Chapter 1652 - It's A Good Day (2)

"Al-already?"

"The Evil Tyrant Alliance?"

"Where to?"

"Is Jang Ilso moving directly?"

Voices erupted from all directions almost simultaneously. The slightly excited atmosphere in the meeting room changed in an instant. Amid the intense stares, Im Sobyeong nodded heavily.

"Yes. He is moving personally."

Several people swallowed dryly. Yoon Jong also involuntarily clutched his chest. Indescribable pressure loomed over them. Jang Ilso was moving directly. Who here wouldn't understand the significance of those words?

"Where is he headed?"

"The exact destination is not yet certain. However, considering the northern direction..." Im Sobyeong's face stiffened slightly. "The target appears to be Henan."

"Henan? Why?" Tang Gunak exclaimed in a surprised voice. "Knowing we are here, he chooses Henan, which is practically undefended."

"It's not defenseless."

"Hmm?"

Im Sobyeong shook his head neatly. "Have you forgotten? They already targeted Song Mountain once. But realizing they were at a disadvantage, they retreated. This indicates a clear intent to deal with the remnants of Shaolin."

Those who had supported Shaolin nodded heavily.

'The Blood Sect...' Baek Cheon's face hardened as he recalled the past. If he had not arrived in time, Shaolin might have ceased to exist in the world. Although they had successfully fended off one attack, there was no way the Evil Tyrant Alliance would easily give up on their missed prey.

"Then, is their target Shaolin?"

"Considering Jang Ilso's persistence, that would be the most likely first target."

"...Hmm. I thought they would target us."

When Hyun Jong muttered, Im Sobyeong shook his head. "Jang Ilso is not someone who targets the strong points of his opponents. He is a person who persistently digs into wounds. He won't attack places that are already prepared."

Several people nodded in agreement. Given Jang Ilso's previous actions, it was indeed a plausible argument.

The place that had suffered the most severe damage was undoubtedly Shaolin. Although there were places that were almost annihilated, they no longer counted them as forces. The place Jang Ilso would salivate over the most was, of course, Shaolin.

"Then what should we do?"

"What do you mean? What should we do? We must support Shaolin. Are we just going to watch the Evil Tyrant Alliance devour Shaolin?"

"But... Shaolin...."

At that moment, Jaegal Jain, who had been silent until then, spoke up. "Everyone here knows the feelings towards Shaolin are not good."

The murmuring crowd fell silent.

"I too, right now... cannot say my feelings towards them are good." Jaegal Jain made eye contact with several people slowly. "But we cannot let Shaolin be annihilated like this. It's not just about the symbolic meaning. The warriors of Shaolin are still a significant force for the righteous sects. Losing them would be a huge loss."

"...."

"If the Heavenly Comrade Alliance truly aims to protect the world and Kangho, we must put aside old grudges and support Shaolin."

As Jaegal Jain was about to continue, Hyun Jong raised his hand lightly to stop him. He slowly shook his head.

"No need to say more."

"Maengju-nim, but...."

"I have never once thought we could abandon Shaolin. They are also part of Kangho, fighting alongside us, aren't they?"

It was an unexpected statement. Jaegal Jain's mouth opened slightly in surprise as he tried to persuade Hyun Jong.

If he had to pick the person here with the worst feelings towards Shaolin, Jaegal Jain would undoubtedly choose Hyun Jong and Chung Myung. In terms of emotional intensity, Chung Myung might top the list, but in terms of sheer resentment, no one could match Hyun Jong.

Yet, here was Hyun Jong, declaring his intention to save Shaolin without a moment's hesitation.

Even Baek Cheon supported Hyun Jong.

"Maengju-nim is right. We've already helped Shaolin once. There's no reason we can't do it twice."

"Ugh... Sasuk. But there, they have Beop Jeong—no, the Abbot now. Do we really have to?"

"This is no time to be weighing the pros and cons. We intend to fight against the Evil Tyrant Alliance, not differentiate between the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and those who aren't part of it, right?"

"...That's true."

Having spoken up unnecessarily, Jo Gul bowed his head in dejection.

At that moment,

"Wait, hold on a second. Are you saying we should go help Shaolin right now?"

Im Sobyeong asked Baek Cheon as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

Baek Cheon tilted his head in confusion.

"Isn't it obvious?"

"Obvious? Did you just say 'obvious'?"

"Well, Shaolin is in danger."

Baek Cheon looked around as if wondering if he had misunderstood something. No one gave him any particular glance or response.

"No, Deputy Sect Leader!"

Im Sobyeong's voice rose in frustration.

"If we go to help Shaolin right now, the ones who will be in danger are us, not Shaolin!"

"...What?"

"Have you already forgotten how Jang Ilso trampled over the Peng Family and Kongtong?"

At those words, Baek Cheon's mouth shut instantly.

"His target was the disrupted command structure. In other words, that means he's adept at dealing with forces that aren't properly organized. So, what about us right now?"

"Well...."

Baek Cheon's voice lost its vigor and faded.

"Just today, we've had people who defied the Deputy Sect Leader thrown into the dungeon. Even the Peng Family and Kongtong, whom Jang Ilso toyed with like children, weren't in such disarray."

Im Sobyeong's words hit the mark, and Baek Cheon's shoulders slumped further.

"Right now, the Deputy Sect Leaders can't even properly control a single Tang family member. If we go to fight Jang Ilso, the outcome is obvious."

"Jang Ilso doesn't know our situation, does he?"

Jo Gul tried to argue in Baek Cheon's defense. Im Sobyeong's gaze is fixed on him.

"Why do you think he wouldn't know?"

"...What?"

"Do you really think he wouldn't know? We can see how they move, so why wouldn't they be able to see us?"

"That, that's...."

"Jang Ilso's current actions might be based on observing our situation and reaching a conclusion. If we hastily rush to Hanan, we'd be walking right into the tiger's den."

"Mmm."

Tang Gunak groaned as he contemplated.

"It's not pleasant, but... the Nokrim King's words make sense."

"He does have a knack for dealing with unorganized groups, so it's credible."

Tang Gunak smiled bitterly at Meng So's words. Then he asked Im Sobyeong,

"So, what do you think we should do?"

"We need to buy time, even if it's just a few days. The conclusion made here today needs to reach the allies, so they take it seriously."

"A few days..."

"We need to hold out for at least three more days. That's the minimum."

"In three days, the Evil Tyrant Alliance could have already crushed Shaolin."

Im Sobyeong scoffed.

"Why is that?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

"Shaolin doesn't have to get trampled. Send urgent news to Shaolin, telling them to flee from Mount Song immediately."

Tang Gunak's mouth fell open slightly.

"That, that's...."

"Only an idiot would wait there when they know the enemy was coming. If the plan is obvious, they should avoid it."

"Will Shaolin do that?"

"If they don't, it's their own fault. We're not responsible."

Tang Gunak was at a loss for words, staring blankly at Im Sobyeong. It was moments like this that made it clear how different their ways of thinking were. The free-spirited mindset typical of the Evil Sect was difficult for Tang Gunak to follow.

Im Sobyeong was more adamant than usual.

"In any case, we must not. That damned Jang Ilso already used the chaos in the command structure to destroy Shaolin, Kongtong, and the Peng Family. Repeating the same mistake after seeing that would be the height of stupidity."

"..."

"Shaolin has already tasted defeat, so this time they will retreat. Isn't that right?"

Im Sobyeong's eyes demanded agreement as he looked at Hye Yeon and Baek Cheon.

Baek Cheon unknowingly nodded his head.

"Indeed...."

Though it was hard to say for sure, Hye Yeon would find a way to avoid the enemy if possible.

"What are you doing? Send the message quickly! Now that it has come to this, we must make the most of the few days the Evil Tyrant Alliance will waste on their way to Henan! The vice unit leaders and unit leaders should immediately gather the members and work with them thoroughly."

Everyone nodded as if in a trance, but one person who had remained silent until now spoke up.

"I don't quite understand."

"Hmm?"

It was Chung Myung.

"What are you talking about right now?"

Those present looked at each other, unable to grasp what Chung Myung meant. Eventually, Hyun Jong, representing them, had to ask.

"What do you mean, Chung Myung?"

"The conclusion is that the Evil Tyrant Alliance will target Shaolin, so Shaolin should flee, right?"

"That's... right?"

"What if they don't flee?"

Hyun Jong looked at Chung Myung with puzzled eyes. Why was this child repeating what had already been discussed?

But Chung Myung asked another question.

"Why are we assuming it's Shaolin?"

"Haven't we discussed that up until now?"

"Yes, but why is the conclusion that 'the Evil Tyrant Alliance is targeting Shaolin'?"

"Well, they said they were going to Henan, and in Henan..."

At that moment, Hyun Jong stopped speaking, struck by a sudden thought. The others also froze in realization.

The sect that represents Henan is undoubtedly Shaolin. However, those familiar with Kangho, or even those who know little about it, are aware of one thing.

Shaolin is not the only sect in Henan.

There is another sect in Henan that is as renowned and powerful as Shaolin.

"Surely not..."

"Yes."

Chung Myung looked at Hyun Jong with dark eyes.

"To get to Shaolin from their position, they must pass through Wuhan. They wouldn't just bypass Wuhan, right?"

"Wait a moment. That place is currently under lockdown."

"Do you think they would leave a sect under lockdown alone?"

Chung Myung said it in a chilling voice.

"No, before that. Even if the Evil Tyrant Alliance intends to do so, do you think that person would just let them pass?"

Everyone realized their mistake in Chung Myung's words.

Many sects hold grudges against the Evil Tyrant Alliance. However, if one were to name the person with the deepest grudge against the Alliance and Jang Ilso himself, they would definitely mention this person.

And he is in Wuhan right now.

"Shaolin might flee. But 'they' will not. Even if they could have fled once, they definitely won't do so twice."

A person who lost all their fame due to the Evil Tyrant Alliance.

A person who has endured with a heart gnawing on their bones until now.

✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀

"Sect Leader."

A person dressed neatly in martial robes carefully called out to a seated Taoist.

However, the Taoist, who had a long beard reminiscent of Guan Yu, did not move even at the sound of his name.

After a moment of hesitation, the person assumed the Taoist was listening and delivered the news.

"The Evil Tyrant Alliance... Paegun is coming to Henan."

At that moment, the Taoist's closed eyes slowly opened.

The eyes, which seemed as empty and clear as glass, began to fill with the icy wind of the cold northern winter.

"Paegun?"

"Yes."

The Taoist nodded almost imperceptibly.

"Then, it is time to reclaim what was lost."

The Taoist muttered in a low voice as he stood up.

Exuding an aura as cold as a blade, the world knew this Taoist as Heo Dojin of Wudang.