Chapter 1409
It’s time to wake up from this dream. (4)
“Ugh…”
Beop Jong’s eyes trembled.
The fleet of Surochae filled the vast Yangtze River like menacing black waves.
Of course, it wasn’t particularly surprising or bewildering, considering they had seen this sight to the point of exhaustion.
But there was a separate issue. The problem was that the fleets slicing through the currents of the Yangtze River suddenly slowed down and began to stop in their tracks.
This meant, in other words, that Surochae had reached their destination.
Before them lay nothing other than the vast land of Nanjing.
“This, this is…”
The land, which should have been covered with green grass or yellowish-brown earth, was crowded not with grass or dirt but with people. People known as Sapaeryeon.
Maninbang, Black Ghost, and even the various small sects gathered from all directions.
The moment they laid eyes on the overwhelming military might, even Beop Jong felt his legs weaken beneath him.
“A… Abbot.”
Jongli Hyeong, the Sect Leader of Kongtong, also spoke with a trembling voice.
“W-what should we do now?”
Of course, Jongli Hyeong had never seen anything like this before. The sight of so many forces gathered in one place was overwhelming. They could keenly feel what it meant to be outnumbered.
Even a lowly pack of dogs could take down a tiger if there were many of them. No matter how much the enemy’s average strength might not compare to that of the Great Sects’, if they had enough numbers, that difference could be ignored and still leave something behind.
‘But what if they load themselves onto those ships and cross over to Gangbuk?’
Can they stop them?
Even if Gupailbang occupy the riverside, can they really block all those who seem likely to fill the entire Yangtze River?
At that moment, Paeng Yeop spoke in an emotionless voice.
“…It might be better to withdraw.”
But Jongli Hyeong understood. He noticed that even Paeng Yeop’s voice was trembling slightly.
“If they attack us across the river, we won’t be able to resist with the forces we have here. At best, we’ll only inflict minor damage and face total annihilation.”
It was a cold yet objective statement.
“B-but, Lord Paeng. If we do that, then…”
Though Jongli Hyeong opened his mouth with a perplexed expression, Paeng Yeop coldly shook his head as if to say he understood the meaning without needing to listen.
“This is not a situation where we can worry about saving face.”
“…”
“Or do you, Sect Leader Jongli, think that we alone can stop them?”
Jongli Hyeong closed his mouth like a clam.
If all the other sects of Gupailbang were gathered here, it might be a different story, but with only the power of three sects, it was not a situation that could be stopped. Moreover, Shaolin wasn’t even at full strength.
“Abbot, you must make a decision.”
Paeng Yeop glanced at Beop Jong subtly. But he remained silent, just staring through the river as if it would burst open.
“Abbot.”
Just as Paeng Yeop was about to press again, Beop Jong’s mouth opened, and a boiling voice poured out.
“We tried to prevent this from happening… That’s why I warned so vehemently! How foolish!”
What could have been easily handled had turned into the worst-case scenario because of the foolish choices of Cheonumaeng.
He was on the brink of shaking with anger.
There was no way to block the advance of Sapaeryeon now. They would undoubtedly march beyond Hubei to Henan.
Jang Ilso’s intentions were clear.
The Central Plains were vast. While Gupailbang and Odaesega are grouped under the name Gupailbang, in reality, they are scattered throughout the vast Central Plains. And only about half of the sects are gathered north of the Yangtze River, centered around Henan.
If they could seize that place?
If they could engage in a decisive battle centered around the core of Gupailbang, led by Shaolin, Wudang, and Jongnam, and gain control of that central area?
They could easily crush other sects scattered throughout the Central Plains.
If Wudang and Jongnam were to break their Bongmun and join the battle, they might be able to hold them off. The central sects of Gupailbang are undoubtedly powerful. But there is no way to avoid the aftermath of that war.
Beop Jong knows. Why Shaolin and Wudang could become the center of power.
Their exceptional martial arts were important, but even more critical was the fact that they had established themselves in the heart of the Central Plains, Henan.
From Evil Sects to Demonic Cult, the enemies they must be prepared to fight, willing to face the destruction of their sects, have always advanced from the outskirts of the Central Plains toward Henan.
That’s why, as long as they didn’t lose, Henan never burned, no matter how brutal the war. Isn’t that why, a hundred years ago, when Demonic Cult attacked, Shaolin was able to avoid the devastation?
But this time is different.
If Sapaeryeon advances straight to Henan, even if they ultimately win, there is no way for Shaolin to avoid catastrophic losses.
At least Mount Song will surely be reduced to ashes without leaving a single cornerstone behind. Even if they win, all that will remain would be scars.
How can they accept the horrific outcome where others reap the fruits of victory, leaving Mount Song burned and all of Shaolin’s successors lost?
Cold sweat dripped down Beop Jong’s back.
“Paegun… this treacherous fiend…”
They naturally assumed that Sapaeryeon would target Cheonumaeng first. However, the tip of Jang Ilso’s sword was aimed not at Cheonumaeng, but directly at Beop Jong’s throat.
Knowing that Henan would burn, would they retreat for now?
Or would they stay here until the last person, to at least minimize the damage to Henan?
Beop Jong couldn’t easily choose either option.
“A… Abbot!”
Just then, Jongli Hyeing’s tearing scream shattered his thoughts. Immediately, Beop Jong looked sharply. The sight of the ships that had been filling the Yangtze River all turning their bows at once.
They were headed south!
Beop Jong, as if lost in thought, opened his mouth in bewilderment.
“…maeng…?”
“Yes?”
“Cheonumaeng! Where are they right now?”
“W-well, I suppose…”
Beop Jong’s gaze turned to the hill that rose on the southern plains across the river.
From afar, a familiar figure was visible.
His veins bulged on his neck, and then a thunderous roar burst forth.
“Hyun Jooooong!”
It was a cry, a resentment, and a desperate plea.
The world seemed to fall into silence.
Or perhaps it was engulfed in countless disturbances. But either way, it didn’t matter much to Hyun Jong.
What mattered was that everywhere his gaze fell, it was filled with enemies.
Banners representing Maninbang and Black Ghost fluttered, and among them, larger flags added to the oppressive atmosphere. The red characters for “Supremacy” [覇] seemed to pierce their eyes and their hearts.
And above all, what caught the eye was… the colossal white carriage standing amidst that formidable military force.
The grandeur of the large carriage pulled by eight white horses was impressive even from afar.
For anyone who knew even a little about the current situation of Gangho, or anyone with even a slight interest in the flow of events, it was impossible not to know who was riding in that carriage.
“…Jang Ilso.”
He was here.
Leading all those who followed him, he had already seized the path, mocking the desperate struggle of Cheonumaeng, and stood proudly in control.
Hyun Jong’s mind went blank.
Neither anger nor the feeling of being faced with an enemy overwhelmed him. In this moment, what captivated him was a profound sense of despair, so immense that words couldn’t fully express it.
‘Oh, Heavenly One…’
How could it be so cruel? How could it be so merciless?
He hadn’t asked for much. He hadn’t even demanded a fair price for the loyalty and righteousness they had upheld until now.
All he had wished for was a small measure of peace, enough to not make the bloodshed and suffering of his disciples in vain.
But even that seemed too much to ask for?
“Ah…”
“This… is…”
As they finally reached the top of the hill, those who arrived a step later, like Hyun Jong, were also left speechless. Even Tang Gunak and Maeng So, who seemed to have nothing to fear, were seen clenching their fists in the face of the unfolding despair.
“Is it too late…?”
Im So Byeong muttered with a bitter smile.
The reality they had turned away from, hoping it wasn’t true, now confronted them like a razor-sharp blade.
Perhaps it was predetermined from the start. Setting foot on the land controlled by the victorious Jang Ilso might have been an acceptance of a grim condemnation.
“…Fighting…”
Tang Gunak began to speak, then stopped, shaking his head in silence.
It’s futile. No matter how much of Cheonumaeng’s forces are gathered here, trying to break through them all and advance is an utterly reckless endeavor.
“Nokrim King! Any way to bypass them?”
“…”
“Nokrim King?”
Though Tang Gunak searched for a glimmer of hope in Im Sobyeong’s eyes, all he received was a bitter expression in response.
“It’s too late. The enemy is Paegun. He won’t let us go.”
Tang Gunak closed his eyes tightly. Though he already knew, hearing it from Im Sobyeong felt different. It felt like receiving a sentence of predetermined fate. All that remained was a sense of utter despair.
‘Was our decision wrong?’
That’s not something they can say.
But if it wasn’t wrong, why did they end up with this outcome?
Despair is contagious. Even those who couldn’t see the situation at the Yangtze River could guess from the reactions of those in front of them. As they had been on edge, despair came even faster.
“…Ah.”
At that moment, Surochae’s fleet changed direction and surged towards them. The moment the forces of Surochae’s eighteen strongholds descended upon this land, everything would come to an end.
In that moment when everyone present was about to give up on the word called hope, Baek Cheon, who had been lying down, pushed Hyun Jong’s away with great effort and descended on the ground.
“B-Baek Cheon-ah?”
As he descended to the ground, he straightened his trembling head. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then hastily bent his body.
Cough!
Clotted dead blood gushed out. Seeing the blood with an ominous color, Hyun Jong widened his eyes. It dawned on him belatedly that Baek Cheon’s condition was more serious than he had thought.
“You, you! Your body…”
Swish.
However, instead of saying anything, Baek Cheon slowly drew his sword.
“What, what are you going to do?”
“Now…”
Baek Cheon forcibly lifted his constantly drooping head. His blood-stained lips formed a smile.
“If I just pierce through there, it’s Gangbuk…”
“…”
“Isn’t that right?”
At that moment, those who had descended to the ground approached Baek Cheon, dragging their feet.
“We’re here, Sasuk.”
“Hah, it’s been a long journey. It’s finally over.”
“All we need to do now is pierce through there!”
“I’m exhausted. Let’s hurry.”
“Amitabha. I won’t come to Gangnam ever again.”
Shock and perplexity filled the eyes of Hyun Jong and Tang Gunak as they looked at them.
Five Swords and Hye Yeon. They were holding their swords with calm faces, as if they were still ready to fight despite their battered bodies.
It’s futile. Resistance is meaningless.
With bodies in such condition, they wouldn’t even be able to properly swimg their swords and would die.
But who could dare say such words to them?
Who could dare deem futile the will of those who, dragging their motionless legs and fighting with bodies covered in wounds, still shout that they will fight?
“You…”
“Don’t worry, retired Sect Leader”
Baek Cheon smirked.
“Clearing the path is our specialty. Isn’t that right?”
Five Swords nodded in unison.
At that moment, Hyun Jong realized. No, he had already realized.
His disciples, whom he had always believed he should hold close to his heart and protect, were already leading him in the opposite direction.
It wasn’t Hwasan that protected them. They were the ones protecting Hwasan and Cheonumaeng.
Baek Cheon stood at the end of the hill, dragging his feet. His blood-soaked robe fluttered.
The enemies filling the ground and the ships surging like waves were visible.
“This is magnificent.”
If one held a sword, if one had ever wished to be a hero, anyone would have dreamed of such a sight at least once.
At last, Baek Cheon’s wish was fulfilled.
Chung Myung’s voice, that he once heard, echoed in his mind.
⁃ Hero? Well, I don’t really know, but… Perhaps a hero is someone who dreams a never ending dream. Even until the moment of death.
“Exactly.”
Baek Cheon lifted the corners of his mouth.
“Then don’t wake me up. Ever.”
In an instant, his sword was engulfed in crimson light.
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