Chapter 948: How Could A Person Do This (Part 2)

The words "opportunity" and "Jang Ilso" did not fit well together. Rather, he seemed like a demon who would take away the opponent's chances and revelled in plunging them into a deep abyss. But who could remain unaffected by the word "opportunity"? The people before him had no choice but to listen to Jang Ilso's words.

The wind that blew in gently ruffled Jang Ilso's neat hair. His white fingers lightly brushed away the hair that had fallen over his face.

Slowly, his mouth began to open again.

"Isn't it... touching?"

Jang Ilso's gaze turned slowly towards the back. Even though it was undoubtedly hidden behind the towering Black Dragon Ship, he seemed to be making it clear what he meant by the word "touching."

As his gaze reached Plum Blossom Island, some of the Shaolin disciples flinched and trembled. They still couldn't look directly in that direction.

Turning his gaze back to Shaolin, Jang Ilso nodded as if pleased.

"Life is precious to everyone, isn't it? Yet they seem willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of their alliance and honor!"

A chuckle that sounded muffled reverberated across the river. It was truly an inexplicable situation. Jang Ilso's words should have turned into mockery, but his tone held clear admiration. So the Shaolin disciples could only be bewildered.

"Namgyung has proven it. That righteousness they were so loudly proclaiming was not just words."

The meaning of being drawn into his words was clear. Each and every word from Jang Ilso captivated them.

But...

"Shut your mouth!"

Beopjeong couldn't just listen to Jang Ilso's words silently. He burst out with a loud shout, but even in the midst of the roar, there was a sense of urgency.

If they didn't shut Jang Ilso's mouth immediately, there would be big trouble.

"Like a wicked demon! Shaolin's disciples must not be beguiled by his words. Guard your righteous hearts!"

Beopjeong's disciples looked at him in response.

Righteous hearts? Was Jang Ilso confusing them with something he said?

"You don't understand."

"This..."

"I said it. I'm just offering you an opportunity."

With a subdued laugh, Jang Ilso smiled as if he were enjoying himself. By the side of Beopjeong, Beopgye's face contorted horribly. That disgusting smile had vividly brought back the memories of that day from three years ago.

"What opportunity can you possibly offer us!"

"Beopgye!"

Beopjeong tried to shut Beopgye's mouth in a hurry, but there was no way to take back the words once they were spoken.

And Jang Ilso's red lips spread open wide as if he had been waiting for those words.

"An opportunity to prove your righteousness..."

Beopjeong's eyes were bloodshot.

"This..."

As if he couldn't contain his anger any longer, a prominent vein popped up on his neck.

But Jang Ilso laughed at his appearance as if he were having a great time.

"Hahaha! Why are you so angry, Bangjang?"

Then, he extended both arms and dramatically gestured towards the back.

"There! Over there."

"..."

"To exterminate the Evil Tyrant Alliance!"

His robes swirled like a dance.

"Rescue these people! These are the people who risked their lives to protect their honor! They are right here before your eyes!"

His exaggerated tone was like a dramatic performance, but that's what made it captivating. As his arms slowly descended, the monks of the Shaolin Temple also held their breath.

Jang Ilso began to gradually bring down the atmosphere he had built up. His eyebrows softened, appearing sad.

"But unfortunately... they are dying now."

A deep sigh escaped from his crimson lips.

"Those with severe injuries won't last much longer. Drained of their strength, surrounded by evil forces, one by one, they will follow the fallen. Even if they are great heroes, if they are isolated on an island without a grain of food, the result is quite clear."

Master Beopjeong clenched the edge of his robe tightly. The strong gusts of wind lifted the end of his robe, creating a trail of dust, yet Beopjeong was completely oblivious to this, focusing solely on Jang Ilso and seemingly contemplating violence.

"But fortunately..."

At that moment, Jang Ilso's transparent gaze swept over all the monks of Shaolin.

"There are heroes here who can save them."

Snap!

The sound of Jang Ilso snapping his fingers instantly rejuvenated the atmosphere.

"It's not difficult at all. Yes, it's not a difficult task."

Silence fell as the monks of Shaolin chewed on their lips, now finally understanding what Jang Ilso was getting at.

"Of course, there are obstacles. Those Evil Sect villains are blocking the way! But... that shouldn't be a problem, should it? After all, didn't those Namgung folks prove the worth of righteousness with their lives? Shaolin, the most renowned sect in the world, certainly shouldn't refuse to do the same, right?"

"Jang Ilso..."

Snap!

Before Beopjeong could utter a word, Jang Ilso snapped his fingers again.

"I'll give you an opportunity."

Beopjeong was on the verge of wanting to cover his ears.

That demon seemed to be able to probe into human hearts. He instinctively knew the weakest parts of human hearts. He seemed to dig into those weaknesses, stir up wounds, sprinkle salt on them, and then trample them with his feet.

"Five days from now, when the sun rises for the fifth time from now, we will return to that island."

A somewhat jubilant voice flowed from Jang Ilso's lips.

"If it comes to then, they will all die... not a single one left. All those who bear the name Namgung."

Beopjeong's fingertips trembled.

"So, you must decide before five days pass. Whether you will watch them die at our hands, or whether you will fight with us to save them."

"Jang Ilso!"

Beopjeong erupted once again with a loud voice.

"How can a human possibly do this? Wearing the mask of a human, how could you..."

It was certainly a justifiable anger. Beopjeong had never considered Beopjeong's actions as part of his own until now. Holding hundreds of people hostage, dragging more victims into the abyss, these were things a human should never do.

But Jang Ilso seemed to be openly amused, as if he didn't understand Beopjeong's words at all.

"Is that... a message for me, Bangjang?"

"Who else but you could do such a thing!"

"Well, I..."

Jang Ilso openly let out another mocking laugh.

"I thought Bangjang was talking about himself."

Beopjeong bit his lip until it bled.

"Isn't that right? You've been watching, haven't you? You watched them being torn apart by the Su Lo Chae, and trampled under my feet."

Jang Ilso's eyes fixed on the disciples of Shaolin, a peculiar sight indeed. Jang Ilso represented the evil of the Evil Sect, and the disciples here were the righteous sects who protect the world from such Evil Sect evildoers. Yet, not a single one of them looked directly at the brutal henchmen of the Evil Sect.

It wasn't Jang Ilso who turned their gaze away; it was their own conscience that had done so. Jang Ilso had touched their conscience.

"How can you wear the mask of a human and just let that be? Huh? Isn't it, Shaolin, the Righteous Sects who protect the principles of the Jungwon?"

"Iiiiiiilsoo!"

Beopjeong burst with anger, as if he would kill Jang Ilso with one blow if they were closer.

However, unfortunately, there was a river between Beopjeong and Jang Ilso, and all Beopjeong could do was vent his anger futilely.

"Ahahahahaha!"

Jang Ilso was too delighted by Beopjeong's reaction.

"Why are you getting angry, Bangjang? Isn't this something to be happy about? After all, no matter how much you hold a conscience within your heart, you won't be able to prove yourself without the opportunity."

It was as if he was asking the opposite. They've been talking so much about maintaining the principles of the righteousness, but could you really put your life on the line for it? Didn't you already turn away once because your lives were too precious?

Beopjeong wanted to close his eyes. He wanted to plug his ears. Shaolin had realized that no matter what they did differently now, the moment they stopped and watched the desperate Namgung had passed. They had already given up on the principles they had talked so much about.

Why did they stop? Because Beopjeong commanded it?

No way.

The truth is, they were afraid. Afraid of sacrificing themselves for someone. They had always considered it something they should do, but when they actually had the opportunity, the desire not to die was stronger.

Beopjeong had only given them a pretext to shift the responsibility to someone else.

"Amida Buddha."

"Amida Buddha."

Disapproving murmurs emerged from various places. It was an indication that their hearts were wavering.

They were confronted with the truth they wanted to avoid, and Jang Ilso had forcibly engraved it on their flesh, bones, and hearts.

"So prove yourselves to your heart's content."

Jang Ilso's lips parted, revealing white teeth.

"Are you really the ones who can give everything for righteousness, as you've been shouting all this time?"

"Profit..."

"Or are you just hypocrites who took advantage of that pretext of the righteousness for your own gain?"

Jang Ilso briefly touched his lips with his fingernails.

"That... with valuable lives."

"..."

"If it's Jang Ilso and the Evil Sect, they'll be worthy opponents."

Jang Ilso drove home the final point.

"Don't forget. In five days, you will have enough time to think deeply. Be deeply grateful for my mercy, Master! Ahahahaha!"

Until his last moment, as he slowly disappeared into the Black Dragon Ship, Jang Ilso didn't show any sign of regret.

No one was able to stop him, and no one was able to prove their principles against him.

No one. They just stared at him helplessly, glared at the cruel river, and did nothing.

"...Amida Buddha."

A bitter sigh escaped from Beopjeong's lips.

The Black Dragon Ship in front of them, the densely packed Evil Sect vanguard, and beyond them, the Plum Blossom Island. Even the rare sight of Namgung's swordsmen could be seen in the distance. Beopjeong, closing his eyes, muttered to himself.

"This place..."

He should have known better. From the moment the demon whispered in his ear, it was already too late.

He couldn't turn back, he couldn't look back. He couldn't tell what expression the disciples behind him were wearing.