Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 247

247. A Prepared Miracle

Fwee fwee fweek.

With a sound like air hissing from a punctured lung, an arrow whistled into the northern sky.

“They’re coming!”

As someone in the front row shouted, Dokgo-rang bellowed loudly.

“Spread the formation!”

“Open ranks! Spread the formation!”

“Open ranks!”

Voices echoed from everywhere, and the warriors in the front row quickly widened the gaps in their battle array.

The warriors, gathered in groups of three to five, raised their shields and lowered their bodies as planned, bracing for the arrow barrage.

Thanks to this warning, they were able to prepare before the arrows’ whistling sound became deafening.

Shweeek.

The sound created by the rain of arrows was eerie and menacing.

And soon, black arrows began to pour down with merciless intensity.

Thud!

‘Ugh.’

Jang Cheon-ho, who was holding his shield high, was surprised by the sheer force of the impact.

It was unlike any arrow strike he had ever experienced.

Soon, countless arrows slammed into the shields.

Thududududung.

Fabababak.

The arrows glanced off the shields and pierced into the ground to the left and right, kicking up dust and dirt.

Watching this, Jang Cheon-ho swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry.

‘If I had taken that directly…….’

The thought alone was terrifying, sending a shiver down his spine.

Thududududung, Fabababak.

Even at that moment, black arrows relentlessly pounded the shields and embedded themselves in the surrounding earth.

The sight of the arrows, with only their fletching [the feathered tail of an arrow] sticking out and trembling, was as savage as a nest of black vipers.

It was no wonder that he was reminded of the miserable appearance of the Black Moon Society survivor he had seen before, riddled with similar projectiles.

Thudoong.

The downpour of black arrows gradually subsided, the intensity waning.

Jang Cheon-ho cautiously raised his head, peering over the rim of his shield.

“Ooh!”

The shield formation was intact, holding strong.

The situation was similar for other shield formations as well, and it seemed that almost no one was seriously injured even after enduring the relentless rain of arrows.

“They’re coming again.”

At Dokgo-rang’s sharp voice, Jang Cheon-ho quickly lowered his body and shouted loudly.

“They’re coming again! Prepare!”

“Prepare!”

“Prepare!”

Shouts were heard from everywhere, a chorus of tense anticipation.

Jang Cheon-ho firmly gripped his shield, muscles straining, and maintained the formation.

Shweeek.

The eerie sound returned, a prelude to more destruction.

And then, the dull, heavy thuds.

Thud, Thutud, Thuthuthud.

The impact was just as threatening as before, a brutal test of their defenses.

But it was no longer as terrifying; a sense of grim determination had begun to settle in.

‘At this rate…….’

Jang Cheon-ho’s eyes gleamed with a spark of hope.

‘It’ll work!’

Thudududung.

The rain of black arrows was still pouring down, but the shield formation was holding firm, a testament to their preparation.

Occasionally, some arrows hit the shields directly, sending jolts through their arms, but most of the black arrows were futilely piercing into the ground, their deadly potential wasted.

‘If we had tried to block them individually…….’

What would have happened if they had tried to block this rain of arrows individually with their shields, as initially planned? The thought sent a chill down his spine.

The thought alone was terrifying, a vision of chaos and carnage.

Thudoong.

How many times had they endured the rain of arrows? It felt like an eternity.

The arrows that had been pouring down at regular intervals became sparse, the assault weakening.

When there was no sign of arrows flying for a while, Jang Cheon-ho looked towards Dokgo-rang, seeking guidance.

The shield formation formed by Dokgo-rang and thirty elites was positioned at the very front, bearing the brunt of the attack.

Swish.

Dokgo-rang, who was assessing the situation with a keen eye, signaled with his hand.

It meant that no more arrows were coming, at least for now.

Jang Cheon-ho cautiously raised his head, peering over his shield.

And he involuntarily exclaimed.

“Ooh.”

The surroundings were filled with arrows, a forest of dark shafts.

The terrible black arrows that had annihilated the Black Moon Society were stuck in the ground as densely as needles on a pincushion.

But almost no one was hurt, a testament to their disciplined formation.

“Oooooh!”

“Waaaaaah!”

Exclamations and cheers of joy flowed from everywhere, a release of pent-up tension and fear.

But Dokgo-rang’s voice cut through the jubilation, a reminder that the battle was far from over.

“Move the injured to the rear! Formations with insufficient personnel should merge with adjacent formations!”

Although the number was small, there were definitely casualties who had been hit by arrows, their injuries requiring immediate attention.

Several people moved the injured and reorganized the ranks, patching the holes in their lines.

“Don’t let your guard down! The next one is coming!”

At Dokgo-rang’s cold voice, Jang Cheon-ho swallowed hard, his elation quickly fading.

‘The next one!’

Jang Cheon-ho immediately turned his head to look at the Green Forest’s formation, searching for the next threat.

Dududududu.

As expected?

The Black Spear Cavalry, lined up like a black wall, was slowly but inexorably rushing towards them.

The relentless charge of the mighty warhorses and the sharp blades flashing between them promised a brutal collision.

That would soon come crashing down on them, threatening to shatter their lines.

“It’s the cavalry.”

At Dokgo-rang’s grim voice, Jang Cheon-ho gritted his teeth, steeling himself for the impact.

The Black Spear Cavalry, which had burned down the Gongsun Family’s main house and annihilated the Black Moon Society, was charging towards them, their reputation preceding them like a storm cloud.

***

Flutter.

Moon King lightly fanned himself with a peacock feather fan, a picture of detached amusement.

The displeasure that had filled his eyes until just now was gone, replaced by a calculating gaze as he looked at the Murim Alliance’s front line.

“Weren’t those in their front lines outsiders?”

“That is correct.”

His subordinate replied, his voice respectful.

“They are those mobilized by the Murim Alliance from martial arts academies near Hangzhou and vagrants.”

“Then, in essence, they should be a disorganized rabble?”

That’s how it should have been, according to all expectations.

But the result was very different, a surprising display of resilience.

Although their uniforms, weapons, and even shields were not uniform, the shield formation they created was orderly and effective, a bulwark against the storm of arrows.

Even in the pouring rain of arrows, the formation did not collapse, and there were no people in confusion or running away, a testament to their unexpected discipline.

The black arrows that had torn apart the Black Moon Society were futilely piercing into the ground, only stirring up dust, their power rendered useless.

“It seems that the one called the Invincible of Three Battles…….”

“The Azure Dragon Sword Master.”

Moon King’s eyes gleamed with renewed interest.

“He did something. Through that Dokgo-rang, who was said to be his sworn brother. Yes, that’s right.”

There was even a hint of joy in his voice, a perverse appreciation for a worthy opponent.

“So that’s why they cheered like that earlier. Indeed, indeed!”

Clack.

Moon King closed his fan, a decisive gesture.

His red lips were curved in a knowing smile.

“Withdraw the archers. We cannot waste arrows in vain.”

At Moon King’s command, the subordinate immediately raised a small flag on the flagpole, signaling the archers to cease their fire.

“Send out the Black Spear Cavalry. The shortbow units will exchange their equipment and prepare to charge.”

Several flags containing Moon King’s orders went up and down, relaying his instructions across the battlefield.

“Yes, Azure Dragon Sword Master. You may be the owner of the document [likely referring to a key document or strategy], but what can you do in just a few days? The trend of the world has already been decided, what can you do alone?”

Looking down at the battlefield, Moon King muttered to himself, a mixture of confidence and curiosity in his voice.

“Show me, Azure Dragon Sword Master. Show me what you can do.”

Rustle.

Moon King raised his peacock feather fan, a theatrical flourish.

Facing the Murim Alliance precisely, Moon King said as if whispering, his voice barely audible above the din of battle.

“Black Spear Cavalry, charge.”

Flutter.

With a small flag, the Black Spear Cavalry began to advance, their movement deliberate and menacing.

The cavalry, which had initially moved out slowly, soon formed a wedge formation and began to rush towards the Murim Alliance, their speed increasing with each stride.

Dududududu.

It was the Wedge Breakthrough Formation that had driven the Black Moon Society to annihilation, a symbol of overwhelming force.

Upon confirming that the Black Spear Cavalry was moving, the Murim Alliance’s front line moved quickly, responding to the imminent threat.

“Nets, forward.”

“Nets! Nets!”

Jang Cheon-ho loudly repeated Dokgo-rang’s words, amplifying the command.

Those who had nets wrapped around their shoulders immediately stepped forward in pairs, their faces grim.

Jang Cheon-ho stared at Dokgo-rang, seeking confirmation.

When Dokgo-rang nodded, Jang Cheon-ho shouted.

“Spread them!”

When they unwrapped the nets they had around their shoulders, wide nets appeared, revealing their purpose.

They were not very large, as they were what fishermen used to throw, but they were enough to cover the surroundings, creating a dangerous obstacle.

Each net had three or four large hooks attached to it, which were the result of the guest warriors’ work all night, a desperate attempt to even the odds.

“Throw!”

With Jang Cheon-ho’s voice, the two people held both ends of the net and threw it with all their might, putting their strength behind the effort.

Even if their martial arts were third-rate, they still had basic strength, honed by years of physical labor.

The hooks acted as weights, so the net flew quite far and fell to the ground, covering a significant area.

“Once more! Throw!”

The remaining nets flew through the air in the same way, creating a web of potential hazards.

“Fall back! Quickly!”

Jang Cheon-ho shouted, urging them to retreat to safety.

Those who threw the nets returned to their positions without delay, their movements swift and urgent.

Even in the meantime, the Black Spear Cavalry was rushing towards the front line without rest, so no one dared to dawdle, knowing that every second counted.

Dududududu.

The sound of horses’ hooves shook the ground, a thunderous roar that filled the air.

“Abandon the shields.”

“Abandon the shields! Abandon the shields!”

Jang Cheon-ho, loudly repeating Dokgo-rang’s command, threw down his shield, relinquishing his primary defense.

Whoosh, thud.

He didn’t throw it far, not wanting to create an obstacle for his comrades.

The shield flew a little and then fell in front of him, a symbol of their changing strategy.

Thud, thud.

The sound of shields being thrown could be heard from everywhere, a collective sacrifice for the greater good.

After all, arrows would no longer be flying, and the shields would only hinder their movement. There was also a risk that the Black Spear Cavalry might trip over them.

Of course, they could try to block the cavalry’s charge with shields, but it would be meaningless in the face of the impact of the cavalry rushing at full speed, a futile gesture.

It was not for nothing that the cavalry was the nightmare of the infantry, a force that could break through any line.

So, for the sake of future operations, they had to abandon their shields and make their bodies as light as possible, prioritizing agility over brute force.

“Slowly retreat backwards! Scatter!”

There was no one who did not hear Dokgo-rang’s voice, his command ringing clear and authoritative.

Because their lives depended on his command right now, their fate hanging in the balance.

“Scatter! Never clump together!”

“Spread out as much as possible!”

“Empty the center! Slowly!”

The sound of repeating Dokgo-rang’s command erupted from everywhere, a chorus of obedience and desperation.

Since they were gathered by the same sect, the command system was clear, ensuring swift and efficient communication.

The warriors in the front row slowly retreated backwards, keeping their distance from each other, creating gaps in their formation.

“Spears on standby. Never stand in front.”

“Spears on standby!”

Spears were easy to obtain, but they could not form a spear unit, lacking the necessary training and equipment.

They could not complete group combat training in just three days, and they did not have equipment such as heavy armor to act as a wall, a critical component of a spear formation.

The spears were for preparing for after they survived, a last-ditch effort to defend themselves if the cavalry broke through.

Dududududu.

In the meantime, the vanguard of the Black Spear Cavalry was already close at hand, their approach swift and terrifying.

“Prepare!”

Dokgo-rang shouted with internal energy, amplifying his voice to reach every warrior.

“Don’t take your eyes off them! The movement is at the last moment!”

There was no repetition in that voice, only a stark warning.

The warriors swallowed in tension and stared straight at the Black Spear Cavalry, their focus absolute.

At this moment, their lives depended on their eyes, their ability to react to the slightest movement.

In a situation where there were no spear units or heavy infantry, there was no way to withstand the cavalry’s charge head-on, a grim reality.

So Dokgo-rang came up with the most suitable response for the guest warriors, a strategy born of necessity.

No, perhaps it was the only way, given their limitations.

The response method that relied entirely on the senses of the warriors who had been training so far was to avoid it on their own, relying on their instincts and reflexes.

Dududududu.

Looking at the charging cavalry, Jang Cheon-ho swallowed hard, his throat constricted with fear.

He practiced tirelessly day and night for three days, pushing himself to the limit.

If he had trained like this normally, he would have become a supreme master of Sword Energy Emission by now, a testament to his dedication.

But would the results of that practice really work in a real battle? Could he translate his training into action under such intense pressure?

Even in a battlefield where lives were at stake? The question haunted him.

Thump thump thump thump.

The vibration of the cavalry began to be felt under his feet, a physical manifestation of the impending danger.

His legs trembled and it felt like all the strength was draining from his body, leaving him weak and vulnerable.

―No matter what happens, hold your position. If you can’t hold it, there is only death.

Dokgo-rang’s voice, which he had heard countless times during training, echoed in his ears, a constant reminder of the stakes.

It was easy to say, a simple command.

But who could hold their position in the face of such extreme fear? Who could stand firm when their instincts screamed at them to run?

Jang Cheon-ho could understand all too well why not everyone could become a supreme master, why so few could overcome their fear and achieve greatness.

Dudududududu.

It was at that very moment when Jang Cheon-ho’s resolve was about to crumble like sand in the face of fear, when he felt like he was about to break.

Kihhihihihing.

A miracle happened before his eyes, an unexpected turn of events.

The warhorse that was charging suddenly crashed into the ground, its momentum abruptly halted.

Thud. Kihihing, Peobeok.

The miracles happened one after another, a chain reaction of chaos and disruption.

The warhorses that were rushing in were collapsing here and there, their formations breaking apart.

No, it wasn’t a miracle, not exactly.

The horses’ feet were entangled in the nets spread on the ground, and the hooks attached to the nets were stuck in the ground, causing the warhorses to fall, a carefully planned trap sprung to life.

It was the natural result of the operation, a testament to their ingenuity and preparation.

Kihhihihing, Thud.

Kung, U-dangtang.

But to the warriors in the front row, that sight was truly a miracle, a moment of unexpected salvation.

The Black Spear Cavalry was rolling around here and there, and the black warriors riding the horses fell, their invincibility shattered.

The charge of the cavalry in formation is difficult to change direction, their momentum carrying them forward relentlessly.

The warhorses that followed had to jump or trample on their own to avoid collisions, a desperate attempt to avoid the carnage.

But that was not easy either, so the horses collided and crashed into each other, rolling on the ground, adding to the chaos and confusion.

Kihhihihing.

Even in the midst of that, all that could be heard was the warhorses’ cries, a symphony of pain and panic.

The warriors in black armor did not utter a single groan even while falling and rolling, their stoicism unwavering even in defeat.

But no one cared about that, their attention focused on the immediate threat.

Dududududu.

The cavalry’s charge cannot be stopped by some rolling around, their numbers too great to be completely thwarted by a few fallen comrades.

Although some of the Wedge Breakthrough Formation had collapsed, the Black Spear Cavalry charged into the Murim Alliance’s front line with a terrifying force, their momentum undeterred.