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Bop Jeong did not respond to the call. Once known for his gentle smiles, his face now seemed frozen in cold silence, as if he had forgotten how to smile.

It was inevitable.

Having left after making a fuss, only to return from Mount Hua without any success, was a humiliating experience for him.

It was to the point where he couldn’t even bear to face the people at Shaolin who had been waiting for his return.

“Namgung Myung is surrounded.”

Meanwhile, this news was heard and made Bop Jeong even more speechless.

No, perhaps it would be more appropriate to say that they made him into an idiot. It felt like his mind went blank for a moment.

Of all possible scenarios, the worst had been thrust upon him.

“Tsk.”

Ciwu Beggar clicked his tongue briefly while looking at such Bop Jeong.

It might have been a harmless habit without malice, but that brief sound twisted Bop Jeong’s heart painfully.

“We would have been better off not wasting time and going directly to the Yangtze River.”

“…….”

It was not clear whether the remark was actually a sneaky sarcastic comment on Bop Jeong. But does that matter to Bop Jeong? Right now, he felt that being called out on his mistake was the most shameful and frightening thing in the world.

“…Amitabha.”

After a long silence, the only thing Bop Jeong could utter was a brief Buddhist chant.

Peng Yeop, who had been quietly waiting for a response, finally spoke with a slightly irritated voice.

“This is not the time to be doing this. If the retreat route was cut off, enduring is all that’s left, but if Evil Tyrant Alliance reaches there first, the name Namgung Family might disappear from Kangho.”

“Humm.”

Someone’s heavy sigh rang out as if in agreement with those words.

“We must go to the Yangtze River immediately.”

Even Jongni Hyong, who always argued against Peng Ye, did not refute the statement. It was a testament to how dire the situation had become.

Bop Jeong, who had his eyes closed, opened them at Peng Ye’s urging.

“…We will do so.”

A bright blue light flowed from Bop Jeong’s eyes.

“With the situation having come this far, there can be no more hesitation. I will lead all the martial artists of Shaolin to the Yangtze River. I ask everyone here to mobilize the forces of their respective sects as well.”

Jongni Hyong asked back in surprise.

“Ba- Bangjang. Are you planning to engage in a full-scale war?”

“…There’s no reason to avoid it if we need to.”

“However….”

The words Jongni Hyong wanted to say were obvious.

Fighting an all-out war against the Evil Tyrant Alliance with only the sects here would be tantamount to suicide. Even if they were lucky enough to win, they would only be serving the interests of others.

However, despite understanding his intention, Bop Jeong seemed unwilling to back down this time.

“I will send another letter requesting support to each sect.”

“…Do you think those who have already withdrawn will change their minds?”

“The situation has changed; they will have to make a choice.”

“…….”

Jongni Hyong fell silent.

This is because he felt something different in Bop Jeong’s tone. It wasn’t overtly coercive, but strangely, it was more uncomfortable to engage with him than before.

“…If only the Tang Family would step in, it would be somewhat easier.”

Bop Jeong’s eyebrows twitched at Jongni Hyong’s regretful lament.

“What good would searching for those who aren’t here do?”

“That’s true but…”

“You all need to understand by now.”

Bop Jeong glared with cold eyes.

“My patience until now was to solve things in a proper way, not because Shaolin lacked strength. However, if the situation continues to worsen like this, sometimes we have to force things to go the way they should be.”

It might not be wrong.

Yet, given the situation, it also sounded hollow. If a decision had been made a bit earlier, perhaps things wouldn’t have escalated to this extent.

Bop Jeong said with a sharp tone.

“We will go to the Yangtze River without delay. Speed is of the utmost importance.”

He had no more choices left. Although this whole affair unfolded due to Namgung’s unilateral actions, if Shaolin truly aspires to be the North Star of Kangho, they must accept responsibility.

If the Namgung Family falls while isolated on the Yangtze, the people’s trust in the Ten Great Sects will hit rock bottom. Especially since the Namgung Family at least fought against the Evil Tyrant Alliance, while the Ten Great Sects turned a blind eye to them.

“Please hurry up. As soon as possible, we must arrive before Paegun arrives at the Yangtze River!”

“Is that feasible?”

When Jongni Hyong asked worriedly, Bop Jeong firmly nodded.

“It’s feasible enough. Isn’t we much closer to there than Gwangseo, where Myriad Man Manor resides? Even if Paegun moves as soon as they hear the news, they won’t get there sooner than we do.”

Jongni Hyong nodded as if he had a point.

“If you think about it the other way around, it’s like Namgung Family is trapping Eighteen Water Fortress of the Yangtze River. It’s difficult to wipe out the scattered pirates along the river, but if they are concentrated in one place, it presents a great opportunity. If we can take this opportunity to jointly attack Eighteen Water Fortress of the Yangtze River from both sides of the Namgung Family, the victory in this war will come here at once.”

Bop Jeong declared firmly in a solemn voice.

“So, let us move immediately.”

Peng Ye responded immediately.

“We shall do so.”

Jongni Hyong still looked slightly reluctant, but in this situation, he couldn’t stand back. But even so, he did not forget one request.

“Bangjang. I will follow your decision, but please consider the possibility that things may not go as planned. I trust you will successfully rally the support of other Ten Great Sects.”

At that, Bop Jeong turned his head and looked at Jongni Hyong.

“…….”

After a moment of silence, an emotionless voice penetrated Jongni Hyong’s ear.

“I will.”

Though the response was an affirmative one, Jongni Hyong couldn’t shake off the feeling that it somehow sounded like a denial.

But is there any way to confirm that? In the end, he had no choice but to answer with an anxious mind.

“…Kongtong will also participate.”

Bop Jeong’s gaze turned towards Ciwu Beggar, who silently nodded in agreement.

“Then let’s proceed with that plan. There’s no time to waste, so please return to respective sects immediately, prepare, and then gather at Kugang.”

“Yes, Bangjang.”

“We don’t have time! Hurry!”

“Yes!”

“Then.”

The seated individuals abruptly rose and rushed outside. Ciwu Beggar, the last to leave, reluctantly began to move but then turned back for a moment.

He could see Bop Jeong sitting in the high seat and closing his eyes.

‘Endlessly indecisive in moments of decision, yet strangely hasty when caution is needed.’

He didn’t think poorly of Bop Jeong. As the leader of Shaolin and a respected figure in Kangho, he has done his part well so far. It’s true that the conflict between the sects has been easily reconciled with his unique gentle nature.

However,

‘It is said that a person who is a good king in times of peace can become a bad person in times of chaos.’

As the world began to change rapidly, it felt like the strengths of Bop Jeong were not being utilized at all.

In his opinion, he wanted to dissuade Bop Jeong.

However, there is only one reason why Ciwu Beggar could not finally express his opposition to his opinion.

‘It would be hell.’

It was because he could imagine the horrors that the Namgung Family was enduring.

‘Please hold on, Namgung Gaju.’

Ciwu Beggar, with the words ‘Chivalrousness’ etched in his heart, swiftly headed towards the main branch of Beggar Union.

* * *

Namgung Myung looked down at the person lying before him. His face slowly distorted like a demon.

The person, who had died with eyes wide open, was someone he knew all too well.

To him, all members of the Namgung Family were like family. And now, the first casualty among those family-like members had occurred.

“This…!”

He gritted his teeth with anger.

The poison dagger (??(毒刀)) embedded in the side of the corpse seemed to mock him with its presence.

Nine times. That was the number of attacks they had endured in the past three days.

And the casualties?

None. (??(全無))

No one was hurt, no one died. The attackers who leaped from the river, intending to ambush the guards who were cautious with their surroundings, ended up dead themselves.

It was ridiculous even to be called this trivial. The result was nothing short of proof that the words of Namgung Hwang that there was no reason to lose to the pirates where their feet touched the ground were true.

But this was only true when looking at the results. If everything had been so smooth, Namgung Myung wouldn’t be so infuriated now.

When the first attack was repelled, everyone showed great courage and their morale went up endlessly. When the second attack was prevented, there was even an argument that instead of doing this, it would be better to take the initiative and approach the enemy’s ships for a counter-attack.

And when the third attack was finally repelled, Namgung Myung realized something.

The fact that not a single person had properly rested during the two days of continuous attacks.

And yet, the attacks continued.

They struck under the cover of night and even brazenly attacked in broad daylight.

And it wasn’t just that. Whether it was when the morning dew settled or when the dense sunset dyed the river…

The attacks continued regardless of the time.

The swordsmen of the Namgung Family valiantly repelled their assaults one after another, but during a recent attack, the first death occurred.

“…Empty one of the storehouses and move the corpse there.”

“Daeju-nim, perhaps we should consider a temporary burial first…”

Namgung Myung sharply turned his gaze.

“Would you have him rest in the land of these pirates?”

“…My apologies.”

Namgung Myung gritted his teeth and said,

“Just hold on for a few more days, and we’ll be able to leave this island. Then we can collect the body and leave. So do as I say.”

“Yes.”

Watching his men move the body of their fallen comrade, he pressed his eyes tightly.

‘Damn it.’

They were not strong adversaries. No, it’s an enemy that’s nothing but rubbish, utterly worthless.

Nevertheless, there were casualties.

Due to a series of attacks, they make mistakes they never would have under normal circumstances.

This island is vast. To the point where it was spacious enough for hundreds to occupy simultaneously.

Yet, at the same time, it is also narrow. If the pirates set foot on it, they can run to the opposite side in less than a moment.

In other words, they are essentially trapped within a city whose walls have crumbled, defending against external invasions.

‘No, that would be a hundred times better.’

In such a situation, at least they would know where the enemy is.

However, they have no idea where the enemy will attack from next. Perhaps even now, beneath the water Namgung Myung is looking at, river bandits might be lurking, waiting for an opportunity.

Therefore, no one could rest easily. They didn’t know when the pirates might attack or when their defenses might be breached, allowing the pirates to storm their quarters.

Despite logically understanding the need to rest, the heightened tension denied them even a moment’s respite.

And furthermore…

Kwaaaang!

“Darn it!”

“Why are you shooting something that has no use! Bastards!”

The pirate ships that surrounded the island sometimes sneakily approached the island and fired cannons. Of course, the trained swordsmen of the Namgung Family wouldn’t be hit by cannons fired from such a distance.

However, this is an island with no place to hide.

If they pay attention, they can avoid it, but if they don’t, death is inevitable. The bombardment comes unexpectedly from time to time. Who can completely relax in such a situation?

‘If we continue like this, we will destroy ourselves before we can even swing our sword.’

Those pirate bastards are eating away at their minds, not their bodies. They know very well how to make people suffer the most.

“Just hold on a bit longer. Reinforcements will definitely come!”

“…Yes.”

The response is faint. The morale that soared to the skies when they repelled the first attack had already hit rock bottom.

All that’s left now is to endure.

The sun was setting before they knew it. Namgung Myung clenched his fist without realizing it.

Once again, an endless long night was creeping toward Plum Blossom Island.