Chapter 1416: Even If It Seemed Meaningless (Part 1)

Hyun Jong bit his lips tightly.

Beopjeong, the leader of Shaolin, supposed to be a symbol of compassion, but in Hyun Jong's memory, Beopjeong was mostly shrouded in anger. The images he remembered were much clearer than the angry ones he showed to Hyun Jong.

So sometimes he resisted, even considering him someone unable to reconcile with. Hadn't he taken not just one or two unreasonable measures against Mount Hua and the Heavenly Comrade Alliance?

But this time, even Hyun Jong couldn't offer any rebuttal.

"So..."

Beopjeong spoke through gritted teeth.

"How many times have I told you! It's just self-satisfaction! Your self-satisfaction might lead drive Kangho into even greater chaos! How many times! How many times have I said this!"

"..."

"What are we going to do about this situation! The fact that they are attacking Sichuan, which has become a land of chaos!"

Beopjeong, unable to overcome his anger, chewed on his lips.

In truth, Hyun Jong wasn't the only one to blame. Beopjeong was equally responsible for causing all this. If only he hadn't been played around like a child with Jang Ilso's scheme in the first place, there might have been a way to protect Sichuan.

But he didn't see it. Blinded by the enormous flow of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, he failed to notice what Jang Ilso was really aiming for. Even though the signs were already there several times.

If he hadn't missed Jang Ilso's movements, Sichuan might have been saved in their own ways.

But even knowing that, Hyun Jong didn't expect his anger towards the Heavenly Comrade Alliance to go away. Wasn't it a fact that the whole incident started with the Heavenly Comrade Alliance's journey to Southern Island?

"Bangjang."

Hyun Jong sighed deeply and opened his mouth.

"I understand that Bangjang has reasons to be angry. But now is not the time to argue right or wrong. We need to find a way to help Sichuan..."

"Help? Do you mean helping them?"

A voice like frost flowed from Beopjeong's mouth.

"By what means?"

"How? What kind of help can we provide for Sichuan over three thousand li away! Even if we run there now with all our might, will Paegun just wait idly until we arrive?"

"..."

"Are you planning to fight them and go to Sichuan? Fine! Break through! And then what? Do you think those of Sichuan will hold out until we get there?

Hyun Jong closed his eyes tightly as Beopjeong's voice felt like piercing through his chest.

Hyun Jong also knew.

Looking back, everything was already predetermined. Jang Ilso's true aim wasn't to annihilate them. It was a cunning plan to push the Chung Myung party and Southern Island to the east, drawing in the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and Ten Great Sects to the east as well.

Regardless of what happened in Sichuan, to those in the east of the Central Region, it was unassailable for the next few days.

"If we combine our strength..."

"Pull yourself together, Maengju-nim!"

A roaring sound like a lion erupted from Beopjeong's mouth.

"If we combine our strength? Are you saying we'll fight them and go to Sichuan? Yes! Let's break through! And then what? Do you think those in Sichuan will hold out until we arrive? Against the Evil Tyrant Alliance?"

"..."

"Are you the only one who wants to rush to Sichuan and save them? In Sichuan, there's Qingcheng and Emei! Do you not understand what that means?"

Hyun Jong was momentarily speechless.

Qingchen and Emei were sects responsible for one axis of the Ten Great Sects. If they lost their power, the strength of the Ten Great Sects would no longer be the same.

No, it wouldn't stop at that.

Already, among the Ten Great Sects, Kunlun had long become insignificant, and due to the disaster in Southern Island, the Southern Island Sect had also lost a considerable amount of strength.

In such a situation, if Qingcheng, Emei, and possibly Diancang were to collapse in Sichuan... The Ten Great Sects might lose more than thirty percent of their power.

More than thirty. No, if Southern Island was included, it might be even more. All in less than a month.

From the perspective of the Ten Great Sects, it might be a greater loss than the time of the Demon Sect. It wasn't something that could be easily recovered.

So, even if Beopjeong went half mad, half furious, Hyun Jong couldn't entirely fault him.

"If you didn't undertake the reckless journey to Southern Island, the disaster that befell Sichuan wouldn't have happened! Do you not understand what that means? This is the consequence of your actions. Heaven will only blame you for this!"

Beopjeong's cold gaze pierced through Hyun Jong, reaching Tang Gunak. Facing the reproachful gaze, Tang Gunak did not avoid it but met it squarely with a stern look.

"So, you said it so many times!"

Beopjeong was about to rebuke once again, grinding his teeth.

"...Now you call it reckless?"

Beopjeong closed his mouth. In the back, as if about to collapse at any moment, Southern Island's Sect Leader, Kim Yang Baek, walked out. His complexion was miserable, swaying with each step.

The anger that boiled within Beopjeong made him clench his fist as if plunged into icy water for a moment.

"That means..."

A blue light flowed from Kim Yang Baek's eyes.

"Is this what you call the actions of those who rushed to Southern Island to save us recklessly and pointlessly? Say it while looking at me, Sect Leader."

It was a dying man's glare. Even Beopjeong felt suppressed by the last vigor of someone who had accepted death.

"Sect Leader, that..."

"Why!"

Kim Yang Baek, who had burst out in anger, approached Beopjeong as if he might swing his sword at any moment.

"Why is it their fault!?"

"..."

"If we strictly adhere to principles and completely ignore our fellow Ten Great Sect members, isn't it the Bangjang's fault for ignoring the salvation requests we sent countless times! If you had helped us even once before this situation became so dire, would today have unfolded like this?"

Beopjeong fell silent like a person whose voice disappeared.

There was no logic to present. How meaningless and cruel it would be to logically explain why they should be abandoned in front of those who had already been abandoned by others?

Even if his eyes were blinded by anger, Beopjeong could still have some sense of reason.

"But! You have no remorse for what you have done! Instead, you foolishly blame those who have done what you should have done! And still, are you the Sect Leader of Shaolin? Are you a Buddhist? You?"

Blood burst from the excited Kim Yang Baek's mouth.

"Cough!"

"Sect Leader!"

"Sect Leader! You shouldn't get excited, Sect Leader!"

"Step aside!"

Kim Yang Baek pushed away the disciples trying to restrain him. A sinister chill emanated from his two eyes.

"Did you say the whole world will blame them?"

"Sect Leader..."

"Yes! Maybe they will. But that won't be the case for all of Heaven! Everyone may blame them and point fingers, but Southern Island will stand by their side! Even if the name Southern Island crumbles and leaves nothing but ashes! Those with the Three Waves pattern engraved on their chests will take the place of flying rocks and endure the spit of saints!"

A fervent shout resounded as if squeezing out his soul.

For a moment, Beopjeong sighed unknowingly. Kim Yang Baek's roar was one thing, but the venomous gaze from Southern Island disciples standing behind him was truly formidable.

Just by looking at their eyes, one could tell. Now, the situation between Southern Island and the Ten Great Sects had crossed an irreversible river.

In a situation where the Ten Great Sects in Sichuan might perish, even Southern Island, which could have been a source of strength, has separated from them.

"Hehe..."

Beopjeong suddenly laughed without reason.

"That's right. It's all this monk's fault."

"... "

"Sichuan burns, covered with the blood of innocent sects, it's all my fault! All of it!"

Beopjeong glared at Hyun Jong and Tang Gunak again. However, this gaze couldn't reach Kim Yang Baek.

At that moment, Meng So, who had been silent, spoke up.

"Now is not the time for this. We may have pent-up emotions, but now is not the time, is it? We need to discuss how to help Sichuan"

"Ri-right, Bangjang. Now is..."

Even Beopjeong's supporter, Jonglihyung, stepped forward with Meng so. That didn't mean he harbored no ill feelings towards the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. At this moment, time was truly of the essence.

Nevertheless, Beopjeong only cast a cold glance at Meng So.

"You talk about countermeasures?"

"..."

"What's the point of you and me discussing countermeasures? From the beginning, you never listened to what I said! When have you ever accepted a proposal I made, even once?"

"Bangjang, please don't put it that way..."

"Is my statement wrong?"

Caught off guard, it was now Hyun Jong who found it difficult to respond. Looking into the details, the situation was complex, but if we only focused on the results, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance had consistently rejected Beopjeong's proposals. They always prioritized their own intentions.

So, what Beopjeong said wasn't entirely wrong.

"But now? Are you telling us to help you when we're on the verge of ruin?"

"The ones in danger are Qingcheng, Emei, and Diancang. Protecting them is undoubtedly Bangjang's role!"

"Yes, that's right! So, I've been trying to protect them all along! I even came here, risking my life, to cross the river and save them!"

"..."

"But now, all you say is that it's solely my fault as the Shaolin leader."

Beopjeong sneered, looking at the distant Evil Tyrant Alliance forces.

"Piercing through them is impossible. No, it might be possible, but that's what the Paegan aims for. There's no need to endure greater losses in a situation where significant damage is inevitable. I will return to Gangbuk."

"But Bangjang! The situation in Sichuan is urgent..."

"If we suffer even greater losses, it will truly become irreparable!"

Kwoong!

As Beopjeong stomped his foot, the ground vibrated. With an expression that was not monk-like but rather fierce, Beopjeong glared at the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

"If we perish here, the whole world will fall into chaos! That Jang Ilso will take control of the world and govern it! Do you not know this, even now?"

Everyone's faces suddenly became gloomy.

"In this situation, isn't it meaningless for the Heavenly Comrade Alliance to talk about righteousness or justice? Ultimately, isn't it about running to the place where the incident occurred and rushing into a fight! Don't you know that Jang Ilso is sure to move in your absence?"

"..."

"In this situation, it may be a meaningless story, but still, listen carefully. This is my final advice. Don't go to Sichuan. If you don't want to die with them!"

Beopjeong turned around abruptly. Behind him, the disciples of the Ten Great Sects who had been looking at the Heavenly Comrade Alliance also glanced at him for a moment and then turned away.

For a moment, Hyun Jong could understand.

'The disciples...'

Until now, the leaders of the Ten Great Sects might have viewed the Heavenly Comrade Alliance with unfavorable eyes, but these disciples seemed to harbor some goodwill towards the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. But not anymore.

The gaze they showed, turning away, was no longer as friendly as the eyes that looked at allies.

Now, a wall had been erected between the Ten Great Sects and the Heavenly Comrade Alliance that seemed impossible to break down.

At that moment, Beopjeong, who had turned away, spoke with a mocking smile.

"Nevertheless... Of course, you will go to Sichuan. Isn't that right?"

The one who answered this question was not Hyun Jong.

"I will."

Baek Cheon replied with a voice that didn't show a single hint of wavering. Beopjeong glared at him with a chilly expression before turning his head so coldly that it felt like a gust of wind.

"Fine. Do as you please."

Watching Beopjeong's retreating figure, Hyun Jong closed his eyes.

'Jang Ilso...'

It felt like he could hear the laughter of Jang Ilso echoing in his ears.

The triumphant laughter of that cunning fox who had achieved everything according to his plan.