Chapter 1351: It's Just The Way Things Turned Out (Part 1)

Hong Daegwang, lost in thought, spoke hesitantly.

"Well, it's said that Jang Ilso of the Evil Tyrant Alliance has mobilized the Honggyeon and other elites. Th-the destination is not exactly known, but roughly towards the south..."

"Are you sure?"

Hong Daegwang nodded vigorously without answering. Just by looking at his face, you could sense the urgency and tension, as he was sweating profusely.

"W-while the Beggar's Union has lost most of its information network in Gangnam, we haven't completely lost sight of the Evil Tyrant Alliance's main base. Well, to be honest, we're barely keeping an eye on it... B-but, anyway!"

Hong Daegwang continued speaking.

"Anyway, ever since the Hangzhou Incident, this is the first time Jang Ilso has personally taken action! The Beggar's Union is in chaos right now! Moreover, they've mobilized the Honggyeon and the elites of Myriad Man Manor, meaning they are planning something significant, right?"

Throughout the conversation, Hyun Jong's face remained tense.

The Beggar's Union still didn't know about the situation of Chung Myung and the others, which was why this interpretation was inevitable. However, to Hyun Jong, who knew the current situation of those who went to Southern Island, Jang Ilso's goal was clear.

"If the Beggar's Union knows about this news, it means the Ten Great Sects are aware of it too."

Hong Daegwang nodded, closing his mouth like a clam.

Of course, the Beggar's Union was still affiliated with the Ten Great Sects, and the information they obtained naturally reached the Ten Great Sects. Strictly speaking, Hong Daegwang informing Hyun Jong about this news could be a problem.

Nevertheless, Hong Daegwang couldn't help but feel like he was committing a crime when he spoke like this in front of Hyun Jong.

As if understanding that sentiment, Hyun Jong deeply acknowledged Hong Daegwang.

"Thank you. It must have been difficult to share this news."

"P-please, don't say that, Maengju-nim!"

Hong Daegwang exclaimed, waving his arms in panic.

"This is not a time to be thankful. A-and... gratitude is something you express to outsiders. Although I am affiliated with the Beggar's Sect, my position is ambiguous, and how can consider myself a stranger with Mount Hua's Divine Dragon... No, with Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword?"

Hyun Jong nodded silently. He knew it was not just empty words.

But now there was no time to leisurely express gratitude.

His gaze turned beyond the wall of the manor to the wide Yangtze River, which was still under the control of the Su Lo Chae.

It would be ideal to break through that encirclement in one breath and advance, but it was realistically difficult. That was why time was of the essence. They had to move right away and cross the Yangtze River through a place where the Su Lo Chae's influence didn't reach.

Hyun Jong said.

"Sect Leader."

"Yes."

"We don't have time."

"I will prepare for departure right away."

"I apologize, Sect Leader."

Un Am resolutely nodded.

"I think Master was absolutely right."

"... "

"If the disciples of Mount Hua were isolated in Gangnam and Chung Myung was here, what do you think that guy would have said?"

Hyun Jong's face momentarily stiffened. Watching that expression, Un Am grinned.

"If it were him, he would have definitely said without any hesitation that we should go to Gangnam immediately. He wouldn't have listened even if someone tried to stop him. And if it didn't work out, he would have gone to Gangnam alone without hesitation. Don't you think so?"

"...Sect Leader."

"It's not that we're going to save those guys because they're our disciples. It's just that because they are our disciples, for a moment, we considered whether this was the right choice. If they were others, would we have hesitated?"

Hyun Jong nodded slowly.

Un Am's words were correct. Regardless of who was in danger, the situation would have been the same.

"They are all our disciples, and the children Mount Hua needs to take care of. There is no need for hesitation or doubt. If you are not prepared to sacrifice a hundred lives to save one, the name of a martial arts sect is just an empty shell."

Un Am's gaze turned to the disciples.

"Isn't that right?"

"Yes, Sect Leader!"

There were no usual cheers or buzzing voices. Only resolute voices of determination erupted in unison.

Hyun Jong nodded, suppressing something that surged up in his chest.

"Yes, let's go."

"Yes, Sect Leader!"

Hyun Jong's gaze then turned to Tang Gunak.

"Gaju-nim."

However, before he could speak, Tang Gunak shook his head.

"Please do not tell us to stay and defend this place, Maengju-nim."

He cut in, as if he already knew what Hyun Jong was going to say.

"My children are there too. They are more important to me than anyone else."

"But..."

"But that's a secondary issue."

There was a chill on Tang Gunak's face.

"For the sake of the Tang Family, I can sacrifice my children's lives at any time. However, as the head of the Tang Family, there is one thing I can never give up."

Tang Gunak's face was stern.

"Anyone who touches the one who inherits the Tang Family's blood must inevitably pay the price. This is the law of the Tang Family passed down for centuries, the iron rule that must be upheld with blood, prioritized even over the existence of the Tang Family itself."

A blue glint appeared in his eyes.

"Even if Mount Hua doesn't go, the Tang Family would have crossed the river. So please do not tell me to stay here."

"Gaju-nim..."

Even just by looking at his face, it was evident. There was no way to bend Tang Gunak's will. Tang Gunak had endured all this time precisely because of the name Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

"Indeed, the law of the Tang Family is famous."

They turned to the voice that came from behind.

"But the sense of obligation to that law will not exceed the urgency of Namgung's situation right now."

"Namgung Elder..."

Namgung Myung nodded heavily.

"Not following the law doesn't mean the family will disappear. But for Namgung now, the existence of the Sogaju is more significant than the family itself."

Namgung Myung spoke with a cold expression, as if he were wearing armor.

"It would have been best not to send him in the first place, but given the current situation, we have no choice but to take the next best option. Namgung's next best option is to save Sogaju, even if everyone has to risk their lives. There is no other choice."

A frosty chill emanated from Namgung Myung. The Namgung Family by his side also expressed their agreement with determined faces.

The Namgung Family had lost Namgung Hwang. Here, they couldn't afford to lose Namgung Dowi.

"Namgung will also go with you."

The Mount Hua Sect, the Tang Family, and the Namgung Family expressed their intentions.

"Then the Northern Ice Palace will also join."

"Elder Han..."

"We cannot afford to lose the palace lord either. Wouldn't it be better for even one more sect to strengthen us?"

However, Tang Gunak firmly shook his head at those words.

"The Northern Ice Palace must protect this place."

Upon hearing this, Songwon from the Northern Ice Palace, who had been observing the situation, became agitated.

"Why is that? Is it because we are not from this place?"

"Songwon!"

Han Yi Myung thundered with a voice like a frosty wind.

"What nonsense is that! Can't you see clearly how the Heavenly Comrade Alliance treats us? How can you say such things?"

"..."

"If you utter such nonsense one more time, I won't forgive you first."

Songwon bowed deeply. Han Yi Myung apologized to Tang Gunak on his behalf.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I understand well enough."

To the Northern Ice Palace, the Tang Family might be considered a fellow central region, but in reality, the Tang Family had often been regarded as a respected power even in the central region. [not sure lol] So, they knew the feelings of these people well enough.

"There are two reasons for not mobilizing the Northern Ice Palace. First, it is because the Ice Arts of the Northern Ice Palace are less effective in the warm Gangnam."

"That's..."

This was something Han Yi Myung couldn't deny either. As they moved to warmer regions, the power of the Northern Ice Arts naturally diminished.

"Another reason is also because if this place becomes a no-man's land, they can concentrate their forces on those who have entered Gangnam. To return alive and step on this land again, we need a sect that can restrain them."

Han Yi Myung bit his lip.

Although he also wanted to go to rescue the palace lord, he, as the one representing the current palace lord of the Northern Ice Palace, could not ignore the practical problems.

Above all, what made Han Yi Myung hesitate was the worry that their joining might actually be a hindrance.

Knowing that sentiment, Hyun Jong deeply persuaded Han Yi Myung.