Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1382. Of course, that won't happen (2)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
“Reporting! The carriage carrying Jang Ilso, the leader of Evil Tyrant Alliance, is currently approaching Nanjing. If things continue as they are, it is expected to arrive in the vicinity of Nanjing within six hours!”
"Reporting! Black Ghost Fortress forces have passed through Changzhou and are moving rapidly toward Nanjing!"
“Estimated time of arrival?”
"As they are adjusting their pace by taking intermittent breaks, it's difficult to predict their exact arrival time, but judging from the situation, it appears to be between six to 10 hours."
"Reporting! Martial artists from Evil Sects near Huangshan are gathering in Nanjing! We are currently estimating their numbers, but since they are coming from all directions, it’s difficult to get an accurate count. However, it appears to be at least five thousand!”
As reports poured in from all directions, the face of Beggar Union Ciwu Beggar (자오개(慈烏丐)) Neungsam (능삼(能三)) grew as rigid as it could possibly be.
Each piece of news was perilously dangerous enough to make his heart shrink. But the truly terrifying news came afterward.
“E- Elder!”
Kwang!
The door to the inner chamber burst open, and a pale-faced beggar rushed in.
“Urgent! It’s urgent!”
"What is it?"
“Report from Gangnam! A- A large convoy of carts has been spotted above Huangshan!"
"Carts?"
"Yes! The exact contents have not been confirmed, but based on the shape of the cargo, it is highly likely to be grain!"
“Grain…”
Cold sweat suddenly streamed down Neungsam's back.
What could the transportation of grain mean at this time? What other reason could there be for such a large-scale movement of grain toward the Yangtze River?
‘Army provisions!’
Unless Jang Ilso had suddenly become enlightened and decided to bestow grain upon the Yangtze refugees, his intention is all too clear.
"A- Are you serious?"
Neungsam’s fingertips trembled involuntarily. The fact that he was replenishing army provisions meant that Jang Ilso had no intention of ending this situation with a mere one-time clash.
While he was momentarily speechless, the other beggars began to chatter noisily.
“What reason does he have to mobilize grain? It’s just a bluff! What do the elites of Evil Tyrant Alliance need grain for?”
“Stupid nonsense! The martial artists of Evil Tyrant Alliance may endure days without food, but they are gathering not just elite forces, but all the mid and small-scale Evil Sects as well! If they plan to lead them north, they’ll definitely need provisions!”
“I don’t think so!”
The members of the Intelligence Division, holding stacks of reports in their hands, raised their voices as if competing with each other.
Of course, this was also the task of those who interpret information. Their role was to analyze the rapidly incoming information in real-time and determine the best possible course of action.
But Neungsam noticed. Beneath the heated voices, there was a fear they couldn’t fully hide.
"L- Let's calm down for a moment! Just because they’re bringing grain doesn’t necessarily mean they’re planning to cross the river. They might be preparing for a long-term standoff centered around the Yangtze!”
"Nonsense. What reason would Evil Tyrant Alliance have to make such a choice when they've already solidified the front line at Kugang!"
"Enough!"
In the end, Ciwu Beggar Neungsam ended the heated argument.
"First, send a report to the main headquarters, and immediately establish contact with Ten Great Sects currently moving toward Nanjing!"
"Yes!"
"Do not make rash judgments about what we cannot yet determine. Relaying the existing information as it is takes top priority! Analysis comes after that!"
"Understood!"
With those words, several beggars swiftly ran outside.
"Elder, what about Heavenly Comrade Alliance? What should we do about Heavenly Comrade Alliance?"
"...Inform them too."
"Understood!"
Just as Nengsam was about to dismiss them, he suddenly grabbed hold of one of the messengers who was about to dash out and shouted,
“Oh, and check with the Black Robe Squad who have entered Gangnam if there's a way to contact Hainan Sect which is heading north!"
“E- Elder, that’s…”
“Check it out!”
“Yes, understood!”
Ciwu Beggar frowned as he watched the back of the beggar running away.
‘Were we this sloppy?'
The Intelligence Division was the pride of Beggar Union. They gather and analyze all information that exists in the world. There was even a saying that while neighbors might not know what the person next door ate for breakfast, Beggar Union did.
Ciwu Beggar Neungsam always took pride in the functions of the Intelligence Division. But the reality he faced today was a stark contrast to what he had always believed.
The system of the Intelligence Division, which normally operated with precision without the slightest error, was now creaking and faltering under the pressure of such an urgent situation.
'Kangho... Kangho has been too peaceful for too long.’
They had thought they were fully prepared. They believed they could handle any situation. But this scene made it clear to anyone how absurdly arrogant that belief had been.
Even the sharpest sword will become dull and lose its edge if kept in its scabbard for decades. He painfully realized that fact today.
“Has there been any news from headquarters yet?”
“N- Not yet….”
Neungsam bit his lips.
‘If only Sect Leader were in good health…’
They should have had a young leader who could swiftly respond to any crisis leading Beggar Union.
If they had foreseen such a disaster, they would have transferred leadership long before their Grand Chief became so weakened.
But regret comes too late now. Transferring Sect Leader’s position in such a situation would only cause greater chaos.
'Mount Hua.'
Ciwu Beggar clenched and unclenched his fist.
When he first heard that Hyun Jong, the former sect leader of Mount Hua, had voluntarily stepped down and placed his disciple in the position, Ciwu Beggar had thought it was a grave mistake.
Moreover, when he heard that the young Mount Hua Righteous Sword Baek Cheon was placed as the Acting Sect Leader, he thought Hyun Jong had gone senile.
And he wasn’t the only one. Most people thought the same.
It was only natural. There were countless people who belittled Hyun Jong, but was there even a single person who denied the fact that he was the sect leader who revived the fallen Mount Hua?
Of course, it was possible that not everything had been accomplished by Hyun Jong himself. He may have been merely a bystander who watched over it all.
But that’s precisely why he shouldn’t have stepped down. There’s no reason to change a system that’s working well. When everything is going smoothly, maintaining the status quo to continue that flow is more important.
But now, he thinks he understands. Only after experiencing this situation does he realize why Hyun Jong stepped down on his own. Why he passed the position to a younger generation.
"What about the other sects! Has there been any response from Ten Great Sects we requested support from?"
"No replies have come yet!"
"Still nothing?"
“Yes. The current Buntaju are waiting for their position in each region’s sect, but we haven’t heard back yet!”
“Just why!”
Unable to contain himself any longer, Ciwu Beggar erupted in fury.
"The message must have reached them long ago, so why is there still no answer! Do they really think this is just a fire on the other side of the river they can watch, Damn it!”
Seeing him seething with rage, the beggar who had reported hurriedly replied.
“W- We’ll try contacting them again!”
“This fucking thing!”
Neungsam struck the floor repeatedly with his bamboo staff.
"What are they all thinking, just what!"
His shout echoed miserably outside the hall.
* * *
Qingcheng Mountain.
"Evil Tyrant Alliance has reportedly almost reached Nanjing."
"Hmm."
The eyes of Qingcheng Sect’s Sect Leader, Byeok Yonja (벽현자(碧賢子)), grew heavy as he listened to the elder’s report.
“Sect Leader. Beggars have set up camp outside our gates. Shouldn’t we give them an answer soon?”
Byeok Yonja nodded leisurely.
"Indeed we should. Let them know that Qingcheng will march to the Yangtze in response to Shaolin’s call as soon as preparations are complete.”
“Understood, I will do so. Shall I prepare the disciples then?"
“Yeah. You should prepare them. There are always eyes watching."
Hearing those words, the eyes of Qingcheng Sect Elder Byeok Sang (벽상(碧想)) took on a strange light.
"You don't intend to march, do you?"
“We must go. Of course, we must. Qingcheng is one of Ten Great Sects and a leader of the righteous path in Kangho. How could we not go?”
"...Then?"
"But there's no need to rush, is there?"
Byeok Sang spoke with a stern face.
“Sect Leader. But the enemy’s movements are unusual.”
"I know. This likely won’t end without bloodshed. Paegun won’t go back empty-handed.”
“But why would you…”
As Byeok Sang trailed off with a hesitant face, a strange sneer formed at the corners of Byeok Yonja's mouth.
"You misunderstand my words. I never said we would not set out. I simply said we will march only after thorough preparation."
“….”
“Rushing in with half-hearted determination won’t be of much help. Let’s prepare thoroughly.”
“…Understood, Sect Leader.”
Byeok Sang bowed his head silently. His expression still showed he wasn't convinced.
Seeing this, Byeok Yonja smiled strangely.
"I merely wonder about something."
"…Pardon?"
“Throughout the long history of Kangho, how many times has Qingcheng been attacked by enemies? Sometimes by demonic cults, sometimes by Evil Sects, and other times by barbaric forces from beyond the borders.”
“Isn’t that the pride of our Qingcheng Sect?”
"But... well. With the situation as it is now, a thought suddenly occurred to me."
“What thought…?”
"What do you think? Isn’t Nanjing closer than we imagine?”
Byeok Sang closed his mouth.
"Henan as well, is it not? If we so wished, we could rise at any moment and rush to their aid. If martial artists went all out, it wouldn’t take more than a few days to get there.”
"That is true, but..."
"And yet... looking back, our ancestors always fought the enemy with only their own strength, never receiving proper support from Henan."
Byeok Sang’s face hardened. He understood exactly what Bihyeonja was trying to say.
"So I wonder. When we were shedding blood, were those who are now asking for help truly unable to arrive in time because the distance was too great?”
"Sect Leader..."
“Isn’t it funny?”
Byeok Yonja gazed out the window.
"Sitting in the safest place in the world, watching the flames burning in the distance, they must have always felt this way."
Though he said it was funny, his eyes were heavy.
"So let's wait a little. I must confirm with what heart they watched Qingcheng Mountain burn. Don’t worry. Do you think I’d wish for Shaolin to fall? I’ll go before it’s too late. Before it’s too late…”
But certainly, never in haste.
Understanding the meaning hidden behind the blurred words, Byeok Sang silently bowed his head.
"What do you think? Do you find me excessive right now?"
At Byeok Yonja’s question, Byeok Sang slowly raised his head after a moment. Meeting his gaze, he spoke calmly.
"Harboring emotions over past events would not be the right thing to do."
Byeok Yonja’s eyebrow twitched slightly. Then, a faint smile appeared on Byeok Sang’s lips.
"But patience is a virtue of a martial artist. If there is much to gain by enduring some bitterness, shouldn't we naturally encourage it?"
"Huh... Hahahahaha!"
Byeok Yonja, staring at Byeok Sang as if dumbfounded, suddenly burst into laughter.
That answer was exactly what he had been waiting for.
“Tell the disciples to prepare. The children should understand it that way."
“Understood, Sect Leader.”
The wall painter smiled crookedly as he looked at the wall outside.
“…Bop Jeong. Why did you act so high and mighty?”
Byeok Yonja wondered what expression Bop Jeong was making right now.
But what he was even more curious about was the expression Bop Jeong would have when facing him after losing his strength in the war against Evil Tyrant Alliance.
Would he still be able to wear that arrogant expression like in the past?
“…Don’t die, Sect Leader. I really want to see you again just as you were. Haha.”
The sound of his laughter spread eerily slowly throughout the great hall.
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