Chapter 798: If You're Handsome and Unlucky, You Must Be from the Jin Family (Part 3)

 

“The entrance is far too narrow.”

“Hmm… and there are too many obstacles.”

The sect leaders gazed across the river.

The cliff opposite them, carved with a deep gorge, was crowded with pirate ships lined up thickly.

‘This will be even more difficult than anticipated.’

Dealing with pirates always brought challenges like this.

If their opponents had been another sect settled in open terrain, the overwhelming power of Shaolin, Wudang, Namgung, and Cheongseong would have easily swept them aside.

But to capture a stronghold in such terrain meant accepting casualties from the outset.

‘Not even from the start of the attack, but from the very approach.’

First, they’d need to fight their way through the pirate ships just to reach the gorge’s entrance.

‘Sometimes, I almost envy those unorthodox sects.’

Namgung Hwang ground his teeth.

Just looking at that gorge made his insides churn.

They were forced to limit their tactics to avoid risking civilian lives inside, but the pirates held no such restraints. Who knew what traps lurked within that narrow gorge?

“We must secure the upper ground.”

“Yes, who knows what schemes they might pull.”

“…Not an easy task.”

Failure wasn’t even a consideration. The gathered forces were far more than what was needed to defeat the Black Dragon Stronghold.

But a simple victory wasn’t enough.

They needed to achieve their goals with minimal losses and to outshine the other sects in their accomplishments. And that was what weighed on each of their minds.

‘To achieve merit, we have to take the initiative. But doing so risks heavy losses.’

‘If we bleed, they’ll only be pleased.’

‘What’s the right move?’

Finally, Beopgye spoke up.

“Shaolin will take the vanguard.”

“As expected of Shaolin. Who could doubt the virtue of Shaolin’s spirit of cooperation? However, this time, allow Wudang to lead the first assault.”

“We brought boats, too.”

“And so did Cheongseong.”

The four exchanged looks.

“Then, let us first…”

“Hahaha! Drink up!”

“Decide who will be…”

“Hey! Bring out all the booze you brought! Don’t pretend you didn’t bring any!”

“…”

The vein on Namgung Hwang’s forehead throbbed once again.

“This…”

“Please, Patriarch Namgung, calm yourself.”

“Let’s ignore them.”

“Ugh…”

The other sect leaders held him back as Namgung Hwang glared with a look that screamed frustration.

And indeed, they had a reason: a full-fledged party was unfolding behind them, oblivious to the ongoing strategy meeting.

The disciples of Mount Hua, dressed in black martial robes, along with bandits in green and even a few pirates in blue, had all joined together in a lively drinking session.

“Alcohol… on the battlefield?”

Even Hyeon Cheon-ja, who had been sympathetic to Mount Hua, now frowned, unable to understand this behavior.

“Let it be! What could those in league with unorthodox sects possibly be thinking? Such people have no place on the battlefield, especially if we want to avoid being stabbed in the back.”

“Hmm.”

The other three leaders showed their displeasure.

But Heo Do-jin alone held back a sigh as he watched.

‘They’re all fools.’

What mattered wasn’t that they were drinking but rather that they had come prepared with alcohol. That meant that, before even arriving, someone among them had anticipated being sidelined by the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families.

Wasn’t it just common sense?

‘No.’

This was Mount Hua.

They might currently be the fastest-rising sect in the world, but they were still a sect that had been expelled from the Nine Great Sects almost a hundred years ago. Which meant none of them had firsthand experience dealing with the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Families.

If Mount Hua had still been around, then perhaps they could have anticipated such treatment. But for a sect like Mount Hua to arrive fully prepared and even bring alcohol?

What needed recognition was their insight.

And the one most likely responsible for that insight was…

Heo Do-jin’s gaze shifted to Chung Myung, who was happily downing liquor in the center of the gathering.

‘What an enigmatic man.’

How could someone so young have such insight? Heo Do-jin had seen countless geniuses, but never anyone quite like him.

‘There’s no shortage of talent.’

Chung Myung’s raw talent was certainly impressive, but what truly made Heo Do-jin cautious was his worldly composure and insight, as though he’d spent decades navigating the martial world.

‘I may need to reconsider.’

His judgment hadn’t been wrong. Mount Hua would likely struggle to close the gap with Wudang anytime soon.

But… if time passed, and this young man rose to lead Mount Hua… Could Wudang truly contend with Chung Myung’s Mount Hua?

‘The more I think about it, the more uneasy I feel…’

“Hahaha! Sect Leader, have a drink! Isn’t the view here incredible?”

“I’ll stick with tea.”

“Ah, come on! A day like this calls for something stronger! Down it!”

“…”

Heo Do-jin’s eye twitched.

While he was impressive…

Incredibly impressive…

Heo Do-jin could think of nothing he hated more than giving Chung Myung such high regard.

“…Is this really okay?”

“…”

“Can we really just let this happen?”

Baek Cheon had seen Chung Myung’s bizarre antics far too many times.

By now, even if a water dragon burst forth from Mount Hua’s backyard only to be beaten up by Chung Myung and forced to hand over its pearl before running away, Baek Cheon was sure he’d just stand by and watch.

But still…

‘Is this really okay?’

Right in front of them stood the elite forces of four powerful sects.

Shaolin, Wudang, Cheongseong, and Namgung.

Just one of their names was enough to make the martial world tremble. And here, not just one but four were gathered. The weight of their presence couldn’t be underestimated.

And yet… amidst all this, bandits, pirates, and monks were gathered around for a boisterous drinking party.

‘Even if it weren’t here, this would be strange enough anywhere.’

The bigger issue was the expressions on those drinking.

“…I feel like I’m going to burn a hole in my stomach.”

“Are we… really supposed to drink this?”

“Fighting would honestly be easier.”

Mount Hua’s disciples may have felt some pressure from the four sects’ presence, but that was nothing compared to how the Green Forest Bandits and the pirates felt.

The bandits from Nokchae looked practically dazed.

“H-Hahaha… Here’s to… one drink…”

Shakily, a bandit raised a cup, his hands trembling.

‘I’m going to throw up.’

‘What if they suddenly turn on us?’

‘Please, mountain spirit, spare me!’

Their reaction was only natural.

By some miracle, they had ended up in this situation, but the Nine Great Sects were still technically their enemies, not their allies. There was no guarantee that the gathered sects wouldn’t turn on them after dealing with the Black Dragon Stronghold.

Yet here they were, drinking in front of them. They’d rather pour oil on themselves and set it ablaze.

And if the bandits were uneasy, it was nothing compared to the pirates.

“Hic!”

“…”

“Hic!”

‘Even corpses look healthier than these guys.’

The bandits glanced sympathetically at the pirates.

The bandits were at least considered elite warriors, with the Green Forest King among them. But the pirates were merely part of a water gang, and until recently, they had been the hunted rather than the hunters.

They had been dragged here to watch their former comrades being destroyed while participating in a drinking party. It was a wonder any of them were still sane.

“Why… why did they even bring alcohol?”

“Sir, he told us to bring it. Do we look like we had a choice…?”

True enough.

Orders were orders. And when they came from Mount Hua’s Divine Dragon, compliance was mandatory.

The pirates, looking near heart failure, the bandits wondering if they should flee or stay, and the Mount Hua disciples glancing around nervously, uncertain of whether they should be drinking… All while the four sects looked on with barely contained irritation.

It was an atmosphere that left everyone uncomfortable.

Everyone except for one person, that is.

Glug, glug, glug!

Chung Myung took a hearty swig from his bottle and let out a satisfied gasp as he pulled it away.

“Ahhh! This drink is fantastic! And the view is breathtaking!”

Hyun Jong watched Chung Myung with a conflicted expression.

He knew by now that everything Chung Myung did had a purpose. Although it often felt chaotic, following his lead tended to work out in the end.

He knew all that, but still…

“Chung Myung.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“…Are you sure this is okay?”

As well as he played along, there was no way to shake his worry.

“They told us not to participate.”

“Even so…”

“If we sit back quietly, it’ll only make them feel smug. Sect Leader, you’ll have to understand this if you want to survive the difficult world of politics ahead.”

“…What?”

“Politics isn’t about doing what’s right. It’s about making those you hate as miserable as possible!”

Hyun Jong smiled faintly, nodding.

‘Ancestors…’

Lately, I’ve been struggling more than ever. Sometimes, I think it’s harder than it used to be.

Please, ancestors, do something about this child…

“And besides…”

“Hmm?”

Chung Myung wiped his mouth with his sleeve, his tone turning a bit more serious.

“The disciples need to learn how to observe from the sidelines. Until now, we’ve been rushing headlong into every conflict, but surely you remember what that did to Mount Hua, right?”

“Of course, I remember.”

“These sects may have sat idly by when Mount Hua was on the brink of destruction. But now they’re eager to help fight over a minor conflict? It’s honestly laughable. I’d rather pour oil on the river and set it alight.”

Hyun Jong’s face hardened at those words.

“If this goes south, I know you’ll jump in to help. You’ve always been like that. But would any of these people have done the same for us back then? Did even one of them lift a finger when Mount Hua was burning, and our disciples were slaughtered? They just sat back, drank, and looted whatever they could.”

Hyun Jong clenched his fist.

‘I…’

Rage bubbled up within him.

Thinking back, the sects had watched as the Demon Sect burned Mount Hua and massacred its disciples, never lifting a hand to help.

And now they were upset because Mount Hua wasn’t eagerly joining their battle?

‘How could I have let myself forget that just because things were going well?’

Hyun Jong gritted his teeth.

“Bring me a drink!”

“…Pardon?”

“Bring me a drink! I want to taste it myself!”

“Here, Sect Leader!”

“Quickly!”

Hyun Young hurried to fetch the liquor. Watching this, Chung Myung smirked.

“So you understand now.”

Hyun Jong nodded stiffly.

“There are things worth forgetting and things worth remembering. I’m not one to seek vengeance, but…”

“That’s enough.”

Hyun Jong turned to his disciples and shouted,

“Drink up! Let’s enjoy the water views for all they’re worth!”

“Yes, Sect Leader!”

Hyun Jong took the liquor and poured it into his cup, downing it in one go.

“Ahhh!”

“Here, try some snacks too, Sect Leader.”

“Of course!”

As he chewed on a piece of jerky, Chung Myung chuckled.

Yes, they couldn’t forget.

What those other sects had done to Mount Hua in the past. And Chung Myung, too, could never forget what mistakes Mount Hua had made.

‘Right now, this is enough, but…’

One day, those sects would weep and bleed just as Mount Hua once had.

“Well, let’s sit back and enjoy the show. Although…”

“Hm?”

Chung Myung’s lips curled up in a sly grin.

“I just hope this doesn’t turn into a literal ‘watching a fire from across the river.’”

“…What do you mean?”

“Oh, who knows? Just a thought, that’s all. Haha!”

Hyun Jong, seeing Chung Myung’s cryptic smile, decided not to probe further and simply shook his head.