The banners of the Overlord Castle and the Heavenly Path drew closer from both sides. But that wasn’t all. It seemed they had stationed additional forces around, as about sixty warriors appeared in a long line directly ahead.

The Third and Sixth Divisions of the Overlord’s Seven Divisions. It seemed the Overlord Castle was making a serious move.

“We’re surrounded,” Jeong Myeong remarked with a bitter smile, unfurling his iron fan. The other warriors surveyed their surroundings with grave expressions.

They were encircled on three sides: front, left, and right.

Yi Cheondae, taking in the situation, calmly reached for his sword, his gaze fixed on Gang Ho-baek. Despite the dire circumstances, Yi Cheondae sharpened his aura, drawing out his fighting spirit.

“Leader, I’ll buy us some time,” Yi Cheondae offered, his voice steady.

Gang Ho-baek nodded slightly, acknowledging the suggestion. “That might be necessary.”

“Then, you should lead the juniors away…”

“How long do you think you can hold against the Overlord and the Heavenly Path? I must stay as well.”

“Leader!”

Yi Cheondae tried to protest, but by then, the Overlord Castle and the Heavenly Path were already upon them. As Gang Tae-hyeok and Sama Gang appeared beneath the fluttering banners, Gang Ho-baek spoke.

“So, you’ve come, Lord of the Castle, Lord of the Heavens.”

Gang Tae-hyeok grinned, showing his teeth. “Leader, you seem to have expected us.”

Gang Ho-baek smirked. “Overlord, you wouldn’t pass up the chance to eliminate the future of the righteous sects. For your grand ambition, you would endure anything, discard anything, and trample anything in your path.”

Gang Tae-hyeok laughed, a deep, satisfied sound. It was rare for someone not under his command to understand him so well.

“Indeed. I will endure the shame of allying with the Heavenly Path and discard hollow honor. Your deaths would hasten my grand ambition by ten steps.”

The red cloak draped over Gang Tae-hyeok flapped violently, his eyes burning with fierce determination.

“That’s why I fear you, Overlord. You’re a man ready to abandon everything for your goal,” Gang Ho-baek admitted.

Sama Gang, listening to their exchange, interjected. “Leader, what do you think my purpose here is?”

“Purpose? You just thought it would be entertaining and accepted the Overlord’s proposal.”

Sama Gang chuckled, acknowledging the truth. “Leader, you know me better than anyone in the Heavenly Path.”

“Of course. We’ve clashed many times, teetering on the brink of death, and shared drinks during brief respites.”

Gang Ho-baek’s words resonated with both Gang Tae-hyeok and Sama Gang. Their history of battles had forged a deep, albeit adversarial, bond.

In this harsh world, sharing drinks and understanding each other’s hearts was rare, even among enemies.

Gang Ho-baek raised his bamboo hat slightly, his eyes clear and resolute. “My old adversaries, let the juniors go. They don’t need to die here.”

“Why should we? Is there a special place for them to die?” Gang Tae-hyeok challenged.

Gang Ho-baek’s voice was unwavering. “Because I, as the leader, have decided so.”

A powerful aura surged from Gang Ho-baek, comparable to the overwhelming presence of the Overlord and the Heavenly Path.

“Impressive,” Sama Gang remarked, lowering his spear.

“What if we refuse?” Gang Tae-hyeok asked.

“Then I’ll handle both of you myself.”

Facing both the Overlord and the Heavenly Path was a daunting claim, yet no one laughed or dismissed Gang Ho-baek’s resolve.

Gang Tae-hyeok and Sama Gang regarded him seriously.

The Three Thrones of the martial world. While some underestimated Gang Ho-baek, those who had faced him knew he could fill any void left by the most venerable masters.

Gang Tae-hyeok’s sleeve fluttered as he spoke. “A final act of heroism, is it?”

“Interesting. I’m curious to see how long you’ll last,” Sama Gang added.

Despite the odds, Gang Ho-baek’s determination was unshaken.

Mu-hwi, observing Gang Ho-baek, thought, ‘How can he speak of death so lightly?’

Gang Ho-baek didn’t take his own death lightly. He understood its weight more than anyone.

Yet, he stood firm because he valued the lives of the juniors more than his own.

Few in this vast world could make such a judgment.

“Leader,” Mu-hwi called, his voice calm.

Gang Ho-baek smiled at him. “Mu-hwi, lead the juniors back to the alliance.”

“There’s no need for you to sacrifice yourself,” Mu-hwi argued.

Gang Ho-baek laughed heartily. “Sacrifice? No need for such grand words. Do you remember what I said about heroism?”

Mu-hwi recalled their first meeting, where Gang Ho-baek spoke of his ideals.

-Preventing the deaths of those who shouldn’t die. Taking responsibility for one’s martial path. These are the tenets of heroism.

Gang Ho-baek gripped Mu-hwi’s shoulder firmly. “I’m just practicing what I preach.”

Mu-hwi, seeing that bright smile, couldn’t help but smile back.

He felt the strength in Gang Ho-baek’s grip, a guiding light that had illuminated the paths of many.

This man, a beacon in the martial world, was too vital to be extinguished here.

Mu-hwi gently lowered Gang Ho-baek’s hand and stepped forward.

“Mu-hwi,” Gang Ho-baek called.

Without turning, Mu-hwi replied, “You are truly a great hero, Leader.”

Gang Ho-baek, surprised, remembered his own words to Mu-hwi.

-A great hero inspires others to pursue their own paths and dreams, becoming a focal point for justice in the martial world.

Mu-hwi’s sleeve fluttered as he grasped his sword.

“You’ve instilled your ideals in me, who once only cared for my own sect.”

Gang Ho-baek, understanding the weight of Mu-hwi’s words, could only smile, a mix of joy and resignation.

“Leader,” the juniors, led by Seong-hui, approached.

“Every time you visited our sect, you emphasized taking responsibility for our martial skills,” Seong-hui began, followed by Paeng Ho-yeon and Woo Tae-gang.

“Give us the chance to take responsibility.”

“If we run now, we’ll never be more than cowards. Neither I nor my master would want that.”

The other juniors stood firm, their resolve clear.

Once fearful, they now stood with newfound courage.

Gang Ho-baek, seeing their determination, turned away.

Perhaps it was his unwavering resolve to face the Overlord and the Heavenly Path alone that inspired them.

‘Mu-hwi, you’ve ignited their spirits.’

The juniors’ eyes burned with fighting spirit.

It seemed they wouldn’t heed his command to flee.

“Well… Mu-hwi,” Gang Ho-baek sighed.

“Yes?”

“You’ve set their hearts ablaze. This is the first step to becoming a great hero.”

Mu-hwi smiled wryly. “I still have no intention of becoming a great hero.”

“Just as one doesn’t become a hero by wanting to, one doesn’t avoid it by refusing,” Gang Ho-baek replied.

As they exchanged glances and words, Kang Ho-baek and Mu-hui simultaneously launched into action. Kang Ho-baek charged at Kang Tae-hyuk, unleashing a storm of sword strikes, while Mu-hui unfurled his dark aura and surged toward Sa-ma-gang.

Boom!

With the thunderous clash of the two titans echoing behind him, Mu-hui revealed the jet-black blade of his sword. Sa-ma-gang, seeing the deadly arc aimed at him, burst into laughter. His spear, gripped tightly, emitted a sinister, dark brown glow.

“Entertain me to your fullest!”

“Madman.”

A straightforward thrust, direct and unyielding.

In an instant, the space seemed to fold as Mu-hui’s sword swung with ferocious intensity.

Clang!

The clash of spear and sword sent shockwaves rippling through the air, causing the surrounding sand dunes to tremble and a cloud of dust to rise.

“Fall back!”

Unable to withstand the force, the warriors around Sa-ma-gang quickly retreated. Unperturbed, Sa-ma-gang continued to wield his spear with relentless precision, the weapon lashing out like a whip.

Whoosh!

Despite retracting and extending again, the spear seemed to strike as if it had never left its position. The sheer speed made Mu-hui’s robes flutter wildly.

The spear shaft, writhing like a snake, swallowed up the myriad changes Mu-hui attempted to create.

Instead, spear shadows surged from above and below, while five spear winds stabbed from the middle.

The Black Ghost Spear.

Sa-ma-gang unleashed his unique martial arts without reservation, recognizing Mu-hui as a worthy opponent. With both hands, he spun the spear with dazzling speed, tearing through the air.

Mu-hui, capturing the relentless spear strikes with his eyes, countered with his sword. The blade’s path seemed to slash diagonally, then arced upward in a graceful, unpredictable dance.

Petals scattered, enveloping the spear shadows like thorns, while plum blossoms bloomed in the air, deflecting the incoming spear winds with a gentle breeze.

Swish!

The spear, aiming for Mu-hui’s waist, found a gap in his defense. Seeing Sa-ma-gang’s grin, Mu-hui quickly flipped his sword to block.

Clang!

The impact pushed Mu-hui back, his feet skidding across the ground.

“Still as strong as ever.”

Despite confirming Sa-ma-gang’s formidable skills, Mu-hui’s eyes gleamed with a sharp, determined light as he adjusted his grip on his sword. Sa-ma-gang, noticing the fierce gaze, responded with a smile full of deadly intent.

“Now it truly begins.”

Both masters stepped forward simultaneously, sending sand flying in all directions.

A storm of dark brown sand swirled around them, while violet petals began to dance in the air.