Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1156

The air in the room was thick with unspoken questions. Even Chung Myung, who usually had all the answers, watched Im So-byeong with a flicker of hope in his eyes. What would Im So-byeong say?

The reason he convened this meeting wasn’t because he didn’t know what to do next. He had, in his own way, already decided what to do first.

Nevertheless, he had two reasons for hosting the meeting.

First, he knew he shouldn’t keep thinking and leading all by himself.

As Chung Myung had told Baek Cheon earlier, everyone here would need to make their own decisions and lead others in a war.

If they got used to waiting for someone else to decide, they wouldn’t be able to make good choices when they had to decide for themselves.

So, at least these people needed to find the best way forward on their own. To do that, Chung Myung needed to share his own opinions less.

Even if the meeting didn’t go exactly as Chung Myung imagined, he believed it would still be for the best.

The other reason was…

‘I can’t do it alone.’

Chung Myung wasn’t all-powerful.

No matter how much he had been through that terrible war, and no matter how many life-and-death situations he had faced that others couldn’t even imagine, there were still limits to what Chung Myung knew and understood.

His way of thinking had worked until now, but to face the huge threats of Jang Il-so and the Demonic Sect, his strength alone wasn’t enough.

So, he was trying to gather ideas. The people here were worth listening to.

At that moment, Im So-byeong spoke up.

What is the most important thing to win?

Namgung Dowi blinked, confused. “…Huh?” He looked around at the others, then back at Im So-byeong.

Im So-byeong chuckled softly and tapped his forehead lightly with his folded fan. *Click*. The sound was small but clear in the quiet room. “Was my question too hard for you? Let’s make it simpler. If two people fight, who is more likely to win?”

“Hmm… maybe the person who trained harder, I guess?”

“No, not really. It’s the one who understands their enemy better.”

“I think the one who knows their own limits has a better chance of winning.”

Many people gave reasons why they thought they were right.

Just then, Jo Gul, who hated obvious statements, blurted out, sounding surprised, “Isn’t it just the stronger person who wins?”

The room went silent. As everyone stared at him, Jo Gul’s face turned red.

“Ah, no, what I mean is…”

“That’s right!”

“…Huh?”

Whirr!

Im So-byeong opened his fan wide.

“No matter how you dress it up with fancy words and beat around the bush, there’s only one answer. The stronger side wins. Isn’t that the only truth in the Jianghu?”

“See, see! I told you I was right!”

“Did anyone say you weren’t?”

“Why are you getting so excited by yourself?”

“Oh, you did great.”

“Y-You guys!”

Everyone turned to Jo Gul, their faces like stone, their eyes showing no warmth. It’s true that sometimes you don’t want to praise someone, even if they do something good.

“Then, what should we do to win the war, Namgung Clan Head?”

Namgung Dowi, feeling the pressure of everyone’s gaze, leaned back slightly.

“Well…”

He never thought he would say something so silly, but the situation forced him to give only one answer.

“W-We just need to become stronger.”

“Oh, now you’re starting to think.”

He was being praised for giving the most foolish answer of his life. This made Namgung Dowi feel strangely ashamed. Of course, he didn’t realize how odd it was that he was secretly pleased to be praised by the unorthodox Im So-byeong.

“Now, what are the ways to become stronger?”

“Well…”

Im So-byeong didn’t seem to expect an answer at this point and wrapped things up neatly. “There are only two things: improve the quality, or increase the quantity.”

Baek Cheon spoke up quickly. “But what about the small and medium-sized sects from before…?”

“I’m just saying this to be clear, but increasing the quantity means adding those who can fight. Surely, no one here is simple-minded enough to think that gathering all sorts of useless people will make us stronger, right?”

“O-Of course not.”

A sharp look was directed at Baek Cheon, who had almost misspoke. He lowered his head and gritted his teeth inwardly.

“But that…”

Dang Pae cautiously spoke. “Surely those aren’t the only two ways. What about strategy or tactics, and…?”

“Ah, schemes?” Im So-byeong chuckled.

“Well, that’s possible. If the Clan Head uses his head well, he might be able to fight an enemy who is twice as strong.”

“It wouldn’t be easy, but…”

“Then three times?”

“Five times? Ten times?”

Dang Pae suddenly fell silent. If you could win against someone ten times stronger just by using your head, why would people be afraid of climbing mountains at night? They wouldn’t be trying to catch tigers with their bare hands.

“Do you understand? Strategy and tactics are useless when there’s a big difference in power. If you can win without thinking, why would you bother trying to figure out how to win? It’s exhausting to use your mind when you don’t have to.”

“N-No… Emperor Gaozu of Han also defeated Xiang Yu.”

“He would have been killed if they had fought alone! He gathered all the forces he could and ganged up on him!”

Come to think of it, that was true.

“Which is stronger, the Four Evil Sects or us?”

“Well…”

This was an easy question.

“The Four Evil Sects.”

“Yes. They are stronger.”

It wouldn’t be easy for the Cheonwoo Alliance to face the Four Evil Sects alone with their current strength. The situation would change depending on how well the gathered people worked together, but the Four Evil Sects were definitely stronger in terms of raw power.

“If someone is smart, they won’t waste time trying to overcome a stronger force with less power. They will look for ways to become stronger in the meantime.”

Everyone was now listening closely to Im So-byeong.

“But what about the quality of the troops!”

Im So-byeong turned his head sharply and looked at Chung Myung.

“Isn’t there someone here who takes care of that? Even if that guy has a terrible temper and is completely useless otherwise, he’s the best at this one thing… Hey, hey! Put that down! I’ll really die if you hit me with that inkstone! I’ll die!”

Chung Myung reluctantly put down the inkstone he had picked up. Im So-byeong wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and continued.

“So, all that’s left is to increase the quantity.”

“But…” Dang Pae looked unsure.

“Small groups aren’t enough,” someone said, his voice heavy with worry. “We need a big group to help us. But… where would we even find one? It’s not like they can just appear.”

Another man sighed. “And we’re already using everyone we have. Some people joined, some left… we’re stretched thin.”

A low “Hmm…” went around the rough wooden table. The lamplight flickered, casting shadows on their faces, each one etched with doubt.

Then, Im So-byeong smiled. It wasn’t just any smile. It was a slow, knowing smile that reached his eyes, making them gleam in the dim light.

“So, does everyone agree that we need a major sect?”

“…If only it were possible.”

“Of course, it would be great if it could happen, but isn’t it a problem since it’s realistically difficult?”

Im So-byeong’s words hit the truth they were trying to avoid.

The Cheonwoo Alliance wants to work together for two reasons. First, to stop people from getting hurt. Second… because if they don’t, they might lose the war.

Baek Cheon looked at Im So-byeong with a serious face. Among the words Im So-byeong had uttered so far, the most painful was, ‘When people do something, they feel relieved.’

That was a perfect fit for Baek Cheon. While acknowledging that there was a clear gap between the Cheonwoo Alliance and the Four Evil Sects, he devoted all his energy to daily training. Rather than solving the fundamental problem, he tried to do what he could.

‘Is this a difference in perspective?’

Perhaps this is the difference between Im So-byeong, who tries to think and solve problems himself, and Baek Cheon, who is still waiting for someone to provide a solution.

Baek Cheon engraved this moment deeply in his heart.

Im So-byeong snapped his fan shut with a clack and said,

“Alright. Beon Chung!”

“Yes, Green Forest King!”

“Spread out the map!”

“Yes!”

Beon Chung unfolded the large map he was holding. Because he was so large, he could fully spread out the map that would normally require two people.

‘He prepared that in advance?’

Tang Gunak looked at Im So-byeong, dumbfounded. Now that he thought about it, the Green Forest King seemed to have anticipated this conversation from the start.

“Currently, there are four sects in the Central Plains whose connections are not clear.”

“Four sects?”

“Yes. Two of them are places you all know. They are the remaining two of the Four Outer Palaces: the Southern Sea Solar Palace and the Potala Palace.”

“Ah…”

Those who heard the words blinked. And when the word Potala Palace came out, Cheong-myeong’s eyes momentarily sparkled.

“And another one is… the Blood Palace, which is included when referring to the Five Outer Palaces.”

“But, the Blood Palace is…”

“Yes, yes. I know. But let’s put aside the issue of possibility for now and only discuss the unaffiliated forces.”

“Hmm. If that’s the case…”

From the start, the Blood Palace was a mysterious sect whose main base was not clearly known, and its members were known to be very bad, so it did not align with the Cheonwoo Alliance.

“It is said that people from the Outer Lands and the Central Plains don’t like each other, but that is not true, at least not for the Cheonwoo Alliance. And fortunately, the leaders of two Outer Land sects are here, so it will be a little easier to persuade them.”

“…Why didn’t I think of that?”

“I know, right…”

Everyone looked at each other as if they were dumbfounded.

Of course, just because the Beast Palace and the Ice Palace are members of the Cheonwoo Alliance does not guarantee that they will side with the Cheonwoo Alliance. The Four Outer Palaces do not have a representative sect, and their unity is looser than expected.

But the fact that those two sects have the potential to fill the Cheonwoo Alliance’s insufficient power is also clear, isn’t it?

“Among these, the most powerful place would be the Potala Palace, but…”

“No way.”

Cheong-myeong waved his hand dismissively.

“A war will break out on the way from Seojang to here.”

“That’s right.”

Im So-byeong clicked his tongue as if he was disappointed.

“Besides, the Potala Palace rarely leaves its region and is known not to get involved in other sects’ disputes unless it’s a really big deal. So, there’s no possibility.”

Oh Geom remembered the Banseon Lama, a wise monk he had met before, and nodded.

No, from the start, he didn’t think he could even ask that person to fight with them. He could tell even from that short meeting that he was different from ordinary martial artists.

“Then the remaining place is here.”

Whack!

The moment Im So-byeong lightly pointed to one place on the map, people’s eyes widened.

“…You’re going all the way there?”

“Ah, no, do people even live there? Is the Central Plains that wide?”

“Ugh.”

Maeng So scratched his head as he looked at the place Im So-byeong had pointed to.

“The Southern Sea Solar Palace.”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s a major sect that doesn’t belong anywhere right now.”

“But… Haa. That won’t be easy. The Southern Sea Solar Palace is in a place called Yim Eup, isn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

“Their language and writing are different from ours. It won’t be easy to mix with them.”

“We have to accept that.”

“And… the Southern Sea Solar Palace is not just a powerful group in the Outer Lands, they are actually royalty.”

“Yes?”

“They are real royalty. The members of the Southern Sea Solar Palace are the imperial family.”

“…Huh?”

Im So-byeong blinked, not knowing this.

“Really?”

“…Why would I lie about something like this? So, they won’t even think about coming to fight in another country. How do you think the proposal to join the Cheonwoo Alliance would sound to them?”

“Well…”

“Wouldn’t it sound like they’re asking the imperial family to participate as mercenaries in a war in another country?”

“Uh…”

“If you’re going to send a messenger, leave me out of it. I don’t want to be torn apart in a faraway land.”

Im So-byeong became speechless and stared blankly at Maeng So.

And then Cheong-myeong opened his mouth.

“You started so grandly. What is it? In the end, you can’t bring anyone?”

“You acted all high and mighty for nothing.”

“What? A meaningless act?”

As the atmosphere gradually turned hostile, Im So-byeong cautiously stepped back. In particular, the gazes of Namgung Dowi and Baek Cheon were unusual.

“Wait, just a moment! There’s still! There’s still more!”

“Stop your useless resistance and accept your fate!”

“No, I’m telling you, there is! I told you from the start that there were four places! This one is certain! Right here!”

Thwack!

The moment Im So-byeong pointed to another place on the map, everyone’s eyes were focused on the tip of his finger.

“…What?”

“Is he out of his mind…?”

“Is this guy really crazy?”

Reactions of disbelief erupted from everyone’s mouths at the same time.