Motley Crew (4)
“Nonsense. Deploy the vanguard already?”
Moyong Gun furrowed his brow.
“We haven’t even selected the warriors for the main army yet. How could we deploy the vanguard? You’re not thinking of sending just the vanguard commander alone, are you?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
Jegal Munho spoke calmly.
“Vanguard Commander Yeon Hojeong has already selected all the warriors.”
“……?!”
“Though few in number, his profound knowledge of military strategy and exceptional personal martial prowess make it wise to send him into the jianghu as soon as possible. Of course, this was also a direct request from the vanguard commander himself.”
At that moment, Namgung In spoke up.
“Even so, this is too excessive.”
“Excessive how?”
“An independent vanguard unit—one of only two standalone forces in the Martial Alliance—has been formed. No matter how free a unit it is, dispatching them without an inauguration ceremony or lineup inspection is undoubtedly a mistake.”
His measured tone carried a clear note of reprimand.
Jegal Munho smiled faintly.
“Does Namgung family head consider our alliance a military bureaucracy?”
“Not a bureaucracy, but there are procedures to follow. If they’ve already deployed, call them back. If not, hold them until formal permission is granted.”
“I understand, but such things are mere formalities.”
Namgung In’s eyes twitched slightly.
“Mere formalities?”
“Yeon Commander’s request for immediate deployment is to weaken the black path factions rampaging across the land and stabilize the common folk. Surely Namgung family head doesn’t prioritize etiquette over curbing the black path’s rise?”
Namgung In’s gaze turned icy.
It was an unexpectedly aggressive retort. The tone was refined, but the intent was sharply pointed.
So this is how you want to play it.
Moyong Gun spoke up.
“Jegal family head’s words……”
“Please correct that. I am the Martial Alliance’s military strategist.”
The atmosphere in the grand hall froze instantly.
“Moreover, those gathered here are the leading figures guiding the white path today. This is an official assembly, so mind your titles.”
Moyong Gun gave a faint smile.
“My apologies. I’m still not used to the new title and misspoke.”
“Understood.”
“To reiterate, there’s a flaw in Jegal Strategist’s reasoning.”
“I shall listen most attentively.”
“Rumors of the Martial Alliance’s formation are spreading far and wide. But such rumors won’t let the black path seize power unprepared. Isn’t Jegal Strategist overreacting?”
“Is that so?”
“Indeed. Even if black path factions are sprouting like mushrooms this very moment, pinpointing every location is impossible. Suppressing them all with a single vanguard unit is absurd.”
Jegal Munho smiled subtly.
Moyong Gun realized his mistake too late.
He was waiting for me to say that.
Jegal Munho called toward the entrance of the grand hall.
“Beggar Sect Vice Leader Gadeuksang, enter the hall.”
Rumble.
The doors opened, and Gadeuksang stepped in, holding a large rolled-up sheet of paper.
“Beggar Sect’s Huigae Gadeuksang pays respects to the alliance’s esteemed leaders.”
Jegal Munho said, “The map, if you please.”
“Right here.”
A detailed map of the Central Plains unfurled across the massive table. Red ink marked the names of black path factions everywhere—over a hundred in total, from notorious ones to small outfits, all meticulously noted.
“As the leaders know, the realm is vast. These red marks prioritize large-scale threats to public safety or factions with high growth potential.”
“Heavens.”
“Even conservatively, it’s this many. Cataloging them all would be impossible. However……”
Jegal Munho glanced at Gadeuksang.
Gadeuksang grinned and continued.
“If the vanguard sweeps the Central Plains and wipes out every marked spot, the black path martial world will enter its darkest era in history.”
The black path could never be fully eradicated. In a sense, they were more deeply embedded in the lives of the common people than the white path ever was. Renowned masters were black path, pillar men of pleasure houses were black path, and bloodsucking usurers preying on the folk were black path. Lumping such villains under the black path banner meant they’d persist as long as people lived.
Thus, the only way to crush them was relentless targeting of their famed factions and masters. Smash them, and if they reared their heads again, smash them once more. Drag them from hiding and annihilate them.
“Esteemed leaders here are giants of the jianghu with unmatched experience. You know purging these marked black path groups is no easy task.”
Of course it wasn’t. Beyond martial superiority, it demanded strategy—and beyond strategy, unbreakable unit cohesion.
Moyong Gun said, “I’ve been wondering. Where exactly were the vanguard’s warriors recruited from?”
Several Nine Great Sect leaders coughed awkwardly.
Moyong Gun’s eyes widened.
“Don’t tell me from the Nine Great Sects?”
Qingcheng Sect Leader Fengbi-ja spoke.
“I can’t speak for others, but Qingcheng left it to our disciples’ discretion.”
“Discretion? What do you mean?”
“They’re our sect’s precious disciples, but lost and wandering now. Joining the independent vanguard for a jianghu campaign could be the stimulus they need.”
“Heavens.”
Moyong Gun looked around.
“Similar reasons for the rest of you leaders?”
Silence. Nothing to say, and saying more would just drag it out.
Fengbi-ja added, “One thing: their numbers are extremely few.”
Jegal Munho nodded.
“Correct. Fewer than fifty-two.”
Moyong Gun scowled.
“Fewer than fifty-two, yet each is a young master versed in a Nine Great Sect’s signature arts. Strangers who’ve never trained together, sent into the jianghu without proper drills? Absurd.”
Jegal Munho tilted his head.
“Hard to let that pass.”
“What?”
“Wasn’t it Moyong Leader who proposed the independent vanguard? And who granted the commander full authority over his subordinates’ lives?”
“……!!”
“Training methods, unit operations—all fall to the vanguard commander. Thus, the responsibility he bears is immense. Isn’t that right?”
Moyong Gun’s eyes darkened.
Well played.
He’d never imagined Yeon Hojeong deploying so swiftly. He’d waited for a public inauguration of both vanguards. Yeon’s would pale beside Moyong Woo’s, crushing their morale from the start.
Instead, he slips away first? Damn clever bastard.
It was like waiting for the game, only for the opponent to flip the board and head to another table.
Jegal Munho pressed on.
“Furthermore, even if a Nine Sects disciple joined without sect approval, extracting them now requires the commander’s permission.”
Hwasan Sect Leader Yonghwa Jin-in’s eyes sharpened.
“Nonsense. How can we allow our sect’s disciple to join an unproven unit without permission? Absolutely not.”
“Then we’ll amend that clause in the alliance code.”
Jegal Munho’s voice turned cold.
“The code is inviolable. No alliance member is exempt—not even the alliance leader, once any grace period ends.”
“……!!”
“If we won’t grant unit commanders that authority, I’ll step down as strategist.”
Yonghwa Jin-in faltered.
“H-how can you say that?”
“The Martial Alliance, long dormant, now gathers the white path’s might. We leaders represent our sects.”
Jegal Munho scanned the room. His wise eyes burned with unyielding resolve.
“When you agreed to the alliance’s formation, I believed every leader here was prepared to uphold the code’s sanctity.”
With his silver tongue, Jegal Munho dominated the hall.
Moyong Gun inwardly clicked his tongue.
Thoroughly outmaneuvered.
Whether Jegal Munho had ties to Yeon Hojeong was unknown. But Yeon’s bold move gave him leverage over the leaders—and he seized it masterfully. No one could ignore him now, not even Moyong Gun, who saw the play unfolding.
“S-sorry to interrupt.”
Gadeuksang scratched his head, white dandruff fluttering down.
“Since all leaders are gathered, mind sharing some fresh intel?”
Jegal Munho nodded.
“Speak freely, Vice Leader.”
“Thanks.”
Gadeuksang drew a deep breath.
“Black path talk reminded me—some unignorable black path figures have surfaced.”
“Who?”
“Disciples of the Fighting King.”
“……!!”
“And some…… are closer than we thought.”
* * *
A space shrouded in darkness.
Two pairs of ghostly eyes blazed to life.
“Martial Alliance, was it?”
“Yes.”
“……So the righteous dogs formed a Martial Alliance?”
“Indeed.”
“Did they catch wind of our movements?”
“We’re considering all possibilities, but it’s unlikely.”
“If they’re clueless about us, why form an alliance now?”
“Details unclear, but consensus is the Nine Great Families’ annihilation sparked the righteous union.”
“I see.”
“No unusual activity from them yet. Caution advised, but no need to delay for the White Path Martial Alliance.”
“No delays planned. But utmost caution. Unlike Saneumgyo, we must remain fog. Maintain current structure until we hold over seventy percent control.”
“Understood.”
“Fortunate ‘he’ has awakened—our grand plan advances over a decade ahead.”
“He’s finally opened his eyes?”
“Yes.”
“……”
“Good, but stay calm. Proceed steadily, as before.”
“I’ll keep it in mind.”
“……It’ll be a long war. A tedious, endless one.”