Chapter 1072: Who Made a Mistake? (Part 2)

The Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold's brow furrowed noticeably.

'What is this?'

The situation was unfolding unexpectedly.

Up until this point, he had thoroughly analyzed the Mount Hua Sect. Knowing how significant of a variable Mount Hua was in Kangho, he couldn't underestimate it.

As thorough as his analysis had been, he believed he had set a perfect trap. In fact, they fell right into that trap. Moreover, since the Black Ghost Castle's power was preserved and the encirclement was successful, he thought there were no more variables.

However, the response from Mount Hua now was deviating completely from what he had anticipated.

'Is this even possible?'

It couldn't be.

Humans inherently have unchanging tendencies. The decision-maker may believe they've reached the right conclusion after deep thought, but in reality, they are often led by their own inclinations rather than logic.

Sects are no different. The inclinations of a sect are not easily changed, just like an individual's tendencies. If anything, due to the nature of a sect where numerous individuals must reach a consensus, those tendencies become even more entrenched and resistant to change.

However, Mount Hua, at this moment, was making a choice completely opposite to the tendencies it had shown so far.

The sect known for rushing headlong toward adversity, that was the Mount Hua Sect. This was true in the past with the Black Dragon King, and it remained unchanged on Plum Blossom Island.

But now, suddenly, they are planting their feet on the ground and holding their ground?

'Impossible!'

But wasn't this impossible event happening right now? If so, there must be a reason.

The Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold could easily discover the cause.

'Nokrim King.'

Im Sobyeong was looking this way, fanning himself with his paper fan. Despite the considerable distance, the Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold could keenly feel it. The unmistakable mockery in his gaze.

Kchik.

His teeth gritted audibly.

Even in a chaotic situation, he calmly assessed the opponent's intentions and instantly found a perfect response befitting the situation. If anyone could pull off such a feat in that place, it would undoubtedly be Im Sobyeong.

It was Im Sobyeong who led a long confrontation with Jang Ilso's Myriad Man Manor while hiding his whereabouts as much as possible While the variable of Ilsin's Wui [idk lol] might not be enough, there was no way the Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold could deny the strategic skill he possessed.

So, did the fault of this unfolding situation lie with the Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold, who was aware of the presence of Im Sobyeong, but failed to come up with an appropriate response?

No one would dare to utter such words.

Think about it. A prestigious political faction is a place where people are united with pride in keeping their righteousness. So, they find even mentioning the existence of the Evil Sect repulsive.

Mount Hua was also a name associated with prestige. These were people who proudly carried the name of a reputable sect. So, the idea that they would follow the orders of the Nokrim King, a figure from the Evil Sect, was unthinkable.

From the start, inserting the Nokrim King, a former Evil Sect member, into a group of elite martial artists crossing over to Gangnam was an action beyond comprehension for any sane person. How could it be that the disciples of Mount Hua were following Im Sobyeong's orders? Who could have anticipated such a situation?

'Damn it.'

The Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold bit his lips.

'But now, arguing with logic is meaningless.'

One thing was certain; right before his eyes, this absurd situation was unfolding.

'But it's still okay.'

He still held the upper hand. The situation may have twisted a bit, but they no longer had the strength to break through this encirclement.

If he played the waiting game, they would eventually succumb and die.

However, there was one more variable attacking the Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold right now. He looked at that variable with a stern face.

'In such a situation... '

It was Chung Myung, standing with closed eyes in the midst of Mount Hua's encirclement.

Cultivating qi is inherently a risky act, as even a slight shock can lead to a qi deviation. That's why cultivating qi must be done in a safe place.

Yet, this crazy guy was cultivating qi in the middle of the battlefield where life and death were at stake. Even if his nerves were tougher than whale tendons, it was practically an impossible feat. There was no way to describe him other than as a madman.

The problem is that the actions of this madman were strangling the neck of the Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold.

'How long will it take?'

Complete recovery was absolutely impossible. Even those extremely lucky wouldn't hope for such a thing. But to recover enough to wield a sword and fight again?

'One [some time unit]? Or [another time unit]?'

He couldn't calculate it.

Staring at Chung Myung with eyes that seemed ready to kill, the Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold suddenly spread his hands. His palms were soaked with sweat.

'...Am I being cornered? In this situation?'

The face of the Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold began to contort gradually.

Chung Myung's strength was undeniably threatening.

Even with the premise that complete recovery was difficult, he was the person who had brought down that monstrous Danjagang. The Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold knew best how much of a monster Danjagang was. His lost arm still twinged from time to time.

If Chung Myung, who had somewhat regained strength, joined the battlefield, there was no guarantee they could hold up this encirclement.

'It must end before that.'

Unconsciously, the Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold took a step forward. It was an involuntary action, despite him knowing that he should observe the situation a little more from behind.

About to command a complete shift to the offensive, the Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold suppressed the words trying to burst out and bit his lips firmly.

"Press on. Don't give them any room!"

"Yes!"

The Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold, using his fingers that had loosened, unconsciously tapped his thigh. The movement seemed like he was moving a chess piece.

Amidst the intense battlefield, on the opposite side, Im Sobyeong, who had been observing the Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold's movements without missing a beat, turned his gaze slowly to Jang Ilso.

"Hmm."

Jang Ilso's gaze, which was focused on the Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold, slowly moved to Im Sobyeong.

Im Sobyeong's eyes, looking around him with his fan open, were frighteningly cold.

'Nokrim King.'

Jang Ilso's eyes darkened for an instant.

Before the name Evil Tyrant Alliance emerged, the figure Jang Ilso was most wary of was not Black Dragon King or the Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold but the Nokrim King, Im Sobyeong.

Was it because Nokrim was strong? Because Im Sobyeong was exceptional?

Far from it.

It was most urgent to clear them out because they were the ones most urgently in need of being cleared out.

To him, Nokrim seemed like a chess player placing pieces on the board without rooks or queens. Nokrim had large numbers, but it was a martial arts faction that lacked absolutely powerful players.

Moreover, Nokrim couldn't even utilize its numbers properly. Gathering all the scattered Nokrim bandits in the world, supplying the things they consume, and maintaining order was impossible.

A sect with a large size but unable to concentrate power properly, and lacking any force that could be called the main force. Was there anything more appetizing than this prey?

But Im Sobyeong led such a Nokrim and withstood the Myriad Man Manor's offensive.

Maintaining a long front line, avoiding direct collisions as much as possible, and even turning the lack of a main force into an advantage by hiding his presence and the movements of Nokrim.

The one who repeatedly engaged in activities that could hardly be called a strategy and minimized Nokrim's damage was Im Sobyeong.

The more he thought, the more firm Jang Ilso became in his thoughts. This meant that Nokrim must be cleared as quickly as possible. Before Im Sobyeong got a card that he could use properly.

But...

'I never thought he would get that card from a place other than the Evil Sect.'

It might sound out of place given the circumstances, but it wouldn't be just Jang Ilso's misconception that Im Sobyeong appeared to be excited. The one who always placed as many tiles as possible to maximize numerical advantages, for the first time was able to do what he wanted to do from the opposite perspective.

"Hmm."

Jang Ilso looked at Im Sobyeong with a strange gaze.

'Besides...'

Seeing Jang Ilso, who witnessed Im Sobyeong's response and Mount Hua's infiltration at a glance, twisted into a smile. His revealed intentions were as threatening as the fangs of a beast.

'You read people well. Still the same.'

Jang Ilso murmured to Ho Gakmyung, who stood beside him.

"Ho Gakmyung."

"Yes, Lord Ryeonjul."

"We need to change the plans."

Ho Gakmyung looked at Jang Ilso with a puzzled expression.

"I guess we need to adjust our rhythm a bit."

Jang Ilso's face showed a sly smile. Ho Gakmyung's gaze, seeing the sly smile on Jang Ilso's face, momentarily turned towards the direction of the Mount Hua Sect.

"Well... I may not be able to imitate that one."

The Honggyeon wouldn't be able to exert their strength if they kept guarding their positions like the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect. It was only possible because they were Mount Hua. However, even in this situation, there was a way to completely draw out the power of the Honggyeon.

"We need to change the biters a little bit. Take care of those targeting the Mount Hua Sect first."

"Then you'll be in danger, Lord Ryeonjul."

"Tsk."

Jang Ilso clicked his tongue as if he was dissatisfied. Despite trusting Ho Gakmyung immensely, he couldn't delegate full authority for this reason.

"If you want to catch a whale like the Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold, you have to use me as bait, wouldn't you agree?"

"But..."

Glancing at Jang Ilso's expression, Ho Gakmyung eventually nodded.

"I understand, Lord Ryeonjul."

As soon as Ho Gakmyung gave the command, the Honggyeon's gazes immediately turned all at once. It was a response so fast and perfect that it was eerie.

Jang Ilso's eyes formed a mysterious arc.

"Now, Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold..."

Jang Ilso chuckled.

'Can you calculate this situation?'

Could he bounce that proud abacus and rule this place?

A person who only sees others as numbers.

Someone who knows better than anyone the illusions that numbers possess.

Someone who wouldn't hesitate against any number if it leads to victory.

And...

Ho Gakmyung's gaze turned towards Chung Myung, who was gathering energy while standing in place.

'Even that crazy guy who grips and rattles everyone by just closing his eyes in place.'

What the Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold had to deal with was a hellish scene where the monsters dominating Kangho bit each other's tails, entangled in a twisted struggle.

If he managed to handle this situation, he could lure in Jang Ilso, Chung Myung, and Im Sobyeong one after another.

But what if he made a mistake? The result was obvious.

The face of the Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold was gradually stiffening. In contrast, Jang Ilso's face was brightening with a smile.

'This might be your first time, huh?'

There was no way that someone who always avoided losses had ever waged such a massive gamble with his life on the line.

Jang Ilso stepped forward a few more steps towards the elites of the Black Ghost Castle rushing towards him. As if tempting the oncoming hunters.

"Now, the neck you desire is right here. Come quickly."

As Jang Ilso exposed his neck and advanced towards the approaching elites of the Black Ghost Castle, the eyes of the elite fighters began to glitter. The opportunity to obtain the tremendous achievement of 'the one who captured Jang Ilso's neck' is right in front of them.

The elite fighters of the Black Ghost Castle rushed forward with white eyes. Jang Ilso, who deliberately exposed an obvious vulnerability, let out a cheerful laugh.

"That's right, just like that."

At that moment, his eyes emitted a sinister light.