Chapter 206
Chapter 206
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 206
Chapter Title: The Eve of the Storm (3)
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The next morning.
‘To think a horoscope would actually be accurate.’
Sitting in the grand hall on the first floor of the War King Pavilion, I thought of the astrology-believing Lord of the Righteous Path Alliance and summoned the executives of the War King Gate.
‘Next time I see that old man, I should ask him to read my fortune with women too.’
As I entertained such thoughts, the executives began to arrive.
Normally, we would have exchanged jokes and greetings, but seeing my stern expression, they immediately took their seats.
And then.
“There's going to be a war.”
My opening words left everyone stunned.
I explained the entire situation in detail to the astonished executives.
Thus, the meeting began.
Many opinions were voiced.
“If that's true, there's no way to stop their leader.”
“But he won't be able to come all the way here. He'll have to protect the main headquarters.”
“I suggest we fight a defensive battle.”
“Identifying the enemy's supply lines is crucial. With ten thousand of them, it shouldn't be too difficult...”
“We don't know how long we can last on our own.”
“Once the war begins, the forces of the Righteous Path Alliance will come...”
Amidst the chaotic flood of opinions, our strategist, Yu So-pyeong, insisted on one principle.
“We must not allow the enemy to cross the walls of Hanzhong.”
An interceptive battle.
The idea was to prevent those demonic bastards from even touching Hanzhong.
Naturally, everyone agreed.
Although we would forgo the advantages of a defensive siege, the true strength of the War King Gate lay in the mobility of its cavalry.
Furthermore, a clever move was added to this plan.
“The moment those bastards leave their Tianshan headquarters, we head for Gansu Province.”
It was a sort of preemptive strike.
Elder Man Pung asked in return.
“Strike before being struck... A good idea, but isn't it risky? No matter how fast our warhorses are, they're slower than a peak expert's movement technique over short distances.”
“We won't be fighting their main force. We just need to thoroughly ravage Gansu and then retreat. We'll kill their livestock, burn the plains, and poison the wells to deny them food and water.”
I couldn't help but shake my head at a strategy so vile it would make Satan gasp.
“...Strategist. Isn't that too cruel? There are common people living there too.”
“Why have we been making money all this time? Wasn't it for a moment like this? Give the people food and drink and call them over here. If we play our cards right, by the time the war is over, Hanzhong will become a metropolis on par with Chengdu or Taiyuan.”
Hearing that, it sounded plausible.
“Not bad.”
“Hehe, that's not all. I've heard rumors that the Green Dragon Hall has a poison that causes plagues. We'll bring that and turn Gansu into a living hell.”
“No, So-pyeong. We can't go that far.”
The hellish strategist, Yu So-pyeong, continued to lay out his strategies against the Ten Demon Alliance one by one.
After a long meeting, we reached the final agenda item.
“It would be best to wait a while before announcing the truth.”
It was an understandable opinion.
The moment we announced the Ten Demon Alliance's invasion, chaos could engulf Hanzhong.
But my thoughts were different.
“Announce it immediately. It's coming anyway, we need to prepare in advance.”
“But...”
“I know what you're all thinking. If we announce that a war might break out, some people will surely flee. Perhaps hidden spies will seize the opportunity to stir up chaos. However.”
I continued, looking at the bewildered executives.
“Look at it the other way. Isn't that a good thing in its own right? The cowards who run away will never be able to set foot in Hanzhong again, and catching the spies early will secure our rear.”
Yu So-pyeong nodded firmly and asked.
“Gate Master, how far ahead are you looking?”
“To the very, very end.”
“It seems you're not even considering retreat.”
“Isn't that obvious? From Grand Chief Yuk to the other elders, there isn't a single one who isn't an expert, and we have seven hundred valiant warriors of the War King Gate. Above all, as long as I'm here, there's no way we can lose, right?”
That's right.
Although the Alliance Lord's martial prowess was fearsome, the main force of Nine Dragons Fortress, including its absolute masters, would be advancing on Tianshan, so he wouldn't be able to come to Hanzhong.
In that case, only the dregs would be left.
How could the unparalleled commander and hero born of Nine Dragons Fortress, this Jin Mujeon, possibly lose to such riffraff?
“So, all of you just need to trust and follow me.”
“...”
* * *
Most of the disciples of the War King Gate had lived bottom-feeder lives.
I'm not belittling them; it's the truth.
Because if you weren't from a major sect that taught the highest forms of martial arts, that's how you were treated.
So I thought they would be afraid of the Ten Demon Alliance.
“Finally, a chance to use what we've learned!”
“I was about to die of frustration.”
“Just thinking about sticking those demonic bastards' heads on my spear gets me excited.”
“I'm going to rip out their hearts and carry them around.”
“I'll take their... puhahaha.”
That was before I witnessed true madness.
Some even asked if they could just attack right now.
Thanks to that, the executives poured all their energy into calming the disciples down.
‘After the war, I should pick the skilled ones and teach them the latter half of the Black Martial Spear Arts.’
They're so valiant, there's no reason not to pass it on.
Next were the common people.
When the disciples posted large notices announcing the truth all over Hanzhong, the people began to stir greatly.
Not only did people immediately pack their bags and flee, but violent crimes like theft and robbery also began to occur.
Furthermore, there were even those who instigated chaos by inciting the people.
This was, to some extent, intentional.
I had announced it as if the Ten Demon Alliance bastards were going to attack at any moment.
“Capture the criminals and cut off their arms. Cut out the tongues of the agitators. And... don't stop those who are fleeing. Let them go peacefully. But make sure to explain that they can never set foot in Hanzhong again.”
I was trying to clean house before the war began.
“Yes, I understand.”
It didn't matter if they were spies or not. I was simply eliminating those who would hinder the coming war.
Of course, I didn't want to apply such a strict standard, so my heart wasn't at ease.
But a small crack can bring down a great dam.
“Hic! I-I was wrong!”
“Please, just spare my life...”
“I-I am innocent.”
Thanks to this, the people of Hanzhong would drop to the ground whenever they saw me passing by.
‘I've done a lot of good things, too...’
Well, that's a bit disappointing.
But it wasn't all negative.
Yang Ryeong, representing the entertainment district as the owner of Moonflower Pavilion, came to see me.
“Everyone's very unhappy.”
“Suddenly?”
“The entertainment district is also a part of Hanzhong. I know war is imminent, but creating this kind of atmosphere is like telling us not to do business, isn't it?”
“Given the current situation...”
“Then you should have at least asked for our understanding beforehand.”
“No.”
*Thud.*
“So, we all pitched in and collected this money. We're asking you to win as quickly as possible so we can get back to business.”
“Oh my! Is this for us? I will end the war swiftly and restore peace to Hanzhong as soon as possible.”
The owners of the taverns, courtesan houses, and eateries had pooled their money and donated it as war funds.
“Hah! F-Fifty taels of gold!”
And it was a huge amount.
That wasn't all.
“Healers are flocking here every day. The apothecaries have sent enormous quantities of medicinal herbs.”
The treatment center managed by Cheong So-so was bustling with healers who wanted to lend a hand.
“Those guild masters who were usually glued to their seats are running around themselves, scraping together all the nearby supplies. Thanks to them, we've completely cut off the flow of goods to the west. Oh, and the collected goods will be donated in the name of the Merchant Guild. You shouldn't have to worry about supplies.”
The merchants belonging to the guild mobilized all their trade connections to gather war supplies and donate them.
“The artisans are very skilled, aren't they? They've already completed half the targeted amount. As soon as this job is done, we plan to build temporary housing for refugees.”
At the rumor that they could help protect Hanzhong, all the artisans in the city went to see Jeok Hwa-ran.
All of them knew.
That they had to protect Hanzhong to maintain their way of life.
As I was observing Hanzhong, which was preparing for war with each passing day.
“You were looking for me?”
Our bald friend, Yong Ma-san, appeared.
“...Hey, can't you just use the door? You're not a thief.”
When I chided him for entering through the window of the Gate Master's office, he shrugged and plopped down on the chair next to the desk.
“No one can know I came here.”
*Gurgle, gurgle.*
He tilted the teapot into the cup that was sitting there.
“I've heard the story.”
“Then we can get straight to the point.”
I spoke to him, his head reflecting the moonlight.
“Help me.”
“How can I help?”
“The war. Specifically, forward reconnaissance and communication with the outside.”
“That won't be an easy task. The casualties among your disciples will be high as well.”
He was right.
Even looking at World War II, the sacrifices of intelligence units that tracked enemy movements were immense.
“That may be true, but this is all for the peace of the world...”
*Tsk.*
Yong Ma-san raised a hand, cutting me off.
‘This bastard?’
The insulting gesture made me want to crack his skull open right then and there, but today I was the one in need, so I quietly shut my mouth.
“What do we get out of it?”
“Hey, do we really have to count pennies between us?”
“What 'us' is there?”
“We're family.”
“Don't be ridiculous. I haven't said anything until now, but Squad Leader Jin... no, Gate Master Jin, I have a lot of grievances built up against you. You work me to the bone and then skip out on payment, and it's not just a penny or two.”
“I was going to pay you back when things got better. Didn't you say that was fine?”
“And isn't that why I've been helping you all this time?”
“Then...”
“However, sending my disciples onto a battlefield is another matter entirely.”
“You narrow-minded bastard.”
“If you have nothing more to say, I'll be leaving...”
“Wait! Fine. I get it, so just tell me what you want. I'll grant it, within reason.”
Yong Ma-san nodded with a very satisfied expression.
It looked so much like the face of a victor that I almost unleashed Explosive Death Force on him without thinking.
“Now we're talking.”
“...”
“When the war is over, lend me the power of the War King Gate.”
“...What?”
“I intend to settle the past.”
“Are you planning to get revenge?”
“That's right.”
It sounded simple, but it was an incredibly difficult request.
How could I make a promise without knowing who the enemy of the Beggars' Sect was?
A misstep could get half the War King Gate killed.
“Hmm...”
But it was also awkward to refuse.
Since our first battlefield would be Gansu Province, enemy territory, geography and information were as good as life itself.
As I was pondering for a moment, Yong Ma-san's voice came again.
“I know what you're worried about. I can't promise there will be no losses, but I'm certain they won't be great.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I'll make it so.”
Until now, Yong Ma-san, despite being bald, had always been trustworthy.
In other words, he was a trustworthy bald man.
“...I'll trust you.”
“Thank you.”
“Then let's draw up a contract first... Put your thumbprint here... Huh? What do you mean who's party A and party B? Why are you being so formal between us...”
Just as I was about to sign an intelligence service contract with Yong Ma-san.
*BOOM! BOOM!*
The alarm drum, signaling a surprise enemy attack, echoed out.