He intends to take that guy’s life. (5)

“Sasuk! What’s going on?”

“Well, you see…”

The faces of the disciples of Hwasan were somewhat serious.

They were looking at the pavilion, which served as the audience chamber and residence of Hyun Jong. A while ago, the senior members of Cheonumaeng had gathered in that pavilion with stern faces.

“What’s happened?”

“How would I know if you ask me?”

Baek Sang sighed in frustration. It was clear that since Baek Cheon was absent, he was the eldest among the Baek disciples. However, there was nothing particularly noteworthy that he had heard.

But since the other disciples didn’t know Baek Sang’s situation, questions kept pouring out.

Jong Hoe asked again with a stern face.

“Did something happen to Sasuk and Sahyeongs who went to Haenam?”

“This bastard has a loose mouth!”

In an instant, fierce gazes shot from all directions. Jong Hoe, feeling the prickling intensity of those gazes, instinctively shrank his neck.

“Oh, no, it’s not like that, so everyone…”

“Sapaeryeon might have made a move, or those Gupailbang bastards might have stirred up trouble again!”

“Even if Sahyeongs haven’t arrived in Hainan yet, does it make any sense for something to happen? Shut your mouth!”

“Before I stitch up that loose tongue of yours, shut it.”

As Jong Hoe lowered his head deeply, Baek Sang let out a sigh.

“For now, let’s wait and see. Since Sect Leader is handling it, won’t he give us some kind of conclusion when it’s reached?”

“Yes, Sasuk.”

However, the stern faces of Hwasan’s disciples remained unyielding. This was because Hyun Jong’s expression, who had been headed towards the residence earlier, looked much more serious than usual. Despite wanting to believe otherwise, just by seeing that expression, they could sense that something had happened to those who had gone to Haenam.

“Sasuk, if I may…”

“There’s no need to ask.”

“Yes?”

Baek Sang spoke with a firm expression.

“I understand what you’re trying to ask, but there’s really no need to. We have only one thing to do.”

“Yes, Sasuk!”

Soon, the faces of the other disciples also showed firm determination.

All eyes were now turned towards the distant south.

The faces of the high ranking members of Cheonumaeng were all hardened.

“…Are you saying Maninbang is pursuing them?”

“That’s correct.”

Maeng So, who had been momentarily speechless, spoke, groaning.

“Maninbang…”

A brief moment of confusion crossed Maeng So’s face.

“Are you saying Maninbang has directly intervened to attack Haenam from the rear in this situation?”

Hyun Jong nodded silently. But Maeng So, seeming not entirely satisfied, asked again.

“And is it just a coincidence that Cheonumaeng initiated the attack after reaching Haenam?”

“It seems so.”

“Ah…”

He let out a hollow laugh that didn’t fit the situation at all. It was just too absurd, so laughter was the only response.

Coincidence? No, this couldn’t be explained as mere coincidence.

Normally, Cheonumaeng couldn’t have reached Hainan island so quickly. If they had taken the normal route to Hainan, it would have taken at least a few months.

But those dispatched from Cheonumaeng had arrived at Hainan abnormally quickly, and because of that, they were able to rescue and lead them away before Haenam sect fell into Maninbang’s hands.

“I thought they would attack Haenam when the war began, but it seems my judgment was wrong…”

“They must have known as well.”

Tang Gunak spoke in a solemn voice. Maeng So expressed his doubt.

“What do you mean?”

“…That even if they attacked Haenam, Gupailbang wouldn’t move.”

Maeng So couldn’t bring himself to respond.

In truth, his thoughts didn’t differ much. When he thought about it, Jang Ilso had a ghostly ability to understand people’s psychology. He wouldn’t have missed the fact that Beob Jong had no intention of waging war for Haenam.

“And now, the reasons don’t really matter.”

All eyes turned to Tang Gunak.

“What we need to focus on is the fact that the children who went to Hainan are being pursued by Maninbang. And it’s none other than Gangnam.”

Maeng So felt a chill run down his spine for a moment.

The south belonged to Sapaeryeon. Who wouldn’t understand the significance of being chased by Sapaeryeon from there? The situation was beyond critical, to say the least.

Maeng So’s gaze shifted to Hyun Jong.

“So, what do you propose we do?”

Hyun Jong met his gaze directly. And in that moment, Maeng So’s expression subtly changed.

Despite his seemingly dull appearance, Maeng So was the Lord of the Beast Palace. And the Beast Palace, as a sect that practiced martial arts based on the characteristics of animals, possessed senses that were unmatched by anyone in the world.

And these senses were speaking now. It was evident that Hyun Jong, sitting in front of him, had changed somewhat from before.

“The report sent by the children stated that they would pass through Gangnam and come to Ganbuk.”

Though his tone seemed calm at first glance, everyone knew that within it hid a sharp blade.

“When I first heard these news, the words that came to my mind were reproach.”

“Alliance Leader…”

“How could they make such a reckless choice? Simply returning after seeing Haenam would have sufficed. Why did they choose to risk their lives for Haenam, a place that has never shown them any kindness? If that’s called righteousness, isn’t this righteousness just foolishness without a proper plan?”

A complex expression appeared on everyone’s face. It was as if Hyun Jong had brought out the words that they had secretly thought about but couldn’t bring themselves to say.

“But right after that, I had different thoughts.”

“…What thoughts?”

“I realized that even in such a situation, I was still questioning right and wrong.”

For a moment, everyone looked startled. It was as if Hyun Jong had seen through their inner thoughts.

“Even in a crisis, I was still thinking about what mistakes those children had made, what they should have done better. Even in such urgent circumstances.”

Some faces flushed red. In contrast, Hyun Jong’s gaze sank even deeper with a profound calmness.

“You asked what am I going to do?”

“…”

“You’re asking the obvious. Of course, we’ll go to rescue the children.”

“Y-you mean, to Gangnam?”

The faces of those gathered in the room turned pale.

The south belonged to Sapaeryeon. If they headed to Gangnam, they would be plunging into a war with Sapaeryeon. And with their current forces, they would have to be prepared even for total annihilation in a confrontation with it.

But Hyun Jong had casually brought up this tremendous undertaking as if it were nothing.

“Alliance Leader, this is not a decision to be made emotionally!”

Someone shouted, and Hyun Jong nodded.

“That’s right. We shouldn’t think emotionally. We need to carefully consider and think about what is right.”

“Alliance Leader…”

“But when the conclusion is reached, the children may no longer be alive. We may lose what we should not lose while debating right and wrong.”

At that moment, Maeng So was certain. His feeling that Hyun Jong seemed different was not wrong.

“If there’s something to discuss, it’s not too late to do so after the deed is done.”

“But what about the sacrifices? They are Sapaeryeon.”

“Those who won’t join us, please stay and defend this place.”

“Wha-what on earth…”

“It’s a situation where even the time to persuade is time wasted.”

Hyun Jong stood up abruptly after leaving those words behind.

In truth, Maeng So and Tang Gunak understood Hyun Jong to some extent.

But others couldn’t hide their bewilderment. Hyun Jong before their eyes seemed different from the familiar Hyun Jong they knew.

He was no longer the Hyun Jong who always gently encouraged and tried to listen to everyone. The current Hyun Jong seemed to have no intention of listening to what others had to say.

“A-Alliance Leader, just a moment…”

The bewildered people tried to continue their conversation with Hyun Jong, but all their efforts were in vain. Hyun Jong, who had risen from his seat, headed outside without any hesitation.

“W-where are you going, Alliance Leader!”

Everyone was surprised and followed him out of the room. Since Hyun Jong didn’t stop, they had no choice but to follow.

And those who went outside were taken aback for two reasons.

One was the fact that Hyun Jong had indeed left the pavilion without even sparing them a glance. The other was that, before them, all the disciples of Hwasan had gathered without missing a single one.

‘When did this happen?’

It seemed they hadn’t gathered for any specific reason. Their expressions showed surprise at Hyun Jong’s sudden appearance, just as they were startled by his abrupt exit.

Hyun Jong looked silently at the gathered disciples before turning his head.

“Sect Leader.”

“Yes, please command.”

Un Am respectfully bowed his head.

“May I, overstep a bit and convey a word to the children?”

“Although I am called the Sect Leader of Hwasan, the profound relationship of master and disciple is undoubtedly greater than a mere position. Please go ahead as you wish.”

“Thank you.”

Hyun Jong lightly bowed to Un Am to express his gratitude and then turned his gaze to the disciples of Hwasan.

“Listen, disciples.”

“Yes!”

All the disciples of Hwasan immediately knelt down on one knee to show their respect.

“The ones who went to Hainan are being chased by Maninbang. There is nowhere for them to seek help in Gangnam.”

The disciples widened their eyes, but soon their gazes calmed down, just like Hyun Jong standing before them.

“And the path to reach those children is blocked by Sapaeryeon. Even risking our lives, it’s uncertain whether we can help those children. No, there’s a greater possibility that we won’t be able to help them.”

The disciples of Hwasan stared at Hyun Jong without a single movement.

“So I ask you this. Will you go with me to help those who went to help Haenam? Will you risk your lives for such a worthless cause?”

Clang.

Baek Sang, who was kneeling at the forefront, stood up and drew his sword. Then, without a word, he placed the hand holding the sword against his left chest.

On his chest, where the plum blossom of Hwasan, their symbol, was engraved.

Clang! Clang!

One after another, the sound of swords being drawn echoed around them.

The disciples of Hwasan all drew their swords and placed them against their chests without a hint of hesitation, showing their resolute determination.

Hyun Jong nodded silently.

If even one person had shown a hint of hesitation, he would have turned away. Despite being the former Sect Leader of Hwasan, he had no right to impose death upon his disciples.

But not a single person among them hesitated.

‘In the end, that’s what righteousness is about.’

What is right? What is wrong? What is efficient?

Those things didn’t matter. What mattered was what they wanted to do right now. And whether they had any shame in what they wanted to do.

Even if it wasn’t something they wanted to do themselves, if they had to do it simply because it was right, then that too was not righteous.

All the disciples of Hwasan urged him on with their eyes.

As if they had known that such a moment would come someday, they had already cast aside any hesitation.

Hyun Jong nodded heavily.

“Hwasan will head to Gangnam…”

It was right at that moment.

“Alliance Leadeeeer!”

Someone shouted with a voice that seemed to tear apart. Surprised, they turned their gaze to see someone running over the walls of Jangwon as if possessed.

“What’s happening?”

“They… they’ve moved!”

“They’ve moved?”

“Sa… Sapaeryeon…”

At those words, the color drained from everyone’s faces.

Even without hearing what would follow, they could already tell.

That heavy and sharp statement descended upon their heads like a giant hammer.

“Sapaeryeon has moved!”

❀ ❀ ❀

Koong!

The massive main gate of Sapaeryeon’s headquarters, which rarely opened, creaked loudly as it swung wide.

“Hmm…”

The figure that emerged from the open gate wore a strange smile.

“Long time no see, outside world.”

Step by step, his foot ventured outside the headquarters.

Witnessing the sudden opening of the tightly closed gate and the appearance of Jang Ilso, the leader of Sapaeryeon, the onlookers recoiled in horror as if they had seen a ghost and prostrated themselves on the ground.

“So… when I come back, I should bring something big, right?”

The corners of Jang Ilso’s mouth, red as blood, curved up mysteriously.

“Something as grand as Hwasan Geomhyeop’s head! Hahahahahaha!”

As Jang Ilso strode forward, his red robe fluttered dramatically. Behind him, Sapaeryeon’s elite warriors, including Red Dogs, illuminated the surroundings with determined gazes as they began their march.

Their direction was south, towards the land where the smell of blood lingered strongly.