Chapter 372: Mobile Unit Sortie (2)
Chapter 372 – Mobile Unite Sortie (2)
Five days later.
Murong Jun visited the Strategist Pavilion.
“Have you arrived?”
“Are you busy?”
“It’s fine. Please say what you have to say.”
Murong Jun’s eyes sharpened.
“Are you really okay with this?”
“What do you mean?”
“At this meeting, you proposed delaying the election to next year and forming a joint mobile unit.”
“I did.”
“Did the Yeon Clan Patriarch and Tang Clan Patriarch order you to strike first?”
Zhuge Wen-hu smiled.
“How could that be? I took the initiative on my own.”
Murong Jun was puzzled.
Originally, the one who was supposed to propose this agenda at the Honored Guest Meeting was himself. However, Zhuge Wen-hu brought it up first, and even strongly recommended it.
Naturally, Murong Jun and the Tang members who wanted it all cast their votes in favor. But Murong Jun could not help but be bewildered.
“Why on earth did you do that?”
“Do you mean proposing it first?”
“That’s right. A smart person like you didn’t need to take on such a loss and shoulder the responsibility.”
This proposal was an issue that inevitably carried a lot of political burden in many ways.
As Zhuge Wen-hu was wary of Murong Jun, there was no need for him to shoulder that burden alone.
Zhuge Wen-hu shook his head.
“It is not a matter of whether or not to shoulder the responsibility. I found the proposal interesting, and furthermore, I thought this path was right.”
“Why?”
“I think Patriarch Murong is a dangerous person. However, prior to that, Patriarch Murong is also clearly a member of the Honored Guests. If Patriarch Murong had brought up this agenda, regardless of the proposal’s effectiveness, it is highly likely that an unnecessary fight would have broken out.”
“…….”
“This is an issue that someone like me, the Strategist, can afford to bear. There is no ulterior motive, so you do not need to worry.”
Murong Jun thought that could absolutely not be the case.
Of course, Zhuge Wen-hu was a person who could burn his own life for the public good and the Murim Alliance. But this time, it was too much of a loss.
‘There must definitely be something.’
Did he read Murong Jun’s thoughts?
Zhuge Wen-hu spoke in a calm voice.
“In the eyes of a good person, the wine cup offered by the other party looks like goodwill, and in the eyes of an evil person, the wine cup offered by the other party looks like a poisoned chalice.”
“…….”
“I know Patriarch Murong must have been surprised, but there really is no other intention, so please be at ease.”
“Can I trust you?”
“It cannot be helped if you do not believe it. Furthermore, I believe this is not the time for you to be worrying about such things?”
Zhuge Wen-hu waved a piece of document.
“This is the agenda to be proposed at tomorrow’s Honored Guest Meeting. It states that the Demon-Sweeping and Evil-Annihilating Army should be unified into one and promptly sent to the Central Plains.”
“…….”
“As an elder of the Murim Alliance and the head of the Hunan Murong Clan, who terribly hates foreign enemies, I hope you will provide great help to those who will soon depart.”
Murong Jun, who had been staring blankly at Zhuge Wen-hu, nodded his head.
“I will tell you what I think at tomorrow’s Honored Guest Meeting.”
“Please do so.”
“Since I’m already here, let me ask one more thing. I know you are secretly investigating the Honored Guests, but have the results come out?”
Zhuge Wen-hu shook his head.
“No definitive results have come out yet. However…….”
“However?”
“The probability of Taoist Immortal Seung-hyeon of Wudang joining hands with the Three Cults is extremely low. Of course, we cannot be certain yet.”
Murong Jun nodded his head. It was because he also thought it would be so.
“However, just in case there are spies among the Honored Guests, we have narrowed down a few people who have the highest probability.”
“Who is it?”
Zhuge Wen-hu silently looked at Murong Jun.
Murong Jun spoke with a frustrated face.
“It’s up to the Strategist’s heart to not trust me, but at least those who hate those bastards…….”
“It’s not that I do not trust the Patriarch regarding that part. I am just being cautious.”
“What do you mean cautious?”
Zhuge Wen-hu closed his mouth again and only stared intently at Murong Jun.
Murong Jun, who became frustrated for no reason and was about to say a word, opened his eyes wide at the thought that suddenly came to mind.
“……Are you saying it’s our side’s retainers?”
“That is correct. To be precise, one of the people with the highest probability is on that side.”
“Who is it?”
“I cannot tell you.”
Zhuge Wen-hu was firm.
“I haven’t told anyone about this part yet. It’s an issue that requires utmost caution. If, by any chance, there is a spy among the Honored Guests, and that spy thinks an investigation on them has begun, we will never be able to catch them in the future.”
“…….”
“I only told you that it’s one of your retainers because you are Patriarch Murong. In that aspect, Patriarch Murong is not a person who makes mistakes, right?”
Murong Jun’s eyes deepened.
Zhuge Wen-hu spoke as if sighing.
“Crucially, this is literally just a possibility. If there is a spy among the Honored Guests, it is highly likely to be that side, that’s it, not unconditionally suspecting them as a spy.”
“…….”
“I will take care of the internal matters myself, so please leave that part to us and do what you have to do in your position. That is the path beneficial to everyone.”
“I have received your advice well.”
“I will say it once again. Please do not act rashly. Trying to find out more or setting a trap is absolutely forbidden.”
Zhuge Wen-hu’s eyes sharpened.
“If the Patriarch does such a thing, I will lock you in the underground prison even if I have to frame you for any crime.”
It wasn’t just empty words. Zhuge Wen-hu was genuinely thinking of doing so.
The weight and truthfulness exuding from those words were things that even the great Murong Jun could not take lightly.
Murong Jun nodded his head.
“Promise me. The moment you are certain of the spy, you will definitely inform this person.”
“Are you talking about this? Not only will I inform the Patriarch, but I will inform everyone who knows about this matter. Do not worry.”
“I understand.”
Murong Jun left the office.
Zhuge Wen-hu, who maintained a stiff expression, let out a low sigh and leaned his back against the chair.
“At this rate, my hair will turn white in less than five years.”
It was often the case that strategists paid more attention to external affairs than internal affairs.
However, Zhuge Wen-hu worked hard without distinguishing between internal and external affairs. His work processing was also fast and accurate, making him the number one contributor who allowed the Murim Alliance to grow without any major problems until now.
But now, he had to touch upon the relationship between the Honored Guests, let alone the foreign enemies and the existence of possible spies. It was truly a daily life where even ten bodies wouldn’t be enough.
Zhuge Wen-hu fell into thought.
‘With this, my influence has strengthened and at the same time, I have become able to gather everyone’s attention.’
The reason he pre-empted Murong Jun’s proposal and proposed it at the meeting was to increase his political influence.
If Murong Jun proposes it, it becomes a fight, but if the Strategist proposes it, it becomes a serious discussion. And since there were many people who would agree with this proposal, the Alliance Leader election would eventually be postponed to a year later, and the two moving armies would be merged into one.
If that major event is accomplished, Zhuge Wen-hu’s influence will inevitably grow stronger. Naturally, the eyes of the Honored Guests would be focused on Zhuge Wen-hu.
That was what Zhuge Wen-hu was aiming for.
‘If by any chance there really is a spy among the Honored Guests, they will keep an eye on me the most.’
He did not care about such a thing. No, rather, it absolutely had to be that way.
Because when the enemies focused on him, his allies and rare monsters would secretly move and crush the enemies.
That was the reason Zhuge Wen-hu took the initiative by taking Murong Jun’s opinion.
“……Anyway.”
Zhuge Wen-hu’s eyes deepened.
“Are they really spies?”
Zhuge Wen-hu was not a person with a lot of spare time. If he investigated moderately and thought it didn’t make sense no matter how he thought about it, he would have folded the investigation early on.
However, surprisingly, as he investigated the Honored Guests, people who raised suspicion began to appear one by one.
‘Are all of them spies? Or is one of them a spy? If they are spies, why have they kept their mouths shut until now? Of course, we moved secretly from the Honored Guests, but considering that, it was too quiet.’
After pondering for a long time, Zhuge Wen-hu shook his head.
‘No. Let’s not think about useless things either. Right now, investigation comes first. It’s not too late to worry later about things like it was like this so it must have been like that, or why didn’t they do that.’
The important thing is that the Three Cults are a dangerous group enough to consider the possibility of turning the Honored Guests of the Murim Alliance into spies.
“Really…….”
Zhuge Wen-hu could not help but sigh.
“How is this Jianghu trying to turn.”
* * *
“Groan.”
Muk Bi clicked her tongue as she looked at Yeon Ho-jeong, who was moaning and stroking his shoulder.
“You’ve become a neighborhood drum, really.”
“Be quiet. You should have seen that martial art yourself. It was really a relief that I didn’t cross the path to the netherworld.”
“Then you don’t have to deal with him.”
“Hey, look at these wonderful weapons. Since I received such a huge gift, shouldn’t I repay them properly?”
“You’re funny. You probably got excited on your own, arrogantly stepped forward saying you’d take it yourself, and then crawled on the ground covered in blood.”
It was an eloquence that made one lose their words. And that was also true.
Yeon Ho-jeong smacked his lips.
“Anyway, it’s a relief it ended at this level.”
“You’re changing the subject.”
“It hurts. Let’s do it moderately.”
“Whether I do it moderately or not is up to my heart.”
“Why are you so prickly?”
“What did I do? If I’m really prickly, I don’t use words. I pick up a bow.”
“Oh my world…….”
“So don’t dawdle and quickly put on your armor and come out! The moving armies are waiting!”
At Muk Bi’s sharp shout, Yeon Ho-jeong grumbled.
“This is no different from having a master. Got it, wait a little bit.”
A moment later.
Yeon Ho-jeong, wearing the light armor of the Evil-Annihilating Army Commander, revealed his appearance.
Unlike usual, the roundly rolled Flood Dragon Chain was worn on the right belt, and the Black and White Twin Dragon Axes gifted by the Tang Clan Patriarch were slung diagonally across his back.
On top of that, Yeon Ho-jeong appeared with the Crazy Dragon Axe casually slung over his shoulder. It was him showing the appearance of a proper commander after a very long time.
Muk Bi hit his shoulder and urged him.
“Let’s go quickly, quickly.”
“Ah, be a little gentle. I haven’t even fully healed yet. But don’t you have a horse?”
“What did you do so well to even ride a horse? Run!”
“Damn it.”
Paaang!
The two people dashed out with a magnificent movement technique.
Yeon Ho-jeong asked.
“What about the older brother?”
“He’ll be waiting. You know it, right? Commander Murong’s personality. He must have strictly enforced military discipline to quell the complaints of his soldiers.”
“Well, that man is good at things like that.”
“By the way, Young Master Yeon.”
“It’s public duty.”
“Are we going on a sortie?”
“You really don’t listen, do you.”
“Answer me. Are we going on a sortie as soon as the armies merge? Such rumors are circulating everywhere in the Alliance.”
Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.
“Not right away, but we will soon. The founding ceremony is just a founding ceremony. We need the minimum amount of time to coordinate with each other.”
“Anyway, you mean we are going.”
“Why? Are you looking forward to it?”
“Well?”
Muk Bi smacked her lips.
“Well, going out to Jianghu is more fun than staying in the Murim Alliance.”
“If we go out, a battle will inevitably occur. Blood and death will flow. You shouldn’t like such things already.”
“I don’t like it. I just think it’s better for me to do it if it’s something someone has to do.”
The two people, who were conversing in a low voice like that, soon arrived at the massive training ground.
A huge unit of nearly five hundred and fifty people was lined up there.
Yeon Ho-jeong took a deep breath.
Muk Bi smiled and asked.
“Are you nervous?”
“Indeed. I wonder what this is for me to even be nervous.”
“You’re uselessly honest.”
“Hahaha.”
Yeon Ho-jeong, who laughed bizarrely like an old man, patted his cheeks.
“Now, shall we go.”