Chapter 1721. It's Not Possible to Not Lose. (1)
Ho Gakmyung, slowing down for a moment, turned to look at the troops of the Evil Tyrant Alliance following him.
They had been defeated.
It was an undeniable fact. Although they inflicted serious damage on the enemy, it was not enough to mask the significant losses they themselves had suffered.
Since the initial objective had been thwarted, there was no way to deny the defeat.
However, strangely, the members of the Evil Tyrant Alliance following Ho Gakmyung did not look like a group of defeated soldiers. Instead, they emanated a firm determination and a somber air.
Ho Gakmyung knew where those cold gazes came from.
'We have been defeated, but the Evil Tyrant Alliance has not been defeated. That's what they think, right?'
In reality, it was absurd. The defeat of the Evil Tyrant Alliance was also the defeat of Jang Ilso. No matter how one tried to justify it, that was the verdict.
But at that moment, that shameful subterfuge was exerting a notable influence. Perhaps others wouldn't notice, but for the members of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, it was clear.
Maybe...
Ho Gakmyung's gaze turned to Jang Ilso, who was walking ahead.
'Did he foresee this too?'
What would have happened if Jang Ilso had admitted his mistake and punished Ho Gakmyung? It would have been a clear example of justice, but it would also have meant acknowledging that this battle was an irreversible mistake.
Perhaps that's why Jang Ilso didn't admit anything and crushed the opposition with force, even trampling on Dan Yeohae.
Whether it was right or wrong, that stance had left a strong impression on those who felt defeated.
"Ryeonju."
Knowing this, Ho Gakmyung cautiously called out to Jang Ilso.
Although Jang Ilso had not demanded accountability, he himself could not ignore what he had done.
Jang Ilso only slightly turned his head to look at him.
"What do you want to say, Gakmyung?"
"Ryeonju, about Dan Yeohae..."
"Ah."
Jang Ilso waved his hand as if swatting away a mosquito. He seemed to think it unnecessary to talk more about the matter.
"Don't worry. I didn't harm him much."
"He is someone who knows the situation well, but he is also resentful. He will surely remember this and..."
"Will seek revenge someday, you say?"
"...That's right."
Jang Ilso smiled.
"Sometime? You talk as if we are in peaceful times, Gakmyung. Do you think he will have time for that?"
"..."
"Neither he nor we have time to think about the distant future. Those times have no value now."
Jang Ilso's narrow eyes narrowed further. A sinister energy gleamed in them.
"What matters is now. Or rather, what comes next."
Ho Gakmyung nodded solemnly.
It was true that Dan Yeohae would not forget what happened, but for the moment, he could not take any action. This battle had cost him too many men.
"However, that does not mean the problems are over, Ryeonju."
"Hmm?"
"As I understand, the Leader of the Sun Palace holds a deep grudge against the Leader of the Hao Sect. This..."
"Tsks tsks tsks."
Jang Ilso clicked his tongue disdainfully.
"They are all so narrow-minded. That's how those from evil sects are."
"We must find a solution."
"Don't worry."
"Ryeonju..."
Ho Gakmyung was not in a position to speak directly with Jang Ilso, but he considered this a crucial matter.
They had already lost the Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold and the Black Dragon King. Now, the Leader of the Hao Sect and the Leader of the Sun Palace were vital forces for the Alliance.
If the Leader of the Sun Palace could not contain his grudge and began to oppose Dan Yeohae, and if Dan Yeohae's anger, who had already been humiliated by Jang Ilso, turned towards the Leader of the Sun Palace, the Alliance could be in danger.
"The Alliance could fragment."
Jang Ilso looked at Ho Gakmyung with interest.
"Hmm, Gakmyung?"
"Yes, Ryeonju."
"Do not disappoint me."
"..."
"I do not blame those who fail. But those who become useless because of failure are detestable to me."
Ho Gakmyung bowed his head slightly.
"Fragmentation, grudges..."
Jang Ilso murmured, a cruel smile forming on his face.
"All that no longer makes sense. The only thing that matters is who survives. Who takes control. Who..."
Jang Ilso turned to look at Mount Wudang, illuminated by the faint dawn light.
"It's time to end this. Both he and I must bet everything we have left."
"Ryeonju."
Jang Ilso smiled faintly.
Although he had said it was time to end it, technically he was wrong. The correct thing would be that there was no time left for delays.
"Don't worry. Everything is prepared. Although the defeat was humiliating, we have obtained what we needed."
Ho Gakmyung was confused for a moment.
Something they needed? What was that?
But Jang Ilso did not seem willing to explain. He simply smiled, lost in his thoughts.
'I was wrong...'
Maybe so, but...
"That I was wrong... does not guarantee that you are right, does it?"
In his usually pale eyes, a deep darkness could be seen.
'We will meet again soon.'
Next time, not both will survive. Only one will stand after the final battle.
-----------------
"Why are those guys...?"
Moyong Wigyung watched in astonishment as the Evil Tyrant Alliance moved away from Mount Wudang.
Although the battle was over, and for that reason alone he felt like celebrating, he couldn't understand why they were retreating so easily, which deeply troubled him.
'Should we pursue them?'
It was his first thought upon seeing them retreat, but he immediately shook his head.
Those remaining here had not yet reunited with the main forces that had climbed the cliff, nor with the Mount Hua Sect. Attempting a reckless pursuit with the remaining forces could result in a devastating counterattack.
"Commander..."
With a confused mind, Moyong Wigyung called out to Im Sobyeong. Although it was still difficult for him to pronounce the word "commander," he decided to do it anyway.
"Have they really retreated?"
Unlike Moyong Wigyung's worried expression, Im Sobyeong seemed surprisingly calm.
"You see it with your own eyes."
"But why? They are not in such a disadvantageous situation to retreat like this."
"War is based on morale. And those from the Evil Faction, if they lack insight, are nothing more than corpses. The Evil Tyrant Alliance has surely realized that they intentionally sacrificed the forces at the top of the cliff."
"......"
"Continuing the battle would only increase useless casualties. It is strategically correct to restructure."
"Then, maybe..."
Moyong Wigyung tried to ask another question, but stopped.
What he wanted to ask was if there was a possibility of internal rebellion in the Evil Tyrant Alliance because of this. But it seemed unlikely that anyone in the Evil Tyrant Alliance would dare to challenge Jang Ilso.
"Even so, this doesn't make sense. If they retreat like this, they will lose many things, won't they?"
Moyong Wigyung was not a fool. He could read the situation. Faced with his question, Im Sobyeong replied.
"You are right. They have ingested poison with this battle. A lethal poison without an antidote."
"That's what I'm saying. But then, why...?"
"Do you know how someone poisoned wins a fight?"
Without waiting for Mo Yong Wigyung's response, Im Sobyeong continued.
"By driving his sword into the enemy's neck before the poison kills him."
"What? Then, even if he wins, he will also die. If the poison has no cure, can that be called a victory?"
Im Sobyeong looked at Moyong Wigyung out of the corner of his eye.
There was no way he could explain it in a way that Moyong Wigyung would understand. He would not understand that sometimes there are people who do not value their own lives so much. That sometimes, there are people willing to sacrifice themselves to destroy something, even if it means their own death.
"In any case, there is something clear."
Im Sobyeong exhaled deeply as he watched the forces of the Evil Tyrant Alliance move away. Or maybe someone beyond them.
"They no longer have time. Probably... they are preparing for a final offensive with everything they have. A total attack without the possibility of retreat."
Moyong Wigyung's face turned pale.
They were retreating.
But hearing Im Sobyeong's words, that retreat did not seem so simple. It was like the water receding before a giant tsunami, and they were preparing to return with an even bigger and more devastating wave.
"But, according to the situation, aren't we in a more favorable position? We caused them great casualties this time."
"I'm not sure."
Im Sobyeong's response was lukewarm, almost somber. Mo Yong Wigyung looked at him in surprise.
A doubt invaded Im Sobyeong's mind.
'Why?'
Eliminating Chung Myung seemed like a wise choice on a tactical level.
But was it necessary for Jang Ilso to personally take care of that task?
Ho Gakmyung's objective was clear. But, was it the same objective that Jang Ilso had?
Then, what was Jang Ilso trying to achieve with all this?
Im Sobyeong's fan slowly deformed under the pressure of his grip.
'Ho Gakmyung, Jang Ilso.'
Regardless of the outcome of the battle and what they were trying to achieve, Im Sobyeong knew something for sure.
In this battle, he had been the most humiliated.
'No matter what they plan... next time will be different.'
A blue flame burned in his eyes.
----------------
"Leader Blood Palace."
The Leader Blood Palace slowly turned around.
Despite having his face wrapped in bandages, one could feel an intense discomfort emanating from him.
"Should we retreat like this?"
"What do you mean?"
"...Once can be tolerable, but if we show this weakness twice, the reputation of the Blood Cult will be ruined. If they start to take us lightly..."
The Leader Blood Palace remained silent. The bodyguard, biting his lips, continued.
"Moreover, if it is known that we acted without orders... it could affect our relationship with the Evil Tyrant Alliance... Ack!"
Suddenly, the Leader Blood Palace grabbed the bodyguard's neck. Anger was evident even through the bandages.
"How dare you speak like that?"
"L-Leader Blood Palace..."
"Do you know what Celestial Qi is? You are nothing but a worm!"
Bam!
The Leader Blood Palace threw the bodyguard to the ground and looked at him with disdain as he gasped for air.
'Damn it.'
Upon reflection, the bodyguard was not entirely wrong.
'What should I do...?'
His mind was in chaos when suddenly...
"How pathetic."
An unknown voice echoed right beside him.
A chill ran down his spine. He turned abruptly.
Finally...
"Are you...?"
A voice filled with astonishment and fear escaped his lips. His eyes, visible between the bandages, reflected deep confusion and terror.
