Read Novel Full Chapter 1160: A Sect Abandoned By All Of Justice Faction. (5)
Chapter 1160: A Sect Abandoned By All Of Justice Faction. (5)
“Abandoned, you say, samae?”
Baek Cheon frowned and looked back at Yu Yiseol.
The Five Swords are comrades who can speak freely with one another. Having crossed the brink of death together several times, their bond might be even stronger than blood ties.
But regardless of their relationship, Yu Yiseol’s current words clearly crossed a line.
“This isn’t a situation we created, is it?”
“Yes.”
Yet Yu Yiseol only replied briefly in an unemotional voice.
“But the result is the same.”
“…”
“I was just asking.”
Having said that much, Yu Yiseol fell silent. Perhaps this topic could have ended here—if those gathered here were skilled in diplomacy and adept at hiding their thoughts.
But whether regrettable or fortunate, the conversation did not end there.
“…What will happen then?”
If Yu Yiseol was the one who asked the inevitable question, it was Yoon Jong who continued the topic.
Yoon Jong’s gaze turned to Im So-Byeong, the one who understood the situation best—or perhaps the one who could speak most objectively about it.
“Then what will happen to the Southern Island?”
“Well…”
Im So-Byeong scratched his head with the tip of his fan, looking troubled.
“Of course, the Southern Island Sect people are not fools; they know they are likely to suffer harm first. Naturally, they must have plans to escape—if they aren’t idiots.”
“Ah, naturally…”
At that moment, Im So-Byeong shrugged and added.
“But if it were something they could do alone, they would have already withdrawn from the Southern island.”
Yoon Jong’s expression, which had briefly softened with relief, stiffened again.
“They might still be observing the situation…”
“In a situation like this?”
When Yoon Jong could not answer, Im So-Byeong spoke indifferently.
“This situation may seem sudden to you all, but for the Southern Island, it has been a reality pressing against their skin for a long time. They probably knew for years that they might be forced into this. If I were the sect leader of Southern Island, when the Plum Blossom Island incident occurred at the Yangtze River, I would have chosen one of two options: either escape the island without looking back or strike at the Four Sects Alliance.” ŗÁɴ𝘖𝖇Εṩ
“…That sounds right to do.”
“The fact they chose neither means there was a reason. I don’t know what that reason is. How could we know what is happening three thousand li away? But… I do have a suspicion.”
“If you have a suspicion…?”
“There are those from the Evil Sect who did not join the Yangtze war until the very end.”
“Lower District?”
“Yes.”
Tap.
Im So-Byeong lightly tapped his palm with his fan.
“Due to its nature of handling information, Lower District sect is a sect well-suited to monitor a wide area. Anyone with sense would have entrusted Hao Moon with watching the Southern Island Sect.”
“Wait a moment. The Lower District sect leader is in Hangzhou…”
“Is a sect leader necessary for surveillance? The underlings handle the work.”
“…”
“Perhaps the Lower District used the excuse of monitoring the Southern Island to avoid Jang Ilso’s pressure until now. But now, unable to avoid it any longer, they have completely submitted to Jang Ilso.”
Yoon Jong nodded as if acknowledging the logic.
“That means, wherever the Southern Island sect people land, Jang Ilso has already prepared to capture and kill them. That cunning man wouldn’t leave a knife at his back unused.”
Jo Gul tilted his head in confusion.
“If that’s the case, why hasn’t he eliminated them earlier? Why leave them be until now…?”
“Attacking a sect belonging to the Nine Great Sects is tantamount to declaring war on all of them. That would not be a choice Jang Ilso could make—at least not before the Plum Blossom Island incident.”
Jo Gul shut his mouth tightly at that, but Yoon Jong asked again.
“I may have digressed a bit… so what exactly will happen to the Southern Island faction?”
“I don’t know why you insist on asking me that, Taoist Yoon Jong.”
Im So-Byeong chuckled.
“Are you pretending not to know while clearly aware? Trying to act kind out of frustration in a helpless situation?”
Other Five Swords bristled at the sarcastic remark, but Yoon Jong calmly responded to Im So-Byeong.
“I just wanted to confirm the opinion of the Forest King.”
His unwavering eyes stared at Im So-Byeong.
“My thoughts are incomplete and brief. So I want to hear from someone who understands the situation much better than I do. Only then can I make the right choice.”
Im So-Byeong stared silently at Yoon Jong, then suddenly looked embarrassed and scratched his head again.
“Sorry. I spoke nonsense.”
Nodding, Im So-Byeong spoke candidly.
“Jang Ilso is not someone who leaves loose ends. Nor is he the type to spout nonsense about subjugating all Justice factions under him. What’s terrifying about Jang Ilso is that, though he is an absurdly ambitious dreamer, the way he realizes his dreams is brutally realistic.”
“Then…”
“The choice such a Jang Ilso would make is obvious, isn’t it?”
Im So-Byeong’s gaze darkened chillingly.
“No one will survive.”
“…”
“He will relentlessly hunt them down. Probably, anyone bearing the Southern Island name, child or adult, will be wiped out.”
A silence as quiet as a mouse filled the room. After a long moment, Yoon Jong was the first to speak.
“…Is there really a reason to go that far?”
“Well, of course there is a reason.”
Im So-Byeong answered nonchalantly.
“So that when the Four Sects Alliance enters the northern lands, riffraff cannot resist.”
“Riffraff?”
“Small sects, wanderers, hermits—those who, when the Evil Sect moves from the Yangtze into the Central Plains, can disrupt the main forces from behind and target supply lines.”
Im So-Byeong clicked his tongue.
“From the Four Sects Alliance’s perspective, these are the ones who have repeatedly thwarted their conquest of the Central Plains.”
“Ah…”
“They are setting an example for such people. Those hostile to the Four Sects Alliance will not have a single ant survive. Then, the small and medium sects who would have naturally joined the Nine Great Sects or the Heavenly Friends Alliance to fight together will hesitate, and even the warriors risking their lives will pause once.”
Yoon Jong’s face twisted.
“Just for such a reason… just to set such an example, they will use such cruel measures?”
“Just such a reason?”
But Im So-Byeong glared at Yoon Jong with an icy gaze uncharacteristic of him.
“Do you think what we are doing now is some kind of child’s play with sticks?”
“…”
“This is war.”
It’s not a shocking statement, but it was the first time those present truly grasped the gravity of the situation.
“Do not think of negotiation or agreement in war, taoist. In war, victory is the law, and the victor dictates terms.”
“Even so…”
“Well, that’s true.”
“Chung Myung!”
“More precisely, ‘No one remembers the agreements of the defeated.’”
Yoon Jong bit his lip silently. Chung Myung looked at him briefly, then spoke to Im So-Byeong.
“But that’s not all, right?”
Chung Myung’s clear gaze met his, and Im So-Byeong sighed softly and scratched his head.
“…Yes. In the past, that would have been all.”
As Yoon Jong and Im So-Byeong each took a step back, the atmosphere calmed.
“Ahem.”
And in that quiet atmosphere, Tang Gunak spoke.
“…the Southern Island is unfortunate, but I think it’s not something we can do anything about.”
A long sigh escaped his lips.
“The Southern Island sect was never part of the Heavenly Friends Alliance to begin with. Unless they reach out to us first, it might be presumptuous for us to offer help first.”
“Yes. It is presumptuous.”
The one who answered was none other than Baek Cheon.
“But Family lord, if no one does that presumptuous act, the Southern island sect will truly collapse.”
“Listen, Taoist Baek Cheon…”
“And.”
Baek Cheon spoke in a low voice.
“There were times when I desperately wished someone would do that presumptuous act at least once.”
“…”
“I couldn’t openly ask for help, nor could I lower my pride, but more desperately than anyone else.”
“That is…”
“If we turn our backs on the Southern Island here, both the Nine Great Sects and the Heavenly Friends Alliance will be abandoning them. They won’t be able to receive help from anywhere.”
Namgung Do-Wei, who had been silent until now, also spoke.
“I share the same thought.”
Feeling Tang Gunak’s gaze, Namgung Do-Wei smiled warmly.
“Thanks to that reckless help a few did, I am alive here now. I understand better than anyone the feelings of one surrounded and awaiting death.”
“Young Lord…”
“If someone is needed to go there, please tell me. Namgung family will not hesitate.”
“Listen, Young Lord. You must revive the Namgung Family…”
“I do not believe the Namgung path is to ignore what must be done now for the sake of many things in the future.”
“…”
“In that case, dying for a righteous cause would be a path more fitting for Namgung.”
Tang Gunak involuntarily looked at Hyun Jong, who only closed his eyes with a stern expression.
As Tang Gunak, frustrated, tried to speak, a soft laugh whispered in his ear.
Turning his head, he saw Chung Myung wearing a mysterious smile.
“A sect abandoned by all the Justice factions… Yes. That’s definitely a story I’ve heard many times somewhere.”
“Mount Hua’s Sword Saint.”
Chung Myung’s cold gaze pierced both Baek Cheon and Namgung Do-Wei simultaneously.
“But listen carefully. Don’t think the price of that failure can be paid with your deaths. That failure could lead to the Heavenly Friends Alliance’s defeat and the Four Sects Alliance’s victory. Then your recklessness will drag everyone here into hell.”
“…”
“Do you think the others are silent because they lack unity? Grow up, you damn brats.”
Baek Cheon bit his lip and glared at Chung Myung.
“Then what exactly do you want to do? Just ignore it?”
“I…”
Just as Chung Myung was about to speak.
“A-alliance leader!”
Urgent voices poured in from outside the door.
“What is it?”
Hyun Jong, sensing the seriousness in the voice, quickly shouted. Then everyone in the room heard words that made them doubt their ears.
“The Shaolin Abbot is coming!”
“…What?”
Hyun Jong’s eyes widened to their fullest extent.