Chapter 1199: How On Earth Did You Endure This? (Part 4)

Only after organizing his chaotic thoughts did Tang Gunak finally speak again.

"Although it's a bit complicated, in conclusion, are we planning to send only a few people to head to Southern Island and confirm their intentions? "

"Yes, Sect Leader."

"If they decide to ally with Heavenly Comrade Alliance, we'll explore ways to help Southern Island escape by seeking support from the main force of Heavenly Comrade Alliance. If they choose to stay with the Ten Great Sects, we'll establish a communication line between the Ten Great Sects and Southern Island?"

"Yes."

"Whether things go well or not, we can either help solve the situation or create a way out for Southern Island, right?"

"Exactly."

Chung Myung chuckled when he heard that.

"I hope Southern Island shows some loyalty in the end. Hehe."

"...Chung Myung. You are a Taoist."

"Who doesn't think that way? Heeheeheehee!"

"..."

Tang Gunak, looking at Chung Myung with a solemn gaze, seemed to be organizing his thoughts, chin in hand.

"Not bad."

Just the fact that the danger was significantly reduced was enough to draw interest. Honestly, wasn't the current situation in Southern Island just a projection of Heavenly Comrade Alliance's expectations?

Even if they gathered their forces and advanced to Southern Island, the moment Southern Island's Sect Leader asked, 'Why have you come?' the Heavenly Comrade Alliance would become a laughingstock throughout the world.

'As the number of troops leading the way increases, the probability of the Evil Tyrant Alliance taking interest will also exponentially increase.'

In the urgent situation, suggesting to send a small force to Southern Island was indeed a good opinion.

Suddenly taking on the role of Deputy Sect Leader and expressing radical opinions in the dialogue with Beopjeong raised some concerns, but Baek Cheon seemed to be maintaining a good balance, more than expected.

"However."

"Yes."

"What about this communication line? How do you plan to maintain it?"

Tang Gunak, with a puzzled expression, tilted his head as if he couldn't understand.

"It's not like the Ten Great Sects tried to completely cut off communication with Southern Island. There was no other choice. Even from Southern Island to Gangbuk, it's not a distance of less than two thousand five hundred li, isn't it?"

"Um, that's correct."

"Even the world-famous heavenly azure messengers of the Beggar's Union can't cover more than a thousand li at once. In reality, it's considered good if they can barely cover five hundred li. So the Beggar's Union installs bases everywhere and uses the method of mediating messages through messengers, right?"

Everyone nodded. This method was well known in Kangho.

"But we can't establish branches in Gangnam, so according to your words, we need to establish a communication line spanning two thousand five hundred li without a branch?"

"..."

When Baek Cheon didn't respond, Tang Gunak narrowed his eyes.

"Surely you're not suggesting bringing back a scouting report from Southern Island's Sect Leader to create public pressure, right? Realistically, that's not an easy task."

"I never said I would create public pressure..."

"Hmm? You definitely mentioned creating public pressure for Shaolin..."

"I just said I would convey the situation. Isn't it too presumptuous... Of course, I understand Gaju-nim's negative feelings towards Shaolin."

"..."

For a moment, Tang Gunak's face slightly reddened.

"Ahem. It seems I misunderstood for a moment."

"Misunderstood?"

"Just forget about it."

"Sure."

Tang Gunak cleared his throat again and looked at Baek Cheon.

"So? If you're not trying to create public pressure, is it unnecessary?"

"Well, that..."

Just as Baek Cheon was about to respond, Chung Myung opened his mouth nonchalantly.

"Why worry about that?"

"Huh?"

The moment Tang Gunak turned to look at Chung Myung, Chung Myung turned his head away.

"Hey! The map!"

"Yes."

In response to Chung Myung's shout, Im Sobyeong immediately replied. People looked around, wondering if something had happened, but Im Sobyeong stood up and, with a swish, unfolded the map that had been placed nearby.

"Pay attention!"

"...Yes."

Everyone couldn't help but turn their heads and avoid looking at the scene.

Goodness... using the Nokrim King as a map holder as if it were nothing.

Even though the Nokrim King was part of the Evil Sect, he wasn't supposed to receive this kind of treatment... Why on earth was he sticking with Heavenly Comrade Alliance?

"Look over here."

"Huh?"

As they looked at the map, their expressions involuntarily frowned. Although they already knew, looking at the map made them keenly feel the distance between Southern Island and their current location.

"Southern Island is really big, huh?"

"About the size of half a province, I guess."

"Ah, at least half."

"Oh, not that!"

"Huh?"

Chung Myung pointed to the Southern Island section of the map with his chin.

"Here. Here."

Chung Myung, who had gathered the people's attention, began to explain.

"Although Southern Island seems to be floating in the middle of the sea, its distance to the mainland is both far and near. Right above, there's a peninsula sticking out like a tail."

[Helpful Map: https://www.sunnyhainan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/HainanMap-1.jpg]

"Oh... I see."

A large peninsula jutted out like a tail from the vast continent, and just below it was Southern Island.

"So, if we consider only the straight-line distance between the closest coasts, it's only about sixty li."

"Is sixty li close? Even if you took a boat, it would still take several hours to get there."

"Hey, that's nothing."

"..."

Although there was awe at that statement, it was now a secondary issue.

"But... what does that have to do with the communication line? I'm sure you're not suggesting sending people to cross that strait, since the current issue is that people can't enter Gangnam, right?"

"That's why the problem is solved."

"Huh?"

"In maintaining the communication line now, there are three issues. Only a person could make a round trip of two thousand five hundred li. However, people can't enter Gangnam, and we need to cross the sea."

"...Is that so?"

There were some minor issues, but that could be considered the core.

Slightly uneasy, Tang Gunak added some clarification.

"The Evil Tyrant Alliance isn't foolish, so they must be guarding that peninsula you mentioned, right?"

"Yes, yes. I know."

Chung Myung nodded as if it was obvious.

"Then, all we needed to do was use a method that could solve all three. Someone who could make a round trip of two thousand five hundred li, could cross about sixty li of the sea at once, and could go there without being noticed by people!"

"Huh?"

Everyone looked at each other in confusion. Someone like that...

"The Ghost Gate?"

"Oh, no. Even if it was the Ghost Gate, that wouldn't work. Even express delivery depends on the situation."

"...Then?"

It happened right at that moment.

Chung Myung suddenly pushed his hand into his front pocket and pulled out something fluffy.

"Huh?"

"Wow..."

"Unbelievable."

"Hey, here it is... No, could this guy endure it?"

"Kiiiiiiill!"

Baek-ah grabbed Chung Myung's clothes and desperately resisted. As a creature that understood human language, it sensed that something was up.

"Eureka!"

However, eventually, Baek-ah, who had been dragged out, fell flat on the floor. Baek-ah, who quickly turned around while lying flat on the ground, was about to run towards one side.

"Try jumping." 

"..."

Baek-ah's foot stopped abruptly in mid-air.

"Where are you jumping? Yeah, that's it. I've been thinking it would be nice to have a scarf, especially as winter is approaching, and with your chubby body, a thick scarf would be perfect."

"..."

"People, whether human or animal! If you feed and raise them, they should repay with a meal! This bastard has been sucking up all the meat he could find at a broke Taoist temple and is now trying to get away with it!"

"Kiiiiill!"

At that moment, people witnessed it. Tears as large as chicken droppings fell from the eyes of the pure white marten.

'Poor thing.'

'How did he end up like this?'

'But he's still better off than the Nokrim King, right?'

Seeing that, Meng So chuckled and said.

"Certainly, if it's Baek Cheon, he should be able to easily go to Southern Island."

"Um, is that really possible?"

"There's a reason he's called 'White Lightning'. If he sets his mind to it, he could travel a thousand li in a day."

"Oh, but there's a sea, right?"

"Originally, animals are better swimmers than humans. With that guy, crossing about sixty li of the sea would be done in an instant."

"Oh..."

"He's not a spirit creature for nothing."

Hearing those words, Meng So held back a sigh.

"As a spirit creature specially treated even at the Beast Palace, his abilities are certain. Up until now, the problem was that there was no way to get this guy to work, rather than whether or not he could do it..."

Meng So glanced at Chung Myung.

"...I wonder if I should learn something."

"No, Palace Lord!"

"The Beast Palace treats animals as friends! That's not a friend, but a vicious slaver!"

Tang Gunak also nodded.

"Indeed... While they may be wary of humans, they probably won't be wary of martens. Even if they are, it would be impossible to find this small marten in such a vast area."

"Is that so?"

"It's reasonable. Indeed, creatures have various useful abilities."

"Hehehe. I knew that, so I've been feeding and putting him to sleep until now."

"Excellent."

"But how do we deal with the issue of eating and sleeping? Even if the round trip doesn't take one or two days, it will likely take more than three days."

"What's there to worry about? He's a beast. If he's hungry, he'll hunt, and if he's sleepy, he'll dig a hole and sleep."

"...So, despite being a spirit creature, he's essentially the same as a human?"

"No way. He's a spirit creature when needed and a beast when it's a hassle. It's not all that complicated."

"Makes sense."

A cruel scene unfolded as the authorities of Heavenly Comrade Alliance, a group representing righteousness in Kangho, discussed and laughed approvingly about their ruthless plan to exploit a small animal, smiling with satisfaction.

Baek Cheon's eyes caught a glimpse of Baek-ah, who lay flat on the ground, letting out a deep sigh. It almost sounded like a voice saying, 'Ha... life,' was echoing in his ears.

He felt a strange sense of camaraderie. Perhaps it was because they shared the same last name...

"Ahem. Anyway, the communication network part is resolved."

Tang Gunak quickly summarized the situation.

"The plan has taken longer to explain, but the key is whether this plan is realistic and what the other sects think."

Tang Gunak raised his head and looked at the other sect leaders.

"What do you all think? Do you approve of this plan?"

Before anyone could respond, Namgung Dowi opened his mouth abruptly.

"Baek Cheon Dojang. No, Deputy Sect Leader."

"Yes, Sogaju-nim."

Looking straight at Baek Cheon, he asked.

"I'll confirm one thing. What are the conditions for the people heading to Southern Island?"

"As I mentioned, individuals with high martial arts skills in each faction, especially those proficient in footwork techniques, would be desirable."

"That's not what I meant. I'm asking about the reason for selecting one person from each sect to go. Why?"

"Oh, that's simple. It's to demonstrate that all the sects under our Heavenly Comrade Alliance are willing to contribute to Southern Island."

"I understand. Then, the higher the fame and reputation of the individual going to Southern Island, the better."

"That's true, but..."

"Good, then."

Namgung Dowi turned to Tang Gunak.

"The Namgung Family will send the most suitable candidate."

"Huh?"

"In Namgung, the one with the highest martial arts skills, the highest reputation, and someone who can help persuade them..."

"So-No way."

"If you're talking about someone with high martial arts skills and reputation in the Namgung Family, there's no better candidate than me."

Tang Gunak covered his face with both hands.

'Why are they all the same...'

Why was everyone like this?

You damn things...