Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1383. Of course, that won't happen (3)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
“Ugh! Damn it! Why are there so many of them?”
Jo-Gol grumbled as he slashed through an enemy’s chest.
"Shut your damn mouth, you bastard!"
“No! Isn't this too much even for too much?"
Jo-Gol’s face twisted as he complained.
To break through Nanjing in one breath without encountering the enemy until reaching a suitable position?
‘We haven’t even reached that so-called suitable position yet!’
It feels as if every Evil Sects in the world has gathered here. Cross one forest, and there’s a swarm of Evil Sects. Cross a stream, and there’s another swarm. The problem is…
"Wh- What!"
“Enemy!”
“No! Why are you guys so surprised?!”
Jo-Gol shouted in frustration.
The maddening thing was that it should be Heavenly Comrade Alliance and Hainan Sect who were startled at the Evil Sects, but instead those guys are more surprised. It was as if they’ve been suddenly ambushed by Magyo in their own neighborhood.
“I’m really going to die…”
Paaaaat!
Just as Jo-Gol was about to start lamenting, someone suddenly leaped over his shoulder and charged forward.
Pararararak!
A sound like dragonflies taking flight echoed as a blade spread its wings in all directions.
"Aagh!"
"Aaaagh!"
In an instant, the Evil Sects who were cut all over their bodies rolled on the ground clutching their wounds.
"Sago!"
“…Fall back. If you’re just going to keep whining.”
“N- No, that’s not it….”
Jo-Gol started to explain with a sullen face but then closed his mouth.
Although he too was severely injured, Yoo Iseol's injuries were even worse. It was so pathetic that he kept crying while she was fighting without complaint...
“Jo-Gol, you’re already pathetic.”
“Stop reading my mind! Did you learn mind-reading or something?”
Baek Cheon, who had casually thrown out those words, stuck close behind Yoo Iseol as she charged forward.
“Samae! Are you okay?”
“Yes, Sahyung.”
Yoo Iseol nodded calmly.
“I can fight now.”
"Don’t push yourself. Your wounds are deep."
"Yes."
Though he told her not to push herself, Yoo Iseol’s sword was no different from usual. Still nimble, clean, and swift.
And seeing that sword, Baek Cheon felt something inside him loosen. It was relief.
He had been worried deep down. Worried that perhaps because of those deep wounds, Yoo Iseol might lose her sword skills. Setting aside whether she could fight at full strength right now, Yoo Iseol's swordsmanship was no less than a treasure that Mount Hua could never afford to lose.
But one look at that sword told him he was worried for nothing.
‘But no matter how I think about it, it’s strange.’
Baek Cheon's gaze shifted to Evil Sects Yoo Iseol was cutting down.
“Switch the front and rear lines. Those who are tired, replenish your strength!”
"Understood!"
Gwak Hwanso's voice resounded loudly. Not only Yoo Iseol, but Hainan Sect was also pushing the enemies back with great momentum. To the extent that they could afford the mercy of merely inflicting wounds rather than completely overwhelming their opponents.
Are they so strong that the enemy can’t match them? Have they grown enough?
‘No. It’s that the enemy is too weak.’
The Evil Sects they were encountering now were far weaker than the ones that had hindered them back in Guangdong.
And that felt off.
Neither Ho Gamyeong nor Jang Ilso would have deployed such weaklings if their goal was to capture them. Those two would certainly know that such individuals would be of no help.
Even rotten, still a mud shad; even fallen, still one of Ten Great Sects. How could such small fry be a match for those centered around Hainan Sect with the core of Heavenly Comrade Alliance joining in?
But then why? Neither Jang Ilso nor Ho Gamyeong would engage in such ineffective, wasteful actions.
"Acting Sect Leader."
At that moment, Namgung Dowi, who had run up beside him, hesitated and looked at Baek Cheon’s face.
“…It seems you’ve already noticed.”
"Yes."
"These people didn't come to face us. Besides their fighting power, doesn't it seem like they weren't even aware of our existence?"
“That does seem to be the case.”
Baek Cheon, who was about to turn his head towards Chung Myung and Nokrim King, flinched and fixed his gaze.
'Don't rely on them!'
Having allies with keen insight was a great blessing. But the moment you entrust all analysis and judgment to them alone, that blessing is no longer a blessing but becomes a shackle.
If he can’t think and judge for himself, it’s meaningless. There’s no guarantee that they’ll always be by his side when he needs to make critical decisions.
'How are these Evil Sects useful?'
They’re clearly not strong enough to face the core forces of Righteous Sects. So, then?
“They are gathering to deal with others, not us.”
“I think so too.”
“That means….”
Goosebumps rose from the back of Baek Cheon's hand.
Even if these forces aren’t strong enough to face the core of Righteous Sects, they’re more than capable of taking on smaller sects. Just because they appear to be ragtag in their eyes doesn't mean they truly were ragtag.
The problem was that as long as these Evil Sects forces were in Gangnam, they will absolutely never face the small and medium-sized sects in Gangbuk.
"Perhaps... I know this sounds absurd, but has Shaolin managed to rally forces in Gangbuk by now?"
“…Is that possible?”
"I suppose not."
Even Namgung Dowi, who had brought it up, laughed as if he found his own words ridiculous.
In the past, when Shaolin raised its banner and shouted, numerous sects would gather beneath it. But now that's impossible.
Everyone in the world saw clearly what happened in Plum Blossom Island. They realized that they too could be abandoned by Shaolin the moment they become isolated. Who in their right mind would follow Shaolin’s orders now?
That seemingly insignificant choice opened the path of self-preservation for many Righteous Sects across the world.
'Really, why so stupidly...'
The greater good often appears foolish when viewed only in terms of short-term results. But the reason it's the greater good is because it eventually returns to the right outcome.
If Shaolin had rushed in to rescue Namgung at that time without considering the consequences, the power behind Shaolin's voice would be incomparably greater than it is now.
In any case, with the current reputation and power that Shaolin possesses, it was impossible to launch a full-scale attack on Gangnam. They might be able to lead a few sects and attack, but rallying all the small and medium-sized sects.
That leaves only one possibility.
"...Are they planning to cross the river? Leading these Evil Sects?"
"Is that even possible? They’re not martial artists skilled enough to cross the vast Yangtze River with their bare bodies. Even if what we’re seeing is all of them, it would take numerous fleets making multiple trips. Would Ten Great Sects simply watch this with open eyes?"
"Something must have happened. Something that prevents them from blocking the crossing."
"That’s …."
Namgung Dowi's face became even more serious. Based on the conversation so far, the conclusion was clear.
Advance toward Gangbuk. Jang Ilso has definitely drawn his sword.
'Now?'
Namgung Dowi unconsciously swallowed dryly.
No, it was possible. Always possible. If it’s Jang Ilso, he could cross the river and start a war at any time. While ordinary people desire stability and perfect victory conditions, what he wants is chaos and the dramatic victory he can achieve through it.
Even knowing all this, the reason why the realization sent chills down his spine was simple.
'I too thought it wouldn't be now.'
War can break out at any time. That’s a fact everyone here knows.
But at the same time, everyone thinks that the war won’t happen now, at least. That it will happen later, even if they don’t know exactly when, but at least after some time has passed.
Jang Ilso was openly mocking their conviction and hope.
"Why now of all times..."
“If you think about it, there’s no time but now, isn’t there?”
“Huh?”
"The world is lived by all people, but it is moved by only a few. Aren't the eyes of those few all concentrated on Gangnam right now?"
“….”
"There’s no way Jang Ilso wouldn’t take advantage of this situation. He would certainly lead things as he desires. Even if the time isn't fully ripe, he would ignore that if the conditions are right."
"Then..."
Namgung Dowi’s voice trembled slightly. The meaning of those words had struck him all too vividly.
“Are you saying that because of us… because of us and no one else, war is breaking out?”
Baek Cheon remained silent for a moment. But soon he gathered his thoughts and opened his mouth again.
“War would have broken out at some point. Just because the timing is a bit earlier doesn’t necessarily mean it’s our fault.”
“But…”
Namgung Dowi still couldn't shake his discomfort and hesitated. Baek Cheon looked straight at him and asked.
“Then if you had known this outcome, would you have stayed in Gangbuk to avoid the war?”
Even Namgung Dowi couldn't answer that.
“Our opponent is Jang Ilso. If we hadn't moved, he would have manipulated that in his own way, weaving another scheme based on the fall of Hainan Sect. That’s the kind of man he is."
Namgung Dowi nodded weakly.
“So let’s focus on breaking through this situation for now.”
“Exactly the right answer!”
A sudden voice from behind made both of them turn their heads sharply. Im Sobyeong was nodding his head while gently fanning himself with the fan in his hand.
"It seems the two of you have grown in your own way. This strategist is most pleased."
“I feel dirty.”
“Isn’t a compliment from Evil Sects just an insult?”
Both men bristled unnecessarily. At that moment, Im Sobyeong’s eyes suddenly darkened as he spoke.
“Rather, we need to focus on something else.”
"What?"
“If Jang Ilso is truly planning to wage war… If he’s planning to advance Gangbuk, one advantage we’ve enjoyed until now will completely disappear.”
"Advantage?"
Both of them stiffened at his words. What advantage could they possibly have enjoyed thanks to that bastard Jang Ilso? If anything, they’ve suffered losses.
Especially Namgung Dowi, who had lost most of his sect members because of Jang Ilso, glared at Im Sobyeong with eyes tinged with killing intent. But Im Sobyeong shrugged his shoulders and spoke firmly.
"To be precise, there's no longer any need to maintain balance."
"Balance?"
“The existence of Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”
Only then did the two understand Im Sobyeong’s words and fell silent.
"Until now, Jang Ilso has aimed to exploit cracks in Righteous Sects by leaving Heavenly Comrade Alliance alone. But if war breaks out, the story changes. Heavenly Comrade Alliance is likely to fight most fiercely on the front lines of the war.”
“Certainly…”
Whether they liked it or not, that’s what would happen. That is, if some madman went berserk and created havoc.
And that means….
"Until now, we were kept alive because we were beneficial, but now they'll try to kill us because we're in the way. No matter what.”
Both men's eyes simultaneously turned backward. More precisely, toward one person following behind—Chung Myung.
"That..."
As Baek Cheon looked at that expressionless face and tried to add something, he suddenly flinched.
His gaze shifted not to Chung Myung but a bit further back, toward the forest they had already passed. The towering trees rustled and swayed ominously.
"A- Already...?"
“They’re coming.”
Im Sobyeong closed his fan and gripped it tightly.
“Be prepared. It will be different from before."
Kwaaaaang!
With a thunderous crash, massive trees toppled one after another, revealing all-too-familiar figures. The Myriad Man Manor uniforms, which were now more than just tiresome.
In the middle of them stood Ho Gamyeong, growling with icy eyes.
"Show them how vicious the revenge of Evil Sects can be."
Baek Cheon bit his lip until it bled.
|Note
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