Chapter 1415
If you truly desired it, you should have seized it! (4)
“…No.”
A voice that seemed to be in agony, escaped someone’s lips.
Everyone’s faces turned pale, and Tang Gunak was as hard as iron wall.
Jang Ilso is heading towards the Tang clan. Is there anyone here who would not understand the significance of that?
Surely, something terrible is about to happen.
“W-What should we do?”
A voice tinged with confusion came out of Jo Geol’s mouth. But there was no one to answer his question.
“No! This isn’t right…!”
“Geol-ah, calm down for now.”
“Calm down? How can we calm down in a situation like this? Do you not understand the significance of Jang Ilso going to the Tang clan?”
Jo Geol’s eyes were bloodshot.
Even if he heard the news that Jang Ilso is heading towards Hwasan right now, Jo Geol wouldn’t be this infuriated. Sure, it might feel like his insides were being torn apart, but he could endure that.
The remaining pavilions at Hwasan hold the history of their ancestors, and while their burning would be terrible, they’re still just buildings.
But Tang clan is different.
Tang clan is the foundation where those connected by bloodline reside. Besides those present here, hundreds of their relatives are deeply rooted there. Haven’t they seen how they live?
Those who make poison, those who craft hidden weapons, and those who will eventually become the proud warriors of the Tang clan. All of them are firmly rooted in the place Jang Ilso is now heading towards.
It’s a situation where everyone might lose their lives at once.
“Let’s go!”
Jo Geol shouted in a fit of anger.
“What are you all doing? We need to go right now! Let’s go to Sichuan. We might be able to stop it if we hurry!”
“Geol, I told you to calm down!”
“Oh, damn it! Now is not the time to calm down, Sahyeong!”
Jo Geol shot an uncharacteristically angry glare at Yoon Jong, even roughly pushing away his hand resting on his shoulder.
Instead of getting angry, Yoon Jong let out a heavy sigh.
“It’s already too late. We…”
“What kind of cowardly talk is that? Are you suggesting that since it’s already too late, we should just stand by and watch?”
Seeing Jo Geol’s fierce gaze, Yoon Jong tightly shut his mouth.
In truth, Jo Geol’s current outburst stemmed from sheer desperation. But Yoon Jong couldn’t blame him. How could he not understand that sentiment?
“That’s also Soso’s home too!”
All eyes turned to Tang Soso at these words.
Tang Soso’s face was pale as she bit her lip and remained silent.
Her usually cheerful face now seemed so pitiful that it was almost unbearable to look at.
With clenched fists, Jo Geol shouted.
“If no one else goes, I’ll go alone!”
“Hey, you! Right now…”
“I’ll go too.”
At that moment, someone lent strength to Jo Geol’s words.
“We can go.”
“Baek Cheon Dojang.”
Namgung Dowi turned to Baek Cheon, his voice subdued. Baek Cheon, despite looking half-dead, spoke firmly.
“It might not be too late. We need to go right now.”
“That’s… ridiculous. Do you know how far it is from here to Sichuan? And rushing to cross the river now will lead to total annihilation. The enemy’s fleet hasn’t fully retreated yet.”
Im Sobyeong weakly protested. But Baek Cheon’s gaze remained unchanged.
“If we can’t cross the river, then we won’t. That’s it.”
“…Yes?”
Baek Cheon’s gaze shifted towards the direction of the enemy’s forces, where they seemed to be withdrawing.
“Why not just break through?”
“…”
“If our goal is to reach Sichuan, we don’t need to cross the river. We can travel upstream along the Yangtze River and reach Sichuan that way.”
“Bae-Baek Cheon…”
Finally, even Hyun Jong’s voice, tinged with exhaustion, emerged.
In the midst of this, is he still trying to fight? Even after seeing that overwhelming force with his own eyes?
“We must go.”
“For now, let’s calm down and…”
“Do I look agitated right now?”
With that remark, Hyun Jong fell silent.
Baek Cheon’s words rang true. There was no hint of excitement in him whatsoever.
“Those in Sichuan are also our close friends. I don’t know of any way to abandon our allies just because the situation is difficult.”
His statement left everyone silent, looking at Baek Cheon.
Even after reconsidering a hundred times, it’s an impossible task. Even if they set out immediately and gave it their all, by the time they reached Sichuan, there would likely be nothing left of the Tang clan.
And even if they had the luxury of time, attempting to break through the enemy’s forces to reach Sichuan would entail tremendous casualties.
Baek Cheon knew this fact well. Yet, he still shouted that they should do it.
What could anyone say to him?
Even this person who is completely broken still wants to fight.
“There’s no time for debate. I’ll clear the path, so, Alliance Leader, gather your resolve and support me from behind.”
“B-Baek Cheon, you fool!”
As Baek Cheon gripped his sword, as if there was nothing more to say, a voice reached out to him.
“Calm down, Vice Sect Leader.”
It was a voice that even Baek Cheon couldn’t ignore. It belonged to Tang Gunak.
“Calm yourself down. If you don’t see reality clearly, you’ll commit irreversible mistakes.”
Indeed, how someone blame the one who calmly discuss the impending disaster looming over them?
“If the opponent is Paegun, rushing now would be too late.”
Tang Gunak’s face remained frozen. Baek Cheon shouted urgently.
“But… But shouldn’t we at least try something!”
“What if that’s what the opponent wants?”
For a moment, Baek Cheon’s hand trembled slightly. Tang Gunak reprimanded him in a calm voice.
“Even if your anger aligns with Paegun’s intentions, can you still say the same thing you are saying now?”
“That’s…”
Baek Cheon couldn’t finish his sentence, biting his lip tightly.
This is ridiculous. How can one control even a person’s emotions according to one’s own intentions?
But the problem was that the opponent was Jang Ilso. It sounds absurd, but it felt like he had even grasped people’s emotions in his grip.
Tang Gunak, with a calm expression, glanced behind and spoke.
“Ho Gamyeong isn’t coming.”
“…”
“Alliance Leader. First, we must join forces with Shaolin and then cross the river. We don’t know what might happen here.”
“Lord Tang…”
A momentary look of pity crossed Hyun Jong’s face.
“Alliance Leader.”
However, Tang Gunak didn’t even bat an eye. He spoke as if he could guess what Hyun Jong wanted to say.
“Let’s not underestimate the Tang clan.”
“…”
“Even if they don’t devote themselves to martial arts, the Tang clan is still the Tang clan. They are strong not because they fear nothing, but because fearful people gather around them.”
Those who heard his words trembled slightly.
“Even if they’re not martial artists, they still carry the Tang surname. They’ll withdraw on their own even if we don’t go, so don’t worry.”
Various emotions flickered across Hyun Jong’s face.
He knows what Tang Gunak is saying. He also knows what needs to be done.
Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to nod in agreement.
How could a person do such a thing? Knowing full well that those words weren’t entirely sincere.
As Hyun Jong continued to bite his lip, Tang Gunak looked at Maeng So and spoke.
“Palace Lord.”
“Uh, yes. Please speak.”
“Lead the troops. The only one who can make a rational judgment here right now is you, Lord.”
At this, Maeng So clicked his tongue.
“Are you sure it’s okay?”
Tang Gunak didn’t reply but stared intently at Maeng So. Understanding the meaning behind that gaze, Maeng So let out a long sigh.
Saying anything unnecessary to a warrior who’s already made his decision would only be seen as an insult.
“It’s okay.”
And the answer to Maeng So’s question came not from Tang Gunak, but from Tang Soso.
“…They’re all exceptional people, so they’ll find a way to escape. Definitely.”
Tang Pae also nodded.
“The traps and mechanisms of the Tang clan are not easy to overcome. But there must be a way.”
Everyone knows it. They even themselves don’t believe it.
No matter how skilled Sichuan Tang clan is in poisons and traps, it’s difficult to confront Sapaeryeon without the elite troops present here.
But no one pointed out that fact.
After a prolonged silence, Maeng So spoke up.
“First of all…”
He glanced downward briefly. Gupailbang that had crossed the Yangtze River was stepping on the barren land that was revealed as Sapaeryeon retreated.
“First of all… let’s join them. It’s best to discuss the situation together. It’s not just the Tang clan in crisis now, they must be anxious too.”
Some nodded in agreement.
It wasn’t just Cheonumaeng who was under pressure. If one were to consider the urgency, it would be Qingcheng and Emei, in other words, Gupailbang, that would be the first targets of Sapaeryeon.
“Alliance Leader!”
“…Understood.”
Hyun Jong also nodded. He knew as well as anyone that there was no other option right now.
“Let’s go.”
Hyun Jong stepped forward, pounding the ground of Nanjing. The same place where Sapaeryeon had been just a moment ago.
The other members of Cheonumaeng followed suit without hesitation.
As they pressed forward, Yoon Jong’s small voice reached Jo Geol’s ears.
“Geol-ah, are you okay?”
“…What are you talking about?”
“…Isn’t it near the Tang clan?”
Jo Geol fell silent.
Yes, right in front of the Tang clan. The Four Seas merchant guild, where his family is.
“You…”
“Now isn’t the time for that.”
Jo Geol cut him off sharply, then quickened his pace and went ahead. Watching his retreating figure, Yoon Jong bit his lip tightly.
‘Jang Ilso!’
Yoon Jong never imagined he would hate someone so much in his life.
‘How far will you go?’
As he looked back, he saw Chung Myung losing consciousness again.
‘Please…’
He knew.
To expect anything more from Chung Myung in this situation would be not just cruel but downright ruthless.
Yet, despite that, Yoon Jong couldn’t help but hope. In such circumstances, there’s only one person who could not be shaken , and that’s Chung Myung.
Even if he couldn’t lift a sword, just knowing he’s conscious would bring comfort to many.
Before Yoon Jong could finish his regretful thoughts, Hyun Jong faced Beop Jong, who had crossed the river.
“…Abbot.”
Beop Jong, which had just come out of the Yangtze River and was drenched, looked at Hyun Jong only after confirming that Sapaeryeon’s army had moved far away.
And he asked.
“What do you think?”
Hyun Jong struggled to speak but managed to force his lips open.
“Paegun… is… heading towards Sichuan…”
“That’s not what I’m asking.”
Beop Jong’s gaze was chillingly cold.
“I’m asking how it feels to sacrifice others as offerings to Jang Ilso in exchange for your own safety!”
Beop Jong’s furious shout reverberated in Hyun Jong’s ears.
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