CLS-Chapter 463

Chapter 463:

‘Is this really how it’s going to be?’

Tang Cheon-gun looked at the two men with curious eyes.

Normally, martial duels aren’t conducted this way. Those who engage in duels want to probe each other more thoroughly. The one who loses in a single duel has much to lose.

Especially people like these.

Both Mad Spear and Wei Yan-ho had already built tremendous positions in Jianghu. What need was there to speak of Mad Spear’s status, who was called the War King and served as the Heavenly Alliance Leader?

His reputation covered the four seas. Though he might not match Sword Emperor in fame, there wasn’t a single person in the martial world who hadn’t heard the name of War King Mad Spear.

And what about Wei Yan-ho?

In terms of being a hot topic, Wei Yan-ho was beyond comparison even to Mad Spear. He was probably the most famous person in the world right now.

With just the reputation they had built up so far, both men could live comfortably in Jianghu for the rest of their lives, breathing easy. They would be welcomed anywhere.

But reputation is a fleeting thing.

Reputations built over decades can come crashing down with a single defeat.

The higher the tower of accumulated reputation, the greater the shock when it falls. That’s why masters who have made their names known throughout the world avoid duels. Even if they must duel, they prefer to test their skills in secret places away from public eyes, where only the two participants can see.

‘These two especially should be more careful.’

The characteristic shared by both Wei Yan-ho and Mad Spear was having many enemies. Just as there were many who regarded Mad Spear as a heretic and kept their distance, there were also many who envied Wei Yan-ho for his meteoric rise, defeating the established strong.

The reason these people hadn’t revealed themselves so far was because these two hadn’t lost. Even a single defeat could shake their positions.

And yet they’re going to fight?

In front of all these people?

“…I can’t understand it.”

“It’s because it has no value.”

Tang Cheon-gun turned his head. Zhuge Yeom was there.

“You say it has no value?”

“Yes.”

Zhuge Yeom gazed quietly at the two and spoke.

“From the Family Head’s perspective, this would be incomprehensible. If they fight carelessly in front of all these people and happen to lose, all the reputation they’ve built up would crumble.”

Tang Cheon-gun nodded.

Hadn’t he experienced this himself?

After losing to Wei Yan-ho, his position had been greatly shaken. There had even been movements within the Tang Family, which he had completely controlled, to push him out.

A warrior’s strength is everything?

Ridiculous.

Humans are ultimately social animals. If there’s a strong person, the weak band together to push out the strong. Strength alone can’t accomplish anything.

Powerful martial force only broadens one’s options and strengthens one’s position, but there are limits to what can be gained through strength alone.

So Tang Cheon-gun couldn’t understand those two. Unless they harbored some grudge against each other, there was no reason for them to fight like that.

“It’s because they have nothing to lose.”

“Nothing to lose?”

Tang Cheon-gun’s eyes filled with puzzlement.

“They’re different from us. They’ve obtained everything through their own power alone. Unlike us, who use family connections, political situations, and human psychology to create power. A position built purely through martial force won’t shake as long as that martial force doesn’t disappear.”

“But what about reputation? Won’t they lose their reputation?”

“As I said, it has no value. They didn’t build up their martial arts to gain a reputation. Reputation followed because they built up their martial arts. Even if Wei Yan-ho became known as the world’s biggest fool tomorrow, would he care?”

“…Now you speak truly.”

“That’s how it is.”

Zhuge Yeom smiled wryly.

He was a strategist.

Strategists always have a certain doubt. They lead forces. They determine and discuss the direction to move forward. Practically speaking, how any force flows is decided by the strategist’s mind.

Then what meaning does a lord have?

The conclusion Zhuge Yeom had reached was singular.

“Being too clever and calculating means missing certain things. If you keep taking detours to avoid losses, when you absolutely must take a loss, you won’t be able to endure it. Those two are people who lead themselves. So they don’t fear losses.”

“I don’t understand. I really don’t understand.”

“We probably will never understand them in our lifetimes. But I can say one thing for certain. Future generations won’t remember you or me, Family Head. But they’ll remember those two. That’s the difference between them and us.”

Tang Cheon-gun’s eyes narrowed.

“Didn’t you used to be wary of the Alliance Leader?”

“I still am. He’s a person with clear limitations. He can pursue martial arts on his own and rise high, but he can’t gather people around him. His limitations are too obvious. But…”

“But?”

“But there’s someone who isn’t like that, isn’t there? Someone around whom people naturally gather, even without doing anything himself.”

Tang Cheon-gun’s gaze fixed on Wei Yan-ho.

“People gather?”

“Isn’t Family Head one of them?”

“Hmm…”

Tang Cheon-gun couldn’t deny it.

Whether intentionally or not, he had summoned Wei Yan-ho himself. Moreover, Tang Cheon-gun was one of the people in the world who could hate Wei Yan-ho the most. Wei Yan-ho had destroyed everything he had built. But far from hating Wei Yan-ho, Tang Cheon-gun was staying near him.

‘Looking back, it’s strange.’

Perhaps it was because he wasn’t angry.

When he lost to Wei Yan-ho, what dominated Tang Cheon-gun wasn’t rage so much as bewilderment and emptiness. There was also respect for a junior heading toward a realm he could never reach. That’s why he didn’t hate him. Instead, he wanted to watch him.

“Emperor Gaozu of Han was just a scoundrel, but countless people risked their lives for him. The Hegemon-King of Chu was a hero among heroes, but ultimately couldn’t defeat Emperor Gaozu. It’s the difference between someone people gather around and someone people leave. What do you think?”

“I don’t understand your intention in saying this to me.”

“The Heavenly Alliance has run its course.”

“…You?”

Tang Cheon-gun turned around with a hardened face. To speak so brazenly when there were too many ears listening.

“Lower your voice.”

“It’s the truth. The Heavenly Alliance was created to surpass the Righteous Martial Alliance in the first place. But it can no longer surpass the Righteous Martial Alliance. The Righteous Martial Alliance has stabilized, and soon the Demonic Cult will rise. Sichuan will probably suffer great damage again. When that happens, whether they stop the Demonic Cult or not, the Heavenly Alliance will never be able to surpass the Righteous Martial Alliance. Then what will happen?”

“It will scatter.”

“A place created for profit loses its value when there’s no profit. From the moment Wei Yan-ho made the Nine Sects submit to the Righteous Martial Alliance, the Heavenly Alliance lost its light. You know this too, Family Head.”

Tang Cheon-gun didn’t answer.

He knew but had been deliberately ignoring the fact. Yet Zhuge Yeom was bringing up that very fact.

“What’s your intention in telling me this now?”

“If the ship is sinking, we must escape. If not that, then we must transfer to a sturdier ship.”

“Where is such a ship?”

“Isn’t it right before Family Head’s eyes?”

Before his eyes?

The only people before his eyes were Wei Yan-ho and Mad Spear. Since Tang Cheon-gun and Mad Spear were already in the same boat, he couldn’t be referring to him.

Then?

“You.”

Tang Cheon-gun’s eyes became slightly menacing.

“Are you now urging me to abandon the Heavenly Alliance and join under the Guangdong Wei Family?”

“Urging…”

Zhuge Yeom looked at Tang Cheon-gun with a subtle smile.

“Am I really urging you?”

“…”

“The Family Head I know is a cautious person. Such a person wouldn’t bring that troublemaker into the Tang Family just to protect his position and stir up unnecessary trouble. In the end, wasn’t it that Family Head wanted to see what kind of person he is? Human nature can only be known through long observation.”

“Hmm.”

Tang Cheon-gun answered with a cold expression.

“You’re flattering me. But I’m not as great a person as you think.”

Zhuge Yeom still didn’t erase his smile as he answered.

“In this world, there are those who move despite uncertainty, and there are those who only move when everything is perfect. But now is not such a time. So I’ll personally give you a push. For the survival of the Tang Family and Zhuge Family, we need a new ship. Even if that ship looks ridiculous and unreliable. Remember this, Family Head. The great ships that shook the world always looked ridiculous. The bigger a ship, the harder it is to build, and the more varied materials must be used.”

Tang Cheon-gun let out a contemplative sound.

“What about you?”

“I’ve already made up my mind.”

“Why recommend it to me?”

Zhuge Yeom smiled wryly.

“Because among all the great people in Sichuan, Family Head is the only one I absolutely want to work with.”

“You’re a ruthless person.”

Tang Cheon-gun shook his head.

This is why strategists are uncomfortable. Talking with them feels like having your insides turned inside out and displayed.

Revealing secretly hidden inner thoughts is always uncomfortable.

“Have you really made up your mind?”

“Yes. What I need isn’t someone perfect. Rather than someone perfect, I need someone great. Everyone can fill in the lacking parts. But you can’t expand a vessel.”

“Great vessel…”

“Yes, that’s right. How about it? If you can’t trust that person, won’t you try trusting me?”

Tang Cheon-gun quietly nodded.

“I understand.”

“…What?”

“Why the Zhuge Family, despite having such brilliant minds, couldn’t grasp the world in their hands.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ll tell you that story later. That’s not what’s important right now.”

Tang Cheon-gun turned his head and fixed his gaze forward. He clearly expressed his intention not to continue the conversation.

‘This is the problem with smart ones.’

Those who see one move ahead always think they can control everything. So they don’t worry about crises and don’t doubt.

‘No matter how brilliant your mind is, there are things in this world that won’t go as you wish.’

For example…

Yes, that guy.

That guy standing casually with one leg cocked in front of sword-wielding Mad Spear.

Control him to fill in the lacking parts?

‘Foolish.’

This guy probably hadn’t properly experienced Wei Yan-ho. He had no idea why those who had experienced Wei Yan-ho always stayed by his side while constantly groaning.

What use are brains and eloquence against someone who can’t be persuaded by duty and logic?

‘You’ll understand once you experience him too.’

Everyone has a plausible plan.

Until they directly face that guy.

Mad Spear was probably the same right now. Tang Cheon-gun smiled wryly.