If one must bear it. (9)
“…The Sword Under the Heaven [천하검(天下劍)], Jongli Gok?”
Cheon Myeon Susa’s face twisted slightly.
The Sect Leader of Jongnam, The Sword Under the Heaven Jongli Gok. He was the one who had stepped forward.
A gaze that could be perfectly described as ‘stern’ fell upon Cheon Myeon Susa.
“A familiar face. That is quite unpleasant.”
“…”
“No matter if it’s an Evil Sect, does the head of a sect know no shame?”
It was a remark aimed at Cheon Myeon Susa, who was wearing Tang Pae’s face.
Cheon Myeon Susa did not particularly react. More precisely, he had no room to respond.
‘Why is this bastard…?’
He wasn’t foolish enough not to know that Jongli Gok was on this battlefield. What he couldn’t understand was the fact that Jongli Gok had stepped in to help Tang Gunak.
Was Jongli Gok the sort of man who would do such a thing?
“This is… unexpected.”
Feigning composure, Cheon Myeon Susa opened his mouth.
“To think we’d see the renowned Jongli Gok actually helping someone. Could there be some relationship between the Tang Clan and Jongnam that I don’t know about?”
Of course, this was Cheon Myeon Susa’s first time ‘facing’ Jongli Gok in person. They had only briefly crossed paths before, and they were hardly at a distance close enough to know each other well.
But Cheon Myeon Susa prided himself on knowing Jongli Gok. After all, Cheon Myeon Susa was the Munju of Haomun, which oversaw all the information under the sky.
From what he knew, Jongli Gok wasn’t someone who would even lift a finger for anything that did not benefit his own sect.
In fact, if one assumed that the Just Sects would ultimately win this war, they could say he might even hope for Tang Gunak’s death. If the Sichuan Tang Clan declined, Jongnam could extend its influence all the way to Sichuan.
Such was the cold-blooded Sect Leader who would do anything that profited Jongnam, and who had once propelled Jongnam to the position of one of the three greatest sects under heaven.
“You speak as though you know me well.”
“Of course…”
“That, from one who belongs to an Evil Sect”
Cheon Myeon Susa slowly closed his mouth.
This was something different.
Up until now, the Just Sects’ bastards he had faced – those whose excessive uprightness made them feel hypocritical – were of a different sort.
This was sheer arrogance.
He was looking down on Cheon Myeon Susa without restraint. He wasn’t drunk on his own righteousness – rather, his gaze made it clear that he considered Cheon Myeon Susa to be nothing more than filth before him.
Cheon Myeon Susa was reminded once again why he so despised those Just Sects’ bastards.
Srrrrrrng.
Jongli Gok slowly raised his sword.
“There’s no reason for me to kindly explain just because the likes of you are curious. You’re going to die anyway.”
Cheon Myeon Susa ground his teeth roughly.
The Sword Under the Heaven, Jongli Gok. Just how strong was he?
Because it lacked the vitality to last, it faded quickly, causing the world to forget. But once, there had been a certain rumor going around.
Perhaps everyone else had forgotten by now, but Cheon Myeon Susa, who oversaw the world’s information, remembered it clearly.
The Three Great Sword Masters Under Heaven [천하삼대검수*].
Depending on the era, they might be four, five, or even seven, and the number would change, but the essence was the same: that title was reserved for the strongest swordsmen under heaven.
Namgung Hwang of Namgung Clan. Heo Do Jinin of Wudang. And Jongli Gok of Jongnam.
Before Cheonumaeng and Sapaeryeon emerged, Gangho had enjoyed an unprecedented era of peace. Because of that, it was never verified whether they truly deserved the title of the Three Great Sword Masters Under Heaven.
But even if it wasn’t verified, the mere fact that they were briefly given that title was significant in itself. Its meaning was by no means small.
Without realizing it, Cheon Myeon Susa mumbled to himself.
“The Three Great Sword Masters Under Heaven… Indeed, that’s quite threatening.”
“…”
“But I doubt you can face us alone. Even among the Three Great Sword Masters, aren’t you merely the lowest seat?”
Jongli Gok let out a short laugh.
“If I’d known I’d be looked down on this much by some Sapa bastard, I would’ve come out of my mountain gates a bit more often.”
“Even if you had, I doubt your reputation would have changed much.”
Jongli Gok nodded at those words without objection.
“That’s true. It’s also true that even if one were the greatest sword master under heaven, it wouldn’t be easy alone.”
“You know this very well.”
“But is that a problem?”
“…Hmm?”
“Isn’t it fine as long as I’m not alone?”
Cheon Myeon Susa frowned in confusion… and at that moment.
“Hurry over here!”
“Ugh.”
Several people rushed in from behind Jongli Gok.
“Father!”
“…Pae?”
To anyone who didn’t know, it would have been a truly bizarre sight.
Tang Pae, who had sprinted over to Tang Gunak, was about to check his wounds when he spotted someone who looked exactly like himself and flinched.
It didn’t take long for him to grasp the situation.
“…Cheon Myeon Susa.”
Tang Pae ground his teeth. Just witnessing that sight seemed enough to guess what had happened here.
But instead of immediately unleashing his anger, Tang Pae tended to Tang Gunak instead. He knew what was most urgent at that moment.
“Father. Let’s head to the rear first.”
“W-Wait…”
Tang Gunak tried to shake off Tang Pae’s hand, but someone cut in with a weary voice.
“Just go quietly. You’re of no help. If you’re wounded, then act like it and get treated – that’s your duty.”
Unlike the weary voice, the hands supporting Tang Gunak were swift.
“Here, allow me to escort you…”
At that, Tang Pae asked in disbelief.
“No, you can’t be the one escorting him!”
“Why not? Why can’t I? Are you discriminating against me now?”
“You’re supposed to fight those bastards!”
“Why me? Why would I? I’m the sort who stays in the rear, pointing my finger and giving orders!”
“Stop talking nonsense and get out of the way! Otherwise, I will tell on you later. When someone’s going to roll his eyes and come charging in – would you really be fine with that?”
“Damn it!”
The one who had been supporting Tang Gunak let go of his arm and let out a long sigh.
“…Nothing goes right, damn it.”
Tang Gunak, dumbfounded, watched him and gave a hollow laugh.
“…Nokrim King.”
“Why are you calling me? What, why? We’re not on such friendly terms that we’d be calling out to each other so casually, are we? Am I wrong?”
“…”
“Ugh, this is driving me crazy. Just hurry up and go. You’re in the way.”
Im Sobyeong trudged forward, then stood beside Jongli Gok, who was waiting. With a face full of annoyance, he let out one sigh after another.
“Well now.”
Im Sobyeong waved the fan he’d opened in the direction of Cheon Myeon Susa, without much flourish.
“Fancy seeing you again.”
“…Nokrim King. You’re telling me you’re going to face me?”
Cheon Myeon Susa burst into laughter, as though even the notion was absurd.
“You think I want to do this? Tsk.”
Im Sobyeong spoke in his annoyance openly.
“What can I do? If I run away from the mangy mutt in front of me right now, I’ll just have my bones crushed by the tiger that pounces on me later.”
“…Are you determined to side with the Just Sects to the very end? Even in a situation like this?”
“It’s precisely because of this situation that I’m siding with them, you idiot.”
“What?”
Nokrim King’s face twisted.
“Traitors tend to be the most proactive. That’s the only way to survive.”
“…”
“Honestly, if you lot hadn’t stirred up such a commotion, I could’ve just bowed and scraped my way through. But with things going like this, guess who’s going to be hit the hardest once the war is over? Isn’t it obvious?”
Im Sobyeong spat on the ground, as though his anger rose the more he spoke.
“Do I have any other choice? When the wind of ‘kill all the Sapa bastards’ starts sweeping through later, I don’t want to see all the strongholds of Nokrim in the Central Plains wiped out. So I’ve got to put my life on the line here and fight, to prove that we’re the ‘good-natured’ Evil Sect.”
Cheon Myeon Susa burst into boisterous laughter at the absurdity of what had been said.
The ‘good-natured Evil Sect’? He has lived long enough to hear all sorts of nonsense.
“Do you really think that makes any sense?”
“Whether it makes sense or not is not for you to decide, so mind your own business.”
Normally, as slippery as Cheon Myeon Susa was, he wouldn’t have batted an eye at most things. There were few occasions indeed when he found himself flustered.
But now he couldn’t hide his bewilderment.
Because Jongli Gok had appeared? Or because Im Sobyeong, who would never shake off the label of the Evil Sects, was standing in his way?
No. Of course both events were startling, but if you looked at it logically, neither was entirely impossible.
The real reason Cheon Myeon Susa was caught off guard was that these two events had happened at the same time.
Who could have imagined such a sight? Nokrim King, Im Sobyeong, and The Sword Under the Heaven, Jongli Gok, standing shoulder to shoulder, ready to fight.
Cheonumaeng… No, if you looked at the entire world of the Just Sects, and had to pick the person least likely to work in tandem with Im Sobyeong, Cheon Myeon Susa would choose Jongli Gok without hesitation.
Beop Jong? That old man would have joined hands with the devil himself if needed.
Heo Do? Maybe not in the past, but now he wasn’t such a rigid man.
Which was why Jongli Gok was the obvious pick. He was the last person who would ever ally himself with someone he scorned as a Sapa scoundrel, especially Nokrim King.
And yet, such an unbelievable turn of events was unfolding right before their eyes.
“Tsk. In all my life…….”
As Im Sobyeong grumbled repeatedly, Jongli Gok furrowed his brow.
“Even so, if you’re the head of a sect, you should at least keep up appearances.”
“Hearing that from the esteemed Sect Leader of Jongnam is truly an honor. But still…… since when did you hold a hoard of mountain bandits in such high regard?”
A blatant look of displeasure crossed Jongli Gok’s face.
“So this is…”
“So this is why you should never deal with Sapa bastards? Is that what you were going to say?”
Jongli Gok let out a short sigh. Truth be told, he wasn’t pleased with the situation either. This was the leader of an Evil Sect – at that, one of the lowest rank, Nokrim King. One only had to watch his behavior to see he knew nothing of etiquette or dignity.
But there was no other way right now.
It would be difficult to face both of them alone. He could bring along his disciples, but that would twist the entire front line.
‘Where on earth is that brat Geumryong?’
His cherished disciple had been nowhere in sight for a while. Letting out another resigned sigh, Jongli Gok spoke quietly.
“At this point, even a cat’s paw would be of help, so there’s no choice. Do your best.”
“Since when did you become my superior, giving me orders?”
“…Judging by how you’re snooping around here and there, it sure sounds like an order.”
“Shit.”
Im Sobyeong gritted his teeth, apparently unable to refute that.
Who could he blame? It was his own fault for getting mixed up with the craziest person in the world. Who would have imagined such a scene would play out when he stuck to that bastard, hoping to use him for his own gains?
“I heard that once upon a time Jongnam was doing better than Hwasan.”
“Once upon a time?”
“Oh, did that never happen?”
Irritated, veins stood out on Jongli Gok’s forehead.
“You insolent…”
Even with the enemy right in front of them, the killing intent was flying back and forth among allies instead.
Tang Pae, who had been staring blankly at their backs, suddenly came to his senses. He quickly tried to head towards the rear again, but Tang Gunak tapped him on the shoulder.
“Pae-ya.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll get you out of here right now.”
Tang Gunak needed immediate treatment, in as safe a place as possible.
But unexpectedly, Tang Gunak shook his head with difficulty.
“…Let’s… wait a bit… first.”
“What?”
Tang Gunak’s gaze turned to the front. Two rather unreliable figures were standing there with their backs to him.
With an emotion that was hard to describe, Tang Gunak muttered.
“…I really cannot go, because I feel too anxious.”
“…”
Without meaning to, Tang Pae nodded. Truly, he couldn’t agree more.
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*천하삼대검수 – 天下劍三大劍首 – where 검수(劍首) is a sword master.
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WHAT AN AMAZING COMBO!
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Return of the Mount Hua 
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