Return of the Mount Hua Sect

“Hmm.”

Hearing that peculiar nasal sound, Ho Gamyeong looked at Jang Ilso with puzzled eyes. Jang Ilso opened his mouth.

“That’s unexpected.”

“…What part are Ryeonju-nim talking about?”

“I thought you would bring up the idea of ??dealing with those guys again at this point.”

Ho Gamyeong sighed deeply. It wasn’t an entirely incorrect prediction.

The reason he stepped down was because Jang Ilso’s safety was not guaranteed. It hurts his pride to recognize Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword so highly, but Jang Ilso’s life is a thousand times more important than his pride.

So, as usual, now that Jang Ilso’s safety has been guaranteed, he might have raged, insisting they break their promise and kill those people.

“Ryeonju-nim.”

“Hm?”

“I’m not that foolish.”

Jang Ilso giggled at Ho Gamyeong’s words. Of course, Jang Ilso is a person who has never thought that Ho Gamyeong is foolish. Jang Ilso is not a very affectionate person who would offer the position of an advisor simply because they’re highly loyal.

A bitter smile crossed Ho Gamyeong’s face as he looked at him for a moment.

“That’s what Ryeonju-nim said, but… If Ryeonju-nim really wanted to take their lives, there would have been many ways. Isn’t it just that, in Ryeonju-nim’s opinion, their usefulness has not yet met its end?”

Jang Ilso smiled faintly at his words.

“It would be nice if you realized that a bit sooner.”

“It’s not easy, Ryeonju-nim.”

Ho Gamyeong sighed deeply.

“Whatever the reason, what servant would just watch their lord jump into a fiery pit?”

“Tsk, tsk. That’s your problem.”

“No matter what Ryeonju-nim says, I have no intention of changing.”

Ho Gamyeong was definitely not a foolish person. In fact, he shows more ability than Jang Ilso in terms of managing their forces.

The reason why Jang Ilso could carry out crazy strategies without any hesitation is because he has Ho Gamyeong to manage their forces to match whatever he does.

A subordinate is someone who realizes your plans. In that sense, Ho Gamyeong was truly worthy of being called Jang Ilso’s right hand.

Nevertheless, there is only one reason why Ho Gamyeong appears frustrating at times. For him, Jang Ilso’s safety always came before victory or gain.

Jang Ilso shook his head, as if giving up on convincing him.

“It is as you said. They shouldn’t die yet. No, to be precise, Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword should not die yet. At least, not today.”

At that moment, Thousand-Faced Gentleman, who had been silently listening to their conversation, asked cautiously.

“Is it because of Magyo?”

Jang Ilso glanced back at Thousand-Faced Gentleman. The corner of his mouth twists up eerily.

“Well. What do you think…?”

When Thousand-Faced Gentleman saw that smile, his mouth felt dry.

Jang Ilso is currently not in a state to fight properly due to his injuries. Perhaps the most dangerous person for Jang Ilso at this moment may not be Mount Hua Sect or Magyo, but Thousand-Faced Gentleman next to him.

Surely, Jang Ilso was aware of this fact. However, he did not show the slightest wariness to Thousand-Faced Gentleman.

That very composure made Thousand-Faced Gentleman even more nervous. Of course, even in the past, his presence was second to none in the world, but the presence emanated by the current Jang Ilso is so great that it cannot even be compared to then.

“Magyo. Right, they were definitely a threat.”

Jang Ilso’s eyes narrowed as he remembered the image of Heavenly Murderer.

“It… It made my skin crawl.”

Magyo is strong.

Denying that fact is neither prideful nor sensible. It’s simply foolish to ignore reality. Magyo, where someone like Heavenly Murderer exists so nonchalantly, might be so powerful that even if all of Jungwon united, they might struggle to face them.

“But that’s all there is to it.”

Jang Ilso drew a clean line.

“It’s foolish not to prepare for the future, but it’s even more foolish not to do what needs to be done now because of some distant future. I am not idle enough to be distracted by some stupid fanatics who might reappear at any moment.”

“Yes, Ryeonju-nim. If the existence of the Heavenly Demon they speak of is true…”

“Even so, nothing changes.”

Jang Ilso’s voice came out indifferently.

“Surely… One day, just as they say, the day may come when Heavenly Demon comes back and Magyo invades Jungwon.”

Ho Gamyeong nodded.

It is difficult to ignore the possibility that Heavenly Demon will appear based on the mere existence of Heavenly Murderer. This is because it is incomprehensible to the common sense of Ho Gamyeong that a person of such caliber would believe in an empty legend and remain hidden.

“But does that mean we should just sit and suck our thumbs, waiting for a day that may never come? Human life is not that long. My patience is not so great either.”

An eerie expression momentarily flashed across Jang Ilso’s face. But it quickly softened as if it had never been there.

“And… there’s no real way to prepare, is there? Since Magyo is scary, should we get chummy with those pigs of Righteous Sects?”

“…That’s difficult.”

That is practically impossible. Even if Jang Ilso wants it, Righteous Sects will never accept it. The emotional rift between them is already too deep.

‘Rather….’

Ho Gamyeong glanced back.

If the current center of Righteous Sects is Heavenly Comrade Alliance, including Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword, there might have been another way. However, it is impossible for Ten Great Sects and Evil Tyrant Alliance to cooperate with each other in the first place.

“If we fear Magyo, there’s only one solution.”

Thousand-Faced Gentleman and Ho Gamyeong looked at Jang Ilso simultaneously. Jang Ilso didn’t even look at them but cast his gaze towards the distant sky.

“Before that Heavenly Demon returns to invade Jungwon, I will push for Jungwon Unification. Then, there would be no need to do much since we would cooperate in a haphazard manner. Everyone will fight as one under me.”

This too is an absurd statement. There is no way that Jungwon Unification will be that easy.

But to their ears, this sounded more realistic. Compared to the dreamlike story of cooperation between Righteous and Evil Sects, the term ‘Jungwon Unification’ ?barely makes sense.

And….

Thousand-Faced Gentleman’s eyes narrowed slightly.

‘It’s not necessarily something that can be seen as difficult.’

Just three years ago, no one could have imagined this. That Jang Ilso will unite Five Great Evil Sects into one, create Evil Tyrant Alliance, and become its leader. And in just three years, he would completely subjugate even Evil Tyrant Alliance under his feet.

Compared to that absurd achievement, doesn’t it seem like an easy task to lead Evil Tyrant Alliance and unify Jungwon?

“Stagnant water doesn’t flow until the dam is torn down. There is no way those people with heavy hips will feel a sense of crisis at the existence of Magyo, who they have not even seen with their own eyes even if a dagger is on their chin.”

“….”

“So nothing has changed. We just have to do our part. Just like before.”

Ho Gamyeong nodded heavily.

Stories that seem absurdly delusional and ones that are strangely realistic are mixed together. It’s a story where it’s hard to tell what to believe and what to ignore. However, Jang Ilso’s story clearly had the power to attract people.

“Ryeonju-nim.”

“Hm?”

“May I ask just one thing?”

“Go ahead.”

When Jang Ilso gently accepted, Ho Gamyeong slightly hesitated and asked.

“But perhaps… if Magyo’s attack comes sooner than expected, and it happens while we are battling Righteous Sects, what do Ryeonju-nim plan to do?”

“Tsk, tsk. Gamyeong-ah, Gamyeong-ah. You’re saying strange things.”

Jang Ilso chuckled.

“Why should we worry about that? If Righteous Sects beg for a truce and to join forces, we can think about it then, and if they don’t bend their pride even if things gets to that point, wouldn’t it be okay for them to die together?”

“….”

“Understand this clearly. After we unite to fend off Magyo, it’s impossible to fight again and defeat Righteous Sects. Think about the nature of that cursed demonic martial art. The side that will suffer more damage will undoubtedly be us.”

Kkararak.

Jang Ilso’s ring made a chilling sound for a moment.

“In other words, by then, the world can never be mine anyway. If it’s a world I can’t have, what does it matter to me whether it perishes or not? Rather….”

Jang Ilso’s eyes drew a strange curve.

“It would be better if everything just burns to ashes.”

Ho Gamyeong closed his eyes without saying a word.

Indeed… even if Righteous and Evil Sects unite to fend off Magyo, only Righteous Sects will benefit in the end.

“…If we want to fulfill Ryeonju-nim’s wishes, we must settle the matter before Magyo rises.”

“Yes.”

“I understand.”

Ho Gamyeong nodded heavily, as if he had made up his mind. To him, the most important thing was Jang Ilso’s safety. And second, to carry out Jang Ilso’s will.

“But… What does that have to do with sparing Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword? According to Ryeonju-nim’s words, wouldn’t it be better to kill any potential threats quickly?”

“I told you, didn’t I? Now, Heavenly Comrade Alliance is united around him. If the existence of Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword disappears, Heavenly Comrade Alliance will be nothing. If we kill and eliminate Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword here, Heavenly Comrade Alliance and other sects will split up in an instant and disintegrate into easy prey.”

“That’s certainly true.”

“Can’t we reap the fruits of that?”

After thinking for a moment, Ho Gamyeong shook his head.

“It is difficult.”

“The reason is?”

“This is because we cannot cross the river until we stabilize water fortress and Black Ghost Fortress. And… right now, the death of Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold and the injury of Black Dragon King are also fatal.”

“Yes, that’s right. Then who will take advantage of the opportunity we have created and reap the fruits?”

“…Those poisonous Ten Great Sects.”

Jang Ilso nodded.

Perhaps, Ten Great Sects is no different from Evil Tyrant Alliance… No, they probably hate Heavenly Comrade Alliance even more. So they will undoubtedly seize the weakened opportunity without hesitation.

“Until now, drawing a line along the Yangtze River has had meaning. But… When Ten Great Sects swallow Heavenly Comrade Alliance, that line becomes a wall that we can no longer cross. That would be the worst scenario.”

“Certainly…”

Therefore, Jang Ilso also had to keep Chung Myung alive.

It’s indeed a peculiar relationship.

“A very useful piece, very much so.”

Jang Ilso muttered and looked back. Toward someone beyond the distant horizon.

Jang Ilso, who stared at the horizon in silence for a while, spoke in a cold voice.

“But… not anymore.”

“….”

“One should never let their guard down when raising a tiger cub. You never know when that cat will turn into a real tiger. The person who does not recognize that moment will have the tiger’s fangs stuck in their neck.”

That was exactly the concern of Ho Gamyeong. That guy named Chung Myung is too dangerous to be kept alive based on his value alone.

“Every piece has a time when its usefulness runs out. So, this will be the last time. Next time…”

A cold gleam briefly flashed in Jang Ilso’s eyes.

Gazing at the horizon like a giant Imoogi eyeing the world, he soon turned away without hesitation.

“Let’s go. We’ll be busy for a while.”

“Yes, Ryeonju-nim!”

As they started walking, Jang Ilso’s mind began to spin rapidly.

‘Magyo, Ten Great Sects, Heavenly Comrade Alliance, and Evil Tyrant Alliance….’

In a composition that was already extremely complex, a variable called Magyo arose. But Jang Ilso found this situation only enjoyable.

‘Everyone will realize. Opportunities are not something to wait for, but to create.’

His excited eyes gleamed cruelly.