Chapter 1405
You were absolutely incredible. (5)
It was an unusual reaction for Jo Geol, but no one felt the need to poke or point it out. Just by looking at the wounds on his body, they could understand how arduous the journey had been for him, and for all of them.
After experiencing such events, even the most steadfast of people might undergo a change in personality…
“No, but seriously, what were you thinking crossing that river? Are you out of your mind?”
Well, Jo Geol was still Jo Gool.
“Geol-ah… It was retired Sect Leader…”
“No, I’m not saying anything wrong. What if you had been caught? You’d really be in trouble, wouldn’t you? It’s not like you have two lives to spare. These gentlemen really have no plan, do they? You survived by sheer luck. If anyone had noticed you on the way here…”
Since Chung Myung was quiet, Jo Geol’s scolding filled the silence. At that moment, Yoon Jong, carried on Hyun Sang’s back, weakly murmured.
“Elder… Could you please go a little closer to that guy… My hand can’t reach…”
“Hold your tongue, Yoon Jong. He seems like he’ll die soon anyway.”
“Well, that’s fortunate, but…”
Yoon Jong weakly lowered his head. But in truth, Yoon Jong was just as curious as Jo Geol.
“But how did you end up crossing the river?”
“There was no choice. Sect Leader… No, retired Sect Eader insisted on crossing the river, brandishing his sword and running wild.”
“Retired… Sect Leader?”
“Yes. You should have seen how persistent he was.”
Yoon Jong widened his eyes and looked around. The other Five Swords were also staring at him with astonished expressions.
Yoon Jong exchanged glances with others, then looked at Hyun Jong, who was carrying Baek Cheon in front of him.
‘If it was elder Hyun Yeong, I’d understand immediately.’
Yoon Jong thought to himself. Hyun Yeong was known for being straightforward, and even though he might seem cold on the outside, when it came down to it, he was willing to risk his life for his disciples without hesitation.
However, it was hard to imagine Hyun Jong crossing the river by harassing and scolding his subordinates.
And to think that members of other sects were also persuaded?
“Did the disciples of other sects really accept retired Sect Leader’s persuasion?”
“Would they have just accepted it?”
Hyun Sang burst out laughing, as if finding the situation absurd.
“Elders from Tangga and Namgung repeatedly scolded us for being late.”
“…”
“And to make matters worse, Ice Palace and Beast Palace were originally supposed to stay in Gangbuk, but when we came to our senses, they were already following us.”
“Really?”
“No matter how much I think about it, it doesn’t make sense. What can we say? We couldn’t argue in the middle of it all…”
Yoon Jong’s head spun for a moment. It was thanks to Maeng So and Han Imyeong that Chung Myung managed to survive. But if things had gone according to plan, wouldn’t those two have not been here?
Hyun Sang spoke as if he understood Yoon Jong’s thoughts.
“Isn’t it truly ironic?”
“…Yes.”
Hyun Sang watched Maeng So and Han Imyeong running ahead with caution, then continued.
“We didn’t ask anyone to risk their lives. But they chose to do so willingly.”
“…”
“And seeing them saving Chung Myung here, it brings about many thoughts.”
Yoon Jong found himself gripping Hyun Sang’s shoulder without realizing it. An indescribable resonance echoed within him. Hyun Sang’s gentle voice rang softly.
“Sometimes, when Chung Myung and you were out there causing trouble, I’ve had such thoughts. I wondered what worries him so much that he feels the need to go to such lengths, when he could just live comfortably without all that fuss.”
Hyun Sang said, his gaze now directed towards Chung Myung being carried by Tang Gunak.
“But now I feel like I’ve found the answer this time. Maybe he wanted to see a scene like this.”
Yoon Jong also looked at Chung Myung’s back, just like Hyun Sang.
‘Cheonumaeng…’
Yoon Jong had always thought of it as just a name chosen without much thought. But now, it seemed there was more to it.
What Chung Myung truly desired was a relationship where they could drop everything and rush to each other’s aid in times of crisis. It was a relationship where they could risk their lives for each other.
So that’s why he acted that way. He must have thought that if he acted in such a manner, others would do the same for him.
His reckless behavior of prioritizing others over himself, this time, ironically saved Chung Myung’s life.
If they hadn’t risked their lives recklessly like Chung Myung, he wouldn’t have been alive by now.
How should one express this situation?
As Yoon Jong was, there was only one word that came to mind.
“The Tao.”
“…That’s true.”
Naturally so. Though it may seem futile, in the end, things proceed as they should. It’s a situation that can only be described in such a way. Of course…
“Lucky”
“…That’s also true.”
One could neatly and clearly summarize it, like Yu Iseol, but regardless…
Whether it was by chance or fate, countless things aligned perfectly to ensure Chung Myung’s survival, as well as theirs. Perhaps this memory would never fade as long as they lived.
“Does he know?”
Yoon Jong pondered silently. Does Chung Myung know how many people risked their lives to save him? Of course, he’s unconscious, so he wouldn’t be aware.
Then, Baek Cheon, who was being carried on Hyun Jong’s back, turned his head and spoke.
“It’s not the time to be sentimental.”
“…What do you mean?”
“The crisis isn’t over yet. Don’t you know that the main force of Maninbang is moving forward?”
Yoon Jong closed his mouth.
“If it’s Ho Gamyeong, he’ll definitely contact Jang Ilso. They’ll know where we’re headed. In other words, to escape Gangnam, we’ll eventually have to face off against the main force of Maninbang,”
At that moment, Hyun Jong calmly clarified Baek Cheon’s statement.
“Not only Maninbang but also Black Ghost is coming.”
“…That Black Ghost?”
“Yes. And Surochae is heading north along the Yangtze River. Well, it’s obvious Haomun would join them. “
Baek Cheon’s expression turned even more serious.
“That means…”
Hyun Jong nodded.
“That’s right. It’s not just Maninbang blocking our path now. The entire Sapaeryeon is coming to Yangtze River.”
A dead silence fell around Hyun Jong.
Those who had narrowly escaped death by meeting Cheonumang, and those who had risked their lives to save their comrades, all realized the gravity of the situation at this moment.
Sapaeryeon [邪覇聯 – evil sect union]. No matter how much they resisted, the name was too immense.
In that moment, Jo Geol spoke urgently.
“But they haven’t completely gathered yet, right? Black Ghost is still coming, and Surochae is still heading north! If we hurry, we might be able to cross the river without facing them all. Right?”
The one who nodded at those words was Tang Gunak.
“Dojang is right.”
“Yes, indeed, Lord Tang.”
“If we hurry, it might be possible.”
“Then let’s go quickly! Hurry up, Sasukjo! What are you doing? You have to run faster!”
Jo Geol urged Un Geom and caused a commotion. Hyun Sang glanced at that scene and then asked Yoon Jong.
“Yoon Jong, shall we go closer to that side?”
“…Please, just once. Even if I die, that guy has to die too…”
His half-hearted joke lightened the mood for a moment.
Tang Gunak watched them with a small smile, but his eyes darkened slightly afterward.
It’s not an incorrect statement, but… there’s one thing no one didn’t mention.
No matter how much they hurry, there’s no way to avoid encountering Maninbang, who have already surpassed them. And among them is Jang Ilso, and Maninbang’s main force. Of course, even if it’s Jang Ilso, and even if the power of Maninbang’s main force is uncertain… It will not be easy for Maninbang alone to stop Cheonumaeng.”
“…What about Nokrim King?”
Tang Gunaak turned his head to find Im Sobyeong.
“Me?”
Im Sobyeong, who shamelessly rode on Namgung’s elder’s back, glanced at Tang Gunak.
“What do you think?”
Honestly, it’s a bit awkward to discuss openly yet, but with Chung Myung unconscious, the only one who could see the whole board was Im Sobyeong. If they only consider the mental capacity, Tang Gunak, who must concede a few moves to Im Sobyeong in the game, was also experiencing lapses in judgement.
“Hmm.”
Without any further questions, Im Sobyeong understood what Tang Gunak was seeking an opinion on. Furrowing his brow for a moment in thought, he spoke.
“Strictly speaking, Maninbang won’t block our path alone. The one moving Maninbang right now is none other than that guy.”
Tang Gunak nodded in agreement.
Sichuan Tang is strong. Even though Namgung clan has suffered a significant loss, it still holds as much power as most sects. The Ice Palace, which only a few have come, may be a bit ambiguous, but the power of the Beast Palace is so formidable that most sect find it difficult to compete with.
And above all, there’s Hwasan here.
Right now, the two people who understand the power of Hwasan best in the world are Tang Gunak and…
‘It must be Jang Ilso himself.’
He would never underestimate the power of Hwasan. Perhaps he would even rate it higher than Tang Gunak. He’s always been like that.
“It won’t be easy.”
“Yes. In fact, it’s a foolish thing to do.”
Im Sobyeong scratched his head with a broken fan.
Ironically, because the opponent is Jang Ilso, the likelihood of conflict is low. Jang Ilso hates losing. Even if it’s a matter involving the reputation of Sapaeryeon, he wouldn’t want to risk the entire power of Maninbang just to stop Cheonumaneg.
“If we think about it according to logic… If we don’t arrive later than Black Ghost, we might be able to cross the Yangtze River without shedding a single drop of blood.”
“…Is it really logical?”
“Yes. If things go as they should…”
For a moment, similar expressions crossed the faces of Tang Gunak and Im Sobyeong.
Simultaneously, in their minds, appeared the endlessly arrogant face of Jang Ilso, mockingly laughing at the world.
“…It won’t end easily.”
“Probably not.”
Logically, there won’t be any conflict.
But precisely because of that, Jang Ilso will surely try to stop them. He has always been like that.
Jang Ilso is the one who plunges a knife into your back with methods nobody even imagines, despite what everyone thinks is the obvious.
“However it turns out, we need to act quickly for now.”
“Yes.”
Tang Gunak’s and Im Sobyeong’s faces were filled with determination.
Jang Ilso’s moves are unpredictable. No one in the world can anticipate his moves in advance.
So, at the very least, they must reduce the moves he can make.
Reaching the Yangtze River before Black Ghost and Surochae join Maninbang. That was the biggest task Cheonumaneg was facing right now.
‘In the worst-case scenario…’
Tang Gunak discreetly glanced around. He saw everyone running alongside him. After taking in each face, he looked down at the unconscious Chung Myung.
‘The future of Cheonumaneg must be preserved at all costs.’
That was the obligation of those who came first and the responsibility of adults.
Exchanging that thought through eye contact with Hyun Jong, Tang Gunak exerted all his strength and pushed forward.
‘Only an hour left until the Yangtze River!’
Their fate would be decided within that hour.
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