Chapter 1198: How On Earth Did You Endure This? (Part 3)

"Well... No, Deputy Sect Leader."

Tang Gunak, with a slightly bewildered voice, spoke, then let out a deep sigh as he barely regained his composure.

"I do agree with Deputy Sect Leader's argument that we should head to the Southern Sea."

There was no room for disagreement there.

The Heavenly Comrade Alliance had already resolved to take a different path from the Ten Great Sects, and at its core lay the clear intention to head to the Southern Sea. If they had hesitated to go to the Southern Sea then, their words in the negotiation with Beopjeong would have been dismissed as mere lip service.

So this was only natural.

"And I'm aware that the situation in the Southern Island Sect is not stable. If possible, it would have been better to hurry. However, rushing and being hasty are not the same thing."

Baek Cheon also nodded in agreement with those words.

"Going to the Southern Island Sect is not an easy task. We will have to go through the heart of Gangnam. Obviously, thorough preparation and precautions are necessary. Being too hasty may lead us to make mistakes, don't you think?"

"I fully agree with the Gaju-nim's words."

Baek Cheon nodded, looking at Tang Gunak.

"To minimize sacrifice, to reduce damage, we needed sufficient preparation."

"But why..."

"That's precisely why."

"Hmm?"

Tang Gunak, who didn't quite understand Baek Cheon's meaning for a moment, tilted his head slightly. Then, Baek Cheon calmly explained.

"Right now, the best way to reduce damage is to hurry as much as possible."

"...Are you talking about the Southern Island Sect?"

"No."

Baek Cheon answered immediately without a hint of hesitation.

"Of course, shortening the time will also help the Southern Island Sect. But the reason we truly need to hurry was not because of the Southern Island Sect but because of those who need to go to Gangnam."

"...Explain in more detail."

"We didn't start discussing going to the Southern Sea yesterday or today. Even if only a few within the alliance discussed it, words tend to spread sooner or later, don't they?"

Tang Gunak nodded as if acknowledging that Baek Cheon had a point.

"And recently, even Bangjang has become aware of our intentions. The Bangjang also needed to explain to others why the negotiation failed, so there is a high probability that there will be discussions about it."

Tang Gunak understood only then, nodding as if he grasped Baek Cheon's explanation.

"Your words mean that our journey to the Southern Sea might be known by the Evil Tyrant Alliance."

"Yes, that's correct. Of course, I don't distrust those with whom I've shared the information. But words are like water; they can't be kept contained forever. Even without malice. No, it is precisely because there is no malice that they can easily leak out."

Tang Gunak's expression became slightly serious. It was because Baek Cheon's words seemed reasonable.

'The Evil Tyrant Alliance...'

If the Shaolin hadn't intervened, the situation might have been different. However, their journey to the Southern Sea would be harder to conceal.

"Awkward, isn't it?"

From the Heavenly Comrade Alliance's current perspective, the land of Gangnam was practically enemy territory. But what if the Evil Tyrant Alliance became aware of their journey to the South Sea?

'Enemy territory could become death territory.'

Tang Gunak, with a hardened face, looked at Baek Cheon.

"Deputy Sect Leader."

"Yes, Elder."

"I understand Deputy Sect Leader's words. However, there is a genuine concern. While it seems reasonable to hurry because the situation may become difficult..."

"There's a risk of rushing into a dangerous place without proper preparation."

"Yes."

When Tang Gunak agreed without objection, Baek Cheon spoke again.

"I, too, have considered that aspect. However, taking time in this instance won't necessarily lead to a solution. While we are thinking, they will also be devising countermeasures."

"Hmm. But..."

"And, the one devising those countermeasures is Jang Ilso."

Upon hearing that, Tang Gunak remained silent.

Confronting each other after preparation? Everyone here knew the result of such a situation. In conditions where they prepared for battle against each other, there was no one in the current Kangho who could withstand Jang Ilso.

"Of course, I understand. It may seem hasty and risky."

Tang Gunak did not deny it and simply listened to Baek Cheon's words.

"But now, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance has spent too much time reconciling opinions and finding consensus. Until now, that method might have been right, but it won't be from now on."

Tang Gunak's expression slightly stiffened.

He understood the meaning of 'from now on.' Once the chaos of war enveloped Kangho, gathering everyone together to converge opinions and find results would be useless. What mattered then would be swift judgment and bold execution.

"Is that your opinion?"

"Yes, Elder."

Baek Cheon nodded.

"But if that choice is wrong, it may lead to irreversible consequences."

"That's why I mentioned a three-day timeframe. I alone cannot find the best solution. However, with the people here and three days, we may not find the best solution, but we can at least find a reasonable one."

"..."

"I think there is a need to compromise between the two options. We should avoid dictatorship, but we also cannot wait too long. So, from now on, we must desperately find an answer within a limited time."

Tang Gunak lightly stroked his chin, lost in thought. Initially, when he heard it, he thought it was a hasty thought without an answer, but listening to the words, it was a highly rational story.

He looked at Baek Cheon with newfound eyes.

When Baek Cheon confidently presented his opinions in front of Beopjeong, Tang Gunak had felt that this man was not ordinary. While others struggled to move on from the radical event of the appointment of Mount Hua's new Deputy Sect Leader, Baek Cheon was already contemplating his next move.

- I may be hasty and inexperienced, but the Sect Leader of Mount Hua cannot afford to be so.  [not verbatim haha...I couldn't find the quote again]

Watching this scene, Tang Gunak understood the meaning of what Baek Cheon had said back then.

"Firstly..."

Tang Gunak furrowed his brows slightly and spoke.

"Just to confirm once again, this is Mount Hua's opinion as a member of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, right?"

"Of course. If there's a better idea, we can change our position at any time."

"Understood."

After pointing out the necessary points, Tang Gunak asked again.

"You asked for us to select our personnel, but what numbers do you have in mind? About how many for each faction..."

"As I think, one person per sect, and the total number should not exceed ten."

Tang Gunak's face showed a momentary look of surprise.

"Are you planning to go to the Southern Sea with just that many people?"

"Can that number of people confront the Evil Tyrant Alliance?"

Baek Cheon shrugged.

"Even if it's a hundred or two hundred, if surrounded by the Evil Tyrant Alliance in Gangnam, they won't be able to exert their strength properly and will be crushed. On the other hand, if we do mobilize enough forces to face the Evil Tyrant Alliance..."

"...war will begin."

"Yes, exactly."

Baek Cheon stared directly at Tang Gunak with a determined look.

"So, the number of people going to the Southern Sea will be minimized."

"But if that's the case, if they're exposed, they won't be able to fight back at all, right?"

"That's why we should limit it to those who are confident in martial arts. And if possible, it would be good to select those with exceptional footwork skills from each sect."

"...Exceptional footwork skills?"

"Yes."

Baek Cheon spoke confidently with a face full of devotion, as if illuminated by a halo.

"Because if you get caught, you have to bounce."

"..."

"It would be ideal if the person chosen from each sect was someone who could escape from the Evil Tyrant Alliance's pursuit even alone. That's the top priority condition."

"...Ah."

It made sense. Well, of course, it made sense, but...

Tang Gunak ultimately failed to maintain his facial expression. He looked at Baek Cheon blankly and thought.

'When has someone in the position of Sect Leader ever said such things?'

Even those who don't usually watch their language and behavior do so when they rise to a certain level of power...

Tang Gunak coughed awkwardly and nodded.

"So, Mount Hua's proposal is to prioritize quickly reaching the Southern Sea with a small number of people with exceptional footwork skills?"

"Yes."

Tang Gunak stroked his chin and spoke.

"It sounds like a good idea, but there's an issue without a solution. Firstly, if we were to reach the Southern Island Sect, wouldn't it be a problem if we didn't have a viable plan to safely evacuate?"

"We don't need to worry about that."

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

At that moment, a strange smile appeared on Baek Cheon's lips.

"Originally, according to the Heavenly Comrade Alliance's way, we would have thoroughly devised and planned the method to escape the Southern Island Sect perfectly. But, in reality, isn't that meaningless?"

"Why is that?"

"Suppose we've prepared everything and arrived in the Southern Island Sect. If the Southern Island Sect can't trust that method and decides to stay there, what will we do?"

"...Huh?"

Tang Gunak's face showed a slight confusion. Baek Cheon straightened his upper body and continued.

"The most important thing right now is to confirm the Southern Island Sect's intentions. After that, we can discuss what comes next. Currently, all problems stem from the communication being cut off between the Southern Island Sect and us since the Evil Tyrant Alliance took control of Gangnam."

"... A communication network."

"Yes. I believe our primary focus should be on restoring that communication network."

"Well, if that's the case, it certainly makes a bit more sense..."

As Tang Gunak nodded first, he suddenly paused. Something seemed off upon further consideration.

"No... isn't your statement somewhat contradictory? If they decide to stay in the Southern Sea, what's the point of us creating a communication network with them?"

At that question, a peculiar smile appeared on Baek Cheon's face.

"For us, there's no point, of course."

"But?"

"Gaju-nim, people don't necessarily have to do meaningful things. Sometimes, the significance lies in doing good deeds based on compassion."

"Compassion?"

"Think about it."

Baek Cheon spoke with a sense of pity.

"A group, like brothers, belonging to the same alliance, isolated in enemy territory with no proper communication. How much agony must they be going through without any news?"

"An alliance? The, the Ten Great Sects?"

"Yes!"

Baek Cheon's face showed a genuine expression of sympathy.

"If the Southern Island Sect formally states that they will cooperate with the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, then naturally, the main force of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance must directly assist them. However, even if they say they can't do it, it's against human decency to just leave them there without even attempting to restore the severed communication network, at least while we're in Gangnam.

That way, the isolated Southern Island Sect will be able to personally receive intelligence from Shaolin and Ten Great Sects. In addition, everyone in Kangho will be aware of the situation. That's the humane thing to do, isn't it? It's also the duty of a Taoist."

"...Is that usually considered a Taoist duty?"

"Haha, Gaju-nim."

Baek Cheon laughed brightly.

"This is the Tao of Mount Hua."

Tang Gunak's face became noticeably surprised. Of course, it felt a bit odd for him to bring up Taoist ethics and duty in front of Mount Hua, not being a Taoist himself. But still, there was something strange about the direction of this conversation.

At that moment, Tang Gunak's gaze naturally shifted to someone. Judging from the atmosphere alone, it seemed like there was someone who would always find fault with what Baek Cheon was doing. However, he was undoubtedly...

"Oh?"

And Tang Gunak saw it. Cheon Myung, who had been squinting his eyes intensely until a moment ago, now looked at Baek Cheon with admiration, as if he had been struck by a revelation.

"It's quite plausible?"

"Haha, isn't it?"

"You might even be able to turn the Great Baldhead's head red if you do it well?"

"This is the dignity of a Sect Leader, third-class disciple."

"Hmm... I admit it this time."

The confusion in Tang Gunak's eyes gradually lost strength.

'Is this really okay?'

He pondered quietly. As soon as this meeting was over, he would have to find a way to meet Hyun Jong alone.