Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1757. Because I made it that way (2)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
“Hmm.”
At the low nasal sound, Ho Gamyeong's body trembled faintly. Even though it was a small sound with no particular discomfort.
‘Those damn bastards.’
Even thinking about it again, his decision not to immediately inform Jang Ilso of the Blood Palace’s desertion wasn’t a mistake. If he could handle it within his authority, solving the problem with as little commotion as possible was his duty as strategist.
Until those crazy Blood Palace bastards committed the absurd act of directly attacking Mount Wudang, which on the surface could only be felt as 'total war'.
No matter how much Ho Gamyeong oversaw all of Evil Tyrant Alliance's information, it was impossible to prevent the most crucial matter of battle with Heavenly Comrade Alliance from entering Jang Ilso's ears. No, even if it were possible, such a thing shouldn't be done.
Because it would amount to Ho Gamyeong denying Jang Ilso’s authority.
“Gamyeong-ah.”
“Yes, Ryeonju-nim.”
“You knew?”
“...I knew of the desertion. However, that they would actually head there…”
“So you knew…”
Jang Ilso muttered softly and narrowed his eyes.
“But… It seems you didn’t feel the need to tell me.”
“...”
"Hm?"
Thick drops of sweat trickled down Ho Gamyeong's temples.
His choice hadn't been wrong. But the basis for his judgment was the current situation where Jang Ilso's grip didn't reach as far as before. How would Jang Ilso take this? Even Ho Gamyeong found it difficult to guess.
“Ryeonju-nim, this is...”
"Well done."
Startled, Ho Gamyeong sharply raised his head. Jang Ilso nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders.
“There’s no need for me to know every such trivial detail, is there? Handle it on your end.”
Ho Gamyeong stared blankly at Jang Ilso. His bewilderment was evident.
What had he been doubting? What had he been hesitating for? He should have just trusted that Jang Ilso was still Jang Ilso.
“...I will do so, Ryeonju-nim.”
"Then where is the Blood Palace Leader now?"
"The palace has returned, but he himself hasn't..."
"Is that so?"
A meaningful smile formed on Jang Ilso's lips.
“There was no need for him to confirm it. It was a bit faster than I expected.”
"May I ask what you mean by that?"
"Ah, I spoke in riddles again. It's fine. You don't need to know right now. Because it's not certain yet."
Listening to his calm and gentle voice, all of this feels like just the most common everyday matter.
However, Ho Gamyeong bit down hard on the flesh inside his mouth. He couldn't just let it pass like this.
“Ryeonju-nim. Then punishment for them..."
“Hm?”
Jang Ilso looked back at Ho Gamyeong with languid eyes.
"They ignored your commands and left the camp without permission to engage the enemy. If we don't punish them accordingly, we cannot avoid discipline breaking down."
If they had just left without attacking Mount Wudang, perhaps it could have been quietly covered up.
Of course, Ho Gamyeong believed rewards and punishments must be strictly enforced, but he wasn't one to insist the timing be immediate.
Depending on the situation, there were times when moderately covering things up and passing over was beneficial to the whole. But this matter couldn't be so easily overlooked.
The fact that the Blood Palace attacked Heavenly Comrade Alliance has already spread widely within the Four Great Alliances. If punishment is delayed in this situation, it may amount to giving justification to those who are already suppressing their overflowing discontent.
“Punishment, huh....”
After a brief silence, Jang Ilso smirked.
"Well, leave them be. There's no particular need for that."
“Rye- Ryeonju-nim.”
Ho Gamyeong stared at Jang Ilso with an expression of complete incomprehension. Jang Ilso let out a light sigh.
"Why? Does it seem like I'm acting this way because I find dealing with those lowlifes troublesome?"
"How could I dare harbor such thoughts?"
“Right, of course you wouldn't.”
Jang Ilso wore a faint smile.
“Then just leave them be. It's something I don't need to do myself anyway."
“...”
“It wouldn’t be difficult to casually push down those struggling to survive with the tip of my foot… But it’s not exactly pleasant either, you see.”
Ho Gamyeong frowned slightly. It was difficult to grasp the exact meaning.
'Was that something they absolutely had to do?'
Or did they have no choice but to act that way to survive?
The former was understandable if considered one of their rituals. On the other hand, the latter was impossible. Who in Jungwon now could push the Blood Palace to the edge of a cliff?
Moreover, the Blood Palace was currently in hands with Evil Tyrant Alliance.
Unless it was a situation where Jang Ilso himself was taking action…
“Gamyeong-ah.”
"...My apologies.”
Ho Gamyeong, lost in thought, snapped back to attention and bowed his head. Now wasn't the time when reasons and such mattered.
"Ryeonju-nim. Even if they had an understandable reason, others watching won't simply let this pass."
"Hmm. Those watching..."
Jang Ilso laughed wickedly as if amused.
"Who are you referring to?"
"That's..."
“What do you think? Do you have a complaint, perhaps?”
Ho Gamyeong was about to answer, then suddenly closed his mouth. He realized that Jang Ilso’s question wasn’t directed at him.
Quickly turning around, he saw Hao Sect Sect Leader Thousand-Faced Gentleman, standing behind him.
Ho Gamyeong's expression hardened.
'Why is Hao Sect Sect Leader here?'
If he had to pick the person most uncomfortable to deal with right now, it was Thousand-Faced Gentleman. If possible, he was someone Ho Gamyeong would prefer not to face at least for now.
But Thousand-Faced Gentleman didn't even spare a glance for Ho Gamyeong. He stared only at Jang Ilso. Thousand-Faced Gentleman spoke slowly.
"If Lord Ryeonju has so decided, then it's simply a matter of following. If we try to resolve even the smallest dissatisfaction, nothing will get done."
Jang Ilso gave a small nod and looked down at Ho Gamyeong.
"That's what he says."
“...”
"What do you think? Can our strategist also put his mind at ease now?"
Ho Gamyeong bit his lip tightly..
If Hao Sect Sect Leader, who would have harbored the greatest dissatisfaction while also comprising the largest numbers in Evil Tyrant Alliance, says as much, then Ho Gamyeong finds it difficult to raise the issue further.
No, thinking about it, it was something he should rather welcome.
Because Hao Sect Sect Leader's earlier remarks proved that he had completely bowed his head to Jang Ilso. If he hadn't revealed resentment over past events, quite many problems would be resolved. Enough to make this Blood Palace incident seem trivial.
"Gamyeong-ah."
Jang Ilso lightly urged for an answer. Ho Gamyeong let out a sigh and replied.
"If Hao Sect Sect Leader says so, I, too, believe it's right not to raise this matter further."
While speaking, Ho Gamyeong openly glanced sideways at Thousand-Faced Gentleman. As if he intended to keep all past events buried regardless.
But Thousand-Faced Gentleman showed no particular reaction. As if to say that he would let bygones be bygones.
While the cringeworthy words like reconciliation would never be exchanged, words like mending could probably be used.
"Then that's settled. Well, then..."
"However, I have one thing I'd like to ask."
Thousand-Faced Gentleman abruptly interrupted Jang Ilso, cutting him off mid-sentence. Those eyes were somehow subtle, as if probing.
Jang Ilso asked calmly.
“What are you curious about?”
“A moment ago, you said there was no need for you to personally hand down a punishment. May I ask what you meant by that?”
The corner of his red lips lifted, and a low chuckle slipped out.
“It means exactly what it says.”
"...What?"
"There's no need for me to punish him. There's someone else who will punish him."
Hao Sect Sect Leader's expression hardened slightly.
There was something he didn't know. Something was happening beyond even Hao Sect's information network. But he couldn't dig deeper.
Jang Ilso smiled broadly and gazed at Hao Sect Sect Leader.
"More than that, you know why I called you, right?"
"...Yes."
"Prepare soon. Punishment isn't my concern, but it wouldn't be enjoyable to let the opportunity I've made for you go to waste."
"I will do as you command."
Thousand-Faced Gentleman bowed his head respectfully. He appeared to have no doubts or concerns. However, his mind was extremely complicated.
'What is it?'
What he was missing. What Jang Ilso knew but he didn't.
Thousand-Faced Gentleman’s gaze fixed on the smiling Jang Ilso. As expected, he had no idea what the man was thinking.
In the midst of that, Jang Ilso's calm and languid eyes began to boil again. Because his heart was seething.
He could see it. The dam that held the world together was already collapsing.
Soon, the world everyone feared would arrive. A hell where even the great Jang Ilso could only flounder.
But.
'Just because I'll lose it eventually... doesn't mean I shouldn't have it.'
He would have it. Even if it was nothing but a hollow shell. Even if he had to discard everything to achieve it. That was Jang Ilso’s way of living as Jang Ilso.
"Now it's time to struggle."
Eyes tinged with mockery and madness turned north.
"Each in their own way."
* * *
His head was pressed tight against the ground. No, such an expression was insufficient to fully describe the current state.
It would be more accurate to say his head was stuck as if trying to dig into the ground.
As if in fear, as if trembling, as if groaning.
If anyone saw this sight, they would truly deem it bizarre. Because nothing existed before the one who bowed his head as if pleading for some very great sin.
Bandages were wrapped around the face of the person who bowed his head. The bandages began to damply soak starting from around the eyes.
“I endeavored… to carry out the command you bestowed, but my abilities were utterly wretched, and I failed to complete it. Please understand this pitiful one's inadequacy and I beseech you to release your wrath..."
His body was trembling miserably.
Originally, he was someone who wasn’t permitted to be overcome with fear while looking at others. He was a sacred being who led a cult, a resolute man who shouldered the weight of countless things.
But now his appearance was nothing but that of a pathetic weakling. A being who couldn't survive without being servile, who couldn't be forgiven without pressing his head down.
Even in this situation, the Blood Cult Leader didn't feel even a trace of humiliation.
"If you forgive this lacking one's sins and grant one more opportunity, I will devote my whole spirit to surely carry out your words. Please..."
The Blood Cult Leader struck his forehead to the ground with a thud again.
Then he fell silent. Though it was true that servility was the weapon of the weak, using it excessively often brought rather unfavorable results. He knew this fact well.
Time passed.
For an amount of time that would seem somewhat long to others, but felt like an eternity to the Blood Cult Leader, he faithfully carried out this act that could only be described as madness.
Only after a long while did a voice finally drift over.
“And here I thought you were at least a rat.”
The Blood Cult Leader trembled as if convulsing.
He still cannot find anything with his senses. However, it clearly existed here now. Right before his bowed head.
The Blood Cult Leader's entire body was consumed by fear. What could it mean that he couldn't sense the presence of one merely a step away?
“It seems you are nothing more than a bug.”
The Blood Cult Leader’s breathing grew ragged. The voice continued.
"But if so, the responsibility lies with me as well. It was my mistake to give such a difficult task to a trivial bug."
"I merely..."
Ppeudeudeuk!
At that moment, one of the Blood Cult Leader's arms twisted.
Ppeudeuk. Ppeudeudeuk.
With terrible sounds, the arm that no one had touched twisted and spun on its own. Soon, it was torn to shreds and ripped away from the Blood Cult Leader’s body.
“Guh, keueugh…”
His groan was small. Not because the pain was bearable. Rather, it was because he felt he might pass out at any moment from pain unlike anything he had ever experienced, yet even the freedom to scream loudly was not permitted to him now.
“Still, I suspect even a bug will listen to some extent if you hold a whip over it. What do you think?”
"Ce- Certainly... Another chance..."
“I shall grant it.”
“...”
“But remember, O one who has strayed from the path. You have no need for thoughts. If you disappoint me once more, not only you but all your followers will come to crave death."
"I- I will keep in mind..."
"Do not forget. That you are beyond my constraints. That nothing of yours holds any value whatsoever."
The Blood Cult Leader hurriedly and fervently nodded his head.
“I shall obey!”
"Go and carry it out."
"With utmost devotion."
The gaze of the person looking down at the Blood Cult Leader was chillingly heartless. Soon, those emotionless eyes filled with deep demonic energy.
Madness swirled as if it would explode at any second.
Barely suppressing it, he turned his gaze southward.
“...Jungwon.”
Infinite craving and rage appeared simultaneously. Only malice surged in the eyes gazing at the land he had once trodden.
“I shall find out. Whether there was truly meaning in this long wait.”
The figure stands alone and aloof.
In the past, the world called him Cheonsal. (Lit. means Heavenly Murderer/Killer/Slaughter)
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