Chapter 1375: That's How It Should Be Done (Part 5)

"Mae, Maengju-nim! Over there!"

"I see it too."

Hyun Jong stared at the riverside where black smoke rose with a stern face.

"It seems like the ships of the Ten Great Sects were anchored there."

Hyun Jong nodded slowly at Tang Gunak's words.

"It must be the Evil Tyrant Alliance."

"Likely so."

Unless the Beopjeong went mad and his their own ships on fire, there was no one else but the Evil Tyrant Alliance who would do such a thing.

"It seems they've been caught off guard."

Tang Gunak slowly clenched and unclenched the hand hidden in his sleeve.

This was the most feared aspect of Jang Ilso. When everyone's attention was focused on one point, he aimed at the most vulnerable spot that no one paid attention to.

Even using himself as bait.

"Maengju-nim! The Su Lo Chae is moving over there."

"..."

The sight of Su Lo Chae's fleet changing direction came clearly into view for everyone.

At first glance, the movement wasn't abrupt.

"As if waiting..."

"He probably already planned it."

It felt chillingly calculated.

"Well then..."

At that moment, Meng So, who was clenching his fist from behind, spoke up.

"Is it possible that the Paegun started moving to the east to divert attention in order to burn those ships?"

"Hmm."

Tang Gunak let out a low breath.

It was an undeniable fact that the defenses across the river became lax due to Jang Ilso's direct movement.

Even if they didn't know it, just the fact that Jang Ilso moved away on the other side of the river was enough to ease everyone's minds.

If even Tang Gunak himself unknowingly relaxed, how about others?

"Probably. Knowing Jang Ilso."

Meng So's gaze sank somberly.

"Diverting attention using oneself as bait, and then attack where the attention has shifted..."

Meng So associated people with similar animals when he saw them.

But for that ruler, he couldn't think of a fitting beast.

More cunning than a fox, more vicious than a tiger. Where in the world could one find such a creature?

"The crucial point is."

At that moment, Hyun Jong, who had been silent, spoke.

"Not that the ships burned, but that Jang Ilso is still moving to the east."

"..."

"Toward where the kids are going."

Tang Gunak and Meng So looked at Hyun Jong with new eyes.

While others were worried about how Jang Ilso's move would affect the confrontation, Hyun Jong's gaze was solely directed towards the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect.

Tang Gunak was about to say something, but Hyun Jong spoke first.

"Now, the Ten Great Sects also know. That Jang Ilso's movement is not just an empty boast."

"...If you're not a fool, that is."

Tang Gunak's complex emotions were directed across the river.

'Paegun.'

It was hard to deny.

Ever since Jang Ilso began building the Evil Tyrant Alliance's main base across the river, the people, and perhaps even in Tang Gunak's mind, one thought was planted.

- Maybe Jang Ilso is satisfied by conquering Gangnam?

It was absurd, but it was also a realistic question.

The South was enormous. Even considering the entire Kangho region, it was extremely rare for an evil sect to completely dominate such vast land.

In other words, Jang Ilso had already achieved enough to leave his name in the history of Kangho.

So why start a war against the formidable Ten Great Sects just to devour more?

If you changed your perspective a bit, you could understand. Right now, Jang Ilso faced no threats.

Beopjeong could become a focal point in resisting Jang Ilso's attacks, but based on his popularity, he lacked the ability to gather strength to attack Gangnam. The Heavenly Comrade Alliance, the one most hostile to Jang Ilso, lacked the power to independently scheme an attack on Gangnam.

'In other words, if Jang Ilso wants to maintain this balance, no one in the world can shake his position.'

Everything was guaranteed. Everything.

Even if he simply abandoned that luxurious main camp and made the easy choice, Jang Ilso could probably maintain the position of being the ruler of Gangnam for decades.

No, perhaps he could live as the emperor of Gangnam until the moment of his death, considering his leadership.

That's why there were suspicions.

Perhaps in this situation, the hungry beast known as Jang Ilso would indulge in a bit of the word 'stability' that didn't suit him. Even if he was a beast driven by desire, attempting a gamble, giving up everything, even his life, was by no means an easy choice.

If he compromised a little, he could literally grab everything.

However, the blazing flames were outright mocking all those thoughts. The flames became Jang Ilso's mouth, declaring that he would never be satisfied with something like Gangnam.

Even if he were swept away by those flames and turned to ashes, he would forever target this Gangbuk.

Feeling the chilling malice engulfed in those flames, Tang Gunak bit his lips tightly.

"Report!"

At that moment, someone who rushed into the manor and raised their voice.

"The Ten Great Sects are moving. It seems like they're trying to follow Su Lo Chae's fleet moving down the river!"

Tang Gunak nodded involuntarily.

In this situation, the Ten Great Sects had no other choice but to follow. Since Jang Ilso and the Su Lo Chae's fleet were moving east, doing who knows what, they had no other option than to follow.

"Shouldn't we move too?"

The one most anxious now would be Hyun Jong, no matter what anyone said.

Though he guessed the sentiment, surprisingly, Hyun Jong did not respond to those words and merely gazed at the ships on the river with a determined look.

"Maengju-nim?"

When Tang Gunak asked again, Hyun Jong opened his mouth with a stern expression.

"Gaju-nim."

"Yes, Maengju-nim."

"What do you think Paegun is aiming for?"

"Uh...?"

What was he aiming for?

Hadn't it become clear what Paegun was aiming for? After burning the fleet of the Ten Great Sects, complete dominance over the Yangtze River...

"Isn't he trying to dominate Gangbuk?"

"..."

Hyun Jong nodded silently.

"Does Paegun really undertake such actions just for that one thing?"

"..."

At those words, Tang Gunak's mouth involuntarily closed.

Certainly, there was logic in that statement. So far, Jang Ilso had always aimed for more than they anticipated.

"But... If he gains anything from this situation...?"

The Ten Great Sects, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, the Evil Tyrant Alliance.

The elite forces of these three powers would gather in one place.

'No, no.'

That wasn't all. If their assumptions were correct, there was also a high possibility of encountering Chung Myung's group heading north from Gangnam.

In other words, all those who led the fate of Kangho would gather in one place.

'What is he trying to achieve?'

A chill ran down Tang Gunak's spine.

Others might not know, but if it was Paegun, there must be something he aimed to gain from that situation. Something unimaginable.

But what on earth...

"We must hurry."

"...Yes, Maengju-nim."

The fact that the Ten Great Sects showed their movement meant they intended to open the way to the east as an expression of their will. If that was the case, they had to move to the east first. No matter what happened, if they weren't present there, they wouldn't be able to respond.

"I'll set out in a moment. Prepare."

"Yes!"

As Tang Gunak hurriedly ran forward, Hyun Jong closed his eyes tightly.

'Chung Myung.'

In his mind, the face of Chung Myung, always smiling innocently, emerged. This was Chung Myung's face, which always concealed his true feelings with a smile.

'Did you perhaps foresee this situation?'

It was unknowable.

But he believed so.

Within the giant chessboard of Kangho, the only one who could sit across Paegun had to be Chung Myung.

Hyun Jong wished for that... he earnestly wished for it.

❀ ❀ ❀

Paaaat.

Baek Cheon, with a stern face, looked around after firmly kicking the ground. Although he carefully scanned the surroundings, there was no sign of the enemy.

'What on earth happened?'

Not long ago, they attacked and killed nearly thirty members of the Evil Sect. [?when?the village back then?] It was an act that could have been avoided, yet they did it.

However, no matter how much time passed, there was no sign of increased vigilance.

'Can they not notice that nearly thirty of them are missing?'

There was no way.

Even if the Evil Clan was corrupt, thirty was not a small number anywhere.

Especially in a situation where the enemy was stirring up the internal affairs, it was even more noticeable.

Then, logically, such a thing should not happen...

Baek Cheon unconsciously turned his head. And at that moment, Baek Cheon's eyes met with Chung Myung's.

Baek Cheon tried to turn his head away from Chung Myung's eyes that seemed to pierce through him, but...

"Huhhhhhh."

"..."

"Isn't this strange? We killed nearly thirty of them, so why aren't those guys having seizures? It should definitely be like that, shouldn't it?"

"..."

"It's not like the kids' eyes suddenly disappeared, right? Right, Nokrim King?"

"Haha. Why are you saying that?"

Im Sobyeong chuckled as he received the words.

"If Dojang says something like that, then the person who was foaming at the mouth and struggling saying that we will all be ruined for messing with useless people will be very angry, huh? Extremely embarrassing, don't you think? It's the nature of a gentleman not to be overwhelmed by others' difficulties. You need to know how to boldly move on."

"Is that so?"

"Oh, yes. Of course. Could it be that the Deputy Sect Leader had malicious intent and opposed it while foaming at the mouth? It was all done with a good heart. Didn't a sage say that even if you blame malice, you shouldn't blame stupidity? Our wise Dojang must understand."

"Hmph. What do you gain by saying that much?"

"Well, yes. Yes."

Baek Cheon's hand holding the sword trembled.

So what if he was a ghost? He didn't want those bastards. [not sure lol]

Just one guy made him feel sick, but with two similar guys together, it felt like plum blossoms were dancing in his stomach.

"Tsk tsk. Even if you say that much. If a Taoist can't believe people this much..."

"Kangho's integrity has fallen to the ground, so who is to blame?"

"But, Chung Myung."

The moment Baek Cheon was on the verge of having a seizure, Yoon Jong naturally opened his mouth and changed the topic.

"Did the Ten Great Sects really move?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"..."

Yoon Jong looked at Chung Myung with eyes that seemed to say, 'What kind of bastard is this?'

You knew that they were coming, but you don't know why. Does that make any sense?

Seeing that gaze, Chung Myung smiled wryly.

"There's no reason I know of that would make the Great Baldy move."

"Then?"

"If it's Jang Ilso, he'll do whatever it takes to drag the Ten Great Sects in."

"..."

Chung Myung twisted his mouth.

In a situation where all directions were blocked, this was the only way to break through.

'The pieces are all in my hands. All that's left is to fight.'

A fierce energy flashed in Chung Myung's eyes.