Chapter 610

Chapter 610: The Encounter with the Lazy One (5)

“The Clan Leader hasn’t moved.”

Baek Hoemyung’s face hardened.

News of his defeat should have already reached the Clan Leader. Heavenly Flowing Sword had acted upon hearing the news, so it was impossible for the Clan Leader to be unaware of the situation.

Then, why hadn’t he done anything?

“At least an order…”

If he wasn’t going to act himself, the least he could do was point Baek Hoemyung in the right direction.

But why hadn’t he?

“The Clan Leader…”

Baek Hoemyung was about to say something, but he pressed his lips together tightly. After hesitating for a long time, he finally spoke with a tense expression:

“Uncle.”

“Tell me.”

“I can’t understand the Clan Leader’s intentions at all.”

This time, it was Heavenly Flowing Sword who remained silent.

Because he didn’t understand them either.

In the past, it wasn’t like this.

Before, Heavenly Flowing Sword had been a close confidant of the Clan Leader. He understood his anxieties, deeply felt his pain, and encouraged him on the path he should take.

But not anymore.

“Older brother…”

The Clan Leader had changed at some point. The passion and determination of the past were no longer perceived in him. Since he sat down in the garden, he seemed to lose energy day after day.

What had led him to this?

Heavenly Flowing Sword let out a deep sigh.

When a person gives up on dialogue, they begin to rot. Even those trapped in their own obstinacy and prejudices usually maintain at least a minimum of communication. But the Clan Leader now rejected even that.

They speak, discuss ideas, but never reveal the deepest parts of their hearts. What kind of dialogue can arise like that?

“This is war. A war that will erase everything past and open a new era. Haven’t we been preparing for it for three hundred years?”

“That’s right.”

“But I can’t understand why the Clan Leader isn’t leading it personally. Why…? Why doesn’t he act?”

Frustration dripped from Baek Hoemyung’s voice.

As much as he was a man in the prime of his life, the Clan Leader and the Sub-Clan Leader were clearly different. Not only in the power that their names carried, but also in the real authority.

A matter of this magnitude clearly required the intervention of the Clan Leader, not his.

If not, he should at least cede his position so that another could take command. Only then would there be justification for his inaction.

But the Clan Leader didn’t do it.

He retained his title but delegated all his responsibilities to Baek Hoemyung. Thus, he, with only the rank of Sub-Clan Leader, was forced to fight against the current alone.

“Why…?”

The Clan Leader he remembered wasn’t like this.

He was someone more passionate and determined than anyone. Just ten years ago, it would have been unimaginable that the Clan Leader would not personally lead the war for which he had prepared his entire life.

“I…”

“Sub-Clan Leader.”

Heavenly Flowing Sword interrupted Baek Hoemyung.

“Yes, uncle.”

“I don’t understand the Clan Leader’s intentions either. I doubt anyone can understand why he acts like this.”

“…”.

“But that doesn’t mean he’s wrong.”

“Huh?”

Baek Hoemyung looked at him with perplexed eyes.

“The grand purpose is like that. To the eyes of the mediocre, it seems absurd and foolish. Can a sparrow guess the designs of a phoenix?”

“… It’s true.”

“Sub-Clan Leader, the Clan Leader is great.”

Baek Hoemyung nodded.

Who could deny it?

If one had to choose the best talent of the Great Family of the Infinity Sword since the era of the Sword Emperor, it would undoubtedly be the current Clan Leader. No, even including previous eras, it would still be him.

If it weren’t for Baek Muhan, the Sword Emperor, no one would dare to challenge the status of the Clan Leader. Not only as leader of the Great Family of the Infinity Sword, but also as a martial artist: he had reached a summit unattainable for others.

It was natural that they could not guess his intentions. But…

He couldn’t accept it.

No matter how much he thought about it, the Clan Leader was not acting sensibly. Anyone would notice how strange his behavior was.

“Uncle, I…”

“Sub-Clan Leader.”

Heavenly Flowing Sword interrupted him again.

“How could I not understand how you feel?”

“…”.

“I understand. I know you feel frustrated and overwhelmed. But that’s something you, as Sub-Clan Leader, must endure.”

“… That’s right.”

“Don’t depend on the Clan Leader. Even if everyone else does, you can’t. Someday you will take his place. Can the Clan Leader help you all your life?”

Baek Hoemyung nodded.

“Don’t seek help. Strive to reach his stature on your own. This old man is already finished, but you still have time.”

“My younger brothers might…”

“Nonsense.”

Heavenly Flowing Sword was categorical.

“It’s not because you are the firstborn. Those boys can’t match you. As martial artists, perhaps they will surpass you in the future. They may become stronger. But they will never be Clan Leader! The Great Family of the Infinity Sword is not a place where anyone can inherit the title just by being born into the line of succession. Those children only understand the power of the title, not its immense responsibility!”

Heavenly Flowing Sword was angrier than ever.

“Sub-Clan Leader!”

“Yes.”

“Have confidence in yourself. You may think that you became Sub-Clan Leader only because of your lineage, but it’s not like that. Without your own merits, not even being the firstborn and legitimate heir, you would have been rejected. You are someone recognized by the Clan Leader, by me, and by the other elders!”

Baek Hoemyung’s face hardened.

“I’ll remember that, uncle.”

“Good, that’s enough. If there’s anything you can’t do with your current strength, I’ll help you. Although I’m no match for the Clan Leader, I can still be useful.”

“What are you saying? With your help, nothing will be impossible!”

“I’m encouraged to hear that.”

Heavenly Flowing Sword looked at Baek Hoemyung, who was finally regaining his spirits, and sighed silently.

“Wei Yanho…”

What weighed on Baek Hoemyung was not the pressure of the current situation.

Perhaps he didn’t even know it himself, but his vision was clouded by an inferiority complex toward Wei Yanho.

However, Heavenly Flowing Sword didn’t want to reproach him.

It was impossible to blame someone for feeling inferior to Wei Yanho because he was simply too exceptional.

“Why did the heavens send that monster into the world?”

Not even Heavenly Flowing Sword had been able to defeat him.

The despair he felt at being defeated by Wei Yanho had been overwhelming. Even after facing countless adversities and leaving his pride behind, the blow was so strong that it was hard to recover.

How much greater would Baek Hoemyung’s despair have been, still full of youthful vigor?

It must have been indescribable.

“Sub-Clan Leader.”

“Yes, uncle.”

“Wei Yanho must die.”

“… I think so too.”

Baek Hoemyung gritted his teeth.

Wei Yanho.

Just hearing his name made his blood boil. If it weren’t for him, they would have already driven the White Sword into the headquarters of the Righteous Martial Alliance. If he hadn’t hindered them again and again, the martial world would already be in their hands.

“But there’s something that worries me.”

“What?”

“Facing Wei Yanho won’t be easy. If we spend all our strength defeating him, what will we do with the Demon Cult…?”

“Mmm…”

Heavenly Flowing Sword also nodded.

They and the Demon Cult shared the same boat, but they were not allies. It was as if both were in a large boat, watching each other. There was no better example of the phrase “sleeping with the enemy.”

If they won this war, sooner or later they would have to face the Demon Cult. If they suffered heavy losses defeating Wei Yanho, they might not be able to win that battle.

“Even so, it’s something we must do.”

“But…”

“Have you forgotten? Wei Yanho has always stood in our way. Wherever we went, he appeared to hinder us.”

That was what most exasperated Baek Hoemyung. Wei Yanho seemed to have a supernatural instinct to find and sabotage their plans.

Sometimes, it even seemed excessive to him. How was it possible that, no matter how hidden their movements were, Wei Yanho always discovered them? They had done everything possible to keep them secret!

“This goes beyond human. Wei Yanho is undoubtedly a rival sent by the heavens.”

“…”.

“If we don’t eliminate him now, we will eventually be defeated.”

“Is it that serious?”

“Perhaps it’s the delirium of an old man. But this unease doesn’t leave me.”

Heavenly Flowing Sword spoke firmly.

“Even if the Sub-Clan Leader disagrees, I must go kill Wei Yanho. I know it’s ridiculous to ask for your authorization and then say this.”

“How could I disagree? I trust your judgment, uncle.”

“Thank you.”

Heavenly Flowing Sword turned his head.

“So, where is Wei Yanho now?”

“He seems to be heading to Hefei.”

“Hefei?”

“Yes.”

“A good place for a grave.”

The corner of Heavenly Flowing Sword’s lips curved into a smile.

Wei Yanho wouldn’t have the slightest suspicion that someone was stalking him. Those who achieve absolute victory never prepare for the war that follows.

And that’s when the counterattack comes.

Since ancient times, arrogance always brings ruin.

“Let’s go kick his ass then.”

“Yes, uncle.”

Baek Hoemyung silently followed Heavenly Flowing Sword, who was walking ahead.

Now that his uncle had joined, Wei Yanho couldn’t resist. The opportunity to end his tenacious life had finally arrived.

But…

“Will it really be like that?”

Wei Yanho had always defied his expectations. According to his calculations, he should have already died at least ten times.

“It’s not enough.”

Even with their combined strength, it wasn’t enough. They needed something more. Something that would ensure Wei Yanho’s death. A net so powerful that not even a celestial dragon could escape!

Baek Hoemyung’s eyes narrowed.

“It’s early, but there’s no choice.”

Nothing was more important than killing Wei Yanho. So Baek Hoemyung had to make a decision too.

Perhaps this moment would define the course of the war.

He clenched his fists.

“This time will be the last, Wei Yanho. I will end your stubborn life.”

He walked with a firm step.

Feeling the determination emanating from his back, Heavenly Flowing Sword couldn’t help but smile.

“That’s how it should be.”

The Great Family of the Infinity Sword had lost.

But it wouldn’t end in defeat.

They would wash away their failure with Wei Yanho’s head and obtain an eternal victory.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes!”

The Infinity Sword began to move again.

They would wash away their failure with Wei Yanho’s head and obtain an eternal victory.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes!”

The Infinity Sword began to move again.