Chapter 1016: What Did You Just Say? (Part 1)

The edges of Beopjeong's robes fluttered in the river breeze.

His gaze was fixed on the boats on the Yangtze River. The fleet's appearance seemed calm at first glance. However, to Beopjeong, they looked like sharp fangs ready to rush in and tear his throat apart at any moment.

"Hmm."

Beopjeong's eyes sank deeply.

It had been almost ten days since the Plum Blossom Island incident was resolved. Still, the Evil Tyrant Alliance had not moved the boats on the river.

The pirates, by nature, were a group that robbed those who traversed the river. Keeping the boats that should be out robbing, here, would result in a significant loss for the Su Lo Chae.

However, the Evil Tyrant Alliance was enduring that loss and not moving the boats, which meant Beopjeong couldn't make a move either. It wasn't possible to lower his guard and let the enemy get close before drawing a sword.

"....Jang Ilso."

The loathsome name flowed from Beopjeong's mouth. He would be over there, across the river, at the camp of the Myriad Man Manor.

Step by step, with dark eyes fixed on the river, Beopgye approached from behind.

"Leader, we've received the responses from the Ten Great Sects."

Even though Beopgye subtly delivered the message, Beopjeong didn't show much of a reaction.

"...Bangjang."

Beopgye called a few more times before Beopjeong turned his gaze slightly.

"What are they saying?"

"In general... they have expressed their intention to send reinforcements to the Yangtze River first."

Beopjeong had a strange smile.

"Without specifying the exact timing and how much support?"

"Yes, Leader."

Beopgye's face showed a hint of anger in response.

Promises without specific details were nothing more than empty words that could be changed at any time. Even in this situation, they were still trying to take a step back.

"Well, they would, I suppose."

But Beopjeong nodded indifferently, as if he had expected it.

"What about the Heavenly Comrade Alliance?"

"They responded that they will have deep suspicions about the Heavenly Comrade Alliance's actions."

"Deep suspicions, huh..."

Beopjeong laughed quietly.

Suspicions. It's a nice word.

If the Heavenly Comrade Alliance had made some secret pact with the Evil Sect, it could be said they had been suspicious from the start. If there had been no such thing, they could be relieved that it was only suspicion. They were lukewarm in all matters, indeed.

"Bangjang."

"As expected."

When Beopjeong lightly nodded his head, a long sigh escaped from Beopgye's lips.

"How can you be so calm?"

"Hmm?"

Beopgye's voice was tinged with resentment.

"Of course, we are not trying to say that we have done everything well. There have certainly been mistakes, and there have been areas where misunderstandings could arise."

"...."

"But at the very least, we are confronting the Evil Tyrant Alliance here on the Yangtze River, right? How should we interpret their indifference to us?"

Beopjeong looked at Beopgye and smiled.

"Are you resentful?"

"I... I..."

"No need to be resentful. People are like that from the start. The thorn stuck under their fingernails is too painful, but they can't feel emotion in seeing someone die a thousand miles away."

Beopgye bit his lip.

The method may not have been right, but they had come here with good intentions, nonetheless. To Beopgye, their response to that good intention felt too harsh.

"So, you're saying we should just endure this?"

Beopjeong asked a question instead of giving an answer, without a smile on his face.

"What do you think we should do?"

"..."

Beopgye looked at Beopjeong with a puzzled expression.

Beopjeong, at the height of the chaos in Plum Blossom Island, had lost his composure. However, just a few days after that, he had regained some of the composure he used to have in the past.

"It's a problem. Of course, it's a problem. What should we do about people who won't listen?"

Beopjeong muttered to himself while gazing across the river.

"First, send scouts again to keep us updated on the situation here and keep requesting support continuously. It would be good if we could also demand them to specify what kind of support they will provide."

These were detailed instructions. However, Beopgye let out a sigh even after hearing those words.

"Bangjang. Even if we say this, will they listen to us?"

"They won't listen. But that's okay."

"Yes?"

Beopjeong began saying something irrelevant.

"Those who are across the river watching the fire have no reason to rush. Perhaps they can watch with a sense of excitement those who are jumping around just to catch the flames."

"..."

"Right now, to them, we're just the ones jumping around trying to catch the fire across the river. They have no reason to hurry."

Beopjeong stopped for a moment and then gazed at Beopgye.

"Do you know how we can make them rush with a sense of urgency?"

"....I'm not sure, Bangjang."

"Make them aware that the fire on the other side of the river can cross over."

Beopjeong's voice carried a hint of resentment.

"The fire on the other side of the river cannot threaten me, but the fire that starts under my feet can no longer be entertaining. It can burn my house, burn down the whole town, and eventually, it can even burn my family, and even me."

Beopgye nodded silently.

Of course, the reason why the Ten Great Sects had not provided a proper response was because of the weakening of Shaolin's influence. But more fundamentally, they had not perceived the Evil Tyrant Alliance as a substantial threat.

'Those three years ruined everything.'

If Jang Ilso had killed everyone present during the Yangtze River disaster, there probably wouldn't be an Evil Tyrant Alliance now. After all, the other righteous sects would have tried to eliminate the Evil Tyrant Alliance at all costs.

But Jang Ilso had remained in the south for three years and quietly built up his power. There had been enough time for the existence of the Evil Tyrant Alliance across the river to be taken for granted.

So it became familiar. The presence of a fire burning on the other side of the river.

What's familiar no longer feels like a threat. So no matter how loudly they shout, it won't be heard by the Evil Tyrant Alliance.

"Don't you think you should inform them, Leader? About how dangerous the Evil Tyrant Alliance is?"

"Right. I thought the same way."

"...Yes?"

In Beopjeong's calm voice, Beopgye tilted his head slightly. The recent response he had just given felt a bit strange...

"Until not long ago."

The subsequent words from Beopjeong confirmed that the previous response hadn't been wrong.

Beopjeong spoke. His voice had changed slightly.

"But lately, I've been wondering if I've been thinking wrong."

"What do you mean?"

"They may not know how fierce that fire can be."

Beopgye still didn't fully understand Beopjeong's words. Who wouldn't understand how dangerous the Evil Tyrant Alliance was?

"Contrary to my initial thoughts, they might have forgotten what fire even is."

"Bangjang?"

The corner of Beopjeong's mouth twitched slightly.

"Yeah, in the first place, there was no such thing as fire in their world. There was enough time to forget what fire is. No, it was a world where fire didn't exist, even if there were embers."

"..."

That's why they forgot. What fire was. Why they should be afraid.

Doubt appeared in Beopgye's eyes as he looked at Beopjeong. Beopjeong then turned to Beopgye. His gaze was chillingly dark.

"Beopgye."

Beopgye startled and lowered his head.

"Yes, Bangjang."

Beopjeong's gentle voice was heard. It was slow and affectionate, as if comforting a child.

"Do you know how to make someone who doesn't know what fire is understand what fire is?"

"I..."

"Make them feel it."

Beopgye's spine shivered momentarily. Beopjeong spoke with a steady voice.

"Let them experience how scorching fire is, how painful it is when your hand touches it, and what happens when your body starts to burn from the flames."

"Bangjang..."

"Of course!"

Beopgye tried to say something, but Beopjeong cut him off firmly.

"It will hurt. It will be painful. But... if they don't know what fire is, isn't it possible to stop them from foolishly walking into the fire pit?"

"..."

Beopgye was left speechless. Beopjeong's faint smile on his lips and his tender voice remained the same. But within that image of Beopjeong, Beopgye sensed a clear thread of cruelty. A chilling thread that could freeze one's soul.

Beopjeong looked at Beopgye and grinned.

"Do my words sound too harsh?"

"Bangjang, I just..."

"Maybe it sounds harsh. But a Buddhist must not be afraid of loss."

Beopjeong pointed his index finger toward Beopgye. It was the signature gesture of Shaolin, where they raised one arm instead of using both hands to perform a salute.

"Why does Shaolin use 'banjang' (半掌) (half-palm) instead of a full salute?"

It was an unexpected question. Beopgye naturally knew the answer. If you were affiliated with Shaolin, you couldn't not know.

"...To honor Second Patriarch (이조, 二祖)."

"That's right."

Beopjeong nodded quietly.

While the origin of Shaolin was rooted in the First Patriarch Bodhidharma, its spiritual foundation extended to the Second Patriarch Hyegak (혜가) and its non-conceptual realization to the Sixth Patriarch Hyeneung (혜능). Everything was interconnected to bring about the Shaolin of today.

"The Second Patriarch severed his own arm to attain enlightenment."

"Yes, Leader."

"Conversely, to achieve great enlightenment, one should be willing to give up at least one arm without hesitation."

"..."

This wasn't a story that applied only to those in the martial world. Sometimes, to gain something significant, one must be willing to endure a small sacrifice.

Amidst the Beopjeong's gentle aura, there was an inexplicable pressure lurking. It was difficult to even breathe.

The half-salute Beopjeong assumed conveyed the impression of someone gathering their thoughts. After a while, he opened his eyes again and continued.

"Let's just make them understand. That should be enough."

"Yes, Bangjang."

"Send a reply."

"Yes."

Beopgye bowed deeply and withdrew. He couldn't help but feel an urge to leave this place as soon as possible.

Just as he was about to step away, Beopjeong, who was gazing at the Yangtze River at that moment, asked in a soft voice.

"What is Mount Hua doing?"

Stopping in his tracks, Beopgye cautiously replied, "They seem to have established a foothold not far from here and are planning to evacuate with the Tang family. There doesn't appear to be any significant movement."

"What about Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword?"

"...The kid seems to be instructing the young swordsmen of the Namgung family recently."

"Instructing Namgung?"

"Yes."

Beopjeong's gaze shifted slightly upward.

"...It seems that the kid will even encompass Namgung in the end."

"..."

"Go."

With that statement, Beopjeong didn't move anymore. He simply gazed thoughtlessly at the endlessly flowing Yangtze River.

After briefly observing his retreating figure, Beopgye's eyes were filled with the sparkling Yangtze River.

"...They say the world is unfair."

A bitter smile appeared on his lips.

"Amitabha..."

In the eyes that had finally closed, nothing could be seen anymore.