Chapter 254
Chapter 254
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 254
Chapter Title: Let's Show Them (1)
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- The father of little Gong Yun seemed sure to oppose it, yet he cast a vote in favor?
'Yeah, right?'
Dang Ho-tae had supported the idea of attacking their base from the start, so that made sense.
But among those who hadn't voiced an opinion last night, Jegal Gyu and Namgung Hon had cast their votes in favor.
'That settles it, then.'
Gong Son-mu-gyeol, the Murim Alliance Leader, couldn't force his own will through regardless of his position.
But now, with the backing of the Pearl Eon Family, the Sacheon Tang Family, the Jegal Clan, the Hebei Paeng Family, and the Namgung Clan, there was nothing to hesitate over.
Jang Son-rip and Deok-yeo Do-in, who had stood against it, seemed to realize this as they turned to Namgung Hon in unison and spoke up.
"Thunder Cloud Sword! Isn't this different from what you said last night?!"
"Weren't you in agreement that we shouldn't stir up unnecessary trouble?"
Namgung Hon replied in a calm, steady voice.
"I never said any such thing. Even at yesterday's meeting, I suggested we deliberate further, and when the two of you visited my quarters, I gave the same response in return. Isn't that right?"
"...That's..."
Deok-yeo Do-in wore the expression of someone who had been struck dumb.
But Jang Son-rip hadn't given up yet. He switched targets to Venerable Gongnyang.
"Venerable One. Please say a word."
As one of the three who hadn't spoken last night,
and a renowned high monk of Shaolin, he must have thought Gongnyang could overturn the decision.
"What would you have me say?"
"Surely you held an opposing view in your heart, which is why you said nothing?"
"...Heh heh."
"Those who voted in favor are all clan heads. Your children were in danger, so emotions must be running high. We can't make a decision like this based on feelings alone, can we? Besides, all your children came out safe and sound."
It was then that Venerable Gongnyang stopped turning his prayer beads and spoke.
"Safe and sound... Do you speak so lightly of it? Aren't you yourself, Vice Leader Jang Son, agonizing over whether to strike at the Demonic Cult's base right now? You can't speak so casually of such things."
"...That's."
"And yesterday as well as today, this old monk has remained silent because, as one who upholds the precepts, I hesitate to interject in a matter where lives may be lost. However, I am well aware that worldly affairs sometimes demand we open the gates to taking life."
"......"
"This old monk's thoughts cannot outweigh those gathered here, so what would I say?"
Venerable Gongnyang muttered a chant as if declaring he had nothing more to add.
"Amitabha."
But that very action was as good as agreeing with our side.
Jang Son-rip let out a hollow laugh, while Deok-yeo heaved a long sigh.
"Ha."
"Hoo."
"I understand the two of you have your reasons. However, the decision has been made."
With that, Gong Son-mu-gyeol spoke up.
"Now is the time to pool our heads for exterminating the enemy. Any further objections will only benefit the foe."
His words were phrased as persuasion, but they carried a clear threat.
"......"
"......"
Jang Son-rip and Deok-yeo closed their gaping mouths.
Gong Son-mu-gyeol then turned to Guk Do-jin.
"Secret Service Chief, please bring maps of the area from here to the point Yong-un mentioned, all the way to the Ten Myriad Mountains, along with the intelligence we've gathered on the Demonic Cult's forces."
"Yes, sir."
"We'll take a short recess while the Secret Service Chief prepares the materials."
And so came a brief recess.
The elders gathered in small groups to talk.
"Vice Leader Jang Son and Do-in Deok-yeo, once the Secret Service Chief brings the maps, I, Jegal Gyu, will explain everything. After hearing it, I'm sure your minds will change a bit."
Meanwhile, from the cluster of us youngsters, the sound of a rumbling stomach leaked out.
Grrrrowl.
The culprit was Cheon Jang-ho.
As I looked his way, he scratched his head and spoke.
"...Can't we just eat first? Not the vibe, huh?"
"You think?"
Paeng So-cheon addressed Cheon Jang-ho.
"Got some dried chicken breast. Want some?"
"Keep that crap for yourself, So-cheon hyung... Wait, no, gimme one."
"Here."
"Pig. Hand one over."
Following Cheon Jang-ho, Paeng So-jin chimed in, and Eon Yong-myeong held out his hand too.
"So-cheon hyung, one for me too."
"That's it for you, Yong-myeong. I'm running low."
Cheon Jang-ho, who had snatched the first piece, chewed noisily as he spoke.
"Tasteless. Just plain tasteless. But who knows when this strategy meeting will end? Sigh, even the Ten Myriad Mountains and the Heavenly Five Evils were post-meal matters..."
"If you're so confident, suggest it yourself."
"Not with my current level of guts."
At that, the Cheongjuk Hall youngsters piped up one by one.
"Me too, no way. Just being in the same space as those folks makes it hard to breathe."
"That's why Yong-un hyung is amazing. Facing the Vice Leader of the Backbone Assembly, Venerable Gongnyang, and all the family heads—and just saying what he thinks! Grrraaah!"
"His courage is impressive, but the words themselves carried true spirit. The sincerity we felt there must be why Jegal Family Head, Namgung Young Lord, and Venerable Gongnyang lent their support, right?"
"...What. Jeong-hyeon, you always overinterpret. And you, Eun So-jeo, nodding along?"
"Jeong-hyeon do-in's takes are a bit exaggerated, but this time I agree."
"...Looking at this. Looks like I've got some prime teasing material after ages."
"I'm serious. I thought with only Eon Family Head and Tang Family Head agreeing, we'd have another grueling meeting like yesterday."
It was then that Dang Ok-gi spoke up.
"...Argh. Don't even mention my dad. I can't even look up."
Indeed, Dang Ok-gi's ears were flushed red.
Wondering why, I asked.
"Why? He seemed pretty straightforward."
"Straightforward my ass. 'Our Ok-gi this, our Ok-gi that'—why does he have to keep saying that...? I specifically told him last night not to."
"Last night? Did you say something to your family head?"
At my words, Dang Ok-gi made an 'oh crap' face.
"Oops."
But I caught Jegal Seolji and Namgung Yun flinching too.
"Jegal young lady too? No wonder Jegal Family Head kept glancing at you during the meeting..."
"Just... He seemed worried about me, so I lightly told him not to let personal feelings sway him."
"Lightly? He was watching your reactions pretty closely."
"Just your imagination."
"Anyway, Gong... I mean, Namgung Yun, did you say something like that to your father too? The vibe suggests it."
"My father isn't the type to change his mind just because I said a few words."
"But you did say it?"
"...That's unrelated. He agreed because he truly thought your idea was right, Eon Yong-un."
"Who said otherwise?"
"...Just saying."
Well, I had no intention of blaming them.
It was actually a good move.
'They went and did extra work without being asked.'
As I thought that,
Guk Do-jin returned and unrolled the maps.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After the decision to attack the Demonic Cult's base was made,
the Union Army, having set their route and strategy, changed into white uniforms and began marching northwest.
"Then we'll set off."
Heading toward the fortress in the mountains leading to the Blue Sea.
The route inevitably involved camping, and Namgung Hon stared at Eon Yong-un across the crackling campfire.
'A sharp one.'
He'd heard the stories.
From the rumors of Dang Geum-su's top disciple even before being called the Monster Dragon—it proved his mind worked faster than most.
But seeing him in person felt different.
'Not just smart and versed in strategy.'
The proposal he'd made during the strategy meeting had drawn gasps of admiration from Jegal Gyu, who handled military affairs, multiple times.
And he understood ten words from one.
But for Namgung Hon, who had seen countless geniuses, what surprised him more was something else.
'He has the power to draw people in.'
Yun-mae, Hyang-ran, Yun-guk, Cheongjuk.
The cadets from the four great dorms, who had never strayed far from being sworn brothers since the Righteous Martial Academy's founding, now called Eon Yong-un's little brother their own.
This went beyond merely excellent leadership.
Just look at Dang Ho-tae right in front of him.
"Eon Yong-un. Where's Eon Yong-un?"
"Yes, Family Head."
"Here, tear into this."
"Oh my. Thank you. Hmm? Hmm?"
"How is it?"
"They call this delicious, huh? Wow, no gaminess at all? Is the Family Head amazing, or is the Tang Family amazing?"
"Both! Hahaha!"
Dang Ho-tae, who had eyed Eon Yong-un with axe-like glares, thinking him spoiled,
had changed his attitude quicker than expected.
'A stranger would believe he was his son.'
It wasn't just brazen cheekiness.
He was affable and approachable with someone like Dang Ho-tae, who valued equality in camaraderie,
and impeccably polite with someone like Namgung Hon himself, who disliked such familiarity.
'I see why people flock to him. But...'
He instantly understood why those late-generation talents, raised without lacking much save a couple, genuinely admired Eon Yong-un.
'Even our proud Yun came to me with such a request.'
Their admiration wasn't mere fondness for a standout talent of the generation—it was the kind where they'd plunge into hellfire alongside him.
'Come to think of it, Yun really said he worries for the world.'
As Namgung Hon's thoughts reached that point,
Eon Yong-un spoke first.
"Do you have something to say to me?"
"......"
"If not, my apologies. Your gaze lingered on me."
Namgung Hon shook his head and replied.
"No. I had a question, actually."
"Please ask."
"The North Sea incident was urgent, fine. But now that the base assault is decided, couldn't you just leave it to the elders? Why risk your life needlessly?"
It was a question to probe what thoughts drove Eon Yong-un to worry for the world.
Eon Yong-un answered clearly, without hesitation.
"Doesn't feel right to just leave it to them."
At that, Namgung Hon realized his question had been foolish.
'With all these experts gathered, he knows he's not truly needed.'
So it's because it's the world they'll inherit?
'Bold kid.'
Namgung Hon thought,
the landscape of the Five Great Clans might change in the future.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ From departing the Murim Alliance's safehouse to arriving back at the Demonic Cult's fortress, nothing noteworthy happened.
'If anything, getting chummy with Dang Ok-gi's dad, and Gong Yun's dad asking weird questions?'
Anyway.
The Demonic Cult's fortress upon return showed no sign they'd anticipated our attack.
"Alliance Leader. They haven't noticed us. No unusual activity—they're just moving corpses as usual."
"Good work, Secret Service Chief. Then scatter as per the plan."
At his words, the Union Army members dispersed to their assigned roles.
I took the south gate, while Father and Yong-myeong handled the north.
We exchanged brief farewells.
"Yong-un, be careful."
"You too, Father. Yong-myeong, you as well. See you soon."
"Got it."
"Yes, big brother."
How long had it been since we scattered to east, west, south, and north according to our duties?
Flash—
Near where Jegal Gyu and Jegal Seolji led a squad and vanished, a signal came via moonlight and bronze mirror.
"Jegal Family Head has disabled the formation."
I relayed the message,
and Gong Son-mu-gyeol, in my squad, grinned fiercely.
"Let's go. Time to show them we're not just sitting ducks."