Chapter 1417
Even if it’s meaningless. (2)
As Beop Jong turned to walk away, he tightly bit his lips. The vast sight of the Yangtze River filled his vision, but even so, there was no way to penetrate his sealed-off heart.
“Beop Gye!”
“Yes, Abbot!”
“Tell the Beggars Sect to find a way to deliver this news to Sichuan! Use whatever means necessary!”
“But, Abbot… But it’s already…”
“I know!”
“…”
Silenced by Beop Jong’s explosive shout, Beop Gye closed his mouth with a tense expression. Beop Jong, glaring at him, took a deep breath before speaking again.
“For Qingcheng and Emei it may already be too late, but if we deliver the news quickly, Diancang might still have a chance to evacuate. Now is the time to grasp at straws!”
“Oh, understood, Abbot!”
Beop Gye nodded vigorously.
As he swiftly prepared to dispatch a messenger, Jongli Hyeong quietly approached Beop Jong.
“Abbot…”
Beop Jong turned to Jongli Hyeong with a cold gaze. Jongli Hyeong flinched under his gaze, but he gathered his courage and spoke again.
“Are you really not planning to go to Sichuan?”
“…”
“No, Abbot. It may already be too late to go. But as you said…”
“You’re suggesting that if we hurry, there might still be a way to save them.”
“That’s what I meant. No matter how formidable the enemy is, even if it’s Sapaeryeon, aren’t they facing Qingcheng and Emei? They won’t fall so easily.”
A sigh escaped Beop Jong’s lips.
Even after facing such devastation, Jongli Hyeong still couldn’t shake off his habit of underestimating Evil Sects.
Despite everything.
Indeed, Qingcheng and Emei held prestigious names. But Paegun’s capabilities they were up against now far exceeded theirs. At best, only a few survivors might make it out alive. Even if they rescue them, what difference would it make in the end?
“Sect Leader.”
“Yes, Abbot.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to go, but that I can’t.”
“Yes? What do you mean?”
Jongli Hyeong asked, his face bewildered.
“Where do you think the retreating forces of Sapaeryeon will head to?”
“Well, naturally, they would head to Sichuan, wouldn’t they?”
“What if they don’t?”
“…Yes?”
“What if they don’t head to Sichuan? What will you do then?”
Doubt flickered in Jongli Hyeong’s eyes. He didn’t quite grasp what Beop Jomg was trying to say.
Seeing Jongli Hyeong’s reaction, Beop Jong shook his head solemnly and continued.
“They retreated from Nanjing, but they haven’t headed to Sichuan yet. The fleet of Surochae is the same. They withdrew from here, but they still control the Yangtze River.”
“…Then?”
“Yes.”
Beop Jong nodded heavily.
“If we hastily head to Sichuan, they will undoubtedly push up towards Henan.”
“That’s… true.”
Jongli Hyeong’s gaze shifted to the distant forces of Sapaeryeon, maintaining their position.
Indeed, the speed of their retreat had noticeably slowed down, allowing them to change direction at any moment.
“You mean, even though there is no Jang Ilso here?”
It was Paeng Yeop, not Beop Jong, who responded.
“While there’s no main force, there are Black Ghost, the remnants of Maninbang who headed to Hainan, and various smaller sects.”
“…”
“With just that level of power, sweeping through Henan, which has become defenseless, wouldn’t be particularly difficult.”
Jongli Hyeong looked at Paeng Yeop with a vacant expression.
“T-then…”
Finally grasping the situation, he muttered.
“Does it mean that we know for sure that they are trampling on Sichuan, but we can’t get out of here?”
“…”
“W-what kind of situation is this? What…”
It felt like sinking into an endless swamp.
The trap set by Jang Ilso didn’t easily release its victims. The cost of stepping into his trap was too great. Once ensnared, no matter how much effort was exerted, the foot only sank deeper.
“Amitabha.”
Beop Jong muttered solemnly. Unbearable anger surged on his face.
All of this was the result of Cheonumaeng’s hasty actions. But in the end, it was the sects of Gupailbang that suffered due to their foolishness.
The imminent downfall of Qingcheng and Emei, and the escalating danger to Diancang.
However, isn’t the damage suffered by Cheonumaeng is only equivalent to the Tang clan being trampled on without its main force?
Of course, considering the nature of Tangga where poison and hidden weapons are more than a half of their power, the devastation of the clan cannot be regarded as a small matter. However, the harm suffered by one sect cannot be compared to the annihilation of three sects.
What tormented Beop Jong the most was the fact that he could do nothing but watch as those three sects faced annihilation.
“In the end…”
A bitter laugh escaped from Beop Jong’s lips.
“We must suffer even though we have done no wrong, while they gain Haenam despite committing acts they shouldn’t have.”
How should he even begin to accept such a maddening situation? Ultimately, since they gained benefits, should they be considered right?
“Well, then…”
Jongli Hyeong’s face twisted with a sense of despair as he asked.
“Abbot, are you saying there’s nothing we can do?”
Upon hearing his words, Beop Jong turned to assess the situation of Sapaeryeon’s forces. After a moment of silence, his gaze shifted slowly towards Cheonumaeng.
Things they could do.
What they could accomplish.
“There is something.”
Beop Jong’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Instantly, everyone fell silent. The atmosphere emanating from Beop Jong made it impossible to even breathe. For a while, Beop Jong’s gaze remained indifferent as he looked at Cheonumaeng, but eventually, his lips parted slowly.
“There is something… we can do.”
Hyun Jong, silently gazing into the distance where Gulailbang had disappeared, turned his head weakly.
‘It hurts.’
It was a cutting remark, as sharp as a blade, seemingly forged to inflict wounds upon others. Yet what made Hyun Jong feel even more disheartened was the undeniable truth in those words.
Perhaps their arrogance had ultimately led to all of this.
Therefore, he couldn’t blame them for not helping. He could only hold onto his bitter feelings.
“Don’t make that face, Alliance Leader.”
Hyun Jong heard a voice and turned his head in the direction from which it came. Geum Yangbaek, the Sect Leader of Haenam, was looking at him with a compassionate gaze.
“Sect Leader…”
“If it weren’t for Cheonumaeng’s intervention, and those who rushed to Hainan didn’t reach us, not a single one of Haenam’s disciples here would have survived.”
Geum Yangbaek looked at his disciples and shook his head.
“Yet if Alliance Leader blames himself, won’t we become the survivors burdened with unnecessary guilt?”
“That wasn’t my intention. I apologize, Sect Leader.”
“No, it’s just…”
Geum Yangbaek spoke again, with renewed vigor.
“Just because the outcome didn’t align with our desires, it doesn’t mean Cheonumaeng’s intentions were misguided. There isn’t a single person in the world who could claim otherwise.”
“…”
“And now is not the time to blame oneself. Shouldn’t we assist Sichuan?”
Hyun Jong looked at Geum Yangbaek with bewildered eyes.
His life was already in great danger. Even those unfamiliar with martial arts could sense it. Yet Geum Yangbaek wasn’t discussing his own fate – he was talking about Sichuan.
“Sect Leader, at least take care of yourself…”
“No.”
Geum Yangbaek shook his head firmly.
“I’ve already lived long enough. What’s important now is not me, but Sichuan.”
“No, even so…”
“I know.”
Geum Yangbaek looked at Hyun Jong with unwavering eyes.
“I understand all too well the feelings of those in desperate situation with no one to help. Chounumaeng reached out to us. But now, isn’t Sichuan left without anyone to help?”
“…”
“Please understand, Alliance Leader. We will help too. Even if it’s just futile struggling, shouldn’t someone be there to struggle in the face of someone’s death?”
In the end, Hyun Jong nodded.
He knew.
Regardless of the circumstances, their task was set. Even if it seemed meaningless, they couldn’t refrain from rushing to Sichuan.
With determination, Hyun Jong turned to look at the leaders of other sects.
“Now that Gupailbang has left, we must find a way to reach Sichuan even if we have to go alone. But how…”
“It’s impossible.”
At that moment, Im Sobyeong decisively cut off Hyun Jong’s words.
“Nokrim King.”
“I understand your intentions, but it’s not feasible. Without Gupailbang fighting alongside us, breaking through that defensive line alone is a daunting task. Even if we manage to break through, we’ll face attacks all the way to Sichuan. Once we arrive, we’ll be surrounded and annihilated by coordinated assault from all directions.”
Cold, pragmatic words. Yet they were extremely realistic. Especially for those who had already endured similar trials to reach this point, the words sounded even more chilling.
“Then, why not cross the river?”
Namgung Dowi’s suggestion was met with Im Sobyeong’s icy gaze.
“Do you think they have completely withdrawn?”
“…”
At that, Namgung Dowi turned his head to look at the riverbank. Those who had been retreating had suddenly stopped, maintaining a distance that allowed them to rush forward again at any moment.
“Ho Gamyeong must have already joined them there. He’ll likely try to delay us as much as possible. If we foolishly attempt to cross the river, they will surely counterattack. Then, we’ll be vulnerable to attacks from behind.”
Those who witnessed the sight of Surochae’s fleet still on the Yangtze River clenched their lips tightly.
“Well then…”
“We can’t move until they retreat.”
“Isn’t there anything we can do? Are we just going to stand by and watch?”
Namgung Dowi shouted in frustration, but Im Sobyeong didn’t bat an eye.
“They can’t attack us first. And if Shaolin calls for reinforcements, including the Beggars Sect, they’ll realize the disadvantage and retreat. At most, it’ll take a day…”
“But that’s too late!”
Bang!
Jo Geol stomped on the ground, releasing powerful energy waves in all directions. But Im Sobyeong only looked at everyone with a calm face.
“Reality is reality…”
“Not everyone needs to go.”
Im Sobyeong turned his head at the voice that cut through his words. He saw Baek Cheon, his pale face illuminated by his two eyes.
“Not everyone needs to go. A few can go.”
“Dojang.”
“Please cover our rear. We’ll cross the river and head to Sichuan with those who are fast on their feet.”
Im Sobyeong looked at Baek Cheon with a bewildered expression. Baek Cheon looked like he might collapse at any moment. What nonsense was this?
“Is that possible?”
Im Sobyeong stared at Baek Cheon with a distorted face, unable to contain his anger. How far must one go to lose their sanity?
“For heaven’s sake!”
“Is that possible or not?”
“…”
Baek Cheon looked at Im Sobyeong with a stern expression.
“That’s all you need to say, Nokrim King.”
“…”
Behind Baek Cheon, a few people stepped forward, their faces expressing determination. No amount of dissuasion seemed to have any effect.
The fact that these people, those who stood behind Baek Cheon, were the most severely injured individuals in this place, drove Im Sobyeong to the brink of frustration.
“…It’s impossible.”
“Nokrim King!”
“Sichuan is not Hainan. With just a few of us, we can’t accomplish anything. At best, we’ll face certain death!”
“We should at least try…”
“Trying or not, if it’s not possible, it’s not possible!”
“…”
It was right at that moment, as Baek Cheon’s lips bled from biting them too hard.
“Amitabha.”
A distant invocation of the Buddha’s name rang out. Everyone turned their heads in surprise at the voice, unmistakably different from Hye Yeon’s, coming from not far away.
Beop Gye.
The respected elder of Shaolin had suddenly approached them. Amidst the intense conversation, they hadn’t noticed his approach.
“Huh? What is it?”
“Amitabha. I would like to convey the words of the Abbot.”
“What words?”
Everyone looked at Beop Gye with puzzled expressions. What more could Beop Jong possibly have to say to them now?
“If you truly wish to go to Sichuan…”
“…Yes?”
Beop Gye spoke with a profound look in his deep eyes.
“The remnants of Sapaeryeon here will be blocked by Gupailbang with all our might. You select the elites and cross the river.”
Everyone’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“W-what are you saying…”
“We will definitely guard the rear. However…”
A solemn voice flowed from Beop Gye’s parted lips.
“Even if for Qingcheng and Emei it’s already too late, you must ensure the safety of Diancang.”
“…”
“Can you do that?”
Hyun Jong’s face hardened.
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