It’s Time To Wake Up From The Dream. (5)

Should one call it reckless? Or should one call it foolish?

No matter how you look at it, Baek Cheon’s actions now fall into neither category. Yet no one watching his back could bring themselves to say that to him.

Anyone who takes up a sword must contemplate their end.

As Chung Myung had habitually said, one who wields a sword must remember that one day they too may be cut down by that sword.

So when facing an unbeatable foe and an inevitable death, what should a warrior do?

Baek Cheon was now showing everyone the answer.

Hyun Jong turned his head and looked back. A small sigh escaped him.

“Ah…”

And it wasn’t only the Five Swords. The disciples of Mount Hua filling the rear, the Tang Family’s elders, and Namgung and other warriors soon looked at Hyun Jong with composed faces.

“Why that expression, Alliance Leader?”

Elder Han Yi-Myung of the Ice Palace smiled gently.

“Surely you don’t think we were dragged here merely by your order without the resolve to give our lives?”

“Elder Han…”

Han Yi-Myung shook his head.

“That expression is an insult to us. No one was dragged here. And no one came unaware that their life might be at risk. Knowing all that, we came of our own accord.”

Many nodded at Han Yi-Myung’s words.

The reality they faced was harsh. But no one blamed Hyun Jong. He had only done his best; it was they themselves who chose to cross the river.

“But…”

“Of course no one would be pleased to die here. However…”

Namgung Myung spoke with a resolute face.

“It’s a hundred times better than standing by and watching our allies die across that river.”

“As expected of our elder.”

“Of course. Namgung would die first rather than do such a thing!”

The Namgung Family, who had painfully learned what it’s like to be shunned on Plum Blossom Island, looked oddly relieved.

Hyun Jong bit his lip.

He knew. Most of these words were meant to ease his burden. Outward calm would mask an inner fear he couldn’t help but feel.

“Alliance Leader.”

At that moment Tang Gunak spoke in a cold voice.

“It won’t be easy, but we must try. Even if Jang Ilso is there, the Four Sects Alliance is not like us. Those who bicker among themselves cannot coordinate perfectly in battle.”

“…”

“So we just need to create an opening. The Tang Family will take the lead. And it seems the Pirates are almost here too; we can seize that boat.”

The Pirates landing meant more enemies to defeat on this land. It was by no means good news for the Heavenly Friends Alliance.

But Hyun Jong nodded instead of pointing that out.

“Yes, Family Lord. We’ll try.”

Hyun Jong gripped his sword tightly.

There was no room for surrender. All that remained was to fight with everything. Even if resistance was futile, they would fight until the last person.

Hyun Jong unconsciously looked over at the elders of Mount Hua.

Whether his intent had been conveyed or they already thought the same, their eyes shone with the same light as Hyun Jong’s.

At that moment Geum Yang-Baek pushed past protesting disciples and walked forward.

“If someone must take the lead… it should be me.”

“Sect leader!”

“Sect leader, you shouldn’t—!”

Though his knees seemed about to buckle, he stood firm.

“…You won’t say no, will you?”

A smile spread across Geum Yang-Baek’s pale face.

Hyun Jong, of course, could not refuse. Who would dare utter ‘no’ before Geum Yang-Baek now? No one human could.

“Sect leader Geum…”

Geum Yang-Baek’s smile deepened.

“It seems I’ve finally found a place to die.”

“…”

“I’ve lived long enough. Now I have only one wish left.”

No words were needed to know what that wish was. It was also Hyun Jong’s wish.

‘Ancestors…’

He began to understand why Mount Hua’s ancestors braved death on that distant peak. With what spirit they fought.

What they wished for was that those left in distant lands would survive. Nothing more.

“Baek Cheon, fall back.”

“…Yes?”

Baek Cheon turned back in disbelief, but Hyun Jong shook his head decisively.

For a moment Baek Cheon had indeed led them all. And there was no denying he had already surpassed him.

This was simply an old man’s final stubbornness at the end of a long life, an indulgent desire.

“Disciples, fall back. Elders, step forward.”

“Yes! Former Sect leader!”

Hyun Sang and Un disciples sent the young disciples back and stepped forward. Even Hyun Young advanced silently and resolutely.

“E-elders…”

And at the same time Geum Yang-Baek raised his voice.

“Elders of the Southern Island Sect, take the lead!”

“Namgung as well!”

“Youngsters, fall back! This is no place for you!”

Those who bore the title of elder, and those who considered themselves elders though they lacked the rank, all pushed the young disciples aside and stepped forward.

“Elders, this is…!”

“Shut up and fall back!”

At that sharp rebuke, those who would have objected retreated with pale faces. No dissent would be heard. Those left behind bit their lips.

Hyun Jong looked around at everyone and spoke.

“I am not saying do not fight.”

“…”

“Only that the manner of fighting differs. Opening the way is our fight. Your fight is to survive somehow and cross that river.”

“Alliance Leader…”

Who would dare utter that they would not?

If everyone here dies, it is over. But if someone survives, the will of the people continues. Then these deaths will finally hold meaning.

How, then, could this be called a trivial fight?

“As of the Tang Family Lord…”

Hyun Jong was about to ask someone to guard the rear, but Tang Gunak stood steadfastly at his side without a word.

“Now you’re going to slight me for my age?”

Hyun Jong ended up laughing. Who could dare say such a thing to Tang Gunak of the world?

“I am the lord of Tang Family.”

“Indeed… I was momentarily rude.”

“The pursuit force is approaching. There’s no time for long speeches.”

Hyun Jong nodded and exchanged glances with Geum Yang-Baek.

The end should be clean. If this is their last stand, at least show their disciples a dignified face.

Now they would simply fight with everything they had!

“Heavenly Friends Alliance, listen…!”

It was the moment Hyun Jong drew his sword and shouted with that resolve.

A loud voice cut in and interrupted.

“Al-Alliance Leader!”

“Hm?”

“There! There beyond the river! Ah, no! On the river! Look there, there!”

Hyun Jong whirled to look. His eyes widened at once.

“Uh… what?”

An unbelievable thing was happening. Something no one had ever imagined was unfolding.

“Shaolin! It’s Shaolin! Shaolin and the Nine Great Sects, Alliance Leader!”

Those who had been holding the riverbank beyond the river.

Those they knew existed but had tried not to acknowledge.

A group of monks in Shaolin’s yellow robes, the symbol of Shaolin, thrust off the water and sped across the river.

“S-Shaolin?”

At that moment a cry, almost like a sob, burst from Hae Yeon’s mouth.

“Abbottt!”

He could see them clearly. His sahyung-sajaes, whom he had known were beyond the river but couldn’t bring himself to call on, were risking their lives and barreling across.

Tears welled in his wide eyes.

It was truly Shaolin. His sahyung-sajaes were coming here now.

“…Ah, no, this…?

“It’s not only Shaolin! The Peng Family too! The Kongtong are leaping into the river! Reinforcements! The Nine Great Sects are coming to our aid! They’re crossing the river, Alliance Leader!”

Hyun Jong’s mouth fell open.

He couldn’t believe it. Shaolin, that Beop Jeong would risk his life to help the Heavenly Friends Alliance? Cross the river to fight on land occupied by the Four Sects Alliance?

Who could have imagined such a thing?

But no matter how many times he closed and opened his eyes, the scene did not change. They were unmistakably coming.

Right across this river!

SPLASH!

Beop Jeong struck the water repeatedly and let out a thunderous lion’s roar.

“First class disciples, check the Pirates! Elders, secure landing points for our allies on the riverbank!”

“Yes!”

SPLASH!

Each time his feet struck the water, his body shot forward.

Beneath him, warriors of Shaolin, the Kongtong Sect, and the Peng Family swam with all their might. Beop Jeong’s face, lifted to gaze across the river, twisted like a demon’s.

‘Did you underestimate me, Jang Ilso?’

Did he think Beop Jeong would retreat? That he would just watch with folded hands, as before?

If so, he was mistaken.

Beop Jeong was not afraid of battle. He feared defeat, precisely a defeat that meant losing everything. He would not calmly wait for such a loss.

He had avoided fighting only because better paths existed. Now that was gone; there was no reason to hesitate to fight and open the way.

‘Hyun Jong!’

Beop Jeong’s gaze passed the Four Sects Alliance and fixed on Hyun Jong.

Nothing had changed. If they could join forces with the Heavenly Friends Alliance, they could take on the Four Sects Alliance.

As long as the resolve to cross the river remained, the advantage was still theirs!

‘Shaolin does not burn!’

There are things that must be protected at all costs.

Beop Jeong would not hesitate even to burn himself alive to preserve the name Shaolin.

What was there to fear in hesitating to ford? What was crossing this river compared to that!

“Defeat the Evil Sect’s villains and save the Heavenly Friends Alliance!”

Beop Jeong’s booming voice echoed like thunder from the pavilion.

“Yes, Abbott!”

The Shaolin monks likewise answered with all their might.

The world’s foremost gate, the thousand-year Shaolin.

Those who had guarded the Central Plains for countless ages moved to where they belonged in this moment. Their majestic aura dyed the Yangtze river golden.

Meanwhile, a strange silence fell over the Heavenly Friends Alliance side.

Perhaps it was a moment for gratitude. Perhaps it was a sight to tremble with excitement.

Bitterly, Shaolin, the leader of the Nine Great Sects and long at odds with the Heavenly Friends Alliance, was now risking their lives to save them.

But the faces of those on the hill showed not so much emotion as bewilderment.

Jo Gul, staring dumbfounded at the unreal sight that was hard to believe even after seeing it, let his mouth slip open.

“Th-…”

After choosing his words several times, he could not help but mutter.

“…Has that bald head lost his mind?”

It was horribly rude, but no one pointed it out.