Chapter 1601: It's Not Even Funny (Part 6)

"Ryeonju-nim."

Ho Gakmyung cautiously handed a bottle of liquor to Jang Ilso.

Jang Ilso accepted the bottle with a smile. He was on the horse that Ho Gakmyung had brought without him realizing.

"I can't handle you like this."

"Well, for your well-being, I should find even more precious liquor."

"Alright. I can't say anything more."

Jang Ilso glanced over his shoulder. The battlefield was already far away. A victory like this deserved to be enjoyed. He leisurely brought the bottle to his lips.

Watching him with narrowed eyes, Ho Gakmyung spoke up.

"I respectfully offer my congratulations."

"Congratulations?"

"This victory will be remembered for a long time."

It was not just a simple victory in battle. This great battle would undoubtedly be recorded in the history of the martial world. It marked the first time the Evil Sect dealt a devastating blow to the righteous sects.

Jang Ilso's name would be recorded as the one who ended the dominance of the righteous sects and established the reign of the Evil Sect. Whether it was a history of glory or shame.

"No need to boast unnecessarily."

But Jang Ilso, the central figure, spoke nonchalantly.

"It's just the usual. This time, the scale was a bit larger. Nothing extraordinary. It's not that I'm exceptional; they were just a bunch of fools."

Jang Ilso always spoke like this.

"But this victory wasn't just about taking advantage of the fools, right? You also forced him into a corner, didn't you?"

"Who? Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword?"

"Yes."

After a moment of silence, Jang Ilso chuckled.

"Gakmyung."

"Yes."

"Do you think I'm better than him?"

"Of course."

"I appreciate the sentiment."

Ho Gakmyung glanced at Jang Ilso as he drank.

"Does Ryeonju-nim see it differently?"

"Well, there might be some truth to that."

He stole a sip of the liquor flowing down his fingers, stained with wounds.

"And there might be some truth to the contrary. But the essence of this match is not about 'who is the superior figure.' It's not such a trivial question."

"...Then what is it about?"

"Too many things."

Jang Ilso laughed as if mocking.

"Anhui, Hubei, and even Southern Island. No, no. Maybe he even thinks about how to handle Gangnam."

Ho Gakmyung nodded. Jang Ilso slowly turned the bottle.

"I have nothing to protect, but he has to protect everything under the sky. Unless he has ten bodies, he can't be active everywhere. So, from the start, this gamble was unfair."

Ho Gakmyung's expression hardened. He recalled something as he listened to the conversation.

"Do you know, Gakmyung?"

"..."

"He has never been defeated where he has himself. He has always won. The Yangtze River? If it weren't for him, we would have always achieved more results."

"Well..."

Reluctantly, he had to admit it. Ho Gakmyung was the victim of that 'exploit.'

"So, the way to face him is simple. Just let him guard everything under the sky."

The corners of Jang Ilso's mouth curled upward.

"With just a pair of hands, one can grasp so much."

Crack.

The bottle of liquor that had been held in Jang Ilso's hand shattered into pieces and bounced away. Transparent alcohol streamed down from his tightly clenched hand.

"In the end, things are bound to slip out of that grasp."

"..."

"I simply gave him a choice. Whether to protect Anhui or to protect the Ten Great Sects. Whether to protect Shaolin or..."

Jang Ilso's mouth twisted strangely.

"Whether he will protect the Mount Hua he cherishes so much."

"..."

"Of course, I don't know all his choices. Hahaha!"

It was intensely complicated. A mere mortal [not sure] would find it difficult to understand what was happening.

However, Jang Ilso simplified everything.

The key was how to draw out Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword.

And how to fight where his influence did not reach.

'Maybe...'

For a moment, a chill ran down Ho Gakmyung's spine.

"May I... ask a question?"

"Even if I said you don't need to ask such things, you keep doing it. Feel free to ask anything."

"Regarding Ryeonju-nim..."

Ho Gakmyung hesitated for a moment. Perhaps asking this question itself was sacrilegious.

Nevertheless, overcoming the hesitation, he opened his mouth. He couldn't help but ask.

"Do you anticipate that Moyong, Jaegal, and even the Heavenly Comrade Alliance would arrive soon?"

"Hmm?"

Jang Ilso's eyes softened. There was a hint of delight in his bright pupils.

"What do you think?"

Ho Gakmyung remained silent. He couldn't dare to answer.

"To be honest..."

Jang Ilso let out a strange smile.

"I had no idea."

Ho Gakmyung's mouth involuntarily opened wide.

Jang Ilso, as if dismissing it as nothing significant, continued speaking.

"Of course, I expected they would come, but it's difficult to know the exact timing. It's the same even if it's me."

"T-Then why?"

"Why did they withdraw?"

Ho Gakmyung nodded, committing the act of blasphemy with silent approval.

"Well... I wonder why?"

Jang Ilso didn't offer a clear answer. But it seemed he knew.

There was no need to predict. No need to think. It was already decided. He doesn't fight where he is.

Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword will do the thinking. He will judge. If there is a chance to win, a chance to reverse the situation.

In other words, if the Evil Sect doesn't respond to the fights he initiates, the Evil Tyrant Alliance won't necessarily be defeated.

'Is this really possible?'

Ho Gakmyung couldn't comprehend what was happening as if he had run into a wall.

Didn't this entire strategy, this structure, require an absolute trust in the opponent...?

Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword who came all the way from Anhui to here, believing that Jang Ilso would definitely win against the Ten Great Sects.

And upon seeing Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword, Jang Ilso who turned away without hesitation despite leading formidable forces.

'Both of them...'

Both of them were insane.

Although it couldn't be spoken aloud, that was the only way to describe the situation.

The two people who hated each other the most in the world, ironically, trusted each other the most perfectly.

Ho Gakmyung suppressed something slowly emerging from within. Then, he redirected the conversation to avoid revealing these indescribable emotions.

"Well... What do you anticipate he will choose this time?"

"Shaolin."

"...Isn't Mount Hua more important to him?"

"Of course. But this time, you can't compare the two. A choice once made cannot be undone."

"..."

"It's a pity I couldn't see it with my own eyes."

Jang Ilso licked the liquor on his hand with his tongue.

"The face of the one struggling because of a choice made unknowingly will be a unique spectacle."

The diluted fragrance turned faintly foul with a bitter taste in the mouth. He chuckled faintly.

Now this move couldn't be used anymore. The righteous sects would eventually be reorganized under the name of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. However...

"So, at least enjoy my final gift. I put quite some effort into it."

A bluish tint appeared on Jang Ilso's face.

❀ ❀ ❀

Tadadada!

More than a hundred horses raced through the wilderness. The red and white mane of horses peculiarly mixed and mingled, fluttering in the wind.

In the eyes of those urging their horses, a ominous momentum flowed.

"Hurry up!"

The time Jang Ilso had ordered was running out. After racing across the mountain range towards the west to avoid the eyes of the Beggar's Union, they finally arrived here after a long gallop across the vast plains.

The target, Hwaeum, was now within reach. The person at the forefront licked their lips.

'Moun Hua...'

Truly a detestable name. Excitement surged as he thought about destroying that name. According to the plan, Hwaeum, where Mount Hua had settled, was just ahead. 

"As soon as we arrive, kill them all and set the place on fire. Let them scream in horror at the sight."

"Yes!"

The Honggyeon, who was leading the charge, struck the horse's side.

'Faster!'

Even though there was still time, his heart kept getting impatient. Because he knew that even a little delay would prevent him from achieving his goal.

Before that detestable Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword arrived, everything living in Hwaeum had to be wiped out. He had to lose everything, even himself, turning into a demonic being.

'More!'

It was the moment to urge the horses again.

"Captain! Something ahead!"

"Hmm?"

The Honggyeon furrowed his brows.

The road leading from to Shaanxi was practically a wasteland. There was nothing to obstruct the view on the vast desolate plain.

However, there was something on that desolate ground where there should be no trace of people.

'A person?'

The tattered clothes of the person walking through the wasteland fluttered with the wind, worn out to the point of resembling rags rather than proper clothing.

Moreover, even the bare feet revealed beneath the tattered clothes had shoes that were completely worn out.

Someone walking through this wilderness dressed as a beggar...

'Are they mad?'

No one in their right mind would cross this land in such a state.

"What should we do?"

"It's an obvious question."

Swish.

A blue sword was drawn from the scabbard.

There was no need to leave witnesses. Those who had seen them should all be killed, just in case.

'Think of it as bad luck.'

Taat!

The horse's side was struck, and the troops rushed towards the man. The Honggyeon, who had approached in an instant, swung his sword towards the man's back.

❀ ❀ ❀

"D-Dojang?"

Hwang Jongui was taken aback by the sudden appearance of Chung Myung, who jumped into the main road of Hwaeum.

"Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!"

The sight of Chung Myung gasping as if he could die at any moment was unfamiliar. Chung Myung hurriedly looked around without even having time to catch his breath. His eyes were trembling weakly.

While Hwang Jongui was hesitating, Un Am approached Chung Myung without hesitation.

"How? Did you come alone?"

Chung Myung, as if not even hearing those words, just blankly looked around. After a long time, Chung Myung's mouth opened.

"...Enemies?"

"Enemies?"

Un Am frowned.

"Enemies? Isn't the Evil Tyrant Alliance in Hubei?"

"..."

"Great Sect Leader went to Hubei leading the monks. Haven't you heard?"

Worry crossed Un Am's face. Chung Myung just stared at his face absentmindedly. His fingertips were trembling.

'What...?'

Did Chung Myung arrive first? No, that couldn't be. There was no way those guys could be so amateurish.

Then did they not target Hwaeum in the first place? No. That couldn't be the case either.

Just as Jang Ilso knew him, he also knew Jang Ilso. In that situation, the only place worth diverting troops for was this place.

So, what was going on? Why was Hwaeum still peaceful?

"Chung Myung?"

Chung Myung's two eyes were lost in confusion.

"What on earth..."

Helplessly opening his mouth, unable to grasp the situation, Chung Myung let out his inner thoughts.

"What... happened?"

A sound resembling a crack echoed in Chung Myung's mind.