Chapter 1158: A Sect Abandoned By All Of Justice Faction. (3)

No one could easily speak. Even those who seemed ready to say something repeatedly opened their mouths but could not bring themselves to speak and closed them again.

Such was the tremendous impact left by Im So-Byeong’s words.

“…The South Sea…?”

“Breaking through the South of the River?”

Someone was aghast at the recklessness of the plan Im So-Byeong had proposed.

The Southern Land is literally the land of the Four Sects Alliance. It was never friendly to them in the past, and now it is truly a dragon’s den and a deadly place.

To support a sect located at the southernmost tip of such a place, is that realistically possible?

“How on earth will we get ships?”

“Supporting an island… It’s not even an island in the North.”

Someone focused on the location itself—Southern Island, where the Southern Island Sect is based.

Southern Island is a name very familiar to them, yet it also feels endlessly distant. While no martial artist would be unfamiliar with the name Southern Island, very few have actually visited the Island.

In a sense, although it is one of the Nine Great Sects, Southern Island Sect feels even more remote than the sects outside the Central Plains.

“Wait a moment… This can only happen if they want our support. If we blindly go south and they reject us, we might end up truly isolated.”

“That would be the worst.”

And someone else questioned whether the Southern Island Sect itself could be trusted.

However… amid these differing thoughts, the strongest thought dominating their minds was different.

“The Nine Great Sects…”

The moment Chung Myung spoke, everyone in the room turned to look at him. Receiving all eyes, Chung Myung smiled mysteriously.

“Are you saying a sect will leave the Nine Great Sects?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“You mean they will leave the Nine Great Sects on their own and join the Heavenly Friends Alliance?”

“Exactly.”

“Hmm.”

Chung Myung tapped his cheek with his finger resting on his chin. But contrary to his thoughtful appearance, he reached a conclusion faster than expected.

“Just thinking about it…”

The corners of Chung Myung’s mouth twisted wickedly.

“Feels damn good?”

This is something whose impact doesn’t even need to be considered.

“If it’s even possible. Yes, if it really happens, the repercussions would be terrifying. It would overturn the entire Central Plains.”

The long, long history of the murim world.

In all that time, no sect has ever kicked away their position in the Nine Great Sects on their own. In fact, martial artists probably never even considered such a possibility. Ꞧἁ𐌽օᛒЁS

Because the symbolism of the name Nine Great Sects is that immense.

It is no exaggeration to say that the goal of every Justice faction in the murim world is to secure a place in the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Families.

Even among Mount Hua disciples, some quietly await the day to return to the Nine Great Sects. Of course, if Shaolin holds full authority over the Nine Great Sects, they would refuse even if given a seat for free, but if circumstances change, few would openly reject it.

Thus, the name Nine Great Sects has been a symbol of the Justice faction and the last bastion protecting the Central Plains.

But now…

“I think I hear the sound of cracks forming in that solid status.”

The corners of Chung Myung’s mouth curled up even more.

If by some one in a thousand or one in ten thousand chance this really happens, the name Nine Great Sects can no longer remain a symbol of the Justice faction.

Yes. If it really happens.

“Hmm.”

Tang Gunak, who mostly had a stern face, now wore an expression twice as serious as usual. This situation carried that much significance.

“If it happens as the Forest King said, surely… it will be a tremendous event.”

Everyone nodded as if entranced by those words.

“Even the Southern Island Sect is no ordinary force. It’s one pillar of the Nine Great Sects. At least, um…”

Tang Gunak trailed off, but Namgung Do-Wei, perceptive, finished the sentence he dared not say aloud.

“It’s a force so large it can’t be compared to the Namgung Family, which lost more than half its strength.”

“…That wasn’t the meaning I was going for.”

“Don’t worry about it, Family Lord. The truth is the truth.”

Namgung Do-Wei’s eyes did not waver at all. His gaze seemed to say, ‘What matters is not now, but later.’ Seeing that, Tang Gunak nodded.

“Comparing to the Namgung Family is excessive, but it’s true that there aren’t many sects with such power in the world. Especially if limited to those who might join the Heavenly Friends Alliance.”

“Even if it’s the lowest seat in the Nine Great Sects?”

Tang Gunak shook his head at Jo Gul’s words.

“The Southern Island Sect was the last to join, but its strength can’t be said to be the weakest among the Nine Great Sects. Compared to sects like Kunlun, which were almost destroyed by the Evil Sect, it’s much stronger.”

“Oh, is that so? Then why…”

“That’s obvious.”

Chung Myung answered instead of Tang Gunak.

“Just because a stronger sect appears than those in the Nine Great Sects doesn’t mean the original sects can be kicked out. That wouldn’t be righteous.”

“But they did kick one out, didn’t we?”

“Kyaaaah!”

As Chung Myung’s eyes suddenly rolled back again, everyone glared daggers at Jo Gul. Normally, Chung Myung would blame him for flipping out over nothing, but this time, the one who provoked was clearly at fault.

“Ah, no, I’m also from Mount Hua, so I can say this, right…?”

“Gul, just shut your mouth.”

“Yes!”

Jo Gul quickly shrank into a corner, and Chung Myung clicked his tongue and continued.

“…Anyway! After all considerations, there’s no sect like the Southern Island Sect.”

“That’s right.”

Tang Gunak also fully agreed on this point.

“Strength is strength, but more important than strength is symbolism. For a sect like the Southern Island to choose the Heavenly Friends Alliance over the Nine Great Sects—does anyone not understand what that means?”

The room fell as silent as a mouse. Someone swallowing dryly sounded like thunder.

“Of course… no matter how big the Southern Island is, it’s still just one sect, so the world won’t be overturned by declaration alone. But at least…”

Tang Gunak’s firm gaze swept over everyone in the room.

“It can at least twist the direction of the current. Surely.”

Chung Myung, with his fingers interlaced behind his head, muttered indifferently.

“The perception has already changed since the Namgung Family joined the Heavenly Friends Alliance.”

“Exactly.”

Tang Gunak snapped his fingers lightly, as if to focus everyone’s attention.

“It’s a bit awkward for me to say this, but honestly, it’s hard to group the Five Great Families and the Nine Great Sects at the same level. Of course, when Namgung Hwang was the head, the Namgung Family could rival any sect in the Nine Great Sects… but other sects honestly can’t be compared to the Nine Great Sects. Public perception also doesn’t place the Five Great Families on the same level as the Nine Great Sects.”

“That’s true.”

“That’s why it’s meaningful, isn’t it? It means the Heavenly Friends Alliance has finally surpassed the Five Great Families and can even embrace the Nine Great Sects. Perhaps…”

A smile similar to Chung Myung’s appeared on Tang Gunak’s lips.

“Through this opportunity, the Heavenly Friends Alliance might surpass the status of the Nine Great Sects.”

Those words were the decisive blow.

Surpassing the Nine Great Sects.

It was a task the Heavenly Friends Alliance must accomplish someday, but at the same time, it was so distant that it was hard to even discuss.

But now, the clue has begun to unravel from an unexpected place.

“…What really happens if that happens?”

Yoon Jong muttered blankly, and Jo Gul scoffed and replied.

“What do you mean what happens? The big bald head will steam like a boiling kettle. He’ll be like a heated stone!”

“…We might even see Beop Jeong die of a heart attack.”

“At that level, possession by the demon of greed is certain. The Shaolin abbot might even change.”

At that moment, Im So-Byeong slammed his fan down with a sharp sound.

Everyone fell silent and looked at Im So-Byeong. Though he had been outspoken before, at this moment his influence even surpassed Tang Gunak.

“It’s not just that.”

“Huh?”

“Tsk tsk. Think carefully. What is the biggest difference between the Nine Great Sects and the Heavenly Friends Alliance right now?”

“Attitude?”

“…That’s true, but…”

Im So-Byeong sighed and said.

“Why are they called the Nine Great Sects One Union?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Because only a certain number of sects can earn that name. But not so with the Heavenly Friends Alliance. The Heavenly Friends Alliance has no limit on the number of sects. And it doesn’t have to be only great sects.”

“Ah…”

“Until now, countless sects hesitated out of deference to the Nine Great Sects, but the moment the Heavenly Friends Alliance’s status surpasses or even equals the Nine Great Sects, perceptions will change.”

Swish!

Im So-Byeong half-covered his face with his opened fan and smiled slyly.

“Rather than serving under the Nine Great Sects, it’s better to belong proudly to the Heavenly Friends Alliance.”

“…”

“Besides, I’ve already set a brilliant move in advance.”

“A brilliant move?”

“The Green Forest! Exactly, the Green Forest! Without the Green Forest in the Heavenly Friends Alliance, most sects wouldn’t dare approach the Heavenly Friends Alliance. Even if they said they’d accept everyone without discrimination, they’d think it was just talk. But now, the Evil Sect members have actually joined the Heavenly Friends Alliance.”

“…”

“Then everyone will think! We may be a bit weak, but at least we’ll be treated better than those Evil Sect bastards.”

“…Um, Green Forest King…? It’s not wrong, but… is it okay for you to say that?”

“It’s the truth, so what is wrong? Just because I shout doesn’t mean I’m treated like a person. If I am upset, I should have been born in the Namgung Family.”

“But why do you keep picking on us from the start…”

“Exactly!”

Swish!

Im So-Byeong suddenly raised his voice.

“Just one move! With this single move, we can change the entire landscape of the Central Plains. And if this one move succeeds!”

His eyes shone bright blue.

“The Heavenly Friends Alliance will gain at least the minimum strength to fight against the Evil Sect Alliance. If only this succeeds. Do you understand?”

Anyone who doesn’t understand the situation after hearing this has no right to be here.

“We must do it.”

“It’s something that must be done no matter what.”

“Then who will go?”

At the moment everyone vowed to succeed in this task.

A nonchalant voice echoed.

“I oppose it.”

“Huh?”

Everyone’s eyes slightly widened.

The reason for their surprise was one: the person opposing the plan was Chung Myung, who seemed the most likely to push it forward with strength.