Cheon Ryuyeong glanced from time to time at the Black Wolf Unit descending the mountain, then moved backward from the place where the orthodox faction martial artists had gathered.
Following his advice, the injured had all been placed in the rear ranks of the formation. Among them were elite warriors disguised as if they had suffered grievous wounds, their faces stiff as they steadied their breathing.
At the very back were the nuns of the Emei Sect, either truly severely injured or in a state close to collapse from exhaustion, sitting weakly on the ground.
Cheon Ryuyeong felt a bitter pang as he looked at their blood-stained figures. On their faces he could read both the emptiness from losing their leader, Bohyeon Divine Nun, and the hostility they bore toward the Demonic Cult.
"For what exactly are we fighting?"
The question suddenly surfaced in his mind.
But then Cheon Ryuyeong gave a faint, wry smile. It wasn't a question he had any right to throw at them. Wasn't he himself caught up in the whirlpool of this battle almost by accident?
Looking back, even the phrase "utterly absurd" fell short of describing the current situation.
Just the day before, when he had been dismissed from the Escort Agency—or even last night, while drinking in the tavern—he never would have imagined that something like today would be happening to him.
"What in the world am I even doing here?"
The question turned inward, not toward the martial artists around him.
Because he had been grateful for the hundred taels of silver he'd received from Dokgo Seol, he had been dragged into this mess without much thought—yet somehow it had brought him to this point.
"Fate really is a strange thing."
In the end, he could only blame it on fortune. Dokgo Muyeong, who had followed behind him, overheard his muttering and spoke.
"Ha! Is your heart made of iron? Amazing. The Demonic Cult's elite are descending toward us with blades practically dripping with killing intent, and here you are talking about fate?"
At those words, Cheon Ryuyeong quickly snapped back to reality, a bitter smile curling at his lips. As Dokgo Muyeong had pointed out, now was not the time to be musing aloud.
He shrugged his shoulders and scratched the back of his head.
Seeing his sheepish expression, Dokgo Muyeong let out a low, hearty chuckle.
"Heh heh heh. I suppose it must be strange for you to be here. It's the same for me, after all. In any case… You may think your current fate is strange, but to us, your presence is a marvel. We are sincerely grateful you're with us."
"This isn't the kind of place for someone like me…"
By then, Dokgo Muyeong was standing side by side with Cheon Ryuyeong, looking toward the Black Wolf Unit that had already descended halfway down the mountain.
"What do you mean, someone like you?"
"Until just yesterday, I was nothing but a lowly porter. And now here I am, standing alongside esteemed martial warriors…"
As Cheon Ryuyeong's voice trailed off, Dokgo Muyeong's expression turned stern.
"You belittle yourself."
"I don't know… I think it's not self-belittlement, but simply a clear-eyed view of reality."
"Just because you've lived an ordinary life up until now doesn't mean you are ordinary."
"…"
"If you were truly ordinary, you'd be trembling in fear right now—and that would be normal. But here you are, calmly assessing the situation more clearly than anyone else present."
Cheon Ryuyeong's lips twitched before he replied with an awkward look.
"I'm just desperately struggling to survive."
"…?"
"In a situation like this, even a small mistake in judgment could mean death. That's the only reason I'm straining to remain calm."
Dokgo Muyeong stroked his beard and spoke earnestly.
"Even when struggling desperately to survive, most people can't maintain composure in such a moment. In fact, they're more likely to fall into panic. The ability to remain calm in the face of crisis—it's not something that can be achieved through simple effort. It's something you're born with. And that, my friend, is a talent Heaven has bestowed upon you."
"…"
"You are not ordinary. Accept that. Then you'll be able to seize opportunities and soar higher. Fate… is a thing that bows to the strong and bares its fangs at the weak. If you don't stand up to it, fate will always drive you into suffering—that is its true nature."
Cheon Ryuyeong mulled over Dokgo Muyeong's words.
The true nature of fate—
If you didn't want to be dragged along by that wretched thing, you had to face it head-on.
There was nothing wrong with his advice. It was true.
But Cheon Ryuyeong also knew—
That what was obvious for some was as difficult as reaching the heavens for others.
Those born with a golden spoon in their mouths naturally challenged themselves to climb higher. With good circumstances, excellent teachers, and abundant support, they could carve out their own fate.
But for those born into poverty, who had to worry about their next meal from birth, fate loomed ahead like an unscalable iron fortress taller than a mountain.
Challenge it? Carve it out?
With what?
For those whose every waking moment was consumed with thoughts of how to make a living, Dokgo Muyeong's words sounded like a luxury.
'Even so… not giving up—that's life too, I suppose.'
Shaking off his thoughts, Cheon Ryuyeong fixed his gaze on the front. The Black Wolf Unit had finally reached the foot of the mountain.
Now, only a barren stretch of about a hundred jang separated them. The injured who had been sitting on the ground rose to their feet, their rest complete.
Dokgo Muyeong spoke with a slightly heightened expression.
"Phew… so the battle begins again."
Cheon Ryuyeong nodded.
"Yes. We'll have to wipe them out—if only for our survival."
Hearing the steady, pleasant baritone, Dokgo Muyeong turned to look at Cheon Ryuyeong. The man who had seemed slightly shaken had regained his sharp gaze and bold expression.
With a thought of As expected!, Dokgo Muyeong looked at him in admiration. Then he voiced a question that had been on his mind.
"Do you think they might retreat when they see us? We haven't run away—just shifted the battlefield."
They had more people than the Black Wolf Unit, and although a variation, they had essentially formed a "back-to-the-water" battle formation.
The Black Wolf Unit's commander, with thirty years of battlefield experience, could not fail to recognize the resolve in their stance.
But Cheon Ryuyeong spoke firmly.
"They'll come."
Dokgo Muyeong narrowed his eyes.
"And you're so certain because…?"
Cheon Ryuyeong smiled faintly.
"Because he's a brilliant commander, forged by thirty years in the field."
"A brilliant commander, and that means…?"
"Yes. From his perspective, our formation will only provoke his fighting spirit. On top of that, we have the weakness of many injured."
At that, Dokgo Muyeong's lips curved into a smile. Many injured—and half of them were only pretending.
Cheon Ryuyeong continued, keeping his eyes on the Black Wolf Unit, which had paused at the foot of the mountain to catch their breath.
"With victory in sight, there's no reason for him to retreat. And—this is the most important point—considering the larger picture, the future positions of the Demonic Cult and the Black Wolf Unit, he cannot back down here. He's a proud commander, and he'll see not just the trees, but the forest as well."
The clarity in Cheon Ryuyeong's voice drew the ears of even the injured around him.
"Not just the trees, but the forest? What do you mean?"
"Isn't this battle the joint invasion of the Central Plains by the Demonic Cult and the Black Heaven Alliance, the unified organization of the outer regions?"
Dokgo Muyeong nodded.
"That's right."
"If the opening engagement leaves a bitter aftertaste, the occupation of the Sichuan Branch will lose its shine. They must have prepared thoroughly for this, but if the results from the very beginning are unsatisfactory… the Black Heaven Alliance will begin to doubt the Demonic Cult's true strength—whether they can truly conquer the Central Plains at all."
Everyone was drawn in, almost entranced, by Cheon Ryuyeong's clear, resonant voice.
"That's something the Demonic Cult would never find favorable, and the Black Wolf Unit Leader is surely well aware of it. Furthermore, if he were to tuck his tail and retreat here, the Demonic Cult would likely name the Black Wolf Unit as the scapegoat for this defeat. And there's no way a man who has spent thirty years on the battlefield wouldn't realize that."
People began to look at Cheon Ryuyeong in a new light.
Wasn't this man seeing the forest rather than just the trees?
In a moment where most would barely have time to think about how to win a small skirmish, he was considering matters on such a larger scale—it was almost uncanny.
Perhaps finding the flood of stares burdensome, Cheon Ryuyeong scratched the back of his head and changed the subject.
"In any case, that's just the broader perspective. Right now, what matters is the battle right in front of us. Outnumbered as they are, they'll try to become a spear to pierce our shield. And as the Yacha Sword said, if their abilities are truly as outstanding as claimed, there's no reason they couldn't succeed."
At that moment, Cheon Ryuyeong's eyes sharpened, and a glacial smile curved his lips.
"And when our shield is pierced, they will realize the truth—that we are not a shield backed against the river, but a swamp. A swamp from which there is no escape."
At his confident words, Dokgo Muyeong and the orthodox faction martial artists around him clicked their tongues in admiration.
Black Wolf Unit Leader Cho Jimyeong was counted among the most capable commanders even within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, which was full of masters. But to think of him as a simple-minded brute who was only strong in martial arts would be a grave mistake.
His nearly thirty years of battlefield experience had naturally granted him the judgment and insight a commander required.
As Cho Jimyeong descended the wooded slope, he carefully examined the orthodox faction's formation.
A square formation (bangjin).
If only a small number of fighters clashed, a formation would be unnecessary. But once battle grew to a certain scale, formations allowed for more efficient command and the maximum use of one's strength.
The bangjin was usually used for offense but often employed in defense as well. It was the simplest formation, but by keeping the troops closely packed and moving in a single direction, it prevented the waste of strength.
Moreover, with everyone gathered, orders from the command could be clearly conveyed, ensuring orderly movement.
"Hold here for a moment."
When Cho Jimyeong reached the base of the mountain, he ordered his subordinates to stop.
Though not particularly tall, the mountain they had crossed was steep. Naturally, their breathing was heavier now.
He told them to take a drink of water, then spoke to the squad leaders at his sides.
"So, they've chosen to stand and fight instead of fleeing."
The 1st Squad Leader replied.
"With so many injured, perhaps they had no choice. It would be difficult to retreat under such conditions."
Cho Jimyeong nodded but furrowed his brow.
"A bangjin, hmm… isn't that unusual?"
The 1st Squad Leader frowned slightly.
"Isn't a square formation something any dog or cow can use?"
"This isn't just any bangjin. Nearly half of their rear ranks are injured."
He had already suspected as much when they had fled into the mountains, but the trees had made it impossible to judge accurately until now.
The 2nd Squad Leader, on Cho Jimyeong's left, replied indifferently.
"That's only natural. They wouldn't place the injured in the front line where they'd clash with our main force."
Cho Jimyeong clicked his tongue and shot the man a reproving look.
"If the orthodox leadership isn't made up of fools, they've likely mixed anyone who isn't gravely injured among the healthy fighters. To leave all the injured in the rear…"
At his words, the 1st Squad Leader let out a soft "Ah!" as if suddenly realizing something.
"You're right, Unit Leader. It's normal to disguise the strength you lack, but they've moved all their injured to the rear. Still… why would they so openly expose such a weakness to us?"
As he moved forward again, Cho Jimyeong answered. His subordinates followed, taking deep breaths.
"They've exposed a weakness, yes—but it's also a show of resolve."
The 2nd Squad Leader widened his eyes.
"Resolve?"
"It's a kind of 'back-to-the-water' formation. It means those who remain will risk their lives to defend the injured in the rear. They know we'll likely use a central breakthrough tactic since we have fewer numbers, and they've prepared for that. It's a declaration that they will not be broken."
The 2nd Squad Leader gave a thin, twisted smile.
"So it's a clash of spear and shield—you break through, they block. But isn't that exactly what we want? After all, the Black Wolf Unit is famous for breakthroughs."
Cho Jimyeong rested the nine-cheok long Blue Dragon Halberd on his shoulder.
"You could say that. Still, expect stronger resistance than you might think. Steel your resolve."
By now, only about seventy jang separated them from the orthodox faction. The enemy vanguard stood in silence, their grim determination plain.
In this tense moment, they had chosen silence over a battle cry—sending an even stronger, unspoken message of willpower.
Come if you dare.
That ironclad resolve leapt across the seventy-jang gap, reaching the hearts of the Demonic Cult warriors.
It was the so-called silent roar, the true spirit of warriors.
The 1st Squad Leader frowned and clicked his tongue.
"A 'back-to-the-water' formation to protect their injured comrades. I admit—it's somewhat moving. And as you said, Unit Leader, it'll be tough to break through."
The 2nd Squad Leader chuckled and shrugged.
"Kuk kuk kuk. They're posturing—saying, 'The cost will be high for both of us, so why don't we both back off?' By the way… where is the Invincible Sword?"
The 1st Squad Leader replied.
"In a bangjin, the leadership is usually in the middle or rear. But with the back half full of injured, he'll be in the center. How quickly we eliminate him will be the key."
The 2nd Squad Leader swept his long, dangling hair back and added,
"If the Invincible Sword engages you, Unit Leader, the 1st Squad Leader and I will keep pressing forward alongside you. Once we start slaughtering the injured, the Invincible Sword will likely lose his composure. And then… the fight will be over. Kuk kuk kuk."
They clearly paid no mind to any master other than the Invincible Sword. In truth, it was a trait of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's warriors—they tended to ignore orthodox masters unless they were particularly famous.
Cho Jimyeong nodded calmly, but his eyes were beginning to blaze.
Break through!
The will to pierce through in one strike radiated from his gaze. He would carve into the orthodox fighters' minds exactly why he was called the spear of the battlefield.
The distance closed to about fifty jang.
Suddenly, Cho Jimyeong halted, then turned to shout to his men.
"I'll keep it short. Our comrades died beyond that mountain."
The Black Wolf Unit soldiers clenched their fists, eyes locked on their leader.
Cho Jimyeong's voice rose.
"The life of one Black Wolf…"
The squad leaders and soldiers shouted in unison,
"Is repaid tenfold!"
Their roar shook the very air.
A cold smile curled Cho Jimyeong's lips. He raised his Blue Dragon Halberd high and shouted,
"That's right! That is the will of the Black Wolf Unit, and it is the spirit of me, Cho Jimyeong. No tricks are needed. In battle and in life, we've always lived with our backs to the wall. We will pierce their pitiful, hastily built formation. Make them regret blocking their own retreat. Show them our strength!"
"Waaaaaahhh!"
The massive roar made the very air shudder.