Chapter 387
Wei Jeong-han looked at the two men with a slightly more serious expression.
'Why is the situation flowing like this?'
Martial artists are simple.
Though they usually pretend to be quite complicated, when conflicts arise, they have a strong tendency to ultimately resolve things through force.
In fact, there's nothing strange about that—if they wanted to solve things with words or rules, why would they learn martial arts? They'd be better off studying academics instead.
But wasn't it a bit strange for these two to resolve matters in such a way?
Gwon Geuk was the Leader of the Righteous Martial Alliance.
Even if he weren't the Alliance Leader, the name Gwon Geuk alone was enough to receive treatment as the most respected elder in the martial world.
And now such a person and the young Wei Yan-ho wanted to resolve their problem through a duel.
'No matter who wins, this won't end well.'
Meeting Wei Jeong-han's gaze, the Divine Strategist nodded. He too seemed to think it should be stopped.
'Besides, if by any chance… '
The Divine Strategist shook his head.
No, not yet.
Though he knew well enough that Wei Yan-ho had become incredibly strong, he didn't think the boy had reached Gwon Geuk's level yet.
That was only natural.
Who was Gwon Geuk?
He was someone who had maintained the title of Greatest Fist Under Heaven for decades, both in name and in reality.
Though there might be those stronger than him in the current martial world, none existed with higher reputation. The Righteous Martial Alliance symbolized the martial world, and Gwon Geuk symbolized the Righteous Martial Alliance. In other words, Gwon Geuk was like the very symbol of the current martial world.
For such a person to lose to the young Wei Yan-ho?
It was absolutely impossible.
'But if by any chance… '
If such a thing happened—one in a thousand, one in ten thousand chances—the ripple effects would be beyond what the Divine Strategist could imagine.
And this was the Righteous Martial Alliance.
No matter how much they tried to hide it, they couldn't avoid everyone's eyes. Hadn't the rumor of Gwon Geuk and Wei Yan-ho's previous duel already spread widely?
Back then, it was obvious that neither had used their full strength, and the result itself showed Gwon Geuk overwhelming his opponent, so there was no major problem. But if rumors spread that Gwon Geuk had been defeated by a green youngster?
'The danger is too great.'
The current martial world was like a boiling whirlpool.
The Demonic Cult could emerge at any time. And a major incident had already occurred.
At times like this, the martial world needed to unite closely around its leadership.
But if Gwon Geuk's standing were to be damaged at such a time… there would be nothing more terrible.
"Alliance Leader."
Having finished his calculations, the Divine Strategist grabbed Gwon Geuk.
He too didn't believe Gwon Geuk would lose. But now was a time to be careful even of falling leaves.
"This is not good."
His tone was somewhat stern.
But Gwon Geuk raised his hand to stop the Divine Strategist.
"I'll handle it myself."
"But Alliance Leader!"
"Strategist."
Gwon Geuk's voice flowed out coldly.
The Divine Strategist hesitated. No matter how much he was the Alliance's strategist wielding unlimited power, he could not transgress against the Leader's authority.
What he could do was offer opinions. All decision-making power lay with the Alliance Leader.
"I know well what you're worried about. But don't forget who I am."
"…How could I doubt the Alliance Leader? But the timing is not good now. At a time like this, there's nothing good about talk of suppression through force."
"That's not it."
"Pardon?"
Gwon Geuk looked back at the Divine Strategist with piercing eyes.
"You too have become too steeped in peace. At times like this, we must suppress with force. When did we ever listen to others' words one by one back then?"
The Divine Strategist couldn't answer.
Because back then, it was a time when they couldn't do such things.
With the Demonic Cult pressing in and people dying everywhere, where was there time to listen to opinions and such? It was a time when they were too busy moving as thoughts came to mind.
"We've compromised a lot during this time. We thought it was fine to take a roundabout approach since it was a peaceful period. But not anymore. If we continue letting everyone boast about themselves like now, we won't be able to handle the united power of the Demonic Cult."
"…You speak correctly."
"So now is the time to show our strength."
As Gwon Geuk spoke with a hardened expression, the Divine Strategist clenched his fist tightly.
That's right.
This was the kind of person Gwon Geuk was.
If he had been merely a good-natured person, he couldn't have been the pillar during those dangerous times. The appearance of 'that' Gwon Geuk—the one they could believe in and follow without any doubt from the past—was beginning to emerge again.
"Do as the Alliance Leader wishes."
Having come this far, he had nothing more to say.
The Divine Strategist knew it. What moved martial artists' hearts was not perfect calculation, but sometimes courage that seemed reckless. In the past, during those dangerous troubled times, who had believed in the Divine Strategist and fought? The praise he received was merely hindsight.
Without Gwon Geuk standing at the forefront with indomitable spirit, something like the Righteous Martial Alliance couldn't have been maintained. If such a person was stepping forward again, how could he dare block his path?
As the Divine Strategist quietly stepped back, Wei Jeong-han frowned.
'This is troublesome… '
Just as he was about to speak, Wei Yan-ho struck first.
"From what I hear, it sounds like you want to use me as an example?"
Gwon Geuk smiled lightly.
"Would that be wrong?"
"There's nothing wrong with it."
Wei Yan-ho shrugged his shoulders.
"But if you make a mistake in the process, there'd be no greater humiliation, would there?"
"A mistake…"
Gwon Geuk chuckled softly.
"I've experienced hundreds of battlefields where a single mistake could cost one's life. Would I make a mistake in such a small matter?"
"My master used to say this."
"Mm?"
Wei Yan-ho's eyes grew serious.
"People truly make mistakes not when they're tense, but when they're steeped in arrogance, believing they won't make mistakes."
The corner of Gwon Geuk's eye twitched.
"You were lecturing Strategist Grandfather about being steeped in peace, but from what I see, the person steeped in peace seems to be Alliance Leader Grandfather."
"Hahaha!"
Gwon Geuk burst into laughter.
"You're right. Yes, your words aren't wrong."
Gwon Geuk nodded greatly. But his expression was certainly different from before. Gwon Geuk's gaze, which had always been gentle like looking at a cute grandchild, had settled coldly.
"But I'm not the only one who makes mistakes. You're making a mistake too, aren't you?"
"Me?"
"Yes. If you hadn't said those words, the probability of me making a mistake would have increased even slightly, but making your opponent fully prepared can't be good for you, can it?"
"Hmm…"
Wei Yan-ho scratched his head.
"Now that you mention it, that's true. Should I call it a mistake if it's a mistake…"
"Wei Yan-ho."
"Yes?"
Gwon Geuk looked at Wei Yan-ho with a hardened expression.
"I fully understand your heart wanting to rescue your brother."
"…"
"I would have acted the same way. If one's brother was dragged away by the Demonic Cult and one just endured it, that wouldn't be manly. If I weren't tied down by the troublesome position of Alliance Leader, I would have praised your actions. A man should naturally act that way—indeed."
Gwon Geuk's gaze didn't leave Wei Yan-ho. And what he was saying now was sincere. If he weren't the Leader of the Righteous Martial Alliance, he truly would have praised Wei Yan-ho.
"But people have positions."
"…"
"As long as I'm in a position where I must prioritize the martial world's safety over personal feelings, I can't just look favorably upon your actions."
"It's an obvious story."
"It's because I don't want to tell that obvious story that I'm saying this."
Gwon Geuk sighed lowly and said.
"Let me ask one last time."
Wei Yan-ho also looked at Gwon Geuk with interested eyes.
"Can't you trust me, and the Righteous Martial Alliance, and wait just a little?"
Both Wei Yan-ho and Wei Jeong-han looked at Gwon Geuk with surprised expressions.
It wasn't particularly strange for Gwon Geuk to try to persuade Wei Yan-ho. What surprised them was that Gwon Geuk's words contained a hidden meaning that he would do something to rescue Wei San-ho.
"It won't be easy right away, not right away. But I swear by the name of Alliance Leader. And I'll stake my name Gwon Geuk as well. I will definitely rescue him."
"Mm…"
Wei Yan-ho's expression also became serious.
The name of the Righteous Martial Alliance's Leader and the name Gwon Geuk were never light. There probably wasn't a heavier name than these in the current martial world.
That he had staked these names meant Gwon Geuk also had the will to definitely do it. For someone of Gwon Geuk's stature, breaking a promise made with his name staked would be the greatest shame.
"Yan-ho."
Wei Jeong-han also tried to persuade Wei Yan-ho.
"The Alliance Leader has spoken to this extent."
"Father."
"My heart wanting to rush to the Demonic Cult right now is greater than yours. If I could rescue San-ho by doing so, I too would have done it. But this isn't a problem that can be solved with emotions, is it?"
Wei Yan-ho pouted his lips.
"So you're saying we should just sit idle?"
"That's not it. It's a problem that needs more thought."
"If we think about it?"
"…"
"Will an answer come out if we think about it?"
Wei Jeong-han couldn't answer.
It was an unprecedented situation.
It was a situation that couldn't have precedent.
So how could he give a definite answer?
"I know too. Looking at how the Alliance Leader speaks, it might be possible someday. But when? One year? Five years? Or ten years?"
Wei Yan-ho looked straight at Gwon Geuk and said.
"Can you give me a definite answer that it's solvable within at least one year?"
"…I can't give a definite answer."
"See?"
Wei Yan-ho shrugged his shoulders.
"Someday, when the time comes… I don't believe such words. What I believe is only right now."
"You frustrating boy, that's why time is needed because it can't be done!"
"If it were a problem that would be solved by time passing, I would have waited even a hundred years."
"…"
"But nothing changes just because time passes. The only thing that changes is my brother's situation. I don't want to leave my brother in that hellish place even for a moment longer."
Gwon Geuk sighed in frustration.
The words just wouldn't get through.
He understood that there could be stubbornness due to youth, but one should be stubborn about things worth being stubborn about. It was a problem that wouldn't yield answers even when the martial world's wise men put their heads together. To demand immediate resolution of such a problem—where could such unreasonableness exist?
'There's no choice.'
In the end, he had no choice but to suppress with force.
Gwon Geuk hardened his resolve. Having come this far, even if Wei Yan-ho was severely injured, he had to defeat him.
'I'm not even confident I can defeat him cleanly.'
The Wei Yan-ho before his eyes was different from the Wei Yan-ho he had faced before. He didn't know what had happened in the meantime, but he had already become a martial artist whom even Gwon Geuk couldn't guarantee victory against.
So with desperate resolve…
"Then."
At that moment, the Divine Strategist spoke up.
"If we just provide a method to rescue Wei San-ho, that's enough? Somehow?"
Everyone's attention focused on the Divine Strategist at his sudden words.
"Is there a method?"
"…I asked if it would be enough if we just provided a method."
"Well, if you would do that. Hehe, it would be good for me too since I wouldn't have to do troublesome work."
As Wei Yan-ho began smiling sheepishly, the Divine Strategist looked up at the distant sky.
"Aigo, my fate."
The Divine Strategist's sigh flowed out as if it would collapse the earth.