Cheon Ryu-yeong was in extreme turmoil because of those who had died to save him.
Until just this morning, whenever he saw an armed martial artist, he would lower his gaze and carefully watch their mood.
In this world, it was nothing unusual for an ordinary person to be crippled if they ran afoul of a short-tempered warrior.
And yet, seeing such overwhelmingly powerful martial artists throw away their lives like scraps of grass for his sake felt almost unreal.
In the midst of that dreamlike chaos, Cheon Ryu-yeong was jolted awake by the arrival of the Demonic Sect's reinforcements.
He snapped to his senses at the oncoming danger. His current, strange position or status no longer mattered.
He had to survive.
He had to live—if not for himself, then for those who had died for him. And he had to save those who still remained. That was the only way to repay the people who had given their lives to protect him.
Although the battle was nearing its end, it was not yet over. If the Demonic Sect's reinforcements arrived now, the Orthodox faction would have a hard time avoiding disaster.
As he hurriedly stepped forward in front of the wounded, the lion's roar and shout of the Celestial Demon Sword erupted.
Cheon Ryu-yeong's legs nearly gave out, but he clenched his teeth and held firm.
Then he strode forward and shouted with all his strength:
"Everyone, break the encirclement and fall back!"
The Orthodox faction warriors widened the distance between themselves and the Black Wolf Troop, looking troubled. But they hesitated, clearly reluctant to let the prey they had cornered slip away. They were thinking they should weaken the Black Wolf Troop's strength as much as possible before the Celestial Demon Sword and his subordinates arrived.
Cheon Ryu-yeong shouted again:
"Fall back now! Do you want to fight the enemy head-on when they get here? Move!"
The first to respond to his cry was Dokgo Mu-yeong.
"The Dokgo Clan will maintain formation and withdraw."
Then, from here and there, mid-ranking officers repeated Cheon Ryu-yeong's words and began pulling back.
The Black Wolf Troop let out a sigh of relief, their eyes flashing. The despair that had gripped them was turning into hope—until they looked around at their comrades again, and sank back into grief.
Of their original two hundred and forty fighters, fewer than eighty remained—and most were injured.
It was a crushing defeat.
This was the first complete loss the battle-hardened Black Wolf Troop had ever suffered.
And on top of that, their leader, the Black Wolf Troop Leader, lay unconscious in the hands of the Orthodox faction.
Mong Chu and Pa Reuk, panting heavily, looked toward the front lines. Their eyes burned with the desperate wish to somehow rescue their leader.
But no matter how much they wanted to, they could not act rashly. Provoking the retreating Orthodox faction would bring no benefit whatsoever. Besides, a sword was already at the neck of their unconscious leader—a clear warning that any rash move would result in his immediate execution.
Mong Chu and Pa Reuk gritted their teeth and lowered their heads.
Now they could only place their trust in the Cheonrang Troop Leader. And they believed that he was someone they could trust.
The Orthodox faction began reorganizing into a defensive formation behind Cheon Ryu-yeong. In that time, the Black Wolf Troop withdrew and came face to face with the Celestial Demon Sword.
Mong Chu and Pa Reuk knelt before him and said:
"Cheonrang Troop Leader, please save our leader."
"Please avenge us."
Baek Un-hoe looked at the battered, miserable state of the Black Wolf Troop and swallowed a sigh. While they had been trapped within the Orthodox faction's encirclement, he hadn't been able to gauge the extent of their losses—but he had never imagined it would be this severe.
Especially shocking was the fact that their fearless leader had fallen into enemy hands.
In truth, his original plan in capturing the Hyeonmu Unit Leader was to exchange him before the battle began if an important officer from the Black Wolf Troop was captured. But he had never dreamed that the captive would turn out to be the Black Wolf Troop Leader himself.
"Tell me what happened in the last half-hour."
Mong Chu gave a brief account of the Orthodox faction's ever-shifting formations, the strategist who commanded them, and the duel between the Invincible Sword and the Black Wolf Troop Leader.
Baek Un-hoe listened in silence, nodding, and let out a strange sigh.
"They call the Orthodox strategist 'Young Master Cheon'?"
Was there a young strategist of the Orthodox faction with the surname Cheon? At least, Baek Un-hoe could not recall one.
Mong Chu replied:
"Yes. And although I can't be completely certain… it seemed he had never trained in martial arts."
Baek Un-hoe nodded silently and then strode forward alone.
Since the Cheonrang Troop had not yet arrived, the Black Wolf Troop—including Mong Chu and Pa Reuk—were taken aback. But trusting that their leader would not act without a plan, they kept their eyes on the Celestial Demon Sword's back.
Pa Reuk spoke to Mong Chu.
"He must be planning to exchange the Hyeonmu Unit Leader for our leader, right?"
Mong Chu nodded.
"Yes. Let's hope the Orthodox bastards agree without trouble."
The Invincible Sword was a worthy bargaining chip. But would they truly trade the Hyeonmu Unit Leader for the Black Wolf Troop Leader?
Pa Reuk, Mong Chu, and the others in the Black Wolf Troop looked back and forth between the Celestial Demon Sword and the Orthodox warriors, worry in their eyes.
At the front of the busy Orthodox formation stood Cheon Ryu-yeong.
He was filled with strange emotions.
Not far away stood Baek Un-hoe, the Celestial Demon Sword.
Would he remember him?
Probably not. Too many years had passed.
To Cheon Ryu-yeong's right at the front were Dokgo Mu-yeong and Seok Hyeon-ja. To his left stood Dokgo Seol and Jo Jeon-hu.
Dokgo Mu-yeong, his face tired and worn, said to Cheon Ryu-yeong:
"In the end, the worst-case scenario you feared has happened. The Cheonrang Troop, personally led by the Celestial Demon Sword himself—and they look to number about two hundred."
His tone was heavy.
Of the Orthodox faction, there were just over five hundred still alive, but fewer than half were in any condition to fight. And even those were utterly exhausted.
Worst of all, the Invincible Sword, their top master, was in no condition to fight—a grievous loss.
The Celestial Demon Sword was a master whose skill surpassed even that of the Black Wolf Troop Leader, who had already brought them a nightmarish battle. Without a commander capable of stopping him, no matter what formation they adopted, he would eventually break through.
Dokgo Mu-yeong bit his lip hard, then said again:
"The Celestial Demon Sword… I'll try to stop him together with my clan's three elders."
Jo Jeon-hu quickly added:
"I'll join you."
They were tense. They had heard the account from the 3rd Squad of the Hyeonmu Unit, who had faced the Celestial Demon Sword.
Squad Leader Lee Su-gwang and Vice Leader Cham Wol-do had been killed in a single exchange, and even the Hyeonmu Unit Leader Neung Un-bi had been subdued in an instant. This had shocked the Orthodox warriors to their core.
The certainty that all the terrifying rumors they had heard about the Celestial Demon Sword were entirely true was more than enough to fill them with fear.
Dokgo Seol, having already exhausted most of her inner energy and nearly drained her stamina, gave a bitter smile.
She didn't need the story from the Hyeonmu Unit's 3rd Squad—she had been shaken earlier by the Celestial Demon Sword's lion's roar.
It was the first time in her life she had felt such an overwhelming demonic aura. It seemed to fill the vast grasslands entirely. If that aura had been concentrated on a single person—and if that person had been her…
Just the thought sent chills down her spine.
Today she realized with crushing clarity how much of a frog in a well she had been.
Even blocking the attacks of Pa Reuk, the 2nd Squad Leader of the Black Wolf Troop, had been a struggle. If she had faced the Black Wolf Troop Leader's opening strike instead of the 4th Squad, she would no longer be among the living.
And now, before her stood a master even greater than that.
Baek Un-hoe, the Celestial Demon Sword.
Even from thirty jang away, he felt like an unfathomable monster. Her sword hand trembled without her realizing it.
If she survived today's battle, she vowed to undergo even harsher training.
However… could they really survive?
She turned her head toward Yakcha Sword Jo Jeon-hu. His lips were trembling ever so slightly. From the way his throat kept bobbing, it was clear he was repeatedly swallowing dryly from nerves.
Her gaze then shifted to Dokgo Mu-yeong.
At least her father wasn't shaking. But on closer inspection, that was hardly reassuring—his expression looked as if he had let go of everything, his mind emptied of all attachments.
Finally, Dokgo Seol looked to the man beside her—Cheon Ryu-yeong. In that instant, she nearly gasped aloud.
Calm.
No—his eyes were even sparkling, as if he were meeting a lover or reuniting with an old friend. His lips were faintly curved into a strange smile.
Haaah… what on earth is wrong with this man?
How could anyone act like that unless they were mad?
She had seen his boldness several times before, but this time it truly stunned her.
She asked him:
"You… don't seem nervous at all, even in this situation?"
At her words, not only Dokgo Mu-yeong but also Jo Jeon-hu and several others turned to look at Cheon Ryu-yeong. They too saw the same light in his eyes and the same expression she had seen. Surprise and admiration flickered across their faces—along with the faintest glimmer of hope.
Cheon Ryu-yeong, perhaps feeling the weight of all the stares, replied:
"Of course I am."
"No, you really aren't."
"..."
"I'd believe it if someone told me you had the greatest nerve under heaven."
"It's not that—I just think it's fortunate."
His indifferent reply left Dokgo Seol dumbfounded.
"Fortunate? About what?"
"That the Celestial Demon Sword has actually arrived."
"..."
"And even better—he's brought two hundred of the Cheonrang Troop, far more than the fifty I expected."
Everyone nearby blinked in blank confusion, tilting their heads as if doubting their own hearing.
Dokgo Seol ruffled her hair in frustration and clicked her tongue.
"So… you're saying that it's good a monstrously strong master has shown up with a huge number of subordinates, ready to attack us when we're already exhausted?"
Even as she said it, she found herself incredulous. The absurdity was so great she almost laughed.
She must have misheard. But Cheon Ryu-yeong calmly answered the thought she had assumed impossible:
"Yes. That's right."
For a moment, she was speechless—then she clenched her fists and pressed him again.
"You're sure?"
He nodded to her. She stared in bewilderment.
"Just before, you were worried the Celestial Demon Sword might show up, weren't you?"
"Yes. I was."
"Then why change your mind all of a sudden?"
"Because I was worried he'd arrive during the heat of battle. If that had happened, we could never have stopped him."
"Never… stopped him…"
She didn't want to admit it, but she couldn't deny the truth in his words.
"But we haven't actually finished the fight," she pressed.
"It's as good as finished. And the Black Wolf Troop Leader can't fight now."
"So you're saying it's better that it's the Celestial Demon Sword right now?"
"Yes. He's an exceptional commander—skilled in both civil and martial arts."
Dokgo Seol exhaled sharply.
"You really want to praise the enemy commander at a time like this?"
"It's the truth. And if we ignore the truth, we can't form a proper plan."
At the mention of a "plan," her eyes sharpened.
"So… you have some clever idea again?"
Those listening in had all been waiting for this question. Every eye and ear was on him.
Cheon Ryu-yeong shrugged.
"At the very least, you'll all survive."
"...!"
"When I saw the Black Wolf Troop Leader targeting me, I realized it—they desperately want my head. If he wanted it that badly, the Celestial Demon Sword will want it even more."
Dokgo Seol's already large eyes grew wider still.
He was saying that, if it came to it, he would use his own life to protect the people here.
"What are you talking about? Do you really think that giving up your life will make the Celestial Demon Sword just let us go?"
"He will."
"How?"
"I can make him. I don't have time to explain it all, so just trust me like you have until now."
Everyone stared at him in shock.
No one could imagine what method he had in mind. But the important thing was… he was willing to sacrifice himself for them.
Dokgo Seol's beautiful face twisted in anguish—but even then, she remained beautiful. She shook her head fiercely when no one else could speak.
"I can't allow that. You… at least you, I will save. I'm the one who brought you into this, so I will protect you!"
He smiled gently at her.
"Please take care of my family."
"...!"
"Thank you. For treating someone as insignificant as me with such value."
He bowed slightly to those nearby, then turned and bowed deeply to the many Orthodox warriors watching him.
"Thank you for making me feel I was still worth something."
His clear, resonant voice sank into their ears and hearts alike. Straightening, he smiled brightly.
"I promise—you will all return alive from here."
The Orthodox warriors bit their lips in silence, solemn expressions on their faces.
In his beautiful voice, they could hear resolute determination. And in his bright smile, they saw a deep, aching sorrow.
Dokgo Seol's lips trembled as she cried out:
"I told you—I'm going to protect you! Why do you keep deciding these things on your own?"
He shook his head.
"Can you truly withstand the Celestial Demon Sword and his forces? Most of you are injured, and even the healthy ones are exhausted from battle."
"But…"
"I'll be fine. I've already been treated far better than I deserve, and I'm alive only thanks to the sacrifice of brave people. I have to repay that debt."
When he saw Baek Un-hoe, the Celestial Demon Sword, stepping forward alone, Cheon Ryu-yeong also stepped forward.
"Before the Celestial Demon Sword starts fighting, I'll propose exchanging the Hyeonmu Unit Leader and the Black Wolf Troop Leader. After that, I'll settle things with my life alone."
He moved to lift the unconscious Cho Ji-myeong, but staggered under the weight.
The sight made the Orthodox warriors' eyes sting and their noses burn.
They had already felt the terror of the Black Wolf Troop Leader—so the Celestial Demon Sword was a fear beyond imagination.
And yet, here was the weakest man among them, stepping forward to protect them. Something surged in their chests.
Were they really worthy of being called warriors?
Just moments ago, they had been gripped by fear at the Celestial Demon Sword and the Cheonrang Troop, the strongest unit of the Demonic Sect. But now, because of the words and actions of this powerless, ordinary man, that fear had been driven from their hearts in an instant.
Cheon Ryu-yeong heaved the Black Wolf Troop Leader into his arms and took a step forward.
Cho Ji-myeong's solid frame was far heavier than expected, but though he staggered, Cheon Ryu-yeong kept walking.
He walked alone toward the terrifying master who was approaching—the Celestial Demon Sword.
The sight of that plain man's back burned itself into the eyes of the Orthodox warriors.
It was not the back of the weakest among them. No—precisely because he was weak, it was an even more astonishing sight.
It was… the back of a giant.
[T/L: Read extra chapters on my ko-fi page "Pokemon1920" : https//ko-fi.com/pokemon1920 ]