Chapter 1257: Handle It Yourself. (2)

Four Sects Alliance’s forces began moving toward the interior of the island. Lee Ja-Yang’s face hardened as he watched.

“Great sahyung.”

“Doesn’t this mean we’re doomed?”

Cold sweat gathered on Lee Ja-Yang’s brow.

From the start, the plan they had set up wasn’t that complicated.

If Four Sects Alliance, having landed on the coast, left their ships and headed for Mount Oji where the Southern Island Sect was, they’d watch the situation for a bit, then seize the ships and head inland.

It was as simple as it was foolproof.

Why? The reason was simple.

From the Four Sects Alliance’s perspective, they wouldn’t even imagine that the Southern Island Sect—whose base was in the Southern Island—would abandon their home base and advance into the Southern lands.

Even the Southern Island Sect themselves had never considered such a mad plan; why would Four Sects Alliance entertain that possibility?

Reaching the resolve would be extremely difficult, but once they had the will, it was a plan that would be hard to fail.

But then......

“Those bastards...... they’re guarding the ships? Couldn’t we have been discovered?”

Gwak Hwan-So answered in a grim voice.

“......I don’t think the plan’s been blown. If it had, they wouldn’t leave only this amount of troops. Rather, they’d guard the coast like iron and try to find us.”

Lee Ja-Yang nodded. Gwak Hwan-So’s words made sense. But......

‘Anyway, the plan has still gone wrong, hasn’t it?’

Watching the Tiger Ghost Troops guarding the ships made his heart feel like a lump ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) of lead. Judging by their uniforms, they were undoubtedly from the Ten Thousand People Clan. If the Ten Thousand People Clan’s men-at-arms were guarding in such numbers, their plan to seize the ships in one fell swoop would clearly be difficult to achieve.

‘What should we do?’

Sweat ran down the bridge of Lee Ja-Yang’s nose.

Though Lee Ja-Yang was nicknamed the strategic brain among Southern Island’s disciples, he couldn’t find a suitable solution in this situation.

Of course, if they mobilized Southern Island’s full strength, defeating them wouldn’t be difficult. No matter what anyone said, Southern Island was a powerful sect among the Nine Great Sects.

But that didn’t mean they could finish the battle instantly.

After all, the opponents were the Ten Thousand People Clan’s men-at-arms, the leaders of Four Sects Alliance, weren’t they?

If they delayed even a little, the main force of the Ten Thousand People Clan that had left the coast might notice and return. If that happened......

‘It’s over.’

Even fighting with the advantage of terrain, victory would be hard to hope for. It was all too clear what would happen if they were flanked and pincer-attacked by the Ten Thousand People Clan on the open coastal plain.

“For now, we have no choice but to wait as long as possible, sahyung.”

“Wait, you say?”

“Yes. We must wait until the Ten Thousand People Clan’s main force moves deep into the island. Even if they realize we’re attacking the remaining men, it’ll take time for reinforcements to arrive.”

We must use that gap to quickly clean them up.

“......The casualties will be greater.”

“There’s no other way.”

A sigh escaped Gwak Hwan-So’s lips.

The reason they had tried so desperately to seize the ships quickly was because they didn’t want the Ten Thousand People Clan’s main force to penetrate deep into the island.

Currently, the Ten Thousand People Clan’s target was Mount Oji, the Southern Island Sect’s main base. But there were people living along the route they would take.

Having heard clearly what the Evil Sect had done on the western isles while Mount Hua was absent, Gwak Hwan-So wanted to prevent the Four Sects Alliance bastards from reaching the commoners at all costs.

‘Is there no other option?’

But Lee Ja-Yang’s words had merit. If they rushed things clumsily and got trapped on this island or pincer-attacked and annihilated, the losses would be even greater.

‘What about the sect leader?’

Gwak Hwan-So turned his head toward the opposite ridge. Geum Yang-Baek, who were hiding with troops divided with them, showed no particular reaction either. They were probably equally confused.

“......And anyway, that’s what will happen.”

“Huh?”

“The attack signal was supposed to come from the Heavenly Friends Alliance. Even if we might, the Heavenly Friends Alliance wouldn’t risk themselves out of concern for Southern Island’s commoners, would they?”

“......”

Lee Ja-Yang ground his teeth briefly with a strangely angry face.

“Those damned Ten Thousand People Clan bastards will do as they please, and only then will they step in to fight. Because that’s the rational thing to do.”

Gwak Hwan-So sighed.

Lee Ja-Yang’s words didn’t add up. He too clearly knew that waiting was the best option in this situation. Yet there was only one reason he was so full of resentment.

‘Was it around here?’

It was because the village Lee Ja-Yang had lived in before joining Southern Island lay on the route from the coast to Mount Oji. If the Ten Thousand People Clan charged straight for Mount Oji, they’d inevitably pass through Lee Ja-Yang’s village.

And there, none other than Lee Ja-Yang’s family lived.

His head argued reason and the sacrifice of the few for the many, but his heart couldn’t accept it.

After all, who could remain cold when their silence might cause harm to their own family?

“Ja-Yang......”

“Don’t worry about me.”

Lee Ja-Yang snapped coldly in a slightly irritated voice.

“I’m not a fool who doesn’t know what’s important. I know that my family shouldn’t be treated any differently from Southern Island’s other commoners.”

“......”

“So don’t worry. I won’t act like an idiot and rush out, ruining everything.”

After finishing, Lee Ja-Yang bit his lip hard.

Gwak Hwan-So couldn’t say anything to him. All he could do was grasp the trembling disciple’s shoulder tightly.

“Endure it.”

“......I know.”

Who wouldn’t want to rush out right then?

But he had to hold back. If he couldn’t, many more lives might be lost.

“It’s a relief that the Heavenly Friends Alliance took command. If the sect leader had the command, I might have already run to him.”

Lee Ja-Yang forced a smile as he spoke. The smile only made him look more pitiable. Gwak Hwan-So bowed his head slightly.

It was at that moment.

“Wait. Just a moment, sahyung. Are you sure this is really okay?”

“......Huh? Why do you ask?”

Another disciple with them spoke with a flustered face.

“This isn’t something time can fix, is it?”

“Huh?”

“Have you forgotten? We drilled holes in those ships. They’re afloat now, but they’ll sink soon!”

Hearing that, Lee Ja-Yang and Gwak Hwan-So’s faces went pale in an instant.

They had been so tense they’d completely forgotten that detail.

“We purposely put holes in the ships because we thought that would be better than smashing them all...... if we drag our feet, that’ll give them away. Then......”

Lee Ja-Yang and Gwak Hwan-So looked at each other with faces full of dismay.

‘Damn it.’

If they’d known this, they should’ve just destroyed the ships as ordered! Why did they insist on being clever?

“Mo-Mount Hua? Would Mount Hua know about this?”

“......I don’t know. Even if they did, they wouldn’t know exactly when the ships would sink. We’re the ones who drilled the holes and prepared them.”

“Shouldn’t we tell them?”

“How could we tell them? We can’t show ourselves now! Aren’t they over there ahead of us?”

“Oh no......”

“I, I caused this for no reason......”

Sensing things had gone thoroughly wrong, Lee Ja-Yang stared ahead with trembling eyes.

And in that moment.

“......Huh?”

Lee Ja-Yang’s mouth slowly opened.

“Th-that’s...... that?”

“Huh?”

Gwak Hwan-So looked at Lee Ja-Yang in puzzlement. Lee Ja-Yang’s face had gone pale as if he’d come face-to-face with a ghost.

“What’s wrong?”

“Th-th-what is th-that......? That mad...... that madman?”

“Madman?”

A madman here...... could it be?

Gwak Hwan-So whipped his gaze to where Lee Ja-Yang was looking.

“......There.”

And at that moment, Gwak Hwan-So’s eyes grew twice their usual size.

Down the slope leading to the coast, a man was trudging down with a drawn sword slung carelessly over his shoulder.

“Mo-Mount Hua...... Mount Hua’s Sword Saint?”

“Th-that madman, what on earth is he......?”

Both men’s mouths hung open. Chung Myung’s expression, meanwhile, remained utterly nonchalant.

⁂ ⁂ ⁂

“Tch.”

Heo Meng, deputy commander of the Ten Thousand People Clan’s Tiger Ghost Troops, clicked his tongue, twisting his face.

“Damn it.”

He was full of nothing but displeasure.

They had rushed all the way from the distant Yangtze river to here in a single bound, and now at Southern Island they’d be stuck guarding ships—no wonder he was in a foul mood.

“Why us, of all people?”

“If you had something to say, why didn’t you say it when the commander was here?”

“Damn it. What were you going to say to a man who wouldn’t bleed even if pricked with that needle?”

Heo Meng glared irritably at the ship behind him.

“Anyway, the commander said this is the problem. Who’s going to target these lousy ships? If you’re really worried, leave a few men. Taking an entire unit off to guard ships; does that make any sense?”

“Shh. Your voice is too loud.”

“If the Alliance lord were here, he wouldn’t bother with this trifling matter. This is why I hate moving with the commander.”

This time the others around them didn’t say anything.

“But still, losing the ships won’t do anyone any good.”

“Say something sensible. What is Southern Island? It’s an island! Ships are everywhere on an island—if we lose them, we just get new ones.”

“I’m sure the commander has thought it through.”

“Damn it.”

Heo Meng spat a coarse curse and grumbled.

“We came all the way to Southern Island thinking we’d get a taste of blood, and now it looks like we’ll just be sightseeing the island and going home.”

“Since we came with the commander anyway, even if we go up together we won’t get to have any real fun, will we?”

Heo Meng sighed heavily in irritation.

‘Huh?’

Then his eyes suddenly narrowed slightly.

Across the vast meadow bordering the coast, pushing through the dense bushes at its edge, a person was trudging along.

“What’s that?”

“......Probably a Southern Island guy. Maybe he came to get on a ship.”

“The fool is hastening his end. With nothing better to do, we might as well have some fun with him......”

Heo Meng, who licked his lips as if pleased, suddenly fell silent.

‘Hmm?’

Because the traveler’s garb looked strangely familiar.

‘Is that...... martial arts training clothing?’

Not the usual commoner clothing, but martial garb emphasizing mobility. And it was black.

That in itself wasn’t odd—black martial clothes were a favorite among fighters in the Central Plains. Besides, Southern Island is fairly large; it’s not strange for a ronin unaffiliated with Southern Island to be here.

The problem came next.

“......That.”

“Yes?”

“Could that be Plum Blossom?”

At Heo Meng’s question, everyone turned their heads violently. Their gazes focused on the chest of the man trudging forward.

“......I think so?”

“Y-yes. It’s the Plum Blossom.”

“Plum Blossom?”

There are countless sects under heaven, but only one uses black martial arts garb and a plum blossom emblem as its symbol.

“Mo-Mount Hua?”

But why would Mount Hua’s attire show up in a place like this?

“De-deputy commander!”

“Hm?”

“Th-that man...... that one! It’s him! It’s that guy!”

“Him?”

“Mo-Mount Hua......”

“Hm?”

“Mount Hua’s Sword Saint!”

The four words “Mount Hua’s Sword Saint” cut through the hearts of those encamped on the coast.

Merely hearing those words made the muscles in their relaxed bodies snap taut as if ready for combat.

“You say it’s the Mount Hua’s Sword Saint?”

“Yes! Mount Hua’s Sword Saint! I remember him clearly!”

“W-why is he here......?”

But the man approached faster than they could speculate. Chung Myung reached their very midst before they’d finished preparing and stopped. Then, with eyes full of tension, he spoke to the wary Tiger Ghost Troops.

“Hey you lot. Can any of you scream properly?”

“......What?”

At the unexpected question, someone involuntarily replied. Chung Myung said calmly.

“Give it your best scream.”

The sword slung over his shoulder slowly came down.

“Make it loud enough for the ones who went ahead to hear it clearly.”

Chung Myung’s sword, glinting in the hot sunlight, emitted a chilling sheen.