Chapter 1629
Good things are good, right? (4)
“And so… we have come to a decision to have you lead, Lord Zhuge.”
“…”
Zhuge Jain stared blankly at Hyun Jong.
“So.”
“Yes.”
“We need to choose the division leaders.”
Zhuge Jain’s gaze shifted to Chung Myung, who was grumbling next to Hyun Jong.
“The General… Are you saying you called me because you couldn’t trust the opinion of the General?”
“Regrettably, yes.”
“…”
At that moment, only one thought crossed Zhuge Jain’s mind.
‘Does Hwasan have some sort of underground spring?’
Why are all the people wearing Hwasan’s uniform so crazy?
“I understand what you’re saying, but…”
At this point, he started to suspect that Zhuge family and Hwasan had some kind of deep, generational bond. Otherwise, how could it make sense that they would treat him this way when he had been harshly criticizing Hwasan just recently?
“But why me… of all people?”
“Because you seem to be the most objective person.”
“…Objective?”
“Yes.”
Zhuge Jain’s face twisted slightly.
They say it’s objective, but isn’t the hidden meaning actually, ‘Because you’re the one who openly criticized Hwasan the most among those here’?
“Please, Lord.”
“The wisdom of the General… is something I can hardly dare to match. Do you really need my opinion…”
“I would be truly grateful if you see it that way.”
Hyun Jong glanced at Chung Myung and sighed.
“It’s embarrassing to say, but I still lack the virtue to govern my innate intelligence.”
“…”
“…”
“I should have cultivated my character first…”
“How embarrassing in front of people from other sects!”
“Shut up, you brat!”
Watching Chung Myung pout, Zhuge Jain felt genuinely dizzy.
What kind of world is this, really?
“Anyway, please give us your opinion.”
“…”
“…”
This was definitely not a situation where he could back out. They didn’t have time to spare.
“If it’s for the Alliance, I will give my humble opinion.”
“And if possible, it would be best if Lord Zhuge also takes a position as a division leader.”
“That cannot be.”
“What?”
Hyun Jong flinched at the unusually firm voice and looked at Zhuge Jain.
“Please don’t misunderstand. It’s not that I refuse to dedicate myself to the Alliance. I just believe there is a position where I need to be.”
“And where is that?”
“If the command structure is unified, the leaders of each division are important, but so is the command leadership. I believe the current command center has its limits.”
“Hmm.”
Hyun Jong nodded involuntarily.
Currently, Chung Myung, Tang Gunak, and Im Sobyeong are the ones leading Cheonumaeng. Zhuge Jain was not suggesting that they were lacking in ability.
It’s just that the newcomers, like those from Jongnam and Moyong, might find it uncomfortable to follow their orders.
“Therefore, I wish to join the command center.”
“Is that acceptable?”
Hyun Jong looked at Zhuge Jain with renewed curiosity.
Joining the command center meant taking orders from Chung Myung and working closely with Im Sobyeong. For someone of Zhuge Jain’s status, it wasn’t an easy choice.
“What must be done, must be done. Didn’t the General say so?”
Hyun Jong nodded heavily.
Though he hadn’t said it, there were many times he had felt resentful. Who would have thought such a person would come under the same roof and support each other? It seemed one should never judge people too quickly.
“Then…”
“In that sense, if I have to recommend others.”
Zhuge Jain’s eyes darkened.
“We cannot exclude Sect Leader Jongli Gok of Jongnam.”
“Hmm.”
It certainly wouldn’t make sense to exclude him, who is effectively the representative of the remaining sects of Gupailbang.
“And personally, I think the Lord of the Beast Palace should also naturally take that position. You understand why, right?”
Hyun Jong nodded silently in agreement.
To ensure that the two outer sects did not feel discriminated against, one of the Ice Palace or the Beast Palace must be included. Considering both seniority and skill, choosing the Beast Palace Lord was an obvious choice.
“And we need a sect to represent the Five Great Families.”
“Are you referring to Namgung clan?”
“No. Namgung Dowi, the Young Lord, might be recognized within Namgung clan, but he lacks the weight of a leader. He is more suited for a deputy role than a leader.”
“Then…”
Zhuge Jain’s gaze shifted to the person sitting next to Hyun Jong.
“Frankly, I don’t understand the significance of the Vice Alliance Leader’s position. If someone has the skill, they should be sent to the battlefield rather than being placed in a nominal position.”
Tang Gunak, who received his gaze, became more serious.
“The power of Sichuan Tang Clan may have waned, but the skill of the Poison King, Tang Gunak, remains unchanged. Why wouldn’t we use it?”
“…”
Hyun Jong turned to Tang Gunak with a slightly hesitant expression. Who could be more fitting than Tang Gunak as the leader to face Sapaeryeon? However, he was the Vice Leader of Cheonumaeng. Moving him to the position of division leader was practically a demotion. Whether Tang Gunak would accept that…
“Even if…”
Tang Gunak brushed his chin with a faint smile.
“It’s been a bit irritating to sit in the meeting room all the time. If Lord of Zhuge family says so, I can go to my rightful place without any burden.”
“Lord…”
“This is an excellent opportunity for the Tang clan as well. I will prove that Sichuan Tang Clan has not lost its power.”
Hyun Jong looked at Tang Gunak with utmost gratitude.
“It’s a bit awkward to have to follow the General’s orders, though.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“…Never mind. It’s nothing.”
Tang Gunak shook his head.
“Then three positions have been confirmed. Two seats remain.”
Zhuge Jain looked at Hyun Jong.
“Alliance Leader, the Sect Leader of Hwasan…”
“No.”
Before Zhuge Jain could finish, Hyun Jong interrupted him.
“Hwasan has already gained more than enough positions. Coveting the division leader’s seat as well would be overreaching.”
“Hmm… But.”
“Please let me have my way in this matter.”
“…Understood.”
This time, Zhuge Jain took a step back. Even if Hwasan didn’t take the division leader position, most of the vice-leader positions would still be filled by Hwasan, so it shouldn’t be a major issue.
“Originally, one position should be given to Nokrim, since they have the most people, but he is an Advisor…”
“How could an Evil Sect bastard take the leader’s position! That’s absurd! I won’t see that happen until there’s dirt in my eyes!”
“…”
“Are you out of your mind? Lord, you should think before you speak… Aagh! My ear! My ear!”
“Didn’t I tell you to shut up!”
“Ouch. Sect leader, my ear! My ear’s going to fall off!”
“…”
The ‘Evil Sect hater’ who wanted to break down the barriers and open a new world was now standing right in front of Zhuge Jain.
“…Anyhow, so Nokrim King is out of the question.”
Zhuge Jain tapped his fingers on the desk. Finding someone who could match the weight of Jongli Gok, Maeng So, and Tang Gunak for the division leader position wasn’t as easy as he thought.
“Then the only option left… is the Beggars Sect.”
“A beggar as the division leader? I’d rather put an Evil Sect bastard in that place!”
“You brat! Your mouth! Your mouth!”
“Ouch! It hurts!”
Hyun Jong’s hand slapped Chung Myung’s mouth repeatedly. Still not satisfied, Hyun Jong sighed deeply after roughly rubbing his own face.
“The Beggars Sect’s Sect Leader hasn’t been in his position for long, so taking on the division leader role would be difficult. Moreover…”
“Yes. Given the nature of the Beggars Sect, it’s not easy for them to be affiliated with a clan.”
Although the ordinary beggars could be overlooked, the intelligence corps of the Beggars Sect [정보개(情報丐)] who handled information needed to maintain their organization. Therefore, they also needed a leader.
“Hmm. Then the Beggars Sect too…”
“It’s not necessary for the Sect Leader to be the division leader, right?”
“Hmm?”
“There’s a man who is now idle because his work has lessened. He’s better than Uncle Hong.”
Zhuge Jain looked at Chung Myung with an ‘ah’ expression.
“Indeed… The former Sect Leader might be better suited as the division leader position than the current Sect Leader.”
“Pung Yeong Shin Gae…”
Tang Gunak nodded. Although little was known about him compared to his reputation, he certainly had the weight required for the division leader.
“Then there’s only one position left.”
“Huu.”
A sigh escaped Hyun Jong’s lips. Filling the remaining position was proving to be quite difficult.
Un Am had declined, and Haenam was still led by Gwak Hwanso, who wasn’t suitable even as a Vice Sect Leader yet. Seol Sobaek was also not fit to be division leader given his age.
The only one left was Do Unchan from the Ghost Gate, but far more people didn’t know him than did, so he couldn’t be appointed as the division leader.
“Alliance Leader.”
“Hmm.”
Hyun Jong’s face hardened at Tang Gunak’s subtle voice.
‘If it comes to this…’
In the end, would they have to appoint Un Am, the Sect Leader of Hwasan, as the division leader?
Hyun Jong’s expression darkened slightly. Un Am was already burdened excessively after Hyun Jong stepped down. Asking him to take on the role of division leader as well might be too much for someone with a naturally gentle heart.
However, there seemed to be no other choice. Just as Hyun Jong was about to speak, thinking there was no other way, Zhuge Jain interjected.
“Alliance Leader.”
“Yes?”
Zhuge Jain looked at Hyun Jong with a more serious expression.
“May I suggest someone?”
❀ ❀ ❀
“…Division leader?”
Moyong Wigyeong’s expression turned blank.
“Yes, Lord.”
“Me, you mean?”
“Yes.”
Moyong Wigyeong looked at Zhuge Jain with a look of incredulity. Division leader? Just a few days ago, he had openly criticized Hwasan in harsh terms, and now they were suggesting he take one of the only five division leader positions? And this over the head of Hwasan’s Sect Leader?
“That’s… that’s absurd. I…”
“It’s strange, indeed,”
Zhuge Jain said with a bitter laugh.
“But it seems to make sense here.”
“…”
Moyong Wigyeong, unsure of what expression to wear, suddenly spoke up as if he had just remembered something.
“The Alliance Leader… no! Didn’t the General oppose this?”
“Well…”
“What?”
Zhuge Jain’s face turned awkward.
“…The General said that it would be immensely helpful if Lord Moyong could take the position.”
“To think that the General is so broad-minded,”
Moyong Wigyeong said, looking moved.
Zhuge Jain averted his eyes slightly.
– Ah! That guy! What a nuisance removed. Let’s just give it to him. His mouth was hanging open, so maybe this will shut him up.
Zhuge Jain couldn’t bring himself to relay the exact words.
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