Chapter 1418: Even If It Seemed Meaningless (Part 3)

"Did you say Diancang?"

"That's right."

Hyun Jong stared intently at Beopgye, as if trying to gauge the truth behind the words.

'What's their intention?'

It wasn't because what Beopgye said was an unreasonable request.

Anyone suffering under the oppression of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, no matter who it was, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance would do its best to rescue them. Beopjeong knew this, so Hyun Jong couldn't easily guess the reason for specifically mentioning 'Diancang.'

"Bangjang..."

"I'm just conveying the Bangjang's words. If the Heavenly Comrade Alliance agrees, we are willing to risk our lives and open the way."

Before Hyun Jong could say anything, Beopgye added with a somewhat stern face,

"However, if too much power leaves this place at once, it becomes dangerous. You understand that, right?"

Hyun Jong nodded slowly in agreement.

If everyone here were to suddenly leave under the pressure of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, Ho Gakmyung would undoubtedly lead the remaining members and target the ones left behind. To prevent such danger, as much power as possible must be left here.

"The only ones who can leave are at most two sects."

Hyun Jong twitched at Beopgye's words.

"That's all we can offer."

"...Two sects."

"How about it?"

Hyun Jong clenched his fist hidden in his sleeve.

In reality, considering the enemies they had to face, it could be called 'only' two sects. However, if they could join forces with those in Sichuan, it wouldn't be a hopeless situation. Despite that, Hyun Jong was uneasy about their intentions. Why was Beopjeong offering such help now?

At that moment, Beopgye spoke.

"Maengju-nim, please don't doubt the Bangjang's intentions too much."

"Elder..."

Beopgye shook his head quietly.

"I understand Maengju-nim's suspicion. However, this situation is not solely the concern of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. We also need to rescue those in Sichuan by any means necessary, don't we?"

Beopgye chuckled with a self-deprecating tone.

It was ironic even as he spoke. Since when had there been a division between those who had to be saved by Shaolin and those who didn't need to be saved?

Despite sensing that something was wrong, Beopgye tried to ignore that feeling.

"Considering the difficult situation for us to move directly, we just want to borrow the strength of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. What do you think?"

Hyun Jong closed his eyes slowly.

He couldn't tell. Even though Beopgye said this, Hyun Jong didn't think that Beopjeong was helping them without any ulterior motive. People don't change so easily.

But even if he had different intentions, could they afford to miss this opportunity?

Hyun Jong looked around at his disciples. Everyone's eyes conveyed the same message.

Eventually, Hyun Jong calmly spoke to Beopgye.

"We will go."

"I thought you would. Which sect do you plan to mobilize?"

"Of course, it's the Tang Family."

In reality, saying that the Tang Family couldn't go to Sichuan at this moment was too harsh. Even if they arrived late and only confirmed the remains of the burned Tang Family, it should be the Tang Family who confirmed those remains first.

"Then the other sect... No, there's no need to ask. I was foolish."

Beopgye nodded.

It was an obvious statement. Although it was said that they gathered as the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, there was always only one sect that rushed to the most urgent place.

"Obviously, it's Mount Hua."

"That's right."

Beopgye nodded.

"I will convey the Maengju-nim's words. Then, I'll take my leave."

Beopgye turned around with the typical posture of a Shaolin monk.

No, he tried to turn around. However, something seemed to weigh on his mind, so he hesitated and turned back. He looked at Hyun Jong with a complex gaze and spoke.

"...Maengju-nim."

"Please speak."

"As a Buddhist, not a disciple of Shaolin, I humbly request. If there are others suffering there, not just Diancang... please help them."

Hyun Jong silently faced him.

This person crossed the river of his own will. To help the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and prevent the collapse of Kangho. Was there truly no ulterior motive in his heart?

While the relationship between Heavenly Comrade Alliance and the Ten Great Sects had already deteriorated, with individuals like him, there might be a chance to mend that relationship someday.

"Of course, we will do so."

As Hyun Jong spoke, Beopgye deeply bowed and turned away again.

In Beopgye's turned eyes, deep emotions settled.

'You never know.'

He didn't view the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and the Mount Hua Sect favorably, not because he followed the will of Beopjeong, but because he believed that the zeal and excessive enthusiasm of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance could distort things.

However, at this moment, Beopgye realized something as he sent Mount Hua to Sichuan.

The fact that when someone was in danger, the sect you would most want to be there was none other than Mount Hua. Beopgye acknowledged this, even though he didn't express it openly.

"Amitabhul. If you move first, we will respond."

As Beopgye unfolded his kasaya and moved away, Im Sobyeong's sharp voice echoed.

"Do you really think Shaolin's Bangjang genuinely wants to send us with goodwill?"

"Nokrim King."

"If our Heavenly Comrade Alliance can create a situation where we rescue Diancang in Sichuan, Shaolin won't lose anything as Shaolin. We can handle things in our own way without staining our hands with blood. And besides!"

As Im Sobyeong's voice intensified, Hyun Jong calmly intervened.

"I guess you're implying that if Mount Hua and the Tang Family end up fighting against Paegun, there'd be nothing better."

Im Sobyeong, with a stern face, asked.

"Did you know?"

"I'm not that foolish. I may not know strategies, but I understand human emotions. But..."

Hyun Jong glanced sideways at Tang Gunak, who was visibly agitated. Even though he was keeping his emotions in check, it was clear that he was still burning inside.

"I've never heard of parents calculating losses when saving their children."

At that moment, Im Sobyeong saw it. Tang Gunak tightly clenching his fist, ready to strike when he opened his eyes. 

"And Mount Hua is... the Heavenly Comrade Alliance is not a place to debate the gains and losses of friendship."

All disciples of Mount Hua nodded in agreement.

"What will you do? Will you stop us?"

At Hyun Jong's question, Im Sobyeong shrugged and turned to look at one side.

"If that damned bastard was dead, I don't know, but if he's still alive? He'll go crazy saying he'll kill as soon as he opens his eyes."

"...Well."

"Understand that I have no choice but to try my best. This is my role. By the way, are you not taking me with you? It would be helpful."

Hyun Jong shook his head at Im Sobyeong's teasing.

"The situation here is just as dangerous. Wouldn't it be difficult to deal with them without you?"

Im Sobyeong nodded silently. He didn't know what Ho Gakmyung would do, so he had to stay here.

At that moment, Im Sobyeong spoke with a serious expression. It was a sincere voice.

"If it's dangerous, even if you have to use any means, you must withdraw your feet."

"I will keep that in mind."

Hyun Jong turned his head and looked at everyone.

"Palace Lord."

"Yes, Maengju-nim."

"I entrust this place to you."

Meng So sighed deeply, like someone who had received a heavy burden.

"Yes. Don't worry. We will definitely cross the river without any sacrifices. As soon as we cross the river, we will head to Sichuan as well, so just wait here."

"Thank you."

Before Hyun Jong could say more, Kim Yang Baek spoke first.

"I will protect this place."

"Sect Leader..."

Kim Yang Baek's face was extremely pale, but the smile on his lips was gentle.

"It's just regrettable not to see you again. I entrust Southern Island to you, Maengju-nim."

Hyun Jong closed his eyes and nodded.

There were so many things he wanted to say and so many things he needed to say, but there was no time.

At this moment, Sichuan was likely covered in blood.

In some ways, it didn't matter whether their struggle was futile or not.

'We are the ones making these futile struggles.'

Hyun Jong cast a determined gaze at Tang Gunak.

"Lord, let's go. Time is of the essence."

Tang Gunak nodded. Only then did the Tang Family disciples, who had been desperately suppressing their emotions, release a groan as if a roar was building up.

"Mount Hua!"

"Yes, Great Sect Leader!"

"Make haste! We're heading to Sichuan!"

"Yes!"

Checking the condition of the Five Swords, Hyun Jong closed his eyes tightly and turned his body.

"Depart!"

And he ran straight towards the Yangtze River. Following him, the key figures of the Mount Hua Sect, the Tang Family, and the Heavenly Comrade Alliance rushed forward with a fierce momentum.

"Commander! They're moving!"

The report flew into his ears. Ho Gakmyung's eyes, cold as ice, stared ahead. Familiar figures heading towards the Yangtze River were visible.

"Now, the Su Lo Chae..."

"Leave it."

"Yes?"

The surprised officer looked at Ho Gakmyung. A doubtful expression crossed his face, suspecting he heard Ho Gakmyung wrong. But Ho Gakmyung nodded, proving that his hearing was not faulty.

"There's no need to block them."

"C-Comander..."

Ho Gakmyung simply watched as Mount Hua and the Tang Family jumped into the Yangtze River. Also, the movements of Ten Great Sects surrounding them.

"...Beopjeong."

Ho Gakmyung muttered quietly.

What he had to do was to capture as many people here as possible without casualties. If Beopjeong's and Ho Gakmyung's intentions matched, there was no need to refuse.

If a truce was reached in exchange for sending Mount Hua and the Tang Family, it would not be a bad deal. No, on the contrary...

"What a despicable person. In this situation..."

A rare smile appeared on the corner of Ho Gakmyung's lips.

Was there really any meaning in distinguishing between the righteous and the evil?

In the end, they were just skins, and their actions were no different. Just as Jang Ilso said, the insides of humans were universally despicable.

Chung Myung still hadn't regained consciousness and was nestled in Tang Gunak's arms. Ho Gakmyung's eyes, who had been watching this, showed a complex emotion.

'Plum Blossom Sword Demon.'

In the end, Chung Myung slipped out of his grasp like this.

From Southern Island to here, he missed the enemy who tried to kill him with everything he had.

But Ho Gakmyung's insides weren't as painful as expected.

It wasn't a failure.

If he didn't push the Plum Blossom Sword Demon to the limit, if that man was conscious, the situation wouldn't have come this far. He didn't want to admit it, but that man was the only person in the world who could be Jang Ilso's opponent. He realized it at some point, even if it was late. So his sacrifice, even the sacrifice of ordinary people, must be valued.

It was just regrettable. 

Grit.

Ho Gakmyung clenched his teeth.

If the place he aimed for by piercing through that hell was Sichuan, then Ho Gakmyung would never see him again.

No matter how much the Plum Blossom Sword Demon soared into the sky, the demonic calamity caused by Jang Ilso would undoubtedly cover even that sky.