Chapter 934: It May Have Already Begun (Part 4)

It was an exceptionally long night.

Throughout the night, the warriors of the Namgung Family lived in the fear of not knowing when the enemy would strike, an experience they had never encountered before. However, despite their fears, they couldn't attempt to leave the island. They had already experienced firsthand how dangerous the dark river had become. As a result, the Namgung Family's warriors had to endure a sleepless night filled with dread.

And finally, as the day broke, they were faced with a deeper despair.

Namgung Myung spoke with a mournful tone, "It's the fleet of the Su Lo Chae."

"Hmm," Namgung Hwang furrowed his brows.

As the sun rose in the east, it illuminated the ships surrounding the island in the middle of the river. Each one was heavily armed with large cannons.

"Those loaches," Namgung Hwang muttered.

It was evident that they had towed the riverboats from the Yangtze River. It was a sight that showed their determination not to let a single ant outside their siege.

"Changgung Leader."

"Yes, My Lord."

"Can we break through?"

Namgung Myung clenched his lips.

"It's difficult, My Lord."

"Why?"

He swallowed hard before answering, "The distance to the riverbank is quite far. We could cross if we attempted it, but it's impossible to get through the constant barrage of cannon fire and arrows from their ships while reaching the riverbank."

Namgung Hwang gritted his teeth.

"What if I cross the river alone? It might not be so challenging for me and the elders. But…"

"Difficult, My Lord."

"Why?"

He hesitated before responding, "The main issue is that even if you, My Lord, and the elders manage to break through the encirclement and reach the shore... nothing will change."

This was an island.

In order to transport people to the mainland, a boat was required. Even if Namgung Hwang went to the water's edge to secure a boat and returned to the island, how could he possibly face all those boats by himself? The boats would ultimately sink under the relentless bombardment.

"But wouldn't it be better than now?" Namgung Myung questioned.

"My Lord..."

Namgung Hwang clenched his lips, realizing the awkwardness of his statement, but he had no other choice.

"Even if you and the elders leave the island, they won't wait for you; they'll attack the island without hesitation. If that happens..."

"Um."

He didn't need to hear the rest to understand. Namgung Hwang exhaled a heavy sigh.

"Those who remain on the island..."

"Will be annihilated."

Namgung Hwang muttered solemnly, closing his eyes.

In a clan, a martial artist represented more than half of the entire clan's power. The Namgung Family would not withstand the Su Lo Chae's attack without Namgung Hwang. The reason was simple. There was an imposing black vessel among the ships surrounding the island.

"The Black Dragon Ship..."

The Black Dragon King must be aboard that ship. There was no need to argue about the elders. If Namgung Hwang even lifted a foot, the Black Dragon King would undoubtedly maneuver the ship here to attempt a landing. With Namgung Hwang absent from the Namgung Family, who would face the Black Dragon King?

On this isolated island, there was no place to escape. The Black Dragon King would be like a cat leaping into a pack of cornered mice on this deadly island.

"In the end... it seems there's nothing we can do."

"My Lord..."

Namgung Hwang's face remained composed, showing no signs of anger or frustration. It didn't seem like he was holding any grudge.

However, Namgung Myung and Namgung Doyi watched attentively. They could see clearly the drops of blood trickling down from his tightly clenched fist.

His fingernails dug into his palm as he suppressed his anger. Unlike the others in the Namgung Family, he didn't reveal such emotions.

"Hmph."

Namgung Hwang snorted briefly and said in a low voice, "You're right."

"Things that wouldn't even dare to attack."

His thundering voice echoed loudly.

"Anyway, those wretches can't approach the island. So, it will only lead to a confrontation. Don't unnecessarily wear yourselves out guarding, but go and rest. There should be no problem with vigilance when the enemy tries to approach the island."

The Namgung Family's martial artists cast several uneasy glances, but Namgung Hwang sternly repeated.

"Don't worry. If we endure for a while on this island, everything will be resolved!"

"My Lord..."

"Changgung Leader!"

"Yes, My Lord!"

"Organize the members into shifts and let them rest. Stay vigilant, but there's no need to exert excessive strength! Focus on guarding against the approaching ships."

"Yes!"

Namgung Myung quickly arranged the shifts for the members. Then he forced the remaining personnel into the main hall.

The anxious members felt uneasy as they entered the main hall, as they couldn't see what was happening outside. However, they ultimately followed Namgung Myung's orders.

Once the situation was somewhat organized, Namgung Hwang quietly called Namgung Myung and Namgung Dowi separately. After relocating to a place that wouldn't attract attention from other martial artists, he asked them with a different expression.

"Now, what do you think we should do?"

Namgung Hwang was not a fool. He understood that the situation was turning terribly bad.

"My Lord..."

Namgung Myung began with a face filled with shame.

"At this moment, there is no feasible option."

"...No feasible option?"

"Yes, My Lord... For now, we have to protect this island. Trying to haphazardly break out of the encirclement would mean the end for the Namgung Family."

"..."

"What you said is correct, My Lord. No matter how much they might attempt a naval siege, they won't be able to land on the island defended by the Namgung Family."

"...It's not that they can't land but rather there's no need for them to do so."

Namgung Myung clenched his teeth in response, understanding the implication.

If a tiger gets caught in a trap and still has strength left, getting too close to that tiger is suicidal. A skilled hunter would wait patiently for the tiger to exhaust its strength. When the tiger has lost even the power to resist, they would approach it slowly, ensuring that its hide remains undamaged while cutting its throat.

"All right. Let's assume we have no other choice for now. So, will the situation change if we hold out?"

"...Help will come."

"Help?"

Namgung Myung nodded weakly.

"Yes... If our Namgung forces are surrounded by the Shaolin or the Great Ten Sects, they won't show mercy. If they come to assist us, we can break the encirclement and escape from this island."

Namgung Hwang's face twisted.

"Haven't you already experienced their power? We couldn't even resist their attacks properly. The reason we decorated our victory three years ago was not because we were stronger than them, but because they wanted us to be lured into the Black Dragon's Den. Don't you realize this?"

"...But Shaolin can."

"Are you really that confident they can face them on the river? Do you still think that?"

"My Lord..."

It wasn't anger or a rebuke but a question about the situation, and it was asked with an intense seriousness.

"Even if that's true, it's Shaolin."

"Even if they can't entirely save us with their power, at the very least, they can open up an opportunity."

"I see..."

Namgung Hwang nodded and looked up at the sky.

His shoulders appeared somewhat heavier than usual.

"Was it greed?"

"My Lord..."

"To get out of the shadow of Shaolin and stand in the name of the Namgung family, only to become a hostage, waiting for Shaolin's salvation? I can't stand my own foolishness."

"Please, don't say that, Father."

At that moment, Namgung Dowi spoke firmly:

"Winning or losing in a battle is not the crucial thing. What matters is not winning a battle, but winning a war."

Namgung Myung was surprised and shouted, "Dowi!" But Namgung Hwang couldn't help but smile.

"That's right. That's the truth. If we can ultimately achieve victory no matter what trials we face, then we haven't truly lost. If I weren't part of the Namgung bloodline, I would have laughed at the current attitude Father was in, not his situation."

"Dowi!"

"Yes, my Lord!"

Namgung Hwang gave a resolute command:

"Console the warriors so they don't waver."

"You don't have to worry, my Lord. Namgung's warriors are never weak. If they were ready to give up this easily, they wouldn't be worthy of bearing the Namgung name."

Namgung Hwang nodded, his lips curling upwards slightly. His son had grown to become a source of strength for him. Each word he spoke was more fitting of a lord than Namgung Hwang himself.

"Changgang Leader."

"Yes, my Lord."

"Assist So-ga Leader."

Namgung Myung nodded in agreement:

"I will make sure of it."

Namgung Myung and Namgung Do-wi bowed deeply and left the scene. Alone by the riverside, Namgung Hwang quietly turned his head to gaze at the ships surrounding the island.

'All I have to do is hold on until Shaolin comes to the rescue?'

Namgung Hwang's lips twisted.

'That Myung-a is quite skilled at telling lies.'

No, in fact, it wasn't a lie. It was undoubtedly the truth.

There were just things left unsaid. If Shaolin was aware of this situation and started moving, then the invading forces would also act accordingly. If the invading forces and the Myriad Man Manor arrive at the Yang River before Shaolin?

'At that time, this place would become the graveyard for me and Namgung.'

That invading force would definitely not miss such an opportunity.

"Haha."

He laughed pessimistically and glanced at the distant Black Dragon Ship.

"Even if I die here, I'll take your neck with me, Black Dragon King!"

The force he released spread through the waves of the Yang River. It reached the Black Dragon King, who was looking at the island from the river.

"Namgung Hwang."

A triumphant smile appeared on the Black Dragon King's lips.

Namgung Hwang's presence was indeed threatening. More so than when they first joined forces three years ago. But that's all it was. The most ferocious moment for a wild beast was when it's caught in a trap. That presence merely revealed Namgung Hwang's current situation.

"Did you send a message to Ryeonjul?"

"Yes, Black Dragon King!"

"Good."

A sly smile curled on the Black Dragon King's lips.

"Then where... would you like to cook that trapped rat slowly?"

A suppressed laugh escaped his lips.

"Let's make sure he understands what it means to be thirsty for blood, the Namgung Sword."

Soon, Namgung's blood would paint this river red.