clan began to move.

General Song Nam-cheon took his place among the ranks. A spot where he could efficiently command his subordinates but also take action himself if needed.

The peak warriors drew their swords. While there was no meticulously organized formation, their presence alone was akin to a human slaughterhouse.

“Advance!”

With that single command, the three thousand five hundred forces began to move. General Song Nam-cheon ordered his deputy.

“Tell the kids to raise their shields higher. Not even the peak masters are exceptions. Tell them to be careful not to be hit by any blind arrows.”

But the anticipated rain of arrows did not pour down. It was simply quiet.

“…?”

The guard forces atop the fortress did nothing. They merely gazed this way.

Song Nam-cheon blinked. What is this… what kind of trap is this?

Is the Dragon of the Earth Command trying to pull something?

“…Something feels off.”

That sentiment was mutual. But Song Nam-cheon shook his head warily.

“I don’t care what they’re planning, we just need to push through with brute force.”

“Even if we break the gorge…?”

“Then they’ll get swept away too. The Dragon of the Earth Command isn’t that foolish.”

Song Nam-cheon stared straight ahead. The fortress walls came into clearer view. Now, he could even see small blemishes on the gate.

…But.

There’s something there.

Someone is standing in front of the fortress.

“…What is that?”

The words slipped out inadvertently, and the warriors of the Sado Clan fell silent. Even they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

A man stood there. In front of the fortress gate. And in front of him, a precise line was drawn straight on the ground.

Song Nam-cheon focused his internal energy in case of any ambush.

But there was none. There was no sign of any ambush, just a solitary warrior.

A man with a scar, wearing a wide-brimmed hat. A blood-red scarf fluttered in the wind. Among that, four swords hung at his waist.

“…Four Swords?”

“…General.”

“What is it?”

“Uh… there’s something I gathered separately. Though it’s uncertain, I didn’t mention it…”

His deputy swallowed nervously. The unusual atmosphere made his voice tremble.

“A while ago, a certain fortress was seized only to be reclaimed. That was a reckless move by the Heavenly Ghost Dong Bang-hyang.”

“…And?”

“At that time, for a re-attack, Dong Bang-hyang was captured… I heard the opposing numbers were less than ten.”

The deputy stammered as he spoke.

“And… out of those… the one who subdued Dong Bang-hyang in one strike… was said to be wearing four swords at his waist…”

Dong Bang-hyang was subdued in one strike? What kind of nonsense is this?

“Do you think a peak master has a name as easy as the neighbor’s dog? He’s not even from the Dragon of the Earth Command… that some unheard of guy took him down in one move?”

…Something.

Something feels off.

“…What the hell is he doing?”

 

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