Chapter 1650
Find it quickly, quickly. (4)
“Have you heard the news?”
“Eh? What’s all the fuss about?”
“It’s about The Second Division [을(乙)당 – eul-dang]. The Second!”
“Second Division? Why?”
The listener tilted their head in confusion.
The five new divisions that had recently emerged in Cheonumaeng had not yet been formally named, so for convenience, they were referred to as First, Second , Third , Fourth , and Fifth [갑을병정무(甲乙丙丁戊)].
“They say the leader of the Second Division has imprisoned the members!”
“Prison? Wait a moment. Is there a prison in the Alliance?”
“They must have borrowed the premises from Hwasan.”
“Oh, right… No, that’s not the point. Why would someone imprison people, especially with a war on the horizon?”
“They say it’s for the crime of insubordination against the vice-leader! And now the Alliance is in an uproar!”
“Insubordination?”
Against the vice-leader? Did he hear that correctly? The listener asked blankly, unable to comprehend.
“By ‘vice-leader,’ you mean those young ones?”
“Ah!”
At that, the messenger quickly covered the man’s mouth in alarm. The eyes that darted around anxiously were unmistakably one of fear.
“Be careful with your words! The situation has changed.”
“…”
“We could end up in prison ourselves if we’re not careful! We need to watch what we say everywhere. There are already twenty people imprisoned. This is no trivial matter.”
The listener’s eyes widened in shock. As soon as the hand that had covered his mouth fell away, they asked in disbelief.
“I-Is it really true?”
Twenty. It’s rare for that many people to be imprisoned all at once. Any sect would be thrown into turmoil by such an event.
“If… if it’s the leader of the Second Division…”
“Yes, that’s right. The leader of the Second Division.”
The people who had been hovering around began to come closer to the two, clearly curious about the situation.
“Twenty people, then that means it’s not just one sect?”
“That’s right. It includes members from Zhuge and Moyong families, as well as the Beggars Sect and Namgung, and even Jongnam.”
“Jongnam too? Is that… even allowed?”
The listener’s face turned pale at the news.
“Well, whether it’s allowed or not, the incident has already happened, hasn’t it? And the insubordination towards the vice-leader has been declared a challenge to the entire Alliance. Even the General is involved!”
As the details unfolded, everyone’s expression grew more serious.
The General would naturally side with the vice-leaders, but for the division leaders to also support the vice-leaders is unusual.
Until now, everyone had managed to subtly disregard the vice-leaders, believing that the true power of the division ultimately lay with the division leaders themselves, hadn’t they?
“Should we interpret this as the division leaders protecting the vice-leaders?”
“That seems likely. Otherwise…”
“Why?”
The man looked utterly bewildered, unable to grasp the situation.
Cheonumaemg is a complex coalition of many sects. And the appointment of these vice-leaders has crossed a line. It’s obvious to anyone that Hwasan has filled the vice-leader positions with their preferred candidates.
How could there not be subtle dissatisfaction among the members?
Thus, while it wasn’t overtly declared, there was clearly an implicit consensus and cooperation to suppress the power of the vice-leaders.
Yet, those who were thought to be the representatives, the division leaders, were not only failing to support their members but were, in fact, backing the vice-leaders?
For the division members who had been subtly expressing dissatisfaction, this turn of events was far from preffered.
“Well… Hwasan is on good terms with the Tang clan, so perhaps that’s why. Other division leaders might have different opinions, like ours…”
“Don’t be ridiculous. If that were the case, they would have already made a statement. There are even some of the Tang clan’s disciples among those imprisoned!”
That wasn’t an unreasonable point. The last shred of hope seemed to crumble.
“So, what’s going to happen now?”
“What’s going to happen? Anyone who resists the vice-leaders will be thrown into prison. I hear they don’t plan to release them until the end of the war.”
“What? That long?”
“Yes, that’s right! And so now everyone in the Alliance is on thin ice, thin ice!”
Sighs of frustration emerged from various corners.
This meant that everyone would have to submit to the young vice-leaders, no matter how inexperienced they were. If they ordered someone to sit, they had to sit; if they commanded someone to crawl, they had to crawl.
“Damn it… Why did they have to cause such trouble?”
“I knew this would happen!”
“They should have handled it more appropriately!”
If only they had kept things quiet until the war started, the situation might not have spiraled so out of control.
With a battle imminent, the chances of reducing forces for punishment were slim, so minor disobediences might be overlooked.
But with the situation already tense, their actions would only further solidify the authority of the vice-leaders. How many would see this as a positive development?
“So, we just need to avoid disobedience?”
“It’s still just a rumor, but… well…”
“Don’t be so vague, just say it quickly! What now?”
“The General is considering formalizing the vice-leaders’ authority to include immediate execution rights over the members…”
“What…? Immediate execution rights? Does that mean they can execute someone on the spot if they don’t like them?”
“…It’s said that it’s not even that level. It’s more like, if the vice-leaders are displeased, they can execute anyone without concern for right or wrong.”
“Is that even possible? Even the Evil Sects wouldn’t do something like that!”
“It’s not possible. It’s clearly not. But… you know, it’s ‘that General,’ right?”
This statement instantly gave the situation a sense of inevitability.
It was now common knowledge in Gangho that Hwasan Geomhyeop Chung Myung was a lunatic, even worse than the bastards of the Evil Sects. Was there ever anything normal about what he had done?
“So, what about us?”
“We’re completely screwed, basically…”
Not only were they now expected to serve a greenhorn from an unfamiliar sect, but now those very people had control over life and death?
The phrase ‘driven to the brink of madness’ was made for moments like this.
At that moment, one of those listening to the conversation spoke up.
“Even so, there are the division leaders and sect leaders. They wouldn’t let things go that far, would they? They should intervene and prevent such extremes.”
Someone else agreed, nodding in support.
“Exactly. They’re not just scarecrows! No matter how reckless the General is, he can’t defeat all of them!”
That was indeed a valid point.
Amid various complex concerns, everyone’s gaze naturally shifted to one place: the Alliance’s grand conference hall, where the senior members were likely gathered by now.
Inside the conference hall, Moyeong Wigyeong cleared his throat and began to speak.
“Well, um… I must apologize for the situation that has arisen, but isn’t this a bit excessive…”
“Excessive?”
“Keeping them in prison for such a long time…”
“Oh, that. It was indeed an overly harsh measure.”
“Right?”
“It should have just cut off the limbs and veins on the spot, opened them up, and threw them away as a warning, but I was short-sighted. Even now…”
“No, no! That’s not what I meant by ‘excessive.’ I meant…”
Moyong Wigyeong stammered desperately, realizing that Chung Myung’s face was genuinely serious.
“I was just concerned that giving the vice-leaders such excessive authority might…”
“Excessive?”
A look of sorrow spread across Moyong Wigyeong’s face. It seemed he could no longer articulate his thoughts.
“From the beginning!”
Crash!
Chung Myung slammed his hand down on the table in front of him with such force that it could shatter.
“If the division leaders had done their job properly, none of this would have happened! We appointed you to assist the vice-leaders, but you have been off doing who knows what, causing all this trouble! You all are not doing what you were supposed to do!”
“Chung Myung… It’s not that the division leaders are to assist the vice-leaders, but rather… the vice-leaders are…”
“Oh, that’s just a formality! In reality, they were appointed to handle the official affairs! If you’ve given the old men something to do, they should at least do it properly!”
Even if that’s the underlying issue, it shouldn’t be openly discussed. In the world, such matters are called ‘etiquette’ and ‘common sense.’
Though there was much he wanted to say, Hyun Jong couldn’t bring himself to voice it. Unfortunately, he was someone who adhered to common sense and etiquette.
Chung Myung, who had none, continued to lash out.
“Tell me then! What have you done to make things end up like this? Huh?”
“It’s not that…”
“Are you busy?”
“Oh, no… It’s not that I’m busy…”
“So you’re not busy? Must be nice for you, really.”
Moyong Wigyeong, who was left speechless, stared blankly at Chung Myung. Then, suddenly, he was struck by a realization.
‘Wait a minute. Why am I just apologizing?’
As a member of Cheonumaeng, it was natural to show respect to the General. However, not even daring to voice a single objection was another matter entirely.
He wasn’t someone who should be treated this way in the first place. Even the old Abbot didn’t treat him this poorly!
Just as he was about to speak out in defiance, he was interrupted.
“General, right now…”
“I’m sorry, General.”
Pung Yeong Shin Gae, the former Sect Leader of the Beggars Sect, bowed deeply to Chung Myung.
“There was an order given by the General, but my incompetence has led to its improper execution. Please forgive my negligence.”
“Is this a situation where you can just brush it off as negligence?”
“…I have no words, even if I had ten mouths. It was our role to support the vice-leaders so they could perform their duties… I am deeply sorry.”
Pung Yeong Shin Gae, of all people, bowed and apologized.
Moyong Wigyeong was frozen in place, and it wasn’t just him – everyone else struggled to hide their shock.
Who is Pung Yeong Shin Gae?
Although somewhat elusive, he had been the head of the Beggars Sect for decades and had recently stepped down to pass on the mantle to the next generation. By any measure of symbolism and authority, he was someone on a level far above Moyong Wigyeong.
And yet, here he was, bowing to this young and inexperienced youth?
“…I suppose I also need to offer my apologies.”
At that moment, Maeng So stepped forward with an awkward expression to support Pung Yeong Shin Gae.
“Given the considerable backlash from the Beast Palace, we’ve been trying to smooth things over…”
“That’s one thing, but this is another!”
“Exactly, yes.”
Maeng So looked embarrassed, even with a hint of redness in his face. Seeing this large figure so flustered added to Moyong Wigyeong’s discomfort.
As these two opened the way, the atmosphere became peculiar. Especially with Pung Yeong Shin Gae, who had not seemed closely connected with Chung Myung, openly taking a submissive stance, it was a powerful display.
It became difficult to argue that Chung Myung had been excessive. Of course, the blame lay with Tang Gunak, who had initiated this, and even Moyeong Wigeong and Jongli Gok.
“I didn’t ask for a mere apology. I need a clear resolution.”
Chung Myung spoke again, his tone slightly more composed.
“It’s fortunate that this issue surfaced now; if it had erupted on the battlefield, it would have been truly irreparable. At that point, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything about it.”
“…That’s true.”
“So, make sure you understand what needs to be done. Is this the time for petty power struggles? We established divisions to resolve disputes between sects, and now they are fighting among themselves inside the divisions. Ugh, the more I think about it, the more infuriating and intolerable it becomes! I’m really tempted to beat everyone to a pulp…”
“Chung Myung-ah, calm down.”
“He’s getting angry at his own words…”
Chung Myung let out a deep sigh and managed to cool his anger. He then gave a sharp command.
“Vice-leaders, get your act together!”
The vice-leaders present flinched and shrinked.
“This is happening because you brats look easy! If someone like that is causing trouble, they should have been dealt with on the spot! How dare they…”
“…At this point, aren’t the Evil Sects looking better, Sahyeong?”
“I’m also considering that.”
“Quiet!”
Chung Myung’s irritation flared, and he hardened his expression.
“A leader who loses control loses everything.”
“…”
“Even if it seems trivial at first, remember that these small cracks can ultimately lead to everyone’s downfall. We are in a state of war.”
Everyone felt the weight in that voice. It made everyone nod in agreement.
And at that moment.
Bang.
The door was flung open, and someone burst into the conference room.
“Alliance Leader, General. I have a report.”
It was Im Sobyeong, Nokrim King. With a face paler and more rigid than usual, he spoke.
“Sapaeryeon has finally made a move.”
His voice was even colder and heavier than his expression.
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