Chapter 553

**Chapter 553: The Lazy One Takes Action (3)**

There was a moment of silence.

Glares.

Thousands of glares were directed at him.

He had never felt shrunken by the attention of others before. He had lived without an ounce of shame, so he had never feared the gazes of others.

If those gazes felt overwhelming now, it was a sign that turbid waters had contaminated the crystal-clear spring that was the Supreme Sovereign’s heart.

He pursed his lips tightly.

He was the Supreme Sovereign.

And also the leader of the Righteous Martial Alliance.

What Sima Cheonse as the Supreme Sovereign could not do, the leader of the Righteous Martial Alliance had to do.

“Are you confused?”

The Supreme Sovereign’s heavy voice slowly expanded.

The glares focused on him. Glares so heavy they could crush a man.

“There is only one thing you must think about.”

The Supreme Sovereign’s hand pointed towards Baekgeom Fortress. No one except him could have noticed the almost imperceptible tremor in that seemingly confident gesture.

“The enemy.”

“……”

The glares hardened.

If the Supreme Sovereign had begun to make elaborate excuses, morale would have plummeted. Many excuses only indicate many faults.

But the Supreme Sovereign was channeling his will with determination.

“Are we going to die?”

They were abrupt words, but everyone understood what had been omitted.

No matter what happens.

Regardless of circumstances or grudges.

No one had any intention of offering their necks submissively. Absolutely no one.

“If you have any doubts, ask me.”

A powerful energy began to accumulate in the Supreme Sovereign’s fist.

“I will bear all your sins. I will take responsibility. If history asks, I will answer.”

A resonant voice.

A body throbbing as if about to burst.

Everyone was drawn to the Supreme Sovereign.

“So draw your swords! Cut down the enemy! Prove in this very place that it is you who protect the Central Plains!”

Without logic, without justification.

But hearts were burning.

“Righteous Martial Alliance!”

“Loyalty!”

“Don’t lose sight of my back.”

The Supreme Sovereign turned and began to walk.

That gigantic back.

The back so broad that it seemed capable of carrying even Mount Tai returned the light to the eyes of those who saw it.

They followed him.

The voice resonating in their minds.

The Supreme Sovereign was leading everyone with his back.

“After all, is the Supreme Sovereign still the Supreme Sovereign?”

Baek Hoemyung shrugged as he watched the scene.

“I expected it, but how boring.”

He never thought that revealing the past would cause the Righteous Martial Alliance to fall into chaos. Justification gains strength over time. For a justification to become legitimate, it must be transmitted, commented on, and turned into history.

That role would be fulfilled by the spectators.

‘It will depend on the result.’

Baek Hoemyung looked at the spectators with disdain.

They would watch until the end, to see who would triumph in this place. If Baekgeom Fortress won, their injustice would spread like wildfire.

A few words would grow and grow until the Righteous Martial Alliance became an intractable organization.

What if Baekgeom Fortress lost?

It would be spread that the remnants of the Great Family of the Infinity Sword had babbled nonsense before being beheaded.

That’s how people are, that’s how rumors are.

Although he knew it, Baek Hoemyung could not hide his contempt.

These were the ones who had come all the way here just to watch people kill and die. How could he respect them?

“Ugh……”

Baek Hoemyung brushed the hair falling over his face aside.

“Young Master.”

“I know.”

Baek Hoemyung gestured with his hand.

‘It seems like it’s time.’

They would soon know that this place would be their tomb.

And from today’s battle, the name of the Great Family of the Infinity Sword would once again shake the world.

“Let’s unleash chaos.”

Baek Hoemyung wielded his sword.

* * *

“…I can’t… go on.”

Jangil’s voice completely lacked strength.

But alas, there was no one by his side to encourage him or cheer him up.

“Me neither.”

“…I’d rather die.”

Musan and Peng Dogeuk were also rolling on the ground. Jegal Munin, perhaps out of dignity, managed to stand, but his pale face was far from looking good.

“Softies.”

Wei Yanho made a sound of disapproval as he watched the scene.

Jangil felt offended, but he didn’t even have the strength to fight with Wei Yanho now.

‘I almost died.’

Although Jangil used to complain a lot, this time he was not exaggerating. He really didn’t have the strength to even move a finger.

‘I hate those guys.’

The Demon Cult had pursued them with terrifying tenacity. Looking back, it was difficult to understand how they had managed to escape those stubborn claws.

Wei Yanho was right.

If they had decided to kill them, perhaps Wei Yanho or Wei Jeonghan would have survived, but Jangil would not. However, their movements clearly aimed to capture them alive.

That was why, in a dangerous balance, they managed to escape their control.

“Hey, Peng Dogeuk.”

“…Yes.”

“Are you still alive?”

“…No.”

“Well, may you be reincarnated in peace.”

The one who had suffered the most was Peng Dogeuk. His ability did not reach that of Wei Yanho or Musan. He was strong, yes, but not strong enough to hold the vanguard. Even so, Peng Dogeuk did not complain once and maintained his position until the end.

‘Tough guy.’

Probably Peng Dogeuk would become stronger. Those who brush with death several times always get their reward.

“Shouldn’t we leave now?”

“Hey, you!”

Jangil jumped up.

“Look at us before rushing! Do you see anyone in condition now?”

“Ugh.”

Even Wei Yanho could not refute him this time.

It was understandable.

The state of the group was indescribable, even with the word “shattered.” Their clothes were nothing more than rags, and those rags were soaked in blood, turning dark red.

In the bodies peeking out from between the rags, countless minor wounds could be seen.

It was a miracle that, with so many wounds, none had suffered a fatal injury.

“Gnnn.”

Although that miracle had not been for everyone. Wei Jeonghan removed the bandage from his shoulder. If it could be called a bandage, because it was nothing more than a piece of torn cloth.

“Tsk.”

The piece of cloth hardened by blood peeled off with a creaking sound. Wei Yanho paled at the sight.

“Yikes!”

That looked painful.

Although Wei Yanho had some resistance to pain, he was still not used to seeing bleeding wounds.

“Exaggerated.”

Wei Jeonghan looked at him with disdain as he finished removing the bandage.

“It seems to be scarring a bit.”

“Yes.”

Wei Jeonghan nodded as he examined his shoulder.

The wound, which had been open to the bone, now showed signs of regeneration. By opening and closing his fist, he felt a tingling, but he could move without major problems.

“We got off cheap.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

It would have been a miracle to get out alive after losing a limb. That’s how brutal they had been.

Escaping their clutches was a relief, but that didn’t mean the situation had improved.

“What do we do now?” Wei Yanho asked.

Wei Jeonghan looked at Jangil, who straightened up.

“Do you have any orders?”

“Where exactly are we?”

“Mmm…”

Jangil pondered for a moment before responding.

“Probably in the middle of Qinghai.”

“Already?”

“We ran as if death was chasing us.”

“You’re right.”

Wei Jeonghan ran his hand over his chin.

Qinghai, Qinghai…

“What is the closest main sect?”

“It’s hard to say. Downwards, it’s close to Emei. To the side, near Mount Hua.”

“I see.”

Qinghai was a land outside the influence of the Righteous Martial Alliance. It was not as abandoned as Xinjiang, but it was difficult to plan anything here.

In the end, they would have to go to Sichuan or Shaanxi…

“Wouldn’t Sichuan be better?” Jangil suggested.

“Sichuan?”

“Yes. We have certain tensions with Mount Hua. If we go there, they will not receive us with open arms. In that case, it is better to go to Sichuan, where at least we have connections. It will be easier to do something there.”

It was a valid argument.

But Wei Jeonghan chose another option.

“Let’s go to Shaanxi.”

“To Mount Hua?”

Wei Jeonghan nodded.

“Why?”

“Because arriving is not the end. If we go to Mount Hua, we can meet with the Righteous Martial Alliance faster.”

“Hmm.”

Jangil did not object further.

It was Jegal Munin who protested.

“But Great Hero, gathering will be difficult.”

“Why?”

“Even if we join, I doubt we can do anything significant.”

“The situation has changed drastically. We must inform them of their movements.”

Jegal Munin sighed.

“It’s too late.”

“……”

“It took us too long to escape them. Even if we bring them the news now, they will act before our message arrives.”

“Grr.”

Wei Jeonghan growled.

He knew that Jegal Munin was right. But they could not stand idly by.

“If we pass through a Righteous Martial Alliance base on the way to Sichuan, we can transmit the message. We must go to Sichuan. There we can mobilize the Righteous Heavenly Alliance. To face the approaching Demon Cult, we need to be able to move forces. Mount Hua will respect us, but will never accept our opinions.”

Wei Jeonghan was lost in thought.

It was a logical argument. Not knowing what decision to make, Wei Jeonghan looked at his dazed son.

“What do you think?”

“Huh?”

“Where do you think we should go now?”

“To Wuhan?”

“What?”

“To Wuhan.”

“Why?”

Wei Jeonghan blinked, puzzled.

Wuhan? Why was he mentioning Wuhan now?

“What is war made of?”

“Well, with…”

Soldiers? Weapons?

“War is made with money. Without money, there are no supplies. Without supplies, we all starve.”

“That’s true.”

“Then we must first control the flow of money. It is the most important thing. That way we won’t go hungry while we fight.”

“Flow of money?”

Wei Jeonghan tilted his head.

“Is there a flow of money in Wuhan?”

“Yes.”

“Did you hide a treasure there?”

“It’s not a treasure, it’s hidden money.”

“Huh?”

Wei Jeonghan was perplexed when Wei Yanho smiled maliciously.

“By now it must be a fortune. Since it’s money that I won’t be able to spend in my life, at least let me show it off.”

“……”

“So let’s go to Wuhan! If we can pass through Luoyang on the way, better. I need to talk to grandfather.”

As he watched his cheerful son, Wei Jeonghan had a thought.

Perhaps this war…

It would unfold in a completely different way than he imagined.