Chapter 82: Chapter 970: The Fight You Started (Part 5)
Finally, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance had landed on Plum Blossom Island. Beopjeong's trembling hand, which had been observing the situation with wide eyes, shook with doubt.
'This... What is going on?'
This was madness. Using planks as stepping stones to cross the river?
'It's not as easy as it sounds!'
The path could be severed at any moment. If the Su Lo Chae's response had been slightly faster, they might have shattered all the planks in front and behind them when they reached the center of the river. In that case, the Mount Hua Sect and the Tang Family would have been isolated on a few remaining planks, helpless.
What would have followed then?
Such tactics couldn't be called a strategy. It was not even worth calling it a strategy if it was impossible to discuss.
Bae Soojin's [idk] plan was to inflict damage on the opponent and annihilate them. But this reckless endeavor was not a strategy that would cause significant harm to the enemy if just one part went awry; it was nothing more than a crazy act leading to disaster.
However...
"Why does this work?"
Beopjeong's voice erupted with bewilderment, anger, and injustice.
This was unbelievable. Why wasn't this reckless method paying the price?
It was like watching those who covered themselves in oil and jumped into a pit of fire walking through it unharmed.
Logically, those who mocked the scene must have been right, but once the situation turned this way, it was as if everyone watching had turned into imbeciles.
This was how Shaolin felt at this moment.
No matter how many times he reevaluated, he couldn't help but think that his judgment had been correct. Jumping across the Yangtze River, defended by the Su Lo Chae and the Myriad Man Manor, was practically a suicide mission.
But what meaning did it hold now?
Even though this way of arriving safely at Plum Blossom Island was as improbable as a camel passing through the eye of a needle, once it was actually achieved by the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, Shaolin's hesitation and inaction would make him a laughingstock.
'This...!'
Beopjeong glared across the river, unable to suppress his anger and trembling fist.
To outsiders, it may have seemed like the Mount Hua Sect and the Tang Family had successfully pierced through the Evil Tyrant Alliance's defenses by taking a gamble, but a closer look revealed that it wasn't the case.
The reason for everything that had happened was one and only one.
"Jang... Ilso..."
Beopjeong ground his teeth in frustration.
When it came to scheming and planning, Jang Ilso, who was almost like a devil, couldn't have missed what Beopjeong had in mind. Under normal circumstances, he would have waited patiently for the Mount Hua Sect and the Tang Family to arrive in the middle of the river and then smashed the front and back wooden planks to entangle their progress.
However, Jang Ilso didn't move at all.
No, it was more than just not moving. The Myriad Man Manor's boats were surrounding Plum Blossom Island on the south side, making it impossible for them to reach the Mount Hua sect and the Tang Family.
Externally, it might appear that they were exerting pressure on the Namgung Family by surrounding Plum Blossom Island, but in reality, they were withdrawing their hands from everything happening on the Yangtze River, merely observing as if they were hoping for the Mount Hua Sect and the Tang Family to safely rescue Namgung.
"Jang Ilso, this despicable wretch!"
A cry of frustration erupted from Beopjeong's lips, and he was shaking with anger to an extreme degree. What made it even more unbearable was that no one in the world would believe the scene he was witnessing.
Who would believe him? Even if he shouted his heart out, telling everyone that all this was Jang Ilso's plot, no one would lend an ear to his words.
At best, they would dismiss it as a desperate act by the Shaolin on the brink of a crisis and ridicule him. This was Bai Czek Gangdu [some place] after all, where there was no place to retreat.
"Sect Leader..."
Beopjeong turned his stern face to look at him. Jong Lihyung, who was watching the situation with him, asked in a suppressed voice.
"What should we do? Isn't there something we should do at least now?"
"But what? What exactly do you suggest we do? Is it tantamount to treason if we try to follow the path opened by the Mount Hua Sect and the Tang Family now? Are you telling us to chase after the Heavenly Comrade Alliance in a disorderly manner, following them as if nothing happened?"
Jong Lihyung, who had been observing Beopjeong's complexion, added with an anxious expression.
"Of course, I understand that this is a difficult decision. However, instead of just watching, doing something, anything..."
"Wait."
"Sect Leader!"
"I told you to wait."
In an instant, Jong Lihyung's face tightened with disappointment that he couldn't conceal. His eyes clearly displayed the disappointment he felt toward Beopjeong.
However, Beopjeong merely bit his lip.
"It's not possible."
They couldn't go. It was hard to explain, and no matter how hard he tried, someone like Jong Lihyung wouldn't understand. What would happen if they jumped into that river now?
That vile and cunning Jang Ilso would exploit this as an opportunity, leaving the Mount Hua Sect and the Tang Family behind, solely targeting the Shaolin with relentless ferocity. The Mount Hua Sect and the Tang Family would easily succeed, but then, Shaolin would suffer significant losses merely by chasing after them.
Beopjeong understood.
The vicious and malicious trap Jang Ilso had set on the Yangtze River.
'Curses.'
If at least they had a Jao Gae here, they would understand why Beopjeong couldn't move and would defend him!
Unfortunately, Jao Gae had stuck to the Mount Hua Sect. By now, he was probably closely watching Mount Hua Sect advancing toward Plum Blossom Island.
"Ugh..."
It felt like his heart was burning. As if everything happening on the Yangtze River was a scheme specifically arranged to ensnare the Shaolin.
"Well, then, you should go back."
Suddenly, a voice laced with sarcasm came out. The voice directed toward the leader of the Shaolin Sect was so cold and devoid of warmth that it was hardly believable.
Beopjeong turned his head reflexively and found Hye Bang looking at him with a mocking smile.
"Is there a reason for you to stay here if you're only going to watch without taking any action?"
"…Hye Bang."
"Or should we watch from here and learn something? The heroic actions of that Mount Hua Sect over there? Or perhaps how Hye Yeon, clad in black robes, is rescuing Namgung? Are you suggesting that you wear black robes like the Mount Hua Sect instead of the Shaolin's yellow robes so you can act as you please?"
"Shut your mouth, you wretch!"
Hearing the unexpected words, Beopgye shouted out.
However, even his voice lacked strength. He seemed to know that no matter how sternly he asked for an apology now, it wouldn't be accepted.
Hye Bang stared directly at Beopjeong and Beopgye before he opened his mouth.
"Long ago, the Elder said something to me."
His eyes were colder than ever.
"Seeking one's own enlightenment is not the only way. A true Bodhisattva must be willing to lead suffering beings to enlightenment, even if it means burning themselves to ashes. Watching their suffering from afar is hypocrisy and wickedness."
At that moment, Beopgye remained silent.
"Who do you think is committing wickedness right now?"
"This...this wretch..."
"Yes."
Hye Bang spoke emotionlessly.
"Committing the sin of undermining the leader of the Shaolin is no small matter. I will enter the hall of repentance and reflect upon my actions."
With those words, he turned away without any hesitation, as if unable to bear watching this situation any longer.
"This...this wretch! Can't you stop this immediately?"
However, Hye Bang did not stop walking. In fact, some Shaolin monks who were looking at Hye Bang with disdainful gazes turned and walked away, ignoring Beopgye.
Shocked and confused, Beopgye bit his lips tightly while witnessing this scene. No matter how much he disagreed with the leader, how could they allow such actions? Going against the leader's command and acting as they pleased was a blatant transgression of the Shaolin's precepts.
As a leader of Shaolin, this was something he could never overlook.
However...
Dull thuds.
Even though he clenched his fists, he ultimately couldn't stop those who were leaving. He simply closed his eyes.
What could he possibly say? He couldn't teach them how to protect themselves in this brutal world when they were too pure and clean. He couldn't advise them to learn how to wallow in the mud.
He understood that both Beopjeong and these monks couldn't comprehend each other's views, which left him with no choice but to remain silent.
"Bangjang."
At that moment, Jonglihyung spoke with a chilling voice.
"Are you truly just going to stand by and watch?"
"If!"
In that moment, Beopjeong's voice erupted in a loud, almost hysterical tone. It was a voice that was hard to believe came from him; it was full of irritation and nervousness.
"If you think that, then why can't Kontong step out? Is Shaolin supposed to be your shield and make decisions for you?"
Jonglihyung bit his lip.
With a face mixed with humiliation and anger, he glared at Beopjeong and slowly nodded.
"I understand Bangjang's intentions."
And with that, he turned away from Beopjeong.
Beopjeong's shoulders trembled as he clenched his fists until they bled.
'Jang Ilso and Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword!'
He stared at the ship floating peacefully on the river beyond Plum Blossom Island as if he wanted to kill it.
'I will never forget this humiliation.'
"Hmm."
Jang Ilso, who was standing on the large flower boat, looked across the river and smiled quietly.
"Bangjang seems quite angry, doesn't he?"
Ho Gakmyung replied with a sneer on his face.
"Well, there's nothing we can do about it now. Once someone stops and gives in, they'll find a reason to justify themselves. They won't even know they're fighting with themselves."
"Is it time to provoke them a bit more?"
"Leave it be. There's no need to show the reality to that foolish old raccoon who doesn't know that his caution is his undoing."
Jang Ilso looked across the river with a mocking smile.
Dealing with those who are arrogant about their intelligence was much easier than dealing with the foolish ones who believed the whole world was on their side. What happened here would hold back Shaolin for a long time, and that alone would be considered an excessive achievement for the events that unfolded in the Yangtze River.
"Now, what's left is..."
Jang Ilso's gaze slowly shifted to Plum Blossom Island.
And at that moment.
Paaah!
A black line shot up from a ship advancing towards Plum Blossom Island from beyond the water's edge. Like a black meteor, it soared towards Plum Blossom Island and landed on its ground.
In an instant, a dry laugh burst out of Jang Ilsu's mouth. To leap over a distance of over twenty meters with a single jump...
"Predictions are meaningless."
He stared at the person who had reached Plum Blossom Island, holding a sword in a reverse grip, dashing in a straight line toward the frontline.
"Now, it's the climax."
Jang Ilso's oil-like eyes gleamed as he licked his red lips with his tongue.
His appearance was like that of a venomous snake, faced with tempting prey.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone