Return of the Mount Hua Sect Chapter 1253: And It Is To Live! (3)

The small fishing boat pitched violently amidst the surging waves.

“Whoa!”

“Be careful! If you fall overboard, the current will carry you off!”

“You worry too much. Do you think I’ve only been doing this for a year or two?”

“Exactly. And everyone who’s been swept away said the same thing right before it happened.”

“Talk about ominous...”

The man wrestling with the fishing net scowled, pulling in his empty catch. He clicked his tongue in clear disappointment.

“Today’s haul is really pathetic...”

“That’s how it always is the day after a typhoon. Stop complaining and get back to work.”

“We’re likely to get nothing today anyway. Why don’t we just pack it in and go for a drink?”

“Are you out of your mind? We barely survived the storm on rations. If I go home empty-handed today, my wife will have my hide!”

“There’s hardly anything left in the sea anyway.”

“What do you mean?”

Sun-kissed, deeply tanned men jostled each other, taking turns heaving the heavy nets from the water. Though thick rivulets of sweat coursed down their bodies, their faces displayed more elation than exertion. No matter how arduous the labor at sea, it paled in comparison to the torment of being stranded on land with nothing to do.

“We absolutely must haul something before the sun sets.”

“You can say that again!”

Just then, as they cast hopeful glances towards the uncaring ocean,

“Huh?”

One of the fishermen, straining with his net, voiced his surprise.

“Th-there, what is that?”

“What are you babbling about?”

“Over there... can’t you see the ships?”

“We’re surrounded by boats out here, what’s the big deal?”

“No, not those! Over there! Those ships! The ones arriving like a swarm!”

“Eh?”

The laborers straightened from their hunched positions, craning their necks to see. Indeed, dozens of colossal vessels were plainly visible, bearing down on the distant island.

“Th-that...”

“That? Them?”

Those who immediately discerned the identity of the occupants on those ships turned deathly pale and cried out.

“Turn the boat! Turn it around!”

“Quickly! Get out of the way! Don’t let them collide!”

“But the nets...”

“Forget the nets! Hurry!”

The fishing boats, abandoning their hauls, scattered in a frenzy. Moments later, massive warships sliced through the passages they had hastily cleared.

The fishermen watched the departing armada with quivering terror. Enormous banners fluttered from the ships; emblazoned on the crimson-embroidered flags was the single character, ‘Hegemony’.

“F-Four Sects Alliance...”

“Those scoundrels have shown up after all...”

It was not the first time they had encountered the Four Sects Alliance’s vessels. For three years, their ships had patrolled these waters, keeping vigilant watch over Southern Island. But those had been mere patrols; this was the inaugural appearance of such a formidable fleet sailing under the Four Sects Alliance’s colors to Southern Island.

Those who grasped the significance of this event gazed after the departing ships with eyes clouded by profound despair.

“...Please.”

An overwhelming scent of bloodshed already seemed to permeate the air.

“Report?”

“Yes, Commander! According to our lookouts on the island, no one has departed.”

Ho Ga-Myung gave a slight nod.

‘Are they wise, or simply naive.’

It was likely that no escape route existed. Yet, remaining idle would not alter their fate in the slightest. The average person, confronted with an insurmountable obstacle, tends to resign themselves and cease trying rather than attempt to forge a path forward.

“Any signs of movement yet?”

“None observed so far.”

A sneer played on Ho Ga-Myung’s lips.

“Useless folk. And that Southern Island sect leader is just as useless.”

From the perspective of the Southern Island faction, taking to their boats and fleeing the island was hardly a viable strategy. No matter where they steered, they could not evade the inescapable net Ho Ga-Myung had meticulously cast. It would only hasten a more agonizing demise.

However...

“If they had chosen to engage in naval combat, there might have been at least a slim chance.”

Ho Ga-Myung’s singular concern was that they might venture out to fight. Even the most formidable martial artists find their prowess diminished aboard ships, and the Ten Thousand People Clan’s fighters lacked proficiency in naval warfare, which would have tilted the odds in his favor. ‘If only we could have enlisted the Pirates, there would be absolutely no cause for concern…’

But that was not a realistic possibility. The Pirates were indispensable for confronting those Justice faction thugs. Furthermore, any decrease in the Pirate forces would be noticeable and represent a significant loss.

“It changes nothing.”

Even if they had engaged in naval combat, it would have amounted to little more than a minor inconvenience. While perfect preparation is desirable, agility sometimes trumps perfection. Ho Ga-Myung reasoned that swiftness held greater importance than flawlessness in this particular endeavor.

“How much further do we have to go?”

“They will reach their destination within the hour.”

“What is the distance from the shore to Oji Mountain?”

“At maximum speed, we can reach it in just under two hours.”

“A total of three hours combined... make it four hours to be absolutely safe.”

A sense of languidness washed over Ho Ga-Myung as his gaze drifted towards the sea. Nevertheless, his mind was swiftly analyzing the unfolding situation. This was the critical mission entrusted to him by Jang Ilso. Not the slightest hint of negligence could be tolerated.

“Judging by the Southern Island sect leader’s disposition, he will likely remain ensconced in his main hall, awaiting our arrival with the gates thrown wide open.”

“...Surely he wouldn’t be so complacent?”

‘Not complacent; he’d consider it natural. The Justice faction’s mindset can be absurdly bizarre at times, beyond our understanding.’

They believe dying heroically in direct combat is glorious. Especially as crises escalate, this tendency intensifies; such is the Central Plains Justice faction’s trait.

Only recently, outliers like Mount Hua made that stance seem strange; not long ago most Justice factions in the Central Plains behaved that way.

So from the Evil Sect’s perspective, it’s ludicrous.

The Evil Sect believes that if you’re outmatched, it’s natural to ensure victory by poison, traps, or even taking hostages; whatever produces results.

‘Commander.’

Ho Ga-Myung turned at the voice calling beside him.

‘Did Alliance Lord’s order say to wipe out that island?’

Ho Ga-Myung’s face twisted slightly at the question.

‘How many times must I say it for you to at least pretend to understand? The ones to be wiped out are only the Southern Island Sect people.’

‘Of course I know. I’m asking about the others heading to the island, not the Southern Island Sect.’

The voice was cold. Ho Ga-Myung sighed deeply.

‘That won’t happen, Blood Sword Captain.’

‘We’ll see about that.’

Ho Ga-Myung’s eyes narrowed in displeasure.

He could control the local leaders level without much trouble, but captain-level figures couldn’t be fully crushed by force or authority; especially when he operated alone without Jang Ilso.

It was because, compared to the clan’s internal authority, Ho Ga-Myung did not possess overwhelming military force.

His rank was high, but their force was greater. Thus a somewhat horizontal relationship was unavoidable.

Of course, so long as Ho Ga-Myung didn’t try to crush them, they wouldn’t dare move against him under Jang Ilso’s protection, but...

‘The long journey has tired the kids. If they return without seeing blood, they might riot on the mainland.’

‘Isn’t that more likely to be you than the Blood Sword Troops?’

‘I won’t deny it outright.’

A sigh escaped Ho Ga-Myung’s lips.

‘Keep them in check. Don’t anger Alliance.’

‘I’ll try.’

The Blood Sword Captain Gwi Yang finished speaking and turned away coolly, as if he didn’t want to stay near Ho Ga-Myung a moment longer.

Ho Ga-Myung frowned as he watched Gwi Yang’s back.

‘All of them...’

No matter how much he tried, the moment they were even slightly away from Jang Ilso, they revealed their brutal natures.

Madmen even the Evil Sect couldn’t tolerate; public enemies. That these men were the Ten Thousand People Clan’s greatest force was both the clan’s greatest strength and its greatest weakness.

Their power had made the Ten Thousand People Clan Guangdong’s hegemon under Jang Ilso, but their uncontrollable savagery made it impossible to unify the clan’s strength.

Only Jang Ilso could hold them on a leash. Even Ho Ga-Myung’s fame as the clan’s number two held no sway over them. He could only cajole and coax them into action.

‘Hah.’

It annoyed Ho Ga-Myung, but that was all. His gaze turned toward the Southern Island.

‘But for them it will be a literal calamity.’

He could already picture the Southern Island soaked in blood.

‘Maintain maximum speed.’

‘Yes!’

The fleet under Ho Ga-Myung’s command surged forward at full speed toward the Southern Island.

‘Hurry!’

‘Yes, sahyung!’

Southern Island’s disciples ran until their feet sweated, drilling holes into the bottoms of boats anchored at the shore. Gwak Hwan-So watched them anxiously.

‘Will they finish in time?’

He tore his eyes from the boat and answered Chung Myung’s question.

‘They’re working on it now.’

‘Wouldn’t it be better to just smash the boats instead of wasting time?’

‘The enemies aren’t fools. If they arrive and find every boat smashed, they’ll suspect a trap.’

‘Hmm.’

‘Trust us. We’re people who make a living with boats. We can keep them afloat until the enemy arrives, then make them sink when they try to board.’

Chung Myung glanced at Im So-Byeong, who shrugged and said,

‘So we planned to break them into pieces to look like typhoon wreckage, though it would be a bit unnatural. This way is better.’

‘Do you think the Evil Sect fools have the wit to notice that?’

‘...What, do you consider the Evil Sect like dogs and pigs?’

‘Why insult dogs and pigs? What did they do to deserve that?’

‘...Did you have a grudge with the Evil Sect in a past life?’

‘You’re talking nonsense. You don’t need a past-life grudge to curse the Evil Sect. Objectively speaking, they’re less than vermin.’

Im So-Byeong silently drooped his shoulders. At that moment Namgung Do-Wei approached with a puzzled expression.

‘But wouldn’t it be better to destroy all the island’s boats? Why only the ones on this shore...’

Before he could catch his breath, Im So-Byeong, seizing on a convenient patsy, stared at Namgung Do-Wei with exaggerated surprise.

‘Wow, for real. An idea even the Evil Sect wouldn’t have.’

‘...Yes?’

“If all of their vessels are annihilated, wouldn’t the ruffians from the Ten Thousand People Clan be stranded?”

“W-well... that’s right, isn't it?”

“To strand those berserk Evil Sect fiends on the Southern Island? What kind of atrocious acts will unfold while they’re stuck repairing their ships?”

“Uh...”

...Likely a scene straight from hell. Their rage would undoubtedly be unleashed upon the innocent residents of Southern Island.

Namgung Do-Wei suddenly grasped the grim implication of his hasty suggestion and attempted to retract his words, but Im So-Byeong, seizing the opportune moment, didn't allow him the chance.

“Ahh, as one would expect from the Namgung Family, having endured centuries amidst bloodshed and strife. Truly! To achieve such renown, one must view human lives as readily disposable, like mere ants...”

“Sh-shut your mouth! That’s not what I intended to convey!”

“It’s perfectly fine, genuinely. It’s a plausible scenario. From the Evil Sect’s perspective, it’s a remarkably cunning strategy. If that is indeed your inclination, why not seize this chance to pledge your allegiance to the more fitting side...”

“What utter garbage are you spewing! Cease your babbling!”

Tang Pae observed Namgung Do-Wei locked in a verbal spar with Im So-Byeong and couldn't help but shake his head.

That fellow’s tongue has certainly grown sharper over time.

Yet, an oddity presented itself: despite their evident animosity, in moments such as these, they exhibited a peculiar, almost synchronous, cooperation.

It was precisely then.

“Um... Sword Saint of Mount Hua.”

“Yes?”

Gwak Hwan-So, who was currently overseeing the efforts of the disciples, addressed Chung Myung with a hint of hesitation.

“Might I perhaps pose a question?”