Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1549

After the initial shock, things started to move quickly.

Many important people were there. The meeting could have been very long, but…

“Ah, just say what you need to say! Only what you need to say! So, is it possible or not?”

The situation was urgent and time was short. This broke down all the usual polite rules of a meeting.

“We can’t fight this by moving in big groups like whole sects,” someone argued. “The enemies are everywhere in Gangbuk, the northern region, aren’t they?”

“So, what do you suggest then?” another leader asked quickly.

“We need to break ourselves up too!” Im So-byeong said firmly. “Into small pieces, just like them!”

Im So-byeong, who was in charge of seventy-two mountain fortresses, easily suggested dividing the groups into many smaller parts, like his fortresses. He stated his main idea clearly.

“That’s an overreach. They can just wreak havoc wherever they set foot, but we need to move carefully! How can those scattered throughout the Central Plains communicate and respond to Jang Il-so’s movements?”

“Don’t look for reasons why it can’t be done, find ways to make it happen!”

“No, but what exactly…”

“Communication problem? Attach someone who *can* communicate! Beggars’ Sect – get us support! One beggar per group!”

“Ah!”

“It’s difficult to respond immediately with just the Beggars’ Sect alone.”

“If we send ten groups to one area, place a Phantom Gate disciple in the central group. Then we can use messengers instead of carrier pigeons.”

“There are some creatures that are quite fast, though not as fast as Baek Ah. It might be good to use them. However, to do that, a spirit animal and an archer must move together.”

“Even so, it’s not an easy task. We might have to go all the way to Zhejiang, and from Shanxi to Zhejiang (a very long distance across the land)…”

“Select a few suitable mountain fortresses and make them temporary command posts. Create one temporary command post in each region, receive initial reports, issue instructions, and then create a system to report to the Cheonwu Alliance headquarters.”

Tang Gunak, Maeng So, and Im So-byeong quickly filled in the necessary elements, proving they were experienced leaders. Their experience combined with the passion of the young.

“That’s not enough! We need to bring the physicians we trained this time to each group!”

“Hmm, already?”

“Absolutely.”

“But the necessary training might not be finished yet.”

“There’s no end to medicine. But it’s a hundred times better than nothing, so we have no choice. We should prioritize those who already knew medicine or were from the Tang family over those who are learning from scratch!”

Tang Gunak nodded. If they discussed it a little more, a better solution might emerge, but in the current situation, even the time for a short argument was precious.

“Then do that. Immediately inform the Beggars’ Sect and the Phantom Gate of the situation and request support.”

“Yes, Vice Leader!”

Tang Gunak decisively wrapped up the situation.

“Which sects will go?”

“The Namgung will go!”

“Hainan will go!”

“Wait a moment. The Ice Palace doesn’t have much to offer in terms of support, so you should naturally send our Ice Palace!”

The sects led by young leaders were all full of vigor.

But Tang Gunak was cold-blooded.

“Green Forest King!”

“Yes.”

“Make a selection.”

“Neither Namgung nor Hainan will do.”

“Green Forest King!”

Namgung Dowi flared up and jumped to his feet. But Im So-byeong spoke as if he didn’t even see him.

“It doesn’t matter now which sect is strong, which sect is more eager and motivated. Each group can only be composed of about ten people at most. So, what we need to focus on now is…”

“The leader of the group.”

“Yes.”

Im So-byeong quickly nodded.

“The number of groups will be determined by the number of capable group leaders. Hainan and Namgung lack manpower.”

“Wh-what about the Ice Palace?”

“How can those who don’t even know the geography lead a group?”

“Ah…”

Seol So-baek sighed with a pitiful expression. Im So-byeong continued.

“It’s right to form about ten groups centered around Mount Hua and the Tang family, and receive additional support from one or two groups from each sect.”

Tang Gunak quickly nodded.

Mount Hua and the Tang family are the center of the Cheonwu Alliance. If those two sects are at the center of this dispatch, then naturally the defenses of Mount Hua will inevitably weaken.

But with the support of Jongnam, there is no better plan than this. It was a self-evident fact.

“Alliance Leader.”

As the general outline was finished, Hyun Jong slowly nodded.

“Hmm, then do as…”

“Then would it be alright for Jongnam to support about one group as well?”

Everyone was surprised and turned their heads. There was Lee Song-baek, standing with a firm face and a determined look. Jin Geum-ryong spoke coldly.

“Shut your mouth, Lee Song-baek.”

“If they hear this news, there will definitely be those in Jongnam who will want to step forward. Rather than keeping them tied up here, wouldn’t it be better to let them carry out their will?”

“Isn’t that what you want?”

Jin Geum-ryong glared with sharp eyes, but Lee Song-baek remained silent without answering. A cold sneer formed on Jin Geum-ryong’s lips.

“We were in no position to criticize Mount Hua.”

“Senior Brother.”

“Do as you please. There’s nothing more tiring than trying to make a person out of a fool. A fool should act like a fool.”

The words were full of criticism, reproach, and ridicule, but Lee Song-baek smiled brightly. Knowing this bad-tempered senior brother well, he understood the meaning of permission hidden within.

“Then Jongnam will join as well.”

Tang Gunak pressed his temples as if he had a headache.

‘So…’

Mount Hua, the Tang family… Namgung and Hainan, and even Jongnam.

If those five sects each form a group, the medical team and the Beggars’ Sect will follow, and the Phantom Gate and the Green Forest will support.

In conclusion…

“What a terrible mishmash.”

It was a mess.

It was a composition that couldn’t be called an alliance or a sect in the first place. It was just pouring in as many available people as possible and cutting and pasting them arbitrarily. But…

“Nevertheless.”

Chung Myung smiled as if he understood Tang Gunak’s feelings.

“It certainly seems like this is the most reasonable result?”

Tang Gunak nodded, thinking that he wanted to yank that smiling mouth left and right once in a while.

“If we add the words ‘among the measures that can be prepared within this limited time’… I’ll acknowledge it.”

Tang Gunak sighed deeply and turned to Hyun Jong.

“Alliance Leader.”

“I approve.”

Hyun Jong answered without a moment’s hesitation. All he could do now was reduce unnecessary formalities.

“However, the strength of the groups should not be weak. We cannot suffer damage in an effort to reduce damage.”

Tang Gunak sharply scanned everyone.

“Did you all hear that?”

“Yes.”

“Then how should we form the groups?”

Tang Gunak coldly replied to Baek Cheon’s question.

“Why are you asking me that?”

“Yes?”

“Those who want to step forward should form their own groups. Gathering suitable people and attracting them under your command will also be the ability of the group leader.”

At those words, the faces of several people became determined.

“The number of people in one group should be at least five. A Beggars’ Sect member, a physician, and, depending on the situation, an archer from the Beast Palace will follow. Form the groups so that they exceed five but do not exceed ten in total. Do not forget that the more people there are, the less danger there will be.”

“Yes!”

“I won’t wait. There are two conditions. It must have enough power to be recognized by me. And it must be fast. We will examine and decide on approval in the order they arrive, and the moment the number of groups I have in mind is reached, those after that will be eliminated without examination.”

It was a matter of course.

Even with the support of Jongnam, they could not recklessly remove the power of Mount Hua.

So, even if they allowed it to the fullest extent, the power they could send out would not exceed thirty percent.

On this matter alone, they would not accept any consultation or coordination. Seeing Tang Gunak’s serious face, everyone answered briefly.

“Yes, Vice Leader!”

“Go!”

As soon as the words were spoken, Jo Gul quickly turned to look at his fellow disciples.

“We don’t need to worry…! Huh? S-Senior Brother? Uncle?”

But the Five Swords, except for him, had already turned around and were running out of the conference room.

“No, Senior Brother! Where are you going?”

“Of course, I’m going to form a group.”

“If we form it among ourselves…”

Jo Gul closed his mouth for a moment. He realized belatedly that now was not the time to concentrate power.

If there are strong people, it is much more beneficial to act as a group leader rather than gathering together. Even for the sake of the common people.

But that, in other words…

“…Am I the group leader?”

That means he has to find at least five people who trust him and are willing to risk their lives.

“Huh?”

Jo Gul’s face turned pale.

“S-Senior Brother! Let’s go together! Please include me in your group! Senior Brother!”

Mount Hua, which greeted the morning, was in chaos like a stirred-up beehive.

“Senior Brother! Please take me with you! Me!”

“You’re going to fight the Demonic Sect guys! Who will go if I don’t go?”

The entire Cheonwu Alliance was buzzing with the news that they were recruiting people to be dispatched to Gangbuk.

Some people were quietly pulling their butts out, saying it was ominous, but most of them immediately grabbed their well-honed swords and stepped forward.

“Let’s make one more group!”

“Didn’t they say the power must be strong? Two groups will do!”

“Namgung is going to Anhui, so how can only two groups be enough? We must make one more group.”

In the meantime, the interests of the sects were intertwined.

“Sago! Please take me with you!”

“Samae! You haven’t forgotten me, have you? Huh?”

“Monk! I gave you meat last time, didn’t I?”

“Hey! I gave you alcohol, alcohol! Meat is something you can get by beating up animals, but alcohol is much more important! In the first place, this guy often goes hunting alone, right?”

“…What kind of life have you been living, Monk?”

Some people were easily filling five and were worried about who to exclude because of the more and more support pouring in…

“W-with me…”

“Hiiiik!”

“U-Uncle! With me!”

“Ptooey!”

…There were also those who were having a hard time finding people like Jo Gul.

But it was certain that numerous groups were being organized in real time amidst all this.

“Five people?”

“Yes.”

“It seems like a few more would be better, but if that’s what Senior Brother thinks. Don’t worry. A short time will be enough.”

“Will that be enough? It won’t be easy to gather five people.”

“What are you talking about, Senior Brother? A short time is all we need to pick the best from those who want to join us. If we just grab anyone, we could have a group before we even take a breath.”

“…Really?”

“Geez. Senior Brother, you underestimate yourself too much sometimes. The Deputy Head of Mount Hua is going, so isn’t it obvious!”

Baek Sang’s words made Baek Cheon smile bitterly.

“Okay. Anyway, hurry up.”

“Yes!”

Baek Sang, who received Baek Cheon’s instructions, ran off in a hurry. It was when Baek Cheon, who was quietly watching his back, let out a small sigh.

“Stupidity is incurable.”

Baek Cheon, startled, turned around.

A familiar but also endlessly unfamiliar face, as if looking at a mirror, was approaching him.

“Why bother creating a group that will be eliminated anyway?”

“If you’ve come to pick a fight, get lost. I don’t have time to deal with you.”

“Would that be the case, my dear brother?”

Jin Geum-ryong smiled gently.

“Rather, it’s the opposite.”

“What?”

“You’re useless as a group leader, but you’re still useful as a member. How about it? Won’t you join my group?” Jin Geum-ryong quickly glanced at Lee Song-baek, a flicker of worry in his eyes before he looked away.

Flames sparked in Baek Cheon’s eyes.