Chapter 368: The Path Forward (3)
“Heo! You mean Clan Head Murong made such a proposal?”
“That is so.”
Zhuge Wen-hu stroked his chin.
Tang Kwan, who had been silent all along, spoke as if throwing the words out.
“I am opposed.”
“Why is that so?”
“No one knows what is inside Murong Jun, that bastard’s mind. For such a guy to bow his head and come in first definitely means he is plotting something.”
Tang Kwan’s tone was definitive.
He had spent a short if short, long if long time with Murong Jun. People’s inner thoughts might change twelve times a day, but one’s innate nature does not change easily.
In Tang Kwan’s eyes, Murong Jun was absolutely not a person who moved with pure intentions. Whether making a proposal or making a deal, he always tried to take advantage. That was Murong Jun.
Yeon Wi said.
“He even offered the life of his own younger brother. I do not know Clan Head Murong’s inner thoughts, but at least it did not seem like he was going to play tricks without our knowledge.”
“He didn’t bet his own life, did he?”
Tang Kwan said coldly.
“That bastard absolutely does not try to take a loss in a deal. Flesh and blood? Right. He is a person too, so wouldn’t he have affection for flesh and blood? But what he values even more than his flesh and blood is his own life.”
It was a fairly harsh remark. But it was not entirely wrong.
Zhuge Wen-hu nodded.
“I partially agree with Clan Head Tang’s words. Clan Head Murong is absolutely not an easy person. He will definitely have his own intentions.”
“Look at that.”
“However, it is questionable that he reached out first.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“One cannot handle ten with one hand. Clan Head Murong knows his own abilities well. At the same time, he also knows that there are people on this side who are not inferior to him.”
“Mm.”
“He reached out his hand first? There is no way he himself does not know what meaning this action has. Since he would obviously know that this side would watch him vigilantly if he did so, making such a proposal can be interpreted in three ways.”
“…?”
“Either he is sincere, or he is confident he can deceive us.”
“And the remaining one?”
“Or it is both.”
“…!”
Zhuge Wen-hu sighed.
“Looking only at the situation, the Demon-Sweeping Army is Murong Clan Head’s only weapon excluding the clan’s martial force. Moreover, since he cannot mobilize the clan’s martial force in the Murim Alliance, it could be said that he has staked everything in his own way.”
Yeon Wi nodded.
“I agree.”
“Furthermore, Murong Jun’s brotherly affection for the Demon-Sweeping Army Commander Murong Yu is sincere. He did not risk his own life, but it will at least be as much of a shock as having his limbs blown off. For Clan Head Murong, who is bright in calculations, it could be seen that he made a bold decision in his own way.”
Tang Kwan frowned.
“Then, what does it mean that it could be both?”
“He is confident he can evade our eyes and investigation, but he will not launch a preemptive strike until preparations against the common enemy are perfect.”
“…Hmm.”
Yeon Wi, who moistened his throat with a sip of tea, said as if sighing.
“Whatever happened, the problem is us. The matter related to the Alliance Leader election is not an issue that can be easily delayed. Besides, even if it is not an election, there are many people who have sufficient qualifications to be the temporary Alliance Leader.”
“I think so too. Representatively…”
“Master Kong-kong.”
“Yes, that is right.”
Master Kong-kong also knew information regarding the Three Cults. In other words, he could be said to be the only person who knew the identity of the Three Cults excluding the people who already knew.
“In truth, it is hard to find a suitable candidate like Master Kong-kong in all aspects of ability, character, and wisdom. Especially in the case of the first Alliance Leader, it is better to put forward a stable head that all White Path Murim people can accept if possible.”
“I also think so.”
“However…”
“However?”
Zhuge Wen-hu, who temporarily stopped speaking and fell into thought, soon opened his mouth with a low sigh.
“Master Kong-kong will absolutely not try to accept the position of Alliance Leader. Even if it is temporary.”
“Mmm.”
Yeon Wi let out a groan.
He was also a person who knew Master Kong-kong’s character. And the Master Kong-kong he knew, just as Zhuge Wen-hu said, was not a person who would accept the position of Alliance Leader even if it was temporary.
Putting everything else aside, the request itself to delay the election and take charge as Alliance Leader temporarily for a year contained the meaning that he was not suitable for the position of the first Alliance Leader. It meant there was room to be considered that he had the ability to take charge temporarily, but lacked the ability to become the real Alliance Leader.
Even if Master Kong-kong himself did not care, it was a matter that the high-ranking figures of Shaolin or bigshots friendly with Shaolin would violently oppose.
Tang Kwan, who was quietly listening to the story, spoke as if tossing it out.
“Let’s just decide one thing for now.”
“…?”
“Will you accept Murong Jun’s proposal or not?”
A moment of silence.
The one who broke that silence first was Zhuge Wen-hu.
“This person thinks it is not bad.”
“You will accept the proposal?”
“That is correct. Whatever it is, it is a proposal where we have nothing to lose for the time being. It is actually better. Because it is also an opportunity to control one of Clan Head Murong’s arms.”
“Mm.”
Tang Kwan looked at Yeon Wi and asked.
“What do you think, Clan Head Yeon?”
Yeon Wi let out a sigh.
“Honestly… I do not like the proposal itself.”
“Why is that so?”
“Aligning our words in advance before the meeting and pulling the proposed matters in our favor… This is no different from political maneuvering.”
Tang Kwan frowned.
“It is a situation where there is a common enemy. The power of those damn bastards is even so mighty that it encompasses the entire Central Plains. I do not think this is the time to be nitpicking such things.”
“The saying that one must live while keeping what needs to be kept, the weight that saying gives is like Mount Tai. If you keep it when the situation is good, and just slur over it when the situation is bad, why would norms be necessary? It means the title of White Path is put to shame.”
“I do not think so. When necessary, one must also show some flexibility in their own way, I think this is such a time.”
“Sometimes it might be a little complicated, and we might have to take a longer way around, but even so, there is a line that must be kept.”
Yeon Wi let out a sigh once again. He was a person with an unusually large number of sighs today.
“I am afraid. That we might truly become monsters at this rate. That we might lose the qualification to teach righteousness and norms to the generations below. There clearly exists a value more important than one’s life, but I am worried that we might become hypocrites who only spout it with words and cannot show it through actions.”
Zhuge Wen-hu looked at Yeon Wi with complicated eyes.
Only then could he understand why Yeon Wi’s expression was so serious. While he and Tang Kwan were agonizing over Murong Jun’s proposal itself, Yeon Wi had faced the fact that there was a problem with this situation itself, apart from the benefits of the proposal.
‘Truly righteous.’
He didn’t know what Tang Kwan would think, but Zhuge Wen-hu did not think such an appearance of Yeon Wi was stubborn.
More accurately speaking, he thought it was a stubbornness that ought to be displayed. If the White Path failed to act like the White Path, what would be different from the Black Path?
Therefore, Zhuge Wen-hu was able to make a decision.
“Do you know about the tribe of Strategist?”
“…?”
“The Strategist of an organization is a person who has half-deviated from the righteous Way that one ought to pursue. The reason being, being bound by norms could harm the lives of all members of the organization.”
“Strategist.”
“We who walk the White Path must pursue values that transcend gain and loss. Like Clan Head Yeon. However, I am different.”
Yeon Wi said with a disturbed face.
“Please do not do so.”
“No, rather it would have been right for me to make the decision first. Before the two Clan Heads agonized, I, the Strategist, should have finished sorting it out first.”
Zhuge Wen-hu smiled.
“The reason why I have more monthly salary and more responsibility than the two Clan Heads lies in that. Because a Strategist is a position that can transcend the Alliance Meeting Law in an emergency.”
“…”
“Of course, that does not mean one should wield power as they please. Therefore, the position of Strategist has been taken by a person who clearly distinguishes between public and private matters and is worthy of receiving everyone’s trust among those with exceptionally brilliant minds for generations.”
Zhuge Wen-hu playfully added.
“Like me.”
It was a word that eased the stiff atmosphere at least a little. Yeon Wi unintentionally let out a chuckle.
Tang Kwan asked.
“Then what are the Strategist’s words?”
“Clan Head Murong’s proposal, I will separately push forward with it. I will sort it out within five days at the latest, so please pretend not to know about it, the two of you. This is a request not as Clan Head Zhuge, but as the Strategist.”
Tang Kwan nodded his head.
“Since you’ve made up your mind, please handle it well.”
“Thank you.”
Yeon Wi could not bring himself to answer. He only let out a sigh once again with a face full of anxiety.
Zhuge Wen-hu said soothingly.
“The two of you fought while risking your lives with the experts of the Divine Fire Cult. So to speak, that is the responsibility that the two of you, and furthermore the numerous alliance members, should have. Since Clan Head Yeon has borne that responsibility to overflowing, I will now take responsibility as the Strategist as well.”
“…I am just feeling frustrated.”
“There is no need for you to feel frustrated. I will take responsibility for everything.”
“That is why I am frustrated. If the Strategist truly chooses such a path, it will become very difficult for you in the future after the fight with the Three Cults is concluded.”
It meant that not only would he step down from that position, but if things went wrong, he could even be punished by the Alliance Meeting Law.
Zhuge Wen-hu burst into a loud laughter.
“When that time comes, I do not doubt that the two of you will defend me.”
Tang Kwan snorted and stood up.
“You people handle things truly complicatedly. Anyway, this person will take my leave now.”
Yeon Wi asked.
“Where are you going?”
“I am going to meet the Clan Head’s eldest son.”
“Mm? You mean Ho-jeong?”
“That is so.”
“To Ho-jeong, why…?”
Tang Kwan smacked his lips.
“There is something that guy requested of me, and it seems it is finally completed.”
* * *
“Did you call for me?”
Tang Kwan, who glanced at Yeon Ho-jeong’s face, snorted.
“Your state has become very ridiculous. Have you still not fully recovered?”
“Well, it turned out that way.”
“It’s a lack of training. I thought you had strong bones in your own way, but looking at it now, you are exceedingly frail.”
Yeon Ho-jeong scratched his head.
“I admit it. So I plan to concentrate only on training for the time being. Because I don’t want to embarrassingly faint again.”
“Words are fine. Will you be able to properly swing an axe with such a frail body?”
“Of course…”
At that moment, Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes shone.
Tang Kwan kicked a large box placed on the flat wooden bench.
“It was made in the forge belonging to the main clan. They exactly implemented the measurements, weight, and form you ordered.”
“It has finally arrived.”
“Open it and see. I am telling you in advance, even if you do not like it, I have no intention of making it again. Whether it becomes porridge or rice, swing it like your life depends on it.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled brightly and opened the box.
Soon, surprise appeared on his face.
Tang Kwan said with a face full of mockery.
“It seems to be a million times better than that atrocious axe you carry around. Isn’t that right?”