Book 7 Chapter 5

Help does not come.

- Do not expect it from the start.

"What are we to do about this?"

"Is Heaven truly demanding our lives as collateral?"

Cheongheon mumbled with a complex voice. Cheongheon was troubled. Who would break through this heavenly net and deliver a message to the Wudang Sect's main branch? Breaking through the treacherous path where ambushes and deadly traps lay side-by-side…

Before even delivering a message to the Wudang Sect, they would be filing a death report in the afterlife.

As far as the assembled people knew, only Yeom was capable of breaking through this encirclement alone and delivering a message. The problem was, how many people could last without dying while Yeom went to deliver the message and brought back reinforcements? That was Cheongheon's worry.

However, Cheongheon's worry was merely his own thought. This was because Yeom had no intention of doing so at all.

"Why aren't they coming?"

"Who's coming?"

Yeom shouted irritably.

"Master clearly said earlier…"

"That was obviously a lie!"

"What?"

Everyone was stunned, their bodies stiffening like statues.

"I went there myself and told no one to come, so why would they?"

What was this supposed to mean?

Yeom's last words were utterly incomprehensible. No, they didn't want to understand them.

"But clearly…"

Didn't they clearly say that reinforcements would come from the Wudang Sect? Their ears were both definitely functioning properly. The idea that they had misheard was preposterous.

"I told them not to come!"

Yeom emphatically reiterated, his voice filled with irritation.

'Could it be that this person is relishing the thrill of pushing us into the depths of despair?' This question flashed through their minds. Otherwise, how could they say such a thing so nonchalantly?

"Why did you do that?"

"My eyes are going to pop out. Stop it!"

Yeom said forcefully, looking at Namgung Sang, whose eyes were wide open. It felt like he was glaring, and it wasn't a pleasant feeling.

"You said you told them not to come?"

Namgung Sang was also quite persistent.

"Yes, so what?"

"No, why?"

Namgung Sang wanted to know the reason for this absurd situation. For him, the epitome of timidity and faint-heartedness, this was a rare act of defiance.

"It's my will."

Instantly, the faces of the entire Jujakdan and Cheongeomjo unified into blank expressions. And at the same moment, they all wondered if their hearing was faulty.

"Reinforcements from the Wudang Sect will arrive soon. Hold on a little longer!"

This was what Yeom had shouted loudly, his voice imbued with internal energy, to rally the surroundings just an hour ago. It hadn't been hundreds of years, so there was no reason for their memory to be flawed.

Yet, with an indifferent face, without a shred of guilt, he called it a lie. It was maddening to be on the receiving end of such a unilateral announcement of a "lie."

The Twin Killers of Heaven and Earth had retreated at his words (though Galhyobong's rampage was the biggest reason), but they likely realized it was a lie soon after. People who weren't called wouldn't come for no reason! It was obvious that all routes were blocked. Cheongheon suddenly felt a throbbing headache.

"Then what should we do now?"

"That's right. This is dangerous as it is."

"Please come up with a plan!"

The murmuring around them grew louder. Anxiety stole their composure, and a sense of crisis escalated.

"We need to contact the Wudang Sect as soon as possible. That's the best course of action."

"Snap! Thwack! Thwack!"

"Silence!"

Stars flashed brilliantly before Namgung Sang's eyes, which had been raised in volume. It was Yeom's doing.

"How pathetic!"

Bilyeon, who had been watching silently, blurted out. All eyes suddenly focused on Bilyeon.

"What did you say?"

The corner of Cheongheon's eye slightly rose.

"Don't tremble over such a trivial matter. If you can't even resolve something this simple, what kind of Cheonmu Academy is this?"

"That…"

"That's right! He's right!"

Yeom, who had been considering whether to make Namgung Sang's vision even more dazzling, actively agreed with Bilyeon's opinion. Because of this, Cheongheon was unable to find words to refute. He couldn't interrupt Yeom when he was offering an opinion. Moreover, he knew well that Yeom was the type of person who wouldn't tolerate anyone who disagreed with his opinion.

"It's not good to reach out to others every time you're in a tight spot. If you always rely on adults when problems arise, you'll remain a child forever. You have to resolve the problems that appear before you yourself. Where in this world is there a guarantee that you'll be helped every time you reach out!"

"Then what should we do?"

Cheongheon asked, representing everyone.

"First, you must become stronger!"

It was a simple sentence.

'When?'

Although the assassins had blocked the communication routes, both sides knew that this standoff wouldn't last long.

There wasn't much time. Unfortunately, time was not on their side.