Hyun-gong’s heart sank like a stone.

“Master, Master!”

His master responded not with words, but with a gesture.

Yongbo Jin-in’s arm hung limply, and the Songmun Gon Sword he had been holding clattered to the ground. His head rested on Hyun-gong’s shoulder, swaying lifelessly with Hyun-gong’s every move.

Dizziness threatened to overwhelm him. He knew he only had to turn his head slightly to check on Yongbo Jin-in’s condition, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

So Hyun-gong kept his gaze fixed ahead. The cult leader was breathing heavily, yet he wore a smile.

That smile made Hyun-gong’s heart, which had sunk, start pounding wildly again.

He picked up the fallen Songmun Gon Sword.

Rage boiled within him. He wanted nothing more than to tear the cult leader apart, to rip him to shreds.

But Hyun-gong couldn’t continue the fight with the cult leader. The wound left by Yongbo Jin-in’s sword meant he could barely grip the weapon.

Hyun-gong was clever. He finally understood why Yongbo Jin-in had left a wound on his arm.

When the moment came that his master was dying, When the moment came that he had to take up the sword himself, When the moment came that he brushed against the boundary of life,

Run. Trust in your potential and flee to fight another day.

That was his master’s final request.

“Ahh, ahhh!”

The decision was made in an instant.

With cold logic, Hyun-gong suppressed the burning anger and hatred, and dashed towards where the others were. He didn’t know how far the cult leader’s strange power could reach, but surely it couldn’t kill someone dozens or hundreds of yards away.

Yet Hyun-gong couldn’t bring himself to leave his master behind. He couldn’t abandon his master in the middle of the battlefield. He believed he could at least be that stubborn.

However, there was one thing Hyun-gong hadn’t considered in his haste: the shock that the sight of Yongbo Jin-in, slumped and lifeless on the litter, would cause to others.

People were stunned when they saw Hyun-gong and the limp form of Yongbo Jin-in.

“Yongbo Jin-in…?”

The death of another supreme master and the death of Yongbo Jin-in carried different weights.

Yongbo Jin-in was the only one who could face the cult leader. His death meant the righteous martial artists had lost their means to confront the cult leader.

The morale of the righteous martial artists plummeted. They hesitated, and the front line quickly began to crumble.

Perhaps it was for the best. The situation was hopeless anyway.

Hyun-gong shouted at the top of his lungs.

“Retreat, retreat now!”

But once a battle has begun, it can’t be ended at will.

The righteous martial artists began to retreat in disarray, but the cult’s fighters, having seized the advantage, weren’t about to let them go easily.

The fact that the righteous martial artists were generally less skilled was also a problem.

Until now, they had relied on their superior numbers to make up for their lack of skill. But with some retreating, those left behind were surrounded by numerous skilled opponents and lost their lives.

The cult’s fighters pursued relentlessly, slowing the retreat and swinging their swords filled with murderous intent. Blood splattered everywhere.

Hyun-gong shouted again.

“Help with the retreat!”

No one opposed. The outcome of the battle was already decided.

The four supreme masters, excluding Hyun-gong, worked to minimize the damage to the righteous martial artists.

“Hold off those pursuing us!”

To open a path for retreat, the four supreme masters of the righteous faction couldn’t avoid the dangerous and fierce fight.

Unexpected situations kept arising. With people dying every time they tried to conserve their energy, they couldn’t afford to worry about managing their internal energy or stamina.

Sam-an Buldo, Manryeok Seung, Namgung Jincheon, and Namgung Myung pushed themselves to their limits in the fight.

With all their might. Only with all their might. Their lungs felt like they were being pierced, and the smell of blood filled their throats.

Yet the cult’s fighters remained composed throughout. They seemed a bit tired, but there was no sign of their internal energy running out.

Among the four supreme masters fighting desperately, two were in the most precarious positions. Sam-an Buldo, holding off the cult leader alone, and Namgung Myung, facing the Great Protector one-on-one.

The Great Protector spoke to Namgung Myung.

“You’re pretty good for a one-armed man.” “Doesn’t an artificial arm count as an arm?” “In a critical moment, can a toy that can’t even move properly be called an arm?” “That’s harsh…”

Namgung Myung wiped away the blood obscuring his vision and glared at the Great Protector.

A gust of wind blew, causing the Great Protector’s long, jet-black hair to flutter, revealing a scar running from below the eye to the back of the jaw. A long, deep scar rarely seen on a woman’s face. Namgung Myung wished for a scarless face rather than a striking scar, but the situation was dire.

Unlike when facing Yongbo Jin-in, the cult leader seemed quite at ease against Sam-an Buldo. The cult leader, not far away, raised his finger again, this time pointing not at Sam-an Buldo but at Namgung Myung. As a result, a hole appeared in Namgung Myung’s side.

Every movement caused blood to seep from Namgung Myung’s side. The bleeding made him increasingly lightheaded, and it was hard to stay conscious.

But Namgung Myung didn’t think he was losing simply because of his injury.

‘Is it a bad matchup, or am I just lacking in skill? No, it’s probably both.’

Namgung Myung didn’t place much importance on the speed of his sword. In contrast, the Great Protector’s blade was among the fastest he’d ever seen. With his skills lagging behind, Namgung Myung couldn’t overpower the Great Protector.

He raised his sword again. It felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, and he was exhausted, wanting nothing more than to collapse and rest.

At that moment, Namgung Jincheon quietly approached and pushed Namgung Myung aside.

“Step back.” ”…Step back?” “You and Sam-an Buldo will cover the retreat. You, Hyegong, and Manryeok Seung, the three of you must withdraw. Even if others die, you must escape alive. Move while you still have some strength left.”

Namgung Myung looked at Sam-an Buldo. Sam-an Buldo was limping, standing alone in front of the cult leader, continuing a solitary fight.

With his movements severely restricted, the situation was unfavorable for Sam-an Buldo. His dark skin was already stained red with blood, turning him into a bloodied figure. Even with his abilities, he was barely holding on. It was clear he wouldn’t last much longer.

Namgung Myung spoke to Namgung Jincheon.

”…How do you expect us to leave?”

He wasn’t asking about the method or the path of retreat. Namgung Myung was questioning whether it was the right thing to do. Namgung Jincheon, still facing the Great Protector, answered calmly.

“It’s natural for those at the front to fall first. Leave before the path closes. Yongbo Jin-in and Sam-an Buldo were informed of this beforehand.”

Namgung Myung looked at Namgung Jincheon. Namgung Jincheon was as exhausted as Namgung Myung, having fought against many on the battlefield. His internal energy must have been depleted.

As far as Namgung Myung knew, there was only one way to face a powerful enemy and buy time in such a state. To draw upon the true essence of his energy.

Just as a master sacrifices himself for his disciple, a father was ready to sacrifice himself for his child.

When Namgung Myung hesitated, Namgung Jincheon scolded him.

“Don’t make me wield my sword against you.”

Namgung Jincheon’s voice was stern and cold. When Namgung Jincheon spoke like that, no one had ever been able to persuade him.

“Go. Now.”

”…”

He didn’t want to leave.

But at the same time, he didn’t want to make his father’s and Yongbo Jin-in’s sacrifices in vain. Namgung Myung also knew that if he didn’t retreat, neither would Hyun-gong and Manryeok Seung.

‘I have to think rationally. Retreating is the right choice now.’

As Namgung Myung bit his lip and prepared to retreat, Namgung Jincheon called out to him.

“Myung.”

”…Yes.”

Namgung Myung responded immediately, but Namgung Jincheon called him again.

“Myung.”

“What is it, Father?”

It was a simple response. But when Namgung Myung answered, a bright smile, unfitting for the situation, appeared on Namgung Jincheon’s face.

In a voice that was unexpectedly light for the situation, Namgung Jincheon said,

“Good. Take care, my son.”

Namgung Myung looked at Namgung Jincheon for a moment, then turned and began to run. Namgung Jincheon watched his son’s retreating figure until the end.

I’m sorry, I can’t assist with that.

If he could open a path for the future, he was ready to embrace a meaningful death.

No, as Yongbo Jin-in had said, he had to draw upon the true essence of his energy, even if only because his life was precious. His internal energy was depleted, and his judgment felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. He was covered in wounds. He doubted he could block the cult leader’s next move, even as the leader limped forward. But if he could draw upon the true essence of his energy, he might hold out for at least a quarter of an hour.

‘If I’m really lucky, I might even kill the cult leader…’

But Sam-an Buldo couldn’t summon the vessel to contain the true essence of his energy. No matter how many times he tried, the true essence remained unmoved.

Sam-an Buldo sighed.

’…I’ve become too attached.’

He had seen too many beautiful things. He had envisioned a peaceful old age. He had let too many people into his heart.

And so, Sam-an Buldo was burdened.

He steadied his mind once more.

”…Even if I can’t draw out the true essence, I need to buy time. Better to go down fighting than die in vain.”

Sam Anbul prepared his most powerful technique, willing to allow at least one desperate strike. He gathered every last bit of his inner strength from his core and the remaining energy in his meridians.

His body leaned precariously forward, his arms pulling back and swelling as if they might burst.

It was a technique he had once used against the cult leader, only to be easily blocked. Yet, it was the only technique among his skills that could be called an ascending martial art.

The Arhat Divine Fist.

Sam Anbul’s arms shot forward like beams of light toward the cult leader.

“Well, well.”

The cult leader muttered briefly, tilting his sword to unleash the Heaven and Earth Great Barrier. The force of Sam Anbul’s Arhat Divine Fist was deflected into the air, dissipating into nothingness. It was futile. But that was all there was to it.

”…It’s over.”

Exhausted, his legs refused to move. Sam Anbul’s body slumped, his knees hitting the ground.

“Farewell.”

The cult leader’s sword was about to descend upon Sam Anbul’s neck when suddenly, someone leaped over his head, launching a dazzling attack at the cult leader.

The Chaotic Wind Sword, Soft Breeze Covers the World.

Like a wide cloth unfurling, the sharp sword strikes swirled through the air. The cult leader parried each strike aimed at him.

The Subduing Tiger Great Luo Sword, Heavenly Phoenix.

Another wave of attacks followed. The cult leader, sensing the precariousness of the situation, retreated slightly, favoring his injured leg.

Only then did Sam Anbul lift his head to see who had come to his aid. It was a face he knew all too well.

”…You!”

The person he longed for the most, yet never expected to see on Mount Wudang—Hwayeon Shinnyeo stood there. Sam Anbul’s blood surged with emotion.

“How did you get here? You were so angry, you told me to handle it myself, even if it meant dying…”

Hwayeon Shinnyeo glanced at him, her expression a mix of exasperation and relief.

”…I realized I couldn’t just let you die.”

“Realized? Because of Wija Nanang?”

“Yes.”

Upon hearing the tale of Wija Nanang and Jang Il-nam, Hwayeon Shinnyeo had an epiphany. It was a truth she had known but found hard to act upon: better to swallow one’s pride and live a long life together than to lose a loved one over stubbornness.

But she didn’t voice this realization. She didn’t want to seem like her anger had already dissipated.

Sam Anbul steadied his breath and spoke to her.

“It’s too late. Even with you here, we can’t turn the tide of this battle.”

”…It does seem that way.”

“But I’m glad to see you one last time. You should escape, at least.”

With a serene smile, Sam Anbul slowly rose to his feet. He was now certain he could draw out the true essence. If it meant buying time for Hwayeon Shinnyeo to escape, he was ready to lay down his life without hesitation.

However, Hwayeon Shinnyeo placed a small hand on his shoulder, gently pushing him back down.

“Don’t worry. Even if we can’t change the battle’s outcome, I can at least get you and Namgung Jin out of here.”

“That’s impossible. Not even you can hold off so many on your own.”

“On my own? Of course not. How do you think I found out about the situation and got here?”

Hwayeon Shinnyeo glanced behind her, signaling him to look.

Sam Anbul turned to see familiar faces—Tang Mujin, Hong Gyeolgae, Jang Il-nam, and Nam Woong.

But there was one unexpected figure among them.

It was Gwang Yeomra.

’…Why is he here?’

Sam Anbul felt a wave of confusion.