Chapter 353 Rescue

Chapter 353: Rescue

Mun Sang didn’t utter a word during the journey.

It was simply not the atmosphere to strike up a conversation, so he quietly followed along until they arrived at a secluded cottage deep within the Seongju Temple grounds.

Under normal circumstances, he would have promptly sat down opposite his master and asked for a drink, but today was different.

His master and the Red Dragon Sect Leader were conversing with grave expressions.

And.

“Is it true that the whereabouts of the Blue Dragon Sect Leader and the Black Dragon Sect Leader are unknown?”

“······!”

The news that came from Mun Sang’s mouth far exceeded my expectations.

“Yes. Not only the two of them, but the disciples who went with them have also vanished without a trace.”

“Wh-what does that mean…!”

Stunned by the Red Dragon Sect Leader’s answer, I stammered.

Click.

The master raised his hand to cut off my counterquestion.

“We need a plan first. There’s no time for conversation now.”

Mun Sang asked the Red Dragon Sect Leader.

“Have we pinpointed his last known location?”

“We confirmed they traveled down the Yangtze and disembarked at Anjing.”

“Of all places…”

The only way to reach Zhejiang without stepping foot in Shazameng’s territory is to head north through Guangdong and Fujian.

If the last place the two were spotted was Anqing, it means they crossed through Anhui.

They likely thought time was of the essence and took the fastest route.

Since none of the disciples who accompanied them were inexperienced, they likely decided on a forced march.

If I could turn back time, I’d grab their trouser legs and beg them not to go, but regret is useless now.

“We’ll depart immediately.”

Now is not the time for thought, but for action.

“Impossible! Don’t you understand the situation? Those Lion Clan bastards have set a trap using the two party leaders as bait. Sticking your head into that place is nothing short of suicide.”

“I agree. If they’ve deployed their full strength to weave this heavenly net, we must do the same. This isn’t something you can resolve alone.”

“Even if you rescue the two, what good is it if you, the peerless , die? As your master, I absolutely cannot permit it.”

When he declared his intent to go, his master, the Red Dragon Sect Leader, and Mun Sang objected in turn.

“Then what are we supposed to do? Just stand by and do nothing? What if both party leaders die? What if it becomes known that we just watched it happen? Do you think the Blue Dragon Party and the Black Dragon Party will just sit idly by?”

This is the Nine Dragon Alliance, a coalition of eight factions. If word got out that they’d pretended not to know about the faction leaders’ crisis, it would undoubtedly deal a massive blow to morale.

That’s why only a few gathered like this to discuss the situation.

As they stood facing each other, frowning, the master sighed and said.

“We intend to dispatch the Black Tiger Corps.”

It was indeed the best card they could play right now.

But they alone cannot break through the Lion Clan’s Heavenly Net and rescue the two clan leaders.

In fact, they were likely to lose the Black Tiger Corps instead.

“It’s insufficient.”

“Is there no other way?”

That’s not wrong.

If we prepare for a full-scale battle and dispatch our full forces, it will take a considerable amount of time.

In that case, the lives of the two faction leaders cannot be guaranteed.

“That’s why I’m going. Wouldn’t that be faster and more certain than sending the Black Tiger Corps ?”

“You could die.”

“I’m prepared for that.”

He’s like family, someone who looked after me when I was young.

When someone’s life hangs in the balance, shouldn’t you do your utmost?

“Even though the restoration of the North Palace Clan rests in your hands?”

“What good is rebuilding the family when you can’t even protect those around you?”

His master’s fury erupted instantly.

Whoosh.

Facing heat like confronting lava, I too unleashed the power of the former king’s lineage.

Crackle.

As the standoff continued, Mun Sang stepped forward.

“Don’t you think the Lion Clan is aiming for this kind of internal strife?”

“······.”

The master’s lava-like momentum subsided.

The master knows it too. That the traps set by those Lion Clan bastards aren’t just targeting our allies’ lives, but aiming for the cracks in Nine Dragons Fortress.

“If I send the Black Tiger Corps, the failure rate is nine out of ten. But if I go myself, the success rate is nine out of ten.”

“Your basis?”

“Because I’m strong.”

Because I’m strong.

You might think it’s nonsense, but in this world of martial arts, there’s no more solid proof than that.

“And who is this Jin Moo-jeon? Isn’t he the peerless strategist and commander born of the Nine Dragons Fortress? I’ll bring him back safe and sound, so trust me.”

“······You’re insane.”

“Damn it, isn’t cursing at someone who’s risking their life to save a comrade a bit much? ”

“······Just promise me one thing.”

“Anything.”

“If it feels impossible, give up and come back.”

“Of course.”

* * *

After the radio transmission ended.

“Huh.”

Bukgung Baek sighed, gazing in the direction he had vanished.

Noticing his mood, Jiksa Jung made a joke.

“…I’m starting to wonder if we made a mistake welcoming him as our son-in-law. This kind of thing won’t be a one-off, you know.”

Mun Sang smiled faintly and returned the joke.

“If having the world’s greatest hero as a husband is a crime, then I suppose it is my crime.”

In truth, both of them were equally conflicted inside.

If Muwon were to die, it would be a tremendous loss for Guryongseong.

Moreover, beyond such calculations, Mujeon held a significant place in both their hearts.

Bukgung Baek glanced at the two men forcing smiles and said.

“When a disciple works so hard, it’s impossible for a master to just stand by. Condolences.”

“Yes.”

“Issue a general mobilization order.”

“……You mean a full mobilization order, not just a mobilization order?”

“Lord! That seems excessive.”

Both men immediately protested.

A mobilization order summons the warriors of Guryongseong, while a general mobilization order gathers all warriors of Seocheon to prepare for war.

The resources required, not to mention the political burden, are enormous.

“Should we suffer defeat, the balance of power across the realm could shift in an instant. Haven’t all our efforts thus far been to minimize such damage?”

Mun Sangi demanded reconsideration once more, but North Palace Baek’s decision remained unchanged.

“That bastard Mujeon said it himself. Fools win wars. Since they went mad first, we must strike back. Don’t you agree?”

“······.”

Bukgung Baek wore his characteristic sneer as he gazed eastward.

* * *

There was no time to hesitate, so I sought out Yongmasan, the best ally I could call upon.

Though his network is shallow, as the most extensive Hao Gate, he should be able to provide substantial assistance.

“I just heard about it myself.”

As expected, he knew already and nodded.

“Can you help?”

“……Many disciples will die.”

In the realm of the Sapa, where lives are treated like flies, sacrifices are inevitable for intelligence operations.

All I can do is show the utmost sincerity I can muster.

“You can’t trade a life for money, but if anyone dies, I’ll compensate generously.”

“That won’t be necessary. Instead, consider it repayment for the debts owed to the Mountain King Association and the Water Dragon Sect.”

Yongmasan wrote something on the letter.

“This is the location of the Hao Gate’s Anhui branch and the code for contact. I’ll gather as much information as possible and send it. You should be able to get help there. ”

“······Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. How will you organize the rescue team? I’ll relay it to the branch.”

“Only three of us will go, including me.”

“Only?”

“But they’re masters worth a thousand each.”

“······I think I know who it is.”

“They’re the kind you can’t leave behind.”

Just then, a typhoon-like force and an awl-like force surged up from the inner fortress.

“Looks like they got the message.”

I tapped Yongmasan’s shoulder and activated Banwol.

“Let’s go.”

“Take care.”

“Ah! Tell Jeonryongdang something for me. It happened so suddenly I couldn’t properly say goodbye.”

“Why should I…?”

“Mae-ran says she visits every day? Since we’ll meet anyway, we might as well meet at the Jeonryong Hall.”

“Hmph.”

Leaving the embarrassed Yongmasan behind, he dashed toward the east gate.

* * *

After waiting about a minute, Danun and Weizifeng flew over.

That was it.

The rescue team consisted of just three people: me, Danun, and Weizifeng.

They were the strongest among those immediately available, and as the immediate disciples of the two party leaders, their resolve was also formidable.

If things went wrong and the three of us joined hands in death, it would cast dark clouds over the future of Guryongseong .

“Radio…!”

I sent a telepathic message to the two who were about to confront me.

[Shh, use telepathy. There might be a spy.]

[…Understood.]

[Got it.]

[First, we don’t have time. Let’s go.]

He explained the operation’s outline to the two while running at full speed.

It wasn’t a particularly difficult operation, really.

We’ll dodge people as much as possible, racing through mountains and fields to reach the mountain pass. There, using Hao Wen’s intel, we’ll pinpoint the two party leaders’ locations and break through in a straight line to rescue them.

A pinpoint operation with no room for error.

It was that dangerous and full of holes, but given the lack of time, it was the best option available.

[Is it possible?]

[When the master’s life is at stake, what’s possible or impossible? We have to do it, no matter what.]

[I feel the same.]

[Then let’s move fast.]

So we began running as fast as we could.

Day and night, we unfurled the Gyeongsin flag and raced straight ahead.

We only rested for two hours a day.

Even that felt like a waste, but it was an unavoidable choice to maintain the physical condition needed to sustain the Jingxin Gong with the power of the Ten Stars.

After three days and nights of relentless running, we finally arrived near our first destination, Akse.

“First, put this on. It’s disguise gear we brought from Haowen .”

We donned the prepared masks and changed into the clothes before entering the interior of the Akse.

As expected, the very scenes I had imagined caught my eye.

The emaciated bodies of the common folk. There was no spark of life in the eyes of those passing by.

The only healthy-looking people occasionally seen were the lowly foot soldiers of the Sapa.

“Oh, my…”

“Hmph…”

Even the two of them, who had endured countless hellish scenes, couldn’t help but utter sighs of despair at the horrific sight. It was truly hell on earth.

“Keep your eyes down. If those Lion Clan bastards notice us, we won’t be able to save the masters.”

“Right.”

“Ah, understood.”

I led the two of them into the Yellow River Inn, located before the east gate of the Demon Sect.

“Welcome!”

Whether it was because mealtime had long passed or if it was always like this, the interior was completely empty.

“We need some drinks and simple snacks. Since we’ve walked a long way, it’d be best if the food could replenish our energy. Like ‘Sichuan cuisine’.”

“How many people will be dining?”

“Three people.”

“It’s not quite ready yet, so it might take a while. Is that alright?”

“I can wait as long as it takes.”

“Then please take any seat on this floor. I’ll have it ready shortly.”

“Before that, bring us some simple side dishes and liquor first.”

“Understood.”

As we sat on this floor eating vegetables and drinking, a sound came from the ceiling.

“I am Jang Ho, head of the Hao Gate’s Akseo Branch. Please understand that for security reasons, I must greet you in this manner.”

“Of course. But first, I’d like to know where the masters are?”

Flutter.

A palm-sized piece of paper descended through a crack in the ceiling.

Snatching it up, I saw a line drawn across a map of Anhui Province.

“This is the route the two leaders took. Since they’re moving in real time, I couldn’t confirm their exact current location.”

“Hmm…”

He examined the map closely.

The determination to shake off the enemy’s pursuit along the route moving from central Anhui to the south and then eastward was palpable.

And at the end of that route.

“…Mount Huangshan.”

There lay Huangshan, notorious for its treacherous terrain.