Chapter 257
Chapter 257
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 257
Chapter Title: The Military Strategist
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‘Is that the Military Strategist?’
Cheonhwi closely examined the man who had just stepped inside the door.
‘What a distinctive appearance.’
The man had long hair, half white and half black, tied back. It was impossible to tell if he was an elder or a middle-aged man.
‘But Zhuge...?’
As Cheonhwi tilted his head in puzzlement.
“What brings you all the way here?”
Yong Ju-gae asked sharply.
He had spent the last few years in seclusion with the Alliance Leader, holing up in his private chambers. For him to now propose an entirely different course and even emerge publicly like this stirred up suspicion and wariness.
Yet despite Yong Ju-gae's attitude, the Military Strategist replied indifferently, as if it were nothing.
“I can't keep the invited guests waiting indefinitely.”
He had already approached and responded to Yong Ju-gae. He then turned his gaze to Hyeondo and cupped his fists in salute.
“It's been a long time.”
“...Indeed, it has.”
Hyeondo nodded and gave a standard reply, but his inner thoughts were in turmoil.
The only time he had laid eyes on the Military Strategist was that single brief encounter with the Alliance Leader during his first visit to the Murim Alliance.
‘To break semi-seclusion and come in person...’
His heart turned ice-cold, convinced this was no trivial matter.
At that moment, Zhuge Gong turned his head.
His eyes flickered wildly upon seeing Cheonhwi, then quickly settled.
“I am Zhuge Gong, Military Strategist of the Murim Alliance.”
Cheonhwi met the gaze of the man declaring his position and name.
“Zhuge? From the Zhuge family? But isn't the Zhuge family part of the Biheaven Society?”
Yong Ju-gae shot Cheonhwi an incredulous look at the question.
It was infamous that Zhuge Gong had not followed the Zhuge family when they defected from the Alliance and had kept his post as Military Strategist.
It was basic knowledge for anyone with even a toe in the jianghu.
“You don't even know that?”
Yong Ju-gae chided him.
But Cheonhwi felt no embarrassment.
“That's why I'm asking. Would I bother if I knew?”
Yong Ju-gae was at a loss for words at Cheonhwi's utterly shameless response.
‘...He's the first person I've met who knows nothing about my circumstances.’
The Military Strategist felt a surge of inner astonishment.
But he quickly swallowed it and replied to Cheonhwi.
“I am no longer of the Zhuge family, though I once was.”
“Ah, got it.”
Cheonhwi nodded as if understanding, then scanned the Military Strategist up and down.
How does the Zhuge family have so many talents?
It already had the peerless master known as Paegun and the young formation prodigy Zhuge Seonghyeon.
And now the Military Strategist Zhuge Gong on top of that.
A flawless family versed in both letters and arms.
‘At least that's a relief. I don't know why they split, but if this guy had stayed with the Zhuge family, it would've been a major hurdle for Mount Hua Sect claiming supremacy of the world.’
As Cheonhwi stared at the Military Strategist, lost in thoughts of the Zhuge family.
“...You must be Young Hero Cheonhwi, the Plum Blossom Divine Hero?”
The Military Strategist asked quietly.
“That's me.”
“You're even younger than I imagined.”
With those words, the Military Strategist swiftly scanned Cheonhwi from head to toe, just as Cheonhwi had done to him.
He was young. Incredibly so.
‘I heard he's not some rejuvenated elder. Which means at this tender age, he's the master who felled the King of the Bandits...’
His eyes deepened endlessly.
‘Even Father hadn't reached such heights at this age.’
The Military Strategist's mind whirred brilliantly as he instinctively compared him to Paegun of the Eight Martial Gods.
‘He might even surpass the Eight Martial Gods one day, becoming a once-in-a-millennium genius...’
Shocked by the thought that flashed through his mind, the Military Strategist reined it in.
‘No, that's impossible. No matter how prodigiously advanced at such youth, the realm of the Eight Martial Gods is theirs alone.’
He recalled the feats of the Eight Martial Gods.
They were no mere mortals.
Something transcending the human realm.
Beings worthy of godhood.
‘Even if he can't match them, it's only natural he'd possess formidable skill.’
The Military Strategist's eyes fixed on Cheonhwi once more.
He might not reach the Eight Martial Gods' realm, but his talent could pursue them right to the brink.
In an era without them, it would be enough to claim the throne of the world.
‘I need to keep a close eye. If he becomes an ally, all's well. But if he seems destined to be a foe, I must cut him down now.’
As the Military Strategist's gaze turned icy.
“So you just came to exchange greetings?”
Yong Ju-gae glared at him and said.
The Military Strategist impassively regarded Yong Ju-gae, who was acting like the hall's owner.
“Why stare so hard? Something on my face?”
“No.”
Gazing expressionlessly at Yong Ju-gae playing innocent, the Military Strategist spoke.
“Perfect timing, actually. I was just about to request an audience with Pavilion Master.”
“What?”
As Yong Ju-gae's eyes bulged in shock at the unforeseen remark.
“May I take a seat?”
The Military Strategist quietly asked Hyeondo.
Hyeondo flinched slightly at the sudden question but soon composed himself and replied calmly.
“No objection.”
“My thanks.”
Once seated, the Military Strategist glanced alternately at the three men around the table before speaking.
“The Murim Conference will convene early tomorrow morning.”
“Hmm.”
Hyeondo let out a low groan at the unexpectedly imminent conference.
“Why so soon?”
Yong Ju-gae grumbled from the side.
Yet inwardly, he was on edge.
‘...Is there a reason for the rush?’
He prided himself on compiling and handling all the world's information, yet even he couldn't fully grasp a handful of individuals.
And this man was one of them.
Right on cue, the Military Strategist spoke.
“To keep the spies who've infiltrated our Alliance from moving freely.”
The jaw-dropping words spilled out.
“Sp-spies?”
Hyeondo's eyes flew wide in shock, while Yong Ju-gae darted his gaze about.
“Spies? What out-of-left-field nonsense is...”
“Pavilion Master is aware, isn't he?”
“What? Me, aware?”
To the Military Strategist's calm rejoinder, Yong Ju-gae scratched his head vigorously before responding.
“What the hell are you on about...?”
Watching Yong Ju-gae doggedly play dumb, the Military Strategist hardened his expression.
“The Society.”
...Society? What now?
As Cheonhwi rubbed his chin at the abrupt term.
Whoosh!
Yong Ju-gae's aura shifted dramatically.
His previously lax presence settled like a boulder, crushing down on the Military Strategist.
“How long have you known?”
Yong Ju-gae demanded in a razor-sharp tone.
It was an aura that would choke the breath from any ordinary warrior, yet the Military Strategist remained unshaken.
“A little over ten years.”
“...You bastard. You knew all along and kept quiet?”
“If I acted, they would simply vanish.”
Yong Ju-gae clicked his tongue at the offhand reply.
“So you're saying you laid low to let them strut around...”
“Precisely.”
The Military Strategist cut him off and continued.
“And because of that, we've now created a chance for them to show their tails.”
“...Tails? What do you mean?”
“Do you know their objective?”
The Military Strategist's question sank Yong Ju-gae's eyes.
“Isn't it the collapse of the Nine Provinces Three Hegemons structure?”
“...?!”
Hyeondo, who had been silently struggling to follow, widened his eyes.
“Wh-what do you mean by that?”
The Military Strategist gazed at the flustered Hyeondo and murmured softly.
“Exactly as stated. Spies seeking the collapse of the Nine Provinces Three Hegemons structure have infiltrated our Alliance. Their aim is doubtless the downfall or seizure of the Murim Alliance itself.”
Hyeondo's mouth fell open.
Meanwhile, Cheonhwi perked his ears at the tale growing ever more intriguing.
‘Oh ho, so the bunch Geomseong and Cheon Ig-ae mentioned have wormed into the Alliance?’
As he recalled what he'd heard before, the Military Strategist pressed on.
“And they won't let this Murim Conference pass. A war with the Evil-Black Alliance would accelerate their plans. They'll do whatever it takes to ignite one.”
Yong Ju-gae's face twisted in a scowl.
He was right.
But that implied...
“So you're saying there are spies among those attending the conference?”
“Yes.”
Yong Ju-gae's expression grew steely.
Conference attendees were among the most renowned in the Alliance.
For spies to lurk among them...
“Even so, those attending are at minimum elders of their sects. How could they be...”
“They infiltrated long ago and have burrowed deep into the Alliance. They've been covertly scheming its downfall all the while.”
Yong Ju-gae sounded dubious, but the Military Strategist rebutted firmly.
“Didn't even you only catch on to the spies recently?”
“...”
As Yong Ju-gae fell silent, pierced to the core, the Military Strategist turned to Hyeondo and continued.
“And while not confirmed, the Elm Forest Bloodbath that claimed the Plum Blossom Sword Expert and the Plum Blossom Sword Guards may also stem from their machinations.”
Bang!
Hyeondo slammed the table and shot to his feet.
“Is that true?”
He ground his teeth, glaring at the Military Strategist with eyes blazing murderous intent.
“As I said, mere suspicion for now. Though the possibility exists.”
“This isn't some baseless drivel, is it?”
“I stake my position as Military Strategist on it.”
No clearer affirmation.
“...Grit.”
Hyeondo clenched his teeth and sank back into his seat.
He then uttered coldly.
“Then why keep it hidden? If it was the spies' doing, you should've informed our sect...”
The Military Strategist shook his head.
“Wouldn't voicing mere suspicion breed chaos?”
Hyeondo's brow twitched.
“Then why speak now, without certainty? To sow chaos at this juncture?”
Hyeondo's voice rose sharply.
White Ghost Castle was already toppled—the matter concluded. Mount Hua Sect was finally emerging from the Elm Forest Bloodbath's shadow.
Yet to claim it might be someone's plot...
How could he not rage?
Regarding the thoroughly incensed Hyeondo, the Military Strategist replied evenly.
“Because capturing the spies this time will uncover the truth.”
Only then did Hyeondo grasp why the Military Strategist had brought up Mount Hua so early.
“...In other words, you're asking for our aid in catching the spies.”
The corner of the Military Strategist's mouth quirked faintly.
But it was so brief only one person noticed.
‘Huh, a smile?’
Cheonhwi eyed the Military Strategist with cooled detachment.
‘That's what passes for a smile?’
Sensing ulterior motives, Cheonhwi fixed him with a steady stare.
Unaware of Cheonhwi's gaze, the Military Strategist spoke in his prior calm tone.
“Yes.”
“Very well. We'll assist.”
Hyeondo answered without hesitation.
The matter involved his youngest martial nephew, after all—his heart now blazed with fury's flames.
“Isn't that too rash? At least think it over before deciding...”
Yong Ju-gae urgently interjected with advice, but it fell on deaf ears amid Hyeondo's rage-blinded state.
“What must I do?”
“Lend your support to my proposal at the conference.”
“That suffices?”
“More than enough.”
“But I doubt one voice like mine will bend events to your will.”
“You don't yet grasp the Alliance's dynamics, Immortal.”
The Military Strategist paused briefly after speaking, then turned toward the window.
“Take a look outside.”
At the out-of-nowhere suggestion, Hyeondo and Cheonhwi puzzledly peered out the window.
“Waaaaah!”
“Mount Hua Sect has arrived!”
Cheers poured forth.
“What the...?”
Cheonhwi stared out the window in bewilderment at the deafening roar that made his ears ring.
A massive crowd had gathered outside.
Mostly young warriors, all wearing the exact same starry-eyed gazes as the escort squad he'd grown tired of seeing on the journey.
“It's the Mount Hua Divine Sword and Plum Blossom Divine Hero!”
“The Beggars' Clan Leader's here too! And that gentleman... Gasp! Th-the Military Strategist?!”
Yong Ju-gae's eyebrow twitched at the gasps erupting here and there.
“...You summoned them?”
“I merely announced that the Mount Hua Divine Sword and Plum Blossom Divine Hero had arrived at the Murim Alliance. Yet everyone's flocking here to see them.”
The Military Strategist smiled faintly.
“And these aren't all of them.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a procession of figures approached the hall.
“Shaolin, Qingcheng, and... Kunlun?”
Hyeondo's eyes bulged.
They weren't alone.
Behind them came warriors from the Nine Great Sects, excluding the Beggars' Sect, all converging on this spot.
Seeing their resolute approach, the Military Strategist spoke.
“As you can see, the heart of the current Alliance lies nowhere but Mount Hua Sect.”