Chapter 1416
Even if it’s meaningless. (1)
Hyun Jong bit his lip in silence.
Beop Jong, supposed symbol of compassion and benevolence, the Abbot of Shaolin, seemed mostly shrouded in anger as far as Hyun Jong recalled. While it weren’t just the angry moments that stood out in his memory, they were certainly the most vivid.
That’s why he sometimes resisted, rebelled against him, unable to yield. Weren’t there at least one or two of unreasonable measures he had used against Hwasan and Cheonumaeng so far?
But this time, Hyun Jong couldn’t muster any retort.
“So…”
Beop Jong spoke through gritted teeth.
“So, how many times have I told you! It’s merely self-satisfaction! Your self-satisfaction might lead Gangho into even greater chaos! How many times! How many times have I told you!”
“…”
“What on earth are we going to do about this! Paegun is attacking Sichuan, which will become a barren land! What are we going to do about this!
Beop Jong, unable to conquer his anger, gnawed on his lips.
In truth, blaming Hyun Jong alone wouldn’t be right. Beop Jong himself was equally at fault for all this turmoil. If only he hadn’t played along with Jang Ilso’s schemes like a child, perhaps there could have been a way to defend Sichuan.
But he hadn’t seen it. Blinded by the vast movements of Cheonumaeng, he failed to grasp what Jang Ilso was truly after. Despite signs appearing numerous times already.
Had he not overlooked Jang Ilso’s movements, perhaps Sichuan could have been saved, and Cheonumaeng dealt with accordingly.
Yet, even knowing this, he couldn’t contain his rage towards Cheonumaeng. After all, wasn’t it Cheonumaeng’s trip into Haenam that sparked all of this in the first place?
“Abbot.”
Hyun Jong sighed deeply, speaking up.
“I understand you have every reason to be angry. But now isn’t the time to dwell on what’s right and wrong. We need to find a way to help Sichuan, somehow…”
“You say you’ll help?”
Beop Jong’s voice sliced through like a blade.
“By what means?”
“…”
“The distance from here to Sichuan is over three thousand li. How exactly do you plan to aid Sichuan, over three thousand li away? Even if we start running at full speed now, would Paegun still be playing around?”
Feeling Beop Jong’s voice pierce like a dagger, Hyun Jong tightly shut his eyes.
He knew too.
Looking back, everything had been predetermined. Jang Ilso’s true aim wasn’t to exterminate them. It was to skillfully drive Chung Myung and Haenam east, while pulling Cheonumaeng and Gupailbang eastward as well.
Whatever happened in Sichuan, for several days, the Central Plains wouldn’t be able to intervene.
“If we unite our strengths…”
“Snap out of it, Alliance Leader!”
Beop Jong’s voice erupted in a roar.
“Unite our strengths? Are you suggesting we fight and march to Sichuan? Fine! Let’s break through! And then what? Do you expect those in Sichuan to hold out until we arrive? Against Sapaeryeon?”
“…”
“Do you think you’re the only one desperate to rush to Sichuan and rescue them? There are Qingcheng and Emei in Sichuan! Do you understand what that means?”
Hyun Jong was momentarily speechless.
Qingcheng and Emei were the sects responsible for maintaining one axis of Gupailbang. Losing their support would significantly weaken Gupailbang’s power.
No, it wouldn’t stop at just that.
Among Gupailbang, Kunlun had long become insignificant, and due to this disaster in Hainan, Haenam also lost a lot of power.
In such a situation, if Qingcheng, Emei, and perhaps even Diancang were to fall… Gupailbang might lose more than thirty percent of its power through this incident alone. Perhaps even more, if it includes Haenam. And all within the span of just one month.
From the perspective of Gupailbang, this might be a greater loss than during the war with Demonic Cult.
Therefore, Hyun Jong couldn’t blame Beop Jong even if he gone half insane.
“If you hadn’t embarked on the reckless expedition to Hainan, Sichuan wouldn’t have been engulfed in such a catastrophe! Do you understand what I’m saying? This is the consequence of your actions. Heaven will surely condemn you!”
Beop Jong’s icy gaze went beyond Hyun Jong, landing on Tang Gunak.
Facing a gaze full of reprimand, Tang Gunak didn’t flinch, meeting it head-on with a fierce determination.
“So, that’s what you’ve been saying!”
Just as Beop Jong grittedhis teeth.
“…Did you just say it was reckless?”
Beop Jong fell silent.
This is because Geum Yangbaek, the Sect Leader of Haenam, walked out from behind, looking as if he was about to die at any moment. With each step, his body swayed unsteadily.
The enraged Abbot, boiling with anger, clenched his fist as he felt being plunged into cold water.
“That statement…”
A vivid murderous aura emanated from Geum Yangbaek’s eyes.
“Are you saying that the actions of those who came all the way to Hainan to save us were reckless and pointless? Look me in the eye and say it, Abbot!”
It was the aura excuded by someone facing death. Even the Abbot of Shaolin was crushed by the final momentum of the person who accepted his own death.
“Sect Leader, that’s…”
“Why is that!”
Geum Yangbaek, his anger ablaze, took another step towards Beop Jong, as if poised to swing his sword at any moment.
“Why is it their fault!”
“…”
“In principle, isn’t it the Abbot’s fault for thoroughly disregarding the same sect of Gupailbang, ignoring our countless pleas for help? If you had just helped us once before the situation reached this point, would this calamity have befallen us today?”
Beop Jong fell silent as if his words had vanished into thin air.
There was no logic to defend himself with. How futile and cruel it would be to logically explain why they should have been forsaken in front of those who he had abandoned.
Even in the heat of anger, he could still maintain some sense of reason.
“But! You show no concern for the consequences of your own actions! Instead, you foolishly blame those who have done what you should have done! And you are still the Abbot of Shaolin? Are you still a Buddhist monk? Are you?”
Blood burst from Geum Yangbaek’s mouth as he spoke with fervor.
Cough!
“Sect Leader!”
“Sect Leader, please calm down!”
“Out of my way!”
Pushing aside his disciples who tried to restrain him, Geum Yangbaek’s eyes emitted an eerie coldness.
“You said the whole world will condemn them?”
“Sect Leader…”
“Yes! It may be so. But it won’t be everyone! Even if the whole world blames them and points fingers, Haenam will stand by their side! Even if the name Haenam crumbles to ashes! Those with the Three Waves engraved on their chests will endure the flying stones and the spit of the whole world!”
A soul-crushing cry rang out.
For a moment, Beop Jong couldn’t help but sigh. Not only was Geum Yangbaek’s outcry powerful, but the venomous gazes from Haenam’s disciples behind him were truly remarkable.
Just by looking at their eyes, one could tell. The point of no return had been crossed between Haenam and Gupailbang.
With the sects in Sichuan on the verge of destruction, and even the potential support of Haenam now severed from them, the situation seemed dire.
“Heh, heh…”
Beop Jong let out a hollow laugh for a moment.
“That’s right. It’s all my fault.”
“…”
“As Sichuan burns and innocent sects are engulfed in blood, it’s all my fault! All of it!”
Beop Jong glared again at Hyun Jong and Tang Gunak. However, his gaze couldn’t quite reach Geum Yangbaek.
In that moment, Maeng So, who had been silent, spoke up.
“Now is not the time for this. While we may harbor unresolved emotions towards each other, now is not the time for it. We must discuss the measures to aid Sichuan.”
“Yes, you’re right. Abbot, now is…”
Even Kongtong’s Sect Leader, Jongli Hyeong, intervened. Though he harbored some resentment towards Cheonumaeng, now was not the time to dwell on it.
But Beop Jong merely cast a cold glance at Maeng So.
“You speak of measures?”
“…”
“What’s the point of discussing measures with you and me? You’ve never once listened to what I’ve said! When have you ever accepted a suggestion I’ve made?”
“Abbot, please, let’s not…”
“Am I wrong?”
In this situation, it was Hyun Jong who found himself at a loss for words. While the situation was complex upon closer examination, when viewed simply by its outcome, Cheonumaeng had consistently rejected Beop Jong’s proposals and always prioritized their own wishes. So, even if Beop Jong spoke in such a manner, he wasn’t wrong.
“But why now do you ask us to collaborate?”
“The ones in danger are Qingcheng, Emei, and Diancang. Isn’t it the Abbot’s role to protect them?”
“Yes, that’s right! That’s why I’ve been trying to protect them all along! I’ve also risked my life to come here and crossed the river to save even you!”
“…”
“But all you say is that it’s my fault, as the Abbot of Shaolin.”
Beop Jong sneered, then surveyed the army of Sapaeryeon still visible in the distance.
“It’s impossible to break through them. No, it might be possible, but that’s what the enemy wants. We’re already facing significant losses. There’s no need to risk even greater losses. I will return to Gangbuk.”
“Abbot! But Sichuan is…”
“If we suffer even greater losses, it will truly become irreversible!”
Kwung!
As Beop Jong slammed his foot, the ground shook.
With an expression uncharacteristic to a Buddhist, Beop Jong glared at Cheonumaeng.
“If we fall here, it will usher in an era where the world will tremble! Jang Ilso will seize control of the world! That’s what it means!”
The faces of everyone darkened.
“No matter how Cheonumaeng tries to justify its actions or seek righteousness, ultimately, it’s not about loyalty and righteousness! Do you really think Paegun will let you move freely?”
“…”
“I know it may sound meaningless at this point, but still, listen to me. It’s my final advice. Don’t go to Sichuan. Unless you all want to die there!”
Beop Jong turned abruptly and walked away.
Behind him, the disciples of Gupailbang also turned away after briefly gazing at Cheonumaeng.
In that moment, Hyun Jong understood.
‘The disciples…’
Until now, the leaders of Gupailbang may have looked at Cheonumaeng with disdain, but their disciples had harbored some favor towards them. But now, it was different. The looks they gave as they turned away no longer held any trace of camaraderie.
The wall erected between Gupailbang and Cheonumaeng had become so strong that it seemed unbreakable.
As Beop Jong turned away, he sneered softly and said.
“Nevertheless… you will surely go to Sichuan. Won’t you?”
It wasn’t Hyun Jong who responded to this statement.
“I will.”
With a calm voice devoid of any hesitation, Baek Cheon responded. Beop Jong glared at him with a cold expression before turning his head.
“Very well. You will indeed.”
Hyun Jong, watching the departing figure of Beop Jong, closed his eyes tightly.
‘Jang Ilso…’
It was as if he could hear Jang Ilso’s laughter in his ears.
The triumphant laughter of the man who had turned everything according to his will.
Comments