Chapter 1406: It Is Time to Wake Up From That Dream (Part 1)

"...What did you just say?"

Beopgye looked at him, swallowing dryly in the face of the penetrating gaze from Beopjeong's eyes. His desolate expression seemed to eloquently convey Beopjeong's current state of mind.

"The, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance has crossed the Yangtze River and set foot in Gangnam."

Beopjeong fell into a heavy silence. Beopgye, unable to bear the weight, gave information that wasn't asked.

"According to the information gathered from the Beggar's Union, after crossing the river, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance joined forces with Southern Island and entered Gangnam."

"They encountered the Southern Island Sect?"

"...Yes."

"But heading south? What on earth is that nonsense? Didn't they go to Gangnam just to save the Southern Island Sect? But instead of returning after meeting the Southern Island Sect, they're heading south? Is the report accurate?"

"From what I observed..."

Beopgye nervously tried to wipe his lips, which were dry as a bone.

"It seems that only a few people, including Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword, remained in the rear. Maengju-nim seems to intend to lead the main force of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and rescue them."

The corners of Beopjeong's eyes trembled. His gaze towards the river became vacant.

The Su Lo Chae's frontline was swiftly cutting through the Yangtze River. Beopjeong opened his mouth in bewilderment.

"So... Just to rescue a few disciples, Maengju-nim led the entire Heavenly Comrade Alliance to Gangnam, where the Evil Tyrant Alliance is gathering?"

"Yes. It seems that way..."

A hollow laughter burst from Beopjeong's lips.

"Hyun Jong... This crazy fellow..."

If others heard this, it would be a significant problem. Even though he was the leader of Shaolin and the head of the Ten Great Sects, referring to Hyun Jong, the Lord of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, as a 'crazy fellow' was unthinkable.

However, Beopjeong had no room to maintain the expected etiquette. He was infuriated with Hyun Jong.

"What! What on earth is he thinking! What exactly!"

The disciples of Shaolin glanced at each other in surprise at the exclamation resembling a curse. After Beopgye bit his lip and sent them a stern look, the uneasy disciples of Shaolin discreetly distanced themselves from Beopjeong.

"Even if a few disciples are important, is it reasonable to risk the fate of the entire Heavenly Comrade Alliance for just a few lives? How can such a wretched person sit in the position of the lord?"

There wasn't a single thing that made sense.

Of course, what Hyun Jong did was naturally incomprehensible. However, what truly drove Beopjeong insane was that the other sect leaders of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance accepted these insane actions.

What kind of place was Gangnam?

It was the land where the Evil Tyrant Alliance led by Jang Ilso was sharpening their swords. Moreover, wasn't the Evil Tyrant Alliance currently gathering on the other side of the Yangtze River? Even a three-year-old child would know what would happen when they crossed the river.

Yet, why did the leaders of these prestigious sects accept such absurd actions? Why?

"...Have they all gone mad?"

Beopjeong continued to ponder. Was there something he missed? Was there a definite way for them to enter Gangnam and return safely?

But no matter how much he thought, there was nothing he had overlooked. The situation was too clear-cut to consider and contemplate further. Even if he thought about it, the Evil Tyrant Alliance was gathering here, and there was no one to help the Heavenly Comrade Alliance beyond the river.

Mount Hua could've crossed the river. That sect with a history of doing unimaginable things.

But the entire Heavenly Comrade Alliance crossing the river was an unimaginable event.

"Bangjang."

Seeing Beopjeong, who was still in shock, Sect Leader Jonglihyung asked with a puzzled expression.

"Why are you so upset?"

"..."

"Of course, what the Heavenly Comrade Alliance did is foolish. But if we look at the situation objectively, it's not entirely bad, is it?"

"Not bad, you say?"

"Yes, Bangjang."

Nodding, Jonglihyung continued.

"Of course, we have to endure unexpected losses, but isn't it entirely the Heavenly Comrade Alliance's loss? Those Evil Tyrant people can't advance to Hanam with the Heavenly Comrade Alliance inside their territory. Isn't it like them fighting on our behalf?"

At that moment, Beopjeong glared at Jonglihyung. In the chilly gaze, Jonglihyung flinched involuntarily.

Beopjeong spoke.

"Continue speaking. Why stop now?"

"Huh?"

"Even if the Heavenly Comrade Alliance is annihilated, we won't suffer much from the Evil Tyrant Alliance. Is that what you're saying?"

"Oh, no, that's not exactly what I meant..."

With an awkward expression, Jonglihyung subtly averted his gaze from Beopjeong. Though he harbored such feelings, discussing gains and losses regarding the deaths of those classified under the same righteous sect was awkward for a sect leader who advocated righteousness.

But Beopjeong, who had been eyeing Jonglihyung, spoke up.

"Sect Leader, if the Heavenly Comrade Alliance confronts the Evil Tyrant Alliance head-on, what do you think the outcome will be?"

"Well..."

Jonglihyung thought for a moment before responding.

"Certainly, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance has become much stronger, but... isn't it still difficult for them to face the Evil Tyrant Alliance at this moment? Ultimately, the Evil Tyrant Alliance will win. Of course, they will suffer significant losses..."

"Losses?"

Beopjeong asked with a cold tone.

"Did-did I misspeak?"

"What are you looking at exactly?"

"Yes?"

"What does the Heavenly Comrade Alliance have? Even if they're the "Five Great Families", compared to the major sects, the Tang Family's numbers are barely half, and Namgung has lost most of its strength."

"...Well..."

"Even if the Beast Palace comes to support, they are inherently incapable of matching the power of the central sects. Nokrim? Can those indecisive sects be of any help in this situation?"

"That, well..."

"A worthless show of names! Right now, the usable strength of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance doesn't even reach half of their reputation. Do you understand what it truly means for that force to rush into the enemy, considering the current circumstances?"

Beopjeong's eyes flared with intensity.

"Mount Hua? What can those few do? The larger the war, the more they are nothing more than a handful of sand!"

Jonglihyung bowed his head with a troubled expression.

'No, this is absurd...'

Of course, Beopjeong's words were correct. He had overlooked a crucial aspect. The factions within the Heavenly Comrade Alliance were prestigious, but among them, only Mount Hua, the Tang Family, and Yunnan's Beast Palace possessed the strength to exert any influence.

They couldn't be considered weak sects, but could these three sects alone withstand the colossal alliance known as the Evil Tyrant Alliance? It was almost impossible.

The combination of weakened power, the enemy, and a massive army predetermined the outcome.

But why did Beopjeong have a reason to be upset about this fact?

Was it so surprising that the Heavenly Comrade Alliance would suffer defeat against the Evil Tyrant Alliance?

Jonglihyung cautiously looked at Beopjeong and spoke.

"I... I didn't know that you held them in such high regard, Bangjang."

A sigh escaped Beopjeong's lips. The troublesome guy still didn't grasp the situation.

"Do you really not know?"

"Yes?"

"If Paegun orchestrated all of this, where do you think his next spearhead will be directed after devouring the Heavenly Comrade Alliance?"

Jonglihyung's eyes widened.

"T-That's... "

"If he took in significant damage just to overthrow the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, will he patiently wait for us to offer support and prepare to face the Evil Tyrant Alliance?"

There was no way. Jang Ilso would never do such a thing.

Certainly, Beopjeong's words were true. He hadn't thought about it. Even if the Heavenly Comrade Alliance suffered defeat at the hands of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, it was clear that they wouldn't take care of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, especially since they hadn't gathered yet.

"Hanam."

"Do you understand?"

Beopjeong shouted angrily.

"The messengers have received no response! There is no support coming here! This means we are the ones who must stop those crossing the river, especially if they manage to quickly bring down the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, us!"

Jonglihyung's spine chilled. His gaze turned toward the Yangtze River.

What would the ships of the Su Lo Chae, moving along the river, bring? Naturally, it would be the formidable forces of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, whose morale had soared after defeating the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

Even if they followed those ships, could the current number of people here block the massive force approaching like a swarm of ants across the river?

'Can we really block it...?'

Of course, if the Evil Tyrant Alliance had expended its strength fighting against the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, it might be possible to block them. But in that case, both Shaolin and Kongtong would find it challenging to carry on their names.

Only the sects that hadn't come here would end up holding the vast Central Plains that had become a deserted wasteland, having offered no assistance and simply watched.

"That, well..."

Jonglihyung's face finally turned pale. Beopjeong shouted with an enraged voice.

"The only way to defeat a stronger force is to disintegrate it individually! And, conveniently, the righteous sects are divided into three. Heavenly Comrade Alliance, us, and the onlookers!"

"..."

"But that damn Heavenly Comrade Alliance has given the Evil Tyrant Alliance a chance to disintegrate us! No, they went a step further and pushed us into isolation! Don't you understand?"

Jonglihyung's mouth involuntarily opened wide. Only now did he realize how precarious their situation was.

"This is why... this is why we shouldn't have multiple leaders. This is why Mount Hua alone shouldn't be the leader..."

Beopjeong's voice trembled.

If the Heavenly Comrade Alliance could have continued to guard the area across the river, the Evil Tyrant Alliance wouldn't have dared to think about crossing the river. In that case, they could have followed them later, albeit belatedly.

However, the absurd actions of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance distorted and crushed everything.

"Bangjang, then what should we do?"

Jonglihyung asked, and Beopjeong bit his lips. As anger and frustration gradually subsided, a frighteningly cold rationality returned.

Now, there was only one decisive factor.

'Which side is he on?'

How was Jang Ilso, who witnessed the ridiculous actions of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, reacting? Was their behavior an unexpected and embarrassing event for him?

Or did he anticipate this situation? If it was the former, there was hope. Even if the Evil Tyrant Alliance was formidable, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance's power wasn't something to be taken lightly.

But what if it was the latter? If Jang Ilso predicted their actions? No, if all these movements were part of Jang Ilso's plan to create this situation?

'Everything is on the line.'

In that case, Paegun must have prepared another move. A perfect move that could bring down the Heavenly Comrade Alliance without any losses.

The scene of the blazing Yangtze River was painted before Beopjeong's eyes. The fierce flames spread beyond the river to the north. Engulfing the world in red.

"Send another messenger for reconnaissance! We must understand their position again! We need to confirm what they are planning!"

"It's difficult! They are also in a situation where they might move..."

"Don't you understand that it's not a situation to spare lives?"

Ultimately, Beopjeong's lips cracked, and blood oozed out.

'We must stop them. By any means necessary.'

His burning gaze now turned toward the other side of the river, the battleground where the fate of the Central Plains would be determined.