Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1467. Let’s make history (2)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
Evil Tyrant Alliance invaded Sichuan.
Qingcheng and Emei were engulfed in flames and annihilated, and even Jeomchang collapsed. Even Tang Family, the only one to escape its demonic clutches, abandoned Sichuan and fled.
That unbelievable news spread throughout the world in an instant.
"Si- Sichuan?"
The shock was beyond imagination.
People had been horrified even when Evil Tyrant Alliance first seized control of Gangnam. But the shock then was nothing compared to now. No matter how terrible Gangnam catastrophe was, it was because Gangnam was a place where no influential sect that could look down upon the world existed.
But Sichuan was different.
Qingcheng and Emei. Tang Family and Jeomchang.
Not a single one of these was insignificant. Had they not held fame as leading sects of Kangho for hundreds of years?
The fact that such people were destroyed by the alliance of Evil Sects vividly proved that Evil Tyrant Alliance's power far surpassed the imagination of the people of the world.
Moreover, the news that followed was enough to transform that shock into terror.
- The armies of Evil Tyrant Alliance that trampled Sichuan have reached within a stone's throw of Hubei. No one knows when they might push into Hubei.
Had this been a few months ago, the same news might not have caused such upheaval.
But now that Sichuan had fallen into Evil Tyrant Alliance’s hands, those who received the news could no longer feel the same way.
"What on earth are Righteous Sects doing?"
"How can they do nothing while Sichuan is trampled by Evil Tyrant Alliance? Were all the words about protecting us lies?"
“What if Evil Tyrant Alliance invades Hubei? Will we end up like Sichuan?”
Most people living in the world are ordinary people who simply have to endure the oppression of the strong.
To such people, the northern march of Evil Tyrant Alliance was a terror that shook their very lives.
Some sought the root cause of how things had come to this. Others resented those who had stood by and watched until the situation reached this point.
I resented those who stood by and watched.
And in response to that, as if it had been waiting, another piece of news swept the world.
- The reason Sichuan was invaded by Evil Tyrant Alliance was all because of Heavenly Comrade Alliance. Ten Great Sects tried to stop this situation, but Heavenly Comrade Alliance betrayed them.
- Ten Great Sects entrusted Sichuan to Heavenly Comrade Alliance and blocked the main force of Evil Tyrant Alliance advancing north, but Heavenly Comrade Alliance ignored the attacked Jeomchang and only evacuated the Sichuan Tang Family, which belonged to Heavenly Comrade Alliance. In the process, they shed not a single drop of blood and avoided battle with Evil Tyrant Alliance entirely.
- If you wish to survive Evil Tyrant Alliance’s onslaught, rally under Ten Great Sects. Heavenly Comrade Alliance will coldly abandon those not under its protection.
Numerous pieces of news raged without even giving a chance to come to one's senses.
The people of the world did not know that all of this burst out simultaneously as if it had been prepared in advance. Because they were too busy being shocked by its content.
Heavenly Comrade Alliance. Among those who knew Kangho, it had risen as a symbol of Righteousness and Righteous Sects’ new hope.
The news that this very Heavenly Comrade Alliance had stood by as Jeomchang was annihilated was enough to plunge listeners into shock.
A fierce storm swept across all of Jungwon. A storm that could not be stopped by human strength.
Hubei Province, Yangyang.
Beggars appeared on the street where people were walking busily.
"Wha- What is it?"
It was hardly unusual for beggars to appear even in a large city like this, but the reason these people drew attention was something else entirely. They simply did not look like ordinary beggars at all.
"Put it up."
"Yes."
Under the eyes of the onlookers, the beggars unfurled a large sheet of paper on the roadside wall where everyone could see it.
“What’s that?”
"Who knows? They look like Beggar Union people?"
People began gathering one by one. Then one of the beggars raised his voice toward those approaching.
"These are the words of Shaolin's Abbot Beopjeong! So everyone look closely!"
The beggar who finished speaking gestured with his chin to the other beggars.
"Let's go."
"Yes!"
The beggars, having completed their task, said nothing more and disappeared into the distance. Onlookers who had been watching curiously now surged toward the proclamation posted on the wall. The crowd that gathered in an instant formed such a throng that those who arrived late couldn't read the proclamation's contents no matter how much they craned their necks from behind.
"Kkeueung. You there in front! What does it say? Please tell us!"
"It says those who will fight Evil Tyrant Alliance in Hubei should gather in Wuhan (방문(榜文)). And it says the common people don't need to evacuate. They're saying they'll guard against Evil Tyrant Alliance entering Hubei?"
"Anyone can say that!"
One who heard the content of the proclamation snorted.
"When did Ten Great Sects bastards ever protect us! If Ten Great Sects were like that in the first place, would Sichuan have ended up like that?"
As if agreeing with those words, shouts unable to overcome anger burst out from here and there. But strangely, none of the voices had much force behind them.
“But… there’s no other option, is there? Even Heavenly Comrade Alliance pulled out.”
“Damn it!”
As soon as the name Heavenly Comrade Alliance came out, harsh insults poured out from all over.
"I thought those bastards might be different! Turns out anyone holding a sword is the same!"
"Ah, it's not certain yet, is it?"
"Not certain my ass! If what's written there is false, then where are those bastards now? Those Evil Tyrant Alliance bastards are targeting this Hubei, but we can't even see the nose hairs of those oh-so great Heavenly Comrade Alliance bastards!"
A moment of silence followed. That was an undeniable fact.
Just because they were commoners didn’t mean they were all fools. They, too, understood that what appeared on the surface wasn’t everything.
But no matter the intent behind the decision, the truth remains: Heavenly Comrade Alliance took only Tang Family from Sichuan and fled to Shaanxi.
"Now our only hope is Ten Great Sects. I never liked how those Heavenly Comrade Alliance bastards strutted around with their shoulders puffed up from the beginning. What makes them think they're so different?"
"You don't need to go that far, do you? When you get down to it, it's not like the Gupa did anything particularly great either, it's just that there's nothing particularly different between the two..."
“The fact that they’re no different is the problem! That's the whole damn problem!"
"What does that mean?"
“Why have we supported Heavenly Comrade Alliance up until now? Wasn’t it because we thought they were different from Ten Great Sects? But if they end up being no different, then why should we trust them? We might as well rely on the stronger Ten Great Sects!”
Even the one who had subtly sided with Heavenly Comrade Alliance could not retort to those words.
"Anyway, haven't Ten Great Sects fought and won against Evil Sects bastards every time something like this happened? If it's a situation where we have to risk our lives and choose one, of course, we should go to Ten Great Sects!"
People began nodding here and there. Even the voices of those who had quietly supported Heavenly Comrade Alliance eventually lost their vigor.
"That may be true, but..."
"Hm? Now that I look, aren't you from the Crouching Dragon Manor?"
"Tsk, tsk. You should think carefully. You don't have two lives. In times like this, you survive by sticking to the stronger side. That’s what I’m saying! Forget about alliances and grand Righteousness, when push comes to shove, even Righteous Sects treat us like old pair of shoes. Do you really think you'll be treated any differently?"
"That's....."
"Our Crouching Tiger Manor will go to Wuhan. At the very least, it'll be safer than places those Heavenly Comrade Alliance bastards are guarding."
The gathered people murmured amongst themselves and nodded their heads.
Certainly, in a situation like this, one has no choice but to stick to the side with slightly stronger power. Anyone in the world who saw this proclamation would make the same judgment.
"Should we?"
"Tell your sect leader the same thing. Those in higher positions may have different considerations, but for us, survival comes first, doesn't it?"
"...I suppose you're right."
It was the moment the intimidated man was about to nod his head.
"G- Guys! E- Everyone!"
Someone raised their voice and came running urgently.
"News! Have you heard the news? I'm asking if everyone has heard this news!"
At the fuss, a few people crumpled their expressions as if annoyed.
"If it's the words conveyed by Shaolin Bangjang, everyone has seen it. Isn't the proclamation stuck right here?"
"N- Not that!"
"Hm?"
Only then did everyone's attention focus on the man who arrived late.
Their gazes held equal parts curiosity and apprehension. The man, catching his breath, blurted out,
“S- Sichuan! Heavenly Comrade Alliance launched a surprise attack on Chengdu and wiped out Evil Tyrant Alliance bastards who were there!”
“What?”
"No, what does that mean?"
The crowd buzzed in disbelief as they stared at the man. Someone asked.
"Heavenly Comrade Alliance only saved Tang Family and withdrew from Sichuan, didn't they? That doesn't make sense?"
"After that! It was after that, I tell you! Didn't they say that after evacuating Tang Family, they returned and attacked Chengdu?"
“.…Really?”
People exchanged glances. It was surprising, but difficult to readily believe. It was that absurd.
"Hey, you. Where did you hear that? There are just so many groundless rumors."
"For heaven's sake!"
The man slapped his chest in frustration.
"Don't just crowd around here, go ask at the Wind Forest Merchant Guild over there! Among the merchants doing business now, this news is spreading like wildfire!"
"Huh?"
One should not believe everything merchants say. There are always some who lie for their own profit. However, it was also true that news spread among merchants was generally fast and accurate.
“So then Heavenly Comrade Alliance really did attack Chengdu?”
"That's what I'm saying!"
"But why would they do such a thing after already fleeing?"
“They said it was to save Sahae Merchant Guild.”
“Sahae Merchant Guild?”
"It's said to be a trading company that handled Heavenly Comrade Alliance's affairs. When he heard that they were isolated, didn’t he go to the holy city where Sa-pae-ryeon was in a state of chaos and rescue them?”
"Good heavens...."
Of course, Chengdu had been mostly emptied of Evil Tyrant Alliance's elite forces at the time. But there was no way for the common people to know such circumstances. Common sense would suggest that those who occupied Sichuan would have left many troops in Chengdu. Therefore, from the perspective of the people of the world who did not know the situation, they would naturally assume that Heavenly Comrade Alliance has defeated Evil Tyrant Alliance.
"Wasn't it that they just fled?"
"You fool! Is Heavenly Comrade Alliance the kind of place that would do such a thing? Of course they fought! Of course!"
Those who had remained silent under the earlier pro-Ten Great Sects atmosphere finally spoke up confidently.
"Attacking Evil Tyrant Alliance is impressive enough, but isn't the real feat charging into Chengdu just to rescue some merchants?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Think about it. If the same thing had happened with Ten Great Sects, would those great personages have attacked Chengdu just to save some merchants?"
"That... probably wouldn't happen."
Everyone knows how highly Ten Great Sects regard their pride. Such people would not risk their lives to save mere merchants.
“That’s just like Heavenly Comrade Alliance. Truly like them.”
Some laughed dryly. As the hostility towards Heavenly Comrade Alliance seemed to subside in an instant, those whose faces had reddened opened their mouths again.
"S- So what? Did they decide to recapture Chengdu?"
“Huh? Doesn’t seem like that. Sounds like they fought, rescued the people, and then pulled back.”
"Then isn't it nothing so great? In the end, they fled from Sichuan, didn't they?"
“You can’t put it like that. Regardless, they still defeated Evil Tyrant Alliance, didn’t they?”
"Without reclaiming Chengdu, it's the same thing!"
People began bickering. Amid the commotion, one person turned around. Someone who saw that asked with a puzzled voice.
"Where are you going?"
“Going to Sect Leader.”
The one who was called a disciple of Crouching Dragon Manor answered indifferently.
"Have you made up your mind to go to Ten Great Sects?"
“No, I’m planning on persuading Sect Leader to go to Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”
“What? Did you not hear everything just said?”
“I heard it. I heard it very clearly. And that’s exactly why I’m going to Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”
"...Why?"
The man spoke firmly.
"Because I want to live! I want to live! Ten Great Sects have greater power? So have those great Ten Great Sects bastards ever once defeated Evil Tyrant Alliance in battle? Have they ever once broken Evil Tyrant Alliance bastards' pride? That’s what I’m saying!”
"That’s...."
"Up until now, it was Heavenly Comrade Alliance that fought against Evil Tyrant Alliance. And say a small or mid-sized sect like ours joins Ten Great Sects, what do you think would happen? If we end up in danger during a fight, would those yangban ever come to save us?”
Everyone fell silent.
“Heavenly Comrade Alliance is a place where they risk their lives even to save a merchant, so at least they won’t completely turn away from us when we’re in danger. So I'm going to Heavenly Comrade Alliance. Though in the end, my Sect Leader will decide."
Having finished speaking, the man left decisively.
The faces of those remaining became complex and subtle. Sighs stealthily emerged from here and there.
"Kkeueung. I should go too."
"Our Sect Leader also needs to make a good decision..."
"The martial artists have places they can go. As for us......"
Each person's worries came out in various ways.
But everyone intuitively grasped one thing together: ambiguous positions would no longer be permitted.
That it doesn't.
The world was clearly being divided and dyed into three colors.
|Note
Consider supporting me by subscribing on Patreon for 5$. The Patreon membership for Mount Hua and Infinite Mage is the same. The benefit:
Advance chapters of Mount Hua : 76
Advance chapters of Magic Realm Convenience Store Worker : 144 Chapters
Advance chapters of Got a Gallery in the Wild : 10
Comments Box