Chương 269: Chapter 1157: The Sect Abandoned by All (Part 2)
Chung Myung started intently at the Southern Island drawn on the map.
'Did I overlook something?'
No, it wasn't that. No matter how much the Southern Island Sect was not part of the Ten Great Sects in his time, he could not have been ignorant of the fact that the Souther Island Sect now belonged to the Ten Great Sects and was located in Southern Island.
However, the reason this fact hadn't lingered in Chung Myung's mind was because, from the beginning, the Ten Great Sects weren't something he needed to put in his head and coordinate.
'That's the job of the Grand Bald One.'
It was already challenging enough to handle the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, let alone consider the circumstances of the Ten Great Sects.
But now, Im Sobyeong, of all people, had pointed out that part.
Certainly, as Chung Myung, this was a difficult aspect to consider.
Others also realized that the situation was more serious than they thought, and they stopped ridiculing Im Sobyeong, wearing serious expressions as they pondered.
Tang Gunak cleared his throat and spoke.
"So, does that mean...the Southern Island Sect is in a precarious situation?"
"That's correct."
"But there's something that I don't understand. Even so, isn't it the Ten Great Sects, not us, who should resolve that situation?"
Everyone nodded at his words. However, Im Sobyeong, with a meaningful smile, spoke.
"Let's think about it differently."
"Huh?"
"Put yourself in the shoes of Southern Island Sect. Those gentlemen were living well in Southern Island Province, eating and living comfortably. But one day, out of the blue, sects like Shaolin, the Ten Great Sects, and the Namgung... No, the Five Great Families..."
Im Sobyeong glanced at Namgung Dowi and continued.
"While dealing with the Su Lo Chae on the Yangtze River, they were attacked and suddenly, without discussion, signed a non-aggression pact in Gangnam. So what would it have been like from the Southern Island Sect's perspective?"
"Like being struck by lightning."
"They might have felt betrayed."
"If it were me, I'd go set fire to the top of his bald head."
It was an obvious conclusion.
The Non-Aggression Pact in Gangnam was a humiliating treaty for the Ten Great Sects and the Five Great Families, who were pressured by the Evil Sect and were unable to set foot in Gangnam. But, to put it conversely, it was only a humiliation and not a real threat.
But what would it have been like from the perspective of the Southern Island Sect?
With just one treaty, the Southern Island Sect had found itself surrounded and isolated by the Evil Sect.
"Hold on. But wasn't it the same before?"
"No, it wasn't."
In response to Jo Gol's question, Im Sobyeong cut in.
"Of course, Gangnam was already the land where the Evil Sect gained dominance before. However, the difference between the Five Great Evils and the Evil Tyrant Alliance lies in... whether they perceive each other as enemies or allies."
"Ah..."
"In the era of Five Great Evils, the Evil Sect was formidable, but it was challenging to exert that strength because they considered each other as enemies. Originally, didn't we engage in a war against those wretched Myriad Man Manor bastards?"
Tang Gunak nodded heavily at those words.
"That's right."
"So, even though the Southern Island Sect was geographically isolated, they hadn't perceived the Evil Sect as a threat because there was no reason for the Four Great Evils to unite. And if, by any chance, the Evil Sect were to attack, wouldn't the Namgung Family or the Wudang Sect in the Yangtze River basin, as well as the Sichuan sects that were geographically closer, come to their aid right away?"
"That makes sense."
Tang Gunak nodded, acknowledging that there was nothing to think about. If such a situation had occurred in the Tang Family, they would have rushed to Gangnam, disregarding everything else. It was similar to the agreement made within the Ten Great Sects and the Five Great Families.
"But the moment the treaty with the Evil Tyrant Alliance was signed!"
Swooosh!
Im Sobyeong once again drew a line across the map along the Yangtze River.
"Regardless of what happens to the Southern Island Sect, the Ten Great Sects cannot support them."
"Ah..."
It was only then that everyone understood the pressure the Southern Island Sect must have felt.
"For three long years..."
"Yes, that's correct. The Southern Island Sect endured for a whopping three years with a feeling of drying blood. They lived in constant anxiety about when the Evil Sect might target them. And finally! The long and arduous three years came to an end..."
"Plum Blossom Island exploded."
"Yes, it burst open with a bang."
All eyes momentarily focused on one side. Namgung Dowi lowered his head with a flushed face.
'I didn't even think about it.'
Of course, even if he had thought in advance, he couldn't have stopped Namgung Hwang, but in any case, he hadn't considered how the Southern Island Sect would be affected when they attacked the Evil Sect.
"The conclusion of the Plum Blossom Island incident is clear. The treaty with the Evil Tyrant Alliance came to an end, but... that's all. Now, anyway, they can't step on each other's land. Didn't the Shaolin Sect prove that during the Hangzhou Demonic Sect Incident?"
"That's right."
Baek Cheon nodded vigorously.
At that time, the Shaolin Sect had essentially publicly announced that even though the treaty wasn't there, righteous sects were reluctant to set foot on the land dominated by the Evil Tyrant Alliance.
"Now, what position is the Southern Island Sect in?"
Baek Cheon looked at the map with a stern expression. What position? Well...
"They probably feel abandoned."
"Exactly."
Im Sobyeong clapped his hands loudly.
"If Wudang had considered the Southern Island Sect's position even a little, they shouldn't have let the Yangtze River Incident happen. And if the Shaolin Sect had considered the Southern Island Sect's position even a little, during the Demonic Sect's rebellion, they should have somehow stepped onto Gangnam land, signaling that the Ten Great Sects would still head to Gangnam when civilians or allies were in danger."
Im Sobyeong sneered coldly.
"But it didn't happen both times."
People's shoulders shook slightly. When they thought about it from a different perspective, they keenly felt the despair that the Southern Island Sect must have experienced.
"The Southern Island Sect, being the last sect to join the Ten Great Sects, probably had a sense of entitlement. In such circumstances, they were treated as if they didn't exist. In this situation, do they really have the faith that Shaolin and Wudang will come to their aid just because they're part of the Ten Great Sects?"
"They won't."
"Yes. Unless they're complete fools, they won't. Even if the bond between the Ten Great Sects and the Five Great Families were to be as strong as before, in a situation where there is internal discord among the sects, how many sects would actually stand against the Evil Tyrant Alliance to rescue the far-off Southern Edge Sect? Without a doubt..."
Im Sobyeong's gaze turned cold. There was a cold, mocking laughter in his eyes at the reality of righteous sects that always preached correctness.
"There won't be any."
No one dared to speak. Even if they wanted to deny it, they all knew the truth.
'Is Gangnam that big?'
Suddenly, the map seemed vast and boundless. To support the Southern Island Sect, they would have to traverse that extensive land.
'It's impossible.'
Baek Cheon's lips trembled slightly.
In fact, Hangzhou wasn't situated too deep in Gangnam. The problem was the long journey they had to make across the Yangtze River. It wasn't that far from the Yangtze River in the first place.
But the Southern Island Sect was an entirely different story. To support them, they would have to completely cross, which was equivalent to the stronghold of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, all the way to the sea.
"No, even if we arrive at the sea..."
"How do we get to the island?"
"...You would have to find a ship to take you from the Gangnam, which is controlled by the Evil Tyrant Alliance, to the Southern Island."
"If one departs as soon as you hear that war has broken out, the war would end before they even arrive. So, you're saying one would need to leave in advance, right?"
Im Sobyeong nodded emphatically as he summarized.
"Yes, that's right. So, for the Southern Island Sect to be helped, those conditions need to be met. Even if the Southern Island Sect hasn't requested help, you must be able to head to the Southern Sea, break through the turbulent Gangnam controlled by the Evil Tyrant Alliance, and find a way to the Southern Island."
Hyun Jong looked at the map with a helpless expression.
'This is...'
This really wasn't something worth scolding the Ten Great Sects for. Realistically, it was no exaggeration to say there was no way to help Southern Island Sect from this place.
"Nokrim King, this is..."
"Yes, I understand. However, that's why it's meaningful."
Swooosh!
Im Sobyeong unfolded the fan and opened his mouth.
"The Southern Island hopes for salvation, but realistically, it's hard to imagine anyone coming to their rescue. That's why they are determined to desperately fight to the end."
"Uh-huh."
"But what if!"
Im Sobyeong swiftly drew a line across the map, spanning from Gangnam to the Southern Island.
"What if we could help?"
"…."
"In a situation where the power of the Ten Great Sects is weakened, and the benefits of being part of the Ten Great Sects have become meaningless, it's not impossible for the Southern Island Sect to leave the Ten Great Sects and join the Heavenly Comrade Alliance on their own."
Paaaaaa!
Im Sobyeong struck the map. He slammed it so hard that a section of the map made of sturdy fabric tore with a loud sound.
"Do you understand?"
"…."
"Leaving the Ten Great Sects. It has never happened in the history of the Kangho! Ah… Of course, it's the first time it's happened voluntarily. One sect was kicked out..."
"No, but is that bastard really?"
"Chung Myung! I told you to hold it in!"
"It's not the situation now!"
"I'm disgusted too, but let's hear him out first and then kill him!"
Hyun Jong, who pressed down Chung Myung again, urged Im Sobyeong to continue.
"Please proceed."
"Yes."
Im Sobyeong, with a face that seemed to be scratching someone, briefly glanced at Chung Myung and continued his speech.
"It's not an easy story, but if we succeed, the Southern Island Sect, belonging to the Ten Great Sects, will voluntarily leave the position of the Ten Great Sects and join the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. All the sects in the world will witness this."
"…."
"Do you understand what that means? As you all mentioned earlier, why would a small sect join the Heavenly Comrade Alliance? Even if you are a small sect, you say you will join the Ten Great Sects. Why? It's none other than because it's the Ten Great Sects! The history and reputation they possess are not easily overcome, even if the Heavenly Comrade Alliance becomes powerful in a short period. However!"
Taaaaa!
Im Sobyeong folded the fan in one go and grinned.
"It's the Southern Island Sect. Not some mediocre small sect, but directly one of the Ten Great Sects, the Southern Island Sect... By abandoning the Ten Great Sects and choosing the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, Southern Island Sect will declare to the world that the Heavenly Comrade Alliance is the more valuable choice."
"...."
"In that case!"
Kuuuuuk.
Im Sobyeong's fan pressed firmly on a part of the map. The tip of the fan reached none other than Mount Hua, the location of the Shaolin.
"The balance of power between the Ten Great Sects and the Heavenly Comrade Alliance..."
Jjjiiiiig.
The fan almost tore the map apart as it moved to the side.
All eyes followed the tip of the fan.
"Will change..."
Finally, the fan stopped. The line drawn by the fan ended at none other than Mount Hua in Shaanxi. The location of the Mount Hua Sect.
"...Perhaps?"
A chilling light gleamed in Im Sobyeong's eyes.
"If it's possible, even if we have to make sacrifices, even if there's a price to pay, I believe it's worth trying."
Tak!
He lightly tapped his palm with his fan and chuckled as he stepped back.
"That's all."
As Im Sobyeong finished speaking, a strange atmosphere began to permeate the room.
Confusion, apprehension, and a peculiar excitement mixed together.
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO 
Bagel_Seeds
Bagel_Seeds Holy shit why does the Nokrim King make so much sense...our bandit is actually smart...wth...but I swear, we need to take that fan away...
on the other hand, new quest unlocked!
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