Chapter 270: Can You Handle It?
Chapter 270: Can You Handle It?
“Aren’t you leaving yet?”
Despite the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s question, Go Wol remained motionless, his eyes darting between the Go board and the manual in his hand.
“The work is finished, isn’t it? Let’s get going!”
They had finally completed the arduous task of establishing a new information organization within the Central Plains.
Geom Mu-geuk had named the organization Eun-wol. Go Wol had pointedly chosen not to attach suffixes like ‘Division’ or ‘Squad’ to the name. He intended to use the title exactly as Mu-geuk had bestowed it.
“Let’s go!”
“I’m staying.”
“Why?”
“I’ll return once I can beat the Chief Strategist at Go.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader saw right through Go Wol’s excuse. The man meant to return only after he had managed Eun-wol to the point where it eclipsed the Tongcheon Pavilion led by the Chief Strategist. No matter how well-structured an organization was, there was a world of difference between a leader who managed things on the ground and one who didn't. Especially in its infancy, a leader’s diligence was paramount.
“Do you really think the Second Young Master will even appreciate this?”
“He is not the Second Young Master. He is the Young Cult Leader.”
“He’s the same brat either way. Now that he’s achieved his goal, you and the Demon Lords will be treated like yesterday’s leftovers. He’ll shove you into some dusty corner, and on the rare occasion he bumps into you, he’ll probably ask, ‘Remind me, who are you again?’ He won’t call you the strategist who helped him back then. He’ll likely say, ‘Move aside, don’t block the Young Cult Leader’s path.’ Even if you don’t want it to happen, that’s just how the world works. Who wouldn't want to take care of their people if they could? But power changes things.”
Go Wol, still focused on the board and his book, replied calmly.
“Aren’t you tired of saying that yet?”
“I’ll say it again and again until the day I die. And you’ll listen to it every single time. That’s what being close is—listening to each other’s nonsense.”
“Then aren’t we a bit too close?”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader stopped talking and stomped toward the window.
“It won’t work! Stop pretending to be sulky.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader, who had been heading for the window to make a dramatic exit, turned around naturally as if that hadn't been his destination at all and walked toward the bed instead. Just as he reached up to touch his forehead, feigning a sudden fever, Go Wol spoke first.
“Stop pretending to be sick, too!”
Defeated, the Pungcheon Cult Leader slumped back into his original seat.
“Fine. Let’s just go back to badmouthing the Second Young Master. It’s the best way to relieve stress. Now, where was I?”
“‘Move aside, don’t block the Young Cult Leader’s path.’”
Despite claiming to be tired of the rant, Go Wol had been listening intently.
“Right. Now that he’s the Young Cult Leader and Eun-wol is complete, you’ll be pushed to the back burner. Soon enough, he’ll casually ask if you should just merge Eun-wol with the Tongcheon Pavilion. What will you do then?”
“If he asks to merge them, then I must merge them.”
“See? This is why you look so delicious to the Second Young Master. He’s going to tear off every bit of your flesh and lick your bones clean.”
It was then that a familiar voice drifted in from behind them.
“You really do speak ill of me every time we meet.”
Startled, both men spun around to find Geom Mu-geuk standing there with a smirk.
“You have an uncanny talent for showing up exactly when I’m badmouthing you,” the Pungcheon Cult Leader remarked.
“Isn’t it just that you spend most of your day badmouthing me?”
“Sometimes I do it all day long and keep it going in my sleep.”
Though he spoke gruffly, the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s face was bright with genuine delight.
Geom Mu-geuk offered a polite fist salute.
“You’ve worked hard, Cult Leader.”
“What’s this all of a sudden? Are you giving a rice cake to the one you hate?”
“I heard the news that Eun-wol is complete. If you hadn't been there to help, things wouldn't have proceeded so smoothly.”
“You two have been exchanging messages behind my back again! Excluding me!”
This time, Go Wol bowed formally to Geom Mu-geuk.
“I can finally offer my formal greetings. Congratulations on becoming the Young Cult Leader.”
“Your contribution was great, Go Wol.”
“Even if you had stood a broomstick in my place, it wouldn't have hindered the grand flow of events.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader cut in.
“Don’t be so humble. He’ll actually believe you. Tell him you worked yourself to the bone! Humans only ever think about their own hardships unless you shove yours in their face.”
Go Wol said with a smile, “Our Cult Leader worked very hard. Please acknowledge him and give him some praise.”
“You’ve worked hard,” Mu-geuk said obediently.
At that, the Pungcheon Cult Leader raised his voice.
“Stop acting so nice and say what you really feel!”
Mu-geuk and Go Wol looked at each other and laughed.
Then, Mu-geuk’s gaze shifted to the Go board.
“Are you finally becoming the perfect strategist who is even a master of Go?”
Mu-geuk walked toward the board, and Go Wol stood beside him.
“Shall we play a game?”
“I’ve only just started learning, so I’m far from proficient.”
However, contrary to his words, the situation laid out on the board was far beyond the level of a beginner.
“The battle in this area is quite fierce,” Mu-geuk noted.
Go Wol let out a meaningful remark.
“Doesn't it resemble the current situation?”
The moment he heard that question, Mu-geuk knew. Go Wol had already grasped everything that had happened at the Honam Branch. He realized that Go Wol might have been playing Go alone while contemplating that very problem.
“This move was played to save a stone that was meant to be sacrificed. It’s too deep to be a mere probe, yet a bit reckless to be a move intended to rescue a sacrificial stone.”
Go Wol’s gaze moved from the board to Mu-geuk.
“It’s the move the Murim Alliance made to save the Heavenly Flower Sect.”
As expected, Go Wol already knew how things were unfolding. Furthermore, he had grasped nuances that even Mu-geuk hadn't fully realized.
“Jin Ha-gun, the grandson of the Murim Alliance Leader and the Demon Extermination Squad Leader, exercised his special authority to move the Murim Alliance. The Cult Leader accepted their demands. Of course, it is customary that if we grant their requests now, the Murim Alliance will have to accept the Main Cult’s demands later.”
Mu-geuk nodded. Since this was also a way for his father to test him, the Cult Leader would be watching his next move with interest.
“But do they know what Seo Cheong did?”
“I believe they’ve grasped it to some extent.”
Except for the primary culprit, Seo Cheong, and Seok Pung, who had exposed the crime, the rest of the Martial God Society members had been released. Through them, word of what happened at the banquet would be spreading like wildfire.
“And yet they’re still pushing forward?”
“Because the gain is large enough to justify enduring the criticism.”
Mu-geuk shook his head. The Murim Alliance Leader he knew was a domineering but fair man.
“Perhaps his grandson is also being put to the test.”
Go Wol, immediately understanding the implication, nodded.
“How should we respond?”
Mu-geuk had rushed all the way here to hear this answer. The trip was worth it; Go Wol had already devised a plan.
“The reason the Heavenly Flower Sect has been able to walk a tightrope between the Main Cult, the Murim Alliance, and the Unorthodox Path Alliance is partly due to their own strength, but also because of the thirty or so small-to-medium sects that follow them. And most of those sects are not followers of the Orthodox Path, but rather those who follow our Cult or the Unorthodox Path Alliance.”
“They must be dissatisfied with the Heavenly Flower Sect siding with the Orthodox Path.”
“Exactly. We should take this opportunity to absorb all of those sects. If we do, the Murim Alliance will be left making a lot of noise without gaining any real substance.”
“That’s a brilliant plan!”
Mu-geuk was greatly pleased. However, Go Wol was also aware of the potential problems.
“The issue is the reaction of the Murim Alliance or the Heavenly Flower Sect. They certainly won’t stay quiet, so we must be prepared for that.”
It was true. They wouldn't just stand by and watch their influence be dismantled.
If the conflict escalated, a clash was inevitable. However, since his father had ordered the release of Seo Cheong, Mu-geuk could not engage in a direct power struggle with them.
After a moment of thought, Mu-geuk picked up a white stone.
“Since they are trying too hard to save a dead stone, they must be punished. However…”
Clack!
Mu-geuk placed the stone in a spot far removed from where the battle was taking place.
“If I charge in blatantly to capture it, they will struggle desperately to survive. So, I intend to make a move on the opposite side of where I intend to strike.”
“Making a sound in the east to strike in the west,” Go Wol remarked.
Mu-geuk wore a meaningful smile at Go Wol’s words.
“In fact, that person is indeed to our east.”
*
Mu-geuk sped toward the east.
His Rapid Speed Step, which had reached Twelve-Star Great Achievement, made the vast Central Plains feel small.
Arriving faster than a bird, Mu-geuk found the man he was looking for. The person he was glad to see was, as usual, eating at an inn.
— I told you to eat a balanced diet, yet you’re still a picky eater.
Bi Sa-in smirked at the Voice Transmission that reached his ears.
The 1st Wolf, standing nearby, asked him, “Why are you laughing?”
“I just thought of someone absurd.”
After Ya Yul-han’s death, Bi Sa-in had completely seized power. He had become the undisputed successor of the Unorthodox Path Alliance, and many followed him. It was no exaggeration to say that all of this was thanks to Geom Mu-geuk.
— See me at the cliff tonight.
— Stop looking for me so often.
*
That night, when Bi Sa-in arrived at the cliff, Mu-geuk was sitting on the edge, legs dangling over the abyss.
“I don’t know why, but every time I see your back, I feel like pushing you off.”
“Go ahead and try it today. Once you realize it’s useless, you won’t have those thoughts anymore.”
Bi Sa-in came to stand beside Mu-geuk.
“Why are you here again?”
“Why else? I came because I need your help.”
“What kind of Demonic Cult is always asking for the Unorthodox Path Alliance’s help?”
Despite his words, Bi Sa-in’s heart was racing. Just when he felt his repetitive daily life was becoming tedious, Mu-geuk would suddenly appear before him like this.
Mu-geuk looked up at Bi Sa-in’s face from his seated position.
“Oh, looking at you from this angle, you’re quite handsome. Even your scar looks cool from here. If you ever find a woman you love, make sure to sit her here while you stand there.”
“Stop talking nonsense and tell me why you’re here.”
“Let’s do a job together.”
“What kind of job?”
“Lately, the Murim Alliance has been getting greedy. But when it comes to greed, we aren't exactly the types to fall behind, are we?”
Bi Sa-in’s expression turned serious.
“Are you talking about the Heavenly Flower Sect?”
As expected, Bi Sa-in was already aware of the situation. He had heard the news that the successor of the Heavenly Flower Sect had been captured by Mu-geuk. He had expected them to ask for help, but unexpectedly, they had joined hands with the Murim Alliance. The Unorthodox Path Alliance and Bi Sa-in had been on high alert because of that.
“As I thought, you knew everything.”
“How could I not know when you’re causing such a stir? Even the kids playing in the neighborhood probably know.”
“As you know, I enjoy being the center of attention.”
“So? Why did you come to me?”
Regardless of his goodwill toward Mu-geuk, this was a grave matter. A major neutral power was taking a side.
“We can’t just let it happen, can we?”
“I thought you could handle it alone.”
Bi Sa-in knew better than anyone how extraordinary Mu-geuk was. That was why he was suspicious.
“Of course, I could have handled it alone. If it weren't for my father.”
“What do you mean?”
“An official order was issued to release the successor of the Heavenly Flower Sect. In other words, I am forbidden from clashing with them head-on.”
“So? You’re going to use me instead?”
“Something like that.”
Bi Sa-in spoke firmly.
“I refuse.”
As he turned to leave, Mu-geuk spoke.
“Let’s split the spoils.”
Bi Sa-in stopped in his tracks. How could he just walk away after hearing that?
“What do you mean?”
“Most of the small-to-medium sects following the Heavenly Flower Sect are followers of the Main Cult or your Alliance. They must be very dissatisfied with the Heavenly Flower Sect’s unilateral decision. Let’s absorb all of them.”
Bi Sa-in was startled. He had been so focused on the Heavenly Flower Sect itself that he hadn't thought that far.
“Why give me a chance instead of absorbing them all yourself?”
Mu-geuk answered honestly.
“For three reasons. First, as I said, it’s difficult for me to move unilaterally and clash with them. But if you all intervene, the situation changes. It becomes a matter of the Unorthodox Path Alliance’s interests.”
“And the second reason?”
“What’s the point of forcing those who want to be under you to join me? They’ll just betray me later. If we were in a desperate situation, I wouldn't care, but I don’t want to expand my forces just for show. That’s the old way of doing things.”
Bi Sa-in’s scar twitched. He tried to discern if Mu-geuk had any hidden motives, but he couldn't tell. If it were anyone else, it would have been easier to read their intentions, but because it was Mu-geuk, it was incredibly difficult.
“What is the final reason?”
“I’m curious. As you know, the Heavenly Flower Sect mainly interacted with the Main Cult and your people. Yet, when a crisis struck, they joined hands with the Murim Alliance. Normally, shouldn't they have joined hands with you? Their lives and destinies were at stake, yet they acted contrary to common sense. What on earth is the story behind this? Who is the one who led this? Aren’t you curious?”
Bi Sa-in also answered honestly.
“I am curious. No, I’m even more curious than you.”
“I believe that reason alone is enough for you to step forward.”
After a moment of thought, Bi Sa-in suddenly said, “What if I get greedy? What if I try to absorb the Heavenly Flower Sect as well?”
Since the Heavenly Flower Sect had interacted with the Unorthodox Path Alliance as much as they had with the Demonic Cult, it wasn't impossible for them to join hands with the Alliance.
“Then be greedy.”
“What?”
“Join hands with the Heavenly Flower Sect if you can.”
“Do you hate those Orthodox bastards that much?”
“It’s not because of that. It’s because I also intend to absorb the Heavenly Flower Sect. Since I want it too, I have to acknowledge your desire for it. Let’s compete. To see who gets the Heavenly Flower Sect.”
Bi Sa-in looked down at Mu-geuk in silence. From the moment they first met until now, Mu-geuk always felt like a wall. But it wasn't a wall that crushed him. It was a wall he wanted to overcome—a wall that stimulated him to grow.
Bi Sa-in said abruptly, “I feel like pushing you off again.”
At that, Mu-geuk reached out his hand, asking to be helped up.
With an exasperated expression, Bi Sa-in shook his head.
“I really think you need to consult the Great Divine Healer.”
“Even our Cult’s Demon Doctor is so infatuated with me that it’s impossible. If you won’t help me up, I’ll have to get up myself. Oof, my back.”
Mu-geuk grumbled as he stood up.
Bi Sa-in made his final decision.
“I’ll see you in Honam.”
It was his way of saying he accepted the proposal.
Mu-geuk said to him, “Bring some masters who can create a threatening atmosphere. We don’t know what might pop out from their side. Also, I need a justification to move as well.”
Bi Sa-in replied provocatively, “Can you handle it?”
“Why would I be the one to handle it? I’ll be calling people too. Demon Lords who are even scarier than your lot.”
“You really never lose, do you?”
Bi Sa-in turned and disappeared into the darkness.
“You’re getting cooler by the day!”
At the words drifting from behind him, Bi Sa-in finally let out a short laugh.
When he turned back to say something, Mu-geuk was already gone. He was flying far away, a silhouette amidst the stars of the night sky.
Looking up at Mu-geuk and those brilliant stars, Bi Sa-in spoke softly.
“I will handle you. I will definitely become that kind of person.”