How can people be like this? (3)
Ho Gamyeong, who was standing on the deck, greeted Jang Ilso politely.
“You have worked hard, Ryeonju.”
“Hmm.”
Jang Ilso slowly nodded.
However, unlike Ho Gamyeong, the Black Dragon King’s expression was not so bright.
“Jang Il… no, Ryeonju.”
The Black Dragon King asked with a stiff face.
“I simply cannot understand what you are doing, Ryeonju. Is there really any need to keep Namgung clan alive for five whole days?”
“…”
“I can understand the need to clearly show them the downfall of Namgung. But there’s no need to give them time…….”
Jang Ilso slowly turned to look at him.
“Because it’s necessary.”
“…”
“It is a necessary thing, Black Dragon King.”
Jang Ilso twisted the corner of his lips.
“If we were to slaughter the entire Namgung clan right now, what do you think Shaolin would say to the other Just Sects that arrive afterwards?”
“…Well.”
The Black Dragon King closed his mouth as he was about to say something.
Would Shaolin honestly admit that they couldn’t jump into the river because Jang Ilso had arrived?
‘That’s impossible.’
If he were in their position, he would never say such a thing. He would claim that he had rushed with all his might, but by the time he arrived, Namgung had already lost their lives at the hands of those wicked Sapa bastards.
Right now, in this Yangtze River, there is no one who can refute Shaolin’s words. All that’s here are Namgung, Saparyeon and Shaolin.
Even if some curious commoners lurking around the river witnessed this scene, who would believe their words? The ones present there are Shaolin, the Northern Star of Gangho.
“Namgung clan can be dealt with at any time. What’s important is letting the world know that Shaolin stayed there and merely watched as Namgung was destroyed.”
Jang Ilso let out a cold laugh.
“Our true enemy isn’t the likes of Namgung, but Gupailbang.”
“…”
For a moment, the Black Dragon King felt a chill run down his spine.
Even Surochae hadn’t rushed; they skillfully and methodically dismantled Namgung clan. But to use Namgung as bait, to humiliate Shaolin, and twist Gupailbang from within – such an idea had never crossed their minds.
Who could even come up with such a thought?
The Black Dragon King grew curious. When the others following Shaolin arrived, what kind of face would Shaolin wear to greet them? Most likely, it would be an expression mixed with guilt and humiliation.
“…But reinforcements arriving would ultimately mean that their forces are strengthened. What if they really try to cross the river to rescue Namgung?”
“They?”
Jang Ilso scoffed.
“If they were the kind to do that, the war would have already begun.”
“…”
“Once someone stops moving, they cannot easily move again. If the situation had been urgent, they might have attacked, pushed by desperation. But…”
Jang Ilso turned his head to look towards Shaolin. Then, he asked gently.
“Do you see?”
“…”
“What do you think they are thinking right now? Do they look like they are rejoicing over getting a chance to save Namgung clan?”
The Black Dragon King furrowed his brow.
“If it were me…”
Between Jang Ilso’s crimson lips, his pearly white teeth were revealed. The sight was chilling, like watching a beast bare its fangs.
“You would rather hope that every last one of those Namgung bastards died and closed their mouths for good, wouldn’t you?”
The Black Dragon King stared blankly at Jang Ilso.
“Even if they managed to rescue Namgung clan with the reinforcements, Shaolin would gain nothing from it. The merit would instead go to those who arrive afterwards. Even if Shaolin fought desperately, all they would achieve is Namgung clan filled with deep resentment returning to Gangbuk.”
“…”
“Let me ask you again…”
Cold sweat trickled down the Black Dragon King’s back.
“Do you truly think Shaolin wants to save Namgung? Truly?”
“…”
“I…… don’t think so.”
Jang Ilso chuckled quietly, a soft snicker as if he was about to go mad from the sheer amusement of it all.
The Black Dragon King, feeling a chill, bit the inside of his lip.
‘A madman.’
This man was insane.
Control?
There was no way to control someone like him. It was clear now that he, along with the other Deputy Leaders [부련주 – Buryeonju] of Sapaeryeon, had been gravely mistaken about something all along.
He will, without fail, seize the world in the palm of his hand and shake it to his whim.
“Humans are…….”
At that moment, Jang Ilso abruptly stopped laughing and looked at the Black Dragon King with a bored expression. His gaze seemed to say, ‘You’re no different’.
“Words and actions are always different.”
“…”
“A person’s words are nothing but fabrications crafted for personal gain. Their true feelings are always hidden deep inside. And the amusing thing is…”
Jang Ilso, speaking in a soft voice, cast his gaze towards Shaolin.
“People surprisingly often don’t even know their own true feelings.”
“…”
“Aren’t you curious? To see how Beop Jong will act. And how will those fools, taught their whole lives to obey his orders, react?”
Jang Ilso slowly caressed his own lips with his fingertips.
“The only certain thing is this: once someone has witnessed their own ugly nature, they can never return to how they were before. Whether it’s Namgung or Shaolin, killing a few of them is not what matters. What’s important is making them realize – letting them know – that they aren’t such great human beings after all.”
“…”
“Hmm.”
Jang Ilso’s long eyes narrowed slightly.
“There’s no wine.”
At this, the Black Dragon King quickly jerked his chin. The attendants, who had been cowering under Jang Ilso’s oppressive presence, were startled and rushed towards the cabin.
Even though the others had gone to fetch wine, Jang Ilso showed no intention of moving inside, prompting the Black Dragon King to ask,
“Here?”
“Why not?”
Jang Ilso chuckled.
“Drinking while watching Shaolin, frozen there, unable to do anything – it seems like it would be quite splendid.”
The Black Dragon King nodded heavily.
“I-I’ll bring a table…”
The attendant who had brought the wine stammered with a pale face. At that, Jang Ilso slowly extended his hand.
“First, the wine.”
“Y-Yes? Ah…… yes!”
The attendant respectfully handed over the wine bottle. Jang Ilso took hold of it and slowly walked to the ship’s railing, where he sat down.
“Nice.”
His gaze was fixed on Shaolin across the river. The sight of them, frozen like statues, unable to take even a single step, was quite the spectacle.
A man with conviction would leap into a blazing fire. But a man who hesitates before the fire would never again dare to jump in.
What Jang Ilso wanted was to leave a deep, searing brand on their hearts.
‘A single victory means nothing.’
What mattered was winning in the end.
At that moment, Ho Gamyeong cautiously approached him.
“Ryeonju.”
“Hmm?”
“Of course, those over there won’t be able to jump into the river again. But what about the sects arriving later? They might be different, might they not?”
“They’re nothing but pigs. If Shaolin doesn’t make a move, do you think they’ll have the courage to fight us on their own?”
“…”
“Namgung Clan, who should have led the Five Great Families, is in ruins. The Tang Clan, another pillar, has withdrawn. Shaolin doesn’t even know what they’re doing anymore, and Wudang, who should have stepped up in their place, has closed its gates.”
As Jang Ilso slowly listed off the situation, the corner of his lips curled up.
“All that’s left are loud-mouthed fools.”
Ho Gamyeong slowly nodded.
“I understand.”
Just when he thought Jang Ilso had finished speaking, Jang Ilso opened his mouth again.
“But…”
“Yes?”
Ho Gamyeong looked at him with a puzzled expression, but Jang Ilso didn’t answer right away. Instead, he wore a strange smile.
“There’s one over there too.”
“……What do you mean?”
“I’m talking about an unpredictable madman.”
“…”
“Hahahaha!”
Jang Ilso cheerfully shook his head and began drinking straight from the bottle.
‘Isn’t that right?’
Fixing his gaze on Gangbuk.
Namgung Dowi collapsed where he stood, crumbling to the ground.
He had heard it all. Everything.
Jang Ilso had infused his voice with inner energy and spread it across the entire river. As if determined that not a single person should miss a word of what was happening now.
Thanks to that, even those on Maehwado were forced to hear the conversation between Jang Ilso and Beop Jong.
“Haha…”
A hollow laugh escaped Namgung Dowi’s lips.
Was it truly this merciless? Gangho he had dreamed of – full of chivalry and romance – had been nothing more than an illusion. Reality was unbearably cruel.
But what made it even more painful was that reality did not even allow him the luxury of turning his eyes away from such mercilessness.
“Ugh…”
“Cough.”
Groans of pain echoed from all around. The swordsmen of Namgung clan, bleeding, collapsed and crumbled. Those who had endured their injuries with sheer willpower now fell helplessly, as if their strength had been completely drained.
There were even quite a few who, if left as they were, would not survive the day.
‘What did we come here for?’
When they had charged towards Maehwado to uphold the spirit of righteousness and the pride of the Just Sects, there had not been even a moment’s hesitation. But now, as the situation had deteriorated to this point, he could not stop the self-mocking laughter from escaping.
Did it truly exist? Did that spirit of righteousness and the pride of the Just Sects truly exist?
If it did, then why had Shaolin stopped there, allowing themselves to be toyed with by Jang Ilso without any resistance?
“Ha… haha…”
It felt as if everything was being denied. Everything he had ever believed in.
Tap.
At that moment, someone placed a hand on Namgung Dowi’s shoulder.
“…”
He turned weakly to see Namgung Hwang gripping his shoulder.
Though his face was pale, still bearing the shock of what had happened, his lips were more resolutely set than ever.
“Stand up.”
“…Father.”
“Gather the wounded. From now on, it’s a battle of endurance. We must save even one more life if we can.”
“…”
“For the next five days…”
“If we endure?”
“…”
Overcome with emotion, Namgung Dowi cut him off and bit his lip until it bled.
“And after enduring those five days? Are we supposed to die content, satisfied that we held on?”
“Dowi…”
“Do you truly believe they will help us, My Lord? Truly?”
Namgung Hwang closed his eyes.
His son had shown a spirit worthy of the name of Namgung until the very last moment – so much so that even Namgung Hwang himself was surprised.
And so, the sense of betrayal he felt would be greater than anyone else’s here.
“Those people…”
Clench.
Just as Namgung Dowi opened his mouth again, Namgung Hwang gripped his shoulder firmly once more.
“Even if they don’t help, are you going to abandon those who are dying?”
“…”
“There is no such thing as meaningless resistance. Sometimes, there are moments when you must do what must be done, even if you accomplish nothing.”
Namgung Dowi bit his lip again.
His shoulders trembled slightly. Namgung Hwang waited silently for him.
“I’m sorry. I…”
“Enough.”
Namgung Dowi forced his heavy body up.
“We will gather the wounded and endure as best we can. But…”
“I know.”
In this place where not a single grain of food remained, there would be limits to how long the wounded could hold out. It was impossible to know how many would survive those five days.
“We just have to make it out alive.”
“…”
“Even if it’s just one person.”
Listening to Namgung Hwang’s words, Namgung Dowi slowly closed his eyes. After taking a deep breath and opening them again, a renewed firmness shone in his gaze.
He immediately turned around and shouted,
“Those who can still move, follow me! Gather the wounded and treat them!”
“…Yes!”
The response lacked even a shred of energy. It clearly reflected the dire situation Namgung clan now faced.
But Namgung Dowi did not try to forcibly rouse them with empty encouragement. He simply focused on tending to the wounded in silence. There were times when words were meaningless.
Namgung Hwang watched the busy movements of Namgung Dowi and Namgung Myeong, then slowly turned his gaze.
The ships surrounding the island.
And beyond the island, Shaolin, who had stopped in their tracks.
‘How lonely.’
It felt as though the entire world had abandoned them.
________
Please, subscribe/donate on Patreon or Buymeacoffee – support my work and help me buy official cookies to purchase the chapters. My schedule is on the About page.
Return of the Mount Hua 
Leave a reply to Chu Cancel reply