CLS-Chapter 627

Chapter 627:

Divine Strategist coughed lightly to clear the atmosphere and continued speaking.

“As you all know, the current situation is not very favorable.”

Divine Strategist’s gaze briefly glanced at Wei Yan-ho.

“Things have improved somewhat thanks to the great deed accomplished by Wei Yan-ho of the Guangdong Wei Family, but we are still standing on the edge of a precipice.”

Wei Jeong-han smacked his lips.

Not just as a father, but even from the standpoint of being Wei Yan-ho’s acquaintance, he hoped for a bit more praise for what Wei Yan-ho had accomplished.

What Wei Yan-ho had done was truly a remarkable achievement. No matter how urgent the situation, surely there would be time to commend Wei Yan-ho a little before moving on.

But Divine Strategist hurriedly summarized the situation.

While understandable, it was inevitably disappointing.

“Strategist.”

Gong Mu, who had kept his eyes closed until now, quietly spoke.

“Just saying the situation is urgent doesn’t seem to properly convey the current circumstances. I know time is insufficient, but could you provide a more detailed explanation?”

“Yes, Sect Leader Abbot.”

Divine Strategist cleared his throat.

“Hundred Sword Castle has retreated for now. They seem to have entered reorganization. The reorganization will probably take some time.”

“The reason it takes time?”

“Because it’s difficult to instantly restore fallen morale. And since an unacceptable defeat has occurred, questions of responsibility toward the commander Baek Hoe-myeong will arise. To settle all of this, the Hundred Sword Castle Lord will have no choice but to step forward personally. However!”

Divine Strategist shrugged his shoulders.

“That alone won’t solve the problem. If there’s an issue with military strength, you can just reinforce it, but fallen morale cannot be raised instantly.”

“Hmm.”

“Of course, unexpected situations always occur. We must prepare sufficiently, but in any case, we can say we’ve bought time.”

“Then wouldn’t that be a good thing?”

“Of course.”

Divine Strategist’s gaze turned toward Wei Yan-ho.

“You’ve accomplished something remarkable. As the temporary Alliance Leader of the Righteous Martial Alliance, and as the strategist of the Righteous Martial Alliance, I express gratitude to Wei Yan-ho of the Guangdong Wei Family.”

“Hmm.”

“Indeed!”

Everyone nodded their heads.

In any case, Wei Yan-ho’s achievement could not be denied. Everyone acknowledged that fact.

“Certainly so. But Strategist, it feels strange. According to your words, we’ve bought time. Then why do you keep saying we’re in an urgent situation?”

“Because the Demonic Cult is approaching.”

Divine Strategist spoke firmly without a moment’s hesitation.

“The Demonic Cult has already entered Shaanxi. A clash will occur soon. Though Zhongnan and Huashan are establishing defensive lines, it’s difficult for them alone to hold them back.”

“Then?”

“Sichuan is moving. The Heavenly Alliance is leading troops to support Shaanxi.”

“Indeed.”

Divine Strategist’s voice became somewhat heavier.

“But even if the Heavenly Alliance and Shaanxi join forces, they cannot stop the Demonic Cult. You all remember what kind of place the Demonic Cult is.”

“……”

No answer came back.

But the silence was a more certain expression of affirmation than anything else.

How could they forget?

Those demon-like beings.

Every sect present here had experienced war with the Demonic Cult and suffered from its aftereffects. Just when they had finally shaken off their wounds and were aiming for revival, the Demonic Cult was invading again.

“The situation is not good. In the past, even mobilizing all of Jianghu’s power, we could not defeat the Demonic Cult. We could barely achieve a draw and push them back.”

‘We didn’t even push them back ourselves.’

They had simply withdrawn on their own. If the war had continued, ultimately the losing side would have been the Central Plains.

Though he couldn’t acknowledge it in the past, now that time had passed, he could admit it. No matter how hard Divine Strategist tried and Gwon Geuk risked his life, they would have eventually lost.

The reason their necks were still attached was simple. It was merely because the Great Demon Emperor had been capricious.

But he couldn’t say that openly.

“Moreover, this time there’s also Hundred Sword Castle.”

“Hmm……”

A heavy sigh flowed.

“Realistically speaking, facing both Hundred Sword Castle and the Demonic Cult simultaneously with Jianghu’s current military strength is impossible.”

“Strategist, why do you speak such weak words?”

“I am the strategist of the Righteous Martial Alliance.”

Divine Strategist spoke firmly.

“My job is not to spout empty optimism. It’s to coldly assess reality and come up with countermeasures. To do that, I need to view the current situation with cold eyes.”

A low sigh.

And the words that followed.

“If we look at reality coldly, we are currently being pushed into a defensive position. The phrase ‘standing on the edge of a precipice’ is not an exaggeration. We’ve only gained victory once in a narrow local battle, but haven’t reversed the overall situation.”

Divine Strategist looked around at everyone.

Though some expressed indignation, no one could refute Divine Strategist’s words.

Because that was reality.

There couldn’t be anyone here who could claim their military strength was strong. If there were, they would be someone who couldn’t see reality. Such a person could never have risen to the high position of sect leader.

“Then?”

“Therefore, we must choose.”

“What choice?”

“What we must do first in this current situation!”

Divine Strategist continued speaking without pause.

“If we’re going to be pushed back anyway, we must gamble. Shaanxi cannot stop the Demonic Cult. Realistically speaking, the obvious move would be to support Shaanxi right now.”

“That’s right.”

“But if we do that, it would be certain defeat.”

When the words “certain defeat” came out, the crowd’s eyes narrowed.

“If we clumsily try to stop the Demonic Cult, Hundred Sword Castle will break through from behind. While we waste time on the Demonic Cult, they will complete their reorganization and bite at our rear more carefully but more viciously than before. If we can’t handle even the Demonic Cult alone and such a thing happens, we won’t be able to endure.”

“Then what should we do?”

“I think……”

Divine Strategist’s voice was utterly dark. Everyone shuddered at the coldness carried in that voice.

“We must abandon Shaanxi.”

“……”

A terrible atmosphere swept through the hall.

Only after a long while did someone speak. Unexpectedly, it was Wei Jeong-han who opened his mouth.

“You said abandon?”

“That’s right.”

“……Strategist.”

“I know it’s harsh words. But right now there’s no other way.”

“……”

After clearing the atmosphere with a few coughs, Divine Strategist opened his mouth.

“Just as Emperor Gaozu of Han grabbed Xiang Yu’s ankles and held on while the Marquis of Huaiyin pacified the realm. While Shaanxi grabs the Demonic Cult’s ankles, we must pacify the realm including Hundred Sword Castle. Only then can we discuss a final battle with the Demonic Cult.”

“But……”

Wei Jeong-han slightly bit his lip.

Of course, strategically speaking, that might be correct. But Shaanxi and Sichuan were not Emperor Gaozu of Han. And the Demonic Cult was a more fearsome existence than Xiang Yu.

He couldn’t guarantee that Shaanxi’s sects could grab the Demonic Cult’s ankles as Emperor Gaozu had done.

“Everyone will die.”

These were words no one wanted to voice. But Wei Jeong-han had to say them.

“With their military strength, they cannot stop the Demonic Cult. All of the Strategist’s plans are only possible when Shaanxi can grab and hold onto the Demonic Cult’s ankles.”

“I know that too.”

“Then how?”

“There’s no other method. Even if they can’t stop them, it’s fine if they can just buy time.”

Wei Jeong-han’s face contorted.

“Setting aside Shaanxi, isn’t Sichuan also there? Sichuan has always suffered direct damage from the Demonic Cult. Are you forcing them to sacrifice again?”

“Is there another way?”

Divine Strategist’s voice was cold.

“War is like that. Someone must sacrifice, and someone must take on that role.”

“But how can that……”

“Listen here, Jeong-han.”

“……”

Divine Strategist sighed and said.

“Which is the better choice: Jianghu perishing while trying to share sacrifices equally, or having the opportunity to compensate by surviving through someone’s sacrifice?”

Wei Jeong-han lowered his head.

Divine Strategist was right. For now, Jianghu’s survival was the priority.

No one could easily speak.

Strange emotions were swirling.

Guilt and relief.

The guilt of again building new plans on someone else’s sacrifice, and the relief that they themselves were not included in that sacrifice—both emotions filled those present simultaneously.

“But you know.”

At that moment, Wei Yan-ho spoke.

“Speak.”

“I understand what you’re saying, but there’s something I want to ask.”

“What?”

“Do those people know that they’re supposed to play that ankle-grabbing role?”

“……”

Divine Strategist couldn’t answer and closed his mouth.

“People can play any role depending on circumstances. I understand that. But it’s different whether they know they’re playing such a role or they’re caught unaware.”

“……That would be so.”

“But what if those people are caught unaware? If I were them, even if we eventually defeated the Demonic Cult, I would never want to forgive the Righteous Martial Alliance. Then wouldn’t Jianghu split left and right again and enter war?”

“That won’t happen.”

“Why?”

“Because they won’t have the strength left to wage war. War is something that occurs between comparable forces.”

“Wow!”

Wei Yan-ho nodded.

“Strategist Grandfather, you’re more cold-hearted than I thought.”

Divine Strategist didn’t answer and closed his eyes.

The point Wei Yan-ho raised was quite an important factor. But it was also something no one wanted to voice.

Emperor Gaozu of Han had wallowed in mud to conquer the realm himself. But now, Shaanxi’s sects didn’t want to take on such a role.

They were defending their positions believing that the Righteous Martial Alliance would come to support them as quickly as possible. Abandoning them to deal with Hundred Sword Castle first was tantamount to betraying them.

But what could be done?

There was no other way.

“You call it a choice, but we don’t really have a choice. That’s the only method, right? It’s already proceeding that way?”

Divine Strategist sighed and opened his mouth.

“You can blame me if you must. No, go ahead and blame me. I must win by any means necessary.”

“I don’t intend to blame you. It’s just a bit… They wouldn’t necessarily run away just because you inform them.”

Just as Divine Strategist was about to respond, someone raised their hand.

“Please speak, Sect Leader.”

Baek San, the sect leader of Hainan Sect, looked around once and opened his mouth.

“That’s one thing, but I think we need to discuss something else first.”

“What is it?”

“The matter concerning Wei Yan-ho.”

Baek San’s eyes sharply fixed on Wei Yan-ho.