Chapter 262: Chapter 262
“Send the carrier pigeons immediately!”
“Tell all the disciples who went out on missions to return!”
The Martial Alliance was in the midst of a clamor.
The war with the Four Black Alliances.
As it was confirmed by the Great Martial World Conference, everyone had no choice but to hurry.
In particular, the martial artists of the sects adjacent to the Four Black Alliances sent out carrier pigeons faster than anyone else while exuding anxiety.
However, not everyone was like that.
A few martial artists staying in the Martial Alliance could not hide their joy at the current situation.
“It is finally time to show my skills.”
“Is it an opportunity to build a reputation!”
Those who were happy at the news that there would be a war were mostly young martial artists.
Sick and tired of being trapped in the era of the Nine Provinces Three Supreme Powers that had continued for a long time, they welcomed the war more than anyone else.
It was an opportunity to show their strength and martial arts that they had accumulated for a long time to the world.
As they were still young and overflowing with ambition, how could they not welcome it?
They, who were showing off their hot-bloodedness, shone their eyes at the news that followed.
“A separate detachment…….”
“The alliance has drawn its sword.”
Everyone paid attention.
Although it was a hastily created unit, its radius of action and composition were amazing.
a unit that acts independently.
In addition, the captains leading the separate detachment were the Jade Qilin and the Plum Blossom Divine Hero, who had distinguished reputations in the current Jianghu.
“What are you going to do, Brother Gang?”
“I naturally plan to apply. How can guys like us miss this opportunity.”
At this news, a few people’s eyes lit up.
They were none other than those who failed the entrance exams for the Three Squads and Four Units.
Of course, it was clear that the mission would be extremely dangerous, but to the martial artists who failed to enter the Three Squads and Four Units of the Martial Alliance, it felt more like an opportunity.
As the word spread that a separate detachment was being established, young, unaffiliated martial artists began to gather all at once.
Meanwhile, Cheon-hwi, who was selected as one of the two separate detachment leaders that made the Martial Alliance bustling for a while…….
“Yes? You want me to take charge of the separate detachment?”
He was in a state of absurdity at the Military Strategist’s words that were no different from a notification that suddenly came.
“Do you hate it?”
“Of course.”
The Military Strategist spoke with an enigmatic face.
“Is there a reason?”
“Well, there are various reasons, but the reason I hate doing it the most is probably…….”
Cheon-hwi, who paused his words for a moment, looked straight into the Military Strategist’s eyes and narrowed his glabella.
“It is bothersome.”
“It is bothersome……?”
The Military Strategist’s eyebrows twitched.
“Are you trying to reject this position just because of that?”
“That is a sufficient reason.”
The Military Strategist, who looked at Cheon-hwi with an extremely bothered expression, narrowed his eyes.
“It is a position that other sects are anxious to take.”
At the Military Strategist’s words, Cheon-hwi immediately shot back as if he had been waiting.
“Then why don’t you make the people who want to do it do it? Do not uselessly make someone who doesn’t want to do it do it, then it is good for each other,”
“However, it is not possible.”
“Why is that?”
The Military Strategist wore a calm gaze.
“Do you know who the other separate detachment leader is?”
At the question, Cheon-hwi snorted.
“I just found out that I am taking charge of a separate detachment, so would I know that?”
“That makes sense.”
The Military Strategist nodded his head indifferently.
“The other person is the Jade Qilin.”
“The Jade Qilin? Ah! The one they call the Wudang Sect’s greatest rising star or whatever…….”
That guy is the other separate detachment leader?
If it was the Jade Qilin, he knew him very well.
It was natural as he was one of the three great rising stars he had heard of until his ears hurt.
‘In addition, there have been a lot of comparisons with me recently.’
While he was recalling being compared to him who had recently built up his reputation, the Military Strategist spoke.
“Yes. It is him.”
Following that, he added an explanation.
“In the current Jianghu, there are not many people comparable to the Jade Qilin’s skills and reputation. The Black Yaksha, the youngest disciple of the Four Black Alliances Leader, or the Heavenly Dragon, the eldest son of the Zhuge Clan, are about all. However, since a while ago, one person’s name has been continuously rising enough to be similar.”
The Military Strategist spoke while looking at Cheon-hwi with an even more intense gaze.
“That is you.”
Cheon-hwi, who met his eyes, let out a sigh as if he was bothered, and scratched his head.
In the end, it meant to do it because his reputation was high.
Soon after stopping scratching his head, Cheon-hwi opened his mouth.
“In other words, you are trying to balance the two separate detachments by making me, who has a similar reputation to the Jade Qilin, a detachment leader.”
“That is correct.”
The Military Strategist spoke coolly.
The balance between the two fell perfectly into place.
In fact, in the current Jianghu, the Plum Blossom Divine Hero possessed a superior reputation to the Jade Qilin.
It was natural as he had defeated the Green Forest Great Emperor and made him run away, hadn’t he?
No matter how much the Jade Qilin had been cherished and raised in Wudang to possess amazing martial prowess, it couldn’t help but fade in front of such chivalrous acts.
However, the Jade Qilin had something that more than made up for such things.
‘The Wudang Sect is behind him.’
Wudang and Mount Hua.
Of course, the Mount Hua Sect had been raising its reputation recently, but the gap was stark.
It was even more so in the alliance.
‘Currently, the only Mount Hua Sect Taoists remaining in the Martial Alliance are the Mount Hua Divine Sword and the Plum Blossom Divine Hero, just the two of them. Even if support comes later, their numbers will definitely not be many…….’
Of course, the Mount Hua Sect’s martial prowess was outstanding.
If it was the Mount Hua Divine Sword and the Plum Blossom Divine Hero who destroyed the White Ghost Castle, they were at a level where they could seize victory when clashing with a mere minor sect.
However, in the end, the fact that they were a small number remained unchanged in any situation.
Especially in a war, how important was the number of personnel?
Therefore, apart from the influence the Mount Hua Sect currently possessed, the difference in military strength was clear, and this would become even more certain once the war started.
“Ah, it is still bothersome though…….”
The Military Strategist looked at Cheon-hwi’s expression that was still dissatisfied, and brought out the words he prepared to soothe him.
“Of course, I am not telling you to just do it.”
The separate detachment was an extremely dangerous task.
As it was a task to step forward to the front lines of the war against the Four Black Alliances, no one knew when they might die.
However, could he just pass it over?
‘It won’t work without a carrot.’
The Military Strategist recalled Cheon-hwi when he went to the Martial World Secret Repository yesterday, and smacked his lips.
“If you make a distinguished contribution in the separate detachment, I will request the Alliance Leader to allow you to enter the Flying Heaven Library.”
“The Flying Heaven Library?”
Cheon-hwi immediately reacted.
He felt good just meeting unique weapons in the Martial World Secret Repository, but if he could even enter the Flying Heaven Library.
‘It is bothersome, but perhaps it might be okay?’
Cheon-hwi pondered for a moment, and answered.
“Tsk, understood. I will do it. That separate detachment or whatever it is.”
“I am thankful.”
“What is there to be thankful for. I probably wouldn’t be able to refuse anyway, isn’t that right?”
The Military Strategist did not answer Cheon-hwi’s question mixed with a slight sneer.
However, that was enough.
Because that was a positive answer.
Cheon-hwi, who was looking back at the Military Strategist who was looking at him indifferently, smacked his lips.
“Instead, if you are thankful, please hand over just one thing.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I want to operate the separate detachment as I please, is that possible?”
The Military Strategist’s eyebrows twitched.
“What exactly do you mean by that?”
“It is nothing much. I will operate the separate detachment my way, so I want you to not interfere no matter what happens.”
“……In other words, you are asking me to hand over all authority over the separate detachment.”
“We are communicating well here.”
“Authority, you say…….”
Whether the Military Strategist was thinking for a moment, he closed his eyes and soon nodded his head.
“I shall do so.”
Oh? He is accepting this?
It was unexpected.
No matter how much it was a newly created separate detachment, it was ultimately a unit under the Martial Alliance.
However, he, who did not even have a rank in the Martial Alliance usually, was becoming the detachment leader, and telling him to do as he pleased was no different from giving him unconventional authority.
“As long as you carry out your missions well, it does not matter. However, keep just this in mind. Despite handing over all authority like that, if you fail to carry out your missions properly, you will have to bear all the responsibility for it.”
“If it is to that extent, it is worth enduring.”
In an instant, the corners of Cheon-hwi’s mouth twisted.
At that smile, the Military Strategist felt somewhat uncomfortable, but he shook his head side to side to shake off the anxiety.
At that time, Cheon-hwi asked.
“Ah right, have you found the spy?”
“Are you talking about the spy?”
The Military Strategist looked at Cheon-hwi with a surprised face.
Even when they conversed previously, he did not seem to have any intention of getting involved, and since he hadn’t asked until now, he had thought he had no particular interest.
However, to ask like this.
“I have not found them perfectly yet. I have only picked out a few.”
The Military Strategist calmly answered and added a word.
“But why do you ask that?”
Cheon-hwi shrugged his shoulders as he looked at the Military Strategist’s expression, who was staring as if wondering.
“It is just in case. Among the spies, there would be those who want to enter the separate detachment, wouldn’t there?”
He, who was nodding his head at Cheon-hwi’s words, spoke.
“You can rest assured about Shaolin, the Emei Sect, as well as Kunlun and the Sungmu Sect.”
“You seem confident that those places are safe?”
“They were suspecting whether I was related to the Flying Heaven Society. If they were spies, they wouldn’t have even paid attention.”
The Military Strategist recalled their gazes that were suspicious even after the Great Martial World Conference ended.
“Those four places…….”
Cheon-hwi, who was whispering while stroking his chin, momentarily thought of something and smiled with his eyes.
“But it is unexpected. I know that the Unhidden Party (Non-Hidden Party) is your hands and feet, Military Strategist, but are you suspecting them as well?”
“Jianghu is a place where one gets their foot chopped by a trusted axe. The closer a person is, the more you must be on guard.”
The Military Strategist spat out meaningful words.
Oho, so that is how it is?
Cheon-hwi immediately understood the meaning of those words and chuckled.
Keeping suspicious people close…….
If so, does that mean you suspect me as well?
Cheon-hwi, who was laughing, looked at him and spoke.
“So that is why you left the Vice Strategist alone?”
“There must be bait for the fish to come, isn’t that so.”
“Well, the bait is quite sturdy.”
“It is because the fish is quite large.”
Cheon-hwi nodded his head and changed the topic.
“By the way, how many personnel are you thinking of for the separate detachment?”
“I am considering up to a maximum of five hundred people.”
“Hmm, five hundred people…….”
Cheon-hwi scratched his chin while chewing over the number.
If it was a lot, it was a lot; if it was a little, it was a little.
“I do not necessarily have to fill five hundred people, right?”
“Do as you please. However, the more personnel there are, the better it will be. Because if the number decreases, there might be a need to replenish it. It would be difficult to recruit every time.”
The Military Strategist’s voice was cold.
No, should he say cold-blooded? Since he had grasped human lives as numbers.
However, Cheon-hwi understood.
People dying in a war was a natural thing, and he actually had to be cold like that.
‘Otherwise, he would not be able to handle the aftermath after someone dies later on.’
A war was that atrocious.
To die, or to live.
A matter where only one of the two remains.
Therefore, the person taking the lead and commanding from above had to clearly grasp the results.
If only to prevent the worst-case scenario where the survivors end up dying because they were swayed by the dead.
At that time, the Military Strategist stood up as if he had finished everything he had to say.
“Listening on my way here, I heard that the Jade Qilin has been recruiting personnel for the separate detachment the moment he heard about the detachment leader mission. You should also hurry up and prepare.”
Then, he offered a low piece of advice.
“Otherwise, you will be robbed of all the talented individuals remaining in the Martial Alliance.”
“Haven’t they all already gone?”
However, Cheon-hwi refuted with words filled with laughter.
“I think most of the people within the alliance have gone there.”
Even without seeing it with his eyes, he knew.
It was obvious that the Wudang Sect would provide full-fledged support behind the Jade Qilin.
On top of that, hadn’t the Jade Qilin built up many relationships with other sects?
It was different from his own starting point.
Cheon-hwi, who was smiling, muttered.
“And besides, it does not matter to me whether talented individuals come or not.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean it literally.”
Cheon-hwi grinned and added words.
“I do not have high expectations anyway.”
“……I see.”
The Military Strategist, who spoke in a low voice, stared at Cheon-hwi indifferently for a moment.
Seueuk…
He took out a piece of paper from his embrace and held it out.
A map?
It was when Cheon-hwi placed his gaze on a spot drawn with a large circle while looking at the map drawn in detail on the paper.
The Military Strategist’s finger intruded and pointed to the place where Cheon-hwi’s gaze rested as he spoke.
“That is the pavilion where the separate detachment will stay.”
* * *
“Sseueup, here?”
Cheon-hwi, who raised his head and looked up at the pavilion in front of him, made a dissatisfied expression and clicked his tongue.
“Isn’t it too old?”
The first impression was not very pleasing.
Perhaps it had been neglected for a long time, not only the eaves of the pavilion but also the front gate right in front of him were full of dust and cobwebs, weren’t they?
By the way, a presence was felt from inside.
‘Oh? This energy is…….’
With that thought, Cheon-hwi, holding a faint smile, placed his hand on the gate.
And as he gave it strength and opened it.
Kkiiik…
The unique sound of an old wooden door was heard and stimulated his ears.
Before long, the gate opened completely.
Thud.
Cheon-hwi could see a person standing in the garden where weeds were growing.
‘Compared to the energy he exudes, he is younger than I thought.’
It was a handsome young man with a neat impression.
The handsome young man wearing a blue and white Taoist robe reminiscent of Taiji belatedly discovered Cheon-hwi and sparkled his eyes.
“Immeasurable Life Buddha.”
The handsome young man who muttered a light Taoist chant approached with a soft smile.
“So Taoist Friend is the Little Taoist Cheon-hwi.”
“Who are you?”
At Cheon-hwi’s question, the handsome young man scratched the back of his head with an ‘oops’ expression.
“I have committed a discourtesy.”
With those words, the handsome young man changed his expression to a serious face and politely took a fist-and-palm salute.
“Immeasurable Life Buddha. This poor Taoist is called Ilgwang (Sunlight) of Wudang.”
Cheon-hwi, who scanned the handsome young man who revealed his name as Ilgwang, slowly twisted his lips.
‘So this guy is the Jade Qilin?’