Chapter 1377
The preparations are now complete. (2)
“What in the world is happening?”
The fishermen by the Yangtze riverbank exclaimed in a tumultuous uproar.
In the distance, the flames were diminishing. Though now showing signs of abating, moments ago, the flames had surged fiercely, as if they would engulf the entire river.
It was a rare sight for the riverside to be engulfed in flames. Yet, it wasn’t just the flames that captured their attention.
“The ships… the ships!”
Gigantic vessels began to traverse the center of the Yangtze River. At a glance, they appeared entirely different from typical merchant ships. They were battle ships specialized in overtaking and ramming other vessels, equipped with prow-mounted assault platforms.
As the procession of ships continued to advance relentlessly eastward, everyone involuntarily tensed, swallowing dryly.
One didn’t need to ponder too deeply to understand.
Right now, something huge is happening that will shake up the entire Yangtze River.
“War? Are we at war?”
“Careful with your words! Saying it’s war… it’s an ill omen!”
Shivers ran down the spine just from the mention of it, as voices quivered with apprehension all around. Yet, even within those voices, there was an undercurrent of unease. Because it was no mere idle talk.
“Could it be… the assault ships moving like that? Ships that have stood still for months without a twitch.”
“They might be returning to their stronghold.”
“This is unbelievable…”
Fear gripped everyone’s hearts.
Instinctively, they knew. The brief peace they had enjoyed had come to an end.
“How long has it been since there was an uproar…? There can’t be many people left nearby now.”
“That’s true.”
“Come on, don’t worry too much. Aren’t some Gupailbang’s sects here on the Yangtze? No matter how formidable those villains may be, what can they do with them around?”
It was a hopeful statement. But everyone here knew. If the rumors about Gupailbang being such a formidable force were true, then even if the events were across the river, they wouldn’t have let such malicious creatures rampage freely.
It was right at that moment.
“Hey, over there!”
“Huh?”
Those who turned their gaze at someone’s voice widened their eyes in astonishment.
Paahh!
A group of people was rapidly rushing toward the riverside where they were. Their speed was so swift that even though they noticed them coming from afar, they were suddenly right in front of them.
“Sh-Shaolin?”
Clad in yellow monk’s robes, some of the foremost figures wore red kasaya [가사(袈裟)] over their yellow garments. While there were countless temples in the world, only one place donned the yellow robes – Shaolin.
The disciples of Shaolin passed by with stern faces in a flash. Following them, a group wielding large Dao and cold-faced swordsmen swiftly followed suit.
Watching the rushing figures with tired eyes, someone muttered in a mesmerized voice,
“Truly… what monumental event is about to unfold?”
A sense of foreboding began to loom over the entire Yangtze River.
❀ ❀ ❀
“Abbot! It’s been reported that Jang Ilso has revealed himself.”
“Jang Ilso?”
“Yes! The man who remained hidden inside the carriage throughout the journey has stepped out and issued orders directly. While a small number of followers departed upon receiving his orders, it’s difficult to ascertain their exact purpose.”
Beop Jong clenched the jade beads in his hand tightly.
‘Paegun.’
The fact that orders were issued wasn’t the crucial point. What mattered was that orders could be given even from within the carriage.
Jang Ilso’s deliberate act of stepping out of the carriage to issue commands was clearly a mockery aimed at Beop Jong.
Veins of fury bulged on Beop Jong’s hand.
Even though Shaolin had clearly been caught off guard, they couldn’t muster the courage to counterattack. They simply followed closely behind Jang Ilso like dogs, who had taken the lead.
That’s what Jang Ilso is questioning them about now.
Where Jang Ilso is. What will happen once they reach beyond that river?
It’s a clear challenge, asking if they have the courage to aim for him and cross the river. Do they have the bravery to condemn him by pressing the sword against Jang Ilso’s throat?
‘Outrageous…’
A fierce murderous light flickered in Beop Jong’s eyes.
While others might dismiss it as trivial, he keenly felt Jang Ilso’s mockery.
It’s a mockery directed not at anyone else but at the Abbot of Shaolin, who leads the three sects across the river.
When has he ever faced such ridicule and mockery before?
What further irks Beop Jong is the fact that there seems to be no way to respond to it.
“Abbot, what shall we do?”
Beop Gye cautiously addressed Beop Jong. Abbot closed his eyes briefly before opening them again. Then, in an indifferent tone, he replied,
“We don’t need to respond to such antics individually.”
“Yes, Abbot.”
“First and foremost, stick close to the enemy’s movements. We can think about our response when we’re able. Even if there’s a good response, it becomes meaningless if it’s too late.”
“Yes!”
“Increase the speed!”
Beop Jong’s order reverberated more forcefully.
Beop Gye observed his retreating figure silently. It didn’t seem particularly imposing from behind.
‘Abbot…’
Certainly, what Beop Jong said is logical. When facing Jang Ilso, it’s crucial to adhere to that logic. Jang Ilso is a master manipulator, using people like pawns effortlessly. Reacting to every little action of his could lead to missing out on bigger things.
But in Beop Gye’s mind, there was one nagging suspicion.
‘Is the Abbot truly calm right now?’
Once again, Beop Gye couldn’t help but realize one thing for certain.
Since the Yangtze River Disaster to the present, Shaolin has been entangled with Sapaeryeon countless times, often falling victim to their schemes. It’s undeniable how dangerous Jang Ilso is.
However, when objectively considered, it’s fair to say that Shaolin, not Beop Jong, has directly confronted Jang Ilso. During the Yangtze River Disaster, it was Beop Gye, not Beop Jong, that led Shaolin. And when Maehwado incident occurred, Shaolin arrived late to a situation already in full swing.
In essence, it means that Beop Jong has never directly faced Jang Ilso’s schemes. He has never been a direct target of Jang Ilso’s malice.
If that’s the case… If it truly is…
“Haven’t you been told to hurry?”
“Yes, yes! Abbot!”
Startled by Beop Jong’s urgent voice, Beop Gye snapped out of his thoughts. Gesturing to those following behind, the disciples of Shaolin picked up their pace, gritting their teeth.
Confirming the overall increase in speed, Beop Jong peered across the river with icy eyes.
In Beop Gye’s eyes watching his retreating figure, there was an indescribable sense of unease.
❀ ❀ ❀
“Alliance Leader! The ones who went ahead are distancing themselves from us.”
“Hmm.”
Hyun Jong glanced ahead with a solemn expression.
‘Beop Jong’
Right now, Hyun Jong is undoubtedly the most anxious. However, the three sects that headed east first, including Shaolin, are moving so quickly that even Hyun Jong was surprised.
Tang Gunak spoke quietly,
“Indeed, the power of Gupailbang is not to be underestimated.”
“There’s no need to be surprised.”
Hyun Jong shook his head.
It is true. The decline of Gupailbang is not because they are weak, but because they did not use their power properly even though they possessed enough strength.
If Beop Jong had truly decided to engage in a proper war with Sapaeryeon through this opportunity, it would have been no different from gaining a reliable ally from Cheonumaeng’s perspective.
Although they might be temporary allies who cannot fully agree on everything.
“What will you do? Will you increase the speed?”
Tang Gunak asked, but Hyun Jong did not immediately respond. His gaze was somber.
Unlike the group ahead composed solely of elite members of Gupailbang, Cheonumaeng has too many sects within it. While their hearts may be united, speeding up further might make it difficult for them to move as smoothly as they were now.
In the end, Hyun Jong shook his head.
“No. We will not do that. Let’s maintain the current speed.”
“But, Alliance Leader. If we do that, we may lag behind not only Gupailbang but also Jang Ilso, who went before us.”
“It’s okay.”
At the unexpected response, Tang Gunak shot him a suspicious look.
The one who is most anxious right now is Hyun Jong, the Alliance Leader and former Sect Leader of Hwasan. That’s something no one in the world can deny. Yet, for him to say it’s okay even if he’s late…
Then, Hyun Jong calmly spoke up.
“Lord Tang.”
“Yes?”
“When will the sun set?”
Tang Gunak’s face went blank. What kind of bizarre question was that all of a sudden?
Hyun Jong spoke up.
“Surochae is leading all available ships eastward, correct?”
“Yes, that’s what they said.”
“And across the river, Sapaeryeon’s elites are also heading east. So, Sapaeryeon’s soldiers must have divided into those guarding the headquarters and those following Jang Ilso.”
“Well, that’s obvious…”
Tang Gunak bit his lip, realizing what Hyun Jong was getting at.
“So, you mean…?”
“Yes. We will maintain a moderate speed and send the ships ahead. And when the sun sets…”
Hyun Jong declared in a composed voice.
“I will lead our forces across the river.”
“A-Alliance Leader!”
Tang Gunak’s face paled.
“That’s too risky. If the enemy learns that we’ve crossed the river, they might change direction to attack us first. Then, we’ll be caught between Jang Ilso and Surochae.”
“That’s the situation our children are facing right now, isn’t it?”
Tang Gunak fell silent.
“If it’s too dangerous for you to accompany us, it’s okay. But Hwasan will cross the river.”
Tang Gunak suddenly glanced back. The eyes of Hwasan’s disciples, who were running closely behind, showed no hint of hesitation.
‘Was this the plan from the beginning?’
As if answering Tang Gunak’s thoughts, Hyun Jong spoke up.
“Just following from a reasonable distance won’t make any difference. If we do that, we might just end up watching Jang Ilso harm the children from across the river. I have no intention of letting that happen.”
“Alliance Leader…”
“I understand now. Why those children, even though they believed they were right, still felt unsettled in their hearts. Why everything seemed wrong.”
“…”
“Being part of a sect entails sharing your destiny.”
Tang Gunak’s expression as he looked at Hyun Jong resembled someone entranced. It was understandable, as Hyung Jong’s face seemed to embody the one word, “Taoist.”
“I will go with those children and share their destiny. I am trying to rectify what should have been done from the beginning.”
Tang Gunak slowly turned his head to gaze at the Yangtze River.
Beyond the mountains, the sunset tinted the Yangtze River a deep red. What would have been a beautiful sight under normal circumstances now seemed ominous, like the eve of a storm.
“…If that’s the case, then we will go together as well.”
“…”
“Isn’t ‘friend’ a term used to refer to those who share destiny as well?”
Hyun Jong closed his eyes quietly.
‘Chung Myung-ah.’
Now he seemed to understand. What that child had been trying to create.
‘Was this all just my imagination?’
Everything that had remained hidden began to exert its power in Chung Myung absence. It was like a sturdy wall protecting Hwasan even without him.
‘But this kid…’
A faint smile appeared on Hyun Jong’s lips.
“You are not protecting Hwasan, Hwasan is protecting you.”
Muttering words that could not be heard, Hyun Jong firmly kicked the ground, moving forward with determination.
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