Chapter 1154: Well, If It's Absolutely Necessary (Part 4)

"Ahem..."

Tang Gunak let out a loud cough. If you thought about it even a little, you could picture what Beopjeong was thinking right now.

"Well, then what about Shaolin..."

"They'll handle it themselves. Why should we bother with them?"

Closing his eyes tightly at those words, Tang Gunak asked again, subtly.

"But if what you're saying is true, then wouldn't we only be able to leave the Yangtze River if they vacate their seats first?"

"Ah, it's not necessarily like that. In fact, we've already gained everything we need. Even if we leave, it doesn't matter."

"Huh? Earlier, you said it depends on their decision?"

"That's a different story. If we keep doing this, those bastards won't be able to escape."

"...Really?"

Chung Myung nodded with a grin.

"Even if we just sit idly by, those guys are dying. Why should we get up first? We have to hold out until they're on the brink of death."

"..."

"In the first place, the purpose of a fight isn't to win. It's to make those bastards look pathetic and die."

Looking at Chung Myung, Tang Gunak thought again.

'It's a relief we're not enemies.'

If he had made a wrong move and become enemies with that human when they first met, Tang Gunak would be in the situation Beopjeong was facing now. If he had done that, it wouldn't have ended with just a hole in his stomach.

"So let's ignore them. There's nothing they can do by just glaring at us. Actually, the real problem right now is not the Evil Tyrant Alliance but the Righteous Sects. For a while, all they can do is complain from a distance and grumble. Because stirring up trouble now would not be good for public opinion."

"That's true..."

Public opinion doesn't provide actual power, but it subtly pushes people's backs. Especially when there's no justification, actions are often distorted by public opinion.

Moreover, if Beopjeong prioritized dignity and justification he wouldn't be able to move no matter what the Heavenly Comrade Alliance did for a while.

'But...'

Tang Gunak was a careful person. He pondered again, speaking cautiously.

"It's not something to be completely relieved about."

"Yes?"

"Right now, the saying that 'they can't move' is ultimately not much different from saying 'they will move someday.' And, based on what I know of Beopjeong, when the time comes, something truly enormous..."

Tang Gunak paused and closed his mouth. A embarrassed expression flashed across his face.

Chung Myung, who slightly narrowed his eyes while looking at him, took over and finished his sentence.

"You mean they'll show up as enemies?"

Tang Gunak couldn't bring himself to answer either way. Whatever he said here would have a tremendous impact, given the magnitude of the words uttered in this place.

'Enemies?'

Until now, Tang Gunak had engaged in conflicts with Shaolin from the perspective of Heavenly Comrade Alliance. Sometimes supporting Mount Hua and at other times acting according to his will.

However, the actions he had taken so far were merely extensions of conflicts between factions, and he had not truly recognized the Ten Great Sects or the Five Great Families as genuine enemies. Yet, today, the word 'enemy' almost casually slipped from his lips.

Especially against Shaolin.

'Is this really okay?'

Unconsciously, his perception had changed. Perhaps the lack of a clear stance on how Heavenly Comrade Alliance should deal with the Ten Great Sects had led to this.

"…Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword."

"Yes, Gaju-nim."

"There's something I want to ask...."

At that, Chung Myung shrugged.

"I know what you want to say, but this doesn't seem like the right place, does it?"

Seeing Chung Myung, who seemed to understand his intentions like a ghost, Tang Gunak smiled bitterly.

"Well, yes."

"Well, isn't it actually up to them, not us? If you've been watching, you'll know that I've never made a move against them first."

"..."

"Why are you like this?"

"Well, it's just..."

Tang Gunak, who had intended to say something, burst into laughter.

"Well, people have different perspectives, after all."

"It's fortunate that you understand."

It was better to just not think about it. 

"Let's put that aside for now."

Those who understood and those who didn't all nodded at the words. Chung Myung shifted his gaze.

"So."

"Hmm?"

Suddenly targeted, Baek Cheon blinked in confusion.

"Also."

"...Why are you suddenly doing this to me?"

"Because it seems like we're the only ones talking right now. Don't you have anything to say? Surely, you've had some thoughts."

Unable to answer with 'I had no thoughts at all,' Baek Cheon awkwardly justified himself.

"Even if I don't say anything, well...."

"Ah, someone is going to step up and do it for you?"

Chung Myung said in a nonchalant tone.

"We've been talking about it all along."

"Huh?"

"When you enter a war, there's no time to wait for someone to give orders. You have to judge and act immediately. Even a moment of hesitation in making a decision can result in someone's death."

Although he spoke in a nonchalant manner, the meaning behind his words was significant.

'So, he's trying to make it natural for us to think, judge, and express our opinions on a daily basis.'

Thinking that even this trivial meeting was preparation for war, a sense of tension and slight discomfort welled up simultaneously.

"Well, since we're on the topic... small and medium-sized sects."

"Why them? What I said earlier was just..."

"No. Not that. I mean, rather than waiting for them to actively join the Heavenly Comrade Alliance when war breaks out, wouldn't it be better for us to actively seek their incorporation?"

"Oh?"

Chung Myung looked at Baek Cheon as if he found it amusing.

"Why?"

"That's what we've been talking about. If Heavenly Comrade Alliance doesn't get its structure together properly, they might end up not knowing whom to follow. But if you think about it conversely, if we haven't familiarized ourselves with who they are in advance, wouldn't it be difficult for us to give appropriate instructions?"

"Oh..."

"Wow..."

In response to Yoon Jong and Jo Gol's strong reactions, Baek Cheon's narrowed his eyes slightly.

"What? Why?"

"Oh, no, Sasuk. We're not laughing at you...."

"It just feels like I haven't heard words like that from Sasuk in a long time."

"...."

"Come to think of it, Sasuk used to be like this."

"I once heard rumors that he would lead the Mount Hua Sect. Now he's just a local bully..." 

"....I think it'd be better for you to shut up that damn snout, don't you?"

"Yup!"

Jo Gol immediately closed his mouth. Baek Cheon gritted his teeth. In the midst of this, Yoo Iseol, who nodded silently as if agreeing, spoke up.

"It's not a bad idea."

"Actually, just waiting was a bit passive."

Various opinions supporting the idea came from all directions. Especially Tang Gunak and Meng So showed positive reactions.

"It's definitely important to accurately identify those who need to be led."

"If what Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword said is true, most of them seem to trust the Ten Great Sects a little more, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to open their eyes and take action before they are taken away. It's good to take the initiative before they naturally accept the Ten Great Sects again, given the current public sentiment."

"Yeah. I think the same. Baek Cheon came up with a good idea."

Baek Cheon's shoulders felt stronger for the first time in a while.

Having been recognized amongst a gathering of the top-ranked members of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, he felt like some of the confidence he once possessed in the past had returned.

"Yeah, this is it..."

"Sigh. It's meaningless."

As his confidence returned, a voice cut through. Baek Cheon turned around, and there was Im Sobyeong still leaning against the wall, smiling.

"Ah. I'm sorry, Baek Cheon Dojang. This one sometimes acts recklessly."

Seeing Im Sobyeong smirking and lightly tapping himself on the mouth, the simmering anger in Baek Cheon boiled even more.

"...Did you say it's meaningless?"

"Okay. Well, um... It's not that Baek Cheon Dojang's thoughts are wrong, but, how should I put it... constantly volunteering for headaches without gaining anything in return keeps crossing my mind. I'm well aware that it's the nature of mainstream faction members... Haha."

"Why do you see it as meaningless? In my view, it seems like something that would certainly be helpful."

"Help? Yes, it would be helpful, of course. Is there anything in this world that wouldn't be something helpful? Even if the people here were to go outside and to sweep their yards, it would certainly be beneficial to their lives."

Saying that doesn't help, you jerk.

Baek Cheon's stomach simmered. Handling Chung Myung alone was challenging enough, and now with Im Sobyeong present, it felt like his patience was being squeezed from both sides.

"If you think like that..."

"Can you ask for the reasons why? Of course, you can. Well, is it difficult to answer that?"

Im Sobyeong detached from the wall, adjusted his posture as he sat down, and naturally, the fan he held in his hand spread out with a rustle.

"Since the purpose of the meeting was lost from the beginning, these unnecessary opinions are coming up."

"...What?"

"We've solved one problem, so let's find another task. What's the overarching premise in front of everything?"

"Well... to efficiently organize the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and fight against the Evil Tyrant Alliance and other enemies..."

"That's the problem! That's it!"

Those who were nodding their heads in agreement with Im Sobyeong's words flinched.

"As long as you're talking about such vague things, the meeting is just going around in circles with useless discussions! It's wasting time!"

Those who were nodding their heads now fixed their heads, as if they had never nodded. Then, naturally, the Five Swords that had been nodding in agreement came to Im Sobyeong's side and started sending hostile glares to Baek Cheon.

A thousand emotions surged in Baek Cheon's chest.

'These ungrateful bastards...'

Someday, I'll join the Evil Tyrant Alliance and beat you all up someday. Seriously...

"It's not to fight against the Evil Tyrant Alliance."

Taak!

Im Sobyeong struck his palm with the folded fan.

"It's to win against the Evil Tyrant Alliance."

"... "

"People find comfort once they have something to do. It gives them a sense of security that they are not idling, but putting in effort. However, that sense of security can sometimes ruin people, as it leads them to engage in meaningless activities, wasting time."

"Hmm..."

"Let me ask you, then. Will establishing new positions help defeat the Evil Tyrant Alliance?"

Under Im Sobyeong's sharp gaze, Namgung Dowi seemed startled.

"Well..."

"And? If you join smaller factions and organize their forces, can you defeat the Evil Tyrant Alliance?"

"It's better than not doing anything..."

Baek Cheon also trailed off. He knew that it wouldn't have a significant impact on the overall situation.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk."

Taak!

Im Sobyeong hit his palm again with the folded fan again.

"With gentlemen like these leading the Heavenly Comrade Alliance!"

The faces of Namgung Dowi and Baek Cheon flushed with embarrassment. It was true that it was hard to argue against the words, but having Im Sobyeong, of all people, say it made them even more ashamed.

When in their lives would they ever listen to a scolding from an Evil Sect bastard?

"Still, Namgung Sogaju seems a bit better."

"Huh?"

Namgung Dowi looked surprised and glanced at Im Sobyeong. Could it be that this man was actually supporting him...

"The need for positions is indeed valid. Instead of wasting time gathering these people for meetings, it would be better to create a proper military position and put me there! Then, instead of struggling to use your bad heads, just do what I tell you to do, easy peasy!"

Im Sobyeong, hit by the flying wooden needle, rolled on the floor and crashed into the wall.

"Anyway, that Evil Sect bastard doesn't know when to stop, always crossing the line."

Chung Myung shook his head. Those who were staring blankly saw Hyun Jong retracting his hand with a slight smile.

Oh? Come to think of it, wasn't that needle originally over there near... by Maengju-nim's side...?

Uh...

"But it's not there isn't truth to his words."

Chung Myung shrugged and looked at the squirming Im Sobyeong.

"Okay, go ahead and blabber once. So, if we want to defeat the Evil Tyrant Alliance, what should we do?"

"Are you surrendering so easily?"

"Oh, you want to take more hits?"

"Ugh, screw it."

Im Sobyeong, wiping the blood flowing from his nose with his sleeve, straightened his posture with an air of arrogance.

Everyone stared at his mouth with nervous eyes.