Chapter 1158: The Sect Abandoned by All (Part 3)

[Well, guys, apparently "Gangbuk" means "north of the Yangtze River" and "Gangnam" means "south of the Yangtze River". I'll keep using the terms since they're more specific than "the north" or "the south". Besides, we're all used to them, right?]

No one could easily open their mouths. Those who seemed to have something to say opened their mouths but couldn't bring themselves to speak, only to close them again as if caught in a repetitive loop.

The impact of Im Sobyeong's words was significant.

"…the Southern Sea…"

"Breaking through Gangnam?"

Some people were astonished by the recklessness of Im Sobyeong's plan.

Gangnam was literally the territory of the Evil Tyrant Alliance. It had never been favorable to them in the past, and now it was a place stained with blood and hostility.

Supporting a sect located at the southernmost tip of such a place—was this realistically possible?

"How do we get a boat?"

"Supporting an island...It's not even an island in Gangbuk."

Someone focused on the location of the Southern Island, where the Southern Island Sect was based.

The Southern Sea was a familiar name to them, but at the same time, it was a name that seemed endlessly distant. There probably was not a person in Kangho who hadn't heard of the Southern Sea, but the number of people who had visited the Southern Island Sect in person could be counted on one hand.

In a sense, the Southern Island Sect was affiliated with the Ten Great Sects but felt more distant than the Outer Palaces.

"No, wait… This is only possible if they want our support in the first place If we go to Gangnam without thinking and they reject us, we might really end up isolated."

"That would be the worst."

And some people questioned whether they could trust the Southern Island Sect itself.

However, amidst different thoughts, the most powerful shared sentiment prevailed.

"The Ten Great Sects…"

The moment Chung Myung spoke, everyone in the room turned their heads to look at him. Chung Myung smiled strangely under the collective gazes.

"Are you saying it's possible for a large sect to leave the Ten Great Sects?"

"Yes, that's right."

"You're saying it's possible for them to leave the Ten Great Sects and enter the Heavenly Comrade Alliance on their own accord?"

"That's exactly it."

"Hmm."

Chung Myung tapped his cheek with a finger. Unlike his appearance, which seemed lost in deep thought, the conclusion came faster than expected.

"Just thinking about it…"

Chung Myung's lips twisted wickedly.

"Feels refreshing, doesn't it?"

This was something that didn't need much consideration in light of the potential consequences.

"If it's possible. Yes, if it really is possible, the impact would be tremendous. It's something that could turn the entire Central Plains upside down."

In the long history of Kangho, there had never been a sect that had voluntarily left its position in the Ten Great Sects. No, those who lived in Kangho might never even have considered such a thing happening.

The symbolic significance of the name "Ten Great Sects" was too tremendous.

The goal of every sect in Kangho was to occupy a seat in the Ten Great Sects or, at the very least, one of the Five Great Families. Even within the Mount Hua Sect, there were those who quietly awaited the day they could return to the Ten Great Sects. Of course, if it were the Ten Great Sects under the control of the Shaolin, they would reject the seat outright, but if the situation changed, there wouldn't be many openly refusing.

Thus, the name of the Ten Great Sects had been a symbol of the sects and the last bastion protecting the Central Plains.

But now...

"Do you hear the sound of cracks creeping into that solid foundation?"

The corners of Chung Myung's mouth curled up even more.

If, by some miracle, such a thing were to happen, the name 'Ten Great Sects' would no longer remain a symbol of the sects. Yes, if it really happened.

"Hmm."

Though Tang Gunak generally kept a stoic expression, his face looked more serious than usual. The situation had significant meaning.

"As the Nokrim King mentioned, if it happens...it would undoubtedly be a tremendous event."

Everyone nodded in agreement with that statement.

"The Southern Island Sect is not an ordinary force. It's one of the Ten Great Sects. At least, um..."

Tang Gunak's words trailed off, but Namgung Dowi, understanding what he was trying to say, completed the unfinished sentence.

"It's incomparable to the Namgung Family, who have lost over half of their power."

"...I didn't mean it that way."

"Don't worry, Gaju-nim. Facts are facts."

Namgung Dowi's gaze remained unwavering. He seemed to say, 'What's important is not the present but the future.' Seeing that gaze, Tang Gunak nodded.

"Comparing it to the Namgung Family might be excessive, but it's undoubtedly a fact that there aren't many sects in the world with such power. If we limit it to sects with the potential to ally with the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, it's especially so."

"Even if they hold the last seat of the Ten Great Sects?"

At Jo Gol's question, Tang Gunak nodded.

"The Southern Island Sect may be the last sect to join the Ten Great Sects, but its power can't be considered the lowest among the sects in the Ten Great Sects. Compared to a sect like Kunlun, which was almost destroyed by the Demonic Sect, it's much stronger."

"Ah, I see. But why...?"

"That's an obvious question."

Chung Myung answered instead of Tang Gunak.

"You can't just kick out the original sects from the Ten Great Sects because a stronger sect appears. That is against morals."

"But we got kicked out, didn't we?"

"Aaargh!"

As Chung Myung's eyes suddenly rolled back, everyone narrowed their eyes and glared at Jo Gol. Normally, they would have scolded Chung Myung for his fussy behavior, but in this particular instance, it was clear that Jo Gol was the one who had touched on a sensitive matter.

"Ah, no, I'm also from Mount Hua Sect, so it's okay for me to say such things..."

Jo Gol began, but Chung Myung interrupted.

"Gol-ah, just shut your mouth."

"Yep!"

As Jo Gol quickly shrank to a corner, Chung Myung clicked his tongue and spoke.

"...Anyways! No matter how you look at it, it's certain that there's no sect like the Southern Island Sect."

"That's right."

Tang Gunak also wholeheartedly agreed with this point.

"Power is power, but what's even more important than power is symbolism. It would be noteworthy for a sect the size of the Southern Island Sect to choose the Heavenly Comrade Alliance over the Ten Great Sects. Does anyone not understand the significance of that?"

The room fell eerily silent. So silent that the sound of someone swallowing dryly resonated like thunder.

"Of course... even if it's the Southern Island Sect, it's ultimately just one sect, so their declaration alone won't overturn the world. But at least..."

Tang Gunak's stern gaze scanned everyone in the room.

"The direction of the mainstream might be swayed a bit. Certainly."

Chung Myung placed his clasped hands behind his head and muttered bitterly.

"Already, with the Namgung Family entering Heavenly Comrade Alliance, perceptions have started to shift."

"Exactly."

Tang Gunak casually snapped his fingers, drawing everyone's attention as if to emphasize his point.

"Speaking frankly, though it might be awkward for me to say this...In fact, it's a bit difficult to categorize the Five Great Families and the Ten Great Sects on the same level. Of course, if it were the Namgung Family where the Sword Emperor was the head of the family, they could compete with any sect within the Ten Great Sects. However, other than that, it's challenging to compare other sects to the Ten Great Sects. The public perception is also that the Five Great Families aren't necessarily on the same level as the Ten Great Sects."

"That's true."

"Isn't that why it's meaningful? It would mean that the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, having surpassed the Five Great Families, is now embracing even the Ten Great Sects. Perhaps..."

A smile, similar to Chung Myung's, played on Tang Gunak's lips.

"Through this opportunity, Heavenly Comrade Alliance might surpass the status of the Ten Great Sects."

Those words were the final blow.

To surpass the Ten Great Sects.

For the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, it was a task that must be accomplished someday. However, at the same time, it was an incredibly distant and difficult topic to discuss.

But now, unexpectedly, the key to that puzzle was beginning to unravel.

"...If it really happens, what would happen?"

When Yoon Jong mumbled blankly, Jo Gol snorted and replied.

"What would happen? Steam would billow from the bald king's head. He'd become a heated stone!"

"...Could we possibly see Beopjeong dying of a mental illness for real?"

"In that case, the decision to transfer leadership will be certain. The head of Shaolin might change as well."

At that moment, Im Sobeong struck his fan loudly.

Everyone fell silent and turned to look at Im Sobeong struck. His right to speak, which had not been weak before, was now surpassing even Tang Gunak.

"It's not just that."

"Huh?"

"Tsk, tsk. Please think carefully. What is the biggest difference between the Ten Great Sects and the Heavenly Comrade Alliance?"

"Arrogance?"

"...True, but..."

Im Sobyeong sighed and continued.

"Why are the Ten Great Sects called the Ten Great Sects?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Because only ten sects can have that name. However, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance is not like that. The Heavenly Comrade Alliance does not have a limit on the number of sects it can incorporate, and its members don't have to be major sects either."

"Ah..."

"Until now, many sects sitting still, trying to keep an eye on the Ten Great Sect, but the moment the Heavenly Comrade Alliance's status surpasses the Ten Great Sects! No, even the moment we become equals, people's perception will change."

Swish!

Im Sobyeong laughed wickedly, covering half of his face with his fan.

"It would be better to be a proud member of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance than to be a subordinate of the Ten Great Sects."

"...."

"I already planned an amazing trick here, right?"

"A trick?"

"Nokrim! It's Nokrim! If the Heavenly Comrade Alliance didn't have Nokrim, most sects wouldn't have dared to come near the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. Even if we said we would accept everyone without discrimination, people would have thought it was just talk. But now, there are none other than the members of the Evil Sect inside the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, right?"

"...."

"Then everyone will think! Although they may be a bit lacking in strength, at least they'll get better treatment than those Evil Sect bastards, right?"

"....Mr. Nokrim King...? It's not wrong, but... can the Nokrim King say such things?"

"It's true, so what can I do? I'm not treated like a person just because I'm part of the Evil Sect, and if I feel like I'm being treated unfairly, I should have just been born into the Namgung family."

"But why have you been bothering us so much from before...?"

"That's right!"

Shwack!

Im Sobyeong raised his voice dramatically.

"Just one move! With just this one move, we can change the balance of power in the Central Plains. And if this one move can succeed!"

His eyes emitted a bright blue light.

"The Heavenly Comrade Alliance will have the minimum strength to fight against that Evil Tyrant Alliance. If only we can make this succeed. Do you understand?"

Those who didn't understand the situation up to this point didn't deserve to be here.

"We have to do it."

"We have to somehow make it happen."

"Then who will do it?"

At that moment, everyone was determined to make this happen.

A grumpy voice rang out.

"I'm against it."

"Huh?"

Everyone's eyes widened slightly.

The reason they were surprised was simple. It was because the one who opposed this task and took a stand against it was Chung Myung, who had seemed more determined and strong-willed than anyone else to drive the plan forward.