Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1468. Let’s make history (3)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
"Hall Master-nim!"
The one who ran into the wide courtyard stood respectfully before a monk in yellow kasaya robes.
“Ascending Dragon Sect has expressed their intention to join us.”
“Hmm. Ascending Dragon Sect....”
Bop Kye nodded his head heavily. Ascending Dragon Sect is a small to medium sect with quite a reputation in Hubei.
It would be a great strength if they could join.
“And Great Heaven Sect (태천파(泰天派)) has also sent word that they will follow us."
This time, Bop Kye’s reaction was a little different. A slightly more uplifted voice flowed out.
“Great Heaven Sect?”
"Yes. That is so, Hall Master-nim.”
Bop Kye let out a small exclamation of admiration and nodded his head up and down.
It was quite encouraging news. That was because Great Heaven Sect is beyond even Beijing. Unless the entire world was ablaze, it was a sect that wouldn't be exposed to Evil Tyrant Alliance's threats.
If news spreads that even such a sect was joining, then those who are still observing the situation will undoubtedly flock here en masse.
“In just three days, no fewer than twenty sects have expressed their intention to join.”
It was an even faster speed than predicted. And this was incomparably clear evidence that Bop Jeong's instructions were taking effect.
"However, since they are requesting to join faster than expected, we are having trouble procuring space to accommodate those numbers."
"Hmm, that would be so. Considering that more will come flocking in the future, this is not something that can be handled adequately with temporary measures."
After a moment of contemplation, Bop Kye addressed the messenger.
"Understood. I'll discuss this matter with Bangjang. Report any new developments without delay."
"Yes, Dharma Protector-nim."
"That is all."
A moment later, Bop Kye's report ended, but Bop Jeong did not say this or that. Instead, the one who opened his mouth was Peng Ye, patriarch of Peng Family.
"That's good news."
He added with a brief nod.
“It seems Bangjang’s foresight is beginning to shine.”
"Hmm."
Even Bop Jeong showed a reaction to Peng Ye's rare praise. However, he soon opened his mouth and brought up a different story instead of words of modesty.
"How is the situation on Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s side?"
"That, we have not yet grasped for certain."
“Twenty in three days, you say?”
“Yes, Bangjang.”
Bop Jeong's brows furrowed slightly.
"It's not enough."
"..."
"It should have been at least thirty."
Then Bop Kye recited words that weren't even asked for.
"More sects pledged on the second day than on the first, and today's numbers exceed even that. It is certain that the remaining Ten Great Sects will soon send communications as well."
Bop Jeong nodded silently. But his eyes still remained darkly sunken.
"That is merely a natural thing."
"....Bangjang."
“But this was a matter that should have brought results beyond what is expected.”
The briefly lifted mood sank again. Bo Kye and the other sect leaders watched Bop Jeong carefully, awaiting his next words.
"I thought there would be no more moves they could make... but Chengdu, of all places. In any case, they never move as expected."
Bop Jeong spoke calmly. Jongni Hyeong asked as if puzzled.
"Bangjang. I understand that Heavenly Comrade Alliance's attack of Chengdu may seem like a splendid feat on the surface. But if you look at the reality, there’s nothing substantial to show for it. So why…”
"Amitabha."
As if cutting off Jongni Hyeong's words, Bop Jeong closed his eyes and recited the mantra.
“Sometimes, flashy appearances are more important than substance.”
"..."
“Especially at times like this.”
Jongni Hyeong closed his mouth. He had noticed that a strange discomfort was embedded in Bop Jeong's words that sounded calm at first glance.
'What is it?'
Jongni Hyeong looked puzzled for a moment, but soon hardened his face.
He newly realized who it was that made a loud voice on the surface even though there was no particular substance.
“Bangjang… I, I didn’t mean to say that…”
"No. Sect Leader, I too did not say those words with such an intention."
"Ah..."
"Ahem."
Bop Jeong cleared his throat awkwardly to break the tension. It was a tactfully shown reaction to prevent Bop Jeong from being at a loss for his next words.
Bop Jeong, who subtly expressed gratitude to Bop Kye with his eyes, continued speaking.
“In any case, although Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s unexpected move has introduced a variable, in the end, things will proceed as we intend.”
Peng Ye nodded as if in agreement.
More than anything else, the fact that Evil Tyrant Alliance has set up camp as if thrusting a dagger under Hubei's chin is important.
Considering possibilities and the future when making decisive moves was a luxury only afforded to those with time to spare.
But right now, the sects of Kangho had no such luxury. Evil Tyrant Alliance had stolen that time and is forcing them to make swift choices.
Ironically, it almost seemed as if Evil Tyrant Alliance was helping Ten Great Sects gather their forces.
“Even those Evil Sects bastards can be helpful at times.”
Bop Jeong did not say anything in response to Peng Ye's words. He merely recited mantra quietly with a calm face.
Peng Ye opened his mouth in a tone indicating displeasure.
“However, the location is a bit inconvenient. Why Zhangjiajie of all places?”
"Hmm? Peng Gaju-nim. What do you mean by that?"
Kongtong Sect Leader Jongi Hyeong asked. Peng Ye was silent for a moment before opening his mouth.
"While Zhangjiajie is indeed positioned to threaten Hubei, it's also positioned to threaten Shaanxi."
"Right. Isn't that obvious?"
At Jongi Hyeong's words, Peng Ye furrowed his brows slightly.
"That means, what happens in Hubei can also happen in Shaanxi in the exact same way."
"Ah...? Ah!"
Jongi Hyeong let out an exclamation as he understood what Peng Ye was saying.
The places that first expressed their intention to join now were the sects of Hubei. Originally, they were under the influence of Wudang. Since Evil Tyrant Alliance was about to invade immediately, there would be no other option.
So thinking about it the other way around, the sects of Shaanxi might also gather beneath Mount Hua.
“It’s like a single rock dropped in a stream splits the current in two. Bangjang, what do you think of that demon’s intentions?”
Bop Kye smiled quietly at these words.
From Jang Ilso's standpoint, he would want Ten Great Sects and Heavenly Comrade Alliance to maintain balance. If one side rapidly collapsed, the remaining side would absorb it and unify the power.
If that were to happen, there would be no chance of victory against Evil Tyrant Alliance.
The three leading forces of the world each have different intentions. Therefore, how they move will also be different. Finding the right path amidst that chaotic flow wasn’t easy.
But Bop Jeong wasn't in the slightest.
"Humans try to twist it, but water merely flows."
"...Huh? What do you mean by that..."
A clear voice like that of a transcendent high monk flowed from Bop Jeong's mouth.
“Water sometimes bends widely, and sometimes pours violently. But in the end, it goes where it must go. Whether Heavenly Comrade Alliance or the Paegun plays tricks and resist, the flow is already set."
Bop Jeong's half-opened eyes gazed not at the people sitting before him, but at a distant place.
“Even if they briefly make their name known, Heavenly Comrade Alliance has already lost its luster. It will continue to lose more and more in the future. Then, all that will be left is Ten Great Sects. It was so in the past, and it will be so in the future. That is the natural order, and that is the flow."
It was both a declaration and an assertion. Neither Jongni Hyeong nor Peng Ye offered any real rebuttal. Even in their eyes, the situation was already flowing favorably for Ten Great Sects.
It was merely Shaanxi. Even if Jang Ilso's move allows Heavenly Comrade Alliance to completely take control of Shaanxi, it was just Shaanxi.
Shaanxi is vast, but when placed next to the two letters 'All Under the Heaven', it is too small. It wouldn't compare to Ten Great Sects, who can influence the entire Gangbuk.
This one move by Heavenly Comrade Alliance merely delayed their downfall for a while; something like a dramatic reversal will not happen.
Then Bop Kye opened his mouth.
“I also agree that things are flowing as Bangjang said. However... it’s also true that I have concerns.”
“What concerns?”
"Doesn't that Heavenly Comrade Alliance have Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword?"
The moment the words Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword came out, Bop Jeong’s eyebrows twitched. Now, the words 'Heavenly Comrade Alliance' didn't particularly give him any feeling, but the title 'Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword' still seemed to be bothersome.
"He too would know the flow, would he stand by and let the situation flow that way?"
"What could he do about it?"
"...Yes?"
"So what can he do?"
“It’s me…..”
Bop Jeong smiled lightly.
“If war were raging, then perhaps he could do something. If they had the power to target Evil Tyrant Alliance alone, they might try something. But what can they do now? Isn't it just to the extent of checking their own surroundings and shouting for others to fight together?"
"...But..."
"He is a remarkable person. But this is something that not he, but no one under heaven could accomplish. Do you understand? Even the great Zhuge Liang could not make his kingdom victorious, and Guan Yu the tyrant could not destroy a nation alone."
Bop Jeong calmly finished his words.
"Flow is such a thing. It's not something that can be turned back by human strength."
"...I understand what you mean."
Bop Jeong quietly recited the mantra.
There are things one learns by living long. That there are times when it's better to just wait for the time rather than stepping forward to change things is one of them.
And so, Bop Jeong endured and endured again, while the beast called Jang Ilso and the monster called Chung Myung ran wild.
And the rough flow they created was now pouring in towards none other than Bop Jeong, Shaolin, and Ten Great Sects.
"Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword must already know as well. That there's almost nothing they can do now."
Bop Jeong's gaze turned to a distant place.
"I want to see. What kind of expression he, who disguises himself with a lively outward appearance, is making now in a place where others don't see."
***
Chung Myung continuously looked at the distant mountain. Baek Cheon vacantly stared at his back.
What was that guy thinking right now? No, what kind of expression was he making?
He knew. He knew that Chung Myung, who always barks orders like he's driving people forward, occasionally turns his gaze away from everyone. Not to look somewhere else, but as if there are things he doesn't want anyone to see.
Right. Baek Cheon knows. Just how deeply Chung Myung was lost in thought with his back turned. How much he’s worrying.
But at times like this, Baekcheon cannot help Chung Myung. Because it wouldn’t be any help.
“Huu.”
Baek Cheon sighed heavily and carefully approached Chung Myung.
“Chung Myung-ah.”
Chung Myung flinched and turned to look at Baek Cheon.
“Ah, you startled me.”
To not have noticed Baek Cheon coming right up behind his back, how deeply lost in thought he must have been.
"We're finished here. Should we go help elsewhere?"
"Already finished?"
"What do you take us for? We're Mount Hua."
"Ah, right. You guys have gotten pretty good at digging..."
"We're guys who've been thinking for at least ten years each that we'll collapse all those damn peaks someday. We're confident we're the best in Jungwon at destroying mountains."
...That's convincing.
Then Baek Cheon softly opened his mouth.
"I know your worries run deep."
"Hm?"
"It won't be a big help, but I will perfectly carry out the decision you make, so speak without burden."
There was not the slightest wavering in Baek Cheon's gaze. At that firm and resolute gaze, Chung Myung looked at him with slightly dazed eyes.
“Sasuk...”
Soon, Chung Myung slowly nodded and gently bit his lip.
"Thank you for saying that. I was just worrying about it."
“Yeah. I understand how you feel.”
Baek Cheon reached out to pat Chung Myung on the shoulder.
"If you have worries, anytime..."
"I think up to here is a bit insufficient."
"Huh?"
Baek Cheon flinched. Chung Myung stretched out his hand and pointed ahead.
"I think this part needs to be leveled down a bit more, you see? I was worried that we would end up not using it and just did the work for nothing. But if Sasuk says so, there's no need to worry. We can just dig first and think later.”
“…What?”
“You see that highest peak over there? Let’s just dig up to that.”
“Tha- That’s more than double the distance we’ve already done, though?”
“Aren’t we the best at destroying mountains?”
...At that moment, Baek Cheon felt it.
A tremendous killing intent pierced his back, something he had never felt even when facing Evil Tyrant Alliance or Magyo.
He could imagine what kind of eyes his disciple brothers were glaring at him with right now. He shouldn't turn his head. The moment their eyes met, he would die of a heart attack.
"Then, I'll leave it to you. Finish it by tomorrow."
“W-Wait, Chung Myung, uh… hey, hey, you little punk! Hey!”
Chung Myung, who had walked away lightheartedly leaving Baek Cheon behind, examined the vastly expanded lands.
"Hmmmmmm."
He had already heard the news that Bangjang was posting notices throughout the world. He also knew that the news Heavenly Comrade Alliance was spreading through the merchant world was not spreading as quickly as expected.
Just from this, it was undeniable that the one who suffered the most damage from this incident was Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
If Jang Ilso and Bop Jeong were determined to corner Heavenly Comrade Alliance, even Heavenly Comrade Alliance would have no way out.
But.
"Well, everyone seems to be working their heads hard, but..."
A meaningful smile spread across Chung Myung's lips.
"If you thought I was just going to start doing something now, it's already too late."
He had already set everything in motion. From a long time ago. Now, it was time to reap the fruits of the seeds he had sown.
|Note
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