539 Chapter 1427: So This Needle Is A Failure? (Part 2)

Leisurely footsteps echoed. It was the sound of Jang Ilso walking through the center of the Tang Family.

Despite a momentary delay caused by the old man, it was a minor inconvenience. Thoughts about Tang Jopyeong had already been cleanly erased from his mind.

Instead, what caught his attention were the partially collapsed halls of the Tang Family. The intact halls and the ones burned down were scattered around, resembling a miniature version of the current Kangho.

A strange sensation washed over him.

"Ryeonju-nim! We've searched thoroughly, but it seems there are no survivors here."

"Don't waste your strength. It doesn't matter."

Jang Ilso's remark made Jeokho bow deeply. [I got rid of the dash, it's ugly]

For a family of five generations, there would be at least one hiding place within the family. Even though he suspected they might have set fire to the building as a disguise, it seemed to be in vain. Confusion appeared on Jeokho's face.

"Does that mean... the Tang Family really abandoned their lineage and fled? That Sichuan Tang Family?"

Even Jang Ilso had not predicted such a situation. If he had foreseen it even a bit, he wouldn't have taken such futile steps.

"Hmm."

As if understanding his thoughts, Jang Ilso let out a sigh.

"...Which is it?"

"What?"

"Did the Tang Family go mad? Or is my reputation higher than I thought? Enough to make them run away, leaving their home behind?"

It could be both.

If it was the Sichuan Tang Family he knew, they would never abandon their lineage. The fact that they fled meant that the current Tang Family was not the one he knew.

And even if they had changed, they wouldn't have made such a choice if the one coming to trample them wasn't Paegun Jang Ilso. They would have resisted to the death.

Jang Ilso's eyes sank with gloom.

Whatever the reason, something unexpected had happened. It felt like cold water was poured over his excitement of breaking down the Emei and Qingcheng. An inexplicable discomfort scratched at his stomach.

"The Sichuan Tang Family... Anyway, those associated with the Heavenly Comrade Alliance are all troublesome. Or should I say those associated with that child?"

Laughter echoed from Jang Ilso's lips.

There shouldn't be any connection. From this distance, Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword couldn't possibly do anything.

However, Jang Ilso couldn't completely discard the thought that the influence of Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword might be behind this strange incident.

"What a troublesome child."

He had thoroughly pushed him eastward, just in case something like this happened, yet he managed to annoy him even from this far away.

Jang Ilso slowly licked his lips. A glint of insight flashed in his eyes.

"Ryeonju-nim!"

One of the Hongyeon approached, bowing before Jang Ilso.

"We've found traces of their movement. It's to the north."

Jang Ilso nodded. Naturally, it would be to the north. There was no other way for them to escape.

"The scale?"

"All of them. It seems everyone from the Tang Family's residence moved at once."

This news seemed surprising as Jang Ilso squinted his eyes.

"All at once?"

"Yes!"

A momentary distortion appeared on his red lips.

"Hmm. So, you're saying... everyone from the Tang Family's residence, including those who aren't directly part of the family, are fleeing together?"

"Yes, Ryeonju-nim!"

Jang Ilso laughed as if finding it absurd.

"That's truly a strange thing. The Tang Family is known for their strict separation between direct and indirect lineages... Yet, non-direct members, even women and children who haven't learned martial arts, are all gathered together to escape?"

"..."

"Well, if things are going to change..."

Jang Ilso's gaze turned northward.

"Wouldn't it have been better to act a bit smarter? Don't you think so?"

Jeokho nodded.

If they had scattered the members of the family in all directions with the determination to accept about half the casualties, it wouldn't have been easy for Jang Ilso to handle. There would be uncertainty about who to hold and who to let go. 

But by deliberately fleeing in one direction, weren't they wiggling their butts, openly inviting pursuit? [I swear did not make this up...Ilso is just weird.]

"I'm not one to chase after others, but...not chasing after those tempting me to this extent would be cruel. Get ready. We have to catch them before they escape Sichuan."

"Yes, Ryeonju-nim!"

The Hongyeon immediately followed the orders.

"Oh, before that."

"...Yes?"

Jang Ilso slowly looked around the half-collapsed halls of the Tang Family.

"If someone has made a big decision... aiding that decision is also the virtue of a kind person, isn't it?"

A bright smile spread faintly on Jang Ilso's face.

"Burn everything. Let nothing with the name of the Tang Family remain in this Sichuan land. Let even the ashes be scattered and disappear in the wind."

"Yes, Ryeonju-nim!"

After bowing once, everyone rushed forward without hesitation. Jang Ilso's lips slightly parted.

"How about... Tang Gunak?"

How would he accept this outcome?

With this, the Sichuan Tang Family had lost its roots. Given the nature of the Tang Family, they would never recover the prestige they currently held.

Would Tang Gunak think of this choice as truly the right one?

Even though the descendants of the Tang Family would curse and resent Tang Gunak for generations, could he praise those who left the family and abandoned their responsibilities? [not sure]

Even though the Sichuan Tang Family would no longer be called a powerhouse of the Central Plains?

"Hypocrisy is a kind of illness."

Jang Ilso chuckled.

It was regrettable. Pitiful. So, couldn't he show a bit of mercy to those who left?

Whoosh!

Flames rose from all directions.

The slowly burning flames soon grew gigantic, devouring the remaining halls of the Sichuan Tang Family.

Everything about the prestigious Sichuan Tang Family, masters of poison, was burning.

The enormous flames were visible throughout the entire city. It was like a beacon announcing that the land of Sichuan had surrendered under the feet of the Evil Tyrant Alliance.

The light emitted by the flames cast a deep shadow on Jang Ilso's face. Watching the burning halls with a strange smile, Jang Ilso turned away without any lingering emotions.

"Let's go."

"Yes!"

The mercy Jang Ilso could show to Tang Gunak.

It was allowing Tang Gunak to easily discard any lingering feelings. If those who were trying to escape all died, he could openly vent his anger and resentment without hiding his true intentions.

In any case, he would end up shedding tears of blood, cursing that the foundation of the Tang Family home was burned while its members were trying to protect their lives, all in vain.

"Really, I am too kind-hearted."

Jang Ilso laughed lightly as he walked away.

The goal was the north.

Where the members of the Tang Family fled.

❀ ❀ ❀

Paaaat!

Tang Gunak, forcefully pounding the ground, suddenly slowed down.

Glancing back, he saw that the distance behind him had widened again. Despite knowing that they should move together with support, his feet kept rushing ahead.

He bit his lips tightly.

He knew.

They were already tired enough to the point of exhaustion. No, even if they weren't tired, there were very few who could keep up with the full force of Tang Gunak's martial arts.

So, there was no need to keep showing this kind of scene, revealing his urgent thoughts. It was meaningless, and it only made his heart anxious.

Even though he knew this fact, his heart kept rushing ahead, causing him to make mistakes.

Tang Gunak briefly lowered his gaze to Chung Myung by his side.

'Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword.'

Tang Gunak also knew. He was aware of how much he was forcing it right now. Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword and Five Swords were not in a normal state at the moment. Anyone with even a little knowledge of medicine would foam at the mouth and shout that they absolutely needed rest.

However, Tang Gunak's stubbornness was making it difficult for them. All for a task that may already be too late. But...

"Gaju-nim!"

At that moment, Hyun Jong, who had been following closely, gasped for breath and spoke.

"Gaju-nim, I apologize. I know you must be in a hurry, but our martial arts..."

Tang Gunak bit his lips with a more dismal heart. Why apologize?

Mount Hua wasn't the only one unable to keep up. The elite members of the Tang Family were also falling behind. But why was Hyun Jong bowing his head to him?

Tang Gunak said with a heavy heart.

"I'm sorry. But please endure a little longer. We are almost reaching Sichuan, and Chengdu is nearby."

"Yes! Don't worry. Even if our legs burst and we die, we will arrive at the Tang Family and die."

At that remark, Tang Gunak turned a glance to the back. Sure enough, the Five Swords following behind Hyun Jong also had determined faces. Even if deep down, they wanted to sit down and collapse at this moment.

"If..."

At the end of this forced march, if he could save even one person from the Tang Family, the Sichuan Tang Family would incur a debt that can never be repaid to the Mount Hua Sect. Tang Gunak engraved that fact clearly in his heart.

And at that moment...

Scree!

Everyone hastily looked up at the sharp cry coming from the sky.

"It's open! Communication from Sichuan is here!"

Thoughts were short, and actions were fast. Tang Gunak pushed the ground forcefully and soared into the air. He reached out and caught the flying message.

Thunk!

Once back on the ground, he swiftly opened the communication tube attached to the the hawk's leg and checked the contents. The expression on Tang Gunak's face, after checking the contents in a flash, noticeably stiffened.

"Gaju-nim, what does it say?"

"...Look."

Tang Gunak handed the transmission to Hyun Jong. The moment Hyun Jong confirmed the contents, his face also froze.

[One sect other than the Hao Sect is moving south towards the direction of Diancang. The Myriad Man Manor is chasing the survivors of the Sichuan Tang Family, moving north.]

Although it succinctly conveyed the situation, the meaning was by no means simple.

"Does it mean they have split into two groups?"

"...It seems so."

Confusion appeared in Hyun Jong's eyes.

If they had aimed for any one direction and moved together, they could have dealt with it. But if they split into two groups... it was impossible to help both groups.

With an already insufficient number of people, if they divided into two, the worst situation of both Mount Hua and the Tang Family being annihilated separately could happen.

Yoon Jong, who heard the situation from behind, shouted as if there was no need to think.

"What are you thinking? We have to go north for now! The Tang Family is there, isn't it!"

Of course, this was an obvious and even clichéd conclusion.

However, the confusion and agony on the faces of Hyun Jong and Tang Gunak deepened even more.

"...So this is it."

Hyun Jong muttered with a slightly trembling voice. Tang Gunak bit his lips.

- Diancang must be saved for sure.

The words from Beopgye were a clear order from Beopjeong. Now he keenly felt the intention behind those words.