That’s not just a small number. (2)

The peaks of the mountains pierced through the cloudy sky, creating a breathtaking scenery of winding landscapes. Amidst this heavenly scene, a man stood silently, his gaze fixed upon the towering peaks that pierced through the clouds.

His eyes followed the long ridges that soared above the clouds. While it wasn’t uncommon for mountains to reach up into the clouds, there was something distinct about these sharp peaks that made them seem exceptional. They seemed to pierce the sky like spears thrust into battle.

That’s why some referred to this land as such – a place where the earth, once oppressed by the heavens, now raised its blade defiantly. A realm of rebellious heart [역심(逆心)].

As Ho Gamyeong stood before the picturesque backdrop, the aides watched the scene unfold with unease.

“…Why have we set up camp here?”

“Well…”

Since the standoff in Nanjing, Ho Gamyeong had been continuously moving towards Sichuan. However, upon reaching Zhangjiajie* mountains, they had ceased all movement. Not only that, but they had begun deploying their troops.

Of course, there was no problem with taking a brief rest. Even during their respite, setting up camp wasn’t something to be questioned but rather praised.

However, what was strange was that they had already been encamped here for a day. Though it wasn’t a particularly long time, in the current circumstances, every moment was as precious as gold. Yet, that time had been squandered here at this distant Zhangjiajie mountains.

“…Shouldn’t we be heading to Sichuan as soon as possible?”

“Of course. Ryeonju is currently occupying Sichuan and Yunnan…”

The subordinates exchanged glances. No matter how one looked at it, heading to Sichuan as quickly as possible should be the priority, and commander Ho Gamyeong, being a man of strategy, surely knew that. That was the problem.

So why, then, was Ho Gamyeong spending time in a place like this?

One of them, casting an anxious gaze at Ho Gamyeong’s back, cautiously spoke up.

“Perhaps…”

“If you’re not capable of handling it, then keep your mouth shut.”

The words that were flowing out suddenly came to an abrupt halt.

Gulp.

But even though the sound was swallowed back, the implication couldn’t be erased, as someone had audibly gulped down their dry throat. Tension hung heavy in the air.

‘Perhaps commander…’

Everyone knew. They were all aides to Ho Gamyeong.

The current Ho Gamyeong was not just a simple commander of Maninbang. He currently held in his hands the authority equivalent to half of Sapaeryeon’s forces.

Of course, the authority of commanding such forces didn’t mean absolute power.

However, considering the numerous incidents that had occurred in the Evil Sects thus far, the aides couldn’t help but entertain a certain assumption.

One of the aides, who had been hesitating, finally made up his mind and spoke up.

“There’s no way. He is the commander.”

“Of course, but… that’s not the point.”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you really asking because you don’t know?”

The aides fell silent once again.

Of course, they knew. There was no one among them who harbored different thoughts from the beginning. Whatever he had shown until now held no significance. What mattered was the choice he would make in that moment. That was the only thing that mattered.

“And… you all know too, don’t you?”

No one answered. But no one was unaware either.

What had Ho Gamyeong experienced from Hainan to here? And what response had Jang Ilso given to his situation?

What would they do in his shoes?

Would they still trust and follow Jang Ilso unwaveringly, even after experiencing all those events and realizing that Ho Gamyeong, too, could become a discarded pawn at any moment?

What would they do…

“Don’t even think about it.”

As strategists, they were accustomed to considering possibilities as soon as they learned of events. But before they could naturally start calculating in their minds, someone rudely interrupted them.

“There’s no point in discussing it among ourselves. If there’s something you don’t understand, ask commander directly.”

The speaker took a step forward. The others followed, feeling somewhat pushed along despite the short distance they had to cover.

Although it was short walk, it felt like a thousand li to them.

Eventually, as they reached within a stone’s throw distance to Ho Gamyeong, the group exchanged glances, silently communicating with each other. After a brief exchange of looks, one of the subordinates spoke up as if squeezing the words out.

“Um… Commander.”

“…”

“Aren’t we going to Sichuan?”

There was no immediate response. Ho Gamyeong simply continued to stare at the peaks in silence, just as he did at the beginning. The faces of the subordinates hardened with each passing moment.

Could it be that Ho Gamyeong…

“If we don’t go?”

And at that moment, a sharp question flowed from Ho Gamyeong’s lips, as if piercing the silence like a dagger through a heart.

“Yes?”

“If we don’t go, what are you going to do?”

Ho Gamyeong slowly turned to face them. With a face as stern as if it were encased in armor, the subordinates couldn’t help but tremble involuntarily. His icy gaze swept over them, instilling an indescribable sense of awe and tension, as if devoid of human emotion.

“Answer me.”

The subordinates swallowed hard.

The one who had obtained the authority to wield half of Sapaeryeon’s power, yet refuses to join forces with Ryeonju. Could such words mean anything other than two options?

One of those who met Ho Gamyeong’s cold gaze found his voice shaking as he spoke.

“C-Commander. How…?”

“Say it again.”

“If… If you don’t move from here, if you have no intention of going to Sichuan, what will you do?”

The question posed this time was even clearer than before. Unless one was a fool, they couldn’t fail to understand its significance. Especially for the commander who determined the fate of an army.

“I, I really…”

It felt like the blood in their bodies suddenly turned cold. They had never thought about it. They couldn’t even consider it. But now that the question had been asked, now that they had heard it, they too had to make a decision. Whichever side they chose, their lives would be at stake.

What should they do?

Amidst intense internal conflict, as everyone hesitated, one person knelt down firmly.

“I will simply follow the commander.”

Ho Gamyeong’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“…Follow me? What does that mean?”

“Exactly as it sounds! If commander makes a decision, I will simply follow whatever it may be.”

It was a subtle remark, and a strange silence fell. Everyone remained still, focusing all their attention on Ho Gamyeong.

Then, in that moment, a rare smile appeared at the corner of Ho Gamyeong’s lips.

“That’s not a bad answer.”

A shiver ran down the spines of the aides. Did that statement reflect Ho Gamyeong’s true thoughts?

‘Is he really the same commander…’

It was difficult to accept outright. But now wasn’t the time for doubts. Delaying the answer would undoubtedly decrease their chances of survival.

“I, I…”

Just as one of the subordinates was about to continue speaking…

“Commander!”

A loud shout echoed among them.

“Ryeonju! Ryeonju is coming!”

“What?”

The bewildered subordinates blinked, shouting in disbelief. Ryeonju referred to Jang Ilso only. But why would Jang Ilso be coming here? Had Ho Gamyeong made a separate report?

No, he hadn’t. They had been together with Ho Gamyeong every moment from Nanjing to here. How could Ryeonju know and come here?

“What nonsense! Ryeonju coming here! Ridiculous!”

“T-There!”

The subordinates’ gaze quickly shifted. Indeed, a group was approaching this place. As they drew nearer, their distinct colors became more apparent.

A painful groan escaped.

“Ryeonju…”

It had to be Jang Ilso.

While it had been proven in Nanjing that not only Jang Ilso could dress in such colors, who in the world would dare to mimic him without permission in Sapaeryeon’s encampment?

The subordinates looked at Ho Gamyeong with bewildered faces.

“Commander… Ryeonju is…”

If they hadn’t heard those words from Ho Gamyeong just before, they might have welcomed this situation. But not now. Great confusion swept over them.

Yet, Ho Gamyeong, with eyes showing no apparent emotional change, looked at the approaching Jang Ilso.

“He has come just in time.”

“…”

“I’ll ask you again: Whose orders do you follow?”

“C-Commander?”

“Answer me.”

The subordinates quickly glanced at each other, but the answer they had to give, and could give, was already decided.

“Of course… the commander’s orders.”

“Very well.”

Ho Gamyeong slowly moved to greet the approaching Jang Ilso.

‘No way…’

The subordinates watched in disbelief, unable to even catch their breath.

The difference in military strength became apparent. While those led by Jang Ilso were the elite of the elite, their numbers were not significant.

On the other hand, the military strength gathered here, including the Black Ghost, the remaining Maninbang, and those small and medium sects who had gathered from Nanjing, was so vast that it could overwhelm even those led by Jang Ilso by sheer numbers.

Gulp.

Someone swallowed dryly. It was unlikely, but just in case… What if, by some chance, Ho Gamyeong had made up his mind?

What would happen then?

Thud. Thud.

Ho Gamyeong stopped after only a few steps.

Similarly, Jang Ilso, who had been approaching slowly, also stopped at a considerable distance from Ho Gamyeong.

In the silence, Jang Ilso’s eyes surveyed Ho Gamyeong and those standing behind him. Strangely, it seemed as though those gathered here were on guard against him.

As if one could easily rush in as soon as the command was dropped.

Jang Ilso’s gaze briefly touched the towering peaks, which were piercing the sky, before returning to Ho Gamyeong. With an expression impossible to decipher, he said.

“…I feel the need to ask, Gamyeong-ah.”

Jang Ilso glared at Ho Gamyeong with grim eyes.

“Why didn’t you come to Sichuan?”

Ho Gamyeong remained silent, simply meeting Jang Ilso’s gaze. In response, Jang Ilso’s face twisted slightly.

“Can’t you hear me?”

“…Did you ask why?”

Ho Gamyeong finally replied in a firm voice.

“It’s unexpected, Ryeonju.”

“Hmm?”

“Do you need to ask me for a reason? Ryeonju must already have an inkling, wouldn’t you say? Wasn’t it the same before?”

Ho Gamyeong’s response caused a distinct twist at the corner of Jang Ilso’s mouth.

“Is that… your answer?”

“Is there a problem with it?”

Ho Gamyeong looked at Jang Ilso with emotionless eyes.

Tension hung thick in the air. Those watching Ho Gamyeong from behind barely dared to breathe, trembling as if a sharp scream could shatter the silence and everything they knew would crumble.

And in that very moment…

“Mmm…”

A groan escaped from Jang Ilso’s lips.

“It’s not that it’s not allowed, but still, reporting should be done, shouldn’t it? Why make such a fuss about it?”

Jang Ilso grumbled somewhat exaggeratedly, tilting his head.

The behavior, completely out of place for the situation, left the subordinates momentarily stunned. Ho Gamyeong remained composed as ever.

“I assumed you would come anyway,”

Ho Gamyeong replied calmly.

“Tsk tsk. Is it inflexibility, or excessive flexibility? Either way, it’s a problem,”

Jang Ilso muttered.

“Just a moment.”

“Hmm?”

At that moment, Ho Gamyeong briefly glanced at the subordinate who said he would follow him first.

As the cold gaze of Ho Gamyeong fell upon him, the subordinate’s face turned pale blue. He too sensed his fate in that moment.

“C-Commander!”

With a sharp sound, Ho Gamyeong’s hand swiftly released a blast of energy that cut the subordinate’s neck without hesitation. Blood sprayed in all directions as the energy cleanly sliced through.

Jang Ilso furrowed his brow.

“Tsk. Bit excessive for a warning shot.”

“I apologize. I just…”

“Enough. There must be a reason.”

Jang Ilso waved his hand dismissively.

It was something that should never have been permitted. No one in the world dared to behave like this in front of Jang Ilso.

Jang Ilso himself would never tolerate such insolence. But if the one committing this act was Ho Gamyeong, then it was a different story.

Without even hearing the reason, if the one showing such disrespect was Ho Gamyeong, then it meant something. Only he could act like this in front of Jang Ilso.

“Commander Ho Gamyeong, I greet Ryeonju.”

Ho Gamyeong knelt down, bowing deeply.

In that moment, everyone present realized who stood before them, who was the true master of Sapaeryeon. Everyone behind Ho Gamyeong, belonging to Sapaeryeon, knelt before Jang Ilso.

“We greet Ryeonju!”

The ground trembled with the tremendous voices.

Observing the scene, Jang Ilso chuckled softly before approaching Ho Gamyeong. As soon as he reached close, he firmly grasped his shoulder.

“It seems there’s quite a bit of discontent brewing within you. Your recent actions indicate as much.”

“…May I speak?”

“Shush. It’s over. If you start, I’ll have to stay up for three days and nights. Just bury it forever.”

Jang Ilso’s gaze briefly touched upon the lifeless body sprawled on the ground. A sinister smile curved his lips.

“Dreams should be dreamed within bounds.”

His low voice cooled the heated atmosphere of the world around him.