Chapter 1604
I can’t even laugh. (9)
It’s understandable. Given the situation, they’ve gathered in one place, but they’re fundamentally incompatible.
To have meaningful dialogue among such different people, considerable time for coordination is necessary. However, what they lack the most is precisely that time, which is why such a chaotic scene unfolds.
“Jongnam is said to be quite a remarkable sect in the Central Plains.”
The Beast Palace Lord Maeng So, who had been silent, looked at Jongli Gok and chuckled.
“Seems like the rumors are not to be trusted after all.”
“Palace Lord.”
“Isn’t that right?”
Maeng So, smiling brightly at Tang Gunak’s reproachful look, added.
“A man’s jealousy is often ugly.”
Jongli Gok didn’t back down and sneered in response.
“There’s no such soup of outcasts and Sapas as this.”
“Even without that, it seems that someone who doesn’t like it is trying to color the world in either good or evil. If you share the same thought, why not join forces with them?”
Jongli Gok’s eyes glinted with murderous intent.
“Have you finished talking?”
“And if I have?”
Jongli Gok glared at Maeng So, looking ready to rise and kill him at any moment.
He was none other than the Sect Leader of Jongnam. There was no way he could tolerate being insulted with a phrase like, ‘If you don’t like it, go lick Jang Ilso’s feet.’
“Cheonumaeng is more friendly with the Evil Sects.”
“If you think so, why not lead the remaining Just Sects and fight? I have no intention of stopping you.”
At that moment, instead of Jongli Gok, Zhuge Jain abruptly stood up.
“Is that the stance of Cheonumaeng?”
He asked, glaring at Tang Gunak with a sarcastic expression on his face.
“An unwelcome guest was merely occupying space. An old man with no sense intruded on another sect’s meeting, but having realized his mistake, I hope you will not scold him too harshly.”
“…Lord.”
Moyong Wigyeong tried to dissuade him, but this time, Zhuge Jain also glared at Moyong Wigyeong with angry eyes.
“Do we have to persist in this position despite receiving such treatment?”
“…Lord.”
“No matter the outcome, I have nothing to say. But that doesn’t mean I should endure such treatment. At least, that’s how I see it.”
Moyong Wigyeong was restless. However, at this point, he found it difficult to continue dissuading Zhuge Jain.
It was truly a difficult situation. What were they going to do after leaving this place? Neither Zhuge family nor Moyong family was in a position to undertake any initiative on their own.
“Lord Moyong, please stay here. Zhuge family will withdraw.”
Zhuge Jain, speaking decisively, now turned his gaze to Jongli Gok.
“What does Jongnam intend to do? Will you continue to endure this humiliation?”
It was at that moment, as Jongli Gok’s face slightly stiffened, that a calm yet weighty voice flowed into their midst.
“Did you say humiliation?”
Everyone’s eyes turned to the source of the voice. It was Hyun Jong, the Alliance Leader of Cheonumaeng, sitting in the central seat of the table.
Hyun Jong asked.
“What is humiliation?”
“Alliance Leader, we…”
“Is it humiliation to have to honor those we once disregarded?”
Jongli Gok’s face hardened.
“Or is it humiliation that we can no longer flaunt the same prestige as in the past?”
This time, Zhuge Jain’s face stiffened. He retorted.
“I would appreciate it if you did not speak so recklessly. No matter how much you are the Alliance Leader of Cheonumaeng and we are defeated sects, even the defeated have their pride.”
As Zhuge Jain spoke sharply, Tang Gunak’s face turned quite fierce. However, before Tang Gunak could say anything, Hyun Jong’s loud voice erupted.
“Pride?”
Hyun Jong glared at Zhuge Jain with a face completely different from usual.
“What exactly is your pride?”
“Alliance Leader…”
“Is it being treated with respect in this place? Or is it having the right to hold your head high despite being defeated? What is the pride of Zhuge family? Is it being acknowledged that, even if the outcome was bad, the intention was good?”
Hyun Jong’s voice, usually calm, carried an almost unbearable amount of anger.
“Is that kind of thing really pride?”
A cold gaze, unlike that of a Taoist, flowed from his eyes. Yet no one here dared to think that Hyun Jong’s reproachful words and gaze were misplaced.
“Who is asking for accountability? Who is trying to pinpoint fault? The warmth of the many corpses we buried and retrieved still lingers on our fingertips, and you talk about pride now?”
In the previously noisy space, now only Hyun Jong’s voice could be heard, not even a breath.
“If you truly know what pride is! Shouldn’t you discuss the current situation and formulate a plan before talking about trivial honor! That should be the role of Zhuge family, and what those who died in Hubei would expect from you! Is maintaining that meaningless honor so important?”
Zhuge Jain could not bear to look at Hyun Jong and turned his gaze away. Even Jongli Gok slightly turned his head, avoiding eye contact.
Hyun Jong wasn’t wrong. The person most entitled to be righteously angry here was Hyun Jong. They were merely agitated and defensive because their conscience was pricked. They understood this well.
“If you don’t like seeing me act high and mighty as the Alliance Leader of Cheonumaeng, then take my place. I’ll step down.”
“A-Alliance L-Leader! What are you saying…!”
Tang Gunak shouted in astonishment, but Hyun Jong didn’t even glance at him and continued glaring at Jongli Gok.
“If that would make Jongnam do its utmost to overcome the current situation, I would gladly do so. Even if I am not the leader, I will fight to the death as just a member of the Alliance.”
“…”
“What will you do?”
Jongli Gok, who had been avoiding eye contact, finally looked back at Hyun Jong. Hyun Jong also met his gaze directly without flinching.
It was the first time they faced each other since the Martial Arts Tournament.
In the past, Hyun Jong had struggled under Jongli Gok’s gaze, but today, it was Jongli Gok who looked away first.
It was a situation where he would lose face whether he agreed or disagreed. In the end, Jongli Gok chose another way.
“What do you think?”
He directed his question to Jin Geumryong, who seemed rather out of place at this gathering.
Jin Geumryong’s ambiguous position at this meeting turned out to be a perfect alternative for Jongli Gok.
Jin Geumryong answered calmly.
“Jongnam Sect is not so shameless.”
“I see.”
Jin Geumryong then looked at Hyun Jong and said.
“And it seems Alliance Leader has misunderstood a bit. Jongnam Sect will fight Sapaeryeon to the last man, regardless of the circumstances or situation. The will of Jongnam has never changed from beginning to end.”
Jongli Gok slowly nodded and said.
“This child’s words are the stance of the Jongnam.”
“Then, can I take it that Jongnam stands with Cheonumaeng?”
Hyun Jong asked, still looking at Jongli Gok, who was avoiding eye contact.
“…Yes, that is acceptable.”
Though he answered, a bitter taste filled his mouth.
But what else could he do? Jongli Gok had no other options.
There was no telling when Wudang would lift Bongmun, so could they ally with Zhuge and Moyong families to establish their own power? That would be tantamount to declaring the annihilation of the remaining three sects.
Would that pack of jackals, who expertly prey on weaknesses, leave the vulnerable remnants of Gupailbang alone? To survive, they had no choice but to rely on Cheonumaeng.
Leaving all that unspoken was the last shred of pride Jongli Gok had.
“What about Zhuge family?”
“What else can we do when there’s no other option?”
Even though he agreed to join, his tone was far from friendly. Before the surrounding reactions could erupt, Moyong Wigyeong quickly spoke up.
“Moyong family will, of course, stand with Cheonumaeng. It is only natural, isn’t it?”
Hyun Jong, after glancing at Moyong Wigyeong, nodded heavily. Since they had conceded this much, he too must make concessions.
“It is not to flaunt power or to assign blame.”
“…”
“The situation we are in does not afford us the luxury of such discussions. We can no longer claim any advantage over Sapaeryeon. It is time to face the situation head-on.”
Zhuge Jain bit the inside of his cheek.
In fact, this is the most basic principle in military strategy. It was bitterly painful to realize that it was he himself who had interfered with that.
“…I won’t interfere. Please, continue.”
Hyun Jong nodded.
Tang Gunak, meanwhile, looked at him with deep admiration.
Hyun Jong had neither threatened them nor flaunted the power of Cheonumaeng. Even so, he had managed to effortlessly organize that chaotic situation.
If it had been Tang Gunak, he might have been able to intimidate and suppress them, but he would not have been able to garner their cooperation as Hyun Jong had.
It is said that some people shine brightest in times of crisis.
“Now that it’s settled…”
Just then, the door, which had been firmly closed, slowly creaked open, and someone stepped into the conference room.
“Chung Myung-ah.”
“General!”
Several people brightened upon seeing Chung Myung, who had appeared belatedly. Chung Myung, with slightly dim eyes, glanced at Jongli Gok and Zhuge Jain before bowing to Hyun Jong.
“I’m late.”
“Take a seat.”
“Yes.”
Chung Myung walked silently to an empty seat and sat down.
“…Why are you so late, Hwasan Shinryong?”
“Sorry.”
“Ugh.”
Now that everyone was gathered and the situation had been sorted, it was Im Sobyeong’s turn to speak again. But Chung Myung raised his hand.
“Wait a moment.”
“Yes?”
“They’ll be here soon, so just wait a little longer.”
Everyone’s eyes filled with questions. Who was he talking about?
As if to answer that question, the door opened again. Two familiar faces appeared.
“Vice Sect Leader!”
“Isn’t that Elder Namgung?”
It was Baek Cheon and Namgung Myeong.
The two entered, bowing with their hands clasped, their faces drenched in sweat. It seemed they had run nonstop from Mount Song to get here.
“Everyone’s here.”
Muttering as he glanced at Baek Cheon, Chung Myung turned his gaze to Zhuge Jain.
At that moment, Zhuge Jain flinched involuntarily. The pressure he felt from Chung Myung was far greater than he had imagined.
‘This is Hwasan Geomhyeop…’
If Hwasan Geomhyeop had been here earlier, would he have dared to speak so petulantly?
Before he could think further, Chung Myung spoke.
“Let’s hear it first.”
“…Hear what?”
“Why you couldn’t aid Shaolin in time.”
“…”
“It’s true that Beop Jong is a pitiful excuse for a human, but he’s not a fool. So, explain. What happened? Who exactly blocked your way?”
“That is…”
Zhuge Jain bit his lip tightly. The scene he had encountered replayed in his mind.
He had briefly reported the situation to Hyun Jong. But this wasn’t something that only Hyun Jong needed to know. Everyone here needed to hear it clearly.
“We don’t know their exact identities. They were all masked. But their martial arts were undeniably formidable. When we tried to target Sapaeryeon’s rear under the Abbot’s orders, suddenly, over a hundred experts appeared and blocked our way.”
Chung Myung’s eyes grew heavy and dark.
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