Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1578. Take it somewhere. (3)
Editor: Hoamz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
With no attempt to hide it, the open letter was spread wide for all to see, and Baek Cheon read it clearly.
“Evil Tyrant Alliance… Are you saying Ten Great Sects are attacking Evil Tyrant Alliance right now?”
His voice shook faintly from shock.
Chung Myung bit his lips hard.
"This...."
A suppressed voice leaked out of his mouth.
"This crazy bald monk!"
Crumple!
Chung Myung crushed the message scroll in his grip. Just from the sight of the message pieces crumbling and finally scattering, one could see his state of mind.
Jo-Gol looked at Yoon Jong with wavering eyes.
"You're saying Ten Great Sects and Evil Tyrant Alliance are engaging in all-out war? Right now?"
“...It seems so.”
Why had the situation escalated to that point? Then how was Heavenly Comrade Alliance's main force moving now?
Countless questions arose, but nothing was getting sorted out in his head.
In the end, what hesitantly squeezed out of Jo-Gol’s mouth was a statement that was hard to even call a question.
"Then... what happens now?"
“....”
"N- No, what I mean is... If that happens, who wins?"
"Well... I guess Ten Great Sects would win? There’s no way Bangjang would have moved without a thought.”
“And you think Jang Ilso is moving without thought? He's no slouch when it comes to cunning. No, if we're just talking about cunning, Bangjang wouldn't even be a match!"
A brief silence settled between them.
It was difficult to rashly predict victory or defeat. How many people in the world accurately know the exact military strength of Ten Great Sects and Evil Tyrant Alliance?
Moreover....
‘The stronger side doesn't necessarily win.’
They had already proven that here.
If compared solely by the strength they possessed, they should have been utterly defeated and beheaded. Yet it was Black Dragon King whose heart was pierced, and it was Surochae that broke apart and fled.
So it was impossible to say easily who would win.
In any case, there was only one thing that was certain at this moment.
“We must go!”
"What?"
Jo-Gol was greatly taken aback by Chung Myung's resolute shout.
"Wa- Wait, you punk! Don't you know where we are? This is Anhui, Anhui! Even if we run until our feet sweat, by the time we arrive everything will already be over! And Ten Great Sects..."
Bam!
Yoon Jong suddenly drove his elbow hard into Jo-Gol’s side.
Jo-Gol flinched and turned his head, then instantly realized something. Only then did he see Hye Yeon's dejected face.
“Mo- Monk. What I meant was..."
“It is alright, Siju.”
Hye Yeon shook his head as if to say not to mind it.
“I too am well aware of the actions of Bangjang and the others. From the perspective of a donor, it must be difficult to look upon them with compassion."
“Monk....”
"However, I too must go."
Hye Yeon let out a shallow sigh.
“I ask for your understanding.”
“What is there to understand! It's only natural!"
Weren't those going to that battlefield none other than Hyeyeon's dharma brothers and teachers?
Jo-Gol would naturally have chosen to go as well. Even if they had committed acts worthy of the world’s condemnation, he would drag them back with his own hands to kneel and face judgment rather than completely turn his back on them.
So it was right to let Hye Yeon go. However…
“No.”
Baek Cheon looked at Chung Myung and said.
“We cannot move now.”
“....”
"This place isn't completely pacified yet. You know that. If we leave now, who knows what havoc the scattered remnants of water fortress and Evil Sects that already slipped into Gangbuk will cause.”
Chung Myung's face hardened.
Baek Cheon's words weren’t wrong. If they were to abandon those Evil Sects bastard and leave, this land would fall into even greater chaos. That would be a result worse than not beheading Black Dragon King at all.
Moreover, hadn't they originally formed units and taken risks to prevent Evil Sects remnants from harming commoners?
Baek Cheon said what he did knowing all of this. But Chung Myung cannot back down either.
Baek Cheon’s eyes and Chung Myung’s eyes clashed for a moment in mid-air.
“Sasuk, I....”
“You go.”
"...Huh?"
"We can't. But you can. I'll stay here and handle the remaining tasks. You go to Shaanxi. Right now!"
Chung Myung looked at Baek Cheon with a slightly surprised expression.
If it were the Baek Cheon of the past, he would have been one of two things: either stopping Chung Myung or stubbornly following along. Even if it meant being unreasonable or using authority to suppress others, he would have pushed through with his own will no matter what.
But not anymore. Baek Cheon was clearly distinguishing between what he needed to do and what Chung Myung had to do.
"I'll keep Gol with me."
“Huh? Me?”
“To clean this place up even a little bit faster, we need a fast-footed guy.”
“N- No, Sasuk... I...”
At that moment, Yoon Jong grabbed Jo-Gol by the back of the head and pressed down hard.
“Shut your mouth!”
“Urgh....”
Jo-Gol groaned with a thoroughly displeased expression.
Of course, given his nature, he would naturally want to rush to the greater battlefield.
But Baek Cheon knew that Jo-Gol's injuries were not trivial. Taking Jo-Gol along would only slow Chung Myung down and tie his hands.
“What about Samae or Jong…?”
“I’ll stay.”
Yoon Jong glanced at Chung Myung. His gaze was still not as gentle as it used to be. But that wasn’t the reason he chose not to go with him.
“That’s what I came for.”
“…Alright.”
Baek Cheon turned his eyes to Yoo Iseol.
“Samae?”
“I’ll go with Sajil.”
"I see."
Baek Cheon let out a small sigh of relief. In truth, he wanted to send even one more person. Because this reckless rascal would surely try to cause some incident.
But there was no more time to delay. He was just about to speak when a familiar voice rang out from somewhere.
“We’re going too.”
Baek Cheon turned his head sharply.
“…You’re saying you’ll follow?”
"There's nothing more to do here. And... from what I hear, it's not only Shaolin that's been exposed to danger."
Baek Cheon nodded slightly at Jin Geumryong's words.
If Evil Tyrant Alliance were advancing north, Southern Edge Sect would also be exposed to that danger. Therefore, he had no justification to stop them.
No, weren’t they the ones who had come this far along a path they never even needed to take?
“Uh…”
Baek Cheon’s lips slightly parted. But in the end, he couldn't say anything. Watching such him, Jin Geumryong lifted one corner of his mouth.
“Weakling.”
"...What?"
"Don't think about showing off and take care of yourself. If you die by the sword of some petty pirate scum after even capturing Black Dragon King, you'll be called the biggest fool in Kangho history forever."
"Really, even when you speak...! You damned bastard!"
Jo-Gol, who had been listening quietly, whispered into Yoon Jong's ear.
"Is he telling him to be careful now?"
"...Seems like it."
"Why does he say it like that?"
"...All Jin Family seems to be like that. Sasuk was similar in the old days, wasn't he?”
“Now that you mention it, definitely.”
“Quiet down, you damned punk!”
While Baek Cheon turned his arrows towards the innocent Jo-Gol and Yoon Jong, Jin Geumryong turned his body without lingering attachment and approached Chung Myung's side.
“You’re not going to say no, are you, Mount Hua Divine Dragon?”
"Since when have I been Mount Hua Divine Dragon?" (“듣고 보니 확실히.”)
“I want to call you that. Because it’s a title I made for you.” (“거기 조용히 해라, 이 새끼들아!”)
Chung Myung glared at Jin Geumryong and Isong Baek following behind him.
“Do as you please if you can keep up. Don’t expect me to spare a thought for you.”
“Just what I was hoping for.”
Thus, Chung Myung ended up taking Yoo Iseol, Jin Geumryong, Isong Bael, and Hye Yeon with him. With a face tinged with a subtle unease, he spoke to Baek Cheon.
“I’m going.”
"Yes. We'll also depart immediately once the situation is sorted out."
Without any further reply, Chung Myung turned and shot forward like lightning. The four immediately raced after him.
In Baek Cheon's eyes as he quietly watched the five people rapidly disappearing into the distance, deep concern he could no longer hide finally surfaced.
Paaaaat!
Chung Myung kicked the ground and kept increasing his speed.
‘Have to hurry!’
He could feel without looking that the ones following behind him were struggling, but he had no leisure to match their pace right now.
'Bop Jeong, you idiot bastard...!'
Chung Myung clenched his teeth.
Why does he still not know? Why has he still not abandoned his overconfidence?
Even though he clearly knew what kind of bastard Jang Ilso was, why was he still clinging to useless desires for fame and merit? A man who calls himself a Buddhist, no less!
'Faster!'
Kwang!
He kicked the ground even harder.
A blood-red sunset was slowly spreading.
* * *
“Bangjang!”
At the voice heard from beside him, Bop Jeong narrowed his eyes and gazed ahead.
He could see the people in the far distance. To be precise, he could see the man in extravagant attire standing at the head of that group.
“...Paegun.”
“It’s definitely Jang Ilso!”
Bop Jeong nodded slowly.
Even from afar, it was unmistakable. That person was definitely not a fake.
While using a decoy would certainly be an excellent strategy, it was difficult to employ when the opponent was already wary and prepared.
And Bop Jeong's keen senses clearly read the sinister evil energy emanating from Jang Ilso.
"Amitabha. It seems indeed so."
A soft voice resonated. Even now, Bop Jeong's gaze was locked on Jang Ilso. Jang Ilso on the opposite side was undoubtedly watching him as well.
"...Fortunately, it seems we have arrived in time.”
“An ambush…”
“None.”
Bop Jeong spoke with a voice full of conviction.
It wasn't as if he had run all the way here without a thought.
The terrain of Shaanxi was rugged. Once inside such mountains, avoiding ambush would be difficult.
However, this place was still the path in Hubei that led to Shaanxi. In this vast plain, there was nowhere to hide nor anywhere to dig traps.
This meant they could settle everything purely through a contest of strength.
And if variables could be minimized, victory was all but certain (필승(必勝) /Certain victory). Just by facing the enemy in this place, it was as good as having already seized the momentum for victory.
Though it would be an unparalleled misfortune from Evil Tyrant Alliance’s perspective.
"Then, what will you do? Attack immediately?"
Jongni Hyeong’s face was flushed. He was itching to charge right now and sever Jang Ilso's pale neck.
Then again, why wouldn't he be? Jongni Hyeong’s resentment toward them was likely as deep as Bop Jeong’s.
But Bop Jeong did not permit such rashness.
Instead, his gaze shifted upward. The sunset had already spread far. Estimating the time, Bop Jeong let out a low Buddhist chant.
"Though he may be the leader of Evil Sects, he is still one who leads a force of this magnitude.”
"...So?"
“We should at least listen to his last words.”
Bop Jeong slowly stepped forward. At once, those who followed him fell into step beside him.
It was a momentum as if Mount Tai itself were moving.
It was a sight that showed well how Ten Great Sects had made their name known to the world.
Kuung!
Bop Jeong, who had advanced a little more toward the enemy, stomped his foot so hard the ground shook.
“Is Paegun there? Bop Jeong of Shaolin requests an audience!”
It was a lion's roar imbued with tremendous internal strength.
Even those on the same side were momentarily overwhelmed, so there was no need to explain how terrifying it must be for those facing it.
But what came back in response to that roar was an answer so leisurely it was almost languid. Compared to Bop Jeong's lion's roar, it was closer to a whisper.
"My ears aren't deaf, so no need to shout like that. I am here."
Paegun Jang Ilso. He slowly walked forward.
The jingling of his ornaments clinking against each other rang out like music across the plain that had suddenly fallen silent.
|Note
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