We Didn’t See Anything. (4)
"……."
Nam Ja-myeong stared at the scene before him, his eyes trembling uncontrollably.
This—what on earth happened here overnight?
Hwajeok Gate had been completely wrecked. Disciples who had not even been moved to the infirmary yet were still groaning on the ground, and the halls themselves were a total disaster, shattered and collapsed in places.
Unless bandits had suddenly come charging in…….
No. This wasn’t bandits.
Nam Ja-myeong bit down hard on his lip. The gate leader of Hwajeok Gate, Jo Hobang, was still sprawled unconscious on the floor.
"……Gate Leader."
Yu Haesang, the man who had first brought this news to Nam Ja-myeong, was at a complete loss. He kept pacing anxiously in place, stamping his feet.
"What are we supposed to do about this?"
"……."
It was a question asked in search of an answer, but Nam Ja-myeong had none to give.
Maninbang.
A chill ran down his spine.
He had known for some time that Maninbang was targeting Xi'an. But he had never imagined they would move this decisively. Never imagined they would be this brazen.
"Shouldn’t we make some kind of plan?"
Nam Ja-myeong slowly nodded. But unlike the motion of his head, his mind was almost completely blank. Not a single workable measure came to him.
What are we supposed to do about Maninbang?
What kind of place was Maninbang?
They were one of the Five Hegemons of the Jianghu.
If the righteous path had Gupailbang and Odaesega, then the evil path had the Five Hegemons of the Jianghu. In other words, they were a giant faction that could stand toe to toe with the Nine Sects and One Gang.
And one of those Five Hegemons, Maninbang’s Red Snake Unit, was being confronted by a mere branch sect of Mount Zhongnan?
"Gate Leader, what should we……."
"F-for now!"
Nam Ja-myeong barked the words out.
"Gather all the gate leaders of the branch sects! Now!"
"Yes, sir!"
Yu Haesang vanished at once, and Nam Ja-myeong looked at the still-unconscious Jo Hobang and muttered in utter helplessness, "What in heaven’s name are we supposed to do?"
But no one answered him.
"What did the government say?"
The gate leaders of the Mount Zhongnan branch sects had gathered at Seowol Gate and were seated around a large round table.
Most of their expressions were bleak to the point of despair. Compared to the faces they had worn while shouting inside Hwayeong Gate earlier, they looked like completely different men.
"……They said they won’t step in."
"We’re talking about a situation no different from bandits ravaging the common people, and they won’t step in?"
"……Isn’t that what the government has always been?"
Dongbang Hoe, the gate leader of Uigeom Gate, let out a deep sigh as he spoke.
"Besides, those Maninbang bastards are just too cunning. They completely smashed Hwajeok Gate, yet not a single person was killed. And even while causing that whole uproar, they didn’t lay a hand on a single commoner. So the government seems to think they have no reason to intervene."
"So they’re just afraid to mess with Maninbang?"
"……Gate Leader. You should choose your words more carefully."
"Hmph."
Nam Ja-myeong gave a loud, awkward cough.
However furious he might be, there were things one could say and things one should not.
"I was a little worked up."
When Nam Ja-myeong admitted it so readily, Dongbang Hoe let out another sigh.
"The government isn’t going to budge, so I think we’ll have to speak to the city lord directly…… We’ve kept asking for a response, but nothing has come back yet."
Of course not.
Nam Ja-myeong lowered his eyes and sighed as well.
It was maddening, infuriating, and enough to make his insides twist—but he could not exactly blame them.
The affairs of the martial world were to be settled within the martial world.
That was the rule by which those who lived in Jianghu survived.
As long as Maninbang did not touch the commoners, the government would never intervene. Even if the Mount Zhongnan branch sects all went down in flames.
"So where are those filthy bastards now?"
"They left Xi'an at dawn. Most likely……."
"They’ll be back tonight."
"Yes."
Nam Ja-myeong scrubbed at his face until the skin made a dry rasping sound, then, as if that still wasn’t enough, he roughly dragged his hands down over it.
Damn it. If Zhongnan hadn’t sealed its gates!
Maninbang was strong, yes, but Zhongnan was still one of the top ten sects in the world. If Zhongnan had not shut its gates, Maninbang would never have dared to set foot in Xi'an.
"What happened to the one we sent to Zhongnan?"
"He came back, but…… they say the gates won’t open."
"Even in a situation like this, they’re refusing to lift the closure?"
"Nam Gate Leader…… as you know, a sect closure isn’t something that can be undone so easily. If it was enforced by the Sect Leader's Token, then even Zhongnan’s sect leader cannot just lift it at will. Even if foreign enemies invaded and war broke out, isn’t it the principle that a sect under closure does not involve itself in matters outside the sect?"
"Principles! Principles! And what good is that principle if everyone’s about to die because of it?"
Bang!
At last, unable to hold himself back any longer, Nam Ja-myeong slammed a fist down on the table.
The teacups on top of it toppled over and spilled everywhere, but no one blamed him. Their own guts were rotting in the same way.
"Then you’re telling me there’s truly no way?"
"……What else can we do? We can only pull ourselves together and resist as best we can."
"Resist? Against them?"
"What, then? Are you saying we should abandon Xi'an and run?"
The gate leaders began snapping at one another.
"Why do the people of Xi'an respect the branch sects of Mount Zhongnan? Because they trust us. But if we run at the first sign of evil-path scum showing up, what face would we have left to come back here with?"
"Those evil-path bastards supposedly aren’t touching the commoners!"
"And since when does evil path mean they keep their word? Maybe that’s true now, but how are we supposed to know what they’ll do later?"
"Then you’re saying we just sit here and take it?"
"Better than running away in shame!"
"Then Gate Leader, you can die here and be done with it! I intend to live."
"What did you say?"
As the shouting escalated, Nam Ja-myeong buried his face in his hands.
Damn it.
They had all acted like refined gentlemen a moment ago, but the instant a crisis appeared, every one of them turned into a back-alley thug.
Well.
There was no point in blaming them for that either. After all, people could only be as composed as the limits of their own endurance allowed.
When bandits from beyond the borders came pressing right up to the gates, even a king who ruled the world would surely turn pale, would he not?
"You little bastard!"
"Little bastard? Did you just call me a little bastard?"
"Don’t forget that I’m your sahyung!"
"Damn it, since when did branch sects care this much about seniority?"
"I’ve had enough of this!"
They looked ready to draw swords at any moment. Watching the two men shouting in each other’s faces, Nam Ja-myeong once again slammed both hands down on the table with all his strength.
CRACK!
The sturdy rosewood table split cleanly in two and crashed to the floor.
At the sight of it, the quarreling gate leaders shut their mouths and looked over at Nam Ja-myeong.
"Enough with the disgraceful spectacle."
"……I apologize, Gate Leader."
"I have no excuse."
Only after the surrounding noise finally died down did Nam Ja-myeong press hard at his aching temples.
Yeop Pyeong, the Red Snake Blade.
He had heard that name several times before. Among the many masters of Maninbang, a place said to swarm with experts, this man was renowned as a saber master.
The very fact that he commanded one of the more than ten combat units within Maninbang was enough to make his strength evident.
Even within Mount Zhongnan, only a few elders and some of the outstanding first-generation disciples would likely be able to contend with him.
How on earth were they supposed to stop someone like that?
He’ll surely come again when night falls.
As Nam Ja-myeong groaned in a situation with no visible answer, someone suddenly muttered, "……Mount Hua."
The words pricked at his ears.
Nam Ja-myeong’s head slowly turned.
"……What did you say?"
Startled by the completely unexpected suggestion, he blinked and asked again.
"……What if we asked Mount Hua, that is, Hwayeong Gate, for help?"
"……."
The awkward answer came back. Nam Ja-myeong looked at the speaker with a face full of bewilderment and confusion.
Dan Byeonglip, the gate leader of Taepyeong Gate, reddened slightly with embarrassment. He was someone Nam Ja-myeong had never especially favored, largely because he had always seemed a little weak-willed.
"To be blunt, if Zhongnan won’t lift the closure, then stopping Maninbang’s Red Snake Unit with only our own strength will be difficult. But Xi'an isn’t just us, is it?"
"……So, Mount Hua?"
"Yes."
Dan Byeonglip nodded emphatically.
"As it happens, the disciples of Mount Hua’s main sect are currently at Hwayeong Gate, and above all, there are people there like the Righteous Sword of Mount Hua, who has made a name for himself throughout the world. And isn’t the Mount Hua Divine Dragon there as well, along with Hye Yeon?"
"……."
Right.
Not just Baek Cheon, but if it was Mount Hua Divine Dragon or Hye Yeon, they would surely be no weaker than Zhongnan’s first-generation disciples.
If it was them, perhaps they could handle this Yeop Pyeong.
The real problem isn’t even the Red Snake Unit. It’s that there’s no one who can stand up to Yeop Pyeong.
The influence a supreme expert could exert on the battlefield was beyond imagination. If it weren’t for Yeop Pyeong, the situation would not feel nearly this hopeless, even with the Red Snake Unit bearing down on them.
Dan Byeonglip added a little more force to his voice as he said, "So what do you think about asking Mount Hua for help?"
"Is that something even worth saying?"
Before Nam Ja-myeong could answer, Yu Haesang exploded in protest.
"A person should know shame! How could we ask those Mount Hua ruffians for help?"
"……But the situation is……."
"And furthermore!"
Yu Haesang’s face twisted in anger.
"After what we did to them, and you think they’d gladly help us?"
"No, no. It doesn’t have to be seen that way."
Dan Byeonglip wiped sweat from his brow with a handkerchief and gave an awkward smile.
"Whatever the case, they are a famous orthodox sect, are they not?"
"……."
"They are Mount Hua. No matter how bad our relationship may be, we cannot deny that they are a renowned righteous sect."
"Hmm."
"People who claim to be a prestigious righteous sect won’t just sit by and watch while an evil faction invades. Of course, given the situation, they won’t be eager to extend a hand first…… but if we bow our heads before them, they’ll probably take the hand we offer, pretending not to mind."
Nam Ja-myeong, who had listened in silence, frowned slightly.
"You really think that will happen?"
"Of course. There’s another reason, too."
"Another reason?"
"Does Maninbang intend to target only Zhongnan?"
"……."
Dan Byeonglip’s voice had become firmer than usual.
"If they truly mean to seize Xi'an, they won’t stop at merely clearing out Zhongnan’s branch sects. After us, Hwayeong Gate will naturally become their next target."
"Hmm……."
"So Hwayeong Gate—meaning Mount Hua—also has to join hands with us. Otherwise, won’t they have to fight the Red Snake Unit alone?"
"That is certainly true."
"That would be reckless and foolish beyond words. Even if victory were possible, no fool would choose such a difficult path."
Nam Ja-myeong nodded.
Mount Hua, huh.
He didn’t particularly like the idea of bowing his head to Mount Hua, but…….
Truthfully, there aren’t many shields as good as that one.
They were obnoxious bastards, yes, but if they became allies, wouldn’t they be an immense source of strength?
"A good suggestion."
"Gate Leader Nam? You really intend to do this?"
Nam Ja-myeong wore a thin, sly smile as he said, "Of course, it’s a blow to one’s pride. But if you can lower that pride just enough to make use of them, why wouldn’t you?"
"Hmm. True enough."
As though he had said all he needed to, Nam Ja-myeong waved a hand with finality.
"I’ll be the one to bring Mount Hua in, so the rest of you please keep the other sects in line. And Gate Leader Dan!"
"Yes, Gate Leader."
Dan Byeonglip rose and approached Nam Ja-myeong.
"Come with me."
"Understood."
There was no time to waste. He took Dan Byeonglip with him and left the room.
After walking in silence for a moment, Nam Ja-myeong asked casually, "Will Mount Hua really help us obediently?"
"They have no choice but to help us."
"And the reason? That wasn’t everything you were thinking, was it?"
"Because they are orthodox."
"……That’s all?"
Seeing Nam Ja-myeong’s slight frown, Dan Byeonglip gave him a somewhat complicated smile.
"It sounds obvious, but it carries a great deal within it. If those who call themselves righteous stand by while an evil faction invades, what will the people of Xi'an think of them?"
After listening quietly, Nam Ja-myeong nodded. Dan Byeonglip continued.
"Of course they’ll hear some unpleasant words, but in the end they’ll step in and help us. Then we can use them as a shield to block the Red Snake Unit, and once their purpose is served, we can just drive those bastards out afterward, can’t we?"
Nam Ja-myeong’s lips curled upward.
"So what I need to do is bow my head."
"The lower your posture, the better. Giants never waste their knees if they can help it."
"Hahaha. Then let’s see if we can make a giant of you."
Nam Ja-myeong laughed in good spirits.
But they did not know.
Mount Hua was indeed an orthodox sect, yes—but the man leading that sect was not at all the kind of righteous man they imagined.
"Eh?"
"……."
"Ah, so you mean us?"
"……."
Nam Ja-myeong’s cheek began to twitch.
And for good reason: a young brat holding a liquor bottle was half-sprawled on a veranda, giggling and staring at them the whole time.
The satisfied look on his face was so blatant that Nam Ja-myeong couldn’t even find the words to speak.
"Hahahahahaha. That’s a hilarious joke, you people. Hahahahahahahaha!"
"……."
Nam Ja-myeong’s face twisted into something tragic.
Glancing sideways, he saw that Dan Byeonglip, who had been so certain Mount Hua would help them, quietly averted his eyes. Nam Ja-myeong squeezed his eyes shut.
Then the young brat, Chung Myung, who had been slurping down liquor with a gurgling sound, shouted, "Sasuk! Bring the salt!"
"Pour it on these people?"
"What kind of bullshit is that? Pour it at the entrance, you idiot!"
For once, Chung Myung thought Baek Cheon might be even worse than he was.