"Hmm. It seems your words are quite harsh."

"What?"

"I don't know what's so disagreeable when you haven't even contributed anything to someone else's choice. Are you perhaps sulking?"

At Cheonyeong's words, Yeo Chungbin's gaze turned fierce.

"Well, it's ridiculous to be polite when we're about to fight with swords against each other."

"…"

"By the way, you know that, right?"

"What is it?"

"The Black Heaven Gate has now crossed the border."

"The border?"

"I mean, you have invaded the territory of the Tang Family without reason. Without a declaration of war."

At those words, Yeo Chungbin let out a dry laugh.

"The land of the Tang Family? Ridiculous. Are you saying that the land you took with a cunning scheme is the Tang Family's?"

"A cunning scheme?"

"If that's not a cunning scheme, what is it? This place has been the land of the Black Heaven Gate for a long time."

"And before that?"

"What?"

"Whose land was it before it was the land of the Black Heaven Gate?"

"What's with that?"

"The past is not important. What's important is who has effective control now."

"…"

"If you go back now, I will consider it as if it never happened."

At the threat contained in the low voice, Yeo Chungbin's eyes narrowed.

"Go back?"

"That's right. I do not intend to accept surrender in today's fight. But if you go back now, I will not chase you."

"Haha, my. Look here. Lord Tang."

"…"

"It seems we looked quite ridiculous to you."

Yeo Chungbin said with a chilling gaze, glaring at Cheonyeong.

"I know that you have quite a high level of martial arts. I have also heard of Senior Gwi-su's fame for a long time. But, the Iron Blood Corps of the Black Heaven Gate has never once taken a step back."

"Never taken a step back. Does that mean you want to see it through to the end?"

"Of course."

"Alright. I have clearly warned you. I will consider your disregard as the will of the Golden Lion Sword and the Black Heaven Gate."

"…"

"Now, shall we ask for responsibility for invading someone else's land?"

Cheonyeong, who smiled smoothly, suddenly kicked the ground and rushed forward.

And with the sound of a horn that echoed as if it had been waiting, the warriors of the Tang Family all whipped their horses at once.

A distance of fifty paces.

There was enough time to respond.

"Iron Blood Corps, deploy a line formation and trap them!"

"Yes!"

With Yeo Chungbin's shout, the two hundred warriors instantly lined up and prepared to meet the Tang Family.

The distance was closing, and the moment the two forces would clash was not far.

And Cheonyeong, who had rushed forward first, spread his outer garment wide as if he had already anticipated their movements.

Hidden weapons densely stuck inside the clothes spread like wings.

The Tang Cheon Treasure Garment.

It was a new artifact that the Great Blacksmith Danya had made for Cheonyeong.

He had made the clothes with a cloth made of tough silk thread, and had added pockets inside where various weapons could be inserted.

An armor that maximized practicality for Cheonyeong, who used hidden weapons.

Hidden weapons were gripped in his widely spread hands.

The line formation deployed by the enemies.

They were trying to wrap the warriors of the Tang Family like a swaddling cloth.

But!

"I'll break your spirit first!"

Energy was put into the raised hidden weapons, and they were thrown vigorously along with Cheonyeong's hand.

Flying Strike, Fan Dance!

Paaak!

"Hidden weapons!"

Although the ten streaks of flashes that were quickly emitted were seen, the warriors of the Iron Blood Corps rushed forward as if they would strike them down.

Boom!

"…?!"

But they couldn't strike them down.

The flashes pierced not only the swords that were trying to strike down the hidden weapons, but also the bodies of the warriors who were trying to block them, creating fist-sized holes.

"Damn it! The power of the hidden weapons is strong! Dodge!"

As three or four warriors collapsed in an instant without even being able to scream, the warriors in the front line scattered their formation.

And at that sight, Cheonyeong grinned.

"A hole has been made in the line formation! One-Horned Demon Corps, break through at once with a wedge formation!"

At No Gwanyeong's shout, the battle line of the One-Horned Demon Corps, which had been running in a line, turned into a sharp spear, and they rushed quickly towards the hole that Cheonyeong had made.

"Damn it! Block them! We have to trap them!"

As the center was cut and the line formation was divided into two before it could form a circle and surround them, and the Tang Family's attack dug into the gap, Yeo Chungbin shouted urgently.

But.

The One-Horned Demon Corps, which was running on horseback, shot hidden weapons in all directions.

"Keok!"

"Keuak!"

The power of the hidden weapons was not strong.

But the number was the problem.

As all the members of the One-Horned Demon Corps, who were breaking through the hole in the line formation, threw hidden weapons to the left and right, the casualties of the Iron Blood Corps warriors who were approaching closely increased one after another.

"What are you doing! We have to trap them! Chase them and aim for the horses they are riding! Hurry!"

At Yeo Chungbin's shout, the warriors of the Iron Blood Corps changed their formation and tried to attack the horses.

But at that moment.

Puuuu!

As the horn blew, the One-Horned Demon Corps, which had broken through the Iron Blood Corps' formation, turned around the plain and began to flee.

"Those bastards! Chase them quickly! We must not lose them!"

Although he shouted like he was yelling, there was a gap in the warriors' lightness skills.

Except for a few, they could not catch up with the speed of the horses that were determined to flee.

Above all.

"Haaap!"

Kwaaaang!

Cheonyeong, who had blocked the chasing warriors, burst his internal energy at once, creating a shockwave and slowing down the pursuit.

Taking advantage of that, the One-Horned Demon Corps escaped the plain in an instant, and Cheonyeong disappeared leisurely into the thick dust that spread behind them.

"Th-these bastards…"

They had been toyed with.

Yeo Chungbin fiercely contorted his face, gripping his great sword tightly.

What on earth was this?

Running away in the middle of a fight?

When you met an enemy, wasn't it natural to fight until the opponent was completely destroyed… running away?

Grind.

Just as he was grinding his teeth.

"Corps Leader! The damage was not great. There are eight dead, and the number of injured is currently being assessed."

The squad leader of the Iron Blood Corps quickly reported.

"So?"

"Pardon?"

"So what! Is your job right now to assess the number of men who died after being hit by some hidden weapons!"

"N-no, sir."

"Chase them! Although they are on horseback, it's a mountain path after the plain. That many can't all escape on the path! Chase them quickly and annihilate them!"

"Yes!"

At Yeo Chungbin's roar, the squad leader answered hastily and gestured to the back.

The warriors of the Iron Blood Corps began to gallop along the direction the One-Horned Demon Corps had fled.

It was an untimely chase.

And Yeo Chungbin did not doubt that the Iron Blood Corps would annihilate them all.

* * *

"Lord! The enemy's damage is less than expected!"

"It's alright."

At No Gwanyeong's report, Cheonyeong grinned and said.

"On the mountain path, the horses can't reach their full speed. I will follow, slowing down the enemy's pursuit, so Elder, please do your best to have the One-Horned Demon Corps escape to the next plain quickly."

"But…"

"Don't worry. I know it's impossible for me alone. I do not intend to have a direct confrontation. Please keep in mind. That in this fight, fleeing is the most important thing. And you must save your stamina until the very end by using the horses."

"Keung, I understand. Please take care of yourself."

"Yes."

No Gwanyeong, who frowned and repeatedly urged Cheonyeong, whipped his horse.

The tactic that Cheonyeong had set up to fight the Iron Blood Corps, the Insect Shot Formation, was a cavalry tactic used in the military.

Throw hidden weapons at the enemy.

If the opponent chases, turn the horse and flee.

When the distance increases, attack again.

It was called the Insect Shot Formation because it was like a swarm of insects gathering and attacking the enemy.

It was a tactic superior to any other, as long as the hidden weapon technique that could hit the target from outside the range of the enemy's weapons and the mobility were equipped.

The advantage was clear.

The fact that a one-sided attack was possible.

Even with a small number, as long as they were not trapped in the enemy's encirclement, they could take the initiative against a large number.

And since it was basically a tactic where retreat was the key, the damage to their own side could be minimized.

But the disadvantage was also clear.

If they were trapped in the enemy's gap, there was no tactic more useless than that.

And for the offense and defense to be freely switched, a wide battlefield where the horses could run freely was needed.

And also to shoot hidden weapons…

It was Cheonyeong's role to eliminate such a disadvantage.

"Hoo."

Cheonyeong, looking coldly at the Iron Blood Corps that had already approached the entrance of the mountain foothills, caught his breath.

As his Samyang True Energy filled his whole body, Cheonyeong, who grinned, immediately threw his body towards the Iron Blood Corps.

"It's the lord of the Tang Family!"

The warriors who had discovered his approach stopped their chasing steps and prepared to fight back.

Cheonyeong, who had scattered hidden weapons, rushed at the warriors.

Paaak!

"Keuak!"

At the warrior's scream, all eyes were focused on Cheonyeong.

As the warriors were concentrated on Cheonyeong like iron filings drawn to a lodestone, Yeo Chungbin shouted irritably.

"You idiot-like bastards! What are you doing! I will take care of him! Only two squads to capture him will remain, and the rest will chase the enemy! Hurry!"

"Yes!"

The warriors split, and Yeo Chungbin, holding his great sword, jumped towards Cheonyeong, who was surrounded by the warriors.

At his approach, hidden weapons flew in.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

But the trees that formed a forest became an obstacle, and the power of the hidden weapons was reduced.

"You bastard! Didn't you know that even if you have an outstanding hidden weapon technique, it's useless in a place like this!"

The great sword of Yeo Chungbin, who had approached using the trees as a shield, drew a large trajectory.

Swish!

Even while cutting down the trees whole, the speed of the great sword did not decrease.

"Deploy the Eight-Wrap Formation and block his escape route!"

Sixteen warriors surrounded Cheonyeong.

Cheonyeong, whose sixteen directions were blocked at once, could not find an opening to escape, and his movements were slowed down by the continuous attacks that did not even give him a chance to throw hidden weapons.

If the Tang Cheon Treasure Garment that Danya had made had not blocked their swords, he would have already received countless wounds.

But just because he wasn't cut did not mean there was no impact.

The power contained in the swords was transmitted to his body as it was, leaving a shock.

"Damn it, as expected of a warrior unit personally created by Seoak."

"You bastard! It's the end!"

Cheonyeong's body, which was hit by the great sword of Yeo Chungbin, which was swung with a formidable momentum, slid back.

If it weren't for the tree that his back hit, he would have fallen to the ground.

"I had expectations because the Supreme Elder praised you so much, but seeing you in person, you're nothing special!"

Yeo Chungbin, who had hit his target, smiled triumphantly and swung his great sword.

No Gwanyeong was right.

His sword was as fierce and violent as an angry lion.

Above all, his strength was immense.

The power to cut down a large tree in one go.

Although it was true that the Tang Cheon Treasure Garment had a better defense than expected, it seemed dangerous to allow any more attacks.

"Tch!"

Cheonyeong, who had a hidden weapon in his hand at some point, threw it in all directions at once.

Mountain Burst, Empty Sky Roar!

At the hidden weapons flying in all directions, the warriors who had formed the Eight-Wrap Formation hastily hid behind trees and rocks, and Cheonyeong quickly escaped in that gap.

"Hahahat! He's running away with his tail between his legs! Chase him quickly! We'll capture him and destroy the Tang Family at once!"

"Yes!"

Yeo Chungbin, who had gained a lot of confidence, commanded the warriors and chased after Cheonyeong.

But on the lips of Cheonyeong, who was hastily fleeing, there was a sinister smile.

Damn bastard, what's so good about ganging up on one person?

But chase me.

Come and chase me, thinking you can kill me.

But you will soon find out.

The fact that you have already fallen deep into the swamp that I have created.

(End of Chapter)