Chapter 1526
Now it’s my turn. (1)
“An opportunity… How presumptuous.”
A hint of displeasure flickered in the eyes of Jin Pyeong [진평(陳)], the Palace Lord of the Southern Sea Sun Palace.
“Someone like you, the leader of a lowly Evil Sect, offering me an opportunity? Go ahead, continue. You’re about to die anyway, so what could you possibly not say?”
The person before him was of royal blood, and this place belonged to that royalty. If the Palace Lord wished, no matter how much Cheon Myeon Susa tries to protect himself, he will not be able to return alive.
However, what glinted in the eyes of Cheon Myeon Susa was not fear.
‘Nothing in this world is meaningless.’
Though he had often frowned at Jang Ilso’s lavish extravagance, he was now reaping the benefits of having grown accustomed to it. Far from being overwhelmed by the splendor before him, he wasn’t even impressed.
“As you said, someone like me, the leader of an Evil Sect, cannot dare to offer an opportunity to you. Are you not the one who reigns here like an emperor?”
The Palace Lord glared at him without a word.
“But… is this small kingdom of Linyi [임읍(林邑)* – imeub – or Lam Ap] truly all that you desire, Palace Lord?”
“Hahahaha.”
Suddenly, a resounding laugh burst from the lips of the Palace Lord.
“Are you trying to insult my pride?”
“How could that be? I merely guessed. Everyone desires something greater than what they already have.”
“I am not such a person.”
“Well… thanks to someone, I believe I’ve come to understand human desires a little. Some people are content with what they have, while others are never satisfied, no matter how much they possess.”
Palace Lord’s eyebrows twitched.
“Isn’t the very fact that you and I are having this conversation proof enough? You wouldn’t have mastered such fluent Chinese as a mere hobby.”
It was a sharp observation. The corners of Palace Lord’s eyes hardened further. This time, he didn’t bother to deny Cheon Myeon Susa’s words.
“Palace Lord, I am merely conveying Ryeonju’s words.”
Palace Lord’s eyebrows twitched again.
“Paegun?”
“Yes.”
“…What did he say?”
“Missed opportunities never come again.”
Cheon Myeon Susa spoke decisively, cutting off Palace Lord’s question before he could finish.
“…What does that mean?”
“Well, as an ignorant person like me cannot fully understand Ryeonju’s words, my humble guess would be that it means this.”
“Continue.”
“Whether Sapaeryeon wins or Gupailbang wins, the moment one side is victorious, the Southern Sea Sun Palace will forever lose its chance to set foot in the Central Plains.”
The Sun Palace Lord Jin Pyeong’s face visibly hardened.
“It can only be so. The Sun Palace cannot wedge itself into a unified Gangho. In that case, Palace Lord, you will continue to enjoy your remaining years here comfortably, as you have so far, basking in glorious peace and joy.”
“Hmm.”
With those words, the mask that had been overlaying the Palace Lord’s face shattered completely. The hardened expression was undoubtedly his true intention.
Glorious peace and joy.
To some, it might be a vision of paradise. But to the Sun Palace Lord, it was a life no different from hell.
“And what will you give me?”
“Two things.”
“…Advance into Yunnan?”
“No, the sovereignty of Yunnan.”
At those words, Palace Lord’s eyes widened slightly.
“Diancang has already been dealt with.”
“I am aware. But what about the Beast Palace?”
“Of course. But the elites of the Beast Palace are with their Lord in the Central Plains, beyond Sichuan.”
The moment the term ‘Central Plains’ was mentioned, a subtle gleam appeared in Palace Lord’s eyes.
“There are still some idiots left behind, but they are merely small fry. Surely, you wouldn’t suggest that the Sun Palace can’t handle even that much?”
“Hmm.”
“He will give you Yunnan.”
In a slightly darkened tone, Palace Lord asked quietly,
“Only Yunnan… What about Sichuan?”
“Excessive greed invites misfortune, Palace Lord.”
“I was merely asking.”
Cheon Myeon Susa’s words were correct. Whether Gupailbang wins or Sapaeryeon wins, once one side triumphs and unifies the Central Plains, the Southern Sea Sun Palace’s advance into the Central Plains would become impossible.
“Yunnan, huh…”
Lost in deep thought, he asked,
“And the other?”
“Safety.”
Safety? The Sun Palace Lord’s gaze demanded further explanation, and Cheon Myeon Susa obliged.
“If the Southern Sea Sun Palace cooperates, Ryeonju has promised to guarantee its eternal safety.”
Without any further signal, an immense heat suddenly radiated from Palace Lord’s body.
“How dare you!”
His wrath shook the grand hall.
“How dare you spew such nonsense in my presence!”
He seemed ready to tear Cheon Myeon Susa apart at any moment. However, Cheon Myeon Susa, standing before him, continued speaking without the slightest tremor.
“Paegun said, ‘Those who rise to the position of Palace Lord do not let emotions sway them. If they appear excessively angry, it’s merely an act to seize the upper hand.’”
Amazingly, at that moment, the heat and murderous intent that had engulfed the grand hall vanished as if it had never been there.
The Sun Palace Lord looked down at Cheon Myeon Susa intently.
“Yunnan and safety, is it?”
“Yes.”
A twisted smile appeared at the corners of the Palace Lord’s mouth.
“Half of Sichuan… No, it’s like offering your neck to the executioner’s blade.”
“…”
“Yunnan and safety…”
The Sun Palace Lord chuckled softly. Objectively, it was a considerable offer, but it was insignificant to dare to use the Southern Sea Sun Palace as a mere tool.
Nevertheless…
“Then.”
The Sun Palace Lord’s eyes burned like the sun.
“What do you need us to do?”
A triumphant smile spread across Cheon Myeon Susa’s lips.
❀ ❀ ❀
“How do you think it will turn out?”
“Tsk tsk. Gamyeong, shouldn’t it be that I ask and you answer? Lately, you’ve been ordering me around.”
“My apologies. So, what do you think, Ryeonju?”
“Hmph. You never listen to me.”
Jang Ilso grumbled idly and replied nonchalantly.
“He’ll accept.”
“He is royalty. In fact, doesn’t he wield more power than a king?”
“That’s why he’ll accept.”
“…Are you saying he will accept because he is royalty?”
“Yes. The one who unifies the Central Plains will seek to subdue the North, and the one who subdues the North will embark on distant expeditions.”
“…”
“Understand? People are never satisfied. It’s not that he will refuse because he is like a king – he will accept precisely because he is like a king. Tsk tsk. This obvious truth.”
Ho Gamyeong lowered his head slightly.
“But as you said… he could become a seed of discord.”
“Well, he might indeed be a seed that blooms into the flower of rebellion. But… a seed only gains significance once it sprouts.”
A peculiar smile graced Jang Ilso’s red lips. Ho Gamyeong nodded quietly, understanding the deeper meaning.
“If we can bring in the Southern Sea Sun Palace, then the month’s delay will be insignificant and it’s a tremendous gain.”
“No need to be so harsh. At best, it means we haven’t incurred a loss. Making a fuss over just one Sun Palace.”
Just the Sun Palace. Who else but Jang Ilso could speak so dismissively?
“May I ask if the downfall of Diancang was part of this plan?”
“Well, among other things.”
Jang Ilso responded with an air of indifference.
Ho Gamyeong shook his head in disbelief.
Bringing down Diancang, one of the Great Sects, was an unprecedented feat in the history of Gangho. Yet, Jang Ilso had also paved the way for the Southern Sea Sun Palace to enter the Central Plains. This enabled the Sun Palace Lord to consider aligning with Sapaeryeon.
“You are the only one who would consider this natural, Ryeonju.”
“There’s one more, that petty Taoist.”
He was referring to Maehwa Geomgwi Chung Myung. Ho Gamyeong unconsciously clenched his fist.
“He probably anticipated this much. He might have known since we attacked Diancang.”
“…Him?”
“Yes. That’s why he’s been running around so much, even roping in those beggars. Hahaha!”
Jang Ilso laughed heartily, finding the thought of Maehwa Geomgwi destroying the Beggars Sect amusing and delightful.
“It must have stung to lose track of me, seeing how he’s been mistreating those beggars.”
Ho Gamyeong chose not to respond. What could he say to someone who dismissed Maehwa Geomgwi’s efforts to resolve the Beggars Sect’s turmoil and incorporate it as simply “bullying the beggars”?
Ho Gamyeong paused briefly before speaking again, aware that his words might be presumptuous.
“Ryeonju, even if it’s the same Beggars Sect, wouldn’t it be different in the hands of Maehwa Geomgwi?”
“It would be different,”
Jang Ilso readily admitted.
Information, by itself, holds no value. Its worth is determined by the skill of the one who wields and interprets it. Even the crude intelligence of the Beggars Sect could become formidable if wielded by someone like Hwasan Geomhyeop Chung Myung.
But Jang Ilso did not stop there.
“Or, it might have been different.”
“…”
“If he had started to survey me a few years earlier. If he had established Cheonumaeng five years sooner.”
This was an extraordinary recognition and praise, one that would astonish the other members of Sapaeryeon. However, Ho Gamyeong, who revered Jang Ilso above all, did not dispute it.
“But now it’s too late. It’s like trying to build a castle while waves crash over it. At best, it’s a sandcastle.”
Jang Ilso’s hand slowly extended into the air.
“No matter how convincingly you decorate it, a sandcastle is still made of sand.”
Crunch. Jang Ilso’s hand closed around the empty air. At the same time, a cold malevolence flashed across his face.
“It will collapse. Easily.”
A chilling sound of bones cracking reverberated through the air. Ho Gamyeong bowed his head slightly. Moments later, Jang Ilso’s hand relaxed as if nothing had happened.
“Soon. Yes, very soon.”
Muttering to himself, he suddenly stroked his chin and spoke.
“But I am curious.”
“Yes?”
A childlike smile spread across his face.
“I wonder what expression will he have when that sandcastle collapses. What kind of screams he will let out in that hell, burning to ashes with nothing left behind. Truly… it will be a rare sight, one I won’t see twice.”
“…”
“Send word to Twenty Third [정이십삼(丁二十三)**] to begin.”
“It will take more time for the Sun Palace to join us.”
“I never intended to wait for them to join in the first place, did I?”
Ho Gamyeong nodded at those words.
“Starting when everyone expects it is meaningless. It only matters if we strike when they don’t expect it.”
“I will follow your orders.”
“Good.”
Jang Ilso answered slowly, gazing at his ring-laden hand spread out before him.
“Let them watch to their heart’s content. I will take what is mine.”
But his eyes were cold and dark, like those of a beast eyeing its prey.
Ho Gamyeong closed his eyes for a moment.
Ryeonju was right. The preparations had already begun. The foolish ones might not realize it yet, but when the time comes, the flames that reignite from the ashes will burn fiercer than before.
‘Maehwa Geomgwi.’
Ho Gamyeong acknowledged him more than anyone else in the world. But…
‘Your misfortune was to be born in this era.’
In the era where Paegun Jang Ilso rules.
❀ ❀ ❀
“Huh? W-What do you mean by that?”
“What are you talking about?”
Everyone’s eyes widened in shock, even Yoon Jong was no exception.
“We’re not going to defend it.”
Everyone was flabbergasted.
Not defending it? This place?
“Then why did we create the headquarters? And put so much effort into it?”
Tang Gunak’s question was natural. It was indeed strange. And the answer they received was even stranger.
“If we have headquarters, do we have to defend it?”
“Of course!”
“Why?”
Everyone was at a loss for words and looked to Im Sobyeong for answers.
“That’s not something found in any military strategy.”
At Im Sobyeong’s words, everyone’s gaze then turned to Baek Cheon, seeking the opinion of an authority in the Studies of Chung Myung.
“…It’s not some nonsensical rant out of frustration. For now, we should assume he’s serious.”
Having heard the opinions of the two analysts, everyone looked back at Chung Myung in a daze.
“Could you… explain more clearly? I mean, in a way we can understand. What exactly are you planning?”
“How many times do I have to say it? We’re not going to defend this place.”
“But why?”
“I’ve already told you. This is a supply warehouse and a shelter. How many times do I have to say it?”
Oh, right. He did say that.
“Wait a moment.”
Im Sobyong raised his hand, prompting Chung Myung to nod, indicating he could speak.
“We’ve brought in forces and civilians to Hwaeum, stockpiled provisions, and set up surveillance around the area.”
“That’s right.”
“Hwaeum is a familiar ground for both Hwasan and us. On the other hand, it’s unfamiliar to our enemies. Geographically, we’re at an advantage.”
“Correct, you know it well.”
“Then isn’t it better to defend this place? The enemy will have to attack, and defense is generally more advantageous than offense, as even the earliest military strategists knew.”
“That’s not right.”
“Excuse me?”
“Who says defense is more advantageous than offense?”
“Well, all military strategists…”
“That’s their opinion. Not mine.”
“What?”
“I prefer attacking.”
Ah… if you say so, well… ha ha…
“And this isn’t a situation for discussing military strategies. You’ve experienced it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Can you block all of his attacks? Sitting here with your butt glued to this spot?”
Im Sobyeong’s face stiffened. He wasn’t wrong. To fend off Jang Ilso’s attacks, they would need to understand all his schemes.
That it was impossible had already been painfully clear.
Chung Myung smirked and continued,
“Terrain advantage? The benefits of defense? While dealing with a madman who could attack from anywhere at any time, we should just cower here and pray to Heavenly Primordial Deity that he hits Gupailbang first?”
Im Sobyeong found himself speechless.
“That’s exactly what he wants. Why do you think he’s holed up over there, wasting time?”
After a moment of contemplation, Im Sobyeong let out a small exclamation of realization.
The enemies were positioned right under their noses, ready to strike at any moment. Why had he chosen to settle there specifically?
Cower. Defend.
By merely being there, Jang Ilso forced Gupailbang and Cheonumaeng to remain on high alert.
“I completely missed that…”
“His specialty is to bewitch people. And I’m weak in defense.”
“…”
“If I face the enemy’s strength with my weakness, we’ll inevitably get crushed. We’ll end up getting blindsided again. I’m sick of that.”
Chung Myung’s lips twisted in annoyance. Hyun Jong, who had been quietly listening, asked cautiously.
“Chung Myung, do you have a specific plan?”
“It’s pretty obvious.”
Chung Myung slowly gripped the sword at his waist firmly.
“What we built here is a sandcastle.”
“…”
“But it’s the same for them. If we’re a sandcastle, Sapaeryeon is an upside-down tower.”
Chung Myung’s eyes were as cold as ice.
Sapaeryeon is abnormally strong. They wield a power that shouldn’t be possible with their actual forces. The one who makes this absurdity possible is none other than Jang Ilso. But on the flip side…
“So, it’s clear what we need to attack.”
“Chung Myung…”
“I am going to kill him.”
That resolute statement sent a shiver down everyone’s spine.
In the silence so profound that even breathing couldn’t be heard, Chung Myung’s white teeth glinted menacingly.
“Now, it’s my turn to attack.”
His eyes shined like that of a predator.
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