Chapter 1035: We're Not There With Him (Part 5)

Jang Ilso's boat on the riverbank gradually drifted away. As he sat there, gazing at the flowing river, he heard Ho Gakmyung's voice near his ear.

"Lord Ryeonjul."

"Hmm?"

When Jang Ilso turned his gaze, Ho Gakmyung, who was rowing the boat, calmly spoke.

"May I ask you one thing?"

Jang Ilso nodded indifferently.

"It might be repetitive, but I'll just ask. No need to make a fuss."

Ho Gakmyung hesitated slightly before speaking.

"It is known that Lord Ryeonjul needs someone well-versed in martial arts to confront the Demonic Sect."

"Right, but?"

"However, I don't understand why it has to be Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword."

"Hmm."

Instead of answering, Jang Ilso smiled as if it was amusing.

But for Ho Gakmyung, that smile alone was not a sufficient answer.

"If Lord Ryeonjul merely decides, you can enlist not only the Wudang but also the Shaolin sect."

"Indeed... that might be possible."

It wasn't a matter of relationships. The Demonic Sect was a more serious matter than anything else for those living in Kangho. But then again, it also meant that Jang Ilso had gained an unrivaled power. If he decided, even the Shaolin sect might move if he wished to confront the Demonic Sect.

"If you need a sharp blade, wouldn't it be better to cooperate with them? While it's true that Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword did cut off the Black Dragon King's arm, calling it the sharpest sword in the righteous sects..."

"Tsk."

Jang Ilso clicked his tongue as if he were dissatisfied. In response, Ho Gakmyung quickly lowered his head as if to apologize.

"Lord, I apologize."

"Yes, Gakmyung."

"You sometimes miss the point in strange places."

Ho Gakmyung looked at Jang Ilso with puzzled eyes before carefully expressing his thoughts.

"In my opinion, there are sharper blades in the righteous sects than the Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword. And there are blades that can be more easily controlled than him. No matter how sharp Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword is, a sword that can even harm the person holding the hilt can never be called a famous sword."

Jang Ilso chuckled and nodded quietly.

"You're right. Your words make sense."

"But how...?"

"Clearly, in the righteous sects, there are likely swords that are easier to wield. Furthermore, there should be swords that are more robust and safe."

"Yes."

"But, Gakmyung, why don't you understand? When it's not a danger to me, it means it's not a danger to others either."

"... I see."

"If it were an easily approachable enemy, there would have been no need for me to cross this river. What I want is not a safe and sturdy sword. It's a Yaojian (妖劍), a demon sword, that can cut off an enemy's head perfectly, even if it means risking my arm."

Jang Ilso's eyes, curved gently with a smile, glowed.

"So that's why it has to be Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword. Do you understand?"

Ho Gakmyung nodded slowly without saying a word.

However, despite his accepting nod, his expression showed that he still couldn't fully accept it. His thoughts remained unchanged.

'...Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword is too dangerous.'

By Jang Ilso's side, Ho Gakmyung had fought in numerous battles and overcome many crises. Perhaps, except for Jang Ilso, there would be no one in the entire Evil Sect as battle-hardened as him.

His instincts were speaking. He believed that Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword was even more perilous than any foes they had faced so far, perhaps several times more treacherous.

'No, there's no need to even discuss it further.'

People say that there is no sect that has expanded its influence as rapidly as the Myriad Man Manor. That might be true, as long as we exclude the Mount Hua Sect.

The Myriad Man Manor started from a small sect in Guangxi and rose to the position of the ruler of the Evil Tyrant Alliance. However, the Mount Hua Sect was also an absurd sect that started as a third-rate sect that had climbed its way up to become the leader of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance in an even shorter time.

If you ask who currently holds a higher position, of course, it is the Myriad Man Manor. But when you consider which path was more challenging...

Ho Gakmyung bit his lip lightly.

'How many years has it been?'

In just a short period of less than ten years, the Mount Hua Sect had come this far.

Regardless of what anyone says, at the center of it all was undoubtedly Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword.

That's why he was dangerous. More dangerous than anyone in the world.

'Of course.'

Jang Ilso must have considered all these thoughts. Even with all that in mind, he intended to use the Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword as an arrow to slit the bishop's throat.

However, Ho Gakmyung didn't agree with that thought.

'Because our pursuits are different.'

For Jang Ilso, everything was just a means to an end, to have the whole world under his feet. Both the Myriad Man Manor and the Evil Tyrant Alliance, not to mention Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword and Ho Gakmyung himself, were expendable. To him, the goal was something he couldn't replace with anything else.

But not for Ho Gakmyung.

For him, the most important thing was not to place the world under his feet but to ensure Jang Ilso's safety. In the past, wasn't the reason he tried to kill and eliminate Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword that entered Gangnam, even against orders, because he thought that Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword could become a threat to Jang Ilso one day?

"And... "

As if he could read Ho Gakmyung's thoughts, Jang Ilso spoke with a subtle smile.

"It's not just that."

"Yes?"

"Yes, it's not just that."

Jang Ilso slowly raised his hand and wiped his lips. His lips, as red as blood, were softened by his rough touch. His eyes were filled with a depth that was hard to fathom.

Ho Gakmyung sighed unconsciously. Was there anyone in the world who could guess what was hidden in Jang Ilso's heart?

The lord he had chosen was exceptional, but precisely for that reason, he sometimes made it hard for those who followed him.

Ho Gakmyung's expression slowly hardened.

'It's dangerous.'

Certainly, Jang Ilso's words might be right; they might need a demon sword to face the Demonic Sect. But what about after defeating the Demonic Sect?

In a situation with no enemies, a demon sword would be of no use at all. It would become a menace that must be discarded. Those who were confident about themselves tended to get injured by a demon sword because they believed they could handle it.

So...

In Ho Gakmyung's eyes, which were turning colder as he remained silent, a chilling darkness settled.

Hyun Jong, who had been silently watching Jang Ilso's boat moving away, let out a deep sigh.

'He's truly massive.'

Every time he faced Jang Ilso, he felt a sensation as if a towering mountain was crushing him. Yet, the reason he could calmly stand in front of Jang Ilso was quite simple: there was another mountain behind him.

Hyun Jong turned his head to look at Chung Myung. He thought of various things for a moment, but ultimately lowered his head without saying anything. There were so many things he wanted to say, but he couldn't find the words to say them.

There was only one thing left.

"Are you really going?"

At Hyun Jong's words, Chung Myung smirked.

"Well, I can't just let him go that easily, right?"

Hyun Jong stared at Chung Myung's smiling face for a long time, then let out a deep sigh.

He knew it wasn't the right thing to do, but simply having that self-confident face of Chung Myung in front of him made him uneasy. He knew well how much was hidden behind that smiling face.

"In that case, regarding the Mount Hua Sect..."

"No, Sect Leader."

Chung Myung abruptly cut him off.

"Why not?"

"Because it's dangerous."

"So...?"

"Not just dangerous for Mount Hua, but for us."

"Hmm?"

Chung Myung shrugged.

"That guy Jang Ilso is like a venomous snake. If there's an opening, he can strike at any time."

"...You're right."

"That's why entering the entire Mount Hua into his territory is risky. If a problem arises, we need to be able to provide support at any time."

Hyun Jong fell silent.

It was better to have Mount Hua keep an eye on them from across the river rather than entering Gangnam together. There was definitely a reason for it.

But... there was one thing Chung Myung had left out.

Sure, here's the passage with increased spacing:

"Answer me one thing."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

"The reason you're not taking the other disciples of Mount Hua with you... is it because you're worried about them, or is it easier for you to withdraw your support in case things go south?"

"The latter."

A strange passion flickered in Chung Myung's eyes.

"This time... I just felt like going all out properly."

Seeing Hyun Jong hesitating about what to say for a moment, Chung Myung shrugged his shoulders.

"Don't worry, Sect Leader."

Chung Myung briefly glanced at the people standing behind him.

Honestly, he didn't find them very reliable, but at least he wasn't going alone.

Hyun Jong reluctantly nodded slowly.

"I... still don't really know. What's right and what's wrong."

"..."

"But one thing is clear."

For the first time, a smile appeared on Hyun Jong's lips.

"What I should do when I have no choice... is simply to trust."

"Sect Leader."

Chung Myung stared at Hyun Jong in silence. The hesitation had disappeared from Hyun Jong's face. With his deeply reflective eyes, he gazed at Chung Myung.

"If, by any chance, something bad happens to you in Gangnam..."

"..."

"Mount Hua will definitely hold the Evil Tyrant Alliance, Myriad Man Manor, and Jang Ilso accountable. Even if you didn't want it, even if that decision pushes Mount Hua into greater ruin than before."

Hyun Jong's voice no longer shook or wavered.

"I won't hesitate."

He looked at the people in front of him, one by one, without missing a single one. The sharpness in his gaze was proof that his words were not empty.

"So..."

Faith and concern, worry and trust. Hyun Jong's voice carried all of these weighty emotions.

"You must come back alive."

Chung Myung stood upright. At the same time, the other disciples of Mount Hua also straightened their postures.

"Yes, Sect Leader!"

The disciples of Mount Hua at this place all shouted at Sect Leader Hyun Jong.

Unfinished relationships, lingering regrets, and newfound determination.

Chung Myung's gaze, containing all of these, was directed towards the land beyond the Yangtze River.