บท 107: Chapter 995: Why Would I Enjoy Prosperity? (Part 5)
"Alright, then...,"
Hyun Jong captured everyone's attention. It was time to address practical issues.
"Baek Cheon."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"What do you think about how Shaolin will act from now on?"
"..."
Baek Cheon was momentarily at a loss for words, looking at Hyun Jong. Hyun Jong had never directly asked such a question before, especially not in a gathering like this. But Baek Cheon quickly regained his composure.
"As Chung Myung mentioned earlier, I don't think Shaolin will move from this location for a while. To move, the Su Lo Chae would need to come forward, but they're still maintaining their formation."
"Right, that's true."
Hyun Jong nodded with satisfaction. Then, Jo Gol quickly chimed in.
"That's right! The Great King of Shaolin, Baldhead, attaches great importance to his face!"
"...That's a valid point."
Now, even though Jo Gol called Beopjeong the Great King Baldhead, no one pointed out that fact.
"So, the key issue is when Su Lo Chae will move," Hyun Jong contemplated, then spoke.
"Isn't the Black Dragon King injured? I don't think he can stay there forever, even for treatment."
"Yes. I believe that too."
"Me too."
"Then, this confrontation won't last for much longer."
Chung Myung spoke when everyone's thoughts seemed to converge.
"Are you sure?"
"Huh?"
Hyun Jong looked at Chung Myung with a puzzled expression.
"Do you think differently?"
"Yes, Sect Leader. While it may seem like a valid point that Black Dragon King has been injured, my perspective is somewhat different."
Baek Cheon asked as if he didn't understand.
"Why is that? From Su Lo Chae's perspective, the sooner Black Dragon King recovers, the better. Maintaining a strong leader is essential, especially in the fiercely competitive world of the Evil Sect."
"It's the other way around."
"Huh?"
"If Black Dragon King still firmly controls Su Lo Chae, then Sasuk's statement would make sense. However, there's someone else here."
As Baek Cheon immediately realized who the 'someone else' was, he exclaimed in frustration.
"Jang Ilso..."
"Black Dragon King has lost control over Su Lo Chae. Su Lo Chae is, after all, a sect under the Evil Tyrant Alliance, and there is a master of the alliance here. Even if Jang Ilso temporarily takes command, there shouldn't be a problem."
"That's a valid point."
"And..."
Chung Myung wore a mischievous smile.
"That bastard wouldn't just sit by in this situation. He probably found some excuse to make Black Dragon King step down from the frontline. Maybe to ensure Su Lo Chae is thoroughly eaten up."
Everyone couldn't help but agree with Chung Myung's words. Jang Ilso, a character no different from the incarnate of greed, wouldn't let such an opportunity slip by.
"Do you think Black Dragon King will just stay quiet?"
"Black Dragon King?"
"Yes. Knowing his personality, he won't stay quiet. He won't allow Jang Ilso to completely take over his power and influence."
"..."
At that moment, Chung Myung cast a disdainful glance at Baek Cheon, feeling sorry for the world. Baek Cheon flinched and protested.
"What? Why!"
"Ha... Calling someone like him Sasuk. Oh, Dong Ryong."
"Hey, don't do that, you bastard!"
Chung Myung shook his head in frustration.
"You'll understand when you see it."
Chung Myung turned to address everyone.
"Anyway, the confrontation will probably continue for some time. Maybe longer than we think."
"Why? What's the reason?"
"It's a long story."
After carefully choosing his words, Chung Myung spoke with a sly grin.
"The thoughts of dark-hearted people are usually pretty similar."
Still, the look in Five Swords' eyes showed that they couldn't comprehend what Chung Myung was saying. Chung Myung just smiled softly.
* * *
From the intense gaze to the now unrecognizably pale face, the fierceness that used to command the world was nowhere to be found. The darkened complexion only evoked sympathy.
Black Dragon King stared blankly ahead, or rather, at Jang Ilso, who was sitting with his legs crossed on a large chair.
"Where...?"
Jang Ilso, who had been wearing a mocking smile, slowly parted his lips.
"Is your body somewhat better?"
This man was always threatening. He was like a venomous snake with poison in his fangs.
Therefore, it wasn't just because Black Dragon King had lost an arm that he felt this man was particularly dangerous right now.
"Thanks to your concern..."
Black Dragon King paused for a moment and bowed his head.
Because he didn't want to show his face, which was probably marred by anger, hatred, and fear.
"...I'm getting better quickly."
"That's fortunate."
Jang Ilso, leaning back in his chair, looked down at Black Dragon King with a relaxed expression.
Just a few days ago, he had stood on equal footing with Jang Ilso. The difference in status between a Leader and a Chief existed, but at least the relationship between Black Dragon King and Jang Ilso wasn't one-sided.
That's because Jang Ilso hadn't obtained the position of Leader through sheer force.
He had gradually been losing control to Jang Ilso, but Black Dragon King had clearly had a chance for a comeback.
Before the situation had turned like this, that is.
"Getting better, you say..."
Jang Ilso muttered to himself as if repeating Black Dragon King's words.
"That's right. You should recover quickly. That way, you can seek revenge and reclaim your former glory, shouldn't you?"
"..."
"For now, focus on your recovery. It will take time to become proficient in wielding a sword with your left hand."
Laughter seemed to be present.
Even though there was not a hint of laughter in Jang Ilso's voice, Black Dragon King kept hearing the echo of Jang Ilso's laughter in his ears.
Or maybe he was actually smiling.
While it might not show in his voice and face, Jang Ilso was probably bursting with internal laughter.
"Don't worry. I'll take care of the small stuff. For now, step back and concentrate on regaining your strength."
Kak.
Black Dragon King gritted his teeth.
Step back?
Since escaping from Mount Hua, he hadn't even faced Su Lo Chae. Pulling back from the front lines at least required some discussion and orders. But right now, Black Dragon King was thoroughly isolated from Su Lo Chae.
In this situation, one thought never left Black Dragon King's mind: Could all this really be a coincidence?
Was it a coincidence that Jang Ilso supported him at just the right time, allowing him to advance to Mount Hua and leave the situation alone, until Black Dragon King's life was at stake?
Could all of this really be a coincidence?
At first, he dismissed the idea as an overthinking. Even if it was Jang Ilso, he couldn't have anticipated Black Dragon King's defeat by Mount Hua Sect. Everything just happened to flow in Jang Ilso's favor, and he merely seized the opportunity given to him.
Yes, that's what he believed.
Until he saw Jang Ilso's eyes.
Looking at him like a snake with its prey in front, Black Dragon King could do nothing but realize the truth.
"Is there a problem?"
Jang Ilso's voice was casual. Black Dragon King barely swallowed his anger. The suppressed fury wasn't anger. It was merely the bitterness of the powerless.
"...There isn't one, Ryeonjul."
"Hmm."
Jang Ilso made a faint snort.
"Ryeonjul..."
After mumbling for a moment, he slowly rose to his feet.
At the same time, the accessories on his body jingled, creating a sharp sound as he moved.
The sound was familiar to anyone who knew Jang Ilso. But to the present Black Dragon King, it felt more sinister than the howl of a ghost echoing from a ghostly tomb.
Tap, tap, tap.
Jang Ilso slowly approached Black Dragon King.
Black Dragon King's shoulders started to tremble slightly. It wasn't death that he feared. If it were merely death, he would have accepted it with dignity. However, Jang Ilso was not content with just his death. He would ruthlessly use it to seize everything – Su Lo Chae, his honor, everything Black Dragon King had built – in a fiery blaze that would leave nothing but ashes behind.
Tap, tap.
Finally, Jang Ilso came to a halt just one step away from Black Dragon King. He looked at him with a gentle smile, as soft as it could be.
"Why are you trembling?"
"..."
"Are you thinking that I might kill you?"
Black Dragon King closed his eyes.
Only now did he understand why others feared Jang Ilso so much.
A tiger is not afraid of a snake. It avoids the venomous fangs, as there is nothing to gain. That's why a tiger and a snake can coexist.
But...
If that snake were large enough to swallow the tiger whole, if it weren't just a snake but a massive venomous python, baring its enormous jaws in front of you...
The tiger would no longer be fearless of the snake.
"Don't worry. I won't do that."
Jang Ilso chuckled softly as he spoke.
"I consider myself a gentler person than others think... yet people fear me. Do you know the reason behind that?"
Suddenly, his tone had completely changed. It was as if he were addressing a subordinate. However, Black Dragon King didn't offer a single word of complaint.
"Because there's hatred in my heart."
Jang Ilso's eyes shone a bright blue.
"Dogs don't fear their owners; they feel secure and brave here. They may fear the whip used for discipline, but what they give to their owner is nothing but reverence. A dog fears its enemies. Do you understand?"
"...Ryeonjul."
"Then, let me ask."
A sharp smile formed at the corner of Jang Ilso's lips.
"In your heart?"
Rustle.
The rings hidden within the sleeves made a faint sound.
Though it wasn't loud, it echoed like thunder in Black Dragon King's ears.
"What do you have inside?"
Black Dragon King opened his eyes and faced Jang Ilso.
When he looked into the eyes that, despite their bright exterior, were endlessly somber, something inside Black Dragon King shattered.
"I... I..."
Black Dragon King's body slowly bent downward.
Kwung!
His knees touched the ground in no time. With a face drenched in fear and terror, Black Dragon King shakily lowered his head.
"All I have is... just reverence."
Jang Ilso's gaze, as he looked down at Black Dragon King on his knees, turned icy. After a silence that seemed to stretch on for a while, Jang Ilso slowly reached out his hand.
With iridescent rings adorning his pristine hand, it gently made contact with Black Dragon King's head. In an instant, Black Dragon King's whole body shivered, and he convulsed briefly.
"Hmm."
A short hum escaped from Jang Ilso's lips, and a smile crept up at the corner of his mouth.
"Indeed."
The white hand continued to stroke Black Dragon King's head slowly.
"You're a good boy."
The moon, hanging in the sky, slowly disappeared behind the clouds. The oppressive darkness settled silently over the river.
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Bagel_Seeds
Bagel_Seeds ...so the snake tamed a fat dragon
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