Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1427. So is this sword a failure? (2)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
A leisurely footstep echoed. It was the sound of Jang Ilso walking through the center of Tang Family manor.
Though delayed briefly by that old man, it was but a trivial matter. The thought of Tang Jo-pyeong had already been completely erased from his mind.
Instead, what caught his gaze were the half-collapsed pavilions of Tang family. The sight of intact structures and charred ruins scattered about was like a miniature of the current Kangho.
A strange feeling came over me.
“Ryeonju-nim! We’ve scoured thoroughly, but it seems no one remains here.”
"You're unnecessarily expending energy. I said it was meaningless."
Jeok Ho bowed his head deeply at Jang Ilso's sharp rebuke.
A place of Five Great Family caliber would normally have at least one hiding place within the family compound. He had suspected they might’ve set fire to their buildings as a ruse and hidden themselves somewhere, but it seemed that was a wasted effort. A flicker of confusion crossed Jeok Ho's face.
‘Does this mean... Tang Family truly abandoned their place and fled?’
The Sichuan Tang Family?
Even Jang Ilso clearly could not have predicted such a situation. Had he foreseen even a hint of this situation, he wasn’t the kind of person who would make a wasted journey, is he?
“Hmm.”
As if reading Jeok Ho’s thoughts, Jang Ilso let out a soft hum.
“...Which is it, I wonder?”
"Yes?"
“Has Tang Family gone mad? Or has my reputation grown greater than I thought? Enough to make the Sichuan Tang Family cowardly flee from their home?"
Perhaps it was both.
The Tang Family they had known would never have abandoned their manor. The fact that they fled means that the current Tang Family was not Tang Family they used to know.
And even if they had changed, had the one coming to crush them been anyone but Paegun Jang Ilso, they would never have made this choice. They would have fought to the death here.
Jang Ilso's eyes sank gloomily.
Whatever the reason, it wasn’t so pleasant when something unexpected happened. It feels like cold water has been thrown on his heart that had been fired up while destroying Emei and Jeomchang. An indescribable irritation scraped at his gut.
"The Sichuan Tang Family.... Really, all those tied to Heavenly Comrade Alliance are nothing but a headache. No, should I say, all those tied to that child?”
A soft chuckle escaped Jang Ilso's mouth.
There couldn’t possibly be a connection. There was no way Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword could do anything at this distance.
However, Jang Ilso could not help but think that Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword had some influence behind this.
"What a troublesome child."
He had gone to great lengths to drive him to the east in case something like this happened, and yet even from such a far distance, the child still managed to be a nuisance.
Jang Ilso slowly licked his lips. A mischievous glint flickered in his eyes.
“Ryeonju-nim!”
One of the Red Hounds rushed forward and prostrated before Jang Ilso.
"We have found traces of their movement. Northward."
Jang Ilso nodded. Of course, it would be north. It was the only direction that offered them a chance at survival.
“The scale?”
"Everyone. It seems even the personnel in Tanggata moved all at once."
This news made Jang Ilso’s eyes narrow in surprise.
“All at once?”
“Yes!”
His red lips twisted for a moment.
“Hmm. So... you're saying they've gathered even those from Tanggata and are fleeing together?"
“Yes, Ryeonju-nim!”
Jang Ilso laughed as if finding it absurd.
"How strange. I was under the impression Tang Family strictly distinguished between direct and collateral branches.... they gather everyone not only those who aren’t direct lineage, but also women and children, then running away altogether? Even the children who haven’t learned martial arts?”
“....”
"Ha, if they were going to change anyway..."
Jang Ilso's gaze turned north.
“They could’ve done it more cleverly, don’t you think so?”
Jeok Ho nodded.
Had they been willing to sacrifice half their numbers and scatter their forces in all directions, even Jang Ilso would have struggled to respond. Because he couldn't be certain whom to capture and whom to let go until he caught them.
But if they insist on running in one direction, isn't it like shaking your butt openly to be chased?
"Chasing someone isn't really to my taste, but... when they're enticing me this much, it would be heartless not to follow. Prepare. We have to catch them before they escape Sichuan.”
“Yes, Ryeonju-nim!”
Just as the Red Hounds moved to carry out the order.
“Ah, but before that.”
“...Yes?”
Jang Ilso slowly looked around the half-collapsed pavilions of Tang Family.
"If someone has made a grand resolution... wouldn’t it be the kindness of a benevolent person to help them see it through?"
A radiant smile faintly bloomed on Jang Ilso’s face.
“Burnt everything. Let not a single thing bearing the name of Tang remain in this Sichuan land. Let even the ashes be blown away by the wind and completely scattered.”
“Yes, Ryeonju-nim!”
Everyone bowed their heads once and ran in unison. Jang Ilso slightly parted his lips.
"I wonder... Tang Gun-ak."
How will he receive this outcome?
With this, the Sichuan Tang Family has lost its roots. Given the characteristics of Tang Family as a clan, they would never recover the prestige they once held.
Still, would Tang Gun-ak really think this choice was right?
Even if the descendants of Tang Family come to curse him for generations, and even if they scorn him, could he still praise those who abandoned their home and left?
Even after the Sichuan Tang Family will never again be called a hegemon of Jungwon?
"Hypocrisy to that degree is a sickness."
Jang Ilso chuckled.
Pitiful. Tragic. So perhaps he can bestow a little mercy?
Hwareureureuk!
Flames erupted from all directions.
The slowly burning flames soon grew as vast as a demon's maw, swallowing the remaining pavilions of the Sichuan Tang Family.
Everything that had made the Sichuan Tang family renowned throughout the world as a prestigious family of Sichuan and the progenitor (조종(祖宗)) of poisons was burning.
A conflagration so vast it could be seen from the entire Chengdu. This was like a beacon announcing that the Sichuan territory had been subjugated under Evil Tyrant Alliance's feet.
The light from the flames cast a dark shadow over Jang Ilso’s face. Watching the burning pavilions with a faint smile, he turned away without a shred of regret.
"Let's go."
"Yes!"
The mercy he can bestow upon Tang Gun-ak.
It was simply to help Tang Gun-ak let go without lingering attachment. If all those who fled ended up dead, then he could show his anger and resentment without having to hide how he really felt.
After all, he'll be able to curse them with tears of blood, saying that while uselessly trying to protect lives that would all die anyway, even the home of Tang Family burned down.
"Really, I'm too kind-hearted for my own good."
Jang Ilso laughed as if troubled and took a light step forward.
The target was north.
Where the Tang Family’s people had fled.
❀ ❀ ❀
Paaat!
Tang Gun-ak stomped the ground with force but flinched and slowed down for a moment.
Looking back, the gap behind him had widened again. Despite knowing they had to move together, his feet kept rushing ahead on their own.
He bit down hard on his lip.
He knew.
They were already as exhausted as they could be. No, even if they weren't exhausted, few could keep up with the lightness art Tang Gun-ak performed at full power.
So there was no need to repeatedly show such behavior and reveal his urgent inner thoughts. It served no purpose and will only make him anxious.
Yet even though he understood this perfectly, his heart kept racing ahead and end up making mistakes.
Tang Gun-ak glanced down and looked at Chung Myung, tucked under his arm.
'Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword.'
Tang Gun-ak also knew how unreasonable he was being right now. Neither Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword nor Five Swords were in any condition to move. Anyone with even a shred of medical knowledge would be foaming at the mouth and screaming that they needed rest.
But his stubbornness was pushing them harder, for something that might already be too late.
And yet....
“Gaju-nim!”
At that moment, Hyun Jong caught up to his side, panting as he spoke.
"Gaju-nim, I apologize. You must be in a hurry, yet our incompetence..."
Tang Gun-ak bit his lips with an even more miserable heart.
Why was he apologizing?
It wasn't just Mount Hua that couldn't properly keep up with him. The Tang Family elites couldn't keep up either. So why was Hyun Jong bowing his head to him?
Tang Gun-ak spoke with a heavy heart.
"I am sorry. But please endure just a little more. We’ve nearly reached Sichuan, Chengdu is close at hand.”
“Yes! Don’t worry. Even if our legs burst and we die, we’ll arrive at Tang Family and then die!”
At those words, Tang Gun-ak glanced back.
As expected, the Five Swords following Hyun Jong also wore expressions of grim resolve. Though deep down, they must be wishing to collapse and rest even now.
'If....'
If they could save even one person of Tang Family at the end of this forced march, the Sichuan Tang Family would incur a debt to Mount Hua that could never be repaid. Tang Gun-ak clearly engraved that fact in his heart.
And at that moment.
Screeeech!
A sharp bird cry from above made everyone jerk their heads up.
“Beggar Union! It’s definitely a carrier pigeon from the Sichuan branch of the Beggar Union!”
Thought was brief and action was swift.
Tang Gun-ak immediately kicked off the ground and soared into the air. He reached out and grasped the pigeon.
Tak!
Landing, he tore open the message tube tied to the pigeon’s leg with lightning speed. Tang Gun-ak's face hardened noticeably as he quickly checked the envelope inside.
"Gaju-nim, what does it say?"
"...See for yourself."
Tang Gun-ak handed the letter to Hyun Jong. Hyun Jong too hardened his face after seeing its contents.
[Hao Sect plus one sect, heading south toward Jeomchang. Myriad Man Manor, heading north in pursuit of Sichuan Tang Family survivors.]
It delivered the situation plainly, but what it implied was far from simple.
"They’ve split into two groups?"
"...It seems so."
A look of confusion appeared in Hyun Jong's eyes.
No matter which direction they targeted, if they had moved together, they could have been dealt with. But if they had split into two groups... it was impossible to help both places.
If they split their already insufficient numbers, the worst case scenario could occur where Mount Hua and Tang Family were defeated individually.
Hearing the situation from behind, Yoon Jong shouted without hesitation.
"What are you thinking? Then we should go north first! Isn’t there Tang Family!"
Of course, this was an obvious conclusion that went without saying.
But the confusion and agony on Hyun Jong and Tang Gun-ak's faces deepened.
"...So this is what it was."
Hyun Jong spoke with a slightly trembling voice. Tang Gun-ak bit his lips.
- You must definitely save Jeomchang.
These are the words of Bop Jeong that Bop Kye earnestly conveyed. Only now did they painfully realize what his intention had been.
|Note
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