Chapter 1089: What Sin Did I Commit In My Past Life (Part 4)

Silence lingered for a while.

The words themselves weren't inherently shocking. It was a story that had been heard before, spoken in a somewhat casual and flowing manner. However, the weight of the words could vary greatly depending on when and in what circumstances they were uttered.

The two characters 'destruction' carried a tremendous weight, as if their bodies were being crushed by it.

Especially for those who had witnessed the tragic scene of Hangzhou, the impact of these words was even more significant.

"Destruction...."

A heavy voice flowed from Baek Cheon's lips. They had seen it—the once vibrant and beautiful city of Hangzhou, known as the most spectacular in the Central Plains, in its current state of devastation.

'Such a thing happened throughout the entire Central Plains....'

Suddenly, Baek Cheon's teeth clenched involuntarily. That, at least, had to be prevented at all costs.

"This is..."

Amidst the serious atmosphere, the one who spoke was none other than Im Sobyeong. His face, scratched with the end of the fan, showed signs of distress.

"Just... it seems a bit too serious to let it pass easily."

The face that usually wore a smile had long lost its composure.

"If the Demonic Sect, as predicted by the Dojang, is fully prepared and invades the Central Plains, it means that we cannot prevent it in the current state of the Central Plains, doesn't it?"

Im Sobyeong's gaze, unlike usual, was sharp and cold. Chung Myung nodded silently.

"Probably."

"...It's troublesome."

Im Sobyeong sighed deeply. External invasions tended to settle internal disputes. No, they had to be settled. However, he knew that it was not as easy as it sounded.

Certainly, looking at it historically, there were cases where internal conflicts were resolved by external invasions. But there were countless cases where, because internal conflicts were not resolved, the country itself collapsed internally and externally.

Im Sobyeong sighed once again, then shrugged his shoulders.

"Of course, the issue is when the Demonic Sect will launch their attack, but the situation is not favorable."

At his words, everyone's minds naturally conjured the faces of Beopjeong and Jang Ilso.

Kangho was currently divided into three powers.

The Ten Great Sects (九派一幇) led by Beopjeong, the Evil Tyrant Alliance (邪覇聯) dominated by Jang Ilso, and the Heavenly Comrade Alliance (天友盟) centered around Chung Myung.

Each individual wielded tremendous influence in its respective stronghold.

Im Sobyeong scratched his cheek. His felt somewhat uncomfortable.

'Perhaps...'

Yes, perhaps it would have been better if the Demonic Sect had invaded five years ago. Five years ago, there was no Mount Hua Sect or Evil Tyrant Alliance.

If the Demonic Sect had invaded back then, whether it was Mount Hua or Jang Ilso, they would have had no choice but to unite under the banner of Shaolin. At least, that's what he thought.

But now the circumstances are different.

In the past five years, Shaolin had lost too much. The status and prestige of Shaolin five years ago and now were embarrassingly incomparable. Back then, Shaolin was considered the sect protecting the world under the North Star, but now it had lost all that status, and even managing the internal conflicts of the Ten Great Sects was a challenging situation.

On the other hand, how were the Myriad Man Manor and Mount Hua doing? They had built up such tremendous influence that comparing them to five years ago seemed meaningless.

'Not to mention the accumulated resentment between them....'

What determines human behavior is temperament and emotion. If Beopjeong, Chung Myung, and Jang Ilso had met five years ago in the same place, they might have found each other peculiar but would not have thought of plunging a knife into each other's throats.

But now it's hard to imagine these three sitting in the same space. That's how wide and deep the bitterness they have built up for each other was.

'An alliance of these three forces....'

From Im Sobyeong's perspective, it felt more absurd than the resurrection of the Heavenly Demon.

His gaze turned to Chung Myung.

'What is he thinking right now?'

Chung Myung was always someone who saw further than anyone else. Even Im Sobyeong, who had prided himself on playing with the world in the palm of his hands, had been surprised once or twice when he realized what Chung Myung's plan was after some time had passed.

"Chung Myung."

Hyun Jong, apparently sharing Im Sobyeong's thoughts, called Chung Myung indirectly.

"Yes, Sect Leader."

"I want to ask you something. If the situation is really that serious, what do you think we should do from now on? Whether you know or not, you can't just stay silent. Regardless of what happened, shouldn't we try to minimize the damage?"

"Indeed, Sect Leader."

Others nodded in agreement with Hyun Jong's words. However, Chung Myung remained silent.

"If what you say is true, then it seems that only by joining forces throughout the Central Plains is there a chance. Isn't that right?"

"…Yes, that's right."

Hyun Jong nodded with closed eyes. When he opened his eyes again, full of wisdom, he looked directly at Chung Myung.

"Then, let me ask...."

"...."

"In your opinion, what is the probability of an alliance between the Ten Great Sects, Evil Tyrant Alliance, and us?"

His disciples immediately reacted to his words.

"No, Sect Leader."

"We cannot join hands with Jang Ilso!"

"That guy is absolutely out of the question."

Startled by their vehement opposition, Hyun Jong looked around. At that moment, Un Geom spoke up on the behalf of everyone.

"Sect Leader. We understand what you're thinking. We can't help but respect Sect Leader's determination to join hands with those Evil Sect bastards for the justice of the world. However..."

Un Geom opened his mouth with a firm gaze.

"Jang Ilso is not someone we can negotiate with. We clearly saw what he was up to in Hangzhou."

"…Hmm."

If someone other than Un Geom had said this, there might have been room to consider that they lacked a sense of justice in their youthful vigor.

But Un Geom was not that kind of person. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that he was the calmest person in Mount Hua. For someone like him to say this meant that there was something only those who had experienced Jang Ilso could feel.

Then Tang Gunak spoke.

"And, Maengju-nim. Negotiating with the Ten Great Sects is also a difficult task."

"…Lord Tang."

Tang Gunak raised his head with a heavy expression.

"What they value most is their pride and the benefits of their sect. Will they accept the alliance proposed by the Heavenly Comrade Alliance?"

Hyun Jong couldn't deny it.

"Even if we were to form an alliance, it would not be as strong and cohesive as you envision, Maengju-nim. Like the Four Great Evils in the past, it will be a vague agreement between people with different thoughts."

As he listened, a sigh escaped involuntarily. This statement, too, was not far from the truth.

Then Chung Myung spoke.

"No. It won't be as difficult as you think."

"Chung Myung!"

"Inma! What are you talking about?"

Shocked, the disciples of Mount Hua looked at Chung Myung in surprise. However, Chung Myung only stared at Hyun Jong with an indifferent expression.

"Forming an alliance with the Ten Great Sects and bringing in Jang Ilso might be easier than you think."

"No, that's easier said than done…"

"If you want something, just give them what they want."

Chung Myung decisively cut off Im Sobyeong's words. Im Sobyeong closed his mouth like a clam.

After scanning everyone in the room, Chung Myung continued.

"If they want legitimacy, provide legitimacy."

"...."

"If they want benefits, give them benefits."

Hyun Jong's gaze became visibly heavy.

"If Shaolin wants the honor of leading Kangho, all you have to do is bow your head before them in the name of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. Beopjeong will be able to undo all the misdeeds he has committed so far with just the justification that he has accepted the Heavenly Comrade Alliance's surrender, so they'll will respond to any request."

"That's...."

Tang Gunak seemed like he wanted to say something, but he soon stopped.

In fact, this was an incredibly realistic proposal. What Beopjeong currently desired most was to reclaim the lost honor of Shaolin. If the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword, who held a prominent position in Kangho, bowed their head in front of Shaolin, the current situation would be nothing more than a minor flaw.

If it was for such gains, Beopjeong would join hands even with the enemy of his parents.

"If Jang Ilso wants power, give him power. What he wants is to expand northward and increase the territory of the Evil Tyrant Alliance. If we give up the Yangtze River area controlled by the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and the territory extending to Sichuan and Shaanxi, Jang Ilso will accept the proposal, pretending he can't win."

"...Ugh."

This time, Im Sobyeong made a groaning sound.

Certainly, from Jang Ilso's perspective, this might not be a satisfactory outcome. However, as a bait to lure Jang Ilso into negotiations, it was more than sufficient.

If that damn guy could get something for free without shedding a drop of blood, he wouldn't step back. Especially considering how much he would have to pay for the control of the Yangtze River area and the western land of the Central Plains.

"So... if you want, an alliance is possible."

Hyun Jong remained silent, gazing at Chung Myung. By now, he knew that when this boy spoke such words, there was hidden sincerity behind them.

"One thing, Sect Leader."

Sure enough, Chung Myung spoke with a serious tone.

"That means we will have to sacrifice ourselves for justice."

"To that extent...."

"Of course, initially, you can give up something small. But once such an alliance is formed, to maintain it, you'll have to give up even more. If nobody is willing to sacrifice, in the end, we'll be the ones sacrificing."

"...."

"At first, maybe just a finger."

Chung Myung's voice began to carry a chilling coldness.

"Then, perhaps one arm."

"...."

"Soon, you'll have to give up both arms and legs, and eventually even your neck."

Chung Myung's gaze scanning everyone was icy.

"It's for the peace in the Central Plains."

Hyun Jong's face hardened. He understood better than anyone what Chung Myung was talking about.

"If you do that, perhaps peace in the Central Plains can be preserved. But Sect Leader... There's one thing you must know."

Chung Myung's voice was sharp throughout. It contained advice, concern, and even a deep regret that perhaps others wouldn't feel.

"Even so, there won't be a place for Mount Hua in the peaceful Central Plains that you protect. Sect Leader, you might end up watching from the afterlife as Mount Hua fades... No, perhaps it becomes an object of scorn and mockery without even being able to perish."

Hyun Jong's eyes trembled lightly.

"Even so, if that is the justice you want to protect."

Chung Myung paused for a moment. Then he glanced at his disciples sitting around him, one by one.

"If that's the path Mount Hua chooses to take...."

"...."

"I will just follow."

Chung Myung closed his eyes silently.

In the darkened world, one person was looking at him with teary eyes.

'Sect Leader Sahyung....'

Chung Myung's fist resting on his thigh was clenched.