Chapter 1250: That's One Thing (Part 5)

Kim Yang Baek looked at the people in front of him with a bewildered expression.

"That..."

The reason for his current confusion was not because he couldn't interpret what he heard, but rather because he understood it all too well.

Blinking his eyes a couple of times, he scrutinized the person sitting in front of him once again. The Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua seemed to have finished his business, withdrawing to the rear and taking his seat. In the spot where he should be, someone was blatantly sitting with a disapproving expression.

Upon closer thought, this arrangement might make sense. Kim Yang Baek had momentarily forgotten, swept away by the fact that Baek Cheon was Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua and the representative of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. However, the actual symbol of the influential Heavenly Comrade Alliance was this person in front of him.

'Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword.'

No matter how formidable the Mount Hua Sect was, and even if the Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua now held a position that no one in the world could easily challenge, in front of these four words, 'Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword,' everything seemed insignificant.

"Well..."

Kim Yang Baek muttered, suppressing his momentary confusion.

"So...you're staying here and fighting against the Evil Tyrant Alliance..."

"Let's cut to the chase, Sect Leader."

"..."

"What are you thinking now?"

"Excuse me?"

Kim Yang Baek blinked his eyes blankly. What was he thinking? Wasn't that a question more appropriate from this side?

At that moment, as if frustrated, Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword asked.

"Oh, you mentioned fighting against the Evil Tyrant Alliance. How do you plan to fight?"

"Well..."

How? What was there to discuss about 'how'? Just defend the headquarters and fight with everything until the last person falls...?

"Just defend the headquarters and fight with everything until the last person falls. Surely you're not having such carefree thoughts, right? A person who claims to be the Sect Leader of a certain sect?"

"Cough."

Kim Yang Baek coughed suddenly.

"Hey, you can't do that, right? After all, it's not as if one or two lives are at stake, so you shouldn't just give up as if everyone's already dead. Still, you're the Sect Leader of a martial sect."

"..."

"Isn't that right?"

Unable to respond properly, Kim Yang Baek's face twisted in an instant, looking troubled.

"I knew it would be like this."

"..."

"But have these people only read hero novels? Do they think it's so easy for people to die?"

"Chung Myung, you should be careful with your words in front of the Sect Leader."

"The Sect Leader says he has two lives to spare, so he can just throw one away?"

"...Still, be careful with your words."

Seeing Chung Myung's annoyance clearly written on his face, Kim Yang Baek frowned.

"So...:

"What?"

"The Heavenly Comrade Alliance members, including Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword..."

"Just talk comfortably. It's not a formal occasion now."

"Is that okay...?"

"It's easier to communicate when we're comfortable."

"...I guess so, then. Are you guys really planning on winning against the Evil Tyrant Alliance?"

"Obviously."

"Of course."

"That's right."

Momentarily dumbfounded, Kim Yang Baek gazed at the faces of those who had responded.

"No, it's just that..."

"Why? Is there a problem?"

"I understand the determination, but isn't there such a thing as reality?"

"Reality?"

Chung Myung snorted.

"Hey, uncle." 

[He used '아저씨' lol - Ajeossi (아저씨) means a "middle-aged man, mister or old man", and can be used by anyone. In the past, ajeossi was used for men who didn't have a high social status, though it's not used that way now haha. Think your friendly neighborhood ajeossi's].

"...Chung Myung, he's a Sect Leader."

"Sect Leader? Then isn't he an uncle?"

"Still, you should call him Sect Leader."

"Tch."

Chung Myung frowned, reluctantly correcting himself.

"Yes, Sect Leader. You find it difficult to understand what I'm saying about reality?"

"Huh?"

"According to Sect Leader, realistically, the fate of those remaining here is nothing but being struck down by the Evil Tyrant Alliance's swords."

"..."

"So, is it that hard to understand the idea of giving them a proper fight before we die anyway?"

Kim Yang Baek furrowed his brow.

"I don't know how my words were conveyed, but just because we're here doesn't mean we were willing to die willingly. Naturally, we planned to taking down one more person as a comrade. Isn't that an obvious thing?"

"Now that makes a bit more sense."

Chung Myung chuckled and said.

"Let's go a bit further."

"A bit more?"

Gradually, Kim Yang Baek's face became serious, as if drawn into Chung Myung's words.

Chung Myung gestured with a snap of his fingers and shouted.

"Hey, an explanation!"

"Ahem! I'll explain."

Im Sobyeong stepped forward and sat down.

"Of course, terrain-wise, Southern Island Mountain is undoubtedly suitable for defending against enemy attacks. Occupying the high ground and intercepting those climbing the mountain have been traditional tactics in warfare."

"...That's true."

"However, the problem is that it's not a fight that ends just because you endure it. The moment you defend the mountain, you'll be surrounded, and in the end, it's only a matter of how long you can endure before dying. The attackers also won't be in a hurry."

Kim Yang Baek spoke with a troubled expression.

"I understand what you mean. But it seems like you've missed one thing. This is an island. No matter how wide Southenr Island Province is, there are limits to the terrain that an island has. Even if we abandon Southern Island Mountain, we can't utilize the expansive terrain. Since it's surrounded by the sea, it will ultimately become a game of cat and mouse."

"That's also true."

"And if that happens, the civilians living in Southern Island Province will inevitably suffer. Furthermore, if it comes to that, the disciples we sent down to the villages of Southern Island will inevitably catch the enemy's attention."

At that moment, a gleam appeared in Im Sobyeong's eyes as he looked at Kim Yang Baek. He seemed more insightful than someone who just spoke the obvious.

"So, the the Southern Island Sect cannot leave this mountain. To ensure the survival of the Southern Island Sect even after the Evil Tyrant Alliance's attack, we need to provide them with a clear goal and territory to occupy."

"Are Sect Leader's words implying that we should push all potential targets for the Evil Tyrant Alliance's attack into this mountain so that no harm comes to other places?"

"Exactly."

Kim Yang Baek sighed.

"I'm truly grateful for your thoughts. But it's not because we're foolish that we're sticking to this method. Over the past few years, we've been constantly contemplating how to fight when the Evil Tyrant Alliance comes. This is the conclusion we've come to."

"Hmm. Your words indeed make sense. If the purpose is to minimize harm to others and this place is an island, then ultimately, there was no other choice."

"I'm relieved that you understand..."

"But."

Interrupting Kim Yang Baek's words, Im So Byeong grinned.

"That's a story when one is trapped within the confines of an island."

"...Yes?"

Kim Yang Baek questioned as if wondering what those words meant. Im Sobyeong explained with a smile.

"There is a method that perfectly fulfills all the conditions Sect Leader mentions. A way that doesn't involve defending this place, completely eliminates harm to Southern Island Province, and provides a secure protection for the disciples sent down to the villages. It's a method that focuses all their attention solely on the Southern Island Sect."

"No, where on earth is such a..."

Kim Yang Baek, who was speaking, suddenly closed his mouth.

It had just dawned on him. What Im Sobyeong was talking about. He had never thought about it even once until now, and he considered it an absurd idea, but there was one way that perfectly satisfied those conditions.

"W-What, you don't mean..."

"Yes."

Im Sobyeong grinned.

"If a fire breaks out in someone's room, they won't be concerned about other houses."

"..."

"The moment we lead the Southern Island Sect and step onto Gangnam, they won't be able to afford to pay attention to places like Southern Island Province anymore."

"A-Are you sane?"

"Of course I'm sane."

Kim Yang Baek's mouth gaped open. Looking around, not only Im Sobyeong but everyone in the group had composed expressions.

"S-So, instead of defending and enduring here, are you suggesting that we charge into their stronghold, Gangnam?"

"Yes."

"And is this the strategy you're putting forward now? What on earth will happen if we do that?"

At that moment, Chung Myung responded with a grim tone.

"What's going to happen?"

"Are you asking that because you don't know?"

"Ah, I mean, what will happen?"

"If it comes to that, it's obvious..."

Kim Yang Baek's attempt to speak was cut off.

Naturally, everyone would die. Every disciple who set foot on Gangnam's land from Southern Island would undoubtedly die. But...

'Isn't it the same even now?'

Momentarily confused, Kim Yang Baek remained silent. The one to break the silence was the sound of Chung Myung's tongue clucking.

"Tsk tsk. This is why these wannabe brave gentlemen are like this."

"..."

"You have the courage to endure and die in your own room, but you don't have the courage to go and fight and die?"

Kim Yang Baek couldn't even make a reply. He just stared blankly at Chung Myung.

"If you're going to die anyway, let's die boldly."

"..."

"If Sect Leader really wants to show Southern Island's spirit, you shouldn't die here. Even if you die, you should go and die. I don't think I need to explain which one is the more righteous thing to do, do I?"

Kim Yang Baek unconsciously clenched and unclenched his fist.

The thought that the strategy was abusrd and the thought that Chung Myung's words were correct clashed in his confused mind.

"Well then..."

Kim Yang Baek looked around with a stern face.

"Do you all plan to charge into the enemy's territory with the Southern Island Sect and break through their defenses?"

The word "옥쇄" (Oksoe), meaning "breakthrough," suddenly felt questionable in this context, but at the moment, there was no better expression.

Chung Myung responded succinctly.

"No."

"...Yes?"

"That's the Southern Island Sect's perspective."

Kim Yang Baek furrowed his brows. What, then, was the standpoint of these individuals?

"Listen carefully, uncle."

"Sect Leader."

"Okay. Yes, Sect Leader. Listen carefully, Sect Leader. There's no road to go die. There's only a method that increases the chance of survival, even if only slightly."

"..."

"Our plan is not to go and die in Gangnam."

The corners of Chung Myung's mouth curled up.

"We're going back the way we came."

"...Go back?"

"Yes."

Chung Myung asserted firmly.

"Leading the Southern Island Sect, we'll climb back through Gangnam. We'll try to survive as much as possible until we reach the Yangtze River."

Kim Yang Baek's eyes widened as much as they could.

"If we succeed, the name of the Southern Island Sect will spread throughout the world. Even if we fail, it'll be a hundred times better than dying here. The important thing is that between the two methods, the one with a slightly higher chance of survival is undoubtedly heading to Gangnam."

"W-What are you saying...?"

"Especially when you're truly the Sect Leader of Haenam, you shouldn't just humbly accept the end of the Southern Island Sect. You should try to find a way to carry on the name of the Southern Island. That's what a leader of a sect should do."

"But..."

At that moment, Chung Myung, who had only shown irritation until now, had a chilling expression on his face. The icy gaze sent shivers down Kim Yang Baek's spine. Chung Myung spoke.

"I'll open the path."

Kim Yang Baek stood there frozen as if he couldn't move. Unlike him, Baek Cheon calmly corrected Chung Myung's statement.

"We're the ones opening it, not you."

Chung Myung nodded immediately.

"Yes. We're opening the path. So, the Southern Island Sect only needs to decide one thing. Will you believe in the slightest possibility of hope and fight back? Or will you give up and die here?"

"..."

"You said you wanted to leave something behind, right?"

"..."

"Listen carefully, Sect Leader. Those who give up fighting against what they can't win will leave nothing behind in this world. Leaving something behind is only for those who give their best until the very end."

His words hit Kim Yang Baek like a heavy hammer.

"I've given you the path. All that's left is your choice."

Chung Myung stared intently at Kim Yang Baek, his eyes narrowed.

"What will Southern Island choose?"

Kim Yang Baek bit his lip without uttering a word.

Normally, Chung Myung would try to demolish the opponent with logic, but at this moment, he was merely waiting for Kim Yang Baek's judgment. This was because he knew that this was a path that couldn't be forced on anyone.

After a long period of contemplation, Kim Yang Baek finally removed his heavy lips.

"From now on..."

All eyes were on Kim Yang Baek.

"What should Southern Island do for you?"

Chung Myung grinned. It was an answer that he couldn't have liked more.