Chapter 905: Welcome Back, Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword (Part 5)

"Please..."

Chung Myung and Im Sobyeong fought fiercely while uttering curses, while the Five Swords, who pretended to hold them back, were subtly fanning the flames. This hellish scene that went beyond confusion brought agony to Tang Gunak, who was accustomed to the Sichuan Tang Family's strict rules.

"Why is Mount Hua always..."

Huh? Soso?

What are you doing there?

Seeing Tang Soso, who was pointing at Im Sobyeong behind Chung Myung's back and scolding him, he felt something crawling up from deep inside him.

Those damned Mount Hua guys stole my daughter...

Thump!

"Anyway, as I was saying."

Chung Myung slammed the ground.

"You have to get your feet out the door."

"Well, you have a point."

"...No, why is Nokrim King suddenly agreeing?"

Im Sobyeong shrugged his shoulders.

"It's not an incorrect statement. We can't keep staying like this."

"Why?"

"The reason should be obvious, right?"

Rustle!

Im Sobyeong, holding the fan wide open, spoke with a stern face.

"There is no way that Jang Ilso will just keep drooling over the land of Gangbuk forever."

"..."

"He will move soon, in one way or another."

"Everyone knows that, don't they?"

"Exactly. So, of course, we should step back."

Listening to the conversation, Chung Myung intervened.

"We may not know what that crazy guy will do, but there's one thing for sure. To conquer Gangbuk, he'll have to cross the Yangtze River."

"That's right."

"So, what do you think will happen? The Sichuan Tang Family, which has been guarding the Yangtze River, will be the first line of defense, won't they?"

"Hmm..."

Tang Gunak silently nodded. He wasn't a fool. He naturally understood that if the Evil Tyrant Alliance crossed the Yangtze River, the main force of the Sichuan Tang Family would be the first to confront them.

But...

"A line of defense..."

Tang Gunak gazed at Chung Myung quietly.

"If you become a shield for the Righteous Sects, then of course you should reject it."

"Yes."

"But what if the shield is for civilians?"

"..."

Tang Gunak slowly lowered his head.

"Until now, the reason the Tang Family guarded the Yangtze River wasn't to assist the Sichuan Tang Family. It was solely for the commoners."

To be honest, at first, that wasn't the intention. He just saw it as an opportunity to spread the name of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and build their reputation when the Sichuan Tang Family's reputation was declining.

But during their time living together, while guarding the Yangtze River alongside them, Tang Gunak had also come to realize many things. He couldn't let the ground they had protected for so long and the commoners fall into the hands of the Evil Tyrant Alliance.

"As long as we don't know what the Evil Tyrant Alliance might do, isn't it our duty not to withdraw for such a reason?"

Chung Myung furrowed his brow slightly.

"Isn't the primary concern in the Sichuan Tang Family the family's interests?"

"That's a valid point. However..."

Tang Gunak's gaze locked firmly onto Chung Myung.

"That's an issue within the Gang Ho. The Sichuan Tang Family doesn't compete with commoners for benefits. At least, not while I'm the head of the family."

His tone was firmer than ever.

The corners of Chung Myung's mouth twitched slightly.

It was not the answer he had initially wanted, but perhaps it was a response he liked even more. 

"I don't know what happened in those three years, but..."

It seemed like even Tang Gunak had developed feelings for Sacheon.

"Well, your words make sense, my Lord. However..."

"However?"

"The problem is that in the process of helping the commoners, we become the shield for the Righteous Sects."

"Isn't that something we should accept?"

Chung Myung's lips curled slightly.

"Even if the Righteous Sects don't come out to help until the Tang Family is completely wiped out?"

Tang Gunak fell silent.

After a few moments of contemplation, Tang Gunak looked at Chung Myung and asked, "Do you think that is a possibility?"

"Yes."

"...If we can't stop the Evil Tyrant Alliance, it won't only be the Heavenly Comrade Alliance that will be destroyed. Despite that, do you think that the Ten Great Sects and the Five Great Families will sit by and watch as the Sichuan Tang family collapses at the hands of the Evil Tyrant Alliance?"

"Yes."

Chung Myung's casual, calm response momentarily left Tang Gunak at a loss for words.

It indicated a difference in perspective between him and Chung Myung regarding the Ten Great Sects.

To bridge this gap, Chung Myung spoke up.

"It seems there's a misunderstanding."

"What do you mean?"

"Sichuan Tang Family is no longer an ally of the Ten Great Sects. They're enemies."

"Enemies?"

"Yes."

Chung Myung nodded and continued, "From the perspective of the Ten Great Sects, there's no difference whether Sichuan Tang Family fights alongside them or becomes the shield for the Evil Tyrant Alliance. Both options lead to the same result. It's like having two intruders on the same path. Who would cross over and fight them together? They'll simply watch until one side is destroyed."

Tang Gunak's expression changed several times in a short span. He remained silent for a moment before nodding.

"But that analogy doesn't quite hold true. Beyond the border, there are no citizens of the nation. However, north of the Yangtze River, there are innocent villagers who need protection."

He was emphasizing that the Ten Great Sects and Five Great Families would act if it were for the sake of the commoners. But upon hearing this, Chung Myung smiled skeptically, as if he had been waiting for Tang Gunak to say those words.

"Have you heard the rumors about Soean?" 

"...."

"Do you really think those bastards just sat there and watched because they had no power to stop those Evil Sect scum?"

Tang Gunak couldn't find the right words. After a long moment of hesitation, he sighed.

"...Probably not."

If Mount Hua hadn't released the seal in time... No, if the news had reached Mount Hua just a little later, Evil Sect members would have spread across Soean.

"No."

Tang Gunak bit his lip.

Seoan didn't burn, but the doors to hell were open. Two villages were already swept away at the hands of the Evil Sect bastards, weren't they? The culprits behind this scheme were none other than the Shaolin Sect, or more precisely, the Ten Great Sects.

They had already pushed the commoners under the control of the Evil Sect once. What reason was there for them not to do it again? Chung Myung nodded as if he could guess what Tang Gunak was thinking and pressed his point home.

"If the Evil Tyrant Alliance advances northward, how do you think the Ten Great Sects will react? Probably wait for reinforcements, looking for a better position to fight from, and keep making those excuses, right?"

"Until the Sichuan Tang Family is completely obliterated by the Evil Sect?"

"No."

A wicked smile played at the corner of Chung Myung's mouth.

"Unable to sit idly by and watch the Tang family collapse while fighting alone, all members of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, including Mount Hua, rushed to the Yangtze River and became tangled up in the war."

Tang Gunak had no response.

"Then how incredibly convenient would it be for the Ten Great Sects? The nagging Mount Hua, the Tang Family, and Nokrim, all holding hands and singing Kumbaya, dealing with the thorn-in-the-side Evil Sect together. They'd wait patiently until the Evil Sect exhausted itself, only to tidy it up afterwards, talking about noble sacrifices."

A sneer crept across Chung Myung's lips.

What did he know?

'Because I've already experienced it.'

It wasn't because he was Chung Myung or because he was Chungmun, and it wasn't because he didn't know. [?] He had to put everything on the line even though he knew. If he backed down, everyone would have died.

Yes, he didn't regret that moment.

But...

"I won't let it happen twice. Those fucking bastards."

Chung Myung gritted his teeth and spoke.

"Beop Jeong isn't a bad person."

When the words "Beop Jeong" and "jerk" came out together, Hye Yeon, who had been in the corner, looked up at Chung Myung. However, given the circumstances, he kept his mouth shut.

"Even Heo Dojin isn't a bad person. He just has one thing clear in his mind."

"What is that?"

"The most important thing is his sect's self-interest."

Tang Gunak closed his eyes in response to Chung Myung's words.

Not too long ago, his thoughts were no different from what Chung Myung was saying. That's why he could even better understand that there was a high chance Chung Myung's words would come true.

Chung Myung narrowed his eyes.

Times have changed, but their way of thinking hasn't. It was the same in the past when Mount Hua rose to power, when it was attacked by the Demon Sect, and when it fell so tragically afterward. Even the actions of Heo Dojin and Beop Kye during the Yangtze River Tragedy didn't seem to differ significantly. All of these decisions prioritized their own interests and security, with rationality guiding them.

"I don't particularly think that's wrong. People are like that, after all."

"...."

"But...."

Chung Myung shrugs his shoulders.

"If that's how it's going to be on their end, we can't ignore our interests on this side, either, right?"

"....You're right."

Tang Gunak nodded his head.

Now, he didn't want to oppose Chung Myung's words. He, too, had no intention of sacrificing the Tang family as another faction's shield.

"I understand what you mean. Protecting the Yangtze River further in this situation will to the downfall of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance."

"I'm glad you understood so quickly."

"But there's one thing that bothers me," Tang Gunak furrows his brows. "No matter how right it may be, if we just pull back now, the public opinion along the Yangtze River might turn against the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. People aren't naturally practical, are they? I worry that all the efforts put in over the past three years might be in vain."

At that moment, a sinister smile tugs at Chung Myung's lips. "In vain?"

"Yes, in vain."

Chung Myung looks at Tang Gunak silently for a moment, and then speaks. "Do you know what I hate the most?"

Tang Gunak answers with an extremely serious expression.

"Southern Edge Sect."

For a moment, Chung Myung's brain stopped functioning. His mouth, which had been spitting out words like a babbling brook, was left agape, motionless.

"Is it not?"

"Uh... Well..."

Conflict showed itself on Chung Myung's face. Here, of course, he was supposed to answer with an emphatic "No!" so he could continue what he was trying to say. But...

'How on earth can I say I don't hate the Southern Edge Sect out loud with my own mouth?'

Huh? It's not like I dislike them but I hate them?

That's it! You idiots!

The only thing in this world I hate more than the Southern Edge Sect is the devil!

Chung Myung's mouth seemed to be sealed shut as if he couldn't find the words. His eyes started to dart around nervously.

Then Baek Cheon extended a helping hand to the helpless Chung Myung. "Right now, I think he's asking about the situation you dislike the most, not who you dislike the most."

"That, that's right!" Chung Myung quickly agreed, nodding vigorously.

My goodness, there were times when feeding Dong Ryong was useful!

"The situation?"

"Yes! The situation!"

"...Losing to the Southern Edge Sect?"

..."

At that moment, Tang Gunak felt like he had witnessed Chung Myung's face cracking apart like dried plaster. The shock was not only evident in Chung Myung's face, but even the Five Swords' faces, who had been quietly listening beside them, as they shuddered.

"Wow, that would really piss me off."

"I can't even imagine it."

"I'd rather bite my tongue and die."

Even Baek Cheon, who had just spoken, was sharpening his sword as if he were about to run to the Southern Edge Sect immediately. Even the elders and the leader of the sect were nodding as if to indicate that it was the right thing to do.

"Ugh... Well....It... It's definitely the most infuriating..."

Cheongmyeong shook his head violently.

"Anyway!"

"Why are you suddenly yelling like that?"

"I really hate it when people touch my food bowl. Other people gulping down my hard-earned efforts? I absolutely can't stand that."

"So, following your logic, should we protect the Yangze River people even more in this case?"

"But there's something I hate more than that."

"...And what is that?"

Chung Myung stared at Tang Gunak in silence for a moment and then slowly spoke.

"Clinging to delusions about profit or righteousness and losing those that shouldn't be lost."

"..."

"To avoid that, I'm willing to do anything."

Tang Gunak fell silent.

Not a hint of a smile was found on Chung Myung's face, and it was clear that his previous words came from the depth of his sincerity.

'Those that shouldn't be lost...'

Even after hearing these words, he couldn't persist in his stubbornness.

"...I understand."

The two men's gazes met in mid-air. Tang Gunak nodded decisively as if he had made up his mind.

"I don't know if this decision is right or wrong. But..."

Sincerity flowed from him.

"I just have to trust you."

A soft smile appeared on Tang Gunak's lips.