Chapter 56

Chapter 56

“Yawn, this is getting really boring.”

Yawning deeply as he stared out at Dongting Lake, Jang Sam-tae seemed unable to endure the boredom.

He wondered where on earth the master of the manor was taking a nap, as the man showed no intention of showing up at all.

His mind wanted to just lie down and ask for sleep.

However, because of the gazes pouring in from all directions, it was a situation where he could not even act carelessly.

“Hey, is that the So Dual Swords…?”

“Seems like it. What is that unorthodox bastard doing here?”

This was because those of the orthodox sects and the Heavenly Demon Cult, who did not know the circumstances, were on guard against Gwon Mu-jin.

He was quite famous, and he held a certain amount of influence within the unorthodox path, so they could not take their eyes off him even for a moment.

“In all my life, this is the first time I have ever received such piercing glares.”

“Isn't it good once in a while? Where else would you ever receive such glares?”

“Don't you know I'm saying this because I hate it? I can't even doze off. Our magistrate is also completely petrified and standing there like a stone statue.”

“Y-you rascal? W… who is petrified? I-I am…”

“It is fine, it is fine! I know exactly how you feel. Since you are mixed in among these bloodthirsty martial artists, it is only natural for a magistrate who cannot even practice martial arts to be terrified.”

“…Y-you cannot do it either!”

“Oh my? Who are you comparing to whom? I may not look it, but I have been getting a bit stronger lately!”

With a grunt, Hong Won-chang cleared his throat.

Come to think of it, Jang Sam-tae's body was not like it used to be. It had only been a few months since he last saw him, but he was quite sturdy, almost like a different person.

It did not seem like he was simply exercising; it looked as if he was properly learning martial arts.

“I can also hold my own, you rascal.”

“Go home if you want to fish.”

“This rascal, seriously?”

Watching the two bickering, Gwon Mu-jin let out a small sigh.

No matter where they went, Jang Sam-tae's mouth was trouble.

Even without that, they were already receiving glares, and as they began to raise their voices like that, even more people's attention poured in.

Gwon Mu-jin let out a long sigh.

“Cut the crap. You two are birds of a feather, so shut up and sit down.”

“Hmph!”

“Ahem!”

At Gwon Mu-jin's words, Jang Sam-tae finally took in the situation. Since quite a lot of people were staring and glaring with wide eyes, he also unconsciously shrank back.

In the end, as he casually turned his gaze back toward Dongting Lake and let out a sigh.

As if he had discovered something strange, he tilted his head.

“What is that?”

“What do you mean?”

“The boats over there, the boats. Dozens of boats are facing this way.”

Only then did Hong Won-chang and Gwon Mu-jin also look toward Dongting Lake. Although the others had not noticed yet, indeed, just as Jang Sam-tae said, dozens of boats were heading toward them.

They were not simply heading.

“Oh? Aren't those cannons?”

“Cannons? Nonsense! What kind of crazy bastard mounts cannons on boats just floating in Dongting Lake?”

“Huh? Look closely. They really are cannons. It looks like they have three mounted on each boat?”

Hong Won-chang smirked as he watched the boats. Those vessels, which had positioned themselves sideways and were staying still, were maintaining a formation as if they were indeed going to fire cannons.

But he had to speak sense.

Where could one easily obtain cannons?

Such things could not be obtained without the permission of the imperial court, and even if they were obtained illegally, the moment they were caught, their heads would be chopped off for treason.

“Hahaha! Good joke. Stop teasing me now.”

Boom!

The moment Hong Won-chang burst into a hearty laugh, a sound like thunder echoed, and a shell fired from the boat brushed right past Hong Won-chang and struck the wall.

Crash!

“Hiik!?”

“Gasps!”

It was no time to be surprised.

Along with the consecutive thunderous sounds, dozens of cannonballs flew toward Gunja Island. It was as if a war had broken out.

Crash, crash, crash!

“Arrgh!”

“It… it is the enemy!”

Screams broke out everywhere, and the groans of those hit by the cannonballs erupted from all directions. The quiet Gunja Island instantly resembled a battlefield.

Jang Sam-tae, who had been watching Dongting Lake with a dazed expression, looked at Hong Won-chang, whose face had turned pale, and gave an awkward smile.

“S-see? They are cannons, right?”

“You crazy bastard! Is that what matters right now? We have to run!”

“We retreat for now. It does not seem like staying here will bring any good.”

Gwon Mu-jin made a judgment as he glanced at the boats on Dongting Lake.

He did not know who they were. There were no flags, and they were not wearing any particularly distinctive clothing.

However, considering they had bypassed the defenses of the Heavenly Demon Cult and the orthodox sects to bring in so many boats, and even possessed cannons that were not easily obtained, it was hard to imagine it being anyone other than a massive organization.

'Is it the unorthodox path?'

They were the ones with the highest possibility.

Since they had also been searching for the Martial God's secret cave for a long time.

Especially.

'The First Elder.'

Given that he had spent many years trying to find the Martial God's secret cave, it was a moment where he thought the First Elder was the only one who would pull off such a stunt.

Of course, there was no certainty.

It was merely a guess.

Moreover, escaping this place was the urgent matter right now. Another shell fired flew toward where they were at a fierce speed.

“Avoid it!”

Crash!

* * *

“T-this is?!”

Namgung Sohye, who was making her way inside in search of the entrance, opened her eyes wide at the sudden commotion.

It was not simply an earthquake.

The thunderous sounds heard from all directions were like cannons firing, and she realized that the faint screams of people were mixed in.

This was without a doubt.

“An enemy?!”

“Who on earth!”

Go Dam-jin, one of the current Seven Swords of Wudang, gritted his teeth and shouted. He was filled with anger toward those who dared to fire cannons at the sacred ground.

Everyone who was about to go inside stopped dead in their tracks.

“Young Lady Namgung, it seems checking the situation outside is our top priority for now?”

A renowned expert within the Heavenly Demon Cult.

Gu Hwang slightly raised his sword sheath. Since this was by no means an ordinary situation, he judged that it would be better to clear the outside first.

Since they had found the entrance, they only needed to guard it.

Since no one other than those present here had gone inside, the things inside would remain safe until it was breached.

Namgung Sohye turned her gaze to look at the branch manager of the Hunan Martial Arts Alliance. He also seemed to be contemplating deeply, but soon nodded.

“Since we do not know how much further we have to go inside, defending against the raid by turning back seems to be the top priority. Do you agree, Hero Go?”

“Wudang is also a member of the Martial Arts Alliance. Although it is a regret that we cannot see the Grandmaster's face right now, punishing the bastards who set fire to this sacred land must be the top priority.”

With even Go Dam-jin nodding, there was no longer any reason to hesitate.

They turned back and began to head back the way they came. Unlike before, they unleashed their lightness art and quickly escaped the place.

Before even a quarter of an hour had passed, they emerged to a sight where cannonballs were falling all over Gunja Island and fires were erupting everywhere.

It truly resembled a battlefield.

“Which bastards dared to!”

Grit!

As Go Dam-jin gritted his teeth and turned his gaze, he saw another shell flying from far away.

He leaped into the air and unleashed several palm strikes.

Crash, crash, crash!

The incoming shell exploded in midair with violent sounds. As he blocked what no one else had been able to block until now, people stared at him.

“It… it is Hero Go! The leader of the Seven Swords of Wudang!”

“Damn it! I do not know who they are, but make them regret touching our Cult!”

Waaaaaaah!

In an instant, morale soared.

Not only Go Dam-jin, but even Gu Hwang, who was famous in the Cult, had appeared.

Seeing the experts gathered behind them, it was only natural for the morale of those who were being attacked to soar.

Everyone who was there threw themselves forward.

At the same time, the bombardment pouring from the boats began to grow even fiercer, and it stopped in less than a quarter of an hour.

As if they had no more shells left, the boats slowly approached Gunja Island.

A melee began.

“Hyaaaah!”

Crack!

Jang Sam-tae headbutted his opponent, slamming into the man's face. Although his movements were somewhat unrefined, he repeatedly struck and pulled back, so no one could catch him.

It was as if he was playing with the enemies.

In contrast, Gwon Mu-jin's So Dual Swords were sharp.

Slash!

Although his movements were flashy, strength was packed within them, so not a single person who stood in his path remained alive.

Blood splattered and flesh tore apart.

In that place which was practically a shambles, the two eventually had no choice but to step forward.

The swarming enemies were also quite experienced, and since they moved as if forming a formation, blocking them was not easy.

“Ugh?!”

Clang!

A familiar sound was heard.

Jang Sam-tae quickly looked to the side.

Centering around Namgung Sohye, three or four men in black were quickly closing the distance, swinging their blades.

Those blades, which flew in an instant, carried a lethal intent that was not easily avoided.

It felt as if they were going to pierce right through Namgung Sohye's body.

Jang Sam-tae threw himself forward.

'She is a woman, no matter how nasty she is!'

Muttering a curse, he ran straight ahead and swung his fist.

With a clanging sound, the blades were deflected all at once. However, perhaps because he blocked the blades, the flesh on Jang Sam-tae's fist was torn.

Still, it was not a situation where he could cry out in pain.

Because the situation was not that easy.

Fortunately, Namgung Sohye regained her stance and thrust her sword.

Slash!

“Arrgh!”

In an instant, the flashing blade slashed a man's throat, and she spun around to close the distance, striking the opponent's neck with her elbow.

Watching him collapse forward, she kicked his chin, and as she crouched down, a blade brushed past above her head.

At that moment.

Crack!

Jang Sam-tae's fist struck the opponent's nose.

Thud!

As all three men in black collapsed with a rough sound, Jang Sam-tae and Namgung Sohye caught their breath and looked at each other.

“Not bad. Thanks to you, I lived.”

“I am the one dying, girl!”

“Then work harder so you do not die!”

Finishing her words, Namgung Sohye quickly moved her sword.

Since it was not a time to be chatting leisurely.