Episode 980 There is no way not to believe it. (5)
It wasn’t particularly intimidating.
The majority currently occupying Maehwa Island are Surochae’s enemies, but they have already lost their momentum. On the other hand, the disciples of Hwasan and Tang who had penetrated into them were pressing Jang Il-so around Hyeonjong with a strict force.
In a word, being surrounded means that it is a place to live.
Nevertheless, the moment he faced Jang Il-so, Hyeonjong had to feel as if his body was being swept away by a typhoon.
A feeling I already felt once in the past during the opening ceremony of Cheonwoomaeng.
But the sensation he felt now was bigger and more intense than then. To the extent that doubts suddenly arise as to whether it is worth it for him to stand against Jang Il-so.
The leader of the Cheonwoo Alliance. And the volcano’s long face.
The name certainly deserves to stand alone in the league of Sapaeryeon. However, Hyeonjong as a military officer was too small to face Jang Il-so.
That’s why I kept silent.
Even when Jang Il-so, who confidently entered Maehwa Island alone, negotiated with Cheongmyeong, not with him, King Hyeonjong remained silent. Because I felt that was more appropriate.
But… Cheongmyeong didn’t bother to send Jang Il-so to him. As if it was Hyeonjong who had to deal with him.
‘Cheongmyeong said this to the children over and over again.’
Those who hold a sword should know the weight of the sword in their hand. We must never forget that what we are holding in our hands is a weapon meant to take someone’s life.
Those obvious words struck Hyeonjong once again.
Cheongmyeong said. He is the sword of the volcano.
If he were a sword, it would be an extremely sharp sword. So much so that there is nothing else in the world. If so, King Hyeonjong, who held the sword in his hand, must also know its weight.
That means…
Hyeonjong glanced at Cheongmyeong. He is still looking at me with unwavering gaze.
‘It probably means that I also have to be qualified to hold that sword in my hand.’
That probably wasn’t Cheongmyeong’s intention. But at least Hyeonjong felt that way. Because that was a burden I had felt all along.
Now Hwasan is by no means the same sect as it was in the past.
He, who has earned the undeserved title of Hwasan’s long list just by persevering, naturally needs more than just the past.
‘Can I afford it?’
These sharp swords?
It doesn’t stop at just Cheongmyeong. A sword called Baekcheon, a sword called Yu Iseol, and swords called Yunjong and Jo Geol… Does he really have the ability to properly wield all of the swords in Hwasan?
There is nothing scarier in the world than a blind sword. Holding a knife that is not suitable for use in your hand is probably close to a curse. To him and to the sword in his hand.
Before I could answer all these questions, Jang Il-so opened his mouth.
“Is it right to call you a lord? or not…?”
“A long sentence is enough.”
Hyeonjong drew a line.
There is a party song in this place. The moment the title becomes leader, Hyeonjong’s choice even determines the will of the party. That was not what Hyeonjong wanted.
But at that moment, the corners of Jang Il-so’s mouth drew a line.
“Humility is a good thing.”
“….”
“If it’s not cowardice.”
Hyeonjong quietly closed his eyes.
If the person standing here was in court, he might have felt insulted. If it had been Emperor Namgung, he would have been furious, and even if he was a Tang soldier who did not easily show his emotions, he would have been willing to kill himself.
But, funny enough, King Hyeonjong did not feel any anger at Jang Il-so’s words. He had experienced too much in the meantime to feel humiliated by a single word from Jang Il-so, and the gap between him and Jang Il-so was too large. Rather, that is why we can be calm.
“My bowl is not that big.”
Jang Il-so slightly raised his eyebrows at that calm voice. As if he didn’t expect that answer at all.
He stared at Hyunjong for a long time in silence, then slowly nodded his head.
“…great. “A long writer.”
There was not the slightest hint of hostility on Jang Il-so’s smiling face.
Some may feel it is fake, while others may be wary of the insidiousness hidden in that smile. However, Hyeonjong accepted that smile as is.
Jang Il-so is a person who is not conscious of the existence of King Hyeonjong. There is no need for such a person to show hostility toward King Hyeonjong.
It was familiar to Hyeonjong.
Before the Qing Dynasty came in, there was a time when only the name of Hwasan was left. Those who met him always smiled. Human hostility begins with a threat. It is also human to become infinitely soft to humans who are not a threat.
That’s why… Hyeonjong’s smile was both benign and painful.
“As the head of the Sapae Association, I would like to formally request the master of Hwasan. “I hope you will show mercy to the Black Dragon King, the vice-reliant lord of the Sapae-ryun, who is being suppressed by Hwasan.”
Hyeonjong fell silent at Jang Il-so’s words.
He slightly looked away as if he was trying to get an answer, but Cheongmyeong still had an expressionless expression. This is not Cheongmyeong, who usually tries to convey his thoughts with his facial expressions whenever there is a choice to be made. He just looks at Hyeonjong with an expression that doesn’t suit him.
He held the sword to the Black Dragon King’s neck as if he was just carrying out a decision.
Hyeonjong took a deep breath and looked at Jang Il-so.
“I will give you the same question that the disciple asked in the text.”
“….”
“Why should we release the Black Dragon King as Lianju said?”
“The reason is simple.”
Jang Il-so glanced at Hyeonjong with a slightly dark gaze.
“Because that’s the only way for Hwasan, Tangga, and Namgung to get out of this island safely.”
A low sigh escaped from Hyeonjong’s mouth.
Actually, if you think about it, this isn’t really wrong.
The Black Dragon King was clearly subdued. However, much of Surochae’s power, except for the Black Dragon King, is still preserved. If the Black Dragon King loses his life, they will first follow Jang Il-so’s orders.
Common sense suggests that there would be confusion during the transfer of command, but…
‘It’s impossible for something like that to happen since the opponent is Jang Il-soo.’
The position of leader of the SPA Federation and even the reputation of being a defeated army. Jang Il-so is now a symbol of Sapa. If Jang Il-so were to command Surochae instead of the Black Dragon King, a situation could arise where morale would increase.
Moreover, there is no way that Jang Il-so had not prepared for this situation in advance.
So in the end, in order to get out of this island, you have to deal with the remnants of Surochae and Maninbang, who have not moved so far, at the same time.
Haven’t we even lost all our footings?
Hyeonjong’s eyes unconsciously turned across the river.
If the Shaolin on the riverside moves, it could be a fight worth fighting, but…
‘This is also difficult to hope for.’
Hyeonjong had a hunch. That Shaolin will not move.
If we were going to be together, we should have moved together when the volcano hit this island before the situation got this deep. Having lost track of time, they will just wait and see.
“Are you saying that if we let go of the Black Dragon King, you will send us back to Jiangbei?”
“of course.”
Jang Il-so smiled softly and answered.
There is no need to determine whether the words are true or false.
It is not because Hyeonjong trusts Jang Il-so. Rather, if you were to pick the person in this world who least trusts Jang Il-so, one of them would be Hyeonjong.
But that’s why you can trust it.
Because big liars don’t lie about small things. Those who try to deceive the world are usually rather truthful.
From King Hyeonjong’s perspective, it cannot be a small matter that the Black Dragon King’s life is at stake. However, from Jang Il-so’s point of view, it is definitely not a big enough thing to undermine the world’s trust in him.
“What do you want to do?”
Jang Il-so secretly pressured Hyeonjong.
“Would you like to release the Black Dragon King and return home? Or…”
Jang Il-so’s nails slowly scratched my lips.
“Here.”
The moment the nail fell from his lips, an eerie voice came out of Jang Il-so’s mouth.
“Are you going to kill everyone here?”
This was a clear threat. So scary that a chill runs down my spine.
Hyeonjong forcibly suppressed his beating heart.
Should we cut off the Black Dragon King’s head and target Jang Il-so for the sake of discussion?
Or, for the safety of Hwasan, Tangga, and Namgung, should we leave them alive and retreat like this?
This is probably a problem that no one in the world can easily make a decision about.
But…
Hyeonjong looked at the disciples of Hwasan. Everyone was looking at him with eyes full of trust.
No matter what words come out of his mouth, he will simply believe and follow them, and even if the price of that choice is their death, his eyes show that he is willing to accept it.
Those who stand in the position of representing Hwasan should take that look in their eyes for granted. To do that, you have to become a much bigger person.
But…
a faint smile appeared on Hyeonjong’s lips.
‘I am a small person.’
After acknowledging that fact, I felt at ease. He is someone who cannot be the great person they want him to be.
That’s why I knew. I don’t know what choice Jang Mun-in of Hwasan had to make, but it was very clear what choice Hyeonjong had to make.
Hyeonjong took one last look at Cheongmyeong.
‘Are you going to be okay?’
A small smile appeared on Cheongmyeong’s lips as he understood the true meaning of those eyes. It seemed like he was saying that was enough.
Hyeonjong finally took a deep breath and looked at Jang Il-so.
No matter how determined he is, Jang Il-so is still a daunting task.
However, there is no need for Hyeonjong to be greater than Jang Il-so.
“Yes…”
Jang Il-so slightly tilted his head.
“Have you made your decision?”
Facing that still soft smile, Hyeonjong calmly opened his mouth.
“Ryeonju.”
“Please tell me.”
“The volcano…”
Hyeonjong said firmly after a pause.
“I will not accept Lord Ryeon’s offer.”
At that moment, Jang Il-so stood tall and stopped all his actions.
Jang Il-so, who had completely frozen as if he had forgotten to breathe, did not expect his gaze to leave Hyeonjong.
But soon after, his face became cruelly distorted. It was truly a dramatic change.
“…What did you say?”
As Jang Il-so growled, throwing off the formalities he had worn like fancy clothes, the Hwasan swordsmen who had been guarding Hyeonjong’s back all took a step forward.
Negotiations broke down.
A terrifying look of murder appeared on Jang Il-so’s face.
Right then.
“But…”
Hyunjong continued in a calm voice.
“We will release the Black Dragon King.”
Jang Il-so stared at Hyeonjong intently. This is because he did not immediately understand Hyeonjong’s thoughts.
“Please remember.”
“…what?”
“Huashan does not negotiate with Sapaerian.”
“….”
“Nevertheless, the reason we are releasing the Black Dragon King is because we planned to do so from the beginning.”
“Did you mean to do that?”
“yes.”
“The reason is?”
When Hyeonjong slowly turned his gaze, at the end of the line was Namgung Do-wi, who was tightly gripping his sword until his hands turned white.
“Because this revenge is not of the volcano.”
“….”
“Hwasan came here at the request of Namgung. It was not an attempt to increase reputation, nor was it an attempt to shake up the world of power. “I just couldn’t ignore one person’s request.”
For a moment, Jang Il-so looked at Hyeonjong blankly, as if he had been stabbed in the back of the head. This might be the first time in my life that I’ve seen this kind of expression on his face.
“So, it is appropriate that revenge on the Black Dragon King be carried out in the name of Namgung. “The volcano doesn’t deserve to take that opportunity away.”
“….”
“So, I will release the Black Dragon King. And you too, please go home. “This is not the place for you or us.”
“Ha… Haha…”
At that moment, Jang Il-so’s face distorted strangely. He looked like he was smiling, or he was depressed, or he was angry.
Jang Il-so, who was looking at Hyeonjong as if he had seen a ghost, slowly turned his head.
Cheongmyeong.
He was smiling brightly while looking at Jang Il-so.
