Thousands have gathered.
Even in a vast space, there should be no lack of noise. Rather, if it's a place where people must fight for their lives, there should be resounding cheers.
But there is no sound at all.
The land, now covered in twilight, is dominated only by an abnormally thick and heavy silence.
And the ones who created this silence stand at the forefront on both sides. They are the two giants who dominate this era.
Beok Jeong.
The abbot of Shaolin, a pillar of the righteous path that has led the Nine Sects and One Union for decades.
While the criteria for determining the top figure under heaven may vary from person to person, no one can deny Beok Jeong's claim to being the top figure of his time.
And Jang Ilso.
The house master of Myriad Man House, this person is the alliance lord of the Four Tyrants Alliance. He achieved the great feat of uniting the scattered evil sects into a single entity, which had seemed impossible before.
Opinions about him may vary from person to person, and doubts about his abilities still exist, but no one can deny that he is the top figure of the evil sects of his time under heaven.
Literally the leaders of the largest forces under heaven, the two giants who move under heaven stand facing each other across the desolate plain.
The tension created by their confrontation made everyone gathered here involuntarily hold their breath.
"...Amitabha."
Beok Jeong softly recited a Buddhist prayer.
'Jang Ilso.'
Even though the distance was great, his figure was as clear as if it were right in front of his eyes. Jang Ilso's dazzling appearance was as vivid as Jeok Il.
Even facing an imminent battle where countless would die, there was still a profound lethargy in his eyes.
Beok Jeong, who sought to see the essence of humanity, didn't even notice Jang Ilso's complex expressions.
He only saw Jang Ilso as the personification of evil. Even Beok Jeong, who had seen countless formidable opponents, couldn't grasp the enigmatic nature of Jang Ilso.
Beok Jeong realized anew.
Despite having faced Jang Ilso's intense presence for decades, he had never actually met and conversed with him like this.
Beok Jeong's deep voice resonated across the plain.
"Tyrant. How many more sins do you intend to commit?"
At the sound of these words, Jang Ilso's expression softened.
"Under heaven has been plunged into calamity because of your ambitions. Countless lives have been lost, and blood has flowed like rivers. Is that not enough?"
Jang Ilso looked at Beok Jeong without any hint of animosity.
"I advise you. Though your sins can never be washed away, there must surely be a way for you not to commit greater sins. Realize that all your ambitions are ultimately empty. If you understand this and refrain from further wrongdoing, at least you won't accumulate greater sins."
"Abbot!"
Jongli Hyeong, taken aback, couldn't help but speak up.
"What are you saying? The sins he has committed..."
"Amitabha."
But as the heavy sound of the Buddhist prayer resounded, Jongli Hyeong found himself involuntarily silent.
Instead of responding to Jongli Hyeong's defiance, Beok Jeong directed his gaze towards Jang Ilso and continued in a lowered voice.
"Believing that one can grasp something with their hands is nothing but a delusion of attachment. Ultimately, a person dies with empty hands, just as they were born. What remains in those hands is not honor or wealth, but the accumulation of a lifetime's deeds, like a towering mountain."
Beok Jeong took on the role of a head monk naturally.
"If you understand and seek to repent now, Shaolin will gladly assist you. The path of repentance is open to anyone, even to the greatest sinner of all time."
His heavy and solemn gaze met Jang Ilso's.
Beok Jeong's words surprised everyone, but no one doubted the sincerity behind them. Beok Jeong had devoted his life to following the righteous path. Even in such a moment, he didn't forget his duty.
But what returned in response to the monk's earnest words was a loud burst of laughter.
"Haha... Hahaha! Hahaha!"
Jang Ilso, who had been silent all along, burst into laughter.
Unlike the innocent Beok Jeong, Jang Ilso laughed heartily, clutching his belly. His demeanor was far from that of a leader of a faction.
"Well, well."
After laughing for a long time, Jang Ilso wiped his eyes with his long, polished nails. Tears even trickled down his cheeks from how much he had laughed.
"Sorry, sorry. I never imagined I'd hear a sermon in this situation. So it's probably not entirely my fault..."
Jang Ilso's eyes, which had softened, turned to Beok Jeong.
Laughter is powerful. It ridicules Beok Jeong, ridicules those who follow him, and even ridicules the dharma that Beok Jeong believes in.
"Isn't that right?"
Jang Ilso's gaze swept over everyone beyond Beok Jeong.
Now, they may feel awkward calling themselves the Nine Sects and One Union, but they are still the ones who protect the Central Plains under that name.
"Even when 'south of the river' fell beneath my feet."
The faces of those who felt Jang Ilso's gaze lifted slightly.
"When Sichuan burned in the hands of my children."
Suddenly.
Someone made a grinding sound.
"Even those who used to stand idly by while countless people died in places like 'north of the river'... now talk about mercy and the dharma..."
The voice was calm, but the sarcasm was truly cutting.
"I guess I'm just ignorant, huh? Seeing the difference between the laws I know and the ones you discuss."
"Tyrant."
"Well, how do you think the Buddha feels? Wouldn't he prefer those rats running around 'immediately north of the river' trying to save people rather than you lot who just talk about laws and mercy? Huh?"
Referring to the Heavenly Friendship Alliance.
Jang Ilso knows. He knows what they are saying, what Beok Jeong least wants to hear. He knows what they are chasing after.
Beok Gye's gaze reached Beok Jeong's back.
Beok Jeong's back was as calm as ever, but the hand holding the long rosary was trembling slightly with tension.
Only Beok Gye standing behind him could see that subtle tremor, which gave him a hint of Beok Jeong's inner turmoil.
"Amitabha."
But despite whatever inner turmoil he may be experiencing, the Buddhist prayer that flowed out was simply devout.
"Surely, we are lacking. But all the blame lies not with us, but squarely on you. Let me say this one last time. If you stop now, it will be over."
"Now."
A gentle and kind voice pierced everyone's ears. Though small, it was oddly distinct.
"Realize your sufficiency and stop here... What if I say I'll stop? What would happen then? Would you just let me go?"
Jang Ilso's lips twisted crimson.
"No. No, you wouldn't. You couldn't. So what then? Are you going to kindly escort me, cut off my bloodline, and lock me in an underground dungeon? To rot in some dank cell, listening to the nauseating chants of the wretches until I die?"
"Tyrant."
"Tap, tap, tap, tap."
Jang Ilso raised his head as if to make a noise.
"The Shaolin fellows are so merciful, aren't they? That's what you want to say. Even the demons of hell aren't so cruel, evil sects are more merciful. We just cleanly kill, don't we?"
"That's the only way to repay the sins you've committed."
"Hahaha."
Jang Ilso laughed briefly.
Soon, a scarlet hue began to appear on his pale face.
"I'm not that weak-stomached, you know. I can't stand to listen anymore."
In that moment of changing momentum, even Beok Jeong found himself holding his breath.
"Repentance... Aren't you curious?"
The frigid gaze pierced through the monk.
"Who is the one here who I least want to repent? Who is the one who most desperately hopes this war won't end in vain? Who hides behind the flimsy mask of the dharma and pursues their desires more fiercely than anyone else?"
"Jang Ilso!"
A thunderous roar erupted from Beok Jeong's lips.
"I've endured... That's a pretty good excuse. It sounds plausible and impressive. But there's one thing you should know. What do they call patience that doesn't endure suffering?"
Jang Ilso's eyes pierced through Beok Jeong and those standing behind him fiercely.
"Avoidance."
Just those two words made Beok Jeong's face flush.
"It's strange, isn't it? You didn't bear the cost, so why did your patience become the norm? You just stood by and watched. But now you stand in front of me as if you've made some lofty decision and spout nonsense. Hoping someone will recognize it."
"That heresy!"
"Disgusting..."
Under Jang Ilso's gaze, which seemed to see through Beok Jeong like a bug, Beok Jeong bit his lip.
"Despicable."
Jang Ilso laughed. The disdain in his eyes remained, but.
"But... still, I don't particularly dislike you, or any of you. Isn't it human nature to be inherently disgusting and despicable?"
Jang Ilso smirked. The innocent smile, devoid of any shadow, spread across his entire face like that of a child.
"Shall I tell you an easier way?"
Jang Ilso's question briefly flashed a hint of doubt on Beok Jeong's face. Jang Ilso spoke kindly.
"Surrender."
"Jang Ilso!"
"Then there will be no more bloodshed. I have no interest in seeing unnecessary bloodshed. I promise. If you kneel before me and lick my feet, I will be satisfied with simply 'ruling,' without killing anyone. How about it? Then a peace without sacrifice will be achieved."
Beok Jeong's beard trembled.
"It's an easy choice, isn't it? If you truly don't want to shed blood. But... is that really what you want?"
With a menacing gaze, Beok Jeong felt it in his bones.
There it is.
Nothing anyone says or persuades will work against utter evil. That person, formed and forged from pure evil, is right there.
How can that person be called human?
"No, that's not what you want. I know, I know what you want. What you want is..."
Jang Ilso slowly drew his fingernail across his throat.
"It's right here."
At that moment, his lips twisted crimson.
"What you want. Your purpose fulfilled. A trophy engraved with your name in the history of the Martial Arts World. Restoring the name of Shaolin to the heights of the Martial Arts World, and leaving your pitiful precepts as an unparalleled name in Shaolin's history."
The not-so-loud voice echoed in Beok Jeong's ears like thunder.
Now Jang Ilso's gaze was gentle again, without a hint of enmity.
"Take it."
"..."
"Soak your hands in blood, send countless people to their deaths, and fight and fight until this land is stained entirely crimson. That's what you desire so desperately."
"Amitabha."
It was the predetermined conclusion.
Both giants knew it. Dialogue was meaningless to them.
They were not those who accept but those who make others accept. It's inconceivable that someone without any confidence in themselves could rise to such a position.
That's why their opponent must be crushed. Their beliefs, goals, power, and even their lives.
"In the end, dialogue is futile."
"It's coming full circle. It's a predictable ending."
Jang Ilso's gaze turned towards the sky.
The twilight had thickened since then. As if trying to cover the blood about to be spilled on the world.
"Listen, everyone!"
In the great hall that shook the world, Beok Jeong opened the gates.
"We can no longer tolerate the atrocities of that wicked enemy. We did not wish for bloodshed, but we will not fear it! Today, here, I will! And we will punish that evil and restore peace to the Martial Arts World!"
The lion's roar erupted like a divine command.
The bodies of those standing behind him tensed with extreme anticipation. The internal strength, drawn to its utmost, surged outward.
"If not me, who will go to hell! Amitabha!"
Channeling all the pent-up energy, Beok Jeong shouted like thunder and pounded the ground.
"Follow the abbot!"
"Woooh!"
With a terrifying momentum, the army of the Nine Sects and One Union rushed towards the Four Tyrants Alliance.
It seemed like a mountain-sized tidal wave was rushing forward. The soldiers of the Four Tyrants Alliance, who had fought without fear until now, were momentarily frozen by the overwhelming momentum.
"Hmm."
At that moment, the disdainful sigh of Jang Ilso, who seemed to be at peace, reached their ears. And in that moment, the soldiers of the Four Tyrants Alliance remembered who they were.
Jang Ilso tapped his chin with his fingertip.
"You're making quite a racket. Handle them appropriately. Let them know for sure that this is no longer the world where they can rampage."
The first to react, naturally, were the fearless hounds of Jang Ilso, the Red Dogs.
"Protect the alliance lord!"
With a sinister momentum, they rushed forward, followed closely by the soldiers of Myriad Man House and Black Ghost Fort.
The vast plain, devoid of any obstacles, swayed and surged like a shipwreck in the enemy's tide.
Beyond the Xi Mountain, the sun hanging by a thread was also swallowed by the encroaching darkness, painting the entire sky crimson.
Justice and evil.
The Nine Sects and the Four Tyrants Alliance.
And Beok Jeong and Jang Ilso.
A single great hall that would determine the course of the world. The curtain has finally risen.