Chapter 178 : A Reversed Position. -01
Chapter 178: A Reversed Position. -01
It might have been an unnecessary worry, but Zhuge Mun-gok thought it was something that had to be addressed at least once.
If they remained complacent and were caught off guard, then hurriedly prepared only after being struck, it would already be too late.
They had already suffered considerable damage due to the war with the Ironblood Fortress.
“Are you not worrying too far ahead? As the Zhuge Family Head said, it is true that we suffered losses, but even so, the Central Plains remain strong.”
“The Demonic Cult of Xinjiang could cross over through Gansu Province. If that happens, would the Gongdong Sect be able to handle it alone?”
“No matter how powerful our sect is, that would be impossible!”
“That is precisely why I brought it up. Since it is difficult alone, we should help one another. Does the Sect Leader find that disagreeable?”
“…….”
The Sect Leader of the Gongdong Sect fell silent.
His lips were pressed into a thin line as he glared, clearly displeased by Zhuge Mun-gok’s words.
But Zhuge Mun-gok did not avoid his gaze.
Rather, he met it boldly.
“The invasion of the Neo-Outer Murim is not merely a crisis for a single sect or a single province. Everyone must join forces. Even in the case of the Ironblood Fortress, did not Shaanxi Province suffer great damage after trying to fight alone? Do we not all know that the moment we appear weak, the moment we seem easy, we will be devoured?”
“It is the law of the strong preying upon the weak.”
Listening to Zhuge Mun-gok’s calm yet piercing words, Damhyeon nodded.
He shared the same thoughts.
If they only sought their own interests like the Sect Leader of the Gongdong Sect, they might all collapse together. For that reason, Damhyeon supported Zhuge Mun-gok’s opinion.
“And does not everyone find it strange? That the Nine Heavens Gate withdrew of its own accord?”
“There is a reason behind every action.”
“Exactly. That is why we must prepare all the more.”
It was not without reason that Tang Woo-hyeok had come all the way to Songshan.
He, too, had found the situation suspicious and had personally come to seek assistance.
“I am in favor.”
Following the Qingcheng Sect and the Emei Sect, Seong Jung-gyeong, the Sect Leader of the Mount Zhongnan Sect, expressed his support.
Having felt much from this war, Seong Jung-gyeong did not hesitate.
The damage inflicted by the Ironblood Fortress had been considerable, so he actively supported the proposal.
Moreover, it was not as though they were proposing to establish a Martial Alliance immediately, but merely to prepare. There was no reason to waver.
“I as well.”
“So do I.”
When Peng Mancheol and Namgung Ho added their approval, the others also raised their hands and joined in.
Since they did not know when an attack might come, there was no harm in preparing.
“Then I suppose the Sect Leader will, of course, refuse?”
“Why do you assume so? I—I, too, shall agree.”
At Ilwoo’s sarcasm, the Sect Leader of the Gongdong Sect flushed red.
Yet he did not oppose it.
Though Zhuge Mun-gok’s words had been slightly exaggerated, he knew they were not groundless.
When the Demonic Cult invaded the Central Plains, it often crossed through Sichuan Province and Gansu Province. As the Sect Leader of the Gongdong Sect, he had to consider the worst-case scenario.
“Hah. That sounds quite different from what you were saying earlier?”
After Ilwoo, Peng Mancheol looked at him with disbelief.
He had been resentful just moments ago, and now he was quietly stepping in line with the majority—it was absurd.
Though his face reddened in embarrassment, even that seemed irritating to Peng Mancheol.
“If even we cannot unite as one, how would it look to the outside? For the sake of setting an example, I merely thought it best that we stand together.”
“Hmph!”
As he shamelessly declared his intention to follow the prevailing tide, Peng Mancheol let out a snort.
The more he listened, the more ridiculous it sounded.
It seemed the others felt the same, as Ilwoo and Seong Jung-gyeong looked at the Sect Leader of the Gongdong Sect with unkind gazes.
Yet despite that, the Sect Leader did not avert his eyes and instead lifted his chin even more boldly.
“In any case, a conclusion has been reached.”
“I consider that fortunate.”
Though there had been slight discord, in the end everyone had agreed, and the Beggar King wore a satisfied expression.
For this much, it was quite favorable.
Zhuge Mun-gok, who had first proposed it, let out a small sigh of relief as if he shared the same thought.
“I would like to add one more thing.”
“What is it?”
“The Nine Heavens Gate is an issue, yes, but I believe we must also issue a warning to the unorthodox sects and the demonic sects within the Central Plains. An internal enemy can be more threatening than an external one.”
At Tang Woo-hyeok’s words, everyone nodded.
Those who had fought bitterly against the Ironblood Fortress reacted most fervently.
The Ironblood Fortress was one matter, but the damage caused by those who had swiftly entered under its command had been considerable.
“There is a need for warning and discipline. It may appear as though we are oppressing the innocent, but given the cases of the Ironblood Fortress and the Nine Heavens Gate, they will not protest strongly. The Sichuan Tang Family has already set an example.”
“Indeed. However, that alone is insufficient.”
Though Tang Woo-hyeok was older than Zhuge Mun-gok, he maintained courtesy in this formal setting.
Moreover, he did not wish to be grouped with the likes of Peng Mancheol.
“It seems the Tang Family Head wishes to take a firmer stance.”
“Yes.”
“But excessive pressure could instead grant them justification. It may be better to coax and appease them.”
At Zhuge Mun-gok’s words, clashes of opinion broke out here and there.
Some supported him, while others supported Tang Woo-hyeok.
Since it was not a matter with a single correct answer, such conflict was only natural.
“While the pressing matters are important, I believe we should also address the Rising Juniors.”
“Hmm?”
At that moment, Namgung Ho spoke.
It seemed, in a way, like an unexpected topic.
Yet interestingly, Peng Mancheol and Tang Woo-hyeok nodded in support.
The Head of the Hwangbo Family also joined in.
“Are not the Rising Juniors the future of the Orthodox Murim? Many have died this time. The present is important, but we must also safeguard the future.”
“That is not wrong. Though I did not expect such words from the Namgung Family Head.”
“I felt much from this war, Sect Leader.”
“Then have you considered a solution?”
“What if we create an environment where they can grow properly? Not merely fostering camaraderie, but having seniors spar with them and offer guidance. Beginning with the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families, traversing Murim together. They would gain experience and naturally grow accustomed to working in harmony.”
At the unexpectedly reasonable plan, everyone looked slightly surprised.
They had not expected such an idea from Namgung Ho of all people.
But the surprise did not end there.
At his next words, their eyes widened.
“Since we are all gathered, how about holding the first at Shaolin Temple, and the second at the Namgung Family? We would simply expand the existing Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, so I believe it would not be too burdensome.”
“Oh?”
Starting with Zhuge Mun-gok, several leaders looked intrigued.
The more they listened, the better the plan sounded.
In particular, the opportunity to gain experience in other sects and martial families was appealing.
“I approve.”
“The intent does not seem bad.”
As Damhyeon and the Beggar King showed positive responses, the atmosphere naturally leaned toward proceeding.
There were no strong objections.
Only Peng Mancheol looked at Namgung Ho with a peculiar gaze.
No matter how he thought about it, it seemed there was some ulterior motive.
‘He is definitely aiming for something. I wonder if the Zhuge Family Head is aware.’
Furrowing his brow, Peng Mancheol looked at Zhuge Mun-gok, who seemed quite receptive.
If anyone could see through Namgung Ho’s intentions, it would be him.
Yet perhaps unaware of Peng Mancheol’s gaze, Zhuge Mun-gok was busily conversing with Seong Jung-gyeong and the Sect Leaders of the Qingcheng and Emei Sects.
Ban Hojin, arms folded, wore a thoroughly displeased expression.
His once-quiet residence was now more crowded than a marketplace.
No, it had gone beyond crowded—it was swarming with people.
And they were men and women in their prime.
“Wow! Wow!”
“That is Young Lady Tang, the Poison Phoenix!”
“Over there is Young Lady Murong, the White Phoenix!”
“Pl-Plum Phoenix is here too! Is this a dream or reality?”
Unlike Ban Hojin, whose brows were deeply furrowed, Jeong Hyeon and the Second-Generation Disciples were more excited than ever.
It was not the first time the Three Phoenixes had visited Shaolin Temple, but that did not mean everyone could see them.
Even when they visited, they usually stayed in their lodgings or met only those with business before departing. Opportunities to see them so freely were rare.
Thus, everyone was stealing glances at the Three Phoenixes with bright faces.
“They are incredible…….”
“No wonder they are counted among the greatest beauties.”
“She really does resemble Young Master Murong. But Young Lady Murong is much prettier.”
“You are saying something obvious so seriously?”
At the nonstop whispering of the Second-Generation Disciples, Ban Hojin shook his head.
It felt as though they were bringing disgrace upon Shaolin Temple.
If they had been Lay Disciples, he might have understood.
But every one of those gathered here was a True Mountain Disciple.
“The future of Shaolin Temple looks bleak.”
“S-Senior Uncle!”
“Hah. So I am at least visible to you? I thought all your eyes were fixed solely on the Three Phoenixes.”
“Come on. How wide do you think our field of vision is? We can see you too, Senior Uncle, and the others.”
“What others? It is just the Three Phoenixes.”
Clicking his tongue at Jeong Hyeon, Ban Hojin spoke.
His words and actions did not match.
His constantly rolling eyes were directed only toward the Three Phoenixes.
“Opportunities like this are rare. When will we ever see the Three Phoenixes gathered together again?”
“If you like it that much, why not go over and greet them?”
“Ah, that would be a bit embarrassing.”
Jeong Hyeon twisted his body shyly.
At the sight, Ban Hojin looked exasperated.
“You are not embarrassed to stare?”
“Hehe! We can look comfortably. There are so many people that no one will notice us staring.”
“Unbelievable.”
“But what is going on? It is the first time this many people have come here, right?”
“How would I know?”
Still with arms folded, Ban Hojin replied.
In truth, he was very curious.
Why they had suddenly gathered like this.
He could understand Murong Heesu and the Peng sisters, Peng Suyeong and Peng Hwayeong, since they had some acquaintance.
But the others were not the same.
Especially the men crowding around—Ban Hojin could not understand why they had come all the way here.
“It certainly seems they came to see you, Senior Uncle.”
“I know that much. But for them to gather like this, there must be a reason.”
“They did not come to challenge you, did they? If they truly came to request a spar, that would be shameless.”
“Just watch what you were watching. Do not pretend to be concerned.”
“Gasp! Was it that obvious?”
Jeong Hyeon looked startled.
But he did not deny it.
Since he had already been caught, pretending otherwise would only be ridiculous.
And knowing Ban Hojin’s personality, he would not sulk over something like this.
“Reflect on yourself. Do you think it would be obvious, or not?”
“Even so, to me, you will forever be my idol, Senior Uncle!”
“Stop saying things you do not mean. Just go. Take a good spot and watch comfortably. If you want to exchange greetings, have Cheok take you. The Poison Phoenix and the Plum Phoenix may be difficult, but Young Lady Murong should be possible.”
“Ah…….”
Jeong Hyeon’s eyes wavered for a moment.
Now that he thought about it, it did seem possible.
If it was merely a greeting, perhaps he could use his acquaintance with Murong Cheok.
The other Second-Generation Disciples seemed to reach the same conclusion, their eyes sparkling.
“That will not do. Your intentions are impure.”