CLS-Chapter 423

Chapter 423:

“Young Master, that matter is……”

Zhuge Woo couldn’t continue his words for quite some time.

‘What in the world is this bastard after?’

A response is something that can only be established when you understand your opponent’s purpose.If you don’t know what your opponent is after, how can you possibly respond?

“It doesn’t seem like a particularly difficult matter, does it?”

Zhuge Woo grimaced.

The problem was that Wei Yan-ho’s words were correct.

Even if they withdrew from the Dang Family right now, the damage the Zhuge Family would receive wouldn’t be significant.

No, it could be said there would be none at all. Things might become a little rough with the Dang Family elders who had requested their help, but they could easily bear that much.

The problem was that he couldn’t calculate what benefit Wei Yan-ho would gain from their withdrawal. Perhaps this current choice could snowball and collapse their position entirely.

“Young Master, that’s not something I can decide.”

“Then who should decide it?”

“I suppose this would have to be determined by the Family Head……”

“Then you can just speak to the Family Head.”

Zhuge Woo looked at Wei Yan-ho with blank eyes.

‘This bastard, why is he so impossible to communicate with?’

Having a conversation with this guy made it feel like the concept of ‘conversation’ that Zhuge Woo had known all along was changing. It’s words, but it doesn’t feel like words—how should he put it?

Eventually, Zhuge Woo had no choice but to change his conversational approach. Going around in circles to convey his intentions didn’t work on this guy. Then he had no choice but to strike at his solar plexus with words.

“May I ask one thing?”

“You can ask two things.”

“What exactly are you trying to do at the Dang Family?”

“There’s nothing in particular I’m trying to do.”

“……Then why are you telling us to withdraw? Weren’t you aiming for something at the Dang Family?”

“No. It’s not really like that……”

Wei Yan-ho scratched his head.

“Whatever I do, having the Zhuge Family attached to the Dang Family would be burdensome. I’m not particularly afraid of those who come at me with fists, but smart people are hard to deal with.”

Zhuge Woo couldn’t tell how much of Wei Yan-ho’s words to believe.

‘I can’t fathom his inner thoughts.’

He had met countless people until now. Among those he had dealt with was even that Divine Beggar. But this was the first person whose inner thoughts he absolutely couldn’t read.

He seemed stupid yet smart, and seemed smart yet hopeless.

One thing that was certain was that Wei Yan-ho knew how to utilize his power. In Wei Yan-ho’s current proposal was hidden a subtle threat: ‘If you continue to involve yourselves in this matter, I cannot be responsible for whatever happens.’

Wei Yan-ho easily said things that others wouldn’t dare say outright even for the sake of appearances.

“Eh, I know I’m making a somewhat unreasonable request.”

Wei Yan-ho said something uncharacteristic of him.

“But, umm……”

Wei Yan-ho’s expression also hardened slightly. Though it wasn’t visible due to his mask, of course.

“You, you heard the story.”

“Pardon? What are you referring to?”

“What’s happening at the Dang Family right now isn’t ordinary.”

Zhuge Woo nodded.

Though the sequence had been pushed back a bit due to the Righteous Martial Alliance’s involvement, what was currently happening at the Dang Family was indeed not something to take lightly. In normal times, it would have caused an uproar and more.

“Is it because of that matter?”

“It’s killing two birds with one stone. Well, while handling this, I’m also handling that, and it would be good if I could do other things simultaneously. I hate moving around, so when I do move once, I prefer to handle as many matters as possible.”

“……”

“I understood the burden that Sichuan Murim carries. Though they don’t like to step forward, I’ll try to prepare alternatives for that part. Military Grandfather isn’t such a stubborn person either. If you’re keeping your distance for such reasons, he’ll prepare countermeasures.”

“The Divine Beggar isn’t that kind of person.”

“Then I just have to make him into that kind of person.”

There was strength in Wei Yan-ho’s voice.

Seeing this, Zhuge Woo’s eyes showed a glint of interest.

“I’ll have to discard all the investigated information about Young Master. The Young Master I heard about in reports and the Young Master I’m actually seeing seem like completely different people.”

“I told you I’m not that person!”

Wei Yan-ho waved his hands dismissively and continued speaking.

“Actually, I don’t originally like stepping forward to do things. But I decided not to be passive when it comes to matters related to the Demonic Cult.”

“Hmm……”

“If it’s an opponent I must fight, I can’t just sit with my hands folded and get beaten up. I have to prepare on this side too.”

“Those are wise words.”

Zhuge Woo quietly observed Wei Yan-ho.

‘Could he be an alternative?’

Actually, the relationship between the Righteous Martial Alliance and the Heavenly Alliance had reached a point of no return. Resolving the situation through mutual dialogue was impossible. Peace had lasted long, and during that peaceful period, the two groups had accumulated conflicts rather than friendship.

No matter how real the threat of the Demonic Cult’s stirring was, it would be difficult to resolve mutual emotions and unite based on that threat alone.

In the midst of this, a new figure named Wei Yan-ho had appeared.

If Wei Yan-ho could shake up this stagnant situation, the circumstances could definitely change.

“I understand what Young Master is saying. But it won’t be an easy matter.”

“It sounds like you’re willing to help?”

“I am an elder.”

Zhuge Woo said with a light smile.

“I can offer opinions, but it’s a position without real authority. I can help as Young Master wishes, but the decisions are made by the Family Head and Young Family Head. And right now, the biggest obstacle is the Young Family Head.”

“Eh? Is that so?”

“Yes. Because he’s young, after all.”

Wei Yan-ho understood Zhuge Woo’s words as ‘being young, he has the hot blood that makes him unlikely to easily agree.’ But what Zhuge Woo intended was completely different.

‘Competitive spirit isn’t bad, but……’

Wei Yan-ho’s appearance had given a great shock to the martial world.

A young master with outstanding skills who consecutively defeated existing strong fighters was a romance that all martial artists held, but when that situation actually occurred, more people developed antipathy than welcomed it.

Especially the sense of deprivation felt by young masters of similar age to Wei Yan-ho was beyond imagination.

Among them were those like Peng Dao-ji and Jang-il, who accepted Wei Yan-ho as a completely separate existence. But most young masters tended to think that they were no worse than Wei Yan-ho, or that the rumors about Wei Yan-ho were exaggerated.

Zhuge Moon-in belonged to neither category.

Since Zhuge Moon-in was closer to a strategist than a martial artist, he acknowledged Wei Yan-ho as he was, while believing he could manipulate him with his own mind.

He acknowledged his opponent while not abandoning his competitive spirit.

Right now, Zhuge Moon-in was probably devising a scheme to make Wei Yan-ho submit with his own power. But retreat obediently after hearing Wei Yan-ho’s words?

That was impossible.

“The Young Family Head won’t give up.”

“Then I just need to deal with that guy?”

“……That’s what it amounts to.”

Wei Yan-ho smiled broadly.

“Yes. Then I’ll handle that myself. You handle the other problems.”

“What makes you say such things with such confidence?”

“I don’t trust you.”

Wei Yan-ho said matter-of-factly.

“You seem to be mistaken, but I’m making a good proposal to you right now. If you don’t accept it, I’ll have to reconsider too. And I can guarantee that if I change my mind, you’ll regret it.”

“……”

“Master said this. The most excellent means of conversation in the world are fists and swords.”

Zhuge Woo’s face hardened.

“No matter how much you argue about this and that logic, in the end, you follow the words of the one with power. I think I have a bit of a contrary streak too. When Master speaks, I want to try going the opposite direction. So I’d prefer to resolve things with words if possible…… but strangely, it always ends up as Master said.”

This was nothing short of a threat.

If negotiations broke down, he would ultimately force his way through with power. An individual shouldn’t be able to threaten an entire family, but that was exactly what was happening now.

This is what a supreme master is.

They’re given the name ‘absolute’ because they transcend common sense. And Wei Yan-ho was an undeniably absolute master.

Zhuge Woo fell into thought.

‘Perhaps this could be an opportunity.’

He too agreed with the fact that the Heavenly Alliance and Righteous Martial Alliance should unite due to the Demonic Cult’s rising activity. But the wall of reality was too enormous.

Within the Heavenly Alliance, there were even open talks about rather joining the Demonic Cult’s side than allying with that rotten Righteous Martial Alliance. Though their words would change if the Demonic Cult actually rose up.

What was certain was that if proper cooperation with the Righteous Martial Alliance couldn’t be achieved when the Demonic Cult invaded, the situation where Sichuan Murim would have to serve as a shield would repeat itself.

“Young Master.”

“Yes?”

“I have one request.”

“A request?”

“Yes. I want to support what Young Master intends to do. But there won’t be many within the Zhuge Family who think the same as I do.”

“……Is that so?”

“Yes. Peace has lasted too long. So I’d like to make one request.”

“Let’s hear it.”

Zhuge Woo took a quiet deep breath.

Perhaps this was madness. But there was definitely a need to instill a sense of urgency.

Having steeled his resolve, Zhuge Woo opened his mouth.

“I need justification too.”

“Justification?”

“Yes. Those belonging to the family need to properly see and understand reality. Only then will their minds work quickly. Young Master……”

“Ah, wait a moment.”

Wei Yan-ho waved his hand.

“We’ve talked and conversed enough, I think. At this rate, the sun will rise. I’d like to go home and sleep before the sun rises if possible, so let’s just get to the point. I have a condition where if there are too many flowery words, I can’t find the original content within them.”

Zhuge Woo became speechless.

Well, this wasn’t surprising anymore either.

“Then I’ll just state the main point.”

“*Yep*.”

“Please beat up those guys.”

“Pardon?”

Zhuge Woo pointed downward with his hand.

“Those guys.”

Following Zhuge Woo’s hand and looking down, he could see people in pure white martial uniforms looking up this way.

Eh, so in other words……

“So right now, you’re asking me to beat up your people?”

“That’s correct.”

“Right now?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Wei Yan-ho’s mouth fell wide open.

“*Wow*, mister, you’re no joke. I’ve seen quite a few insane people in my time, but you seem to be top-tier among them. Can you function in daily life?”

It was unclear who was pointing out what to whom.

“So will you do it or won’t you?”

“*Hmm*……”

Wei Yan-ho shrugged his shoulders.

“I’m not sure what you’re aiming for, but my greatest specialty is being lazy, and my second specialty is beating people up.”

A smile formed on Wei Yan-ho’s face.

“Today seems like a day to demonstrate my second specialty.”