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#528
Taejonbirok Volume 22, Episode 3
Chapter 118: The Lazy Man Goes Wild (3)
If we were to describe in two words the plan to burn down the entire temple and steal its treasures, it would be as follows.
plunder.
Right now, Wei Yanho was declaring that he would plunder the Demonic Cult's headquarters while the main force was away. The reaction of those who heard this bold declaration was unanimous.
“That crazy guy.”
“You crazy bastard.”
“Crazy… Wooden Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.”
“What? The Bodhisattva is crazy?”
“Shut up the alms-giver.”
Where is the royal road to military strategy?
Even the greatest military general, Sun Tzu, can't claim his own military strategy is unconditionally correct. A man consumed by such arrogance would never have been able to create the legendary book The Art of War.
So, no military strategy could be criticized as ugly or criticized as stupid.
but…….
“That deadly guy.”
"reptile."
“It is the minimum that a person should do.”
“Amitabha, hell awaits alms.”
“It’s my child, but he’s a bit…….”
Wi Yeon-ho nodded happily at such reactions.
"Good, good. The more curses I get back, the more appropriate and excellent my strategy is. I will become a ghost to protect the Central Plains!"
Jang-il's face suddenly distorted.
“You crazy bastard.”
"huh?"
“Even if the main force is away, does it make sense to invade the Demonic Cult?”
“Why doesn’t it work?”
Jang-il held up two fingers.
“There are two reasons why your plan is meaningless.”
“What is it?”
Jang Il said, clicking his tongue.
“First, no one knows who might be in there right now.”
“Why don’t you know?”
Wi Yeon-ho looked at Jang Il with a pitiful expression.
"I explained everything. There's no way the Demonic Cult would leave behind troops. This is an all-out war. And if we lose, we'll all die. If we were going to mobilize a weak force, we wouldn't have even started."
“Did you check?”
“Huh?”
Jang-il said with a stern face.
“Did you check?”
“I didn’t check it. How can I check it?”
“But how can you be sure?”
Jang Il looked back at Zhuge Liang.
"All the schemes in the world originate in the mind, but what makes those plans come to fruition is thorough verification and coordination. Isn't that right?"
“The beggar is right.”
“……Can’t you call me Jang-il? Or at least Sogeulgae.”
“The beggar’s words are true.”
“…….”
The beggar, no, Jang-il looked at the distant sky with sad eyes.
'If I could go back in time, I'd rip the mouth of that beggar who told me to open up.'
They say that a moment's choice can determine the rest of his life, but the profession of a beggar, which he chose without much thought, was becoming a lifelong regret for him.
"anyway!"
“Oh, that’s surprising. Why are you yelling?”
Jang Il ignored Wi Yeon-ho's complaint and continued speaking.
“Do you think we’re going into the Demonic Cult knowing what’s inside?”
“Then why don’t you just check?”
"check?"
Wi Yeon-ho said with a smirk.
"What's so difficult about that? Someone just needs to go and check."
“Oh, right. So you’re going to go?”
Wei Yanho shook his head. His eyes were filled with energy.
“Although I may be frivolous and talk loosely…….”
“I know very well.”
“Did you know?”
“I know, but why are you doing that?”
“…….”
The corners of Wei Yanho's mouth trembled.
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But Wei Yanho continued speaking without losing his composure.
"He who makes plans and gives orders cannot act on his own. While I'd certainly like to go myself, a true leader must also know how to exercise restraint for the greater good."
“It’s a bit strange, but what you said is true.”
“I couldn’t be more right.”
Jang Il agreed, and Jegal Mun-in added his opinion.
“Then who is going?”
Wi Yeon-ho's gaze turned to Jang Il.
"……me?"
"Anyone who goes on a reconnaissance mission must be nimble, quick-witted, and able to discern the enemy's movements with a single glance. Among us, there are few who fit that description…"
"……me?"
"huh."
Jang Il's face turned pale.
He was about to start a fight, but ended up rushing into the Demonic Cult in a single bound. Jang-il, sweat dripping down his face, changed his tune.
“Well, of course, how many troops are inside is also important. But……”
“But, you are right. Go quickly and check.”
“Hey, calm down and listen to me!”
Jang-il shouted desperately.
“If you hear the second reason, you’ll realize that reconnaissance is meaningless.”
“Oh, you’re really tongue-tied.”
Wi Yeon-ho clicked his tongue. But he nodded as if he would listen to her final struggle.
"say it."
"What guarantee is there that they'll change their minds if we burn that place and cause chaos? You told me. They're desperately trying to conquer the Central Plains. Do you think those who go to war will come back if their homes burn down?"
"huh."
“……Huh?”
"huh."
Wei Yanho said it as if it were so obvious.
“Of course I’ll come back. I’ll probably run here barefoot.”
“Why? You said you risked everything to go to the Central Plains.”
"yes."
"But why did you come back? Why don't you speak frankly? Then I'll understand!"
“Because it’s a demonic cult.”
“…….”
Jang Il looked at Wi Yeon-ho with sullen eyes. There couldn't be any reason for such a ridiculous statement. Who on earth would be convinced by such words?
“Oh, I see!”
“……Don’t be convinced, Inma!”
Jang Il shouted at Zhuge Liang. "This is why I don't like to associate with smart people."
"Your Majesty, you are right. You are truly admirable. You have accurately pointed out something I hadn't even considered."
“Yeah, you guys are great.”
Jang-il spit on the floor.
"I know you're so great, but if you're so great, explain what's really going on. Why are you saying the Demonic Cult is returning?"
“It’s literally true. It’s because they are a demonic cult.”
“No, that’s…….”
Those who have eaten a lot of ink have a habit of twisting their words. However, Jang Il, even if he didn't know about Zhuge Liang, couldn't acknowledge Wei Yanhu as a person who had eaten a lot of ink.
“Tsk tsk… You beggar, if you pretend, you’ll get what you pay for.”
“What are you talking about? You can’t even read the Thousand Character Classic.”
“What, Inma?”
Wi Yeon-ho, who had been stabbed in the sore spot, ran towards Jang Il, struggling, but Wi Jeong-han kicked him away without hesitation.
“Shut up, you punk! You should know shame!”
“Wow!”
Since the speaker was a righteous man, even Wei Yanhu did not dare to act rashly.
“But you……”
“Yes, the Great Hero.”
Zhuge Liang bowed his head respectfully. He was even more respectful to Wei Yanhu, whom he served.
"I don't quite understand either. Because they're demonic? What does that mean?"
"Yes. Let me explain, Great Hero. It's exactly as I said. If they were another force, they might not return. But because they're a demonic cult, they have no choice but to return."
“You’re coming back because you’re a demon?”
“Yes. Because the Demonic Cult is a religion.”
"ah……."
Wi Jeong-han tilted his head. It seemed like he could understand, but he couldn't.
"For other factions, the main sect is ultimately nothing more than a residence. Where they are is important. The main sect can be rebuilt, and that's it. If I could gain the world in exchange for abandoning the main sect, I would choose it without hesitation."
“Isn’t that a given?”
“But the church is different.”
Zhuge Liang turned his head and looked at Musan.
“Musan.”
“Why are you calling, sir?”
“What would you do if, instead of burning down Mount Sung, you could bring the world under the name of Shaolin?”
“That’s nonsense.”
Musan shook his head.
"Shaolin didn't seek to rule the world in the first place. What good would a Buddhist sect do by ruling the world? We seek to save the common people, not rule them. Besides…"
Musan gave the answer that Zhuge Liang wanted.
"Even if you wish to do so, it still makes no sense. Sungsan Mountain contains everything Shaolin has to offer. It contains the direction Shaolin seeks to take, its soul, and the footsteps of countless Buddhist scriptures and sages. Without it, how can Shaolin truly be called Shaolin?"
“Yes.”
Zhuge Liang turned his head as if to tell me to look at it.
"If Volcano had heard this question, his answer would undoubtedly have been different. Volcanoes are secular, seeking practical gain. But those in the realm of religion cannot let go of their roots."
“Hmm.”
Wi Jeong-han finally understood.
"Moreover, the Demonic Cult's obsession with their sect is incomparably stronger than that of Shaolin. If religion were something they could compromise with reality, they wouldn't have waged war against the Central Plains in the first place, nor would they have cultivated this barren land. They would have simply hidden their beliefs and blended in with the Central Plains. But for them, religion is not something they can compromise on. It's something they must persevere through. Those are the people…"
Zhuge Liang coughed lightly.
“With the Holy Land burning, there’s no way I won’t return. I’ll definitely be caught.”
“Maybe only some of them will come back?”
“Who are you catching for a reason?”
Zhuge Liang glanced at Wei Yanhu.
"indeed."
Although the Demonic Cult is said to be teeming with masters like a swarm of bees, Wei Yanhu is no pushover. To defeat Wei Yanhu without harm, several bishops would have to step forward. However, the departure of a bishop would result in a significant weakening of the force. It would be difficult to blindly charge into the Central Plains without such a significant force.
“It’s definitely worth a try.”
Compared to Yeommong's operation, it was several times more realistic.
“One by one.”
Wi Jeong-han's face hardened.
"If Brother Yeommong's words are true, then there are innocent people living there too. If we set fire to the main temple, there will inevitably be sacrifices. Are you willing to accept that?"
The question was not directed at Zhuge Liang.
Wi Jeong-han's gaze was directed squarely at Wi Yeon-ho.
“Wouldn’t it be less fatal than if the Demonic Cult invaded the Central Plains?”
“Are they guilty?”
“The people of the Central Plains are not guilty either.”
"Just because your opponent is trying to kill innocent people, do you intend to fight back by killing innocent people? Is that your way?"
"to……."
Wi Yeon-ho tilted his head.
“I never thought about that?”
“…….”
"Do I really have to think that far and act accordingly? I just want to use it because I have a method. Why would I even think that far?"
Wi Jeong-han sighed.
Well, that's true. Why would Wei Yanho care about something like that? He'd just do it if he had the means.
“And we can solve that too.”
"huh?"
Wi Yeon-ho chuckled.
“You just have to not kill me.”
“Are you going to resist?”
“It might hurt a little, but…….”
Wi Yeon-ho shrugged.
“It’s better than dying. And it might be fun.”
fun?
Did you just say it was fun?
Wi Jeong-han became increasingly anxious as he watched Wi Yeon-ho giggle.