I’VE CAUGHT UP TO THE ONGOING! Srsly I can’t believe it. I still have a lot of chapters to proofread and edit, but I will be proofreading and editing at a faster speed now. Posting Chapter 1700 on Pateron today, which means 750 posted chapters!

Good things are good, right? (2)

Chung Myung pursed his lips repeatedly in front of Hyun Jong, who looked as if he were embodying the expression ‘trembling with rage.’

“No, I didn’t say anything strange…”

“What?”

“W-wait, Sect Leader! Please calm down!”

Tang Gunak quickly stopped Hyun Jong in a panic. Drawing his sword wouldn’t do anything to the rascal, and he was worried about Hyun Jong’s health deteriorating.

Hyun Jong glared at Tang Gunak, who was desperately holding onto him.

“Chung Myung, are you an idiot or not?”

“Of course I’m not an idiot, right?”

“If you’re not, why do you do things like this!”

Chung Myung’s lips pouted again. He would get angry whether he said he was or wasn’t, so why even ask in the first place?

“No, why do you keep…”

“Why? Why do you mean! How can you say you’re going to give the position of division leader to those kids when they know nothing at all!”

“Of course, they don’t know anything and are ignorant and reckless, so I understand why you wouldn’t trust them at all.”

“…No, it’s not that extreme.”

Hyun Jong quietly shut his mouth. When he said they were immature himself, he didn’t think much of it, but hearing it from this rascal made him oddly irritable. He had raised those children…

“But it’s the same the other way around.”

“Huh?”

“Who do you think should be the division leader, Alliance Leader?”

Hyun Jong hesitated for a moment before answering.

“Well… If we’re going to place someone as the division leader directly under the General, excluding special positions like military commanders or chief administrators, shouldn’t it be someone of the rank of a sect leader? Someone like Sect Leader Jongli or Lord Moyong…”

“So, do you trust those people?”

“Well…”

Hyun Jong was about to say, ‘more than those kids,’ but Chung Myung’s words cut him off.

“What have those people done? They’re just sect leaders by position, but they haven’t even had a proper fight like those Evil Sects’ bastards. To be blunt, they’ve never fought a real battle, let alone a war.”

“…”

“You want to put those pale-faced scholars in charge of so many lives? They’ve never done it before, but since they’ve been sect leaders so far, you just assume they’ll do well?”

Hyun Jong, listening quietly, flinched slightly. It sounded like nonsense, but there was some truth to it. His mind began to feel muddled.

“Well, still…”

“No, Alliance Leader! No matter how unreliable our Saheyongs might be, at least they have countless experiences of fighting for their lives. They’ve led elite forces against Demonic Cult, fought their way out of Gangnam with Haenam, and have proven their ability to handle the enemy without my help during the recent confrontation with Surochae.”

“…”

“Meanwhile, what have those sect leaders proven? Their ability to run a sect? If that’s the case, why not use Master Hwang of Eunha merchant guild? At least he’s good at making money.”

Hyun Jong’s upper body started to lean back slightly. Even though Chung Myung wasn’t speaking forcefully, Hyun Jong felt as if he was being pushed back. Cornered, Hyun Jong quickly turned his head to Tang Gunak for help.

“L-Lord?”

“Yes?”

“What do you think?”

He was basically begging Tang Gunak to do something about this nonsense.

Despite sensing Hyun Jong’s desperate plea, Tang Gunak’s response was far from what Hyun Jong had hoped for.

“I’ve given it some thought, but it doesn’t seem like Hwasan Geomhyeop is entirely wrong.”

“What?”

A sense of betrayal flashed in Hyun Jong’s eyes, as if saying, ‘How could you say that here? You traitor!’

Tang Gunak, with a slightly bitter expression, elaborated.

“In the past, I would have opposed this, but I’ve painfully realized that the ability to manage a clan has little to do with judgment or leadership on the battlefield…”

His shoulders slumped. Hyun Jong squeezed his eyes shut. His mouth had betrayed him – in his urgent state, he had asked the wrong person.

“L-Lord Tang, that’s not what I meant…”

“No, it’s a reasonable question. However… I sincerely think there is merit in Hwasan Geomhyeop’s choice.”

“Do you really think so?”

Tang Gunak nodded heavily.

“If we had any leeway… No, if we had even a bit of face to maintain, I would oppose it, but we’re not in that situation. What we need most right now is proven ability.”

Hyun Jong felt a peculiar mix of reluctance and satisfaction. After all, Tang Gunak had acknowledged that the Five Swords of Hwasan had the ability to lead so many people. As the Alliance Leader and the retired Sect Leader of Hwasan, Hyun Jong couldn’t help but feel pleased, even if it was just a polite gesture.

However, the fleeting joy crumbled when he saw Chung Myung’s smug expression, as if saying, ‘See, I was right.’

That sight solidified his wavering resolve.

“No matter what, this isn’t right!”

“But both the General and the Vice Alliance Leader agree!”

“And I’m the Alliance Leader, you rascal!”

“Dictator!”

“Silence!”

Hyun Jong erupted in anger. It sounded convincing, but ultimately, this was the temptation of a devil. He couldn’t give in easily.

Hyun Jong, ensuring Tang Gunak could hear, spoke sternly.

“If we follow this suggestion, it would mean that not only the elders of each sect but even the sect leaders themselves might have to follow those kids’ orders, wouldn’t it?”

“That’s correct.”

“Does that sound reasonable to you? Do you think the leaders of each sect will truly accept this?”

Tang Gunak remained silent for a moment, seemingly contemplating, before letting out a sigh.

“They will have to accept it.”

“What?”

“They will accept it. No, they must accept it. If there is resistance, I will ensure they accept it.”

Hyun Jong’s mouth dropped open in astonishment.

Tang Gunak’s voice gained confidence, as if stating the obvious.

“Isn’t relinquishing authority and power inherently about this? Opposing this plan would imply they only relinquished authority in words. To prove their sincerity, they must accept this proposal.”

Hyun Jong blinked slowly, wide-eyed.

The more Tang Gunak spoke, the firmer his stance became. As a result Hyun Jong felt himself sinking deeper into the swamp.

“So… really?”

Chung Myung shrugged.

“I’m telling you, it’s true. I mean, if there were an alternative, I would consider another method. But this is the best option right now. Unless the Alliance Leader can think of another way.”

“That…”

“Oh, and just so you know, there are five positions. If you try to fill them with five of the sect leaders within Cheonumaeng, you might find a few of them ready to draw their swords and fight over it.”

Hyun Jong’s hands began to tremble.

A devil. This rascal is a devil.

“What do you all think?”

Unable to win an argument with Chung Myung, Hyun Jong’s gaze fell on Baek Cheon, Yoon Jong, and Jo Geol, who had been dragged into this situation and were sitting uncomfortably. They cautiously responded.

“…The position of the division leader?”

“Yes!”

“Us?”

“That’s right.”

“Why?”

Hyun Jong felt his strength drain away at Jo Geol’s question. They were suggesting making these guys the leaders. These… kids…

“No matter how I think about it, it doesn’t make sense!”

“It’s not about whether it makes sense or not, it’s about whether there’s a better alternative! There isn’t one, is there?”

“Ugh…”

A groan escaped as if he were about to give in. Hyun Jong’s beard trembled with frustration.

“You rascal! If we proceed like this, what will the world say? It’s obvious they’ll accuse the old crazy retired Sect Leader of Hwasan of being blinded by greed, placing his young disciples in the leadership positions out of favoritism!”

“Oh, that’s definitely possible! But, retired Sect Leader, I think we should learn from the Sect Leader of Jongnam.”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

Chung Myung smirked.

“Sect Leader Jongli endured disgrace for the future of his sect. And since you’re no longer even the Sect Leader, wouldn’t it be worth enduring some criticism for… huh?!”

The Plum Blossom Sword spun fiercely and whizzed past Chung Myung’s face.

“Hey, don’t just throw your sword like that! What if it leaves a scar on this handsome face!”

“I threw it because you’re not handsome! I wouldn’t have thrown it if it was Baek Cheon!”

“…That’s a bit hurtful.”

Hyun Jong groaned, holding his head in his hands. Although it sounded like a joke, he knew it wasn’t entirely nonsense. If he were clueless, it would be easier, but knowing the truth made his head spin.

“No. No matter how I think about it, it’s impossible. There’s no justification. This could end up collapsing the Alliance before it even starts.”

At this, Baek Cheon, Yoon Jong, and Jo Geol nodded in unison like seals.

“That’s right, retired Sect Leader.”

“That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“We need to talk sense! And why was Iseol excluded from this?”

“Because she wouldn’t agree.”

“What? So you’re saying we’d do it if you asked us?”

“Yes.”

“…”

It was hard to deny… No, if forced, they’d probably end up doing it while complaining, but still, this didn’t feel right…

At that moment, Yoon Jong and Baek Cheon placed their hands simultaneously on Jo Geol’s broad shoulders.

“Let’s accept it.”

“Honestly, what that bastard is saying makes sense.”

“…Are you serious? Really?”

Why are you trying to live as willing slaves!

Even in the midst of it all, Hyun Jong was busy holding his head in frustration. Chung Myung clicked his tongue.

“So, you’re saying you can’t do it because you’re worried other sect leaders will oppose it, right?”

“Well, it’s not exactly that…”

“Then let’s solve that first, shall we?”

“What?”

“Wait here. I’ll get their approval. Seriously, nothing gets done unless I handle it myself. What a life.”

“Wait, wait! Where are you going, Chung Myung?”

“You said to get approval, didn’t you? I’ll go meet the sect leaders and get it. Ah, I’m already so busy! I’ll be back soon!”

With that, Chung Myung kicked off and shot out like a bolt of lightning. Hyun Jong’s eyes widened as if they would pop out of his head.

“Stop him.”

“What?”

“Catch him! Stop that lunatic immediately! Quickly!”

“Chung Myung, you idiot!”

“No, you can’t say that out loud!”

“For the love of god, act like a human, pleaaase!”

Watching Hwasan’s disciples rush out as if trying to put out a fire, Tang Gunak shook his head.

‘This sect really never has a peaceful day.’

And as for putting the Five Swords in charge… Tang Gunak pondered the idea for a moment and let out a chuckle.

In truth, Chung Myung’s suggestion wasn’t entirely random. Currently, in Gangho, there were few who had faced as many crises or led people through those crises as they had. Looking back, the Five Swords had been diligently preparing to lead someone, whether by choice or by a well-crafted plan.

This meant…

‘This proposal isn’t just a spur-of-the-moment idea.’

Perhaps, Hwasan Geomhyeop had been planning this for a long time…

Tang Gunak shook his head, cutting off his endless thoughts.

‘That’s too much of a stretch.’

Such precision isn’t within human capability. Even with preparation, timing it so perfectly would be impossible.

Nonetheless, if everything happened according to Chung Myung’s plan, it would be an unprecedented event in the history of Gangho.

Even the usually unfazed Jang Ilso would be left speechless.

‘It sounds absurd, but I have to admit, I’m curious.’

He wondered what Cheonumaeng led by the Five Swords of Hwasan, who moved as one, would look like.

Tang Gunak’s fingertips trembled slightly. It was a mix of mild excitement and an anticipation he couldn’t suppress as a warrior.