Return of the Mount Hua

Isn’t that good? (3)

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Yangtze River.

“Elder!”

“This, this is…”

Jao Gae Neungsam’s eyes, standing by the riverside, trembled.

He saw dozens of boats floating on the Yangtze River. Dozens of boats might not seem like a big deal. In fact, they had mobilized all kinds of different vessels, including small rowboats and fishing boats.

Despite this, the reason for Jao Gae’s distress was simple. The dozens he counted were only those visible to the naked eye.

The Yangtze River is wide. And long. It divides half of the Central Plains.

If such an event were occurring across the entire expanse of the Yangtze River, just how many boats were there in total?

Hundreds? Thousands? Or perhaps even more?

Jao Gae’s back was drenched in cold sweat.

“Have you reported to the headquarters?”

“I sent an immediate report using the fastest courier.”

Jao Gae bit his lip tightly.

What good would a report do?

There was no way to respond. How could they prevent those crossing the river from spreading out in groups of four or five throughout the entire Central Plains? It wasn’t as if they could guard the entire long stretch of the Yangtze River.

“What in earth are they thinking?”

No matter how much he thought, he couldn’t understand.

Troops need to be gathered to be effective. Shaolin might be a formidable Great Sect in name and reality, but if they were scattered across the entire Central Plains, they wouldn’t be able to exhibit even a tenth of their strength.

Sapaeryeon, who surely understood this, was now dispersing all their forces to push them across the river to the north. But why?

“Elder!”

At the urgent voice flying from behind, Jao Gae bit his lip once more.

“First, request support from Gupailbang. Attack them as soon as they reach the shore.”

“But…”

“I know!”

He knew well enough that dealing with these visible ones wouldn’t change the situation.

But…

“We can’t just sit back and do nothing! We have to do something! Go quickly!”

“Yes, Elder! Understood.”

Jao Gae clenched his fist tightly.

‘To think I could be so helpless…’

As he looked at the boats crowded so densely that they seemed endless, he had a hunch.

From now on, everything that would happen could never be measured by the common sense of warfare he had known.

❀ ❀ ❀

Clatter. Clatter.

The sound of a spoon moving was heard. Ho Gamyeong silently watched Jang Ilso leisurely eating porridge.

‘Of all things…’

The bowl contained yellow millet porridge.

It was true that this place was not their main headquarters, but they were not in a situation of lacking supplies either. Yet, the leader of Sapaeryeon was eating millet porridge.

“Is it to your taste?”

“Hmm.”

Jang Ilso put down the spoon with a satisfied look and smiled broadly. A candid remark flowed from his bright smile.

“It’s terribly tasteless.”

“Then why on earth…”

Jang Ilso slowly poured wine into his glass. As if to wash away the taste with the aroma of the wine, he downed the drink in one gulp and spoke.

“Well, sometimes I just feel like being capricious.”

He chuckled, then glanced at the bowl of porridge in front of him and pushed it away slightly. His eyes seemed to flicker for a moment, but he soon lost interest in the empty bowl and turned his gaze to Ho Gamyeong.

“How did it go?”

“It was carried out as you instructed.”

“Good job.”

His reaction was indifferent, as if it was nothing significant. Ho Gamyeong shook his head.

By now, Gangbuk must be in turmoil. It wouldn’t matter if it were Gupailbang, Cheonumaeng, or the government. Yet, the mastermind behind the chaos showed neither joy nor excitement.

Could they even imagine? That the very person who would make them grind their teeth in anger was leisurely eating porridge in a tent?

“There’s no visible response yet. It’s still early, but…”

Ho Gamyeong’s calm voice carried confidence.

“Even if they had more time, they wouldn’t be able to respond easily.”

Jang Ilso chuckled.

But Ho Gamyeong’s conviction remained unshaken. If he were in their position, he wouldn’t move hastily either.

The best approach would be to similarly disperse their forces across Gangbuk. However, they would be uneasy about this force here, which felt like a dagger aimed at their throats.

“That’s human nature.”

“…”

“People have compassion and a desire to help others.”

At Jang Ilso’s words, Ho Gamyeong flashed a strange smile.

“Why are you smiling like that?”

“Well…”

Jang Ilso frowned at his ambiguous smile.

“Oh dear, it seems there’s a deep misunderstanding. In truth, I am a very compassionate person.”

Jang Ilso laughed heartily at his own words and continued.

“Yes, let’s say that about myself. Generally, people want to help others. But there’s one condition. Do you know what that condition is?”

Ho Gamyeong replied with a blank expression.

“Isn’t it when it doesn’t harm themselves?”

“Yes.”

Jang Ilso smiled with satisfaction.

“Even if someone is willing to risk their life for others, they wouldn’t let their own house burn to help someone else, would they?”

“That’s right.”

“They would be afraid. While they’re gone… we could burn their house down. Not just the house, but everything could turn to ashes. They must have already seen it with their own eyes.”

Ho Gamyeong nodded.

Emei, Diancang, and the Tang clan.

Seizing Sichuan is undoubtedly significant. However, its significance varies from person to person.

An ordinary person would be happy with what they could gain from the land of Sichuan, while a wise person would be delighted by the ability to aim a dagger at their enemies’ throats because they had seized Sichuan.

But that wasn’t Jang Ilso’s intention.

The greatest thing he gained from taking Sichuan was the fear his opponents would feel.

The moment the seemingly unbreakable fortress of Gupailbang crumbled, not only Gupailbang but also Cheonumaeng would realize.

They too could end up the same way with just one mistake.

Ultimately, the foundation of every move Jang Ilso had made until now was the fear that his opponents unknowingly harbored in their hearts.

“They must be in turmoil. Their hearts must ache. But they will question and doubt whether it is worth burning their own house down to do what needs to be done.”

“But, it won’t continue indefinitely. Even if Gupailbang don’t, Cheonumaeng surely…”

“Of course. If you think about it for a moment, ignoring a fire at the neighbor’s house could eventually spread to our own. But… isn’t that enough?”

That’s right. That’s enough. All that is needed is that brief moment when the things he sent spread throughout the entire Gangbuk. Just a moment of hesitation is enough.

After all, that’s exactly what Sapaeryeon aimed for from the beginning.

Jang Ilso smiled broadly and poured himself another glass of wine.

“I feel like I should thank them. Everyone is working so hard. It’s true that we’ve become quite close, but they didn’t need to help this much. Just Sects are certainly kind.”

How would the leaders of Gupailbang or the senior members of Cheonumaeng react if they heard this? Undoubtedly, they would want to tear Jang Ilso to pieces.

But strictly speaking, it’s not wrong. If they hadn’t moved, Sapaeryeon wouldn’t have been able to make this attempt in the first place.

If Cheonumaeng and Gupailbang hadn’t gathered all their strength and united the smaller sects.

If the Beggars Sect hadn’t recalled all their elders scattered across the Central Plains.

“However, there’s a bit of a misunderstanding.”

“Hmm?”

“Isn’t it because Ryeonju made them act that way? No hunter thanks the beast caught in a trap.”

“Tsk tsk. Such a wicked fellow. So heartless. And there’s a misunderstanding you have.”

“What is it…?”

“The events in the Beggars Sect were truly beyond my expectations. I never imagined they would move so favorably.”

Jang Ilso smiled brightly again, clearly pleased with his thoughts. Even if the Beggars Sect hadn’t moved as they did, this plan would have proceeded with some degree of damage.

However, thanks to the unexpected movements of the Beggars Sect, the damage was reduced by nearly half… no, even more. An entire city was burned down, while their own forces were fully preserved.

“Now we just have to wait.”

“Indeed.”

Jang Ilso leaned back against the golden pillow with a languid expression. It was merely a theatrical gesture. But Ho Gamyeong noticed it. For a moment, the lethargic eyes flashed with the ferocity of a hungry beast.

“The choice is theirs. Will they split their forces and expose their vulnerable necks? Or will they huddle in place like turtles, watching the whole world burn?”

“…”

“Just Sects always want two things. One is victory. The other is honor. But when victory and honor start to devour each other, what choice will they make…?”

Jang Ilso’s eyes glimmered wickedly.

“Aren’t you curious too?”

“…”

“Hahahahahaha! This is entertaining. Very entertaining!”

Watching Jang Ilso laugh heartily, even tapping his chair, Ho Gamyeong consciously calmed his racing heart. He couldn’t afford to get excited just yet. This was only the beginning.

“I don’t know if I dare to say this…”

“Tsk tsk. I told you to skip the unnecessary formalities, yet you never listen.”

Jang Ilso looked at him with warm eyes. Ho Gamyeong, in response to that gaze, steeled his resolve once more. The day he grew complacent and stopped questioning himself because of that gaze would be the day he became useless.

“They are still strong.”

“I know.”

Jang Ilso shrugged with a drowsy expression.

“You mean we shouldn’t get overconfident and end up getting beaten?”

“Apologies, but yes, that’s correct.”

“Tsk tsk. If it’s something you feel sorry about, you shouldn’t say it.”

Jang Ilso clicked his tongue as if his mood had soured.

“Gamyeong, Gamyeong.”

“Yes, Ryeonju.”

“You are right. But there are different kinds of strength.”

Jang Ilso’s gaze turned northward. The land, tinted red, reflected in his eyes.

“I’m not saying that they are not strong, but that they are bloated.”

“Bloated, you say…”

“They have to protect everything. Big sects, small sects, even idiots who can’t wield a sword. Ah, and who knows? If it’s the savages from the Beast Palace or the kind-hearted fellows from Hwasan, they might even go so far as to protect the neighborhood dogs.”

“…”

“To them, everything in their sight is something they must protect. And to us…”

Jang Ilso’s thin lips curled into a smile, revealing his white teeth.

“It’s a place where we can trample and tear everything apart.”

Ho Gamyeong nodded slowly. From the start, Sapaeryeon… no, Maninbang had nothing to protect.

The scum of the Evil Sects driven to Gangbuk would all die. They were never formidable in the first place, and having been divided into small groups, they would be killed as soon as they faced the enemy.

But what does it matter?

Their usefulness lay in the chaos they would cause in the north before dying. That was all. They had been promised ownership of any wealth they managed to seize, so they would rampage like a pack of starving wolves.

That alone would turn the north into a wasteland. If the enemy hesitated in their response, those small sparks would become a fierce flame that would engulf the entire north.

“Hmm. But we must ensure our preparations are solid. Have we received any reports?”

“Yes. We’ve been informed that they are ready to move at any time.”

“Tsk tsk. You sure know how to speak smoothly for such a devious temper.”

Jang Ilso chuckled.

“But I like such people. They’re easy to understand.”

Jang Ilso leisurely rose from his seat.

As he stepped out of the tent, his subordinates tensed and froze. Jang Ilso glanced northward absentmindedly and smiled.

“I’m curious. What move will he make?”

Seeing Jang Ilso’s slightly eerie smile, Ho Gamyeong sighed and spoke in a resigned voice.

“Honestly, I have no idea. Even if I put myself in his shoes.”

“Is that so? I think I know.”

“…Yes?”

“No, no. It doesn’t matter. Even if you know the method, it’s useless if you can’t implement it.”

Jang Ilso’s lips looked particularly red today, just like blood. A very faint whisper escaped, so soft that even Ho Gamyeong could barely hear it.

“If he could break free from the chains binding him, he might be able to cut my throat. But…”

Would he still be himself after breaking those chains?

“That would be interesting. Yes, very interesting.”

A fierce heat flickered in his pale eyes. That heat was hotter and more ruthless than the flames consuming the north, seeming as if it could burn down Jang Ilso himself.

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