Chapter 985: This Is Why the World is Interesting (Part 5)

Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword Chung Myung

The name undoubtedly resonated significantly within Kangho. Whether it upheld "chivalry" or "evil", wasn't the title of Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword well-known among those who had joined Kangho? However, even for those who knew the name and understood the symbolism Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword held within Kangho, this was clearly an awkward sight.

Shaolin, Mount Hua, and Sichuan Tang Family.

The leaders of these three formidable factions, who were beyond extraordinary, were now displaying their intentions openly and fiercely disputing with one another, an overwhelming and breathless situation. To interfere in such a situation, Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword's name still seemed too insignificant.

Moreover, the manners that Chung Myung displayed were severe enough to be judged as a crime of insolence by the knights of other factions. But Mount Hua simply did not speak a word to Chung Myung.

It was indeed a bizarre situation, one that could somehow be understood. Among those present here, there might be some who knew the true identity of Mount Hua, but nobody dared to boast of their knowledge. Thus, it wasn't surprising that the name of Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword still appeared too minor in this context.

What was more puzzling was the reactions of those who understood Mount Hua's name and the significance it held in Kangho.

'Why isn't the Tang Family saying anything?'

It was the Tang Family's attitude. In this urgent situation, even Tang Gunak had shown his anger. A third-class disciple intervened in such an urgent situation. Wasn't this enough of a situation for Tang Guank to feel insulted?

However, Tang Gunak chose to remain silent and merely gazed at Chung Myung with an unwavering look. His gaze contained an immense sense of trust.

This inevitably led to confusion among the spectators.

'That's the only option.'

Jao Gae slowly nodded, as he could quite understand the bewildered expressions on the faces of those members of the Ten Great Sects. If Jao Gae hadn't directly witnessed Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword's identity on Plum Blossom Island, he would've been standing here with the same confused expression as them.

In other words, if the people here had directly witnessed Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword defeating the Black Dragon King in Plum Blossom Island Island, their reactions would have been drastically different. 

After all, if Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword demonstrated the power to singlehandedly defeat the Black Dragon King, who would dare to utter impudent words against them?

Therefore, Jao Gae understood the reactions of both the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, who gazed at him with unwavering eyes, and the Righteous Sects, who regarded him with suspicion.

Chung Myung, who walked through the Heavenly Comrade Alliance's space, finally broke the silence. His two eyes were fixed firmly on Beopjeong.

"So what if we made an agreement?"

Beopjeong faced Chung Myung with a stern expression.

"What are you going to do about it?"

This sight was exceptionally symbolic.

Beopjeong was the head of Shaolin. It wasn't an exaggeration to say he held the highest status in Kangho right now.

For a third-class disciple of the Mount Hua Sect to confront the head of Shaolin, it created an intense sense of discomfort among the spectators. They sent Chung Myung questioning and disappointed glances.

Yet Beopjeong's unyielding presence was not crumbling until the very end. Beopjeong may not have known that his status was under assault at this very moment.

"Siju…"

Beopjeong's face momentarily flinched. But he couldn't show anger in this situation. He knew that Chung Myung, whom he was familiar with, was indeed coarse but, at the same time, full of intentions behind every action. He must never act as Chung Myung wanted. 

"That sounds dangerously serious."

Therefore, Beopjeong decided to laugh. It was a benevolent demeanor as if to show his compassion for a child who cries like thunder, in order to carry the unruly child. 

"So, does Siju admit that Heavenly Comrade Alliance and the Evil Tyrant Alliance have indeed made an agreement?"

Chung Myung gave a sly smile.

"I told you so."

"..."

"What are you going to do then?"

The smile he put on crumbled quickly, and anger crept over Beopjeong's face.

"You brat like thunder!"

A loud voice echoed as if everyone could hear.

"Do you speak like this because you don't realize how important this is?"

A stern reprimand. It was a tone that clearly emphasized their difference in position. It was a tone that should make it clear to Chung Myung that Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword's attitude towards the head of Shaolin was inappropriate.

No matter how right the story is, if you don't have an appropriate attitude and manners, it's not the right way to go, right?

However, in the world, there are also those who don't pay much attention to such things.

"Important?"

Chung Myung sneered.

"Yeah, it must be very important. For you guys."

"Please…."

"But."

Chung Myung's chilly voice interrupted Beopjeong.

"At least we don't care about that at all. The only important thing to us is how to rescue Namgung. When you were all just watching us die here and just looking at the river, we jumped into that river ourselves, risking our lives to save Namgung. But what? An agreement?"

Chung Myung's spirited eyes landed on Beopjeong, or more precisely, behind Beopjeong, where the disciples of the Righteous Sects couldn't even meet Chung Myung's eyes and had to bow their heads. It wasn't because they were afraid of his arrogance, but those who respected justice and agreement had no choice but to acknowledge Chung Myung's words.

"Let me ask you again."

"..."

"What are you going to do if we've made an agreement? Draw your swords and try to cut our throats?"

"Siju. What I meant was…"

"Try it."

As he bared his teeth like a wild animal, even Beopjeong bit his lips tightly at his fierce advance.

In fact, there was no plan for what to do after that when they pointed this out to them. They just thought that pointing out this part would reduce the blame that the Righteous Sects would have to bear.

However, when those who should have protested and made a fuss unjustly were expected to block their mouths and jump around, they realized that their mouths were blocked, at least for a moment. It was exactly as Chung Myung said.

Whether they had made an agreement with the Evil Sect or not, what could they do about it? Would they gather the Righteous Sects, full of people, and go and punish them?

At that moment, Beopjeong realized that the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, whom he had never considered as their opponents even once, had grown big enough to thrust a knife into their throats. It didn't matter whether the Ten Great Sects had lost their footing or whether the Heavenly Comrade Alliance had grown more than expected; the reasons didn't matter.

What was important was the fact that the Heavenly Comrade Alliance no longer feared fighting them.

Look.

Even though Chung Myung openly showed his hostility, Hyun Jong and Tang Gunak didn't try to stop him. Even these two individuals, who held the highest authority in the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, didn't hesitate to oppose the Ten Great Sects. Wasn't that what it meant?

That wasn't not all. The loyal followers of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance behind them were also watching him without any retreat in their eyes.

When did he ever face such an adversary?

For Beopjeong, who had always been greeted with eyes filled with admiration and trust, the hostility of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance was unbearable.

"Siju."

"I'm sick of it. That 'righteousness' you guys keep babbling about."

There was no warmth in Chung Myung's gaze.

Beopjeong wouldn't believe he was wrong now. He might have started by catching the ankles of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, but as they talked, Beopjeong kept thinking that Chung Myung's logic was justified.

And knowing it turned him inside out.

The shamelessness of not feeling an ounce of shame despite shouting that their righteousness was more important than those who were dying, the cruelty that turned away from those who were stabbed to death while boasting of their superiority and principles.

How many people died under that logic?

You shouldn't join forces with the Evil Sect. You can't negotiate with the savages from outside. Even if others spilled blood, you couldn't dirty yourself. How much blood had been shed on the ground due to the logic of those high-ranking people who only talked about their principles and righteousness even without experiencing the battlefield it themselves?

What was truly unbearable for Chung Myung was that they did not take any responsibility for those sacrifices.

Collusion? That might be possible. It might look like a conspiracy in their eyes, the consensus between Hyun Jong and Jang Ilso.

Of course, there could be arguments against it, but there was no reason to do that.

If it was needed now, he was willing to collude if necessary.

Chung Myung wouldn't hesitate to lick the feet of Jang Ilso if it could save just one disciple of Mount Hua. Even if the whole world pointed fingers at him, he could mock them with a smile.

So there was no reason to lay claim to this foolish act.

"Go ahead and babble as you like."

"..."

"Because no matter what we say, you won't believe it, right?"

A smile appeared on Chung Myung's lips. His open smile penetrated Beopjeong's heart.

"So go on and babble. About how we're trying to swallow Kangho by forming an alliance with the Evil Sect. That everything that happened on Plum Blossom Island was a masterpiece of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance."

Chung Myung glanced at Beopjeong and scanned the disciples of the Ten Great Sects.

"Isn't that your way?"

"Siju! Is it appropriate for someone who advocates harmony to say that?"

Beopjeong raised his voice as if he couldn't bear to listen any longer. But even after hearing the loud words, Chung Myung's face remained cold.

"Harmony?"

Chung Myung twisted the corner of his mouth and sneered.

"I don't know about that."

"...What did you say?"

"I said I don't know about that. Harmony, whatnot... Say whatever you want. I'm just doing what I have to do."

Beopjeong watched Chung Myung, who remained calm even as his anger flared up, with astonishment.

"Do you know how to avoid sin?"

Beopjeong's eyes filled with doubt at the unexpected question. And when Chung Myung provided the answer, Beopjeong closed his eyes and said nothing.

"Doing nothing. Just like you're all doing here."

A tranquil silence flowed down the river.

There was no need to differentiate right from wrong.

Just by looking at the Ten Great Sect disciples who couldn't lift their heads and the Heavenly Comrade Alliance followers who held their heads high, it was clear who was right.

"Someday, you might find yourselves in the same situation as Namgung."

"...?"

"Try saying the same thing then. That it must be done according to the principles. Even when your throat is about to be cut, if you nod and say this is right, I'll at least acknowledge that belief."

The bodies of the Ten Great Sect disciples trembled.

"But if you can't do that...."

A life force like a blade emanated from Chung Myung, piercing everyone's hearts.

"Shut your disgusting trap and get lost. I can't stand it anymore."

"Siju!"

When Beopjeong finally moved, Chung Myung turned to stare at him.

"..."

Beojeong's shoulders, which had been strained, suddenly froze under the infinitely cold gaze.

"You should have killed me three years ago."

"This..."

"Yeah?"

Chung Myung turned away without a hint of regret, sporting a dazzling smile.