Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1526. Now it's my turn (1)
Editor: Hoamz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
“Opportunity, you say… Your insolence knows no bounds.”
Displeasure colored the eyes of Jin Pyeong (진평(陳)), gungju of the Southern Sea Sun Palace.
"A lowly leader of Evil Sects dares to offer an opportunity? Go on, then. You’ll die soon enough anyway, what words could you not say?”
The person before him was royalty, and the place where the Thousand-Faced Gentleman stood was this royalty’s nation. Should Gungju will it, even Thousand-Faced Gentleman could not hope to leave here alive.
Yet what flickered in the eyes of Thousand-Faced Gentleman was not fear.
'None is meaningless in the world.'
He had often frowned at Jang Ilso's extravagant decadence, but now he was reaping the full benefit of having grown accustomed to it. Rather than being greatly intimidated by all the scenes unfolding before his eyes, he felt not even the slightest impression.
"As Your Highness say, how could a mere leader of Evil Sects dare to offer an opportunity to Gungju-nim. Is Your Highness not the one who reigns like an emperor here?”
The Sun Palace Gungju glared at Thousand-Faced Gentleman without a reply.
“But… what Your Highness desires is surely not to be merely the emperor of this Linyi, is it?”
“Hahahaha.”
A sudden resounding laugh burst from the Sun Palace Gungju’s mouth.
"Are you mocking my pride now?"
"How could that be? I merely speculated by inference. Everyone desires something greater than what they hold."
"I am not such a man."
“Well… thanks to certain people, I’ve come to understand a little about human desires. There are those who suit being content with their lot, and there are also those who are never satisfied no matter how much they grasp."
The Sun Palace Gungju's eyebrows twitch.
"The very fact that Gungju and I are having this conversation proves this, doesn't it? Your Highness wouldn't have learned that fluent Han language as a hobby."
A sharp observation. Gungju’s expression stiffened further. Yet this time, he did not bother denying Thousand-Faced Gentleman’s words.
"Gungju. I am merely conveying the words of Ryeonju-nim."
The Sun Palace Gungju's eyebrows twitched.
“Paegun?”
"Correct."
“...What did he say?”
“Lost opportunities never return.”
Thousand-Faced Gentleman spoke resolutely, as if cutting off the Sun Palace Gungju's question before it was even finished.
“...What does it mean?”
"Well. An ignorant fool like me couldn't dare to fully understand Ryeonju-nim's words… but if I were to guess with my limited insight, I believe it means this.”
“Continue.”
"Whether Evil Tyrant Alliance wins or Ten Great Sects win, the moment either side achieves victory, the opportunity for Southern Sun Palace to set foot in Jungwon will disappear forever."
Gungju Jin Pyeong's face hardened openly.
“It can’t be helped. The Southern Sun Palace cannot push its way into a unified Kangho on its own. If that happens, Gungju can comfortably enjoy your natural lifespan here as you have until now. Enjoying incomparably splendid contentment in poverty."
“Hmm.”
With these words, the mask overlaying Gungju’s face shattered completely. The stiffened expression beneath was undoubtedly his true one.
Splendid contentment in poverty.
To some, that might be the image of paradise. But to the Sun Palace Gungju, it was a life no different from hell.
“What will you give me?”
“There are two.”
“...Advance toward Yunnan?”
“No. Sovereignty over Yunnan.”
At those words, the Sun Palace Gungju's eyes widened slightly.
“Jeomchang has already been taken care of.”
“I know. But there must be Beast Palace?”
"Of course. But the Beast Palace's elites are in Jungwon with Gungju. In Gangbuk, unable to cross Sichuan."
The moment the two words ‘Jungwon’ came out, the Sun Palace Gungju’s eyes lit up.
"There are still some riffraff remaining who don't amount to great military power, but they're just small fry at best. Surely Gungju is not saying that even such remnants would prove difficult for the Sun Palace to handle?”
“Hmm.”
“We will offer Yunnan.”
The Sun Palace Gungju asked quietly with a shadowed gaze.
"Only Yunnan... What about Sichuan?"
“Excessive greed invites disaster, Gungju.”
"I merely asked."
The Sun Palace Gungju licked his lips slightly and tapped his armrest with his index finger.
Thousand-Faced Gentleman's words were correct. Whether Ten Great Sects or Evil Tyrant Alliance won, once one side achieved victory and unified Jungwon, the Southern Sea Sun Palace's advance into Jungwon would become hopeless.
'Yunnan....'
Lost deep in thought, he asked.
“What is the other?”
“Safety.”
Safety? At the Sun Palace Gungju’s gaze demanded an elaboration, Thousand-Faced Gentleman opened his mouth.
"If Southern Sun Palace cooperates, Ryeonju-nim said he would guarantee Southern Sun Palace's eternal safety."
Without any particular sign, terrifying heat suddenly burst forth from the Sun Palace Gungju's body.
“How dare you!”
His rage shook the great hall.
"How dare you spout such nonsense before me!"
It looked as if he would tear Thousand-Faced Gentleman apart at any moment. However, t Thousand-Faced Gentleman before him spoke without the slightest waver.
“Paegun said, ‘A person who has ascended to the position of a gungju is not swayed by emotions. If he were to show excessive anger, it would only be an act to gain the upper hand.’”
Surprisingly, the heat and killing intent that had filled the great hall instantly disappeared.
The Sun Palace Gungju stared fixedly at Thousand-Faced Gentleman.
"Yunnan and safety?"
“Yes.”
A twisted smile appeared on the corner of the Sun Palace Gungju' mouth.
“Half of Sichuan… No, this is no different than laying my neck on the chopping board.”
“...”
“Yunnan and safety...”
The Sun Palace Gungju repeated the word and chuckled. Objectively, they were great conditions, but they were trivial for daring to use the Southern Sea Sun Palace as a limb.
And yet….
"Then."
The Sun Palace Gungju's eyes burned like the sun.
“What is it you want us to do?”
A triumphant smile bloomed on the lips of Thousand-Faced Gentleman Dam Yeohae.
* * *
“What do you think will happen?”
“Tsk, tsk. Gamyeong-ah. Wouldn’t it be proper for me to ask and you to answer? These days you're really making me work for you."
"I apologize. So, how do you see it?"
"Hng. You just won’t listen.”
Jang Ilso, grumbling for no reason, answered listlessly.
"He'll accept."
"He’s royalty. No, doesn't he enjoy greater prestige than even a king?"
"That's why he'll accept."
“…Are you saying he accepts because he is royalty?”
"Yes. Those who unify Jungwon seek to conquer the north, and those who conquer the north inevitably launch expeditions to distant lands."
“...”
"Do you understand? There is no such thing as satisfaction for people. He does not refuse because he is like a king, but because he’s like a king that he accepts. Tsk, tsk. Such an obvious truth.”
Ho Gamyeong slightly lowered his head.
"But if what you say is true... he'll become the seed of discord."
"Perhaps. He might indeed be the seed that blooms into rebellion. But... a seed only gains meaning when it sprouts."
His red lips curled into a subtle smile. Ho Gamyeong nodded quietly. Because he understood the underlying meaning.
“If we can pull in the Southern Sea Sun Palace, then this past month’s delay will mean nothing. It is a tremendous gain.”
“There’s no need to gild it like that. We’ve barely broken even. Making such a fuss over a single Sun Palace.”
Just one Sun Palace. Who else in the world could say such a thing besides Jang Ilso?
"May I ask if destroying Jeomchang was also part of this plan?"
“Well, it was convenient.”
Jang Ilso responded nonchalantly.
Ho Gamyeong just shook his head.
Just by destroying Jeomchang, one of Ten Great Sects, was an achievement unprecedented in the history of Evil Sects. But with this, Jang Ilso even secured a path for Southern Sun Palace to advance into Jungwon. That was why the Sun Palace Gungju could join hands with Evil Tyrant Alliance.
"No one but Paegun would treat such a feat for granted.”
"There's one more. That spiteful Taoist bastard."
He was referring to Plum Blossom Sword Demon Chung Myung. Ho Gamyeong unconsciously clenched his fist slightly.
“That bastard must have expected this. Perhaps he's known since the moment we struck Jeomchang."
“…Him?”
"Right. That's why he's running around so frantically. Even dragging in those beggar bastards. Hahahaha."
Jang Ilso cackled. The idea that the Plum Blossom Sword Ghost had smashed the Beggars’ Union was amusing and delightful the more he thought of it.
"Losing track of me must have been quite painful? Seeing how he’s tormenting those beggar bastards.”
Ho Gamyeong didn't bother to say one way or the other.
What words could one say to a man who simply summarizes the incident of Beggar Union’s internal strife, resolved by Heavenly Comrade Alliance, as ‘Plum Blossom Sword Demon scolding the beggars’?
Ho Gamyeong paused for a moment, then spoke of something else, even knowing it might be presumptuous.
“Ryeonju-nim, even if it is the same Beggar Union, would it not be different if it fell into the hands of Plum Blossom Sword Demon?”
“It would be different.”
Jang Ilso admitted readily.
Originally, information has no value by itself. It was only when the ability of the one who holds and combines that information was added.
Even the Gaebang's crude intelligence network would become a threat if wielded by Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword Chung Myung.
But Jang Ilso didn't stop there.
“No, it might have been different.”
“...”
"If he had been wary of me just a few years earlier. If he had created Heavenly Comrade Alliance even just five years sooner."
It was such tremendous acknowledgment and praise that other Evil Tyrant Alliance members would be shocked to hear it. Yet Ho Gamyeong, who revered and worshiped Jang Ilso the most, raised no objection.
"But now it's too late. He probably intends to somehow build a castle while the waves are rushing in, but it's just a sandcastle."
Jang Ilso’s hand slowly reached out into the air.
“No matter how fancy the exterior, the essence of a sandcastle is still sand.”
Crack.
Jang Ilso's hand clenched the air. At the same time, a chilling energy swept across his face.
“It will crumble. Easily.”
Creak.
The sound from his knuckles echoed ominously. Ho Gamyeong slightly lowered his head. A moment later, that hand drooped loosely as if nothing had happened.
“Soon. Yes, very soon.”
Muttering to himself, Jang Ilso suddenly stroked his chin.
“But I am curious.”
"Yes?"
A childish smile spread across his face.
"What expression he'll make when that sandcastle collapses. What kind of screams will he let out in that hell that burns without leaving a single thing behind. Truly… it will be a precious sight that cannot be seen twice.”
“...”
"Send a command to Unit 23 of Fourth Heavenly Stem (정이십삼(丁二十三)) to begin." (H: Footnote.)
“…It will take more time for the Sun Palace to join us.”
“You weren’t planning to wait for them in the first place, were you?”
Ho Gamyeong nodded at those words.
“There’s no point in starting when everyone expects it. It only matters if you strike when they can’t foresee it.”
"I will follow your command."
"Good."
Jang Ilso slowly responded while examining his ring-laden hand with a leisurely gaze.
“Tell them to watch all they want. Because I will take it.”
Yet his eyes alone were as chilling as a beast hunting its prey.
Ho Gamyeong closed his eyes for a moment.
Ryeonju-nim’s words were right. The arrangements have already begun. Those fools still don't know, but when the time comes, the flames that have risen again from the extinguished ashes will burn more viciously than before.
'Plum Blossom Sword Demon.'
Ho Gamyeong acknowledges him. More than anyone in the world. But…
‘Your misfortune is that you happened to be born in this era.’
Precisely in the era ruled by Paegun.
* * *
"Eh? Wh- What are you talking about?"
“We’re going to do what?”
Everyone’s eyes widened like coins. Even Yoon Jong was no exception.
"We're not defending it."
Everyone couldn't help but be dumbfounded.
Not defend it? This place?
“Then why did we build the headquarters? And with such effort!”
Tang Gun-ak’s question was natural. Wasn't it truly strange? To make matters worse, the answer that came back was also strange.
“Just because there’s a headquarters, does that mean we have to guard it?”
“Of course!”
"Why?"
Everyone was speechless and instinctively looked for Im Sobyeong.
“Well, it’s not in any art of war strategies.”
At Im Sobyeong’s words, everyone’s gaze now turned to Baek Cheon. They were also seeking consultation from the foremost authority on Art of Chung Myung.
“...It doesn't seem like nonsense said out of irritation. For now, I think we should consider it sincere."
Having heard the opinions of both analysts, everyone blankly stared back at Chung Myung.
“That’s… a little more detail… No, speak in a way that's easy to understand. What exactly are you going to do?"
“How many times do I have to tell you that we’re not guarding this place?”
“No, but why?”
“I told you. This is a supply depot and a shelter. I told you so many times!”
Oh, right. He did say something like that.
“Wa- Wait.”
Im Sobyeong raised his hand. Chung Myung nodded as if telling him to go ahead.
“We’ve stationed our forces and civilians in Huayin, stockpiled provisions, and even secured eyes to monitor the surroundings.”
“Right.”
“Huayin is a land that is incredibly familiar to both Mount Hua and us. Conversely, it is an incredibly unfamiliar land to those bastards. Geographically, we have a clear advantage.”
"Right, you know well."
"Then isn't it proper to conduct a defensive siege based on this place? They’ll have no choice but to attack us! The fact that defense is more advantageous than offense is something even a child who's just opened their first military strategy book knows."
“It’s not right, though?”
"Huh?"
“Who says defense is better than offense?”
"Well, every strategist...”
"That’s their take. Not mine?”
"Yes?"
“I prefer attacking.”
Ah…. If you say so, then well. Hehe….
"And this isn’t the time to debate military strategy or whatever. You’ve seen it yourself."
“What do you mean?”
“Can you block all of that bastard’s attacks? While sitting with your butt firmly planted in this spot?”
Im Sobyeong's face hardened. It wasn’t wrong. To block all of Jang Ilso’s attacks, they would need to see through all of his schemes.
Hadn’t they already learned the hard way how impossible that was?
Chung Myung chuckled and continued.
“Geographical advantage? Defensive advantage? While facing a madman where you don’t know when, where, or how he will attack, you want us to just cower here and tremble? Are we going to sit here praying to Yuanshi Tianzun that he hits Ten Great Sects first?”
Im Sobyeong was left speechless.
"That's what that bastard wants in the first place. Why do you think he's been crouching over there spending time?"
At Chung Myung's question, Im Sobyeong pondered for a moment and let out a small exclamation as if he had realized something.
Those bastards who settled right under their chins as if they would invade at any moment. What could be the reason they deliberately positioned themselves there?
Cower. Defend.
Just by being there, those bastards were forcing the movements of Ten Great Sects and Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
“I overlooked this...”
"His specialty is manipulating people. And I’m bad at defending."
“...”
“If I face the enemy’s strength with my weakness, I’m bound to get thrashed. I’ll just get smacked in the back of the head again. I’m sick and tired of that.”
The corners of Chung Myung's mouth twisted in displeasure. Hyun Jong, who had been listening quietly, asked gravely.
“Chung Myung-ah. Do you have something specific in mind?"
"Well, it's obvious."
Chung Myung slowly and tightly gripped the sword at his waist.
“What we’ve built is a sandcastle.”
“...”
“But it’s the same for that side too. If we are a sandcastle, then Evil Tyrant Alliance is an upside-down tower.”
Chung Myung's eyes were as cold as ice.
Evil Tyrant Alliance was abnormally strong. They were actually exerting power that should be impossible with their original forces.
What makes this absurd thing possible is precisely the existence called Jang Ilso. But if we say it the other way around….
“So it’s obvious what we need to attack.”
“Chung Myung...”
“I’m going to kill that bastard.”
That resolute statement sent shivers through everyone present.
In the silence where not even breathing could be heard, Chung Myung's snow-white teeth were revealed eerily.
“Now, it’s my turn to attack.”
His two eyes glinted like a predator’s.
|Note
(정이십삼(丁二十三))
I’m not sure if this is a command for an operation or a unit/troops. It might Group X Unit 23 or some kind of operation name. The first word might refer to fourth heavenly stem among the ten heavenly stems, a Chinese calendrical and astrological systems. I think it was a unit name. Like, there exist ten division, so the said unit is from unit 23 of division 4.
A bit of note from Sir Author. Obviously, it was posted way before I published this chapter, so it doesn’t really mean anything to us right now. Still, it’s the Author's words that we read and so I will include it here. Long live, Biga. Hope they have good health.
-----
Hello. This is Biga.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all the readers who have always supported Return of the Mount Hua.
However, we regret to inform you that Return of the Mount Hua will be on hiatus from June 5th to June 13th.
This is my first time taking a long hiatus, and I feel burdened, but I decided that it was inevitable in order to check future content and recover my lost physical strength.
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