Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1454. I look forward to your kind cooperation (4)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
Kaaaaang!
A fierce clash rang out as daos and swords collided.
"Don’t let these Evil Sects scum take another step forward! We are Jeomchang!"
Men wearing blue martial attire shouted until their throats nearly burst. Across from them, martial artists in red attire grinned viciously as they pressed the assault.
Flames rising here and there, blood soaking the ground.
And bodies whose lives had already been severed.
The eyes of Thousand-Faced Gentleman blazed like flames as he gazed upon that horrific scene.
"...They're holding out quite well."
It was only natural.
They’re different from Qingcheng and Emei who were attacked without warning. If Jeomchang wasn't foolish, they would have known they would be targeted after Qingcheng and Emei. Their response couldn't help but differ from those who had been trampled until now.
Moreover, Evil Tyrant Alliance’s forces weren’t the same as before. Paegun and Myriad Man Manor weren't here. But...
“Push harder.”
"S- Sect Leader. But..."
When Thousand-Faced Gentleman glared at his subordinate with cold eyes, the startled man nodded his head vigorously.
“Yes, understood!”
He rushed forward in a panic, and Thousand-Faced Gentleman clicked his tongue quietly.
‘This is displeasing.’
He understood the situation perfectly. He knew that toppling these opponents would take time. Thousand-Faced Gentleman wasn't stupid like Black Dragon King.
But even knowing all that, the current situation where he has not been able to bring down Jeomchang until now stark contrast to the difference in ability between him and Jang Ilso that it makes him seethe.
What if Jang Ilso had been here? What if he had led Myriad Man Manor instead of Hao Sect and attacked Jeomchang together with the Blood Palace?
At the very least, things wouldn’t be dragging on like this.
"Second-in-command..."
The words rolled bitterly off his tongue, leaving a sour sting.
When he rose to the position of Hao Sect’s sect leader, he thought he would never again need to submit to anyone…
What was strange was that he didn't accept the situation so painfully.
"Aaaagh!"
Thousand-Faced Gentleman cackled at the desperate scream from ahead.
"Not so bad."
Evil Tyrant Alliance had already subjugated not only Sichuan but even Yunnan. The position of Evil Tyrant Alliance's second-in-command? It was an incomparably grander position than that of Hao Sect's sect leader.
Either rebel against Jang Ilso and die. Or obey him and become second-in-command. These were choices that even a three-year-old could make.
Udeudeuk.
Thousand-Faced Gentleman's hands made a bone-crunching sound. He spread both hands and slowly walked forward.
“Then first, should I prove my worth?”
And Jeomchang’s blood would serve as that proof.
❀ ❀ ❀
At the same time.
The eyes of one person sank deeply upon hearing an urgent report.
"Again."
“Yes. Ba- Bangjang. Um… Heavenly Comrade Alliance headed to Sichuan and didn’t go to Jeomchang but went to help Tang Family. And even after saving Tang Family, they didn’t go to Jeomchang but went north!”
The man reporting involuntarily shrank back.
The only condition they gave for aiding Heavenly Comrade Alliance was the rescue of Jeomchang. Yet rushing to Tang Family instead of Jeomchang was nothing more or less than a complete betrayal of them.
So he fully expected Bop Jeong's tremendous fury to erupt.
But....
“Are they heading to Shaanxi?”
“Y- Yes, that’s right.”
“Amitabha.”
Bop Jeong quietly chanted the Buddha’s name and slowly nodded.
“So it has come to pass.”
“....”
Everyone glanced at Bop Jeong. But he merely repeated the chant, showing none of the fury they expected.
In that peculiar silence, the one who erupted in anger was not Bop Jeong but none other than Kongtong Sect sect leader, Jongni Hyeong.
"What on earth does that mean! Didn’t Heavenly Comrade Alliance promise us to go and save Jeomchang? So why are they going to Shaanxi?!"
The messenger kept his mouth shut.
He had simply relayed the information from Beggar Union. He didn’t know the full details either. So he was at a loss for words to respond.
"Check again! How could they possibly be going to Shaanxi?"
“It’s no use.”
The one who answered Jongni Hyeong's words wasn’t the messenger but Peng Ye.
"If they truly intended to save Jeomchang, they should’ve headed straight for Yunnan. The moment they rescued Tang Family first, Jeomchang's fate was already decided."
"Tha- That’s..."
Jongni Hyeong's face turns pale.
"Bangjang. Then shouldn't we go ourselves? Qingcheng and Emei have already fallen. We can’t afford to lose Jeomchang too, can we?"
"There is no way."
"Yes?"
“Amitabha.”
Bop Jeong shook his head silently.
"Jeomchang will not hold out until we arrive. Jang Ilso is not so lenient. At most, they will last two days."
Kongtong sect leader Jongni Hyeong frowned and then flinched. Then he looked at Bop Jeong with bewildered eyes.
"Did you say… two days?"
"Yes. That is why I said there is no way."
“....”
Jongni Hyeong opened his mouth as if to speak but then closed it without a word.
"The calamity that has befallen Jeomchang is most regrettable, but... this has made it certain."
Seeing Jongni Hyeong, who would have normally asked questions, staying silent, Peng Ye added in his place.
"What has become certain?"
“Those people. The Chivalrousness that Heavenly Comrade Alliance shouted so passionately about was nothing more than taking care of their own.”
Peng Ye's eyes sharpened.
“All we asked when we helped them was to save Jeomchang from the threat of Evil Tyrant Alliance. Yet they nonchalantly broke their promise to us. If that Chivalrousness they spoke of was truly so important to them, they would never have abandoned Jeomchang like this."
Everyone nodded involuntarily upon hearing those words.
Among them, there were those who bit their lips tightly and expressed hostility towards Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
"Do you understand? The reason why I was so concerned about the existence of Heavenly Comrade Alliance?"
“...Bangjang.”
Bop Jeong shakes his head.
“There is nothing more frightening than those who believe themselves to be righteous. For in the name of righteousness, they justify anything. I wish to ask Heavenly Comrade Alliance Maengju. Is it truly the Chivalrousness they speak of to so nonchalantly break the promise made between us, and to rush preferentially to those with whom they have closer ties?"
“Hmm.”
A low growl escaped Jongni Hyeong's mouth.
"Spread the word."
"Yes?"
"Send letters to each sect to announce the current situation. That Qingcheng, Emei, and Jeomchang have fallen. That the demonic claws of Sapaeryeon will no longer escape them.”
“....”
"So tell them that everyone must join forces. Summon the leaders of each sect in my name. Now."
“Yes, Bangjang.”
Peng Ye nodded resolutely.
This wasn’t the first time Bop Jeong had done this. Yet the response had never been significant.
But now it would be different. It had to be different.
Now it was no longer a matter of benefit but a matter of survival.
When the sun shines, one may rest anywhere. But when the storm rages, even the shallowest eaves become a desperate shelter.
"And in addition to that, convey this clearly. This will be the last opportunity. Shaolin will no longer try to drag along those who refuse to follow."
“Yes, Bangjang. I will do so.”
He may say so, but Bop Jeong would not let anyone escape. It was clear that he would use this crisis to gather all the remaining forces in the world under Ten Great Sects.
"And."
“Yes, Bangjang.”
A cold chill poured out from Bop Jeong’s gaze.
“Announce it to the world. From today forward, Ten Great Sects, including Shaolin, will never view the sects under Heavenly Comrade Alliance favorably. They bear responsibility for the annihilation of Jeomchang, and we will provide them with no assistance whatsoever."
“Ba- Bangjang, that’s....”
“Do as I say!”
"Y- Yes! At once!"
It would spread. Through numerous disciples. And through Beggar Union. And through the many subsidiary sects that had entrusted themselves to the name of Ten Great Sects.
That Heavenly Comrade Alliance and Ten Great Sects had completely split apart.
Once that happens, those frightened by the growing flame would seek shelter in the more familiar and reliable name.
Namely, under the name of Ten Great Sects and Shaolin.
Peng Ye unconsciously clenched and unclenched his fist.
'Bangjang....'
Ten Great Sects clearly suffered irreparable damage. Qingcheng, Emei, and Jeomchang. They lost all three sects that formed the axis of Ten Great Sects.
But seen from another angle, those three sects had never been cooperative with Shaolin. Places that had never once followed Bop Jeong's directions. Places that had openly criticized Bop Jeong's misdeeds. They were nothing but a hindrance to Bop Jeong.
By losing those three, Bop Jeong had managed to re-establish the falling authority of Ten Great Sects. If the world’s sects now gathered under the name of Shaolin, every word he spoke would carry far more weight than before.
A definitive enemy of outrageous immorality and an eave that has lost its justification.
Based on these two, Ten Great Sects will shine again.
Coincidentally, that is.
'Is this really a loss?'
Well, it would depend on one's perspective. It was clear that Ten Great Sects had greatly lost the forces they could mobilize.
But what if it was Bop Jeong's point of view?
Does he really see this situation as a loss?
Peng Ye's sharp eyes scanned Bop Jeong's complexion, but nothing could be discerned from his stoic face.
“Amitabha.”
Bop Jeong recited and closed his eyes.
“We have already suffered too great a sacrifice. Our faith was betrayed, and we lost our comrades.”
“....”
“But there is no time to grieve. The Sapae Alliance will no longer remain a mere threat. Now we must fight with them for the fate of Jungwon. Everyone, please steel your resolve."
"We will keep that in mind."
“Huuu....”
Bop Jeong took a deep breath and stood up from his seat. As if he needed to soothe his troubled mind with some fresh air.
Others who had been watching Bop Jeong also got up from their seats in twos and threes and left the room. But only one person, Jongni Hyeong, remained frozen in place like a statue.
His gaze lingered on the door through which Bop Jeong had exited.
'Two days.'
Jeomchang would fall within two days from now. In other words, even if Heavenly Comrade Alliance had headed toward Jeomchang with all their might from Nanjing, they couldn't have saved them in time.
And yet, even though he had anticipated this fact, Bop Jeong insisted on forcing them into making such a promise.
Instead of finding a way to somehow save Jeomchang, he forced Heavenly Comrade Alliance into a corner by making them choose the impossible.
And what was the result?
'You knew all along, didn't you? Bangjang?'
Jongni Hyeong suddenly felt afraid.
On the surface, it would appear as nothing but a thorough betrayal by Heavenly Comrade Alliance of Ten Great Sects, who had done their utmost to help. People in the world cannot help but think that way.
But what about the inside? Was what he witnessed truly like that?
“Haha....”
Jongni Hyeong closed his eyes.
'I've seen too much.'
But what could he do?
The stains of the secular world cling and do not fall off from the moment one descends from the mountain. He too was already in that filthy mud.
“Hahaha....”
His hollow laughter slowly filled the empty room.
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