CLS-Chapter 437

Chapter 437:

Go is also called by another name: sudam.

It means a conversation conducted with hands.

It meant that even without speaking with one’s mouth, one could guess the opponent’s intentions and tendencies just by looking at how they placed their stones. This story has been accepted as orthodox from ancient times to the present, but Wei Yan-ho considered those words to be bullshit.

‘What nonsense.’

The reason Wei Yan-ho absolutely didn’t believe those words was precisely because of Baek Mu-han.

When playing Go, Baek Mu-han looked like the most leisurely person under heaven. But wasn’t his true nature that of a demon?

Having experienced so many cases where Go and human personality were completely different, Wei Yan-ho wasn’t one to believe the nonsense about understanding people through Go.

But it seemed the gentleman across from him still believed those words.

‘Tsk tsk tsk, what a naive gentleman.’

If the head of the Zhuge Family was this naive, wouldn’t the future of the Zhuge Family be obvious? Wei Yan-ho placed his stone with his heart full of concern for the peace of the martial world.

Tak.

The sound of the Go stone settling onto the board resonated heavily.

Zhuge Yan looked at the settling Go stone and groaned softly.

“Mmm…”

The situation wasn’t flowing badly.

So far, it has been progressing without anyone having a particular advantage or disadvantage.

Of course, contrary to Wei Yan-ho’s thoughts, Zhuge Yan had no intention whatsoever of trying to understand Wei Yan-ho’s personality through his playing style. That was something you did with people you’d known for a long time who didn’t hide their playing style.

Moon Yu-hwan thought Wei Yan-ho had no need to hide anything from him. But wasn’t Zhuge Yan’s situation different?

Though they faced each other across the board, the two were currently in a relationship where the word ‘enemies’ fit best.

‘Indeed.’

What was certain was that the name Forest of Knowledge Star wasn’t just an empty reputation. Just confirming that fact was valuable.

‘Multi-talented. Excessively multi-talented.’

It wasn’t very difficult for a human to excel in one field. But excelling in multiple fields was extremely difficult.

Yet Wei Yan-ho was accomplishing this as if it were perfectly natural.

There’s a saying about being talented in eight directions.

But being talented in eight directions wasn’t necessarily a good thing. Those who were good at this and that were often uncertain in the one field that was truly necessary.

‘What about this fellow?’

His martial arts could shake the martial world, and his Go was worthy of coveting the title of best under heaven. Moreover, he had the talent to make money, and above all else…

‘He knows how to draw people in.’

That was truly a frightening talent.

Other fields could be learned to some degree, but this was literally something you were born with.

Look at him now.

Just looking at that figure sitting crooked in front of an adult and nodding off sleepily made one want to grab the Go board and smash his skull immediately.

If he was like this to him, whom he was meeting for the first time today, how much more so would it be for others?

It seemed he was at least showing some courtesy since he was the head of the Zhuge Family…

‘Today, for the first time in my life, I’ve come to respect the Divine Strategist.’

Employing such a fellow wasn’t something that could be calculated.

No matter how strong Wei Yan-ho might be, there were too many variables. If you entrusted work to such a fellow, you couldn’t tell at all where that work might bounce. Nevertheless, employing this fellow meant taking on all those risks yourself.

No matter what, the Heavenly Alliance wasn’t an easy place. The same went even if it was limited to the Tang Family of Sichuan. The Righteous Alliance was probably in a state where they’d want to borrow even a cat’s paws right now. The Tang Family was a place that was more like a tiger than a cat. To dispatch Wei Yan-ho to such a place and then let go…

‘Does he have that much confidence? Or does he still trust this fellow despite everything?’

It was probably the latter.

The Divine Strategist’s trust.

It was difficult to obtain. But this fellow had obtained it.

That wasn’t all.

‘The Righteous Alliance Leader also cherishes this fellow, they said. Moreover, he’s even gained the trust of the Grand Scholar of the Forest of Knowledge. On top of that, even the Censorate Director.’

Having the Censorate Director’s favor was the same as having the Emperor’s favor. Come to think of it, Wei Yan-ho was making his own people wherever he went.

It might not seem significant right now, but personal connections sometimes exerted power that surpassed individual martial prowess and possessed wealth.

The fact that people gathered around him even when he showed himself as he truly was without artificial pretense was truly an amazing talent. This was precisely the kind of power the Zhuge Family needed most.

The power to make people flock around you like Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang.

Not only did he make people wherever he went, but the faces of those currently staying around this fellow were also formidable. If Wei Yan-ho’s people scattered throughout the world represented his current power, those around this fellow were the pillars who would lead the martial world in the future.

He had obtained both present and future people…

‘As expected, it’s incomprehensible.’

This was a field that couldn’t be understood with the mind. Even if Zhuge Yan thought about it for seven days and nights straight, he wouldn’t be able to reach a conclusion. He just needed to understand it as ‘Wei Yan-ho is like that.’

If you can’t understand it, just memorize it.

The problem started from here.

‘Can this fellow really lead the next generation?’

In terms of ability, there was nothing lacking.

He possessed martial arts unsuited to his young age, the ability to draw people in, and even intelligence that didn’t match his age.

If such a person didn’t lead the world, who would?

But Zhuge Yan couldn’t be certain. The world was always a series of variables. Sometimes… no, frequently, impossible things happened.

This was a world where those who ruled the Central Plains fell, and mat sellers became kings. In such a world, there was nothing that was certain.

The variables Wei Yan-ho possessed were of a type that Zhuge Yan couldn’t control. Then what should be done?

‘If he doesn’t want to reveal himself, he must be drawn out by force.’

Zhuge Yan held a subtle smile at the corner of his mouth and opened his mouth.

“Young hero.”

“Yes?”

“What do you think about the current political situation of the martial world, young hero?”

Wei Yan-ho replied bluntly.

“I’m not interested.”

“…”

Zhuge Yan flinched.

‘As expected, he won’t come over easily.’

But there was no need for disappointment. It was already an anticipated matter.

“Don’t you think the current martial world is like a powder keg?”

“I don’t really think about it.”

“…”

Those who expected something from Wei Yan-ho were bound to taste great disappointment. Even Zhuge Yan, who had prepared for all possible answers, couldn’t escape from that category.

“Ahem.“

Zhuge Yan coughed loudly to dispel the awkwardness and opened his mouth.

“Young hero, the current martial world is chaos itself. It may look peaceful on the surface, but if you look beneath the water, it’s churning more violently than ever before.”

“Yes, yes.”

An insincere answer came back.

Wei Yan-ho’s face clearly showed the light of ‘Why is this old geezer wasting time chattering instead of just playing Go?’ Zhuge Yan deliberately ignored that fact and continued speaking.

“The Demonic Cult is stirring. The conflict between the Heavenly Alliance and the Righteous Alliance has reached its peak, and White Sword Castle is revealing its ambitions without hiding them. Moreover, even the Nine Great Sects, who should be the center of the martial world, are preoccupied with taking care of their own safety.”

“Yes.”

“Soon, winds of blood will blow across the land.”

“Yes, yes.”

At the blunt answer, Zhuge Yan’s face twitched.

Wasn’t such an answer too much when he was having this serious conversation?

“What do you plan to do, young hero?”

“What?”

“Exactly what I said. What do you plan to do, young hero?”

“What am I supposed to do about what? Your large dragon group is about to die, you know?”

“Eh?”

Zhuge Yan looked at the board with a flustered expression.

‘Huh? When did this happen?’

His large dragon group that had been spreading its wings in the center of the board was already surrounded. He read ahead, but couldn’t see a way for it to survive.

“This isn’t important.”

“It looks important though?”

“A-anyway, what do you plan to do?”

“I said I have no plans. Right now I’m only thinking about capturing this large dragon group and getting paid, you know? I’ve calculated it, so don’t make excuses later and pay up properly.”

“…”

At least it became certain that this fellow was ruthless when it came to money.

“Young hero.”

Zhuge Yan hardened his expression.

“The current peace won’t last long. You know that it has already begun, don’t you, young hero? The blade of troubled times is probably already pressed against our throats.”

“I suppose so.”

“Then how can you be so carefree? Don’t you have any heart to worry about the Central Plains, young hero?”

At Zhuge Yan’s stern rebuke, Wei Yan-ho snorted.

“When was it not like this?”

“What?”

“I’m asking when it wasn’t like this. This damn martial world has always been in troubled times. Since when has the martial world ever taken care of each other and gotten along well, that you’re suddenly talking about troubled times?”

“…”

Zhuge Yan was at a loss for words.

‘It’s not wrong.’

Zhuge Yan placed a sacrifice stone to break through the encirclement in order to break the deadlock. Wei Yan-ho’s eyes became grave.

“Of course that’s so. Peace in the martial world is an illusion. But even in those troubled times, there are degrees, aren’t there? You must know that this time is truly unusual, young hero.”

“Is it serious?”

“The stirring of the Demonic Cult has always driven the Central Plains to the edge of a cliff. This time won’t be different either. Moreover, the Central Plains is currently in the worst state of division.”

“Hmm.”

Wei Yan-ho scratched his cheek.

“In such a situation, wouldn’t your power be needed, young hero?”

“Something sounds strange as I listen.”

“What do you mean?”

“I have no share in creating the situation up to this point. Isn’t this something the distinguished people above created?”

“…That may be so, but.”

“Then why are you demanding responsibility from me? It’s not like there’s one person who shits and another who cleans it up. Let them solve the situation they created themselves.”

Zhuge Yan’s face hardened.

“Is that your opinion, young hero?”

“Yes.”

Wei Yan-ho shrugged his shoulders.

“I don’t really have any reason to bear such responsibility.”

“You are strong, young hero. The strong have responsibilities.”

“The strong don’t bear responsibilities; they gain rights. I have no intention of bearing such responsibilities.”

“Argh! You scoundrel!”

Zhuge Yan’s face turned red with anger.

“Is that your answer, young hero? To this question of mine?”

“So what?”

“I misjudged you, young hero.”

“Hmm…”

Wei Yan-ho’s answer was obvious. He knew what kind of answer was wanted, but had no intention whatsoever of giving such an answer. Wei Yan-ho was no pushover.

“I never asked you to judge me well, but if that’s the case, then so be it. I don’t think my opinion will change.”

“How dare you!”

Zhuge Yan struck the board with his fist as if truly enraged.

But his hand couldn’t reach the board.

Thunk!

Wei Yan-ho’s hand shot out like lightning and grabbed Zhuge Yan’s fist. Wei Yan-ho, who had stopped Zhuge Yan’s hand, glared with wide eyes.

“What do you think you’re doing? Just try touching the Go board. Your wrist will go flying.”

“…”

He was caught.

Zhuge Yan’s expression became awkward.