Chapter 1383: Of Course, Such A Thing Will Never Happen (Part 3)

"Ah! Damn it! Why are there so many?"

Jo Gol slashed through the enemy's chest as he vented his frustration.

"Shut your mouth, you damn bastard!"

"No! Isn't this too much?"

Jo Gol complained with a distorted face.

Breaking through Nanjing in one go without confronting the enemy until arriving at a suitable location?

'But we haven't reached that suitable position yet!'

It felt as if all the Evil Sects in the world were gathered here. Cross one forest, and there were Evil Sects everywhere. Cross one stream, and there were Evil Sects everywhere again. The problem was...

"What, what is it!"

"It's the enemy!"

"No! Why have you been surprised since earlier!"

Jo Gol shouted in frustration.

It should've been the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and the Southern Island side that should be surprised when encountering the Evil Sects, but instead, the lastter seemed even more surprised. It was like getting attacked by a Demonic Sect out of nowhere in their own neighborhood.

"I'm really going to die..."

Paaaah!

As Jo Gol tried to let out a dying scream, someone suddenly leaped over his shoulder and rushed forward.

Parararalak!

With a sound like wings fluttering, a sword spread its wings in all directions.

"Ah!"

"Aaaah!"

The Evil Sect members, who had been cut in various places in an instant, writhed in pain.

"Sago!"

"...Step back. If you're going to keep crying."

"Oh, no! It's not that..."

Jo Gol tried to explain with a pitiful face but closed his mouth.

He also suffered severe injuries, but Yoo Iseol's injuries were even worse. Wouldn't it seem too pathetic for him to be crying while she fought without saying a word...

"Jo Gol, you're already pathetic."

"Don't read people's minds! Have you mastered mind-reading techniques?"

Baek Cheon casually threw out his words and followed Yoo Iseol, who was going forward.

"Samae! Are you okay?"

"Yes, Sahyung."

Yoo Iseol nodded calmly.

"I can fight now."

"Don't overdo it. Your injuries are deep."

"Yes."

Although he told her not to overdo it, Yoo Iseol's sword was no different from usual. Still sharp, clean, and swift.

And looking at that sword, Baek Cheon felt something inside him relax. It was a sense of relief.

He had worried secretly. What if Yoo Iseol lost her sword due to her deep injuries? Even if she couldn't be a force right away, her sword was as precious as Mount Hua to the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

But looking at that sword, he could tell. He had worried for nothing.

'But no matter how you think about it, it's strange.'

Baek Cheon's gaze turned to the Evil Sect members that Yoo Iseol was cutting through.

"Rotate the front and rear. Those who are tired, replenish your strength!"

"Yes!"

The voice of Guo Hansuo echoed loudly. Not only Yoo Iseol but also the Southern Island Sect were pushing the enemies to the breaking point. They were even showing mercy by inflicting only moderate injuries.

Were they strong enough that the enemy wasn't worth facing? Perhaps because they had grown enough?

'No. Those guys are just too weak.'

The Evil Sect group they were facing now couldn't even compare to the level of those who had hindered them in Guangdong.

That's why it was strange.

Whether it be Ho Gakmyung or Jang Ilso, if they had planned to capture them, they wouldn't have sent such people. Those people wouldn't be of any help, and those two wouldn't be ignorant of that fact.

Even if they fell into decay, even if they fell into ruin, [not sure] how can such small children be a match for those who are joined by the core of Cheonwoomaeng centered on Haenam? 

But if that was the case, then why? Why would Jang Ilso or Ho Gakmyung engage in such wasteful actions that would yield no results?

"Deputy Sect Leader."

At that moment, Namgung Dowi, who had rushed over, looked at Baek Cheon without saying anything.

"...You've already noticed, it seems."

"Yes."

"These people didn't come here to face us. Not only in terms of strength, but they also seemed unaware of our existence."

"Indeed."

For a moment, Baek Cheon, who had turned his head towards Chung Myung and Nokrim King, flinched and then turned his gaze.

'Don't rely on them!'

Having individuals with a keen insight among allies was an unparalleled blessing. However, the moment one entrusted all analysis and judgment to them, that blessing would turn into shackles.

If one didn't have the ability to think and judge for themselves, it would become meaningless. Was there any guarantee that they would be there when critical decisions needed to be made?

'What help does this group of Evil Sects provide?'

Facing the core of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, it was clear that they wouldn't be a formidable force. So, what then?

"Looks like they're gathering to face someone other than us."

"I think the same."

"That means..."

A shiver ran down Baek Cheon's spine from his palm.

Even if the forces were insufficient to face the core of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, they should be able to handle smaller sects from the righteous faction. Just because they looked weak in their eyes didn't mean they were really weak.

The problem was, as long as this group of Evil Sects was in Gangnam, there was no chance they'd face smaller sects in Gangbuk.

"Maybe... I know it sounds unreasonable, but has Shaolin consolidated power in the north during this time?"

"...Is it possible?"

"It might be."

Namgung Dowi also smiled as he spoke, as if finding his own words ridiculous.

In the past, when Shaolin raised its banner and shouted, numerous sects gathered under it. But now, that was impossible.

They all clearly saw what happened on Plum Blossom Island. Even if they were to follow Shaolin, the moment they became isolated, they might be abandoned by Shaolin. Would they be crazy enough to follow Shaolin's orders without question?

The seemingly insignificant choice made back then paved the way for righteous sects to make their individual destinies.

'Yeah, why stupidly...'

Justice often seems foolish when judged only by short-term results. But the reason it's considered justice is that, in the end, it leads to the right outcome.

If at that time, Shaolin had followed them without hesitation to rescue Namgung, the power behind Shaolin's voice would have been incomparable to what it is now.

Anyway, with the current reputation and strength of Shaolin, a massive attack on Gangnam was impossible. Leading a few sects that followed them and attacking might be possible, but gathering all small sects was difficult.

Then there was only one option left.

"...Are they planning to cross the river? Leading this group of evil sects?"

"Is it possible? They aren't individuals with such high martial skills to cross the wide Yangtze without any assistance, are they? Even if they could, numerous squads would have to make round trips. Would the righteous sects let that happen without keeping an eye on it?"

"We should consider what might have happened during this time. Something inevitable that cannot be stopped."

"True..."

Namgung Dowi's face became even more serious. Given the overall conversation so far, the conclusion was clear.

Advancement to the north. Jang Ilso had definitely drawn his sword.

'Now?'

Namgung Dowi unknowingly swallowed dry saliva.

No, it was possible. At any moment. If it was Jang Ilso, he could start a war by crossing the river whenever he wanted. Ordinary people desired stability and perfect victory, but what he wanted was chaos and a dramatic victory through exploiting it.

He knew all of this, yet the reason he shuddered at this fact was simple.

'It was considered that it wouldn't be now, even I thought so.'

War could happen at any time. Everyone here knew that.

But at the same time, everyone thought. Now was not the time for that war to happen. They believed it would happen a bit later, even if they didn't know when.

Jang Ilso was openly mocking and scoffing at that conviction and desire.

"Why now..."

"If you think about it in reverse, isn't now the only time?"

"Huh?"

"Everyone resides in the world, but only a few move the world. Aren't the eyes of those few now entirely focused on Gangnam?"

"..."

"If it's Jang Ilso, he wouldn't miss the opportunity in such a situation. He will undoubtedly try to lead things according to his desires. Even if the time is not ripe yet, he'll overlook such considerations if the conditions are right."

"Then..."

Namgung Dowi's voice trembled slightly. The meaning of those words hit him vividly.

"Because of us...Are you saying war is breaking out, not because of anyone else but us?"

Baek Cheon fell silent for a moment. However, after organizing his thoughts, he spoke again.

"War would have happened sooner or later. Just because it happened a bit sooner doesn't necessarily mean it's our fault."

"But..."

Namgung Dowi still couldn't shake off the uncomfortable expression, hesitating. Baek Cheon looked at him directly and asked,

"If you knew this would be the outcome, would you have stayed in Gangbuk to avoid the war?"

Namgung Dowi had no answer to that question.

"The opponent is Jang Ilso. If we hadn't moved, he would have schemed another plan using the fact that we didn't move, having already destroyed Southern Island. That's the kind of person he is."

Namgung Dowi weakly nodded.

"So, let's focus on breaking through this situation right now."

"That's the right answer!"

Suddenly, a voice from behind caught their attention. Both of them turned around abruptly. Im Sobyeong was swaying a fan in his hand and grinning as he nodded.

"Looks like both of you have grown in your own ways. This old man is very pleased."

"I feel violated."

"Isn't a compliment from the Evil Sect like an insult?"

Both of them became agitated for no reason. At that moment, Im Sobyeong's gaze darkened suddenly as he spoke.

"But we should focus on something else."

"Yes?"

"If Jang Ilso is really planning to start a war... if he's thinking of advancing north, then all the benefits we've enjoyed so far will disappear completely."

"Benefits?"

Both of them froze their expressions coldly. What benefits could they have gained thanks to that Jang Ilso guy? They only suffered losses.

Especially Namgung Dowi, who lost a significant portion of his family thanks to Jang Ilso, glared at Im Sobyeong with eyes full of resentment. However, Im Sobyeong shrugged and spoke firmly.

"To be precise, there's no need to maintain a balance anymore."

"Balance?"

"The existence of Heavenly Comrade Alliance."

Only then did both of them understand Im Sobyeong's words and fell into silence.

"So far, Jang Ilso has been targeting the cracks in the righteous sects by leaving Heavenly Comrade Alliance alone. But if war breaks out, the situation will change. The Heavenly Comrade Alliance is the force most likely to fight fiercely on the front lines in a war."

"Indeed..."

Whether they liked it or not, it would happen that way. If one person went crazy and started causing harm.

And that meant...

"Until now, he spared him because it was beneficial, but now, he'll consider killing him as he becomes a hindrance. No matter what means are required."

Both of them simultaneously turned their eyes to the back, more precisely, towards the person following them from behind, Chung Myung.

"That..."

Baek Cheon, who was about to say something while looking at his expressionless face, flinched for a moment.

His gaze fell not on Chung Myung but a bit further back, towards the forest they had already passed. The tall trees were swaying, making a rustling sound.

"Already..."

"They're coming."

Im Sobyeong folded his fan, tightly gripping it.

"Prepare yourselves. It will be different from what we've faced so far."

Kwaaaaaa!

Large trees collapsed one after another, revealing the figures of those too-familiar Myriad Man Manor members. Now, saying they were sick of those red uniforms would be an understatement.

In the midst of them, Ho Gakmyung stood, growling with icy eyes.

"Show them how intense the revenge of the Evil Sect can be."

Baek Cheon bit his lip until it bled.