Chapter 1409: It Is Time to Wake Up From That Dream (Part 4)

"Uh..."

Beopjeong's eyes trembled. 

The frontile of Su Lo Chae spread out across the vast Yangtze River, appearing like a threatening black wave.

Of course, this was a sight they had seen tirelessly before, nothing to be surprised or bewildered about. However, the problem lay elsewhere.

The frontile, which had been splitting the currents of the Yangtze River, collectively slowed down and came to a stop.

In other words, the Su Lo Chae had reached its destination. Before them lay none other than the vast land of Nanjing.

"This, this is..."

The land that should have been covered with green grass and golden soil was instead occupied by neither grass nor soil, but by individuals referred to as the Evil Tyrant Alliance.

From Myriad Man Manor and Black Ghost Castle to various small evil sects gathered from all directions.

The moment Beopjeong saw their overwhelming military force, even the renowned Beopjeong felt his legs weaken.

"Bang... Bangjang."

Even Kongtong's Sect Leader Jonglihyung, trembling, spoke up.

"W-what should we do now?"

Jonglihyung had never seen anything like this before. The gathering of these numerous forces was a sight to behold. It was evident that they outnumbered them by a significant margin.

Even a pack of wolves, when gathered, can take down a tiger. Even if their average strength didn't compare to those of prestigious martial arts sects, the sheer numbers make the difference negligible.

'But what if they cross the river and attack us here?'

Could they stop it? Even though the Ten Great Sects occupied the river, could they prevent all those forces from crossing the vast Yangtze River?

At that moment, Peng Yeop spoke in an emotionless voice.

"...It's better to retreat."

However, Jonglihyung understood. Even Peng Yeop's voice was slightly trembling.

"If they attack us beyond the river, we won't be able to resist with our current strength. At best, we'll inflict minor damage and end up annihilated."

It was a cold yet objective statement.

"B-but, Peng Gaju-nim. If we do that..."

Although Jonglihyung spoke with a puzzled expression, Peng Yeop, without even listening, coldly raised his head as if to say.

"This is not a situation to discuss dignity."

"..."

"Or, does Sect Leader Jonglihyung think that we alone can stop them?"

Jonglihyung closed his mouth.

Even if everyone had gathered, it was not a situation that three sects could handle. Moreover, Shaolin was not at full strength.

"Bangjang, you need to make a decision."

Peng Yeop casually glanced at Beopjeong. However, Beopjeong just stared across the river in silence.

"Bangjang."

As Peng Yeop tried to urge him again, Beopjeong opened his mouth, and a boiling voice erupted.

"This... this happened because of the foolish decision of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance! I warned them so many times! This foolish...!"

He had reached the point of uncontrollable anger.

Now there was no way to block the Evil Tyrant Alliance's advance. They would undoubtedly advance beyond the river to Hubei and then to Henan.

What Jang Ilso aimed for was clear.

The Central Plains was vast. Although the Ten Great Sects and the Five Great Families were united under the name of the righteous sects, in reality, they were scattered around the Central Plains. And among them, only about half were gathered north of the Yangtze River, centering around Hanam.

If they could seize that place?

If they could engage in a decisive battle between Shaolin, Wudang, Southern Edge, and win control of the Central Plains?

Then, they could easily defeat the other sects scattered in the outskirts of the Central Plains.

If Wudang and Southern Edge could unlock Bongmun and join forces, they might be able to stop it. The central sects of the Ten Great Sects were undoubtedly powerful. However, there was no way to avoid the aftermath of the war.

Beopjeong understood. Why Wudang, why Southern Edge could become the core of the Ten Great Sects.

The superiority of their martial arts was important, but more critical was the fact that they had established themselves right in the center of Hanam.

From the apostles [idk] to the demons, the enemies they fought against had always advanced from the outskirts of the Central Plains toward Hanam.

That's why, regardless of how horrendous the war was, Hanam never burned. Didn't Shaolin avoid burning even when the Demonic Sect invaded a hundred years ago?

But this time was different.

If the Evil Tyrant Alliance advanced straight to Hanam, there was no way to avoid the catastrophic damage that Shaolin would endure even if they eventually won.

At least, it was certain that Song Mountain would have a single stone unturned and would inevitably burn. Even if they won, all that remained would be scars.

How could he accept the horrific outcome where Shaolin, having lost all its disciples who would continue its legacy, had only others reap the fruits of victory?

Cold sweat ran down Beopjeong's spine.

"Paegun... This treacherous villain..."

Naturally, he thought the Evil Tyrant Alliance would target the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. However, the edge of Jang Ilso's blade was directed not at the Heavenly Comrade Alliance but directly at Beopjeong's neck.

Would he retreat knowing that Hanam would burn?

Or would every last person be imprisoned to reducing the damage to Hanam as much as possible?

Beopjeong couldn't easily choose any of these options.

"Ba... Bangjang!"

Just then, Jonglihyung's tearing scream shattered his thoughts. Immediately, Beopjeong looked attentively. The frontile that was filling the Yangtze River was all turning their bow in unison.

The direction was south! Beopjeong, as if losing his mind, opened his mouth in confusion.

"...Maeng is..."

"Yes?"

"The Heavenly Comrade Alliance! Where are they right now?"

"W-well, obviously..."

Beopjeong's gaze turned toward the hill that rose above the southern ground across the river.

From the distant place, the familiar figure of one person was visible.

Veins bulged on Beopjeong's neck, and soon, a thunderous roar erupted.

"Hyunjoooooooooong!"

It was a scream of resentment and desperation.

The world was engulfed in silence.

No, perhaps it was filled with countless noises. However, either way, it was not important to Hyun Jong.

What mattered was that enemies were everywhere he looked.

Flags representing the Myriad Man Manor and Black Ghost Castle fluttered densely, and among them, large flags towering between them added an overwhelming pressure. The red characters '覇' (Tyrant) written on them seemed to pierce the eyes and chest.

And more than anything, what captivated one's gaze... was the immense white carriage standing in the middle of that tremendous army.

The majesty of the large carriage pulled by eight white horses was impressive even from a distance.

If anyone knew even a bit about the current state of Kangho or had a little interest in the flow of the world, they would undoubtedly know who was riding that carriage.

"...Jang Ilso."

He was here.

Leading all those who followed him, already seizing the escape passage while mocking Heavenly Comrade Alliance's desperate resistance, he confidently lingered there.

Hyun Jong's mind turned completely blank.

He didn't feel anger or animosity. At this moment, what captivated him was a profound sense of emptiness that could not be expressed even with the word 'bitterness.'

'Heavens...'

How could it be so cruel? How could it be so ruthless?

He didn't ask for much. He hadn't shouted for a fair reward for the devotion and loyalty he had shown to the justice and principles until now.

He just wished for a small peace that wouldn't let the blood shed and pain endured by his disciples be in vain.

But even that seemed too much to ask for?

"Uh..."

"Is, is this..."

Those who reached the top of the hill a moment later, like Hyun Jong, lost their words. Even Meng So, who seemed fearless in the face of the world, and Tang Gunak, the Poison King, clenched their fists in despair before the unfolding hopelessness.

"Is it too late..."

Im Sobyeong let out a bitter smile.

The harsh reality, which they had turned away from, was now pointing its sharp blade at them. Perhaps it was a predetermined ending from the beginning. If one dared to step foot on the land dominated by the Paegun Jang Ilso, it might be an inexorable condemnation to accept.

"...Fighting is..."

Tang Gunak stopped speaking and shook his head.

It was meaningless. Even if all the Heavenly Comrade Alliance's forces were gathered here, piercing through them and advancing to Hanam was an incredibly reckless act.

"Nokrim King! Is there any way to bypass them?"

"..."

"Nokrim King?"

With the determination to grasp at straws, Tang Gunak sought out Im Sobyung. But Im Sobyung responded with a bitter expression.

"It's too late. The opponent is Jang Ilso. He won't let us go."

Tang Gunak closed his eyes tightly. He knew it too, but hearing it through the mouth of Nokrim King felt different. It seemed like a predetermined conclusion. All that remained was a sense of emptiness.

'Did we make the wrong decision?'

He couldn't say that.

But if it wasn't a mistake, why did they face such an ending?

Despair was contagious.

Even those who couldn't see the situation on the Yangtze River were able to infer enough from the reactions of those in front of them. As anticipation had been built up, despair quickly surged.

"Ah..."

At that moment, the Su Lo Chae ships changed direction and rushed towards them. The moment the troops of Yangtze Eighteen River Channels descended on this land, everything would come to an end.

Just as everyone standing there was about to let go of the four letters called hope, Baek Cheon, who had been lifted onto Hyun Jong's back, pushed off Hyun Jong with great effort.

"Baek Cheon?"

As he descended to the ground, Baek Cheon corrected his shaking head. He opened his mouth as if trying to say something, then quickly bent his body.

"Cough!"

Bloody clots burst out. Seeing the blood with a sinister glow, Hyun Jong's eyes widened. It was belatedly realizing that Baek Cheon's condition was more severe than he thought.

"You, you! Your body..."

Swish.

But Baek Cheon slowly drew his sword instead of saying anything.

"What are you trying to do?"

"Now... if I can just break through there, we can go to Gangbuk..."

"..."

"Isn't that so?"

At that moment, those who had descended to the ground approached Baek Cheon, dragging their feet.

"We're here, Sasuk."

"Ha, it was long. It's finally over."

"Now we just need to break through there!"

"I'm tired. Let's do it quickly."

"Amitabha. I will never come to Gangnam again."

Shock and confusion filled the eyes of Hyun Jong and Tang Gunak as they watched them.

The Five Swords and Hye Yeon. They held their swords with a composed expression, as if saying they would still fight with their bodies that had become a mess.

It was meaningless. Resistance was meaningless.

With bodies like that, they would not be able to wield their swords properly and would die.

But who could dare say that to them?

Even with legs that didn't move, with bodies covered in wounds, who could dare to call their will to fight futile?

"You guys..."

"Don't worry, Great Sect Leader."

Baek Cheon smiled faintly.

"Opening the way is our specialty. Right?"

The Five Swords nodded.

At that moment, Hyun Jong realized. No, he realized too late.

That disciples who had always tightly held him had already turned him upside down.

It wasn't Mount Hua that protected them. They were protecting Mount Hua and the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

Baek Cheon stood at the end of the hill, dragging his feet. His blood-soaked attire fluttered.

The enemies filling the ground and the ships surging like waves came into view.

"It's amazing."

If one had ever dreamed of being a hero, holding a sword oneself, anyone would have dreamed of such a scene at least once.

Finally, Baek Cheon's wish came true.

A clear voice that he had heard somewhere in his mind resonated.

- A hero? Well, I don't know, but... Perhaps a hero is someone who never wakes up from a dream. Even until the moment of death.

"Alright."

Baek Cheon lifted the corners of his mouth.

"Then, I'll never wake up. Forever."

In an instant, his sword was enveloped in a red glow.