Chapter 584

Chapter 584 – The Lazy Scared (4)

“Hmm.”

Baek Hoemyung watched the battlefield calmly.

Despite having tens of thousands of troops clashing right in front of him, not a hint of tension could be detected in his eyes.

“Is this the potential of the martial world?”

They had taken down the Zhejiang branch too easily.

Seeing how the Zhejiang branch collapsed more easily than expected, they had even doubted whether they had been too cautious. But observing their performance now confirmed that the potential of the martial world was not something to underestimate.

The Supreme Sovereign was the Supreme Sovereign.

But those who supported him were also undoubtedly strong.

‘The Shaolin Temple, the Wudang Sect, the Righteous Martial Alliance of the Namgung family…’

They were the central forces of the martial world.

The weight of the names “Shaolin” and “Wudang” was special. Although even they seemed insignificant before the Supreme Sovereign.

“They seem to be in a hurry.”

Just by looking at that formation, it was evident how determined the Righteous Martial Alliance was to attack Baekgeom Fortress. Of course, with the Demon Cult pressing from the other side, they had no choice but to give it their best shot.

They will want to resolve the matter of Baekgeom Fortress as soon as possible.

From the Supreme Sovereign’s perspective, if he could resolve everything through dialogue, that would be ideal, but that was not easy. After all, what war in the world could end with just words?

If it could be resolved with dialogue, the war would not even have started. War is something that is only undertaken with a willingness to accept losses.

That’s why they couldn’t ignore the worst-case scenario. Strategically, deploying all available forces here was the right decision. Even Baek Hoemyung would have done the same.

But there was the problem.

“They are too complacent.”

Baek Hoemyung shook his head.

“Shall we begin?”

He made a hand gesture.

“Prepare yourselves.”

“Understood!”

Sensing the movement around him, Baek Hoemyung watched the battlefield with cold eyes.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk.”

His eyes captured the confrontation between Empty Sword and the Supreme Sovereign. Empty Sword was blocking the Supreme Sovereign, buying time for the army to reorganize.

But that was all.

‘It’s useless.’

Empty Sword was strong.

Even in all of Baekgeom Fortress, few could match him. It’s not that Baekgeom Fortress was weak, but that Empty Sword was exceptional. Objectively, someone of his level would have nothing to envy from the so-called “Sword Saints” or “Sword Sage” of the martial world.

This was not his assessment, but that of his uncle, master of the Celestial Flowing Sword. Therefore, it had to be accurate.

Even so, the balance of the battle he saw was tilting overwhelmingly.

“He’s a monster.”

He realized once again how strong that white-haired old man was. Every time those arms and legs, thick as logs, moved, they unleashed a breathtaking energy.

“If this were a duel, you would have won, Supreme Sovereign.”

But this was not a duel, but a battlefield.

“Well, it’s time. It’s time to pay for your crimes, Righteous Martial Alliance.”

Baek Hoemyung smiled maliciously.

BOOM!

Staggering back.

“Ughhhh!”

Empty Sword’s face contorted.

The hand holding the sword trembled violently.

‘How is it possible?’

He had only blocked one blow with his sword. Something that could happen in any battle. But the consequences of that common act were anything but common.

It was as if someone had struck his sword with a hammer. His guard was already broken, and red blood was gushing out.

A simple exchange.

That was enough to show a clear superiority.

‘Stay calm.’

He knew he was at a disadvantage in terms of internal energy. It was well known that the Supreme Sovereign’s internal energy was unmatched in the world.

It was impossible to win by facing him directly. If a martial arts master and a swordsman faced each other head-on, the result was obvious. That’s why he shouldn’t face him directly.

Dodge attacks, deflect those he couldn’t avoid, and look for openings. That was the way of a swordsman.

But…

CRACK!

Empty Sword’s arm broke.

His arm twisted in an unnatural direction. Empty Sword, looking at it in disbelief as he trembled, turned his head.

Another blow.

The attack came.

The range of the attack was too wide to jump and dodge. How far should he flee to escape that tidal wave-like force?

“H-how?”

How could he be so strong?

In the past, during the war, the Supreme Sovereign was also stronger than him. But the gap was not insurmountable. After twenty years of relentless training, he thought he would have caught up with him. What was this difference then?

They were different dimensions.

Seeing it from afar was one thing. Experiencing it up close was another. The Supreme Sovereign in front of him was completely different from before.

Look at him.

Advancing.

It was as if all the space, from the sky to the earth, was covered by the energy emanating from the Supreme Sovereign. A gigantic tidal wave descended from the sky. How could a human face that?

‘Does he mean he wasn’t even using his full power before?’

That force that swept away the warriors was not his full power. The Supreme Sovereign’s true power went beyond that. Faced with the overwhelming approaching force, all Empty Sword could do was sink into despair.

“Why…?”

The energy swept through his body.

Forgetting even to reinforce his body with internal energy, Empty Sword shouted:

“WHYYYYEEEEEEEE?!”

KABOOM!

A deafening explosion.

As if a volcano had erupted, the battlefield convulsed with a colossal roar. The earth rose into the sky, and the sky seemed to collapse. The world groaned before that titanic force.

Even those who were fighting for their lives withdrew their swords and stepped back. If they were swept away by that enormous force, there would be no guarantee of survival.

When the dust that rose to the sky began to dissipate, two figures became visible.

The Supreme Sovereign remained standing, looking at the sky serenely.

He was like a giant tree with roots deeply rooted in the earth. Everyone who saw him had the same thought:

A giant.

A giant of his era.

The figure of the giant who had sustained the martial world moved the hearts of those who contemplated him.

And in front of him…

Empty Sword’s state was heartbreaking.

His limbs were grotesquely twisted, and his entire body was soaked in blood.

It was obvious that he would not survive.

“Why…?”

A distorted sound escaped from Empty Sword’s lips. The blood that gushed out made it difficult to understand his words, but his expression said it all.

“Why to this extent…?”

The Supreme Sovereign looked at him indifferently.

“Are you surprised?”

“…”

“You shouldn’t be. It’s natural.”

Confusion was reflected in Empty Sword’s eyes.

Natural? How could it be natural?

“What we carry is different. If only training were enough to become strong, if simple effort were enough, who wouldn’t be powerful? In the past, you hid your strength. Isn’t that so?”

Empty Sword’s lips trembled.

Blood gushed between his closed lips.

“That was your mistake. While you were hiding and conserving your strength on the battlefield, others fought squeezing out every last drop of energy. They overcame countless life-or-death situations. Do you think you could become as strong as them? That’s arrogance.”

“…”

“The Infinity Sword is great. I can see it in yourself. You are strong because you mastered it. Without it, you wouldn’t have gotten where you are. But in the end, everything has a limit. Before you die, understand this well: those who don’t give their all, never overcome their limits.”

Empty Sword’s body slumped forward.

It was not known whether he had understood the Supreme Sovereign’s words. The dead do not speak.

A cold wind blew.

‘How ephemeral…’

The Supreme Sovereign turned his head slowly. It was time to…

“Those who don’t give their all cannot overcome their limits. What wise words.”

A clear voice.

The Supreme Sovereign’s eyes turned towards the source of the voice.

Baek Hoemyung.

Not far away, Baek Hoemyung was standing.

“That sounds like you’re saying that Baekgeom Fortress, which has been conserving its forces, has limits. Is that correct?”

“The interpretation is yours.”

The Supreme Sovereign was slightly surprised.

At that moment, he had advanced towards the center to capture Baek Hoemyung. This was a key piece. Although there were other leaders, Baek Hoemyung was the one leading there. If he fell, the battle would end.

‘He’s not a fool.’

Why would someone who knew that reduce the distance and approach?

Did he believe that he would still be as benevolent as before?

“You are bold.”

“I am a cautious person.”

“And yet you approach? I am more fearsome than you think.”

“I know it well. I wouldn’t underestimate someone who took down Empty Sword with one blow.”

Baek Hoemyung shook his head and added:

“I also saw that you can be brutal when necessary. It was to be expected. Someone who fought so much against the Demon Cult would have no mercy.”

“Then?”

It was a question: why are you approaching knowing that? As he spoke, the Supreme Sovereign’s body leaned slowly towards Baek Hoemyung. If he tried to flee, he would behead him in an instant.

“But the end should be with you, right?”

“The end?”

“Yes.”

Baek Hoemyung smiled radiantly.

“The end of the giant of the era, of the Supreme Sovereign. The end of the Righteous Martial Alliance that led this era.”

Chills.

Upon hearing those words, a chill ran down the Supreme Sovereign’s spine.

It couldn’t be just bluster. His instincts screamed in warning.

Something was happening here! Danger!

“What have you done?”

“Nothing. At least not here.”

“What?”

“I said I haven’t done anything here. What I planned was long ago. I’ve only been waiting. Until the moment was perfect, until no one could escape. I tried to lure you in, but I never thought you would enter on your own.”

The Supreme Sovereign’s gaze scanned the surroundings.

They were surrounded.

Thanks to the intensity of their advance, they had penetrated deeply. But now they were flanked by the forces of Baekgeom Fortress.

If the Supreme Sovereign continued to advance, there would be no problem, but…

“I understand what you’re saying. But now that we’re so close, isn’t it useless?”

“It doesn’t have to do with me.”

“…”

Baek Hoemyung’s face transformed strangely.

“It’s already in motion. Not even I can stop it. I came here to offer you a dignified death, at least.”

“What are you talking about…?”

At that moment…

BUM!

His heart beat violently. The hairs on his skin stood on end.

‘What?’

The atmosphere changed drastically.

Enemies?

No! They weren’t!

Realizing that the change was coming from behind, the Supreme Sovereign turned his head.

And then, his eyes widened in disbelief.