Return of the Mount Hua

Who made a mistake? (2)

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Mangeum Daebu’s brows noticeably furrowed.

‘This is…?’

The situation was starting to deviate from his expectations.

In the process of setting up this game, he had thoroughly analyzed Hwasan. If any faction with knowledge of the martial world was aware of how volatile Hwasan could be in any given situation, it was because they had done their analysis.

Having been confident in his analysis, he believed he had laid the perfect trap. Indeed, they had fallen right into it. Moreover, he had managed to preserve the Black Ghost’s power, and successfully surrounded their enemies, leaving no room for further variables.

But the response from Hwasan now was entirely different from what he had expected.

‘Is this even possible?’

It couldn’t be.

Human nature has an inherent tendency to remain unaltered. People might believe that they’ve reached the right conclusion after deep contemplation, but in reality, most of their decisions are driven not by logic but by their personal inclinations.

The same holds true for factions. The nature of a faction doesn’t easily change. If anything, due to the nature of factions, which require a multitude of individuals to reach a single conclusion, their tendencies become more entrenched and less prone to change.

And yet, Hwasan was making choices that were entirely opposite to the tendencies they had displayed so far.

In times of adversity, Hwasan would always charge headlong into those challenges. That’s how they acted in the past at Black Dragon Fortress, and that’s how they acted at Maehwado. There had been no change in their approach.

But suddenly, they were planting their feet and standing their ground.

‘This is impossible!’

Yet, wasn’t the impossible happening right now? If so, there must be a reason for it.

Mangeum Daebu quickly discerned that reason.

‘Nokrim King.’

Im Sobyeong waved his fan and was gazing in his direction. Despite the considerable distance between them, Mangeum Daebu could clearly feel it – the blatant amusement in his eyes.

Crunch.

He gnashed his teeth roughly.

Even in the midst of the rapidly changing situation, Im Sobyeong was calmly assessing his opponent’s intentions, finding the perfect response in an instant. If anyone in that place could pull off such a feat, it was certainly Im Sobyeong.

When it came to dealing with Jang Ilso’s Maninbang, he had successfully hidden his whereabouts and engaged in a protracted standoff. While his martial arts may not be enough to become a variable, there’s no way that his tactics are not acknowledged by Mangeum Daebu.

So, if Mangeum Daebu knew that the cause of this unexpected situation lay with Im Sobyeong over there, did the responsibility for not devising a proper response lie with Mangeum Daebu himself?

No one would dare utter such words.

Think about it. These are orthodox factions that take pride in upholding their traditions and are always united under their shared values. Therefore, they find even mentioning the existence of evil factions repugnant.

Hwasan, too, is a place that stands strong on the merits of its name as a prestigious orthodox sect. Such a faction accepting the guidance of a Sapa outcast like Nokrim King? It’s inconceivable.

From the beginning, inserting a Sapa member like Nokrim King into a group of elite Hwasan disciples who have crossed over to Gangnam is already an incomprehensible act for a sane individual. Could it be that Hwasan’s disciples are following Im Sobyeong’s orders? Who could have foreseen such a situation?

‘Damn it.’

Mangeum Daebu bit his lip.

‘But at this point, it’s pointless to question the logic.’

What is certain is that this absurd situation is unfolding right before his eyes.

‘But it’s still okay.’

He still holds the upper hand. The situation may have gotten a little tangled, but there is no way they can break free from this encirclement.

Even if they engage in a war of attrition, they will eventually be defeated. 

However, there was one more variable looming over Mangeum Daebu right now. He stared at that variable with a stern expression.

‘To cultivate in such a situation…’

It was difficult to comprehend.

In the heart of Hwasan’s protection, Chung Myung stood with his eyes closed.

Energy cultivation is a perilous act, as it can cause one to fall into energy deviation with the slightest shock. Therefore, it should always be done in a safe place.

Yet, this insane man was casually circulating his energy in the middle of this battlefield where life and death danced together. He was someone with nerves tougher than a whale’s heartstrings. A lunatic, nothing less.

The problem was that this madman’s actions were squeezing the life out of none other than Mangeum Daebu.

‘How long will it take?’

Full recovery is absolutely impossible. Those who circulate their energy don’t expect that. But could he recover enough to wield his sword again?

Calculations weren’t adding up.

Mangeum Daebu, who was glaring at Chung Myung with deathly eyes, flinched and stretched out his hand. Before he knew it, his palm was damp with sweat.

‘Am I being cornered? In a situation like this?’

Mangeum Daebu’s face began to distort.

Chung Myung’s power is undoubtedly menacing.

Despite the premise that full recovery is impossible, he’s the one who brought down Danjagang, that monster. Mangeum Daebu knows better than anyone how much of a monster Danjagang was. He still feels the pain in his absent arm.

If Chung Myung, even partially, regains his strength and joins the battlefield, there’s no guarantee they can hold this encirclement.

‘It must be finished before then.’

Mangeum Daebu unconsciously took a step forward. It was a reflexive action. He clearly knew he should be observing the situation from a little further back.

About to command a full-on offensive, Mangeum Daebu forced down his urge to speak.

“Keep pushing, don’t give them any room!”

“Yes!”

He used his finger to tap his thigh. The movement seemed to resemble moving the beads of his abacus.

Separated by the intense battlefield in between, Im Sobyeong, on the opposite side, watched Mangeum Daebu’s movement attentively.

“Hmm.”

Jang Ilso’s gaze, once fixed on Mangeum Daebu, slowly shifted towards Im Sobyeong.

With the fan open and his eyes cold and composed, Nokrim King surveyed his surroundings.

‘Green Forest King.’

Jang Ilso’s expression grew increasingly dark.

Before the birth of Sapaeryeon, the one Jang Ilso had been most cautious of was not Black Dragon King, not Mangeum Daebu, and not Cheon Myeon Susa. It was none other than Green Forest King Im Sobyeong.

Was it because of his strength? Or because of his exceptional skills?

Not at all.

It was because getting rid of them was most urgent.

The way Im Sobyeong managed Green Forest felt like he was directing a game of chess without knights or cannons. Nokrim was merely a half-baked faction with an insufficient number of true experts.

Even their abundant members were scattered across the mountains, making it impossible to gather them in one place, supply their forces, and maintain a unified formation.

They had the size, but they couldn’t focus their power effectively, and they lacked a significant military presence. Was there a more tempting prey than this?

Yet Im Sobyeong led Nokrim’s defense and withstood Maninbang. 

They maintained a long front while avoiding direct confrontations as much as possible. He even turned Nokrim’s lack of a main force into an advantage by hiding their actions and preventing a target from forming in the first place.

As a result, Jang Ilso’s conviction to deal with Nokrim as quickly as possible only deepened. They had to eliminate them before Im Sobyeong gets a hand [as a good hand in a card game] that he can use properly.

However…

‘I never thought he would get that card from a place outside of Sapa.?’

It might sound out of place, but the fact that Im Sobyeong seemed so joyful was not only because of a mistake on Jang Ilso’s part. 

Nokrim King was a master at making the most of his numerical advantage. He had always adhered to the path that maximized the advantages of numbers, but this was the first time he had the opportunity to do the exact opposite.

“Hmm.”

Jang Ilso gazed at Im Sobyeong with an odd expression.

“Moreover…”

Jang Ilso, who had swiftly assessed Im Sobyeong’s response and the situation with Hwasan, cracked a wry smile. His bared teeth were as menacing as those of a wild beast.

“You certainly have a knack for reading people. You haven’t changed, have you?”

He muttered under his breath. 

“Gamyeong-ah.”

“Yes, Lord Ryeonju.”

“We need to adjust our plan.”

Ho Gamyeong turned to Jang Ilso with a puzzled look.

“We should coordinate our actions better.”

Ho Gamyeong’s gaze briefly shifted towards Hwasan, catching a glimpse of Jang Ilso’s mischievous smile.

“Well… I can’t emulate that, but…”

Red Dogs do bite. They won’t be able to unleash their full potential if they continue to wait like Hwasan’s disciples. It’s because Hwasan is Hwasan. However, even in this situation, there’s a way to fully harness Red Dogs’ power.

“We should make some rearrangements to those who are causing trouble. Deal with those targeting Hwasan first.”

“Then you’ll be in danger, Lord Ryeonju.”

“Tsk.”

Jang Ilso clicked his tongue in displeasure. He trusted Ho Gamyeong greatly, yet he couldn’t delegate full authority for this reason.

“To catch a prey as elusive as Mangeum Daebu, don’t I have to use my life as bait?”

“But…”

Ho Gamyeong glanced at Jang Ilso’s expression and eventually nodded.

“Understood, Lord Ryeonju.”

As Ho Gamyeong issued the orders, Red Dogs’ gaze instantly turned, reacting with a chillingly fast and perfect response.

Jang Ilso’s eyes drew a strange curve.

“Now, Mangeum Daebu…”

Jang Ilso chuckled softly.

‘Can you calculate this situation?’

Can you bounce that proud abacus and rule this place? 

You, who only see people as numbers. 

You, who know the illusions the numbers can hold better than anyone else. If you can win, you won’t spare any number. And…

Ho Gamyeong’s gaze turned towards Chung Myung , who was still cultivating.

‘Even the crazy one who can shake everyone just by closing his eyes and standing in one place.’

What Mangeum Daebu had to deal with was a hellish situation where the monsters ruling Gangho were entwined in a tail-to-tail struggle, tearing each other apart.

If he could handle this situation, he would be able to reel in Jang Ilso, Chung Myung, and Im Sobyeong one by one.

But what if he made a mistake? The outcome was clear.

His face was gradually hardening. In contrast, Jang Ilso’s face was increasingly adorned with a bright smile.

“This is probably your first time, isn’t it?”

Those who don’t want to suffer any losses have never tried a gamble where they risk their entire life.

Jang Ilso took a few more steps towards the elite troops of the Black Ghost, who were rushing towards him. As if tempting the oncoming hunters.

“Now, the neck you want is right here. Come quickly.”

As Jang Ilso presented his neck openly, the eyes of the Black Ghost’s elites began to gleam. The opportunity to obtain the incredible achievement of “the one who cut off Jang Ilso’s head” was right in front of them.

The elite warriors rushed forward, their eyes flipping as they headed for that obvious crack. Jang Ilso, who sought the gap, let out a mischievous laugh.

“Right, that’s the way.”

In that moment, his two eyes emitted a sinister light.

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Jang Ilso is very hard to understand. But in the end his actions make the most sense.