章節 499: Chapter 1387: Thinking Lightly Of People (Part 2)

"Faster!"

"Yes!"

The response came not from the side but from ahead. Even before his words could finish... No, before he could express his intentions, his Sahyungs were already moving according to his will.

Baek Cheon unconsciously clenched his fist.

It might sound strange to say it now, but he had never felt particularly compatible with these guys.

Well, it was understandable. The disciples of Mount Hua each had such strong individual personalities that made it difficult to blend together. Without the common point named Chung Myung, they might have lived their lives eyeing each other like chickens and cows.

But now, they moved as if in perfect harmony. It wasn't just about following orders; everyone, centered around Baek Cheon, shared the same thoughts.

If the front seemed a bit loose, Jo Gol swiftly rushed in to fill the gap. Yoon Jong, concerned about Jo Gol's current state, dashed forward fearlessly.

Worried that Yoo Iseol might be in trouble, Baek Cheon turned his head and saw Tang Soso sticking to her like a ghost. At the tip of her vigorously wielded sword, a strong determination not to burden Yoo Iseol was felt.

Just like Baek Cheon's current state.

Baek Cheon swung his sword like lightning. The crimson aura swept aside the approaching enemies in one go.

"Thank you, Sasuk!"

"Don't worry, just focus on the front!"

"Yes!"

Baek Cheon's eyes became slightly fierce. The enemies weren't particularly formidable, but with the added condition of time constraints, it became a significant burden.

Fortunately, this place wasn't just occupied by them anymore.

"Haaa!"

Shouting loudly, Tang Pae swung his hand. Dozens of glimmers emanated from the swing. Soon, they pierced the foreheads of retreating enemies.

Jo Gol was momentarily shocked when he saw his true nature.

"No, what kind of needles...?"

"It's nothing special! They can't kill, but they can help!"

"... Hidden weapons are worth learning."

The one who inherited the Tang Family's blood, and Seol So Baek, still vigorously swung the sword in his unyielding hands without a word.

"Don't leave it to Mount Hua alone! We must open the path ourselves!"

"Yes!"

And the disciples of Southern Island, who always awaited Baek Cheon's command, somehow managed to surpass the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and rush forward to slaughter the enemies.

"Let's go, Ziyang!"

"Yes, Sahyung!"

Guo Hansuo and Lee Ziyang charged forward like flashes, cutting down bewildered members of the Evil Sect in one go. The water-colored aura emanating from their sword tips summoned the sea of Southern Island that Baek Cheon had once seen.

A strange sentiment crossed Baek Cheon's face.

Where else could one see such a sight? No, who could have imagined such a scene?

The Tang Family's Sogaju jumped over the shoulders of Mount Hua's disciple, and Southern Island's disciple deflected the sword flying towards the Ice Palace Lord.

It was difficult to put them under the umbrella of righteous sects. Among those present, there were even those who couldn't be called righteous sect members.

Different backgrounds, different regions, different life paths. But at least at this moment, no one was conscious of such things. They just wanted to protect the person next to them, open the path together, and nothing more.

'Perhaps...'

Baek Cheon's lips twitched. He couldn't explain it in words. He couldn't decisively determine what kind of inspiration he was feeling.

But such thoughts occurred to him.

Uniting the estranged Mount Hua Sect, binding together various sects that seemed impossible to connect, and even saving those who claimed everything had to be abandoned. Perhaps all the chaos caused by Chung Myung was to create this scene.

He would probably never hear it directly from that guy, and even if he asked, he would only receive laughter. Yet, somehow, that thought crossed his mind.

But strangely...

"Sasuk!"

"Got it!"

Baek Cheon suddenly snapped out of his thoughts and shook off his sword.

'I still have a long way to go.'

While concentrating all his thoughts on opening the path, such futile thoughts shouldn't cross his mind. He was still far from being the Sect Leader.

'How much distance have we covered?'

The situation couldn't be considered good. Even though Hye Yeon, Namgung Dowi, and others, including Chung Myung, were buying time, it wouldn't be enough.

No matter how strong they were, if it were possible to conquer 'numbers' with skill alone. then no powerful individual in the world would bother establishing influence.

Eventually, the enemies would catch them. Baek Cheon must lead them all and escape the clutches of the enemy.

He wasn't sure. Was it really possible?

These relentless pursuers have been following from faraway Guangdong to this place. Was it really possible to shake them off? Especially with injured companions?

But in reality, Baek Cheon's certainty didn't matter. It wasn't a matter of whether he could or not. It must be done. If not, all that remained was destruction.

Then it happened.

"Sasuk, behind...!"

Baek Cheon quickly turned around. Hye Yeon and Namgung Dowi, running with all their might, came into view. The droplets of blood that splattered with each step indicated how much they had been through in the fierce battle.

The two quickly surpassed the disciples of Southern Island and ran towards Baek Cheon.

"Deputy Sect Leader!"

"You both have worked hard..."

Baek Cheon's mouth froze. He noticed their expressions. The expressions that seemed both hardened by malice yet terrified. At that moment, Baek Cheon realized one thing.

"Deputy Sect..."

"Chung Myung is..."

"..."

"Where is Chung Myung! Is he still behind us?"

Hye Yeon bit his lip in response to Baek Cheon's question. Instead of him, Namgung Dowi shouted desperately.

"Dojang...! Dojang changed direction without joining us..."

"...Huh?"

As if struck by an unexpected attack, Baek Cheon's face momentarily froze. Namgung Dowi bit his lips and spoke as if forcing the words out.

"Dojang, who delved into the enemy lines, changed direction... Damn it! What should I say! Ah, east! He went east! Most of them, maybe more than half went after Dojang! The... the difference in numbers isn't significant, but that...!"

If it were the usual Namgung Dowi, he would never have rambled on in such disordered language. That was how bewildered and desperate he looked. Baek Cheon understood the situation immediately upon hearing the chaotic words.

"You mean they followed that guy?"

"Yes, Deputy Sect Leader! Somehow... somehow, we have to... we have to do something."

Baek Cheon's eyes shook. It wasn't normal. It was unimaginable for so many people to be chasing just one person. Logically impossible... At that moment, Baek Cheon's gaze intensely focused on one direction.

"Nokrim King!"

At the scream, Im Sobyeong, who was following from behind, made eye contact. There was no particularly surprised expression, just a cold gaze.

Only then did Baek Cheon realize. If it were usual, Im Sobyeong, who stuck closely to him and gave various advice, had not uttered a word since a while ago.

"Ugh..."

Baek Cheon clenched his fist, grinding his teeth.

There was no need to ask why this happened. He already understood. What happened, why that Chung Myung guy changed direction, and why Nokrim King was silent.

"That idiot!"

A curse burst out of Baek Cheon's mouth. He knew. Despite putting in desperate efforts, the situation remained desperate. That was why Chung Myung didn't join. If he became the bait and lured the people behind, those here would survive.

As they had seen just now, the abilities of those here had become incomparable to the past. If they avoided facing the enemy's main force and survived, crossing the river would be more than possible. But if that happened...

"What about Chung Myung?"

Baek Cheon flinched. Jo Gol had come to his side without him noticing. His eyes flickered with intense emotions.

"What happens to Chung Myung?"

Silence returned. There was nothing to say. They had already seen it. How Chung Myung, left alone, ended up in a situation where he would've lost his life if it weren't for Jo Gol and Yoo Iseol.

But in this vast open field, how could he face more opponents without anyone's help?

"Where is he!"

Jo Gol's immediate reaction burst out.

"East? Did you say east? Sasuk! Then we should change our direction..."

"No!"

But Im Sobyeong cut off his words with a sharp voice.

"That is not what the Chung Myung Dojang would desire."

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

"Then choose."

"...Yes?"

"There is only one way to survive facing the enemy's main force. Abandon Southern Island and let only those capable escape."

Jo Gol closed his mouth.

"There is no other way. The Yangtze River is not an easy place to break through carrying baggage."

Everyone knew it. The moment they arrived at the Yangtze River was the true beginning, and from then on, the real crises approached. But they had simply been ignoring it.

"If you want to save Southern Island, there's only one way. Don't confront the enemy's main force. For that, someone needs to lure them away."

"Is that Chung Myung?"

"Yes."

Im Sobyeong spoke up.

"Fortunately, those bastards don't seem particularly interested in us either. Even though Jang Ilso might miss both Southern Island and us, it seems like he definitely intends to kill him alone. When the Gangnam journey started, it didn't seem like that was his intention, but it has clearly changed along the way."

"..."

"So, leave him alone. That's what the Chung Myung wants. Then we can survive."

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Jo Gol's eyes flashed with anger.

"Who said we want to sacrifice that guy and survive? That's just nonsense. Mount Hua is not a place for that!"

"Then are you going to die? Leading everyone?"

"Of course..."

"You should have known!"

Uncharacteristically, Im Sobyeong shouted angrily without waiting for an answer.

"This righteousness which you bring up whenever you opens your mouths. means sacrificing yourselves for things that aren't particularly important! If you were willing to tolerate that, it means you have to accept that someone else might do the same thing!"

The surroundings became chillingly quiet for a moment. Im Sobyeong sneered with a sarcastic face.

"You should have known that, you stupid humans."

Jo Gol stared at him in silence. But soon he noticed. In Im Sobyeong's wide sleeves, his hands were trembling, half-hidden.

So now Jo Gol's gaze naturally turned to Baek Cheon.

"Sasuk, issue the order."

"..."

"We have to go save him!"

"Listen."

At that moment, Baek Cheon spoke in a cold voice.

"I command you as the Deputy Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect. Dissent is not tolerated. Especially, if a member of the Mount Hua resists this order, it will be handled through excommunication."

"Sasuk?"

With a strange uneasiness, Jo Gol looked at Baek Cheon. In his sharp, chiseled face, not even a hint of emotion could be felt.

"...Chung Myung's situation will be ignored."

"S-Sasuk!"

Jo Gol instinctively reached out his hand. As if trying to block the coming words from Baek Cheon. But before his hand could touch, a cold command flowed from Baek Cheon's mouth.

"Everyone, head to the Yangtze River. Clear the way with all your might. Dissent will not be tolerated."

It felt as if a chilly dagger had sliced into their chests.