Chapter 1577: Take It Whenever You Want (Part 2)

"Hurry!"

Beopjeong shouted at the top of his lungs.

"More! Faster! There should be no delay!"

The face of Beopgye, looking at Beopjeong's back, was grave.

And understandably so, Beopgye had served his Sahyung and sect leader for a long time. [not sure] However, it was the first time Beopjeong looked so desperate.

"Bangjang! The speed is too fast! At this rate, we will tire out before reaching the enemy!"

"Do not speak lightly, Beopgye!"

Beopjeong's angry voice burst out in response to Beopgye's concerns.

"Tired? Is that more important than what's happening now? This is a war from the start! Facing the enemy in a perfect state only happens in novels! Now is not the time to think about the rear!"

Beopgye bit his lip. The agreeing voice of Peng Yeop could also be heard.

"Daesa. I also agree with what Bangjang said." [Daesa = polite address = Beopgye]

"...Gaju-nim."

Peng Yeop fiercely slammed the ground as he spoke.

"The most important thing now is to track the whereabouts of Paegun. If we miss this opportunity and he escapes to Gangnam again, we'll have to repeat this futile confrontation."

Beopgye's face darkened. It wasn't wrong what he said.

It was hard to remember when he left Song Mountain. It had reached the point where he couldn't distinguish whether he was a monk or a general.

And he missed the time when he was deeply immersed in meditation in Song Mountain.

He was sick of it. This war, Paegun.

If he could end everything with this one battle and return to Song Mountain, Beopgye was ready to step forward as the first one, like a guardian deity.

"But this is too aggressive. This is not the way of the Ten Great Sects, is it? A little calm..."

"That's why we need to be even more aggressive!"

"Sect Leader?"

Jonglihyung looked at Beopgye with frustration.

"As Daesa said, this is not the method we have been using so far. So they won't expect us to move like this."

"That's..."

Listening to it, there was some logic. Even Beopgye, who had been with Beopjeong for a long time, did not expect Beopjeong to choose such a sudden and aggressive method.

Even if Paegun played with the world as if it were a toy, predicting the movements of the Ten Great Sects might not be easy.

"The opportunity has finally come. An opportunity to cut off Paegun's neck!"

Jonglihyung's eyes gleamed coldly. It was completely different from the image Beopgye had seen so far.

It might be unfamiliar, but this could be Jonglihyung's true appearance. To obtain the position of the leader of a giant faction like one of the Ten Great Sects, it wouldn't have been possible with just a kind personality.

Beopjeong and Peng Yeop also silently looked at Beopgye, agreeing with Jonglihyung's words. A certain pressure could be felt. Beopgye eventually had to bow his head.

"I understand what you're saying."

Doubts still lingered in his chest.

Even if everything he said was true, was there a need to be in such a hurry? The Evil Tyrant Alliance had already penetrated deep into Gangbuk, so it wouldn't be easy for them to withdraw quickly. Wouldn't it be enough to leisurely push them back?

However, he couldn't say it out loud. Beopgye also knew the true reason why they were in such a rush.

"Do you know where he is now?"

"Yes? Ah... If it's Paegun, right now..."

"No."

Beopjeong interrupted Beopgye's words.

"Him."

Beopgye belatedly realized who Beopjeong was asking about.

Someone who didn't need to be mentioned right now.

"...If it's Mount Hua's Chivalrous Swords, he's been confirmed to be in Anhui."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Bangjang. The information from the Beggar's Union, news from the small and medium-sized sects, and information from our own informants all match."

Beopjeong nodded heavily. His gaze was cold.

Chung Myung was not here right now. Even if he heard the news in Anhui, he wouldn't be able to respond faster than the Ten Great Sects, who had already started moving.

In other words, it means that the opportunity to end this war had fallen entirely into the Ten Great Sect's hands, or more precisely, into Beopjeong's hands.

It was absurd to miss this golden opportunity. [...]

'You must also know that the one who wins in the end is the true winner.'

The opportunity had finally come into their hands. Beopjeong, clenching his fist as if to say he wouldn't let it slip away, shouted.

"Encourage the disciples! Let's go without slowing down!"

"Yes, Bangjang."

Beopjeong, looking back at the following disciples, stared firmly ahead again.

What he aimed for was the neck of Jang Ilso.

The place he was heading to was the brilliant land that would bring glory for the next hundred years.

* * *

"According to the report, those who went to the Yangtze River have beheaded the Black Dragon King!"

Hyun Jong stood up abruptly. The moment he heard it, the face of one person came to his mind.

"Ch-Chung Myung! Did Chung Myung do this?"

"No! The Chief did not participate in this battle. It was entirely the achievement of Namgung Sogaju, including the Five Swords and the Southern Edge Sect's senior disciples."

"Oh my goodness..."

Hyun Jong seemed to lose consciousness for a moment. It took a while for him to regain his senses, and then he asked the question he should ask now.

"How are the disciples? How are their conditions?"

"Some are injured, but fortunately, there are no casualties. Namgung Sogaju suffered a critical injury, but it's expected to recover with proper care."

"Ah..."

Hyun Jong sighed deeply and sat back down, seemingly relieved. Although he was boiling with anxiety, the news that the disciples were safe relieved the tension all at once.

"The Black Dragon King... those kids..."

He had imagined it. The scene where his disciples cut off the head of Mado [idk, evil demon? evil leader?], shaking the world and receiving praise from all over.

No, in fact, he had imagined it countless times.

How joyful and happy would it be? How proud?

But now that he was directly experiencing what he had only imagined, there was no room for a proud feeling. He was just relieved that the kids were safe. A sense of exhaustion pressed down on him.

In contrast, Tang Gunak was still tense.

"Has a response to the news we sent come back?"

"Not yet."

"...Not yet?"

"It seems that the report sent after finishing the Black Dragon King reached us first."

Tang Gunak's fingertips trembled slightly.

"And what about the Ten Great Sects...?"

"They are currently approaching the Evil Tyrant Alliance. At the current rate, they should meet by the end of the day."

"Today...?"

Tang Gunak tapped the desk with his fingertip. It was a movement full of anxiety.

"Are they still not coming for cooperation from our side?"

"Not only cooperation, but they also ignore all the reports we sent. The communication through the Beggar's Union is not working either."

"Beopjeon... What is he thinking now...!"

Tang Gunak bit his lips.

The one who, until now, had always referred to Beopjeong as 'Bangjang' with at least minimal respect was now so angry that he directly referred to his name.

"What on earth is he thinking at a time like this...!"

The answer to Tang Gunak's concern came not from Beopjeong a thousand miles away but from Im Sobyeong.

"Thorough exclusion."

Tang Gunak's gaze turned to Im Sobyeong.

"There is no room for hesitation. What they are aiming for is a thorough exclusion. They won't even give us a chance for the Heavenly Comrade Alliance to come forward."

"In this situation?"

"Especially in this situation. Isn't it truly typical of the righteous sects, isn't it?"

There was a hint of sarcasm in Im Sobyeong's smile.

That chilliness made Tang Gunak feel a deep stab in his chest.

If dying for one's desire was the Evil Sect, then dying for honor and position was the Righteous Sect.

Im Sobyeong's smile seemed to say that regardless of the direction, it was the same, ultimately leading to the same outcome.

"Nokrim King, no...Commander."

"Yes."

Im Sobyeong looked at Tang Gunak with a serious gaze. When Tang Gunak asked.

"The situation... no, the chances of winning? If the Evil Tyrant Alliance and the Ten Great Sects clash like this, what do you think the outcome will be?"

Im Sobyeong closed his eyes for a moment as if pondering. When he opened his eyes again, he answered firmly as if there was no need for further consideration.

"A landslide victory for the Ten Great Sects."

"...A landslide victory? Really?"

"I've thought about it many times, but there is no other possibility. If things continue like this, the Evil Tyrant Alliance will be utterly defeated."

Tang Gunak fell silent.

But Im Sobyeong continued his evaluation without waiting for a response.

"Even though it's the Evil Tyrant Alliance, the forces advancing now mainly consist of the Myriad Man Manor centered on Jang Ilso, and the heavily depleted Black Ghost Castle. The Hao Sect has not returned yet."

"...That's true."

"Even if all three forces are present, it won't be easy to face the joint forces of Shaolin, Kontong, and the Peng Family. Even if the power of Shaolin is not intact. But with just two forces..."

It was a very logical and obvious evaluation.

If the Myriad Man Manor, Black Ghost Castle, and the still-absent Hao Sect had the ability to sweep the world alone, the peace of Kangho would not have lasted this long.

Most of the Evil Tyrant Alliance's notorious reputation came from the extraordinary deeds carried out by Jang Ilso in recent years.

But reputation was just reputation.

As long as there is no way to create additional forces, it would be difficult for the Evil Tyrant Alliance to overcome their weaknesses.

"But Paegun must be aware of that fact as well, don't you think?"

"Yes."

"Had they called the Hao Sect earlier, set traps, or laid out some plans, they could have chosen to move north more wisely."

"Of course, that's true. And perhaps Beopjeong is also aware of these facts."

"Knowing it could be a trap? But still chose to advance?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because jumping into that trap is the only way to seize Jang Ilso's head."

"..."

"And just because it's a trap doesn't mean it always works. A trap set to catch a wolf won't catch a tiger, and a trap set to catch a tiger won't catch a dragon. Believing that you can block everything with knowledge and preparation is nothing more than the arrogance of those who discuss military strategies with three-inch tongues."

It was a cold and rational assessment.

"The reason astonishing victories of those with inferior forces continue to be celebrated is because it is obvious and natural for those with superior forces to win. So why would the Ten Great Sects hesitate?"

Tang Gunak nodded heavily. Every word was painfully true.

If they were to face each other head-on, the Ten Great Sect's side was stronger. This was close to common sense. So, from the perspective of the Righteous Sect, they couldn't afford to miss this opportunity. If, even now, they hesitated and gave an opportunity to the Heavenly Comrade Alliance or the Evil Tyrant Alliance, they would be recorded as a fool in the annals of history.

However...

'Why does it still make me uneasy?'

The image of Jang Ilso didn't disappear from his mind.

DId he really not know all these facts? Was he really overestimating his own tactics and leaping into danger by himself?

If so, what should the Heavenly Comrade Alliance do right now?

That moment arrived.

"I have a report!"

The door burst open, and someone rushed in urgently.

"The speed of the Ten Great Sects' advance is faster than expected! At this rate, the two forces might have clashed by now...!"

Tang Gunak stood up abruptly.

"Now?"

A moment of hesitation. Or perhaps due to a brief time of waiting, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance was 'excluded'.

* * *

"Hmm."

Jang Ilso narrowed his gleaming eyes even more.

A horde advancing from the distant plains came into view.

"It's the enemy!"

"The enemy is coming!"

Around him, people noticed the horde and began to raise their voices, assuming a defensive posture.

"The enemy..."

The complexions of those at the forefront could be seen. Dressed in yellow-brown robes.

They rushed fiercely like demons.

"Shaolin!"

"It's Shaolin! The bastards from the Ten Great Sects are coming!"

In an instant, tension tightened. Except for one person.

"Oh dear..."

Jang Ilso shook his head.

"To have arrived already, they must be quite excited. The big guys with heavy bottoms must have sweated a lot on their way. Isn't that right, Gakmyung-ah?"

"...Ryeonju-nim."

"What you want is probably..."

His sleek and slender fingers slowly traced his neck.

"This neck?"

The corners of his blood-red mouth rose eerily. A gleam flashed in the eyes curved with laughter.

"Take it whenever you want. It won't be easy, though."

Eventually, the long fingernails slowly slit the straight neck horizontally.

A single stream of blood flowed from the red line that followed the gesture. As if foreshadowing the copious amount of blood that would be shed on this land from now on.