Chapter 1100: The Mount Hua-ification of the Entire Central Plains? (Part 5)

Just because you apply heat doesn't mean the water boils right away. However, with sustained heat, water will eventually boil over.

The current situation was exactly like that.

Even with the news of the Demonic Cult appearing in Gangnam, people in Gangbuk didn't show much reaction. To them, Gangnam was too distant, and the turmoil happening there was something they would never experience in their lifetime, living day by day tilling the fields.

But what made them realize the gravity of the situation was a piece of news that flowed down the river.

- The Demonic Cult that invaded Hangzhou completely slaughtered the residents, leaving not a single soul alive.

- Hangzhou, once the most vibrant city in the world, turned into a city of death in just a few days.

Those who heard this news couldn't help but doubt their ears and react with shock.

What kind of place was Hangzhou? Even if it wasn't the largest city in the world, it was undoubtedly the most prosperous. Everyone knew about it, even those who had never been there.

How could one not be shocked that such a place had collapsed overnight?

Events like these were not unheard of. Sometimes, when external threats approached from the north, a city would be completely destroyed, and refugees would flee in a line. But this incident happened in the lower regions, where invasion was rare. The intensity of the shock was unparalleled.

"Is this really true?"

"Don't we keep hearing the same thing over and over? It must be true!"

"Well... Even if the Demonic Sect is audacious, how can they suddenly appear in Gangnam? It's not like they fell from the sky. And... How could a city as big as Hangzhou be ruined? I can't believe it."

"Hey! Didn't all the trains heading north to Gangnam suddenly stop?"

"T- trains?"

There's a saying that even if war breaks out, merchants won't stop. These merchants, known for traversing battlefields as long as they can make money, were the ones who dared to continue their journeys even when the entire Yangtze River was under the control of the Su Lo Chae.

That these merchants were not heading to Gangnam was a clear sign that something major had happened beyond the river.

"S-so, what happens now?"

"What will happen? It'll probably be the same as a hundred years ago."

"W-wait...!"

People were instantly engulfed in fear, and everyone began to recall the stories from a century ago that they had almost forgotten.

The tales of the Demonic Sect from the past, passed down from the upper class to the lower, from mouth to mouth.

To be precise, the stories spoke of how ruthless these individuals from the Demonic Sect were.

During that horrific war, it was said that blood formed rivers, and corpses piled up like mountains. The mere mention of that war, which made one shudder, was enough to make even those who were not interested in the Gangnam affair tremble.

"Shouldn't someone stop it?"

"How? What can we do?"

"No, wasn't it Shaolin and the Ten Great Sects that stepped forward to stop the Demonic Sect before? Then this time too, they should somehow help!"

"Shaolin? I heard Shaolin is currently just watching the show from across the river."

"Why? What happened?"

"Didn't the Evil Tyrant Alliance take control of Gangnam? In such a place, Shaolin wouldn't risk danger and jump in."

"What nonsense is that! Isn't it a matter of justice and righteousness to block the Demonic Sect, regardless of the risk? Didn't they fiercely resist the Demonic Sect during the previous war, without considering justice or righteousness? Shaolin was the most active in that war!"

"Maybe it was like that back then. But now, it seems Shaolin is not in a position to do so. Or maybe they just don't want to get involved with those Evil Sect guys even if it means death."

"This is so foolish..."

People criticized the Evil Sect, but they didn't fear its existence. Since the Evil Sect was already familiar to them, ordinary people, living their lives peacefully, rarely had dealings with the Evil Sect unless they were unlucky enough to suffer significant damage or lose their lives.

For them, the small-time hoodlums causing trouble in the alleys were more threatening than the gigantic Evil Sect known as the Evil Tyrant Alliance or something like that. Therefore, it was not pleasant for Shaolin to ignore Gangnam in the name of their pride.

"When will Shaolin take action then?"

"I don't know. They will probably fight if the Demonic Sect heads north."

"What about Gangnam? Is there no one in Gangnam? Are the people living in the land controlled by the Evil Sect not worth saving? Will they just leave it to the Evil Sect to do as they please?"

"Have you ever seen those high and mighty nobles care about such things? When Su Lo Chae rampaged near the Yangtze River, those monks were practicing Buddhism in the mountains. It was Sichuan Tang Family that rescued people at that time, not Shaolin, right?"

"Those... Those guys are just like them! They talk about cooperation and peace in Central Plains, but when something happens, they always step back and just watch. If we're going to judge those positions, what's the difference between those guys and the Evil Sect!"

Once the water started boiling, it didn't easily cool down.

The fear of the Demonic Sect, the worry about when they might head north, and the complex behaviors demonstrated by the Ten Great Sects, led by Shaolin, all mixed together, causing the situation to simmer.

Those who were known as the righteous sects of the Central Plains received special treatment.

They could carry weapons openly during the day, roam around without restraint, and engage in fights without being restrained by government forces. In turn, countless people used their businesses to provide direct sponsorship to them.

The reason all these things were tolerated was because there was a belief that when commoners suffered injustice, these martial sects would step forward to help. Government offices were strict, generally showing little interest in the lives of commoners. Instead, they tended to harass and extort people who couldn't pay their taxes properly.

In contrast, the martial sects were places that only helped without taking anything in return. Therefore, commoners often placed their trust in these so-called righteous sects.

However, at this moment, commoners who had been holding back their doubts about the sincerity of these sects began to question them. How many people actually lived in Hangzhou? How could they trust those who did nothing while that many people were dying?

"Then what should we do? Should we evacuate?"

"Hey, this person. Is evacuation an easy task? How will we survive if we leave here?"

"Better than dying. Are you going to let spider webs grow in your mouth?"

"What's the difference between that and dying? Are you going to let your wife and kids starve to death?"

With no clear solution, days passed with simmering discontent. Just as public sentiment reached the point of explosion, news quickly spread from Gangnam.

- The Demonic Sect that had threatened Gangnam was annihilated.

- The elite forces of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, who had set Gangnam as their target, rushed to Gangnam and cut off the head of the Demonic Sect's leader.

- Temporarily joining forces with the Evil Tyrant Alliance, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance defeated the Demonic Sect.

Upon hearing these simultaneous and explosive pieces of news, the commoners cheered.

"Mount Hua! It's Mount Hua again!"

"If it's my Mount Hua, I knew they would step up! Mount Hua is the place that solves problems!"

"Hey! Why are you only talking about Mount Hua? Didn't the Heavenly Comrade Alliance also move together?"

"Isn't that what I'm saying! Mount Hua is the leader of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. The Heavenly Comrade Alliance is Mount Hua, and Mount Hua is the Heavenly Comrade Alliance!"

"Exactly, exactly!"

To those who had been anxious, this news was like a sip of calming tea.

"They cut off the head of the Demonic Sect's leader? Does that mean the Demonic Sect has been completely eradicated now?"

"I don't know. We'll have to see if the Demonic Sect that appeared this time is the main force or not."

"Still, in any case, it seems that those who appeared this time have all been dealt with, right?"

"That seems to be the case. As expected, the only one we can trust is Mount Hua!"

Most of those raising their voices had no idea that the Mount Hua sect existed just a few years ago. However, now, even those individuals had no hesitation in praising Mount Hua. Evaluation ultimately comes from achievements and conduct.

At that time, even actions that were not highly praised, when repeated continuously, eventually became a source of strength.

Since the time when pirates invaded the Yangtze River, or even before that when Nokrim fell into chaos, Mount Hua, rushing to the aid of commoners, was the first to come to mind for everyone.

"When those stupid Shaolin guys were just watching, Mount Hua courageously rushed to Gangnam to rescue the commoners."

"What's so surprising about that now? Mount Hua was never that kind of sect in the first place."

"Mount Hua does all the suffering, but those swindlers press their throats again! Those guys are worse than the Evil Sect."

"Those who talk about the Ten Great Sects have completely decayed. Tsk! I regret giving rice to those guys, truly!"

The reactions of the people were more intense than expected. Although many had looked favorably upon Mount Hua's actions, those who considered their abilities and strength superior to Shaolin were nonexistent.

However, the fact that Mount Hua went to Gangnam and defeated the Demonic Sect proved that Mount Hua's power was no less than that of Shaolin, if not more. No, even if it was insufficient, it was still the same. No matter how sharp a famous sword might be, if it is not drawn from the scabbard, it is no different from a club. People began to turn their attention to the knife in front of them rather than waiting for an undrawn famous sword.

"I feel a bit uneasy."

"Hmm? What kind of nonsense is that?"

"Even so, making a deal with those Evil Sect guys is a bit...?"

"What is this foolish person saying now? Did the Evil Tyrant Alliance massacre the people in Hangzhou?"

"That's not it, but..."

"To avoid joining forces with the Evil Sect, are people supposed to watch them die? Is that the role of those so-called prestigious martial sects—to overthrow the Evil Sect, or to protect the commoners? What's the priority? Huh?"

"Well..."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Did you not expect there to be people like you who would speak ill of Mount Hua? Honestly, even if those Shaolin guys were just sitting idly like they usually do, it would have been fine. Yet, despite the disgrace and danger, Mount Hua went to Gangnam and saved the people, but instead of praising them, you're criticizing them! I seriously misjudged you!"

"I, I was short-sighted. Oh, please stop scolding me."

"Don't ever say something like that again! If you say something like that for no reason, the next time something similar happens, if that Mount Hua doesn't move, only people like us will die! Do you understand?"

"I, I understand."

Water doesn't boil in an instant.

And the public opinion about Mount Hua was no different. Mount Hua and the Heavenly Comrade Alliance's actions over the years had gradually heated up the world. And the moment it crossed the boiling point over the Demonic Sect incident, public sentiment finally began to explosively boil over. Even figures like Chung Myung and Beopjeong were caught off guard by the level of response.