Even if not to the same extent as Baek Un-hoe, Dokgo Seol—listening from the side—was struck by an overwhelming shock.
She was so astonished it felt like her breath had been caught in her throat.
Just how many moves ahead has this man already foreseen?
She realized, to her own unease, that she found the seemingly frail Cheon Ryu-yeong more frightening than the enraged Celestial Demon Sword before her.
At last, she understood why the Black Wolf Troop Leader had targeted Cheon Ryu-yeong instead of the Invincible Sword, Great Hero Han.
They had all recognized Cheon Ryu-yeong as a valuable talent, but not to the extent of putting him above the Invincible Sword.
Yet the Black Wolf Troop Leader had learned firsthand—painfully—what it meant to have Cheon Ryu-yeong as an enemy.
And now Dokgo Seol, too, finally knew for certain.
What she felt toward him now was awe.
Baek Un-hoe's expression shifted endlessly.
Then he slowly set the Black Wolf Troop Leader down on the ground.
Dokgo Seol's face stiffened.
A faint but unmistakable aura seeped from Baek Un-hoe's entire body—one she had felt far too many times today and had come to dread.
Killing intent!
She immediately understood his heart.
Right now, Baek Un-hoe intended to kill Cheon Ryu-yeong. And honestly, if she were in his position, she might have felt the same.
Dokgo Seol gently lowered Neung Un-bi back to the ground and stepped forward, placing herself in front of Cheon Ryu-yeong.
Locking eyes with the Celestial Demon Sword, she spoke to Cheon Ryu-yeong in a low, calm tone,
"Take the Black Tortoise Squad Leader and go back. Right now."
However calm her voice might have sounded, it was only masking her true feelings.
Her opponent was Baek Un-hoe—the Celestial Demon Sword.
She might not even be able to withstand a single strike. But she believed this was the best thing she could do.
Not succumbing to fear, and acting upon what she believed was right—this was what she had learned from watching Cheon Ryu-yeong.
But he placed a hand on her shoulder and shook his head.
"It's fine."
"Please, just listen to me."
There was desperation in her voice. But Cheon Ryu-yeong only gave her that same warm, gentle smile he had shown before, speaking quietly,
"Let's go back together."
"Please, I—"
She couldn't finish.
Baek Un-hoe had lifted the Black Wolf Troop Leader into his arms again.
Unconsciously, she let out a sigh of relief. The killing intent from moments before had vanished completely.
Baek Un-hoe looked at Cheon Ryu-yeong, his stern face easing into a faint smile.
"We'll meet again."
Cheon Ryu-yeong was momentarily silent, his expression tightening and his throat bobbing once. Then he scratched the back of his head and replied,
"I'd rather not."
"…"
"If I see you again on the battlefield… I'll be too scared. I'll probably die."
He even shuddered for effect, pulling an expression of genuine fear. Baek Un-hoe burst out laughing.
"Heh. Hahaha!"
Shaking his head as he laughed, he then became serious again.
"I'm afraid of meeting you on the battlefield too. Honestly. I never thought in my life I'd fear someone."
"You flatter me."
"No—it's the truth. Cheon Ryu-yeong, today you were perfect… except for one small mistake."
"…?"
"The thirty men from the Dokgo Clan you sent toward the Sichuan branch to fool me and buy time."
Dokgo Seol's eyes flickered, and Cheon Ryu-yeong sighed.
"Ah… they're all dead, aren't they?"
"When they were right in front of me, cursing me endlessly, do you think I could endure it? A warrior does not tolerate insult."
"I see."
Cheon Ryu-yeong's face darkened, and Dokgo Seol bit her lip hard. She especially grieved knowing that Hwang Ha-seong, the Chief Officer—who had cared for her since she was young—was among the dead.
But there was no time to dwell on sorrow. That was a luxury. Too many others had already died.
She looked at Cheon Ryu-yeong, who exhaled a deep sigh.
"It's not your fault, Young Master Cheon. They disobeyed the order to come straight back, so don't blame yourself."
"No. It was my fault. I should have stressed it more firmly."
Hearing their exchange, Baek Un-hoe bit his lip. In truth, Cheon Ryu-yeong had made no mistake at all.
Baek Un-hoe knew he should leave now, but his feet were slow to move.
"Cheon Ryu-yeong. Will you… stay in the martial world?"
"You know I have no choice. Even if you were to protect me, the Demonic Cult and the Black Heaven Alliance leadership would put me on their kill list."
"True. In that case, it's only a matter of time before we face each other again."
"…"
"I look forward to it. Next time, I won't retreat so easily. Now that I know you exist."
"As I said before, if the battlefield is where you are, I'll avoid it if I can."
"Heh. Is that the victor's courtesy to the defeated?"
Cheon Ryu-yeong shook his head.
"You've taken the Sichuan branch, so the victory is yours."
Baek Un-hoe smiled bitterly.
"Me… a victor? I never wanted a victory that leaves nothing but wounds."
"It's been an honor to speak with the Celestial Demon Sword, hero of the Demonic Path, but time is short. You should return."
"Hahaha. You sound like a cat worrying about a mouse."
Baek Un-hoe clicked his tongue and turned away. After a few steps, he glanced back at Cheon Ryu-yeong.
"My offer… still stands."
"…?"
"If you ever come to me… I will welcome you with open arms. Even if the Cult Leader himself opposes it, I will protect you. That's my promise—on my name and honor."
Cheon Ryu-yeong showed open surprise, then smiled faintly and bowed.
"Thank you. I won't forget your kindness."
Baek Un-hoe looked at him with regret before walking on. Having come all this way only to turn back left him with an empty feeling.
Strange.
From the very first moment he'd seen Cheon Ryu-yeong, there had been a strange sense of familiarity.
"Have we met before?"
Muttering to himself, he approached his subordinates. Mong Chu and Pa Reuk rushed up to him.
Baek Un-hoe handed the Black Wolf Troop Leader over to them and looked at the Heavenly Wolf Troop, who were waiting for the order to attack.
Seeing their blazing fighting spirit, he had to sigh again.
"We're going back."
At his words, not only the Heavenly Wolf Troop but even the Black Wolf Troop widened their eyes.
Pa Reuk, unable to contain his indignation, shouted,
"Heavenly Wolf Troop Leader! We're grateful you rescued our leader, but to turn back now? We must avenge our fallen comrades!"
The Heavenly Wolf Troop remained silent.
They, too, were troubled by the Celestial Demon Sword's order—but he was the leader they trusted and followed as if he were their own life.
While everyone's puzzled gazes focused on him, Baek Un-hoe spoke.
"The Sichuan branch is in danger."
"…!"
That one sentence explained everything.
The Heavenly Wolf Troop looked reluctant, and the Black Wolf Troop swallowed their frustration, glaring at the righteous faction.
But in the end, they lowered their heads in resignation and turned back.
Even as Baek Un-hoe abandoned the fight and withdrew, Dokgo Seol didn't let her guard down, watching him closely.
It felt as if he might suddenly turn around and try to kill Cheon Ryu-yeong.
Seeing her tense expression, Cheon Ryu-yeong spoke.
"The fight is over."
"I know. But the Celestial Demon Sword wants you. He could still come back to capture or kill you."
"He may want to, but he can't."
"…What?"
"If he lays a hand on me, will you just stand by and do nothing, Miss Dokgo?"
A soft, pleased smile bloomed on her lips.
"So you trust me. Thank you. But the Celestial Demon Sword is strong."
"Not just you—everyone behind you would rush in, and the fight would start all over again."
Dokgo Seol's eyes darted briefly, then her tension eased and she laughed silently.
"I see. If he touches you, there's no avoiding a fight, and since he has to hurry back, he'd be stuck between advancing and retreating. And he knows it perfectly well."
Cheon Ryu-yeong answered seriously.
"Exactly. Right now, the Celestial Demon Sword has to worry about us chasing him. If he can't control his temper and fights us here—only to lose the Sichuan branch—then the forces the Demon Cult's young master is leading will end up stranded in the open."
"…"
"Without a stronghold to protect them, if the Tang Clan—or even major Sichuan sects like Mount Heaven Sect or Blue Castle Sect—target them, what do you think will happen? It'll be the worst possible outcome. No matter how hollow the victory here, the Celestial Demon Sword cannot afford to lose the Sichuan branch."
"…"
"He's a hero who dreams of the Star of the Tyrant King. A general versed in both literature and martial arts. He's not the kind to lose something great just to seize something small. Doing so would destroy the reputation he's built in the unorthodox world."
Only now did Dokgo Seol understand why Cheon Ryu-yeong had been able to stand so proudly before Baek Un-hoe without showing a hint of fear.
She suddenly found him infuriating. She had been so anxious and afraid…
Lifting Neung Un-bi back into her arms, she said in a flat voice,
"You're so great."
"…Huh?"
He looked flustered, which made her laugh inwardly, but she kept her cool tone.
"That's not an insult—it's praise. You're really great. Really. Ahh… you're so great."
Cheon Ryu-yeong tilted his head.
"Huh? Sounds like an insult to me. I only explained the situation."
"It's a compliment."
She turned away and walked lightly toward the righteous faction waiting for them.
Cheon Ryu-yeong, baffled by her sudden coolness, didn't see the deep smile lingering on her lips.
Dokgo Mu-yeong and the other righteous warriors could hardly believe their eyes.
The Celestial Demon Sword, who had appeared with overwhelming martial prowess—
and the Heavenly Wolf Troop, said to be the strongest unit in the Demon Cult—
were retreating.
At first, they had simply watched in silence, thinking it couldn't be true. But the enemy truly withdrew, moving in perfect order.
Jo Jeon-hu rubbed his eyes.
"C-Clan Leader… they are retreating, right?"
Dokgo Mu-yeong just stared ahead blankly, unable to answer. All the righteous faction warriors kept blinking and staring.
Some muttered if this was a dream, pinching their own cheeks or thighs.
Jo Jeon-hu's lips trembled as he spoke again.
"Clan Leader! They're retreating! They're tucking their tails and running!"
"…"
"Hahaha! Wahahaha! Young Master Cheon drove the Celestial Demon Sword away! There's no other reason they'd withdraw! We… we've won! We're victorious!"
Overcome with emotion, Jo Jeon-hu hopped up and down in excitement—an odd sight for such a large man.
But strangely, the righteous warriors didn't cheer as they should have.
It was too surreal.
No matter how skilled Cheon Ryu-yeong was, how could mere words drive away the Celestial Demon Sword?
Then they saw the expressions of Cheon Ryu-yeong and Dokgo Seol as they returned. He was scratching the back of his head, speaking to her, and she was smiling.
There was no tension between them at all.
Then, suddenly, Dokgo Mu-yeong exclaimed,
"Ah!"
Clapping a hand to his forehead, he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Hahahahaha! Of course. That's it."
Everyone's eyes turned to him as if he'd gone mad.
Jo Jeon-hu stopped running toward Cheon Ryu-yeong and asked,
"Clan Leader, do you know something?"
Dokgo Mu-yeong nodded.
"The Tang Clan. The fight's been so intense that I completely forgot. Incredible. Truly. Haaa… Young Master Cheon must have already predicted things could play out like this."
Jo Jeon-hu frowned.
"Eh? Even if the Tang Clan came straight to us, wouldn't it still take time—"
Shaking his head with a bright expression, Dokgo Mu-yeong interrupted,
"To get here, yes. But from their estate north of Chengdu to the Sichuan branch doesn't take long. Young Master Cheon asked me to send the Tang Clan to the Sichuan branch."
Jo Jeon-hu's eyes widened.
"To the Sichuan branch?"
"That's right. I told him then that the Tang Clan alone probably couldn't retake a branch already captured. But Young Master Cheon insisted—saying that even if they followed us, the timing wouldn't match—so please do as he asked."
"…!"
"I didn't think the Tang Clan would join today's fight anyway, so I followed his advice. And I'd completely forgotten about them until now."
For once, his voice rose with excitement.
"So the Celestial Demon Sword realized that fighting us here could risk losing the Sichuan branch to the Tang Clan. I'm sure that's what Young Master Cheon went to tell him."
"Ah!"
Jo Jeon-hu turned back toward the front—and so did everyone else, fixing their eyes on Cheon Ryu-yeong walking toward them.
Jo Jeon-hu shivered once, then muttered,
"What kind of monster is this man? To think he sent the Tang Clan to the Sichuan branch in case something like this happened… Is he even human?"
Everyone agreed with him. And at last, they could no longer hold back their cheers.
"Waaaaaaah!"
When the Celestial Demon Sword and Heavenly Wolf Troop appeared, they had abandoned all hope of survival, ready to die like warriors.
But… to live was good. Infinitely better than dying.
Some even wept from the emotion, while swinging their swords in the air and shouting.
And at that moment, Cheon Ryu-yeong and Dokgo Seol arrived before them.