Chapter 1554: Well, Which Side? (Part 4)

"Ura-cha-ah!"

Jo Gol's sword swiftly plunged into the shoulder of an enemy.

"Aaah!"

"Noisy!"

Successive screams followed from the lips of the Evil Sect member.

Thud!

The Evil Sect member, unable to even scream properly, finally fell. Jo Gol grumbled.

"What's all this fuss about! Damn bastards!"

Jo Gol quickly dashed towards the next prey.

Watching this, Guak Hye shook his head. At the same time, his Sahyungs who witnessed the scene murmured.

"...He's really strong, that Sahyung."

"That's unfortunate."

He couldn't help but lament.

Why did the heavens grant such power and talent to that person? How could they handle the consequences...

'Ah. Maybe heaven didn't really have much of a plan?'

If there was a plan from the beginning, they wouldn't have let Chung Myung loose in the world. Well, whatever... there was no use thinking about it now.

"Sahyung is strong, but honestly, these guys seem a bit clumsy, don't you think?"

"Yes, Sahyung."

Not only the Five Swords but Mount Hua's disciples had faced experience facing formidable opponents from the Evil Sects before.

But the Evil Sect members they were currently facing were noticeably different.

'I don't think they're at Nokrim's level, not to mention the Myriad Man Manor.'

When they went out to subdue bandits, the bandits they faced back then seemed more threatening than these guys. It could be because they've grown since then, but...

"Still, don't let your guard down. Things rarely unfold as smoothly as one might think."

"...It would be nice if the one at the front could say those words."

Gwak Hye turned his head to look at Jo Gol.

He was joyfully chasing the Evil Sect members like a hunting dog, leaving juniors and seniors behind.

Gwak Hye sighed.

"I hope for the best."

"...."

* * *

"We're done here, Sahyung."

Yoon Jong nodded.

"Good work. It must be tough, but there's no time to rest. Let's move on."

"Of course."

"And... um, what should I call you? Beggar?"

"Huh? Oh, yes! I am Chuil Chumal (追日追月) ['Chasing Sun and Moon'] Yanghwa (楊和). Please feel free to call me Chuil Gae (追日丐) ['Chasing Sun Beggar']. "

"Ah, Chuil Gae."

Yoon Jong nodded and looked at him.

Even though there was no hostility, Chuil Gae involuntarily stiffened.

'This person is Yoon Jong.'

In fact, among the world-famous Mount Hua's Five Swords, the person in front of him was probably the one with the least presence.

Aside from Chung Myung, who had become too prominent to be placed under the name of Mount Hua's Five Swords, Mount Hua's representative Baek Cheon, the famous female sword ghost Yoo Iseol, or the rising Light-Splitting Sword Jo Gol, and even Tang Soso, who entered Mount Hua as a daughter of the Tang Family, each of them commanded the attention of people.

As a result, Yoon Jong's name had not spread widely. Even though he was known as a talented leader within the sect (長門之才), with Baek Cheon as the Deputy Sect Leader, why would this person stand out?

But now, facing him like this, it was clear that Yoon Jong was not someone who could be overshadowed by the fame of others.

As a member of the Beggar's Union, Chuil Gae had met countless people and observed even more from afar.

But this experience told him something. Yoon Jong was definitely not an ordinary person.

"Is there no news from the Heavenly Comrade Alliance?"

"Huh? Um... not yet."

"Please check whether there is no contact yet or if our side has not properly delivered the message. Since the connection is not fully established, such things could happen at any time."

"Is it really necessary?"

Chuil Gae couldn't hide his surprise.

In some ways, this could be seen as disregarding the Beggar's Union. Of course, Yoon Jong didn't have such intentions, but still.

However, even with those doubtful eyes, Yoon Jong remained calm.

"The purpose of this operation is not to annihilate the enemy. It is to firmly establish a connection with the Alliance while unfolding the operation. So that we can be prepared to react immediately if the situation changes."

"... I understand what you mean. I will double-check."

"Thank you."

As Yoon Jong expressed gratitude, Chuil Gae promptly bowed as if impressed.

Someone might say he was excessively flattering, but Chuil Gae never considered his manners to be excessive.

"But..."

Chuil Gae spoke with a slightly blurred tone, subtly bringing up a question.

"Is Yoon Jong Dojang...no is the Heavenly Comrade Alliance expecting some kind of action from the Evil Tyrant Alliance?"

Yoon Jong replied calmly.

"The Evil Tyrant Alliance wouldn't have initiated such an event without reason. It must be a calculated move."

"But even knowing that..."

Yoon Jong narrowed his eyes slightly, gazing at Chuil Gae.

"Even with that knowledge, the fact that people are suffering doesn't change."

"..."

"It's a difficult and challenging task, but someone has to do it. Right now, that's our duty."

Chuil Gae nodded absentmindedly. It was difficult to argue or refute against such a straightforward opinion.

In fact, what made the Heavenly Comrade Alliance remarkable was not that they presented obvious arguments but actively put them into practice. Most of the time, people used these arguments to deflect blame from themselves.

"Don't worry. I'll do my best to prevent any confusion from arising."

"Please do."

Yoon Jong once again gestured Chuil Gae deeply. Chuil Gae pulled out a small document from his embrace.

Meanwhile, Yoon Jong looked around at the disciples.

'It's not easy.'

There was more to worry about than expected. Moving this small group of fewer than ten people wasn't a simple task, even though Yoon Jong's role wasn't that significant.

'Still...'

Fortunately, the opponents they had to face weren't of high caliber. Although their numbers were enough to induce a headache, it wouldn't reach a life-threatening crisis.

Yes.

Even for someone who was gradually losing their skills at this moment.

"Let's move. We can't fall behind."

"Sahyung."

At that moment, Jintae approached and whispered softly.

"The speed doesn't seem slow right now, but if we continue like this, we'll quickly get too far from Shaanxi. Are you okay with that?"

"..."

"When we departed, you mentioned being careful about this. I didn't mention it earlier..."

Jintae couldn't finish his sentence. Yoon Jong's face showed a momentary conflict.

However, the conclusion he reached didn't change.

"...We haven't gone that far yet, so let's go for now."

"But, Sahyung."

"If the movement is too urgent, I'll adjust it appropriately."

After hearing this, Jintae stepped back. But his face didn't look very reassured.

Yoon Jong also understood the disciples' concerns well. He had emphasized the same point with Chuil Gae two or three times due to the same concern.

However...

"Thank you."

A woman with a face stained with dirt approached, holding a child in her arms. She bowed deeply.

"If the Taoist Dojangs hadn't helped, we would have been..."

Yoon Jong shook his head.

"No, we just did what we had to do. And not only us, but anyone would have come to help."

"But still..."

The woman, with moist eyes, started to speak but soon faltered. Still, even though they said that, no one came to help. That seemed to be what she wanted to say.

Yoon Jong also understood. Even if they arrived a little later, the fate of these people would have become much more precarious.

"Go to the nearest village on this road and ask for help. Mention the name of the Heavenly COmrade Alliance, and they will provide you with something to eat."

"The nearest village... We don't even know where to go. We've never left the place we lived all our lives..."

"That will be explained by this person."

Chuil Gae, who was examining the situation, quickly approached the woman.

"The nearest village from here is... "

Yoon Jong involuntarily turned his head, gazing at the distant front.

'Sasuk is...'

He must have gone ahead for quite some time. Even though there was no danger, Yoon Jong felt uneasy.

After taking a short breath, Yoon Jong spoke firmly again.

"...Let's move. Before it's too late."

Before an irreversible event occurs.

* * *

At this moment, along the Yangtze River.

Footsteps echoed on the pitch-black lacquered floor.

The steps were casual and indifferent, as if undisturbed by the constant turbulence.

The figure continued walking until the floor narrowed.

Black hair swirling like a lion's mane, rough beard grown untamed. The man, as if sculpted with the characters of 'Domineering,' (覇道) stood still, gazing intensely across the river.

The tattered right sleeve fluttered vigorously in the cold wind. The man's piercing eyes, filled with determination, stared at the land beyond.

"... Truly like ghosts."

They were invisible. The beggars who had hidden to monitor them until recently, even the Ten Great Sect members who patrolled provocatively to threaten them, had all disappeared.

Only a few insignificant rascals were pushed into Gangbuk, but the world was acting as if the Su Lo Chae were no longer on the Yangtze River. It was ridiculous.

He might feel offended or unjust, but in fact, for this man, the Ildojeongha (一刀赤河) ['One Blade Scarlet River'] Jaeksekwang (狄世光), it was a welcome situation.

There were no obstacles ahead, and, even more importantly, his enemies awaited in the place he was heading.

Squish.

The grinding of teeth echoed faintly. The man, standing on the edge and staring across the river, seemed to be enveloped in flames reflected in his eyes.

"...Is he over there?"

Those insufferable ones. The Mount Hua bastards. 

"How much longer do I have to wait?"

The Black Dragon King spoke as if spitting. 

Ho Gakmyung and Jang Ilso had clearly told him. If he waited a little longer, they would drag those hateful Mount Hua bastards out of their homes. And they would scatter them across the open north with nowhere to hide.

All Jaeksekwang needed to do was to lead the elite forces of the Su Lo Chae and hunt them down one by one as they dispersed in all directions.

However, despite the long wait, the order had not yet been given.

"How much longer do we have to wait to chew on the flesh of those hateful bastards!"

It was a moment when the Black Dragon King was about to explode in anger.

"A messenger from the Alliance has arrived!"

On a small boat approaching the Black Dragon Ship, a man shouted after discovering the Black Dragon King.

"Do as you please! It's an order from Ryeonju-nim!"

The Black Dragon King, who had briefly widened his eyes, slowly broke into a sinister smile.

"Hehehe."

Soon after.

"Raise the sail!"

"Yes!"

Gripping the hilt with his unfamiliar left hand, the scimitar resounded fiercely.

Jaeksekwang spoke while gnashing his teeth.

"Let's go. It's okay if we don't come back. But at least, I will definitely kill those rats with my own hands."

The Black Dragon King, Jaeksekwang.

In exchange for losing an arm, his whole body was filled with burning hatred. Raising the sails, he headed north.