Chapter 345
Chapter 345
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 345
Chapter Title: The Armistice Debate
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“Truce...?”
The overheated atmosphere cooled in an instant.
A thick silence then descended.
Those who had shouted at the Murim Alliance Leader, as well as those poised to speak at any moment while watching events unfold, all clamped their lips shut at the word “truce.”
Their minds froze solid from the sheer shock of it.
As the quiet silence deepened further...
“I was wondering what business brought that envoy from the Demonic Palace all the way to our alliance headquarters. If he came to request a truce, that explains everything.”
The voice that shattered the silence came from Yongju-gae's mouth.
Unlike the others, he appeared utterly calm, as if he had foreseen this very situation.
He was the Bangju of the Beggars' Sect—the largest and most historic information network in all of Kangho.
For a man whose daily work involved gathering and analyzing intelligence from across the world, predicting something like this was par for the course.
“The Namgung family must have felt the crisis after we breached Mansu Gate.”
At Yongju-gae's follow-up remark, everyone in the conference hall widened their eyes.
Only then did they grasp the situation.
The Murim Alliance Leader nodded.
“Likely so.”
“Then the reason you summoned us...”
“To decide whether we accept this proposal... or reject it.”
The Alliance Leader scanned the room with sunken eyes, the faint smile vanishing from his lips.
The onlookers held their breath.
They were overwhelmed by the Alliance Leader's imposing gaze.
Having locked eyes with every single one of them, the Alliance Leader slowly spoke again.
“Tell me. What do you all think of the pact sent by the Evil-Black Alliance?”
No sooner had the question ended than Soyeonsatae scowled and parted her lips.
“We must reject it.”
Her voice rose sharply.
“How can we ever compromise with those fiends of the unorthodox paths?”
No sooner had she finished...
“I concur.”
“Well said!”
“I agree.”
Voices of agreement erupted from every direction, as if everyone had been waiting for their cue.
Led by Soyeonsatae were Doyangheun, elder of the Cheongsung Sect; Cheolsubigeom, elder of the Heavenly Center Sword Sect; and even the Leader of the Envoy Corps...
All shared one thing in common: massive losses suffered in the war against the Evil-Black Alliance.
For them, permitting a truce was unthinkable.
Not when so many subordinates and disciples had perished by the Evil-Black Alliance's hands.
As they glared with eyes ablaze, shouting their opposition...
“Is there no one in favor of the truce?”
The Alliance Leader asked, his gaze still sunken as he surveyed the room.
“Amitabha.”
“I believe a truce is the better path.”
Wonjong Daesa of Shaolin and several others, including Inheopgong—one of the Three Great Sealed Dukes—raised their hands.
Yet their numbers were a tiny fraction compared to the opposition.
It was only natural.
Not even the fierce opposition led by Soyeonsatae aside, most gathered here had no desire to end the war on these terms.
They saw it as an opportunity, instead.
If the Evil-Black Alliance was the first to request a truce, didn't that mean the tide of battle had turned against them?
At that moment, the Alliance Leader glanced to the side.
“Military Strategist. Show them.”
At the Leader's words, Zhuge Gong—who now drew every eye—approached the table and unrolled the scroll.
Roll roll—
The letter, penned by the Evil-Black Alliance Leader and delivered by Baekun as envoy, was laid bare.
“......!”
“What!?”
After a moment of silence to read it, gasps of astonishment exploded as eyes bulged wide.
The contents were so staggeringly bold that they bordered on unbelievable.
Zhuge Gong pointed to the letter amid the uproar and spoke.
“As it states, the Evil-Black Alliance demands a truce and proposes two key terms. First: compensation for our damages, paid as the Alliance stipulates. Second: post-truce, no Evil-Black Alliance sects will set foot in the northern martial world.”
Everyone struggled to conceal their shock at Zhuge Gong's crisp summary.
It was tantamount to an admission of defeat.
“At this rate...”
Gokpyeong of Kunlun suddenly swallowed hard and muttered.
A proposal like this left no room for regret in accepting a truce.
No—in fact, it was ideal for him.
From Kunlun's standpoint, which had suffered only minor losses in the war, nothing could be better.
He glanced around.
Several others, like him, perked up their ears—wavering as they gauged the room.
Most were the same.
As the atmosphere grew restless...
“Which makes it all the more reason to reject the pact. If the Evil-Black Alliance is bowing their heads like this, doesn't it mean victory is already ours?”
Cheolsubigeom growled, eyes blazing.
Earlier, his words would have drawn a chorus of agreement—but not this time.
“Not necessarily.”
Cheonsu-ong of the Discipline Hall rebutted.
“Isn't this retreat because they fear the Shadow Heaven Society might intervene? Think carefully. We can't assume their involvement works solely in our favor.”
“What do you mean?”
“Even if we crush the Evil-Black Alliance with Shadow Heaven Society's aid, nothing guarantees the war ends there.”
“...You mean the Shadow Heaven Society will turn on our Alliance afterward?”
“A slim chance, but one we can't ignore.”
“......”
A heavy silence settled briefly.
The Shadow Heaven Society might be righteous sects, but they remained a force hostile to the Murim Alliance.
Perhaps thanks to that explanation...
“I agree with Elder Cheonsu-ong.”
“Amitabha. This is more than enough reason to accept the pact.”
“For the long term, a truce seems wise.”
Voices in support of Cheonsu-ong rose.
Not just the initial proponents—even those newly swayed by the pact's terms chimed in subtly.
Wonjong Daesa, a truce supporter from the start, eyed the trembling Cheolsubigeom and the red-faced Soyeonsatae on the verge of explosion before speaking.
“No matter how the tide has turned, they are still the Evil-Black Alliance. To fight to the finish, how many more sacrifices must our Alliance endure?”
Bitter undertones laced Wonjong Daesa's words, spoken with half-lidded eyes.
Even Soyeonsatae and her staunch opponents flinched.
It was undeniable truth.
“Better a truce than letting more lives be lost.”
As his words continued, the unyielding opposition began to shift.
The weight behind them was different.
Shaolin's prestige carried power, and they too had suffered greatly in this war. For such a figure to call for an end to avert even greater losses...
As sentiment gradually swung toward acceptance, Doyangheun spoke up.
“The Daesa speaks true... but I cannot accept a truce. What face would I have for our fallen disciples?”
A valid counter.
From there, the entire hall devolved into sharp clashes, everyone voicing their stances.
At some point...
“This could drag on forever.”
Silence fell briefly as the Alliance Leader spoke.
In that hush, he scanned the assembly and continued.
“How about we settle it by majority vote?”
All nodded quietly.
They knew endless debate led nowhere.
“Then, those in favor of truce—raise your hands.”
Hands shot up from every side.
The Alliance Leader tallied them swiftly.
“Exactly half.”
His eyes narrowed.
Precisely half the assembly.
Not even those present had anticipated such a perfect split; brows furrowed all around.
“Then how...”
As confusion gripped the unprecedented tie...
“One person hasn't cast a vote yet, no?”
Yongju-gae spoke calmly.
“Hasn't decided?”
“Who?”
As puzzled gazes turned to him, Yongju-gae tilted his head upward.
Toward the head seat: the Alliance Leader.
“Ah!”
Small exclamations of realization rippled through as everyone caught on. Yongju-gae continued.
“Let the Leader decide. Accept the truce... or reject it.”
All eyes converged on the Murim Alliance Leader.
He stroked his chin beard amid the focused stares, nodded, and slowly parted his lips.
“We accept the agreement.”
Joy and sorrow intermingled across the conference hall.
Truce supporters breathed sighs of relief, while opponents scowled and bit their lips.
Yongju-gae belonged to neither camp.
In truth, though he favored it, he had quickly gauged the mood and deliberately abstained.
To hear the Leader's stance first. And he had.
...A curious decision.
Though the Military Strategist had acted as proxy back then, the Alliance Leader had declared war on the Evil-Black Alliance after Mount Hua Sect fell victim to a bandit raid.
They had charged ahead with momentum to end it decisively.
If he planned such an easy truce, there was no need to push so aggressively. What could be his true intent?
As Yongju-gae's gaze swept over the Leader...
“Then let us discuss preparations for sealing the pact.”
The Alliance Leader murmured softly.
“They've left the venue to our Alliance's discretion.”
Even the details were bold concessions.
Venue selection was typically negotiated between parties. For the Evil-Black Alliance to yield it outright showed their eagerness for truce.
The Alliance Leader addressed the group, unable to hide their astonishment.
“Any good venues in mind?”
“Somewhere near the Murim Alliance, perhaps?”
“If nearby, then...”
Various locations across Hubei were suggested.
Soon, the Alliance Leader settled on Inssang Valley, located in southern Hubei, as the site. He spoke again.
“With the venue set, now for the most crucial matter.”
His eyes gleamed.
“They propose limiting attendees at the site to myself, the Military Strategist, and five escorts. I intend to accept.”
An utterly vital pact.
Hence the Evil-Black Alliance Leader sought limited personnel—and the Alliance Leader agreed.
“Any recommendations?”
“Won't the Leader select the escorts himself?”
“How could I decide such a weighty matter alone?”
The Alliance Leader spoke with a benevolent smile.
“I'd like to bring trusted individuals, reflecting the views of those gathered here.”
All eyes darted silently.
This was no small matter.
For an event of this magnitude—a truce—only five could accompany the Leader and Strategist.
After a pause, Wonjong Daesa spoke.
“Amitabha. In my humble opinion, bringing along Heavenly Martial Duke would be most reliable. What say you?”
“Duke Inheopgong...”
“An excellent choice.”
“Who else but the great hero?”
All nodded in agreement.
Who was the Heavenly Martial Duke if not one of the Alliance's Three Great Sealed Dukes, renowned as a hero for ages?
“Ahem. Then this one recommends the Iron Blood Corps Leader.”
With Wonjong Daesa breaking the ice, others chimed in one by one, gauging reactions.
Cheolsubigeom, Goyeong Jin-in, Okso Shingeom, Mandogun...
Names of the Alliance's top experts emerged in sequence.
At that moment, the Alliance Leader spoke.
“May I make one recommendation?”
All eyes lit up.
“You have someone in mind?”
“Who is it?”
As curiosity and anticipation peaked, the Alliance Leader's lips parted.
“Myeongjeol Daiju.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ That evening.
Cheonhwi scratched his head at the sudden order, staring at Seolgeom before him.
“So you're saying I should escort the Murim Alliance Leader and Military Strategist to the pact-signing?”
“That is correct.”
Seolgeom nodded.
“The Leader himself mentioned you by name, young hero. He wishes to bring you along.”
“Hm. Is that so?”
Cheonhwi shrugged.
“Alright. Then that's what we'll do.”
“I'll return later with detailed instructions.”
With that, Seolgeom rose and departed.
Soon after he left the room, a quiet silence settled in.
“He mentioned me directly...”
Cheonhwi mulled over Seolgeom's words.
The more he thought, the stranger it seemed.
Escort duty typically went to close allies or proven trusted figures.
But what about him?
He wasn't close to the Alliance Leader, nor was there any trust between them.
Deep in thought, one corner of Cheonhwi's mouth slowly twisted upward.
“Looks like someone's got an agenda.”