605 Chapter 1493: There's No Need For That (Part 3)

Hyun Pung Shin Gae shouted.

"Why aren't you going!"

He looked so desperate, almost as if he was vomiting blood, but half of the listeners were indifferent.

"Now is our only chance! While they're holding down the Heavenly Demon, we must eliminate the remnants! Otherwise, the Demon Cult will target the Central Plains again! Don't you know?"

"Vice Sect Leader."

A calm voice from somewhere suppressed Hyun Pung Shin Gae's anger.

"Vice Sect Leader also knows. To eliminate the remnants of the Demon Cult, we will have to endure significant losses again. Perhaps even be prepared for annihilation."

"Didn't you make that preparation in the first place!"

"It is not too late to make a decision after seeing what happens to the Heavenly Demon. I don't believe that the Sword Saint can cut down the Heavenly Demon, but... there are always miracles in this world."

Hyun Pung Shin Gae's face twisted painfully.

"Well? If the Sword Saint kills the Heavenly Horse? Are you just going to let them go back?"

There was no answer.

"Letting go of the Demon Cultists who harbor enmity towards the Central Plains? Will you let them go and wait for them to invade again? Answer me!"

"Oh heavenly gods. Hyun Pung Shin Gae, calm down for now."

"Calm down in a situation like this!"

"Although the Demon Cultists are a threat, without the Heavenly Demon, they are ultimately nothing. It's like poking a beehive if we provoke them without cause."

"A beehive?"

Hyun Pung Shin Gae's face twisted painfully.

"Then what about all the Wudang disciples who died facing those beehives?"

"...Choose your words carefully."

"Do the sect leaders not know the power of the demonic cultists and the bishops? Unless we uproot them, they will invade the Central Plains again! Isn't now the only chance to pull out their roots? Isn't that why you sent them to Thousand Mountains? To create an opportunity with their lives!"

"Vice Sect Leader..."

"If you're not going to do that, why did they go to Thousand Mountains? What did the kamikaze group climb Thousand Mountains for? If we were just going to suck our fingers and watch, we should've all gone together! Why are you here? Why are we all here? Answer me!"

Hyun Pung Shin Gae shouted with an enraged voice as if he had lost his sanity. It seemed like he was about to burst his heart. Some turned away from him, avoiding eye contact.

The static confrontation between Hyun Pung Shin Gae, glaring with hatred, and those who remained silent without any intention to move. The silence settled on the desolate ground, swayed by the wind blowing across the barren land.

"Amitabhul."

Someone uttered a Buddhist prayer, breaking the silence.

"Vice Sect Leader, control your emotions."

"Bangjang!"

"We are not turning away out of fear. We are just concerned about what will happen if all of this turns into a failure. If we lose everything in a bet, what will happen to the Central Plains?"

"What's that..."

Hyun Pung Shin Gae bit his lips until blood oozed out.

It was bullshit. Just bullshit.

If you were truly concerned about the future of the Central Plains, you shouldn't have let them go. The Demon Cult has always been like that. Once they intrude, they become even stronger and come back.

If we have to risk everything to stop them now, then next time, even if we risk everything, we won't be able to stop them.

He had said it countless times. Countless times.

Isn't that why Hyun Pung Shin Gae, too, didn't hesitate to sacrifice everything?

He sent his Sahyung, whom he would drink together with, who felt like family, to the front lines. Even when he heard the news that Sahyung was torn to shreds and died, he couldn't mourn. He couldn't mourn even once.

He sent his disciple, who wouldn't pain him even if his eyes were to be gouged out, to grasp the movements of the Heavenly Demon. That child who couldn't even leave a handful of blood in the world.

They died. Died and died again.

He sacrificed countless lives like his own to come this far.

"I'll say it again, this is our last chance. There is only now..."

"Stop it, Vice Sect Leader."

Someone coldly and calmly cut off Hyun Pung Shin Gae's words.

"Whether the Demon Cult will resurface is an uncertain future. We can't risk everything for just that."

"What are you saying right now..."

"No, rather, because the Demon Cult might come back, we shouldn't risk everything now. If the Demon Cult returns and there is no Kangho, who will stop them? If that Heavenly Demon survives, if we're not here, who will stop it?"

Thud.

Hyun Pung Shin Gae slammed his fist. Bloodshot veins stood out in his eyes as he glared at the person in front of him.

"Then we should have said that from the beginning."

"..."

"We should've said to those who climbed the Thousand Mountains! We should've told them that while they risk their lives, we will just stand by and watch, that's what we should have said! We shouldn't have deceived them with words claiming that we too would risk our lives!"

There was no response to those words.

"Is this really for the welfare of the Central Plains? Can it not be said to be the Sect Leaders' justifications for their precious lives?"

"This guy!"

A threatening voice filled with anger roared like thunder, striking the figure of Hyun Pung Shin Gae.

"Everyone, calm down."

At that moment, a calm voice resonated, soothing the tense atmosphere.

"I do not understand the reason behind the vice sect leader's words."

"...Did you say reason just now?"

"All of this has already been decided."

"I haven't heard anything..."

"Elder Mueum Gae has also agreed."

Hyun Pung Shin Gae widened his eyes in shock.

"Now... What did you just say...?"

"Elder Mueum Gae has agreed. Do you think we would deceive the Beggar's Union's vice sect leader?"

Hyun Pung Shin Gae's legs momentarily lost strength, causing him to sway.

The world before him turned dark, and a sensation of falling deep into the abyss engulfed his entire body. The words "lder Mueum Gae" had molded Hyun Pung Shin Gae. In the dizzying sensation, Hyun Pung Shin Gae desperately squeezed out his voice.

"Why did the sect leader... Why..."

Numerous eyes were watching him.

There were occasional eyes filled with pity, but most were indifferent, as cold as ice.

"We will observe the situation from here."

"..."

"There are times when one should value cold reason over heated discussions. Please keep in mind that the vice sect leader is also becoming the sect leader."

"...Ha."

Hyun Pung Shin Gae let out a bitter laugh.

"Let's get this straight. It's not reason but self-interest..."

"Vice Sect Leader!"

"Isn't why the Sect Leaders want simply for the war to end as it is? Isn't it just that they find their lives precious?"

"What are you saying..."

"Fine, it's possible. What can you say about someone finding their life precious? But..."

Crunch.

Hyun Pung Shin Gae's lips dug into his teeth. A thick stream of blood flowed down his bitten jaw.

"At least, we shouldn't have sent them away like that."

"..."

"At least, we shouldn't have told those who had nothing but spirit in their hearts to sacrifice their lives for others."

"..."

"At least! To those who don't even have martial arts to protect them! We shouldn't have merely uttered the words that we would also fight alongside them! Don't try to coax my ears by saying that enduring pain is necessary for the sake of the sect! We shouldn't have! We shouldn't have spouted dog-like words about being prepared to risk everything! Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Hyun Pung Shin Gae pointed shakily to a distant mountain peak.

"Demanding duty from the strong and seeking cooperation from the weak! Yet, what have we sacrificed, really?"

A strange silence lingered.

"Answer with that shameless mouth of yours, where!"

"This guy..."

Just as a large man foamed at the mouth in anger, someone blocked his way.

"Vice Sect Leader."

"What is it?"

"What makes the vice sect leader different?"

"...What are you saying?"

The one who asked the question wore a sly smile.

"If you thought that way, shouldn't the vice sect leader have fulfilled his duties as the vice sect leader?"

"..."

"With those hands, pushing each of the Beggar's Union's members into hell, what has the vice sect leader done? If we follow your words, isn't the vice sect leader the one who should have risked their life first?"

Hyun Pung Shin Gae's body trembled.

"I..."

"If only I am cowardly, it would be shameful, but if everyone in the world is cowardly, it's not that bad. And Vice Sect Leader. At least, we are not hypocrites."

"..."

"The behavior is no different from ours, but someone who utters righteousness with such hypocrisy."

"Shut your mouth!"

The man's smile became even more pronounced.

"With Elder Mueum Gae unable to fulfill his role due to injuries, the Vice Sect Leader will lead the Beggar's Union. So, if the Vice Sect Leader speaks, the Beggar's Union will naturally follow."

The man pointed to the mountain behind.

"Even if we don't join, isn't it easy for the Beggar's Union to prove its determination? Surely you won't say now that reducing their numbers is meaningless unless they're completely eradicated?"

Hyun Pung Shin Gae's hands trembled.

"Prove it, Vice Sect Leader. That boiling spirit. That great righteousness. Prove it by staking your life and the fate of the Beggar's Union. Then we will spend the rest of our lives admiring the spirit of the Beggar's Union. How about that? Surely, you have the courage for that?"

It was clearly a mocking statement.

But Hyun Pung Shin Gae could do nothing but tremble. There was nothing he could do other than tremble and scream in his heart.

"Mocking the despicable is natural for the noble, but mocking the despicable by the despicable is ridiculous. Perhaps... did you consider yourself a great hero?"

"I... "

"Right now, there are only two types of people in the Kangho. Those who climbed that mountain. And those who didn't."

"..."

"In a world where everyone is blind, people with their eyes open get stabbed with swords. But fortunately, at least for me..."

The man's sarcastic laughter seemed to pierce through Hyun Pung Shin Gae's entire body.

"The Vice Sect Leader also doesn't seem to have eyes to see."

Anger, which felt like blood rushing to his head, surged. But the man ignored the enraged Hyun Pung Shin Gae and gazed at the summit of the high mountain.

"Those blind to righteousness focus on that righteousness, those blind to gain focus on that gain, and those blind to obedience focus on that obedience. Sometimes, the world seems to be working justly. Haven't we all failed to grasp what we desire?"

When the man let out a faint laugh and turned around, it was the moment.

"...Die."

"Hmm?"

"If you were to die and meet those who died first... what would you say then? What words do you intend to say with those lips?"

"Do you still believe in such stories?"

The man sneered softly. After a while, a short prayer took the place of the man's reply.

"Amitabhul. If not me, who will go to hell?"

"..."

"After all, life is repentance. Avoiding that pain sometimes begets greater sins."

"This..."

"Believe that the Vice Sect Leader will understand. No..."

The old monk slowly shook his head.

"You must understand."

Everyone turned away and distanced themselves from Hyun Pung Shin Gae. Though their steps were not fast, Hyun Pung Shin Gae couldn't stop them or follow.

"Uh..."

He just sat down in that spot, his legs losing strength.

Losing himself in staring at the distant mountain, he again looked around his surroundings blankly.

At that moment, a small, battered staff caught his eye. It was the memento of a disciple he had sent to death.

A stifled groan escaped from Hyun Pung Shin Gae's mouth.

"Ugh..."

What had he died for?

"Ughhhhh."

What had he sent them away to hell for?

"Arghhhhhhh!"

A beast-like scream echoed desperately. But that scream could not reach anyone's ears or shake anyone's heart.