Chapter 1550: Nevertheless (Part 5)

"Let's go! Run for now!"

"No, why are we suddenly running?"

"Everyone else is running too!"

Jo Gol sprinted out of Hwaeum, shouting loudly to keep up with the other groups.

"Why are we running together when we're not going in the same direction?"

"Alright, so run!"

Gwak Hye put his hand on his forehead.

When that guy begged him to join his unit, even if he had to endure a beating, he should have refused! What's with that guy's affection? 

"So where are we going?"

"Jiangsu!"

"Ugh...."

Gwak Hye's face twisted. It was one of the farthest places reachable from Shaanxi.

It would be nice if it were a coincidence... but that was unlikely.

"To Jiangsu... when will we get there... Sa... Sahyung. Where are you going!"

Jo Gol ran towards Yoon Jong's group, who was running ahead.

"Yoon Jong Sahyung! Where is Sahyung going?"

"Anhui."

"As expected!"

Jo Gol nodded vigorously. The most critical place right now is undoubtedly Anhui. So naturally, he thought that some of Mount Hua's units would be assigned to Anhui.

"And Sasuk?"

"Anhui too."

Jo Gol's face darkened for a moment. Was it a coincidence? Or...

"Sahyung. Sasuk..."

"Where are going?"

"Jiangsu province."

"You know, Jiangsu borders Zhejiang. You remember that Hangzhou is north of Zhejiang, right?"

"Yes, of course."

How could he forget the place that brought back such terrible memories?

"When the security of a city collapses, the impact tends to spread chain reactionally. Still, Anhui didn't collapse rapidly because there were sects following Namgung, but Jiangsui will undoubtedly be in a bad situation. Moreover, if there are remnants of the Demonic Sect left, the problem will be even... Gol-ah. Are you listening to me?"

Jo Gol subtly distanced himself from Yoon Jong.

"Where are you going?"

"No. Just go your way."

"Now that you're in a position to lead people, you should pay attention to these things..."

Jo Gol tightly closed his eyes. Am I crazy? Why did I worry about such a person?

"What about Sago?"

"I don't know."

"Oh, come to think of it, it seems like Soso didn't form a unit? Is she going with Sago?"

"No."

Yoon Jong shook his head firmly.

"Soso is in a position where she can't move as a mere unit leader now. She'll probably settle in a mountain cabin that can serve as a middle contact point and monitor the situation of the medics."

"Oh..."

Indeed, when he heard it again, it was a correct statement. The one who established the mobile medical unit was Tang Soso, and she was the one who deployed them in this incident. It would be more effective for her to directly manage the overall situation.

He knew it, but for a moment, it felt like Tang Soso had moved a little away. He had to sweat even to organize a small unit, but now she commanded so many people.

"To avoid disgrace, I have to work hard."

Yoon Jong chuckled at that remark.

"That's an amazing thing you're saying."

"What do you mean?"

"You're saying that there's still disgrace left for you."

"This guy is really!"

Jo Gol glared at Yoon Jong with a crumpled face, then sneakily observed him.

"But... um..."

"What now?"

"Chung... Myung, perhaps?"

Yoon Jong's expression stiffened for a moment. To a stranger, his face seemed calm, but to Jo Gol, who was familiar with Yoon Jong, he didn't miss the faint chill in his expression.

"It's probably unnecessary."

"Yes?"

"Things like units are not helpful to someone like him who can handle things alone."

"Oh, no, Sahyung. Why are you saying that...?"

"I'm just stating the truth. He doesn't need support. Attaching mediocre members will only hinder him."

It wasn't an incorrect statement. Honestly, Jo Gol agreed.

Yet, he couldn't easily nod because of the subtle chill in Yoon Jong's voice.

"Because he was different from us from the beginning."

"Sahyung?"

"I'm going first."

Yoon Jong pushed forward, leaving Jo Gol behind.

"Sahyung! Let's go together!"

Yoon Jong's face, running ahead with Jo Gol in the rear, finally twisted.

'Pathetic.'

It was self-mockery.

Forcing out the complexities brewing in his mind, he focused his gaze on the back of the one running ahead.

'Sasuk.'

Yoon Jong's eyes, watching Baek Cheon's back, were dark.

'If everyone acts recklessly like that... I might as well do the same.'

Having firmly made up his mind in his heart, Yoon Jong increased his pace.

"I'm not sure if this is an appropriate thing to say given the situation, but... it's amazing."

At Tang Gunak's words, Chung Myung slightly frowned.

However, even from Chung Myung's perspective, the statement seemed fitting. The sight of dozens of units, spread across the land, was not an everyday occurrence.

"And Beggar's Union?"

"They said they'll join on their own."

"It explodes slowly." [idk]

As Chung Myung criticized, Tang Gunak gave him a brief look.

"Isn't it something to be praised?"

"They're finally doing something they should have done a long time ago, so what's there to praise? What they've been doing so far was shameful."

Tang Gunak smirked bitterly.

If it were the previous Beggar's Union, even if they provided assistance, it would've been to the extent of gathering beggars in appropriate locations.

The task of classifying and dispatching would have all been in the hands of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

However, Hong Daegwang, who had now become the new sect leader, handled things differently.

Regardless of where the units from Hwaeum were and how quickly they moved, they could track and catch up with them, so they didn't waste time and moved immediately.

'Remarkable confidence.'

Perhaps, as Chung Myung suggested, the Beggar's Union should have shown this attitude from the beginning.

"Oh, and each branch said they'll quickly convey the positions of the Evil Sects' strongholds."

"That's basic, isn't it? Why state the obvious? Those beggar bastards."

As irritation popped up on Chung Myung's face, Tang Gunak shook his head.

"However, for the Ghost Sect, we may need to move them from our side. Since there's no clear way for them to join."

"No need to think about it. Just pick a few and send them to each fortress."

"Each castle?"

"Yes. More precisely, the Nokrim fortress. You know that the Ghost Sect is using the mountain fortresses as intermediate checkpoints, right?"

"Surely... So we don't have to tell them to find their way there. Just inform them of the positions identified from nearby mountain fortresses."

"Yes."

Tang Gunak nodded. That should conclude most of the problems for now.

He looked up at the sky and took a long breath.

'Has it been a day?'

No, not even a day. Just half a day.

The time it took for this massive federation to gather opinions, make decisions, and come to a conclusion was just half a day.

Some might say it was slow, but Tang Gunak knew. How gatherings of various clans and sects usually moved.

Half a day was a pace so rapid that it couldn't be fully expressed by the word "incredible."

And...

"We will use the Nokrim fortresses as intermediate bases for supply distribution."

As soon as Im Sobyeong approached swiftly and spoke, Tang Gunak asked.

"Do we need something like supply distribution? Just..."

"Don't say absurd things. Don't martial artists still need to eat? It might be possible under normal circumstances, but in a situation where intense battles have to be repeated, hunger is inevitable. It's an uncertain time frame, so even more preparation is necessary."

"Hmm."

"And supply distribution is not only for them. There might be cases where it's already too late even if we rush. Grains and money are needed for refugees."

Tang Gunak nodded. It was an aspect he hadn't considered.

"I'll select the central fortresses and coordinate with nearby merchants. This part will be handled by the Eunha Guild Master Hwang."

"That seems wise."

Tang Gunak subtly clicked his tongue.

The departure was quick, but that was not the end. Instead of sending people after preparations, they sent them out first and then completed preparations. The three axes of Nokrim, the Ghost Sect, and the merchants were making this unbelievable feat possible.

'If it were in the past... if it were the Ten Great Sects, it might have been an impossible task.'

It wasn't because they were lacking or insufficient. It was because the foundation itself was different.

Wudant dominated from Henan to Hubei, Shaolin exerted significant influence across the entire Hanam, and Southern Edge completely controlled Shaanxi.

However, these three regions weren't interconnected. It wasn't even easy for merchants to move from Hubei to Shaanxi. The linkage between regions was a challenging task.

However, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance's approach is different. The Heavenly Comrade Alliance could move freely between different areas without restrictions on regions. Nokrim and merchants. Ghost Sect and Beggar's Union.

These four forces, combined, created a central hub for the whole world.

"Was it like this from the beginning?"

"What do you mean?"

"No, never mind."

Tang Gunak shook his head. What difference did it make now? What was important was that things were already like this.

Chung Myung continued to speak.

"What we need to focus on is turning each Nokrim fortress into a proper base."

"I will make sure of that. We will receive support from the Beggar's Union, and we will also send additional manpower."

Im Sobyeong sighed deeply.

"Ugh... How did the Nokrim fortress end up as strongholds of the righteous sect guys?"

But there was no other way. He had no choice but to accept it.

"Make sure of it."

"Don't worry. It's just..."

"No, make it more certain."

"..."

Tang Gunak looked at Chung Myung in surprise. Chung Myung's eyes, which met his, were now chillingly sunken.

"Maintain a perfect communication network. Make sure we are able to retrieve our people quickly at any time. If this is what Jang Ilso was aiming for, he will definitely take advantage of our dispersed forces."

Tang Gunak nodded.

"I'll keep that in mind."

After receiving a definite answer, Chung Myung turned his head.

Baek Cheon, Yoon Jong, and Jo Gol rushed after the people of the Namgung Family, who were running the fastest. There were also those dispatched by Southern Edge nearby.

"Hoo!"

Chung Myung, who breathed shortly, took a firm step forward.

"So if there's anything urgent, please let me know as soon as possible."

"Are you leaving too?"

"Hey, come here!"

Kiik!

At Chung Myung's words, Baek-Ah, who had been waiting nearby, quickly climbed onto Chung Myung's shoulder. His black eyes, which were already aware of the situation, shone brightly.

"Although the Blue Doves (靑鳩) of the Beggar's Union aren't slow, there may be times when they stand out. So please use this guy to relay really important news."

"Um."

Tang Gunak looked at Chung Myung with a slightly bewildered expression. Chung Myung shrugged his shoulders.

"It's not that I didn't think it would be better for me to remain at the headquarters…"

His gaze slowly turned forward.

"But I think there may be some variables now."

Tang Gunak sighed. Since he made up his mind, he wouldn't change it. Because it was Chung Myung.

"I won't stop you. But remember one thing."

"What is it?"

"Now you are the chief of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance before being Mount Hua's disciple. Hundreds or thousands of lives depend on your every move."

Tang Gunak looked at Chung Myung with a firm gaze.

"Never forget the weight of that responsibility."

Chung Myung stared silently at Tang Gunak for a moment and then shrugged his shoulders lightly.

"...Such an obvious thing to say."

Although his voice seemed casual, it felt a bit different from usual. Perhaps that was just Tang Gunak's illusion.

Chung Myung turned away before Tang Gunak's thoughts deepened.

"Then."

Paaaat!

His body shot forward in an instant. Transformed into a beam of light, he quickly closed the distance with those who had gone ahead.

Tang Gunak clenched his fist inside his sleeve.

'Now, there is no choice but to believe.'

Though an unidentified anxiety still lingered in his heart, Tang Gunak firmly turned away from it.

He too had to do his best in this place.

"Let's go."

Tang Gunak firmly planted his unwavering feet.