Return of the Mount Hua Sect

Ho Gamyeong smiled broadly as he looked at Jang Ilso who gave a slight nod in response.

“No, should I now call you Ryeonju-nim?”

“Don’t flatter me with ‘Ryeonju’ titles! Enough of that.”

Jang Ilso shook his hand a little awkwardly, indicating he didn’t like grand titles, but Ho Gamyeong continued to wear a wide smile on his face.

“Please climb aboard.”

Jang Ilso leisurely climbed onto the carriage drawn by four white horses. The carriage, befitting Jang Ilso’s stature, was opulently decorated, and its interiors were as luxurious as it appeared.

Jang Ilso climbed onto the carriage and Ho Gamyeong looked around briefly before following suit. As soon as the two got on the carriage, the horses began to run out.

Ho Gamyeong opened his mouth with an uncharacteristically flushed look.

“Fortunately, I don’t think there was a major issue.”

“We were lucky.”

“Where would luck play any role?”

Ho Gamyeong knows. How long Jang Ilso has been trying to create this moment.

The long-standing effort had finally borne fruit.

“Now it’s just one small step.”

However, Jang Ilso said, extending his arm adorned with numerous accessories.

“They bow their heads and pretend to be sympathetic, but there’s no way that those serpent-like things will follow me. In their mind, there’s only an ulterior motive to put me and Myriad Man Manor forward and take care of their own interests.”

Being the Ryeonju was like that.

The already established position of Ryeonju is a place of enormous profits that can gain benefit and power at the same time. On the other hand, for a newly formed alliance, the role often brings challenges and risks.

At the stage of coordinating with each other to maintain the alliance, everyone stands firm. In the end, it is clear that everyone will have to bear the loss.

Those members who vied for the position only did it to save face. They would have waved their hands and rejected if someone asked them to bear the responsibility.

The throne of this alliance was made by twisting a venomous snake. It was self-evident that if a gap was seen even for an instant, the venomous teeth would bite the whole body.

“But isn’t that also what Bangju-nim wanted?”

“Gamyeong.”

“Yes, Bangju-nim.”

“I told you before, didn’t I? If you don’t take risks, you won’t gain anything.”

Jang Ilso twisted his lips and smirked.

“Well-fed pigs are content with leftover scraps. But a starving wolf is never satisfied with leftovers. Hunting always comes with its dangers.”

Jang Ilso brushed his lips with his index finger. His lips, red as blood, shone with a subtle glow.

“If you desire something as precious as life, then it’s only natural to risk your life.”

“Bangju-nim is right.”

Ho Gamyeong looks at Jang Ilso with renewed admiration.

It’s remarkable.

In the past, Evil Sects have not united with each other to form a force since the war against the Magyo. The Evil Sects Alliance was born after a hundred years, and Jang Ilso and Myriad Man Manor took over the position of Ryeonju.

Jang Ilso, the youngest and least experienced among the heads of those prominent Five Great Evil Sect. It’s too obvious for Ho Gamyeong, but it’ll never be obvious for anyone else.

But Jang Ilso didn’t seem to be in the least pleased despite achieving such an immense feat. He was nonchalant as if he merely got what he deserved.

Jang Ilso’s eyes are already on the next target. He wasn’t interested in what he already had. Jang Ilso was like a predator that starts seeking the next prey even before it finishes devouring its current catch.

“Thanks to Mount Hua’s brats, our plan has expedited five… No, a decade.”

“Indeed.”

“Do you think they know I went to sincerely congratulate the establishment of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance from the bottom of my heart? Ahahahahahaha!”

Jang Ilso held his stomach and laughed.

It was as if they wanted to cry but got slapped instead.

Kangho was like stagnant water. No one lacks anything. So no one is taking any risks.

That perfect tranquility and power balance in Kangho was shattered by Heavenly Comrade Alliance in an instant.

According to his plan, it would have taken a decade. But Heavenly Comrade Alliance…. No, thanks to the existence of Mount Hua Sect, all of this could be achieved at once.

“It’s a delightful and exciting thing to do, but… If you think about it backwards, it’s extremely dangerous. I moved since I couldn’t miss the opportunity, but we’re not fully prepared yet.”

“The greater the risk, the greater the reward we gain.”

“Exactly, exactly. As expected, Gamyeong, you know my thoughts.”

He had put four venomous snakes inside his belly.

If he doesn’t provide comfort, the vipers will bite his stomach and dig their way out. In that case, Jang Ilso would have to give up his life without a struggle.

However…

‘Soon they will find out.’

That Jang Ilso’s gastric acid is also melting their bodies.

“It remains to be seen who will end up in control.”

Jang Ilso’s lips, red as blood, parted slightly, revealing his sharp, white teeth that looked eerily dangerous.

“Let’s go.”

“Are Bangju-nim thinking of going there yourself?”

“Gamyeong.”

“Yes, Bangju-nim.”

“A man should never forget his grudge. But the same goes for favors.”

Ho Gamyeong looked at Jang Ilso with a slightly puzzled expression.

“If there is a person who has given a favor, isn’t it also natural to repay it from the standpoint of a receiver?”

“…You’re right, but… then?”

“I have to pay them back. I don’t know if it’s enough, but I have to.”

Jang Ilso laughed softly.

“It remains to be seen whether they will like my gift, of course, but it is meaningful to express sincerity.”

Ho Gamyeong nodded at Jang Ilso’s smile.

Sometimes, his position as advisor seemed insignificant.

He was confident in his strategies and could shake anyone. But there was only one person, Jang Ilso, whose thoughts he couldn’t perceive.

But Ho Gamyeong doesn’t feel particularly uneasy about the fact.

Jang Ilso is Jang Ilso. He isn’t an ordinary human that can be judged.

Gamyeong glanced and saw Jang Ilso close his eyes, lost in deep thought. Ho Gamyeong held his breath so as not to disturb his thoughts.

Jang Ilso, who closed his eyes, pressed his temples with his fingers.

‘It’s just the beginning.’

It’s only a small step forward. There’s still a long way to go. And the path ahead will be very rough and thorny. Just walking on it will tear the flesh, and its thorns will pierce the bone.

However, considering what he would gain by walking forward, Jang Ilso walk through not just a thorny path, but even a pit of fire with a smile.

A never-ending hunger.

And the day of Jang Ilso’s insatiable hunger to be satisfied will never come.

* * *

“Isn’t there a fight happening?”

“It seems so.”

Chung Myung grabbed Im Sobyong by the collar and shook him.

“What are you talking about? If filthy Evil Sect and despicable Righteous Sect idiots are gathered together, everyone should overturn their eyes and fight! Why don’t you fight, why! The stage was laid out like this!”

“Kureuk. Le- Let go of me!”

“No! They have to fight each other and die! That’s when I’ll suck the honey!”

Baek Cheon sighed as he listened to the sinister words.

“Chung Myung-ah…”

“Yeah?”

“You should say such a thing in a place where no one else listens.”

“Oh.”

It was Baek Cheon who couldn’t bear to say that a Taoist shouldn’t think like that.

‘That venomous punk.’

A filthy Evil Sect and a despicable Righteous Sect. Does that guy really have the concept of an ally in his head?

“Keuhum! Keuhum! That….. It seems that the pirate punks run away without looking back when they see the Righteous Sect!”

“Why can’t they chase them? I heard Shaolin guys are masters of Lightness Art. Where did the monk go? They’re missing when everyone looks for them!”

“Lightness Art is useless. They are escaping by ship, how are you going to follow them on water?”

“Then chase them by ship!”

“… Then the pirates will attack and destroy the ship. What will happen then?”

“What will happen? It’ll be great! All the fake monk bastards are going to drown, and that day will be a feast!”

“….”

Im Sobyong, who looked at Chung Myung with stunned eyes, turned his gaze weakly toward Baek Cheon.

Baek Cheon couldn’t bear to meet that gaze and lowered his head.

‘I’m sorry.’

A bandit leader who lives off exploiting commoners is now questioning the morality of a disciple from a prestigious Righteous Sect. Of course, it’s ridiculous, but the one who makes it impossible to even refute this absurdity is Chung Myung.

“Anyway… No, put that down. Anyway… it seems those guys have left their fortress and gone to the Yangtze River.”

“They can’t keep doing that, can they?”

“Perhaps by now… Yes, they have to look for a safe place so they must be approaching the Black Dragon Water Fortress by now.”

“Huh? Black Dragon Water Fortress?”

Im Sobyong nodded.

“It’s like the Nokchae of Eighteen Water Fortress of the Yangtze River. However, if the Nokchae moves from place to place, Black Dragon Water Fortress is a place where the power of the Eighteen Water Fortress of the Yangtze River is concentrated. Black Dragon King isn’t a managerial leader like me but someone like an emperor.”

“So, they’re gathering there?”

“No, it’s the natural behavior of bandits and pirates. Even if you tell them to fend for themselves, they naturally gather in safe places. Whether they’re seeking help or they can’t die alone, I’m not sure.”

“…Are they crazy?”

“That’s the case with all bandits. Tsk, tsk, this uneducated one.”

Baek Cheon eventually closed his eyes.

‘You’re a bandit, you.’

“Anyway, so they’re gathering at the Black Dragon Water Fortress?”

“That’s what I’m expecting.”

“So both the Shaolin and Wudang are heading there?”

“Isn’t that likely?”

Chung Myung nodded as he let go of his tight grip on Im Sobyong’s collar.

“Then let’s go! Sasuk!”

“…Why?”

“Tell Sect Leader and get the kids ready! We’re going to the Black Dragon Water Fortress!”

“Why are we going there…”

“What why? When all the pirates and Righteous Sect bastards gather in Black Dragon Water Fortress, there will be a big fight, right?”

“…Stop calling them Righteous Sect bastards.”

‘If you keep saying that, it sounds like we’re of the Evil Sect, you punk!’

“When such a big battle is happening and we’re just watching from afar, what will people say! We laid out the stage in the first place, but if they eat it all, I won’t be able to sleep! Don’t procrastinate and get ready!”

“So we’re going to join the battle?”

Baek Cheon asked with a serious look. The word ‘battle’ naturally excited him. But then.

“No.”

“…Huh?”

“I’m gonna go watch with my hands behind my back? Why would we intervene when they’re killing each other?”

Pshhhh.

Chung Myung poured cold water into Baek Cheon’s burning heart.

Baek Cheon, whose shoulders drooped, asked weakly.

“…Didn’t you say we shouldn’t just stand by?”

“It’s okay if we’re there. It’s not like people will see us directly; just the rumor of our presence is enough.”

“….”

“We can coax the beggars into spreading rumors that we fought hard. Or I’ll get the pirates to spread it. They wouldn’t deny being beaten by us, would they?”

“I can help spread that rumor too. Kikikik.”

“That’s right! Kikikikik!”

Watching Chung Myung and Im Sobyong laugh together, it felt like hell on earth.

“Prepare some liquor and rice crackers in advance. It’s always good to drink while watching others beat each other up!”

“….”

“Ihihihi! I hope they’re all dead! Ihihihihit!”

Baek Cheon quietly looked up at the sky. It was clear and peaceful today.

‘Yuanshi Tianzun.’

‘I really need your help now.’

‘Please do something about this bastard….’

‘Please…’