Chapter 1411: It Is Time to Wake Up From That Dream (Part 6)

[I missed the end bit of the last chapter, so if you read it before 1/5/24, you might want to check it out...]

The army of the Evil Tyrant Alliance filled the riverside. Fleets occupied the vast Yangtze River. Golden waves poured towards the imposing location. Overwhelming didn't begin to describe it. Could one witness such a spectacle in their lifetime?

However, the situation wasn't where one could afford to be overwhelmed.

"Maengju-nim!"

"Th-That's right!"

Hyun Jong, who had been lost in thought, snapped back to attention and raised his sword again.

"Hey!"

"Just a moment! Ah! Just a moment!"

At that moment, Im So Byeong, almost flying, grabbed Hyun Jong's arm and collapsed.

"N-Nokrim King?"

"Not yet, not yet! Just wait a bit longer! We must strike them all at once when those thugs reach the riverside!"

"Oh, right! Understood."

Hyun Jong swallowed hard. His heart pounded like crazy.

The day they would join forces with the Ten Great Sects seemed to have come. It was an inevitable event, but could it really be happening now?

'We can do it!'

Hope filled Hyun Jong's eyes, which had been filled with determination. Of course, the situation was still precarious. Even with the Shaolin and the power of the Ten Great Sects combined, facing the Evil Tyrant Alliance wouldn't be easy. But it was incomparable to fighting with only the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. Moreover...

"It seems the heavens are on our side, becoming a timely opportunity!"

The Nokrim King's words were accurate. The best way to break through a densely packed enemy was to attack simultaneously from both sides. They had unintentionally seized the perfect opportunity.

If they made good use of this chance, they might pierce through the thick center and open a path to the Yangtze River! The possibility of securing a survival route without fighting to death had emerged.

"Maengju-nim! The enemy is wavering!"

Tang Gunak shouted in an agitated voice.

Indeed, the Evil Tyrant Alliance, like an unyielding fortress guarding the riverside, seemed to be in chaos. The imposing flags swayed as if shaken by a storm.

'It's possible!'

A clear path emerged, breaking through the sturdy wall. It was a path connecting them to Gangbuk and a path connecting them to the Ten Great Sects.

"Everyone, prepare! It's almost time!"

The golden waves had now reached the center of the river. Considering their speed, they would soon reach the riverside. It was crucial not to miss this moment and charge.

Everyone's hearts beat with anticipation.

'Paegun!'

Hyun Jong's gaze focused on the carriage of Jang Ilso at the center of the Evil Tyrant Alliance's military force.

He was confident. No matter how much Jang Ilso schemed and flipped the world upside down, it would be challenging to match the unity of those who bore the name 'righteous' (正)!

Perhaps Jang Ilso didn't know. Even if their intentions differed, if they aimed for the same path, they could join forces.

Then it happened.

"They're moving!"

The Evil Tyrant Alliance's army began to surge like waves. The ripple emanating from the center, around the magnificent carriage, soon swept the entire Evil Tyrant Alliance.

In the eyes of Hyun Jong, standing on the hill, it was clear.

The Evil Tyrant Alliance along the riverside was splitting exactly in half.

"W-Wait a moment?"

Around one central line, the army was dividing into two...as if opening a path.

"The Su Lo Chae's ships are also moving! Left, left and right! They're splitting and moving left and right!"

A path was opening. A path connecting the Ten Great Sects and the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

The path that must be opened is now opening by itself. From the perspective of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, they should've done whatever it took to block that path.

But Hyun Jong couldn't cheer for that fact.

"Why...?"

Why were they opening the path? Why?

"What...?"

Beopjeong was also in a similar situation. Floating in mid-air, he looked at the scene with a bewildered face.

The black ships of Su Lo Chae, which were almost anchored by the riverside, suddenly turned the bows left and right, opening a path for the Shaolin. It was as if they were welcoming them to Gangnam.

"Ev-Everyone, stop! Slow down, immediately!"

Beopjeong urgently shouted in the incomprehensible situation.

"Bangjang! Staying in the water is dangerous!"

"I know!"

If the Su Lo Chae's forces attacked from the water, they could face the worst crisis. Of course, Beopjeong was aware of that fact. However, without accurately understanding the current situation, they had no choice.

Beopjeong's eyes shook as if experiencing an earthquake.

"What on earth... What is Jang Ilso doing!"

"N-Nokrim King!"

Hyun Jong turned his head sharply to Im Sobyeong. Perhaps the Nokrim King might be able to interpret the situation. However, Im Sobyeong, too, was at a loss.

Im Sobyeong looked at the movements of the Evil Tyrant Alliance again with a bewildered face.

While it was understandable that they were opening a path, if it were the Jang Ilso he knew, deliberately clearing the way and taking advantage of the situation wouldn't be surprising.

However, what puzzled Im So Byeong was that he couldn't sense such intent in their movements. If the intention was there from the beginning, they shouldn't have widened the path so quickly.

There were two possibilities. Either Jang Ilso was using an unimaginably brilliant tactic, or... he was genuinely opening the path without any ulterior motive.

But even if it were Jang Ilso, could he use a tactic that Im Sobyeong couldn't detect even a hint of? It would be impossible, even if it were not Jang Ilso, but Zhuge Liang returning to life.

His mind raced.

"Then why?"

Im Sobyeong's face gradually turned pale, as if he had seen a ghost. No, it might be better to see a ghost. Faced with a situation he couldn't understand no matter how much he thought, a greater fear overwhelmed him.

But the perplexing situation didn't end there.

"Maengju-nim! Th-They're widening the distance!"

Hyun Jong clenched his fist tightly, trembling.

The forces of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, which had opened the path, were not stopping there. They were widening the gap even more.

If one observed the unfolding events without getting caught up in the situation, the army of the Evil Tyrant Alliance was now divided into two and advancing on both sides.

As if... Yes, as if...

"Are they retreating?"

Here?

Everyone on the hill was left speechless.

"Is it because of the Ten Great Sects?"

"It can't be!"

"But if not that, then is this...?"

Even if the Ten Great Sects joined, there was no reason for the Evil Tyrant Alliance to retreat. They still stood in a favorable position. Wasn't this a fight where there was room for both sides to try?

No, no.

Rather, from the perspective of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, they had to fight. If they let the Heavenly Comrade Alliance go north like this, wouldn't they gain more than they lost?

Yet, why were they suddenly opening the path? Why were they withdrawing?

"What is this...?"

Hyun Jong looked at Chung Myung as if he were possessed, without even realizing it.

The Myriad Man Manor sacrificed tremendously to kill the young warriors of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and Chung Myung.

And yet, they were retreating? Even if that Jang Ilso were not an idiot of the century.

An indescribable unease swept over. It was undoubtedly the enemy showing their backs, but the side feeling anxious was unexpectedly here.

"W-What should we do?"

Even the leaders of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and the Ten Great Sects, the giants leading the world, were in confusion, not knowing what to do in this moment.

Then someone's groan broke the perplexity and tension.

"Uh..."

"Ch-Chung Myung!"

"Chung Myung! Are you awake?"

Chung Myung, nestled in Tang Gunak's arms, blinked his eyelashes, lacking any strength. [welcome back, princess]

"Where is this...?"

Chung Myung asked, but no one could easily open their mouths.

Because it wasn't even clear how to convey the current situation. Even those who had clearly opened their eyes and watched still didn't understand.

But there was no need for that.

Chung Myung turned his hazy eyes to observe the battlefield for a moment.

After a while, his body twitched, and he had a seizure.

"Th-They're doing this right now!?"

He urgently pushed Tang Gunak away with trembling hands. Although the latter tried to resist, Chung Myung's weak hands carried such strong determination and will that he couldn't stop it.

In Chung Myung's shaky eyes, bloodshot veins appeared as he staggered down.

"Jang Ilso..."

"Uh, uh?"

"Jang Ilso!"

A voice cracked like a scream. He pointed with his finger at the carriage in the middle of the confused Evil Tyrant Alliance forces.

"T-There! Look there."

The moment they saw the enormous carriage, drawn by eight white horses, a sound like a groan escaped from Chung Myung's lips, as if he were in pain.

"...There? You mean there?"

"Uh? Chung...Myung?"

Jo Gol was taken aback. It was because Chung Myung's eyes, which he now turned to look back, contained an emotion he had never seen before.

"This... Fuck you!"

Spouting curses, Chung Myung suddenly reached out and pulled Jo Gol's sword from its sheath. Then, with a powerful force, he thrust it into the ground, sending a terrifying force soaring.

"Ch-Chung Myung! What are you doing!"

"Aaaaah!"

Kwaaaaaaaang!

A red aura poured out from Chung Myung's sword like a rapid stream, cutting across the riverside in an instant. It swiftly crashed into the carriage Jang Ilso was riding.

"Heeek!"

"W-What are you doing, you b*stard!"

Kwaaaaaaaang!

Dust and dirt scattered. Chung Myung, back on the ground, sealed his lips. Red blood poured through his fingers.

"What the hell..."

"There! Look there!"

Someone shouted. As everyone's attention focused on Chung Myung, they all turned to face the front.

As the thick dust gradually settled, a shattered carriage emerged. In the meantime, the figure of a person standing there slowly took shape.

Reddish-purple robe, dazzling accessories flashing on fingers and wrists, and the distinctive coronet on the head.

"So, Jang Ilso..."

Baek Cheon bit his lips.

At the moment when his face, as white as it could be, and blood-red lips were revealed, everyone involuntarily held their breath.

But then Chung Myung asked, as if growling,

"Who?"

"Huh?"

His face twisted with anger.

"Who? Who the hell is Jang Ilso, who! That guy?"

"Chung Myung?"

Most thought that Chung Myung's mind might have been a little strange. It was reasonable enough. He had suffered enough injuries, and it was difficult to be completely intact when he woke up.

However, among them, some understood the meaning of what Chung Myung said and turned hastily to look at Jang Ilso again.

"Uh..."

"Ah... Aaaah!"

Im Sobyeong collapsed as if his legs gave way.

"Nokrim King! What are you doing?"

Nokrim King's face, possessed by a ghost, was bewildered.

"No... no."

"What's that...?"

"No. It's not... That's impossible! That guy isn't Jang Ilso! He's a fake!"

"What...?"

"Everyone... Everyone was fooled. He wasn't here from the beginning. He had no intention of fighting!"

"W-What nonsense?"

Baek Cheon gathered the remaining strength and shook Jang Ilso again. His pupils stopped for a moment, and after a while, he began to tremble.

He had seen Jang Ilso up close several times. That was how he knew.

That person was not Jang Ilso.

Although their appearance was identical, there was definitely something different. Despite having a similar exterior and dressing similarly, there was no trace of Jang Ilso's distinctive aura.

Baek Cheon turned his head.

"S-So, where is Jang Ilso now? If he's not here, then where the hell is he?"

"Huh...."

At that moment, a voice escaped from Chung Myung's lips, sounding as if he were gasping for breath.

"This damned... fucker..."

Thud.

"Chung Myung!"

"Damn it! Tang Gaju-nim!"

As his consciousness faded away, desperate cries echoed in Chung Myung's ears, sounding muffled, as if heard underwater.

'No... Not here...'

Fainting here was not an option...

'Jang Il...so...'

Somewhere, a man's laughter filled with madness echoed from a distance.

❀ ❀ ❀

"Hmm."

Jang Ilso, with a snorting sound, casually turned around.

Although the inside of the carriage was splendid, from the outside, it looked like nothing more than a huge cart, utterly shabby and unmistakably revealing its true nature.

Except for the carefully disguised door, the only connection between the inside and outside of the carriage was a small window no larger than the palm of a hand.

Jang Ilso, who had been quietly observing the humble carriage and the worn-out horse, turned to the opposite side.

Numerous people were prostrating before him. They appeared ordinary enough to be found anywhere in the world, but the glint in their eyes and the cold weapons on their backs clearly indicated that they were not ordinary.

The elite members of the Myriad Man Manor, disguised as low-level merchants of the Evil Sect who had spread throughout the remote regions of Gangnam, carrying grains on worn-out carts, had gathered here at this very moment.

Like loyal subjects paying homage to a king. Jang Ilso quietly scanned everyone who kneeled before him. Then, with a smile, he muttered something.

"I told you so."

His lips, mocking and smiling, were as red as blood.

"...It's not worth it."

Everything and everyone here were nothing more than pawns.

"You, and... me too."

His reputation, the fear others felt towards him, and even the perception of him as a terrifying figure were all just things that Jang Ilso could use. Anything could be twisted and trampled upon at any moment.

There was nothing worthy of protection.

There was no opponent worth tying a noose around.

Everything in the world was just cheap and shoddy.

Jang Ilso, after briefly glancing at those who bowed before him, slowly shifted his gaze upward. A majestic mountain lay ahead.

A green mountain that seemed to touch the sky. Enchanted by its viridescence, the world named the mountain Qingcheng (靑城). ['Green City']

Tap.

Jang Ilso slowly stepped out between those who were bowing before him. It was a road that led to the top of that blue mountain.

"It's better to start in style. Let's burn it all down."

A nonchalant and gentle voice echoed. As Jang Ilso walked, those who were following him, disguised as commoners, stood up one by one.

Following those who followed him, variously dressed individuals, including those with blood-red attire, formed a procession.

The Hao Sect, and the Blood Palace.

The forces that had formed the Evil Tyrant Alliance along with the Black Ghost Castle and the Su Lo Chae now revealed their true colors in Sichuan.

Everyone ascended the Qingcheng mountain as if trampling on it, following the madman known as Jang Ilso.

"Hahaha."

A suppressed laughter emerged from Jang Ilso's lips. That small laughter soon spread with uncontrollable joy and unbearable madness, echoing in the mountain and reaching the heavens.

"Hahaha! Ahahaha! Ahahaha! Ahahaha!"

Burning through Qingcheng, beyond Emei, sweeping through the Tang Family and Diancang, the immense blood-red horror that would eventually cover the world finally bloomed.

Right here, in Sichuan.