Chapter 1079: Next Time It'll Be Your Neck (Part 4)

Jang Ilso, who had been walking silently, leaving the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect behind, subtly turned to look at Ho Gakmyung.

"Hmm."

In response to the strange hum, Ho Gakmyung looked at Jang Ilso with questioning eyes. Jang Ilso spoke.

"Surprising, huh."

"...What part are you referring to?"

"I thought that by now, you would bring up the topic of dealing with those guys again."

Ho Gakmyung let out a deep sigh. It wasn't a completely wrong expectation.

The reason he stepped back was that Jang Ilso's safety was not secured. Recognizing Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword so highly was an affront to his pride, but Jang Ilso's life was about a thousand times more important than his pride.

So, now that Jang Ilso's safety was assured, if Ho Gakmyung, as usual, had gone back on the promise and tried to kill those guys, he might have been vehement about it.

"Lord Ryeonjul."

"Hmm?"

"I'm not such a foolish person."

In response to Ho Gakmyung's words, Jang Ilso chuckled. Of course, Jang Ilso had never thought of Ho Gakmyung as foolish. He wasn't a person to give someone the position of an aide just because of high loyalty.

A sly smile crossed Ho Gakmyung's face as he glanced at Jang Ilso.

"You might have said that, but... there were several ways if you wanted to take their lives. It seems that, in your opinion, they still have some usefulness."

Jang Ilsu laughed.

"It would have been good if you had figured that out a little earlier."

"It's not an easy thing, Lord Ryeonjul."

Ho Gakmyung let out a deep sigh.

"Whatever the reason, where would a servant be who just watches his lord jump into a pit without doing anything? Even if it's just to observe."

"Tsk, tsk. That's your problem."

"Even if you say that, I have no intention of changing."

Ho Gakmyung was by no means a foolish person. Rather, in terms of managing power, he showed abilities surpassing Jang Ilso. The reason Jang Ilso could casually unfold crazy strategies was that Ho Gakmyung, who could deploy troops and use resources according to whatever he did, existed.

Realizing the concept of the "limb," in that sense, Ho Gakmyung truly had the qualification to be called Jang Ilso's limb.

Despite this, the reason Ho Gakmyung occasionally showed a frustrated look was simple. His top priority was always Jang Ilso's safety rather than victory or gain.

Jang Ilso shook his head as if he had given up trying to persuade him.

"It is as you said. They shouldn't die yet. Or, to be more precise, the Mount Hua Sect shouldn't die yet. At least not today."

At that moment, Thousand-Faced Gentleman, who had been silently listening to their conversation, asked casually.

"Perhaps because of the Demonic Sect?"

Jang Ilso turned to glance at Thousand-Faced Gentleman. The corners of his mouth twisted into a sinister smile.

"Well, who knows..."

Seeing that smile, Thousand-Faced Gentleman felt a dryness in his mouth.

Right now, Jang Ilso was not in a condition to fight properly due to his injuries. Perhaps at this moment, the most dangerous person to Jang Ilso was not Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword or the Demonic Sect, but the Thousand-Faced Gentleman standing next to him.

Certainly, Jang Ilso might be aware of that fact. However, he didn't show the slightest hint of caution towards the Thousand-Faced Gentleman.

That composure, in turn, made the Thousand-Faced Gentleman uneasy. Although his presence alone was no less than anyone in the world, the sense of presence emanating from Jang Ilso now was incomparable to that of the past.

"The Demonic Sect, yes. They are certainly threatening."

Jang Ilso's eyes, reminiscent of Heavenly Executioner, narrowed sharply.

"I... it sends shivers down my spine to think about it."

The Demonic Sect was powerful. Denying that fact was not a matter of pride; it was just a foolish act not to recognize reality. A Demonic Sect where someone like Heavenly Executioner casually existed might be so formidable that even if the entire Central Plains joined forces to fight, it would be difficult to deal with.

"But that's it."

Jang Ilso drew a clear line.

"Not preparing for the future is a foolish act, but not doing what needs to be done right away because of some distant future event is even more foolish. I'm not so idle that I'd let myself be blinded by foolish zealots who might appear again at any time."

"Hao, Lord Ryeonjul. If what they say about the existence of the Heavenly Demon is true..."

"Still, nothing changes."

Jang Ilso's voice flowed with a deep tone.

"Certainly... On day may come that the being called the Heavenly Demon comes back and the Demonic Sect invades the Central Plains..."

Ho Gakmyung nodded.

Hu Jiaming nodded.

It was difficult to believe in the possibility that the Heavenly Demon would appear based on the mere existence of the Heavenly Executioner. Believing in such a baseless legend and becoming involved with it, especially for someone of that caliber, was something that Ho Gakmyung could comprehend based on common sense.

"However, waiting for that uncertain moment while idly twiddling our fingers isn't an option, right? Human life is not that long. My patience isn't that remarkable either."

A momentary sinister expression crossed Jang Ilso's face. However, it soon softened as if it was never there.

"And... there's really no way to prepare, is there? Since the Demonic Sect is fearsome, should I happily spend time with those pigs from the righteous factions?"

"...It's difficult."

Realistically, it was an impossible task. Even if Jang Ilso wanted it, the righteous sects wouldn't accept it. Emotions between them were deeply rooted.

'Rather...'

Ho Gakmyung turned around discreetly.

If the center of the righteous sects right now was the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, which included Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword, there might be another way. However, cooperation between the Ten Great Sects and the Evil Tyrant Alliance was an inherently impossible relationship.

"If you're afraid of the Demonic Sect, there's only one way."

The Thousand-Faced Gentleman and Ho Gakmyung both looked at Jang Ilso simultaneously. Jang Ilso, without giving them a glance, cast his gaze into the distant sky.

"Before that so-called Heavenly Demon returns to invade the Central Plains, I will dominate the Central Plains through and through. Then, there won't be any need for awkward cooperation. Since everyone will unite under me to confront the challenge."

This, too, was a ridiculous statement. Achieving unity in the Central Plains was not so easy.

However, to their ears, this sounded more realistic compared to the dreamlike story of cooperation between the righteous and the evil. The term "dominate the Central Plains through and through" seemed somewhat tangible.

And...

The Thousand-Faced Gentleman's eyes narrowed slightly.

'It's not as difficult as it seems.'

Just three years ago, no one could have imagined that Jang Ilso would unify the Four Great Evils into one and create the Evil Tyrant Alliance, becoming its leader. And in just three short years, he completely subdued the Evil Tyrant Alliance under his control.

Compared to such an absurd achievement, leading the Evil Tyrant Alliance and unifying the Central Plains seemed relatively easy.

"They say stagnant water doesn't flow until the dam breaks. Those with hips so heavy that they won't move even if a dagger is pointed at their throats won't feel a sense of crisis from the existence of the Demonic Sect that they haven't personally seen."

"..."

"So, nothing has changed. We just need to do what we've been doing. Like always."

Ho Gakmyung nodded heavily.

His stories mixed strangely, ranging from absurd fantasies to oddly realistic narratives. It was a story where it was unclear what to believe and what to dismiss. However, Jang Ilso's story undeniably held a compelling force that drew people in.

"Lord Ryeonjul."

"Hmm?"

"May I ask you one thing?"

"Go ahead."

As Jang Ilso sighed softly, Ho Gakmyung hesitated for a moment before asking.

"But what if... in the midst of fighting the righteous sects, the Demon Sect's attack happens faster than expected? What will you do?"

"Tsk, tsk. Gakmyung-ah, Gakmyung-ah. You're talking nonsense."

Jang Ilso smirked.

"Why should we worry about that? If those righteous sect fools beg for a truce and want to join forces, we'll think about it then. And if it they won't bend their pride, we can just die together, can't we?"

"..."

"Remember this clearly. Anyway, it's impossible for us to join forces, repel the Demon Sect, and then fight and win against the righteous factions again. Consider the nature of those damn demonic arts. We'll be the ones suffering greater losses."

Clatter.

Jang Ilso's ring made a momentarily eerie sound.

"So, when that time comes, the world can't be mine. Whether the world perishes or not, what does it matter to me if it's a world I can't possess? I'd rather..."

Jang Ilso's eyes drew a peculiar line.

"I'd rather if everything burns and disappears."

Ho Gakmyung closed his eyes without saying a word.

Indeed... even if the righteous and the evil united to stop the Demon Sect, in the end, only the righteous sects would benefit.

"...To fulfill Lord Ryeonjul's will, we must settle the score with the Demon Sect before it unleashes its power."

"That's right."

"I understand."

Ho Gakmyung also nodded heavily, as if he had made a firm decision. For him, the most important thing is Jang Ilso's safety, and the second is to support Jang Ilso's will.

"But... what does that have to do with saving Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword? If that's the case, wouldn't it be better to quickly kill anyone who could be a threat?"

"As I said. Right now, Heavenly Comrade Alliance is rallying around him. If the existence of Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword disappears, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance will be nothing. If we kill and eliminate Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword, Heavenly Comrade Alliance will quickly split and become easy prey."

"Indeed, that makes sense."

"Can we reap the fruits of that?"

After a moment of contemplation, Ho Gakmyung lowered his head.

"It's difficult."

"Why?"

"Until we stabilize Su Lo Chae and Black Ghost Castle, we can't cross the river. And... right now, the deaths of Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold and the injuries of Black Dragon King are critical."

"Yeah, that's true. So, who will take advantage of the opportunity we've created?"

"…Those venemous old-timers."

Jang Ilso nodded.

Perhaps, the Ten Great Sects were no different from the Evil Tyrant Alliance... or maybe even more hostile to the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. So, there'd be undoubtedly no hesitation in seizing that weakened opportunity.

"Until now, drawing a line centered around the Yangtze River had significance. However... if the Ten Great Sects swallow the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, that line will become an insurmountable wall for us. That's the worst-case scenario."

"Indeed..."

That's why Jang Ilso also had to keep Chung Myung alive.

Indeed, it's a strange relationship.

"A pawn with many uses, truly valuable."

Muttered Jang Ilso as he looked back. Toward someone beyond the distant horizon.

After silently gazing at the horizon for a while, Jang Ilso spoke in a cold voice.

"But... it won't be anymore."

"..."

"Those who raise a tiger cub should never let their guard down. You never know when that cub might turn into a real tiger. The person who does not recognize the timing will have tiger's fangs stuck in his neck."

Gakmyung's concern was exactly that. That guy Chung Myung was too dangerous to keep alive based solely on his value.

"All pawns have their time when they become useless. So, this will be the last time. Next time..."

A chilly light briefly flashed in Jang Ilso's eyes.

He had been gazing at the horizon like a colossal Imoogi [pubescent Korean dragon] targeting the world, then abruptly turned his body without any lingering attachment.

"Let's go. We're going to be busy for a while."

"Yes, Lord Ryeonjul!"

While moving, Jang Ilso's head began to spin rapidly.

'Demonic Sect, Ten Great Sects, Heavenly Comrade Alliance, and Evil Tyrant Alliance...'

In an already complex situation, the variable of the Demon Sect had emerged. However, Jang Ilso found joy in this situation.

'Everyone will find out eventually. The fact that opportunities aren't waited for but created.'

In his elated eyes, a cruel light flickered.