Chapter 1457: It Won't Be Easy (Part 2)

Mountain peaks shot up towards the cloudy sky. A place where breathtaking scenery unfolded, with peaks known as the Heavenly Mountains (天子山), of the Zhangjiajie mountain range. A man stood silently, gazing at these peaks. 

His gaze turned towards towering peak piercing through the clouds

While it wasn't uncommon for mountains to reach the clouds, the sharpness of these peaks made them seem like spears piercing the sky.

That was why some called this land by a particular name. A place where the land, once oppressed by the sky, raised a sword. A land against heaven's will (逆心).

Against the backdrop of this picturesque scene, subordinates silently observed the standing figure of Ho Gakmyung from behind. Unease was evident on their faces.

"Why did he set up camp here?"

"That's..."

Since the confrontation in Nanjing and the subsequent march towards Sichuan, Ho Gakmyung had not moved after reaching this place. No, it wasn't just a matter of not moving; he had begun deploying his forces.

Of course, there was no issue with taking a break. Even during rest, setting up a camp wouldn't raise suspicions; instead, it should be praised.

But the strange thing was that it had been a whole day since they set up camp at Zhangjiajie. It might not be a long time in the grand scheme of things, but in the current situation, it was a time that could be as valuable as gold. And yet, that time had been wasted in this mountainous area.

"...Shouldn't we head to Sichuan as quickly as possible?"

"Of course. Ryeonju has already occupied Sichuan and Yunnan..."

Subordinates looked at each other. No matter how you thought about it, going to Sichuan as quickly as possible was a priority, and Ho Gakmyung, a strategist, certainly knew that. That was the problem.

So why was Ho Gakmyung spending time in this place?

One of the subordinates, with an anxious look, opened his trembling lips.

"Maybe..."

"If you can't handle it, keep your mouth shut."

The words that were about to come out abruptly stopped.

Gulp.

But even though the words were halted, it seemed the meaning couldn't be erased. Someone swallowed dry saliva. Tension filled the air.

'Commander...'

Everyone knew. They were subordinates assisting in military matters.

The current Ho Gakmyung wasn't just an ordinary commander. He held the military authority equivalent to half of the Evil Tyrant Alliance's forces.

Of course, the authority of a commander wasn't absolute like sovereign power.

However, the subordinates who had witnessed numerous events in the Evil Sect couldn't help but consider one particular situation.

One of the subordinates who had been watching everyone's reactions opened his lips as if he had made up his mind.

"There's no way. Who is the Commander?"

"Of course, that's true. But... that's not the important part."

"...What are you talking about?"

"Are you really asking because you don't know?"

Subordinates looked at each other, and silence fell once again.

Of course, they knew. There was no one among them who harbored different thoughts. What mattered now was what choice they would make in this moment. Only that mattered.

"And... You guys know too, right?"

No one answered. But there was no one who didn't know.

From Southern Island to this place, what Ho Gakmyung had been through. And the response Jang Ilsu gave to Ho Gakmyung's inquiry.

What would they do if they were in his shoes?

Could they still believe and follow Jang Ilso as unwaveringly as before, even after experiencing all that?

If it were them...

"Don't think about it."

Those who understand something started considering possibilities. When they were about to start calculating in their minds, someone grabbed them roughly.

"It's meaningless for us to discuss it among ourselves. If there's something you don't understand, ask the Commander directly."

The one who spoke took a step forward. The rest followed, walking towards Ho Gakmyung.

Even though the distance wasn't far, it felt like a long journey for them.

Once they reached near Ho Gakmyung, they exchanged glances. After a brief moment of eye contact, one of the subordinates opened his mouth as if squeezing it out.

"Um... Commander."

"...?"

"Aren't you going to Sichuan?"

Silence followed. Ho Gakmyung just continued to gaze at the peaks without saying a word. The subordinates' faces stiffened even more.

Really, was Ho Gakmyung...

"If I don't go?"

And at that moment, a question flowed from Ho Gakmyung's lips as if piercing through their lungs.

"Yes?"

"If I don't go, what will you do?"

Ho Gakmyung slowly turned to look at them. With a face as stiff as if covered in armor, the subordinates involuntarily trembled. His cold gaze swept over them, creating an indescribable sense of oppression and tension.

"Answer."

The subordinates swallowed dry saliva.

The one who held the authority to wield half of the Evil Tyrant Alliance refused to join forces with Ryeonju. Could there possibly be two meanings behind that statement?

One of those who met the cold gaze of Ho Gakmyung opened his mouth with a trembling voice.

"Co, Commander. How..."

"I will said it again."

"..."

"If I don't move from this place, if I have no intention of going to Sichuan, what will you do?"

This question was clearer than the one asked initially. Unless they were fools, they couldn't misunderstand its meaning. Especially for those who decided the fate of an army.

'Really...?'

It felt like the blood in their bodies suddenly chilled.

They had never thought about it. It was something they couldn't even imagine considering.

But now that the question had been posed, now that these words had been heard, they also had to make a decision.

Regardless of the choice, they had to stake their lives on it.

What should they do?

Amidst severe conflict, everyone was wavering. However, one person knelt down intensely in that moment.

"I will simply follow the Commander."

Ho Gakmyung's eyes narrowed slightly.

"You will follow me? What does that mean?"

"Just as I said! If the Commander decides, I will simply follow whatever it is."

It was a subtle statement. A strange silence settled in. Everyone held their breath without moving a muscle, focusing all their attention on Ho Gakmyung.

And in that moment, a rare smile appeared on the corners of Ho Gakmyung's lips.

"Not a bad answer."

A chill ran down the spines of the subordinates. Wasn't that statement revealing Ho Gakmyung's thoughts?

'Really, is it the Commander...?'

It was difficult to accept outright. But now was not the time to find the answer. If the response was delayed, the uncertainty about their fate would only increase.

"I, I..."

Just as one of the subordinates was about to continue speaking.

"Commander!"

A loud shout echoed through their midst.

"Ryeonju! Ryeonju is coming!"

"What?"

The bewildered subordinates, wide-eyed, let out a collective exclamation. If it was Ryeonju, it meant the arrival of Jang Ilso. But why would Jang Ilso come to this place?

Had Ho Gakmyung reported separately?

No, there hadn't been such an occasion. They didn't part ways with Ho Gakmyung during their journey from Nanjing to here, not even for a moment. But how did Ryeonju know and came here?

"W-What are you talking about? Ryeonju coming here! Nonsense!"

"T-There he is!"

The subordinates' gaze quickly shifted. Indeed, a group was approaching. As they got closer, their distinct colors became more evident.

A groaning sound escaped.

"Ryeonju..."

It had to be Jang Ilso.

Of course, it had already been proven in Nanjing that there were others who could imitate Jang Ilso's appearance. Still, who in the world, especially in a place where the Evil Tyrant Alliance gathered, would dare to mimic Jang Ilso without permission?

The subordinates looked at Ho Gakmyung with puzzled faces.

"Commander... Ryeonju is..."

If it weren't for the moment right after hearing words from Ho Gakmyung that they shouldn't have heard, perhaps they could have welcomed this situation. But not now. A great confusion swept over them.

However, Ho Gakmyung, in contrast, stared at Jang Ilso approaching with eyes that showed no apparent emotional change.

"You came at the right time."

"..."

"I'll ask, whose orders do you follow?"

"Uh, Commander?"

"Answer."

Subordinates quickly exchanged glances. However, the answer they had to give, and could give, had already been determined.

"Obviously... we follow the Commander's orders."

"Alright then."

Ho Gakmyung slowly moved his feet to welcome Jang Ilso.

"No way..."

The subordinates couldn't even breathe properly as they watched the scene. The difference in military strength became evident. The ones led by Jang Ilso were all elite among elites, but their numbers were not many.

On the other hand, the military strength of this place, composed of the Black Ghost Castle, the remaining Myriad Man Manor, and those gathered from Nanjing, was overwhelming even against Jang Ilso's forces.

Gulp.

The sound of someone swallowing dry spit was heard. There shouldn't be such an occurrence, but just in case... What if Ho Gakmyung decided to take action?

Then what would happen?

Step. Step.

Ho Gakmyung stopped a few steps away from there.

Jang Ilso, who approached slowly, also stood at a considerable distance from Ho Gakmyung.

In the silence, Jang Ilso's eyes observed Ho Gakmyung and those standing behind him. Strangely, the people gathered here were setting up their positions as if they were aiming for him.

As if they could rush in at any moment if the signal was given.

Jang Ilso's gaze briefly touched the peaks that seemed to pierce the sky, then turned back to Ho Gakmyung. He looked at Ho Gakmyung with an expression that revealed nothing about what he was thinking.

"Why did you not come to Sichuan?"

Ho Gakmyung remained silent, merely facing Jang Ilso. At that moment, Jang Ilso's face twisted slightly.

"Can't you hear me?"

"...Did you ask why?"

Finally, Ho Gakmyung answered with a firm voice.

"I apologize, Ryeonju-nim."

"Hmm?"

"Do you need to ask for reasons? Ryeonju-nim has probably guessed already. Wasn't it the same before?"

"..."

"Regardless of how I act, won't Ryeonju-nim use me accordingly? In that case, is it necessary to report every time?"

Jang Ilso's mouth twisted distinctly at Ho Gakmyung's response.

"Is that your answer?"

"Is it not acceptable?"

Ho Gakmyung looked at Jang Ilso with emotionless eyes.

Tension hung in the air.

Behind Ho Gakmyung, those observing him couldn't breathe, trembling. It felt like any moment, a sharp scream could break the silence, destroying everything they knew.

And at that very moment...

"Ugh..."

A groan escaped from Jang Ilso's mouth.

"It's not that it's unacceptable, but still, shouldn't you report? What a bothersome matter."

Jang Ilso complained somewhat exaggeratedly, shaking his head.

The subordinates were shocked at this behavior, which didn't fit the situation at all. Ho Gakmyung's mouth opened calmly.

"I thought you would come anyway."

"Tsk tsk. Whether it's inflexible or too flexible. Anyway, it's a problem."

"One moment."

"Hmm?"

At that moment, after asking for a short understanding, Ho Gakmyung turned to the subordinate who would follow him first. As the subordinate faced Ho Gakmyung's cold gaze, his face turned pale. He sensed his own fate.

"C-Commander!"

Crack!

The force released by Ho Gakmyung severed the subordinate's neck without hesitation. Sprays of red blood scattered in all directions.

Jang Ilso furrowed his brows.

"Tsk. It's excessive for a mere congratulatory shot."

"I apologize. Just..."

"Enough. There must be a reason."

Jang Ilso waved his hand somewhat indifferently.

Originally, such an action should never be allowed. No one in the world could dare to take such an action in front of Jang Ilso. Jang Ilso would never tolerate it.

But if the one who took such action was Ho Gakmyung, it was a different story.

He wouldn't even listen to the reasons. If the one who committed this rudeness was Ho Gakmyung, then...

"Commander Ho Gakmyung, I greet Ryeonju-nim."

Ho Gakmyung kneeled with one knee and bowed deeply.

At that moment, everyone present realized who the person in front of them was, who the true ruler of this Evil Tyrant Alliance was. Everyone from Ho Gakmyung's followers, gathered behind him, also kneeled toward Jang Ilso.

"We greet Ryeonju-Yeonju!"

The voices were so overwhelming that the ground seemed to tremble.

Jang Ilso, watching this scene, smirked slightly and approached Ho Gakmyung. When he reached close, he firmly grabbed Ho Gakmyung's shoulder.

"You seem to be quite dissatisfied inside. To do things you've never done before."

"...May I speak?"

"Mm. Fine. If I were to complain, you might end up spending three days and nights speaking. Just let it be buried forever."

Jang Ilso's gaze briefly touched the lifeless body below. A sly smile appeared on his red lips.

"Dreams should be dreamed in accordance with the circumstances."

His low voice filled the world full of heat with a coldness.