Chapter 1603
I can’t even laugh. (8)
A day. Another day. And yet another day.
Only after spending three days in Hwaeum was Chung Myung able to fully acknowledge that Jang Ilso’s aim had not reached this place.
Yet, he could not fully understand it.
Chung Myung’s gaze, looking down upon Hwaeum, was dark and gloomy.
An unpleasant and strange sense of deja vu continued to gnaw at his mind. Chung Myung gripped his wrist tightly.
A faint smell of blood touched the tip of his nose. It was not of this reality. It was the scent of a past deeply buried in his memory, a past he did not wish to recall.
‘No.’
He slowly closed his eyes tightly.
No.
It was true that everything he had experienced, all that fell beyond the scope of understanding, ultimately reached those two words he scarcely wished to utter…
But not yet. It couldn’t be.
He opened his eyes and stared blankly at the blue sky.
It was truly clear and sunny. Chung Myung bit his lower lip tightly.
❀ ❀ ❀
“Have you returned, retired Sect Leader?”
Hyun Jong nodded heavily as he looked at Un Am, fatigue evident on his face.
“Where is Chung Myung?”
“Well…”
Un Am silently turned his gaze. It was towards the middle of the mountain. That must be where he is.
Hyun Jong nodded slightly with a grave expression.
He couldn’t quite understand what Chung Myung was thinking. Perhaps no one else could either. It was only a guess that there was something complex and beyond Hyun Jong’s comprehension in that child’s mind.
But…
“Hmm.”
Hyun Jong let out a heavy sigh. Un Am cautiously inquired.
“I’ve heard the news. The dead…”
“I am on my way to handle it.”
The bodies of the sects with survivors have been handed over, while those from sects without survivors or those unable to retrieve the bodies immediately have been temporarily buried nearby with markers. This is so that the bodies can eventually return to their homeland.
“The disciples will finish the remaining tasks and return to Hwaeum.”
“Yes.”
Hyun Jong, who had been silently looking at the mountain, finally spoke.
“Gather all the senior members of Hwaeum.”
“Yes, Alliance Leader.”
Hyun Jong’s eyes, reflecting the sheer cliffs of the mountain, closed heavily.
❀ ❀ ❀
A profound silence settled over the gathering.
With representatives from Cheonumaeng, Hwaeum, and the surviving senior members of Gupailbang all assembled in one place, the gravity of the situation was palpable.
“Ugh…”
The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily, and Hong Daekwang, unable to bear it any longer, let out a groan. As he was about to speak, Pung Yeong Shin Gae placed a firm hand on his shoulder, urging him to stay silent.
Hong Daekwang cursed inwardly.
‘At this rate, I’m going to suffocate, damn it.’
Yet, he understood.
Having spent many years in Gangho, Hong Daekwang had faced numerous crises, but this was his first encounter with something of this magnitude.
Even someone like him, accustomed to handling all sorts of information, was stunned, so one could only imagine the shock experienced by the other senior members.
‘But keeping silent like this isn’t helpful.’
Hong Daekwang, who had been fidgeting, tapping his fingers, glanced at Hyun Jong and Tang Gunak. They seemed to be the only ones who could possibly break the silence.
However, it was someone else who unexpectedly opened the discussion.
“To summarize…”
It was Im Sobyeong, dressed in a light green hakchangui [학창의(鶴氅衣) – traditional robe for scholars]. His calm voice echoed in the room that had been filled with silence.
“It’s a crushing defeat.”
The words were like a dagger.
“Even calling it a defeat doesn’t quite cover it. It’s a rout, or rather… I don’t even know how to fully describe this loss. It’s that severe. I can hardly imagine what kind of actions could lead to such a thorough defeat.”
The one who reacted sharply was Zhuge Jain, the head of Zhuge family who had come here with Hyun Jong.
“And who might you be?”
Under the blade-like gaze, Im Sobyeong let out a faint smile.
“There’s nothing I can’t tell you, but isn’t it basic courtesy, taught even in the Confucian academy, to introduce oneself before asking about others?”
Zhuge Jain, who had been glaring at Im Sobyeong, now turned his gaze towards Hyun Jong.
“And who is this person, Alliance Leader?”
Hyun Jong replied calmly.
“He is Im Sobyeong, the current leader of Nokrim and the military Advisor for Cheonumaeng…”
“Nokrim?”
Zhuge Jain abruptly cut off Hyun Jong’s words.
“Why is Nokrim here?”
His eyes burned with blatant disdain and anger.
“I’ve just returned from fighting against Sapaeryeon. And now I have to witness Nokrim standing here arrogantly, insulting those who fought with their lives? Is this what Cheonumaeng speaks of…?”
“Those who fought with their lives.”
Before Zhuge Jain could fully vent his fury, Im Sobyeong responded with cold sarcasm.
“Talking as if you were one of them. You were merely a spectator.”
“You… filthy bandit!”
Fuming with rage, Zhuge Jain leapt to his feet.
The intensity of his anger was so vivid that one could easily guess how he had become the head of his family. Yet, despite facing this hostility directly, Im Sobyeong remained unfazed, even more blatantly mocking.
“Why? Did I say something wrong?”
“Can’t you keep your mouth shut?”
“There are the dead, and there are those who need comfort, yet someone who returned unscathed is trying to leverage his influence. It’s no wonder you lost so foolishly.”
“You…!”
Zhuge Jain grasped the sword at his waist, but a chilling voice intervened from elsewhere.
“That’s enough.”
It was Tang Gunak.
He looked at Im Sobyeong with a stern expression and said,
“Please be careful with your words, Nokrim King.”
Im Sobyeong, who had been about to show more discontent, merely shrugged upon seeing Tang Gunak’s face. It was a sign that he had no intention of continuing the confrontation.
Tang Gunak’s gaze now turned to Zhuge Jain.
“Lord Zhuge.”
“…Yes, Lord Tang.”
“If you are dissatisfied with the methods of Cheonumaeng, or the people within it, you may leave.”
Zhuge Jain was momentarily taken aback, staring blankly at Tang Gunak. He had not expected the head of Sichuan Tang Clan, once one of the Five Great Families, to side with the Evil Sect.
“Nokrim King is, first and foremost, a military Advisor of Cheonumaeng before being a member of the Evil Sect. Any questions about his status or intentions should be directed to Cheonumaeng and to me.”
Zhuge Jain’s hand trembled with anger. Seeing this, Moyong Wigyeong, who had been observing the situation, intervened.
“This matter is one where Lord Zhuge has acted too hastily. I understand your feelings, but you must exercise restraint. Given the circumstances, this is not the time for such disputes.”
Zhuge Jain, struggling to calm his turbulent emotions, repeatedly opened and closed his mouth before finally slumping into his seat. He crossed his arms and gritted his teeth, his dissatisfaction clearly evident on his face.
Tang Gunak nodded.
“Proceed, Nokrim King. However-”
It was a warning not to stir up unnecessary trouble.
“Yes, I understand.”
Im Sobyeong, not wishing to waste time on trivial disturbances, continued as if the commotion had not occurred.
“Shaolin has been half-destroyed, Kongtong has been completely annihilated, and the Paeng family has also been wiped out.”
“Hmm.”
Hwang Jong-ui, who was attending as the financial manager for Cheonumaeng, let out a groan of dismay.
Shaolin, Kongtong, and Paeng.
These were forces capable of shaking the world with their mere names. The fact that the elite of these forces have been completely annihilated was shocking no matter how many times one heard it.
“To achieve such a result, Sapaeryeon lost… the Black Dragon King and Surochae. Well, the petty criminals they mobilized before that were hardly worth calling sacrifices.”
Surochae alone.
The three factions of Five Great Families and Gupailbang.
Even a child could estimate which side suffered the greater loss.
Thus, Im Sobyeong did not spend time elaborating on it.
“In conclusion… this incident has completely shattered Gupailbang.”
“…”
“The remaining forces of Gupailbang are merely Jongnam, Wudang which is in Bongmun, and Kunlun, which generally avoids involvement in affairs of the outside world. That’s all there is.”
Suppressing his discomfort, Jongli Gok, the Sect Leader of Jongnam, finally let out a soft sigh. He had attended out of necessity given the circumstances.
In truth, saying there are only three remaining sects is a bit vague. There might be more, like the Beggars Sect…
But the Beggars Sect has essentially moved itself to Cheonumaeng. Among the Five Great Families, only Zhuge and Moyong remain.
‘Wudang and Jongnam. Moyong and Zhuge…’
These are the only ones with any real power. Even within this, Wudang’s Bongmun is in an uncertain state.
It’s almost laughable.
Gupailbang and Five Great Families that once dominated the world now consist of only four remaining sects.
Im Sobyeong tapped his palm with his fan.
“To put it another way, Gangho we knew no longer exists.”
These words momentarily cut off everyone’s breath.
Cheonumaeng’s members, as well as Zhuge Jain, Moyong Wigyeong, and even Jongli Gok, were rendered speechless.
Until now, they had been burdened with the thought of having to fight against Sapaeryeon someday, and they had clashed endlessly over how to approach it.
But now, even that discord seemed like a luxury.
The severity of the defeat made it all too real. This was no longer a mere struggle for power. If they couldn’t stop Sapaeryeon, it would mean the true downfall of the Just Sects and the dominance of the Evil Sects.
“Beop Jong.”
At that moment, Jongli Gok spoke coldly.
“Where is he now?”
His gaze was sharp, as if it were piercing Zhuge Jain.
“…I’m not sure.”
“Has he returned to Shaolin?”
“…”
“Or is he still sitting there, wailing?”
Jongli Gok’s voice grew increasingly menacing.
“If such a catastrophe occurred, he should either but a dagger in his throat or at least come to explain himself. After causing such a disaster, where on earth is he and what is he doing?”
“Please restrain your words. The Abbot has made a lot of effort. However…”
“Effort? How laughable. Is this what you call an effort? Well, he must have made some effort! It wouldn’t have been easy to push so many Just Sect members into Sapaeryeon’s jaws without significant effort. Truly impressive efforts.”
As Zhuge Jain, enraged once more, tried to stand, Moyong Wigyeong quickly restrained him.
“Calm down.”
“Is this something to calm down about?”
“It’s not worth getting so worked up over.”
Moyong Wigyeong sighed and looked at Jongli Gok.
“Sect Leader Jongli, you shouldn’t speak like that. At the very least, the Abbot made efforts to stop Sapaeryeon. But Jongnam completely ignored our desperate calls, didn’t you?”
“…”
“It’s not right for Jongnam, who were playing hermits in Bongmun while we fought and bled, to now criticize the Abbot and Gupailbang.”
“Playing hermits?”
The term irritated Jongli Gok, causing his eyebrows to twitch.
“Then what? Should Jongnam have been completely wiped out while being dragged into this idiotic plan to have a chance to speak up?”
“Sect Leader Jongli!”
“Be grateful that Beop Jong is still alive. If he had died, the responsibility would have fallen on you! What is there to be proud of, having returned alive from a battlefield where everyone else perished? Is that the honor of Zhuge and Moyong?”
“Sect Leader Jongli… your words are too harsh.”
Unable to endure any longer, Hyun Jong intervened. Jongli Gok sharply turned to him, but after a moment, he let out a dry laugh.
“Yes, yes. Since the renowned Alliance Leader of Cheonumaeng speaks so, I suppose I should keep my mouth shut.”
“…Sect Leader.”
“Yes, what is it, Alliance Leader? Who would dare not listen respectfully to the esteemed words of the greatest master of Gangho?”
It was a clearly sharp reaction. Hyun Jong shut his eyes tightly. Though it was understandable that everyone was on edge, it didn’t ease the frustration in his chest.
Watching the meeting spiral into chaos, Hong Daekwang buried his head in his hands, his frustration evident.
‘This is worse than a complete mess.’
His dwindling hope was being crushed with every passing moment.
‘Where the hell is that guy now?’
Hong Daekwang glanced to one side. The chair that was clearly designated for someone was empty.
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