It’s Time To Wake Up From The Dream. (6)

The ranks of the Four Sects Alliance fill the riverbank. Fleets occupy the vast Yangtze River. A golden tide pours toward that imposing place as if in a deluge.

Overwhelming. Will I see a sight like this again in my lifetime?

But this was no time to be stunned by the sight.

“Al-alliance leader!”

“Y-Yes!”

Hyun Jong, who had been dazed, jolted and lifted his sword again.

“W-we, the Alliance too—!”

“Wait! Ah! Wait!”

In that moment, Im So-Byeong leapt almost bodily and grabbed Hyun Jong’s arm, clinging on.

“G-Green Forest King?”

“Not yet, not yet! Wait just a bit longer! We must strike all at once when those monk bastards reach the riverbank!”

“Ah, that’s right! Understood.”

Hyun Jong swallowed dryly. His heart pounded as if mad.

That the day would come when they’d join forces with the Nine Great Sects to fight—such an obvious thing—could it really happen in reality?

‘We can do it!’

Hope filled Hyun Jong’s eyes, which had been full only of resolve.

Of course, the situation remained grim. Even joining forces with Shaolin, facing the Four Sects Alliance would never be easy.

But it would be incomparable to fighting with only the Heavenly Friends Alliance. Moreover…

“Has heaven itself aided us? They’ve become a perfect pincer at a timely moment!”

The Green Forest King’s words were precise.

The best way to break a concentrated enemy is a simultaneous attack from both sides. They had unintentionally seized a perfect pincer opportunity.

If they made good use of this chance, they might pierce that thick center and open a path to the Yangtze River!

Even without each side risking total annihilation, there was now a chance to secure a route of survival.

“Alliance leader! They’re wavering!”

Tang Gunak shouted in an unusually agitated voice.

Indeed, it was true. The Four Sects Alliance, which had defended the riverbank like an iron wall, was thrown into confusion as if they had detected the Nine Great Sects crossing the river. Their once-imposing banners whipped and flailed like a storm-tossed sea.

‘It is working!’

A clear path cleaving through the solid iron wall appeared. It was a road connecting them to the Northern lands and also linking them to the Nine Great Sects.

“Everyone prepare! It’s almost time!”

The golden tide had now reached the center of the river. Given their speed, they would reach the riverbank soon. They had to surge forward at that moment without fail.

Everyone’s hearts thudded.

‘Hegemony Lord!’

Hyun Jong’s gaze turned to Jang Ilso’s carriage at the center of the Four Sects Alliance ranks.

He was certain. No matter how much Jang Ilso schemed to shake the world, or what world-reversing feats he performed, it would be hard to oppose the sincere unity achieved in the name of righteousness!

Perhaps Jang Ilso did not know: even if intents differ, if the destination is shared, forces can join without issue!

It was then.

“They’re moving!”

The Four Sects Alliance ranks began to writhe like waves. The shockwave radiating from the ornate carriage soon swept across the entire Alliance.

From the hilltop, Hyun Jong could see it clearly.

The Alliance forces lined along the bank were splitting precisely in two.

“…W-wait?”

Centered on a single line that had formed in the middle, the army was dividing in two. As if… opening a path.

“The Pirates’ ships are moving too! Left, left and right! They’re splitting to both sides and moving!”

A path opens. A road leading between the Gu faction and the Heavenly Friends Alliance.

The route they absolutely had to secure was opening on its own. From the Four Sects Alliance’s perspective, it was the very path they would have to block like an iron wall by any means.

But Hyun Jong could not cheer at the sight.

“Why…?”

Why… why would they open a path? Why on earth?

“What…?”

Beop Jeong was the same. Hovering in midair, he watched the scene in stunned bewilderment.

The black ships of the Pirates, which had nearly anchored at the bank, suddenly turned their bows left and right to open Shaolin’s way—almost as if welcoming them to the Southern lands.

“E-everyone stop! Slow your speed, immediately!”

Beop Jeong cried out urgently at the incomprehensible situation.

“Abbott! Staying in the water is dangerous!”

“I know that!”

If the Pirates attacked from the water, they could face the worst of crises. Beop Jeong knew that too. But without understanding the situation accurately, he had no choice.

Beop Jeong’s eyes trembled as if struck by an earthquake.

“What on earth… are you playing at, Jang Ilso!”

“G-Green Forest King!”

Hyun Jong whirled to Im So-Byeong. He thought the Green Forest King might interpret the situation. But Im So-Byeong was just as stunned.

Im So-Byeong repeatedly scrutinized the Four Sects Alliance’s movements with a flustered face.

He could understand opening a path. The Jang Ilso he knew would not hesitate to deliberately create an opening and set a trap behind it.

Yet Im So-Byeong was alarmed because he could not sense such intent in their movement. If that had been the plan, they wouldn’t have widened the path so quickly.

Then two possibilities remained: Jang Ilso was using a tactic beyond imagination, or he was genuinely opening the path with no ulterior motive.

But could even Jang Ilso possibly employ a tactic so subtle that Im So-Byeong wouldn’t detect a trace? Even if Zhuge Liang returned to life, it would be impossible.

His mind raced.

“Then why?”

Im So-Byeong’s face grew ashen as if he’d seen a ghost.

No—seeing a ghost might be better. The more he thought, the deeper the terror that came from facing the incomprehensible situation.

But the bewildering situation did not end there.

“A-alliance leader! T-they’re widening the distance further!”

Hyun Jong clenched his fist tightly and trembled.

The Four Sects Alliance forces that had opened the way did not stop there; they widened the gap even more.

Looking at events without fixation, the Four Sects Alliance was now dividing its army into two and advancing on both sides.

As if… yes, as if…

“R-retreating?”

From here?

Everyone of the Heavenly Friends Alliance on the hill was left speechless.

“B-because of the Nine Great Sects?”

“There’s no way that’s it!”

“No, but if not that, then what on earth…”

Even if the Nine Great Sects joined, the Four Sects Alliance had no reason to withdraw. They still held the advantage. Either side could still make a go of it.

No, no.

From the Alliance’s viewpoint, they must fight. If they let the Heavenly Friends Alliance go to the Northern lands, they’d gain nothing compared to their losses.

So why suddenly open the path? Why withdraw instead?

“…What the hell…”

Hyun Jong, almost spellbound, turned to Chung Myung.

The Ten Thousand People Clan had paid a tremendous price to kill Chung Myung and the Heavenly Friends Alliance’s young warriors.

And yet they’d retreat? Jang Ilso was no fool of the world.

An indescribable omen swept over them. Those showing their backs were certainly the enemy, yet it was they who trembled with unease.

“W-what should we do?”

The Heavenly Friends Alliance and even the leaders of the Nine Great Sects—the giants who lead the central plains—were floundering, unsure what to do.

Then someone’s groan broke the confusion and tension.

“Ugh…”

“Ch-Chung Myung!”

“Chung Myung! Are you awake?”

Chung Myung’s lashes trembled as he lay in Tang Gunak’s arms.

Soon Chung Myung opened his eyes and weakly scanned his surroundings with a gaze devoid of strength.

“Where am I…?”

Chung Myung asked, but no one could readily speak.

They did not know how to explain the current situation; even those who had watched with their own eyes did not understand.

But there was no need.

Chung Myung turned his blurry gaze and briefly observed the battlefield.

After a moment, his body convulsed with a twitch.

“T-them right now…”

He frantically pushed Tang Gunak away with trembling hands. They tried to stop him, but Chung Myung’s feeble touch carried such stubborn will that they could not.

Staggering down, Chung Myung’s eyes went bloodshot.

“Jang Ilso…”

“Uh, huh?”

“Jang Ilso is!”

The cracked voice burst like a scream. A startled Jo Gul pointed at the carriage in the midst of the Four Sects Alliance ranks.

“Th-there! It looks like there!”

At the sight of the massive carriage drawn by eight white horses—something only Jang Ilso would dare ride—an anguished sound escaped Chung Myung’s mouth.

“…There? You say he’s there?”

“Huh? Chung… Myung?”

Jo Gul flinched. In Chung Myung’s returning gaze there was a fierce emotion he had never seen before.

“Th-this damn—!”

Cursing, Chung Myung suddenly reached and drew Jo Gul’s sword from its sheath. He kicked off the ground and leapt up, spewing terrifying sword qi.

“Ch-Chung Myung! What are you doing!”

“Waaaaaah!”

Kraaaaah!

The red sword qi pouring from the tip of Chung Myung’s blade sliced across the riverbank like a torrent. In an instant it struck the carriage Jang Ilso rode in.

“Eek!”

“W-what are you doing, man!”

Bang!

Dust exploded. Chung Myung, back on the ground, clamped his hand over his mouth. Dark red blood welled up between his fingers.

“What the hell did you…”

“There! Look over there!”

Someone shouted that. Eyes that had focused on Chung Myung all turned at once to the front.

The thick dust settled, revealing a shattered carriage. In the space stood a single figure whose shape took form slowly.

A blood-red long robe, glittering ornaments on each finger and wrist, and the distinctive crown on his head.

“So, Jang Ilso…”

Baek Cheon bit his lip hard.

At the sight of his face pale as death and lips red as blood, everyone involuntarily held their breath.

But Chung Myung growled and asked.

“Who?”

“Huh?”

His face was contorted with rage.

“Who? Who is Jang Ilso, who? That bastard?”

“Chung Myung?”

Most thought Chung Myung’s mind had snapped a little. It was understandable—he’d been badly wounded and had just woken; he couldn’t be entirely sane.

But some understood the meaning of his words and hurriedly glanced back at Jang Ilso.

“Uh…”

“Ah… ah!”

Im So-Byeong sank to the ground as if his legs had given out.

“Green Forest King! What’s wrong?”

The Green Forest King muttered with a haunted face.

“No…”

“What do you mean…”

“No. He’s not Jang Ilso! He’s a fake!”

“…What?”

“Everyone… we’ve all been deceived. He wasn’t here from the start. He never intended to fight!”

“N-nonsense!”

Baek Cheon summoned all his remaining strength to examine Jang Ilso again. His pupils froze, then began to tremble.

He had seen that Jang Ilso up close many times. Thus he could tell.

This one was not Jang Ilso.

Same appearance, but clearly different. He looked similar, dressed similarly, but none of Jang Ilso’s characteristic intimidation was present.

Baek Cheon snapped his head aside.

“Th-then where is Jang Ilso right now? If he’s not here, where on earth is he?!”

“Ugh…”

In that moment, a spent voice escaped from Chung Myung.

“This damned… man…”

Thud.

“Chung Myung!”

“Damn it! Tang Family Lord!”

As his consciousness faded, urgent shouts echoed in Chung Myung’s ears, muffled as if heard from underwater.

‘No…’

I can’t faint here…

‘Jang Il…so…’

Someone’s mad laughter sounded like an auditory hallucination from far away.

❀ ❀ ❀

“Hmm.”

Jang Ilso snorted and leisurely looked back.

Though the interior of the carriage was splendid, from the outside it looked shabby—quite literally like a giant cart piled with goods.

One couldn’t tell from the outside that inside the old, seemingly cheaply loaded wagon there was such a luxurious interior.

Aside from a thoroughly disguised door, the only connection between the inside and outside was a tiny window no larger than half a handspan.

After gazing at the ragged carriage and shabby horses for a moment, Jang Ilso turned to the other side.

Many people bowed before him. Their dress might be ordinary enough to be seen anywhere, but their eyes and the weapons on their backs made it clear they were no ordinary folk.

The elites of the Ten Thousand People Clan—disguised as lowly sect laborers who hauled grain in old carts and spread into the Southern lands beyond the Beggars’ Union’s sight—had gathered here now.

Like loyal ministers greeting their king, he silently scanned those kneeling on one knee. He then smiled and murmured.

“See? I told you.”

His mocking smile painted his lips blood-red.

“…It’s not worth it.”

After all, they’re mere pawns.

“You, and even I.”

He, his built reputation, the fear others felt toward him, even their perceptions—all were merely tools to be used by Jang Ilso. He could twist and crush them at will.

There was no value worth protecting.

No one who deserved to be hanged.

Everything that fills the world is just cheap trash.

After briefly looking at those prostrate before him, Jang Ilso slowly raised his gaze. A towering mountain stood ahead.

A blue mountain rising as if to touch the sky. So magnificent that the world called it Qingcheng Mountain.

Step.

Jang Ilso took slow steps through those kneeling, toward the path leading up the blue mountain.

“The more splendid the beginning, the better. Let’s burn it all down.”

His calm, gentle voice rang out. The Ten Thousand People Clan members following his steps rose one by one.

Behind the Ten Thousand People Clan who followed him, a procession formed of those disguised in varied attire and warriors wearing blood-red martial robes.

The Lower District Sect, and the Blood Sect.

The forces that had formed the Four Sects Alliance together with Black Ghost Fort and the Pirates had now revealed themselves in this Sichuan land.

All followed Jang Ilso, the madman, trampling up the Qingcheng Mountain.

“Hahahah.”

A suppressed laugh escaped Jang Ilso’s mouth. That small laugh quickly swelled into unbearable delight and overwhelming madness, echoing over the mountain.

“Hahahahaha! Ahahahahahah! Ahahahahahahahaha!”

He would scorch Qingcheng, sweep past Emei, sweep through the Tang Family and Dian-cang, and soon a vast blood-red conflagration would bloom to cover the world.

Right here, in the land of Sichuan.