Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1328. Nothing out of the question (3)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
Kwaaaaang!
Kwaaaaaaaang!
The thunderous sound of cannon fire reverberated through the gorge. Despite the narrow field of view, it was not difficult to gauge the chaos unfolding outside.
One of the Hainan Sect elders, weakened by poison and unable to properly use his internal energy, struggled to block the incoming cannonballs. He took a direct hit mid-air and was thrown back into the gorge.
Witnessing the gruesome sight, one of Ho Gamyeong’s adjutants clenched his fists involuntarily.
'As expected.'
His gaze turned to Ho Gamyeong beside him. It was a situation that would make any strategist shudder.
But even in this situation, Ho Gamyeong showed not the slightest excitement. His sharp focus stayed fixed on the unfolding scene as if he refused to miss even the smallest detail.
Moments like these deepened the adjutant's admiration for Ho Gamyeong.
Because he had demonstrated an extraordinary strategy?
No, that's not it.
In truth, the strategy itself wasn’t particularly remarkabl. Concentrating firepower on those emerging from a narrow space is the most basic of basics. It's hardly even worthy of being called the art of war.
What was truly remarkable was the meticulous foresight to prepare for what lay beyond the gorge, even after the enemy had willingly entered its death trap.
If it had been someone other than Ho Gamyeong, they would have the cannons and archers... No, perhaps they would have committed all available forces into the gorge.
To create as many corpses as possible in that suffocatingly narrow space.
But thinking about it now, arrows couldn't demonstrate their true power in that winding gorge and cannons couldn't be fired. Rather, they would be a hindrance, trapped by the narrow terrain packed with allies.
Even if positions were set up above the gorge, firing cannons downward from that height would be impossible. Even if arrows were shot, their power would diminish by the time they reached the ground, ultimately amounting to waste.
If those passing through the gorge had been ordinary soldiers, non-enhanced arrows might have been sufficient, but for trained martial artists, wouldn't arrows without internal energy be useless?
Thanks to those ‘useless’ forces positioned outside the gorge, they were now inflicting lethal damage on the enemy.
At a glance, it almost seemed as if the damage caused by this single barrage of arrows and cannon fire exceeded the injuries inflicted within the gorge itself.
“A- Advisor.”
One of the other adjutants hesitantly spoke with a trembling voice.
“D- Did you foresee all of this when you positioned them here?”
Ho Gamyeong’s brows furrowed ever so slightly. The questioning adjutant turned pale and quickly lowered his head.
"Fo- Forgive me."
This was no time for idle questions and answers. Knowing this yet still failing to suppress his curiosity was a clear mistake.
But then Ho Gamyeong spoke.
"Strike at the enemy's weakness."
“...Yes?”
“That’s the fundamental principle.”
Ho Gamyeong's gaze remained fixed on the enemy.
Attacking from advantageous terrain was fundamental in the art of war, and exploiting an opponent’s weaknesses was equally so.
While others focused solely on what lay immediately ahead, Ho Gamyeong focused on what lay beyond.
"When you say weakness..."
But the adjutant failed to grasp his meaning. Weakness? How could that relate to this situation?
The enemy's weaknesses were their lack of practical experience and small numbers.
“What problem arises when the enemy enters the gorge?”
“Well, they’re unfamiliar..."
"No."
Ho Gamyeong interrupted swiftly.
"Their formation becomes elongated."
“T- Then wouldn’t that reduce the number of forces they can deploy at once, making it harder for them to fully utilize their strength?”
Ho Gamyeong's eyes twitched again.
The adjutant who had spoken thoughtlessly immediately bowed his head deeply.
“Your brain is meant for thinking. The question of which side holds the advantage in a small-scale confrontation was already answered in the gorge. This terrain does not favor us.”
"...I was foolish."
"There is only one advantage we gain from their elongated formation."
Ho Gamyeong's gaze fixed on one point. On Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword, who was fending off Go Yang’s pursuit alongside Yoo Iseol.
"The fact that he cannot exist in two places at once."
“Ah....”
“A strength is the absence of weakness. Conversely, a weakness is the absence of strength. The moment Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword isn’t present, their weakness are exposed.”
“....”
“Exploiting the enemy’s weaknesses is the foundation of art of war.”
"Then you knew in advance he would be in the rear..."
"No."
"Huh?"
“It doesn’t matter where he’s. If that bastard had been at the front, these arrows and cannon wouldn’t have inflicted this much damage, but instead Go Yang would have thoroughly toyed with their rear."
“Ah....”
“This is simply the reverse scenario. With him at the rear, even the Blood Sword Platoon struggles, but that allows us to break through the front.”
Only then did those who understood Ho Gamyeong's thinking unconsciously nod. What seemed so obvious in hindsight had escaped them entirely. Except for Ho Gamyeong.
Ho Gamyeong closed his eyes slightly.
The reason he had taken the time to explain this wasn’t to teach them. It was to voice aloud what he was doing, to steel his own resolve once more.
'There's no need for clever trick.'
No, to be honest, he doesn't know how to employ clever schemes.
If Jang Ilso were here, he would have taken an entirely different approach. Perhaps he would’ve collapsed the cliffs to bury the enemy in one swift move or overturned the very ground to crush them beneath.
But that was something only Jang Ilso could do. Ho Gamyeong cannot conceive of such methods. Therefore, he can only dig in more thoroughly and faithfully to the basics.
'This war is a war of attrition.'
What Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword thought of this war was beyond Ho Gamyeong’s knowledge, but in Ho Gamyeong's judgment, it was thoroughly a war of attrition.
Thus, instead of taking unnecessary risks, he committed himself to thoroughly wear them down. If they continued to reduce the enemy's numbers one by one, even the mighty Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword would eventually be caught in the net he had cast.
Ho Gamyeong’s gaze turned toward Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword. A look of exhaustion was evident on the man’s face.
'You surely understand, don't you?'
Ho Gamyeong doesn't overestimate himself. He didn’t assume that Chung Myung was oblivious to his intentions.
And yet, the reason Ho Gamyeong pressed on without hesitation was that the saying ‘the few cannot oppose the many’ exists in this world.
There were things that cannot be stopped even when known. There were things you cannot act upon even if noticing them. That was why they say the outcome of war is determined before it begins.
A war that cannot be won.
Voluntarily jumping into such a war was the limit of that Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword, and the inevitable weakness those who called themselves righteous must bear.
Ho Gamyeong glanced briefly at Chung Myung. The darkness that lingered in his eyes quickly subsided, becoming cold and composed.
Now was not the time to be intoxicated with the sense of victory. He needed to make his next move before the enemy could act.
"Nothing has deviated."
Everything still unfolded smoothly within the boundaries of his understanding.
Chung Myung bit his lip, unable to contain his anger.
'Ho Gamyeong.'
He glared at the distant figure of Ho Gamyeong. If he could have his way, he would break through right now and sever that man's neck. But that cunning fox would never allow him that close.
The ominous feeling Chung Myung had about Ho Gamyeong began to take concrete form in this moment.
Chung Myung's explosive power and knack for sudden, unorthodox strategies were the worst match against those who thoroughly did their duty without being swayed by circumstances.
'Damn it!'
He cast a quick glance behind him.
Hainan Sect disciples were resisting desperately, but it was merely enduring.
But withdrawing was difficult too. If they attempted to withdraw hastily, those who hadn’t yet escaped the canyon would be exposed defenselessly to the onslaught raining down upon them.
‘There aren’t enough swords!’
Swords that could not just endure but move independently and cut down enemies...!
Chung Myung immediately yanked Yoo Iseol's shoulder.
When Yoo Iseol looked at him with surprised eyes, Chung Myung lunged towards the rear again and shouted.
"Go quickly and help them, Sago!"
“Sajil!”
"Go!"
Only then did Yoo Iseol see the situation clearly. She understood why Cheongmyeong had pushed her. Right now, the side that needed help was... that place, even more than Chung Myung.
But....
She saw Chung Myung's leg momentarily flinch as he kicked. It was now impossible to hide it entirely.
Both were in danger. Neither could be abandoned.
Then, what should she...
"I said go!"
Chung Myung glared at the confused Yoo Iseol and shouted outloud, completely disregarding the fact that Gweyang might attack at any moment.
Seeing the bloodshot determination in his eyes, Yoo Iseol clenched her fists until they bled.
She knew.
She had been taught. She had learned. And she had reflected on it countless times.
In a situation where neither side can be chosen, she knew, almost painfully well, where those who carry sword had to go.
The teachings of her sect now felt like sharp knives slicing into her heart. It pained her that she could never turn away from that teaching.
Gritting her teeth, Yoo Iseol immediately turned around. Then she shot forward like a streak of light as if trying to cast aside any lingering hesitation.
After confirming the situation, Chung Myung gave the same instructions to Tang Pae.
“Go with her and help!”
"Yes!"
Tang Pae also ran back without a word.
Chung Myung, having sent the two off, turned his gaze toward Go Yang. Go Yang approached slowly, lazily flicking his sword.
“I thought you would at least say thank you.”
“That’s my line.”
“Kekekeke.”
A gleam of triumph sparkled in Go Yang’s eyes.
He wasn’t wrong. Though he had given them time to sort out the situation, this wasn't particularly disadvantageous to Go Yang.
Why would he stop a wounded prey that willingly separated itself from the herd to stand alone?
The situation of others wasn't his concern. His focus was solely on Chung Myung before him.
He could see it. His injured leg twitched spasmodically. The side that had been carefully staunched reopened and oozing blood.
That wasn't all. Chung Myung’s body was riddled with countless minor injuries, his complexion pale as if he had sustained internal injuries.
How much blood he had lost?
In such a condition, even the world's greatest master couldn't display even a half of their true ability.
A short breath escaped Chung Myung's mouth.
To be honest, it was getting hard to bear.
The world blurred, perhaps from losing too much blood. He couldn't even feel the strength in his hand holding the sword. While he was used to pain, the helplessness that came after sheer exhaustion was something he could never grow used to.
Still, he must fight.
“It’s tiring.”
Go Yang sneered as he closed the distance.
"Knowing you should retreat yet can’t."
“....”
"Even while clearly knowing that it's the path to death."
Blatant ridicule poured out, but Chung Myung laughed lightly instead.
“Do you know why you’re weak?”
"What?"
Go Yang narrowed his eyes at the sudden question. Smirking, Chung Myung answered.
“Because you ran away when you wanted to run.”
“....”
"The reason I'm strong is simple too. Because I couldn’t run when I wanted to.”
Not once.
Those bastards didn’t know. What strength truly was. What he truly wanted to become.
Chung Myung still chases after it even now.
The one who never once retreated. The one who stood stronger than anyone in the world.
“...Save your nonsense for hell.”
Go Yang charged in like lightning with his Blood Sword Platoon members.
As Chung Myung charged to meet them without retreating, the back of the person he had always looked up to flickered faintly before his eyes.
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