Chapter 51
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Discussing Countermeasures
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The atmosphere in the Alliance Leader's hall was grim.
Though it was said to have weakened slightly compared to when Alliance Leader Hwa Un-ryong was at the helm, this was the Martial Arts Alliance that had repelled every single incursion by the heretical factions.
Their faces held the pride of being members of the Martial Arts Alliance, the leaders of the martial world.
“Strategist Zhuge.”
As Yang Cheon-rin called out softly with a stern expression, Zhuge Mun-hyeon rose from his seat.
With a tense look, he scanned the martial artists seated in the hall before pulling a rope hanging on the wall.
A map of the Central Plains descended and hung on the wall.
“The Dark Evil Union, officially launched in Chang'an County, is an alliance of the Dark Heavenly Cult, the Blood Heaven Cult, the Black Way Union, and the Evil Emperor Union. We estimate its scale to be immense. They are expanding their influence west and north of Luoyang, but their organizational structure, including the identity of their Union Leader, is unknown. We are currently gathering intelligence.”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon had already obtained considerable intelligence by interrogating the Three Evils of Blood, but he needed to cross-reference it with other reports to generate actionable information.
Therefore, for now, he only pointed out the most critical and confirmed facts about the Dark Evil Union.
The martial artists swallowed nervously, their attention fixed on Zhuge Mun-hyeon.
“We estimate that the regions where the Dark Evil Union currently holds dominance are the Shaanxi, Shanxi, Gansu, and Qinghai provinces, with Shaanxi being the location of Chang'an County.”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon pointed to the four provinces arranged in a circle around Chang'an County.
“These four provinces, composed of rugged mountains and vast basins, are difficult to access from the Central Plains and have historically been hotbeds of activity for the heretical factions.”
“Qinghai has the Kunlun Sect, Gansu has the Kongtong Sect, and Shaanxi has the Zhongnan and Huashan Sects. Isn't your analysis a bit of a stretch?”
Sak Cheon-hyeok, the leader of the Red Tiger Brigade, voiced his doubt.
Without flinching, Zhuge Mun-hyeon calmly replied.
“The center of these four provinces is Shaanxi. Looking back, the Evil Emperor Union and the Black Way Union were based in Shaanxi. The Dark Heavenly Cult and the Blood Heaven Cult were in Qinghai. When their power was at its peak, the sects you mentioned, Brigade Leader Sak, did not fall. However, you cannot deny that control of the region passed to the heretical factions.”
“Hmm.”
“This time is similar. With the launch of the Dark Evil Union, the heretical factions that have been lurking in the shadows will now emerge into the light. You can consider that the most significant change.”
“Then how do you propose we deal with them?”
“Since we have yet to grasp their true nature, I believe a full-scale war is out of the question. They are also aware of the Martial Arts Alliance's strength and won't act rashly. For the time being, we must focus on uncovering the truth about the Dark Evil Union while suppressing the heretical factions to prevent them from rising up.”
The martial artists' expressions hardened.
The men gathered here had once stood at the forefront with Hwa Un-ryong, fighting to eradicate the heretical factions.
Having fought in wars both large and small, they knew the horrors all too well, which naturally caused their faces to stiffen.
Yet, no one despaired or lost their confidence.
They held their heads high with the pride of being members of the Martial Arts Alliance.
“Even here in Hubei, where the Martial Arts Alliance is located, heretical factions will establish their own sects. They will be a thorn in our side, but as long as they commit no evil acts, do not attack them. Our target is the Dark Evil Union, not the minor heretical groups springing up like mushrooms after a rain.”
With this final admonition, Zhuge Mun-hyeon sat down.
If the Martial Arts Alliance put its mind to it, it could crush these minor heretical sects in an instant.
But even attacking a small sect would inevitably result in some losses for the Alliance, so he gave this warning to preserve their full strength.
The atmosphere in the hall grew heavy.
“When Alliance Leader Hwa was here, if a heretical faction rose up, he would immediately lead an elite unit to attack and crush them. Aren't you being overly cautious, Strategist Zhuge?”
This time, it was Yeom Mu-sang, the hot-tempered leader of the Azure Dragon Brigade, who spoke up.
However, Zhuge Mun-hyeon retorted without the slightest hesitation.
“Brigade Leader Yeom, could you win a fight against the Mad Sword or the Blood Demon Saber?”
“Though I have never fought them, I have never once considered the possibility of losing.”
“I, too, believe your skills are comparable to theirs. If you were to fight, the outcome would be difficult to predict. The problem is, we don't know how many legendary masters or titans from both the orthodox and unorthodox paths are in the Dark Evil Union.”
At Zhuge Mun-hyeon's logical persuasion, Yeom Mu-sang fell silent, as did the hardliners who had been about to follow his lead.
Zhuge Mun-hyeon then tried to placate them and boost their morale.
“In the end, our Martial Arts Alliance will be victorious. Think of the factions that have risen in the past. They made the world tremble in their time, but they were ultimately annihilated by the Martial Arts Alliance. So, trust me and focus on honing your strength through training. Once we have a grasp on them, our attack will begin.”
I listened to their conversation in silence.
I thought they had weakened considerably, but they still possessed a powerful fighting spirit.
Yang Cheon-rin gestured for Zhuge Mun-hyeon to sit and then spoke.
“I believe Strategist Zhuge is right. To destroy the Dark Evil Union, we must bring down their headquarters in Chang'an County, but we lack the information to do so. There is a clear difference between the Dark Evil Union and the factions that rose before. In the past, they revealed themselves and fought with confidence; this time, they are hiding everything. That is why we have no choice but to opt for a delaying strategy. All of you, please redouble your training efforts. That is your duty. When the opportunity arises, let us crush them in a single blow.”
“We will obey your command.”
The martial artists replied in unison to the Alliance Leader's order.
To reverse the potentially somber mood, Yang Cheon-rin encouraged them before dismissing them.
“Leader of the Evil-Repelling Sword Squad.”
As everyone was leaving, Yang Cheon-rin called out to me.
“You called for me?”
I clasped my fist politely, and Yang Cheon-rin beckoned me closer to sit.
“Most martial artists had something to say, so why were you so quiet? Who here has a stronger voice than you?”
“Well, you made an accurate judgment and a proper decision, so I saw no reason to object. That's why I just listened quietly.”
Yang Cheon-rin felt something was lukewarm about my response.
“Is there something you wish to say?”
Looking at the seasoned Yang Cheon-rin, I paused in thought for a moment before speaking.
“Dealing with the Dark Evil Union must be approached as a long-term, meticulous effort.”
“That is my intention. Isn't that the sentiment I expressed to the others just now?”
“The martial prowess of the Dark Evil Union's leader may be on par with the former Alliance Leader. We also don't know who else might be allied with them. That is why I remained silent, believing that avoiding a full-scale war for now would benefit the Martial Arts Alliance.”
Upon hearing my words, Yang Cheon-rin's expression stiffened.
Yang Cheon-rin and the others had argued that while they could face the Dark Evil Union at any time, they should act cautiously due to a lack of information.
Underlying that logic was a strong confidence that they could defeat the Dark Evil Union whenever they chose.
But when I approached it from a different perspective, he seemed a bit taken aback.
“What are you saying? Are you suggesting we might lose to the Dark Evil Union if we engage in a full-scale war?”
“The possibility is not high, but it cannot be dismissed. It is highly likely that they are not just a simple coalition of the Dark Heavenly Cult, the Blood Heaven Cult, the Black Way Union, and the Evil Emperor Union, but a single, unified organization centered around their leader.”
Four disparate, massive powers uniting as one?
Inwardly, Yang Cheon-rin shouted, ‘That’s impossible!’ but a seed of anxiety sprouted in a corner of his heart.
He raised his voice, as if to shake off the unease.
“Even so, they are nothing but a coalition of remnants, all of whom were crushed by the former Alliance Leader. And you know how exclusive they are with one another, don't you?”
“Of course. But even the former Alliance Leader, whose martial arts were considered a cut above the rest, inflicted great losses on the Martial Arts Alliance when he defeated Cheok Mu-hyeok, the leader of the Dark Heavenly Cult. They are not to be taken lightly. Arrogance could lead to defeat. Please do not misunderstand; I offer this counsel in the hope that the Martial Arts Alliance will become more level-headed.”
“I did not realize your thoughts ran so deep, Leader Ouyang.”
Yang Cheon-rin offered a faint smile, placating me.
“Even so, do not think the Martial Arts Alliance is weak.”
“Of course. I was merely warning against the arrogance of thinking we can beat them anytime we please. We must never lose our confidence.”
“I understand. Let us speak more often in the future.”
“Then I will take my leave.”
I clasped my fist to him and left the Alliance Leader's hall.
Just then, Zhuge Mun-hyeon, who had been waiting outside, stopped me.
“What did you talk about? Ah, please don't misunderstand. I don't mean anything by it.”
“I warned him not to underestimate the Dark Evil Union. I strongly advised that underestimation would lead to certain defeat.”
“Hah.”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon let out a sigh of admiration and looked at me.
“As expected of the Leader of the Evil-Repelling Sword Squad, you are very level-headed. What do you believe is the biggest difference between the Martial Arts Alliance and the Dark Evil Union?”
“Our strength is exposed, while most of theirs is not. That is the biggest difference. It is unfortunate that the Alliance no longer has a powerful martial artist like the former Alliance Leader. If the leader of the Dark Evil Union is on his level, it will be difficult for us to gain the upper hand in this fight. That is what worries me.”
“So you believe that is a high possibility.”
“They were not defeated by the Martial Arts Alliance's powerful organization, but by the overwhelming strength of the former Alliance Leader. Yet now, they have revealed themselves publicly. That is proof of a certain level of confidence.”
“So the Martial Arts Alliance lacks a martial artist as strong as the former Alliance Leader, but the Dark Evil Union has one?”
“I wish that weren't the case.”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon stared at me, looking somewhat shocked.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“It seems I knew very little about you, Leader. I never imagined you would have the most accurate assessment of them in the entire Alliance. I was worried about the same thing, but I couldn't bring myself to say it for fear of demoralizing the others.”
As expected, Zhuge Mun-hyeon understood.
“Strategist. It's difficult to say this, but I'll be frank.”
“Please, speak.”
“If you can acquire an elixir, I must ask for your help once more. As things stand, I am the only one who can stand against the leader of the Dark Evil Union. I apologize if that sounds arrogant.”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon shook his head.
“So even you don't believe me, Strategist.”
“No, I believe you. I believe that if you can increase your internal energy, you can face their leader. However, finding such elixirs requires heavenly luck. Especially for you, Leader, an ordinary elixir will not be enough to enhance your internal energy. I will do my best, so please wait.”
“I'm counting on you.”
As Zhuge Mun-hyeon said, I would need a legendary elixir of the ages to dramatically increase my martial skill.
My body, already enhanced by the Millennium Essence and the inner core of the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Fox, would not respond to just any ordinary elixir.
I decided to trust Zhuge Mun-hyeon and wait.
I could only hope that he wouldn't be too late in finding the elixir.
After I clasped my fist and departed, Zhuge Mun-hyeon stared blankly up at the sky.
‘It was like seeing the former Alliance Leader. To feel such pressure from a young martial artist... Yes. He is the only one who can face the leader of the Dark Evil Union. *Sigh*, what a monumental task I've been given. I must try. Has anything ever been easy? I will bring down the Dark Evil Union. I must.’
Zhuge Mun-hyeon soon shook his head and departed.