Chapter 1232: So? (Part 2)

"How is it?"

"Well..."

Yoon Jong, who returned in a fluster, scratched the back of his head with an awkward expression.

"There is not even a wooden plank, let alone a boat, Sasuk."

"...Really?"

Baek Cheon asked with a puzzled expression.

"How about your side, Tang Sogaju-nim?"

"Same here."

Tang Pae, who had been working with the Namgung Dowi, also nodded nervously.

"First, we had to see a ship and to make contact with people to rent it. But there wasn't a single ship near the coast. There wasn't even a fishing boat in what looked like a fishing village."

Baek Cheon furrowed his brow in thought.

'What is going on?'

Of course, it was possible for there to be a shortage of ships. This place used to serve as a port heading towards Southern Island, but it has been several years since Southern Island and Gangnam stopped interacting. Even if they took the ships somewhere useful, it wouldn't be strange. However, it was absurd that there wasn't even a fishing boat in a place bordering this vast sea.

"Maybe you should inquire about the reason..."

Before Baek Cheon could finish his sentence, Namgung Dowi shook his head.

"Didn't Nokrim King instruct us to minimize contact with people? Even if we saw a ship, we couldn't be sure, and we couldn't casually approach and talk."

"...Well done."

It's hard for them to accept, but according to Im Sobyeong, Jang Ilso surprisingly had a decent reputation in Guangdong.

Jang Ilso may be ruthless to those who have mastered the martial arts, but for those who haven't, he seemed quite lenient. As a result, even if they were from the righteous sects, they couldn't be sure that the common people would support them.

Moreover, if by any chance the families of those they contacted were to throw themselves to the Myriad Man Manor, it could lead to irreversible consequences.

'It's certainly not easy in Gangnam.'

They had to be careful even when interacting with ordinary commoners...

"...If the situation becomes clearer, we'll figure out a plan, but we can't act recklessly, right?"

In response to the Tang Pae's words, Baek Cheon slowly nodded.

At that moment, Chung Myung, who had been bullying Seol So Baek, threw out a casual remark.

"Let's just split up."

"...Wait a moment."

"Why do you keep wasting time unnecessarily? With strong arms and legs."

"...Our arms and legs are weaker than you think."

"It's because you neglected training, training!"

"Sigh."

Baek Cheon shook his head as if fed up.

However, Yoo Iseol and Tang Soso were seen running towards them from a distance. The expressions on their faces were visibly urgent.

"Sahyung."

"What's going on, Samae."

"Sasuk! You should come and see!"

Baek Cheon quickly moved his steps.

* * *

[South Sea = Southern Sea]

Shirtless men were burning a large log outside. The already hot and humid weather of the South Sea, combined with the heat from the fire, caused their entire bodies to be covered in sweat.

"Hurry up!"

"How's the work on that side?"

"It's going smoothly. We should be done in about three days..."

"Too late! Finish within two days! If we're not ready before the military arrives, it's a matter of life or death for you and me!"

"We will definitely finish within two days!"

Jang Han, the one giving orders, looked around and shouted loudly. 

[I just want to share that Chat called him a 'Jang Han, the hairy monkey' and google translate called him 'Furry Janghan'...we can store those insults away for later...]

"Move quickly! If you don't finish preparing in time, a big punishment will come!"

"Yes!"

The men moved swiftly without a moment to catch their breath.

Baek Cheon, hiding in the bushes, narrowed his eyes as he watched their movements. Along the coast, large and small boats were neatly anchored. Wondering why there wasn't a single small fishing boat, he realized that they had commandeered all the boats in the vicinity.

'But are they building more boats here?'

Even a rough estimate showed that about five boats were being constructed. Although not significantly large, the fact that they were increasing the number of boats here was important in itself.

Baek Cheon cautiously retreated to avoid making any sound. Those who surveyed the situation together and stepped back exchanged firm glances.

"It must be the Myrian Man Manor."

"It seems so."

"Then, those boats..."

The Tang Pae nodded with a dark expression.

"They must be heading to Southern Island. There was no need to unnecessarily take the boats here; they must have gathered what they needed recently."

Baek Cheon let out a heavy sigh. However, Jo Gol, with a clueless look, tilted his head.

"Sahyung, what does that mean?"

"...The boats are now useful. If you want to go to Southern Island, don't you need boats?"

"Yes?"

"It means the Evil Tyrant Alliance is preparing to advance to Southern Island."

Only then did Jo Gol understand the situation and stiffened his face. Sneaking closer to the bushes and glancing at the coast again, he returned with a serious expression.

"All those boats?"

"..."

"No, how many troops are they planning to send..."

Jo Gol shivered, as on land, the size of the army could not be estimated simply by the number of wagons. But at sea, it was different. The number of boats directly represented the size of the troops that would invade Southern Island.

"...Certainly, it seems like they're causing quite a stir."

Im Sobyeong, who had been silently listening, chuckled.

"It's none other than Jang Ilso. If we hadn't stepped forward, he might erase even the name Southern Island from the world. After all, Jang Ilso iswasthat kind of person from the beginning."

"..."

"More importantly, it seems like things have become more urgent than expected..."

Im Sobyeong poked his head with a fan. Everyone, with stern faces, exchanged glances.

"In fact, from the perspective of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, there's no need to come out in such a hurry. Internal stabilization hasn't been completed yet, so they could move leisurely..."

Im Sobyeong fell into thought and then nodded with a solemn tone.

"If there's a reason, it's one of two things."

"What's that?"

"The internal organization of the Evil Tyrant Alliance has ended faster than we anticipated."

"..."

"Or it's because the presence of the Southern Island Sect is disturbing Jang Ilso more than we imagined."

"Would Jang Ilso be so concerned about Haenam? Even if you look at it..."

"I thought the same, but after seeing the situation in Guangdong, I roughly understand. For Jang Ilso, Guangdong is like a well-tended garden. Despite being an Evil Sect, he gained the people's favor, and being in the rear, it's a perfect base that's not at risk of being invaded by enemies."

"...Yes."

"Even if the war between the Evil Tyrant Alliance and the righteous factions ends in the victory of the righteous factions, unless it's an overwhelming victory, advancing to Guangdong will be difficult. Why is that?"

"Hundred Thousand Mountain..."

"Exactly, Namgung Sogaju."

Namgung Dowi made a sound of understanding.

Since they, too, had passed through the Hundred Thousand Mountain, they could understand. That place was a natural fortress that was almost impossible to advance past, both in terms of terrain and strategic position. Guangdong, with the Hundred Thousand Mountain behind it, was the safest base for Jang Ilso.

"But if Southern Island is behind him, the story changes. We might see Southern Island as a sword pointed at the Evil Tyrant Alliance, but to Jang Ilso..."

"An evil enemy that can set fire to his garden anytime."

"Yes. So he would want to secure Guangdong perfectly. Even if problems arise, he would want to at least protect Guangdong."

Baek Cheon frowned.

"Logically, it makes sense. Would Jang Ilso really be thinking that far ahead? From what I know of him..."

"Do not misunderstand, Deputy Sect Leader."

"...What misunderstanding are you talking about?"

Im Sobyeong spoke with a serious tone.

"Those who see Jang Ilso may think of him as a lucky person who has achieved continuous victories to reach his current position, but he hasn't always won."

"..."

"Until his name became well-known, he barely escaped from dangerous situations. That's how it is with the Evil Sect. They try to trample on potential threats before they can grow."

Chung Myung nodded in agreement.

"Jang Ilsu Ilso resisted various threats, sometimes running away, sometimes losing, sometimes suffering significant losses, to reach this point. Don't think of him as a madman obsessed only with war. He's someone who knows what to prioritize to achieve his ultimate goal."

Perhaps the only person who hated Jang Ilso as much as Im Sobyeong was Chung Myung. Since it was his evaluation, there was no reason not to believe it.

Im Sobyeong tapped his head with the fan.

"Well. Trying to figure out the reason they're moving hastily now won't be meaningful. The important thing is... soon, those ships will be loaded with the people of the Myriad Man Manor and land in Southern Island."

"..."

"On that island with nowhere to escape."

Namgung Dowi asked with a visibly anxious face.

"How much time do we have?"

"Well, it looks like those who are building the boats were originally in Guangdong, so... those who will board the ships are probably coming this way. Based on the time it takes for the newly constructed boats to be completed..."

Tap, tap, tap, tap.

Im Sobyeong, who had been tapping his shoulder with the fan, nodded heavily.

"At most, four days. It won't take longer."

A groan escaped from Baek Cheon's mouth.

"Damn."

If things went as expected, the Evil Tyrant Alliance wouldn't have moved for at least a few more months. As soon as they finished preparing for the war against Gangbuk, they would most likely aim for Southern Island. That's why they came here with a small group, to discuss with the Southern Island Sect.

But at this rate, recommending the Southern Island Sect to join the Heavenly Comrade Alliance would be meaningless. In just five days, the sect would disappear, so what was the use of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance?

"What are you going to do, Deputy Sect Leader?"

"Sasuk... What will you do?"

Baek Cheon pondered with a stern face. There are two options. Quickly admit the lack of strength and retreat as it was... Or, as an alternative, urgently enter Southern Island, inform them of the situation, and devise a plan together.

"... There's not much to think about."

Once again, he felt fortunate to have crossed through Gangnam. If he had chosen a circuitous route carelessly, he might have heard the news of Southern Island's destruction before reaching the peninsula.

"For now, we go to Southern Island."

"... Isn't it too dangerous?"

"Even if it's dangerous, it won't be so dangerous that the people here won't be able to get out alive."

Baek Cheon stated with a firm tone.

"But at least, Southern Island doesn't know that Evil Tyrant Alliance will attack at this point. We should inform them of that, shouldn't we?"

Everyone nodded at his words. Even in this situation, there was someone who was thinking realistically.

"But how do we get to Southern Island? All the ships have been taken by those guys. Shall we try to steal one at night?"

At Namgung Dowi's question, Baek Cheon looked silently to the side without answering.

"... Deputy Sect Leader?"

Sensing a momentary unease, Namgung Dowi asked with a trembling voice.

Baek Cheon, who gazed into the far-off sea, turned his head again and looked piercingly at someone.

"... Is it possible?"

"Oh, it's possible."

"Really possible?"

"Oh, did you live being deceived?"

Chung Myung chuckled and answered.

"At most, it's only about fifty li. We can arrive in half a day even if we swim slowly."

Baek Cheon nodded and looked at the others.

"So?"

"... "

"... "

Silence flowed.

For the first time, Namgung Dowi felt an impulse to stab Baek Cheon's clear and bright eyes.