Chapter 149 : Bastards. -01
Chapter 149: Bastards. -01
When Ban Hojin arrived at the gates of the Mount Hua Sect, he surveyed the surroundings with heavy eyes.
Mount Hua’s jagged peaks, sharp as if carved by a blade, left a strong impression—but Ban Hojin’s gaze was not on the scenery.
He examined the condition of the gathered martial artists.
“What a joke.”
“This doesn’t feel like a battlefield.”
At Ban Hojin’s muttering, Seo Joun furrowed his brow.
He could not sense even the faintest trace of the Tension of Impending War.
“I heard there were ongoing small-scale skirmishes……”
As if he were not the only one who felt that way, Sama Uiseong also failed to hide his bewildered expression.
On the other hand, Sang Il-gi and Jeong Iryong remained calm.
It was as if they had not expected much from the start.
They simply looked around with indifferent faces.
“Hojin!”
“Brother!”
At that moment, a welcome voice rang out.
Though countless people were going up and down the Mount Hua Sect’s entrance, the two men spotted the group at once and ran toward them. Ban Hojin gave a faint smile at the sight.
“Why are you running over like we’re having a family reunion?”
“At our level, we’re practically family.”
“That’s right!”
Murong Cheok, who had run over with Seonwu Bang, beamed with delight.
It had not even been that long since they were apart, yet Murong Cheok greeted them as though they had been separated for years.
“It has been a while, Young Master Ban.”
But the ones welcoming Ban Hojin’s group were not just those two.
Following Seonwu Bang and Murong Cheok, Oh Jung-geon approached with a bright smile.
“Great Hero Oh.”
“Since I’ve been hearing news of you so often, it doesn’t even feel unfamiliar despite it being a while. Hahaha.”
“There have been quite a few events.”
“You have done a great deed for Murim. Thank you.”
“It was nothing.”
Ban Hojin shook his head at Oh Jung-geon’s respectful fist-clasp salute.
He did not believe he had done anything worthy of such gratitude.
“It is my first time meeting you, Great Hero Sang. I am Oh Jung-geon of the Beggars’ Sect.”
“Heh heh. A pleasure. I am Sang Il-gi of the Bangcheon Sect.”
“Please, speak comfortably. You are far older than I am.”
“I shall, in time.”
After naturally exchanging greetings with Sang Il-gi, Oh Jung-geon also greeted Jeong Iryong and Sama Uiseong.
He paid particular attention to Sama Uiseong.
It was surprising enough that a descendant of the fallen Sama Family had appeared—but to hear that he had been chosen by Ban Hojin made Oh Jung-geon curious about Sama Uiseong’s abilities.
But now was not the time.
“I will guide you to your lodgings.”
“We would appreciate it.”
A Second-Generation Disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, who had come out with Oh Jung-geon, bowed politely and took the lead.
Not toward the Outer Grounds—but deep into the Inner Grounds.
At the sight of lodgings that clearly seemed reserved for those of special status, Seo Joun and Jeong Iryong’s eyes widened.
In contrast, Sama Uiseong looked as though this were only natural.
“You may stay here.”
“Thank you.”
“It is nothing.”
Perhaps not one for many words, the Second-Generation Disciple merely guided them before retracing his steps.
No one found it strange.
With so many factions visiting the Mount Hua Sect ahead of the war, it was rather understandable.
“Let’s head inside first. Great Hero Oh, would you wait in the reception room? We’ll unpack our things and return shortly.”
“Very well. You two young masters, come along.”
Having only just arrived, Oh Jung-geon offered no objections and entered the small reception room with Seonwu Bang and Murong Cheok.
He organized in his mind what he needed to tell Ban Hojin’s group.
Before long, the group returned after briefly unpacking their belongings and took seats one by one in the empty chairs.
“Explain the current situation.”
“I will speak on that matter. I likely know it best.”
“Please do.”
Though he had asked Seonwu Bang, Oh Jung-geon answered instead.
But Seonwu Bang did not take offense at all.
He knew how diligently the Beggars’ Sect had been gathering intelligence on the situation in Shaanxi Province and the Great Desert.
While prestigious families and major sects also mobilized their own intelligence networks, they could not compare to the Beggars’ Sect.
“Small-scale battles are occurring sporadically. Most involve around a hundred men and seem to be advance units. There are also forces attempting to infiltrate in secret, but none have succeeded so far.”
“Then they’re advancing centered on their main force.”
“Correct. They are marching openly, as if inviting a head-on confrontation. Their numbers are fewer than the forces currently gathered at the Mount Hua Sect, but the difference is not significant. Moreover, as warriors of the Great Desert, the martial artists of Ironblood Fortress are individually formidable.”
At Oh Jung-geon’s explanation, Ban Hojin showed a faint look of puzzlement.
Despite knowing considerable details about the enemy, the current atmosphere at the Mount Hua Sect did not make sense to him.
If such information was shared even with him, it was practically the same as saying the entire Mount Hua Sect knew it.
Yet no one seemed tense—rather, they appeared slightly buoyant. Ban Hojin could not understand it.
“They are blinded by faith.”
“To be precise, it is arrogance. Objectively speaking, our side does hold the advantage in power—from multiple perspectives. But even so, they are far too complacent. The strength of Ironblood Fortress is by no means weak. Considering that they once even recruited the Eight Evils, there must surely be hidden forces that have yet to reveal themselves. Our sect is digging into that as much as possible, but we have yet to see tangible results. We are doing our best to inform each sect and martial family of this, however……”
“They are not listening, are they?”
“……That is correct. Even the Sect Leader himself has been going around speaking personally, but most listen with one ear and let it out the other. All they think about is military merit.”
Oh Jung-geon answered in a somber tone.
No matter how much one explained or informed them, it was useless if the other party refused to listen.
The Orthodox Martial World had always been famous for unity as loose as scattered sand—but now it was excessive.
At this rate, even if they won the battle against Ironblood Fortress, the losses would surely be immense.
“My Master said the same thing. That peace has lasted too long. I agree.”
“It has indeed been long.”
Sang Il-gi, who had been listening quietly, nodded in agreement.
In his view as well, peace had stretched on far too long.
Power had accumulated within each sect and martial family with no outlet for use.
Now that forces from the Neo-Outer Murim had invaded, from their perspective it must have seemed like a blessing they had not dared hope for.
“The problem is perception. They see this not as war—but as opportunity.”
“Because there’s much to gain if we win. Of course, it’ll be the underlings who suffer the losses while the upper echelons reap the rewards.”
At Seo Joun’s words, Murong Cheok responded with a cynical tone.
He could see all too clearly what the so-called upper echelons were thinking.
As someone from a Prestigious Family himself, he did not need to ponder deeply—it was simply obvious.
“At a time like this, I truly feel fortunate that you two have come.”
“Heh heh heh.”
They had been respectful before, but now it was even more so.
In particular, Oh Jung-geon looked at Sang Il-gi with eyes full of expectation, as though he had uncovered separate intelligence.
It was the unmistakable look of someone who knew something.
Under that burdensome gaze, Sang Il-gi let out an awkward laugh.
“Have you uncovered anything about the forces that have entered under Ironblood Fortress?”
“We are investigating, but the results have been minimal. As it is a critical time for both sides, they are not leaving even the slightest opening.”
“And the two remaining among the Eight Evils?”
“Well, all of our personnel are currently mobilized here. The rest are concentrated in Yunnan Province.”
Oh Jung-geon scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed expression.
However, Ban Hojin nodded in understanding.
Though the Beggars’ Sect was the largest organization in the Central Plains, it was by no means limitless.
Knowing that well, Ban Hojin did not press further.
“So in the end, we won’t know until we clash.”
“We are making preparations accordingly. The problem, however, is that people already believe the victory is assured.”
“I assume there are those who are worried about that as well.”
“There are. But they are not many.”
Oh Jung-geon answered in a regretful tone.
They certainly existed.
But their numbers could not even compare to the opposite side.
“It cannot be helped. Each of us must simply do what we can from our own position.”
“I entrust this to you, Young Master Ban.”
Oh Jung-geon suddenly grasped Ban Hojin’s hand firmly.
At this moment, the only ones he could truly rely on were Sang Il-gi and Ban Hojin.
There were others, of course, but they could not compare to those two.
Thus, Oh Jung-geon looked back and forth between them with earnest eyes.
“I am the one who should be asking for your help. The role of the Beggars’ Sect will be crucial in the battles to come—especially in a situation like this.”
“We will do our utmost.”
“I leave it to you.”
“Yes.”
Oh Jung-geon replied with a resolute expression.
Winning was important—but equally important was minimizing casualties.
A victory that left nothing but wounds held no meaning.
After conveying the most essential points regarding the current situation with a serious face, Oh Jung-geon left the reception room.
As it was wartime, he too was exceedingly busy.
“The situation is ambiguous. It’s neither good nor bad.”
“In what sense?”
“At the very least, the overall atmosphere isn’t heavy. They’re not gripped by a defeatist mindset. The problem is that their confidence is excessive. It’s the perfect setup for underestimating the enemy and getting a nasty surprise.”
“Accurate.”
At Jeong Iryong’s assessment, Seonwu Bang nodded.
The state he observed was no different.
However, while Jeong Iryong had made a cool-headed evaluation of the situation, he had not devised a countermeasure.
“Then shall we hear the opinion of our strategist, adjutant, military advisor, and wise man—Uiseong?”
Ban Hojin’s gaze turned to Sama Uiseong.
At once, everyone looked toward him.
Come to think of it, Sama Uiseong had only listened thus far without speaking, so they watched him with curious eyes.
“It is difficult to say much with so little information. We have only heard the size of Ironblood Fortress’s main force and their route of movement—nothing detailed. At present, we only know what has been publicly revealed. What we need now is intelligence. Various forms of it.”
“There is nothing more dangerous than a hasty judgment. In that case, we must first gather information.”
Had he proposed a short-sighted scheme, Ban Hojin would have been disappointed instead.
War was not a simple game of numbers.
It was a world where countless variables surged and collided in every moment.
Just as politics was said to be alive, so too was war.
That was why Ban Hojin looked in turn at Seonwu Bang and Murong Cheok.
There was something he wanted from them.
“What kind of information do you need?”
“Uiseong will tell you.”
“I would like you to assess the surrounding terrain. Information about people can be obtained through the Beggars’ Sect, so we need other aspects beyond that.”
“Including potential battlegrounds?”
“Yes.”
Seonwu Bang nodded.
At the same time, he felt a pang of regret.
If they could have received assistance from the Hao Sect and the Geum Family Estate, things would have been much easier.
However, understanding the positions of both, Seonwu Bang brushed aside the thought.
“If it were just our main house, it would be difficult. But together with the Murong Family, we should somehow manage to meet the timing.”
“Even if it seems impossible, we must make it possible. That’s precisely why we’re gathered here.”
Though it sounded like a request disguised as an order, Seonwu Bang and Murong Cheok followed without complaint.
They had experienced Sama Uiseong’s capabilities firsthand and held no doubts.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank us. This is, on a larger scale, for the peace of the Central Plains—and on a smaller scale, for ourselves.”
“But isn’t the Mount Hua Sect treating us rather coldly? Even in wartime, sending only a Second-Generation Disciple. Not even a Head Disciple.”