Return of the Mount Hua Sect (HTL 1634+)

Two days ago.

"How did it go?"

At Yoon Jong's question, Namgung Dowi's face hardened without a word. Seeing this, Yoon Jong let out a short sigh without pressing further.

'Same here, huh?'

The Heavenly Comrade Alliance members who had set out to punish the Evil Tyrant Alliance for attacking the commoners had all returned empty-handed. While Mount Hua had at least managed to chase the enemies briefly, the others hadn't even caught a glimpse of them.

"Damn it..."

Frustration flared up, and Namgung Dowi ground his teeth. It was then—

Bang!

A loud crash rang out, and everyone snapped their heads in that direction. A massive tree, once towering tall, was now toppling over with cracking sounds.

"What the hell are you doing, Geol -ah?"

"Damn it!"

Even after knocking down the tree with a blow from his sword still in its sheath, Jo Geol, still fuming, began stomping and kicking the fallen tree repeatedly.

"You damn bastards! I swear, I'll kill them, no matter what it takes! Ugh!"

"Geol-ah!"

"Ugh..."

Jo Geol's hands trembled. The face of Ho Gamyeong, sneering coldly as he held a blade to the necks of the innocent civilians, wouldn't leave his mind.

It was understandable. Even Yoon Jong was still haunted by the memory of that face, grinding his teeth and barely keeping his anger in check. For Jo Geol, it was a wonder he hadn't already charged straight into the heart of the Evil Tyrant Alliance. In fact, he deserved praise for holding back as much as he had.

'Ho Gamyeong...'

Yoon Jong bit his lip.

Of course, they had expected the Evil Tyrant Alliance to use the commoners as hostages. But they had never imagined that they would treat the hostages in such a cruel way. Or maybe, they didn't want to imagine it.

How could a person treat another person like that? Could he really be the same human as Yoon Jong, with the same red blood running through his veins?

"What about the damage on your side?"

When Yoon Jong asked, Namgung Dowi simply shook his head without speaking. It meant they hadn't been able to secure any survivors.

The anger that had been simmering inside Yoon Jong threatened to boil over, and he clenched his eyes shut.

'Evil Tyrant Alliance.'

They had been complacent. No, perhaps they had been indifferent. A moment of carelessness had led to this catastrophe. It was impossible to even estimate how many had died in just half a day.

Who would bear the responsibility for all that blood?

"Evil Tyrant-..."

"Amitabha."

The tension in the air was suffocating, but Hye Yeon broke it with a clear chant of Buddha's name.

"Please, don't blame yourselves so harshly. This is not your fault."

"...I wish I could think that way."

Jo Geol replied curtly.

His response wasn't appropriate for someone offering comfort, but considering it was Hye Yeon, Jo Geol had held back as much as he could. If anyone else had said the same thing, he would've likely lashed out on the spot.

"So, what do we do now? You're not seriously thinking of letting this slide, right, Sahyung?"

"..."

"We have to go take revenge right now!"

"Calm down."

"Sahyung!"

"That's not for us to decide."

Yoon Jong turned sharply. His gaze rested on the makeshift tent that had been set up nearby.

"There are wiser people than us to make that decision."

❀ ❀ ❀

"What about the damage?"

"To be honest, it's not that large in scale."

Tang Gunak was about to breathe a sigh of relief when someone else interjected.

"But the situation is the worst it could be."

The first to answer was Zhuge Zain, and the second to speak was Im Sobyeong.

Tang Gunak closed his mouth and exhaled deeply.

There was no need to argue over who was right. Since neither had contradicted the other, it was clear that both statements held truth.

"What do you mean?"

"The ones who suffered were commoners. While the number of casualties isn't small, it's hard to say the alliance has taken a major loss."

The implication was that the deaths of commoners didn't impact the alliance's fighting power. It was a cold statement, one difficult to believe had come from the head of the Zhuge family, one of the Five Great Families.

But it was also undeniably true.

"Even so, the situation is dire. Because we don't know when they'll strike at the commoners again."

Im Sobyeong added.

Tang Gunak suddenly found the situation absurd.

One man, the head of the Zhuge family, seemed relieved that the victims were commoners, while another, the Nokrim King, called it the worst possible scenario because the commoners could be targeted again.

Their underlying intentions might differ, but from an outside perspective, it was hard to tell who was from the righteous sect and who was from the evil sect.

"Why do you think they suddenly attacked the commoners?"

"Isn't the answer obvious since we're here?"

Tang Gunak's expression darkened.

"Are you saying they did it to lure us out of Wudang Mountain?"

"Exactly."

Zhuge Zain nodded.

"And what do they gain by doing that?"

Im Sobyeong answered this time.

"The act itself holds meaning. Whether Wudang Mountain is as formidable as its reputation suggests, just occupying the high ground gives the Heavenly Comrade Alliance an advantage."

"..."

"The fact that we're stationed on the mountain changes the strategic value of what they can do. So whatever their end goal may be, pulling the Heavenly Comrade Alliance down from the mountain is advantageous for them."

Tang Gunak's face grew increasingly grim.

"Just for... such a minor advantage, they slaughtered so many innocent people…"

"You're still dreaming."

"What?"

Im Sobyeong chuckled coldly at the speechless Tang Gunak.

"They're not killing for just that minor advantage. They'd kill for a tenth of that advantage, or even for no advantage at all, without hesitation. That's what makes them evil sect. It's not that they didn't do it because they didn't want to; they couldn't do it before because they didn't have the ability. But now, they can."

Tang Gunak's hand trembled slightly as anger surged within him, and he blurted out in frustration.

"Do you claim to know evil sect so well?"

"Of course."

Even after he uttered it, Tang Gun'ak knew his remark was harsh enough to make him seem like a demon. However, Im Sobyeong remained unbothered and calmly replied, like a sly serpent.

"I suppose I know the most about evil sect here. So, let me tell you why we've found ourselves in the worst possible situation."

Im Sobyeong's gaze turned cold.

"The enemy has confirmed two things from the recent battle: first, if they provoke civilians, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance will rush to intervene; second, the Alliance's mobility isn't good enough to catch them."

"..."

"So, what do you think they'll do next?"

"...They'll target us, repeatedly. Just that alone is enough to throw us into complete disarray."

"Exactly."

Im Sobyeong opened his fan and lazily fanned himself, sending a breeze toward his face.

"The problem is that even if we predict their movements, it's hard to respond. Civilians are scattered all over the land. They can just attack anywhere they please. Then, we have to run wherever they want us to. Do you understand what that means?"

"You're saying that Evil Tyrant Alliance can manipulate the movements of the Alliance."

"Exactly. From then on, it'll all be up to them. They could set traps, cut off our supplies, or even raid our undefended headquarters."

Everyone listening grew pale.

Yet Tang Gun'ak remained composed.

"What's the solution?"

"There is none. Well, to be exact, there is one perfect solution."

"What is it?"

"Don't move."

Im Sobyeong snapped his fan shut and pointed outside the tent.

"No matter what happens outside, no matter who dies, don't move. If we can hold out, we might be able to counterattack when they spread themselves thin. In terms of military strategy, that's the most perfect response."

"So, you're saying there's no real solution."

Im Sobyeong chuckled.

"Yes, yes. I knew you would say that. Even if it means everyone dies, you'll still act like that, won't you?"

Though he laughed, his voice carried an edge, like a hidden blade.

Im Sobyeong knew, too. No matter how perfect the strategy was from a tactical standpoint, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance could never choose that path.

Imagine if the only way to save Nokrim was for all of its members to give up their swords and study literature. Could Im Sobyeong ever give that order to his people with a straight face?

No, he couldn't. Even if he did, no one would follow it. If that was their path, why would anyone join the Nokrim in the first place?

The same goes for the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. The moment they abandon civilians, the Alliance ceases to be the Alliance. From that point on, they wouldn't be able to prevent defections within their ranks.

"What's the next best option?"

"Fortify our defenses, keep a suitable distance, and wait for them to make a move."

"So, we just sit and get beaten?"

"It's the best way to get beaten lightly."

When Tang Gun'ak looked toward Zhuge Zain, he let out a long sigh and nodded, indicating that his thoughts were similar.

"For now, that seems to be the best course of action."

"I see."

Tang Gun'ak fell into deep thought. Normally, this wouldn't be a decision he could make alone, but right now, there was no time to wait for the Alliance leader. Sunset was approaching fast.

"I'll leave the Alliance's formation and defense to Zhuge's Patriarch. Please do your utmost to prevent disruptions from the enemy's night raids."

"And make sure we can still support other areas if needed? We have to keep an eye on everything, front and back at the same time."

Im Sobyeong sneered openly. But Tang Gun'ak, unshaken, simply nodded.

"It'll be difficult, but please do your best."

"...Understood."

Zhuga Zain gave a brief nod.

As the meeting was about to conclude, Im Sobyeong spoke up again.

"There's one thing you should know…."

All eyes turned to Im Sobyeong.

"The enemy has probably already predicted our discussions and conclusions. Right now, we're basically playing into their hands."

"…King Nokrim."

"Oh, don't misunderstand. I'm not saying we're wrong. Not every solution lies in avoiding the enemy's expectations. I just want you to be aware of it."

"…I'll keep that in mind."

Im Sobyeong's parting words left a bitter taste in Tang Gun'ak's mouth.

But for now, both Tang Gun'ak and the Heavenly Comrade Alliance had no other choice. In this situation, where they didn't know when the enemy would attack the civilians, returning to Mount Wudang was out of the question.

Tang Gun'ak steeled his resolve.

If they could maintain their command structure perfectly, they could minimize the damage, even amid the chaos of an attack from all sides. This was the best decision they could make.

But on that tense night, nothing happened.

Despite their sleepless anticipation, the next day's sun rose smoothly, and the bright sunlight bathed the earth.

It wasn't until then that Tang Gun'ak realized what had happened.

"…. Who is it?"

"Those who stood guard last night…."

Tang Gun'ak's fist slowly clenched.

A dozen men were lying there. No, a dozen corpses.

Judging by the ghastly stab wounds on their bodies, it was clear what had occurred during the night.

"How did no one notice?"

"Well…."

Without waiting for an answer, Tang Gun'ak checked the necks of the corpses, their eyes still wide open in shock. Around their necks hung the horns they had been given to sound an alarm in case of an attack.

But last night had been so quiet, not even the sound of a horn echoed. Not a single one of the nearly ten elite warriors had managed to blow their horns, a simple action that could have saved lives.

"Is this even possible?"

They must have been strong, exceptionally so. But even if they were powerful, could they have silently wiped out ten elite warriors from the Five Great Families?

Could they really?

A chill ran down Tang Gun'ak's spine.

He realized now, with a dreadful certainty.

"It wasn't the civilians."

Their real target was clear.

The Heavenly Comrade Alliance was the one under attack.