Chapter 1660
And I Like Those Kinds of Idiots (5)
A man stood motionless, like a statue, gazing at the mountain before him.
Danjiangkou, Hubei Province.
Originally, it was nothing more than a small village along the road to Wuhan—unknown, unremarkable. Yet the name Danjiangkou had become familiar to all of Gangho for a single reason.
Mount Wudang.
A mountain layered with countless peaks and valleys like overlapping curtains. For generations, it had sheltered eccentric geniuses under the name of Wudang.
Those who fled the world's gaze.
Those who sought a life unshackled by human affairs.
Those who pursued enlightenment through paths no one had ever walked before.
The intertwined lives of such people formed Wudang, and the world called this place the sacred ground of Taoism—the Mysterious Peak.
Now, that Mount Wudang looked close enough to grasp.
A complex emotion flickered in Ho Gamyeong's eyes.
He had always wished to place the world beneath Ryeonju's feet. That wish had not merely progressed—it had exceeded expectations.
Sapaeryeon's momentum now overshadowed Gangho itself. Its achievements were already rewriting history.
And yet—
Standing before Mount Wudang, even Ho Gamyeong found his emotions difficult to name.
Had he truly imagined this day?
The day when the blade would be aimed not at a sect, not at a city—but at Wudang itself.
On their march, countless sects had been trampled. Countless people had knelt. Even Shaolin—whose reputation rivaled, if not surpassed, Wudang—had fallen.
But this was different.
Crushing Shaolin as it advanced was one thing.
Invading Wudang's stronghold—pointing a blade at its very heart—was something no one had ever imagined.
When he first met Jang Ilso in the filthy back alleys of Guizhou…
When he gambled on a dream too absurd to be called a dream…
Even when Maninbang was formed, and later reborn as Sapaeryeon…
Had he ever truly believed they would come this far?
Ho Gamyeong exhaled slowly.
The mountain did not disappear when he blinked.
They had arrived.
Not merely opposing Gupailbang, who had ruled Gangho for centuries—Sapaeryeon's blade had reached their core.
At last—
"Hm. Wudang…"
The soft nasal sound pulled Ho Gamyeong back to reality.
He turned.
Jang Ilso stood there, exactly as he always did.
"It took a long time."
Ho Gamyeong's fingertips trembled ever so slightly.
Jang Ilso's tone was casual. His wicked eyes gleamed faintly, lips curved in amusement. There was no bravado, no tension—only familiar confidence.
"Gamyeong-ah."
"…"
"Gamyeong-ah."
"Yes, Ryeonju."
Ho Gamyeong bowed deeply, suppressing his emotions.
"What do you think we should do?"
Jang Ilso's gaze sparkled with curiosity—the same look he always wore before great battles.
Ho Gamyeong cleared his throat.
"The opponent is Wudang. This is their stronghold. If we attack recklessly, even victory will come with severe losses."
Jang Ilso listened, smiling faintly.
"The orthodox approach would be to proceed slowly."
Ho Gamyeong studied the terrain.
Deep valleys. Hidden caves. Paths carved by centuries of recluses.
For attackers, this mountain was a nightmare.
"They know this mountain as their home. They will strike where we least expect."
Therefore—
"We must test even stone bridges before crossing."
"But?"
Jang Ilso's eyes narrowed slightly.
"What if that isn't an option?"
Ho Gamyeong had expected the question.
"Then there is another method."
"A detour?"
"Yes."
Ho Gamyeong nodded.
"If they have prepared traps, there is no need to enter them. We simply bypass Wudang."
Jang Ilso tilted his head.
"Leave Wudang behind?"
"Yes."
"They will not allow that."
"That is precisely why it works."
Ho Gamyeong continued calmly.
"They remain here knowing they cannot face us alone. That means they have a reason—honor, revenge, pride. Whatever it is, they will chase us."
"If we bypass them, they must pursue."
"And when they do…"
Ho Gamyeong's eyes turned cold.
"We choose the battlefield."
"And crush them."
Jang Ilso laughed.
"Ha… hahaha."
The ornaments on his body chimed softly.
"A sound strategy."
Ho Gamyeong bowed slightly.
"But," Jang Ilso said, smiling wider, "it's insufficient."
"…What am I missing?"
"Nothing."
Jang Ilso's gaze returned to Mount Wudang. His smile sharpened.
"You are correct. There is no flaw."
"But there are two kinds of battles."
"Slaughter… and elimination."
"This is an elimination battle."
His eyes fixed on a pavilion barely visible through the pines.
"Killing those who chase us won't erase Wudang."
"They must vanish."
"Only then will the world learn what happens to those who stand in my way."
Ho Gamyeong nodded.
"You wish to trample the mountain itself."
"Exactly."
"So?"
Ho Gamyeong stared at Wudang.
Then—
"There is only one option."
"What is it?"
"To turn their trap into nothing."
Jang Ilso's crescent-shaped eyes curved in satisfaction.
❀ ❀ ❀
Mu Gyeong clenched his sleeve, hiding his trembling fingers.
Damn it.
When surrounded by Sahyeongs, fear faded.
But now—
Seeing the enemy with his own eyes, fear resurfaced.
"I can win. I am Wudang."
He repeated the words and recited scripture.
"Sasuk…"
Jin Hae whispered.
"Will we be okay?"
"Don't worry."
"This is Mount Wudang. No one can challenge us here."
This was not empty bravado.
The terrain was a fortress.
"We can fight anyone."
Elder Heo Gong's decision was not reckless. If things went well, they could stall until reinforcements arrived—perhaps even reclaim lost honor.
"Sasuk…"
"What is it?"
"Do you smell something?"
"…Smell?"
Mu Gyeong froze.
Oil.
"Oil—!"
Whoooosh!
Flames erupted at the mountain's base.
Evergreen pines burned red.
"Fire…!"
Mu Gyeong screamed.
"They've set fire!"
His voice pierced the smoke.
The battle had begun.