If You’re Going to Do It, Do It Properly! (2)
"Ugh."
"Tsk."
"Hmph."
The three men glared at one another, each looking thoroughly displeased.
"...A person ought to know when to give ground sometimes."
"That’s rich coming from you."
Chung Myung clicked his tongue at Beast Palace Lord Maeng So and Tang Gun-ak.
"You’re all old enough to know better, and yet you’ve got no dignity at all."
"What does age have to do with it!"
"And dignity doesn’t put food on the table."
"...."
Good heavens, they really were perfectly matched.
There might be problems in the process of forming the alliance, but once it was built, there probably wouldn’t be anything to worry about. Their chemistry was that good.
Maeng So frowned faintly, then suddenly let out a deep sigh.
"Tsk. An alliance is supposed to be built on mutual understanding in the first place. If all you do is talk about profit like this, then even if you make one, how is it any different from those existing ones?"
"Mm."
"Ugh."
Not really able to argue with that, Tang Gun-ak and Chung Myung both lowered their heads a little. Maeng So sighed again and went on.
"So the two of you ought to yield like men."
"No, this old man—?"
"You’re spouting nonsense not even worth listening to!"
The three of them again shot each other bloodshot glares. Then, all at once, they sighed.
"Ugh. Let’s leave this for later."
"...Very well. The alliance leader can be decided any time."
In the end, the three men, exhausted from trying to convince one another, fell back from the table.
Tang Gun-ak drained his tea in one go, even though it had gone cold. Since he normally had no reason to shout and bicker like this, today’s conversation must have been especially wearing.
Clearing his throat after drinking, he said, "In any case, this meeting of three sects is a truly meaningful one."
"Now you say that?"
"That’s a bit sudden, isn’t it?"
But the response he got was rather lukewarm. The corner of Tang Gun-ak’s eye twitched.
What in the world are these people...?
Even handling Chung Myung alone was bad enough; why had another Chung Myung-like brute shown up to torment him like this?
"Ahem!"
He kept clearing his throat, trying hard to gather himself. If he got dragged into it as well, this place would become a total disaster. It already looked a little like a disaster, but there was still time to pull it back.
"Mount Hua Divine Dragon."
"Yes?"
He spoke in a slightly lowered voice.
"Forming an alliance is not all that difficult. If there is purpose and resolve, then all that remains is to provide the pretext and the proper form. The problem is that the moment an alliance is formed, resistance is bound to follow."
"Hmm. From the Five Great Families?"
"Indeed. And the Nine Great Sects and the Five Outer Palaces will likely be the same."
At that, Maeng So laughed heartily.
"Of course. People never willingly let go of even a single grain of rice once it’s in their hands. They’ll never sit still if something threatens the power they already hold."
As the lord of the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace, Maeng So knew that better than anyone. After all, how many times had the sects of the Central Plains kept watch over the Five Outer Palaces?
When they needed something, they came forward and spoke loftily of the greater good. When they no longer needed them, they branded them as barbarians and oppressed them. That was what the Five Outer Palaces had endured countless times.
But.
It isn’t merely because the Outer Palaces are outside the Central Plains.
Take Kunlun, for example. It was in a place so remote it could hardly even be called part of the Central Plains, and its disciples were barely Central Plains people either. And yet it stood firm as one of the Nine Great Sects.
So in the end, there was only one thing that separated Kunlun from Beast Palace.
Whether they respected the established order.
"They only acknowledge those who fall within their own order. If Mount Hua forms an alliance with the Sichuan Tang Family and the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace, they’ll view us as beings opposed to that order."
Tang Gun-ak nodded in agreement with Maeng So’s words.
"For a while, they won’t dare openly pick a fight. But in the end, conflict is inevitable. Just as the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families coexist now, it will be hard to find any kind of compromise."
"Hmm."
Chung Myung nodded without much of a reaction. Tang Gun-ak asked, "Have you thought about this matter too?"
"Huh? What matter?"
"...I just said it. In the end, we’ll have no choice but to become enemies of the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Families. But with only the strength of our three sects, can we really stand against them? Don’t tell me you’re planning some absurd scheme to grow stronger from here and take on all of them."
"No way, of course not."
At Tang Gun-ak’s skeptical look, Chung Myung waved his hand.
Of course it was only natural for Mount Hua to become stronger, but even Chung Myung wasn’t reckless enough to go that far.
"Then do you have something else in mind?"
At that question, Chung Myung turned his head and looked at the map of the Central Plains hanging on the wall of the family lord’s hall.
"What else would it be? If we’re short on people, we raise more."
"Raise more...?"
"You went to the trouble of giving it such a grand name as an alliance, so it’d look ridiculous if there were only three sects in it."
"That is true."
Maeng So nodded.
"Then which sects do you intend to win over?"
"Naturally, the ones nearby."
"...That simply?"
"It’s not simple."
Chung Myung wagged a finger.
"Why do you think the Nine Great Sects, the Five Outer Palaces, and the Five Great Families keep such a subtle distance from one another?"
"Is it not mutual restraint?"
"Not at all. It’s distance."
"Distance?"
"Yes."
Chung Myung nodded and explained in detail.
"To put it simply, take the Five Great Families as an example. The Tang Family is in the southwest of the Central Plains, the Namgung Family is in the east, and the Peng Family is in the northeast. The others are about the same."
"Hmm."
"So if something happens to the Tang Family, by the time Namgung or Peng Family can send aid, ages have already passed. What’s the point of an alliance that can’t help when it matters? That’s why they just keep the status quo while maintaining that vague distance."
"Hmm."
Maeng So nodded as though he understood.
The Five Outer Palaces were also positioned so as to ring the Central Plains. That was why, if something happened in Beast Palace, it wasn’t easy to receive proper support.
"A nearby neighbor is better than a distant cousin. First of all, we need sects that can definitely come running when a problem arises. From now on, we should prioritize region over alignment, unlike the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Families."
Tang Gun-ak gave Chung Myung an unreadable look.
"So, the western region then."
"Yes."
Chung Myung nodded with a grin.
"So for now, we should try to lure in the sects in the west. Even better if they’re from the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Families."
"And the reason?"
"Isn’t it obvious? Then those guys get weaker. What could be better than bleeding away someone else’s power?"
Tang Gun-ak nodded vigorously as though he understood, then looked at Chung Myung with a smile.
"Then let me ask one thing."
"Yes?"
"There is one sect in the west that fits your criteria perfectly. A sect that is in the west, a sect that would be the first to come if danger arose, and above all, a sect whose power would greatly weaken theirs."
"...Yes?"
"I’m talking about the Zhongnan Sect. What do you intend to do about that?"
Crunch.
"...."
The moment Zhongnan was mentioned, Chung Myung ground his teeth without meaning to.
"Th... ugh... th... Zhongnan... Zhongnan..."
For a long while he could do nothing but groan, then he scratched his head viciously.
Those damn pests, they’re a thorn in my side no matter what!
That was the problem. That was exactly the problem!
Chung Myung’s grand(?) plan was to gather sects centered around the west and build an alliance that truly helped one another, unlike the old order.
And yet the place that fit every one of those conditions best was, of all things, Zhongnan.
It was right next to Mount Hua, it was one of the Nine Great Sects, and it had considerable strength.
In other words, just pulling Zhongnan in would be enough to establish the framework of the alliance. And conversely, if Zhongnan was left out, the meaning of the alliance would be diluted.
"The Amisan or Qingcheng Sect could join depending on the situation. Kunlun is farther west than the west itself, so whether they join or not won’t make much difference. But Zhongnan is different."
"...."
"If we can’t bring Zhongnan in, our voice won’t carry any weight."
"...Ughhh."
Seeing Chung Myung grind his teeth that hard, Tang Gun-ak gave a wry smile.
He had never enjoyed watching someone else struggle in his life, but apparently, hanging around Chung Myung had worsened his nature quite a bit. Anything that looked funny, he now found amusing.
"Zhongnan... Zhongnan, those damned Zhongnan bastards."
Chung Myung kept muttering under his breath, then finally glanced at the two men and said carefully, "Wouldn't it be cleaner if we just invaded Zhongnan and wiped them out?"
"...Are you thinking of rebranding yourselves as evil sects?"
"Hahaha. What a spirited thing to say. Very spirited indeed."
Maeng So, who had burst into a great laugh, suddenly went dead serious.
"Stop talking nonsense."
"...Yes."
Chung Myung’s energy instantly deflated, and he stared blankly at the cupboard.
"...Anyway, I’ll think about that a little more."
"I know enough about the relationship between Mount Hua and Zhongnan not to press the matter too hard, but this is something that needs a quick decision. Whether we take Zhongnan in or truly exclude them."
"Ugh. Fine."
Tang Gun-ak nodded.
"Then the rough framework seems to be set. We’ll form the alliance, and before the official launch, we’ll persuade the major nearby sects. The Sichuan Tang Family will handle Amisan in Sichuan."
"Beast Palace will make contact with Dian Cang."
Maeng So and Tang Gun-ak both looked at Chung Myung.
"So Mount Hua will handle Zhongnan...."
"Ack! I said I got it!"
At last, when Chung Myung bared his teeth like an angry wildcat, Tang Gun-ak and Maeng So wore bright smiles, as though a lump in their chests had finally been gone from them after decades.
Still chuckling, Maeng So looked at Chung Myung and said, "Listen, Mount Hua Divine Dragon."
"Yes."
"I don’t know whether it was part of your plan, but the Five Outer Palaces are no small force either. It might not be a bad idea to bring them in as well."
"Hmm."
Chung Myung scratched his cheek.
"I won’t force it. I know better than anyone how hostile they are to the Central Plains. Convincing and winning them over would certainly not be easy."
If the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace hadn’t had respect for the Plum Blossom Sword Saint, they would never have joined hands with Mount Hua like this. It had been very lucky indeed.
"We can’t even reach that territory in the first place."
"That’s why I’m saying... "
The Beast Palace Lord shrugged and continued.
"I’ve already sent letters to the other Outer Palaces, excluding Blood Palace, among the remaining Five Outer Palaces."
"To ask them to join?"
"No, I’m not capable of going that far. But since you and Mount Hua’s disciples may visit, I told them not to treat you poorly if that happens, and to remember my face when they do."
"...."
"If they think about the ties the Five Outer Palaces share among themselves, they won’t just kick you out on the spot for being from the Central Plains. So if you have time, you should visit them once."
"I get it for now. Though I’m not sure I’ll have the time."
"Then that can’t be helped."
After that, the three of them spent a little more time adjusting several other points. Once that was done, the rough framework had been set quite neatly.
"Man, that was hard."
Chung Myung let out a long sigh and scratched his head.
"I really am not suited for this kind of brain work."
"Hahaha! Then leave it to me!"
Maeng So said boisterously, pounding his chest. Chung Myung looked at him with mournful eyes and thought, How do I get that Zhuge Family to come over somehow?
Dammit, this was exactly the kind of job that was supposed to be handled smoothly by a strategist!
Back when Cheong Jin was around, he never had to worry about this sort of thing. Everything went so smoothly.
- Aaaagh! Senior brother! I told you you can’t do that!
- How many times do I have to tell you to think before you swing your sword?!
- What on earth is in that head of yours... Agh! Why are you hitting me?! Why! What did I do wrong!
...No. He’d have to hear Cheong Jin’s side of the story too.
"Right, so that’s more or less settled."
Tang Gun-ak also kept drinking tea with a weary look. Then, in a slightly hushed voice, he said, "Now only one thing remains, and it’s the most important one."
He looked tired, but his eyes were as solemn as ever.
"The most important thing?"
"Something simple, yet the most important of all. The alliance’s name."
"Ah...."
Right, they hadn’t decided on a name yet.
Chung Myung nodded, and Tang Gun-ak asked, "Do you have any ideas?"
Maeng So shrugged.
"What’s there to think about? Since the sects of the western Central Plains are gathering, we might as well just call it the Western Alliance."
"That’s awful."
"...It sounds way too careless."
"Does it?"
Maeng So awkwardly scratched his head with a thick finger.
Tang Gun-ak narrowed his eyes and said, "In my view, it would be better to include the character for west. As for the other character... hmm."
Tang Gun-ak glanced at Chung Myung, then continued, "What about Wu? Seou Alliance?"
"An alliance bound together by name, but one that does not simply talk about profit or rank—it means comrades, yes?"
"Something like that."
"Not bad, I suppose."
Maeng So and Tang Gun-ak both looked at Chung Myung as if asking for agreement.
"Hmm."
But Chung Myung still frowned as though dissatisfied.
"But, you know."
"Speak."
"Just because we’re starting in the west, do we really need to put 'west' in the name? We’re not going to end in the west just because we start there."
"Mm."
"If we call it the Seou Alliance, the sects in the east might find it awkward to join. We should just drop the west."
"Then?"
"Tell everyone who wants to come to come. Let’s put the character for heaven in it and call it the Heavenly Alliance."
"Heavenly Alliance, huh."
Tang Gun-ak smiled.
"An alliance that doesn't speak of right or righteousness under heaven, but of comradeship. It would certainly be a unique one."
"So you’re saying we shouldn’t pursue the greater good, only the smaller one?"
"I don’t really know much about great righteousness and all that."
Chung Myung shrugged.
"The Nine Great Sects can handle that stuff. We’ll just gather our own crowd and try to live well and eat well together. What do you think?"
At Chung Myung’s words, Tang Gun-ak and Maeng So’s mouths curled upward.
"I like it."
"It’s exactly what I wanted!"
The three men looked at one another with heated eyes.
"Then the alliance’s name will be the Heavenly Alliance, and we’ll prepare to launch it as soon as possible. Please prioritize the tasks each of you has been assigned."
"I will."
"Yes."
Tang Gun-ak finally let out a relieved breath and tapped the table lightly.
"Then for today, we’ll stop h... "
"Wait a minute!"
"Hm?"
Maeng So and Tang Gun-ak both jerked their heads toward Chung Myung. Their faces plainly asked whether he still had something else to say.
"So who’s going to be the alliance leader?"
"Didn't we say we’d talk about that lat—"
"No. I think you’re misunderstanding something."
Flames that would not go out began to burn in Chung Myung’s eyes.
"Unless we reach the conclusion that our sect leader is going to be the alliance leader, nobody leaves this room! Not one step!"
"...."
"So what are you going to do?"
"...."
The two men, having encountered the most relentless bastard in the world, wordlessly covered their faces.