Chapter 1415: If You Truly Desired It, You Should Have Seized It (Part 4)

"...No."

A voice, as if in agony, escaped in an instant.

Everyone's complexion turned pale, and Tang Gunak's expression was stiff as iron.

Jang Ilso was heading towards the Sichuan Tang Family. Was there anyone here who couldn't understand the significance of that?

Certainly, something dreadful was about to happen.

"What, what should we do?"

A bewildered voice tinged with confusion emerged from Jo Gol's mouth. However, there was no one to answer his question.

"No! It shouldn't be like this..."

"Gol-ah, calm down for now."

"Calm down? Is this a situation to calm down? Do you not understand what it means for Jang Ilso to go to the Tang Family?"

Red veins appeared in Jo Gol's eyes.

Even if Jo Gol heard the news that Jang Ilso was heading to Mount Hua, he wouldn't be this flustered. Of course, it might be agonizing as if cutting one's own intestines, but that could be endured.

The history of the ancestors was still preserved in the remaining temples on Mount Hua, and it would be undoubtedly a horrific sight to see those halls burning... But at the end, they were just halls.

But the Tang Family was different.

The Tang Family was a village where those connected by a single bloodline lived. Beyond the people here, there were hundreds of family members who had firmly stayed there. Haven't they already seen how they lived?

Those who created poisons, those who designed hidden weapon techniques, and those who would eventually become the proud warriors of the Tang Family and fight together. All of them were gathered at the site Jang Ilso was heading to right now.

All of them might lose their lives at once in this situation.

"Let's go!"

Jo Gol shouted like a demon.

"What are you all doing? We need to go right now! Let's go to Sichuan. If we hurry, we might be able to stop it!"

"Gol-ah, calm down for now!"

"Ah, damn it! Now is not the time to calm down, Sahyung!"

Jo Gol glared fiercely at Yoon Jong without waiting for a response. He even rudely brushed off Yoon Jong's hand resting on his shoulder.

Yoon Jong sighed heavily instead of getting angry.

"It's already too late. We..."

"What kind of weak talk is that! So, because it's too late, are we just going to watch?"

When Jo Gol stared fiercely, Yoon Jong tightly sealed his lips.

In fact, what Jo Gol was asserting right now was nothing more than a rebellious outburst driven by anger. But Yoon Jong couldn't blame him. How could he not understand that sentiment?

"That's also Soso's home!"

Everyone's gaze turned to Tang Soso.

The face of Tang Soso, who bit her lip and remained silent, was pale.

Her face, always bright no matter what happened, was now so pitifully sorrowful that it was painful to look at.

Jo Gol clenched his fist and shouted.

"If no one goes, I'll go alone!"

"Hey, you punk! Right now..."

"I'm going too."

At that moment, someone lent strength to Jo Gol's words.

"We can go."

"Baek Cheon Dojang."

Namgung Dowi turned to look at Baek Cheon, who spoke firmly even though he was half-dead.

"It might not be too late. We have to go right now."

"...This is absurd. Do you know how far it is from here to Sichuan? And rushing across the river now will lead to annihilation. Su Lo Chae's vanguard hasn't fully retreated yet."

Im Sobyeong weakly protested, shaking his head. However, Baek Cheon's gaze remained unchanged.

"If we can't cross the river, then don't."

"...Huh?"

Baek Cheon's gaze shifted towards the direction of the overwhelming force of the Evil Tyrant Alliance that was withdrawing.

"Why not break through?"

"..."

"If the goal is to reach Sichuan, there's no need to cross the river. We can reach Sichuan by riding along the river."

"Baek Cheon."

Eventually, even Hyun Jong's voice sounded tired, as if dissuading him.

Was he really thinking of fighting in such a situation, even after seeing that massive force?

"We must go."

"For now, let's calm down..."

"Does it look like I'm worked up right now?"

At those words, Hyun Jong closed his mouth.

Baek Cheon's words were not wrong. There was no trace of agitation in him. 

"The people in Sichuan are also our allies. We shouldn't abandon allies just because the situation is difficult."

Everyone fell silent, staring at Baek Cheon.

A hundred times over, it was an impossible task. Even if they set off immediately and gave their all, by the time they reached Sichuan, the Tang Family would likely be wiped out.

And even if there was time, attempting to break through the Evil Tyrant Alliance and head to Sichuan would entail significant losses.

Baek Cheon knew this fact. However, he still insisted on it.

What could be said in front of that?

Even someone who had become a wreck still wanted to fight.

"...There's no time to discuss opinions. I will clear the way, so, Maengju-nim, gather support and follow behind."

"Baek Cheon, you..."

Baek Cheon had no more words to say and it was time to clutch his sword tightly.

"Calm down, Deputy Sect Leader."

A voice grabbed Baek Cheon's back. Even someone like Baek Cheon couldn't ignore this voice.

The owner of that voice was Tang Gunak.

"Settle your excitement. If you can't see reality properly, you'll make irreversible mistakes."

Truly a cold statement, but how could one blame someone discussing such matters when faced with impending disaster?

"If the opponent is Paegun, rushing now is already too late."

The face of Tang Gunak was too calm. When Baek Cheon urgently shouted,

"But... but we have to do something, don't we?"

"What if that's what the Evil Tyrant Alliance wants?"

For a moment, Baek Cheon's hand trembled slightly. Tang Soso rebuked him with a calm voice.

"Even if your anger is following Paegun's intentions, can you speak as you do now?"

"That's..."

Baek Cheon couldn't continue speaking and bit his lip tightly.

It was an unreasonable thing. How could one manipulate even a person's emotions according to one's own intentions?

But the problem was that the opponent was Jang Ilso. It was an unreasonable situation, but it felt like he held even people's emotions in his grasp.

Tang Gunak looked behind and spoke.

"Ho Gakmyung hasn't arrived yet."

"..."

"Maegnju-nim. First, join forces with Shaolin and then, we have to cross the river. We don't know what will happen here."

"Gaju-nim..."

For a moment, a pitiful light flashed on Hyun Jong's face.

"Maengju-nim."

However, Tang Gunak did not blink an eye. She seemed to know what Hyun Jong wanted to say.

"Please do not disregard the Tang Family."

"..."

"Even if they don't focus on martial arts, the Tang Family is still the Tang Family. It is not a place to be feared because it is strong, but a place where strong people gather."

Those words made everyone tremble slightly.

"Even if they weren't martial artists, those with the Tang surname live there. Without us worrying, they will find a way to escape."

Various emotions flashed on Hyun Jong's face.

He knew what Tang Gunak meant with his words. He knew it was what he had to do.

But, he couldn't bring himself to nod.

How could a person do such a thing? He didn't even know if those words were entirely sincere.

Hyun Jong continued to bite his lips, unable to say anything, and Tang Gunak, looking at Meng So with a firm expression, said:

"Palace Lord."

"Uh, yes. Please speak."

"Please lead us. Now, only the Palace Lord can make a proper judgment here."

At those words, the Beast Palace Lord made a clicking sound with his tongue.

"Are you really okay?"

Tang Gunak stared silently at Meng So without answering. Understanding the meaning in his eyes, Meng So sighed deeply.

Wouldn't it be an insult to add more words to a warrior who had already prepared himself?

"It's okay."

And the answer to Meng So's question came not from Tang Gunak but from Tang Soso.

"...Because everyone is exceptional, they will find a way to escape. Definitely."

Tang Pae nodded.

"It's not easy to break through the defenses and traps of the Tang Family. There must be a way."

Everyone knew it. Even if they didn't admit it.

No matter how much the Sichuan Tang Family were masters of poison and hidden weapons, it would be difficult to stand against the Evil Tyrant Alliance without the elite present here.

But no one pointed out that fact.

After a long silence, Meng So spoke.

"For now..."

He looked down for a moment. The Great Sects, who had crossed the Yangtze River and appeared as the Evil Tyrant Alliance retreated, were stepping on the desolate ground.

"For now... let's join them. It's right to discuss together. The Tang Family are not the only ones in crisis; they will be anxious too."

Some people nodded.

It wasn't the Heavenly Comrade Alliance on fire. Qincheng and the Emei were the first targets of the Evil Tyrant Alliance.

"Maengju-nim!"

"...I understand."

Hyun Jong also nodded. He knew there was no other way now.

"Let's go."

Hyun Jong stepped forward and struck the ground of Nanjing, towards the place the Evil Tyrant Alliance had just stepped on.

Other members of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance also followed behind.

Yoon Jong's small voice was heard in Jo Gol's ears as he kicked the ground, grinding his teeth.

"Gol-ah, are you okay?"

"...What are you saying?"

"...Aren't they near the Tang Family?"

Jo Gol closed his mouth.

Right. It was right in front of the Tang Family. Sa Haesangdan, where his family was.

"You..."

"Right now, that's not important."

Jo Gol cut it off, increased his speed a bit more, and went ahead. Seeing his back, Yoon Jong bit his lips tightly.

'Jang Ilso!'

Yoon Jong never dreamed that he would hate someone so much in his life.

'How far are you going to go?'

When he turned his gaze, the unconscious Chung Myung appeared again.

'Please...'

He knew.

It was cruel, even crueler to ask Chung Myung for more in this situation.

But even so, Yoon Jong had no choice but to ask for it.

Even if he couldn't wish for a sword swing, just knowing that he was conscious could bring comfort to countless people.

Before Yoon Jong could finish his regretful thoughts, Hyun Jong faced the temple that had crossed the river.

"...Bangjang."

Beopjeong, wet from the river, confirmed that the Evil Tyrant Alliance forces were retreating and looked at Hyun Jong. Then he asked.

"How do you feel?"

Hyun Jong, who couldn't speak for a moment, opened his mouth with force.

"The Evil Tyrant... Sichuan..."

"...How do you feel?"

Beopjeong's gaze was chillingly cold.

"Do you know what it feels like to sacrifice others as a price for your own cruelty!?"

The roar of the furious Beopjeong struck Hyun Jong's ears.