Chapter 1554
Which side would that be? (4)
“Eurachaa!”
Jo Geol’s sword swiftly pierced the enemy’s shoulder.
“Aaah!”
“Shut up!”
He followed up with a kick to the mouth of the screaming enemy.
Bang!
The enemy was knocked away, unable to even scream properly. Jo Geol shouted angrily.
“What are you screaming about, you damned bastards!”
After scolding him, Jo Geol quickly rushed to his next target.
Watching this, Gwak Hoe shook his head. Fellow disciple watching alongside him murmured.
“…He really is strong, Sahyeong.”
“That’s the unfortunate part.”
He couldn’t help but lament.
Why did heaven give such strength and talent to that person? How on earth will they handle the aftermath…?
‘Ah, I guess it didn’t think much about it?’
If heaven had any consideration, it wouldn’t have unleashed Chung Myung upon the world. Well, there’s nothing to be done about it.
“Sahyeong is indeed strong, but honestly, these guys seem pretty weak. Is it just me?”
“No, you’re right, Sahyeong.”
Although Five Swords were the strongest, other disciples of Hwasan also had considerable real-world experience. They had often faced off against members of the Evil Sects.
But the Evil Sect members they were fighting now were clearly different from those they had known before.
‘I don’t think it’s even up to the level of Nokrim, let alone Maninbang?’
When they set out to deal with the bandits, the bandits they faced back then seemed more threatening than these guys. It could be that they have grown and that’s why they feel this way, but…
“Still, don’t let your guard down. Things rarely unravel as smoothly as we’d like.”
“…If possible, I think it would have been good if the person in charge said that.”
Gwak Hoe turned to look at Jo Geol. Jo Geol was chasing Sapas like a hunting dog, leaving everyone else behind.
Gwak Hoe shook his head in frustration.
“I wish for that too.”
“…”
❀ ❀ ❀
“This side is finished, Sahyeong.”
Yoon Jong nodded.
“Good work. It must be hard, but there’s no time to rest. Let’s move immediately.”
“Of course.”
“And… hmm, what should I call you? Beggar of the Beggars Sect?”
“Huh? Oh, yes! I am Yang Hwa [양화(楊和)], also known as Chuil Chuwol [추일추월(追日追月) – chasing sun and moon]. You can call me Chuil Gae [추일개(追日丐) – sun chasing beggar].”
“Ah, Chuil Gae.”
Yoon Jong nodded and looked at him.
Even though his gaze held no hostility, Chuil Gae’s body tensed up automatically.
‘So this is Yoon Jong.’
Among the famous Five Swords of Hwasan, the person standing before him was likely the least notable.
Chung Myung, who had grown too prominent to be just one of the Five Swords, was no longer included. Then there was Baek Cheon, who acted as the Vice Sect Leader of Hwasan, Yu Iseol, who was famous as the Sword Ghost, Jo Geol, who had recently gained the most fame, and even Tang Soso, who had entered Hwasan despite being the daughter of the Tang Clan’s Lord. They all caught the public’s attention in their own ways.
Because of this, Yoon Jong’s name wasn’t heard as often. Although he was known as a talent worthy becoming the Sect Leader in the future, with Baek Cheon serving as the Vice Sect Leader, there was little reason for Yoon Jong to stand out.
But now, standing face to face with him, Chuil Gae realized Yoon Jong was not someone who could be overshadowed by others’ reputations.
As a beggar of the Beggars Sect, Chuil Gae had met countless people and observed many more from a distance, far beyond counting.
That experience was now telling Chuil Gae that Yoon Jong was by no means an ordinary person.
“Is there any directive from Cheonumaemg?”
“Pardon? Oh… nothing specific as of yet.”
“Please check if there’s been no contact or if the directive hasn’t been properly communicated to us. Given that our branch isn’t fully established yet, such things could easily happen.”
“Is it really that serious?”
Chuil Gae couldn’t hide his flustered expression.
In some ways, this was a remark that disregarded the Beggars Sect. Of course, Yoon Jong probably didn’t intend it that way.
But despite Chuil Gae’s puzzled look, Yoon Jong remained calm.
“The core of this operation is not to annihilate the enemy. It is to firmly establish our connection with the Alliance while carrying out the operations. So we can respond immediately if the situation changes.”
“…I understand what you mean. I will check again!”
“Thank you.”
Yoon Jong expressed his gratitude with a polite salute, and Chuil Gae quickly bowed his head.
Some might click their tongues at his overly obedient behavior, but Chuil Gae didn’t think his manners were excessive at all.
“By the way…”
Chuil Gae trailed off before cautiously speaking.
“Yoon Jong Dojang… No, does Cheonumaeng anticipate that Sapaeryeon might be up to something behind the scenes?”
Yoon Jong spoke calmly.
“Sapaeryeon wouldn’t undertake such actions without a purpose. They must have some scheme in mind.”
“But knowing that, how can you still…”
Yoon Jong slightly narrowed his eyes as he looked at Chuil Gae.
“That doesn’t change the fact that people are suffering.”
“…”
“It’s a difficult and arduous task, but someone has to do it. Right now, that’s our responsibility.”
Chuil Gae nodded blankly. It was a sound argument, difficult to refute.
In truth, what made Cheonumaeng truly remarkable was not just spouting obvious truths but actually putting them into practice. Most people used such truths as a way to excuse their own faults.
“Don’t worry. I’ll do my best to ensure there is no confusion.”
“I appreciate it.”
Yoon Jong clasped his fists in gratitude once more. Chuil Gae pulled a small carrier pigeon from his pocket.
Meanwhile, Yoon Jong looked around at his fellow disciples.
‘This isn’t easy.’
There were countless details to manage. They were moving with barely ten people, and even though Yoon Jong’s role wasn’t that significant, the responsibility was still heavy.
‘But…’
Fortunately, the enemies they had to face weren’t that formidable. While their numbers might cause some headaches, they wouldn’t find themselves in a life-or-death crisis.
Yes.
Even for someone who was slowly losing his skills at this very moment.
“…Let’s move. We must not fall behind.”
“Sahyeong.”
At that moment, Jin Tae approached quietly and whispered.
“Our pace doesn’t seem slow, if we continue like this, we’ll be moving away from Shaanxi too fast. Is that alright?”
“…”
“You mentioned we should be mindful of this when we started. I didn’t get a chance to bring it up earlier…”
Jin Tae couldn’t finish his sentence. A brief conflict appeared on Yoon Jong’s face.
But his decision didn’t change.
“…We haven’t gone that far yet, so let’s keep moving for now.”
“But Sahyeong-“
“If the pace seems too rushed, I’ll adjust it accordingly.”
Only then did Jin Tae step back, though his expression remained uneasy.
Yoon Jong fully understood his junior’s concern. The reason he pressed Chuil Gae twice, even three times, was due to the same worry.
However…
“Th-thank you.”
A woman, her face smeared with dirt, approached with a child in her arms and bowed deeply.
“If the Taoist monks hadn’t helped, we would have…”
Yoon Jong shook his head.
“It’s nothing. We only did what we were supposed to do. And even if it wasn’t us, someone else would have come to help.”
“Still…”
The woman, her eyes glistening with tears, began to speak but soon trailed off. She wanted to say that no one had come to help them until now.
Yoon Jong knew it too. If they had arrived even a little later, these people’s fates would have been much worse.
“If you can walk, head to the nearest merchant caravan along this road and ask for help. Mention the name of Cheonumaeng, and they will provide you with food.”
“The nearest caravan… We don’t even know where to go. We’ve never left the place we’ve lived all our lives…”
“This man will explain it to you clearly.”
Chuil Gae, who had been observing the situation, quickly approached the woman.
“The nearest merchant caravan is…”
Without realizing it, Yoon Jong turned his head and looked into the distance.
‘Sasuk…’
He must have gone far ahead by now. There’s no danger, but…
Yoon Jong let out a short sigh before resolutely speaking again.
“Let’s really get moving now. Before it’s too late.”
Before something irreversible happens.
❀ ❀ ❀
At the same time, along the Yangtze River.
Footsteps echoed on the black lacquered floor. The steady, nonchalant stride continued, seemingly unaffected by the constant rocking of the ship. The feet came to a halt at the narrow edge of the deck.
A man with black hair flowing like a lion’s mane and a roughly grown beard stood at the bow, gazing forward resolutely. He looked as if he were the embodiment of the “path of supremacy [패도(覇道)].”
The right empty sleeve of his robe flapped wildly in the river breeze. His dark eyes, filled with resentment, fury, and a chilling coldness, stared across the river.
“…Truly like a ghost.”
There was nothing in sight.
Not long ago, beggars had been hidden to keep watch on them, and Gupailbang had patrolled the banks menacingly. But now, after shoving a few idiots across to the northern bank, it was as if the world pretended Surochae on the Yangtze River didn’t exist. It was absurd.
It could be a matter of wounded pride or something to be resentful about.
But to this man, Ildo Jeokha [일도적하(一刀赤河) – one blade, red river] Jeok Segwang [적세광(狄世光)], it was a welcome relief. No one blocked his way, and his nemesis was where he was heading.
The faint sound of teeth grinding echoed. His eyes, glaring across the river, seemed to burn with a black flame.
“…They’re over there, aren’t they?”
Those detestable pests – those Hwasan’s bastards.
“How much longer do we have to wait?”
The Black Dragon King spat out his words.
Commander and Jang Ilso had assured him that it wouldn’t be long before those accursed Hwasan’s monks would be driven out of their headquarters and scattered across the exposed Gangbuk. Jeok Segwang’s task would be simple: lead the elites of Surochae and hunt them down one by one.
But despite the long wait, no order had come down.
“How much longer must I wait before I can tear into their hateful flesh?”
Just as the Black Dragon King was about to explode in rage-
“A message from Sapaeryeon!”
A man approaching on a small boat shouted as he spotted the Black Dragon King.
“Act as you see fit! It’s the command of Ryeonju!”
The Black Dragon King’s eyes briefly widened, then a grotesque smile slowly spread across his face.
“Hehehe.”
Finally.
“Raise the sail!”
“Yes!”
Grasping his guandao tightly with his unfamiliar left hand, Jeok Segwang felt its fierce tremble. Clenching his teeth, he commanded.
“Let’s go. It doesn’t matter if we don’t return. But at the very least, I will kill those rats with my own hands.”
The Black Dragon King, Jeok Segwang, raised the sail bound for the northern bank if the Yangtze, his entire being consumed by a burning hatred in place of his lost arm.
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