C1719 - Betting Your Neck (4)
"Is it over?"
A tired sigh of relief escaped Baek Sang's lips as he collapsed heavily to the ground.
"He's... alive."
He looked blankly at Baek Cheon, lying on the bed.
An indescribable sense of relief enveloped him, making his body feel as heavy as if it were filled with water.
"Gaju-nim, how is Sasuk?"
"Hmm."
Tang Gunak carefully placed his hand over Baek Cheon's Dantian. After examining it cautiously for a while, he finally nodded slowly.
"He's... stable. Although I can't say he's fully recovered from a medical standpoint, it seems there won't be any more complications."
"Do you mean...?"
"He's not in danger of dying."
Tang Gunak was surprised to pronounce these words.
Even Tang Gunak had said this, so Yoon Jong, who was very cautious, finally collapsed to the ground.
"Ah..."
Tang Gunak's look of amazement turned towards Chung Myung.
'What exactly did he do?'
It was two conflicting energies. Even Heo Gong, who had mastered the principles of yin and yang, had barely managed to control them.
Baek Cheon's condition was so severe, how had Chung Myung managed to calm those two energies instantly? What kind of magical skill had he used?
But Tang Gunak's doubt didn't last long.
"Elder!"
The memory of Heo Gong, who had been forgotten due to the astonishing phenomenon, crossed his mind. The disciples of the Wudang Sect held Heo Gong with concern.
Remembering Heo Gong, Tang Gunak looked at the disciples around him. Baek Cheon wasn't the only patient here.
"Let me see."
He pushed aside the disciples of the Wudang Sect and took Heo Gong's pulse. After examining his condition, his face showed a complex and pained expression.
Mu Jin, drenched in sweat, asked softly.
"Gaju-nim, the elder... will he be alright?"
Tang Gunak hesitated for a moment before sighing.
"He's not in danger of dying. But..."
Though his words were similar to those he had spoken about Baek Cheon, his expression was much more somber.
"His energy is unbalanced. As a martial artist, probably..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but Mu Jin could imagine the end.
"I see."
Any hope he had vanished. But Mu Jin, after a short sigh, regained his serene demeanor.
"It's alright. Don't make that face."
Mu Jin looked at the unconscious Heo Gong as he spoke.
"The elder did what he wanted. I don't think he himself regrets it."
"You..."
"The Wudang Sect may have lost the martial artist Heo Gong, but it has gained the Immortal Heo Gong. How could that be a loss?"
Mu Jin recited a verse softly. Then, looking at the other disciples of the Wudang Sect with a somber expression, he continued.
"Besides, the Wudang Sect has lost so much that we can't afford to mourn this."
The disciples of the Wudang Sect bit their lips hard.
Of those who had gone out to face the Evil Tyrant Alliance, fewer than a hundred remained here. Mu Jin's words reminded them of the harsh reality they had tried to forget.
The disciples of the Mount Hua Sect also looked at the Wudang Sect's disciples with pity, without saying anything. No words of comfort would be enough in this situation.
But Mu Jin bowed respectfully to the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect.
"I have no right to speak on behalf of the Wudang Sect, but on behalf of those of us here, I want to thank you."
"Oh, no..."
"Thanks to you, the Wudang Sect can survive. We are deeply grateful."
The disciples of the Mount Hua Sect scratched their heads in embarrassment. Jo Gul murmured softly.
"This is a bit awkward, considering we almost drew swords to fight."
"Please, shut up, Gul."
"But it's true."
"Part of being an adult is knowing when not to tell the truth."
And you probably will never be an adult. Yoon Jong sighed deeply.
No matter what Yoon Jong said, Jo Gul looked at the disciples of both sects and then glanced beyond the gates of the Wudang Sect.
"So... is this over?"
There was a moment of silence. Who could be sure of that?
Yoon Jong called to Chung Myung, who was silently watching.
"Chung Myung. What about Jang Ilso?"
"…"
"What happened to him?"
Finally, Chung Myung looked at Yoon Jong. His eyes reflected deep sadness.
---------------------
"Commander."
The lieutenants who had rushed over bowed to Ho Gakmyung.
"We have withdrawn everyone who had entered Mount Wudang, as you ordered."
Ho Gakmyung nodded briefly. Turning around, he saw the devastation of Mount Wudang. Only the upper part of the mountain, blackened and charred, retained some of its original greenery.
How should this be evaluated?
Should it be celebrated for having burned most of the mountain? For having trampled it so thoroughly that it won't recover its original form for a long time?
Or should it be mourned and regretted for not having burned even the top? Despite the devastation, will the mountain be covered with greenery again?
Others' opinions may differ, but for Ho Gakmyung, there was only one conclusion.
"What about the Southern Sea Sun Palace?"
"They have left Mount Wudang. And..."
"And?"
"It seems the palace leader's condition is grave."
A slight smile appeared on Ho Gakmyung's lips.
"Only the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect reached the top, but he suffered severe injuries facing them."
"…"
"Even without the Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword."
"Yes. It seems so."
Ho Gakmyung's smile deepened. It was not a smile directed at the palace master, but at himself.
"The Mount Hua Sect without the Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword is nothing."
"…"
"There was a fool who said that. Even breathing the air is a waste for him."
"Commander..."
Ho Gakmyung shook his head, erasing his smile.
"Alright. Send a message to the pre-arranged meeting location with the Southern Sea Sun Palace."
"Yes, Commander."
Ho Gakmyung was about to say more but fell silent.
'Meeting...'
If success was guaranteed, there would be no need for a meeting location in case of failure. Despite that, he had organized a meeting point. Was this due to his meticulousness, or had he also considered the possibility of failure?
No matter, at this point, what significance does it have?
"Hurry to withdraw the remaining ones."
"Yes, Commander."
Ho Gakmyung's gaze darkened. Just as he was about to move again.
"Ho Gakmyung!"
Suddenly, a roar similar to that of a wounded beast rumbled in his ears.
Ho Gakmyung slightly turned his head and saw...
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman, Dan Yeohae. Covered in blood, he was charging towards him like a demon.
"Stop for a moment!"
The members of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, surprised, instinctively blocked his path. Normally, no one would dare obstruct the Thousand-Faced Gentleman's way, but the murderous intent radiating towards Ho Gakmyung was too intense.
"Leader of the Hao Sect! Please, calm down..."
"Get out of my way!"
Bang!
Those who stood in his way were swept aside and thrown everywhere. The Thousand-Faced Gentleman showed no mercy. Ho Gakmyung's bodyguards were too weak to withstand his blow.
"Ho Gakmyung!"
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman's eyes blazed with murderous fury.
"Stop him!"
Bang!
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman mercilessly killed those who stood in his way. In an instant, he broke through the circle of bodyguards and faced Ho Gakmyung directly.
Up to that moment, Ho Gakmyung had been observing the Thousand-Faced Gentleman impassively, showing no emotion.
"You..."
Crack!
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman grabbed Ho Gakmyung by the neck.
Boom!
Pressing his neck, he threw him to the ground, roaring with fury. His eyes burned like lava.
"Commander!"
"What are you doing?"
Ho Gakmyung's lieutenants, terrified, didn't dare confront the Thousand-Faced Gentleman. In his other hand, not occupied in strangling Ho Gakmyung, there was a deadly energy threatening to crush Ho Gakmyung's head at any moment.
"Leader of the Hao Sect! You must calm down."
"If you do this, there will be problems..."
Despite desperate attempts to reason, the Thousand-Faced Gentleman paid no attention. He looked at Ho Gakmyung with an intensity that seemed about to bite him.
"Explain yourself."
"..."
"Did you plan to kill me too?"
As the Thousand-Faced Gentleman tightened his grip on his neck, Ho Gakmyung's face grew increasingly pale. However, his expression remained unchanged.
"Explain yourself. Why did you blow up the cliff without telling me? Why did you throw me into the middle of that hell? If I don't get a convincing answer, I'll crush your head right here."
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman's eyes blazed with madness. His words were not an empty threat.
However, he seemed to maintain a thread of sanity, as he slightly loosened his grip on Ho Gakmyung's neck, giving him a chance to speak.
"Cough."
Ho Gakmyung, coughing, looked at the Thousand-Faced Gentleman with indifference and spoke.
"So, did you die?"
"...What?"
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman, Dan Yeohae, seemed momentarily stunned, as if he had been struck on the head.
"You're still alive, aren't you?"
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman's face contorted with rage.
"You..."
"You had to survive. You are the Thousand-Faced Gentleman."
Ho Gakmyung remained unperturbed. The hand strangling him began to tremble visibly, showing the restrained fury of the Thousand-Faced Gentleman.
"That..."
Crack!
The hatred in the Thousand-Faced Gentleman's eyes became uncontrollable.
"You dare to say that!"
Finally, his hand moved with fierce strength.
Bang!
However, with a loud thud, the Thousand-Faced Gentleman's body was thrown back as if he had been kicked.
Thud!
He hit the ground and bounced, spitting blood.
"Cough..."
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman's eyes burned with anger.
"Well, it seems you're really angry."
At that moment, a soft, mocking voice echoed in the air.
"But you know..."
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman turned his head, teeth clenched, toward the source of the voice.
There he was, wrapped in a red robe, with an enigmatic smile on his pale face, Paegun Jang Ilso.
"But still, touching my dear Commander was an excess, don't you think?"
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman, trembling with rage, stared at Paegun Jang Ilso, who smiled with slight mockery.