Chapter 157 : Who Should One Follow? -02
Chapter 157: Who Should One Follow? -02
Sama Uiseong looked at Namgung Ho and smiled faintly.
At first, he had been tense when the Blade King and the Yama King of the world had come to visit, but not now.
Both were certainly remarkable martial artists, yet Sama Uiseong had Ban Hojin and Sang Il-gi.
Because of that, he regained his composure and spoke with confidence.
“But that doesn’t become a countermeasure.”
Peng Chu-yeong, who had been as quiet as a dead mouse until now, subtly cut in.
He had not even dared to squeak before Ban Hojin, but Sama Uiseong was different.
As a descendant of the fallen Sama Family and far younger than himself, Peng Chu-yeong naturally spoke down to him as he opened his mouth.
“Young Master Peng. There are many great heroes present, so please observe proper etiquette. This is not a place for just ourselves.”
“Ahem!”
Namgung Gwang rebuked him quietly.
He too felt a sense of kinship with Peng Chu-yeong, but that tone had crossed the line.
If they were close acquaintances, it would have been one thing, but just like him, this was Peng Chu-yeong’s first time meeting Sama Uiseong, so courtesy was necessary.
At the same time, Namgung Gwang naturally sought to score points with Ban Hojin and his party.
He believed that in the coming war, the most crucial fighting strength would be Ban Hojin and Sang Il-gi.
Moreover, knowing what kind of thoughts Namgung Ho held, Namgung Gwang acted accordingly.
“Thank you, Young Master Namgung.”
“Not at all. Please continue.”
Seeing Sama Uiseong break the silence at just the right moment while also securing practical gain, Namgung Gwang smiled faintly, feeling that his judgment had been correct.
He did not forget to glance sideways at his father.
Sure enough, a satisfied smile hung at the corner of Namgung Ho’s lips.
“Then I will continue. The atmosphere is unfavorable, and it is true that we have been pushed back considerably, but it is not as though there is absolutely no way to win. There is one thing everyone is forgetting. Although this place is the border leading to the Great Desert, it is closer to the Central Plains. In other words, it can be considered our territory. Of course, some of you may think this—Ironblood Fortress is also close to the Great Desert. However, what is important is that the Great Desert and the Central Plains are fundamentally different environments. That means there is a significant difference in supply capability.”
“You are speaking of a protracted war.”
“That is correct, Namgung Family Head. If instead of engaging in head-on confrontations like today, we commit to a defensive war, and furthermore, take advantage of our numerical superiority to thoroughly employ rotating engagements, we can seize the advantageous high ground. In addition, replenishing depleted forces is overwhelmingly more favorable on our side. However, there is a problem.”
“Unity.”
Unlike Peng Mancheol, Namgung Ho grasped the flaw in this strategy at once.
No, to be honest, there was no need to think about it.
It had always been the problem and weakness of the Orthodox Martial World.
“That is correct. Only if we unite as one can the effect be maximized. If that had already been achieved, we would not have been pushed back so severely today.”
“At least the fortunate thing is that a defensive war might be accepted. After today’s thorough beating, that is. But rotating engagements are another matter.”
“It would be the same as granting individual operational authority. No one will wish to relinquish command.”
“That would be so.”
“They are people who live on their pride.”
Peng Mancheol, who had been quietly reading the atmosphere and listening, also voiced his agreement.
There was no need to search far for an example—just today alone had made it clear.
For that reason, Peng Mancheol was also skeptical of Sama Uiseong’s countermeasure.
“However, this is a prerequisite. If this is not resolved first, there is no method. If we fight as we did today, it will be difficult to win.”
“What if that fellow steps to the front?”
Peng Mancheol gestured with his eyes toward Ban Hojin, who sat silently without a word.
As if entrusting everything to Sama Uiseong, Ban Hojin had not participated in the meeting at all.
Aside from a few remarks at the beginning.
“I am not certain. I have not fully grasped hyung-nim’s capabilities, so I cannot speak definitively on that matter. However, there is one thing I can say with certainty. I believe what is important is hyung-nim’s will.”
“If it is you, could you not persuade him?”
Peng Mancheol coaxed him gently.
Having witnessed the confrontation with the Mount Hua Sect earlier in the day, Peng Mancheol thought things could not continue like this.
For the sake of the Hebei Peng Family and the Central Plains Murim, Ban Hojin’s active participation in the war was absolutely necessary.
“That is beyond my ability, Family Head Peng.”
“Hoh!”
At Sama Uiseong’s answer, given without the slightest hesitation, Peng Mancheol’s expression darkened slightly in displeasure.
Even out of courtesy, he could have said he would at least try, but the refusal had been too clean.
“Family Head Peng.”
“Tsk! Very well.”
However, when Namgung Ho, who was of his generation, signaled him, Peng Mancheol reluctantly withdrew.
Sang Il-gi’s gaze also weighed on him.
Yet his regret did not disappear.
If Ban Hojin were to step to the forefront, it felt as though the current situation could be decisively overturned.
“In truth, I believe we lack the qualification. If viewed coldly, this situation arose because we were insufficient. That said, we cannot force him either. The decision belongs to Young Master Ban. So let us set that aside for now and return to our original discussion. If we proceed with a long-term defensive war, what do you think we must do next?”
“You mean once unity has been achieved?”
“Indeed.”
“We must steadily reduce the number of the Great War Gods. And in the end, we must capture the Lord of the Ironblood Fortress. However, there is a prerequisite here as well. You must fight efficiently.”
Peng Mancheol, who had been silently listening under Namgung Ho’s restraint, tilted his head in puzzlement.
The word “efficiently” lingered in his ears.
It seemed the same was true for Namgung Ho and his sons, as they all wore identical expressions.
“The expression ‘efficiently’ feels rather broad. I would appreciate it if you could explain in more detail.”
“Speak comfortably. It is not that we must follow your words—just state your thoughts.”
At Ban Hojin’s nod, as if telling him it was fine, Sama Uiseong stole a glance in his direction.
It was merely the presentation of an opinion, yet he seemed overly cautious—but at the same time, it was understandable.
To Sama Uiseong, who had only just stepped into the Jianghu, the Yama King and the Blade King were inevitably burdensome figures.
In truth, it was something that hardly made sense.
“A joint assault. Sparring or practice matches are different from war. This is not merely a place to compare martial skill—it is a place where life and death are exchanged. To reduce casualties, we must secure victory as swiftly as possible, and to do that, I believe everyone must combine their strength.”
“You mean us as well?”
“Yes.”
Despite answering confidently, Sama Uiseong carefully gauged Namgung Ho’s reaction.
He knew all too well the pride of masters.
Moreover, the two seated before him were figures who stood at the pinnacle of the Central Plains Murim.
There was no way he could speak without caution.
“Hoh.”
As Peng Mancheol showed a flustered expression, Sama Uiseong’s shoulders shrank even further.
Already large in build and fierce in appearance, Peng Mancheol’s frown made it feel as though he were being glared at deliberately, shrinking his courage to the size of a bean.
“I-it is only my personal opinion.”
“I do not believe we should take offense. We must assess reality coldly. Though we slew three Great War Gods, the Blade King is now combat-incapable.”
“That is true. The Blade King insists he can still fight, but in truth, he will not be of great help.”
Both Namgung Ho and Peng Mancheol acknowledged the Blade King’s ability.
He had gained the epithet Blade King due to the Sword King of Wudang and Namgung Ho, yet he himself was also one of the finest swordsmen under heaven.
However, the problem was that his left arm had been severed.
Losing a left arm did not merely mean losing an arm.
It meant the body’s balance and meridian flow had been completely altered.
As an absolute master, he would adapt faster than most, but the issue was that battle had to be fought immediately.
“If we were to launch a joint assault, what do you believe our chances of victory would be?”
“If everything proceeds according to plan, I believe over sixty percent.”
“That calculation excludes Young Master Ban, I assume?”
“That is correct. However, I cannot be certain. The Lord of the Ironblood Fortress remains a variable.”
“Hmm.”
Namgung Ho let out a low murmur.
Though they had not directly crossed hands, once one reached that level, a glance was enough to discern roughly the opponent’s depth.
Reluctantly, he had to admit—the Lord of the Ironblood Fortress was at least his equal, if not a step above.
“He is strong. I too believed I could not handle him alone.”
“The two of us—or rather, if we include Sect Leader Sang as well—three should be enough to attempt it.”
“Are you truly considering a joint assault?”
“Why not? If one alone is insufficient, then we must join forces. In a personal duel, one should fight alone—but this is war.”
Peng Mancheol showed a faint look of surprise.
He had not expected Namgung Ho, proud as he was, to say such words first.
“I am prepared.”
“What of you, Family Head Peng?”
“As for me……”
Peng Mancheol trailed off.
The atmosphere made it seem unwise to refuse.
And to speak frankly, Sama Uiseong’s opinion was the most realistic measure.
If he disliked it, he could simply face the Lord of the Ironblood Fortress alone.
“So it is not a refusal.”
“I will follow the greater current as well. If I could sweep them all aside alone, that would be one thing—but if it is difficult, then we must combine our strength.”
“Then now the problem lies with the other side.”
“Whichever side it is, a conclusion will not come easily.”
“Even so, we must prepare.”
Namgung Ho’s gaze turned toward Sama Uiseong, silently urging him to continue with the rest of the plan.
At the same time, he subtly glanced at Ban Hojin.
Four would be better than three, and he was discreetly pressing the matter.
Slurp.
Yet regardless of Namgung Ho’s gaze, Ban Hojin merely sipped his tea.
His expression revealed nothing of what he was thinking.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
As the heads of the various sects and martial families slammed the table and shouted loudly, Ilwoo’s pale complexion grew even paler.
Instead of devising countermeasures, they were busy blaming one another and quarreling, which made his head ache.
If it were up to him, he would rather lie down and focus on recovery—but he could not.
Even if he were to rest, the current situation had to be settled first, so Ilwoo let out a deep sigh and surveyed the assembly.
‘Hm?’
Yet among the leaders pointing fingers at each other, quite a few seats were empty.
Not merely scattered gaps—nearly half of the seats were vacant, causing Ilwoo’s brow to furrow deeply.
“Sect Leader.”
“You are looking for those two, are you not?”
Seong Jung-gyeong, the Sect Leader of the Mount Zhongnan Sect seated beside him, countered as though he already understood the question.
Ilwoo nodded.
“They have not arrived yet?”
“It seems so.”
The crease in Ilwoo’s brow deepened further.
It would not have been excessive for them to arrive early, yet they had still not appeared—his insides began to boil.
However, he was not the only one.
A few of the quieter leaders exchanged meaningful glances.
“Was the meeting time properly conveyed?”
“It was delivered to everyone, so of course it was conveyed.”
“Then why…….”
Already struggling to remain seated due to his injuries, Ilwoo’s face twisted harshly when two of their core strengths—Namgung Ho and Peng Mancheol—had yet to show themselves.
At that moment, a certain assumption suddenly flashed through his mind.
A troubling possibility occurred to him.
“What did you just say! Are you trying to shift responsibility onto me?!”
“If you had properly defended your assigned sector, the front line would not have collapsed!”
“Do you call that something fit to be said?!”