Chapter 82

Chapter 82

To the Sado Alliance Leader, Mumyeong , the world is a tedious thing.

Most things that exist in the world can be predicted, most things can be made to kneel, and most things can be controlled.

Things that didn’t go according to his predictions hardly existed, and crises he couldn’t break through didn’t exist either. Whatever happened was something he already knew or predicted, and even when learning new knowledge, it was all under existing assumptions.

That’s why to the Sado Alliance Leader, the world was a tedious thing.

Until now.

“This is turning out interestingly.”

“Isn’t it?”

At the Sado Alliance Leader speaking with a faint smile, Daesageom sighed and held his head. The Muryeongwando currently driving back the Mujeongwando.

“This isn’t something to describe as turning out interestingly. Ryeonju.”

The Sado Alliance bet on Muryeon Hall winning, but they didn’t actually want Muryeon Hall to win.

This is natural. After all, this match itself was for quietly arranging a ceasefire without touching the Murim Alliance’s pride.

‘It’s been a long war.‘

While the Murim Alliance suffered massive damage from the war, the Sado Alliance also isn’t unscathed. Though less than the Murim Alliance, it cannot be denied that they clearly suffered considerable damage.

Unless they could swallow the enemy whole, they had to stop the war at this point. That would have been both sides’ common opinion. However, if those who had seized the advantage extended their hand first saying let’s have a ceasefire, wouldn’t that be going in from a losing position?

That’s why this bet was prepared. 

‘If Muryeon Hall wins here, everything will be in vain.‘

If Mujeong Hall wins.

Even if they win the ceasefire by winning the bet, ultimately it would be a situation where the Sado Alliance is ‘giving’ the ceasefire, but at least in that situation the Murim Alliance wouldn’t be in a position of begging the Sado Alliance for a ceasefire.

In other words, the Sado Alliance can gain the upper hand, and the Murim Alliance can save face for the martial artists composing the Murim Alliance. Earlier Ryeonju said he planned to win, but Daesageom, who judged there was no possibility of winning, thought that was the purpose of this bet.

But if Muryeon Hall really wins, not as a joke.

And if the Murim Alliance is unable to bend those stiff knees because of it?

“We’ll have to give up many things. Ryeonju.”

“That’s certainly how it would turn out. But you know.”

The Sado Alliance Leader, who lightly brushed off Daesageom’s words spoken with a hardened expression, shrugged his shoulders.

“Didn’t I tell you on the way here? That I originally planned to win.”

“It’s fine if we win. No, it would be better if we win. Even if the Murim Alliance’s pride is crushed and a thread of crack appears, it won’t burst right away, and we can obtain something better.”

“What’s something better?”

“Well. I don’t think you’d be convinced even if I told you.”

His own thoughts often appear irrational and simultaneously illogical to others. So this action too wouldn’t be understood.

“However, one thing is certain.”

“At least it’s not a losing deal. And.”

The Sado Alliance Leader, who paused for a moment, turned his gaze far away and continued.

“What we can obtain is more important than saving face right now.”

The Sado Alliance Leader, who slowly finished speaking, wore a faint smile.

Capturing the figure of Baek Riyun watching the situation indifferently at the end of that gaze.

When engaging in combat with some terrain feature, military strategy commonly judges that attacks require more manpower than defense.

This is natural in a way. The defending side mostly uses terrain features advantageously to drag out time, while the attacking side must clear away such terrain features and break through the opponent.

Though not as much as siege warfare, where the attacking side must prepare at least three times the forces of the defending side, it’s practically established fact that the defending side has the advantage. Because the defending side can fulfill their role sufficiently by just pushing back the opponent.

And perhaps because of that.

The Muryeongwando who covered Mujeong Hall’s base camp, despite the overwhelming difference in forces, couldn’t collapse the enemy as quickly as expected.

Kwaaaang-!!!

Seonwoo Gang, who squinted at the explosive sound, raised his voice filled with internal energy and shouted. Seonwoo Gang’s instructions instantly spread across the battlefield.

“Oh Ryeong! Support the flank!”

“Got it!”

“Unjin! Wait in the rear and intervene if anyone’s in danger! Casualties on our side absolutely mustn’t occur!”

“Of course!”

Seonwoo Gang, who systematically gave instructions, examined the battle situation and let out a groan. As expected, the level of the Mujeongwando wasn’t ordinary.

‘Not breaking through even at this level?‘

Before entering the competition.

Seonwoo Gang was wary of Mujeong Hall but also had some confidence. That’s because the second gate of the competition, Flag Breaking, was literally a gate examining a group’s combat power.

The Muryeongwando had fought as one body against Baek Riyun, the Hundred Demons Night Parade, and the Changcheon Corps members in Uicheonmun, at Akyang, and on the way to the Murim Alliance. And don’t they say those who experience real combat have their skills rapidly increase?

No matter how much the martial power difference with Mujeong Hall exists, they might be able to gain the upper hand based on that experience.

That’s what he thought.

But the reality was different.

‘If equal numbers, certain defeat. If we were even slightly short on numbers here, we couldn’t have been certain of victory.‘

Seonwoo Gang, who newly realized just how great the gap in skill between the former Muryeon Hall and Mujeong Hall had been, let out a groan and shook his head. Anyway, further delays couldn’t be tolerated.

“Huu.”

Chaeng!

Seonwoo Gang, who exhaled a small breath, drew his sword and stepped forward.

“You’re finally coming?”

“Yeah. Can you hold out?”

“No.”

Seomun Cheok, who had been facing Namgung Hyeon, burst into a smirk at Seonwoo Gang joining from the side and forcibly gripped his trembling hands. Seomun Cheok makes a calm expression but somehow looks pale.

“I knew he was a monster, but it’s not easy. I absolutely can’t do it alone.”

“Is that so?”

“Still, I’ve caught the feeling a bit.”

“That’s fortunate then.”

Seonwoo Gang, who grinned and patted Seomun Cheok’s back, turned his gaze forward. Toward Namgung Hyeon, who still didn’t attack and was holding out his sword strike.

“You’re not attacking? Each of these is an opportunity.”

“Our objective isn’t to strike you down. It’s to buy time to win. When you’re willingly giving us time, is there a need to attack?”

“That’s true too.”

At Namgung Hyeon’s logical words, Seonwoo Gang, who shrugged his shoulders, continued again.

“You seem to trust Baek Risan. Or more precisely, you have no choice but to trust Baek Risan. That’s the feeling I’m getting?”

“Can’t deny it.”

“Do you think she can do it? The probability is quite low.”

“Originally in battle, the lucky one wins more than the brilliant strategist. She’s got good instincts, so it’s worth betting on. Rather, aren’t you worried?”

“About what?”

“If Baek Risan happens to find the flag, your victory will be gone forever.”

“Hmm.”

Watching Namgung Hyeon, who was making a clumsy provocation, Seonwoo Gang nodded.

“That’s not wrong. If Baek Risan finds the flag before you break through, it would be quite, very troublesome.”

“You seem relaxed for that.”

“Well, there are things you’re overlooking.”

Srrring!

Seonwoo Gang, who burst into a smirk, extended his sword strike forward and continued.

“First. We didn’t just prepare for this gate. We’re prepared all the way to the consecutive victories match. Give up the thought that you’ll definitely win in the consecutive victories match.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. And second.”

Should he reveal it now?

Seonwoo Gang, who briefly cut off his words, stared intently at the tip of his sword strike and quietly muttered.

“The premise is wrong.”

The moment Seonwoo Gang’s words ended.

“You’ll crumble before Baek Risan finds the flag anyway.”

From Seonwoo Gang’s sword strike.

Golden sword energy shot up.

Shwaaaaak!

At the appearance of sword energy rushing in with tremendous force, the startled Namgung Hyeon pulled up his full power and swung back sword energy. Blue sword energy flying through the air in an instant, colliding with the golden sword energy.

The collision of force and force.

Namgung Hyeon, who barely stepped back one step to dissipate the aftermath from the massive energy wave, looked at Seonwoo Gang with blank eyes. At Seonwoo Gang’s appearance, who unlike himself hadn’t stepped back even one step.

“Did you hide your strength?”

“No. Rather than hiding it…… well, should I say what I couldn’t use became usable? How is it? Pretty spicy?”

“……Quite spicy.”

At the mighty force of the sword energy that came down through the trembling sword blade to his fingertips, Namgung Hyeon, who let out a groan, gripped the sword hilt and glared at Seonwoo Gang.

“I won’t let you pass.”

“I know. I don’t plan to. But my thoughts are different.”

At Namgung Hyeon’s appearance containing desperate resolve while glaring at him, Seonwoo Gang wore a faint smile. And the declaration that followed.

“I’ll assert myself clearly right here and now.”

“Today, we’re winning.”

Right after Seonwoo Gang’s words ended, golden sword energy flew through the air toward Namgung Hyeon.

Sword energy is more massive and dense than anything Seonwoo Gang had ever produced.

Muryeonggaek is an insignificant martial artist.

Muryeonggaek himself used to evaluate himself that way. Always before others and to himself, he lowered himself.

He has no skills except being fast on his feet. When he was recognized for that skill and entered Muryeon Hall, when he graduated from Muryeon Hall and worked in the Murim Alliance’s Martial Force Corps—Muryeonggaek’s thoughts didn’t change. When he took in Dan Riyeon, he sometimes wondered whether he was blocking this talented child’s future path.

“However, they’re winning…….”

Now, at this moment, Muryeonggaek was.

Realizing how valuable the martial arts transmitted from himself to Dan Riyeon was.

“They’re winning. With my disciple as the pillar…… they’re winning!”

“Hahaha, Brother Jang. I know you’re happy, but don’t grab my collar and shake me. I’m not a martial artist, so it’s difficult.”

“……Mi, my apologies.”

Muryeonggaek, who had been raving while losing his mind at Dan Riyeon’s excellent performance, came to his senses at Baek Riseon’s words and released the collar he had been gripping and shaking. Then Baek Riseon adjusted his clothing with a smiling face.

“Brother Jang. I know you’re happy, but calm down a bit. This was a natural outcome anyway.”

“A natural outcome?”

“Yes. Didn’t you realize from the last first gate that martial power doesn’t determine everything?”

“That’s…… true, but.”

“What determines a group’s strength isn’t only martial power. Strategy is also one element, and maximizing individual abilities is one element too. And Muryeon Hall’s instructor…… Baek Riyun is an instructor specialized in maximizing individual abilities more than anyone.”

Gaining superiority in the speed of obtaining information, and going further to manipulate and dominate the information entering the opponent.

If this can be accomplished, the probability of losing in battle decreases dramatically. This is especially pronounced in gates like Flag Breaking where information is important.

“Brother Jang’s martial arts and Brother Jang’s disciple Dan Riyeon’s observational skills, and Muryeon Hall’s unity. There were enough ingredients. A skilled craftsman worked those ingredients, so this result coming out is natural. So.”

Baek Riseon, who paused for a moment, made a smooth smile and shrugged his shoulders.

“Look at the current situation a bit more coldly. You’ll see things that weren’t visible.”

“Things that weren’t visible?”

“Yes.”

At Baek Riseon’s appearance, calmly nodding, Muryeonggaek, who calmed his head for a moment, sat down and looked around. And the moment he confirmed the spectators’ expressions, a realization flashed through his mind.

‘……What happens if Muryeon Hall wins?‘

He had been ignoring it, encouraged by just the fact that his disciple was performing well, but this match has the ceasefire between the Sado Alliance and Murim Alliance riding on it. If Muryeon Hall wins this match, the ceasefire will be gone.

Of course, they might be able to spread fame for the moment. Muryeon Hall has gained public opinion by proving their skills in the first gate. However, that’s only for right now.

‘If they win……‘

Those who criticize Muryeon Hall are bound to appear. Stories will definitely flow out that they abandoned the martial world’s well-being for their own satisfaction. How will that public opinion affect the Muryeongwando going forward?

“……It’s not something to be purely happy about.”

Muryeonggaek’s expression, who realized the situation, rapidly darkened. 

At Muryeonggaek, who looked at the image with worried eyes and tightly closed his eyes at the appearance of the gradually crumbling Mujeong Hall.

“Do you remember my saying last time that victory’s fortune  lies with Muryeon Hall?”

Baek Riseon spoke up.

“……I remember. You mean Muryeon Hall will win.”

“Of course. But Muryeon Hall’s victory doesn’t lead to the Sado Alliance’s victory.”

“……What do you mean by that?”

“It means that even though Muryeon Hall and the Sado Alliance seem to pursue the same goal, in reality they’re different.”

Baek Riseon, who wore a faint smile, fanned himself with the folding fan he had tucked at his waist, gently bringing wind to his face and continuing.

“Don’t worry too much. The Muryeongwando aren’t such fools.”

“What do you……”

“Oh my.”

Before Muryeonggaek’s words could continue, Baek Riseon, who slipped out a word to scatter his attention, wore a pleasant smile. And soon turning his gaze to the image, Baek Riseon.

“Brother Jang. Look. It seems the situation is about to change.”

“……No, I didn’t ask that, I asked what you meant…….”

“It’s rude to the martial artists conducting the match to turn away in front of such an interesting match. Isn’t that right?”

“……If you don’t plan to answer, just say so. The situation won’t change anyway.”

Muryeonggaek, who shook his head, watched Baek Riseon’s slippery smile, sighed, and turned his gaze to the image again. After all, worrying wouldn’t change anything.

And when Muryeonggaek’s gaze touched the image.

“Didn’t I tell you? That the situation is about to change.”

At Muryeonggaek’s widening eyes, Baek Riseon, who wore a smile, covered his mouth with his folding fan.

“Isn’t it interesting?”

Beyond the image.

A white flame was dashing.

Toward the direction where Muryeon Hall’s flag was located.