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The rest of the disciples that went to Sichuan had returned.
Since Chung Myung entered Mount Hua, Hyun Jong was graced with plentiful opportunities to eat pills he had not even dared to dream before. But Great Sect Leader always felt that these pills were Chung Myung compensating his lifeforce used to worries each time he went out.
Before, it was one-sidedly agreeing to go to Evil Tyrant Alliance’s basecamp after Jang Ilso’s proposal. Now, it was running to Sichuan, to beat these filthy believers back to their cave, as Chung Myung put it.
While benefits did come after these incidents, can’t this child just stay put for once! At least give him some rest!
Chung Myung: Hehe.
Hyun Jong wasn’t the only one, other elders fretted over Chung Myung, who had returned the bandage again. Maybe the mummified ancestor from the distant past would’ve even accepted him as friends by now.
Tang Gunak looked like he could go for a kill. Seol Sobaek had already shedded his tears. Meng So was being held by other disciples. Guo Hansuo followed Meng So’s footsteps.
Jang Ilso, however, had a different opinion.
Since Chung Myung had ordered him to stay in Shanxi, Jang Ilso didn’t have much to do these days except for indulging himself in new delicacies. Others might have thought Jang Ilso was lingering in Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s base to assert his presence; after all, he had managed to shake the world under heaven. But the truth was completely different, and only few knew.
Such as, Chung Myung had used Jang Ilso as a shield to Ten Great Sect, so the Ten Great Sect wouldn’t be able to reach their hand out to Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
After all, despite the fall out between Ten Great Sect and Heavenly Comrade Alliance, they were still considered alliances from the justice faction. When push came to shove, Ten Great Sect would pretend it nevers happened, or find some excuses to justify their action, and shamelessly reach out for help.
But it would be different if Jang Ilso was around. If Ten Great Sect still dared to reach out to Heavenly Comrade Alliance now, Ten Great Sect could no longer assert the justice they keep spouting off.
The fear of Demonic Cult’s invasion struck the heart of everyone in Central Plain, but the reality had yet truly settled into their bones.
Despite knowing he was being used, Jang Ilso still played along with Chung Myung’s plan.
Jang Ilso said to Ho Gamyung, after all, that child don’t have much people he can dependent on, selling a favor right now will benefit the future.
However, after standing beside Chung Myung, he had finally realized that Chung Myung did not truly wish to depend on anyone, despite mouthing that there were a lot of people beside him.
Chung Myung was by no means weak. His wound, though looked aggravated, wasn’t that bad; at the last, compared to his state back in Yangtze River when Ho Gamyung made the chase.
But the situation back then was different. Back then, he was merely a third-grade disciple, while right now, he is the Chief Commander.
Although Jang Ilso was also the man who would fight along with his followers, he would, by no means, injure himself on every expedition.
Jang Ilso’s smile remained on his lips as he watched the liveliness of Heavenly Alliance Comrade welcoming each other. But not everyone had such a light mood.
Im Sobyeong’s glared was noticeable, filled with killing intents; and Jang Ilso simply chuckled and looked back.
Neither of them spoke first. One looked with gloating hate, the other looked with joy and smugness.
Jang Ilso was the one who broke the silence between them. “I have always thought Green Forest King’s loss was mostly attributed to the fact the bandits couldn’t be controlled and he was in a weakened state, but…” Jang Ilso paused, “I overestimated him. Regardless of whether he is in his prime or not, he is still a rat who can’t carry his task properly.”
Im Sobyeong opened his fans, covering half of his face, sneering, “At the least the rat still accompanied the hunt and have more rooms to maneuver to help; unlike a certain snake who ended up getting cage, unable to do anything but wait.”
“Oh?” Jang Ilso laughed, “The snake is put to good use, scaring off others predictors; but what use is bringing a rat to hunt? He couldn’t even be considered as bait.”
Beside them, Jo Gol whispered to Yun Jong, “What are they talking about?”
Yun Jong looked at Im Sohyeong, then shifted his gaze to Jang Ilso, and finally back to Jo Gol. “It is best that you don’t know.”
How should they explain the relationship between Jang Ilso and Im Sobyeong? Yun Jong was not Jo Gol, he wasn’t stupid enough to miss certain signs, but it would be better for Jo Gol to not know too much. Sometimes, knowing too much does not bode well.
The returning subordinate from Evil Tyrant Alliance gathered beside Jang Ilso, greeting their leader, successfully stopping any fight from breaking out between Jang Ilso and Im Sobyeong.
“Ryeonju, we have returned.”
Jang Ilso hummed in acknowledgement, sweeping a glance over the number that returned.
Other sects were also reporting to their Sect Leader, spilling the sight they have seen, the fight they have gone through.
Seeing that everyone needed time of their own, Um Am, the current Sect Leader of Mount Hua, stepped in. “The wounded need to be treated immediately and other disciples will also need to catch up with their sect. Let’s take care of the immediate problem, and hold a joint meeting later after dinner.”
***
Jang Ilso was staying in a temporary residence, listening to the report of his subordinate. Evil Tyrant Alliance and Heavenly Comrade Alliance was not an alliance, they only had a truce and verbal agreement to help each other, keeping fire from reaching their house.
So Evil Tyrant Alliance, by no means, bowed before Chung Myung. Sending Evil Tyrant Alliance’s subordinate was a double sword; Chung Myung could use them as a meatshield, but Jang Ilso could also gather information.
“Plum Blossom Sword Saint…” Jang Ilso mouthed the name.
He had heard of that name, the legendary swordsman who severed the head of Heavenly Demon and died in the war. A pathetic fool who did not get to enjoy the glory he should deserve, leading the downfall of Mount Hua sect.
Evil Tyrant Alliance was based in Guangzhou, specifically, surrounded by Hundred Thousand Mountain Range. It was precisely there that the war between Central Plain and Demon Cult took place.
However, for an enemy to call Chung Myung with that name…
Chung Myung might have thought no one would’ve heard as he was so far away; or perhaps he did, and saw no need to hide it.
If it was the latter…
Jang Ilso tapped his armrest. His thin pale finger was unhurried as he sorted the speculation in his mind. “Has Ho Gamyung’s report arrived?”
One of his subordinates hurriedly brought a stack of paper. It had been transported by eagles Evil Tyrant Alliance had domesticated.
Jang Ilso’s gaze fell upon the written information.
***
All allies of Heavenly Comrade Alliance gathered, including Jang Ilso and the current sect leader of Beggar Sect, Hong Dae Kwang.
Although Beggar Sect had yet to leave Ten Great Sect, anyone knew that Hong Dae Kwang had been with Mount Hua since before Mount Hua’s reputation soared to heaven. His presence in the meeting was expected, and received without much fuss.
Hong Dae Kwang pushed small marks at the top border of Central Plain, from South to North, in the map laid on the long table.
“Although Demonic Cult withdrew from Sichuan, their troops continually attacked from all over the border, it’s giving a lot of people a headache.”
The line was even longer than the Yangtze river. One even wonders how did the Demonic Cult hide all their force all this time.
Rationally, it was an impossible feat, but the name of “Demonic Cult” prevails over the notion of rationality.
Added with the fact their martial art was cultivated differently; building soldiers did not require years for them.
Guo Hansuo frowned. “This doesn’t make any sense. It’s as if they are releasing beasts from their cage, with no indication of orders on where and who to fight.”
Tang Pae agreed with his statement. “It is as if they are simply telling the Central Plan that they are here. The bishop we fought in Sichuan turned out to be fake, not one with official rank, yet the believers still follow him; all while chanting Heavenly Demon is here. If he is here, then why do they not invade Central Plain? Judging from their behavior, they are not one who understands the word patience.”
“The bandits near the border have reported that most of them move in small groups. Though these believers are indeed strong, they are nothing in face of overwhelming answer, “Im Sobyeong added, “What I do not quite grasps is that they should’ve gather and attack from a single force, then continue to penetrate while securing escape road. Even if they no longer have any rationality in them, the bishop should at least have, they should have at least appeared; yet we have not heard any trace of them.”
Speculation poured from all sides. Chung Myung listened to each one of them until there was nothing left. There was actually not much. They lacked concrete clues to the reason behind Demonic Cult’s action.
Chung Myung’s eyes shifted toward Jang Ilso, Jang Ilso had never once taken his eyes of Chung Myung since he seated.
"Since we are in this boat together, you should at least have the decency to share the information you obtained." Chung Myung said, rather annoyed.
Previously, Jang Ilso had dispatched Ho Gamyung to Inner Mongolia, invading from south to west.
Jang Ilso chuckled, unhurried, as though seeing the whole issue as not much of a big deal. Such an attitude never fails to irritate those who watch, particularly those who have suffered under him. But no one hurried him, Chung Myung’s expression remained unchanged.
"The Heavenly Demon's awakening is not complete." Jang Ilso said. Shock was evident in the faces of people across the room. “Ho Gamyung caught those who were newly converted to Demonic Cult, tortured them out for what they knew. They speak of ‘Heavenly Demon in a weakened state’ and ‘require sacrifice of blood to truly awaken him’."
Hyun Jong frowned at the mention of torture, but did not speak out.
"So they are trying to disperse our force and keep us occupied, as they set the target for the next massare?" Namgung Dowi interjected. Chengdu had become the land of death, where even animals would not dare to go in. It did look like a sacrifice to the divine who had gone astray.
"That is a plausible reason," Baek Cheon said, "I heard from a previous report that they convert normal humans into their believer by forcibly injecting Qi, stimulating lifeforce from within to form a dantian. But dantian created out of this method is fragile and against nature itself; how can a normal person withstands it?”
Everyone sucked their breath. It was given what would happen to these people: Most will die in a couple months or years if they are lucky, but death was never a concern for the Demonic Cult.
“Now that I have told my part, isn’t it given that Chivalrous Sword should share his finding too?” Jang Ilso was the first to dispel the mood.
Chung Myung was staring at Jang Ilso.
“In my fight with that fake bishop,” he said, “He asked to go where Heavenly Demon is.”
The words about Heavenly Demons knows he is coming had been bugging Chung Myung mind; including the dreams he recently had.
Could it be that Heavenly Demon retained memories of the past like him? It isn’t impossible. He is the living proof of it.
Tang Gunak frowned. “Why did he speak as if we knew where Heavenly Demon is?”
If they knew, would they be sitting here and discussing Demonic Cult’s action? They would have charged the enemy based by now, or at least, preparing for it.
Im Sobyeong gaze swept over Chung Myung, saying nothing. Chung Myung rubbed his finger on each other.
"It is likely in Xizang."
Xizang was located before Qinghai and Sichuan. Sichuan was attacked, and Demonic Cult movement came from south to north. It was a possible answer.
"Xizang has been a land known for Buddhism, yet it has been overlooked and not even a single martial sect was prominent there."
Potala Palace, as many Outer Palace, was in Xizang; but Chung Myung vividly remembered they had met Panchen Lama on their journey back from North Sea Ice Palace. Though they have claimed to go on a trip in search of and to welcome Dalai Lama, Potala Palace has been one that follows the will of the Greater One.
It wasn’t much of a stretch if Dalai Lama had received ‘enlightenment’ and believed he needed to go on a spiritual journey, bringing most of the followers with him; or they could be in a similar condition as North Sea Ice Palace, an internal division happened, causing one of the factions to reach out to Demonic Sect.
Of course, the actual reason was because he knew the answer from his previous life. A year before Demonic Cult invaded Central Plain, the previous Dalai Lama had announced that they would spread the teachings of Buddhism, and therefore travel to the north.
Xizang back then had yet to develop. There were few villages but they lived remotely. If Potala Palace decided to leave some of their force, it was not difficult to evacuate the commoners.
Thinking back, Chung Myung suspected the Dalai Lama more or less knew about the coming catastrophe.
Yet, there was no news about Dalai Lama deciding to go on a journey this time.
However, he couldn’t simply say that, so he had to come up with reasons.
Chung Myung looked at Baek Cheon, “Deputy Sect Leader should remember our journey back from Ice Palace, where we met Panchen Lama. Panchen Lama can be considered as Sect Leader, yet he freely leaves Potala Palace, unriddled by position, unlike sects in Central Plain.”
“Potala Palace and the sects in Central Plain have different structures. I am not saying that they might have allied with Demonic Cult; but the possibility of them having inner division, with few that had gone astray to reach out to Demonic Cult could not be crossed out. Power struggles will continue to exist even for those who practice Buddhism.”
Isn’t Shaolin one of the prime examples of it?
Meng So nodded, “Indeed, I have sent a letter to Potala Palace but I have yet to hear anything back from them. The situation happened so quickly, so I didn’t take notice of the abnormality.”
“Since Beast Palace and Ice Palace are closer to Outer Palace, we’ll see if there’s anything we can do, but we are unable to guarantee a reply.”
Tang Gunak chimed in. "Sect Leader Hong, does Beggar Sect have any beggar network installed in Xizang?"
To this, Hong Dae Kwang replied, "Due to the internal transformation in Beggar Sect, our reach had yet to cover beyond Central Plain, however we will be able to dispatch beggars to infiltrate Xizang."
Since Mount Hua had helped sort out the internal problem within Beggar Sect, and he was nominated as Sect Leader, Beggar Sect had taken this opportunity to collaborate repeatedly with Heavenly Comrade Alliance, including learning martial art footwork from Ghost Clan.
Unlike other prominent sects, Beggar Sect’s martial art focused solely on survival and taking advantage of what could be used within their ability. Even drunken martial arts too, was developed because the beggars have to keep themselves warm during winter with only alcohol.
So learning new martial arts was not a taboo for them, neither is incorporating existing martial arts. Of course, some of their arts must remain the same, but it was not as strict as other sects.
Especially, when the footwork from Ghost clan considerably increased the survival rates of beggars, despite being unable to fully utilize it yet. It was a win-win situation.
Hyun Pung Shin Gae, Great Sect Leader’s teacher and Pungyeong Shin Gae, Great Sect Leader, had always been afraid that the beggars would become pawns for those in power. But who would’ve thought reviving the way of beggars as before, turned out to increase the likelihood of their survival? These two old timers likely didn’t expect it coming.
"Then it's settled," Chung Myung said, "We'll send the beggars and some of our people to infiltrate Xizang and gather information. Once it is confirmed, we'll make our next move."
Though Chung Myung did not mention it, the people in the room keenly understood the word "some of our people" including himself.
Tang Gunak wouldn’t let this slide. “Since the Chief has personally led the expedition to Sichuan, and not Tang family, I would like to offer myself to take charge this time.”
Chung Myung flinched.
Sichuan used to be dominated by Tang family, yet the head of Tang family couldn’t do anything, it was a justified reason, considering how Chung Myung had forcibly bent his way that time.
Im Sobyeong nodded, “I volunteer to help the head of Tang. I believe that our Chief should recuperate for at least a few months, considering his ‘injury’.”
Baek Sang, behind Baek Cheon, added, “There is also a lot of paperwork the Chief has to review, it involves the expansion of the city and cannot be handed to anyone else.”
Chung Myung: Hold on?
Tang Gunak looked at Chung Myung, “Given how long you have been away from Shanxi, there are many things you have to do, no? After all, Chief Commander’s responsibility doesn’t only involve running out and picking a fight.”