Chapter 386
Bang!
Jang-il sighed as he watched Wei Yan-ho burst through the door.
'What's he angry about this time?'
Well, when you think about it, how many things did Wei Yan-ho have to be angry about? His older brother had been captured, and thanks to that, his path home had changed to the Righteous Martial Alliance. It would be stranger if he wasn't in a bad mood.
The problem was that when Wei Yan-ho was in a bad mood, they suffered for it.
Thanks to getting to know Wei Yan-ho, Jang-il had realized how important the balance between strength and character was. He had experienced firsthand how difficult life became for those around someone when a person with power acted recklessly.
Wei Yan-ho's gaze swept over everyone in the room.
Those his eyes touched flinched.
Even Mu-san was subtly avoiding Wei Yan-ho's gaze.
Watching this scene, tears welled up in Jang-il's eyes.
'What sins did we commit to deserve this?'
He felt like rushing to Wang Geo-ji right now and demanding to know why he had given him such a task. If Wang Geo-ji had known what kind of person Wei Yan-ho was, he never would have made the insane suggestion to stick with Wei Yan-ho.
"Tsk."
Whether he knew Jang-il's feelings or not, Wei Yan-ho began to work himself up.
"These hypocritical orthodox sect bastards."
You're orthodox too, damn it!
"Usually they're so good at spouting off about cooperation and righteousness, but when their own lives are in danger, they suddenly go silent."
"…Where did you hear this talk that you're coming here to take it out on us?"
At Jang-il's protest, Wei Yan-ho glared at him.
"You're saying you're not like that?"
"Of course!"
Words should be thought through before being spoken. Jang-il was a bit lacking in that department. And now it was time to pay the price.
"I see."
Wei Yan-ho looked pleased.
"Then you must be thinking of going with me to the Demonic Cult for the sake of cooperation and justice."
"…What?"
Jang-il's eyes shook as if he'd encountered an earthquake.
Where?
What did that bastard just say? Where was he going?
The Demonic Cult?
"Wh-what are you talking about, you crazy bastard!"
"Why? You said you weren't like that?"
"This isn't a matter of cooperation and justice! It's a matter of survival versus pointless death!"
"When was it that you were babbling about being able to throw away your life like grass for the sake of justice!"
"When did I ever!"
"Tsk tsk. Look at that."
Wei Yan-ho clicked his tongue.
"Everyone's all talk. When actual harm comes to them, they have no intention of upholding justice."
"Hey, is this really something to discuss justice about?"
"Then what?"
Wei Yan-ho glared at him.
"My older brother, and your friend, has been captured by the Demonic Cult, and you're just sitting here watching with your hands folded – is that justice? According to what you usually claim, shouldn't you be rushing to save him right now?"
"…"
Jang-il was struck dumb.
That's what he said, but where in the world was there a person who lived by upholding every principle of righteousness? If they had to wage all-out war with the Demonic Cult for one person, everyone would wave their hands and refuse.
"I understand your feelings, but this isn't something you can think about so simply."
"Really?"
"…What do you mean, really?"
"Do you really think that way? Or is it just that you don't want to die?"
Jang-il couldn't answer.
Because he knew that what Wei Yan-ho had said was the correct answer.
But people shouldn't say exactly what they think. That was the way to live in the world.
"If there was a possibility, I'd risk my life. But it would just be a pointless death."
"Pointless death?"
Wei Yan-ho tilted his head as if he didn't understand.
"If even half of those who discuss justice and cooperation helped, it would be entirely possible."
"That's the problem – that won't happen."
Jang-il sighed.
"I understand your feelings. But this isn't something you can approach emotionally."
"Ah, is that so?"
Wei Yan-ho smirked.
And that smile felt like the ultimate insult to Jang-il.
"You damned bastard! Do you think you're the only one who's angry and upset? At least you have the strength to get angry. We're rotting inside but can't do anything about it. Because we don't have power!"
"Power?"
Contempt flickered in Wei Yan-ho's eyes.
"So you're saying I can say these things because I have power, and you can't because you don't have power?"
"…"
Jang-il couldn't answer.
Because he knew that wasn't really it.
The Demonic Cult wasn't a place that anyone could deal with casually. Even someone at the level of Kwon Geuk or the Divine Strategist would be the same.
"Everyone values their own life just the same. But if you were going to act like this, you shouldn't have spouted such words in the first place."
Jang-il hung his head.
Watching Jang-il, who had no response, Wei Yan-ho turned around.
"I didn't expect anything anyway."
"Wh-where are you going?"
"Why ask?"
"You crazy bastard, are you planning to attack the Demonic Cult alone?"
"Do I look that stupid to you?"
"Th-then?"
"I'm not attacking – I'm infiltrating. And if I rescue my brother, it's a simple solution."
"That's the same thing!"
"It's completely different?"
"This crazy bastard, really."
Jang-il felt like foaming at the mouth.
How could someone infiltrate the Demonic Cult alone? And how was he planning to extract a person from there?
"Just calm down first."
"There's nothing to calm down about. I'm perfectly calm right now."
"Is that something a calm person could come up with?"
Wei Yan-ho turned to look at Jang-il. Then he spoke with an expressionless face.
"Then what do you think I should do, from your calm perspective?"
"…"
"Should I sit still and pray that my brother escapes from there? Or should I think of this as fate and just leave it alone?"
Jang-il stammered.
"Th-the Righteous Martial Alliance won't just sit still."
"Do you really think so?"
Of course not.
What could the Righteous Martial Alliance do when someone had been captured by the Demonic Cult? Should they send a message to the Demonic Cult asking them to return the person because he's on their side?
The Righteous Martial Alliance and the Demonic Cult didn't acknowledge each other's existence to begin with. The only conversation they could have was through violence.
But would the Righteous Martial Alliance really move for Wei San-ho alone?
'Absolutely impossible.'
Such a thing would never happen.
Even if Wei San-ho were just Wei San-ho, such a thing wouldn't happen. But wasn't Wei San-ho's hidden secret already known to the Divine Strategist?
The Righteous Martial Alliance fighting the Demonic Cult to save the son of the Great Demon Emperor?
'Ridiculous.'
Moreover, the Demonic Cult would never try to release Wei San-ho either. The status that the Great Demon Emperor held in the Demonic Cult was beyond what people in the martial world imagined.
To them, the Great Demon Emperor was a figure who symbolized the demon path. When such a person's bloodline had flowed into the Demonic Cult, would they let him go nicely? That was impossible.
Either way, there would be no conclusion without bloodshed.
But waging war with the Demonic Cult to save Wei San-ho would shake the very foundation of the Righteous Martial Alliance's identity as an organization formed for the peace of the Central Plains.
"You know it too, don't you?"
At Wei Yan-ho's words, Jang-il couldn't give any response.
"I don't want to curse you. That's just how things are, so what can I do? I just want to be different."
With those words, Wei Yan-ho began to walk. Even Jang-il couldn't stop such a Wei Yan-ho. It wasn't that he didn't know – he was going to do it even knowing, so what words could possibly hold Wei Yan-ho back?
But he didn't need to stop Wei Yan-ho.
There was someone else who would stop him.
Wei Yan-ho paused slightly at the door. After quietly staring at the door, Wei Yan-ho opened it.
Then he looked at the door with a calm gaze.
Three people stood in front of the door.
Kwon Geuk, the Divine Strategist, and Wei Jeong-han.
"Where are you going?"
At the Divine Strategist's question, Wei Yan-ho answered calmly.
"To the Demonic Cult."
"What are you planning to do at the Demonic Cult?"
"I have to rescue him."
Rage built up on the Divine Strategist's face.
"Do you think you can go and rescue your brother? You, who couldn't even handle the Blood-Mad Demon Emperor, think you can go to the Demonic Cult, where high priests swarm, and rescue your brother? Is that even remotely reasonable?"
"Well, it would be difficult. I know it won't be easy. But…"
Wei Yan-ho shrugged.
"Just because something isn't easy doesn't mean I'll sit on my hands – that's not my nature."
"A lazy bum talks big."
"Yes. I'm a lazy bum. These days I've been moving around so much it's embarrassing to call myself lazy, but I'm naturally a lazy person. However."
Wei Yan-ho's eyes grew cold.
"Even a lazy person like me knows what needs to be done. I know when to be lazy and when not to be lazy."
The Divine Strategist made a contemplative sound.
"Even so, when a brother I grew up with is captured by the Demonic Cult, it's not the time to be lazy. If you're born human, you shouldn't act that way."
"You must not go."
"Hey now."
Wei Yan-ho showed his irritation.
"Have I ever received even one salary from the Righteous Martial Alliance? Am I a member of the Righteous Martial Alliance? I'm going on my own feet because I want to – by what authority does the Righteous Martial Alliance think it can stop me?"
"I fully understand your feelings. But now is not the time."
"When will that time come?"
"…Now is not the time."
"Shall I answer that for you? That time will never come. There will never be an appropriate, convenient time to rescue my brother. We'll have to bear the burden whenever we do it. So I'm going now."
"Hey, you brat! Why is he your brother…"
"Stop."
Wei Yan-ho's cold voice flowed into the Divine Strategist's ears.
"You'd better be careful with those words. You're an elder, and I don't want to get angry."
"…"
"No matter what anyone says, we are brothers."
Wei Jeong-han nodded without saying anything. Even if they weren't connected by blood, they were brothers.
Kwon Geuk, who had been quietly watching the situation, spoke up.
"Do you have confidence you can rescue him if you go?"
"I don't know. But if I don't even try because it seems difficult, nothing will change."
"That's also true."
"Alliance Leader!"
When the Divine Strategist shouted, Kwon Geuk raised his hand.
"However, Yan-ho. What you're trying to do requires strength. No matter how much you shout and get angry, those without power cannot change the world. You know this, don't you?"
"Of course."
"Then prove it."
"What?"
Kwon Geuk pointed behind him.
"Prove that you have the qualification and strength to go to the Demonic Cult and extract your brother. Then I'll gladly send you off."
"…Eh. So. This is, you want to have a match?"
"It won't be like last time."
Wei Yan-ho chuckled and grumbled.
It won't be like last time? Was he talking about that martial contest from before?
"That seems like something I should be saying."
Wei Yan-ho tapped the sword at his waist.
"If I have to prove it, I'll prove it. I've made up my mind too. Never to disgrace my master's sword again."
Wei Yan-ho and Kwon Geuk's gazes intertwined in mid-air.