Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1540. It'll be okay (5)
Editor: Hoamz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
The air seemed to freeze for a moment. There were so many things he wanted to ask.
When? How? Where?
But setting aside all those questions, the only word that came out of Cheongmyeong’s mouth was a firm sentence.
"Let's go."
"Yes!"
Even though it was a path they clearly knew, Namgung Dowi took the lead as if to guide them. Yoo Iseol followed behind as if escorting Chung Myung.
Paaat.
The three simultaneously kicked off the ground and rushed Huayin. They sped past rising hills and dense forests until an open, cultivated field stretched before them.
Tadadadak!
A small white shadow suddenly joined them from behind. Chung Myung glanced back briefly before refocusing ahead.
A small white marten was desperately moving its short legs, chasing after them. Apparently, it was thanks to Baek-ah that Namgung Do-wi was able to locate Chung Myung.
And the one who had told the urgently searching Namgung Dowi that ‘Baek-ah would know Chung Myung’s location’ was probably…
“What’s the situation?”
“I don’t know the details yet. Nokrim King simply asked me to bring General.”
"I see."
“That… he seemed extremely urgent.”
Chung Myung narrowed his eyes.
The man was never particularly calm to begin with, but he also wasn’t someone careless enough to show such impatience to Namgung Dowi. That could only mean something truly unexpected had happened.
“Hurry!”
Paaaaat!
The three human and one mystical creature increased their speed even more. They reached Huayin in an instant.
“Chung Myung!”
Jo-Gol, who had spotted them, leapt over the tiled rooftops arranged like a Go board and joined them mid-run.
"Sago was there too."
"What about you?"
"I was just heading there after being told to come to the great hall. But..."
Jo-Gol's face hardened as he observed the three’s expressions. Just from their faces, he could tell things were far more serious than expected.
“Let’s go together!”
Just then, Tang Soso approached swiftly as if flying from far away.
Thud!
As soon as she landed, she stuck close to Yoo Iseol's side and said.
“Sago! Evil Tyrant Alliance...!”
“I heard.”
Yoo Iseol answered in a flat tone. Tang Soso nodded with a stern expression. Just hearing the words ‘Evil Tyrant Alliance’ made it difficult for her to calm down and her heart was anxious, but Yoo Iseol was completely unshaken.
Then, in their field of vision as they raced down Huayin's main street, the back of one person going ahead came into view.
“Sasuk!”
At Tang Soso’s loud call, Baek Cheon turned around mid-run, then naturally adjusted her pace to join the group.
“Has Sasuk heard about it?”
"Yes."
Jo-Gol asked while biting his lips.
“Has Yoon Jong Sahyung…?”
Namgung Dowi gave the answer instead.
"Yoon Jong Dojang should already be in the great hall. I informed him first."
"Ah."
Jo-Gol nodded.
Soon, the alliance's great hall appeared before their eyes.
Bam!
Chung Myung opened the door without delay and stepped inside.
“Ah, General!”
As Chung Myung entered, a light of relief flashed across Im Sobyeong’s face. It seemed he had been worried about what to do if he was too late.
Most of the senior members of Heavenly Comrade Alliance were already gathered.
He could see the sect leaders of each sect, as well as Yoon Jong and Hye Yeon.
Yoon Jong, who briefly made eye contact with Chung Myung, turned his head toward Im Sobyeong with a calm face. Chung Myung also showed no reaction and simply took his seat.
“What’s the situation?”
Im Sobyeong quickly opened his mouth.
"We just received a message from Beggar Union. They say Evil Tyrant Alliance’s movements have been detected.”
Chung Myung narrowed his eyes and fell into brief thought.
Im Sobyeong was not the type to act with such urgency over minor movements. Something clearly suspicious had happened.
“Be more specific.”
“It is said that Evil Tyrant Alliance, which had remained motionless in Zhangjiajie all this time, has finally begun to move."
"Where to?"
"The specific destination hasn't been conveyed yet. It’s information that was sent immediately as they began to move, so it seems it will take more time to confirm subsequent information.”
Tang Gun-ak let out a groan.
Everyone present knew this.
Jang Ilso doesn't move easily. And when he did move, he always left devastation in his wake—the kind ordinary people couldn’t even imagine.
There were many reasons why Heavenly Comrade Alliance was now defending Huayin so staunchly, but to put it bluntly, it was ultimately because it was impossible to predict where and how the war would break out.
"Then...."
“The key point is obvious.”
At that moment, Beast Palace Maengju Maeng So interrupted Tang Gun-ak's words.
"Whether those bastards are moving in our direction or toward Ten Great Sects."
The continent had already been divided into east and west. Of course, the Zhongnan and Kunlun sects still remained in the west. But Kunlun was a sect struggling just to maintain its lineage, being a Ten Great Sects in name only, so it wasn't particularly wrong to say so.
Zhangjiajie was the point where the east and west divided. Depending on which direction they move, the course of the war will change dramatically.
To be more precise….
"Whose damage will be greater."
Maeng So’s final remark struck directly at the heart of the entire discussion.
Whether it was Ten Great Sects or Heavenly Comrade Alliance, the fact remains that they must ultimately defeat Evil Tyrant Alliance. The important thing was, within that war, which side would gain power and which side would fall.
And the most terrible thing in this situation was that the sword hilt was gripped in none other than Evil Tyrant Alliance's hands... No, Jang Ilso's hands.
“So, has there been any further message from Beggar Union?”
“Yes. Not yet....”
Maeng So continued.
“Is there no news to relay? Or are they not relaying the news?”
Hyun Jong was startled and looked back at the Beast Palace Gungju.
“Gungju-nim. What do you mean by…”
“Beggar Union has said they will be with us, but they haven't shown us anything tangible yet, have they? There's plenty of possibility they've already exchanged intentions with Ten Great Sects and delivered specific information only to Ten Great Sects' side."
Maeng So, due to his status and position, was not greatly influenced by the power dynamics within Jungwon. Nor did he care. Therefore, he felt no hesitation in uttering words that the powerful figures of Jungwon would dare not utter.
Im Sobyeong said.
“That’s probably not the case.”
Maeng So nodded without answering. But that was all. Judging by his tightly closed lips, it was clear that he still harbored doubts.
Im Sobyeong continued speaking quickly.
"Anyway, we haven't received any follow-up message from Beggar Union yet, and there are two possibilities. As Beast Palace Gungju suggested, they’ve deliberately left us out. Or, they’re simply unable to define or predict Evil Tyrant Alliance’s movements, and it’s taking them time to deliver any concrete information.”
“The latter.”
Just as several people were about to open their mouths at the same time, Chung Myung neatly organized the situation.
“There will be no betrayal from Beggar Union.”
"Then there's only one possibility. Evil Tyrant Alliance's movements are exceeding the interpretations of Beggar Union. It must be a case where they can’t figure out how to report this situation.”
“I- Is that possible?”
Seol So-baek, who had been listening with a stern face, stammered as if he couldn't understand at all. He was listening, but the situation didn't make sense to him at all.
Tang Gun-ak agreed and stepped forward as if to help Seol So-baek.
"I too find it incomprehensible. Even if it’s difficult to confirm their direction or intent, they should at least be able to report on the number of armies or which sects have joined them. To not send even that information..."
Tang Gun-ak trailed off. Then a silence unfitting for the urgent great hall descended.
It was a silence that weighed on everyone, like fog pressing against their hearts.
Tak.
Un Am lightly struck the table.
The small sound made everyone turn to him in surprise.
Although he was the sect leader of Mount Hua Sect, Un Am's presence wasn't particularly significant during Heavenly Comrade Alliance's meetings. With Chung Myung and Maengju Hyun Jong here, most assumed he was just holding his seat.
Un Am smiled awkwardly under the pouring gaze.
"I'm sorry, but... I think the priorities have gotten a bit reversed."
“What do you mean?”
When Hyun Jong asked, Un Am opened his mouth calmly.
“Whether we have information about them or not, isn't what we have to do on our side obvious? It seems right to start with that first.”
Hyun Jong's eyes widened slightly.
He was right.
Whether Evil Tyrant Alliance forces come here or attack Evil Tyrant Alliance, they'll ultimately have to fight. Given Ten Great Sects’s mobility and aggression, it was wise to begin preparing immediately.
Even at the risk of it being a wasted effort, wasn't it better than stamping our feet because we were late?
“General.”
At Hyun Jong's call, Chung Myung nodded and immediately opened his mouth.
"Sect leaders, please immediately assemble your disciples. Regardless of how those bastards move, we must respond immediately."
"Understood."
"We shall do so."
“And while I don't doubt the sincerity of Beggar Union, it will be impossible to grasp Evil Tyrant Alliance with their abilities alone.”
Chung Myung's gaze turned to Im Sobyeong.
At that, Im Sobyeong rattled on as if he were a thief with a guilty conscience.
“Ugh… I understand what you’re implying. If we mobilize the bandit punks spread across the mountains, we may not be able to grasp their intentions, but we can certainly track their movements.”
But Im Sobyeong soon sighed and shook his head.
"But Dojang. Though Nokrim bastards are under the name of one sect, they're not as organic as Beggar Sect. It will take at least three days for the facts they have seen and confirmed to be delivered to us. Three days would be the fastest. By then, it will be too late to respond.”
“I know.”
“Then how....”
“Yuryong Sect.”
Im Sobyeong's eyes instantly widened.
"Huh?"
“The mountain strongholds might not communicate well, and their reports may be slow. But we have those who are friendly with each stronghold and are also quick on their feet."
Im Sobyeong unconsciously clutched his fan tightly.
Certainly, Yuryong Sect used Nokrim’s stronghold like a lodging. Naturally, they developed a close relationship. And unless Heavenly Comrade Alliance was scattered and needed to send individual carrier pigeons, there would be no one in the world who could relay news as swiftly as Yuryong Sect.
Im Sobyeong nodded.
"If Yuryong Sect Munju gives permission, we can proceed immediately. Then we'll be able to perfectly grasp their movements within at least Gangbuk."
"I've already received permission. You just need to give the orders."
A gleam flashed through Im Sobyeong's eyes.
When did he start thinking of this? After the incident in Sichuan? Or after Hangzhou Demonic Flower? Or…
“I will do so.”
The timing didn’t matter now. Im Sobyeong quickly nodded.
"Move. So we can respond immediately to whatever news flies in."
"Understood!"
It was when Chung Myung was about to resolutely brush off his seat and stood up.
“A message has come from Beggar Union!”
"What?"
Im Sobyeong shouted.
“Come in! No, just spit it out now!”
The person who burst through the door poured out the words without a moment to catch his breath.
“Shiyan (십언(十堰))! They say that Evil Sects are attacking commoners in Shiyan!”
Everyone’s faces turned pale.
Shiyan was a small city located above Zhangjiajie, slightly closer to Shaanxi than Henan.
The blade of Evil Tyrant Alliance had begun to fly toward them.
"This...!"
“We must move at once!”
“Musketeers!”
Chung Myung clenched his fist. But the news did not end there.
“Maengju-nim!”
Another person burst through the door.
"Messages have arrived from Beggar Union. They say Evil Sects have currently appeared near Shijiazhuang! They've conveyed that they're attacking nearby towns and a response is needed."
"...What?"
Shijiazhuang?
“Isn’t Shijiazhuang in Hebei?”
“Why is Evil Sects there?”
"Report!"
Without even time to turn their heads, another pale-faced messenger stormed into the room.
“Evil Sects are running rampant near Beijing!”
“Evil Sects have appeared in Hefei and is killing people indiscriminately!”
“Myriad Man Manor sighted near Xi’an! Southern Edge Sect is already responding!”
"They say small and medium sects near Xinyang have been attacked!"
Everyone's eyes trembled violently.
There were still those running toward the great hall. All of them had turned deathly pale, so the message they were bringing would probably not be much different.
"Just what..."
A slightly trembling voice leaked from between the lips of Chung Myung, who was standing with a hardened face.
"What in the world is happening...?"
As if doused in ice water, a chilling dread dripped down everyone’s spines.
|Note
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