Chapter 1727. You Cannot Avoid Defeat. (7)
The reception hall of Mount Wudang.
In the middle of the spacious hall, under the gaze of the venerable Taesangnogun, there was a large round table that was not usually there. In a sect like Wudang, which values hierarchy, a round table was a rarity, but no one had time to marvel at it.
Everyone's attention was captured by the figures sitting around the table.
They were all formidable individuals.
With the disappearance of the Ten Great Sects, the leaders of the most important sects in Murim were seated around the round table in the Wudang reception hall.
The Alliance Leader, Hyun Jong, had not yet arrived, so, strictly speaking, the current authority of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance fell on the Grand Commander Chung Myung.
However, unexpectedly, the one presiding over the meeting was the Poison King, Tang Gunak, who had resigned from his position as Deputy Leader of the Alliance and now held a lesser position as Dangju.
"Thank you all for gathering here."
Tang Gunak began with a formal greeting.
Although this meeting should be a celebration of victory and recognition of those who distinguished themselves in battle, Tang Gunak's voice was not filled with joy. It would be more accurate to say it couldn't be.
"First, I must thank the Wudang Sect for lending us this place..."
Tang Gunak directed his gaze to the other side of the table.
If we consider his seat as the main one, the place opposite him was reserved for the host of this sect. However, at this moment, another occupied that place.
"The former leader and the current sect leader cannot join us due to their severe injuries. They apologize for their absence."
"...I understand."
Tang Gunak looked at Heo Gong, who was sitting opposite him, and sighed deeply.
"I don't know what words of comfort to offer."
"Don't worry. Just surviving is a relief."
Even as he spoke, Heo Gong had lost his martial ability.
The damage Wudang had suffered in this battle was incalculable. It was questionable if they could ever recover their former glory.
Of course, thinking of the case of the Mount Hua Sect, it was not entirely impossible, but...
'There is no other sect like the Mount Hua Sect in this world...'
Wudang knew this very well.
Even so, Heo Gong remained firm and unperturbed, which impressed Tang Gunak.
If he hadn't lost his martial ability, he would have been a formidable competitor in the martial world...
"How is the former sect leader...?"
"He will need at least a few months of recovery."
Tang Gunak showed a hint of discomfort.
If someone was so severely injured, he should have been more concerned about him, but he had been completely distracted by Baek Cheon's injuries.
"Hmm. I should..."
"That's not necessary."
Heo Gong, anticipating what Tang Gunak was about to say, shook his head.
"The greatest damage the former sect leader suffered was not physical, so don't worry."
His calm words, though brief, said a lot. Tang Gunak could not ask more.
He knew it too.
Although Heo Dojin survived miraculously, most of the Wudang Elders who set out to assassinate Jang Ilso did not return alive. Although they had killed many of the elites of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, they could not be considered useless deaths...
"In the name of the Alliance Leader, I promise that the Heavenly Comrade Alliance will provide all possible support to Wudang."
"We are grateful."
Tang Gunak exhaled a long sigh as he watched Heo Gong nod calmly.
'This shouldn't be like this...'
They had won. They had completely thwarted the plans of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, so calling it a victory was correct.
Considering the continuous defeats of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and the Ten Great Sects against the Evil Tyrant Alliance, this victory at Mount Wudang was monumental.
But no one in this room could celebrate that great victory. Not only because of the damage suffered by Wudang.
Tang Gunak looked at someone, and their eyes met.
Yoon Jong.
His presence was not entirely unexpected. In the past, the Five Swords had participated in high-level meetings with the tacit consent of others.
But only Yoon Jong was present, which was not something Tang Gunak was accustomed to. Yoon Jong was here instead of the one who should have occupied that seat.
"Deputy Sect Leader. Where is the Mount Hua Sect Leader...?"
Realizing that his tone and gaze were a bit uncomfortable, Tang Gunak looked away. It was then that Yoon Jong spoke.
"Due to his condition, I am here in his place. I am inexperienced, but I ask the seniors to forgive me."
No one could respond adequately. No words seemed appropriate.
Everyone had heard about Baek Cheon's situation, either through rumors or official confirmations. Everyone felt a deep sadness and did not dare to offer comfort, knowing it could increase the pain of the Mount Hua Sect members.
Namgung Dowi, pressured by the silence, finally spoke hesitantly.
"How is Baek Cheon...?"
"We are not here to ask personal matters."
The interruption made everyone look at Chung Myung, who was sitting deeply in his chair, looking at everyone with somber eyes.
"It's not good to waste time this way with busy people."
"Hmm."
Tang Gunak nodded. There was no time to lose in a situation like this.
"First... Commander."
"Yes."
"Has the current position of the Evil Tyrant Alliance been confirmed?"
"As I mentioned, they are camped in the south of Wuhan and have not moved."
Im Sobyeong, the strategist of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, responded with a cold voice.
"Wuhan..."
Tang Gunak murmured.
Originally, Wuhan, in Hubei Province, was one of the areas where righteous sects were strongest, and evil sects did not dare to enter.
The reason was simple. Wuhan was the largest city in Hubei, and two of the most powerful sects had influence there.
But now, with the Namgung forces in Hefei and Wudang in Xiangyang weakened, Wuhan had become an ownerless area.
"Why don't they occupy Wuhan? They know there's no one to stop them."
At Moyong Wigyung's question, Im Sobyeong let out a brief laugh.
"You can find the answer by looking at the person next to you. There's no need to ask me."
Moyong Wigyung looked to his side, where Pung Yeon Shin Gae was sitting with an uncomfortable expression.
"Yes, that's true."
Moyong Wigyung blushed slightly upon realization.
Of course. Although the Evil Tyrant Alliance could occupy Wuhan, completely controlling such a large city would be difficult. From the moment they entered Wuhan, they could not avoid the eyes of the Beggars' Union. Im Sobyeong had pointed that out.
"Jang Ilso enjoys deceiving his opponents. He wouldn't risk exposing himself in a place like Wuhan."
Tense laughter was heard.
The damage suffered by the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and Wudang was not small. But the losses of the Evil Tyrant Alliance were even greater.
Despite that, Jang Ilso continued to calculate every move, as if the defeat in this battle was no big deal.
"Damn..."
There was frustration and hatred, and also a small dose of respect. The repressed sighs represented the general sentiment.
At that moment, Moyong Wigyung spoke.
"We shouldn't be so depressed."
"Hmm?"
"At least we won."
"......"
"Of course, I understand. There were several factors and probably some luck. We can't say our losses were few. But this has made it clear. No matter how formidable they are, they are not impossible to face."
Moyong Wigyung's voice trembled slightly with emotion.
He couldn't help feeling excited. He witnessed firsthand the horrible defeats suffered by Shaolin, the Peng Family, and others. The excitement of having defeated those who inspired so much fear was immense.
"And besides, the losses they have suffered are enormous, aren't they? Now we definitely have the advantage..."
"Well, is that so?"
The sudden question made Moyong Wigyung turn his head with displeasure.
It was Chung Myung, the Mount Hua’s Chivalrous Sword.
To be honest, Moyong Wigyung felt uncomfortable with this young man. Normally, he wouldn't have bothered paying attention to a young man of lower rank, but here, Chung Myung's influence was unquestionable.
However, this time Moyong Wigyung did not back down easily.
"Am I wrong?"
He knew that neither he nor Chung Myung had played a major role in this particular battle.
In fact, in this battle, Chung Myung might know less than Moyong Wigyung.
"'Wrong'...?"
Chung Myung, who had been reclining, straightened slightly. At that moment, the atmosphere in the reception hall tensed a bit.
"It's true they suffered great losses."
"......"
"Half of the members of the Hao Sect on the cliff were eliminated, and the newly incorporated Leader of the Sun Palace suffered serious injuries. I wouldn't be surprised if the members of the Southern Sea Sun Palace also suffered great losses."
Everyone nodded their heads.
"And... they spent almost all the explosives from the Southern Sea Sun Palace that they had prepared to attack Wudang. That alone is a huge achievement for Wudang. So far, it seems Wudang has achieved a complete victory based on great sacrifices."
"That's what I'm saying, right?"
"Yes. If they had used their full force."
"...What do you mean by that?"
Moyong Wigyung's face filled with irritation. This man's way of speaking always managed to irritate. Moyong Wigyung asked impatiently.
"Do you mean that Paegun didn't participate directly in the battle?"
"......"
"Or do you mean that the Blood Palace, which arrived late, didn't join the battle?"
"......"
"This is frustrating. Speak clearly...!"
"Don't you know better than anyone who was missing?"
There was a brief silence. Moyong Wigyung's irritated face suddenly turned pale.
"Ah..."
His trembling eyes sought confirmation from Chung Myung. Chung Myung nodded slightly.
"T-they......"
"What are you saying, Mr. Moyong?"
Jong Rigok asked with a puzzled face, and Moyong Wigyung responded with a serious expression.
"In this battle, we didn't see true swordsmen. If anything, there were only some low-level ones."
"And what does that mean?"
Wasn't that normal?
After all, the martial artists of the Evil Faction rarely use swords. Not being usual in weapon maintenance, they prefer thicker and easier-to-maintain weapons like broad swords.
However, Moyong Wigyung's expression became increasingly serious.
"Didn't I mention before? In Hubei... there were mysterious swordsmen who stood in our way."
Jong Rigok's face also hardened.
"They didn't appear here. If those individuals of such caliber had joined the battle at Wudang..."
The atmosphere turned cold.
Those who had felt slightly euphoric from the victory, as well as those who were immersed in a sense of uncertainty, finally began to see the situation objectively.
"It doesn't matter if we won this battle or not, that really doesn't matter."
Im Sobyeong's cold voice woke everyone up like a bucket of cold water.
"The important thing is... what are they... or rather, he planning?"
"...Please, speak in more detail."
"Why didn't they participate in this battle?"
Im Sobyeong spoke with a serious expression.
"There are many unknowns. But there is one clear thing. Something that has been demonstrated time and again through numerous experiences."
"......"
"Regardless of whether our forces surpass theirs or not, if we don't find out what Paegun Jang Ilso is plotting... we might face a terrifying hell."
A chilling air ran through everyone.
'Paegun.'
In this battle, he did nothing. But his overwhelming presence still enveloped everyone present, not leaving them for a moment.
--------------------
That night.
Clack.
A half-cold cup of tea was placed on the table.
"So..."
Jong Rigok looked at Jin Geumryong with a serious expression.
"You spoke with Baek Cheon... no, with your brother."
"Yes."
Jin Geumryong nodded slowly.
"I didn't consult you beforehand and spoke impulsively..."
"It doesn't matter."
Jong Rigok waved his hand as if it didn't matter.
"Sometimes, the situation at the moment is more important than the procedure. And what did he say?"
"...For now..."
Jin Geumryong couldn't continue and pressed his lips together. Jong Rigok smiled slightly.
"You've done a good job. Thank you."
"Sect Leader."
"We just have to wait and see."
Jong Rigok stood up and walked to the window. Through the open window, the high moon in the sky looked large.
"Pain is like bitterness."
He murmured as if to himself.
"The more you try to act like you don't care, the more it hurts. To the point where you can't think of anything else. In the end, you won't be able to bear it in silence."
"...But he is Jin Dongryong... no, Baek Cheon."
Jong Rigok glanced sideways at Jin Geumryong.
"He is someone who will endure that pain."
Jin Geumryong's eyes reflected two emotions simultaneously.
A deep sadness for his brother, along with a firm belief. Jong Rigok smiled.
"You might be right. He is a formidable man."
"...Yes."
"But you also misunderstood my words."
"Yes?"
Jin Geumryong's eyes filled with uncertainty. Jong Rigok sighed.
"The one who cannot bear that pain is not your brother."
He closed his eyes, and his eyelashes trembled. He murmured to himself.
"I would have felt it too. Just like you now."
In the deep night.
In the room wrapped in silence, in the wide courtyard, or on the rooftops, several pairs of eyes looked at the moon in the night sky. Each with their own sadness.
