Chapter 96
Except for the patriarchs of the Ten Clans of Zhejiang, nobody else knew about the Four Peerless Wanderers joining the Baek Sword Sect. They kept this information a secret from their allies to deceive the enemy, so not even the Baek Sword Corps knew about it. In the midst of it all, the Zhejiang Martial Alliance martial artists were greatly taken aback when they learned about the extent of Lulin’s forces, thinking the Zhejiang Martial Alliance’s power could never defeat their current opponents.
Hence, they wanted to give up their fight against Lulin and leave Hangzhou. Perhaps because their wishes worked, the patriarchs announced that they would no longer fight Lulin and would immediately return to their respective headquarters. The Baek Sword Sect, who took the lead in this fight as the Zhejiang Martial Alliance leader, also decided to retreat.
Only the Clear Sun Sect and the Byeok Sword Manor, which were geographically close to Mount Tianmu, insisted on fighting until the end. Ignoring their decision, the eight other clans left Hangzhou with their respective combat forces. The news swiftly reached the Fury Tiger Stronghold.
“We’ve received news that eight clans from the Zhejiang Martial Alliance have left Hangzhou.”
Jeon Ho-Ik immediately informed Lee Ja-Gyung as soon as he heard the news.
“Eight clans from the Zhejiang Martial Alliance have left Hangzhou?”
“That’s right. Everyone left except for the Clear Sun Sect and the Byeok Sword Manor, which are located close to Mount Tianmu.”
“Even the Baek Sword Sect left?”
“That's right.”
“That means the martial arts master we were worried about is not with them.”
“Exactly. That’s why they ran away with their tail between their legs. As I told you right from the very beginning, there’s nothing to worry about,” Kang Mu said with a triumphant look.
“It’s still too early to be relieved. The Zhejiang Martial Alliance could be playing tricks to lure us in,” Ho Cheol-San said, not wanting to make hasty judgments.
“Do you think it’s right for a great warrior of Lulin to be such a worrywart?”
“Hold your tongue. I’m not a worrywart. I’m just saying that we should be careful. We have a huge force here, and if something goes wrong with it, the entire Lulin could falter.” Cheol-San responded with displeasure.
“Chief Ho is right. It still won’t be too late to make a move after observing for another day or two,” Ja-Gyung said, favoring Cheol-San’s opinion.
Kang Mu was discontented deep down, but he did not show it.
They observed the movements of the clans that had left Hangzhou for two more days, prepared to make a move at any given moment. The eight clans of the Zhejiang Martial Alliance seemed really intent on returning to their respective headquarters, considering they were already three days away from Hangzhou. Even if they tried to go back to Hangzhou now, Lulin’s forces would get there much faster. The Byeok Sword Manor would already be destroyed before the eight clans could reach Hangzhou.
No longer in doubt, Lulin advanced to Hangzhou with all the forces they had gathered in the Fury Tiger Stronghold. Meanwhile, Mu-Gun and the Four Peerless Wanderers waited for them in Hangzhou with the Byeok Sword Manor. The Baek Sword Corps were also with them.
Their plan was simple. The Baek Sword Corps’ warriors switched places with the Byeok Sword Manor’s, disguising themselves as the other. The Byeok Sword Manor’s warriors then pretended to leave Hangzhou and return to Wenzhou. The Wind Saber Sect did the same with the Clear Sun Sect. They played this trick to leave behind the clan that possessed the strongest combat forces within the Zhejiang Martial Alliance, namely the Baek Sword Sect, Byeok Sword Manor, and Wind Saber Sect.
Meanwhile, they got a report about Lulin’s full force marching to Hangzhou. The martial artists of the three clans in the Byeok Sword Manor trembled with fear after hearing the news. However, when they learned that the Four Peerless Wanderers, who participated in the war against the Hell-Blood Demon Sect, were with them, and that this situation was deliberately created to lure in Lulin’s forces, they immediately regained their composure.
Lulin’s forces reached the West Lake as the Zhejiang Martial Alliance’s martial artists in the Byeok Sword Manor camped out in Mount Wu, located east of the West Lake. Lulin’s forces numbered around three hundred, while the Zhejiang Martial Alliance’s forces were around four hundred. In terms of numbers alone, the Zhejiang Martial Alliance was superior.
However, one Absolute Realm master could make up for that difference. Lulin’s forces, which camped west of the West Lake, were baffled when they saw the Byeok Sword Manor and the Clear Sun Sect, which camped opposite them, seemingly prepared to confront them.
“What on earth are they holding onto that’s giving them the determination to fight us?”
“My point exactly. I thought they would have already run away with their tails between their legs long ago.”
“Do they perhaps think that they have a chance of winning because of their numbers?”
“If so, then they’re really foolish.”
Although the four Commanders of Lulin were busy making fun of the Byeok Sword Manor and the Clear Sun Sect, Ma Yong-Seong did not react the same.
“Hmm, somehow, I find this suspicious.”
“What do you mean?” Ja-Gyung asked back.
“Unless they’re idiots, they wouldn’t come at us so recklessly. We have to be missing something.”
“I don’t think that’s necessarily the case. Even a rat, when cornered, will bite a cat. They probably came here thinking the situation has forced them to make their last stand.” Ja-Gyung counterargued.
“Do you really think they’re cornered? They had many chances to escape.”
“We all know those righteous sect bastards would much rather fight to the death than lose their home. What makes you think they wouldn’t act the same way? Either way, if we retreat now after coming so far, the world will mock Lulin,” Ja-Gyung refuted once more.
“I don’t know what you’re so worried about. The Baek Sword Sect has already left. To be frank, I don’t even understand why you’re so nervous about this just because of a master we’re not even sure exists. Even if they really had such a martial arts master with them, I doubt we’ll have a problem at all. The Battle King is with us, after all.” Kang Mu said. He was displeased with Yong-Seong, who kept trying to pour cold water on them.
Yong-Seong patiently stared at Kang Mu. As soon as Kang Mu met his gaze, Kang Mu felt his heart suddenly stop.
“Calm down. As Chief Kang said, you and I are here, Master Ma, so why should we be so afraid?” Ja-Gyung defended Kang Mu.
“Hmm, if the Battle King says so, I won’t stop you anymore.”
Yong-Seong stopped being stubborn, deciding to respect the Lulin Battle King’s decision.
“Thank you for your understanding. Anyway, we will attack in an hour, so get ready,” Ja-Gyung told the four Commanders of Lulin.
“Understood.” The four members of the Twelve Commanders of Lulin answered and went outside. They then ordered their subordinates to prepare for combat. Exactly one hour after, the three hundred battle-ready martial artists of Lulin surrounded the West Lake and advanced to Mount Wu, where the Zhejiang Martial Alliance’s warriors had set up camp.
The Zhejiang Martial Alliance, which had been keeping watch of Lulin’s movements, quickly learned that their opponents had begun their advance. Mu-Gun immediately ordered their warriors to prepare for battle, and with nervous expressions, they followed his instruction. Mu-Gun and the Four Peerless Wanderers also started to prepare.
“What do you plan to do?” Han Baek asked Mu-Gun.
“We will be in the vanguard,” Mu-Gun responded swiftly.
Even during the war against the Hell-Blood Demon Sect, Mu-Gun and the Four Peerless Wanderers always fought at the forefront. Martial arts masters normally didn’t fight as the vanguard. They more commonly held the fort from behind and would only come to the frontlines when the situation had turned for the worse.
However, Mu-Gun and the Four Peerless Wanderers were different. They always fought ahead of anyone and gave all their might from the beginning. With them at the forefront, the damage to their allies was greatly reduced. That was why many martial artists liked fighting alongside them.
Mu-Gun and the Four Peerless Wanderers stood at the head of the Zhejiang Martial Alliance’s forces and waited for Lulin’s martial artists to arrive. The Zhejiang Martial Alliance’s warriors felt reassured when Mu-Gun and the Four Peerless Wanderers stood in front of them.
“It’s been a while since I last fought. I’m excited,” Hwang Rei said, warming up his fists while watching the warriors of Lulin approach.
“Why don’t we make a bet today too?” Yang Cheol-Gon suggested while holding his saber over his shoulder.
The Four Peerless Wanderers always made a bet on who would take down the most enemies every time they fought.
“Let’s leave this guy out.” Han Baek pointed to Mu-Gun.
“Naturally. What should we bet on?” Hwang Rei asked.
“How about losers buy drinks at the West Lake House, the best brothel in Hangzhou?”
“Don’t you ever get tired of drinking?” Jin Yoo-Sung asked in amazement when Han Baek made an obvious suggestion.
“There’s nothing else to bet on anyway. We can’t bet money, and it’s not like we can bet on women at our age, can we?”
“What are you talking about? What’s wrong with looking for a woman’s comfort at our age? Are we no longer men now that we’re old?” Hwang Rei lashed out in a fit of rage.
“Ah right, I forgot about you. How about losers pay for alcohol and women at the West Lake House, then?”
“Great, then I’m in.”
When Han Baek included women along with alcohol in the bet, Hwang Rei immediately agreed.
“What about you two?”
“Do as you please.”
“Same for me.”
Yoo-Sung and Cheol-Gon also agreed.
“Everyone, get ready,” Mu-Gun told the Four Peerless Wanderers, as he observed Lulin’s forces, which were now only three hundred feet away.
The Four Peerless Wanderers quickly stopped their antics and got ready for combat.
“Here we go!”
Maintaining a battle formation, Mu-Gun charged toward the warriors of Lulin. The Four Peerless Wanderers fell behind, immediately charging forward as well upon realization.
“Everyone, attack!”
“Annihilate Lulin!”
Following in Mu-gun and the Four Peerless Wanderers’ footsteps, the Zhejiang Martial Alliance’s warriors also began to charge toward the warriors of Lulin.
“Kill them all!”
The warriors of Lulin did not back down. They rushed toward the Zhejiang Martial Alliance’s warriors, signaling the start of the Battle of West Lake, which would go down the records as the first battle between the Zhejiang Martial Alliance and the Seventy-Two Strongholds of Lulin.
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