Chapter 1578
Take it where you want. (3)
Without any intention of hiding it, the wide-open report was clearly visible to Baek Cheon as well.
“Sapaeryeon… Are Gupailbang attacking Sapaeryeon right now?”
His voice trembled faintly from shock.
Chung Myung bit his lip tightly.
“This…”
A suppressed voice escaped from his mouth.
“This crazy monk!”
Crunch!
Chung Myung gripped the paper in his hand and crumpled it up. Even from the sight of the pieces of paper being crushed and finally scattering, his feelings were plainly evident.
Jo Geol looked at Yoon Jong with trembling eyes.
“Are Gupailbang and Sapaeryeon going to an all out war? And right now?”
“…It seems so.”
Why had the situation escalated to this point? How was Cheonumaeng’s headquarters moving now?
Countless questions arose, but none of them were organized in his head.
In the end, what squeezed out of Jo Geol’s mouth was nothing more than ambiguous words, hardly even a question.
“Then… what happens now?”
“…”
“No, I mean… Who wins if that happens?”
“Well… No matter what, wouldn’t Gupailbang win? I can’t imagine that Abbot would move without any thought.”
“Then, do you think Jang Ilso is moving thoughtlessly? He is no less cunning, you know. No, if we’re talking about cunning, Jang Ilso is far superior!”
A brief silence settled between them.
It was difficult to predict the outcome hastily. How many in the world truly knew the exact power of both Gupailbang and Sapaeryeon? Besides…
‘The stronger side doesn’t always win.’
They had already proven this here.
If judged solely by their available strength, they should have been utterly defeated and beheaded. But in reality, the one whose heart was pierced was the Black Dragon King, and the one who fled in disarray was Surochae.
Therefore, it was hard to say which side would definitely win.
At this moment, only one thing was certain.
“I have to go!”
“What?”
Jo Geol was greatly alarmed by Chung Myung’s resolute shout.
“W-wait a minute! Do you even know where we are? This is Anhui, Anhui! Even if we run until our feet bleed, by the time we arrive, everything will be over! And Gupailbang…”
Whack!
In an instant, Yoon Jong sharply jabbed Jo Geol’s side with his elbow.
Jo Geol flinched and turned his head, suddenly realizing his mistake. It was only then that he noticed Hye Yeon’s grave expression.
“M-monk, I didn’t mean…”
“It’s alright, Siju.”
Hye Yeon shook his head as if to say not to worry.
“I too am well aware of what the Abbot and others have done. I also understand how difficult it must be for you to view them with any warmth.”
“Monk…”
“But I must go there as well.”
Hye Yeon sighed lightly.
“Please understand.”
“There’s nothing to understand! It’s only natural!”
Those heading to the battlefield were none other than Hye Yeon’s Sahyeongs and teachers. Jo Geol would have chosen to go too. Even if they had committed heinous crimes, he couldn’t completely turn his back on them without at least bringing them to justice himself.
So, letting Hye Yeon go was the right thing to do. But…
“No.”
Baek Cheon spoke as he looked at Chung Myung.
“We can’t move right now.”
“…”
“This place is not completely pacified yet. You know that. If we leave now, who knows what the scattered remnants of the Evil Sects and the criminals already in Gangbuk will do.”
Chung Myung’s face hardened.
Baek Cheon wasn’t wrong. If they abandoned Anhui and left, this land would fall into even greater chaos. That would be worse than not having killed the Black Dragon King.
Besides, the reason they had formed teams and taken such risks in the first place was to prevent the remaining forces of the Evil Sects from harming the common people.
Knowing all this, Baek Cheon spoke in this way. But Chung Myung was just as resolute.
Baek Cheon’s eyes met Chung Myung’s in midair, momentarily clashing.
“Sasuk, I…”
“You go.”
“…What?”
“We can’t go. But you can. I’ll stay here and handle what’s left. You go to Shaanxi. Right now!”
Chung Myung looked at Baek Cheon with a slightly surprised face.
If it were the old Baek Cheon, it would have been one of two things. He would have either stopped Chung Myung or insisted on accompanying him. Even if it meant forcing his will through obstinacy or authority, he would have ensured his way prevailed.
But not anymore. Baek Cheon now clearly distinguished between what he needed to do and what Chung Myung needed to do.
“I’ll take Jo Geol with me.”
“What? Me?”
“To clean up here as quickly as possible, we need someone fast.”
“N-no, Sasuk… I…”
At that moment, Yoon Jong grabbed the back of Jo Geol’s head and pressed it down hard.
“Shut your mouth!”
“Urgh…”
Jo Geol groaned with a thoroughly dissatisfied expression.
Considering his nature, it was obvious he would prefer to run to a larger battlefield.
But Baek Cheon knew that Jo Geol’s injuries were no small matter. If Chung Myung took Jo Geol along, his movements would inevitably be hindered.
“About Samae and Yoon Jong…”
“I’ll stay here.”
Yoon Jong glanced at Chung Myung. His gaze wasn’t as gentle as before, but that wasn’t why he wasn’t going with Chung Myung.
“That’s what I came here for.”
“…Alright.”
Baek Cheon turned his gaze to Yu Iseol.
“And you, Samae?”
“I’ll go with Sajil.”
“Alright.”
Baek Cheon let out a slight sigh of relief. He actually wanted to send more people with Chung Myung. Knowing this reckless guy, he was bound to cause some trouble.
But there was no more time to delay. Just as he was about to speak, a familiar voice came from somewhere.
“We’ll go too.”
Baek Cheon quickly turned his head.
“…You’re coming along?”
“There’s nothing more to do here. And… from what I’ve heard, Shaolin isn’t the only one exposed to danger.”
Baek Cheon gave a small nod at Jin Geumryong’s words.
If Sapaeryeon was heading north, then Jongnam would also be exposed to the danger. So, there was no reason to stop them.
They were people who had come on a journey they didn’t need to take in the first place.
“That…”
Baek Cheon’s lips moved slightly, but in the end, he couldn’t say anything. Seeing him, Jin Geumryong raised one corner of his mouth.
“Weakling.”
“…What?”
“Don’t go overboard and take care of yourself. If you die at the hands of some lowly thugs after disposing of the Black Dragon King, you’ll be remembered as the biggest idiot in Gangho.”
“Really, the way you talk…! You wretched human!”
Jo Geol, who had been listening quietly, whispered in Yoon Jong’s ear.
“Is that his way of telling him to be careful?”
“…Seems like it.”
“Why does he say it like that?”
“…I guess all the Jin clan members are like that. Even our Sasuk was similar back in the day.”
“…Now that you mention it, it’s true.”
“Hey, shut up, you bastards!”
While Baek Cheon diverted his anger towards Jo Geol and Yoon Jong, Jin Geumryong turned without hesitation and approached Chung Myung.
“You won’t say no, will you, Hwasan Shinryong?”
“When was I ever Hwasan Shinryong?”
“I like calling you that. It’s a nickname I gave you.”
Chung Myung glared at Jin Geumryong and Lee Songbaek who followed him.
“Follow if you can, but don’t expect any consideration.”
“That’s exactly what I want.”
Thus, Chung Myung was accompanied by Yu Iseol, Jin Geumryong, Lee Songbaek, and Hye Yeon. With a face subtly showing some unease, he spoke to Baek Cheon.
“I’m going.”
“Alright. We’ll leave as soon as things are settled here.”
Without further response, Chung Myung turned and dashed away like a lightning bolt. The four quickly followed him.
Baek Cheon watched the five figures swiftly disappear into the distance. Only then did his eyes reveal the deep concern he couldn’t hide.
Fwoosh!
Chung Myung propelled himself forward, increasing his speed constantly.
‘I have to hurry!’
He could sense, even without looking back, that the ones following him were struggling to keep up. But now, he had no time to adjust to their pace.
‘Beop Jong, you stupid idiot…!’
Chung Myung gritted his teeth.
Why couldn’t he understand yet? Why couldn’t he abandon his overconfidence?
Knowing exactly what kind of person Jang Ilso was, why did he still cling to useless ambitions? Especially as a monk!
‘Faster!’
Boom!
He struck the ground harder.
The sky was slowly being painted with a blood-red sunset.
❀ ❀ ❀
“Abbot!”
At the voice beside him, Beop Jong narrowed his eyes and focused ahead.
He saw figures in the distance. Specifically, a man in ornate clothing leading the group.
“…Jang Ilso.”
“That is definitely Jang Ilso!”
Beop Jong slowly nodded.
Even from afar, he could tell. There was no way that man was an impostor.
Using a decoy was undoubtedly a great tactic, but it wouldn’t work when the opponent was already wary and prepared.
Beop Jong’s keen senses clearly detected the ominous aura emanating from Jang Ilso.
“Amitabha. It seems to be so indeed.”
A low voice resounded. Even in this situation, Beop Jong’s gaze was fixed on Jang Ilso, who was also undoubtedly watching him.
“…Fortunately, we seem to have arrived in time.”
“The ambush…?”
“There is none.”
Beop Jong spoke with confidence.
It wasn’t as if he had recklessly rushed here.
The terrain of Shaanxi is treacherous. Once entering such terrain, it would be difficult to avoid an enemy ambush.
However, this place was still the gateway from Hubei to Shaanxi. In this vast plain, there was no place to hide or set traps.
This meant that the outcome would be decided purely by a contest of strength.
If they could minimize any variables, victory was assured. Simply confronting the enemy here already tilted the odds in their favor. It was an extremely unfortunate turn of events for Sapaeryeon.
“So, what should we do? Attack immediately?”
Jongli Hyeong’s face was flushed with anticipation. He was itching to rush in and cut down Jang Ilso’s white neck. It was no wonder – Jongli Hyeong harbored as much hatred for him as Beop Jong did.
However, Beop Jong did not permit such reckless behavior.
Instead, he glanced upward. The sunset had spread significantly. After gauging the time, Beop Jong spoke in a low voice.
“Although he is the leader of Sapaeryeon, he commands a significant force.”
“…So?”
“We should at least hear his last words.”
Beop Jong slowly stepped forward, and those following him matched his pace. It was as if a great mountain was moving. It was a magnificent sight, showing how Gupailbang had made their name known throughout the world.
Boom!
As Beop Jong advanced a bit closer to the enemy, he stepped firmly, causing the ground to tremble.
“Paegun, are you there?! Beop Jong of Shaolin wants to speak to you!”
It was a lion’s roar imbued with tremendous inner strength. Even his own side was momentarily taken aback, so there was no need to explain how terrifying it must have been for those standing opposite.
But the response to that roar was slow, almost bored. Compared to Beop Jong’s lion’s roar, it was more like a whisper.
“No need to shout, I’m not deaf. I’m right here.”
Paegun Jang Ilso.
He slowly walked forward.
The clinking sound of his ornaments colliding rang out like music in the suddenly quiet plain.
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