Chapter 1254: And To Survive! (Part 4)

"What is it?"

As Chung Myung nodded, Guo Hansuo asked a bit hesitantly.

"You all decided to stay here and fight with us, right?"

"I already told you. Do I need to say it again?"

Guo Hansuo hastily waved his hands.

"No, it's not like that... Did you come here with that intention from the beginning? To fight as individuals even if the negotiations with us break down?"

In response to that question, Chung Myung answered with an exceedingly benevolent smile.

"No."

"...What?"

"I didn't think about it at all?"

"..."

"It's like I said. Before we arrived, we never thought that the situation would turn out like this. That crazy bastard Jang Ilso was crazy, but he should be crazy to a certain extent. How could anyone have expected him to crazily turn his troops back and attack like a crazy man during the standoff at the Yangtze River? Unless he went crazy."

"Stop saying crazy, Chung Myung."

"It feels like my head is getting messed up just listening to it."

"Understand. When you hear the three characters 'Jang Ilso,' even he must be fed up with it." [?]

Guo Hansuo blinked.

"So, after the negotiations broke down that day, did you have a separate meeting and come to a conclusion?"

"No."

"What?"

"There wasn't really anything worthy of calling a meeting."

"...Then?"

"I just said it's about time to leave, but no one went. So, it just turned out that way."

"Oh, no. What is that..."

"Life is complicated."

Chung Myung said dismissively.

"Do you decide to head to Gangnam because of some great logic or position?"

"...That's not it."

Of course, he had some logic of his own. However, Guo Hansuo couldn't deny the fact that his actions were more impulsive than logical.

"Then why are you looking for logic from us?"

"Find some logic... please."

"Evil Sect bastard, shut your mouth."

"Got it."

Chung Myung glanced at Guo Hansuo and continued.

"Of course, I didn't plan to offer help from the beginning. But after poking a bit, getting a little angry, and somehow flowing along, we found ourselves discussing how to fight."

"I opposed it all along!"

"Someone shut that Evil Sect kid's snout."

As Namgung Dowi grabbed Im Sobyeong's mouth and dragged him along, Chung Myung continued as if his mind was at ease.

"So, there's nothing special to think about."

"...How can you not think anything special?"

"You just don't understand."

"What?"

"As I said before, we are not saying we will die with you."

"..."

"It's just that after experiencing it firsthand, Gangnam's defense were weaker than I thought, and if we do well, there's a chance. That's all."

Guo Hansuo looked at Chung Myung with a startled expression.

"If someone is struggling and drowning in the water in front of you, isn't it human nature to try to help them until you die?"

"Well, that's true..."

"It's just that what you guys think of as 'until I die' and what we think of as 'until I die' might be a little different. Don't hold unnecessary expectations. If it's inevitable that everyone will die, we'll just turn around and run away. We only came to Southern Island because we were people who could do that in the first place."

"I understand what you mean... but it's not that simple..."

"But does this bastard really not understand what I'm saying?"

"What?"

"Is it over if you drown?"

"...What are you talking about?"

"You enjoyed everything you could as a righteous sect until now, and in the end, are you just going be satisfied with yourself without even earning your keep? Whether the remaining sects fight with the Evil Tyrant Alliance or not, does it matter to you?"

Guo Hansuo remained silent.

"It's amusing. You guys have to fight until your spine is completely ripped out. Even if you die, you have to drag at least one more person to hell. That's the minimum duty those who wield swords should uphold."

"..."

"And you should stop doing stupid things. Do you think those Evil Sect guys will just leave Southern Island alone and retreat obediently if you guys die stupidly? How can those who live in Gangnam know so little about the psychology of those Evil Sect bastards? They're not that idiotic, really."

Guo Hansuo looked like he had been slapped in the face. But Chung Myung just clicked his tongue, turned, and walked away.

Baek Cheon approached with a small smile and said to Guo Hansuo.

"Don't mind him. That's just how he talks."

"No. It's not about the way he talks..."

Rather, the content was more shocking.

'Those who remain.'

He had never thought about it like that. The ones they he was concerned about among those who remained were the people of Southern Island. He had never thought about what would happen to the remaining sects or how they would fight.

But even if they died, the fight would continue. Especially, these members of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance would fight against the Evil Tyrant Alliance to the very end.

He suddenly felt embarrassed about worrying only about the situation of the Southern Island Sect and Southern Island. How shortsighted those thoughts were.

Even though they had discriminated against islanders and cursed mainlanders so vehemently, when the crisis came, it became evident that the islanders hadn't even considered mainland circumstances in their minds. [idk]

"...We have to fight."

Guo Hansuo nodded with a firm face, and Baek Cheon smiled lightly.

"Then that's good enough."

"Um, but..."

"Yes?"

"Can I ask one more thing?"

"Feel free to ask."

"It might be possible to enter Gangnam. However, once we get into Gangnam, the situation will change, right? They will also find out that we have entered their territory."

"That's true."

"Then, of course, they will try to strengthen the defenses of the Yangtze River. But can we break through it alone? It might be better to detour towards the south..."

Baek Cheon shook his head.

"It's the same at the end."

"But..."

"The longer the advance route, the more trouble we will face. The only way to increase our chances is to reach the Yangtze River as quickly as possible before they can properly fortify themselves. Besides…"

Baek Cheon's gaze slightly darkened.

"If we can't divert the enemy's core and link that confusion to the confrontation at the Yangtze River, they will have the spare energy. If that happens, the chances of them doing something pointless will also increase."

Guo Hansuo closed his mouth.

Because he understood what Baek Cheon referred to as 'something pointless.' If they were in a hurry to escape and chose a detour, giving leeway to the Evil Tyrant Alliance, the latter's anger could be directed towards those remaining in Southern Island.

In that case, the residents of Southern Island would bear the damage that should be suffered by the Southern Island Sect. Therefore, Baek Cheon's intention was to stir up the core of the enemy, intensify the confrontation between the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and the Evil Tyrant Alliance, preventing the Evil Tyrant Alliance from considering withdrawing its forces. 

'I didn't even consider the circumstances of the residents.'

Even in this situation, these people were worried about those remaining in Southern Island. Therefore, even if it incurred a little more hatred, their goal was to divert the attention of the Evil Tyrant Alliance away from Southern Island.

"... Is it possible?"

"Well, that's something we'll have to see. However..."

"However?"

Baek Cheon flashed a meaningful smile.

"No one here wants to die. The principle of the Mount Hua Sect is not about doling righteousness or upholding justice. The most important principle is simply surviving."

Just then.

"Look at that, look at that! It's finally crawling over, that thing!"

"Huh?"

Everyone turned their heads at Chung Myung's shout.

Now, something small and white was rapidly swimming towards the shore in the middle of the now considerably calm sea.

"Baek-ah!"

"Oh my god, Baek-ah!"

"Unbelievable, it's really here!"

The Five Swords ran towards the coast without hesitation. With a splash, Tang Soso jumped into the sea and picked up Baek-ah. Half exhausted, Baek-ah stuck out his tongue and sagged in her arms.

"Sahyung! He's completely exhausted, isn't she?"

"...It's somewhat commendable."

"That's not commendable, it's stupid. If it were me, I would've run away without looking back."

"...So Baek-ah is smarter than you. If you got caught in the hands of that cruel guy, you would really become a scarf."

Tang Soso hugged Baek-ah and brought him to Chung Myung. Chung Myung grabbed Baek-ah's back and lifted it.

"Did you handle it well?"

Even in his exhausted state, Baek-ah vigorously nodded his head. Then, with eyes full of pride, he looked at Chung Myung, as if he was saying that it was time for praise.

However, as always, Chung Myung bestowed bitter disappointment on those who held expectations.

"Come on, come on. Wake up."

Kii!

"See this? This?"

Chung Myung lightly shook a small pouch in his hand and tied it around Baek-ah's neck. Baek-ah looked at the pouch hanging around his neck and tilted his head in response.

Kii?

"That's important. Make sure to deliver it well."

Kiiii?

"Now, go."

Baek-ah looked like he couldn't quite understand, tilting his head in response. Although his large, black eyes sparkled charmingly, the reality contained in them was somewhat harsh.

"Why can't you understand? Go back."

Kiiit?

"What are you doing?"

Kii...t?

At that moment, everyone saw it. The sight of Baek-ah's pale white face turning blue.

'Isn't that fur? How can fur turn blue?'

'Did Beast Palace Lord ever see something like this?' 

'Would you believe me even if I told you?'

At that moment, Baek-ah convulsed and screamed. 

Kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiik! 

While animals may be able to understand human language to some extent, humans cannot comprehend animal speech. However, strangely enough, the people present here could accurately interpret that cry.

"It's swearing." 

"Seems like it." 

"It's definitely swearing." 

If it had been human speech, it would probably have been vulgar curses, perhaps even profanity that one wouldn't dare listen to with ears wide open.

"But this bastard!" 

Chung Myung picked up Baek-ah and threw him aside. 

Kiiiiiiii! 

As Baek-ah moved away, Chung Myung swung his fist and shouted.

"Feeding and sheltering him until he gets as fat as a pig, and now he's gone and died from exhaustion! What kind of nonsense is this!" 

"Chung Myung...I should speak directly. He ate and lived better in Yunnan." 

"Honestly, he must've suffered a lot after coming here..." 

"He's probably wondering why he came at all. No, he's probably been feeling that way a long before now." 

Of course, there was no way the words would reach Chung Myung's ears. Baek-ah turned swiftly landed, leaped, and came running back again. Grabbing Baek-ah by the scruff of his neck, Chung Myung brought his face close up.

"We're short on time, so go and de... ow!" 

At that moment, Baek-ah's front paw swung fiercely and struck Chung Myung's cheek. Chung Myung's head, hit by the unexpected blow, turned sharply. [LET'S GO!!! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! REVENGE!]

Shouts and applause erupted around them. 

"Oh!" 

"He's fighting back!" 

"Well, it's about time. Honestly, it was long overdue." 

At that moment, Chung Myung's eyes lit up and he glared at Baek-ah.

"This bastard?"

Kiiiiii! 

A human-like beast and a beast-like human began to fight viciously. Watching this scene, Baek Cheon covered his face with both hands.

'Don't fight with a beast seriously...' 

Even if it was a spirit creature.

Hwook! Hwook! 

After grabbing at the air for a while, Chung Myung finally snatched Baek-ah's back, who was panting from exhaustion, and gritted his teeth.

"Ugh! If only there was nothing to worry about, I would've really roasted a weasel today!" 

Kiiii! 

"Deliver it properly. If you're late, you'll really end up roasted. Got it?" 

Kiiiiiiii! 

"Stop talking back and go!" 

In the end, Baek-ah, who had resisted until the last moment, weakly nodded his head, tears streaming down his face. He seemed to have give up.

"Go! Quickly!" 

Kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! 

Baek-ah, who had touched the ground, let out a bitter cry and ran towards the sea. Everyone watched his retreating figure with melancholy eyes.

"...He came all the way from the Yangtze River to here, only to go back as soon as he arrived." 

"I wonder if being a worm could warrant such treatment."

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect him." 

"Condolences." 

While everyone was solemn, only Chung Myung was fuming as if his anger had not been relieved.

"That thing is getting worse and worse!"

'A bastard without pity.' 

'A cruel tormentor.' 

'A trash with no character!' 

At the moment when everyone sadly watched Baek-ah's figure disappearing into the sea.

"...Sasuk." 

"I saw it too." 

To Yoon Jong's astonished voice, Baek Cheon responded with a firm tone.

The fleet of ships they were staring at revealed its appearance like a small dot far away on the sea.

"...It's the Evil Tyrant Alliance." 

The atmosphere by the coast, which had somewhat loosened, began to fill with a suffocating tension.