Which side would that be? (3)

“Cheonumaeng has finally made a move.”

Jongli Hyeong, the Sect Leader of Kongtong, glanced at Beop Jong. With his eyes closed and an expressionless face, it was hard to read his emotions.

“What on earth are they thinking?”

Paeng Yeop muttered, his face hardened.

It wasn’t just Gupailbang exposed to the blade of Jang Ilso, who was targeting the north. In fact, Cheonumaemg was in a more precarious position.

Unlike Gupailbang, which were loosely gathered vaguely around the center of Hubei, Cheonumaeng had a clear and tangible base in Hwaeum. Jang Ilso could strike at Hwaeum at any time. And in such a situation, dispersing the main forces?

This was something even a fool wouldn’t do.

“How significant is the force they’ve sent to through Gangbuk? Could it be that they’re just putting on a show?”

“We haven’t received precise information from the Beggars Sect yet, making it difficult to ascertain. However, it appears that at least twenty percent of Cheonumaeng’s forces have been dispatched.”

“The Beggars Sect…”

Paeng Yeop ground his teeth.

The fact that it was twenty percent was less bothersome than the fact that “they haven’t sent us information.”

Recently, the Beggars Sect had been blatantly discriminating between Gupailbang and Cheonumaeng, especially since the new Sect Leader had taken over.

It was infuriating, but there was no effective way to address it. Without the Beggars Sect, they would be blind and deaf, and they couldn’t afford to leave Hubei at the moment.

“Are you sure about this information of ‘at least’ twenty percent?”

“Yes, it seems so.”

Not just twenty, but ‘at least’ twenty percent.

In war, the presence of twenty percent of the force could turn the tide of victory or defeat.

Yet, they were wasting such precious forces just to deal with some minor rogues from the Evil Sects.

Paeng Yeop shook his head in disbelief. Jongli Hyeong spoke up.

“How many times has Cheonumaeng engaged in strange activities?”

“This time, it’s not something to be dismissed so lightly.”

Paeng Yeop retorted coldly.

“It’s true that Cheonumaeng has committed bizarre acts multiple times before, but most of them could have ended with the destruction of one or two sects at most. In fact, if you think about it, they didn’t even reach that level.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“The people involved were so famous that the incidents were somewhat exaggerated. But in reality, even if things went wrong, the damage was never severe. Take the Haenam incident, for example.”

Jongli Hyeong and Beop Gye nodded simultaneously as they listened.

Indeed, now that they heard it, it made sense. Even if the Haenam incident had gone terribly wrong, it would have only resulted in the deaths of about ten people on Cheonumaeng’s side. It was only because those involved were so well-known that it attracted attention.

“But this time, it’s different. This could potentially lead to the annihilation of Cheonumaeng. Why would they do something like this…”

Paeng Yeop shook his head again, as if he couldn’t understand at all.

At that moment, Beop Jong, who had remained silent, opened his eyes and spoke.

“It is difficult to create a waterway.”

“Abbot.”

“But even more difficult than that… is to block a waterway once it has been opened.”

The expressions of those gathered grew somber.

There was no one here who did not understand the meaning of his words.

“It’s a situation where there’s no turning back. Even if they realize they are on the wrong path, it’s too late to change course now. Even if it’s Hwasan Geomhyeop.”

“Uhm…”

Paeng Yeop let out a faint groan.

It was a case of reaping what one sowed. It was laughable that Cheonumaeng, who had always boasted so arrogantly, was caught in their own trap, but the problem was that the aftermath wouldn’t be limited to Cheonumaeng alone.

If Cheonumaeng faltered, it would be Gupailbang who would have to bear the brunt of the burden.

“But… I thought at least they would have some hesitation.”

Beop Jong muttered softly. Paeng Yeop did not miss the brief bitter smile that formed on his lips.

“I expected they might get caught up in their own deeds, but… their response seems unusually swift.”

“What do you think, Lord Paeng?”

“It can only be one of two things. Either Hwasan Geomhyeop is more foolish than we anticipated… or he can no longer control Cheonumaeng at will.”

For a moment, everyone fell into serious contemplation.

Hwasan Geomhyeop Chung Myung is dumber than they thought?

Impossible.

The people here are not lacking in self-confidence, nor are they unnecessarily arrogant. They at least recognized that Hwasan Geomhyeop had a much sharper mind than they did when it came to strategy.

Jongli Hyeong responded.

“The latter, then.”

“Probably.”

“But is that even possible? Considering what he’s done so far, it would be natural for his influence to increase.”

To put it bluntly, even if Hwasan Geomhyeop ousted Hyun Jong and took over as Sect Leader, those who understood would nod in agreement, while the uninformed might grumble.

“Things in this world don’t always go as logically as one might expect.”

Beop Jong said.

“Let’s end this discussion here. It’s embarrassing, like spitting in our own faces.”

“Ahem.”

Jongli Hyeong cleared his throat awkwardly.

Beop Jong had a point. Even the great Abbot of Shaolin had lost control over his sect, with disciples leaving Mount Song at their whim. Was it really such a big deal that the young Hwasan Geomhyeop wasn’t as influential as they thought?

Beop Jong glanced at the map provided by the Beggars Sect, showing Cheonumaeng’s advance routes, and spoke again.

“So… what about the movements of Sapaeryeon?”

“There’s no significant activity yet. Zhangjiajie remains restless, but despite the noise, nothing substantial…”

Jongli Hyeong was about to say, “Isn’t it possible that Sapaeryeon isn’t planning to move?”

“They will move.”

“What?”

But before he could voice his question, Beop Jong spoke decisively.

“They have shown a reaction.”

Beop Jong’s eyes darkened as he looked at the map.

No matter how he thought about it, the current movements of Sapaeryeon couldn’t achieve anything significant on their own. If there was any significance to their actions…

‘It means they have provoked Cheonumaeng to move.’

Therefore, Sapaeryeon would certainly make a move soon. Since Cheonumaeng had been stirred, a gap would inevitably appear, and no one would exploit that gap more precisely than Jang Ilso.

Of course, even Jang Ilso couldn’t have anticipated that Cheonumaeng would act in such a foolish manner.

“Inform the Beggars Sect to keep an unwavering watch on Zhangjiajie from now on.”

“I will pass on the message, but whether the Beggars Sect will act according to our wishes…”

“Just relay the message. The new Sect Leader of the Beggars Sect isn’t without insight. In the current situation, they won’t completely alienate Gupailbang. Especially since their own lives are at stake.”

“…Understood, Abbot.”

Jongli Hyeong let out a deep sigh.

How had it come to this, where they had to watch their words even when passing such obvious instructions to the Beggars Sect, which they had always treated as their hands and feet?

“Is there still no news from the Zhuge Clan [제갈세가(諸葛世家) – jegal-sega]?”

“They said they would join us as soon as they finish clearing the surrounding area. Coincidentally, Cheonumaeng’s movements have made their advance easier, so they might join sooner than expected.”

“That’s fortunate.”

Beop Jong replied briefly, staring intently at the map.

‘Paegun.’

They will move. He will undoubtedly move.

Therefore, Beop Jong would not take a single step from this place. The principle that a gap would appear if he moved applied equally to Jang Ilso. Beop Jong planned to exploit that gap.

“Amitabha.”

The solemn chant resonated heavily within the room.

A single blow. After enduring and enduring, it would be a strike that pierces through.

‘Everything will be restored to its rightful place.’

To the place where everything originally belonged, as it should.

❀ ❀ ❀

“Cheonumaeng has moved.”

Ho Gamyeong’s eyes glinted coldly.

“Just as we expected.”

“Hmm.”

Jang Ilso glanced at Ho Gamyeong and lightly furrowed his brow.

“But why do you look like that? Like someone whose house has been robbed?”

“They’re moving too predictably.”

A deep sigh escaped from Jang Ilso.

“Haa. It seems I’ve been working you too hard. Once this war is over, I’ll give you a vacation. Go somewhere with beautiful mountains and water and rest well.”

“…Thank you for your concern, but my mind is perfectly fine.”

Ignoring Jang Ilso’s doubtful look, as if thinking ‘Are you sure about that?’, Ho Gamyeong continued.

“It’s natural for idiots like Gupailbang to act predictably, but not Cheonumaeng. Even if we set Hwasan Geomhyeop aside, Nokrim King Im Sobyeong, is not someone to be underestimated.”

“Hmm?”

“He couldn’t possibly be unaware of what we’re aiming for. Yet, he’s moving in such an obvious direction…”

“You want to say that they’re hiding another move, right?”

Ho Gamyeong nodded heavily.

Never underestimate the enemy. Or rather, they couldn’t afford to underestimate them. He had already confirmed that his opponent’s abilities surpassed his own.

So, he had to be cautious in everything.

“Yes, that’s what I think.”

“Gamyeong, Gamyeong.”

Jang Ilso exaggeratedly shook his head. Ho Gamyeong’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Do you think differently, Ryeonju?”

“How could I? It’s obvious. Do you think those guys would act straightforwardly?”

“Then…”

He was asking why the response was different if the thoughts weren’t.

Jang Ilso wore a peculiar smile.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“…What?”

“It doesn’t matter what move they’re hiding. What matters isn’t the move itself, but… the fact that they’ve made a move.”

Even Ho Gamyeong couldn’t easily understand this statement.

“Then, do you see the current situation in a positive light, Ryeonju?”

“Who knows? Which side would that be?”

Jang Ilso chuckled softly.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s good or bad. What’s important is that they made a choice.”

“That choice could be the right one…”

“Tsk tsk. Gamyeong-ah. Why are you so dense? It’s not about whether the choice is right or wrong. The important thing is the fact that they made a choice. Don’t you get it?”

He didn’t get it. Ho Gamyeong sighed.

But he couldn’t blame Jang Ilso. Jang Ilso was probably explaining it as kindly as possible right now.

It was just that the listener couldn’t understand.

“What we need to do is make sure their choice tightens around their necks. And that… is a simple task that doesn’t require much effort.”

Jang Ilso’s red lips curved into a smile. Ho Gamyeong quietly observed his face.

How long had this person envisioned this situation, and how long had he been waiting for it?

“You don’t need to look at me like that.”

Jang Ilso smiled.

“I’m not particularly extraordinary. In terms of ability, Hwasan Geomhyeop or the Abbot of Shaolin aren’t inferior to me. In fact, in some ways, their abilities are much greater.”

“You’re being overly humble.”

Anyone in the world would think so. But Jang Ilso shook his head sincerely and said.

“I just know one thing that they don’t.”

“…May I ask what that is?”

Jang Ilso’s gaze slowly shifted outside the tent.

“Whether it’s the scheming in back alleys or a massive war that engulfs the world, everything is ultimately decided by… people.”

Jang Ilso’s face had become cold and rigid.

As if in disgust, admiration, or perhaps… fear.

“Now, it’s time to let them know that too.”

Jang Ilso quickly erased the fleeting emotion and smiled.

“This is enough. Tell them to begin. It’s earlier than expected, but what can we do? They’re rushing things. Tsk tsk.”

“Yes. I will issue the orders immediately.”

Ho Gamyeong turned and left.

Jang Ilso, with a languid expression, looked down at his long, grown nails and smirked.

‘I thought you’d at least show off a little.’

There’s no need to judge a choice as right or wrong.

But it was certainly a dull choice.

“Oh, he really lacks social skills.”

Jang Ilso’s eyes glinted as he smiled.

“If you won’t reveal yourself, I’ll just have to force you out. Then, we’ll surely understand each other better.”

Like a child beginning an enjoyable game, a clear and bright smile spread across his face for a long time.