Return of the Mount Hua

Next time it will be your neck. (1)

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He knew all too well that this was not the time to let these words slip from his lips, but the situation before him made it impossible to endure in silence. In the end, he hesitated for a moment and opened his mouth.

“What… how is this happening?”

It was Baek Cheon who spoke these words, but in truth, it was an emotion commonly felt among the disciples of Hwasan. They couldn’t fathom the sudden change in Black Ghost’s forces, who had refrained from revealing enmity towards Jang Ilso, and his subordinates who had ambushed Mangeum Daebu, as they lacked an understanding of Sapa’s physiology.

Moreover, the situation beyond them was not clear due to the Black Ghost’s still surrounding them. Hence, it was difficult to grasp the unfolding situation.

Fortunately, at this moment, there was a Sapa guy by their side who could fully grasp and explain the situation.

“Hmm.”

Im Sobyeong opened his mouth, swaying the fan he unfolded gently.

“It seems that Cheon Myeon Susa has attached himself to Jang Ilso.”

“…Thousand faced man of the Hao clan?”

Baek Cheon blinked his eyes and looked toward Jang Ilso. Mangeum Daebu had turned into a cold corpse, and his subordinates stood before him…

“So, it wasn’t the subordinates of Mangeum Daebu who betrayed him… you’re saying it’s Cheon Myeon Susa, the head of Hao clan?”

“It seems so.”

Im Sobyeong shrugged his shoulders.

“His transformation technique is unparalleled, to the point that no one can recognize his disguise… it truly lives up to its reputation. It’s hard to believe that not even Mangeum Daebu noticed the change in his closest subordinate.”

His tone was composed, but Im Sobyeong was also quite surprised by the current situation.

‘Chilling.’

If Mangeum Daebu hadn’t noticed, it meant that Im Sobyeong was also at risk of being deceived.

Of course, there could be some excuse for Mangeum Daebu as well. In the moments just before he was about to cut down a tiger’s neck, who could notice that the rabbit hopping behind them was acting differently than usual?

‘But such situations are bound to happen in Gangho.’

Im Sobyeong suddenly realized just how useful this unbelievable transformation technique could be. Certainly, even Cheon Myeon Susa would not use it lightly, given that his life was at stake.

“…So, Jang Ilso had Cheon Myeon Susa hidden from the beginning and manipulated the situation like this?”

“It seems so.”

Baek Cheon looked at Jang Ilso, momentarily speechless.

‘What kind of person is he…?’

The disciples of Hwasan, including Baek Cheon, were now prepared not to be surprised by anything Jang Ilso did. Hadn’t they already experienced enough of how out of touch with common sense he was?

Yet at this moment, they couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in the head of that person.

“Oh, no. Then…”

Yoon Jong turned to Im Sobyeong with a puzzled expression.

“Do you mean even you knew about it?”

At those words, Jo Geol raised an eyebrow.

“What on earth are you talking about, Sahyeong?”

“No… earlier, during the unfolding situation… it seemed like Nokrim King was cooperating with Jang Ilso, didn’t it?”

“Come to think of it…”

Jo Geol, Yoon Jong, and Baek Cheon all turned to look at Im Sobyeong simultaneously. As their gazes fell upon him, Im Sobyeong smirked slightly and then unfolded his fan, partially covering his face.

“Hehehehe.”

“…”

“Of course, it’s only natural. No matter how remarkable Jang Ilso may be, when it comes to strategy, he can’t possibly match me!”

‘He didn’t know.’

‘He had no idea.’

‘It’s all for show.’

As the three men’s eyes narrowed simultaneously, Im Sobyeong clicked his tongue.

“…Why are you looking at me like that? Merely guessing that he might have prepared something should be worthy of praise, shouldn’t it? Jo Geol Dojang? Yoon Jong Dojang?”

There was no response.

Baek Cheon let out a deep sigh. Honestly, in this situation, he couldn’t even decide who to admire. Should he be in awe of Jang Ilso, who had orchestrated all this while concealing Cheon Myeon Susa, or should he be in awe of Im Sobyeong, who had cooperated without knowing what Jang Ilso had hidden?

‘Right, he still is Nokrim King, isn’t he?’

Suddenly, it struck him. He had always seen Im Sobyeong as frail and sickly person, but he had forgotten that this person had led Nokrim and engaged in fierce battles against Maninbang. When he considered the power gap between Nokrim and Maninbang, Baek Cheon couldn’t help but realize how remarkable Im Sobyeong was.

‘Is this the strategic warfare of those who contend for control of Gangho?’

It felt like he was living in a different world.

“…But why are the forces of Black Ghost just observing this?”

When Namgung Dowi asked, looking puzzled, Im Sobyeong shrugged his shoulders.

“It’s over.”

“It’s over?”

“Yes.”

Namgung Dowi seemed to be quite perplexed. Im Sobyeong tapped his head lightly with the fan. It seemed like these fools from righteous factions needed further explanation.

“So, let’s think about it. Hwasan fought against the Wudang, and Sect Leader Hyun Jong lost his life to Sect Leader Heo Dojin. What will you all do?”

“We’ll obliterate those Wudang bastards that day.”

“We won’t sit idly by!”

“We’ll set the Wudang mountain on fire and chase out anyone who flees, stabbing them in the back with our swords!”

“…”

“…”

Jo Geol, who had shouted last, suddenly felt the intensity of their stares and flinched.

“Why, why? Is there something I can’t do…?”

“Are you even human?”

“It’s a matter of character…”

“Even that last comment was too much!”

Jo Geol felt deeply wronged by the last comment. Fortunately or unfortunately, Im Sobyeong turned their gazes away from him.

“Yes, that’s the way the orthodox sects think. But in Sapa, it doesn’t happen that way. They don’t have that kind of loyalty to begin with.”

And this is also an environmental issue unique to Sapa.

Unlike the orthodox sects that uphold their honor, Sapa survives in constant conflict. If they engaged in war every time there was a dispute, it would mean the end of Sapa itself.

Of course, Hwasan’s disciples were not unaware of this fact. However, knowing something in theory and witnessing it happening before your eyes were two completely different experiences.

“So, this means…?”

Jo Geol spoke as if he couldn’t understand at all.

“Are you saying we lost to Southern Edge and, from that day on, we become disciples of Southern Edge?”

“This guy! Even if it’s a metaphor…”

“Why are you spouting such nonsense? Are you out of your mind?”

“I feel like throwing up.”

Even the mere thought of it made their stomachs churn. To those who held a sense of belonging to the Hwasan sect, this was something inconceivable, even if the world turned upside down.

Yet they were accepting such a situation without apparent resistance. Perhaps their inner thoughts were different, but at least there was no visible opposition.

“How can they accept this?”

No matter how much Sapa valued their interests, how could they simply stand by and watch their leader’s head explode?

It was an unpleasant thought, but if Hyun Jong had been in a similar situation, the disciples of Hwasan here would have already lost their rationality and done anything to kill Jang Ilso.

“…Is this the difference between unorthodox and orthodox sects?”

The gap appeared to be much wider than expected.

Belonging to different factions was not the only issue – their personalities and thoughts were entirely different. That’s why they couldn’t mix, like water and oil.

Baek Cheon turned to Im Sobyeong, as if something had occurred to him.

“Then, what about Jang Ilso’s actions from a while ago?”

“You saw it exactly as it is.”

Im Sobyeong nodded slowly.

“For Sapa, it’s not just about ‘winning,’ but rather, something more important. It’s about ‘being stronger.’ If Jang Ilso had only won through strategy without showing his presence, he wouldn’t have gained their allegiance so easily.”

“Indeed…”

“It may seem simple, but on the other hand, it’s a complex matter. The most important thing is to prove that you’re someone worth following in any way. It was a risky endeavor, but as you can see, the results speak for themselves.”

In other words, it means that when Cheon Myeon Susa ambushed Mangeum Daebu, Jang Ilso was already plotting his next move. At that point, what was important to him was not finishing Mangeum Daebu but ensuring he devoured the Black Ghost Fortress, who was left ownerless.

Baek Cheon stared at Jang Ilso with a stern expression.

“At least now, there’s truly no one within Sapa who can rival Jang Ilso.”

Jang Ilso was originally Ryeonju of Sapaeryeon. However, as the Yangtze river incident showed, he had not completely taken control of Sapa. At least Black Ghost and Hao clan did not simply follow him.

But now, such incidents would no longer occur.

Jang Ilso had already devoured Surochae at Yangtze and now, at this moment, he had seized control of the Black Ghosts. And even Thousand faced man had pledged loyalty to Jang Ilso.

This meant only one thing.

A complete unity within Sapa [사파일통(邪派一通)].

The impossible achievement had finally been accomplished at this moment. Perhaps the disciples of Hwasan were witnessing a historic moment with their own eyes.

It was at this very moment that Baek Cheon, trembling with an unknown thrill, heard Jo Geol’s voice interrupt his thoughts.

“Hey?”

“Wait, just a moment, Sasuk. So, is Jang Ilso unifying Sapa now?”

Baek Cheon furrowed his brow.

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh, no. I mean…”

“Again, what is it?”

“Well, that means that everyone here has become Jang Ilso’s subordinates, right?”

“Why are you suddenly saying something obvious…?”

Baek Cheon was about to speak, but he suddenly fell silent. The focus in his eyes as he looked at Jo Geol began to blur. Then, after a moment, he turned his head to the side, making a creaking sound. He saw Black Ghost’s warrior slowly turning in his direction.

Jo Geol’s voice, filled with frustration, rang out.

“So…aren’t we screwed now?”

Black Ghosts, or rather, they were no longer Black Ghosts but should be called simply Sapaeryeon, glared at this direction with a piercing gaze. Behind their black curtain, Jang Ilso was smiling brightly with a peculiar look.

A disappointed laugh involuntarily escaped from Baek Cheon’s lips.

“It seems like…”

He lifted his sword that had been lowered.

“…That’s what it is.”

Red Dogs, who had identified who the new prey was, also put on a cruel smiles and began to slowly approach Hwasan.

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