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He was trying hard not to show his feelings, but he couldn’t help reacting to the words he had just heard.

“There’s no food?”

“…Yes, Gaju-nim.”

For a moment, Namgung Hwang burst into a hollow laugh. Rather than being angry, now he feels devastated.

“This is where merchants traveling to and from the Yangtze River lived. Of course, there must be food stored up, right?”

“…It looks like Nokrim took all their luggage with them when they withdrew.”

“…….”

“And when the water fortress reoccupied this place, they didn’t bring much food.”

Namgung Myung closed his eyes tightly and opened his mouth again.

“I’m sorry, Gaju-nim. I should have paid attention to all of these details….”

“I was the one who gave the order to occupy Plum Blossom Island. If there is any fault, it is mine. You have no need to bow your head!”

Namgung Hwang spoke firmly and then leaned back in his chair.

‘Food…’

On the surface, it doesn’t seem like a big issue. For ordinary soldiers, running out of food would be an important issue that could determine the victory or defeat of a war, but since they are martial artists, they have no problem surviving for about 15 days without eating.

‘But that’s only under normal circumstances.’

The people here are already exhausted. Water fortresses’ continuous attacks are steadily draining their energy.

In the meantime, they can’t even eat properly?

‘It will become more difficult.’

Each and every one of them is just a small issue in itself.

The continuous attacks.

The artillery fire coming from afar.

The lack of food.

The pressure of being trapped on the island without a way out.

Even the anxiety of having to fight for one’s life in an unfavorable situation if the enemy’s reinforcement comes sooner.

Taken individually, none of these seem particularly significant. But when all these factors accumulate, it becomes overwhelming, like having hundreds of kilograms of steel loaded on one’s shoulders.

A quagmire.

This place is a quagmire. It’s a swamp-like quagmire that if you try hard to get out of it, you’ll sink deeper and deeper.

Namgung Hwang rubbed his eyes.

In a battlefield where everyone is exerting their full strength, there aren’t many who can perform as well as Namgung Hwang. This is a fact acknowledged even by those outside the Namgung Family.

But even a sword energy that pierces the sky or a force that could split a river is meaningless in this situation.

“This is a river, isn’t it? If we’re short on food, we should be able to replenish it.”

“…We’ve already checked. Whatever those pirates did, there are no fish to be seen around the island.”

At that point, Namgung Dowi, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, spoke up.

“Even if we could catch fish, I think we shouldn’t eat them.”

“…How come?”

“They’re pirate, they’re more familiar with rivers than we are. We can’t predict what they might have done. If there is something to be cautious about, it’s better to be cautious.”

Namgung Hwang nodded heavily.

It might be considered an excessive worry. However, the Namgung Family is already in this situation because they hadn’t worried enough.

“What about water? Is there any problem with the drinking water?”

Namgung Myung nodded.

“It’s impossible even for the Tang Family to contaminate the water of the flowing Yangtze River. So, we shouldn’t have to worry about that aspect.”

“It’s a blessing in disguise.”

Namgung Hwang muttered to himself, wiping his face with his hands. A deep fatigue, rarely seen on him, was evident.

‘We are still okay, for now.’

It felt like needles were pricking his stomach, but they could still hold on. However, they couldn’t keep this up indefinitely.

“Is the reinforcement still far away?”

“…I’m sure they’re in a hurry.”

“They’ll have to.”

Namgung Hwang leaned back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling.

‘What a sight.’

Rushing in boldly only to be surrounded and withering away. In the midst of all this, waiting for Shaolin’s reinforcement….

“Damn it.”

Namgung Dowi sighed deeply when he saw Namgung Hwang muttering in small voices.

‘Is this really the right approach?’

Doubts crept into his mind.

Of course, he does not doubt the judgment of Namgung Myung or Namgung Hwang. As a result, however, they were gradually losing the power to resist while just trying to endure.

In a few more days, enduring might be all they could do.

‘What would he have done?’

At that moment, it was Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword Chung Myung that came to his mind.

Logically, he accepted that there was no other way but to endure. But his mind kept saying that if the people here were not Namgung Family but Mount Hua Sect, they would never have thought the same thing.

‘If it were Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword …’

It was just then.

Creak!

Namgung Hwang, who was sitting on the chair, sprang up like lightning and drew his sword from his waist in one swift motion.

“This!”

He swung his sword without delay. The white sword energy erupted, shattering the roof of the hall and soaring upwards.

Kwaaaaaaaaang!

There was a terrible explosion and the entire tattered roof was blown away.

Kwaaang! Kwaaaaaang!

Kwaaaaaang!

A series of explosions followed.

The first one was created by Namgung Hwang’s sword energy, but the subsequent bursts were unrelated to his attack.

It was a bombardment.

The center of the island, where they were, had started to be bombarded.

Kwaaang! Kwaaaang!

The pavilions exploded one after another. Debris scattered in all directions.

“Aaahhhhh!”

“Wha- What! Why is there bombardment here!”

Kwaaaaaang!

The shouts and screams of the panicked people rang out mixed with the sound of cannon shells colliding.

“Block it! Shoot down the cannon shells!”

Namgung Hwang made a loud roar and lifted his body into the air. And the cannon shells flying overhead began to split and explode at once.

The elders, who understood the situation, quickly followed Namgung Hwang to block the bombardment.

Once the Gaju and the elders began to move to the front, blocking the bombardment was not that difficult.

However, what they faced after blocking all the bombardment was a scene that had no way of explaining except for the expression “disastrous.”

The pavilions were shattered, and people groaned in pain from injuries sustained in the bombardment.

Those who managed to crawl out from under the collapsed pavilion cried out in uncontrollable anger, while others were hastily searching for necessary items to treat the wounded.

Eudeudeuk.

Namgung Hwang’s teeth gritted as if to break it.

“…What were the guards doing while the ships approached this close to the island!”

“N- No. Gaju-nim.”

“What?”

Namgung Myung’s face was ashen as he spoke.

“The, the ships are still in their positions.”

Namgung Hwang turns his head at the word. He too saw the ships floating on the dark river. The distance was no different from that of the day.

“…Then what is this bombardment?”

“It seems like they are using Hundred Thunder Cannons.”

“…Hundred Thunder Cannons?”

Namgung Myung bit his lip and nodded.

“The range of Hundred Thunder Cannons is three times that of a normal cannon. It seems they have started using Hundred Thunder Cannons, which they took from the island.”

Eudeudeuk.

Namgung Hwang clenched his fist so hard his hand might burst.

“Black Dragon King! You son of a beast!”

It felt like he might pass out from the blood rushing to his head. The fury swirling inside him was almost too much to bear. He’s not angry at the fact that they were attacked. It is the fact that he couldn’t do anything even though they were under attack that infuriated him.

“Then….”

Namgung Dowi opened his mouth in a subdued voice.

“Does this mean they can now continuously fire at us from that distance?”

“…There must be a limit to their shells and gunpowder. They can’t keep firing forever.”

“Can’t they just resupply?”

“…….”

Namgung Myung could not bear to answer this question. He tries to be as positive as he can, but no matter how hard he tries, there is no room for a positive interpretation.

“Gaju-nim.”

Namgung Dowi looked at Namgung Hwang as if he had decided to do something.

“At this rate, we will be annihilated.”

“…Dowi.”

“We can’t just wait indefinitely for reinforcements whose arrival time is unknown. We’ve lost the pavilions. The bombardment will continue without stopping. If we keep on edge constantly guarding against incoming fire, we won’t last even three days before our strength gives out.”

Namgung Myung refuted the Namgung Dowi.

“Three days is enough time for Shaolin to arrive!”

“Yes, that might be true. But what if the water fortress attacks before then?”

“…….”

Namgung Myung fell silent.

Saying they could last three days didn’t mean they could maintain their current strength for that period. And where was the guarantee that Shaolin would arrive within three days?

“Gaju-nim, it can’t go on like this.”

Namgung Hwang looked at Namgung Dowi with burning eyes.

“Then? What do you suggest we do?”

“What Gaju-nim said the other day.”

“Hm?”

Namgung Dowi turns his head and looks at the river.

“Gaju-nim’s words that Gaju-nim alone could break through the siege and reach the river, is Gaju-nim certain of that?”

Namgung Hwang’s face distorted.

“Of course, it is possible. But haven’t I said it! Even if I break through the siege and reach the land, nothing will change. This place will be in even more danger…”

“Not the land.”

“Hm?”

Namgung Hwang momentarily frowned at Namgung Dowi’s words. However, Namgung Myung seemed to immediately grasp what Namgung Dowi was getting at and widened his eyes in shock.

“Do- Don’t tell me?”

“Yes.”

Namgung Dowi turned his head to Namgung Myung’s response. At the end of his gaze lay a massive ship, partially shrouded in darkness, on the pitch-black river.

A colossal ship, painted pitch black that it’s daunting.

“The Black Dragon Ship…”

A groan-like voice came out of Namgung Myung’s mouth. Namgung Dowi said firmly.

“If Gaju-nim leaves the island, there will be no one here to oppose the Black Dragon King.”

“…….”

“Then, there is only one option.”

Determination filled his voice.

“We strike the Black Dragon King in return. If we can cross the river, attack the Black Dragon Ship, and manage to take the Black Dragon King’s head, the siege will no longer be an issue.”

Namgung Hwang’s eyes widened immensely.

“Azure Sky knows no fear and does not cower. Rather than falling under their assault, it is right to counterattack, even risking our lives.”

“Dowi….”

Namgung Dowi’s sharp gaze was fixed on the Black Dragon Ship.

‘He would have certainly done it this way.’

In the past, during the Yangtze River Disaster, Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword Chung Myung abandoned everything else and rushed to take Jang Ilso’s throat. This may be because he believed that the only way to resolve the unfavorable situation was to kill Jang Ilso, the center of all the schemes.

The same applies now. If they are dealing with the water fortress, the only option is to eliminate the core of the water fortress.

“I will assist you, Father-nim. To save everyone here, this is the only way. Gaju-nim! Make a decision!”

Namgung Dowi bowed to Namgung Hwang.

Namgung Hwang, who was staring at him, bit his lips.

“…Not possible.” (??(不可))

“Gaju-nim!”

Namgung Dowi looked at Namgung with shocked eyes. He never imagined that Namgung Hwang would reject this offer.

“I am a martial artist. But before that, I am Gaju of the Namgung Family.”

“…….”

“I cannot initiate a plan where everyone is sure to die if it fails.”

“But if we continue like this…”

“Endure!”

“…….”

“Shaolin will definitely come. Once Shaolin arrives, we will tear those pirate vermin to shreds and chew their flesh! Until then…”

Eudeueduk!

The lips of Namgung Hwang, who was bitten hard, were torn and red blood trickled down.

“We will endure by any means until then!”

“…Understood.”

Namgung Dowi replied in a dark voice. Gaju’s command is absolute. Once a decision is made, no further objections can be raised.

But….

‘He would have certainly thought the same as me.’

A deep sigh escaped him.