A Chance That Changes the Situation (6)
The conference room fell into a heavy silence.
“……
Thus, the incident in Guangdong Province has been resolved for now, with the Righteous Army, led by Hong-gwan—disciple of the Black Dragon Department Lord, Yang Cheon—eliminating a large number of assassins.”
Sighs of relief and quiet exclamations rippled through the room from various corners.
Pung-byeok-ja, the sect leader of the Qingcheng Sect, nodded slowly.
“As expected of the Righteous Army. They continue to live up to our expectations.”
Among the elders of the Martial Alliance, a few had yet to clearly declare their stance. Pung-byeok-ja was one of them.
These were people who had distanced themselves from politics. Individuals who had devoted their entire lives to martial arts—for their sects on a small scale, and for the world at large on a greater one. They possessed both experience and sharp minds, yet they had no desire to throw themselves into the power struggles of the mundane world.
In that sense, Pung-byeok-ja could be considered one of the ideal figures of the righteous path. Regardless of his actual capabilities.
Jegal Mun-ho spoke in a calm, measured tone.
“Since the matter has been settled, it would be proper to order an immediate withdrawal. However, given the devastating blow suffered by the righteous factions of Guangdong, I believe it is correct to have them remain on standby until the power vacuum is filled.”
“Mmm, that is a fair point. What matters is not merely uprooting evil. It is preventing evil from taking root again.”
Pung-byeok-ja nodded repeatedly, fully agreeing with Jegal Mun-ho’s words.
At that moment, Deung Cheon-gyo, the sect leader of the Kongtong Sect, frowned and spoke up.
“The military advisor’s words are indeed correct. However, I believe it is not ideal for the Alliance’s forces to be spread too thin.”
Jegal Mun-ho shook his head.
“It is true that the Righteous Army possesses formidable strength. However, the departure of a single unit does not mean the Martial Alliance’s power has been meaningfully dispersed. The Alliance has countless other units besides the Righteous Army.”
“That is true, of course. The Righteous Army is merely one of the Alliance’s many units. Yet it is also the Righteous Army that has made the name of the Martial Alliance known throughout the world. At this point, they have become the face of the Martial Alliance itself.”
“I agree with that assessment.”
Jegal Mun-ho tilted his head slightly, looking puzzled.
“Then, Elder Deung, what exactly are you trying to say?”
Deung Cheon-gyo spoke bluntly.
“The election for the Alliance Leader has already been postponed until next year. While punishing evil and correcting the hearts of the people is important, I am concerned that we are engaging in too many external operations without even having chosen a leader.”
Pung-byeok-ja couldn’t hide his confusion as he asked,
“How is that a problem?”
“Look at the situation. The Dark Factions have united their strength under the absolute master known as the King of Combat, Yang Cheon. However, when considering their overall military power—especially the quality of their high-level experts—the Black Dragon Department cannot possibly stand against our Alliance.”
“And yet?”
“The real issue lies in the fundamental difference between the Martial Alliance and the Black Dragon Department. Though both are alliances, our side is a gathering of countless sects united for a greater cause. If we had a leader, it might be different. But without a single focal point, it is difficult to respond swiftly to external affairs.”
“Mmm.”
“On the other hand, the Black Dragon Department is different. Though it is called an alliance, it is no different from a small nation ruled by the King of Combat. Yang Cheon exerts absolute influence over his organization, and the Black Dragon Department will always move and react exactly as he desires.”
Deung Cheon-gyo turned to Jegal Mun-ho.
“I would like to ask the military advisor. Do you consider this difference insignificant?”
Jegal Mun-ho shook his head.
“It is by no means insignificant. As Elder Deung has said, the speed of an organization that receives immediate orders from a single leader often surpasses the caution of one operated by multiple heads.”
“Exactly. Regardless of which is more efficient, the Black Dragon Department possesses power. The absolute power of the King of Combat, Yang Cheon. So far he has been keeping a low profile, but I wish to point out that the moment he begins to move in earnest, the forces of our Alliance could be defeated one by one.”
Though Deung Cheon-gyo had drawn many glares for his excessive aggression in the past, his statement could not be ignored.
To be more precise, this was an issue that would eventually need to be addressed.
The reason they had not discussed a solution immediately was simply because far more urgent matters demanded their attention. Jegal Mun-ho was a man who knew how to prioritize according to the situation.
That was why it felt strange. Why now? It was a statement anyone could have made at any time.
The problem was that the one who had spoken it was Deung Cheon-gyo.
Deung Cheon-gyo was Moyong Gun’s man. Though he might deny it, he was clearly someone swayed by Moyong Gun. Surely not…
Jegal Mun-ho glanced at Moyong Gun.
Moyong Gun was calmly sipping his tea with an indifferent expression. Is he planning to reveal his ambitions again at this very moment?
It was entirely possible for a man like him. However, the rage Jegal Mun-ho had witnessed from Moyong Gun while facing the Three Sects had been genuine.
Of course, Moyong Gun’s ambition had not died. If anything, it would only grow stronger with time.
But not now.
Jegal Mun-ho trusted his own eyes, Yeon Hojeong’s judgment, and Yeon Wi’s intuition. From what all three of them had seen, Moyong Gun was not the kind of man who would reveal his ambitions again even in a situation like this. Moreover, it was Moyong Gun himself who suggested postponing the Alliance Leader election until next year. There is no way this is a scheme to catch us off guard. He is not that petty.
He had even staked the life of his own younger brother, Moyong Woo.
Whether he would have staked his own life was unknown. That much was true. However, it was also an undeniable fact that Moyong Woo represented an incomparably powerful asset to Moyong Gun.
There was no reason for him to take such a reckless gamble. Especially not at a moment like this. Then…
Jegal Mun-ho looked back at Deung Cheon-gyo.
Deung Cheon-gyo was staring at him with clear, steady eyes. This is his own decision, then. But why? What was the reason?
Soon, Deung Cheon-gyo revealed the reason—one that left everyone in the room utterly shocked.
“I am not sure if you are aware, but since it seems like something everyone should know, I will speak plainly.”
“What are you referring to?”
“I have received information that an unusual group exists beyond the borders.”
The atmosphere in the conference hall plummeted in an instant.
Pung-byeok-ja tilted his head.
“An unusual group? What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly as I said. I have received information that some organization from beyond our borders harbors the ambition to seize control of the Central Plains.”
“W-what did you say?!”
A look of pure shock spread across Pung-byeok-ja’s face.
And he was not alone. Everyone hearing this information for the first time stared at Deung Cheon-gyo in astonishment.
Deung Cheon-gyo’s eyes gleamed with a chilling light.
“Our Kongtong Sect is located adjacent to the northern regions beyond the border. While we may not match the Kunlun Sect at the western edge, the reason our sect was able to amass such wealth is because we have exerted influence all the way to the Jade Gate Pass.”
The Jade Gate Pass stood at the end of Gansu Province. It was the final gateway connecting the Central Plains to Dunhuang and the vast western regions beyond.
The Kongtong Sect was nestled within the Kongtong Mountains, which lay in Gansu. Although the distance from the mountains to the Jade Gate Pass was enormous, the sect’s overwhelming prestige allowed it to encompass the entirety of Gansu.
“All manner of merchants, as well as information that defies imagination, flow through the Jade Gate Pass. Simply filtering through that overwhelming volume of information keeps our intelligence unit busy every single day of the year.”
“……”
“Do you understand? At the very least, when it comes to information from the northernmost parts of the Central Plains and the regions beyond the border, our sect is in no way inferior to the Beggars’ Union. In fact, we surpass them. Therefore, it is safe to assume that the accuracy of this information is extremely high.”
“I see.”
“I would like to ask the military advisor here and now.”
Deung Cheon-gyo’s expression grew fierce.
“I understand that, as military advisor, you must pretend to be unsurprised even when you are, and pretend to know even when you do not. But unlike the other elders, you are remaining far too calm.”
“……”
“Did you already know about this?”
The moment Jegal Mun-ho, who had been quietly observing Deung Cheon-gyo, opened his mouth to speak—
“I knew.”
Everyone’s eyes instantly turned toward Gong Gong Dae-sa.
Gong Gong Dae-sa nodded.
“This monk was already aware that an unusual group from beyond the border has begun to stir.”
“What?!”
Deung Cheon-gyo’s face twisted violently.
“You knew as well, Great Monk?!”
“Indeed. And it was I who informed the military advisor of this fact.”
“……!!”
The bombshell declaration left the entire assembly speechless with shock.
Even Jegal Mun-ho and Yeon Wi were no exception. Even Moyong Gun’s eyes flickered faintly at Gong Gong Dae-sa’s words.
Deung Cheon-gyo’s eyelids trembled.
“You knew, yet you chose not to inform the rest of us?”
“Correct.”
“……”
“You must explain yourself properly! Why did you not tell us?!”
Gong Gong Dae-sa’s serene expression did not waver.
“Because it could not be trusted.”
“What?!”
“This monk serves the Buddha. However, no matter how devoted one is to the Buddha, once one has entered the secular world, one must not forget the duty to strive for peace.”
“……”
“The issue lies in the process of achieving that peace. I cannot easily agree with the idea that a bad outcome is acceptable if the process is clean, nor that a good outcome justifies a flawed process.”
“What exactly are you trying to say?!”
Flash!
For a brief moment, a fiery light blazed in Gong Gong Dae-sa’s eyes.
The intensity of that gaze was so overwhelming that Deung Cheon-gyo flinched involuntarily. Though his pride kept him from turning away, the look was so oppressive that he would have averted his eyes instantly had he let his guard down even slightly.
“However, if they have already infiltrated and seized control of the Central Plains without any of us noticing, then we have already suffered a defeat.”
“……”
“There is something even worse. What if, among us, there exists a spy from the Three Sects? What would happen then?”
“……!!”
“There would be no fight worthy of the name. We would simply watch the great game unfold exactly as they orchestrate it, only to suffer a hollow defeat at an unexpected moment.”
Gong Gong Dae-sa let out a soft sigh.
“I am well aware how deeply this statement wounds your pride. However, it is also the reason this monk could not easily disclose the information.”
“Even so—!”
“Their forces are already complete. They have spent countless years infiltrating the Central Plains not for empty glory, but for perfect victory. When considering only their actual military strength, they are already at a level where they could challenge the Murim of the Central Plains at any time.”
Gong Gong Dae-sa narrowed his eyes.
“The secret we have guarded so carefully has now been rendered meaningless thanks to Elder Deung. The military advisor and I were investigating whether any spies existed among the elders and, if so, where their connections led. But if the real spy is here, they will now hide themselves even more thoroughly.”
Deung Cheon-gyo was flustered. Gong Gong Dae-sa had suddenly turned the blame toward him.
“How is this my fault…?!”
“I am not blaming you, Elder Deung. I too have committed the sin of deceiving the elders, and I must accept the appropriate punishment for it.”
“……”
“However, I will not tolerate anyone pressuring the military advisor in the name of Shaolin. To criticize a man who works tirelessly day and night for the sake of the world—to rebuke someone who must sometimes deceive everyone in order to achieve good—over such a trivial matter would be exceedingly rude, would it not?”
“……”
“If you wish to throw stones, throw them at me. I will take full responsibility for my arrogance.”
“……”
“I will remember those words clearly.”
“I do not speak empty words.”
Gong Gong Dae-sa turned to Jegal Mun-ho.
“Isn’t that right, military advisor?”
Gong Gong Dae-sa smiled and winked with one eye.
Jegal Mun-ho could only sigh inwardly.