Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1544

Elder Nengsam stood firm.

“Elder!”

“Th-this⋯⋯.”

Jao Gae, another member, standing on the riverbank, felt his eyes twitch.

Dozens of boats floated on the Jang Gang. It might seem like only a few dozen boats, especially since they were a mix of different kinds of boats, including small rowboats and fishing boats.

Nevertheless, Nengsam was surprised because the number of dozens was only what he could see.

The Jang Gang river was wide and long, cutting across the middle of the Central Plains.

If this was happening across the entire Jang Gang, how many boats were really floating right now?

Hundreds? Thousands? Or perhaps⋯⋯?

Sweat ran down Jao Gae’s back.

“Have you reported to the main sect?”

“I reported immediately using the fastest messenger hawk.”

Nengsam bit his lip hard.

What difference would reporting make?

There was no way to respond. How could they stop those crossing the river from spreading out in groups of four or five across the entire Central Plains? They couldn’t guard the entire length of the Jang Gang.

“What on earth are they thinking?”

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t understand.

Troops were only strong when they were together. The Shaolin were a great sect, but if they were spread out one by one across the Central Plains, they would not be as strong at all.

They knew this very well. Yet, the Four Evil Alliance was sending all their people into Gangbuk, spreading them out. Why were they doing this?

“Elder!”

Nengsam bit his lip again at the urgent voice from behind.

“First, ask the Nine Great Sects for help. Attack them as soon as they reach land.”

“But⋯⋯”

“I know!”

Dealing with those visible now wouldn’t change the situation.

But⋯⋯.

“Even so, we CANNOT just stand here and do nothing! We have to fight! Go, now!”

“Yes, Elder! I understand.”

Nengsam clenched his fist tightly.

He had trained for years, dedicated his life to protecting this land. But now, facing this unexpected threat, he felt like a child trying to stop a flood with his bare hands.

Watching the densely packed boats swarming towards them, he sensed it.

Everything that would happen from now on could never be judged by the common sense of war he possessed.

Meanwhile, far from the riverbank, in a simple tent, the leader of the Four Evil Alliance was having a meal.

Clink. Clink.

The sound of a spoon moving could be heard. Ho Gamyeong silently watched Jang Il-so eating porridge.

‘Why bother⋯⋯.’

What was in that bowl was a thick, yellow sorghum porridge, its bland smell filling the small tent. It looked as unappetizing as it tasted, a simple, coarse meal.

“⋯⋯Is it to your liking?”

“Hmm.”

Jang Il-so put down his spoon with a satisfied look and smiled brightly. An honest impression flowed from his mouth, which was adorned with a bright smile.

“It tastes disgustingly bad.”

“Then why bother⋯⋯.”

Jang Il-so tilted the bottle and slowly poured into his glass. He neatly poured the liquor into his mouth as if to cleanse it with the aroma of alcohol, and then said,

“Who knows? Sometimes, you just want to do things on a whim.”

He chuckled, glanced at the bowl of porridge in front of him, and then pushed it away. His eyes seemed to flicker for a moment, but he quickly lost interest in the empty bowl and turned his gaze to Ho Gamyeong.

“How did it go?”

“We carried out your instructions.”

“Well done.”

His reaction was calm, as if it wasn’t a big deal. Ho Gamyeong shook his head.

The Gangbuk area must be in chaos by now. The Nine Great Sects, the Cheonwu Alliance, and the government would all be in an uproar. But the person who caused the chaos wasn’t showing any particular joy or excitement.

Could they even imagine? That the person who they would hate just by thinking about was leisurely eating porridge inside the barracks?

“There isn’t much of a response. It’s still early, but⋯⋯”

Ho Gamyeong’s calm voice held conviction.

“Even if we give them more time, they won’t be able to respond easily. They are trapped between wanting to help and fearing what we will do here.”

Jang Il-so chuckled. But Ho Gamyeong’s thoughts didn’t waver. Even if Ho Gamyeong was in their position, he wouldn’t be able to move rashly.

The best thing to do would be to disperse their forces and spread them throughout Gangbuk as well, but they would be concerned about the forces here, like a dagger aimed at their necks.

“People are like that.”

“⋯⋯”

“They have compassion and want to help others.”

At Jang Il-so’s words, Ho Gamyeong gave a strange smile.

“Why are you smiling like that?”

“I wonder.”

Jang Il-so frowned at the ambiguous smile.

“Oh, dear. It seems there’s a deep misunderstanding. I’m actually a very sentimental person.”

Jang Il-so laughed as if he found his own words funny, and then said,

“Well, let’s say I am. Usually, people want to help others. But there’s one condition. Do you know what that condition is?”

Ho Gamyeong replied with a blank face.

“Isn’t it when there’s no harm to themselves?”

“That’s right.”

Jang Il-so gave a satisfied smile.

“Even if there’s someone who can risk their life for others, they wouldn’t leave their own house burning to help someone else.”

“That’s right.”

“They’d be scared. While they’re away⋯⋯ we might burn down their house. Not just the house, but everything could turn to ashes. They must have already seen it with their own eyes.”

Ho Gamyeong nodded.

Emei, Jeomchang, and the Tang family.

Taking Sichuan was definitely a significant event. But the meaning would differ depending on the person.

Ordinary people would rejoice in what they could gain from the land of Sichuan, and wise people would be happy that they could now hold a dagger to their enemies’ throats thanks to taking Sichuan.

But Jang Il-so’s intention wasn’t like that.

The greatest thing he gained from taking Sichuan was the fear the opponent would feel.

The moment the seemingly unbreakable fortress of the Nine Great Sects crumbled, not only the Nine Great Sects but also the Cheonwu Alliance realized.

Jang Il-so watched the flames in the distance, a cruel smile on his face. He knew the Righteous Sects could easily fall, just like anyone else, with one wrong move.

Jang Il-so’s plans were all built on the hidden fears of his enemies. He knew they were afraid of chaos and losing control.

“You must be angry and hurting. You’ll wonder if fighting back is worth the cost, if it will destroy everything you have.”

“But their anger won’t last forever. Maybe the strongest groups, like the Ten Great Sects, can stay strong, but the Cheonwu Alliance will break.”

“Maybe. Actually, think about it. If we let the chaos in Gangbuk continue, it will spread to us. But… isn’t that enough to cause them trouble?”

What he said was right. That would be enough. Just a short time for his agents to spread chaos in Gangbuk. Even a little hesitation from their enemies would be enough.

This was the plan of the Evil Sects Alliance from the beginning: to create chaos and make their enemies hesitate.

“I almost feel like thanking them.”

Jang Il-so smiled slightly, a cruel glint in his eyes, and poured more wine.

“Everyone is making so much effort,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “We are almost there now, but they really didn’t need to help us this much. The Righteous Sects are so kind, aren’t they?”

What would the leaders of the Nine Great Sects, or the important people in the Cheonwu Alliance, do if they heard this? He imagined their faces turning red with rage. They would want to rip him apart.

And he was right, in a way. If the Righteous Sects hadn’t acted first, the Evil Sects Alliance wouldn’t have been able to start this plan.

If the Cheonwu Alliance and the Nine Great Sects hadn’t rushed to gather their armies and bring together smaller groups. If the Beggars’ Sect hadn’t called back all their experienced members from everywhere.

“But there’s something that doesn’t make sense.”

“Hmm?”

“Didn’t you make them do all this, Leader? Hunters don’t thank the animals they trap.”

“Tsk tsk. You’re so cold! And you’ve got it wrong.”

“What…?”

“I really didn’t expect what the Beggars’ Sect did. I never thought they would help us so much.”

Jang Il-so laughed out loud, as if the idea was incredibly funny. Even if the Beggars’ Sect hadn’t helped, his plan would have continued, even if they took some losses.

But luckily, the Beggars’ Sect did something unexpected. This reduced their losses by almost half – no, even more. They now had enough power to destroy a whole city.

“Now we just have to wait.”

“Indeed.”

Jang Il-so leaned back against the golden cushions with a relaxed look. It was merely a theatrical gesture. Ho Gamyeong noticed the momentary glint in his eyes, like a hungry beast.

“They have to choose. Will they split their armies and become weak, or will they hide like turtles and watch everything around them be destroyed?”

“The Righteous Sects always want two things, right? To win, and to be honorable. But when winning and honor become enemies, what will they choose…?”

Jang Il-so’s eyes flashed strangely.

“Aren’t you curious?”

“……”

“Haha! This is so funny! So funny!” Jang Il-so laughed loudly, even hitting his chair. Ho Gamyeong watched him and tried to calm himself down. *Don’t get carried away,* he thought. *This is just the start.*

“I’m almost afraid to say this,” Ho Gamyeong began.

“Tsk tsk. I told you to stop being so formal, but you never listen.” Jang Il-so looked at him with kind eyes. Ho Gamyeong braced himself against that look. *If I get too comfortable and stop questioning things, he will get rid of me,* Ho Gamyeong thought.

“They are still strong,” Ho Gamyeong said.

“I know,” Jang Il-so replied, shrugging in a relaxed way. “You’re telling me not to get too cocky and get beaten, right?”

“Yes, Leader. I am.”

“Tsk tsk. If you’re sorry for saying it, you shouldn’t say it at all.” Jang Il-so clicked his tongue, acting like his good mood was gone.

“Gamyeong, Gamyeong.”

“Yes, Alliance Leader.”

“You’re right. But there are different kinds of strength, aren’t there?”

Jang Il-so looked north. The land in that direction, red with fire, was reflected in his eyes.

“That’s not strength. That’s being too fat.”

“Too fat…?” Ho Gamyeong asked, confused.

“They have to protect everything, don’t they? Big groups, small groups, even useless people who can’t fight. And who knows? Maybe those wild people from the Beast Palace and the kind people from Mount Hua will even try to protect stray dogs.”

“Everything within their sight is a place they have to protect. And for us…” Jang Il-so’s thin lips curved into a smile, revealing his white teeth.

“It’s all a place we can trample and tear apart.”

Ho Gamyeong nodded slowly. The Evil Sects Alliance – or rather, the Myriad Man Manor, their real group – had nothing to defend.

The weak members of the evil sects sent into Gangbuk would all die. They were divided into small groups from the beginning, so they would be killed as soon as they met the enemy.

But what did it matter? Their usefulness was only to wreak havoc in Gangbuk until they died. He had promised to acknowledge the ownership of all the wealth they brought back, so they would rampage like a pack of hungry wolves.

This chaos alone would destroy Gangbuk. If the Righteous Sects hesitated and reacted slowly, these small acts of violence would become a huge fire, destroying the whole area.

“Hmm. But we need to be sure everything is ready. Has our messenger arrived?”

“Yes. We got a report that they are waiting, ready to go whenever we say.”

“Tsk tsk. That evil man sure knows how to sweet-talk.” Jang Il-so chuckled softly. “But I like guys like that. They are easy to understand.”

Jang Il-so slowly rose from his seat. As he stepped out of the barracks, his subordinates tensed up, freezing in place. Jang Il-so glanced indifferently towards Gangbuk and smiled.

“I wonder what they will do next.” Seeing that cold smile, Ho Gamyeong sighed and said, “Honestly, I don’t know. Even if I try to think like him.”

“Really? I think I know.”

“……Yes?”

“No, never mind. It doesn’t matter. Knowing what to do is useless if you can’t do it.”

Jang Il-so’s lips were unusually red today, like blood. A very small whisper, barely audible even to Ho Gamyeong, leaked out. “If you could break the chains tied to that body, you might be able to cut off my head. But…” Could you really call the you who broke those chains, you?

“That would be interesting too. Yes, very interesting.” A fierce heat flickered in his pale eyes. That heat was hotter and more cruel than the flames that had begun to cover Gangbuk, as if it would burn even Jang Il-so himself without leaving a trace.