Chapter 261: Chapter 261
“Vice Strategist.”
At that moment, a sharp voice was heard.
The Hall Lord of the Law Enforcement Hall, which executed the laws of the Martial Alliance, Cheon Su-ong (Thousand Hands Old Man), glared at the Vice Strategist and spat out a cold voice.
“Are you saying that the Strategist will betray the Alliance and return to his clan?”
“…It is true that I have such suspicions.”
The moment Seol Geom answered.
“Nonsense.”
“Amitabha. The Vice Strategist is crossing the line right now.”
“There is a limit to speaking nonsense.”
Voices of reprimand were heard in succession, and the atmosphere of the great hall became fierce.
As it meant that the Strategist of the Martial Alliance was playing tricks to empower the Flying Heaven Society, how could it not become fierce?
Both those who agreed and those who opposed this agenda glared at Seol Geom.
Some even blatantly revealed their displeasure.
When all eyes were focused on Seol Geom, the Strategist, who had been staying still, moved his mouth.
“Is there a reason you think so?”
Even though it was a situation where it was no different from Seol Geom attacking him, the Strategist’s expression and voice were surprisingly calm.
‘He isn’t shaken by this much?’
Seol Geom looked at the Strategist, who stared at him without a slight change in expression, and spat out the words he had in mind.
“I did not doubt it at first either. However, I do not know if this is a coincidence, but one unbelievable movement was recently captured in the Strategist’s clan.”
Seol Geom, who faced the gaze of the Strategist who still did not bat an eye, briefly caught his breath.
Then he put strength into his eyes and said.
“It is the incident where he, the Grand Supreme Clan Head, seemed to have broken his half-seclusion.”
“What?!”
“H-he broke his seclusion?”
“At this point in time?”
Astonishment burst out from here and there.
Who was the Grand Supreme Clan Head of the Zhuge Clan.
Supreme Lord Zhuge Gocheon.
He was one of the Eight Martial Gods and a peerless master who had reached the realm of Heaven Beyond Heaven.
Encouraged by their astonished reactions, Seol Geom added his prepared words.
“Isn’t it truly coincidental to call it a coincidence? As soon as he, who seemed to have been in seclusion for that long time, moved his body, the Martial Alliance is trying to go to war with the Four Black Alliances… It seems as if you have prepared for this day.”
The Strategist looked at Seol Geom and said.
“Go ahead and keep speaking.”
“Aren’t you, the Strategist, deliberately trying to cause this kind of war for the revival of the Zhuge Clan?”
At that moment, the air in the great hall became heavy.
Even those who had taken the Strategist’s side just a moment ago refrained from speaking.
If the Supreme Lord really came out into Jianghu again, it was a matter that could not be easily overlooked.
Everyone focused their attention on the Strategist’s mouth.
Like that, a brief moment passed, and the Strategist’s firmly closed mouth opened.
“For the Zhuge Clan…”
The Strategist, who was speaking, lowered his eyes.
“In other words, does the Vice Strategist want to say that I have buried my bones in the Alliance and worked for decades for the Zhuge Clan?”
The Strategist continued speaking in a displeased tone.
“If I was going to do that, I wouldn’t have remained in the Martial Alliance in the first place. How much of a role does the Vice Strategist think I had in creating the current stable Martial Alliance?”
“…”
“It will be at least thirty percent.”
It was an arrogant remark.
However, no one could refute it.
It was none other than the Strategist who had contributed the most to bringing order to the Martial Alliance, which was in chaos when the Eight Great Clans defected from the Alliance in the past.
He had reorganized the structure, made contracts with various merchant guilds to supplement funds, and of course, had done a brilliant job in establishing the current system.
To that extent, the Strategist’s brain was outstanding, and the things he had accomplished were not just one or two.
The Kunlun Sect’s Elder Gok Pyeong said as if hitting the mark.
“Tsk tsk, there is no time, so until when are you going to squabble over this nonsensical matter?”
Dragon Pearl Beggar grumbled.
“The most important thing right now is whether to go to war with the Four Black Alliances or not. It’s not about the Supreme Lord breaking his half-seclusion, isn’t it.”
“The Beggars’ Sect Leader’s words are correct.”
Hyeon-do chimed in from the side and opened his mouth.
Although he had a serious face, he was currently greatly admiring it inside.
‘It is just as the Strategist said.’
The situation was flowing exactly as the Strategist had said when he personally came to visit.
‘And at this time…’
Hyeon-do added his words with strength.
“Now is the time for the Alliance to combine its strength into one. But what will we accomplish by doubting each other like this?”
Some flinched at Immortal Hyeon-do’s words.
The Mount Hua Sect had not received the Martial Alliance’s help so far, and had to endure all matters alone.
If they had been in the same situation as the Mount Hua Sect, it would have been something to get furiously angry about.
However, Immortal Hyeon-do, the actual party involved, suggested joining forces instead of bursting out in complaints, making their faces turn red with shame.
‘There is a reason why he is called a great hero.’
‘I heard that the Mount Hua Sect defeated the White Ghost Castle and the Green Forest, and I think I know where that latent power came from.’
‘Mount Hua, Mount Hua…’
Those who were thinking about this and that at Hyeon-do’s words opened their mouths.
“Amitabha. This little monk also agrees with the Immortal’s thoughts.”
“Immeasurable Life Buddha.”
“Just as Immortal Hyeon-do said, what will we accomplish by pointlessly doubting each other? Rather than that, it seems that solving the task at hand is the priority.”
When words of agreement came out from all directions.
“I apologize. I ruined the mood by bringing up words due to my premature worries.”
Seol Geom, who bowed his head, acknowledged his fault and smoothly backed down.
“Be careful from next time.”
“It’s a relief that you know.”
Everyone spoke in an atmosphere of letting it pass, as if to say it was fine.
And in a fleeting moment, no one saw the faint smile that hovered around the corners of his bowed mouth before disappearing.
‘It went according to plan.’
In fact, it was ridiculous sophistry.
The time Zhuge Gong had worked as the Strategist of the Martial Alliance had easily surpassed decades.
But he was going to betray them now?
It was unreasonable.
However, he had deliberately pushed him despite knowing that.
For a single achievement.
‘Still, with this, people who doubt the Strategist will appear one by one.’
Seol Geom erased his smile and sat up straight.
His true purpose was this.
Leaving a seed of doubt towards the Strategist, and it definitely seemed to have worked.
Because the gazes of some people looking at the Strategist had become different from the beginning.
‘I will drag you down step by step.’
Meanwhile, the Strategist was staring at that Seol Geom.
‘He is moving exactly as expected.’
Seol Geom’s plan was clearly visible to his eyes.
It was naturally so, as the Strategist knew very well how greedy Seol Geom was.
That was why he had deliberately leaked the information about the Supreme Lord that the Beggars’ Sect had obtained, and didn’t it eventually create this situation.
‘Thanks to that, I picked out a few people.’
The Strategist, who looked around, laughed inwardly.
Thanks to Seol Geom acting up, he was able to certainly pick out a few people who were not spies among them.
‘Now, when the war breaks out, they will have no choice but to reveal their tails even more.’
When the Strategist’s eyes sank coldly.
“Then I will agree to this war against the Four Black Alliances.”
Seol Geom said.
Everyone looked at him with flustered eyes at Seol Geom’s attitude of suddenly changing his opinion.
“Vice Strategist?”
“Why are you suddenly changing your words?”
The elder of the Iron Blood Sword Clan, Cheol Su-Flying Sword (Iron Sleeve Flying Sword), and the Geumwi Squad Leader (Forbidden Guard Squad Leader), one of the Three Squads, who had opposed the war against the Four Black Alliances, narrowed their brows and spoke.
“What I was worried about was that the Strategist was involved with the Flying Heaven Society. However, if the two have no relation, isn’t there no need to fear the Flying Heaven Society.”
“The Flying Heaven Society is the Flying Heaven Society.”
“Amitabha. Is the Vice Strategist looking down on the Flying Heaven Society right now?”
Song-baek, an elder of the Diancang Sect, and Won Jong, an elder of Shaolin, spat out suppressed voices.
Seol Geom, who spoke in a way that subtly tied the Zhuge Clan and the Strategist together again, narrowed his eyes and continued his opinion.
“As we have been living in a hostile state for a long time, it seems everyone has forgotten. The Flying Heaven Society is not an Unorthodox Faction, but an Orthodox Faction. If they stab us in the back without any justification, it will be difficult to avoid the criticism of the world.”
“…”
Those who were opposed fell silent.
“I consider that the Flying Heaven Society can be excluded from this war.”
“But what will we do after it ends?”
Cheol Su-Flying Sword spoke urgently.
It could not be helped as the Iron Blood Sword Clan was the sect closest to the Flying Heaven Society.
If they were to attack, his clan would be the first to suffer.
At that time, the Strategist opened his mouth.
“The Alliance will provide help.”
“Help?”
“As soon as the war ends, we will dispatch the Chivalric Escort Unit to the Iron Blood Sword Clan.”
The Strategist’s eyes, who glanced to the side, headed towards the Chivalric Escort Unit Leader, Chu Gye-gwang.
Meeting his eyes, Chu Gye-gwang silently nodded.
“Ahem, is that so.”
Cheol Su-Flying Sword nodded his head as if he felt relieved.
“Then I will agree too.”
“Great Hero?!”
The Geumwi Squad Leader frowned at seeing Cheol Su-Flying Sword, who had immediately flipped over like flipping a palm.
“It is not just the Iron Blood Sword Clan. If you tell us when you need this Alliance’s help, we will accommodate you as much as possible.”
The sects located close to the Flying Heaven Society murmured.
However, no one else from the opposing side changed their minds like Cheol Su-Flying Sword.
The Strategist focused his attention on them.
‘Shaolin, the Emei Sect based in Sichuan, the Diancang Sect, and the Qingcheng Sect…’
The expected sects were opposing.
Their sect locations were close to the Four Black Alliances. That was why, if a war broke out, they were the places most susceptible to being in danger.
At that time, as if feeling a sense of crisis at the situation leaning towards agreement, the Diancang Elder Song-baek urgently moved his lips.
“The Green Forest’s surprise attack is already a matter that ended with their defeat. But is there a need to needlessly cause trouble?”
“Amitabha. This poor monk also thinks so.”
“Taoist Friend Song-baek’s words are correct.”
The Emei Sect and the Qingcheng Sect immediately agreed.
It wasn’t just them.
Shaolin, who shared the same intention as the Emei Sect, and Kunlun, who had joined hands with the Qingcheng Sect, also quickly spat out words agreeing with their opinions.
“This lowly one is also of the same opinion. I think pointlessly bringing up an ended matter to wage war is not right.”
“Amitabha. War will only lead to shedding a lot of blood.”
“No matter how much it’s said that it’s not easy for the Flying Heaven Society to stab us in the back, if we both lose strength, it will only be a good opportunity for them.”
The opinions of those opposing were valid.
However, the agreeing side was not easy either.
“Then are you saying we should just move on like this? The Four Black Alliances attacked first, yet to move on like this, do you have no pride?”
“How can you suggest we just stay still and suffer like this?”
“Are you not even thinking about the Mount Hua Sect’s position? They suffered a massive attack from the Green Forest, yet to just bury it and move on like this, how can you do that as a sect of the same Alliance!”
The two positions confronted each other sharply.
In the escalating atmosphere, some even gave off a sharp momentum and asserted their opinions.
And at that moment.
“The White Ghost Castle and the Green Forest, it’s twice.”
Immortal Hyeon-do said in a cold tone.
“This sect was part of the Martial Alliance, but so far we have not received help even once, and have defeated them alone.”
Whether it was those agreeing or opposing, everyone shut their mouths at Hyeon-do’s words.
“They were truly difficult days. To the point where we almost fell into ruin because of it.”
Although he was speaking calmly, his voice deeply pierced their chests.
This was especially so for those who had tried to ignore them during the Yurim Blood Incident in the past.
“Everyone think carefully. Do you think they will stop if this sect falls?”
Hyeon-do shook his head.
“No, they will aim for the next. Whether that will be Zhongnan, which is close to this sect, Wudang, or Shaolin. Or perhaps…”
Pausing for a moment, he swept his gaze over those who had opposed this agenda.
“No one knows if it will be you.”
“…”
“If you are going to regret it only when that time comes, I will also not say anything.”
When they, who met his eyes, fell silent.
Tak.
The Strategist placed the Heavenly Treasure Plaque on the table.
“It doesn’t seem like it will end at this rate, so how about deciding by majority vote?”
The brows of the opposing side narrowed.
It was because they were at a disadvantage even at a glance.
However, they only frowned as they did not even have the justification to oppose that.
The Strategist glanced at them and opened his mouth.
“Then those who agree, please raise your hands.”
Many people raised their hands.
At the number of people that surpassed the majority even with a rough count, the Strategist quietly nodded.
“It has been decided.”
Along with the words, the Strategist looked at those whose faces had distorted severely and said.
“Then, before declaring war, I plan to prioritize dispatching a part of the Alliance’s forces to the sects close to the Four Black Alliances. Would that be alright?”
The expressions of those opposing brightened.
“Ahem, if you do that…”
“Amitabha.”
On the other hand, some of those who agreed revealed dissatisfied expressions.
“To send forces outside while saying we’ll wage war, could it be you plan to leave the inside empty?”
“What do you plan to do if there’s a surprise attack from the rear?”
The Strategist smiled looking at them.
Although they spoke like that, the reality was asking for help for their own sects too.
“Although I said the Alliance’s forces, it is not the existing martial squads and martial units. I plan to create new detached units and send them. After all, to fight a war against the Four Black Alliances, wouldn’t we need to increase our forces more than before?”
“…Detached units?”
“What do you mean by detached units?”
Everyone burst into bewilderment.
While the Nine Provinces Three Supreme Powers were maintained, the organization of the Martial Alliance that had been established once did not change.
However, to talk about new detached units now, what was he saying.
“Are you trying to pull in personnel from each sect.”
Benevolent Hero Lord, one of the Three Great Revered Elders, spat out a voice with no high or low pitch.
“That is correct.”
Complexity dwelled in everyone’s eyes.
It was good, yet it was bad.
If they were to enter the detached units this time and build a reputation, there would be nothing better, but if they were to die…
The Strategist, looking at them whose complicated thoughts were plainly visible, softly moved his lips.
“Participation is voluntary. However, I want you to know that it may be difficult to participate later on even if you wish to join midway.”
It was a statement making it clear that they would not be able to just take the reputation by participating belatedly after observing the situation.
It was naturally so, as reputation was something that became more strength than anything else in the Martial World.
At that time, Mok-yeong-ja opened her mouth.
“How many detached units are you thinking of?”
“Two.”
At that moment, Mok-yeong-ja’s eyes sparkled.
“Then have you decided on the Unit Leaders?”
“I have not decided yet since it is before asking the parties involved about their participation, but there are individuals I have in mind for each.”
The Strategist softly added his words.
“No matter how hastily formed detached units they are, they are large units of the Alliance, so shouldn’t their skills back them up?”
Those who were listening nodded.
They were the Martial Alliance’s detached units in name, so how could they just hastily appoint anyone.
Everyone focused on the Strategist’s mouth.
Who it would be.
Right then, the Strategist’s mouth opened.
“First of all, one person is the Jade Qilin. If the Wudang Sect does not refuse, I would like to appoint him as a Unit Leader, but what do you think?”
Everyone nodded.
Gong Woo, a disciple of the Wudang Sect Elder Immortal Mok-hyeon and his martial nephew, was running over with an anxious complexion.
The Jade Qilin’s skills were enough to spread an astonishing reputation in the current Jianghu.
At that time, someone asked a question.
“Who is the other one?”
The people in the hall revealed their curiosity about the remaining one person.
Who on earth would be the person to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Jade Qilin, the number one rising star of the Martial Alliance.
Receiving the people’s gazes, the Strategist calmly revealed the title of that person.
“It is the Plum Blossom Divine Hero.”