"Wudang, you say..."
A heavy, pained voice flowed from Hyun Jong's lips.
It was something he should have considered but missed. However, this was not due to his dullness. It was because the Wudang Sect had been so isolated amidst the rapidly changing political situation.
"But in this situation?"
Hyun Jong asked as if he couldn't understand. Jaegal Jain responded with a stern expression.
"The situation isn't that important. "The trend is what's important."
"The trend?"
"Yes. If you look back, Jang Ilso's movements have always been the same. He has always targeted places where power wasn't concentrated. Like a wolf persistently targeting a sheep that has strayed alone from the herd."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Indeed, Jang Ilso and the Evil Sect had done so. When Kangho was divided between the north and south along the Yangtze River, they first targeted the isolated Southern Island. When the power of the central plains concentrated on the Yangtze River, they targeted the isolated Sichuan.
Although the schemes that drained people's spirits were rampant, in the grand scheme of things, Jang Ilso's actions could be seen as simple and clear.
"So, the Chief's words make sense. The most isolated ones now are the Wudang Sect. If they strike Wudang, they can completely isolate even the Shaolin Temple. From the Evil Sect's perspective, it is a perfectly correct strategy militarily."
"...."
"We must support Wudang, Maengju-nim! We have already lost Kongtong and the Peng Family. We can't lose them too."
At Jaegal Jain's words, Hyun Jong lightly furrowed his brows.
"Wudang.... Do you really think they are targeting Wudang?"
Despite Jaegal Jain's strong assertion, Hyun Jong still seemed unconvinced.
'Wudang?'
It wasn't that he found Jaegal Jain's argument baseless. But something felt oddly uneasy and incomprehensible.
If Jang Ilso was targeting the Heavenly Comrade Alliance right now, the Alliance would have to take a very big risk. Their newly formed structure had yet to fully exert its power.
But would Jang Ilso forgo such an opportunity and target Wudang?
The Jang Ilso?
"Well..."
At that moment, Im Sobyeong spoke, as if he understood Hyun Jong's thoughts.
"I don't think we can see it that way."
"What do you mean?"
Jaegal Jain's expression hardened as he turned to ask. However, the look in his eyes was more of curiosity than displeasure.
"There's certainly some merit to Lord Jaegal's hypothesis. It's undeniable that Jang Ilso's moves have shown such 'trends' up to now."
"Then why..."
"That was before the Evil Sect confronted Shaolin in Hubei."
Jaegal Jain flinched at his words.
"That is...."
"When the Evil Sect faced Shaolin, their movements were distinctly different from before. In the past, Jang Ilso, the Evil Sect, would lure the enemy to a place most advantageous for him and inflict unilateral damage. But what happened this time?"
After a moment of silence and biting his lip, Jaegal Jain nodded. He realized something from Im Sobyeong's words.
"It was... different, indeed."
"Yes. Jang Ilso no longer avoids risks. When facing Shaolin, he didn't just lead the enemy to the most advantageous place. Instead, he took considerable risks and threw himself into the most dangerous places."
Those who knew how that war unfolded nodded in agreement.
"Just because he avoided risks up until now doesn't guarantee he'll continue to do so. Jang Ilso is not someone who can be easily predicted."
"Then, Commander, do you think Jang Ilso has another target in mind?"
At Jaegal Jain's question, Im Sobyeong nodded vigorously. Then he spread his fan wide.
"I think so."
"Then what do you think he is targeting?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
Im Sobyeong answered immediately, as if there was no need to think further.
"Us."
"U, us?"
Jaegal Jain looked dazed, as if he had been hit. But only for a moment, as the head of the Jaegal Family quickly assessed the situation and hardened his expression.
Im Sobyeong partially covered his face with the fan.
"Attacking an unprepared enemy is easy. But what's easier is luring the unprepared to a place of one's choosing and confronting them."
"...."
"If I were Jang Ilso, I would use Wudang as bait to lure out the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. Then I would devour them. Crushing those who rush to support is much easier than dealing with those who are prepared and waiting."
It was not something that could be flatly denied.
Whether Jang Ilso truly targets the Heavenly Comrade Alliance is not that important. The important thing is that the moment the Heavenly Comrade Alliance moves, Jang Ilso will definitely take advantage of that gap.
Just imagining what might have happened if they had hurried to support in a rush sent chills down their spines.
But at that moment, Jaegal Jain realized something anew.
"So then... what should we do?"
He understood the enemy's ploy, namely the situation where the Heavenly Comrade Alliance could be the most dangerous. But the problem was that there was no way to respond.
They couldn't just leave Wudang alone, could they?
If they went to save Wudang, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance would be in danger, and if they ensured the safety of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, Wudang would be trampled. In this situation, what on earth should they choose?
"That's not something you need to worry about so much."
"Hmm? What do you mean by that?"
At Im Sobyeong's unexpected words, Jaegal Jain narrowed his eyes in disbelief. After listing all the reasons to worry, he now says there's no need to worry?
"Wudang is not foolish, is it? No, Wudang is originally an extremely intelligent sect. They won't be unaware of how the situation is unfolding."
"Ah..."
"If they hear that the Evil Tyrant Alliance is advancing, they will naturally pull back and prepare for a future strategy. We can join them without haste."
"Hmm. Do you think Wudang will go to Shaolin?"
"Well, that's not certain. I don't know how closely they regard Shaolin. Even if they consider Shaolin closer than expected, given the current situation of Shaolin, it's possible they might head somewhere other than Song Mountain."
Im Sobyeong raised the fan that covered his mouth a little higher.
"In any case, the most important thing now is that Wudang will buy us time. We just need to align our actions with Wudang's."
"Indeed..."
Jaegal Jain, along with Tang Gunak and Moyong Wigyung, nodded their heads.
"Surely, if it's Wudang, with the calmness of Heo Dojin, they won't act rashly."
"Exactly."
A sigh escaped from Tang Gunak's lips.
He thought they were driven to the worst possible situation, but fortunately, it didn't seem so hopeless. If this goes well, they might find a safe detour route to enter Henan that the Evil Tyrant Alliance will have difficulty targeting.
This might even turn a crisis into an opportunity. The Heavenly Comrade Alliance might join forces with Wudang, who has opened their gates.
'Thank goodness...'
Just as Tang Gunak was about to let out a sigh of relief, he flinched.
'Wait a moment. Where did this discussion even start?'
Tang Gunak's head turned sharply. His gaze was following the expression of one person—the one who had been observing this urgent situation with the utmost calmness—Chung Myung.
Tang Gunak opened his mouth.
"Chief."
"Yes."
"What do you think?"
Chung Myung slowly turned his gaze to Tang Gunak.
At that moment, Tang Gunak saw it.
In the eyes of Chung Myung, the Chivalrous Sword of Mount Hua, there was an icy chill that was enough to make one's hair stand on end.
Seeing the expressionless face, Tang Gunak instantly sensed something was seriously wrong. Chung Myung spoke slowly.
"Wudang retreating..."
"Chief?"
"Do you think that will happen?"
"Of course, wouldn't they? Heo Dojin is not a foolish man. In terms of calmness, he is one of the top Sect Leaders of the old sects."
"...."
"Even though Heo Dojin has stepped down from his position as Sect Leader, his influence hasn't disappeared. No, even if it has, the current acting Sect Leader of Wudang, Heo Sanja, is also a wise man. You know that too."
"No one is completely rational."
"...."
"And no sect is completely rational either."
"What do you mean?"
"People forget things once in a while, don't they? Because even if they say it, they don't actually think that way."
"What on earth..."
"A sect doesn't move solely according to the will of the Sect Leader. Especially not in a situation like this."
"...What?"
Tang Gunak's eyes shook. He seemed to understand the implication of those words.
"It wasn't just Heo Dojin who lost his honor and fell into disgrace at the Yangtze River Incident. In fact, Heo Dojin could at least make a choice. Those who lost even more were the swordsmen of Wudang, who, regardless of their will, had to bear the stigma of being cowards."
"...."
"Would Heo Dojin understand that meaning?"
Tang Gunak closed his mouth. He understood what Chung Myung was trying to say.
Wudang might not act as rationally as they thought. The collective pride and honor of Wudang's warriors, wounded by past events, could drive them to make an emotional decision rather than a strategic one. They might choose to fight rather than retreat to restore their honor.
This new realization cast a dark shadow over their previous relief.
Chung Myung's words trailed off as he gazed towards the east, towards Wuhan, where Heo Dojin and Wudang were.
* * *
"W-what did you just say?" Heo Sanja stared blankly at those standing before him. His face was a mixture of undisguised bewilderment, anger, and fear.
"I said that everyone here would remain."
"You, you... Y-you bastards!" Heo Sanja's hands trembled. More than two hundred swordsmen, all emanating a chilling aura, stood lined up before him. They had gathered at the word that those willing to die for the honor of Wudang should step forward. There was no way that he and Heo Dojin's intention—that a few lives were needed for appearances—could have been miscommunication. This meant that everyone gathered here had defied the Sect Leader's order to flee from the enemy.
"Heo Gong, you bastard! What are you thinking?"
"I don't understand what you mean, Sect Leader."
"W-what?"
"Didn't you say that those willing to die for the honor of Wudang should step forward?"
"Heo Gong!"
"With all due respect, Sect Leader," Heo Gong's eyes, holding the Sword of the Song Gate, gleamed with a cold light. "There is no one on this Mount Wudang who would not die for Wudang. No one here fears the coming enemy enough to flee, and more importantly,
Heo Gong's teeth sank into his lower lip.
"No one would twice subject themselves to the humiliation of bowing their head to the enemy to survive. Sect Leader, do not insult your disciples."
Despair was evident on Heo Sanja's face.
"Heo Gong...."
"Whether the enemy is Jang Ilso, the Myriad Man Manor, or the Evil Tyrant Alliance, whether they number a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand, I will fight. Until my life ends, I will prove that the closing of the gates was not in vain and that Wudang is never cowardly."
Swish!
As soon as he finished speaking, Wudang's disciples lined up and simultaneously raised their swords to their chests. The meaning of this sword salute was clear.
"Aah...." Heo Sanja groaned involuntarily. His face turned pale.
'Sect Leader. No, Sahyung....'
Things had gone terribly, hopelessly wrong.