NOTICE: Many of the novels have been removed because they might cause violations, which we were not aware of earlier.
#521
Taejonbirok Volume 21, Episode 21
Chapter 117: The Lazy Begins (1)
“How pathetic.”
Qin Yuhui, who was guarding the Zhejiang branch of the Zhengwu League in Hangzhou, squinted his eyes against the thick fog.
Hangzhou is such a prosperous city that there is a saying, “Heaven above, Sui and Sui below.”
Hangzhou was a city filled with bustling noise day and night, where all the pleasures of the world gathered, and all the joys of the world gathered together.
But today, Hangzhou was strangely quiet.
The thick fog that had settled down, making it impossible to see even an inch ahead, made Hangzhou look like a different place from the one he knew.
“It feels a bit chilly today.”
“When has that not happened?”
"still……."
When Jin Yeo-hoe started to whine, Guo Si snorted.
“Is fog something that happens only for a day or two?”
“But today feels a little strange. It’s kind of creepy.”
“It’s because you’re not at peace, you punk. Everything in this world is a matter of perspective.”
Jin Yeo-hoe was lost in thought.
'Is that really true?'
Come to think of it, it's not entirely wrong. Hangzhou is often covered in fog. He's seen this sight a few times. The fog was thicker than usual today, but it didn't feel this dreary.
“Hmm…….”
“Because things are so chaotic, you end up worrying about even the smallest things.”
“Is that so?”
“Isn’t that how everyone is?”
Kwak Sa shook his head.
“Actually, I’m also in a mess.”
“You too, brother?”
“Why wouldn’t it be so?”
Kwak Sa sighed deeply. Even if he tried to remain calm, it was simply not a situation where he could.
'What on earth is going on with the Demonic Cult and the White Sword Castle?'
It's clear to everyone that the world is in turmoil. A cult has been unleashed on Hwasan, and there's even talk that Baekgeomseong is involved in its rise.
'That's nonsense.'
Why would Baekgeomseong join hands with the Demonic Cult?
Baekgeomseong is one of the most prestigious families.
No matter how much Shaolin's fame reaches the heavens, and the fame of its shamans and hwasans dominates the Central Plains, if you were to ask today's young people to name just one school they would most like to join, no one would hesitate to choose Baekgeomseong.
The best in the world.
Yes. The place that best fits the term "best in the world" is not Shaolin or Shamanism, but Baekgeomseong.
Although its history is still short and its depth is not yet recognized, isn't history something that accumulates over time?
If things continue this way, Baekgeomseong will become the representative of the Central Plains and the most influential sect in the world. But would they be so crazy as to entangle themselves with the Demonic Cult and ruin their own future?
'That could never happen, absolutely not.'
If you think about it logically, this is something that could never happen.
But isn't there a saying, "Three people in one house"?
The number of people making such nonsensical claims has been increasing. Therefore, we cannot simply dismiss them as nonsense.
'Why aren't the higher-ups saying anything about this situation?'
Even if I asked the branch manager, the only answer I got was that he didn't know.
Of course, a matter of this magnitude isn't something a mere branch manager can possibly know. They might be able to guess, but they can't give definitive answers. Only the higher-ups at headquarters would be able to grasp the situation.
“I wish you could just speak frankly.”
“……I guess everyone thinks the same.”
Kwak Sa smiled bitterly.
'What can you do even if you know?'
Sometimes knowledge is power, and sometimes ignorance is bliss. Seeking the truth to satisfy curiosity and inquisitiveness can sometimes lead to great disaster.
Baekgeomseong and the Demonic Cult joined hands?
Then what are you going to do?
Are you going to gather your strength and storm Baekgeomseong right now?
That's funny.
Baekgeomseong Fortress isn't easy. If the Jeongmu Alliance concentrates its forces east to attack Baekgeomseong Fortress, the Demonic Cult will push in. Then, the west is finished.
Qinghai, Sichuan, and Gansu were completely destroyed.
“Look here, ladies’ club.”
“Yes, brother.”
“What would you do if the Demonic Cult invaded?”
“What do you mean? We have to fight.”
“Fight…….”
Kwak Sa clenched and unclenched his fist.
'If it were as easy as it sounds, I wouldn't worry about it.'
Guo Shi had never experienced war firsthand. He was too young when it broke out and was not permitted to go to the battlefield. He insisted he was fully capable of fighting, but a corner of his heart was filled with fear.
When the strongest of the Death Sects went out to battle, they had no doubt they would defeat the demonic cult. But they never returned.
As the number of executed people whose bodies were never recovered increased, Gwaksa learned just how terrifying war could be.
——————
faqwiki.xyz
Join our Discord for new chapter updates!
https://discord.com/invite/xr7SxG5T6V
——————
'You'll know once you experience it.'
Humans are sensitive to the death of one or two people, but when the number of deaths increases, they become insensitive.
When people die in groups of ten or a hundred, we know it is serious, but when the number of deaths exceeds ten thousand or a hundred thousand, we perceive the situation itself as an incident, not death.
You can't know until you experience it yourself.
That fear, that horror.
But that war is coming again.
Even those who eagerly call for resistance will soon learn what war is like.
“No matter how scary those demonic cultists are, aren’t we a political alliance?”
“Right. Hehe.”
“We've always been the ones who win in the end. So I guess that's the case this time too.”
Kwak Sa did not answer.
'Victory… … .'
What does that mean?
If I had to choose between a defeat where I survived and a victory where I died, which would I choose?
It's not a matter of winning or losing.
There are no winners in war. Everyone is a loser.
'It's better not to know.'
If it is an unavoidable outcome, it would be better to accept the future like that.
“I hear you want war to break out quickly.”
“Honestly, I do have that kind of feeling.”
“……Are you serious?”
“Don’t look at me like that. I’m not a thoughtless fool.”
“Then why do you say that?”
Jin Yeo-hoe looked at Gwak Sa with a strange look and said.
"older brother."
“Speak, man.”
“How high can I go at this rate?”
“…….”
Kwak Sa said with a bit of self-mockery.
"A low-ranking warrior guarding a branch gate. That's my current situation. Even if ten or twenty years pass like this, what will change? I'll just be an old, low-ranking warrior."
“Uh, it seems like you’re secretly insulting me…….”
"Hey, how could I possibly do that? This is fine. It's not bad. Raising children and living a stable life isn't bad either. But as a man, shouldn't you always have at least one dream in your heart?"
"dream?"
“It’s about becoming a hero.”
"her……."
Kwak Sa couldn't hide his dumbfounded expression.
“Haven’t they said that troubled times create heroes?”
“Hey, you. Can anyone become a hero?”
“It’s not like everyone is born to be a hero, right?”
"That's a position that requires skill. Do you think you have what it takes to become a hero with your skills?"
"I don't know. Maybe I'll get another chance. Even if not, you don't have to be strong to become a hero. Just wait and see. I'll definitely seize the opportunity."
“That’s right.”
Kwak Sa clicked his tongue.
The saying that troubled times call for heroes is true, but isn't that also the role of those who have been diligently preparing?
“Look, that opportunity doesn’t just come to everyone.”
“I believe that opportunity will come.”
“…….”
Just as Gwak Sa was about to say something, a soft voice was heard.
“Maybe now is the chance.”
Gwak Sa's head suddenly turned.
'when?'
I didn't even feel any movement.
No matter how thick the fog, it's not like you can just follow human presence with your eyes. Yet, you didn't notice any presence at all as you approached this distance?
'You're a master!'
Kwak Sa's face hardened.
It's no wonder that experts frequent this place. Even though it's a branch, this is the Jeongmu Alliance. Countless of the world's most prestigious figures have visited.
But Gwak Sa couldn't relax at all.
If they were such people, there would be no reason for them to approach this far, hiding their presence. Those who conceal their presence always have ulterior motives.
“Who, who!”
Kwak Sa shouted urgently.
The voice is raised. It's not an immediate alarm, but the situation is serious, and it's a warning to those inside that someone with ill intentions has arrived.
“Didn't I tell you, I'm here to give you a chance? Didn't I say I wanted to be a hero?”
A figure appeared through the fog.
'That, that!'
Kwak Sa's eyes grew bigger and bigger.
The one who appeared was an ordinary, middle-aged man, nothing special. He was wearing a pure white martial art uniform and had a sword at his waist.
Kwak Sa's gaze turned to the man's martial arts uniform.
A long sword-shaped embroidery engraved on the left chest.
That alone was enough for Gwaksa to know where the man came from.
“Bae, what’s going on here in Baekgeomseong?”
The man wearing Baekgeomseong's martial arts uniform smiled faintly.
“How many times do I have to tell you that I came to give you a chance?”
“You said it was an opportunity?”
The man no longer looked at Gwak Sa. His gaze returned to Jin Yeo-hoe.
Startled.
Jin Yeo-hoe trembled as she locked eyes with the man. The moment his gaze fell on her, she felt as if her entire body had been pierced by a sharp sword.
“Did you say you wanted to be a hero?”
“…….”
Jin Yeo-hoe was unable to answer.
The sneer that trailed off made his body stiffen. Even a child could tell that the question wasn't motivated by kindness.
"Then I'll give you a chance. Now, this is crucial. A great crisis will befall you, the Jeongmu Alliance, and the world. This is where it all begins. If you can stop us, you'll be a hero."
Step by step.
The man's words were overshadowed by the sound of footsteps. Behind him, through the thick fog, vague human figures appeared.
'Ha, there are more than one or two.'
Kwak Sa bit his lips tightly.
Something that was thought to be absolutely impossible has finally happened.
"Now, let's stop it. Perhaps this place will be the birthplace of a world-class hero. To witness such a spectacle would be an unparalleled honor. Of course…"
The man smiled broadly.
“It must have been when you stopped it. Otherwise, I would have died here.”
Gwak Sa blew the whistle with all his might.
Beep!
A sharp warning sound went off, but the man made no attempt to stop Gwak Sa.
“What a rude friend.”
The man slowly drew his sword.
"It won't matter. Now we'll be on good terms with each other."
The man's teeth were revealed, and the Baekgeomseong warriors, swords drawn from the fog, rushed forward at a rapid pace.
“Kill them all.”
A cold murderous look appeared on the man's face.