Chapter 1654
It's a Good Day (4)
"Wudang…"
A pained voice slipped from Hyun Jong's lips.
He should have considered it. He should have seen it coming. Yet he hadn't—not because of a lack of insight, but because Wudang had remained too isolated amid the rapidly shifting currents of Gangho.
"But in this situation…?"
Hyun Jong asked softly, disbelief heavy in his tone. Zhuge Jain answered with a stern expression.
"The situation itself is not the key. What matters is the trend."
"Trend?"
"Yes. Look back carefully. Jang Ilso's movements have always followed the same principle. He targets where power is not concentrated."
He paused, then added coldly,
"Like a wolf singling out the sheep that has strayed from the flock."
Nods followed.
Indeed, that was how Sapaeryeon had always moved. When Gangho split north and south around the Yangtze, they first devoured isolated Hainan. When power gathered at the river, they struck weakened Sichuan.
No matter how elaborate the schemes appeared, the core of Jang Ilso's strategy had always been brutally simple.
"The General's analysis is correct," Zhuge Jain continued. "Right now, the most isolated sect is Wudang. If Wudang falls, Shaolin will be completely cut off. From Sapaeryeon's perspective, it is the most rational move."
"…"
"We must support Wudang, Alliance Leader. We have already lost Kongtong and Paeng. We cannot afford to lose them as well."
Hyun Jong frowned faintly.
"Wudang… Do you truly believe Jang Ilso will strike Wudang?"
Despite Zhuge Jain's certainty, Hyun Jong felt unsettled.
Wudang?
The logic was sound. And yet…
If Jang Ilso were to target Cheonumaeng directly now, the Alliance—still untested as a unified force—would be at grave risk.
But Jang Ilso… passing up that opportunity?
That didn't sit right.
"I'm not convinced."
"I'm Sobyeong," he spoke at that moment, as if he had been waiting for it.
"I don't think we can look at it so simply."
Zhuge Jain turned toward him, brows drawn—not offended, but wary.
"Explain."
"Your reasoning is sound," Im Sobyeong said evenly. "Jang Ilso's past actions certainly followed that pattern."
"But?"
"But that was before Shaolin."
Zhuge Jain stiffened.
"You mean… Hubei."
"Yes."
I'm Sobyeong's fan, snapped open.
"When dealing with Shaolin, Jang Ilso moved differently. Until then, he always dragged his enemies into positions of absolute disadvantage. Clean victories. Minimal risk."
"But this time?"
"He threw himself into danger."
Those who had witnessed that battle nodded grimly.
"He no longer avoids risk," Im Sobyeong continued. "Which means predicting him based on old habits is dangerous."
"…Then what is he aiming for?"
"I'm Sobyeong," he answered immediately.
"Us."
"…Us?"
Zhuge Jain froze for a split second, then his face hardened as understanding struck.
Im Sobyeong half-covered his face with the fan.
"It's easier to crush an unprepared enemy. But it's even easier to lure that enemy to where you want them and destroy them there."
"…"
"If I were Jang Ilso, I'd use Wudang as bait. Let Cheonumaeng rush out in urgency—then trample them while they're disorganized."
Silence followed.
Whether or not Wudang was the real target no longer mattered.
The moment Cheonumaeng moved hastily, Jang Ilso would seize the opening.
The thought alone chilled the room.
"...Then what do we do?" Zhuge Jain asked quietly.
They couldn't abandon Wudang.
But rushing to save them might doom the Alliance.
"There's no need to worry about that."
Zhuge Jain frowned sharply.
"What?"
"Wudang isn't foolish," Im Sobyeong said. "They're one of the most intelligent sects in Gangho. They won't fail to grasp this situation."
"…Ah."
"When Sapaeryeon advances, Wudang will retreat. Buy time. Then we move in coordination."
"… Do you think they'll go to Shaolin?"
"That part is uncertain. I don't know how deep their ties run. Given Shaolin's current state, they may choose another path."
He lifted his fan slightly.
"What matters is this—Wudang will buy us time. We simply need to match their tempo."
Nods spread.
"If it's Wudang… especially with Heo Do Jinin involved, they won't act rashly."
"That's true."
Tang Gunak exhaled slowly.
The worst-case scenario seemed avoided.
Perhaps this could even become an opportunity…
Then—
Tang Gunak's expression stiffened.
Wait.
His gaze snapped toward Chung Myung.
The General had remained silent the entire time.
"General."
"Yes."
"What do you think?"
Chung Myung turned.
In that instant, Tang Gunak felt a chill crawl up his spine.
The eyes staring back at him were calm—too calm.
"Wudang retreating…"
"General?"
"Do you really believe that will happen?"
"Well… Heo Do Jinin is among the most composed leaders of Gupailbang. Even stepped down, his influence remains. And Heo San-ja is equally capable—"
"There are no perfectly rational people."
"…What?"
"And even fewer perfectly rational sects."
Tang Gunak's breath caught.
"A sect doesn't move solely by its leader's will. Especially not in times like this."
"…Go on."
"It wasn't only Heo Do Jinin who lost honor at the Yangtze."
Chung Myung's voice lowered.
"The ones who lost more were Wudang's swordsmen—branded cowards without choice."
Silence.
"Whether Heo Do Jinin understands that…"
Chung Myung's words trailed off as he looked east.
Toward Wudang.
❀ ❀ ❀
"W-What did you say?"
Heo San-ja stared at the men before him, his face a mix of shock, fury, and dread.
"They all said they would stay."
"…You idiots."
His hand trembled.
Over two hundred swordsmen stood before him, eyes cold, posture unwavering.
There was no misunderstanding.
They had defied his order to flee.
"Heo Gong! You madman! What are you thinking?!"
"I don't understand the question, Sect Leader."
"…What?"
"Did you not say that those willing to die for Wudang's honor should step forward?"
"Heo Gong!"
"If I may speak plainly."
Heo Gong's hand tightened around the Pine Crest Ancient Sword. His gaze was glacial.
"There is not a single person on Wudang Mountain unwilling to die for Wudang."
"…"
"And there is no one here who will endure the humiliation of fleeing twice."
His teeth dug into his lip.
"Do not insult your disciples."
Despair washed over Heo San-ja.
"Heo Gong…"
"Whether the enemy is Jang Ilso, Maninbang, or Sapaeryeon. Whether they come in hundreds or tens of thousands."
His aura surged.
"I will fight. Until my life is severed. I will prove Bongmun was not cowardice."
Swish.
Two hundred swords rose to their chests in unison.
The meaning was unmistakable.
"Oh…"
Heo San-ja groaned, face drained of color.
Sect Leader… no, Sahyeong…
Everything had gone wrong.
Irreversibly wrong.