Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 248

248. The Final Ordeal

Clang.

The first cavalryman to reach the front lines froze the warrior solid before simply trampling over him.

Then, the black-clad warrior’s spear pierced the head of another warrior beside him, killing him before he could even scream.

Thud.

“Kuaak!”

“Uwaaagh!”

Screams erupted from everywhere.

Soon, a warhorse charged toward Jang Cheon-ho as well.

‘Not yet!’

Jang Cheon-ho kept his eyes fixed on the warhorse rushing toward him.

‘Not yet, not yet….’

Jang Cheon-ho waited until the sturdy warhorse’s black hooves were right in front of his face.

It was different from before when he had been frozen in fear.

The miraculous sight of the warhorse tumbling had rekindled his fading courage.

Dudududu.

‘Now!’

The moment he was certain the horse couldn’t change its course, Jang Cheon-ho leaped to the side.

“Haa!”

Swish.

A chilling sound passed by his ear, but he didn’t care.

He didn’t have the luxury to think about how the spear that missed him would find a new victim.

Thud.

‘Tch.’

The moment he landed, Jang Cheon-ho saw another warhorse charging at him.

Jang Cheon-ho immediately threw himself forward.

But this time, it was too fast.

The horse couldn’t change direction, but the warrior in black armor didn’t miss Jang Cheon-ho.

Swish.

The sharp spear flew toward Jang Cheon-ho.

Facing the spear flying toward him, Jang Cheon-ho, who hadn’t even regained his stance, couldn’t do anything.

It was then.

Whoosh.

Swish.

A blue light flashed across his eyes.

The light sliced through the sharp spear, the warrior in black armor wielding the spear, and even the warhorse and its armor.

Thud.

There wasn’t even a scream.

The warhorse and its master died instantly, and Jang Cheon-ho was covered in hot blood.

“Great Hero Dokgo!”

Jang Cheon-ho shouted in a voice filled with emotion.

It was none other than Unrivaled Dokgo-rang of the Three Battles [a title signifying his unmatched skill in three specific combat styles or engagements].

Standing in front of Jang Cheon-ho, he said quietly,

“It will be over soon.”

Whooong.

Dokgo-rang’s clothes were completely soaked in blood.

However, the blue energy emanating from his sword remained as strong as ever.

He had stopped the Black Spear Cavalry’s wedge formation at the very front.

“Reorganize the formation! Quickly!”

“Yes! Great Hero!”

Jang Cheon-ho jumped up.

The terrifying aspect of the cavalry was their insane destructive power.

However, they couldn’t change direction easily.

This meant that once the cavalry’s charge passed, it couldn’t be immediately reversed.

He had to use this opportunity to reorganize the formation and help the survivors.

“Ugh, ugh.”

Jang Cheon-ho frowned at the groaning.

The surroundings were truly horrific.

Filled with blood and groans, there were countless people collapsed everywhere.

However, surprisingly, many were still standing.

At a glance, the number was more than half.

Considering the destructive power of the Black Spear Cavalry, it was nothing short of a miracle.

“Raise your shields!”

Jang Cheon-ho shouted at the top of his lungs.

“Grip your spears and form the line! This is the end!”

He desperately encouraged the warriors.

The Black Spear Cavalry, having pierced through the front lines, would surely return.

Having already lost considerable speed from the first collision, going straight ahead would mean delivering themselves directly into the left, right, and center formations of the Murim Alliance [a coalition of martial arts sects].

So they would definitely return.

With enough destructive power to trample the surviving warriors of the front lines.

“Everyone, raise your shields and spears! Keep your distance from each other!”

They still couldn’t form a shield wall.

But if their speed had noticeably decreased, and with the addition of spears, they had a chance.

Or rather, that was all they had.

“Block them with the determination to die! Block them no matter what! This is the end!”

In a place filled with blood and groans, Jang Cheon-ho shouted like a madman.

The final ordeal was about to strike.

***

“Amazing.”

King Moon said, marveling at the result before him.

“The Black Spear Cavalry charged, and yet there’s no result.”

In fact, there was a result.

One-third of the Murim Alliance’s front lines had collapsed, and there were numerous casualties.

The Black Spear Cavalry had also suffered damage, though not significant.

However, the most important thing was that the Black Spear Cavalry’s destructive power was almost gone.

The charge had failed.

A subordinate standing beside him said cautiously.

“It seems there are those among them who have experience in military operations.”

The subordinate’s observation was correct.

Defending against the arrow attacks using shield formations, using hooked nets to block mobility, and the bold act of abandoning shields to evade.

These were not ideas that a mere martial artist could come up with.

Grit.

“…Sword Master Chang Ryong.”

King Moon gritted his teeth.

On the battlefield, the Black Spear Cavalry was attempting a second attack, but King Moon couldn’t hide his displeasure.

The Murim Alliance’s front lines were thoroughly maintaining a small number of shield formations while holding spears for defense.

The Black Spear Cavalry, having already lost speed, only had the advantage of long spears and high positions.

Of course, the martial prowess of the warriors in black armor was also considerable, so if things continued like this, the annihilation of the front lines was certain.

“They’re moving after all.”

King Moon said, chewing on his words.

The left and right wings of the Murim Alliance were slowly moving toward the battlefield.

There was no way they would stand still.

In the end, it would be the Black Spear Cavalry that would be annihilated.

“The short bow unit?”

The subordinate immediately replied.

“The weapon exchange is already complete.”

The individual martial prowess of the short bow unit was also considerable.

They had already completed preparations for close combat.

“Charge.”

King Moon said.

“Leave no enemy alive.”

The subordinate bowed his head to receive the order.

Flap.

Immediately, a small flag was raised, and the short bow unit, holding swords instead of bows, poured out toward the battlefield.

“Waaaaaaa!”

The blades in the hands of those wearing black uniforms gleamed ominously in the sunlight.

***

Just before King Moon ordered the short bow unit to charge.

King Moon wasn’t the only one surprised.

Jegal Yeon, the representative of the Jegal Clan who was watching the battle from the center formation, also couldn’t hide his admiration.

“Unexpected.”

The front lines’ response to the black rain of arrows and the Black Spear Cavalry was astonishing.

“I never thought they would survive.”

It was definitely unexpected.

They were the enemy that had annihilated the Black Faction’s cavalry, which boasted immense power.

He never imagined that a front line hastily formed from small and medium-sized sects, martial arts centers, and vagrants would endure this much.

“Unrivaled of the Three Battles… who is he?”

Jegal Yeon frowned slightly.

Dokgo-rang’s new title hadn’t yet reached him.

However, he could easily guess that there was someone called Unrivaled of the Three Battles behind the front lines’ amazing combat.

Forming a shield formation to prepare for arrow attacks and throwing nets to entangle the Black Spear Cavalry’s charge were not things that just anyone could do.

Moreover, what was most surprising was his control.

To move five hundred warriors, made up of various sects and vagrants, so uniformly.

It was truly an admirable feat.

“Troublesome.”

Jegal Yeon muttered, observing the situation.

Originally, only the Black Spear Cavalry should have been left.

Then, his plan was for the left, right, and center formations to surround and annihilate them.

However, a significant error had occurred due to the front lines’ unexpected struggle.

They couldn’t fire arrows.

“The archers are on standby.”

Hyeokryeon Pil of the Hyeokryeon Clan said, as if urging him.

However, Jegal Yeon shook his head.

“We cannot. The front lines are still alive, are they not?”

If there were almost no survivors, they could fire arrows to neutralize the Black Spear Cavalry.

But how could they fire arrows when so many were still alive?

“Tch.”

Jegal Yeon frowned at the sound of Hyeokryeon Pil clicking his tongue.

‘It can’t be helped. The goal has been achieved anyway.’

The goal was to use the front lines to draw out the Black Spear Cavalry.

“Send signals to the left and right wings.”

Jegal Yeon said in a calm voice.

The original goal had been more than sufficiently achieved. So now it was time to show mercy to the front lines.

“Arrow attacks are suspended. Left and right wings, advance.”

“Advance!”

A large flag soared into the sky.

At the same time as the left and right wings slowly moved, Jegal Yeon saw new movements occurring among the enemy.

A new enemy wearing black uniforms was pouring out from the Green Forest [a term often used to refer to bandits or outlaws].

Well, they wouldn’t be fools and give up at this point.

‘Was it King Moon?’

Jegal Yeon recalled Woon-hyeon’s report.

King Moon, who could be said to be the enemy’s mastermind, was said to be very meticulous.

So, was that all he had prepared?

Was the short bow unit, the Black Spear Cavalry, and that group in black uniforms really the end?

‘No, there’s nothing more.’

If the Iron-Blooded Four Heavenly Kings appeared, the leaders of each faction would step forward.

No matter how strong the Iron-Blooded Four Heavenly Kings were, they wouldn’t be able to withstand the combined attack of twenty leaders.

Even if the unidentified experts called the Three Stars of the Sky joined them, nothing would change.

Jegal Yeon was certain of it.

“Advance!”

Thump, thump.

To the sound of the large drums, the left, right, and center formations were slowly moving.

Composed of the formal disciples of the great sects with renowned names throughout the world, the true main force of the Murim Alliance was advancing toward the enemy.

***

“Keugh!”

A warrior from the front lines spat out blood and tumbled.

The young warrior next to him gritted his teeth.

But there was no time to mourn.

His martial arts were only second-rate at best, and the enemy’s spear was now charging right in front of him.

“Haa!”

Swish.

He put his strength into swinging his sword.

Clang.

But his sword bounced off uselessly.

The spear of the black-clad warrior on horseback was something he couldn’t handle.

Shriek.

The sharp spear aimed for his neck.

‘Ugh.’

Whoosh.

“Keuheok!”

But the scream that followed was from the Black Spear Cavalry.

“Do, Great Hero Dokgo!”

Behind the collapsing black-armored warrior, Dokgo-rang’s figure could be seen.

Dokgo-rang’s blood-covered appearance was eerie, like a grim reaper.

But that appearance was now more welcome and reliable than anything else.

“Don’t give up.”

Dokgo-rang’s heavy voice echoed.

“If you give up, it ends there.”

Turning his head to look around, Dokgo-rang said,

“So grit your teeth and stay focused. A path will surely open.”

“Yes, yes! Great Hero!”

Dokgo-rang leaped away without even hearing his reply.

His blue sword energy flashed, and another Black Spear Cavalry fell.

‘A, a divine being.’

His appearance was truly divine. Although he was a grim reaper to the enemy.

It wasn’t just Dokgo-rang.

The thirty elites he had selected were forming groups of five and rescuing people here and there.

Thump, thump.

He suddenly raised his head at the sound of drums.

The others did the same.

And they saw it.

Thump, thump.

“The, the main force is moving.”

The Murim Alliance’s main force, the left, right, and center formations, was moving.

Composed of the first-rate disciples of the great clans and sects with renowned names, the elite of the elite was finally stepping forward.

“The main force is moving!”

“Retreat! Fall back!”

“Get back! Quickly!”

Shouts erupted from all directions.

Once the Murim Alliance’s main force began to move, they had to retreat immediately.

Now was the chance, as the Black Spear Cavalry was also reorganizing its formation to face the Murim Alliance’s main force.

If they hesitated here, or remained to gain merit, they would die a meaningless death.

“If you seek merit, you will die.”

The warrior muttered, gritting his teeth.

“If you survive, that is victory.”

That was what Dokgo-rang had said in the guest hall.

The warrior carefully surveyed his surroundings and slowly retreated.

The real battle between the Murim Alliance and the Green Forest had just begun, but at least for the warriors of the front lines, the fight was over.

They had finally overcome the harsh ordeal of death.

However, no one was sure if what would be given to them would be worthy of it.