Chapter 1548
Nevertheless. (3)
From that point on, everything proceeded without a hitch.
Considering the weight given to the people gathered, the meeting would have normally dragged on much longer, but…
“Just get to the point! Say what needs to be said! So, can we do it or not?”
The situation was urgent, and time was running out. These two irresistible factors shattered all the formalities that should have been exchanged during the meeting.
“It’s impossible to respond to the current situation by moving as a sect. Aren’t the enemies spreading all over Gangbuk?”
“Then what do you suggest we do?”
“We need to split up too! As small as they are!”
Im Sobyeong, who led seventy-two mountain strongholds and thus had no qualms about splitting his forces into seventy-two units, threw out the major premise.
“That’s reckless. While they can cause chaos wherever they go, we need to move organically! How can we communicate and respond to Jang Ilso’s movements when we’re spread out across the entire Central Plains?”
“Don’t find reasons why it can’t be done. Find a way to make it work!”
“No, I mean, how exactly…”
“If there’s a problem with communication, just attach someone to handle it! Send a message to the Beggars Sect’s headquarters for support! Just attach one beggar to each unit!”
“Ah!”
“Even with the Beggars Sect, immediate response is difficult.”
“Think of it as sending ten units to one region and place members of the Ghost Gate in the central units. That way, we can use human couriers instead of carrier pigeons.”
“Though not as fast as Baek Ah, there are still some quick spirit beasts. Using them might be a good idea. But for that, the spirit beasts and beast warriors would need to move together.”
“No matter what, it’s not an easy task. We might have to go as far as Zhejiang, and from Shaanxi to Zhejiang is…”
“We can select a few suitable mountain strongholds and set them up as temporary command centers. Create a command center in each region, receive the primary reports, give orders, and then report to the main headquarters of Cheonumaeng.”
Tang Gunak and Maeng So, along with Im Sobyeong, quickly filled in the necessary elements, proving that they did not earn their positions as leaders of their sects through mere games of chance.
Their experience combined with the spirit of the younger members.
“That’s not enough! We need to accompany each unit with the medics we’ve trained this time!”
“Already?”
“Absolutely.”
“But the necessary training isn’t complete yet.”
“There’s no end to medical training. Still, it’s a hundred times better than having none at all, so even if it’s not perfect, we have no choice. We can prioritize those from the Tang clan or those who already have medical knowledge over the complete novices!”
Tang Gunak nodded. While more discussion might yield better solutions, in the current situation, even a short debate was a luxury they couldn’t afford.
“Then let’s do it that way. Inform the Beggars Sect and the Ghost Gate immediately about the situation and request their support.”
“Yes, Vice Leader!”
Tang Gunak decisively concluded the situation.
“Which sect will go?”
“Namgung will go!”
“Haenam will go!”
“Wait a minute. Since Ice Palace has no suitable place to offer support, naturally, we should send the Ice Palace!”
The sects led by young leaders were all equally spirited.
However, Tang Gunak remained cool-headed.
“Nokrim King!”
“Yes.”
“You decide.”
“Neither Namgung nor Haenam will do.”
“Nokrim King!”
Namgung Dowi jumped up. But Im Sobyeong spoke as if he didn’t even see him.
“Which sect is stronger, which sect is more eager and motivated – that’s not important right now. Each team will only consist of about ten people at most. So what we should focus on now is…”
“The team leaders.”
“Yes.”
Im Sobyeong quickly nodded.
“The number of capable team leaders will determine the number of teams we can form. Haenam and Namgung lack sufficient personnel.”
“Wh-what about Ice Palace?”
“How can those unfamiliar with the terrain lead the teams?”
“Oh…”
Seol Sobaek sighed with a regretful expression. Im Sobyeong continued.
“It’s best to form ten or so teams centered around Hwasan and Tang clan, and then have each sect support one or two additional teams.”
Tang Gunak quickly nodded in agreement.
Hwasan and Tang clan are the core of Cheonumaeng. If these two sects take the lead in this dispatch, it is inevitable that Hwaeum’s defenses will weaken. However, with support from Jongnam, there was no better option. This was a clear fact.
“Alliance Leader.”
Once things were roughly settled, Hyun Jong nodded slowly.
“Hmm, then let’s proceed…”
“Then can Jongnam also support with at least one team?”
Everyone turned their heads in surprise. There stood Lee Songbaek, with a resolute expression. Jin Geumryong spoke coldly.
“Shut your mouth, Lee Songbaek.”
“When they hear this news, there will surely be those in Jongnam who want to step up. Isn’t it better to let them carry out their will rather than keeping them tied here?”
“Isn’t that what you want to do?”
Jin Geumryong shot him a sharp look, but Lee Songbaek remained silent. A cold smile played on Jin Geumryong’s lips.
“We are in no position to criticize Hwasan.”
“Sahyeong.”
“Do as you wish. There’s nothing more tiring than trying to turn a fool into a proper person. A fool should act like a fool.”
Despite the criticism, scorn, and mocking in his Sahyeong’s words, Lee Songbaek smiled brightly. He knew his ill-tempered senior well enough to understand the hidden consent within his words.
“Then Jongnam will join as well.”
Tang Gunak pressed his temples as if he had a headache.
“So…”
Hwasan, Tang clan… Namgung and Haenam, and now even Jongnam.
If these five sects each form a team, accompanied by medical units and the Beggars Sect, and supported by the Ghost Gate and Nokrim, the result will be…
“What a dreadful mishmash.”
It’s a mess.
It’s neither a proper alliance nor a unified sect. It’s just a haphazard collection of available personnel, thrown together and roughly assembled. But…
“Nevertheless.”
Chung Myung grinned as if he understood Tang Gunak’s feelings.
“It seems this is the most reasonable outcome, doesn’t it?”
Tang Gunak nodded, contemplating how much he wanted to stretch that smirking mouth from side to side.
“If you add the phrase ‘among the options available in this urgent timeframe,’ then… I acknowledge it.”
Tang Gunak let out a deep sigh and looked at Hyun Jong.
“Alliance Leader.”
“I approve.”
Hyun Jong answered without the slightest hesitation. All he could do now was eliminate unnecessary formalities.
“However, in forming the teams, they must not be weak. We can’t risk causing more harm in an effort to reduce damage.”
Tang Gunak sharply surveyed everyone.
“Did you all hear that?”
“Yes.”
“Then how should we form the teams?”
At Baek Cheon’s question, Tang Gunak responded coldly.
“Why are you asking me that?”
“Excuse me?”
“Those who want to take the lead should form their own teams. Gathering the right people and bringing them under one’s command is also a team leader’s ability.”
At those words, the faces of several people became resolute.
“Each team should have a minimum of five members. In addition, members from the Beggars Sect and medics, and depending on the situation, beast warriors from the Beast Palace may join. The team should exceed five but not exceed ten. Remember, the more people there are, the less the risk.”
“Yes!”
“I won’t wait. There are two conditions: the team must have sufficient strength to my satisfaction and must be assembled quickly. Teams will be evaluated and approved in the order they arrive, and once the number of teams I’ve decided on is filled, any teams that arrive afterward will be rejected without evaluation.”
This was a given.
Even with support from Jongnam, Hwaeum’s forces couldn’t be recklessly depleted.
Thus, even at maximum allowance, no more than thirty percent of the forces could be dispatched.
Regarding this matter, no negotiation or adjustment would be accepted. Seeing Tang Gunak’s serious expression, everyone answered briefly.
“Yes, Vice Leader!”
“Go!”
As soon as the words left Tang Gunak’s mouth, Jo Geol quickly turned to look at his Sahyeongs.
“We have nothing to worry about…! Huh? Sahyeong? Sasuk?”
But except for him, Five Swords had already turned and were rushing out of the meeting room.
“Wait, Sahyeong! Where are you going?”
“To form a team, of course.”
“If we form it among ourselves…”
Jo Geol momentarily closed his mouth. He realized too late that now was not the time to concentrate their power together.
If there were strong individuals, it was much more beneficial for them to take on the role of team leaders. This was for the sake of the common people.
But that also meant…
“…Am I the team leader?”
It meant he had to find at least five people who would trust him enough to risk their lives under his command.
“What?”
Jo Geol’s face turned pale.
“Sahyeong! Let’s go together! Please let me join your team! Sahyeong!”
❀ ❀ ❀
The morning in Hwaeum looked like a stirred-up beehive.
“Sahyeong! Take me with you! Please!”
“You said we’re going to fight those Sapaeryeon’s bastards! If I don’t go, who will?”
The news of recruiting those to be dispatched to Gangbuk had the entire Cheonumaeng in an uproar.
While there were a few who quietly tried to slip away, claiming it was ominous, most immediately grabbed their well-sharpened swords and stepped forward.
“Let’s form one more team!”
“They said the forces need to be strong, right? Two teams are enough!”
“Namgung is going to Anhui, and you’re saying just two teams? We absolutely need one more team.”
Amidst this, the interests of the sects intertwined.
“Sahyeong! Please take me with you!”
“Samae! You haven’t forgotten me, right? Huh?”
“Monk! I gave you meat last time, remember?”
“Ahem! I gave him alcohol! Meat can be easily obtained by hunting, but alcohol is far more precious! Besides, this man often goes hunting by himself, doesn’t he?”
“…What kind of life have you lived, Monk?”
While some were easily filling up their five-member teams and pondering who to exclude due to the influx of volunteers…
“Would you like to join me…”
“Eek!”
“Sasuk! Please, join me!”
“Yuck!”
…there were also those like Jo Geol who struggled for a long time to gather people.
However, amidst this, numerous teams were being formed in real time.
“Five members?”
“Yes.”
“It would be better to have a few more, but if that’s what you think, Sahyeong. Don’t worry, it’ll only take a moment.”
“Will that be enough? It won’t be easy to gather five people.”
“What are you talking about, Sahyeong? The time it takes is just for selecting the best among those who want to join. If we just gather indiscriminately, we can fill it up before taking a single breath.”
“…Really?”
“Seriously, Sahyeong, you have a tendency to underestimate yourself. You’re the Vice Sect Leader of Hwasan! It’s only natural.”
Baek Sang’s words made Baek Cheon smile.
“Alright. In any case, hurry up.”
“Yes!”
With Baek Cheon’s instruction, Baek Sang ran off quickly. As Baek Cheon quietly watched his retreating figure, he let out a small sigh.
“Foolishness is incurable.”
Baek Cheon flinched and turned around.
A face that was familiar yet endlessly unfamiliar, like looking at a mirror in a dream, was approaching him.
“Why bother forming a team that’s bound to be eliminated?”
“If you’re here to pick a fight, get lost. I don’t have time to deal with you.”
“Do you really think that’s the case, little brother?”
Jin Geumryong smiled.
“Quite the opposite, actually.”
“What?”
“As a team leader, you’re useless, but as a team member, you still have value. How about it? Why not join my team?”
Fire sparked in Baek Cheon’s eyes.
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