Chapter 380: Stagnant Water is Bound to Rot (5)
Rattle!
Although full spring had arrived, the wind blowing in the mountains was still strong and sharp.
The five giant flags fluttering as they were hit by the wind announced the sortie of the Righteous Justice Army.
The atmosphere was quite different from when the combined forces of Sweeping Demons and Annihilating Evil sortied before. The number of soldiers was the same, and the cause of going to execute a mission was the same, but there was one thing that was decisively different.
They had now become one.
Rather than each having a role to perform from an equal position, a situation had come where they had to become one unit and perform one mission.
That pressure and sense of heterogeneity forged the eyes of all members of the Righteous Justice Army to be terribly sharp. Naturally, their qi waves also became sharp, and eventually, their sortie evoked such a tremendous force that it made it hard for the onlookers to breathe.
“It’s a spectacular sight.”
The eyes of Zhuge Wen-hu, who was looking down at the Righteous Justice Army from the fortress wall, deepened.
“Their sharp tension is conveyed all the way here. Grand Commander Yeon Ho-jeong is definitely quite a figure.”
Tang Kwan chuckled.
“If that guy was a true hero, he could have subdued that excessive aura a little more. It seems he hasn’t fully integrated them into one yet.”
“That couldn’t be helped. Because Grand Commander Yeon was so busy. However, with his personality and abilities, I believe he will be able to truly make the Righteous Justice Army one through this mission.”
“Hmph! If that really happens, that rude guy’s arrogance will go up even higher.”
Although he was grumbling, the look in Tang Kwan’s eyes looking at Yeon Ho-jeong standing at the front seemed calmer than ever before.
Although he spoke like that, it was because he also believed in Yeon Ho-jeong’s abilities. Especially since they engaged in a martial discussion pointing out the lacking points of the Myriad Heavens Art and Flower Rain Art recently, Tang Kwan’s gaze towards Yeon Ho-jeong had become softer and deeper.
“By the way…”
Tang Kwan glanced at Yeon Wi.
“Are you okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“Since that guy’s axe skills are already well-reputed, you wouldn’t be too worried, but didn’t that bandit-like guy take even your younger son?”
“…”
“From what I saw before, the second son’s talent doesn’t seem ordinary either. But he still looked young.”
He wasn’t simply calling him young because of his age. The point was probably that he lacked experience and martial arts.
Yeon Wi coldly shook his head.
“It is safe to say that the second’s talent is the best in the family’s history. But as Clan Head Tang said, he still lacks a lot.”
“But?”
“I trust the second’s talent. And, I trust the first’s discerning eyes and abilities. He will surely be able to return safely.”
“For those two to return safely, they have to complete the mission successfully. Clan Head Yeon, do you think those guys can succeed in this mission?”
“I just believe in Ho-jeong.”
He was answering every question, but one could tell just by his tone that his feelings were quite complicated.
Tang Kwan, who was staring blankly at Yeon Wi, turned his body.
“Let’s go. Let’s go and have a drink.”
“I am fine.”
“I am not fine, so let’s go. Since there is no meeting today and no work to do, we should relieve our feelings by having a drink at times like this.”
Yeon Wi gave a bitter smile. He was thankful that Tang Kwan seemed to be caring for him in his own way, but no matter how he thought about it, alcohol couldn’t go down his throat from the position of a parent who had sent his children to the battlefield.
It was then.
“It’s far too early to raise a toast.”
Tang Kwan’s eyes grew cold.
The person walking up onto the fortress wall, it was exactly Murong Jun.
“This mission is not an issue that can be handled simply by the abilities of the Righteous Justice Army and the information power of our alliance. The southern part of the Central Plains is a place where the power of the Black Path is massively stronger than the White Path; the difficulty of the mission will vary depending on how the Black Dragon Manor steps up.”
“Those are interesting words.”
Tang Kwan openly ridiculed.
“Isn’t that why we sent Clan Head Murong, whose abilities are outstanding, to the Black Dragon Manor?”
“Yang Cheon is a dangerous person. He is a great hero with his own pride, but he has already experienced the sweet taste of power. I think he will handle it well, but if by any chance he shows erratic behavior, the entire Righteous Justice Army could be in danger.”
“You know it very well. As expected of comrades who held hands and aimed for the peak of the Murim, is it?”
Murong Jun spoke while looking directly at Tang Kwan.
“I have never held hands with him.”
Tang Kwan snorted.
“I’m sure you haven’t.”
It was a truth that shouldn’t be revealed externally. Murong Jun also knew that they knew about the relationship between him and Yang Cheon, but he couldn’t openly admit it anyway.
Well, now even that had become something that didn’t exist, so it was meaningless anyway.
Murong Jun continued speaking.
“Anyway, the one that can best grasp the movements of the Black Dragon Manor right now is my family, which is settled in the same Hunan. The Murong Clan will take the rear of the Righteous Justice Army heading to the southernmost tip passing through Hunan, so please have the others assist the military strategist and filter only the important information among what is gathered.”
“You’re acting like a superior.”
“I just thought it was the most rational distribution of roles.”
When Tang Kwan was about to open his mouth again, Zhuge Wen-hu spoke.
“Clan Head Murong’s words are right. This is not the time for us to squabble among ourselves, but a time when all of us have to support the back of the Righteous Justice Army so they can successfully complete their mission.”
Yeon Wi asked.
“Strategist.”
“Please speak.”
“Could you spare me some time for a moment?”
Zhuge Wen-hu could guess why Yeon Wi was asking that. It was probably because he was curious about the reason he had unreasonably sortied the Righteous Justice Army.
Zhuge Wen-hu smiled and said.
“Of course. But before that, I have something to talk about with Clan Head Murong for a moment, so could you please step aside?”
“…I understand. I will wait in the office.”
“Thank you.”
Thus, only Zhuge Wen-hu and Murong Jun remained on the fortress wall where Yeon Wi and Tang Kwan had left.
Murong Jun asked in a calm voice.
“What is it that you have to say separately to this person?”
Zhuge Wen-hu spoke.
“Have you completely cut off deals with the Black Dragon Manor?”
“Interesting words. Didn’t I say I’ve never made a deal with them?”
“I won’t discuss this part anymore. In other words, this is our last conversation.”
Zhuge Wen-hu took out a few pages of documents from his bosom.
“These are documents proving that you are related to the Black Dragon Manor Lord, Yang Cheon.”
“…!”
“Of course, it’s not a tremendous piece of material evidence. It’s just writing down and analyzing the circumstantial evidence so far. I haven’t shown this document to anyone.”
Murong Jun’s eyes became cold.
“What kind of trick are you trying to pull now?”
“It’s not conclusive material evidence, but if this spreads to the Jianghu, not only Clan Head Murong but the position of the Murong Clan will also fall to the ground, won’t it? Perhaps you might suffer a fatal financial crisis. Since the merchant groups that deal with the Murong family are also people who live on trust and rumors, if such evil rumors circulate, there is a high probability that they will also turn their backs.”
“Are you saying you’ll even wage war against my family?”
“Would there be a reason to do that?”
Hwareureureuk!
A bluish flame soared from Zhuge Wen-hu’s hand.
The divine arts of the Zhuge Clan fundamentally have many martial arts based on Wood Qi and Water Qi. Since Zhuge Wen-hu naturally raised the True Fire of Samadhi as if breathing, it could be seen that his martial arts did not lack compared to the other Clan Heads.
Zhuge Wen-hu, who dusted off his hands, spoke calmly.
“I systematically organized these documents thinking I might need them someday. You might not believe me, but the materials related to this are all that I just showed you.”
“…”
“Since I’ve burned them all, let’s have a frank conversation for the last time.”
“…What is it you want to hear?”
“I will ask again.”
Zhuge Wen-hu’s expression became cold.
“Have you completely liquidated your relationship with the Black Dragon Manor, exactly the Black Dragon Manor Lord?”
“…”
“Please answer.”
“What meaning does my answer hold for you that you are doing this?”
“I burned the documents first for a smooth conversation. So I hope you don’t unnecessarily beat around the bush and dilute the seriousness contained in my question.”
“…”
“I will ask. Is your relationship with the Black Dragon Manor Lord completely liquidated?”
Murong Jun, who was staring blankly at Zhuge Wen-hu, spoke as if chewing and spitting out.
“I am the one who touched Yang Cheon’s reverse scale and returned alive fine.”
“…”
“I stirred up the chest of a great man with such immense pride like a dagger. If it were me, even if I let him go alive for now, I would have pledged to tear his limbs apart and kill him the next time we met.”
He was saying in a roundabout way that the relationship was completely ruptured.
Zhuge Wen-hu’s eyes shone.
“Then I will understand that your relationship with Manor Lord Yang is completely cut off.”
“But what’s so important about that, that you’re acting like this?”
“It is important. The reason I agreed when Clan Head Yeon said he would tolerate you going to Yang Cheon alone was because I wanted to see your reaction.”
“…!”
“As Clan Head Murong said, Commander Murong entered under Grand Commander Yeon, so there would be no better hostage than that. Nevertheless, I hope you understand me for having no choice but to doubt you.”
Zhuge Wen-hu nodded his head and added.
“The Clan Head Murong I know is a person who can naturally spit out lies as if breathing if he makes up his mind. But looking at it now, at least it doesn’t seem like you are lying.”
“…”
“I look forward to working with you in the future.”
“Just to find that out?”
“It’s not just. If a comrade we have to fight together with in the future has malicious intentions we don’t know about, how could we trust them and get on the same boat.”
“…”
“I apologize for pushing you rudely. You may go back now.”
Murong Jun, who had been quietly glaring at Zhuge Wen-hu, turned his body.
“Don’t touch Yu. Because it’s a fact.”
“Of course.”
Thus, Murong Jun descended from the fortress wall.
Zhuge Wen-hu turned his head towards the Righteous Justice Army again. Before he knew it, the Righteous Justice Army was crossing the mountain ridge far away. It was an amazing speed.
“…Grand Commander Yeon.”
Zhuge Wen-hu smiled faintly.
“I think you can proceed.”
Half a shichen later.
Pudeudeudeuk!
A crow gliding with its large wings spread wide landed on Yeon Ho-jeong’s shoulder.
Yeon Ho-jeong took out the message tube attached to the crow’s ankle and read it.
“…Hmm, as expected there were no tricks.”
Yeon Ho-jeong, who gave a bitter smile, took out a piece of jerky from his bosom and fed it to the crow.
“You’ve worked hard. Go back now.”
Kaaaaaak!
The crow that flew up with a vigorous cry approached towards the mountain peak far away before they knew it. It was an amazing speed.
Murong Yu and Muk Bi approached by his side.
“Is it a message from the Alliance?”
“Yes.”
“What does it say?”
Yeon Ho-jeong shrugged his shoulders.
“It’s nothing much. It just says that we can execute the order we received before sortieing exactly as it is.”
“Yes?”
Saying they can execute the order they received? What does this mean?
Yeon Ho-jeong pulled the reins of his horse.
Hiihihihihing!
Since the weight of the Crazy Dragon Axe was so immense, a warhorse that could withstand that weight was needed separately. The warhorse Yeon Ho-jeong rode this time was a divine horse boasting a thicker and more well-proportioned figure than any warhorse ridden by the soldiers.
“Before heading to the south passing through Hunan, there is a place to drop by.”
“Drop by, where do you mean?”
“Black Dragon Manor.”
“…Yes?!”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled coldly.
“It’ll be the first time seeing you in a while, Combat King.”