Chapter 1559: Can We Back Out? (Part 4)

"Su Lo Chae?"

"Yes, Sasuk!"

Baek Sang's face stiffened for a moment.

'Such an obvious move!'

It was an obvious move, but he hadn't even thought about it. A move placed at a moment when the opponent wouldn't anticipate becomes a tactic, no matter how obvious it may be.

"What about the Heavenly Comrade Alliance?"

"The decree from the Alliance hasn't come down yet. The Su Lo Chae have entered Anhui, so there's only cautioning to be careful..."

"Anhui?"

Baek Cheon's face turned pale.

Anhui and the Su Lo Chae. The moment these two words were heard, what would unfold in the future was already anticipated.

"The Namgung Family!"

"Huh?"

"What's happening with the Namgung Family? And Sogaju?"

"As far as that…"

Baek Cheon bit his lower lip.

What else was there to ask?

Namgung Dowi was a discerning person. However, he was not a calm one. Superficially, he may seem like a calm lake, but inside, he was a person boiling with flames.

Didn't he clearly see what Namgung Dowi did in the past?

Would such a person, upon hearing that an enemy is approaching, stay silent? A dragon that had been submerged under the water for a while had risen on its own. 

If he missed this opportunity, he may never be able to slay that dragon with his own hands. Would he really contemplate the matter?"

"Damn it!"

There was no need to speculate further. Namgung has undoubtedly gone to the Yangtze.

"Alliance..."

It was impossible.

Even if orders were given here after hearing the news and assessing the situation, it would take at least half a day for those orders to reach this place. The time when Namgung Dowi, with flipped eyes, reached the Yangtze River.

Even if he didn't rush too much and had some rationality left, if he only moved after receiving orders...

'It's too late!'

If the timing was missed, no matter what was done, the fate of the Namgung and the Su Lo Chae could not be changed.

Baek Cheon tightened his slightly stiffened hand, repeatedly squeezing and releasing.

The contemplation didn't last long.

"We're going to the Yangtze."

"Sahyung! We..."

"I know. It's different from the mission we were given. Don't worry. I won't rush so much that I'll jump to the Yangtze right away and aid the Namgung Family."

"Then...?"

"We should at least receive the orders nearby! That way, whether we stop or help, it won't be too late. We can't do anything here!"

Baek Sang nodded his head as if he understood only now. There were no flaws with what Baek Cheon said.

Issues?

Of course, there was. Currently, each unit of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance was receiving orders through branches located in each province. From the moment they left the province, there would inevitably be confusion in that command system.

'But...'

Baek Sang bit his lower lip tightly.

The reason he didn't express that concern out loud was that it seemed too small of an issue to mention compared to the crisis Namgung was facing.

"I understand."

"We have to leave right away."

"Yes!"

Baek Sang nodded vigorously.

If asked whether that was right, it was difficult to give a definitive answer. However, he trusted Baek Cheon's judgment perfectly.

In front of them, an unexpected and unforeseen figure appeared.

"No possible."

Baek Cheon turned his gaze in surprise.

The approaching figures became visible as they blocked the way.

"...Yoon Jong?"

Furrowing his brow, Baek Cheon looked at the leading Yoon Jong.

"Why are you here..."

"You shouldn't go to the Yangtze."

Yoon Jong, slowly but firmly, nodded.

"You must be aware, Sasuk. Unless there is a specific order, we continue our original mission. That's the instruction we received from Maengju-nim before leaving the village. Sasuk is now trying to violate that guidance."

Baek Cheon"s eyes twisted.

"Hasn't the situation changed significantly?"

"To prevent arbitrary judgments that may arise with each change in the situation, there is a communication network. If everyone were to move as they pleased, what's the need for the Alliance, Sasuk?"

Baek Cheon was momentarily speechless. Yoon Jong stared directly at Baek Cheon, showing no signs of backing down.

Baek Cheon spoke up.

"Was this your plan?"

"I'm just talking about principles."

Baek Cheon shot Yoon Jong a fierce look.

"Namgung Family. Namgung's Sogaju."

"..."

"A person like that is likely to jump into the fire, and knowing this, instead of stopping him, you're suggesting we just watch?"

"Even if I understand, I shouldn't jump in with him."

"Yoon Jong!"

Yoon Jong sighed deeply.

"Sasuk, do you know what your actions right now remind me of?"

"..."

"He has always been like that. Prioritizing moment-to-moment judgment over orders, decrees, and principles. Wasn't it always you who stopped him at such times, Sasuk?"

It couldn't be denied. Baek Cheon had always taken the lead in stopping him, that was a fact.

"But it"s strange. When he's around, Sasuk is the one who detaches himself from such things... But when that guy is not around, Sasuk becomes just like him."

Yoon Jong exhaled a long breath and then, with a sharp gaze, scrutinized Baek Cheon.

"Then what can we do? I can only play Sasuk's role. You shouldn't go. No, I will never send you."

At that moment, Baek Cheon's face solidified like ice.

"What if I don't agree?"

"..."

"Are you suggesting drawing your sword and blocking?"

"Sasuk."

"Like back then?"

In response to those words, Yoon Jong's face also stiffened.

"I..."

"Give it a try."

"Sasuk!"

"Draw it. And try to block. If one of my arms gets cut off, I might give up, you never know?"

Yoon Jong gritted his teeth, and the tension in his jaw muscles became apparent.

As the two faced each other, exposing their swords, a bewildered Baek Sang raised his voice.

"W-Why on earth are both of you doing this!"

It was a sight that was utterly incomprehensible.

** * *

Thunk.

A neatly crushed head fell cleanly to the ground.

The body, now without a head, convulsed for a moment, as if still alive. Although it was a truly gruesome sight, no one here found it terrifying, scary, or repulsive.

People might fear a weasel at times, but in front of a tiger, no one fears the weasel.

An existence more fearsome than death renders that death meaningless.

"Hmm."

Jang Ilso raised his pale fingers. Examining his well-maintained fingernails, he casually turned over blood-soaked hands, then gently lowered his head.

Blood was splattered on his white face.

"Perhaps... another dissatisfied person? Anyone? If so, raise your hand."

Let alone raising their hands, no one even dared to meet his eyes. They couldn't bow down or prostrate themselves. Even the smallest action could become a cause for losing their lives.

Amid the breath-holding, Jang Ilso licked his lips.

"Tsk tsk. If you're this weak, it's inevitable."

Then he looked down. The body, which had stopped convulsing, was now cooling down.

Not long ago, this person was voicing complaints loudly here. Jang Ilso, who had rarely gone on patrol, approached without anyone noticing.

"But still, this one has some courage. I like these kinds of kids."

"...."

"Anyone else dissatisfied? Really none?"

No one answered. Jang Ilso chuckled.

"All right. Then go. Guard your seat well."

"Yes!"

Those who answered as if their lives depended on it hastily left their positions.

An air of uneasiness settled in the place where only Jang Ilso and the corpse remained.

Thump.

Watching the scene unfold, Ho Gakmyung approached. He then extended a silk cloth he had prepared.

"I'm sorry."

"Hmm? What for?"

"...I failed to properly control it, and this happened."

"Tsk tsk. Gakmyung-ah. How can there be no dissatisfaction when I'm keeping energetic kids like them here? Accumulating dissatisfaction is only natural."

A momentary doubt flickered in Ho Gakmyung's eyes. Why did you kill him even though you understood?

Without waiting for the question, Jang Ilso responded to the unspoken doubt.

"You're saying interesting things. That I got scared and stopped moving, that my belly is full of oil, so I won't try to fight anymore."

At that moment, Ho Gakmyung's eyes became astonishingly cold. The way he stared at the dead person seemed like he wanted to murder him again, even if it was just a corpse.

From Ho Gakmyung's perspective, sometimes Jang Ilso was excessively merciful.

If it had been Ho Gakmyung who heard those outrageous remarks, the offender would not have died so cleanly.

"There is no need to look with such scary eyes. Because I don't feel bad at all."

"....Yes?"

"It's somewhat fortunate. Because there was kid like that."

Jang Ilso laughed leisurely.

"I was planning to catch a suitable kid and make an example of them today. Fortunately, someone who committed a sin was here, so there was no need to kill a perfectly good one. It's a blessing."

Even the great Ho Gakmyung was somewhat taken aback by these words.

"...May I ask for the reason?"

Jang Ilso moved slowly. He seemed to stroll leisurely.

"Because it's about time for it to be forgotten."

A bright smile appeared.

"Who I am. To whom their lives belong to, whose orders they follow."

"...."

"Human beings are interesting, aren't they? Even if you know something well today, tomorrow can be different. Even if you know it, you have to realize it again, and even if you don't know it, you have to have it engraved. Otherwise, chaos will eventually erupt."

Ho Gakmyung nodded in understanding.

The only difference lied in the method; it was a method often used regardless.

For instance, giving more severe punishment when the discipline of a martial arts school is disturbed, or deliberately seeking those who have committed sins.

"Do you know why people commit such errors?"

"....I'm not sure."

"In the end, it's because people believe their own thoughts are the most correct. No matter who the other person is."

"...."

"So even those foolish idiots think their thoughts are more correct than mine. If it were me, I would have already charged in and cut the enemy's throat, but that Ryeonju is so foolish that he's making a mistake, or something like that."

"It's just their dullness."

"So, it's fortunate."

"....Yes?"

Jang Ilso's mouth curled up. The blood, not completely wiped away, was spreading on his face. Ho Gakmyung had goosebumps for a moment.

"You have to make them aware and remember. That they should just follow, that's enough. Then there won't be any problems. But... think about it. What if I can't do that in time?"

"....Each person believes their own thoughts are the most correct."

"Right. And in the midst of that, scattering those dull ones around?"

"Well...."

Jang Ilso nodded slowly.

"Yes. Then, you end up with several leaders. They believe in their own thoughts, each presenting their own justifications. Even believing that it's a path for each other. Isn't it amusing?"

A chill ran down Ho Gakmyung's spine.

Could it be...?

"It's called an alliance. Such a nice word. People with different perspectives and backgrounds gather for one value."

"Yes."

"Truly amusing."

Jang Ilso laughed cunningly. The light-colored eyes emitted a eerie glow.

"Those who were oppressed by the abilities of others are now acting as if they have some remarkable ambition. Those who believed others' decisions were their own, believed others' preparations were their own, will eventually show their true faces when a sword pressed against their neck."

Ho Gakmyung's gaze naturally turned towards the north.

"Because they made a choice."

"...."

"Making choices means weighing values and distinguishing between right and wrong. Even those who believed they were of one mind, if they continue to make choices repeatedly, they eventually realize each other's differences."

"The world calls it division."

"Yes, that's right."

Jang Ilso grinned.

"People exist to divide. There's only one way to prevent that."

Jang Ilso coldly dissected the corpse.

"Make them realize they are not creatures that make choices."

Ho Gakmyung nodded in agreement.

"But they won't be ignorant of this situation."

"Right, they probably know. So they'll try to rectify it. But, you know."

Jang Ilso grinned cunningly.

"What if those moments of choice come one after another?"

Even Ho Gakmyung could clearly understand the answer.

"So... you shouldn't trust people so much."

Jang Ilso's eyes had a strange intensity.

"Let's take a look. How deep of a pit can those who rely on the meager emotion called trust fall into?"

Ho Gakmyung trembled slightly without realizing it.

Incomprehensible, yet eerie.

'Trust...'

As far as Ho Gakmyung knew, Jang Ilso had never trusted anyone in the world. But this deep-seated hatred...

A deep shadow of suspicion fell upon Ho Gakmyung's face as he looked at Jang Ilso.