Baek Cheon also glanced at the unfolded document without any intention of hiding it.
"Four Tyrants Alliance... Are you saying that Nine Sects are attacking the Four Tyrants Alliance?"
His voice trembled with shock.
Chung Myung also clenched his lips tightly.
"This..."
A suppressed voice escaped from him.
"That crazy lunatic!"
Crunch!
Chung Myung crumpled the document he held in his hand. The scattered pieces of paper fragments alone revealed his emotions clearly.
Jo Gol looked at Yun Jong with trembling eyes.
"Are you saying that Nine Sects and Four Tyrants Alliance are engaging in a full-scale battle? And that too, immediately?"
"...Seems like it."
How did the situation escalate to this point? And what about the movements of the Heavenly Friendship Alliance headquarters?
Numerous questions arose, but there was no clear answer in his mind.
In the end, what came out of Jo Gol's hesitant lips was nothing but a vague question.
"So... what happens now?"
"..."
"Oh, no, I mean... Who do you think will win if it comes to that?"
"Well... no matter how you look at it, wouldn't Nine Sects win? Surely the abbot wouldn't move without any consideration."
"Then, is Jang Ilso someone who acts without any thought? He's not an easy opponent, is he? Actually, if we consider just how cunning he is, the abbot wouldn't stand a chance!"
A brief silence fell between them.
It's difficult to predict victory or defeat hastily. How many people in the world would know exactly the strength of Nine Sects and Four Tyrants Alliance?
Moreover...
'Being stronger doesn't necessarily guarantee victory.'
They've already proven that here.
Based solely on their power, they should have been defeated and their throats slit. However, the one with a pierced heart is the Black Dragon King, and the one who escaped with a few injuries is the river bandit group.
So, it's not easy to say which side will definitely win.
Nevertheless, there was one thing certain at this moment.
"We need to go!"
"What?"
Jo Gol was greatly surprised by Chung Myung's firm shout.
"Come on, wait, fuck! Where are we? Anhui, Anhui! Even if we sweat blood running there, everything will be over when we arrive! And as for Nine Sects..."
Whack!
Yun Jong swiftly jabbed Jo Gol's side with his elbow.
Jo Gol flinched, then suddenly realized. It was because he finally noticed Hye Yeon's distressed expression.
"Uh, Master. I..."
"No, it's fine, benefactor."
Hye Yeon shook his head as if to dismiss any concerns.
"I'm well aware of the actions taken by the abbot and others. It must be difficult for you to look at them with a compassionate gaze from your standpoint."
"Master..."
"But I also feel the need to go there myself."
Hye Yeon let out a shallow sigh.
"Please understand."
"Where's the understanding in this! Of course!"
The ones heading towards the battlefield are none other than Hye Yeon's senior and junior brothers, and their teachers, aren't they?
Even Jo Gol would naturally choose to go. Even if they committed heinous acts, they wouldn't turn a blind eye and forgive them.
So, sending Hye Yeon is the right thing to do. However...
"We can't do that."
Baek Cheon said to Chung Myung.
"We can't move right now."
"..."
"This place hasn't been completely pacified yet. You know that too. If we get involved in this situation, who knows what the scattered river bandits and the evil sect members who were already north of the river might do."
Chung Myung's face hardened.
Baek Cheon's words were also correct. If they abandon the evil sect members and leave, this land will fall into even greater chaos. It's almost as bad as not beheading the Black Dragon King.
Moreover, wasn't the reason they made plans and took risks to prevent the evil sect remnants from harming normal people?
Baek Cheon knew all this, which was why he spoke like this. But Chung Myung also couldn't just stand by.
Baek Cheon's gaze briefly clashed with Chung Myung's in the air.
"Elder brother, I..."
"You go."
"...Huh?"
"We can't go. But you can. I'll stay here and handle the remaining tasks. You go to Shaanxi. Right now, immediately!"
Chung Myung looked at Baek Cheon with a slightly surprised expression.
In the past, Baek Cheon would have been one of two things. He would have either stopped Chung Myung or insisted on following him. Even if he had to use force or assert authority, he would have tried to stick to his own will.
But not anymore. Baek Cheon now clearly distinguished between what he needed to do and what Chung Myung needed to do.
"I'll take care of the sword."
"Yes? Me?"
"We need someone fast to clear up things here quickly."
"Oh, no, elder brother... I..."
At that moment, Yun Jong grabbed Jo Gol's head tightly from behind.
"Shut up!"
"Ugh..."
Jo Gol groaned with an embarrassed face.
Of course, if we only consider his temperament, he would definitely want to rush to a bigger battlefield.
But Baek Cheon knew Jo Gol's injuries weren't trivial. Taking him along would tie up Chung Myung's feet and only further complicate things.
"Junior sister and Jongs are..."
"I'll stay here."
Yun Jong glanced at Chung Myung. His eyes were still not as gentle as before. But that wasn't the reason he didn't follow Chung Myung.
"I'm here for that purpose."
"...I see."
Baek Cheon turned his gaze to Yu Yiseol.
"What about Junior sister?"
"I'll go with my nephew."
"Okay."
Baek Cheon breathed a sigh of relief. Actually, he wanted to add one more person. This reckless guy would surely cause trouble no matter what.
But they couldn't delay any longer. Just as he was about to speak, a familiar voice came from somewhere.
"We're going too."
Baek Cheon turned his head sharply.
"...You're coming along?"
"There's nothing more for us to do here. And... it seems the danger isn't limited to Shaolin."
Baek Cheon nodded slightly at Jin Geumryong's words.
If the Four Tyrants Alliance is advancing, Southern Edge must also be exposed to that danger. So, they have no reason to stop them.
Actually, weren't they the ones who shouldn't have come in the first place?
"Well..."
Baek Cheon's lips twitched slightly. But he couldn't say anything in the end. Seeing him like that, Jin Geumryong lifted one corner of his mouth.
"Weakling."
"...What?"
"Take care of yourself instead of thinking about nonsense. If you end up dying by the sword of some worthless river bandit after capturing the Black Dragon King, you'll be called the biggest fool in the Martial Arts World forever."
"Really, even saying that...! You're such a damn human!"
Jo Gol, who had been listening quietly, whispered to Yun Jong's ear.
"Is he telling me to be careful now?"
"...Seems like it."
"Why is he saying it like that?"
"...Seems like that's just how he is. Elder brother used to be similar."
"Yeah, it sounds like it."
"Quiet down, you bastards!"
While Baek Cheon was scolding Jo Gol and Yun Jong, Jin Geumryong approached Chung Myung without any hesitation.
"I won't say it's impossible, Mount Huas Divine Dragon."
"I'm not an enemy of Mount Huas Divine Dragon."
"If you want to be called that, go ahead. It's a nickname I made for you."
Chung Myung glanced at Jin Geumryong and Li Songbaek following behind him.
"If you can keep up, do as you please. Don't even dream of consideration."
"As you wish."
And so, Chung Myung was accompanied by Yu Yiseol, Jin Geumryong, Li Songbaek, and Hye Yeon. With a subtly anxious expression, he said to Baek Cheon.
"I'm going."
"Alright. As soon as things are settled on this end, depart immediately."
Chung Myung turned his body like a hermit and proceeded forward without any further response. The four others quickly followed him.
Watching the five figures swiftly distancing themselves, Baek Cheon couldn't hide the deep concern that arose within him.
*Bang*
Chung Myung pushed the ground and increased his speed continuously.
"I have to hurry!"
Even without seeing the ones following closely behind, it could be felt that they were struggling to keep up. But there was no time to adjust to their speed now.
"Beok Jeong, this damned guy...!"
Chung Myung gritted his teeth.
Why still not aware? Why still clinging to his own arrogance?
Even though he clearly knew what kind of person Jang Ilso was, why was he still hanging onto worthless ambitions like fame and reputation? Even calling himself a Buddhist!
"Faster!"
*Kwaaang!*
He pounded the ground even harder.
The crimson dusk was spreading slowly like blood.
---
"Abbot!"
At the voice from beside him, Beok Jeong squinted his eyes and observed the front.
They could see them far away. More precisely, a man with a dazzling appearance leading in martial arts was visible.
"...Tyrant."
"That must be Jang Ilso!"
Beok Jeong nodded slowly.
Even though they were far away, it was clear as day. That person was definitely not a fake.
Using a fake might be a great tactic, but it's difficult to use when the opponent is already alert and prepared.
And Beok Jeong's sensitive perception clearly read the sinister aura emitted by Jang Ilso.
"Amitabha. Indeed, it seems so."
A serene voice echoed. Despite this, Beok Jeong's gaze remained fixed on Jang Ilso. On the other side, Jang Ilso was clearly watching him too.
"...Fortunately, it seems we've arrived in time."
"Are we going to attack right away?"
Jongli Hyeong's face was filled with excitement. He was itching to rush in immediately and sever Jang Ilso's white neck.
Why wouldn't he? Jongli Hyeong probably held as much resentment towards them as Beok Jeong did.
However, Beok Jeong didn't allow such impulsive behavior from Jongli Hyeong.
Instead, he subtly shifted his gaze upwards. The dusk had already deepened considerably. Having estimated the time, Beok Jeong quietly recited a Buddhist prayer.
"He's an influential figure among the evil sects, despite being a puppet."
"...And then?"
"We should at least listen to his last words."
Beok Jeong stepped forward slowly. Following him, the others began to walk in sync.
It was a tremendous momentum, as if a mountain itself was moving.
It was a spectacle that clearly showed how Nine Sects and One Union had made a name for themselves under heaven.
*Kuwong!*
As Beok Jeong moved a little further towards the enemy, he stomped on the ground so hard it trembled.
"Tyrant, are you there? Shaolin's Beok Jeong requests an audience!"
It was a lion's roar infused with tremendous internal strength.
Even allies would momentarily falter at its intensity, let alone those facing them. But the response that came back to that roar was slow, almost languid.
Compared to Beok Jeong's lion's roar, it was closer to a whisper.
"Don't shout so loud, I haven't gone deaf. I'm right here."
Tyrant Jang Ilso. He slowly walked forward.
The clinking of accessories bumping against each other created a melodic sound, echoing like music in the momentarily quiet plain.