Chapter 1418: Even If It’s Meaningless. (3)

“Did you say Dian-cang?”

“Yes.”

Hyun Jong stared intently at Beop Gye, as if trying to gauge the truth.

‘What intention is this?’

It wasn’t that Beop Gye’s request was unreasonable.

If there were people suffering under the Four Sects Alliance’s oppression, the Heavenly Friends Alliance would do its utmost to save them. Beop Jeong surely knew that, so Hyun Jong couldn’t immediately guess why he singled out “Dian-cang.”

“The Abbot…”

“I am only conveying the Abbot’s words. If the Heavenly Friends Alliance will do that, we will risk our lives to open the way.”

Before Hyun Jong could reply, Beop Gye added with a slightly stern face.

“However, if too many fighters leave this place at once, it becomes dangerous. You understand that, don’t you?”

Hyun Jong nodded slowly.

If, as Beop Gye said, everyone here suddenly left, Ho Ga-Myung would naturally lead those remaining and target the survivors.

To prevent that danger, as many warriors as possible must remain here.

“At most, the number that can leave will be two sects.”

Hyun Jong flinched at Beop Gye’s words.

“That’s all we can do.”

“…Two sects, huh.”

“What do you think?”

Hyun Jong clenched his fist hidden inside his sleeve.

In truth, considering the enemies they faced, “only” two sects seemed little. But if they could join forces with those in Sichuan, there was still some hope.

Putting everything else aside, Hyun Jong was bothered by their motive. Why would Beop Jeong offer such favor now?

At that moment, Beop Gye spoke.

“Do not doubt the Abbot’s intentions too much.”

“…Elder.”

Beop Gye quietly shook his head.

“I understand the Alliance Leader’s suspicion of the Abbot. But this crisis is not solely the Heavenly Friends Alliance’s affair. We too must save those in Sichuan by any means.”

Beop Gye laughed bitterly.

He found it quietly absurd as he spoke. Since when had Shaolin divided those who must be saved and those who could be left?

Sensing that something was wrong, Beop Gye tried to turn away from that feeling.

“We cannot move directly, so we ask to borrow the Heavenly Friends Alliance’s strength. What will you do?”

Hyun Jong closed his eyes tightly.

He couldn’t know. Beop Gye said this, but Hyun Jong didn’t believe Beop Jeong helped without motive. People don’t change that easily.

But even if there was another motive, could he pass up this opportunity?

Hyun Jong opened his eyes and looked at his disciples; their gazes all said the same thing.

Then Hyun Jong calmly said to Beop Gye.

“We will go.”

“I thought you would. Which sects will you bring?”

“One sect will, naturally, be the Tang Family.”

It was practically obvious. To tell the current Tang Family they cannot go to Sichuan would be cruel. Even if they arrived late and only saw the burned ruins, the Tang Family should be the first to confirm those remains with their own eyes.

“Then the other sect… no, there’s no need to ask. I was foolish.”

Beop Gye shook his head.

Although the Heavenly Friends Alliance is united, only one sect always rushes first to the most urgent place.

“Of course, Mount Hua.”

“Yes.”

Beop Gye nodded.

“I will inform the Abbott. With that, I will take my leave.”

Beop Gye bowed in the Shaolin manner and turned to ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) leave, or attempted to. Pausing as if something troubled him, he looked deeply at Hyun Jong and said.

“…Sect leader.”

“Speak.”

“Not as a Shaolin disciple but as a fellow Buddhist, I ask: if there are others suffering there besides Dian-cang… please help them.”

Hyun Jong looked quietly back at him.

This man crossed the river by his own will to help the Heavenly Friends Alliance, to prevent the murim world from falling into ruin. Could there be any ulterior motive in that heart?

The relationship between the Heavenly Friends Alliance and the Justice factions had long since frayed, but with people like this, perhaps it could one day be mended.

“Of course we will.”

When Hyun Jong clasped hands, Beop Gye bowed deeply again and turned.

A deep emotion settled in Beop Gye’s eyes as he turned away.

‘One cannot know.’

He did not view the Heavenly Friends Alliance or Mount Hua with blind favor, not because he followed Beop Jeong, but because he believed the Alliance’s extremism and excessive zeal could ruin things.

But in the moment he sent Mount Hua to Sichuan, Beop Gye realized something.

When someone was in danger, the sect one most wanted at that place was none other than Mount Hua, even Beop Gye felt that way.

“Amitabha. If you move first, we will respond.”

As Beop Gye dispersed his light footwork and began to leave, Im So-Byeong’s sharp voice rang out.

“Do you really think the Shaolin Abbot will send us out of pure kindness?”

“…Green Forest King.”

“If our Heavenly Friends Alliance can create a situation where we go to Sichuan and rescue Dian-cang, Shaolin loses nothing. They won’t have blood on their hands but will get the credit; it’s a profitable deal for them either way.”

Im So-Byeong glanced toward Shaolin as he continued.

“And even if we fail to rescue Dian-cang, he can claim he did everything he could. And above all!”

As Im So-Byeong’s voice grew heated, Hyun Jong calmly interrupted.

“You mean it would be perfect if Mount Hua and the Tang Family fight the Hegemony Lord and counterattack together, correct?”

Im So-Byeong fell silent for a moment with a grim face, then asked.

“Did you know?”

“I am not that foolish. I may not know the plots, but I do not misunderstand people’s hearts. However…”

Hyun Jong cast a sidelong glance at Tang Gunak. Though he showed no emotion, clearly his insides still burned.

“I have never heard of a parent calculating losses when saving their child.”

At that moment Im So-Byeong saw Tang Gunak clench his pale fist even tighter.

“And Mount Hua… The Heavenly Friends Alliance is not a place to weigh gains and losses when helping friends.”

All of Mount Hua’s disciples nodded.

“What will you do? Will you still block the kids?”

Im So-Byeong shrugged at Hyun Jong’s question and looked to one side.

“If that damned man were dead, maybe. But he’s still alive; how could I stop the Alliance Leader? He’ll be rioting to slaughter them the moment he opens his eyes.”

“…”

“Understand that I must cause trouble. It’s my role. By the way, aren’t you taking me with you? I could be useful.”

Hyun Jong shook his head at Im So-Byeong’s banter.

“This place is equally dangerous. Without you, wouldn’t it be hard to handle them?”

Im So-Byeong nodded silently. He had to observe Ho Ga-Myung’s actions here since they did not know what he would do.

Then, with a suddenly serious expression, Im So-Byeong spoke in a low voice.

“If it’s dangerous, you must withdraw by any means necessary.”

“I will remember.”

Hyun Jong turned his head and looked at everyone.

“Palace Lord.”

“Yes, Alliance leader.”

“Please take care of this place.”

Meng So let out a heavy sigh ill-fitting his size, as if receiving a heavy burden.

“Yes. Do not worry. We will cross the river without sacrifice. As soon as we cross, we will head to Sichuan, so consider us going ahead.”

“Thank you.”

Hyun Jong turned to look at Geum Yang-Baek, but before he could speak, Geum Yang-Baek opened his mouth first.

“I will guard this place.”

“…Sect leader.”

Geum Yang-Baek’s face was extremely pale, but the smile at his mouth was gentle.

“I regret we may not meet again. Please take care of Southern Islands, Alliance leader.”

Hyun Jong closed his eyes and nodded.

There were so many things he wanted and needed to say, but there was no time.

At this very moment, Sichuan would be drenched in blood.

Even if it might be futile, the struggle did not matter.

‘We are the ones who make those futile struggles.’

Hyun Jong cast a determined look at Tang Gunak.

“Tang Family lord, let us go. Time is of the essence.”

Tang Gunak nodded. Only then did the Tang Family’s followers, who had been desperately suppressing their emotions, let out low, growling moans.

“Mount Hua!”

“Yes, Former Sect Leader!”

“Hurry! We go to Sichuan!”

“Yes!”

Hyun Jong glanced at the status of the Five Swords, squeezed his eyes shut, and spun his body.

“Move out!”

And they ran straight for the Yangtze river.

After them, core figures of Mount Hua, the Tang Family, and the Heavenly Friends Alliance dashed forward emitting blue killing intent.

“Commander! They are moving!”

The report flew into his ear. Ho Ga-Myung’s eyes coldly stared ahead. He saw familiar figures heading for the Yangtze.

“The pirates are now…”

“Leave them be.”

“Yes?”

The startled aide looked at Ho Ga-Myung. A look of disbelief flitted across the aide’s face, but Ho Ga-Myung shook his head to prove the aide’s ears were not deceiving him.

“There is no need to stop them.”

“C-commander…”

Without further explanation, Ho Ga-Myung simply watched Mount Hua and the Tang Family leap into the Yangtze, and the Justice faction moving as if to guard them.

“…Beop Jeong, huh.”

Ho Ga-Myung murmured softly.

What he had to do was to hold onto as many people here as possible without suffering losses. If Beop Jeong’s and Ho Ga-Myung’s interests aligned, there was no need to refuse.

If by sending Mount Hua and the Tang Family they could secure a truce, it would not be a loss. On the contrary…

“What a ruthless man. In a situation like this…”

A rare smile appeared on Ho Ga-Myung’s lips.

What meaning is there in dividing Justice and Evil factions?

In the end, only the skin they wear differs; their deeds are the same. As Jang Ilso said, human nature is uniformly ugly.

Chung Myung still had not regained consciousness and lay in Tang Gunak’s arms. Watching this, a complex emotion passed through Ho Ga-Myung’s eyes.

‘Plum Blossom Sword Ghost.’

In the end, Chung Myung slipped from his grasp like this.

From Southern Island to here, he had let the enemy he vowed to kill slip away.

But Ho Ga-Myung’s heart was not entirely pained.

Because it was not a failure.

If he had not pushed the Plum Blossom Sword Ghost to the limit, if that man had been conscious, the situation would never have come this far.

He did not want to admit it, but the author was Jang Ilso’s only true rival in the world. He would have noticed the dissonance at some point.

So he had to judge that his sacrifice, and the Ten Thousand People Clan’s sacrifice, had value.

Still, he felt regret.

Grit.

Ho Ga-Myung ground his teeth softly.

If the hell they were breaking through led to Sichuan, Ho Ga-Myung would never see that man again.

No matter how much the Plum Blossom Sword Ghost ascended to the heavens, the ghost-blossom conflagration Jang Ilso unleashed would surely cover even that sky.