Chapter 1654
It’s a good day. (4)
“Wudang…”
A pained voice came from Hyun Jong’s lips.
He should have considered it, but he missed it. However, it wasn’t due to his lack of insight. Wudang Sect had been so isolated amidst the rapidly changing political landscape.
“But in this situation?”
Hyun Jong asked, unable to comprehend. Zhuge Jain responded with a stern expression.
“The situation itself is not important. What’s important is the trend.”
“Trend?”
“Yes. Looking back, Jang Ilso’s actions have always been the same. He always targets places where power is not concentrated. Like a wolf persistently targeting a sheep that has strayed from the flock.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Indeed, Jang Ilso and Sapaeryeon operated that way. When Gangho was divided into north and south centered around the Yangtze River, they first targeted the isolated island of Hainan. When the power of the Central Plains focused on the Yangtze, they then targeted the vulnerable Sichuan.
While their strategies were filled with distracting schemes, in a broader sense, Jang Ilso’s actions could be seen as simple and clear.
“Therefore, the General’s words are valid. The most isolated group right now is Wudang. If they strike Wudang, they can completely isolate Shaolin next. From Sapaeryeon’s perspective, strategically, it is the most logical move.”
“…”
“We must support Wudang, Alliance Leader! We have already lost Kongtong and Paeng. We cannot afford to lose them too.”
Hyun Jong lightly furrowed his brow at Zhuge Jain’s words.
“Wudang… Do you really think they’ll target Wudang?”
Despite Zhuge Jain’s strong assertion, Hyun Jong’s expression remained unsettled.
‘Wudang?’
It wasn’t that he found Zhuge Jain’s argument unreasonable. However, something about it felt oddly disconcerting and unconvincing.
If Jang Ilso were targeting Cheonumaemg now, it would put the Alliance at great risk, as the newly formed structure hadn’t yet fully demonstrated its strength.
But Jang Ilso, passing up this opportunity to target Wudang?
The Jang Ilso?
“I’m not so sure.”
At that moment, Im Sobyeong spoke up, almost as if he understood Hyun Jong’s thoughts.
“I don’t think we can look at it that way.”
“What do you mean?”
Zhuge Jain’s expression hardened as he turned to ask, though his gaze was more puzzled than offended.
“Indeed, Lord Zhuge’s reasoning is solid. Jang Ilso’s tactics have generally followed that ‘trend.’”
“But why then…?”
“If it was the Jang Ilso before facing Shaolin in Hubei.”
Zhuge Jain flinched at these words.
“That means…”
“When dealing with Shaolin, Sapaeryeon’s movements were distinctly different from before. In the past, Sapaeryeon, led by Jang Ilso, always drew the enemy into a position of advantage for him, resulting in one-sided sacrifices. But what happened this time?”
Biting his lips and remaining silent for a moment, Zhuge Jain soon nodded. He had realized something from Im Sobyeong’s words.
“It was different… indeed…”
“Yes. Jang Ilso no longer avoids danger. When facing Shaolin, he didn’t just lead the enemy to a disadvantageous position. Rather, he risked himself significantly, plunging into the most dangerous spots.”
Those who knew how that battle had gone nodded in agreement.
“Just because he has been cautious until now doesn’t mean he will remain so until the end. Jang Ilso is someone who cannot be recklessly predicted.”
“So, do you think… Jang Ilso has another scheme in mind?”
At Zhuge Jain’s question, Im Sobyeong nodded vigorously and unfolded the fan in his hand.
“That’s what I believe.”
“Then what on earth is he aiming for?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
Im Sobyeong responded immediately, as if there was nothing more to consider.
“Us.”
“Us? …Us?”
Zhuge Jain stood there dazed, as if struck. However, as befitting the head of Zhuge family, he quickly grasped the situation, his face hardening.
Im Sobyeong covered half of his face with the fan.
“It’s easy to face an enemy that is underprepared. But even easier is to lure those unprepared to where you want them and confront them there, isn’t it?”
“…”
“If I were Jang Ilso, I would use Wudang as bait to lure Cheonumaeng out. Then, I would devour it. It’s much easier to trample those who rush to support rather than those who are fully prepared and waiting.”
It was an argument that couldn’t be outright dismissed.
Whether Jang Ilso was truly targeting Cheonumaeng wasn’t the most crucial point. The important thing was that the moment Cheonumaeng moved, Jang Ilso would undoubtedly seize the opportunity.
The mere thought of what could happen if they hurried to support with urgent hearts sent chills down their spines.
But in that moment, Zhuge Jain suddenly realized something.
“If so… then what should we do?”
He understood the enemy’s scheme, that Cheonumaeng could be in the most danger. However, the problem was there seemed to be no way to respond.
They couldn’t just leave Wudang alone, could they?
If they went to rescue Wudang, Cheonumaeng would be endangered. If they sought Cheonumaemg’s safety, Wudang would be trampled. What on earth should they choose in such a situation?
“There’s no need to worry about that.”
“Huh? What do you mean by that?”
Zhuge Jain narrowed his eyes, questioning Im Sobyeong’s seemingly out-of-place comment. After laying out all these worrying points, now he was saying there was no need to worry?
“Wudang is not foolish, you know. In fact, Wudang is originally an exceptionally intelligent sect. They won’t be unaware of how the situation is unfolding.”
“Ah…”
“When Wudang hears that Sapaeryeon is advancing, they will naturally retreat and plan for the future. We can join them at a reasonable pace.”
“Hmm. Do you think Wudang will head to Shaolin?”
“Well, that part I’m not certain about. I have no way of knowing how close they feel to Shaolin. Even if they regard Shaolin more closely than I anticipate, considering Shaolin’s current situation, there’s a possibility they might head somewhere other than Mount Song.”
Im Sobyeong raised the fan a bit higher.
“Anyway, the most important thing right now is that Wudang will buy us some time. We just need to match our actions with theirs.”
“Indeed…”
Zhuge Jain, along with Tang Gunak and Moyong Wigyeong, nodded in agreement.
“Certainly, if it’s Wudang… and considering Heo Do Jinin’s composure, they wouldn’t act recklessly.”
“That’s correct.”
A sigh escaped from Tang Gunak’s lips.
They had feared the worst-case scenario, but fortunately, the situation didn’t seem as hopeless. With this, they could find a safe detour into Henan that Sapaeryeon would find hard to exploit.
In fact, it could turn into a blessing in disguise. Wudang and Cheonumaeng might even form an alliance once Wudang lifts its Bongmun.
‘Thank heavens…’
Tang Gunak was about to breathe a sigh of relief when he suddenly flinched.
‘Wait. Where did this conversation start in the first place?’
Tang Gunak’s head snapped around. His gaze followed the expression of one person, Chung Myung, who was observing this urgent situation with the utmost calmness.
Tang Gunak spoke up.
“General.”
“Yes.”
“What do you think?”
Chung Myung slowly turned his gaze to Tang Gunak.
In that moment, Tang Gunak saw it.
A chilling aura that sent shivers down his spine flickered in Hwasan Geomhyeop Chung Myung’s eyes.
The moment he saw that expressionless face, Tang Gunak instinctively knew something was gravely wrong. Chung Myung spoke slowly.
“Wudang retreating…”
“General?”
“Will it really happen that way?”
“Well, wouldn’t they? Heo Do Jinin is not a foolish man. In terms of composure, he is among the top even among the leaders of Gupailbang.”
“…”
“Of course, Heo Do Jinin has stepped down from his position as the Sect Leader, but his influence hasn’t vanished. Even if it had, Heo San-ja, who is currently acting as the temporary Sect Leader of Wudang, is also a brilliant man. You know that as well.”
“There are no completely rational people in the world.”
“…”
“And even less so, completely rational sects.”
“…What do you mean?”
“People tend to forget sometimes, don’t they? They say things repeatedly, but they don’t truly believe them.”
“What exactly are you…?”
“A sect doesn’t move solely by the will of its leader. Especially in situations like this.”
“…What?”
Tang Gunak’s eyes wavered. He felt he understood what those words meant.
“It wasn’t only Heo Do Jinin who lost honor and fell into disgrace during the Yangtze River Disaster. In fact, Heo Do Jinin had a choice. Those who lost even more were Wudang’s swordsmen, who were branded as cowards regardless of their will.”
“…”
“Whether Heo Do Jinin understands the significance of that…”
Chung Myung’s voice trailed off as he gazed eastward, toward the place where Heo Do Jinin and Wudang were.
❀ ❀ ❀
“W-what did you just say?”
Heo San-ja stared blankly at those standing before him. His face was a mix of undisguised bewilderment, anger, and fear.
“They all said they would stay.”
“You, you all… you bastards!”
Heo San-ja’s hand trembled uncontrollably.
More than two hundred swordsmen stood before him, all exuding a cold, chilling aura. They had gathered at the single command to stand up for Wudang’s honor.
There was no way his and Heo Do Jinin’s intention – that a few lives were needed for the sake of appearances – had been misunderstood.
This meant that everyone gathered here had defied the order of the sect leader to flee from the enemy.
“Heo…Heo Gong, you idiot! What are you thinking?”
“I’m not sure what you mean, Sect Leader.”
“W-what?”
“Didn’t you say that those willing to sacrifice their lives for Wudang’s honor should step forward?”
“Heo Gong!”
“If I may speak frankly, Sect Leader.”
Heo Gong’s eyes, gripping the Pine Crest Ancient Sword [송문고검(松紋古劍) – songmun-gogeom], held a piercing coldness.
“There is not a single person on Wudang Mountain who would not sacrifice their life for Wudang.”
“…”
“There is even less chance that anyone would flee out of fear of the approaching enemy, and above all…”
Gritting his teeth.
Heo Gong’s teeth dug into his lower lip.
“None of us will endure the humiliation of bowing our heads to the enemy to survive twice. Do not insult your disciples, Sect Leader.”
A look of despair spread across Heo San-ja’s face.
“Heo Gong…”
“Whether the enemy is Jang Ilso, Maninbang, or Sapaeryeon! Whether they number in the hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands!”
The chilling aura emanating from Heo Gong spread around him.
“I will fight. Until the very moment my life is cut off! I will prove that Bongmun was not in vain, and that Wudang is never a coward.”
Swish!
As soon as he finished speaking, the gathered disciples of Wudang simultaneously raised their swords to their chests.
The meaning of this gesture was unmistakable.
“Oh…”
Heo San-ja let out a groan without realizing it. His face turned deathly pale.
‘Sect Leader. No, Sahyeong…’
Things were going terribly, despairingly wrong.
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