Chapter 581

Chapter 581: The Lazy Gets Scared (1)

“You say it was a crushing defeat?”

“That’s right.”

“But one record says that…”

“Yes, correct. It wasn’t a crushing defeat.”

The historian nodded.

“There are clear records that the death of the Supreme Sovereign occurred in Anhui. Thanks to that, it is said that the Righteous Martial Alliance quickly lost morale and retreated.”

“Correct. That’s how it was.”

“But to call it a crushing defeat…”

The historian looked at Gwanggu Singae with an expression of incomprehension.

This was a different problem from everything before.

The personal matters or character of Wei Yanho might have been distorted in history. Especially if it was an intentional distortion.

But to willfully describe the outcome of a war is impossible. History belongs to the victors, but also to the spectators and the defeated.

It is impossible for all those voices to unite in a single narrative.

“No, how is it possible that…?”

The historian blinked, unable to regain his composure.

‘Is this possible?’

Impossible. Absolutely impossible. History doesn’t change that easily.

The same applies to the Great Battle of Luoyang by Wei Yanho.

Historical records describe the Great Battle of Luoyang like this:

“The sinister Bishops of the Demon Cult, the Death Demon and the Poison Demon, attacked the headquarters of the Righteous Martial Alliance. They swept through the area as if it were deserted and tried to poison the citizens of Luoyang. These had no choice but to cover their eyes and ears and flee in panic. At the climax of this atrocity, the Radiant Martial Sovereign Wei Yanho brandished his sword with fury, beheading the two demons, for which the citizens of Luoyang praised him.”

‘It’s a little different, but…’

Historical records do not perfectly convey the situation at the time.

Transmitting situations through writings has limitations. Writing is the most perfect means of transmitting knowledge to future generations, but it cannot communicate everything perfectly.

However, that doesn’t mean that the situation can be distorted to that point.

The details of the Battle of Luoyang may differ, but the basic facts – that the two bishops attacked the headquarters, plunging Luoyang into crisis, and that Wei Yanho saved them – were clearly conveyed.

But according to the words of Gwanggu Singae now, it seems that history was transmitted completely wrong. How could something like this happen?

“I don’t understand. How…?”

“It’s natural that you don’t understand.”

Gwanggu Singae sighed.

“It’s understandable. The word ‘crushing defeat’ implies that countless people died. As long as that absence of so many lives cannot be filled, how could history be corrected?”

“You’re right.”

“But what if that absence is filled?”

“…Huh?”

Gwanggu Singae gave an enigmatic smile.

“If nine thousand out of ten thousand died, would it be a crushing defeat?”

“It would depend on how many enemies survived, but in general, yes, it could be said that.”

“And if five thousand out of ten thousand died?”

“It wouldn’t be different.”

“Then, what if one thousand out of ten thousand died?”

“…That…”

The historian frowned.

Of course, that couldn’t be called a crushing defeat. If we considered losing a tenth of the troops as a crushing defeat, it would be difficult to find a single general in history who hadn’t suffered one.

But that wasn’t the point now.

The historian didn’t understand why Gwanggu Singae was asking this. What did it have to do with what they were discussing?

As if answering that doubt, Gwanggu Singae began to speak:

“Crushing defeat. Yes, it was. Because almost no one returned. But it is a story that could have been reversed.”

“…A story that could be reversed?”

Does that make sense?

If someone other than Gwanggu Singae had said that, the historian would have spat on the ground and gotten up from his seat. Those words were an insult to those who record history.

But in front of him was none other than Gwanggu Singae.

Although he had relaxed a bit after so long conversing, on second thought, this man was one of the heroes who saved the martial world, and the former leader of the Beggar Sect, known for being the closest to the Radiant Martial Sovereign Wei Yanho himself.

He was not someone the historian could treat lightly.

And he was not someone who would say meaningless nonsense either.

“It’s natural that you don’t understand.”

Gwanggu Singae nodded, as if understanding that reaction.

“You couldn’t understand it. But when you hear what I have to say, you will understand. What happened in Anhui is something that you will never be able to understand with the common sense you have now.”

The historian swallowed dryly.

He could feel it.

Although Gwanggu Singae spoke naturally, the aura emanating from him was different from everything before.

As if the real story was now beginning, Gwanggu Singae raised his voice:

“Well, back then in Anhui, the Righteous Martial Alliance and Baekgeom Fortress were fighting a battle.”

Gwanggu Singae shrugged.

“In objective terms, the Alliance was superior.”

“Correct.”

It was something too obvious.

After all, the Righteous Martial Alliance was a coalition.

No matter how strong a sect was, it could not face a coalition alone. Even if not all of the Alliance’s resources had been mobilized.

Think about it.

Could a single sect withstand the combined attack of Shaolin, Wudang, Namgung, and the Beggar Sect? Historically, only one place could do it:

The Demon Cult.

That is why the Demon Cult is such a feared entity. No sect, except the Cult, can face the Righteous Martial Alliance alone.

“I thought that, although there would be casualties, in the end the Righteous Martial Alliance would win. The Master of Divine Abilities and the Supreme Sovereign also believed it. Those two do not fight hopeless battles. They knew better than anyone how important power is in war, and that victory must be assured before fighting.”

The historian nodded silently.

That is why it was so shocking.

That the Supreme Sovereign died fighting Baekgeom Fortress in Anhui, and that the Fortress obtained a crushing victory. No matter how much history is studied, it is impossible to understand.

Baekgeom Fortress could be strong.

They could have hidden their power.

But even that has limits.

If a dragon hides its body in a lake, at first glance it might be mistaken for a water snake. But no matter how much it hides its appearance, you cannot mistake a dragon for a snake.

No matter how much Baekgeom Fortress hid its power, it was impossible for it to hide completely. And the Master of Divine Abilities surely considered even the possibility that the Fortress was hiding forces when planning the deployment of troops.

With the Demon Cult approaching from the other side, it was obvious that they would want to eliminate any future threat by nipping Baekgeom Fortress in the bud.

And in that situation, a crushing defeat?

Impossible.

“But predictions and expectations are based on common sense. When something happens that goes beyond common sense, there is no choice but to surrender.”

“Beyond common sense?”

“You already know it. The fact that something happened that transcended common sense.”

The historian, momentarily disconcerted, widened his eyes.

“W-What? Could it be…?”

Gwanggu Singae closed his eyes, as if he had anticipated that reaction.

“The price of ignoring the obvious was incredibly cruel. Yes. That ‘could it be’.”

A bitter voice from Gwanggu Singae continued:

“We were all stupid.”

* * *

Rise.

In an instant, the breathing quickens and the heart beats like crazy.

This feeling.

The feeling that every hair on his body is under his control. The feeling of feeling every speck of dust that brushes his face. The feeling that every nerve bristles like a sharp sword.

In the midst of this sensation, the Supreme Sovereign felt that he had returned to the battlefield.

Only on the battlefield can this be felt. It is not a matter of being sensitive or not. When one is on the battlefield, where life and death are decided in an instant, man faces his essence.

Perhaps longed for, but never desired, immersing himself in that sensation, the Supreme Sovereign clenched his fists.

The iron rule of the battlefield.

Do not hesitate.

Do not doubt.

On the battlefield, a moment of hesitation costs you your life. Even if your heart doubts, once the battle begins, you must forget everything.

The Supreme Sovereign opened his eyes wide.

“Guaaaaaah!”

A powerful roar erupted. The Supreme Sovereign began to run, unleashing his energy.

‘Incredible.’

Song Hyun felt a chill seeing that figure.

There were no special orders. No detailed discussions. He just shouted for them to follow him and started running.

There was no strategy or tactics. As an action of the Supreme Sovereign, who led the war against the Demon Cult, it was terribly disappointing.

But what is this emotion?

‘It’s like being dragged along.’

He was just running forward, but he felt fire filling his chest. He understood what it meant that “a man speaks with his back.” Just seeing the back of the Supreme Sovereign in front, an indescribable emotion filled his entire body.

‘This is the Supreme Sovereign.’

He understood why the name of the Supreme Sovereign resonated in the world. Why so many masters ceded him the seat of honor.

Even the leader of Wudang, known for his pride, now followed him without question.

The others were no different.

He could state it with certainty.

In the world there are many masters. Among them, there are surely those who surpass the Supreme Sovereign.

You don’t have to go far.

The Sword Sage of Wudang is no less famous than the Supreme Sovereign.

Skill?

Not because Song Hyun was the leader of Wudang, but objectively, the Sword Sage was not inferior to the Supreme Sovereign. Many even believe that, in terms of pure strength, the Sword Sage is superior.

But, could the Sword Sage guide them like this?

Absolutely impossible.

The ability to lead.

The most necessary skill for whoever must guide a great alliance and lead a war. The Supreme Sovereign had that skill.

Song Hyun looked discreetly back.

‘They have serious faces.’

Seeing the faces full of determination of the disciples, even Song Hyun felt his blood boiling. Seeing the disciples of Wudang, who value calm above all else, with the faces of soldiers in battle, was not common.

Under normal circumstances, he should calm them down.

But Song Hyun didn’t. As for battles, the Supreme Sovereign was several steps ahead. He wouldn’t be dragging them along without thinking.

He entrusted everything to him.

Song Hyun looked forward with determination. At the front, the forces of the Righteous Martial Alliance, led by the Supreme Sovereign, were quickly breaking through the formations of Baekgeom Fortress.

‘Will they be surprised? Or…?’

Such a powerful charge.

Even for veterans of the battlefield, it was such a violent and ruthless charge that it could cut off the breath in an instant. It was inevitable to wonder what expressions those on the other side would have.

“Let’s gooooooo!”

Just when other thoughts began to emerge, the Supreme Sovereign raised his voice! That powerful shout instantly eliminated all the scattered thoughts from Song Hyun’s head. Feeling the heat of the blood boiling in his belly, Song Hyun also unsheathed his sword and raised it.

“Attack!”

The Supreme Sovereign broke through to the center of the formations of Baekgeom Fortress.

Kwaaaaaaaang!

With a crash, bodies went flying.