Chapter 1428: So This Needle Is A Failure? (Part 3)

Terrifying.

The first thought that came to Hyun Jong's mind was exactly that. It was difficult to explain exactly why, but a chill involuntarily went down his spine. The person filling Hyun Jong's mind was none other than Beopjeong, the leader of Shaolin.

'In that situation...'

Did he foresee this far?

No, no. That couldn't be. Even if Beopjeong was formidable, he couldn't have predicted the Tang Family abandoning their own family, and the Evil Tyrant Alliance splitting into two.

Yes, thinking that way was common sense.

But...

'Isn't it a bigger problem then?'

If all of this wasn't calculated, Beopjeong's intention was solely one thing. To somehow send them away and save at least Diancang. That must be it.

But if they... If the situation unfolded where Mount Hua and the Tang Family turned away from Diancang, what would Beopjeong do?

"Catastrophe..."

The words that Hyun Jong hadn't fully formed yet escaped his tongue first.

There was no other way to describe the result than 'catastrophe.' The Ten Great Sects and the Heavenly Comrade Alliance would become irreversibly estranged.

'What should be done about this...'

A profound crossroad.

Even if there were such intentions, Beopjeong risked danger to create an opportunity for them to escape. Discarding such expectations from Beopjeong was not something a person could do.

But they couldn't give up on the Tang Family either. Abandoning the Tang Family meant abandoning the foundation of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. Wasn't the basis of friendship that they wouldn't abandon each other under any conditions?

No, even if the Heavenly Comrade Alliance allowed it, Hyun Jong could not allow it.

Hyun Jong's hands trembled.

Choosing the Tang Family meant abandoning a promise for the sake of comrades. Choosing Diancang meant closing eyes to the sacrifice of comrades for the sake of the a promise.

How could one choose between these two?

But there was no time to deeply contemplate. If the Myriad Man Manor started chasing the Tang Family, and if the remaining Evil Tyrant Alliance headed for Diancang, they would have to change direction immediately. Otherwise, both sides would be sacrificed.

"Gr... Great Sect Leader. This is..."

Understanding the situation, Un Am's voice trembled. It was precisely at that moment when Hyun Jong, who couldn't make any decision, closed his eyes tightly.

"Hoo..."

A low sigh.

A small but incredibly clear sigh pierced their ears. When Hyun Jong turned his head, he saw the composed face of Tang Gunak.

"It's the right thing to do...There is no way."

"Gaju-nim..."

"We must go to Diancang. Maengju-nim."

Hyun Jong's eyes involuntarily opened.

"Gaju-nim. What are you talking about! Right now, Jang Ilso and Myriad Man Manor are chasing the Tang Family members! If we don't help, they..."

"As I said."

Tang Gunak responded with an indifferent and unwavering voice.

"The Tang Family is not so weak. Even if it's Myriad Man Manor, they can't catch and kill all of them. Some will survive."

But Hyun Jong noticed that even in Tang Gunak's voice, there was a slight tremor. No, perhaps Tanuk Gunak wasn't even aware of it.

"Gaju-nim..."

"If we don't go to Diancang, we give them a reason. Bangjang who, despite not liking the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, maintained a reasonable relationship without justification [um], will raise his voice and criticize the Heavenly Comrade Alliance."

Hyun Jong closed his eyes tightly. The scene vividly played out in his mind.

But...

"Of course, keeping to one's word is important. But... That's not everything. Gaju-nim, how..."

"Maengju-nim."

Tang Gunak cut off Hyun Jong's words.

"We must somehow prevent any relationship with the Ten Great Sects from fracturing. Especially at times like this!"

"..."

"We must go to Diancang."

Hyun Jong looked back with a bewildered expression. The ones he saw were not his disciples but the elite members of the Tang Family following Tang Gunak.

In broader terms, the people being chased by Jang Ilso were the Tang Family's fellow members. In smaller terms, they were brothers, parents, and children.

Tang Gunak's words were about leaving them to the mercy of the Evil Sect's jaws. It was an incredibly cold, ruthless, and heart-wrenching statement.

However, not a single person in the Tang Family opposed Tang Gunak's words. They simply bit their lips, dug at their thighs, and endured the pain that tore through their insides.

Even Tang Pae, the Tang Family's Sogaju.

"How can..."

"We have to go to Diancang! Great Sect Leader."

Hyun Jong looked at the person who opened their mouth with trembling eyes.

"Tang Soso."

She, the youngest of Mount Hua and the daughter of Tang Gunak, trembled but managed to speak.

"That's what we should do."

"Soso-ah..."

"It's not something to hesitate about."

At that moment, someone grabbed Tang Soso's shoulders and pulled her back.

"..."

Surprised, Tang Soso turned her head to see Yoo Iseol, with an expressionless face, standing there.

"Stop."

An emotionless voice that sounded concerned. Tang Soso's shoulders tensed at that voice.

"No, Sago.. We have to go to Diancang. To Diancang."

"I understand, so stop."

"We didn't come here with just our strength. So we can't cause harm. The Tang Family is not... "

Yoo Iseol gently pulled Tang Soso, patting her shoulder. Tang Soso, unable to continue speaking, bowed her head deeply.

Silence.

A deep silence settled between them.

"Great Sect Leader."

At that moment, Baek Cheon spoke up.

"I understand the situation, but... Is it really that much of an issue to divide our forces?"

Hyun Jong frowned at Baek Cheon's words.

Not out of anger, but because an intense temptation had found him at that moment. Perhaps dividing the forces could provide an opportunity to save both sides. It was an opportunity not to be missed.

Even if everything failed, he could justify to himself that he made at least some effort.

It was an incredibly sweet temptation. Enough to momentarily shake even the wise Hyun Jong. However, Hyun Jong desperately pushed away the temptation that came to him.

"That cannot be done. If we are not careful, both Mount Hua and the Tang Family could be completely crushed. If Jang Ilso knew we might move like this, there's no way to avoid his traps."

Baek Cheon bowed deeply.

His thoughts were not much different. He had just vented the remaining regrets.

"I understand what you mean, Great Sect Leader. But then, isn't it right to go to the Tang Family?"

"Baek Cheon..."

"Not just the Tang Family. Although it seems okay for now, Jo Gol's household is in Sichuan as well. We don't know what will happen there if we go to Diancang."

Hyun Jong flinched and looked at Jo Gol.

Jo Gol, with an angry face, shouted at Baek Cheon.

"Why are you suddenly talking about my household!"

"It's important."

"Why is that important! While everyone else is fighting for their lives, are you telling me to go protect my house? Would my father praise me for going there? He'd probably scold me for being a useless son!"

"Gol-ah!"

Jo Gol turned his head with a snort.

"Don't think about my house, Great Sect Leader. They are not helpless."

Hyun Jong bit his lip.

He understood Jo Gol's meaning. However, just because he understood, could he let it go so easily?

"However, I am in favor of going to the Tang Family. We must protect them! Aren't there none who can fight among them? It is our natural duty to protect the weak."

"Just because it's Diancang doesn't mean the situation is favorable."

"Sahyung!"

Yoon Jong's response made Jo Gol burst out in anger.

"If we have to help the weak, then it's the same for Diancang. Just because they aren't friends with us or friends with the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, putting them off as a secondary priority is... "

"Is not righteous?"

"No."

Yoon Jong looked at Jo Gol with determined eyes.

"It is not the Tao."

"..."

"It is not the Way to support only those whom one is close to. There's no principle in that. Whoever it may be."

"Damn! You've become a great Taoist, huh!"

Jo Gol growled, expressing his frustration.

"If that's the case, then Sahyung can be the great Taoist! I'll be friends with the Tang Family!"

"Jo Gol!"

"No, from the start..."

Just as their argument was intensifying, Tang Guanak spoke up.

"We don't have time for this."

Those words poured cold water on everyone.

"Jo Gol Dojang."

"...Gaju-nim."

"Thank you."

"..."

Jo Gol tightly shut his mouth.

"And Baek Cheon Dojang. But for now, we must not go to the Tang Family. The losses we would suffer are too great."

"It's not just about keeping promises..."

"It's not only about keeping promises. Above all, it's about the perception that the whole world holds. If the alliance between the Ten Great Sects and the Heavenly Comrade Alliance fractures in this situation, it will be the end. Jang ilso will take advantage of that opening and set the entire world on fire."

"..."

"Do as I say."

"Gaju-nim..."

"If you all respect me as the head of the Tang Family, please listen to me this time. At least let me decide the fate of my family."

Everyone bit their lips and looked at Tang Guanak.

"I beg you."

Tang Guanak bowed his head. It was an incredibly desperate plea. Who could dare to turn away from such a request? Even Jo GOl, who was shouting, Baek Cheon, who was firm, and even Hyun Jong, who was hesitant, averted their gazes in front of Tang Guanak's determination.

But only one person.

"...Uh."

Only one person was different.

"Damn... it's so noisy."

"Chung Myung!"

"Hey, you!"

Chung Myung, who had momentarily let go of Tang Gunak, raised his upper body. Chung Myung scratched the back of his head with one hand, took a glance at those rushing towards him, and clicked his tongue with disdain.

"Are you okay, Chung Myung?"

"Why? Do you want me to be beaten up?"

"No, you bastard. What are you saying..."

"I got it, so step aside. It doesn't seem like the right time for this."

Hearing that, the Five Swords hesitated for a moment and then stepped back. A space opened up between Chung Myung and Tang Guanak.

"I wondered what happened during that time... Jang Ilso is indeed an impressive guy."

"...You."

"By making nonsense come out of the mouth of the Poison King."

Tang Guanak's face hardened.

"You're making a fuss over something that doesn't need any consideration. Hey, Sasuk."

"Yes."

"Let's go."

"Where to?"

"Where else? It's obvious."

Chung Myung suddenly got up and chuckled.

"We're going to the Tang Family. While we're at it, I'll also cut the neck of that Jang Ilso bastard."

It was a moment when the atmosphere of everyone changed.