Chronicles of the Lazy Sovereign Chapter 550

#550

Taejonbirok Volume 22, Episode 25

Chapter 122: The Lazy Man Arrives (5)

'already?'

It's earlier than expected. It wasn't long ago that I heard reports that they hadn't yet entered Anhui, and now they're entering Hefei in such a short time.

“What happened?”

"We're assessing the situation. What we know for sure is that the enemy main force has now entered Hapbi."

“Hmm.”

Kwon Geuk felt the void left by Shin Gi-su. If Shin Gi-su had been by his side, Kwon Geuk wouldn't have had to use his brain. But Shin Gi-su was currently unable to join the army. To cope with the expanded frontline and rapidly changing situation, it was best for Shin Gi-su to stay out of the front lines.

I know that. One… … .

'Not having a trustworthy head is definitely a problem.'

Kwon Geuk opened his mouth, thinking that this part would also need to be discussed later.

“What’s the speed?”

“It’s average.”

“It’s average…….”

If so, that doesn't mean they'll rush in all at once with a mobile war. It likely means they'll rapidly increase speed on the way to Hapbi, then slow down the moment they reach Hapbi.

The likelihood of a sharp turn has decreased, but we can't let our guard down.

“I am reporting!”

Before he could finish speaking, another report came flying in.

“Baekgeomseong, who entered Hapbi, is not entering the castle but is setting up camp on the outskirts.”

“Jinira…. Are you camping?”

“I think so.”

It came so suddenly that camping was out of the blue… … .

“Are you telling me to play?”

While Kwon Geuk lacked the ability to discern his opponent's tactics, he possessed enough experience to discern their intentions. By forcing his way all the way here and setting up camp, he meant he wouldn't give the Jeongmu Alliance a chance to rest.

If the distance between the two factions is close, it's inevitable that both sides will feel burdened. However, Baekgeomseong is a single force, while here, various factions are intermingled. The burdens they bear differ.

“Are we going to spend the night like this?”

Kwon Geuk was in trouble.

'Don't you know?'

What if they knew all about this situation?

It was right to charge in immediately. To simply allow the Shaolin to join in would be foolish. The troops must be struck before they can assemble. This was the most fundamental of military principles.

If you think about it the other way around, it means that they haven't yet received information that Shaolin hasn't joined this side…

'No, I guess not.'

There's no way I wouldn't know.

Baekgeomseong has been plotting to conquer the Central Plains for a long time. It's impossible for them to overlook the importance of intelligence. Thoroughly scouring sources before entering war is a fundamental principle. Their movements are now fully visible to Baekgeomseong.

Still, they don't come in?

Kwon Geuk's hand grabbed his knee.

'What are you aiming for, Ten Thousand Swords and a Hundred Schools?'

If the opponent was the Demonic Cult, there was no room for hesitation. Kwon Geuk knew all too well what the Demonic Cult wanted and what they were aiming for. However, because the opponent was the White Sword Saint, confusion arose.

“Your Majesty?”

“Wait.”

“Did you say wait?”

Kwon Geuk nodded.

"There's no need for us to move first. We'll just wait for Shaolin."

"All right."

As the reporter went outside, Song Hyeon and Namgung Jo-wi burst into laughter.

“They already…….”

“I’m sorry. I should have noticed this first.”

"Your Majesty, don't say such things. Even the intelligence sources from Gaebong and Jeongmu Alliance failed to report back on time. Doesn't that mean they moved with such lightning speed? Even though this is Anhui and Hefei, even the Namgung family must have had its limitations."

“I have nothing to say.”

Namgung Jo-wi bowed his head slightly.

“It doesn’t move… What do you think is the reason?”

“I guess you’ll have to wait.”

“Wait… for what?”

"I don't know that either. However, there's one thing I can predict. They probably didn't expect this situation. They obviously expected a joint attack from both sides, including the Demonic Cult. They probably didn't consider fighting us alone. Therefore, it's only logical to be wary of an escalating conflict and wait for the Demonic Cult to arrive."

“Then why would you come in as a member of the group…….”

“I don’t know about that. The military will give their opinion.”

Kwon Geuk said firmly.

“Nothing has been confirmed yet. So please be sure to reassure your children so they don’t panic.”

"yes."

"please."

“Don’t worry, my lord.”

As the two people left the barracks, Kwon Geuk also slowly got up from his seat.

'Baekgeomseong.'

Kwon Geuk, emerging from the barracks, gazed into the distance. Perhaps beyond this darkness lay the Baekgeomseong main base. A distance he couldn't even see with his own eyes. Yet, it was a distance he could storm at any moment if he so chose.

“The consequences of their choices are theirs to bear.”

I don't believe Baekgeomseong's anger was wrong. However, all anger must be grounded in legitimate power. Anger without power is simply empty.

The power of the pole will let them know that their strength is still lacking.

I will make them pay the price for their hasty pursuit of martial arts instead of remaining silent. Even if they are righteous and Kwon Geuk himself is the villain.

If he could save even a single drop of blood, Kwon Geuk would not hesitate to turn his name over and burn in the depths of hell.

* * *

“Ten thousand swords and a hundred schools.”

“Yes, ten thousand swords and a hundred kinds.”

Gwanggu Shingae said with a sigh.

"That name is so famous. Not only among swordsmen, but among those who study martial arts, there's no one who hasn't heard of it."

“Of course.”

Saga nodded vigorously.

The name Mangeom Baekga had a symbolic aspect.

Those who wield a sword cannot help but idolize the Ten Thousand Swords and Hundred Schools. And even those who don't wield a sword are no exception.

Because Mangeom Baekga has reached a level that no other sect dares to reach.

"The ten thousand swords of the Ten Thousand Swords School are magnificent. And the fact that they produced that Sword Emperor is truly remarkable. There are countless schools in the world, all of which strive to be the best, but only the Ten Thousand Swords School dared to proudly claim to be the best."

“Yes.”

Although Shaolin claims to be the Big Dipper of the martial arts world, it can't dare to compare with the might of the Mangeombaekga during its heyday. While no school can claim to be superior to Shaolin, it can't ignore the others.

When the Ten Thousand Swords and Hundred Schools ruled the martial world with the Sword Emperor at their head, no one dared raise their voice against them. Even within the powers that boasted of being the greatest in history, there existed a ruthless tyrant who reduced even that mighty power to mere henchmen. So who would dare even consider plotting against the Ten Thousand Swords and Hundred Schools?

If the Shaolin of today dares to imitate the Ten Thousand Swords and Hundred Schools of that time, the very foundation of Shaolin will be uprooted before even a year has passed.

"Thanks to the existence of the Mangeombaekga, the Central Plains was able to avoid handing over its status as the greatest power of all time to the Demonic Cult. At the time, they were merely a family of legend, but they undoubtedly played a significant role."

“Yes, that’s right.”

“So people didn’t think about it.”

"yes?"

“I’m saying that the Ten Thousand Swords and Hundred Schools are not a legend.”

Saga stared at the Gwanggu Shingae silently, as it was difficult to guess what he meant.

"Mangeom Baekga isn't a legend. It clearly existed. But you're saying Mangeom Baekga was treated as a mere legend. Why do you think that is?"

“……What is the reason?”

Saga, who had been quietly gathering his thoughts, opened his mouth.

“Isn’t it because it has no substance?”

"yes."

He nodded as if he liked the new product.

"If Shaolin had disappeared from Sungsan Mountain… Shaolin would have become a legend. The same goes for the shamans. The reason they haven't become legends isn't because their accomplishments were small. It's because they're still breathing together. But Man-geom wasn't like that."

Gulp gulp.

Gwanggu Shingae gulped down the remaining alcohol, then licked his lips at the empty bottle. Saga casually tossed a bottle of alcohol he had placed behind his back to Gwanggu Shingae.

Then, Gwanggu Shingae giggled and took the bottle of alcohol.

“You’ve become more perceptive now.”

“Don’t interrupt, Shin-gae.”

"Yes, we must talk about it. The Mangeom Sword became a legend because it didn't exist, and a myth because it didn't exist. But you, haven't you ever thought that was strange?"

“…….”

As he opened the bottle of liquor, Gwanggu Shin-gae continued speaking.

"When it's a legend, it's not strange to say, 'That family mysteriously disappeared one day.' All legends are like that. But it becomes strange when you consider that it's not a legend. Why did the Mangeom Baekga disappear so mysteriously? Why did the Mangeom Baekga, at the height of its power, disappear?"

"that……."

"Yeah, it's obvious. The fact that no human stories are coming out means there's something to hide."

Gwanggu Shingae said bitterly.

“Is this an ugly story?”

“It’s ugly.”

“Is this a story you don’t want to tell?”

“Maybe so.”

“If I do it, won’t you do it?”

“No. I have to.”

The Gwanggu Shingae spoke firmly.

"You seem to be mistaken. I have no intention of hiding the ugliness of the Gangho. Why should I?"

“I thought you would. However, you seem to be hesitating….”

“I’m not hesitating.”

Saga straightened his posture.

The momentum of the Gwanggu Shingae was changing slightly.

"The problem wasn't their ugliness. Such dirty stories abound in the martial world. The problem wasn't their ugliness, but that the story wasn't over yet."

“What if you say it’s not over?”

“The story that should have ended as a legend was continuing.”

“What are you talking about… Are you talking about Baekgeomseong?”

“It’s a little different.”

Gwanggu Shingae took another swig from the bottle of alcohol.

A cold wind seeped into the quiet shack.

"It was all tangled and twisted. But no one knew how tangled the situation was. Not even Baekgeomseong knew."

"and……."

Gwanggu Shingae smiled lightly.

“Even the person who created this whole thing didn’t know what kind of situation he was in.”

“If you say you’re the one who created the board? Are you referring to Mujon?”

"No. It's literally true. I'm talking about the one who started all these wars."

“…….”

“It must be hard to understand.”

Gwanggu Shin-gae put down the bottle of alcohol and straightened his posture.

"Now, this story is coming to an end. Listen carefully. It's your role to decide whether or not this story should be passed on to future generations."

The Gwanggu Shingae spoke heavily.

"Where should I begin? Yes, let's start with the grudge of the Mangeom clan. Kwon Geuk thought Baekgeomseong was after something else, but that wasn't the case. Baekgeomseong was just setting the stage."

“What if it’s a stage?”

"A stage where they can spread their voices to all corners of the world. Yes, Hapbi was the perfect place for that."

Gwanggu Shingae sighed and said.

“And it was a good place to start a war.”

The story that would end everything was just beginning.