Chapter 1451
Please take care of me from now on. (1)
Chung Myung’s mouth opened slightly as he stared silently at Tang Gunak for a long time. However, it seemed he hadn’t yet organized his thoughts, as his mouth soon closed again.
Chung Myung gazed intently into Tang Gunak’s eyes, as if trying to gauge his true intentions. But Tang Gunak met Chung Myung’s eyes with unwavering gaze.
“No, that…”
Chung Myung scratched the back of his head vigorously.
“If we abolish the position of deputy leader and establish the position of the General…”
“Then all the powers held by the deputy leader would be transferred to the General. Officially, the General would become the second-in-command of Cheonumaeng. In that case, I too would be in a position to follow your orders.”
Chung Myung blinked.
“And you are aware of that?”
“But that’s only in name.”
“Huh?”
Chung Myung’s face showed interest.
As expected, such excessive…
“Though the Alliance Leader would still be above the General, the General would make the decisions. Therefore, in practice, the General would be the actual power holder of Cheonumaeng.”
“…”
“And that would be you, Hwasan Geomhyeop.”
Thick beads of sweat formed on Chung Myung’s forehead.
“That…”
Chung Myung scratched his head vigorously once more and spoke to Tang Gunak in a soothing manner.
“I understand how you feel right now, but this doesn’t seem to be something that needs to be rushed. Let’s calm down for now…”
“Do I seem agitated to you?”
“…No.”
He didn’t seem agitated at all, but excessively calm. He looked as if not even a drop of blood would come out if pricked with a needle.
“I have thought it through thoroughly and made my decision. So, regardless of who opposes, this will happen. I will make sure of it.”
Chung Myung turned his head violently.
However, neither Five Swords, who would normally support him in such situations, nor Hyun Jong, who should step in and take this role, were present.
‘That’s why he brought me here.’
Chung Myung, who had been completely cornered, let out an awkward laugh.
“Haha… I understand your opinion, Lord Tang, but we need to discuss this with the other sects first…”
“Hwasan Geomhyeop.”
Tang Gunak stared directly at him, indicating that he would not let Chung Myung leave without agreement.
“You will become the General.”
While Chung Myung desperately searched for a response, Tang Gunak turned his head to look at the Tang clan members.
“Yesterday, I pondered and pondered again. It wasn’t about the future of the Tang clan, as you might think. That was actually an easy conclusion. What troubled me was why we have been driven into a corner in the first place.”
“…”
“At least from what I have seen, your strategic mind is not inferior to Jang Ilso’s. No, I believe you have the potential to see beyond him. The difference between you two is one. Jang Ilso manipulates his subordinates, cutting off anything that cannot serve him. But you are different. You limit your own role to that of a subordinate.”
Chung Myung’s face hardened slightly.
“You can’t fight properly within those limits. The same goes for the recent situation with Haenam. If you hadn’t considered the circumstances of the other sects and had mobilized the full strength of Cheonumaeng, the outcome would have been different.”
“…You’re overthinking this.”
“In other words, all the hardships the Tang clan faces now are the results of my inability to decisively put you in that position, even though I knew it was the right path.”
Tang Gunak’s eyes darkened.
“If something is wrong, it needs to be fixed before more mistakes are made.”
“No, I…”
“Didn’t you agree just a moment ago that Cheonumaeng needs a proper leader?”
Well, he thought Tang Gunak would handle that…
Chung Myung finally let out a deep sigh.
“I understand what you are saying, but there are too many things to consider. First, there’s the issue of Hwasan monopolizing the leadership of Cheonumaeng, the problem of the previously equal sects forming a hierarchical structure, and the dilution of Cheonumaeng’s identity…”
As Chung Myung continued to mumble on, Tang Gunak’s eyes narrowed.
“You misunderstand me. Does it sound like I am trying to persuade you?”
“What?”
“The only way to establish a position like the General within the alliance is through acclamation. The sects that are part of the alliance must acclaim it.”
“…What?”
“So your opinion isn’t really important. What matters is whether the leaders of the alliance acknowledge that person for the position or not.”
“…What?”
“And it looks like they’re coming now, the ones who need to make that decision.”
Chung Myung followed Tang Gunak’s gaze with a dazed look. In the distance, a group was rushing towards them – the other sects of Cheonumaeng that had broke away from Nanjing.
“…Huh?”
Chung Myung blinked.
“So,”
Tang Gunak said firmly,
“I, Tang Gunak, as the Lord of Sichuan Tang Clan and a deputy leader of Cheonumaeng, acclaim Hwasan Geomhyeop Chung Myung, disciple of Hwasan, as the General of Cheonumaeng.”
They stood on a field just outside Sichuan, having recently entered Shaanxi. The sect leaders, who had rushed from distant Nanjing to this place, looked at Chung Myung, who was standing as quietly as a sack of rice, with cautious eyes.
“…Hmm.”
“Indeed.”
Maeng So, the Lord of the Beast Palace, frowned his large eyes, displeased by the sudden announcement.
“…Establish the headquarters of Cheonumaeng in Shaanxi, gather all the members of the various sects in one place, and place them under the command of the newly appointed General, Hwasan Geomhyeop?”
Each decision was difficult for the individual sects to accept. Maeng So’s eyes twisted further. Just as Chung Myung was inwardly rejoicing at Maeng So’s expression, Maeng So opened his mouth and spoke in a booming voice.
“There’s nothing particularly bad about it, is there?”
“As expected, it’s not… What?”
Chung Myung’s eyes were suddenly wide open, but Maeng So simply nodded.
“It seems like a good idea.”
Why? Why is that a good idea?
Has staying in the Central Plains for so long messed with his head?
Next, Namgung Dowi nodded in agreement.
“If it’s about establishing the position of the General and having Chung Myung Dojang take it, Namgung clan has no objections. And we agree with moving to Shaanxi. We were already considering that Anhui was too dangerous.”
“…I doubt your late father would think the same.”
“I am the head of the clan now.”
“Huh…”
What a disrespectful brat…
Just as Chung Myung was about to vehemently oppose, Seol Sobaek raised his hand high.
“The Ice Palace agrees as well.”
“…”
I never expected to get through to him anyway.
Now, there was only one hope left.
“Hmm. Generel, huh… I recall a similar discussion before.”
Im Sobyeong, who received Chung Myung’s expectant gaze, suddenly spread a fan he had procured from who knows where, covering half of his face.
“You know why previous discussions like this have never led to a decision, right, Lord Tang?”
“Of course,”
Tang Gunak responded calmly, nodding. He then elaborated, as if his initial response wasn’t sufficient.
“It’s because, depending on the situation, I, as the Lord of the Tang clan, might have to follow the orders of someone who is merely a disciple of Hwasan. Not a request, but an order. And even if those orders are not to my liking, I would have to carry them out.”
“You do understand.”
“I’ve resolved myself to it.”
“Are you truly prepared for that, Lord Tang?”
Tang Gunak locked eyes with Im Sobyeong with a resolute gaze.
“Yes.”
Im Sobyeong let out a sigh of resignation at the intensity of Tang Gunak’s gaze.
Tang Gunak was the head of Sichuan Tang Clan. His stature in Gangho, his position within his family, and even his seniority made it difficult to follow Chung Myung’s orders unconditionally. But now, Tang Gunak was saying he had made up his mind.
“Even if the General ordered me to lead my household into a blazing inferno, I would do so. Because I believe it would be the right thing to do.”
“Ugh…”
Im Sobyeong folded his fan and scratched vigorously under his crown with its end.
“Tsk. In this atmosphere, Sapas can’t be the only ones saying something different, can we? We’re already bullied enough.”
“We’ve never ostracized you.”
“Anyway, Nokrim agrees. If that man makes up his mind, do you think the bandits won’t follow his lead just because he lacks a title? Do as you please. Roast it, steam it, whatever you want.”
Im Sobyeong raised his arms in surrender, signaling his agreement, and with that, Chung Myung’s last hope was thoroughly shattered.
Everyone except for the absent leader of the Ghost Gate agreed. This left only one person whose opinion had not been declared. Tang Gunak turned his gaze to the last remaining individual.
“Hmm. Lord Tang, I understand what you’re saying, but…”
Hyun Jong expressed his discomfort with his entire face, clearly not pleased with the proposal. However, Tang Gunak glanced at him and spoke indifferently.
“Please wait a moment, Alliance Leader.”
“What?”
“Right now, we are gathering the opinions of the leaders of each sect. However, you are not currently the Sect Leader of Hwasan.”
Hyun Jong looked momentarily confused. It dawned on him that Tang Gunak’s gaze had subtly excluded him. Following Tang Gunak’s gaze, Hyun Jong saw one person with a peculiar expression.
“What do you think, Sect Leader?”
“Hmm.”
With everyone’s attention on him, Un Am, the Sect Leader of Hwasan, gave an awkward smile. However, he soon spoke in a firm tone.
“If the previous Sect Leader were to make the decision, he certainly wouldn’t have been pleased with the idea of a mere disciple of Hwasan taking on such a significant responsibility. After all, I was also taught by the former Sect Leader.”
Upon hearing this, Hyun Jong’s face brightened, while Tang Gunak’s expression hardened slightly.
“That…”
“But.”
Just as Tang Gunak was about to retort, Un Am quickly added.
“I am somewhat different from the former Sect Leader. If the Alliance is willing to bestow such an important title, there’s no reason to refuse, is there?”
“What… what?”
Hyun Jong was startled and looked at Un Am in shock, but Un Am subtly avoided his gaze and continued.
“Anyway, as the current Sect Leader of Hwasan…”
A bright smile spread across Un Am’s face.
“I agree.”
Hyun Jong stared at Un Am, mouth agape. However, he couldn’t challenge Un Am’s decision. Although the retired Sect Leader held a higher honorary title, his position was not above the current Sect Leader.
Having passed on his role, all authority now rested with Un Am.
“I’ve raised a tiger cub…”
“Hey, be quiet! You’re just a retired old man!”
“Have some respect for the Sect Leader! Who do you think you are?”
Hyun Yeong and Hyun Sang, the two elders of Hwasan, silenced Hyun Jong, leaving him speechless and embarrassed.
“Then all the sects agree.”
Tang Gunak nodded leisurely, as if this outcome was expected, and turned to face one person still standing awkwardly like a misplaced straw sack.
“Do you understand now? From this moment on, you are the General of Cheonumaeng.”
A satisfied smile appeared on Tang Gunak’s face.
“Please take care of me from now on, General.”
…Chung Myung’s eyelid twitched.
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