Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1405. Where I should be (5)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
It was an uncharacteristic response for Jo-Gol, but no one really pointed that out.
Just a glance at the wounds on his body was enough to guess how much hardship he and everyone else had gone through.
After experiencing such an ordeal, even the world-renowned Jo-Gol might have his personality change...
“No, but what were you thinking crossing the river? Are you in your right mind?"
No. Jo-Golwas still Jo-Gol after all.
“Gol… to the Grand Sect Leader…”
“No, I’m not wrong, am I? What would you have done if you got caught? You'd have all died! It's not like you think you have two lives or something. Really irresponsible, you punk! You survived by luck, but if someone had spotted you on the way here..."
Chung Myung was quiet, so Jo-Gol was the one raising a fuss. At that moment, Yoon Jong, who was being carried on Hyun Sang’s back, muttered weakly.
“Elder-nim… Could you move a little closer to that bastard…? I can’t reach him…”
“Let it go, Yoon Jong-ah. He looks like he'll die soon enough without our help."
“...Then that’s fortunate....”
Yoon Jong shook his head weakly. But in truth, he wanted to ask the same thing as Jo-Gol.
“But how did you really end up crossing the river?”
“It’s not much to tell. Sect Leader… no, Grand Sect Leader said we had to cross the river, drew his sword, and went wild.”
"Gra- Grand Sect Leader did?"
“Yeah. He was so insistent."
Yoon Jong’s eyes widened as he looked around. The other Five Swords were also staring at him with surprised eyes.
After exchanging glances, Yoon Jong looked at Hyun Jong’s back who was carrying Baek Cheon ahead.
'Not Elder Hyun Young, but Grand Sect Leader?'
If it had been Hyun Young, he would have understood immediately. Hyun Young was always straightforward, and though he seemed cold on the outside, once trouble struck, he would risk his life for his disciples without a second thought.
But it was hard to imagine Hyun Jong nagging and pushing his disciples to cross the river. And to nag people from other sects?
"So the other sect all accepted the Grand Sect Leader's nagging?"
"Just accepted it?"
Hyun Sang burst into laughter as if he still couldn't believe it.
“Tang Gaju and the Namgung elder even scolded us several times for being too slow.”
“....”
“On top of that, the Ice Palace and Beast Palace were supposed to stay in Gangbuk, but before we knew it, they were following us too.”
"Huh?"
"What could I say when they insisted it wouldn't work any other way? We couldn’t even argue in the middle of all that…”
Yoon Jong felt dizzy for a moment. Thanks to Maeng So and Han Yi-myung, they were able to keep that bastard Chung Myung alive. But according to the original plan, those two might not have been here?
Hyun Sang spoke as if he knew his mind.
“Isn’t it all so coincidental?”
"...True."
Hyun Sang watched Maeng So and Han Yi-myung running ahead as though on guard..
“We never asked anyone to risk their lives for us. But they chose to do so of their own will.”
“....”
"And seeing them save Chung Myung here, many thoughts come to mind."
Yoon Jong unconsciously gripped Hyun Sang's shoulder firmly. A stirring he couldn’t quite describe filled his chest. Hyun Sang’s soft voice echoed softly.
“Sometimes, when I saw Chung Myung and you guys causing trouble, I used to think this. They could live comfortably without going to such lengths, without running wild, so what worries them so much that they go this far?"
Hyun Sang's gaze now turned to Chung Myung, who was being carried by Tang Gun-ak.
“But this time I feel like I’ve seen the answer. That child must have wanted to see something like this.”
Yoon Jong looked at Chung Myung's back just as Hyun Sang did.
'Heavenly Comrade Alliance....'
He had thought it was a name given without any particular thought. But thinking about it now, it seems that wasn't entirely the case.
What Chung Myung truly desired was a relationship where, in times of crisis, everyone would drop everything and rush to each other’s aid. A relationship in which people would risk their lives for one another.
That’s why he acted the way he did. He must have believed that if he did so, others would do the same for him.
The reckless actions of not caring for himself but instead looking out for others had, this time, saved Chung Myung's life.
If they hadn’t risked their lives for Chung Myung as recklessly as he would have for them, he wouldn’t still be alive.
How should one describe this situation?
Yoon Jong could only think of one word.
“It is Tao.” (도(道))
“...Right.”
It follows its own natural course. The principles of the world may seem elusive, but in the end, they lead to what is right. There’s no other way to put it. But, of course…
"We were lucky."
"...That's also true."
...it could also be neatly and clearly summarized as what Yoo Iseol said.
Whether it was heavenly luck or whatever else, the fact remains unchanged that numerous factors aligned for Chung Myung to survive, and for them to survive as well.
Perhaps this memory will not fade away as long as they live.
'Does that rascal know?'
Just how many people risked their lives to save his. Of course, since he's unconscious, he couldn't know.
At that moment, Baek Cheon, carried on Hyun Jong's back, turned his head and spoke.
“This isn’t the time to get sentimental.”
“...Yes?”
“The danger isn’t over yet. Don’t you know that the main force of Myriad Man Manor is still advancing?”
Yoon Jong fell silent.
“If it’s Ho Gamyeong, he’ll definitely contact Jang Ilso. He’ll know exactly where we’re heading. Which means we’ll have to fight Myriad Man Manor if we want to leave Gangnam.”
Yoon Jong's expression hardened. Then Hyun Jong calmly corrected Baek Cheon's words.
“They say that not only Myriad Man Manor but also Black Ghost Fortress is on their way.”
“…Black Ghost Fortress as well?”
“Yes. The water fortress is also heading north along the Yangtze River. And of course, Hao Sect will come too, won’t it?”
Baek Cheon's face grew serious.
“That means....”
Hyun Jong nodded.
"Yes. What stands in our way now is not just Myriad Man Manor. The entire Evil Tyrant Alliance is converging at the Yangtze."
A deathly silence descended around Hyun Jong.
Those who had escaped the crisis of death after meeting Heavenly Comrade Alliance, and those who had been elated after risking their lives to rescue their comrades now realized the reality of their situation.
Evil Tyrant Alliance (사패련(邪覇聯)). No matter how much one tried to resist, that name was overwhelmingly massive.
At that moment, Jo-Gol spoke in an urgent voice.
"B- But they haven't completely gathered yet, have they? The Black Ghost Fortress is still on its way, and the Eighteen Water Fortress of the Yangtze River is moving north! If we hurry, we can cross the river without having to face all of them. Right?”
Tang Gun-ak was the one who nodded at the words.
“Dojang’s words are correct.”
"Y- Yes, as expected, Tang Gaju-nim."
"If we hurry, it should be possible."
"Then we need to go quickly, quickly! Great Sasuk! What are you doing! You need to run faster!"
Jo-Gol nagged at Un Gum and caused a ruckus. Hyun Sang took a quick look at the scene and asked Yoon Jong.
“Yoon Jong-ah. Should I move to the side?”
“…Please do. Even if I die, I need to kill that bastard first…”
The jest momentarily brightened the atmosphere.
Tang Gun-ak, who had been watching them with a small smile, had his gaze darken shortly after.
Jo-Gol wasn’t wrong, but… there was one thing he hadn’t mentioned.
No matter how much they hurried, there was no way to avoid Myriad Man Manor forces that had already moved ahead of them. And among the main forces of Myriad Man Manor was Jang Ilso.
Of course, no matter how great Jang Ilso was, and no matter how much of an unknown the strength of the Myriad Man Manor’s main force was… it wouldn’t be easy for the Maninbang alone to stop Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
"...What about Nokrim King?"
Tang Gun-ak turned his head and looked for Im Sobyeong.
“Me?”
Im Sobyeong, shamelessly being carried on the back of Namgung Family elder, glanced at Tang Gun-ak.
“What do you think?”
Honestly, it was still awkward to discuss things openly, but with Chung Myung unconscious, there was no one else who could see the entire situation as clearly as Im Sobyeong. In terms of strategic thinking, even Tang Gun-ak had to admit Im Sobyeong was several steps ahead.
“Hmm.”
Without asking any questions, Im Sobyeong understood what Tang Gun-ak was asking for his opinion on. After pondering for a moment with furrowed brows, he said,
“Objectively speaking, Myriad Man Manor alone won’t be able to block our path. What's moving Myriad Man Manor now is none other than that man."
Tang Gun-ak nodded in agreement.
Sichuan Tang Family was strong. Namgung Family had suffered significant losses, but they still possessed the strength of a decent sect. The Ice Palace, with only a few members present, might be somewhat ambiguous, but the Beast Palace's power was so formidable that most sects would find it difficult to challenge them.
And above all, there was Mount Hua here.
There are two people who understand Mount Hua's power in the world better than anyone. One is Tang Gun-ak. And the other was...
'Jang Ilso himself.'
He would never underestimate Mount Hua’s strength. He might even value Mount Hua higher than Tang Gun-ak does. He always has.
"This won't be easy."
“Yes, it’s honestly a foolish plan.”
Im Sobyeong scratched his temple with his broken fan.
On the contrary, precisely because the opponent was Jang Ilso, there's a high probability that combat won't occur. Jang Il-so hates losing more than anything. No matter how much the reputation of Evil Tyrant Alliance was at stake, he wouldn’t want to throw all of Myriad Man Manor’s strength into stopping Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
"Logically... as long as we don't arrive later than Black Ghost Fortress, we might be able to cross the Yangtze without shedding a single drop of blood."
"Logically?"
"Yes. Logically..."
For a moment, a similar expression crossed Tang Gun-ak and Im Sobyeong’s faces.
What flashed through both their minds was the face of Jang Ilso, who was sneering at the world with an infinitely arrogant expression.
“...It won’t end easily.”
"Perhaps."
Logically, there would be no battle.
But precisely because of that, Jang Ilso will definitely block their way. He always has.
Ignoring what everyone considers the obvious approach, and stabbing them in the back in a way no one could imagine—that's exactly who Jang Ilso was.
"However it goes, we must hurry."
"Yes."
Determination settled on the faces of Tang Gun-ak and Im Sobyeong.
Jang Ilso's moves were unpredictable. No one in the world can anticipate what he might do.
In that case, they at least need to reduce the number of moves he can make.
Reaching the Yangtze River before Black Ghost Fortress and the water fortress join Myriad Man Manor. That was the greatest challenge now facing Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
‘And in the worst case…’
Tang Gun-ak glanced around. He saw everyone running alongside him. After taking in each of their faces, he looked down at Chung Myung, cradled in his arms.
'The future of Heavenly Comrade Alliance must continue.'
That is the duty of those who live first and the responsibility of adults.
Exchanging a look of mutual understanding with Hyeonjong, Tang Gun-ak kicked the ground with all his might.
'Just two hours to the Yangtze River!'
Their fate would be decided within those two hours.
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