Chapter 404
## Chapter 404. The Reason for the Struggle (4)
“Did you not already know me before we met at the Saheuk-ryeon?”
“…….”
His query caused my mind to stall completely. The vast majority of the individuals I crossed paths with in this current existence were people I had already known during my previous lifetime. But…… how could he possibly deduce that I possessed prior knowledge of him?
*‘Could he be…… another one?’*
For a fleeting second, a spark of anticipation flared up inside me, but I quickly dismissed the notion with a shake of my head. It was utterly implausible. There was no way such a phenomenon could repeat itself. Besides, his conduct back at the Saheuk-ryeon did not resemble the demeanor of someone who carried memories of a past life. A self-mocking smirk escaped my lips for even entertaining such a ridiculous piece of wishful thinking.
Even so. *‘What if…… that ridiculous thing actually did occur?’* A hopeless yearning stubbornly persisted within my chest. Truthfully, I had been enduring a profound sense of isolation, bearing the burden of single-handedly preventing a massive, predestined calamity. If an individual like Dam-ak had gone through the exact same reincarnation as me……. Would the odds of altering that predestined calamity not increase significantly?
“Actually……”
“You probably first learned my name from the answer sheet of the civil service exam. Since I was the person who wrote the most brilliant answer sheet in history.”
“……?”
“I know. That Jin-gong-ja has a high level of scholarship along with an excellent memory. Perhaps because of that, you evaluate me more highly than a warrior. A warrior’s sword does nothing more than save or kill one person, but a scholar’s brush can save or kill more than thousands, even tens of thousands of people. I will not deny that truth.”
“Ah…… yes……”
Right, reflecting on it rationally, there was no way anyone else shared my circumstances. Damn it, if that were the case, why would I be laboring all by myself like this? If that wretched bastard, Cheong-su Jin-in, had also witnessed the grim future I beheld, he would have shaved his head on the spot, torn the Jeongdo-hoe to shreds with his own bare hands, and immediately allied with the Demonic Cult.
Dam-ak was no different. If he possessed knowledge of the future I held, he wouldn’t be babbling nonsense about how his own demise was acceptable or how the Saheuk-ryeon could only survive through his martyrdom.
“But even so, I cannot accept that you take human sacrifice for granted just because it was their choice.”
“……I see.”
Once my expectations cooled down, his moralizing began to sound rather tiresome. Unlike me, Dam-ak stared down at his palms, his shoulders quivering slightly.
“Is my worth truly…… sufficient to justify sacrificing the guards?”
“…….”
“Is my worth truly…… immense enough for you to court such peril?”
Observing his current state, it seemed he was on the verge of uttering statements like, *‘I cannot stand by and watch any more sacrifice,’* or *‘I will just die here,’* all over again. He also appeared quite incensed regarding the present circumstances. Hmm, how should I steer this conversation…… what words should I use to convince him so that he exhibits a bit more will to live?
As I pondered the matter, the solution presented itself to me. A beautifully straightforward solution.
*Tak, tak, tak.*
“Wha—what are you doing now……”
The moment I struck his sleep and speech acupoints, his startled eyes gradually shut halfway. Faced with my undeniable ‘convincing,’ his frame lost its rigidity and collapsed.
“Jin…… Gong……”
“Whether you possess worth or not, let’s contemplate that after you manage to survive.”
The ancient maxim that a physically capable body spares the mind from undue stress was entirely accurate. I lightly ‘persuaded’ him, hoisted his form onto my back, and launched into a sprint.
—
“They reported that they have dealt with two people.”
Myeong-jin nodded upon receiving the update from the Maengho Unit member who had verified the message.
“Ignorant fools, did they truly believe they could slip past the dragnet even if they managed to deceive us? What about that fellow Dam-ak? Did they mention if he also perished?”
“It is reported that Dam-ak has not been located yet.”
Not located……. Myeong-jin stroked his chin, falling deep into contemplation.
“It is highly peculiar. It was explicitly stated that Dam-ak had never mastered martial arts…… should he not be the absolute first to be apprehended?”
Attempting to reach Anhui by traversing Mt. Juk-ho would lengthen the journey threefold. Furthermore, if they were transporting an individual who possessed no martial arts training, falling straight into the net of the Gaebang and the Jeongdo-hoe deployed across this territory was merely a matter of time.
“Where is Hyeon-yeong?”
In response to Myeong-jin’s inquiry, the Maengho Unit members directed their gazes toward the Heavenly Bridge. Hyeon-yeong remained there, peering down into Despair Valley from the precipice of the Heavenly Bridge. Myeong-jin walked over and took a position beside him.
“We are departing now. What is it that commands your attention so intensely?”
Yet, Hyeon-yeong continued to stare fixedly down at the distant floor of the abyss. Regardless of how advanced one’s martial arts training was, looking down from such a dizzying altitude naturally triggered dread. Just as Myeong-jin, whose head was beginning to swim, lifted his gaze and dismissed the feeling with a shake of his head.
“Do you believe you could plummet from this height and survive, Captain?”
“Huh?”
Hyeon-yeong remained focused entirely on the basin of Despair Valley.
“When descending down this abyss while gripping someone who is completely ignorant of martial arts. Are you absolutely certain you could emerge alive?”
“Hmm……”
Myeong-jin, who had been dismissing the idea, peered down beneath the Heavenly Bridge once more. The gap between the opposing cliffs was immense, and the sheer depth defied estimation. By a conservative calculation, it was easily two hundred *jang*. Factoring in the vertical, treacherous rock face and the jagged stone protrusions jutting out along the way……. Surviving such a fall would be a monumental challenge even for a solo practitioner, barring an absolute miracle.
And yet, why was Hyeon-yeong rooted to this exact spot?
“Could it be, do you suspect they made their escape down there?”
Faced with Myeong-jin’s counter-inquiry, Hyeon-yeong finally shifted his gaze upward.
“Among the intelligence gathered on Jin So-un, there were details indicating he might be highly skilled in camouflage and stealth methods. A few years back, during the academy’s seasonal examination, there was also a documented account of him breaching the Heavenly Net and Earthly Net established by three separate factions alongside his junior peers.”
“…….”
“I was overly disoriented in those final moments, but even so, I did not receive the impression that all six individual presences retreated together.”
Myeong-jin found himself nodding in agreement. An astonishing, immense reservoir of internal energy. While they were mindlessly parrying those waves of sword energy that crashed over them, smoke canisters had detonated simultaneously, throwing their collective coordination into utter disarray. They had sensed the runaways darting past their positions, but he lacked the certainty to swear that all six had been present.
“Do you harbor the same suspicion?”
“Yes.”
Myeong-jin’s focus shifted back toward the distant floor of the canyon once more.
“……You believe they fled down into the chasm.”
“If they possess the capability to navigate this canyon downward, they can redirect their course toward Jagwi. From Jagwi, once they slip through Eun-hyeon, will Anhui Province not lie directly before them?”
In that precise instant, a cold sweat washed down Myeong-jin’s back. The realization of what he had potentially overlooked struck him abruptly.
“While we are squandering our time at Mt. Juk-ho, those scoundrels are attempting to forge a path to survival by plunging directly into the jaws of death!”
“I cannot claim absolute certainty, but outside of that route, I discern no alternative method for them to break out of Hubei Province.”
Chills erupted across his flesh. Why had this possibility eluded his calculations from the very beginning? Dam-ak was a clever strategist who had evaded pursuit from Wuhan through all manner of deception. It was entirely within character for him to press forward even at the cost of abandoning his own companions.
A wave of anxiety took root. The Jeongdo-hoe was being utterly manipulated to this degree by a man who lacked any martial arts capabilities. If he managed to slip back to the Saheuk-ryeon, would the Murim Alliance truly remain secure?
Myeong-jin immediately sprinted back to the Maengho Unit.
“Change of plans, we are marching for Jagwi immediately.”
“Are we abandoning our post here?”
“If those fugitives are indeed at Mt. Juk-ho, they are destined to perish within the dragnet of the Jeongdo-hoe and the Gaebang regardless. Therefore, as a precaution against any unforeseen variables, we redirect to Jagwi.”
“Understood!”
The moment the Maengho Unit concluded their adjustments and prepared to set out, Myeong-jin halted them once more.
“You all witnessed it clearly, did you not? That fellow Jin So-un’s miraculous martial prowess?”
“…….”
Those bold and ferocious Maengho Unit warriors swallowed hard merely at the mention of that name. For the transcendent power he had displayed during that brief clash had far exceeded anything they could have anticipated. They were accustomed to witnessing such feats from the core elders of Wudang, but it came as a massive shock that an unranked disciple from an outside faction—and a minor, obscure sect whose very name was unfamiliar—could manifest such an astonishing level of divine power.
An unyielding resolve infused Myeong-jin’s tone, heavier than ever before.
“He must be eliminated on this ground. He represents a figure who will inevitably become a monumental barrier for Wudang…… no, even worse, for the entire Murim Alliance in the days to come.”
It was no longer just about Dam-ak. Jin So-un, that man Jin So-un could not be permitted to survive this day.
“This measure is entirely for the enduring stability of the Murim.”
“Understood!”
The Maengho Unit members began their advance, displaying a level of fervor that surpassed all previous exertions. Meanwhile, Hyeon-yeong remained on the Heavenly Bridge, still casting his gaze down into the depths of Despair Valley.
*‘Could a person truly survive that?’*
No, prior to that question. If he found himself in that position, would he have willingly leapt from this ledge? Furthermore, not for the sake of his own skin, but to preserve a strategist of the Saheuk-ryeon who was practically an adversary? Moreover, he had recently begun to earn widespread acclaim from his peers by demonstrating that he held a vast wellspring of internal force and profound martial techniques. Having completed his training at the Murim Academy, his trajectory within the Murim Alliance was essentially guaranteed to be a glorious one. Unless his ultimate ambition was to seek power by aligning with the Black Way, what rational motive could have compelled him to plunge into this abyss?
“……It defies logic.”
No matter how deeply he analyzed the situation, a satisfactory conclusion eluded him. The boy’s deductions and choices…… utterly lacked conventional rationality.
“Hyeon-yeong, we must move!”
“Coming.”
Hyeon-yeong, breaking off his internal debate, quickly departed from the edge. However, the lingering riddle continued to twist through his thoughts.
—
Upon recovering from his brief bout of ‘persuasion,’ Dam-ak completely ceased his high-minded rhetoric concerning the sanctity of existence and similar topics. He appeared exceedingly mindful of avoiding another round of being ‘convinced.’ See, I knew it stood as the absolute finest approach to negotiation. You possess a brilliant mind, Jin So-un.
The location where we finally halted our descent along the rushing canyon currents turned out to be Jagwi, thankfully. If we had accidentally emerged in the Hwanggang, I would have lost my mind completely. The mere thought of a high-stakes gamble resulting in us landing square inside the enemy’s perimeter was utterly horrifying.
Since there were no surviving guards remaining to transport Dam-ak, the task of carrying him fell squarely on my shoulders. Running a long distance while bearing the weight of a fully grown adult male, all while my garments were completely drenched through…….
“Damn it……”
A wave of irritation mounted within me continuously. To make matters worse, this individual refused to pause his stream of grievances even for a moment.
“Are you perhaps incapable of utilizing the Grass-Skimming Flight technique?”
“What did you say?”
“Hmm, the operatives of the Eastern Depot were fully capable of executing the Grass-Skimming Flight even while bearing the weight of an entire sedan chair.”
This fellow is pushing his luck. Those government agents don’t have to fight for their lives. Roads clear out for them automatically the moment they shout, *‘Clear the way for the Eastern Depot!’* and *‘Do you have any idea who is traveling inside this carriage?’* In stark contrast, for the two of us right now, there are literally hundreds of enemies hunting us down to claim our heads the moment our identities are exposed. Drawing a comparison between a bureaucrat who relies on political authority instead of physical courage and a warrior who relies solely on his own strength is fundamentally flawed.
“Your garments are already completely ruined, so feel free to empty your stomach.”
“I have absolutely nothing remaining in my stomach to dry-heave.”
“How incredibly fortunate for us.”
I hoisted the man higher up as his frame began to droop down my back once more. His actual weight felt considerably lighter than I would have anticipated. Given that his appearance in my previous lifetime was identical to the man currently slung over my shoulders, it signified he had carried this exact same dignified, imposing aura even back then.
*‘……He shouldered that entire monumental burden completely on his own.’*
It was difficult to comprehend how he had managed to uphold the entire Murim Alliance single-handedly with such a slender frame. Just how merciless an injustice had I, along with the rest of the Murim Alliance, inflicted upon him during that past life…….
“Is it truly beyond your skills to dry these garments? I was under the impression that martial artists were capable of summoning tempests and sundering massiffs, were they not?”
The sudden wave of remorse that had weighed heavily on my spirit evaporated in a single heartbeat. ……Should I just drop him right here? He is an incredibly tedious human being to deal with.
“I did not orchestrate this entire escape solely for your comfort, Counselor.”
“For my comfort?”
“Do you think you can handle the alternative?”
“What?”
If you are going to challenge me like that, I have no choice but to give you another demonstration.
*Pop!*
As I channeled my internal reserves, a scorching heat wave that felt potent enough to rupture my martial attire radiated outward from my entire form. The trapped moisture within my sodden robe transformed into steam instantly, and my physical form felt considerably less burdened as a result.
“Ugh!”
Predictably, the negative consequences manifested directly behind my shoulders.
“What in the world is this wretched odor……?”
Due to the unpleasant scent that naturally generated during the rapid evaporation process, Dam-ak’s complexion turned entirely pale. Furthermore, his own garments remained completely saturated with water. He began to gag uncontrollably.
“What did I explicitly warn you about?”
“If the outcome was going to be this foul, you ought to have cautioned me beforehand!”
Wow…… should I seriously just leave him behind in the dirt? Let’s maintain composure. He isn’t my immediate commanding officer in this life anyway. I merely need to tolerate this for a brief while longer.
“If you have no desire to undergo another round of ‘persuasion,’ I suggest you maintain absolute silence.”
“…….”
Throughout our entire journey from Jagwi toward Eun-hyeon, I took extreme care to avoid civilian settlements and primary thoroughfares entirely. Once our feet touched the soil of Eun-hyeon, making it into Anhui Province would be an swift affair. By the time the leadership of the Jeongdo-hoe and the Gaebang deduced that Dam-ak was nowhere near Mt. Juk-ho, we would have already crossed the border into Anhui Province.
Just as we were making rapid progress toward Eun-hyeon, I detected an unmistakable presence closing in at an alarming velocity from a vast distance away.
*‘Could it truly be…….’*
The barely perceptible aura, which had initially resembled that of a minor woodland creature, rapidly expanded in magnitude until it solidified into the distinctive pressure of a singular, powerful combatant.
“This is insane……”
“Has an issue arisen?”
What was the problem? I lacked the answer myself. Because I was entirely baffled by this development as well. The geographical span separating Mt. Juk-ho from Jagwi is immense. Under normal circumstances, it was a route that required an individual to trace their steps backward and utilize the established courier stations. Even if someone chose not to rely on the rushing waters of Despair Valley as I had, they would have to scale a vertical cliff face and cut blindly across a mountain range to intercept us at this precise hour.
*‘No, brushing that aside…… how did he track our trajectory?’*
I had taken absolute care to suppress my spiritual presence entirely at the final second before plunging down into Despair Valley with Dam-ak. In the midst of that chaotic battlefield where the Ten Thousand Seas Heaven and Earth Sword Decisive was unleashed and obscuring smoke bombs were detonated, who could possibly possess the absolute certainty to wager that their target had leapt into the abyss?
Despite the sheer improbability, the aura radiating from the distance was undeniably adjusting its course to match my exact movements. The gap separating us was steadily evaporating. If I chose to deploy the Solo Travel Under Heaven Godly Step at its maximum capacity, Dam-ak’s physical frame would be unable to withstand the g-force and he would be torn from my back. Yet, maintaining our current pace was no longer an option.
The distance contracted even further, indicating the time had arrived to execute a definitive choice.
*Zzzzzing—*
I began to unspool the Thousand-Silk Thread of the Flying Dragon Claw from my sleeve without pause. Utilizing the extensive length of the uncoiled Thousand-Silk Thread, I bound my own torso and Dam-ak’s body together in a tight embrace. Despite witnessing me perform such a bizarre action without a word of explanation, Dam-ak questioned me with an expression of grim certainty.
“Is it an enemy tracker?”
I, having secured the Thousand-Silk Thread firmly around our combined forms, gave a sharp nod of affirmation. In response, Dam-ak locked his fingers firmly around my shoulders.
“Disregard my safety.”
I fully anticipated he would launch into a lecture, demanding to know if this peril was the ultimate cost of sacrificing his guards. To my amazement, Dam-ak hooked his legs securely around my midsection and locked both of his arms tightly around my throat. Immediately following this, having pressed his entire physical form flush against my back, he muttered directly into my ear.
“I will remain secured to you regardless of what transpires.”
Damn it, you gave me a fright. The phrasing he just employed was deeply unsettling. Well, regardless, it appeared a modicum of survival instinct had finally been sparked within him.
I instantly accelerated the tempo of the Solo Travel Under Heaven Godly Step. The pursuing aura that had been rapidly closing the distance finally began to stall, gradually falling behind.
*Pop!*
The sharp crack of an aerial distress signal echoed from our rear. What do you hope to accomplish by deploying that beacon at this stage? By the time your comrades manage to assemble and coordinate, I will have already crossed safety lines into Anhui Province. Just as the tracking presence began to fade entirely into the distance, becoming impossible to sense.
I unleashed my full running speed in earnest. Regardless of other factors, the moment we crossed into Eun-hyeon, the trackers would lose any capability to close the distance. The instant a flowing river cutting through the dense woodland came into view, I launched myself off the turf, vaulting across the water in a single bound.
But in that exact microsecond.
*Sswwaeeek—*
A razor-sharp gale of energy cut through the air, heading directly for my position.
*‘When did he—?’*
There was no luxury of time to analyze the situation. At this trajectory, not only myself but Dam-ak would be obliterated. Because the window was too narrow to form a proper sword structure, I unleashed a raw wave of sword energy outward.
*Kwakwang!*
A violent concussive wave slammed into my entire frame, completely derailing my trajectory mid-air. To avoid shattering myself against a massive tree trunk on the far side of the river, I contorted my body violently while airborne. Just as I prepared to plant my feet against the bark and launch myself forward once more.
*Thwack!*
A crushing kick technique impacted squarely against my sternum. Accompanied by a violent force that felt severe enough to fracture my ribs, I was hurled backward at a velocity matching my initial leap, plowing through the dirt for a considerable distance. Dense clusters of wild grass were ripped out by the roots, leaving a distinct trench carved into the earth where my legs had dragged.
The instant I lifted my chin to identify this unwelcome assailant.
“I harbored my suspicions…… but you truly managed to navigate all the way to this point.”
Standing there, Hyeon-yeong, the revered protector deity of Wudang, gazed down at my fallen form with an icy, unforgiving expression.
