Chapter 637: Chapter 1525: Upon Reflection, I Was Wrong (Part 5)
Hyun Jong licked his lips hesitantly.
"Well..."
Against his wishes, his eyes kept glancing at Tang Gunak and Im Sobyeong, whose complexions had become somewhat pale after running to Mount Hua.
"...Discipline for those who left Hwaeum without permission to handle external matters...."
"No!"
Unexpectedly, flames shot out from Tang Gunak's eyes.
"Discipline! What are you talking about, Maengju-nim! Although it started with labor, it ended up as a contribution. If we discipline such individuals, what will happen to the sect!"
"Well..."
" 'I will not do anything that no one has ordered!' With such a mental state, we cannot overcome the current crisis where the Evil Tyrant Alliance is attacking from below, and the Beggar's Union and the Ten Great Sects are lurking from the side."
"But this is a bit of a special case..."
At that moment, Im Sobyeong, who had been busy catching his breath, unfolded a fan.
He seemed to want to make a stylish whoosh like usual, but due to exhaustion, he couldn't put strength into his wrist, and there was no sound of a fan unfolding.
"The military commanders on the battlefield do not receive punishment for violating orders. They only receive praise for their achievements."
"...That's also a bit of a special case..."
And, Nokrim King, don't cover half of your face under your eyes. With your pale face, the lower half of your eyes look like a ghost...
"Anyway, I oppose it on behalf of the Nokrim Sect."
"I, too, oppose it on behalf of the Tang Family."
"Eunha Guild also opposes!"
Even Hwang Jongui, who had joined in without anyone noticing, added his voice.
These three were the ones who had the most responsibility in designing Hwaeum. Seeing them unanimously opposing, Hyun Jong felt uncomfortable.
After all, didn't he understand the reason for their actions?
Although no one could deny that Chung Myung turned people's lives upside down and messed up Kangho... Honestly, when it came to abilities, he was equivalent to a hundred ordinary disciples.
It wasn't an exaggeration; he really was. Even if some didn't realize it, during the past ten days when Chung Myung was absent, didn't everyone painfully feel this fact?
Moreover, the idea of creating this city originally came from his head. No matter who you brought in, there was no one more efficient in handling this matter than him.
With the current situation, if they disciplined Chung Myung, everyone else would have to continue handling his workload.
"Good grief."
Chung Myung, who was sitting on one side of the conference room, leaned back in his chair, stretching his back as if he had no care in the world. It was a starkly different attitude from his pouting posture when he first heard about the discipline.
"You're going to discipline me? If a person commits a crime, they should receive punishment. Why are you blocking it like this?"
Im Sobyeong's hand trembled. If he could kill a person with his gaze, Chung Myung's body would probably have been split into eighty-eight pieces by now.
However...
"That...There must have been a compelling reason."
Unfortunately, one couldn't kill a person with just a gaze, and it was a sad reality that one had to speak words contrary to one's intentions.
"Reasons like what?"
"There must have been reasons!"
"No, you said there wasn't one?"
"There is! It definitely was there!"
Im Sobyeong seemed on the verge of shedding tears of blood. As if expressing his pity, Chung Myung nodded his head.
"Look! There were reasons!"
"...Don't cry and tell me."
"Mom...."
It was both a comedy and a tragedy. Everyone shed tears at the desperation. Only Chung Myung clicked his tongue and brought something he had at his waist to his mouth.
"Ah, you're not letting the kid receive his punishment properly. When a person reflects like this, you should give them a proper punishment."
"Chung Myung! How can you drink here..."
"You can drink!"
"Isn't it luxurious and nice!"
"What are you all doing! Bring the side dishes! High-quality ones!"
Hyun Jong, who was about to reprimand them, lost his words. However, he didn't feel like scolding or punishing these three.
Tang Gunak spoke with a tired face.
"Maengju-nim."
"...Yes, Vice Lord."
"If you insist on disciplining him... then just let him take some share of the work. Then we won't oppose the discipline..."
"...Ahem. I understand your words that there is no way to punish a general in a war."
Tang Gunak opened his eyes wide. But Hyun Jong subtly avoided that gaze.
With his age, he understood that working like that would lead to death. Did he only realize recently that martial artists could die while working without a break?
Watching all this from a distance, the Five Swords exchanged quick glances.
'...Was that right?'
'Is this okay?'
When Chung Myung suddenly changed his stance and suggested entering the Plum Blossom Cave, they thought he was crazy, but who knew it would turn out like this... It wasn't so much impressive as it was... how should one put it...
'He's a devil.'
'That's not a real human.'
Yoon Jong whispered quietly to Baek Cheon.
"Is it okay for a Taoist to be like that?"
"...Isn't his aptitude quite good?"
"Huh? Why do you say that?"
"Isn't it basic for a Taoist to understand human difficulties?"
"That's right..."
"How can he selectively hit only the things other people find difficult? Isn't that a remarkable aptitude?"
...Usually, such things aren't referred to as aptitude, Sasuk...
"Anyway, please tell me. What's the current situation?"
"Mm."
Tang Gunak let out a subtle groan in response to Chung Myung's question. But even that was brief, and emotions quickly disappeared from his face. Business was business.
"The organization of Hwaeum is roughly finished."
"Already?"
"Designing, dividing, and posting things aren't such significant tasks. It's just a matter of manpower."
Tang Gunak said calmly, but those 'manpower' present knew how terrifying that word was. Behind that word lied the implication that by sacrificing humans, time could be shortened easily.
"The number of new recruits has also decreased significantly... Now, the remaining issue is how those people will adapt and live in Hwaeum."
"And the headquarters?"
"Working on it. Whether we can call it headquarters is uncertain, but that's what it is."
Tang Gunak's eyes twitched slightly.
From his perspective, it wasn't appealing to call the roofless, makeshift hall the 'headquarters.'
He didn't feel comfortable with calling it that.
To put it bluntly, what kind of headquarters was this? It was more like a concentration camp.
"And those who will join the headquarters?"
"The Southern Island Sect is on its way to Hwaeum as we speak, so it shouldn't take long. The main force of the Ice Palace in the North Sea is also coming down, but due to the considerable distance, it will take some time. Other small factions also want to join, but..."
Im Sobyeong intervened and explained.
"We're being selective. If we accept anyone and everyone, chaos is inevitable."
"Like Nokrim?"
"Yes! Exactly... Wait! You people! Do you know how selective Nokrim is? Becoming a bandit is not something anyone can do. Do you know how many are eliminated just based on appearances? Even a guy who looks like a lord would turn into a cat even if you put a leopard's skin on him!"
"So why is it such a mess?"
Im Sobyeong shook with bloodshot eyes.
"Oof...I think I understand why people become members of the Evil Sect."
"He's already in the Evil Sect, Nokrim King."
Tang Gunak summed up with a wry smile.
"First, I didn't understand why we had to go this far, but now that we've done it, I get it. How important the headquarters is."
First of all, the headquarters was visible now. And it could accommodate people. The positive effects these two things bring were beyond Tang Gunak's imagination.
"Well, first of all, it is basic for humans to build affection for where they eat and sleep."
"So, is Nokrim just a ragtag group?"
"Why bring up Nokrim here! Nokrim! Ugh..."
"Soso, he's collapsing, isn't he?"
"Leave him be, Sahyung. There's no antidote."
"..."
"Why are you looking at me like that? It really has no antidote. It's beyond hope."
While Jo Gol sighed and gracefully accepted it, Tang Gunak continued his words.
"It's not just the major sects. Even the smaller sects drawn by the reputation of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, once they settle in Hwaeum, will feel a clear sense of belonging. Then, really..."
Tang Gunak trailed off at the end of his statement. What he originally intended to say was, 'The Heavenly Comrade Alliance might not end as a temporary alliance.' However, feeling it might be a bit hasty to discuss this already, he held back his words.
At that moment, Chung Myung spoke nonchalantly.
"Well, that's a common thing. Living in someone else's house, you naturally get attached."
"If you know that so well, try improving your appearance..."
"That's it."
A boundless sense of melancholy covered Tang Gunak's face.
"When I see those bastards, it feels like the whole world is pointing fingers at the Tang Family..." (not sure?)
Leaving Tang Gunak to his thoughts, Im Sobyeong continued.
"Anyway, we've covered all bases with this."
"Bases?"
"The biggest issue of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance so far has been the lack of a middle level. It means there were no individuals to support the high-level martial artists."
"Could you be more specific?"
"Simply put, it means there was always a shortage in absolute numbers. So, we always had to deal with a numerical disadvantage in battles. We've been doing well so far, but there are limits. In war, having the numerical advantage is always advantageous."
Everyone nodded. Especially those who had been to Southern Island moved their heads frighteningly fast up and down.
"So, now that we're gathering the smaller sects, we can match the numbers. And not just that."
The mischievous gleam disappeared from Im Sobyeong's eyes.
"To win in a war, you need to prepare three things. Firstly, military strength; secondly, supplies, and finally, intelligence."
"..."
"For military strength, we gathered all our allies scattered in all directions, and for smooth supply and management, we built a city in Hwaeum. Finally, to gain an advantage in information, we led the cooperation of the Beggar's Union to allow free flow of information."
At these words, everyone turned to look at Chung Myung again.
"Does that mean..."
"Yes."
Im Sobyeong nodded.
He was the leader of Nokrim, but also the military strategist of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. The military strategist of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance spoke with confidence.
"It may take some time for stability, but that is simply the time required for 'stability'."
Someone's dry swallowing sound echoed loudly.
"The preparation for war is complete."
A silent silence settled in the conference room.
Im Sobyeong's words made everyone realize. Now, the inevitable war would come to engulf them all.
It was then that Hyun Jong stared at Im Sobyeong with a piercing gaze.
"Nokrim King."
"Yes, Maengju-nim."
"So what do we do now?"
Im Sobyeong smiled slightly.
"I'm not the one to answer that. Shouldn't you ask the one who started all of this in the first place?"
Now everyone's gaze was fixed on Chung Myung.
"Chief."
"Yes, Maengju-nim."
"So I'll ask the chief. What should we do now?"
"Well, that's too obvious a question."
Chung Myung, who had been lying lazily, slowly pulled himself forward. Then he turned his head slowly.
The place he was looking at was the large window in the conference room, which was open to the south.
Everyone knew. Where he was looking and who was there.
".... It's been about a month. That bastard snake hasn't moved from there."
Everyone's faces stiffened. No one here didn't know who the 'snake bastard' referred to.
'Already.'
When they came to their senses, a lot of time had passed. Because they were so busy preparing for the war and organizing Hwaeum.
"That guy wouldn't have just spent a month just trying to divide us and the Ten Great Sects."
"... And?"
"It will come here soon."
Chung Myung's eyes grew cold.
"The knife that bastard honed for a month."
Everyone held their breath.
The work that took a month for the Paegan Jang Ilso. Just imagining what it was gave them chills.
At that moment, Baek Cheon, who had been silent so far, spoke up.
"So now... we have to stop that Paegan."
No one answered. There was no need to answer. The answer was already determined.
Im Sobyeong's gaze turned to the south. His eyes were unusually gloomy.
'Jang Ilso. What are you planning?'
* * *
Dark skin color, slightly lean body, thin lips with thick eyebrows. There was even a strong, hardened impression on his face. He was not considerably attractive at first glance.
But that was just his appearance.
If you look at the golden clothes he was wearing and the splendid crimson embroidery on top of it, not to mention the vivid sun pattern drawn in the middle of his chest, the impression would differ.
His eyes seemed to look down on countless people.
It wasn't the eyes of a self-satisfied person who had achieved something with what he held in his hand. It was the eyes that only a Lord could have.
Then he slowly opened his mouth.
"So? Does a mere thief dare to... challenge me?"
A tremendous arrogance oozed out of the man's eyes.
"I heard that the man had a thousand faces, but I never heard he had two necks. Do you think you can insult me and still live?"
Then the long-haired man in front of him replied calmly.
"A person cannot have two necks, but..."
The Thousand-Faced Gentleman had a refreshing smile on his lips.
"The Palace Lord will not receive this opportunity twice."
A fresh smile appeared on the Thousand-Faced Gentleman's face.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Bagel_Seeds
Bagel_Seeds kind of busy these days...tl might slow until next arc comes lol
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