Chapter 1285
Who came to Gangnam? (5)
While Namgung Dowi and Tang Pae were taking care of Seol Sobaek, the disciples of Haenam all arrived at the shore without exception.
“Now that everyone’s here, are you all alright?”
“…Yes, Sect Leader.”
The replies lacked vigor.
In their faces, there was nothing but a growing sense of mistrust.
‘Why does it have to be like this?’
Wasn’t the shore empty even without diving in? The real enemies to watch out for would likely be somewhere in the middle of the sea…
Even if there was a reason for it, it was questionable whether it was necessary to swim so fiercely, as if using up all their energy before even starting a battle.
At this rate, wouldn’t they exhaust themselves before even getting into a fight?
“As soon as preparations are done, we depart. Hurry up.”
“Yes!”
As the discontent among the disciples of Haenam began to simmer down and their boiling emotions started to settle, Lee Jayang, feeling somewhat relieved, turned to Gwak Hwanso and spoke up.
“It seems like they’re quite dissatisfied.”
“Dissatisfied?”
Gwak Hwanso furrowed his brows slightly.
“What dissatisfaction?”
“They’re probably unhappy about being ordered to move without being given any explanation.”
“It’s a disciple’s duty to obey when Sect Leader commands. Isn’t that why they came all the way here?”
“If it’s Sect Leader’s command, then yes…”
Gwak Hwanso narrowed his eyes slightly.
“But all these orders are nothing other than the directives of Cheonumaeng… No, precisely speaking, it’s Vice Sect Leader Baek Cheon of Hwasan, isn’t it? Sect Leader is simply following those orders.”
“What exactly are you trying to say?”
Lee Jayang shrugged.
“I’m just saying. No matter how capable they may be, how many here would willingly follow the orders handed down by peers from other sects?”
Gwak Hwanso turned his head to look at Lee Jayang. Lee Jayang, raising both hands jokingly, shook his head.
“It’s not that it’s my opinion, it’s that the youngsters think that way. As for me…”
There was no need for further explanation. Gwak Hwanso knew Lee Jayang’s temperament well.
He detested the idea of authority being granted to those lacking competence.
In other words, someone who follows without complaint is one who acknowledges the words of those with abilities.
Given that Lee Jayang had already witnessed the capabilities of Hwasan and Baek Cheon, there was no reason for him to harbor discontent.
Seeing Gwak Hwanso’s expression, Lee Jayang chuckled.
“Don’t make such a face, Sahyeong. Isn’t it human nature? People often dislike authority and always advocate for rebellion against it. But when that rebellion comes back to them, they harbor discontent.”
“…Hmm.”
“I just don’t understand why it’s so difficult for them to explain the situation and make others understand. Those individuals over there seem perfectly capable of grasping such things, yet they choose to remain silent. They’re not the type to overlook something like this.”
“There must be a reason.”
“Well, yes, I suppose.”
As Lee Jayang shrugged, Gwak Hwanso let out a deep sigh.
And at the same time, the members of Cheonumaeng were also having a similar conversation.
“…Their eyes don’t seem friendly.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
“Shouldn’t we at least offer some explanation? It’s not really my place to intervene, but just watching seems inadequate.”
“Hmm.”
Upon hearing Namgung Dowi’s words, Tang Pae fell silent.
It wasn’t a difficult task, but they were unsure if it was appropriate for them to make judgments on their own.
“Well then…”
Just then.
“Have you all arrived?”
Fortunately or unfortunately, just before they were about to make a decision, Baek Cheon and Chung Myung returned. Baek Cheon approached them and made a subtle gesture with his eyes towards the back before speaking.
“We didn’t see any signs of the enemy at the location we checked. It seems the encirclement hasn’t been set up yet.”
“Hmm. The news might have been delayed… Even if they know, it would be difficult to properly establish the encirclement here due to the gaps in their forces.”
“Yes. We should listen to what the others have to say, but if there are no surveillance personnel, it seems we won’t need to deploy the scout teams separately. Let’s depart as soon as preparations are complete.”
“Yes. However, Vice Sect Leader.”
“Yes?”
Namgung Dowi glanced subtly towards the direction of Haenam as he spoke.
“It seems the explanation was a bit lacking. When there’s an opportunity, it would be better to explain to them in more detail…”
At that, Baek Cheon’s gaze turned towards Haenam, and then he nodded shortly.
It seems like they could guess how the situation was unfolding based on what they’ve roughly observed.
Baek Cheon subtly turned his gaze towards Chung Myung and asked.
“What do you think?”
“Looks like the cat’s out of the bag.”
Chung Myung snorted before replying.
“Leave it be.”
“Yes?”
Namgung Dowi, surprised by the response, asked for clarification. Chung Myung replied in a harsh tone.
“Are we going to explain and convince everyone every time we make a decision?”
“That’s…”
Chung Myung’s voice turned slightly chilly.
“It doesn’t matter if there’s dissatisfaction. It’s not a place where the dissatisfied die and the satisfied live.”
“I understand what you mean. But I’m concerned that this dissatisfaction might cause problems later…”
“It’s fine.”
It was Baek Cheon who responded, not Chung Myung.
“They’ll find out soon enough. This isn’t a place where such thoughts can thrive.”
Baek Cheon looked at the disciples of Haenam with eyes that conveyed neither contempt nor disregard, nor even pity. Instead, it was a sense of kinship [동질감 – sense of belonging somewhere/identity/connection etc.].
‘I was like that too.’
Baek Cheon of the past had been like that, filled with a sense of pride in his own superiority.
Though his immediate skill might not have been extraordinary, he believed his talent was second to none.
Because of this, he believed he could lead Hwasan and make its name known throughout Gangho.
What shattered his pride was reality itself, and also Chung Myung.
If he hadn’t encountered the wall named Chung Myung, Baek Cheon would never have been able to break himself.
‘And they are no different.’
No matter how determined and hardworking they were, the pride of being a disciple of Haenam, a member of Gupailbang, would not easily disappear.
Even if their skills were lacking, others would believe they should be treated with fair persuasion.
But they would soon come to realize that in the battlefield where they kill and are killed, the reputation and status they held so dearly were utterly useless.
“Sasuk!”
At that moment, disciples of Hwasan who had gone out to scout the forest returned.
“It seems there’s no sign of the enemy nearby.”
“We’ve secured the predetermined points and returned. This area is safe.”
“No enemy.”
Baek Cheon noded.
What he wanted to confirm was not so much the presence of the enemy, but as how far the encirclement had been formed.
According to the information they had just obtained, the enemies might have the capability to tail them, but it was clear they didn’t have the strength to loosely surround this area.
‘But that means they are actually building a more solid net formation ahead.’
Baek Cheon shifted his gaze to Im Sobyeong.
“Nokrim King.”
“Yes?”
“Where do you think the enemy will start forming their encirclement?”
“Well, that’s not something to think too hard about. Right now, there are three possible places they might try to block off. The first is here, the point where we’re supposed to land, but that’s been ruled out.”
“Yes.”
“The second is from Nanning to Gwangju, encircling a wide area to expand the net itself.”
“I see.”
“But!”
Im Sobyeong’s face contorted.
“If we consider the nature of Ho Gamyeong, it’s different. In my opinion, it’s Dam river [담강(湛江)]. They’ll try to block off the narrow passage connecting this basin to the inland without a single leak.”
“It’s a valid point, but we can also bypass through the sea. I don’t think Ho Gamyeong is someone who wouldn’t consider that.”
“Tsk tsk. Well, if we offer that option, they might even be grateful. The wolves are blocking our path now, but the ones chasing us from behind are the tigers. If we enter the water and buy some time, Maninbang will actually prefer it, I suppose.”
“Indeed.”
Baek Cheon nodded as if convinced.
“So.”
Im Sobyeong subtly turned his body to look at Haenam’s disciples.
“If they’ve rested enough to catch their breath, they should be moving. Time is already being wasted.”
“Understood. Then let’s prioritize moving with all our might toward Dam river for now.”
As Im Sobyeong nodded, Baek Cheon glanced at the others.
Seeing no apparent disagreement, Baek Cheon immediately stepped forward and approached Geum Yangbaek.
“Sect Leader.”
“Yes, Vice Sect Leader.”
Geum Yangbaek looked at Baek Cheon with a somewhat tense expression. Perhaps due to the tension of entering Gangnam, his face was noticeably stiff.
“We should prioritize moving with all our might toward Dam river.”
“Right now?”
“Yes. We can’t afford to delay, as the enemies may be tracking us, and it’s clear that a net formation is being formed ahead of us.”
Geum Yangbaek nodded heavily.
“Understood. I just have one question. What do you plan to do after we arrive at Dam river?”
“I’ll decide based on the situation at that time.”
“Based on the situation…”
A hint of dissatisfaction flickered briefly in Geum Yangbaek’s eyes. However, he quickly responded with a resolute voice, seemingly considering it pointless to discuss further in the current situation.
“Understood. Don’t worry.”
“Yes. I’ll leave it to you.”
As Baek Cheon lightly nodded and started to head back, Geum Yangbaek stared at Baek Cheon’s back for a moment before speaking up.
“Inform the disciples to prepare to move.”
“Understood, Sect Leader. However…”
One of the elders spoke up in a slightly uneasy tone.
“Surely, there is a plan in place?”
“…”
“I mean…”
“After all, we didn’t come here in vain, did we?”
“…No. But wouldn’t it have been better to fight to the death on Haenam’s coast if that’s the case? I just couldn’t help but wonder if we might meet an untimely end here.”
“…”
“They’re just a ten. Aren’t we over two hundred? Considering the number of people, if we have to choose a place to die, wouldn’t it be better if we decide…”
“That’s enough.”
Geum Yangbaek cut off the elder’s words.
“Inform them to prepare.”
“…Yes, Sect Leader.”
Watching the withdrawing elders, Geum Yangbaek quietly bit his lip.
It wasn’t anger at their attitude, but rather annoyance at the same thoughts crossing his mind.
‘How fickle the human heart can be.’
How quickly they seem to doubt their abilities after seeing them on Haenam’s coast? Even young cubs know what gratitude is.
‘No. It’s not fickle.’
Geum Yangbaek closed his eyes.
‘They just want to live.’
Once they escaped the grip of Maninbang, an attachment to life they had given up on began to emerge. So it’s only natural that they keep seeking a way to survive.
Who could blame them?
All one can hope for is that these small desires don’t lead them astray.
“Let’s depart!”
Geum Yangbaek’s voice grew stronger, as if trying to shake off the delusions in his heart.
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