“Easy, guys.”
As the Golden Guard unleashed the Golden Iron Feather Blade, it burst through the monster’s insides, slicing the beast apart.
A monster of this level was no match for the Golden Guard. It was just a trivial obstacle, as common as dirt – a mere demon.
—Swoosh!
Having quickly dispatched the monster, Sang-yoon returned to his position. If he did this much, they would hold their ground. From what he observed, although the righteous martial artists here might be somewhat lacking in ability, they were quite capable.
“So it’s the Nightshade Gang. Just by the name, they sound like those shady types, yet they’re working harder than anyone else.”
Of course, what’s important right now is not that.
“The Four Fairies.”
Sang-yoon’s mission was to uncover the whereabouts of the Four Fairies and extract their intentions and purposes.
Why on earth were they inciting demons to attack? He had sent martial artists to scout, but hadn’t been able to catch a whiff of them.
Surely that wicked witch would have captured and dealt with the martial artists lurking nearby.
“Hmm.”
Currently, she wasn’t showing herself directly but was manipulating demons from the shadows. She was actively attacking the city, trying to bolster her demon army.
There must be some sinister motive behind it.
So, he had to hold out here and see if the Four Fairies would show up. If he could just find a trace of her, sacrificing one current life would still be worth it.
Sang-yoon had intentionally drawn the demons into the city, causing them to become entangled in the situation. If he played his cards right, they would be mere pawns in her greater scheme. If they were put in a position where they could lose everything, she would undoubtedly reveal herself.
Thus, for the time being, the Great Ming Imperial Army would remain stationary.
If the Four Fairies grew wary of the approaching troops, everything would be in vain. Sang-yoon had no intention of mobilizing fully until he achieved his objective.
—
“Can you believe this?”
Once the Golden Guard started to intervene, the monsters we had been desperately trying to kill were swiftly cut down.
Watching this unfold was simply absurd. Wow, they’re ridiculously strong. If they were this powerful, why didn’t they come help us sooner instead of acting all high and mighty from the back?
—Swoosh!
But upon closer look, the Golden Guard was thoroughly focused on just taking down the monsters.
Even someone of such caliber would find it impossible to fend off an entire army of demons alone. Sure, they could shine bright on their own, but soldiers organized in formation could do even better.
So they were only picking off the monsters to provide support?
“Our lord is supporting us! Keep your positions!”
One of the Golden Guard’s subordinates bellowed like a general.
“Heard that? Let’s hold on a bit longer! If we can take down the monsters, these demons aren’t much at all!”
“Augh!!!”
“Yes! Lord!”
Thanks to the Golden Guard taking out the monsters, we could breathe a little.
“Graaaah!”
The demons still wanted to leap over the shacks and walls, but those guys could just be stabbed with a spear. They couldn’t break through like the monsters could.
We continued to fight for days, waiting for reinforcements to arrive. Once the Ming army shows up, these demons won’t be anything to worry about.
Then one day.
“Whoa, they say reinforcements have arrived!”
Someone rushed in with the urgent news!
“Finally!”
“Ah, at last!”
“See? I knew they’d come!”
Serin and Hayoung cheered joyfully.
“Hey! Jaemi Son isn’t coming, right?”
“Come on… there’s a chance he might.”
Jaemi Son was definitely mumbling something about being a sacrifice, and look at this! We held out and finally got reinforcements. Now we just had to wait for the Ming army to wipe out the demons.
“Listen up! The Great Ming Imperial Army has finally arrived! How many reinforcements came?”
I immediately asked the messenger.
“Uh, well! It’s not Ming soldiers—they sent a troop made up of martial artists and vagabonds!”
“What did you say?”
“The Namgoong Clan, Mosan Sect, along with Shaolin and other righteous factions have gathered a force! They are currently entering through the North Gate!”
So right now, no soldiers but just martial artists have come?
“Heh… what did I say? They live around here, so they must have come to manage the chaos. But it seems the court had different plans.”
“Really?”
So, they really didn’t dispatch any troops? This band of martial artists was likely triggered by the commotion, ready to lend a hand?
Jaemi Son was still chuckling, but I couldn’t help but be surprised by his insight.
“Regardless of the situation, if reinforcements of that caliber are here, it could change the tides of battle. Geunhyeop.”
“Exactly! They combined forces from three sects! We can definitely win this!”
It was clear that with this level of strength, we could turn the tide and shift from a defensive to an offensive stance.
As I was hoping fervently, the reinforcements finally reached the front line.
“Fellow warriors! Do not worry! Our Shaolin Anti-Demon Monks have come to your rescue!”
The first thing that appeared was a bald man with a fragrant bun on his forehead. Dressed in orange robes, they weren’t what you’d expect from monks—each had the kind of grotesque muscle suggesting they only knew how to cause mayhem, wielding fearsome crescent moon blades.
“Miss! Are you here?”
Next came the battle team from the Namgoong Clan. They looked like high-level fighters. They charged over, looking for Serin.
“Master Wi! Are you here?”
And then the monks from the Mosan Sect arrived as well… Wait, isn’t there a huge difference in attire between Hayoung and these monks? Unlike the reckless and scantily clad Wi Hayoung, these monks wore neat uniforms.
“Whoa!!!”
“Reinforcements!”
“Shaolin monks!”
Anyway, seeing the reinforcements bolstered everyone’s morale on the defense line.
“Geunhyeop, those are the Golden Warriors from the Namgoong Clan. They’re a very strong battle unit.”
“Wow. They look just like a hundred-man squad of heroes. But it seems they’re looking for someone?”
“They would have come at the behest of the Clan Master. I’ll go greet them.”
“Sure. Hey, Hayoung, what about you?”
“Hmm, well… that person is my master. I know them a bit. I’ll go say hi.”
“Go on then.”
Those with connections greeted the reinforcements individually.
I could see other smaller sects had sent reinforcements as well. However, the majority belonged to the vagabonds. They had likely hired a large number to bolster their numbers.
In any case, given the wartime judgment, greetings were brief and ended quickly; then, those who seemed like leaders of the reinforcements approached the Golden Guard.
Moments later, an attack plan was established.
The reinforcements and part of the defending troops would penetrate the enemy’s weak points and gobble up a portion of the enemy forces. Our Na-chal gang’s top ace was included in this plan as well.
“Fellow warriors! It’s great to see you! I am Do-jin, a Shaolin Anti-Demon Monk! Our Shaolin will take the lead! Together, let’s send these pitiful demons back to where they belong!”
Do-jin radiated an aura of madness and overwhelming power.
This guy has way too much enthusiasm, doesn’t he? Wielding a crescent moon blade that could easily unleash a massacre, he shone with a crazed light, making me think that maybe the righteous factions weren’t quite normal either.
Well, the brief operation briefing finished, and the monks took the lead.
Me, Serin, and Hayoung followed the assault formation.
“Miss, allow us to escort you.”
“Yes, please guard the front.”
“Yes!”
They were very obedient.
“But hey, Serin. Don’t the Shaolin monks seem too strong? They exude this overwhelming presence. Besides, their enthusiasm seems off the charts.”
“Of course. If there are those who can kill demons and monsters best in the Central Plains, it’s those monks.”
Is that how it is?
“The Shaolin Anti-Demon Monks specialize in hunting demons. The crescent moon blade is specifically designed for making it easier to slay demons. Since they’re leading the charge, it should be easy to break through.”
“Really reliable!”
“Yes. I doubt we have much to worry about now… More importantly, Geunhyeop. There’s something more critical.”
“What is it?”
Serin’s face became serious.
“Once this situation is resolved, the reward distribution will begin. We must ensure that our Na-chal gang’s contributions are recognized.”
“Of course that’s the case.”
It absolutely must be.
“But that’s not all. These reinforcements are composed of well-known martial artists around here. We should take the chance to greet them and establish a connection. I’ll assist you with that.”
“Oh boy, are you really trying to introduce me again?”
“Yes. It’s a chance to make a name for ourselves in the righteous martial world. Hehe, this is when we need to make connections.”
Saying that, Serin tidied up my clothes.
Truly the queen of back-end support!
“Hehehe, I get it. I’ll do it. I may not be worthy, but people like this should definitely know me.”
“Exactly.”
“Then I’ll go inform the Mosan Sect as well.”
Hayoung said.
“About that master of yours?”
“She seemed eager to ask me various things. I might as well enlighten her this time.”
So, are we formalizing our connections in the martial world? That sounds great.
“Sounds wonderful. But before that, let’s finish this task first.”
“Yes.”
“Yup!”
Soon, the Shaolin Anti-Demon Monks erupted in cheers.
“Whoa!”
“Raaaah!”
“Amitabha!”
They swung their monstrous muscles and shouted “Amitabha,” mercilessly wielding their crescent moon blades. As a result, demons were cleaved apart. And not just one monk, but multiple, mowing down demons as if they were tossing them into a blender.
These Shaolin guys are crazy.
—Slash!
The Namgoong Clan’s battle unit also drew their swords and began to slay demons. Furthermore, the hired vagabonds charged as well, yelling furiously.
Though they didn’t move like soldiers, these capable fighters formed a solid formation, making it impossible for the demons to withstand the onslaught.
“We can’t just stand around! Everyone! Let’s show the might of our Na-chal gang!”
I too stomped my foot down.
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