Ep509 - I Became a Drunkard in a Martial Arts Novel.

The moment a breach appeared in the wall, its significance diminished dramatically. Upon confirming this, Jegal Yeonji promptly struck a massive drum to signal: “Retreat!” “Fall back from the walls!” This was the signal for retreat. Choosing a siege defense inevitably meant the walls would be breached at some point. Everyone had been instructed in advance on what to do when the wall crumbled. “Move!” “We must arrive before they do!” Warriors moved swiftly. To ease their movement, Baek Woojin and his team blocked the large passage that demons were relentlessly pouring through. Swish! Ffft-fff! Thud! The power unleashed by his teammates, all of whom had reached the realm of masters, was truly formidable. Having been together for so long, they could synchronize with just a glance. However, even they had limits to how long they could hold the line. “Ugh…! There are too many!” “Damn bastards!” “No matter how many we kill, there seems to be no end!” Though several operations had successfully reduced their numbers, there were still over ten thousand left. To hold such a massive force at bay with only about ten people was extraordinary. As the strength of the team waned and the warriors retreating from the wall neared the end, “We retreat too!” “Arghhh!” Baek Woojin and his team withdrew into the fortress. With the obstruction gone, demons and cultists surged in like a tidal wave. “Destroy and trample everything!” “Etch the mark of the Heavenly Demon Cult upon this land!” “Leave none of the central plains people alive!” Rage, madness, a thirst for blood. These three overwhelming forces mingled and blanketed the entire siege. For them, it was a matter of life and death. Cheonghaeseong was the bridgehead. A crucial strategic point that needed to be captured to advance into the central plains. Thus, Jangmin urged the cultists and demons further into Cheonghaeseong. ‘Capturing this place is essential to extend our reach throughout the central plains!’ Once Cheonghaeseong fell, routes into the vast central plains would open up. This would allow them to launch simultaneous operations throughout the region. Despite suffering considerable losses, they believed this would be the end. Their dominance was evident the moment they breached the walls. Elevated in spirits, the demonic cult pushed into the heart of the city. What awaited them were obstacles and traps laid throughout the streets. Jangmin sneered upon seeing them. “Heh…! How laughable to think mere tricks could impede our path.” They did not stop. Pitfalls that ensnared their feet, iron spikes penetrating deeply into their soles, obstacles turning roads into mazes. None could inflict fatal wounds on the demons. “Disregard them. Charge ahead!” “Yes, sir!” Yet, they were unaware. That the Union had other intentions for these installations. Crunch! Crash! With feet stuck in pitfalls and snagged by traps, progress halted due to obstacles. These were all temporary setbacks. However, this was precisely what the alliance aimed for. “Now!” At someone's shout, concealed warriors poured out from all corners of the city. “Wh-what is this!” Taken aback, Jangmin watched. The Union warriors mercilessly cut down demons stumbling on iron spikes, speared those struggling to climb out of traps. Those bogged down by obstacles had arrows and daggers rain onto them, snatching away their lives. Observing the demons being effortlessly crushed, Jangmin gritted his teeth. “Kill them!” It was the fighting style of rats. A vile tactic devised to overcome their lack of numbers. Thinking this, he prepared to charge in and slaughter them when, “Now retreat!” “Retreat!” “……” Once again, he had to swallow his anger watching them craftily escape. * * * Everything was proceeding according to plan. It was spine-chilling. ‘Can things really be going this smoothly?’ No matter how ingenious a plan may be, not everything will go as intended. It's natural — the opposing side also has people who think. In Korea, there's a saying that even a broken clock is right twice a day. It stands to reason that even if the other side is full of fools, at least one or two out of a meticulously crafted plan shouldn’t succeed. “…Do these guys really have no brains at all?” Even though the demons had lost their intellect, those managing them were still human. The sheer ease of these battles, something he had never encountered in countless wars before, filled his mind with countless thoughts. However, it wasn't a time to be lost in such thoughts, wasting precious time. "...Let's do what we can for now." He couldn’t afford to miss the opportunity to minimize his own side's sacrifices while thinning the enemy's numbers. Street fighting ensued after the siege. Demons slowed by obstacles and traps were cut down swiftly. And then, another retreat. 'Perhaps it's time to end this too.' Just as the siege ends when the walls fall, this too couldn't continue forever. After repeated retreats, they had been pushed to the opposite side of the fortress. There were no more pre-prepared obstacles. Baek Woojin gave a directive to Jegal Yeonji. "Have everyone retreat outside the fortress." "...Understood." A regrettable but inevitable decision. To cling to the fortress meant their side would suffer uncontrollable casualties. After careful consideration, the lord of Cheonghaeseong agreed. Not only that, but he actively persuaded the residents of Cheonghaeseong to evacuate. Without him, the bold operation to reduce the enemy numbers using the fortress could never have been executed. 'We’ve done all we can here.' Though reluctant, it was time to turn their backs. Baek Woojin, who stayed until the last moment to aid the warriors in retreat, finally exited the fortress. Outside, the Union warriors were lined up on either side. They had divided into two groups because they needed to move in different directions. To Baek Woojin's left, the group was headed for Gonryun Mountain, while the right group was destined for the Central Plains through Gansu and Sichuan. There was no other choice. 'The Heavenly Demon and the Demonic Cult have different goals.' The Heavenly Demon was never interested in conquering the Central Plains. If she had been, she would have appeared long ago to lead the assault. This means the move to mobilize the entire Demonic Cult was simply to sow chaos. Her true aim was likely to disperse the forces of the cult that hoped to conquer the Central Plains. The dispersion of forces was what she wanted, but there was no preventing it. Neither the destruction of the altar in Gonryun Mountain nor the devastation of the Central Plains could be allowed. Baek Woojin approached Heuksa Paewang Do Gyeong, who was directing the group on the right. "Are you ready?" "Yes..., all that's left is to depart." Do Gyeong responded in a brusque tone. Baek Woojin smiled wryly and asked, "You're not still holding grudges, are you?" Before the war fully commenced. There had been a small clash between the two over who would face the Heavenly Demon. Even without the Heavenly Demon, the power of the Demonic Cult couldn't be underestimated. Baek Woojin wanted Do Gyeong to hold them off, while Do Gyeong desired to face the Heavenly Demon. It wasn't merely a personal wish to confront her as it had been in the past. Gonryun Mountain and the Central Plains. It was clear which side had a higher chance of devastation. Hence, Do Gyeong was willing to risk his life first. He believed that given a little more time, Baek Woojin could stand against the Heavenly Demon. Though willing to buy that time with his life, Baek Woojin refused. If it wasn't possible now, it wouldn't be in the future, he asserted. After a brief confrontation, they had a light duel. And Baek Woojin emerged victorious. That victory made him even more regretful. Proud of his son-in-law for growing stronger, yet concerned he might not yet match the Heavenly Demon. 'Given just a little more time, he could readily face the Heavenly Demon...' But having lost their duel, he couldn't insist further. He could only have faith now. With a small sigh, he placed a hand on Baek Woojin's shoulder. "Don't make my daughter a widow before the wedding." "I won't." "Haha." Do Gyeong let out a hollow laugh. He couldn't understand the man before him. How could he smile so innocently in the midst of such urgency? Thanks to that, his heart felt lighter. Finally, casting a glance towards his daughter standing opposite, he turned resolutely and issued commands to the warriors on the right. "We depart now!" Briefly watching them leave, Baek Woojin then turned to his team. "It's time for us to go as well." "Yes." At Jegal Yeonji's signal, the warriors began moving towards Gonryun Mountain one by one. Before entering the dense forest path, Baek Woojin glanced at the sky. The sun was now half obscured by darkness. Author's Note I'm sorry for taking a break yesterday. A minor issue unexpectedly blew up, causing me a lot of stress and leaving me mentally exhausted. Writing is my job, and I know I shouldn't let my emotions get the best of me, but when problems arise, it becomes difficult to focus on anything else. Having rested yesterday, I plan to continue the serialization without taking a break tomorrow. I’ll be back with the next chapter. Thank you always for reading. Have a peaceful night. (_ _)