Chapter 1414: If You Truly Desired It, You Should Have Seized It (Part 3)

At the sudden sensation of eyes on his back, Jang Ilso slowly turned his gaze.

The figure of a person approaching this way came into view.

It was a face he had never seen before. Of course, Jang Ilso couldn't possibly remember every grain-of-sand-like member of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, but at least there was no such face among those who could come close to him.

So, the identity of the intruder was too obvious.

"How is the situation?"

"Things are roughly under control, Ryeonju."

The Thousand-Faced Gentleman.

The only one who could approach Jang Ilso with a face he didn't recognize was none other than the Thousand-Faced Gentleman, the leader of the Hao Sect.

The Thousand-Faced Gentleman, with a surprisingly ordinary appearance, silently watched Jang Ilso's back. 

The leader of the Evil Tyrant Alliance was standing against the backdrop of the burning Qingcheng.

'Paegun... '

At first, he thought the latter was impressive.

Throughout the long history of Kangho, there was probably not a single member of the Evil Sect who could so easily conquer a righteous sect like this.

This couldn't be explained simply as being outstanding.

To Jang Ilso, it seemed like he was seeing something others couldn't. That was why the Thousand-Faced Gentleman was amazed and, therefore, acknowledged him.

But now that Qingcheng, one of the Ten Great Sects, had been brutally trampled on to the point of annhilation, that feeling had completely changed.

"Is everyone taken care of?"

"... A few rats managed to escape, but we'll send a pursuit force now, so we can handle it."

"A pursuit force?"

"Yes. From the Hao Sect..."

"Stop the unnecessary actions."

When Jang Ilso casually cut off his words, The Thousand-Faced Gentleman closed his mouth tightly.

"They're just rats. There's no need to waste time on the likes of them. Leave them alone. They'll convey the message. Of how pitifully Qingcheng fell."

The Thousand-Faced Gentleman unknowingly nodded his head.

It wasn't that he actively agreed with Jang Ilso's intentions.

He simply believed that Jang Ilso was more right than himself.

The Thousand-Faced Gentleman seemed to understand now. He could never see the scenes that man was witnessing.

"Are you going to leave the Blood Palace Lord as is?"

When The Thousand-Faced Gentleman asked, Jang Ilso turned his gaze slightly.

Although the elites of the Blood Palace were slaughtering Qingcheng's disciples, the figure of the Blood Palace leader was not visible. The palace members were sent in time, so it would be difficult to criticize him for not listening to Jang Ilso, but ultimately, not revealing oneself directly felt somewhat strange.

Jang Ilso shrugged.

"At least he did something."

"Is that enough?"

The Thousand-Faced Gentleman asked with narrowed eyes.

"I don't expect loyalty. He only gets rewarded for what he does. Whether it's a good reward or a bad one, it doesn't matter."

The corners of Jang Ilso's mouth curled up. It looked like a somewhat compassionate smile, but The Thousand-Faced Gentleman didn't miss the subtle eerie energy behind it.

Jang Ilso didn't like wasting resources. In the current situation, he wouldn't want to create unnecessary conflicts with the Blood Palace Lord. Yes, that was enough for the current Jang Ilso.

But The Thousand-Faced Gentleman knew.

Right now, Jang Ilso was just paying a little more attention to the current situation.

Jang Ilso never forgot.

Even if he briefly yielded to the wall of reality, he never forgot that he yielded. That was why the Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold met a tragic death, and the Black Dragon King became one of Jang Ilso's dogs with one arm cut off.

Perhaps the fate of the Blood Palace Lord was not so different now. If he continued to evaluate Jang Ilso from a distance like this, someday Jang Ilso's fingernails would pierce the Lord's throat.

Then, what about The Thousand-Faced Gentleman?

Was he really in a safe place right now?

Now, no matter where you look in Qingcheng, it was just a sea of fire. Before sunrise, Qingcheng would become a complete pile of ashes.

The power of Qingcheng was strong, and even as The Thousand-Faced Gentleman climbed the mountain, he had suffered tremendous losses. It was natural when attacking the Ten Great Sects. The cost would be that high.

But now, Qingcheng was too easily trampled under Jang Ilso's feet.

'Under normal circumstances, this would never have happened.'

In a completely unexpected timing, they were attacked by a completely unexpected enemy. There would have been no time to resist. Crushing those who had not prepared themselves into even greater despair with a stronger force was easier than twisting the wrists of a skinny child.

But it was easy to evaluate in hindsight. What was truly difficult was turning that easy evaluation into reality.

There was a being right in front of him who effortlessly accomplished the impossible. The Thousand-Faced Gentleman stared at him in silence.

Then Jang Ilso raised his eyebrows and asked.

"Why like that?"

The Thousand-Faced Gentleman flinched.

Jang Ilso's gaze seemed strange. Whether it was because of the heat of the flames rising from all directions or the boiling desire within him, his light-colored eyes were flickering with an indescribable light.

Those were ambitious eyes. Those eyes suppressed The Thousand-Faced Gentleman.

Since the time they first gathered to organize the Evil Tyrant Alliance, to burning Qingcheng to the ground now, Jang Ilso had always looked at the world with such eyes.

What had changed was not Jang Ilso; it was The Thousand-Faced Gentleman looking at Jang Ilso.

"Have you suddenly become frightened?"

Jang Ilso asked with a sneer.

"Even if you're scared, there's no way to turn back now. Since we've set Qingcheng on fire, the only path left is for either them or us to be annihilated."

The Thousand-Faced Gentleman smirked.

Though too familiar with hiding his true self, his expressions, and emotions, for once, his laughter seemed to emanate from genuine sincerity.

He couldn't help but laugh.

"Of course I'm fearful. The Ten Great Sects are terrifying."

"Honest."

"Destruction is also frightening. It's not amusing that the path to living like a king in Gangnam has collapsed."

Jang Ilso nodded slowly.

He disdained those without ambition, but he didn't particularly dislike those who were honest with themselves. Acknowledging oneself is also a remarkable thing.

"But what I fear is not their or my destruction but yours, Ryeonju."

"... Me?"

Jang Ilso looked at The Thousand-Faced Gentleman as if he found it amusing. Jang Ilso's gaze, although calm amidst the flames, was profound, but The Thousand-Faced Gentleman's gaze was clearly shaking.

"They say a person finds someone frightening, the solution is obvious."

"Is that so?"

A eerie smile spread across Jang Ilso's face as he responded.

"Kill them to eliminate them. It's as simple as making sure they can't frighten you anymore."

Jang Ilso glanced around and said.

"How about it? It's just the two of us. It seems there's not an impossible possibility for you either."

A senseless laughter burst out from The Thousand-Faced Gentleman's mouth.

Certainly, that might be a possibility. He was the leader of the Hao Sect. It couldn't be said for sure that he would lose against Jang Ilso. Although Jang Ilso's martial arts level was unknown, being unknown did not necessarily mean it was extraordinary.

"Not a bad idea. But... I know a better way."

The Thousand-Faced Gentleman slowly lowered one knee. His knee, which had never bent, touched the ground.

Jang Ilso observed the highly symbolic scene with a casual glance.

"Hao Sect's leader, The Thousand-Faced Gentleman."

The Thousand-Faced Gentleman bowed his head deeply.

"I pledge my loyalty to Ryeonju-nim."

A man kneeling in the midst of the blazing flames. Perhaps, this might be a sight more remarkable than the burning Qingcheng.

Jang Ilso let out a subtle chuckle and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Hmm. Quite impressive."

"..."

"Wasn't it always like this?"

The Thousand-Faced Gentleman raised his head. The moment his eyes met Jang Ilso's, he felt it.

Eyes that had not changed a bit.

What did that unchanging look in his eyes mean, even after gaining the loyalty of the Thousand-Faced Gentleman?

And The Thousand-Faced Gentleman naturally understood what he had to do.

The Thousand-Faced Gentleman's hand moved slowly towards his face. As his hand, carrying a faint tremor, covered his face and descended...

Finally, a smile different from before bloomed on Jang Ilso's lips.

"The true face of The Thousand-Faced Gentleman."

He nodded slightly. Then, as if joking, he added.

"There was no need for you to reveal that."

"It's the natural thing to do in pledging loyalty to Ryeonju."

Jang Ilso slowly approached the bowing Thousand-Faced Gentleman. His red robe fluttered and settled like a flag.

Chin.

Jang Ilso lightly touched The Thousand-Faced Gentleman's shoulder and slightly lowered his head.

"I mean it."

A whisper echoed in The Thousand-Faced Gentleman's ear.

"Things like sincerity are irrelevant."

"..."

"Since no one can truly know. So, just knowing what you want is enough. What do you want?"

The Thousand-Faced Gentleman's shoulders trembled slightly.

"...Life."

"Pathetic."

Jang Ilso lightly tapped The Thousand-Faced Gentleman's shoulder.

No other words were spoken. There were no assurances of guaranteeing the desired life, no acknowledgment of kneeling and joining under his command. Jang Ilso merely touched his shoulder once.

However, the Thousand-Faced Gentleman didn't desire anything else.

In front of this man, everything was meaningless. Pledges, emotions, even the sincerity shown; all were nothing more than tools to be used when necessary.

What the Thousand-Faced Gentleman sought was only mercy and value.

The flames, like cold metal, seemed to burn him and the Hao Sect together in a belated manner.

"Get it sorted out."

"Yes, Ryeonju-nim."

His attitude and tone had changed considerably.

This not only meant a change in the relationship between the Thousand-Faced Gentleman and Jang Ilso. The alliance formed from the five major sects, the Evil Tyrant Alliance, had now united in a different form. It signified a reconciliation within the flames, sacrificing Qingcheng. 

"Shall we go to Emei?"

"Yes, we should."

Jang Ilso's gaze briefly landed on Baek Sage's corpse. [Oh it's Baek Hyun...I forgot]

A worthless death. The value of that death at most bought a few moments.

"The news might not have reached Emei yet. It should be easy reach Emei."

"That's right. But we still need to hurry."

A faint smile appeared on Jang Ilso's pale face, like a red line being drawn.

"It would be too unfair if only the one suffered. I should let someone else experience the same. To burn Emei and trample it down, we need to hurry."

"Yes!"

After bowing deeply, the Thousand-Faced Gentleman turned away.

Staring at his receding back, Jang Ilso's face contorted strangely.

'Little rat...'

Being observant was good. However, someone who bent down low because one did not want to die would ultimately reveal their true colors when they no longer felt threatened.

The fate of the Thousand-Faced Gentleman would be determined by himself, not by Jang Ilso. Regardless, he was useful.

"Tsk."

Jang Ilso clicked his tongue briefly and cast his gaze into the distance. Not towards the north where Emei was but towards the east where the Yangtze River was.

"Gakmyung is going to be upset again."

Smirking, he turned away.

The flames that consumed Qingcheng were spreading to the north. The momentum seemed so fierce that no one could stop it.