Chapter 240: Under the Same Sky (1)
The Black Rabbit Sect from the twelfth group, who had been at the center of the incident, was receiving exceptional treatment.
They enjoyed significant privileges, such as being free to go anywhere and being served meals first. Even so, no one harbored any jealousy. This was because everyone had witnessed So-so’s divine power in subduing the rampaging Star of Heavenly Slaughter in a single blow.
Furthermore, had the rumor of her being Maitreya’s manifestation not spread far and wide?
In just a few days, So-so had become the most famous figure among the rising stars of the orthodox sects.
“Give us your teachings, Bodhisattva!”
Disciples belonging to Buddhist sects blocked her path.
It was not a rare occurrence, so it was nothing strange. The eyes of the group members So-so encountered along her way were filled with awe and reverence.
The Shaolin monks holding staffs rushed over to ward them off.
“Do not approach. It is said that close contact with impure qi can cloud Maitreya’s Buddhist power.”
Shaolin was the head of the Nine Great Sects and the Beggars’ Sect. Most sects wanted to avoid even the slightest friction with them.
Thanks to this, their annoyances were reduced, but because of the excessive protection and surveillance, the three children of the Black Rabbit Sect had to spend their time in boredom.
With a sullen look, So-so said to Yeong-yeong, “…I’m bored.”
“Me too… Should we just go home?”
Each had come with the grand goal of helping their fathers, but the twelfth group was not assigned any duties.
Since other group members took care of all the chores, they had absolutely nothing to do.
As time passed, their boredom only grew.
Just as she was thinking of returning home, So-so’s eyes suddenly widened.
She had heard an interesting conversation coming from the nearby headquarters pavilion.
“Guys, come over here.”
At So-so’s signal, Yeong-yeong and Baek-sang moved in tandem.
To shake off the Shaolin monks following them, they executed the stealth footwork of Salmun.
A moment later, like three sparrows, they landed softly on the roof of the pavilion.
Since the main force of the orthodox sects was currently with the government army, there were no masters here capable of detecting their presence.
“Are you saying the allied forces have begun their march from Luoyang?”
“Yes. By now, they should be facing off against the Hui army halfway between Luoyang and Kaifeng.”
“The moment of decision has finally come. If so, what is our mission?”
“The Murim Alliance has issued two directives. First is to escort the government’s supply unit to Meixian to assist with transport.”
“Meixian is not the front line. Since we are moving within the State of So’s territory, what difficulty could there be?”
“The second mission is what worries me.”
It was a highly interesting conversation.
The children of the Black Rabbit Sect held their breath and listened intently.
“According to intelligence, the Hui Dynasty’s special assault unit, the Red Tiger Regiment, has vanished. I heard their numbers exceed five hundred.”
Even the martial artists of the Murim were well aware of the notorious reputation of the Red Tiger Regiment.
Each of them possessed combat capabilities comparable to a first-class expert of the Murim, and they were killing machines who did not hesitate to face death if ordered.
“Could they be lying in ambush somewhere? But what does that have to do with us…”
“The Alliance is concerned that they might target the State of So’s Chief Administrator during this time. A telegram has been sent to mobilize all available forces to support the defense.”
“Then are you telling us to help defend the palace? That is absurd. The children gathered here cannot possibly face the Red Tiger Regiment.”
The voices of the elders conversing inside the pavilion turned dark.
The main force of the orthodox sects, led by the Murim Alliance, was with the allied forces. Only the inexperienced rising stars were gathered here.
“Of course, if our fears come true, our children will be slaughtered. Then the future of the orthodox sects will be gone.”
“Then what do you propose we do?”
“The Alliance simply stated that since there was a request from the allied forces, we should respond flexibly.”
Although not a direct order, it was a statement with clear underlying meaning.
“It sounds like they are telling us to pull out if the situation turns unfavorable.”
“I think so too. Why don’t we just put on a show of helping while keeping an eye on the government forces?”
“That would be best.”
Having reached a compromise, the tension among the elders eased once again.
Meanwhile, having overheard their conversation, the children of the Black Rabbit Sect secretly slipped away to a secluded spot.
Emerging first from the shadows, Baek-sang tilted his head in confusion.
“Then what happens now?”
So-so, who stood with her arms crossed, pondered for a moment before replying, “They said Grandpa might be in danger.”
“It’ll be fine. Our Sect Leader will protect him.”
The children knew very well how strong their Sect Leader, the Assassin King, was.
Even so, they couldn’t help but worry.
Most of the garrison in Chang’an had deployed, and the guards protecting the palace were few.
So-so looked at Yeong-yeong and Baek-sang with a serious face.
“Should we help?”
The reply came from behind them.
“Help with what?”
A figure who could approach them without being detected, despite their training in Salmun’s stealth techniques. It was Yeon Seo-hwa, who had broken through the barrier of the Demon Realm using the True One-Heart Flute Melody.
For some reason, she wore light, elegant armor and carried a seven-string zither on her back. She looked completely different from her usual self.
“I think we need to help the Sect Leader. Grandpa is in danger.”
“There is no need to worry. Your Leader is a man who wouldn’t bat an eye even if a thousand enemies attacked him.”
“Still…”
Seo-hwa shook her head firmly. She had another reason for stopping them.
“Our So-so needs to go somewhere with Mommy.”
“With you?”
“Yes. Right now.”
“I like being with Mommy, but…”
So-so looked reluctant.
She felt uneasy about leaving her friends behind. However, seeing her mother look so serious, which was unusual, she could not refuse.
Stroking the child’s head, Seo-hwa said, “We are going to see your father. He asked us to come quickly, saying he needs So-so’s help.”
Before she could even finish, So-so flinched.
When had her father ever asked for her help? Although she didn’t know what was happening, a powerful resolve burned deep within her heart.
There was nothing in the world more important than that.
Though she was in a hurry, she couldn’t leave without saying goodbye. So-so looked at her friends with regret.
“Guys…”
“It’s okay, So-so. My father is there too, so do a good job.”
“Leave this place to us. We will help the Sect Leader protect Grandpa.”
Although she was reluctant to leave, she was in a rush and could not delay.
“I’ll be back quickly. Don’t get hurt, both of you. Got it?”
“Don’t worry. We are not our old selves.”
“Yeah. Have a safe trip, So-so…”
Nodding, So-so took Seo-hwa’s hand with a serious expression.
“Our daughter is all grown up now. Since we are short on time, we must run across the Yellow River. Can you do it?”
“Yes, Mommy. Let’s go quickly.”
***
The Jinyang Plain.
Located between Kaifeng and Luoyang, this area was a vast grassland. The distant mountain ranges on the left and right pierced through the clouds, presenting a spectacular view.
Though usually filled with silence and solitude, a heavy tension now swept over the plain.
From the government forces of each nation to the volunteer army and the elites of the orthodox sects, a massive army of one hundred thousand had gathered.
Considering that more than half of them had trained in martial arts, it was a terrifying force.
Even so, their presence seemed dwarfed by the size of the enemy facing them.
A massive force of nearly two million, the largest in history. In terms of numbers, they outnumbered the allied forces twenty to one.
The enemy army, so dense that the wide plain seemed cramped, was enough to crush one’s spirit just by looking.
“Judging by the movement of their formation, the enemy’s attack will begin in a few days. What should we do?”
Inside the field headquarters established at the center of the allied camp, the commanders were gathered, consulting one another.
“At least eighty percent of them are newly conscripted peasants. They will send them forward first.”
“That is not a problem. Since they are a disorganized rabble without even proper weapons, we can annihilate them in one blow.”
Abbot Jeong-myeong sighed and chanted a Buddhist prayer in frustration.
“Amitabha. How can we slaughter so many innocent living beings? Is there truly no other way?”
Sitting opposite him, General Jin Gwang of the State of Po shook his head bitterly.
“The battlefield is not like the Murim, where righteousness and romance exist. It is a world where the victor becomes justice. Do not waver, and cut down whoever approaches. If you do not strike them down, your families will bear that suffering instead.”
“But…”
“It is for the sake of the greater good.”
Although slaughtering innocent people was not the way of the orthodox sects, there was no counterargument.
The expressions of the commanders varied, but none of them looked bright.
Among them, Yue Fei’s expression was the darkest.
“A greater good that requires sacrifice is nothing but a hollow shell. I do not feel comfortable fighting this battle.”
“Are you suggesting we retreat then? Since the enemy has obtained the Dragon-Turning Catapults, you know very well that a siege battle is even more disadvantageous, don’t you?”
Yue Fei let out a sigh and stared at someone.
“It seems the Commander-in-Chief must decide.”
Everyone’s gaze turned toward So-mu.
With his hands clasped on the table, he sat motionless, lost in deep thought.
Because his expression was so serious, no one dared to speak to him.
‘Why… for what did I pick up the sword?’
So-mu recalled the past, before he set foot in this world.
The pitiful deaths of the children who died mercilessly in the war, and the figures of those who wailed after losing their families.
He had taken up the sword with the resolve to end the cycle of brutal war, but now, he had become the executioner who would decide their fates.
This was one of the most painful moments of his life.
‘A victory achieved by slaughtering innocent people holds no meaning for me. They too are someone’s father, child, or brother. Who dares to call their lives cheap…’
So-mu’s gaze turned toward the tactical map spread out on the table. The only terrain features were two rugged mountains flanking the open plain.
Although there was nothing unusual about it, his eyes suddenly flashed as he stared at it.
At the same time, his expression gradually brightened. He had found an answer.
A quiet voice echoed from his firmly closed lips, “We cannot drag this war out any longer. Under no circumstances will we retreat, so prepare your defenses thoroughly and get ready to face the enemy.”
Yue Fei tilted his head in confusion, as his expectations were completely shattered.
“I thought the General would propose a better way. To think you would just proceed with the battle…”
Yue Fei’s face was filled with regret.
Having studied under the same master as Jang-yang, his concern for the people was no different from Jang-yang’s.
However, So-mu’s intention was different.
“Is it not too early to jump to conclusions? Perhaps a miracle will happen for us.”
“A miracle…?”
A meaningful smile appeared on So-mu’s face.
“If all goes according to plan, an opportunity to end all of this at once may arrive. My wife will be arriving soon, so let us discuss it together then.”