Chương 520: Chapter 1408: It Is Time to Wake Up From That Dream (Part 3)
"Report! The Evil Tyrant Alliance's army, led by Jang Ilso of the Myriad Man Manor, has almost reached Nanjing after crossing Maan Mountain!"
"Elder! The Black Ghost Castle, moving from Hangzhou, has reached near Nanjing!"
"Su Lo Chae! The vanguard of Yangtze River Su Lo Chae has reached the vicinity of Nanjing!"
Urgent reports poured in, surrounding the worried beggars who had gathered around the table. Chess pieces in the shape of horses on the map were swiftly moved around.
Watching the map, Jao Gae and Neungsam's [forgot how to spell his name] backs were covered in cold sweat. Black, red, and blue horses were converging on a particular location on the map as if surrounding it.
Nanjing (南京). The route chosen by the Heavenly Comrade Alliance after crossing the river... No, it's the only route they could take.
The place they rushed to save Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword was a terrain blocked by two massive lakes, Seokgu Lake (石臼湖) to the left and the Jangtang Lake (长荡湖) to the right.
To escape from there, they had no choice but to head north towards Nanjing.
That sole route was currently being blocked by the Myriad Man Manor, the Black Ghost Castle, and the Su Lo Chae.
'Oh, no!'
If they were to arrive first and block the route, there would be no hope for the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. They would be unable to cross the river for sure.
"Heavenly Comrade Alliance! What happened to the Heavenly Comrade Alliance? Have we heard anything from them yet?"
"They are doing their best right now, but..."
"Stop blabbering and do something! Right now!"
"But the movements of those in Gangnam..."
Kwaaaang!
Neungsam slammed the table with force.
"This...!"
As he released his aura, the faces of the beggars, who were initially shocked by his presence, turned pale in an instant.
"If you think your life is precious, why did you crawl into the Beggar's Union? Are you guys the disciples of the righteous sects who hesitate to risk their lives when it really matters? If you live off others' meals but hesitate to risk your lives when needed, you're nothing but pathetic beggars!"
The members of the Information Division lowered their heads at his words.
"Send messengers again, immediately!"
"Yes, Elder."
At that moment, the door opened with a loud noise, and a beggar rushed in.
"Elder! Shaolin! A message from the Shaolin Sect Leader!"
"Beopjeong?"
For a moment, a displeased expression appeared on Neungsam's face. However, he quickly composed himself and said, "Speak."
"We need to reevaluate the traces of those gathering towards Nanjing! Even if we have to bear some sacrifices!"
"This piece of shit! Who doesn't know that? Aren't we already doing that?"
"N-no, that's not it! It's not about those we already know about, but he said we need to check if there are others hiding!"
"...What?"
"He said if Paegun predicted this situation, he surely would've hidden an extra move. We need to confirm if the forces we've identified are their true strength."
"...Another move?"
Neungsam's face momentarily went blank. However, soon after, his expression rapidly turned pale as if struck by a revelation. Frozen in shock as if he had seen a ghost, he urgently examined the map.
"Here... Is there something more here?"
It was impossible. Absolutely impossible. Hadn't the Evil Tyrant Alliance already mobilized all the forces they could?
Except for the unlikely arrival of reinforcements from Hao Sect due to the distance, all the sects composing the Evil Tyrant Alliance had already gathered. But what if that were possible?
What if, by any chance, the strength of the Evil Tyrant Alliance exceeded what they knew?
Sweat streamed down Neungsam's face as if he had seen a ghost.
The moment a power gap widens, the disparity starts to multiply. If evenly matched opponents fight one-on-one, the winning side will still be battered, but when they engage in a one-on-many fight, the side with fewer numbers won't even get a chance to retaliate properly and will be mercilessly beaten.
This logic applies to warfare as well. If the power gap widens to more than twice, the damage suffered by the side with greater power decreases dramatically, while the damage inflicted on the other side increases significantly.
But now, what if the forces gathering in Nanjing were more than they knew? If, by any chance, it exceeded several times the strength of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance?
'It's all over.'
The Heavenly Comrade Alliance would undoubtedly be destroyed, unable to inflict any significant damage on the Evil Tyrant Alliance. Then, it would be up to the Ten Great Sects alone to face the Evil Tyrant Alliance, whose morale had soared to the heavens.
Until now, the reason the Ten Great Secrets could face the Evil Tyrant Alliance with at least some margin was simple. The combined strength of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and the Ten Great Secrets was superior to that of the Evil Tyrant Alliance.
However, if the Heavenly Comrade Alliance completely collapsed, Kangho's situation would be dragged into unpredictable and severe chaos that no one could foresee.
Literally, the whole world would turn into a sea of flames.
"It's impossible... Suddenly bringing in that much power is absolutely impossible. Even if they can't, there must be at least one more power equivalent to Ten Great Secst... Where could such individuals come from?"
"Elder!"
Neungsam, who was murmuring absentmindedly, twitched and nodded his head.
"Tell those beggars waiting beyond the river to cross it! We must thoroughly search the surroundings of Nanjing! We need to confirm if they have hidden forces!"
"Elder! If we do that, those beggars will all die."
"I understand, so tell them to cross the river immediately! If it doesn't work, don't we have to help them ourselves?"
"B-but Elder, you don't have the authority to..."
Neungsam glared at the hesitant subordinate as if he were going to kill him.
"Since when did the righteous sects wait for individual orders for every action related to justice? Since when?"
"..."
"If they've set a trap, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance is done for! Not just the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, the whole world will turn into a sea of flames! Do you really not understand?"
Under those weighty words, the hesitant subordinate eventually nodded his head.
"...I understand."
"Hurry, right away!"
"Yes!"
Watching the beggar rushing out, Neungsam gritted his teeth, his jaw muscles swelling.
'It's just paranoia. Realistically impossible.'
It was impossible to secure such power in a short period. Moreover, even if they possessed that much power, keeping it hidden so thoroughly until now was even more impossible. Who in the world could have such patience?
However, the reason why he couldn't dispel the gradually emerging unease was simple.
'If Paegun.'
That one phrase from Beopjeong's message still lingered in his mind.
It was an impossible task.
But if it was Paegun, couldn't he do it?
If he were to play with the whole world, wouldn't he be able to predict all these situations and set up traps that no one could escape from?
"...Fuck."
Uttering a muffled curse, Neungsam stared intently through the map of Nanjing.
If they quickly completed their preparations and blocked the path in front of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, Nanjing would be soaked in the blood shed by the disciples of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
'Maengju, please... Please hurry!'
❀ ❀ ❀
"Hurry!"
Hyun Jong shouted until his voice was hoarse. At his command, the disciples of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance rushed forward, gritting their teeth.
He knew. No matter how fast they ran, they couldn't avoid a confrontation with the enemy.
Gangnam, which was controlled by the Evil Tyrant Alliance, was not as easy enough to let those who casually walked in leave freely. There would undoubtedly be those occupying the retreat path.
However, even if they couldn't avoid conflict, they could reduce the number of opponents. If they could reach the river before all the forces of the Evil Tyrant Alliance gathered, that would be enough.
"Maegju-nim! Southern Island! Southern Island has fallen behind!"
"Ugh!"
A suppressed groan escaped from Hyun Jong's mouth.
He understood. They had already reached their limit. Unlike the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, who had crossed the river not long ago, Southern Island had already engaged in a battle and traversing Gangnam. Even reaching this point was commendable.
But understanding didn't mean all the frustration disappeared.
"Those who have spare energy, carry Southern Island's disciples, immediately!"
"Yes!"
The disciples of the Mount Hua Sect ran to the back. Then, they almost overwhelmed the disciples of Southern island, who were in front of them.
"I, I'm fine!"
The bewildered disciples of Southern Island resisted, pushing against the shoulders of those grabbing them. However, the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect held onto them even tighter.
"For heaven's sake! There isn't the time for pride!"
"Ugh..."
In the end, Southern Island's disciples decided to be carried on their backs willingly. Clearly, now wasn't the time for pride. If, due to Southern Island's delay, they were surrounded by the enemy, pride would become utterly insignificant.
"This way!"
"We'll help too!"
"Step aside, you fools! Exerting strength is the specialty of the Beast Palace!"
Not only from the Mount Hua Sect but also from other sects, those with remaining strength rushed forward, surrounding the Southern Island Sect's disciples.
Seeing this, Hyun Jong gritted his teeth and pounded the ground.
'Almost! It's almost time!'
Fortunately, they hadn't been caught up by the remnants of the Myriad Man Manor chasing them. At this rate, they might reach the Yangtze River without encountering a significant battle.
"Summon your last bit of strength!"
On Hyun Jong's encouragement, Baek Cheon, carried on his back, raised his hand to cover his mouth as a cough escaped.
"Cough, cough."
Black blood accompanied the cough. Baek Cheon wiped his hand on his sleeve, confirming the blood. He wordlessly clenched his fist, hiding it within his sleeve.
"Are you alright?"
In response to Hyun Jong's inquiry, Baek CHeon forced a nod, pretending to be fine.
"...Yes."
A bitter smile formed on Baek Cheon's lips. Despite Hyun Jong continuously channeling his vital energy, Baek Cheon's body was like a broken vessel, just letting the vital energy flow away.
'Others...'
Baek Cheon turned his head to check on his brothers. Considering their physical condition, it wouldn't be surprising if they lost consciousness. Nevertheless, they were all making desperate efforts to cling to consciousness.
They also knew. That their fate would soon be determined.
Was it something like 'do your best and wait for fate'?
They had done everything they could. No, they had even done what they couldn't. So now, all they could do was entrust themselves to the heavens.
If the heavens weren't turning a blind eye to them and could somewhat understand their efforts, there might be a chance for them to survive.
If not, it would be too cruel.
"Maenju-nim, we're almost there! Once we cross that hill, the Yangtze River will be in sight!"
At Tang Gunak's shout, everyone's gaze turned forward. A long uphill path stretched out. Passing that path would lead them to the Yangtze River.
Finally, their arduous journey was coming to an end.
'Please!'
Baek Cheon bit his lips tightly. He didn't ask for much. Wishing that there wouldn't be an enemy blocking their way was too much.
All he wished for was one thing – that the number of enemies wouldn't be too great. That sacrificing only this life could open the way.
"Gather your strength!"
Hyun Jong encouraged his disciples and rushed forward.
The dense forests passed by as they ran. The end of the steep hill suddenly appeared before them.
'Please!'
Had there ever been such an earnest wish? Had there ever been such urgency?
'Oh, Heavens!'
Hyun Jong prayed and prayed again.
If the Heavens were truly watching over them, if those who resented Mount Hua really existed, please, at least for this moment. At least for this desperation, don't turn a blind eye.
If he really needed compensation under the guise of causality, just being satisfied with this old life would be enough.
"Maenju-nim!"
Hyun Jong pounded the ground with all his strength.
At the end of the not-so-high hill, Hyun Jong, who soared into the sky where the ground met the sky, finally looked down at the unfolding scene.
The first thing that entered his sight was a river so incredibly vast it would be more appropriate to call it a sea.
His gaze slowly moved downward.
The wide land leading to the Yangtze River was... dyed black and red.
At this moment, what did that mean?
Hyun Jong's legs buckled, bending under the weight of despair.
"Ah... Ah..."
Every piece of land his eyes touched was filled with people. The road to the Yangtze River was densely packed with people.
It was the despair named the enemy.
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