Chapter 355: Chapter 355

Large trees were cut down and sloping terrain was carved out and leveled flat. On the flat land thus created, huts made from cut large trees were erected.
It was daily routine that had been repeating at Shaolin Temple recently. With even the Martial Alliance’s martial artists joining, Shaolin Temple, which had become short on lodgings, was continuously doing land clearing work and building huts.
Numerous workers were mobilized, and the Martial Alliance’s lower-rank warriors also joined. The thick drops of sweat they shed were moistening Mount Song.
There were those walking among them. Military Advisor Nam Gung-chang and his attendants.
Miserable expressions were clearly visible on their faces.
‘How did the great Martial Alliance come to this…’
It was like having their perfectly fine home stolen and suddenly having to live as tenants in someone else’s house. Because of this, they had to watch the homeowner’s mood even for eating and sleeping.
Shaolin Temple did its best to provide many things to the Martial Alliance martial artists, but that alone wasn’t enough. Also, in the position of freeloaders, the Martial Alliance wasn’t in a position to demand much. Because of this, the Martial Alliance didn’t have much room to maneuver at Shaolin Temple.
Nam Gung-chang was doing his best within the limits of what he could do. But still, many things were lacking. So his worries were also deepening.
“Oh, over there?”
“It’s the Alliance Leader.”
The voices of those accompanying Nam Gung-chang broke his reverie. When he raised his head to look ahead, he could see Alliance Leader Nam Cheon-san and Jeok Gyeong-cheon walking toward them.
“Alliance Leader!”
Nam Gung-chang and his attendants bowed their heads to greet the two. Then Nam Cheon-san nodded and said:
“You’re working hard, Military Advisor.”
“Not at all. It’s naturally something I should do.”
“Since we’ve met like this, won’t you walk with us for a moment?”
“Yes!”
At Nam Cheon-san’s words, Nam Gung-chang nodded and followed behind. And Jeok Gyeong-cheon and the attendants quietly followed behind them.
“Are things going well?”
“For now, I’m sending personal letters to each sect to receive maximum support.”
“I wonder if they’re cooperating well.”
“They know that if the Martial Alliance collapses, they’re next. Naturally they’re being cooperative.”
“Fortunate!”
Nam Cheon-san nodded repeatedly.
“Right now it’s chaotic, but still, within a fortnight we should be able to reorganize our forces to some degree. Once that happens, we should be able to aim for recapturing the Martial Alliance at Eyang.”
“But we’re still quite lacking in forces. Moreover, the Cult Leader has joined their side. It will be nothing short of a battle against demons.”
“I understand. However, if we steadily reinforce our strength, we’ll definitely be able to reclaim the Martial Alliance.”
“Especially we need to recruit many masters who have reached the absolute level. No matter how many lower-rank martial artists we have, it’s not as good as recruiting one absolute master.”
“That’s…”
Nam Gung-chang trailed off.
Wouldn’t he also want to recruit absolute masters? But there couldn’t be many absolute masters in the martial world. If they were that common, the modifier ‘absolute’ wouldn’t have been attached.
The number of absolute masters known in the martial world was barely countable on one’s fingers, and martial artists of that level were treated like treasures even in their own sects. Completely recruiting such people to the Martial Alliance could be said to be almost impossible.
Nam Cheon-san smiled broadly.
“Now the time has come.”
“What?”
“Didn’t I say there are previous generation martial artists similar to Senior Jeok? We’ll formally recruit them.”
“But that’s…”
“Do you think there could be a better plan than that in times like these? Even when retreating from the Martial Alliance, if Senior Jeok hadn’t been there, we would have suffered greater damage.”
“Hmm!”
“If we recruit Senior Jeok’s colleagues, the Martial Alliance will definitely recover its former prosperity in a short time. If that happens, recapturing Eyang won’t be just a dream.”
Nam Cheon-san’s voice contained firm conviction.
Nam Gung-chang looked at Jeok Gyeong-cheon standing quietly behind Nam Cheon-san.
He was an absolute master who once criticized all under heaven with the nickname Heavenly Sword King. As Nam Cheon-san said, because he was there, they could minimize damage and retreat to Shaolin Temple.
Now Jeok Gyeong-cheon was no longer a forgotten master of the previous generation. Many people had witnessed his tremendous martial prowess and watched him achieve merit. Because of this, many people were showing him respect. But despite this, Nam Gung-chang couldn’t shake his uncomfortable feelings.
‘Having reclusive martial artists similar to Senior Jeok join is definitely good for the Alliance and all under heaven. However, if that happens, the Alliance Leader’s power will become too great, leaving no means to check him anymore.’
If Nam Cheon-san gained control of the Martial Alliance like this, Nam Gung-chang would end up like a dog chasing chickens.
Nam Gung-chang urgently looked around. Including his attendants, everyone was nodding with expressions that it was natural. The tide had already turned.
Nam Gung-chang bit his lips tightly.
There was no longer any justification or basis to oppose.
He looked at Jeok Gyeong-cheon.
“Won’t our request be a burden?”
“Not at all! So don’t worry. They’ll be even happier to be able to contribute their strength for the martial world.”
“Then… we’ll make the request.”
“Understood.”
Jeok Gyeong-cheon nodded. Then Nam Cheon-san looked at him with a smile.
“When will those people be able to join?”
“Knowing this would happen, I already sent communications. It won’t take very long.”
“Fortunate.”
“I think so too.”
Jeok Gyeong-cheon nodded repeatedly.
Nam Gung-chang’s eyes trembled as he looked at the two men. But that was only momentary; soon he forced a smile.
“I congratulate you on the great increase in forces, Alliance Leader.”
“Congratulations are premature. It’s not too late to receive them after we completely drive out those wicked Demon Cult members from this land. So let’s do our best.”
“Understood.”
Nam Gung-chang bowed deeply.
His eyes looking at the ground glinted eerily.
‘I’ll bow my head for now, but don’t think I’ll be like this forever. I won’t hand over the Martial Alliance to your hands like this.’
He resolved and resolved again.

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