A Glimpse of the Full Moon
"How should we break this situation to spread the word? Should we attack? Or should we defend here? Feel free to share your thoughts."
In response to my question, Cha Seong-tae, who had arrived last and was slow to grasp the situation, replied, "Who are we fighting against?"
"Against the Iryong Army and also against the remnants of the Black Path, including Master Su who has joined them."
Cha Seong-tae answered nonchalantly, "That sounds like there are at least five hundred troops involved."
The eyes of everyone in the room turned to Cha Seong-tae, all of them questioning how he knew that.
I too was puzzled and gave him the floor to speak first.
"Go ahead and speak."
"I think defending would be interesting."
"Why is that?"
"Because our side is at a disadvantage."
"Is that all?"
"The one who attacks first is usually the bad guy. We didn't attack the Iryong Army first, did we?"
I nodded and then made a decision regarding the overall strategy.
"Then we will engage in a defensive battle."
This time, all eyes in the room were fixed on me.
Their expressions seemed to question how I could make such a decision so easily, but I was a man who needed no excuses.
"I find defending interesting this time as well. If anyone has a more interesting idea, feel free to share."
Hong Shin raised his hand.
"Big Brother?"
"Speak."
"If we are going to defend, it would be wise to evacuate those inside who are not skilled in martial arts or are injured. They could get caught up in the fight and die."
I nodded and then raised my voice.
"Lady Son!"
Lady Son rushed in from inside.
"Yes, Lord."
"Gather all the non-combatants, the injured, and those who haven't learned martial arts, and prepare to leave for Il Yang Hyun. I will arrange for their protection. Make sure to gather everyone carefully."
Lady Son immediately replied, "Understood. I will prepare right away."
I looked around at my subordinates.
"Who will take charge of the protection? Just so you know, they could arrive tonight, so we need to leave immediately. There’s no need to feel sorry for this; it’s just as important as fighting here."
Hong Shin spoke as if he didn't want to take on the protection duty.
"I want to fight today."
Baek Yu, Baek In, and Cheong Jin, who harbored ill feelings toward Master Su, remained silent.
Reluctantly, I asked Cha Seong-tae for his opinion.
"Do you want to go, Seong-tae? You wouldn't be much help just staying here anyway."
As soon as I thought my words might have been too blunt, I noticed Cha Seong-tae's face turning bright red.
Cha Seong-tae, glaring at me, replied, "Lord Mun, I am Cha Seong-tae from Il Yang Hyun. I will be here representing Il Yang Hyun. You decide, excluding me."
I nodded.
"Everyone seems to want to stay, so I will make the decision. I will call out the protection list. Captain Byeok."
"Yes."
"You will take the lead and be in charge, while the rear will be handled by Samabi and his group. Samabi, send out the swift ones ahead to secure the safety of the path."
Both Samabi and Captain Byeok replied simultaneously, "Yes."
Samabi stood up with a disappointed expression.
However, I judged that Samabi was intelligent and had experience going back and forth to Il Yang Hyun, making him the right person for the job.
As those leaving hurriedly prepared, the main hall became busy.
I watched and, when the evacuation procession was about to start, spoke to Geum Hae.
"Geum Hae."
"Yes, Big Brother."
"You will follow from the rear. If anything happens, make your own judgment and report back."
Geum Hae stood up and replied, "Understood."
Geum Hae was recovering his internal energy, so he must have been concerned about his condition.
I spoke to one of the subordinates from the Black Cat Gang.
"We're bored, so let’s just drink."
"Yes, Lord."
As my subordinates went to fetch the drinks, the sky grew darker.
After a while, when about three cups of alcohol had been passed around, the main hall doors swung open, and a figure dressed in dark clothing appeared.
He wore two black swords at his waist.
Due to his attire, weapons, and expression, he looked like a man shrouded in darkness.
Duk Go Saeng glared at me from the seat of honor and said, "Jaha, I’ve come."
His absurd greeting left me momentarily speechless.
"That crazy bastard…"
Duk Go Saeng turned to the officers he had brought with him and said, "Greet the leader."
The remnants then leaned forward and offered a chaotic jumble of greetings.
"Hello, Leader."
"Hello. It’s been a while."
"We’ve arrived. Looks like you were drinking."
Duk Go Saeng waved his hand at the officers.
"Wait outside."
Duk Go Saeng closed the main hall door and approached, scanning the seated guests.
"How are you all? Quite a few skilled fighters have gathered."
Duk Go Saeng naturally took a seat where Geum Hae had been sitting, which happened to be next to Cha Seong-tae.
When Duk Go Saeng offered an empty cup to Cha Seong-tae, who had been sulking until now, he immediately spat out a string of curses.
"What the hell is this? You drink it."
Without reacting much, Duk Go Saeng poured the drink, and Cha Seong-tae, having already downed three cups, began to berate him.
"What kind of idiot are you to say 'big brother' to Lord Mun? You must be out of your mind."
Ignoring Cha Seong-tae, Duk Go Saeng pulled out a pipe.
I asked him, "Have you decided on a name?"
Duk Go Saeng fiddled with the pipe and replied, "We used to be the Black Line Sect, and now we are the Hao Sect. Everyone is so foolish that they couldn’t decide on a name. Anyone expecting naming skills from us is a fool. We’ll just go with Hao Sect. And we already have ten laws established. Being the leader is a headache."
It was a brief report, but it was straightforward with nothing to add or remove.
Upon hearing that they came from the Black Line Sect, Cha Seong-tae's eyes widened.
"……."
Cha Seong-tae quickly turned his gaze away and quietly took a drink.
Duk Go Saeng took a deep drag from the pipe and then blew the smoke toward Cha Seong-tae's face.
Cha Seong-tae waved his hand in annoyance.
Duk Go Saeng looked around at the gathered people and fixed his gaze on one man.
"Who are you?"
Baek In replied calmly, "I am Baek In of the Twelve Divine Generals."
Duk Go Saeng made an exaggerated expression.
"Oh. The great disciple of the Great Daena Chal. You’ve managed to stay alive, huh?"
Instead of Baek In, Cheong Jin replied, "You should wash up before coming here."
I tapped the table a few times.
"Enough. I didn’t call you all here to fight. Duk Go Saeng, how many did you bring?"
Duk Go Saeng looked at me.
"You said to bring a hundred, right? So I brought thirty of the elite. Don’t worry, they’re like a hundred."
"Good job, you bastard."
Duk Go Saeng didn’t ask who we were fighting against.
He simply lit the pipe and drank.
"This drink is like water. Do you guys get drunk on this? You’re a funny bunch."
At that moment, the Twelve Divine Generals and even the Black Cat Gang's officers seemed to have adapted to Duk Go Saeng's personality and speech.
They all decided to ignore him.
As no one responded to him, Duk Go Saeng turned to me and asked, "What’s the plan?"
"There isn’t one."
"Are we just going to kill them all?"
I nodded.
"Kill them all."
Duk Go Saeng nodded and then stood up, saying, "Alright. Wake me if the enemy comes. I’ll be sleeping."
Duk Go Saeng went to a corner of the main hall, lay down in a proper position, and closed his eyes.
A tense silence settled in, and I turned to So Gun-pyeong.
"Is the moon bright tonight?"
So Gun-pyeong nodded.
"Yes, it’s bright. It’s a perfect day for a fight."
"Does the Iryong Army have any skilled fighters?"
"Not that we know of."
This time, I asked Baek In, "Are the Iryong Army and Master Su the strongest?"
Baek In replied, "That would be the case."
"How do they compare to the Great Daena Chal?"
"Each has their strengths, but they are not weaker than the skilled fighters under the Great Daena Chal."
"Then leave those two to me. I will handle them. You all fight according to your abilities. It will turn into a chaotic battle, so if you encounter an opponent too strong for you, retreat."
After taking a drink, I suddenly focused on the front.
"Open the door."
As everyone's gaze turned forward, So Gun-pyeong commanded in a voice infused with internal energy, "Open the door."
The main hall, inner courtyard, outer courtyard, and front gate opened wide in succession.
I pointed to the display case and said to my subordinate, "Bring me a mask."
Baek In, Cheong Jin, Baek Yu, and I donned the masks of the Twelve Divine Generals.
It was better to wear a mask when doing bad deeds.
Plus, since I had killed the vice leader with my real face, there were bound to be people who recognized me.
I stood up and said, "Let’s go."
Duk Go Saeng, who had been lying down, sat up straight.
As we stepped outside, most of Duk Go Saeng's subordinates were sprawled out on the walls.
I walked a few steps into the inner courtyard, leaped into the air, and landed on top of the inner courtyard door.
As So Gun-pyeong had said, the moonlight was bright.
The eyes of the people outside the Black Cat Gang reflected the moonlight, and weapons were steadily increasing.
On the left, the Twelve Divine Generals stood ready, and on the right, So Gun-pyeong jumped up to take his position.
Something cut through the darkness and flew straight toward me.
At the same time, Baek Yu swung a steel wire, causing the flying shadow to be deflected by the gust of wind.
A voice from the darkness spoke, "Where is the one who killed the vice leader?"
"I don’t see him yet."
A voice presumed to be Master Su continued, "Hey, junior disciples of the Death God. If you handle the one who killed the vice leader, I will generously spare you. Even when the Great Daena Chal was here, you couldn’t do anything to me. I don’t understand what you’re thinking by opposing me. The Iryong Army has no ill feelings toward you. You better make the right choice."
I muttered quietly, "What a splendid instigation."
Baek In, standing next to me, replied on behalf of the group, "Master Su, it’s been a while."
"Yes. It’s Baek In."
Baek In spoke in a polite tone.
"How did you come to bow your head to the Iryong Army? If the master finds out in the afterlife, he will be ashamed. But still, you were a worthy opponent recognized by the master."
Master Su scoffed and then looked around for someone.
"Where is our darling Hong Shin? Did he die, perhaps?"
Hong Shin spat from atop the wall.
"Kaaak... Ptoo!"
Master Su chuckled lowly and said to Hong Shin, "I will spare you this time."
At that moment, Duk Go Saeng, who had climbed up the wall late, drew two black swords and said, "Hey, idiots. I killed the vice leader."
Duk Go Saeng's words were consistently ignored by both allies and enemies.
There are always those who reveal themselves to be crazy too quickly, and Duk Go Saeng was one of them.
In the meantime, more troops were gathering.
Master Su, excited, rushed forward first, with other troops joining in later.
At that moment, the crowd parted, revealing an old man in a gray robe with long white hair.
It was clear to anyone that he was from the Iryong Army.
The pale face of the old man reflected the moonlight.
Then, an unpleasant voice that grated on the nerves emerged.
"Don’t just stand awkwardly on the wall. Those who don’t want to die, come over here. After all, the Black Path has no true foundation, mixing here and there. Surviving is the only virtue, isn’t it? Only the one who killed my old friend will have to bear my wrath, so young ones should refrain from unnecessary actions. If you think about why the Great Daena Chal regularly offered me tributes, it won’t be hard to decide."
As I listened to the speech, I rubbed my hands together and muttered, "Wow, a lot of people to kill today."
I whispered to the priests beside me, "Hey, priests."
"Yes."
"Don’t betray me today. I’m not in good shape. Fighting on a beautifully lit night can deepen my madness. I might lose my reason, so don’t be swayed by that old man’s words. I can’t spare anyone today."
"Understood."
I turned my back to the enemies and spoke to Baek In.
"Tiger Priest, let’s link hands."
Baek In, bewildered, intertwined his hands.
I placed my right foot on top of Baek In's hands and said, "Throw me with all your might. I want to see the full moon."
Baek In, flustered, replied formally, "What?"
"Infuse your internal energy and throw me quickly. I’ll see you later."
I locked eyes with Baek In, who finally steeled himself and said, "Big Brother, see you later."
I smiled behind the mask.
"Alright. Let’s do that."
Then, Baek In gathered all his strength and threw me into the air with both hands.
I too pushed off with all my strength from Baek In's hands and shot up into the sky.
How high did I soar? I felt a refreshing sensation in my chest.
"Hahahahaha…"
Laughter erupted from me.
As I arched upward and reached the peak, I took a moment to admire the beautifully shining full moon before plummeting down toward the ground where the Black Path awaited.
Anticipating various shadows, wind blades, and sword energies coming at me, I wrapped my right hand around the incense and unleashed the Flame Chicken Great Hand Seal.
Both allies and enemies, as well as the full moon shining down, opened their eyes wide in surprise.
In the air, a large hand glowing red rushed down to stamp the Iryong Army's troops.