Chapter 1376: Preparations Are Now Complete (Part 1)

"Chief. It's said that the Su Lo Chae attacked the harbor and set all the ships on fire before retreating."

A beggar discreetly following the luxurious sedan moving eastward reported to the main camp.

"The ships?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Those bastards... Seems like they really want to give it a proper try."

It was expected.

The Beggar's Union prioritized information coming directly from the field. This was because even someone with a brilliant mind analyzing information couldn't feel the atmosphere on the scene.

The instinct of Mu Chwi-gae (無臭丐), familiar with the 'sense of the field,' was shouting out. These movements were definitely not just a show of bravado.

A sinister momentum, ready to explode at any moment, vividly transmitted even from a distance.

"What do we do?"

"...What can we do?"

"Well, this is Gangnam, isn't it? If a real war breaks out, people like us will have our throats cut in an instant. Shouldn't we escape now?"

The speaker appeared genuinely anxious, his face turning pale. The muscles on Mu Chwi-gae's face twitched.

"Since when did beggars start running away because their lives are precious?"

"W-Well, that's not it, but..."

"Even so, are you a member of the Black Platform (黑汚臺)?"

As scolding mixed with irritation and anger poured down, the beggar who had been making excuses lowered his head as if he had no face.

"I'm sorry..."

"Tsk."

His tongue clicked briefly, and Mu Chwi-gae, with an unsatisfied expression, casually glanced at the Evil Tyrant Alliance main force that was moving.

'Run away?'

Where could they possibly run to? The moment they lost track of them, Gangbuk would no longer be a safe land.

Crossing a river didn't guarantee safety. Once Jang Ilso moved, no place in the world would be safe anymore.

So, absolutely, their traces must not be lost.

Tracking their movements, even at the cost of their lives, was the mission of the Black Platform and, at the same time, the duty of its chief.

Lost in thought, Mu Chwi-gae found himself chuckling unintentionally.

'Moreover, do they really not know that we're tracking them?'

They probably knew.

There was no way that Jang Ilso, who held the world in the palm of his hands, didn't know he was being traced. Perhaps the reason Mu Chwi-gae and his subordinates were still alive was that Jang Ilso had no intention of hiding his movements.

Therefore, running away from here was meaningless.

"Chief! They've stopped!"

"Lower yourselves!"

As Mu Chwi-gae lowered his slightly raised hand, his subordinates flattened themselves on the ground, only their tense gazes showing through the thick reeds.

'What's going on?'

Mu Chwi-gae, who had lowered his body, pushed energy into his eyes.

There was no reason for them to stop now. Nothing seemed to have appeared.

Did that mean...?

Instinctively, Mu Chwi-gae's gaze headed towards the center of the group, where a carriage was pulling four white horses. The endlessly extravagant carriage.

As the carriage door, which had been tightly closed until now, began to open, revealing a fluttering red curtain, Mu Chwi-gae involuntarily forgot to breathe.

'Jang Ilso!'

Even at a distance where people looked like ants, he could recognize who he was. Although the world was as numerous as grains of sand, only one person could dare to dress like that.

Jang Ilso, the leader of the Evil Tyrant Alliance and the master of the Myriad Man Manor, had finally revealed himself.

As Jang Ilso stepped outside, everyone who had been traveling with the carriage knelt down simultaneously, showing their respect.

A chill ran down Mu Chwi-gae's spine.

This was a sight never seen in the righteous sects. Even the leader of the Shaolin Sect, acknowledged as the pinnacle of the world, or the head of the Wudang Sect known as the North Pole of the Tao, would never receive such respect. It wasn't allowed, and it shouldn't be.

The were only two people in the world entitled to such respect: the Emperor, the ruler of the world, and Jang Ilso, the emperor of Gangnam.

Mu Chwi-gae bit his lip.

No matter how martial artists lived a life somewhat distant from the secular world, it was inappropriate for commoners to display such reverence. It was a sign of distrust towards the Emperor and blind obedience to power. For those who claimed to be part of the righteous sect, it was the most cautionary sight.

But even so...Mu Chwi-gae couldn't deny that his chest trembled at the sight. Even if he couldn't say it aloud, wasn't the appearance Jang Ilso showing now what he had longed for in his dreams?

"That guy..."

"Hush!"

Mu Chwi-gae covered the mouth of his subordinate who was about to say something. Of course, even if it were Jang Ilso's grandfather and not Jang Ilso himself, it wouldn't have been possible to definitively spot those who had professionally mastered the art of hiding, but there was no harm in being careful.

'What is he trying to do?'

Mu Chwi-gae observed the movements of the Evil Tyrant Alliance with a tense gaze. At that moment, Jang Ilso gestured, and members among those who were kneeling before him flew away swiftly in response to his signal.

'What...?'

Mu Chwi-gae widened his eyes. If some of them had moved during the journey, Mu Chwi-gae would have divided his subordinates to follow them. However, in this situation, he couldn't respond recklessly.

"Ch-Chief..."

No matter how adept they were in tracking, it was impossible to catch up with individuals like them. Especially in a situation where they had to follow while hiding. But the situation didn't end there.

Whenever Jang Ilso gestured, one group after another disappeared before their eyes.

Mu Chwi-gae rubbed his temples. The phrase 'opening your eyes and pressing one's nose' was meant for such times. [The situation is so shocking, surprising, or unexpected that it feels like one's eyes are wide open, and the nose is metaphorically pressed down due to the impact.] Mu Chwi-gae finally couldn't contain his anger and spat out curses.

"Damn it..."

At that moment, Jang Ilso, who had finished giving instructions, turned around curtly.

As Mu Chwi-gae, who had relaxed, was about to exhale a breath he had been holding, Jang Ilso casually looked in their direction.

Thump!

His heart sank suddenly. Mu Chwi-gae instinctively buried his head deeper, as if he had to avoid those eyes at all costs.

'Did he... notice?'

It was a guess that he knew he was being traced, but did he really know exactly where they were?

It couldn't be. No one in the world could track their traces from this distance. It was an impossible task.

Cold sweat poured out. He took a deep breath, thinking. But he couldn't lift his head. His body wouldn't respond. It was as if he could only burrow into the ground like a rabbit avoiding the gaze of a wolf.

Immersed in the damp, sweaty odor of soil and grass, an unknown amount of time passed. Eventually...

"Chief, they're moving again."

Only after hearing the trembling voice from behind did Mu Chwi-gae finally wake up as if from a dream. Realizing what kind of spectacle he had shown, he released the grass he had clenched tightly in his hand and lifted his upper body.

The closed carriage door and the guarding group continued to move as if nothing had happened.

Mu Chwi-gae was momentarily speechless. Despite feeling thoroughly mocked, surprisingly, not even anger arose. In the first place, anger could only be directed towards equals.

He was the leader of the Black Platform.

Although he held a formidable status of Kangho that would be acknowledged by any sect, it provided little comfort to him now. The sensation of sweat running down his spine sent shivers through him.

"Chief, what should we do? Should we pursue them?"

"...Pursue?"

For a moment, a burst of laughter escaped him, as if a breeze had blown through.

"Leave it be. Report to the main camp first and then pursue the main force."

"But..."

"Do you think we can learn anything by following them?"

No response came, and a hint of self-deprecation lingered in Mu Chwi-gae's mouth.

"Don't be arrogant. Just make sure to tail them properly."

"Yes."

Mu Chwi-gae bit his lip tightly. His gaze was fixed on the small, square window of the carriage. From inside, one could look out, but it would be incredibly challenging.

Right now, Jang Ilso was seeing the world through that small window.

However, Mu Chwi-gae, despite his best efforts, couldn't catch sight of what Jang Ilso was seeing.

'Even if I can't see with my eyes, I will follow his steps. Whatever it takes.'

There was a glimmer of vitality in Mu Chwi-gae's eyes, gazing fiercely at the carriage.

The dazzling white carriage and the fluttering red embroidered banners.

At this moment, the center of the world was undoubtedly that tiny carriage.

❀ ❀ ❀

Thud.

The carriage door closed tightly.

"It's uncomfortable without Gakmyung. I have to personally give such trivial instructions... Tsk, tsk."

Leisurely sighing, Jang Ilso lay across the soft bedding and looked down at the sloshing liquor. The alcohol, once fluctuating each time the carriage moved, soon became silent and motionless.

The bright pupils staring at the drink gave off a melancholy aura. He slowly sipped the drink.

He savored the fragrance of the alcohol spreading from his mouth to his stomach. Only then did Jang Ilso's gaze turn toward the small square window of the carriage.

Wiping his wet lips, he murmured to himself, stealing a glance at the small window.

"It's not difficult. Yes, it's not difficult at all."

It didn't matter if the world he could see from here was small and narrow.

As long as he could pull those who were watching into this small world, wasn't it as if he could see the entire world through this narrow window?

One by one.

Everyone he had been paying attention to was slowly gathering inside this narrow window.

Those who sought power, those who couldn't sever their ties, those who blindly followed orders, and... those pitiful people whimpering in misery over the ideals.

"Hmm."

The sound of music reached his ears. A drumming so dazzling that it stole everyone's attention. The sound that announced the beginning of a grand stage.

"Preparations...are now complete."

Muttering as if he were addressing someone, Jang Ilso slowly turned his head to the opposite side. It was the side of the carriage's wall that didn't have a window.

His empty, transparent gaze seemed to extend somewhere southwards, far beyond the wall. It seemed to be filled with hatred and, simultaneously, with an unfulfilled desire.

"So, come quickly, Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword. Without the main character, a stage cannot begin."

A deep smile formed. The smile was ominous, a blood-red crescent.