Chapter 1577
Take it where you want. (2)
“Hurry!”
Beop Jong shouted with all his might.
“More! Faster! There must be no delay!”
Beop Gye’s face, who was looking at Beop Jong’s back, was more than serious.
It was understandable. Beop Gye had long been beside his Sahyeong. Yet, it was the first time he seemed so urgent.
“Abbot! The pace is too fast! At this rate, we will tire out before reaching the enemy!”
“Stop being complacent, Beop Gye!”
Beop Jong’s angry voice erupted in response to Beop Gye’s concern.
“Tire out? Is that what’s important right now? This is war, for Heaven’s sake! Facing the enemy under ideal conditions only happens in military books! Don’t you understand that not missing this opportunity is more important than being fully prepared? If we let that guy slip away now, who knows how many more sacrifices we’ll have to make! Now is not the time to think about the rear!”
Beop Gye bit his lip. Paeng Yeop’s voice joined in agreement.
“I believe Abbot’s words are correct.”
“Lord Paeng…”
Paeng Yeop spoke firmly, fiercely kicking the ground.
“The most crucial thing now is to track Paegun. If we let this opportunity slip and he escapes to Gangnam again, we’ll be forced to repeat this disastrous confrontation.”
Beop Gye’s face darkened.
How could anyone argue against that truth?
It had been so long since he left Mount Song that he was beginning to forget when it happened. He couldn’t distinguish anymore whether he was a monk or a soldier. And he couldn’t help but miss the days when he immersed himself in Buddhism at Mount Song.
Truly sickening. This war and Paegun.
If they could finish everything with this one battle and return to Mount Song, then Beop Gye would gladly step forward and fight like an Asura.
“But this is too aggressive. It’s not the way of Gupailbang. We should be a bit more composed…”
“Then all the more reason to act decisively, isn’t it?”
“…Sect Leader?”
Jongli Hyeong glanced at Beop Gye in frustration.
“As the Abbot says, this isn’t the approach we’ve taken before. So, they won’t expect us to move like this.”
“That’s…”
Listening and observing, there was logic in it. Even Beop Gye, who had been by Beop Jong’s side for so long, hadn’t anticipated these sudden and aggressive tactics.
Even if they were dealing with a cunning enemy like Paegun, predicting the movements of Gupailbang would not be easy.
“Finally, our chance has come. It’s the opportunity to cut off Paegun’s head!”
Jongli Hyeong’s eyes gleamed coldly. It was a stark contrast to the demeanor Beop Gye had witnessed from him thus far.
Though unfamiliar, perhaps this was Jongli Hyeong’s true nature. One couldn’t attain such a prominent position within the formidable sects of Gupailbang through merely being a good person.
Beop Jong and Paeng Yeop silently looked at Beop Gye as if agreeing with Jongli Hyeong’s words. Eventually, Beop Gye could only bow his head.
“I… understand what you’re saying.”
Questions still lingered in his mind.
Even if everything they said was correct, was there really a need to rush like this? The enemy had already penetrated deeply into Gangbuk, and they wouldn’t easily retreat. Wouldn’t it be wiser to leisurely corner them?
Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to voice these thoughts aloud.
The reason why they were in such a hurry, Beop Gye also knew.
“Where is he right now?”
“Yes? Ah… If you mean Paegun, he’s currently…”
“No.”
Beop Jong interrupted Beop Gye.
“I mean ‘him.’”
Only belatedly did Beop Gye realize who Beop Jong was asking about.
Someone whose mention was unnecessary at this moment.
“If it’s Hwasan Geomhyeop, he’s confirmed to be in Anhui.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Abbot. Information from the Beggars Sect, reports from minor sects, and our own informants all confirm this.”
Beop Jong nodded heavily. His gaze turned cold.
Chung Myung is not here right now. He could get news in Anhui, but even if he makes quick decision and gives accurate orders, they can’t respond faster than Gupailbang who had already started moving.
In other words, the opportunity to end this war lies entirely in the hands of Gupailbang, specifically in the hands of Beop Jong. It would be unthinkable to miss such a golden opportunity.
“You must encourage the troops! Move swiftly without delay!”
Beop Jong shouted, his fist clenched as if determined not to let this chance slip away.
“Yes, Abbot.”
Beop Jong turned for a moment to look at his disciples following behind, then his gaze steadfastly fixed ahead.
He was aiming for Jang Ilso’s neck.
The destination he sought was a land that would secure the brilliant glory for the next hundred years.
❀ ❀ ❀
“According to the reports, those who went to the Yangtze River have killed the Black Dragon King!”
Hyun Jong jumped up in surprise. Immediately, one face came to mind.
“Chu… Chung Myung! Did Chung Myung do this?”
“No! The General did not participate in this battle. It was entirely the work of Young Lord Namgung, Five Swords and the disciples of Jongnam.”
“My goodness…”
Hyun Jong seemed momentarily dazed and lost in thought. After a while, he snapped back to reality and asked the question that was pressing on his mind.
“The children! How are the children?”
“Some are injured, but thankfully there are no fatalities reported. Young Lord Namgung suffered a severe injury, but recovery is expected with proper care.”
“Ah, I see.”
Hyun Jong let out a sigh of relief and slumped down on his seat. His insides had been churning with worry, but upon hearing that the children were unharmed, all his tension evaporated at once.
“Killing the Black Dragon King… those children…”
He had imagined it before. His disciples beheading the leader of an Evil Sect, causing a stir in the world and receiving acclaim throughout the land.
In truth, he had imagined it countless times.
How joyful and proud would they be? Yet now that he had experienced it firsthand, there was no room for such proud feelings. He felt only relief that the children were safe. A wave of exhaustion washed over him.
In contrast, Tang Gunak remained tense.
“Has there been any response to our dispatched message?”
“Not yet.”
“…Not yet?”
“It seems their report on finishing the Black Dragon King was sent out before any messages reached their side.”
There was a slight tremble in Tang Gunak’s fingertips.
“And Gupailbang?”
“They are currently approaching Sapaeryeon. At this rate, we expect the encounter by the end of today.”
“Today…?”
With a tap of his finger on the table, Tang Gunak’s restlessness showed in his movements.
“Are they still not asking to cooperate with us?”
“They’re not just refusing to cooperate, they’re ignoring all the messages we’ve sent from here. Even messages relayed through the Beggars Sect haven’t been acknowledged.”
“Beop Jong… that person…”
Tang Gunak bit his lip hard. Despite always referring to Beop Jong as ‘Abbot’ regardless of circumstances, he was now so angered that he directly called him by his name.
“What on earth is he thinking, right now…!”
Their opponent was Sapaeryeon, and even Jang Ilso himself. They were well aware that they were not dealing with an opponent they could easily confront. Why would they take such a risk at this moment?
Was Beop Jong so thoughtless?
The answer to Tang Gunak’s concerns came not from Beop Jong, who was far away, but from the lips of Im Sobyeong.
“Complete exclusion.”
Tang Gunak’s gaze turned towards Im Sobyeong.
“There’s no room for hesitation. What they’re aiming for is complete exclusion. They won’t even give even a chance for Cheonumaeng to step forward.”
“In this situation?”
“Especially in this situation. Isn’t it truly ruthless?”
A hint of sarcasm played on Im Sobyeong’s lips.
The chill in his tone pierced Tang Gunak’s heart deeply.
“If dying for one’s desires is foolishness, dying for honor and position is righteousness.”
Im Sobyeong’s smile seemed to convey to Tang Gunak that despite the different paths, the outcome would ultimately be the same: to perish in the end.
“Nokrim King, no… Advisor*.”
“Yes.”
Im Sobyeong met Tang Gunak’s serious gaze. Tang Gunak asked.
“The current situation… no, the prospects? If Sapaeryeon and Gupailbang clash like this, how do you foresee the outcome?”
Im Sobyeong closed his eyes briefly as if pondering. When he opened them again, his response was firm, indicating there was no room for further consideration.
“A decisive victory for Gupailbang.”
“A decisive victory? To that extent?”
“I’ve thought about it many times, but there’s no other outcome possible. At this rate, Sapaeryeon will suffer a crushing defeat.”
Tang Gunak fell silent.
However, Im Sobyeong continued without waiting for a response.
“Despite being called Sapaeryeon, the forces advancing north now consist mainly of Maninbang centered around Jang Ilso, and the severely damaged forces of Black Ghost. Haomun has not yet returned.”
“…Indeed.”
“Even if these three forces combined, it wouldn’t be easy to fight against the alliance of Shaolin, Kongtong, and Paeng family, even if Shaolin’s forces are not at full strength. But with just two factions…”
His assessment was very logical and obvious.
“If Maninbang and Black Ghost alone had the capability to sweep through the Central Plains, the peace in Gangho wouldn’t have lasted this long. Most of Sapaeryeon’s notorious reputation stems from the extraordinary actions Jang Ilso has undertaken over the past few years, actions that defy common sense.”
However, reputation is just reputation.
Without the means to replenish their depleted forces, it will be difficult for Sapaeryeon to overcome their weakness.
“But surely Pageun is aware of this fact as well?”
“…Indeed.”
“He could have summoned Haomun sooner, laid traps, or devised strategies that could have allowed them to choose a different path than advancing north.”
“Of course he could have. And perhaps Beop Jong is aware of this fact too.”
“Knowing it could be a trap? And still proceed?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because they need to jump into that trap to seize Jang Ilso’s head.”
“…”
“Moreover, just because it’s called a trap doesn’t mean it always works. A trap set to catch a wolf cannot catch a tiger, and a trap set to catch a tiger cannot catch a dragon. Claiming that knowing and preparing for everything can stop all outcomes is nothing more than the arrogance of those who discuss strategy from afar.”
It was a cold and sober assessment.
“The remarkable victories of those who lack in power continue to be celebrated because it’s obvious and natural for those who lead in power to win. But why would Gupailbang hesitate?”
Tang Gunak nodded heavily. There was hardly any fault in the straightforward logic.
In a direct confrontation, Gupailbang is stronger. This is close to common sense.
Thus, from Beop Jong’s perspective, he cannot afford to miss this opportunity. If Gupailbang hesitates again and lets the chance slip to Cheonumaeng or Sapaeryeon, they will be recorded in history as fools of the world.
However…
‘Why then this lingering unease?’
The image of Jang Ilso wouldn’t leave Tang Gunak’s mind.
Could he truly be unaware of all these facts? Was he so confident in his schemes that he would leap into his own demise?
If that were the case, how should Cheonumaeng act right now?
At that moment.
“A report!”
The door swung open as someone hurriedly burst into the room.
“The advance speed of Gupailbang is faster than expected! At this rate, by now! By now, the two forces should have clashed…!”
Tang Gunak abruptly stood up.
“Now?”
A moment of hesitation. Or perhaps a brief period that could be called waiting ‘excluded’ Cheonumaeng from this confrontation.
❀ ❀ ❀
“Hmm.”
Jang Ilso narrowed his gleaming eyes even further.
In the distance, a group advancing from the vast plains came into view.
“It’s the enemy!”
“The enemy is approaching!”
Around him, voices rose as they spotted the approaching force, taking up defensive positions.
“The enemy…”
The colors of the leaders at the forefront caught their eyes. Dressed in yellow robes, they charged forward fiercely like Asuras.
“Shaolin!”
“It’s Shaolin! Gupailbang’s bastards are coming!”
Instantly, a tense atmosphere gripped everyone, except for one person.
“Oh my, oh my…”
Jang Ilso muttered while he shook his head.
“They’ve arrived already, they must have really sprinted here. Those hefty fellows must have sweated buckets all the way down here. Isn’t that right, Gamyeong-ah?”
“…Ryeonju.”
“What they desire is probably…”
His smooth, slender fingers slowly traced his neck.
“This neck, isn’t it?”
The corners of his lips, red as blood, curled up eerily. Madness flashed in his laughing eyes.
“Take it where you want. It won’t be easy, though.”
His long, neat nails slowly ran across his neck in a straight line.
A trickle of blood flowed from the red line created by that gesture, foretelling the bloodshed about to unfold on this land.
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