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#549
Taejonbirok Volume 22, Episode 24
Chapter 122: The Lazy Man Arrives (4)
'I feel dirty.'
Sima Qianse, feeling the oppressive atmosphere surrounding him, clenched and unclenched his fist.
Sweat is seeping from my palms.
The tension of having to fight the enemy now?
It wasn't that. It was the heavy air of the battlefield that weighed him down.
People are all the same, but those facing battle exude a completely different energy than usual.
Tension, fear, and an unknown sense of unease.
The air created by all of this spreads quickly, infecting others. Soon, everyone on the battlefield feels a similar sensation.
It was a strange thing.
It's impossible for tens of thousands of people to feel similar emotions simultaneously. But on the battlefield, it's possible. It's a place where the morale of a million-strong army can be shattered in an instant, or where morale soars thanks to the actions of one individual.
'So this is where monsters live.'
The thought of returning to that battlefield once again made Kwon-geuk feel dirty.
There are no winners in war.
Even an overwhelming victory inevitably comes with losses. What was lost could never be recovered. The fact that he would now have to start a losing battle again was driving Kwon Geuk crazy.
“It’s been a while, Your Majesty.”
Among those who came to greet him, a man wearing a Taoist robe stepped forward and gave a lottery ticket.
“It’s been a while.”
“It’s been a really long time.”
“It seems like we weren’t that distant, but we’re both busy, so it’s not easy to see each other.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Although Kwon Geuk was subtly teasing the relationship between the old faction and the Jeongmu Alliance that had grown distant since the war, Song Hyeon vaguely dismissed Kwon Geuk's words.
'Tsk.'
I have my complaints, but I don't see any reason to blame anyone now. We can't afford to be divided among our allies in the run-up to war.
“Has Shaolin arrived yet?”
“They say it will arrive soon.”
"hmm……."
Kwon Geuk furrowed his brows.
Since Baekgeomseong hadn't yet entered the Hapbi, it wouldn't be a major problem. However, it was also true that the slow response was annoying.
'Am I being impatient?'
Kwon Geuk suppressed his wavering heart.
I was proud that I was now old enough to enjoy peace of mind, unlike back then when I was just caught up in the war. However, the approaching air of war was shattering that pride.
No one can easily accept war.
Even veterans who have battled a hundred battles find war burdensome. Kwon Geuk was now realizing this truth anew.
“Hasn’t the scouts of Baekgeomseong arrived yet?”
"It seems a small number of them are in the mix, but it's difficult to block them all."
“I see. Let’s go in.”
Kwon Geuk started walking ahead.
Kwon-geuk went through the tents set up on the left and right, and headed towards the large tent in the center, opening the door and going inside.
“It’s better maintained than I thought.”
"The influential members of Hapbi are providing tents and food. The Namgung family has also provided significant assistance."
Kwon Geuk turned his gaze to Namgung Jo-wi. Namgung Jo-wi smiled and nodded.
"It's my job to stop foreign enemies from invading my land. It's only natural that I should give up the most."
"indeed."
Kwon Geuk's mind was slightly relieved.
'Experience gives me strength in times like these.'
Twenty years ago, when the Demonic Cult invaded Central Plains, the Central Plains' biggest mistake was thinking that the war would end soon.
Although the Demonic Cult has invaded countless times, it's rare for these wars to escalate into full-scale, all-out war. The Demonic Cult didn't seek the entire Central Plains, but rather land on which to establish a foothold, and fighting has always broken out on the outskirts of the Central Plains.
Even if the Demonic Cult won the preliminary battle, it would never advance to the heart of the Central Plains. Therefore, those living in the Shaanxi rear, despite knowing the Demonic Cult was on the offensive, attempted to preserve their forces.
And that strangled the central plains.
No one would risk harm to block a blade that couldn't reach them. The Central Plains, witnessing the incoming demonic cult offensive, split into two factions.
Those who need to stop them immediately and those who need to support them.
Those who were supposed to stop them fought fiercely, bloody battles, while those who were supposed to support them enjoyed the war with a relaxed mind. It was just a show.
When those who should have been blocking them could no longer resist and retreated, the Demonic Cult, unlike before, surged into the Central Plains. Then, a fire fell on their feet.
Those who had to be stopped.
Sacheon never forgot the grudge from that time, and formed the Cheon Il-ryeon, splitting from the Jeongmu Alliance. The original sin lies with them.
And that war taught the Central Plains a profound lesson: there is no safe zone from the Demonic Cult's offensive. Unless we fight with all our might, we will ultimately be defeated.
That lesson is being applied now.
“You said they were influential people?”
"The powerful are powerful, but the commercial world is also supporting them. They say they hope this turmoil will end quickly."
"hmm."
It's an all-out war.
The war was rapidly escalating. Unlike previous wars, where even a small spark eventually ignited a catastrophe. Those who experienced the horrors of war were desperately hoping for a swift end, even to the point of opening their own coffers.
It can't be helped.
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A small war creates opportunity, but a big war destroys everything.
“Is there any message from Baekgeomseong?”
“I already sent a messenger, but…….”
"but?"
“I couldn’t come back.”
"hmm."
Kwon Geuk sat down on the chair and stroked his beard.
'I killed the messenger… … .'
The principle of warfare is to send messengers alive. Ignoring this meant there was no room for dialogue. It also expressed a determination not to end the war until one side was completely destroyed.
'Oh, Man-geom, was your resentment so deep?'
A deep sigh escaped me.
“How much blood do you think you have to shed before you are satisfied…….”
As Kwon Geuk's voice grew heavier, Song Hyeon quietly opened his mouth.
“Still, it is good news that the Demonic Cult has slowed its pace.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Kwon Geuk nodded quietly.
“I heard that this time too, that kid named Wi Yeon-ho was active…….”
“Yes.”
A small smile appeared on Kwon Geuk's lips as he thought of Wei Yanhu.
"He's a remarkable child. He's already accomplished quite a few feats at such a young age. Your Majesty, have you seen him in person?"
“Of course.”
“What kind of child is he?”
“Oh, that’s…….”
A little sweat broke out on Kwon Geuk's forehead.
What kind of guy is Wi Yeon-ho?
There are countless words in the world, but none could be as bewildering as that one. Explaining to others what kind of seed Wei Yanho was was a truly complex undertaking.
'I can't just say it like it is.'
If I were to explain it as it is, there would be one of two reactions.
Some people ask how such a seed could exist, or others scold them for joking.
Neither of these was what Kwon Geuk wanted.
“This is a child who cannot be judged by common sense.”
“Is that so?”
Song Hyun's eyes were filled with surprise.
It was the first time he'd seen Kwon-geuk praise someone so much. But seeing the reaction made him feel uneasy.
'I mean, literally.'
It doesn't mean he's a kid so extraordinary that he defies common sense, but rather that he's a truly out-of-the-ordinary person. But somehow, the meaning seems to have been misconstrued.
'If you think about it, it's not so wrong.'
It is true that it is so great that it defies common sense.
“Well, since he’s a kid of that caliber, wouldn’t he be able to hold on to that demonic cult and hang on?”
That was also true.
However, the meaning is slightly different.
As someone who knew how Wei Yanho had turned the heads of the demonic sect, it was something he couldn't just agree with.
“That’s a great performance.”
Just telling the truth.
"If the Demonic Cult had reached Shaanxi now, the situation would have been much worse. It would be a terrible thing."
'Stomach… … .'
I must have misunderstood the tenfold increase. It's not something that can be measured simply by the number of enemies and their increased numbers. No one wants to fight on both sides.
“Your Majesty.”
Namgung Jo-wi, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, opened his mouth.
“Please speak, Namgung family head.”
“Is that kid strong?”
"hmm……."
Kwon-geuk paused in thought. He understood why the Namgung family leader was saying such things. While the shamans of Hanam might simply dismiss Wei Yanho's power as mere fiction, for the Namgung family of Anhui, it felt like a tangible reality. Guangdong and Anhui were much closer than Hanam.
“It’s strong.”
It wasn't a story that could be hidden anyway.
"I'm a little taken aback even to be asking this question, but I can't deny the child's prowess, so I have to ask. Is he stronger than me?"
The forehead of the Kwon Geuk was narrowed.
It's such a direct question, it's not easy to answer.
“I can’t tell you for sure. I can’t easily guess the Namgung family’s inaction….”
"Your Majesty, all I ask is an objective assessment. If it were about saving face, I wouldn't have asked."
He was a very practical person.
"then……."
Kwon Geuk nodded and said.
"It's hard to say who's ahead right now. But in five years, or even three years, that question won't even need to be pondered."
“So you’re saying it’s not just a rumor?”
“Yes.”
Namgung Gaju nodded quietly.
"Then you must be stronger than me. I don't have the confidence to break the Heavenly Sword."
When Namgung Jo-wi spoke definitively, Kwon Geuk hesitated.
Now is a time when fraud is important.
"He couldn't have defeated the Thousand-Ryu Sword with his mere skill. The martial arts skills I know aren't quite up to that level."
"Even so, it's still amazing. Whether by luck or by force, breaking that Heavenly Sword is a remarkable feat."
“That’s true.”
Kwon Geuk smiled.
But that smile was by no means a pleasant one.
'A person who is suspicious.'
There are countless swordsmen in the world, but Namgung Jo-wi is one of the top five swordsmen. Neither the Sword Master of Hwasan nor the Sword Master of Shamanism could claim to be clearly superior to Namgung Jo-wi. But this is a joke.
"The wave ahead will eventually be swept away by the wave behind. But that time isn't here yet. Now is the time to show our children what kind of people we are."
“Yes.”
It was the moment when Namgung Jo-wi stepped back as if he had understood.
“Your Majesty!”
A loud voice is heard outside.
“What’s going on?”
Kwon Geuk answered, his trembling waist still. Then, an urgent reply was heard.
“Baekgeomseong has entered Hapbi.”
Kwon Geuk's eyes shook.