Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1199. How on earth did you endure this? (4)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
Only after he had finally sorted out his swirling thoughts did Tang Gun-ak open his mouth again.
"It's quite complicated, but in conclusion, you're suggesting that we send a small unit to head to Hainan first, to ascertain their intentions?"
“Yes, Gaju-nim.”
"If they agree to join forces with Heavenly Comrade Alliance, then the main force of Heavenly Comrade Alliance will find a way to assist in evacuating Hainan. But if they choose to remain with Ten Great Sects, we’ll establish a communication line between them and Hainan Sect?"
"Yes."
“If everything goes well, that's great. And even if it doesn't, we could give Shaolin a little headache… No, open an escape route for Hainan?"
“Exactly.”
Hearing that, Chung Myung chuckles.
"In that case, it’d be great if Hainan’s loyalty ends there. Hehehe." (“이러면 차라리 해남이 의리가 끝내줬으면 좋겠다. 히히.")
“....Chung Myung-ah. You’re a Taoist."
“Who says I’m not? Euhihihit!”
"......"
Tang Gun-ak, who had been looking at Chung Myung with a slightly sour expression, rubbed his chin as if trying to organize his thoughts.
'It's not a bad idea.'
The mere fact that it significantly reduces the risk was appealing. After all, to be fair, Heavenly Comrade Alliance's current assumptions about Haenam’s stance were just that—assumptions.
If they went all out and mobilized all their forces toward Hainan, only for the sect leader of Hainan Sect to ask, “Why did you come?” Heavenly Comrade Alliance would end up looking like complete fools.
'As the number of forces increases, the exponentially more likely it is that Evil Tyrant Alliance will take an interest.’
First of all, the suggestion to send a small, nimble team that could retreat easily in an emergency was definitely a sound idea.
Although Baek Cheon had risen to the position of acting sect leader rather suddenly, and the things he'd said during the conversation with the chief priest had been quite radical, he appeared to be maintaining a surprisingly good sense of balance better than he thought.
"However."
"Yes."
“How do you intend to maintain this so-called communication line?”
Tang Gun-ak tilted his head, as if genuinely puzzled.
"Ten Great Sects didn’t cut off communication with Hainan because they wanted to. They simply had no other choice. After all, isn’t the distance from Hainan to Gangbuk about 2,500 li at the very least?" (1,250 kilometers (about 776 miles))
“Hmm. That’s true.”
“Even the Thousand-Li Azure Pigeon (천리청구(千里靑鳩)), which Beggar Union boasts about so proudly, can’t travel more than a thousand li in one go. It may be said to travel a thousand li, but in reality, it can barely travel five hundred li. That’s why Beggar Union has relay stations set up across the land to relay their messages, doesn’t it?"
Everyone nodded. This was a well-known method throughout Kangho.
"But we can't establish a branch in Gangnam. So, as you say, you intend to create a communication line that spans an impressive 2,500 li without any relay stations?"
"......"
When Baek Cheon didn't answer, Tang Gun-ak narrowed his eyes.
“Don’t tell me you intend to sway public opinion by carrying a single letter written by Hainan Sec's sect leader all the way back? That’s not a practical solution.”
"I never said I intended to sway public opinion…"
"Hm? But you clearly said you wanted to sway public sentiment and involve Shaolin...”
“I only said I’d convey the situation. Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself...? Though I do understand your deep-seated resentment towards Shaolin, Gaju-nim."
"....."
At that moment, Tang Gun-ak's face turns slightly red.
“Ahem. It seems I may have misunderstood for a moment.”
“Misunderstood?”
"Just leave it at that."
"Yes."
Tang Gun-ak cleared his throat once more and looked at Baek Cheon.
"So? Are you saying that since you're not trying to sway public opinion, such things aren't necessary?"
"That’s...."
Just as Baek Cheon was about to answer, Chung Myung spoke up nonchalantly.
“Why are you even worrying about that?”
“Hm?”
Just as Tang Gun-ak looked back at Chung Myung, Chung Myung jerked his head sharply.
“Hey! Map!”
“Yes.”
Im Sobyeong immediately responded to Chung Myung's call. Everyone glanced around as if wondering whether a swarm of locusts had arrived, and Im Sobyeong slowly got up and then spread out the map that had been lying next to him. (번충이라도 왔나 하고/ figurative way to describe the scene, indicating that people were curiously or anxiously looking around)
“Hold it up straight!”
"....Yes."
No one could bear to watch the scene and turned their heads away.
Goodness... to think that someone would use Nokrim King as a mere map holder.
Even if he belonged to Evil Sects, Nokrim King shouldn’t be treated this way… What on earth made him join Heavenly Comrade Alliance?
“Look here.”
"Hm?"
Those who looked at the map frowned instinctively. Though they were already aware, seeing it visually reminded them just how far Hainan was from their current location.
“But Hainan is really that big?”
"It’s quite big, isn't it? Probably around half the size of Shaanxi." (“웬만한 성 하나 크긴데? 섬서 반 정도는 되겠다.”)
“Ei, half is pushing it.”
“No, not there!”
"Huh?"
Chung Myung gestured toward a specific part of Hainan on the map with his chin.
"Here. Look here."
As he drew everyone's attention, Chung Myung began to explain.
"Hainan is indeed located in the middle of the ocean, but the distance to the mainland is both far and close. You see that peninsula just above it?"
“I see...”
They could see a peninsula jutting out from the continent, and just below it was Hainan.
“So, if you measure the shortest distance between the nearest coastlines, it’s only about 60 li.”
"Is 60 li really that close? Even by ship, it would take a few hours."
“Ei, that’s nothing.”
"......"
His vast sense of scale was awe-inspiring, but that was a side issue at the moment.
“But… what does that have to do with maintaining a communication line? Surely, you’re not suggesting we send someone to cross that strait, and besides, isn’t the issue that we can’t send anyone into Gangnam right now?”
"That's exactly why it's already solved."
"What?"
“There are three main problems in maintaining this communication line, right? Only people can cover the 2,500 li round trip. But people can’t enter Gangnam. And then there’s the sea to cross.”
"....That’s right?"
There were minor issues, but those were the core problems.
Feeling a sudden sense of unease, Tang Gun-ak cautiously added a comment.
“Evil Tyrant Alliance isn't foolish, so wouldn’t they be guarding that peninsula you mentioned with an ironclad defense?”
"Yeah, yeah. I know."
Chung Myung nodded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Then we just need to use something that can solve all three problems. Something that can cover the 2,500 li round trip, cross the 60 li sea in a single leap, and move in and out without being spotted!"
“Huh?”
Everyone tilted their heads in confusion. A person like that… could there be such a thing?
“Yuryong Sect?”
"Ei. Even Yuryong Sect has its limits. Even they pick and choose their special deliveries.”
“...Then?”
It was that very moment.
Chung Myung suddenly thrust his hand into his collar and pulled out something small and white.
“Huh?”
"Wow..."
"Good heavens."
"Here it is—No, this little rascal is resisting?"
“Kiiiiiiiiiiii!”
Baek-ah, who had grabbed onto Chung Myung’s clothes, struggled desperately. Being a mystical creature that could understand human speech, it sensed something was off about the situation.
“Heave-ho!”
But in the end, Baek-ah was dragged out and flopped onto the floor with a thud.
Flattened against the floor, Baek-ah quickly darted its eyes around, scanning the surroundings, and just as it was about to dash off in one direction at full speed...
"Go ahead, try running."
"......"
Baek-ah froze, its feet hanging in mid-air.
“Go on, try running. Yeah. I was just thinking that winter's coming, and I could really use a scarf. And since you've fattened up nicely, I’d end up with a thick, warm one.”
"......"
“Whether you’re human or beast! If you’ve been fed and raised, you should at least earn your keep! This punk has been eating all the meat it could get its hands on in a temple with no money, and now you want to pretend you don't owe me anything?”
“Kiiii.......”
At that moment, everyone saw it.
The sight of clear, chicken poop-sized drops rolling down from the eyes of the little white marten.
‘Poor thing.’
‘How did it end up like this?’
‘But still, isn’t it better off than Nokrim King?’
Watching the scene, Maeng So burst out laughing.
"Indeed, if it's that White Lightning, traveling back and forth to Hainan should be a piece of cake."
"I- Is it really possible?"
"Why else would it be called Baekjeon, the White Flash (백전(白電))? If it sets its mind to it, it can cover a thousand li in a single day."
“N- No, but there’s a sea?”
"Animals are naturally better swimmers than humans. For this little guy, crossing 60 li would be nothing."
"Wow..."
"It's a mystical creature for a reason."
Hearing this, Maeng So chuckled with satisfaction.
"As it's a mystical creature that's specially trained even at Beast Palace, its abilities are guaranteed. The problem all this time hasn’t been whether it’s capable but rather how to make this little one do the job..."
Maeng So glances at Chung Myung.
“...Maybe I need to learn a thing or two.”
“No, you don’t, Gungju-nim!”
"Please, don't learn from him!"
"Beast Palace is supposed to be a friend to animals! He's not a friend; he's a ruthless slave driver!"
Tang Gun-ak also nodded in agreement.
“Indeed... they might be wary of people, but they won’t suspect a marten. And even if they did, finding one tiny weasel in such a vast area would be impossible.”
“That's what I'm saying.”
“It’s reasonable. As expected, mystical creature can be put to use in all sorts of ways.”
“Hehehe. I knew this would happen, so I fed and sheltering it all this time.”
“Impressive.”
“But what about food and sleep? This isn’t a matter of just a day or two; even if it moves quickly, it’ll take at least three or four days to make a round trip.”
“What’s there to worry about? It’s a beast. If it gets hungry, it’ll hunt, and if it gets sleepy, it’ll dig a hole and sleep.”
"...I thought they said mystical creatures were as good as humans?"
“Ei. That’s just saying. When it’s convenient, it’s a mystical creature; when it’s bothersome, it’s just a beast. Isn’t that how things work?”
“That makes sense.”
And so, the grotesque scene unfolded—where the powerful figures of Heavenly Comrade Alliance, a group renowned in Kangho for their strength and Chivalrousness, devised a plan to exploit a tiny animal, all while wearing satisfied smiles.
Baek Cheon’s eyes fell upon Baek-ah, who lay sprawled on the ground, letting out a deep sigh. In his ears, he could almost hear the little creature’s voice whispering, "Ha... such is life."
A strange sense of kinship welled up inside him. Perhaps it was because they shared the same "Baek" surname…
“Ahem. Anyway, that settles the matter of the communication line.”
Tang Gun-ak quickly sorts out the situation.
"This has dragged on, but the important question is whether this plan is feasible and what the other sects think of it."
Tang Gun-ak raises his head and looks at the other sect leaders.
“What are your thoughts? Do you agree with this plan?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Namgung Dowi opened his mouth.
“Baek Cheon Dojang. No, Acting Sect Leader.”
“Yes, Sogaju.”
He looks straight at Baek Cheon and says,.
"I have one thing to confirm. What are the requirements for the ones who need to head to Hainan?"
“As I mentioned, it would be ideal if each sect could send someone with high martial skills, particularly those who are adept in Lightness Art.”
Namgung Dowi shook his head.
“That’s not what I’m asking. It’s to show Hainan that every sect within Heavenly Comrade Alliance is willing to step forward for them.”
“Ah, that’s simple. It’s to show that all the sects belonging to our Cheonwoo Alliance in Hainan are willing to stand up for Hainan.”
“I understand. In that case, the more reputable and renowned the person going to Hainan, the better, correct?”
“That’s true, but.....”
"In that case."
Namgung Dowi turns his head and looks at Tang Gun-ak.
“Namgung Family will send the most suitable person.”
"Yes?"
“The person with the highest martial skills, the greatest reputation, and someone who would be the most effective in persuading them…”
“N- No, it can’t be…”
“Yes! I’ll go myself.”
Tang Gun-ak buried his face in his hands.
“Why is it always...”
Why was it always like this with these people?
These damn things......
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