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“How’s the situation?”

“It’s proceeding as planned. Soon, even their remaining energy will be entirely depleted.”

“Hmm.”

Black Dragon King snorted as if he were in a good mood.

‘Emperor Sword.’

Occasionally, the fierce voice of Namgung Hwang could be heard even here. Every time he heard that voice, Black Dragon King had no way to suppress the smile that blossomed on his face.

“You’re such a fool.”

How naive must one be to dare confront the water fortress on this water?

Once they entered the water, they ceased to be enemies of the water fortress. It was just prey that had to be cooked skillfully.

“Sir Black Dragon King. I think your enemies are sufficiently exhausted, whall we tighten the noose now…?”

“Stupid nonsense.”

Black Dragon King grandly waved off the suggestion.

“This is fishing.”

There was a sneer on his lips.

“When catching a big fish, one must not boast of strength. If you fight with force, there is a high chance that the fishing line will break and lose the hard-earned catch. What matters in fishing is not strength, but patience.”

Black Dragon King’s eyes glared gently at Plum Blossom Island. It was the eyes of a predator waiting for the right moment.

“We just need to be a little bit more patient. No matter how big the fish is, it will have no choice but to be dragged up on the ship after losing its strength.”

He pointed to Plum Blossom Island with his chin.

“Continue the attack! Just like loosening and tightening a fishing line, attack again when they start to relax.”

“Yes!”

“Heuheuheu.”

A triumphant aura flowed from the Black Dragon King’s eyes.

‘After all, they are just sheltered youngsters.’

He acknowledges Namgung Hwang’s ability. His martial prowess and innate ferocity were enough for even Black Dragon King to feel threatened.

But this is Kangho. It’s not a world where brute force alone determines the outcome.

Right now, the Namgung Family must be acutely feeling the plight of a fish caught on a hook.

‘The more they resist, the deeper the hook digs in, and the more their strength fades.’

The hook, that is the Yangtze River, is already stuck deep in the throat of the Namgung Family. There was no way they could remove it on their own.

Hunger, fatigue, fear, and feeble hope.

All of that would now be driving the Namgung Family into the depths of hell right now.

‘It’ll take two days at the longest.’

Dragging the matter out too long isn’t good either. There is a time for everything. According to Black Dragon King’s calculation, if they lose strength for the next two days, he can exterminate Namgung Family without any damage and without having to wait for reinforcement.

“Continue the attack!”

“Yes!”

Black Dragon King chuckled softly.

“Namgung Hwang…. I will personally sever your head.”

His burning eyes looked at Plum Blossom Island as if they were about to devour them.

Meanwhile, Namgung Hwang’s eyes were dark and sunken.

The heavy shadows under his weary eyes seemed to speak of the deep turmoil he was in.

“…..They have no intention of attacking.”

“Gaju-nim….”

Looking at the ships still surrounding the island, Namgung Hwang muttered. He could see it when he looked away. These are the members of the Namgung Family who collapsed from exhaustion.

“…….”

A sigh escaped Namgung Hwang’s mouth, who looked at them in silence for a long time.

The attack barely stopped.

But he knows. The reason they stopped attacking wasn’t due to a lack of strength. This is because we know that shaking things up through repeated attacks and pauses is much more effective than constantly attacking.

“Namgung Myung.”

“Yes…. Hyung-nim.”

Namgung Myung thought for a moment about calling him Gaju, but the word ‘Hyung-nim’ ended up coming out of his mouth. This is because he guessed that the person Namgung Hwang was looking for was not Azuren Sky Daeju, but his younger brother Namgung Myung.

“Was I wrong?”

Namgung Hwang said in a self-mocking voice.

“Dowi said that. That he must cut down the Black Dragon King while we still have strength left. Otherwise, we will eventually dry up and die.”

“Hyung-nim….”

“That’s exactly what’s happening.”

The swordsmen of Namgung Family looked too exhausted even to hold their swords. They were barely maintaining their dignity by not collapsing on the ground.

But how long would that last?

Everyone is already at the end of their rope. If Namgung Hwang himself was feeling dizzy from the relentless fatigue and attacks, how much worse must it be for them?

“Tell me, Namgung Myung.”

“…….”

“Was I wrong?”

“Hyu- Hyung-nim!”

Namgung Myung spoke in a desperate voice.

“That’s not true. Your decision was the best. No Gaju would risk its sect member’s life!”

“…….”

“It’s not over yet. Just a little longer… Just a little longer and reinforcement will surely arrive!”

“Reinforcement….”

Namgung Hwang let out a soft laugh.

“What if it doesn’t?”

“…….”

“What happens if that reinforcement doesn’t arrive in time?”

“Th- That’s…”

Namgung Myung could not bear to answer. Both he and Namgung Hwang knew the answer.

“Kekekek.”

Namgung Hwang’s shoulders shook.

“I can’t stand it. I can’t bear it…”

Eudeueduk.

He clenched his fist so hard that his knuckles protruded.

“What I really can’t stand is not death. It’s not even the perish of Namgung Family.”

“…….”

“Those guys, the guys who trusted only me for the past three years and endured that painful training… I can’t let them die as a swordsman, and make them die like they’re being hunted… I feel so bitter and guilty.”

Namgung Hwang’s voice trembled.

He couldn’t hold back his resentment and anger, and he couldn’t hold back the disgust he felt towards himself.

“Hyung-nim ….”

“Did I really make that choice for the future of our family?”

“…Yes?”

It was a voice toward Namgung Myung, but it wasn’t really a question meant for him. It was a question he was asking himself.

“Was I just afraid?”

Namgung Myung held his breath. His voice was so heavy that he couldn’t even think of consolation.

“Was I actually afraid to stake the fate of the family and their lives on my sword?”

Namgung Myung bit his lips instead.

He had never seen such a weak figure of Namgung Hwang. Despite the fact that there is not much age difference, Namgung Hwang has always been bigger than a great mountain to him.

But now, that Namgung Hwang is collapsing.

“Hyung-nim! You mustn’t do this. You are Gaju of Namgung Family! Everything in the world may waver, but you must not!”

“…Yes. Yes, that’s what being Gaju is.”

Namgung Hwang closed his eyes gently.

Gaju. The heaviness of that one word was now weighing him down endlessly.

“I’m….”

Namgung Hwang said with a hint of self-mockery.

“There have been countless times when I lamented being born in this peaceful era.”

“…….”

It was rather out of the blue, but Namgung Myung didn’t interrupt him. Right now, Namgung Hwang just needed someone to listen.

“In this peaceful era, there’s no opportunity for my sword to shine.”

Namgung Hwang’s gaze drifted to the distant sky.

“If I had been born a hundred years earlier, during those turbulent times… I was confident that I would be a savior of the world and raise a reputation that is incomparable to now. Cutting that Heavenly Demon with my own sword.”

“Hyung-nim….”

“But….”

Namgung Hwang burst into laughter.

“They’ve been fighting this kind of war for years…. Going through a hell that can’t be compared to this, seeing family and disciples vomiting blood and having their heads cut off, yet they kept fighting…”

“…….”

“How could it have been? How… How could their heart not be broken?”

There was no vigor in Namgung Hwang’s voice. It was the first time in his life that he felt so small.

“I can’t even muster the courage to cut off Black Dragon King’s head and save my family… Warring times? Heavenly Demon? Kekekekek.”

He scoffed and shook his head.

“I was just an ignorant puppy, not knowing my place. I was only one human being. Only….”

His clenched fist trembled violently as if it were going to explode.

“Hyung-nim….”

“I know.”

However, even before Namgung Myung offered any words of comfort, Namgung Hwang dismissed his own despair.

“I know this isn’t the time for such things.”

“…….”

“Azure Sky Daeju.”

“Yes, Gaju-nim!”

“The enemy will initiate a full-scale assault within days. They will try to drain all of our strength before finishing us off.”

“Yes.”

“Until then, somehow, let the disciples take turns resting.”

Namgung Hwang clenched his teeth.

“At least there shouldn’t be a situation where they die without even swinging their sword once.”

“I will follow your orders!”

Namgung Myung dashed toward the disciples. Namgung Hwang, who was staring at the scene, a deep sigh escaped his lips once again.

Thus, the assault continued unrelentingly.

Namgung Family, who lost their place to hide, changed their strategy and positioned themselves in a circle at the center of the island. Those on the outside protected those inside, taking turns to get even a moment’s rest.

In the midst of bombardment and relentless attacks by the enemy, a true rest was impossible. However, not having to wield their swords constantly allowed them to conserve some strength.

But that wasn’t a very good move.

As they gathered inward, they could objectively observe their surroundings, and they had no choice but to realize how desperate they were.

A faint hope.

The earnest yet boundless belief that someone would definitely come to save them was all that supported them.

But… one day goes by, two days go by, and the third day goes by.

Reinforcement has not arrived.

“…….”

Namgung Dowi opened his eyes with difficulty and looked at the setting sun.

Even the ordinarily comforting warmth of the sun felt unbearably suffocating.

‘…Has no one come?’

He turned his head instinctively and looked at the riverside, but he still couldn’t see anyone. He can’t help but resent the empty riverside so much.

“Cough.”

A dry cough came out involuntarily. Despite having drunk enough water, his entire body felt parched and withered.

‘Can we hold on longer?’

No, whether it’s possible isn’t the point. They must endure, no matter what.

Because others, enduring even greater hardships, are still holding on.

Namgung Dowi instinctively grabbed his sword and plunged it into the ground. And he barely managed to get his body up.

His eyes, burning with anger, locked onto the enemy ships surrounding Plum Blossom Island. Those ships surrounding Plum Blossom Island have never been so hateful…..

“……!”

At that time, Namgung Dowi’s eyes widened in shock.

“This….”

His mouth suddenly opened, and the corners of his eyes fluttered.

“Wa- Wake up. Get up!”

His voice came out strained as if wrung from within.

The ships that had been circling Plum Blossom Island, slowly draining the life out of the Namgung Family were now turning their bows towards the island at once!

Blood spurted from Namgung Dowi’s mouth, but he seemed not to notice, screaming as if possessed.

“Here they come! It’s an attack!”

It is an all-out offensive, that is, water fortress’ final attack to put an end to the Namgung Family’s life.

The last chapter of the long, hellish ordeal on the Yangtze River was unfolding.