Episode 1409. It’s time to wake up from the dream. (4)
“Ugh…”
The court’s eyes trembled.
The tip of the waterway filled the wide Yangtze River and looked like a threatening black wave.
Of course, it’s a sight I’ve seen countless times, so it’s nothing to be surprised or embarrassed about.
But there was a different problem. The fleets cutting through the Yangtze River all at once slowed down and began to stop in place.
This means that Surochae has arrived at its intended destination.
In front of the fleet was none other than the vast land of Nanjing.
“Oh my…”
The land that should be covered with green pastures or yellow-orange soil is filled with people, not grass or soil. These are what the world calls Sapaeryeon.
Maninbang, Black Ghost, and even small and medium-sized Sapas gathered from all over.
The moment they saw that enormous force with their own eyes, even the court of the world lost strength in their legs.
“Bar manager.”
Jong Li-hyung, the co-chief, also opened his mouth with a trembling voice.
“What should I do now?”
Of course, I’ve never seen Zongli-hyung either. The sight of so many warriors gathered in one place is incredible. I was able to painfully realize what it means to be overwhelmed by numbers.
Even an insignificant dog can bite at least one tiger if dozens of them gather together. Even if their average inaction is nothing compared to that of a prestigious political faction, if there are that many of them, the difference can be ignored.
‘But what if they board that fleet and come over to Gangbuk?’
Can we stop it?
No matter how much the old faction occupies the riverside, can they stop all those who seem to be enough to fill the Yangtze River?
At that moment, Pengyeop spoke in an emotionless voice.
“⋯⋯It would be better to lose weight.”
But Jong-ri-hyung knew. The fact that even that leaf is slightly trembling in its voice.
“If they attack from across the river, we won’t be able to fight back with just the forces we have here. “At most, we will cause only minor damage and be wiped out.”
It was a cold yet objective statement.
“Ha, but Pangaju. “If that happens…”
Zhongli-hyung opened his mouth with a puzzled look on his face, but Pengyeop coldly shook his head as if he understood what he meant even if he did not listen.
“This is not a situation to discuss things like face.”
“⋯⋯.”
“or not? “Do you think we alone can stop them?”
Jong-li-hyeong kept his mouth shut like a mute who had been fed honey.
If all the other old factions were gathered here, it would not be possible to stop it with the power of just three factions. Moreover, isn’t Shaolin even at full strength?
“You make a decision, leader.”
Pengyeop quietly stalked the court. However, the court remained silent and just stared across the river.
“Bangjang.”
The moment Pengyeop was about to urge again, the mouth of the court opened and a boiling voice came out.
“I tried to prevent this from happening… That’s why I said so much! “You fool!”
What was quite manageable ended up in this worst situation due to Chun Woo-maeng’s foolish choice.
My chin was shaking with anger.
Now there is no way to stop the Sapaeryun from crossing the border. They will definitely advance beyond Hubei and into Henan.
It is clear what Jang Il-so is aiming for.
The midfield is vast. Although Gufileilbang and Odaesega are grouped together under the name of Gufileilbang, they are actually scattered throughout the wide central plain. And only about half of them are gathered north of the Yangtze River, centered on Hanam.
What if you could get your hands on it?
What if you could take control of the center of the Gupa Ilbang, centered on Shaolin and the shaman Jongnam, by engaging in a fierce battle with the center?
Other factions spread throughout the remote areas of the central plains can be destroyed individually at any time.
If the shaman and Jongnam release the seal and join together, they will be able to stop it. Because the central sect of the old sect is clearly powerful. But there is no way to avoid the aftermath of that war.
The court knows. How was it possible for a Shaolin shaman to become the center of power?
It is important that the sect’s martial arts skills were outstanding, but more important than that was the fact that the place where they established their home was Hanam, the center of the central region.
Enemies who have to fight against the destruction of the Apostles and Magos have always been advancing towards Hanam from the outskirts of the central plains.
Therefore, no matter how horrendous the war was, Hanam would not burn as long as it was not defeated. Thanks to that, wasn’t it possible to avoid the burning of Shaolin when the Demonic Cult attacked a hundred years ago?
But this time is different.
If the Sapaeryun moves directly north to Hanam, there is no way to avoid a situation where Shaolin will suffer devastating damage even if it ultimately wins.
At the very least, it is clear that Songshan will burn down without leaving even a foundation stone behind. Even if you win, all that will remain will be scars.
How can we accept the terrible result of the headquarters burning down, losing all the disciples who would continue Shaolin, and only others harvesting the fruits of the glory of victory?
Cold sweat ran down the back of the courtroom.
“Defeated army… “This wicked man…”
I thought that Sapaeryun would naturally target Cheonwoomaeng first. However, Jang Il-so’s sword point was aimed not at Cheon Woo-maeng’s neck, but at the court’s neck.
Would you back down even though you knew Hanam would burn?
Otherwise, will every last person remain here and be imprisoned to reduce the damage from going to Hanam even a little?
Neither of these was an easy choice for the court.
“Bar owner!”
At that moment, Zong Li-hyung’s tearful shout broke his thoughts. Soon the court saw clearly. The sight of the fleets filling the Yangtze River turning their bows in unison.
The direction is south!
The court opened their mouths in bewilderment, as if they had lost their soul.
“⋯⋯Maeng-eun⋯⋯.”
“yes?”
“Cheon Woo-maeng! “Where is Cheon Yu-meng now?”
“Well, let’s see…”
The court’s gaze turned to the hill rising on the Nanjing land beyond the river.
I saw a familiar figure far away.
The blood came to the court’s neck, and a loud shout broke out.
“Hyunjooooooooooo!”
It was a scream, a resentment, and also desperation.
The world is filled with silence.
No, it may be tinged with a lot of commotion. But either way, it was not particularly important to Hyeonjong.
The only thing that matters is that wherever you look, there are enemies.
Numerous flags symbolizing the All-In-Laws and the Black Ghosts were waving, and in the middle of them, a large flag stood tall, adding to the pressure with its gigantic size. The red letters ‘Pae (覇)’ written there seemed to be stuck in my eyes and heart.
And what caught the eye more than anything else… was the pure white carriage standing in the middle of the enormous army.
The majesty of the large carriage pulled by eight white horses was amazing to see from afar.
Anyone who knows anything about the current powerhouse or is even slightly interested in the current situation in the world cannot help but know who is riding in that carriage.
“⋯⋯Jang Il-so.”
he is here
He led all of his followers and, as if laughing at Cheon Woo-maeng’s desperate struggles, he had already taken the retreat route and stayed there firmly.
Hyeonjong’s mind went blank.
I didn’t feel any anger or hostility. What captured him at this moment was a feeling of despair so great that it could not even be expressed in words.
‘Oh my heavenly being…’
How can this be so harsh? How can you be so heartless?
I didn’t ask for much. It is not a cry for fair compensation for the agreement and morality that has been maintained so far.
He just hoped for a little peace that would not make the blood and pain of his disciples in vain.
But was even that too much?
“Uh…”
“Oh my…”
Those who reached the top of the hill one step late were all at a loss for words, just like King Hyeonjong. Even Meng Xiao, who seemed to have nothing to fear from the world’s Tang military evil, clenched his fists in the face of unfolding despair.
“Is it too late…?”
Lim So-byeong smiled bitterly.
The reality they had been ignoring, hoping it was not the case, was aiming at them like an extremely sharp blade.
Maybe it was an ending that was decided from the beginning. This may be a harsh condemnation that must be accepted since one dares to set foot in the land ruled by the defeated leader Jang Il-so.
“⋯⋯Fighting⋯⋯.”
Tanggunak stopped speaking and shook his head.
It’s meaningless. Even though all of the Cheonwoo Meng’s forces are gathered here, it would be extremely reckless to cross through them all.
“Green Forest King! “How can I get around it?”
“⋯⋯.”
“Green Forest King?”
Tang Gunak looked for Lim So-byeong, feeling like he was grasping at straws, but Lim So-byeong only responded with a bitter expression.
“It’s late. The opponent is a loser. “They won’t let us go.”
Tanggunak quietly closed his eyes.
Hearing it from the mouth of Baina Green Forest King, whom he also knew, felt different. It felt like I had been sentenced to a certain ending. All that was left was feeling empty.
‘Was our decision wrong?’
I can’t say that.
But if nothing went wrong, why did it end up like this?
Despair is contagious.
Even those who were unable to come forward and see the situation in the Yangtze River were able to fully guess it by looking at the reactions of those in front. The more I was paying close attention, the faster the despair came.
“Ah…”
At that moment, the fleet of water vessels changed direction and rushed towards them. The moment the eighteen Yangtze River enemies land on this land, everything will come to an end.
Just as everyone standing there was about to put down the two letters “hope,” Baekcheon, who was on his back, pushed Hyunjong off his back with difficulty.
“Bae Baekcheon?”
He got down on the floor and straightened his shaking head. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but quickly bent down.
“Cough!”
Clumps of dead blood burst out in tears. Hyeonjong’s eyes widened when he saw the ominous-colored blood. I found out later that Baekcheon’s physical condition was worse than I thought.
“you you! “My body…”
Slurp.
But instead of saying anything, Baekcheon slowly pulled out his sword.
“What are you going to do?”
“Now…”
Baekcheon forcibly lifted his head, which kept falling. Blood-soaked lips painted a smile.
“⋯⋯If you just drill through there, you’ll be in Gangbuk⋯⋯.”
“⋯⋯.”
“yes?”
At that moment, the people on the ground dragged their feet and approached Baekcheon.
“We’re here, Sasuk.”
“Ha, it was long. “It’s over now.”
“Now all we have to do is drill through there!”
“I’m exhausted. do it faster.”
“Amitabha Buddha. “I will never come to Gangnam again.”
There was shock and bewilderment in the eyes of King Hyeonjong and Tang Gunak as they looked at them.
Ohgeom and Hyeyeon. They were holding swords with calm faces. As if he was still going to fight even though his body was completely ruined.
It’s meaningless. Resistance is meaningless.
With a body like that, you will die without even being able to swing a sword properly.
But who would dare say that to them?
Who can dare say that the will of those who drag their motionless legs and shout that they will fight even with their bodies covered in wounds is in vain?
“You guys…”
“Don’t worry, Taesangjangmunin.”
Baekcheon grinned.
“Opening roads is our specialty. yes?”
All the five swords nodded.
At that moment, Hyeonjong realized. No, I realized it.
The disciples who he believed would always hold him tightly in their arms and protect him are already leading him in the opposite direction.
The volcano is not protecting them. They were guarding the volcano.
Baekcheon dragged his feet and stood at the edge of the hill. Blood-soaked uniforms fluttered about.
I saw enemies filling the land and ships rolling in like waves.
“That’s awesome.”
Anyone who has ever taken up a sword or wanted to be a hero must have dreamed of a scene like this at least once.
Baekcheon’s wish finally came true.
The voice of Cheongmyeong that I once heard resonated in my mind.
– hero? Well, I don’t know… Perhaps a hero is someone who dreams a dream that never wakes up. Even the moment of death.
“OK.”
Baekcheon raised the corners of his mouth.
“Then I won’t wake up. Forever.”
Soon his sword took on a red tinge.
