Chapter 1561
It’s different from back then. (1)
Swish!
‘Faster!’
Chung Myung’s foot struck the ground forcefully.
Like an arrow shot from a bow, Chung Myung shot forward, covering several jang in an instant.
The droplets of sweat on his face were swept away by the blowing wind.
‘About here!’
Thump!
Kicking the air once, Chung Myung changed direction and sprinted forward. If the information he received was correct, then ahead…
The dense forest that had been filling his view retreated, revealing the vast space to his eyes.
“…”
And in that moment, Chung Myung unconsciously clenched his fist.
It was empty.
The wide empty space, devoid of any human presence, was eerily desolate. Chung Myung’s gaze swept over the ground. The traces of numerous people who had once stayed here still remained.
“Damn it…”
His teeth bit into his lower lip.
‘Namgung Dowi.’
He understood. Understanding that feeling was why Chung Myung had run here without even breathing. But… if he was the head of a family, at the very least…
At that moment, Chung Myung’s head snapped to the side.
Swish!
Chung Myung immediately rolled on the ground and sprang up, shooting forward like a beam of light.
“Huh!”
The man, who suddenly saw someone appear before him like a ghost, instinctively drew his sword. But his action was easily blocked by the palm that preemptively stopped the direction his sword was being drawn.
“Ch-Chung Myung Dojang?”
The surprised swordsman of Namgung clan blinked as he looked at Chung Myung standing before him.
“Where is the Young Lord?”
Chung Myung, as there was no time for explanations, got straight to the point. Namgung’s swordsman, still blinking, flinched and immediately responded.
“As I understand he went to the Yangtze River first.”
“Where did he say was the meeting point?”
“He didn’t… mention anything specific. He just said to head to the Yangtze River and follow him.”
Chung Myung bit his lip tightly again.
“When?”
“Huh?”
“When did he leave? He’s probably on his way to the river, isn’t he?”
“W-well, I’m not exactly sure…”
Seeing Chung Myung’s eyes twist in irritation, the flustered swordsman quickly added.
“W-we are one of the northernmost groups of Namgung clan, so we thought it might be difficult to meet before reaching the Yangtze River. I’m not sure exactly when the Young Lord left…”
Chung Myung’s clenched fist tightened.
“What about the other groups? Are they already meeting up?”
“I believe so.”
In that moment, the eyes of the previously flustered swordsman of Namgung hardened with determination.
“If you bear the name of Namgung, it’s only natural. How can we carry that name without avenging the former Lord?”
“…”
Chung Myung closed his eyes.
He couldn’t blame them.
If someone who had killed Chung Mun was still alive and nearby, what would he have done?
‘No need to even think.’
Regardless of the circumstances or the difficulty, it wouldn’t matter. The saying – 不共戴天 – to not live under the same heaven – is stating it’s better to die than live without executing your revenge.
“Are you going too, Dojang?”
At those words, Chung Myung opened his eyes and met the gaze of Namgung’s swordsman looking at him.
In those eyes there was a clear expectation.
The expectation that Chung Myung would understand, and naturally stand with them to fight.
“You foolish bastards…”
Chung Myung gritted his teeth.
“I’m going ahead.”
“What?”
Swish!
Chung Myung left them behind and dashed forward like a lightning bolt.
“D-Dojang! We’ll come too!”
The voices calling out behind him faded into the distance. Chung Myung’s expression grew more urgent as he ran with all his might.
‘Stupid idiot!’
If that was the plan, he should have at least waited for me.
❀ ❀ ❀
“Namgung clan is heading to the Yangtze River!”
“…Damn it.”
Tang Gunak gritted his teeth so hard that the tendons stood out on his jaw.
“I never thought I’d have to say ‘like father, like son’ about Young Lord Namgung…”
Tang Gunak glared at Im Sobyeong with angry eyes. However, Im Sobyeong calmly met his gaze.
“It’s not exactly wrong, is it?”
Tang Gunak couldn’t deny it.
The choice of Namgung Hwang to rush into Maehwado with baseless confidence didn’t seem all that different from Namgung Dowi’s choice to head towards the Black Dragon King with insufficient forces.
This is why ‘temperament’ cannot be ignored.
“What will you do?”
“Is there a way to stop them?”
“Well, we could try to contact them before they reach the Yangtze River.”
If that were impossible, there wouldn’t be any point in putting effort into the communication network.
“A command only has meaning if the person receiving it is willing to listen, doesn’t it?”
“Do you mean they’ll ignore it?”
“Don’t you think so?”
Tang Gunak fell silent.
Right now, Namgung Dowi probably couldn’t see anything. With his father’s enemy right in front of him, what could he possibly think about?
However…
“He’s not normally this foolish… Doesn’t he realize this decision could push Namgung to the point of no return?”
“It might not be something to overthink right now.”
Im Sobyeong spoke in a calm voice.
“Even with the situation as it is, there is no need to doubt Young Lord’s sincerity. He was genuinely dedicated to the revival of the Namgung clan and deeply resonated with the principles of Cheonumaeng.”
No one in Cheonumaeng clashed with Namgung Dowi as much as Im Sobyeong did. Therefore, his words should be considered an accurate assessment.
“But?”
“Even if that sincerity is true, his current actions are not strange. Everyone has their priorities and what they consider most important. Even if he is sincere about the family’s revival, revenge might take precedence, and for him, this could be the most important principle.”
Tang Gunak frowned.
He knew Im Sobyeong’s words were not wrong.
“But…”
“When walking the same path, such things are not visible. However, as you near the destination, you realize that even if you intended to walk similar paths, the destinations are entirely different.”
And as if to prove that point, reports came flying in from all directions.
“Alliance Leader!”
“What is it?”
“A report from Zhejiang! They are moving to the Yangtze River and await your orders…”
“Orders?”
Hyun Jong stood up abruptly.
“Didn’t I tell them? Continue with your current mission until new orders are given! So why are they acting on their own… Who sent this message?”
“I-It’s from Baek Cheon Sahyeong.”
“Who…?”
“Baek Cheon…”
Hyun Jong closed his eyes tightly.
Seeing this, Im Sobyeong shrugged his shoulders.
“That’s how it is.”
Tang Gunak grabbed his throbbing forehead.
“If Baek Cheon is heading to the Yangtze River, naturally, Five Swords will follow him.”
“Whether intended or not, that’s what will happen.”
“Then the others from Hwasan will do the same.”
“Most likely.”
A sigh escaped from Tang Gunak’s lips.
How could things have gone so astray from their intentions? The communication network they painstakingly set up had turned into a means of conveying their decisions to the headquarters?
As he thought about it more, he realized just how absurd everything they had done up to this point was. How had they managed to keep such strong-willed and stubborn individuals united in one place?
He realized once again why the solidarity of Gupailbang, which they had often underestimated, was considered unparalleled in the history of Gangho. It wasn’t that Beop Jong was lacking. Only someone like Beop Jong could somehow bind and lead such different sects. Something Tang Gunak could never even attempt.
“So, there’s no way to stop this?”
“Well… I can’t find a way, but surely there’s someone who can.”
“That would be…”
Tang Gunak was about to ask who that might be but stopped himself. The answer was too obvious.
“Where is the General now?”
“Since he received the message, he must be heading towards Namgung clan.”
Tang Gunak let out a deep sigh.
That’s right. Chung Myung would have done exactly that. And it wasn’t wrong.
But as a result, hasn’t it led to a situation where Chung Myung, Hwasan, and Namgung are all heading to the Yangtze River? At this point, it was undeniable that this was turning into an all-out war.
“No matter what we try to do now, it’s too late. We’re already struggling just to keep Jang Ilso in check. Ultimately, those in Gangbuk will have to make the decision.”
“…”
Tang Gunak’s head dropped deeply.
“In the end, it’s back to him again.”
Despite all efforts to ease the burden on his shoulders, they were once again relying on Chung Myung.
Was it because his presence was too significant, or because their own strength was insufficient?
“However… even for the General, this situation won’t be easy. It’s half a mess of his own making.”
“His own making?”
Im Sobyeong did not answer Tang Gunak’s question.
Not because he didn’t need to answer, but because he didn’t have an answer.
Instead, he was merely curious.
‘Which side will it be?’
Chung Myung’s faith or Jang Ilso’s scheme.
Soon, it would be decided which of the two was right, at the cost of many lives.
And at that moment.
“Young Lord.”
“Hmm.”
Namgung Dowi narrowed his eyes as he looked ahead.
Blue.
It wasn’t a color that would typically give a bad impression. But for Namgung clan, the blue hue reminiscent of the Yangtze River’s waters was the color of deep-seated resentment.
Seeing the figures clad in that blue color, a twisted smile appeared on Namgung Dowi’s lips.
“Surochae.”
“They appear to be scouts or an advance party. Young Lord, what will you do?”
At Namgung Myeong’s words, Namgung Dowi looked back.
The swordsmen of Namgung, dressed in white uniforms, were all looking at him with intense eyes. Their eyes were filled with determination and resentment.
‘About a third of them?’
Not everyone who had come to Gangbuk had managed to join. It was only natural. Namgung Dowi hadn’t given them enough time to do so.
So, was this number insufficient?
‘Not at all.’
Even if everyone had gathered, it would still be difficult for the current Namgung clan to face Surochae. Therefore, the lack of numbers didn’t matter.
Only one thing remained.
“Are you ready to lay down your lives?”
There was no response.
Instead, Namgung’s swordsmen simultaneously dropped their sheaths to the ground. The resolve they once showed at Maehwado was now being reenacted here: the determination not to return alive.
“Good.”
Namgung Dowi smiled faintly.
They would fulfill the resolve they couldn’t keep back then, here. That was enough.
“Let’s go. Namgung clan.”
Namgung Dowi threw his own sheath to the ground. His cherished sword, now unsheathed, emitted a brilliant white light.
Kwaaaaa!
The white sword light Namgung Dowi unleashed flew toward Surochae’s pirates without a moment’s hesitation.
“It’s time to console the souls of the dead!”
At the same time, the fierce roar of Namgung clan echoed throughout the world as if it could pierce the heavens.
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