Return of the Mount Hua Sect - Chapter 1385

“Reporting! The carriage carrying Hegemony Lord Jang Ilso of the Four Sects Alliance is currently approaching Nanjing; at this rate, it is expected to reach the vicinity of Nanjing within six hours!”

“Reporting! Black Ghost Fort forces have passed the Changzhou direction and are moving rapidly toward Nanjing!”

“Estimated arrival time?”

“They are taking intermittent rests and adjusting speed, so it’s hard to predict exact arrival, but judging by the situation, it’s likely between six to ten hours.”

“Reporting! Evil Sect members near Mount Huang are gathering toward Nanjing! We are estimating their numbers now, but they’re coming from all directions, so it’s hard to be precise. It looks to be at least five thousand!”

The more reports poured in from all sides, the more the face of Beggars’ Union Elder The Kind Crow, Neung Sam, stiffened until it could no longer remain anything but rigid.

Each piece of news that came in was terrifying enough to make his heart clench. But the report that truly made him startle came after that.

“E-Elder!”

Bang!

The inner room’s door burst open violently, and a beggar with a pale face dashed in.

“It’s an E-emergency! Emergency!”

“What is it?”

“A report from the Southern Lands! Th-they’ve detected a large convoy of wagons north of Mount Huang!”

“Wagons?”

“Yes! Not confirmed exactly, but judging from the type of cargo, it’s highly likely they are carrying grain supplies!”

“Grain...”

Cold sweat trickled down Neung Sam’s back in an instant.

What would it mean, at this time, to say grain is being transported? What other reason would there be for large quantities of grain to move toward the Yangtze river?

‘Military provisions!’

Unless Jang Ilso had suddenly taken pity and decided to distribute grain to the Yangtze river refugees, the intent is painfully clear.

“Is it, i-is it true?”

Neung Sam’s fingertips trembled uncontrollably. Replenishing military provisions meant that Jang Ilso did not intend to treat this situation as a mere one-off skirmish.

While he briefly lost his words, the other beggars began to babble loudly.

“What reason is there to mobilize provisions? It’s bluster! What use would the Four Sects Alliance’s elites have for grain?”

“Stupid talk! The Four Sects Alliance scoundrels could do without food for days, but aren’t they now pulling in even the minor Evil Sects? If they plan to lead them north, provisions will absolutely be necessary!”

“I don’t think so!”

The members of the Beggars Union, clutching the flood of reports in both hands, raised their voices as if arguing.

Of course, this was what the analysts were supposed to do: to analyze the incessant stream of incoming reports in real time and find the correct response.

But Neung Sam noticed that beneath the heated voices there was fear that they couldn’t fully hide.

“Now, calm down! Bringing provisions doesn’t necessarily mean a river crossing. It could mean planning a long-term standoff centered on the Yangtze river!”

“Nonsense. Why would the Four Sects Alliance, having already secured the front at river basin, choose such an option?”

“Enough!”

In the end, the Kind Crow, Neung Sam, cut off the heated debate.

“First, send word to our main base, and immediately contact the Nine Sects forces currently moving toward Nanjing!”

“Yes!”

“Do not rush to judge what cannot be judged. The top priority is to transmit the information as it is! Analysis comes afterward!”

“Yes!”

At those words, several people hurriedly ran out.

“Elder, Heavenly Friends Alliance! What about the Heavenly Friends Alliance side?”

“...Send it to them as well.”

“Yes!”

As Neung Sam was about to finish his orders, he grabbed the one who was about to run off and shouted again.

“Ah, and check if there is any way to contact the Southern Island, which is moving north, and confirm with the Black Robbed Troops that has entered the Southern land!”

“Elder, that...”

“Confirm it!”

“Yes, understood!”

Watching the beggar run out, the Kind Crow frowned.

‘Was it really this sloppy?’

The Information room was the pride of the Beggars’ Union. They gathered and analyzed all information across the land. There was even a saying that while neighbors might not know what the next-door person ate that morning, the Beggars’ Union did.

The Kind Crow, Neung Sam, had always taken pride in the Information Room’s function. But the naked reality of the office he saw today was far different from what he had believed.

The system of the Information Room, which usually ran with pinpoint accuracy, began to creak and fall out of rhythm from here and there as the situation grew so urgent.

‘The murim world... the murim world has been far too peaceful.’

He had thought they were sufficiently prepared. He believed they could respond to any situation. But seeing this scene, anyone could tell how absurdly arrogant that belief had been.

No matter how sharp a famed blade, if it remains sheathed for decades it will dull and lose its edge. He painfully realized that truth today.

“Is there still no news from the main base?”

“Ah, not yet...”

Neung Sam bit his lip.

‘If at least the Union leader had been of sound mind...’

A young leader capable of responding swiftly to any crisis should have been leading the Beggars’ Union.

Had he foreseen this, he would have passed the Union Leader’s position on before the current Union Leader became so frail.

But now the regret came far too late. Transferring the Union Leader’s seat in this situation would only cause greater chaos.

‘Mount Hua.’

The Kind Crow clenched and unclenched his fist.

When he heard that Hyun Jong, the Mount Hua sect leader, had stepped down and placed his disciple in the sect leader’s seat, the Kind Crow thought it a grave mistake.

When he even heard that the young Mount Hua sword prodigy Baek Cheon had been seated as Acting Sect Leader, he thought Hyun Jong had lost his wits.

He was not alone; most people thought so.

It was natural. There might be countless people who disparaged Hyun Jong, but who would deny that he had resurrected the fallen Mount Hua as its sect leader?

Of course, it’s possible Hyun Jong didn’t accomplish all of it alone; perhaps he merely observed.

But for that very reason he shouldn’t have stepped down. There’s no need to change a system that’s running well. When things go smoothly, maintaining the status quo to keep the flow is more important.

But now he understood. Only after experiencing this situation did he get why Hyun Jong stepped down, why he handed the post to a younger man.

“The other sects! Has there been a reply to the Nine Sect’s request for support?”

“No reply yet!”

“Still?”

“Yes. Branch Leaders are currently consulting with the sects in their regions and waiting on their positions, but no answers have returned yet!”

“Why on earth!”

Unable to bear it, the Kind Crow burst out angrily.

“The news has been sent a long time ago — why is there still no reply! Do they think this is a fire across the river to watch idly, damn it!”

As he became furious, the beggar who had answered hastily said in a rush.

“I-I’ll send another communication!”

“You damn fools!”

Neung Sam struck the floor with the bamboo staff he held.

“What on earth is everyone thinking, what on earth!”

His shout echoed miserably outside the hall.

Qingcheng Mountain.

“They say the Four Sects Alliance are nearly at Nanjing now.”

“Hmm.”

The expression of Byeok Hyun-Ja, the Sect Leader of the Qingcheng Sect, grew grave upon receiving the elder’s report.

“Sect leader. Beggars have camped before the gate. Isn’t it time to give them an answer?”

Byeok Hyun-Ja nodded leisurely.

“We will. Tell them Qingcheng sect, once ready, will answer Shaolin’s call and march to the Yangtze river.”

“Yes, I will. Should I prepare the disciples then?”

“Yes. Have them prepared. There are watching eyes about.”

Qingcheng elder Byeok Sang’s expression shifted at those words.

“Do you not intend to march out right now?”

“Of course we must. Of course we’ll go. Qingcheng sect is one of the Nine Great Sects and leads the righteous path of the murim world — how could we not go?”

“...But if you do?”

“But there’s no need to rush, is there?”

Byeok Sang said with a stern face.

“Sect leader. But the enemy’s movements are unusual.”

“I know. It likely won’t end without bloodshed. That Hegemony Lord won’t return empty-handed.”

“But how could they...”

As Byeok Sang trailed off with a worried look, a peculiar smile curled at the corner of Byeok Hyun-Ja’s mouth.

“You are misunderstanding me. I never said we would not march. I only said we would go after thorough preparation.”

“....”

“Charging in half-heartedly will likely be of little help, so let’s be fully prepared.”

“...Yes, Sect leader.”

Byeok Sang bowed his head silently for now. He still did not look convinced, though.

Seeing him, Byeok Hyun-Ja smiled oddly.

“I’m simply curious.”

“...Yes?”

“In the long history of the martial world, Qingcheng Sect has endured many enemy attacks. At times demonic forces have run rampant, at times Evil Sects have proliferated, and at times we’ve fought lawless men from beyond the sea.”

“Isn’t that our pride at Qingcheng sect?”

“But... well. Seeing the situation like this, a thought suddenly occurred to me.”

“What kind...”

“Tell me: isn’t Nanjing closer than one might think?”

Byeok Sang fell silent.

“Henan is the same. If they chose, they could up and leave to rush support anytime. If warriors ran at full strength, it would take only a few days, wouldn’t it?”

“That may be so, but...”

“Yet... looking back, our ancestors always fought without proper support from Henan, relying only on their own strength.”

Byeok Sang’s face hardened, understanding where Byeok Hyun-Ja was going with his words.

“So I’m curious. When we bled, were those calling for help truly so distant that they couldn’t arrive in time?”

“Sect leader...”

“Isn’t it laughable?”

Byeok Hyun-Ja gazed out the window.

“Seated in the safest places in the realm, watching the distant flames, they must always have felt this way.”

Though he called it laughable, his gaze was solemn.

“So let’s wait a bit. I must see with my own eyes what kind of hearts watched Qingcheng Sect’s Mountain burn. Do not worry. Do you think I want Shaolin to fall? I will go, not too late. Not too late...”

But never, in a hurry.

Byeok Sang, who knew the meaning hidden behind the veiled words, bowed his head without comment.

“What do you think? Do you think I’m being emotional right now?”

After a moment, Byeok Sang slowly lifted his head at Byeok Hyun-Ja’s question. Meeting his gaze, he replied calmly.

“Harboring emotions over past events would not be proper.”

Byeok Hyun-Ja’s brow twitched slightly. A faint smile blossomed at the corner of Byeok Sang’s mouth.

“But patience is a warrior’s virtue. If enduring some bitterness yields greater gain, ought we not to encourage it?”

“Ha... hahahahaha!”

Byeok Hyun-Ja, staring blankly at Byeok Sang as if incredulous, burst out laughing.

Those words were exactly the answer he had been waiting for.

“Tell the disciples to prepare. They must know that.”

“Yes, Sect leader.”

Watching Byeok Sang leave, Byeok Hyun-Ja gave a wry smile.

“...Beop Jeong. Really, why did you pretend to be so grand?”

Byeok Hyun-Ja wondered what expression Beop Jeong would be wearing at this moment.

But more than that, he was curious about the look Beop Jeong, now weakened by the war with the Four Sects Alliance, would have when facing him.

Would he still be able to wear that same arrogant expression as before?

“...Don’t die, Abbott. I want to see you just as you are again. Haha.”

The laugh he let out spread slowly and chillingly throughout the main hall.