Tying Up Loose Ends (4)
Three days later.
“What did you say?”
Moyong Gun’s expression darkened instantly.
“Talk of delaying the Tangma Myeol Sa Army’s mobilization has surfaced?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Who in their right mind would spout such nonsense?”
Moyong Gun rarely lost his temper, but this was warranted. The mobilization date for the combined Tangma Myeol Sa Army was set, as was their target. And that target was among the most troublesome factions in the martial world, ranking in the top ten for headaches.
They appeared and vanished like lightning strikes across the east and west, but reliable informants had revealed their movement routes and a month-long stay location. Strike there precisely, and it was over. The Myeol Sa Army would lead the charge anyway, and once they spectacularly crushed the enemy, all the glory would go to the combined army’s supreme commander, Moyong Woo. From there, he planned to gradually showcase the Tangma Army’s might and Moyong Woo’s value. Delaying the mobilization? Unthinkable.
“Well...”
Moyong Gun’s closest confidant, Ho Gyeong, spoke with evident discomfort.
“It seems the first to mention it was the Ami Faction leader.”
“Bok Ho-sa-tae?!”
“Yes.”
His surging rage subsided in an instant. The Martial Alliance leadership wasn’t solely composed of Bonggong peaks. Appointments were based on ability and prestige, and among them were figures whose illustrious reputations even Bonggong couldn’t trifle with lightly. He’d assumed the rumor originated from them. But the Ami Faction leader?
Something’s off.
Moyong Gun’s razor-sharp instincts, which had forged him into what he was, detected an ill omen. After a moment’s contemplation, he spoke.
“This issue hasn’t even gone through the Bonggong Council, yet such a major rumor is circulating? Someone must have deliberately spread it.”
“That’s...”
Ho Gyeong’s face twisted awkwardly.
“Among the Myeol Sa Army soldiers are Ami lay disciples. One of our people overheard them talking in a mess hall.”
Moyong Gun’s eyes gleamed coldly.
Greenhorns, huh?
He knew none of the Myeol Sa Army soldiers had any real seasoned experience.
“Go fetch the personal records of the Ami lay disciples. As quickly as possible.”
“Understood.”
Half a day passed.
“Family head.”
Ho Gyeong handed over a few sheets of paper. They detailed the backgrounds of the Ami lay disciples, starting with Song Yeon-gyeong—their martial levels, personalities, positions within the faction, all meticulously noted.
Moyong Gun pored over the documents for a long while before a surge of azure energy flickered from his hand.
Pak!
Whoosh!
Menacing electric light erupted, reducing the papers to a handful of ash that vanished.
“When’s the Bonggong Council?”
“Two days from now at noon.”
They planned to review the Tangma Myeol Sa Army’s mobilization preparations there, then launch exactly five days later.
Hard to gauge from just their positions and personalities. In that case...
Moyong Gun glanced at the stack of papers beside him—agenda items for the final pre-mobilization Bonggong Council.
“Where’s Gong Gong-daesa?”
“At his residence.”
“Send word. There’s an urgent matter; advance it to tomorrow morning.”
The next morning, the Bonggong gathered in the Musungjeon council chamber. Gong Gong-daesa spoke first.
“So, what urgent business brings us together, Moyong Bonggong?”
Before replying, Moyong Gun scanned the room, his gaze lingering on Bok Ho-sa-tae.
......
Bok Ho-sa-tae appeared remarkably composed. Not even startled by the abruptly advanced meeting. Moyong Gun’s eyes deepened.
She knew.
She already knew how he’d react.
Bok Ho-sa-tae isn’t politically astute. She’s lived her life solely for the righteous path and heroic deeds.
During his efforts to pull various Bonggong to his side, he’d thoroughly excluded three: Shaolin, Wudang, and Ami. Their leaders were unshakable. Approaching rashly could backfire. He’d proceeded cautiously, yet here he was, struck from behind.
If this wasn’t Bok Ho-sa-tae’s doing...
His eyes shifted to Yeon Wi.
Not the Yeon family head.
In some ways, even more rigid than Bok Ho-sa-tae. Moreover, he was Myeol Sa Army Commander Yeon Hojeong’s father. Duty and face would prevent him from casually broaching Myeol Sa Army matters.
Unlikely to be the Paeng family head either.
Finally, his gaze settled on Jegal Munho, who leisurely sipped his tea with deliberate poise, like the reincarnation of Jegal Gongmyeong himself.
The strategist.
Puzzlement crossed Gong Gong-daesa’s face.
“Moyong Bonggong?”
“...I shall explain.”
Moyong Gun spoke with a somewhat stiff expression.
“Recently, in Shandong, there have been illegal...”
He detailed the contents of his prepared documents one by one. The volume was substantial, including grave issues with immediate impacts on the populace. The chamber’s mood grew heavy. But the Bonggong knew this wasn’t the sole reason for advancing the meeting. Even the politically naive had gleaned the undercurrents from months of councils. They waited patiently for Moyong Gun’s true intent.
A moment later.
“These are all the agenda items for today.”
“I see.”
“Yes, and...”
Moyong Gun’s eyes flashed.
“Finally, I’d like to discuss the Tangma Myeol Sa combined army’s mobilization timing.”
Puzzlement appeared on Hwasan leader Yonghwa Jin-in’s face.
“Wasn’t it set for five days from now?”
“Of course. However, I believe it wise to hold the council a day earlier if possible, then relay operational details to the combined army soldiers.”
“Hmm.”
“The Myeol Sa Army has honed their coordination through months of real combat. The Tangma Army has not. With their numbers, even a single day’s extra preparation is necessary, in my view.”
Yonghwa Jin-in nodded.
“Sound reasoning. Truth be told, sending them out without proper training is worrisome enough. But Moyong Commander’s martial prowess and presence at the founding ceremony were impressive, so that eases concerns somewhat.”
“Precisely.”
Moyong Gun smiled.
“Moreover, the Tangma Army consists of renowned experts from the jianghu. Led well by Commander Moyong, they’ll achieve the mission with minimal losses.”
Yonghwa Jin-in smiled back.
“Still, an extra day would boost the army’s overall morale. I support Moyong Bonggong’s proposal.”
“My thanks.”
Having a political ally was truly fortunate. Hwasan, long rivals with Wudang for the title of The First Sword Gate, carried weight. With their leader’s endorsement, other Bonggong nodded in agreement.
That was when it happened.
“On that matter, I have something to say.”
Moyong Gun’s eyes sharpened.
So it’s you after all.
Jegal Munho spoke.
“To be direct: how about delaying the Tangma Myeol Sa Army’s mobilization slightly?”
Namgung In frowned.
“Why delay a confirmed date?”
Jegal Munho smiled leisurely.
“Truthfully, I’ve pondered this for some time. The Myeol Sa Army achieved countless merits without even a founding ceremony upon joining the alliance. The Tangma soldiers are equally elite, so they should fare no worse.”
“Well said.”
“However, circumstances differ now from then. The Myeol Sa mobilization occurred before the alliance’s systems solidified. Now, we have clear structures and hierarchies.”
Yeon Wi asked curtly.
“No need to push unnecessarily?”
“Exactly.”
Gongdong Faction leader Deung Cheon-gyo frowned.
“Tangma Commander Moyong Woo’s abilities are exceptional. Delaying the set date will shatter the troops’ high spirits.”
“As Deung Bonggong says, since Commander Moyong is so capable, he can rally them.”
“Pointless meddling.”
A rather blunt remark, fitting for the rough-edged Gongdong leader.
Wudang leader Seung Hyeon Jin-in spoke.
“Jegal Strategist.”
“Speak.”
“Even this humble one thinks delaying mobilization is problematic. More preparation is ideal, but with days away, adjusting now seems excessive.”
Jegal Munho nodded.
“Is that so?”
“So I believe.”
“Fair enough; that concern nagged me too.”
Jegal Munho rose and clasped his hands in salute.
“With the alliance’s systems in place, I hesitated to risk it. Forgive my hasty words.”
A clean apology. Most Bonggong smiled and waved it off, but Moyong Gun couldn’t.
What’s this?
His eyes narrowed.
Backing down already? Impossible.
Bok Ho-sa-tae’s expression held the answer. Jegal Munho had clearly anticipated him advancing the meeting.
“Ah! Since mobilization timing came up, I have a proposal too.”
Moyong Gun flinched.
A proposal?
What? That expectant reaction?
Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine.
They were waiting for this?!
Spreading the rumor to force an early meeting, even the timing debate—all bait?
...For what?
Jegal Munho smiled.
“It concerns the Alliance Lord Division. Care to hear?”
Interest sparked across the Bonggong faces. Gong Gong-daesa nodded.
“A topic we must address eventually. What do you propose?”
“The Alliance Lord position is most honorable. Yet even with systems in place, whoever assumes it will struggle leading the inaugural Martial Alliance—due to inexperience, not lack of ability.”
“And?”
“Thus, I propose creating two Vice Alliance Lord positions in the new Alliance Lord Division.”
Two, not one. Watching the Bonggong eyes gleam, Moyong Gun was seized by one thought.
I’ve been had.
“Vice Alliance Lords... I get it, but why two instead of one?”
“To guard against power concentration.”
“Even an Alliance Lord can’t ignore the Bonggong, right?”
“But if supporters outnumber opponents among the Bonggong?”
“...!”
“Checks must exist. Power structures serve the world only, not swayed by one man’s politics.”
“Heh.”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled coldly, gazing out the window. The sunlight was splendid.
“If the Alliance Lord is truly capable, couldn’t he embrace even opposing factions?”