Chapter 508:
"In the end…"
Shin Gi-sua quietly set down the report he held in his hands.
It was something he didn't want to think about. But it was something he thought would inevitably happen in the end. That matter had finally come to pass.
Before Shin Gi-sua could even sink into worry, Gwon Geuk opened his mouth.
"What should we do about this matter now?"
It was truly a heavy question.
Gwon Geuk's words contained many things.
The fact that Wei San-ho had sided with the Demonic Cult was something that could bring great shock to the Central Plains. And the responsibility for that would be directed at the Righteous Martial Alliance and the Guangdong Wei Family.
They could bear any amount of criticism directed at the Righteous Martial Alliance. But they couldn't shield the criticism that would pour toward the Guangdong Wei Family in their stead, could they?
"They say the rumors have been cut off, so there shouldn't be any major problems."
"How can one block people's eyes?"
"If it were anywhere else, perhaps not, but if it's the Tang Family, it's possible. The Tang Family has strong authority vested in the family head, and they're sensitive to their own interests. If there's anywhere that can hide secrets, there's no place like the Tang Family. As long as Tang Cheon-gun remains favorable to Wei Yan-ho and the Guangdong Wei Family, there won't be any spread of rumors."
"There are limits to blocking people's mouths."
"We can't block it forever. But for a while, it should be fine."
Gwon Geuk nodded heavily.
'The Demonic Cult, of all things…'
When he heard that Wei San-ho had been captured by the Demonic Cult, he had thought that perhaps such a thing could happen. They had already heard through Wei Jeong-han whose son Wei San-ho was.
'The worst-case scenario imaginable has unfolded exactly as feared.'
It wasn't something incomprehensible.
If Wei San-ho was the legitimate heir of the Demonic Cult, if he had learned about his father's affairs, it wouldn't be strange for him to go to the Demonic Cult. But what about those left behind?
"I never thought Wei San-ho would make such a choice. I thought he was at least the kind of man who would consider the Guangdong Wei Family's position…"
"People are people because you never know what they'll do."
"Yes, that would be so."
Gwon Geuk couldn't relax his stern expression.
"You say I should feel at ease, but I can't feel at ease at all. When this matter spreads, won't Jeong-han face great misfortune?"
"No major problems will arise. After all, there won't be any place that wants to confront Yan-ho directly."
Currently, Wei Yan-ho's reputation was shaking the entire world in an instant.
Now, in terms of reputation, even Shin Gi-sua or Gwon Geuk couldn't dare compare to Wei Yan-ho.
One could confidently say that there had never been anyone in the history of the martial world who had built up their reputation so quickly and dramatically.
Wei Yan-ho's eccentric deeds had probably helped, but Wei Yan-ho's reputation was largely due to the power he possessed. Thanks to this, no one who wanted to oppose Wei Yan-ho would appear right now.
Wasn't Wei Yan-ho not simply the greatest rising star, but someone who could even now poke his head into the arena of contenders for the title of Greatest Under Heaven?
"Alliance Leader."
"Mm?"
"I have something I'd like to ask."
"Speak, man. Since when have you asked permission for such things?"
"It's such a sensitive matter… It's nothing else, but if you and Yan-ho were to duel now, who would be the victor?"
"Hmm…"
Gwon Geuk stroked his beard.
As Shin Gi-sua had said, this was indeed a sensitive matter.
"If the contents of the report are true, then I'd have to say that even I would find it difficult to handle Yan-ho now."
"To that extent?"
"Doesn't the report say that Yan-ho subdued both Cheok Su-gwang and Cheon Ryu-geom without any significant injuries? Cheok Su-gwang is no match for me, but Cheon Ryu-geom is different. If I had to fight him, I wouldn't emerge unscathed either. The result of overwhelming and subduing him unilaterally wouldn't come about. But Yan-ho managed to do it. Then doesn't that mean he's stronger than me?"
"But doesn't martial arts have compatibility factors?"
"Even so, it's the same."
Gwon Geuk spoke decisively.
"Yan-ho's martial arts might have been the natural enemy of Cheon Ryu-geom's. But for martial artists of that level, compatibility doesn't mean much. They're not people who can only utilize one type of flow."
"Hmm…"
Shin Gi-sua nodded heavily.
Gwon Geuk had no need to praise Wei Yan-ho unnecessarily. If you consider how much pride would be hurt by admitting that a young upstart was stronger than oneself, there probably wasn't any exaggeration mixed into that evaluation.
"Is this even possible by common sense?"
"Now, has common sense ever applied to that fellow?"
"That's true, but…"
Shin Gi-sua shook his head vigorously.
He too was no martial artist to be disregarded anywhere, but he couldn't be called an absolute master. Therefore, he couldn't understand the world that Wei Yan-ho and Gwon Geuk lived in.
By his common sense, he simply couldn't understand how Wei Yan-ho had become so strong. It was Wei Yan-ho who had been unilaterally pushed back by Gwon Geuk just a few months ago. But in those few months, could he have become strong enough that Gwon Geuk would admit to being the inferior one?
"He had to become strong, he had to become strong."
Gwon Geuk spoke as if groaning.
"Considering how many things must be blocking that fellow's path ahead, becoming strong was the only way."
That doesn't mean everyone becomes as strong as they resolve to be.
Both Shin Gi-sua and Gwon Geuk knew this fact.
"I think we should discuss a different problem rather than that one."
"What problem do you mean?"
"We're being distracted by the fact that Wei San-ho moved, but isn't this incident actually the Demonic Cult stirring into action?"
"…That's right."
Shin Gi-sua acknowledged the part he had been missing.
If Wei San-ho had devoted himself to the Demonic Cult, then he should be seen as following the Demonic Cult's commands. Then he came to rescue Cheon Ryu-geom on the Demonic Cult's orders.
"Should we view this as the Demonic Cult and Hundred Sword Castle joining hands completely?"
"That's impossible."
Shin Gi-sua spoke decisively.
"But isn't that exactly how things are actually unfolding?"
"A temporary alliance might be possible. But it's absolutely impossible for them to join hands completely."
"Why is that?"
"Because both sides' pride is too strong. The Demonic Cult and Hundred Sword Castle are not places where either can place the other under their command. The Demonic Cult won't bow their heads to Hundred Sword Castle, and Hundred Sword Castle cannot become the Demonic Cult's lackeys either. In the end, they're bound to show cracks."
"Hmm…"
"Even if the two forces joined hands to devour the martial world, a life-or-death war between them would be waiting afterwards. They're not people who wouldn't know this fact. The stronger the opponent, the more they'll try to strike before everything is finished. It's nothing but an unstable coexistence."
"But the fact that they've joined forces right now is real, isn't it?"
"That's right. But I just can't understand…"
Shin Gi-sua let out a contemplative sound.
'It's impossible.'
No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't understand how Hundred Sword Castle and the Demonic Cult had joined hands. If you thought about it simply, it could be finished with 'their interests and losses aligned.' But how could worldly affairs be so simple?
Those with a high understanding of Hundred Sword Castle and the Demonic Cult would be unable to understand their current course of action. Hundred Sword Castle consists of those who pursue only the extremes of the sword. And the Demonic Cult also pursues strength.
The extremes of martial arts and arrogance. These were the common points that Hundred Sword Castle and the Demonic Cult shared. Therefore, the two were bound to hate each other. Yet an alliance?
'There's something I'm missing.'
If water and oil that can never mix are mixing, it means there's a medium that's mixing the two. Finding that medium would be the key to this incident.
"Then, Military Advisor."
"Yes."
Shin Gi-sua raised his head.
This wasn't a problem that could be solved by thinking about it. What he needed now wasn't contemplation but information.
"If it's certain that Hundred Sword Castle and the Demonic Cult have joined hands, could we block their alliance with our current strength?"
Shin Gi-sua couldn't answer immediately.
After deliberating again and again, Shin Gi-sua opened his mouth with a suppressed voice.
"It would be possible. However, both heavenly fortune and temporal luck would have to align perfectly."
"You mean it's impossible."
Gwon Geuk neatly summarized Shin Gi-sua's words.
"If heavenly fortune and temporal luck come together, there's nothing that can't be done. But such things don't happen easily. Am I right?"
"…Yes."
Gwon Geuk let out a contemplative sound.
"Then what should we do?"
"We have no choice but to utilize variables."
"Variables…"
The moment he heard the word variables, there was someone who came to Gwon Geuk's mind.
"In the end, do we have to rely on that fellow again?"
"We won't rely only on that fellow. I am Shin Gi-sua. I am the military advisor of the Righteous Martial Alliance. I have no intention of entrusting everything to that fellow and letting go. I'll make my own preparations. But to endure this terrible period, we need that fellow's activities."
"I see."
Gwon Geuk quietly closed his eyes.
'How powerless.'
He had devoted his entire life to blocking the Demonic Cult.
Yet even so, he couldn't guarantee that they could block the Demonic Cult with their power. The Demonic Cult was that mighty. If Hundred Sword Castle's name was added on top of that, what would be the point of saying anything?
"Do everything you can. Even if it's forceful, even if it sullies the name of the Righteous Martial Alliance, it doesn't matter. What's important is the result."
"I'll keep it in mind."
"And those fellows? Do you intend to leave them in Sichuan as they are?"
"We'll have to call them back."
"What are you thinking of using them for?"
"That's what I'm worried about. They're fellows who don't listen to words, so I can't move them carelessly…"
At that moment, the sound of knocking on the door was heard. Gwon Geuk and Shin Gi-sua turned their heads.
"What is it?"
"A report has come from Sichuan."
"Didn't we just receive one? Another one already?"
"Yes. The thing is…"
"Bring it in."
With Gwon Geuk's permission, the door opened and a report came inside. Gwon Geuk, who had received the report, frowned and began reading the contents.
"Huh?"
Gwon Geuk's eyes, looking at the report, grew as large as lanterns.
Then he urgently held out the report to Shin Gi-sua.
Shin Gi-sua received the report with an anxious face.
'At this rate, I won't die a natural death.'
Every time he read a report from Sichuan, he felt like his lifespan was shortened by several days.
With a trembling heart, Shin Gi-sua read the report, and strength entered his hands.
"A, a withdrawal notice?"
It was a withdrawal notice written by Wei Jeong-han's hand.
"And, and what? He's going to the Demonic Cult together with Wei Yan-ho?"
Shin Gi-sua's hands trembled violently.
"No, how can such a crazy bastard exist!"
Though he was before the Alliance Leader, he had no presence of mind to worry about courtesy or anything else. How could anyone stay calm after reading such insane words?
"Haha…"
Gwon Geuk laughed helplessly.
"I say, Military Advisor. That variable you mentioned…"
"Yes?"
"That doesn't always work favorably for our side, does it? Isn't the probability that we'll be ruined because of that variable also high?"
"…"
Shin Gi-sua became like a mute who had eaten honey, staring at the withdrawal notice several times.
The variable called the Guangdong Wei Family was something that even the renowned Shin Gi-sua couldn't control.
The key to moving the world wasn't the Demonic Cult, Hundred Sword Castle, or the Righteous Martial Alliance.
From now on, the world would shake according to how the Guangdong Wei Family moved.
Feeling his stomach churning, Shin Gi-sua looked up at the distant sky.
'Heaven is truly heartless. Why did it have to be with such fellows?'
Today especially, Shin Gi-sua resented the heavens.