I felt nervous as all eyes were pouring on Jongli Gok.
Of course. Doesn’t a person’s position change depending on the situation? Although the Zhongligok of not long ago and the Zhongligok of today are the same person, their positions are completely different.
When something is done under the leadership of Cheon Yu-meng, Zhong Ligoo is nothing but a helper. However, when everyone must agree, Zongli Valley has clear value.
The point is that it is a leader in anti-volcano activities.
Now that Shaolin has fallen and the nine factions have disintegrated, the only person who can directly oppose Hwasan’s leadership is Jongnam, led by Zhongligok. This meant that the atmosphere of this meeting could go from extreme to extreme depending on what words came out of his mouth.
Everyone who knew this fact held their breath and looked at his face, but Zhong Ligu actually made an unexpected move.
Jeez.
After slowly checking the faces of those attending the meeting, Zhong Ligu sat down in the empty seat, pursed his lips and closed his eyes.
There was relief on some people’s faces, and disappointment on others’ faces, as they couldn’t confirm whether it was positive or negative.
Tanggunak cleared his throat in the gap and brightened the mood.
“Hmm. Let’s continue the meeting… … .”
After hesitating for a moment, he continued speaking.
“The South Mandarin Beast Palace and the North Sea Ice Palace expressed opposing opinions on the current issue, and the Four Heavenly Party supported it… … .”
“We, the Moyong family, will also refuse it.”
Even before the arrangement was finished, Mo Yongwijing raised his hand.
“I certainly understand the significance of the Musketeer’s presentation. but… … .”
Mo Yongwei looked at Qingming with slightly sharp eyes and said.
“I don’t know if it is a good idea to change the entire organization that has been maintained so far with war just around the corner. “In times like these, shouldn’t we be able to distinguish between ideals and reality?”
Tang Gunak had to try hard not to sigh openly.
‘okay. I guess this is normal.’
Didn’t you think so at first? People are instinctively afraid of change. Especially those who have a lot and have more to protect.
Now the airflow inside the conference room is clear.
While there are already three sects that have expressed negative opinions, only one faction, the Sacheondang faction, has agreed with Cheongmyeong’s opinion. In an atmosphere like this, even those who had positive thoughts would find it difficult to open their mouths.
If Namgung Dowi had been there, he would have given strength to Cheongmyeong… … .
“Then, how about green forest?”
Therefore, Tang Gunak had no choice but to ask about Lim So-byeong’s intention. Of course, since I am from Sapa, it will be difficult to be of great help in a situation like this, but it will be able to prevent the atmosphere from becoming one-sided.
However, Lim So-byeong’s reaction was very cynical, contrary to expectations.
“well… … . “Noklim is in a position to be a target for arrows to begin with, so what difference does it make whether you affirm it or deny it?”
“… … Green Forest King?”
Lim So-byeong looked around at those sitting with cold eyes.
“Looking at it, the people here seem to think that it would be beneficial to at least put the bandits who deserve to die anyway to catch the enemy by their heels.”
“The King of Green Forest. “Your words are too much.”
“ah. Isn’t it?”
Lim So-byeong turned his gaze to Tang Gun-ak. Tanggunak was momentarily speechless at that calm and transparent gaze.
If you think about it, if you follow Cheongmyeong’s opinion, the place where you may have to suffer the greatest damage is Green Forest.
Of course, Greenlim within the Cheonwoo Alliance is an organization that has established a solid position, but not everyone agrees with the position of the Cheonwoo Alliance.
If you think about it straight away, it is true. Can Noklim, who was placed under Jongnam, Jegal, or Moyong, be treated properly as a human being? Are we really going to recognize the bandits of Green Forest as equal colleagues?
Probably not. Even the non-Sae factions may regard Green Forest as insignificant or look down on it.
In this situation, I had no choice but to painfully realize the evil of the Tang army. The Cheonwoo Alliance, which was thought to have been created by everyone’s will, was full of contradictions.
In the end, it was only the few who controlled each faction that came together. And even they, seeing the central point of the volcano, fell into a world of blindness, and there was no particular trust in each other.
‘Is this really possible? ‘Is this the type of Cheonwoomaeng that the Hwasan Sword Association mentioned?’
Now even party music is starting to feel skeptical. Even after Hyeonjong had completely closed his eyes. It would be difficult for him, who was a long-time scholar in volcanology, to easily comment on this agenda. It will be difficult for any words to be accepted in their pure meaning.
“then… … .”
Nevertheless, in an attempt to somehow turn the situation around for the better, Tanggunak opened his mouth. But then Zhuge Zain raised his hand.
“Before that, I would like to ask the Commander a few things.”
Qingming uncrossed his arms and looked at Zhuge Zain.
“As you can see, everyone is negative about this. “What are you going to do if this doesn’t work out the way you want?”
Cheongmyeong chuckled.
“Do you think I’ll just shake my hands and leave if I don’t get my way?”
Zhuge Zain did not deny it. Cheongmyeong shrugged his shoulders.
“Well, what can I do? Still, we have to fight. “We have to fight somehow.”
“Then why is the Commander-in-Chief pushing ahead with this unreasonable task?”
“Why? “You’re not asking because you don’t know, right?”
Qingming laughed again at Zhuge Zain’s question. In fact, this bordered on ridicule and was clearly against etiquette, but no one pointed this out.
Eventually, Cheongmyeong’s eyes calmed down.
“Because I have to win.”
A heavy voice filled the conference room.
“Because I don’t want to lose. Because I don’t want to die. “I’m tired of watching people dying needlessly.”
If you look at it, you will naturally understand it. Why did the wars of the past go so smoothly? Why did even Cheongmun, who was so wise, have no choice but to sacrifice himself and Hwasan?
Those who tenaciously protect what is theirs do not give up what they have in their arms until the very end. Even in a situation where everyone can survive if they sacrifice a little, they cannot loosen their grip until the end and sink.
The political factions of the past must have been more terrible than what he sees now. What kind of feelings did Cheongmun feel as he watched this? How did he feel when he said sacrifice to Cheongmyeong?
Cheongmyeong looked at everyone with cold eyes and said.
“I would like to ask you the opposite. “What on earth are you trying to protect?”
“Musketeer. A little word… … .”
Tang Gunak tried to calm him down, but Cheongmyeong paid no heed and just ground his teeth.
“Is the sacrifice really that cheap?”
“… … .”
“Is death that easy? “Are the lives of those who died in Hubei still not enough to realize its weight?”
“Cheongmyeong… … .”
Baekcheon unconsciously tried to dissuade Cheongmyeong, but at this moment, even Baekcheon’s words had no weight on Cheongmyeong. Those who have not experienced it will never know. The bondage of choices that cannot be undone, and the weight of what has been lost.
“Honor, glory, power… … . “I don’t know how great something like that is, but at least in my opinion, it doesn’t seem more important than the lives of those who would die for such things.”
Meng Xiao, who had been listening quietly, sighed.
“Musketeer. I am against it because its weight is not light. “I’m afraid that his life will be treated insignificantly.”
“You can make it. “Don’t do that.”
“… … .”
“I am not perfect. And this is not a position where I make everything in the first place. We can talk and complement each other. Everyone will have different thoughts, and everyone will have different methods. “This is a place that exists for that purpose.”
“Umm… … .”
“To think that it won’t work is to deny everything we’ve done so far. So what’s the point in being here in the first place? In this relationship? And to this damned Federation!”
“Cheongmyeong!”
Even King Hyeonjong was startled and raised his voice.
It shouldn’t be like this. Even if his proposal is not accepted, there should be no animosity left between them. That is the path to eternal division for those who sit here.
However, even though King Hyeonjong tried so hard to dissuade him, there was one person who did not miss Cheongmyeong’s slip of the tongue.
“That is correct.”
Everyone’s eyes were focused on him.
“In the first place… … This is the wrong way. “It is oppression to force all factions that are in the Cheonwoo Alliance, those that are not in the Cheonwoo Alliance, and even those that have joined the Cheonwoo Alliance with different intentions, to follow one will.”
Jongnam Jangmun, Jongrigok. Under everyone’s gaze, he continued speaking with a cold face.
“A federation that has lost its meaning is no longer worth it. Wouldn’t it be better to share it with like-minded people?”
“What does that mean, Zhongli Zhang Wenren?”
When Tanggunak asked, Jongligok snarled coldly.
“It means to get together with people, leaving out foolish things like relationships and friendships. “There’s no need for everyone to gather under Cheon Woo-maeng’s command just because the nine factions are defeated, right?”
It’s the worst. Tang Kunyak’s face was now almost pale. Aren’t the measures put in place to avoid division resulting in even greater division?
Zhong Ligoo asked.
“What do you think, Musketeer?”
“… … .”
“Are you serious about what you said earlier? Even if all of this goes in vain, I will do my best to fight. In the end, the outcome of this meeting will be that everyone places more importance on my safety?”
Instead of answering, Qingming glared at Zhong Ligu. But his question definitely planted a doubt within Cheongmyeong.
Could it really be so?
He already experienced it in the past. What are the consequences of struggling alone in a world where everyone cares about my well-being? Will we be able to walk the same path this time?
No, was that even the right path in the first place?
But if not, should Qingming and Hwasan also behave like other sects this time? Should we make an effort to trample on other sects so that Hwasan can somehow survive and save even one more of Hwasan’s sects?
What is right?
Zhongligoo, seeing Cheongmyeong’s expression, chuckled.
“It’s a meaningless question. “The answer is already there.”
Zhong Ligu took his gaze away from Qingming and looked at Xuan Zong.
“Lord.”
“… … Please speak, Jang Mun-in.”
“What will you do, Lord? “If more people follow the governor’s words, will you tell them to give up their disciples to those who don’t want them?”
“A long writer… … .”
“Isn’t that another form of violence? “Are you willing to stand in solidarity with those who do not share the will of the Chunwoo Alliance?”
Hyeonjong, who was staring at Jongligok with heavy eyes, nodded slowly. Tang Gunak was startled. I tried to stop the conversation for a moment, but Hyeonjong spoke firmly.
“Cheonwoomaeng is not a place where someone can oppress someone else in the first place. “If you force and coerce someone just because you have a different opinion, it will no longer be a case of blindness.”
“Are you saying that people with different opinions don’t have to be together?”
Hyeonjong closed his eyes and nodded once again.
“I hope everyone will join us… … “If that means oppression, then it should be so.”
Zongligok laughed after listening to Hyeonjong’s answer.
“Then I guess it’s all sorted out.”
This time, sharp gaze fell on Cheongmyeong.
“How is it?”
“… … .”
“It’s just a waste of time to even act like this. You will lead those who will join your cause. Those who do not agree with that will just have to unite among themselves. Just as the Cheonwoo Alliance emerged from the old faction, a new alliance may emerge from within the Cheonwoo Alliance. “Isn’t that right?”
Cheongmyeong just stared at Jongligok with dark eyes.
“Would you do that? or not… … Are you going to just bury all of this here and continue to lead this illusory alliance?”
It hadn’t been long since they started talking, but the initiative had completely passed to Zong Ligo.
Unlike those who obtained the position of lord through blood relations or social status, he became one of the top three sects in the world solely through his own ability. Even here, Jongligok was clearly showing how he had led the great clan called Jongnam.
Cheongmyeong said in a cold voice.
“I have no intention of forcing it. just… … “I just want to make fewer sacrifices.”
“That wouldn’t be the answer.”
“But if it’s taken differently than I mean… … .”
Cheongmyeong paused for a moment and bit his lower lip.
“I have no intention of forcing anything.”
“Are you saying that those who don’t agree with each other should leave?”
“no. It’s the opposite. If you have the same goal, let’s go together. “Because that was the beginning of my blindness.”
Tanggunak nodded as if resigned. Yes. If you think about it, that was the right start. Let’s have people we can trust join us. Let’s have a relationship where we can have each other’s backs.
Perhaps the sense of stagnation and boredom I’ve been feeling recently came from breaking that rule. Because I have to believe in those who do not believe from deep in my heart. Even though we don’t believe in each other, we have to be together.
So this might be a better direction.
Only then did Zong Ligo smile slightly and nod.
“Then the conclusion is simple. Those who agree with the Governor’s will can join Hwasan. And those who don’t like this can split with the volcano. Even if they split, they will be bound within the framework of the same political faction, and they will fight together against the SPA. Is that right, Musketeer?”
Cheongmyeong nodded heavily. Hyeonjong, who received Jongligok’s gaze, also nodded as if he had no choice.
I never thought it would go this far, but now that the word has been said, there is no way to turn back. Zhong Ligu took a long breath and muttered.
“It’s neater.”
The people waited for Jongligok’s next words. In fact, wouldn’t it be natural for Jong Li Gok, the oldest scholar of Jong Nam, to do this?
“Then I will make Jongnam’s position clear.”
Everything that Jongligok said was completed when Jongnam stood at the center of Ban Huashan. When it became the center of a new power on behalf of Shaolin and attracted all those who were antipathetic to Hwasan, or more precisely, those who did not agree with the Qingming method… … The political faction will again be divided into two axes: Hwasan and Jongnam.
In just a short period of time, not even a fraction of a second, Zongligok had all of this in his hands.
King Hyeonjong looks half-resigned, Tanggunak looks a little nervous, and Jingeumryong looks at Jongnigok with eyes that don’t know his intentions. Finally, after looking at everyone, including Cheongmyeong, who calmly cast his gaze, Zhongligok finally declared.
“Jongnam, I will follow the will of Hwasan.”
“what… … !”
Mo Yongwijing was so shocked that he forgot his body pain and jumped up. However, Zhongligok’s eyes were only fixed on Qingming.
“As of the present time, I am relinquishing Jongnam’s long-term authority and granting the corresponding rights to Cheonwoomaeng…” … . No, I will leave it to Hwasan and the newly created alliance. “This is the final command I give as Jongnam Jangmunin, so there will be no disagreement.”
“uh… … . “Huh?”
Hyeonjong’s mouth opened at something that could not have happened even in his imagination.
“Now, long story… … .”
“This is Jongnam’s position.”
The declaration of closure swept through the conference hall like a storm. It was a huge storm that no one had ever experienced before.
