It’s nothing short of a dogfight. (3)
The news that Surochae had occupied Maehwado and finally set foot in Gangbuk quickly spread across the entire world.
The focal point of the rumors was not Maehwado, but rather the word ‘Gangbuk.’
For those who lived along the Yangtze River or the merchants of the Central Plains, the name Maehwado was of utmost importance. However, for the residents of Gangbuk, who rarely had reason to leave their home region, Maehwado remained unfamiliar.
“Surochae’s scoundrels have stepped into Gangbuk?”
“That’s what they say! They’ve taken over a city along the Yangtze and are acting as if they own the place!”
“H-How could such a thing happen? Didn’t they agree not to cross the river for three years? There’s still some time left before the three years are up, isn’t there?”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. You’re saying something foolish. That was never a mutual non-aggression pact, was it? It was a non-aggression pact for Gangnam! While the Just Sects of Gangbuk cannot cross the Yangtze, Sapaeryeon of Ganganm can cross the river without issue.”
“Heooo….”
This incident was more than enough to remind people how one-sided the treaty formed in the past between Wudang and Sapaeryeon had been.
“So? Are they just going to sit by and watch?”
“How could they? The treaty only forbids invading Ganganm, but it doesn’t mean they can’t deal with those who crossed over to Gangbuk, does it?”
“Exactly! That’s how it should be!”
“Even though Gupailbang was thoroughly humiliated, they’re still Gupailbang and the Five Great Families! To put it plainly, if they hadn’t chosen to avoid conflict in the first place, would they have ever lost to those evil Sapa bastards?”
“Right! And besides, it’s not like they were defeated! It was just a negotiation, wasn’t it?”
Some people felt the words, ‘Wasn’t that negotiation basically the same as a defeat?’ rising to the back of their throats. However, in the end, those words never left their mouths and disappeared back down their throats.
The atmosphere wasn’t quite right for pointing out the harsh truth.
“In any case, this is Gangbuk. No matter how much people treat Gupailbang like toothless tigers these days, a tiger is still a tiger, isn’t it? Would they really let a wolf cub that entered their territory roam freely? They’ll do whatever it takes to bite it to death.”
“Exactly! Of course they will! How dare those Sapaeryeon’s scum set foot on the northern lands!”
Even those who had been unanimously criticizing Gupailbang for throwing away their pride on the Yangtze River now defended them, if only in this moment. The advance of Surochae, and thus Sapaeryeon, into Gangbuk was that terrifying to them. No matter how dishonorable the actions of Gupailbang or the Five Great Families had been, there was simply no comparing them to the Evil Sects.
“Wounded beasts are always more dangerous. Haven’t Gupailbang and the Five Great Families been waiting for a chance to exact revenge on Sapaeryeon for the past three years?”
“Aah, exactly! They’ve been tied down by that non-aggression treaty for Gangnam until now. If not for that, they would’ve already marched south and taken off that bastard Jang Ilso’s head!”
“Tsk, tsk. I don’t get it. What’s so important about a treaty? Even if they’d ignored it and attacked Sapaeryeon, no one would’ve said a thing.”
“Hey, what are you talking about? If they can’t even keep their own word, how can they call themselves the Just Sects? How would they be any different from those unruly Evil Sects’ rogues?”
“I’m just saying, that’s all.”
“In any case, there’s no way Gupailbang or the Five Great Families are going to just sit back. Absolutely not!”
Everyone believed it. Gupailbang and the Five Great Families, who had been humiliated and had their pride trampled by Sapaeryeon, would surely seek revenge this time.
Despite the disappointment they had caused, the high expectations for these prestigious and once-proud sects still lingered in people’s hearts. It was also a reaction born from fear – fear that if these renowned sects failed to stop Sapaeryeon, their lives could be turned into hell.
Thus, everyone north of the Yangtze River hoped that Gupailbang and the Five Great Families would step forward once again to bring order to this chaos…
But the situation did not unfold the way they had hoped.
❀ ❀ ❀
A cold chill settled on Beop Jong’s face.
“…What did you say?”
Beop Gye couldn’t bring himself to meet his eyes and bowed his head low. Though he had done nothing wrong, he felt guilty and embarrassed for no reason.
Forcing himself to speak, Beop Gye answered again in a weak voice.
“We’ve received replies… but not many sects are willing to come to Shaolin.”
“Not many?”
“…Yes.”
Beop Jong fell silent for a moment. The only sound that broke the stillness was the rhythmic rolling of his prayer beads in his hand.
“Which sects have refused?”
“Well, um…”
A drop of cold sweat trickled down Beop Gye’s forehead.
“First, the Beggars Sect has expressed their intention to participate.”
“…”
“And… Kongtong is also on their way to Shaolin. Kunlun has said they would come as well, but…”
“Kunlun is always far off. They probably won’t arrive on time.”
“I think the same.”
Kunlun was located in the Kunlun Mountains, at the border between Qinghai and Xinjiang. Just the distance to Henan alone was over seven thousand li. It was even farther than the sects referred to as the Outer Palaces.
As a result, Kunlun had been a member of Gupailbang since the past, but was subtly marginalized at the same time.
“As for Haenam Sect, as you already know…”
“I’m aware. They won’t be able to come.”
Beop Gye nodded in agreement.
With Sapaeryeon dominating Gangnam, Haenam was in the most precarious position. Based on Hainan Island in the Southern Sea, they couldn’t even set foot on the mainland.
“And so…”
Beop Jong’s face twisted as he listened to Beop Gye’s hesitant words.
“Gupailbang and the Five Great Families aren’t limited to just those few! Stop dragging it out and answer me directly!”
Startled by the Abbot’s sharp tone, Beop Gye quickly nodded.
“Yes, Abbot! We’ve received notice that Diancang, Emei, and Qingcheng have expressed difficulties in coming to Henan.”
“…Reasons?”
“They said that if Sapaeryeon pushes further into the north, Sichuan would be left defenseless…”
Crack.
The previously rhythmic sound of the prayer beads suddenly stopped, replaced by a harsh noise as they were clenched tightly.
It wasn’t an entirely unreasonable concern.
However, what Beop Jong had originally requested was not for these sects to march north, but simply to have a discussion with their leaders. Refusing to even meet based on hypothetical concerns was unacceptable by any standard.
“And?”
“…There’s been no response from the sects in the Bongmun.”
“Even from Wudang?”
“…Yes.”
Beop Jong silently looked up at the sky. He stared at the clear blue expanse for a long time before sighing and muttering in a bitter, self-deprecating tone.
“Gupailbang… originally referred to ten sects.”
“…”
“And now, in this dire situation, only three are willing to engage in discussion. Just three…”
“Abbot…”
Watching him, unable to conceal his frustration, Beop Gye clenched his fists involuntarily.
He could understand Jongnam’s position. They had sealed their gates before this crisis unfolded and had been maintaining that stance. Logically speaking, they bore no responsibility for the current state of affairs.
Haenam’s situation was also understandable. Geographically, they had no means to intervene.
But the other sects were different.
Not only Wudang, who had also gone into Bongmun, but the three sects in Sichuan bore responsibility for the situation. Especially Wudang and Qingcheng, who had both participated in the Yangtze incident, had no right to turn their backs on this plea for help.
What remained were Kongtong, the Beggars Sect, and Kunlun, too distant to offer any real support.
“And the Five Great Families?”
“…The Paeng Family of Hebei has sent word that they will come to Shaolin. However, Namgung Clan still hasn’t responded…”
“…”
“Zhuge family has sent a somewhat positive reply, saying they would come to Shaolin depending on how the situation unfolds… but Moyong family has yet to send any response.”
Beop Jong shook his head.
The Tang clan had already withdrawn from the Five Great Families, leaving only four. Among them, only the Paeng family of Hebei had properly expressed their intention to participate. As for Zhuge family’s cautious reply, it couldn’t be fully trusted – they were, after all, the most prudent and calculating sect in the world.
“Beop Gye.”
“…Yes, Abbot.”
“I won’t say I am without fault.”
“A-Abbot…”
Beop Jong spoke with a face as hard as ice.
“As the Abbot of Shaolin, I too bear significant responsibility. But… do they not understand the gravity of the current situation? Do they truly not see the potential consequences of Surochae setting foot in Gangbuk?”
That couldn’t be the case. If they were so blind to the potential outcomes, they would never have become the leaders of the so-called prestigious sects. Absolutely not.
“And yet, they only care about their own interests in the midst of all this! In the midst of this!”
What enraged Beop Jong the most was precisely this.
The sects that had agreed to participate were either directly tied to Gangbuk or located so far away that their presence would hardly affect the outcome of the conflict. Meanwhile, those close enough to be seriously threatened by the devastation that could unfold are hesitating, calculating their moves.
“How can they still speak of righteousness? How!”
Beop Jong’s voice faltered, as if there was more he wanted to say, something so grave that he couldn’t bring himself to utter it aloud.
For a while, he trembled, unable to contain his emotions, before biting down hard on his lip. Finally, he spoke again.
“Beop Gye.”
“…Yes, Abbot.”
“Tell me, do you think their actions can be forgiven?”
“…Abbot.”
“The enemy is none other than the Evil Sects! How can they prioritize their own interests in such a dire situation?”
Beop Gye hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head. The answer he had to give was too shameful and painful to voice.
“Abbot…”
“Speak.”
“We were the ones… who broke what should never have been broken first, weren’t we?”
“…”
Beop Gye couldn’t bring himself to look at Beop Jong. He tightly closed his eyes as he continued.
“It was my fault… I was the one responsible there… I should have been ready to face death instead…”
Beop Jong fell silent, realizing that in his emotional state, he had said something he shouldn’t have.
“I, too, thought more of my disciples’ safety and the well-being of Shaolin than of my duties. How can I have the right to blame them?”
“That is…!”
Beop Jong started to object but quickly shook his head. He knew too well that no words could comfort Beop Gye, and no excuses could justify their actions.
“Even so, isn’t it short-sighted? After the north burns, what then? It’s obvious who will be next. Amitabha… Amitabha…”
However, the torrent of Beop Jong’s intense words soon faded. He knew all too well that the power behind his own words was weakening.
Beop Gye glanced at him cautiously before speaking.
“Abbot. If it were only about the Yangtze River incident, there would surely be more sects willing to face the Evil Sects first. But…”
“…What do you mean?”
“You know… about Hwasan.”
At the mention of Hwasan, Beop Jong’s expression noticeably hardened. Beop Gye continued in a voice tinged with bitterness.
“No one wants to take the lead anymore. After all, everyone now understands what the cost of risking one’s life for the righteousness and for the Central Plains really is…”
A look of exhaustion briefly passed over Beop Jong’s face.
“Haha… ha.”
In the end, what escaped his lips was a self-mocking laugh. After a brief moment of laughter, he spoke quietly.
“…Original sin.”
His words carried a heavy weight. Beop Gye looked at Beop Jong with concern.
“…Abbot.”
“Yes, you’re right. Who are we to blame…?”
It was something that should never have been done.
Something that should have never happened.
That incident left deep scars not only on Hwasan but also on Gupailbang and the Five Great Families. And those scars have persisted, causing everyone to suffer.
Neither Wudang nor Shaolin had been able to escape that ghost of the past. They had witnessed firsthand the consequences of leading the charge in the name of righteousness – destruction and abandonment.
Perhaps the true root of the Yangtze River Disaster lay there.
“…Send word to Cheonumaeng.”
“A-Abbot?”
“We must try. Even if it’s shameless and guilt-ridden.”
Beop Gye nodded without hesitation. He knew that saying anything more would only burden Beop Jong further.
“I will do so.”
As Beop Gye carefully withdrew, deep regret filled Beop Jong’s face.
‘How did they endure it…?’
A faint sigh escaped from his lips as he closed his eyes.
‘How did they survive that agonizing time…?’
The name of Hwasan throbbed in his chest like a brand, seared deep into his heart.
________
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Return of the Mount Hua 
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