An Orthodox Sect abandoned by all Great Sects. (5)
“Abandon, you say, Samae.”
Baek Cheon furrowed his brows, turning his gaze towards Yu Iseol. Ogeum had been through a lot together, having protected each other’s backs in countless battles. Their bond might have been thicker than blood.
However, despite their close relationship, Yu Iseol’s statement clearly crossed a line.
“Well, we didn’t create this situation.”
“Yes.”
But Yu Iseol continued to answer with an emotionless voice.
“But it still is what it is.”
“…”
“I was just asking.”
That was all Yu Iseol said, and she remained silent. Perhaps this topic could have ended right there. The people gathered here were adept at handling such situations and concealing their thoughts. If they were skilled at anything, it was navigating complex situations.
However, whether it was unfortunate or fortunate, the conversation did not end there.
“…What’s going to happen?”
If Yu Iseol was the one who asked the question that everyone wanted to ask, it was Yoon Jong who continued the conversation.
Yoon Jong’s gaze was directed towards Im Sobyeong. If there was someone who could understand and objectively narrate the situation, it was him.
“Then, what will happen to Haenam?”
“Well, it’s hard to say.”
Im Sobyeong scratched his head awkwardly with the handle of his fan.
“Of course, people in Haenam have their own thoughts, and those who don’t want to be caught up in trouble would have plans for escape. They’re not fools.”
“Ah, yes, of course, they would have thought about that…”
Then, Im Sobyeong added with a shrug.
“But if it were something they could handle on their own, they would have already pulled out from Hainan Island.”
Yoon Jong’s expression, which had momentarily shown a sense of relief, turned stern again.
“We might still be assessing the situation….”
“You mean when it’s already like this…?”
Unable to respond, Yoon Jong, when pressed, struggled with his words.
“For you, this situation might seem to have suddenly unfolded, but for Haenam, it’s been a long-standing reality. They probably realized that they could be in this situation several years ago. If I were the leader of Haenam, when the incident happened in Maehwado, I would have chosen one of two things: either escape the island without looking back or try to confront Sapaeryeon.”
“…That makes sense.”
“The fact that they couldn’t choose either of the two options means there must have been some reason. What that reason is, we don’t know. We can’t possibly know what’s happening in a place that’s three thousand li away from us. However… there’s a guess.”
“A guess…?”
“Consider that there were Sapa bastards who didn’t joined Sapaeryeon until the very end.”
“Haomun?”
“Yes.”
Tap.
Im Sobyeong lightly tapped his palm with the fan.
“Given the nature of Haomun dealing with information, it’s a faction well-suited for monitoring a wide area. Anyone with common sense, would have entrusted the role of observing Haenam to Haomun.”
“Well, wait a moment. The head of Haomun is in Hangzh….”
“Do you need the lord to watch over Haenam? The guys below will handle the job.”
“….”
“Perhaps Haomun’s head used the excuse of monitoring Haenam to avoid the pressure from Jang Ilso all this time. Then, now that they can no longer avoid the situation, they might have fully surrendered to Jang Ilso.”
Yoon Jong nodded as if it made sense.
“In the end, regardless of where Haenam lands, Jang Ilso would have prepared to capture and kill them. That cunning jerk wouldn’t have left the knife behind his back.”
Jo Geol seemed puzzled, unable to understand.
“If that were the case, wouldn’t it have been better to eliminate them earlier? I can’t fathom the reason for leaving it untouched until now…”
“Attacking a martial arts sect within Gupailbang is essentially declaring themselves as complete enemies. It’s not a choice that Jang Ilso could easily make, at least until the Maehwado incident.”
Jo Geol’s lips sealed tightly at those words. Instead, Yoon Jong asked once again.
“It may sound like I’m prying, but… What does this mean for Haenam sect?”
“Well, I’m not sure. I don’t quite understand why you’re asking me that, Yoon Jong Dojang.”
Im Sobyeong chuckled.
“Are you pretending not to know anything, even though you clearly know? Trying to act innocent in an unsolvable situation?”
Although other Ogeom flared up at the sarcastic remark, Yoon Jong calmly responded to Im Sobyeong’s words.
“I just wanted to confirm the opinion of the Nokrim King. My thoughts are not complete and are somewhat limited. So, I seek the perspective of someone who reads the current situation far better than I do. It’s the only way to make an informed decision without making mistakes.”
Silently staring at Yoon Jong, Im Sobyeong momentarily softened looking somewhat embarrassed, then scratched his head.
“I apologize. I spoke unnecessarily.”
Nodding slightly, Im Sobyeong started talking candidly.
“Jang Ilso is not one to leave survivors behind. Moreover, his absurd ambition to subjugate the entire Gangho under his control is not mere talk. What makes Jang Ilso truly fearsome is that he, a whimsical dreamer, executes those dreams in a ruthlessly realistic manner.”
“Then…”
“It’s quite obvious what methods someone like him would choose.”
Im Sobyeong’s gaze sank ominously.
“No one will survive.”
“…”
“He’ll deliberately hunt them down like a relentless predator. Those associated with Haenam sect, regardless of age, will be targeted with only extermination in mind.”
A deathly silence filled the room. After a while, it was Yoon Jong who broke the silence.
“…Is there a reason he has to go to such extremes?”
“Well, if you think about it, of course, there is.”
Im Sobyeong responded indifferently.
“That’s the only way Sapaeryeon, when they enter Gangbuk, won’t encounter effective resistance, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Effective resistance?”
“Smaller factions, commoners, those living in seclusion, people who could disrupt and target supply lines when Sapaeryeon enters from the Yangtze river into Gangbuk.”
Im Sobyeong clicked his tongue.
“From Sapa’s perspective, we are the ones who repeatedly thwarted their attempts to conquer the Central Plains.”
“Ah…”
“They are showing them an example. Those opposing Sapaeryeon won’t survive like ant larvae. If that happens, the smaller martial factions that would have naturally joined forces with Gupailbang or Cheonumaeng, as well as the hesitant allies willing to risk their lives, will falter.”
Yoon Jong’s face contorted.
“For just that reason… for just an example, he would resort to such brutal measures?”
“Just for that reason?”
However, Im Sobyeong, with a silent, dagger-like gaze, stared at Yoon Jong.
“Do you, Yoon Jong Dojang, perceive what we’re doing here as some kind of children’s play with toy soldiers?”
“…”
“This is war.”
Not an entirely surprising statement, but for the first time, it made those present truly grasp the gravity of their situation.
“Do not think of negotiation and compromise in war, Yoon Jong Dojang. In war, there is victory, and those who emerge triumphant are right.”
“No matter how…”
“Well, that’s a valid point.”
“Chung Myung!”
“More precisely, ‘No one remembers the arguments of the defeated.’”
Yoon Jong silently bit his lip. Chung Myung, looking at him with a transparent gaze, spoke to Im Sobyeong.
“But that’s not everything, is it?”
Im Sobyeong sighed softly as he scratched his head when Chung Myung looked at him.
“…Yes, that’s correct. I might have said that in the past, but…”
As Yoon Jong and Im Sobyeong took a step back from each other, the atmosphere settled into a dull state.
“Ahem.”
And in that hushed atmosphere, Tang Gunak spoke up.
“…It’s regrettable about Haenam, but it doesn’t seem like something we can do much about.”
A long sigh escaped his lips.
“After all, Haenam isn’t even affiliated with Cheonumaeng. In reality, it might be an excessive move for us to extend a helping hand first unless they reach out to us. Offering help to them before they reach out could be considered going too far.”
“Yes, it would be going too far.”
The one responding to that statement was none other than Baek Cheon.
“But, Lord Tang, if someone doesn’t engage in such presumptuous acts, Haenam sect will truly collapse.”
“Behold, Baek Cheon, I…”
“And.”
Baek Cheon spoke in a sincere voice.
“There were times when I fervently wished someone would do such presumptuous act.”
“…”
“I couldn’t openly ask for help, and due to pride, I couldn’t bow my head. But I wished for it more desperately than anyone else.”
“That is…”
“If we turn away from Haenam here, both the Gupailbang and Cheonumaeng will abandon them. They won’t be able to receive help from anywhere.”
Namgung Dowi, who had been silent until now, also spoke up.
“I share the same thoughts.”
Feeling Tang Gunak’s gaze, Namgung Dowi smiled bitterly.
“Thanks to that reckless help, I am alive here now. I understand better than anyone the feelings of someone awaiting death while being surrounded by enemies.”
“Young Lord…”
“If you need someone to go there, please let me know. Namgung won’t hesitate.”
“Please listen, Young Lord. You must rebuild the Namgung Clan…”
“I don’t think turning away from what needs to be done now for the sake of many things in the future is the path for Namgung.”
“…”
“If that’s the case, it would be more fitting for Namgung to die for a righteous cause.”
Unconsciously, Tang Gunak glanced at Hyun Jong.
Hyun Jong, however, kept his eyes closed with a stoic expression.
Frustrated, when Tang Gunak was about to say something, he heard a soft laughter in his ear.
Turning his head, he saw Chung Myung wearing a peculiar smile.
“An Orthodox Sect abandoned by all Great Sects…. Yeah, I’ve heard that story quite a bit somewhere.”
“Hwasan Geomhyeop.”
Chung Myung’s chilling gaze pierced through both Baek Cheon and Namgung Dowi.
“But understand this clearly. Don’t think you can pay for that failure with your deaths. That failure could lead to Cheonumaeng’s defeat and Sapaeryeon’s victory. In that case, your retribution could drag everyone here into hell.”
“…”
“Do you think others are silent out of lack of conscience? Grow up. You spoiled brats.”
Baek Cheon bit his lip and glared at Chung Myung.
“So, what exactly do you want to do? Just turn away?”
“I…”
Chung Myung was about to say something when an urgent voice disrupted the conversation from outside the door.
“A-Alliance Leader!”
Hyun Jong, sensing the urgency in the voice, quickly shouted,
“What’s happening?”
Everyone in the room doubted their ears due to the words that followed.
“S-sh, Shaolin’s Abbot is on his way here!”
“What did you say?”
Hyun Jong widened his eyes in disbelief.
________
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