Chapter 1557
Can we retreat? (2)
Bang!
The door burst open roughly.
Tang Gunak strode into the meeting room. One look at his icy face was enough to tell how serious the situation was.
“What’s the situation?”
Without even taking a seat, he asked Im Sobyeong.
“The forces of the Black Dragon King and Surochae have landed in Gangbuk.”
“Where?”
“…Anhui. It’s right near Hefei.”
Tang Gunak bit his lower lip.
Anhui was the most crucial region in this operation. It was the place most heavily attacked by the enemy and, essentially, the home base of Namgung clan. Therefore, Cheonumeng had dispatched many people there.
But now Surochae had landed there?
‘Coincidence?’
No, it couldn’t be.
“Please, take a seat first.”
Hyun Jong, who had arrived earlier, urged Tang Gunak, who quickly sat down. With a hardened face, Tang Gunak spoke to Hyun Jong.
“We need to call the children back.”
“…”
“We don’t know exactly what the enemies are after, but it’s clear that they’ve led us to make certain moves. We need to bring the children back to Cheonumeng before anything irreversible happens.”
Hyun Jong let out a faint groan.
“But, Lord Tang…”
“Alliance Leader.”
Tang Gunak’s voice dropped coldly.
“Maybe it was wrong from the start. We thought they sent their underlings to weaken Cheonumeng’s main force, but perhaps what they were after were the children dispatched to Gangbuk.”
It made sense when you thought about it. In military strategy, it was common sense to target the weaker side first.
And right now, the weaker side wasn’t Cheonumeng’s headquarters in Hwaeum, which had preserved most of its strength, but those scattered across the vast northern lands.
“So we need to recall the children immediately and reorganize.”
“Can we retreat?”
At that moment, Im Sobyeong’s cold voice pierced Tang Gunak’s ears. Tang Gunak’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m asking if there’s a way to retreat.”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Why did we establish communication networks through the Beggars Sect and the Beast Palace? Wasn’t it for moments like this?”
Hyun Jong nodded in agreement.
“Call everyone back immediately.”
As the two agreed, Im Sobyeong let out a deep sigh. He never thought he would say this himself.
“…Then what happens to Gangbuk?”
“What do you mean?”
“Even with just mere criminals, it became a burning hell. Now Surochae has invaded such a place.”
Tang Gunak’s eyes twitched slightly.
“It’s clear that Sapaeryeon isn’t foolish. Their purpose is obvious. And now, are we to ignore all that and cower in Hwaeum?”
Tang Gunak stared at Im Sobyeong in silence, seemingly at a loss for words. Im Sobyeong pressed his throbbing temple with the tip of his fan.
“Saving civilians, and righteousness… Honestly, I don’t fully understand the noble talk others engage in, but I do know how retreating now will appear to others.”
“This isn’t the time to be concerned about appearances. You understand that, don’t you?”
Im Sobyeong retorted coolly.
“And how it will be perceived by those who have gone to Gangbuk as well.”
Tang Gunak could not respond to this.
“Knowing something in your head and seeing it with your own eyes are very different. Those who went there have already witnessed the Evil Sects’ invaders massacring civilians firsthand. Are we to retreat now? Just because they are in danger?”
Im Sobyeong’s voice was calm and steady. But it sounded all the more chilling because of that.
“It’s ironic for me to say, but Cheonumeng stands firm because we do not retreat in such situations. We would sooner smile and die if ordered to do so, but we would never abandon civilians to save ourselves.”
Tang Gunak closed his eyes tightly.
Of course, Tang Gunak hadn’t meant to suggest abandoning everyone to save themselves. But from the perspective of the children out there, it was only natural that they would interpret it that way.
Suddenly, two faces came to mind.
Tang Soso and Tang Pae, his children.
As a leader and a father, he knew better than anyone that they would resist with all their might if ordered to retreat.
However.
“I’ll take responsibility. Inform everyone to retreat by the order of the Vice Leader. There will be no insubordination tolerated.”
Yet Im Sobyeong shook his head firmly once again.
“That is impossible.”
Tang Gunak’s eyes turned sharp, but Im Sobyeong continued calmly.
“The sect that has caused the most problems for Cheonumeng is undoubtedly Hwasan. They always lead the way in causing trouble. But this time might be different.”
Tang Gunak, who had been prepared to use his authority to suppress Im Sobyeong, hesitated.
Im Sobyeong’s words brought to mind a familiar name.
“…Namgung?”
“Yes.”
Im Sobyeong nodded solemnly.
If Cheonumeng retreated now, Anhui would be reduced to ashes. But would Namgung clan follow such an order?
“Suppressing Hwasan’s resistance might be possible with the authority of the Alliance Leader and the Sect Leader. But the resistance of Namgung clan cannot be quelled that way. It would likely result in their departure from Cheonumeng. Unless the Alliance Leader personally meets with the Young Lord and persuades him… No, even that might not be enough.”
“…”
“And if such a situation arises…”
Im Sobyeong didn’t need to finish his sentence. Tang Gunak could easily understand what he meant.
Successive departures. Even if they were lucky enough to avoid that, the bond holding Cheonumaeng would undoubtedly shatter. Such a catastrophe at the outset of war was unthinkable.
Grit.
Tang Gunak ground his teeth.
Jang Ilso had only made his second move. Depending on the situation, it might have been nothing more than pushing those who had outlived their usefulness on the Yangtze River into Gangbuk.
Yet the situation had turned so precarious.
The most critical aspect of this move wasn’t the presence of Surochae. It was orchestrating a scenario where this side would take the most painful blow.
Jang Ilso, sitting comfortably in Zhangjiajie, had managed this effortlessly.
“So what do you propose?”
“We must choose. Either we accept Namgung clan’s departure and the internal discontent, or…”
Im Sobyeong emphasized, making it clear where his own preference lay.
“Or we order them to fight Surochae.”
“…Are you in your right mind?”
“It’s not as bad a move as it seems. The forces currently in Gangbuk are formidable. If it’s on land and not on water, they can hold their own against Surochae.”
“What is possible and what can be done are different things.”
“Be rational, Lord Tang.”
Im Sobyeong shot back coldly.
“I understand you’re worried because they are like your own children, but they are no longer merely someone to be protected. They are a part of Cheonumeng’s strength. We must be prepared for casualties and, if necessary, sacrifices.”
Tang Gunak remained silent.
Hyun Jong, who had been listening quietly, then spoke.
“Nokrim King.”
“Yes, Alliance Leader.”
“Have you communicated the situation?”
“I have urgently contacted the General.”
“You mean Chung Myung?”
“Yes.”
“…Have you informed anyone else?”
“The General would be the first to know, but by now, the message should have reached others as well.”
Hyun Jong’s face darkened slightly but he did not react further.
Im Sobyeong found this surprising. He had expected Hyun Jong to be the most agitated in such a situation, but he appeared calmer than Tang Gunak. Perhaps he had long been contemplating scenarios like this.
“Can you contact Chung Myung again?”
“It’s possible, but since I’ve already sent the golden bird, it will take some time. What would you like to convey?”
“I’m worried.”
Hyun Jong’s expression fell into a deep sorrow. Im Sobyeong sighed heavily.
“I understand your concern, but now is not the time to make rash judgments. Gangbuk is vast, and we still have plenty of time to respond. First, let’s observe their movements a little longer…”
“I wish we had that time. But I fear we may not,”
Hyun Jong interrupted.
At that moment, Im Sobyeong narrowed his eyes. Hyun Jong’s vague words were difficult to understand, which made him suspicious. Although he understood it was a worrying situation, now was not the time for other discussions…
“Perhaps it’s not the time to worry about Namgung’s departure.”
“Yes?”
“Everyone’s heard the news by now.”
“That’s right.”
“In that case, how are the children going to respond?”
“Wait for instructions from our side for now. They’re already evacuating the civilians along the Yangtze River, so there’s no need to go out for interception, right?”
“Exactly. That’s common sense. Unless those in Anhui aren’t Namgung clan.”
“Namgung clan…”
Im Sobyeong momentarily fell silent. At the same time, his hair stood on end. He finally understood Hyun Jong’s concern.
He analyzes strategy and assesses the situation. That’s why he didn’t consider one thing.
“Wait, could it be?”
“Yes.”
“Namgung… Hwang…”
Hyun Jong nodded heavily at the name that came out like a groan.
“Surochae are the ones who destroyed Namgung clan on Maehwa Island and drove the head of the family, Namgung Hwang, to his death. From the perspective of Namgung Dowi, the current head of the Namgung clan, they are the enemies who cannot live in the same world..”
“…”
“He has been patient so far, but can you imagine the depth of the grudge harbored in his heart?”
Im Sobyeong tightened his grip on the fan.
Namgung clan is currently in Anhui. Into that Anhui, the enemy, who is none other than the sworn enemy of Namgung clan, has entered.
Then how will Namgung Dowi react?
“…Can we retreat?”
Hyun Jong repeated what Im Sobyeong had said earlier.
“If you were in the shoes of Young Lord Namgung…”
Can you retreat?
Im Sobyeong would answer without hesitation. He could retreat anytime. Even if it meant kneeling before the Black Dragon King for gain.
But Namgung Dowi? Could Namgung Dowi really do that?
Perhaps this is the only moment when he can personally settle the score with his enemy.
In the complex situation unfolding on the grand stage of the Central Plains, such opportunities for the two to confront each other are not common.
Could he withdraw knowing that? Namgung Dowi?
Im Sobyeong fell silent. Hyun Jong spoke with a darkened expression.
“I hope such a thing never happens…”
“Ah…”
“But perhaps it’s already too late.”
Thunk.
Im Sobyong’s fan, held tightly in his grasp, finally snapped.
❀ ❀ ❀
Thump.
The white scroll crumpled in his rough hands.
Slowly lowering his fist, he examined his hand.
Calloused, marred by scars, it was a mess.
In the past, his hands were flawless instruments of justice, but now they resembled something closer to those of a demon.
He knew.
His hands were forged with ambition and responsibility on the surface, but buried deep within lay an unyielding thirst for vengeance.
Countless nights spent without rest, but it still remained vivid.
The father who sacrificed himself to send him first. And the merciless sword energy that poured onto his father. Despite knowing all of this, he had to flee, his own pitiful self. The misery he felt.
“Black Dragon King… Jeok Segwang.”
The man, Namgung Dowi, slowly rose to his feet.
Gazing up at the vast expanse of blue sky, he smirked.
“Azure sky [창천(蒼天)].”
That was the color of Namgung.
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