Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1548. Nevertheless (3)
Editor: Hoamz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
From then on, things proceeded at lightning speed.
It was a meeting that could have easily dragged on, given the sheer weight of the figures gathered, but…
“Ah, just say what you need to say! What you need to say! So will it work or not?"
The situation was urgent and time was pressing. These two undeniable factors shattered all the formalities that should have accompanied such meetings.
“Moving as whole sects to respond to the current situation is impossible. The enemy is spreading throughout the entire Gangbuk, isn’t it?”
“Then what do you want us to do?”
“We need to split up too! Just as finely as they do!”
Im Sobyeong, who led the seventy-two mountain stronghold and thus had no qualms about splitting a force into seventy-two pieces, threw out the major premise.
“That is an unreasonable move. For them, it’s enough to just cause havoc wherever they set foot, but we have to move in an organized fashion, don’t we? How would those spread throughout the entire Jungwon communicate with each other and respond to Jang Ilso's movements?"
"Don't look for reasons why it won't work, but find a way to make it work, make it work!”
“No, I mean just how....”
“If communication is the problem, then just attach someone to handle it! Send a message to Beggar Union headquarters and get support! You can attach one beggar bastard to each unit!”
"Ah!"
“Beggar Union alone makes immediate response difficult."
"Treat every ten units as one regional unit and assign a Yuryong Sect disciple to the central unit. Then we can utilize human messengers, not just carrier birds.”
“They’re not as fast as Baek-ah, but we’ve got some pretty quick mystical creatures ourselves. We can utilize those too. Though doing so would require a Beast Palace warrior and the creature to move together."
“Even so, it won't be easy. It’s a situation where we might have to go all the way to Zhejiang, and from Shaanxi to Zhejiang is…”
“Then choose a few appropriate strongholds and make them temporary command posts. One in each region to receive first reports and give orders, then send second reports from there to the main headquarters of Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”
Tang Gun-ak, Maeng So, and Im Sobyeong quickly filled in the necessary elements, as if to prove that the position of sect leader was not won through gambling.
And to their experience was added the vigor of the youth.
“That’s not enough! We have to have the newly trained physicians accompany each unit!”
“Hmm, already?”
“Absolutely.”
"But the necessary training hasn't finished yet."
"Since when does medical art have an end? Still, it’ll be a hundred times better than nothing, so we have no choice even if it’s not ideal. We should prioritize deploying Tang Family members or those who already knew medicine over those learning from scratch!"
Tang Gun-ak nodded. Better methods might emerge if they discussed it further, but in a situation like this, even the time for a short argument was a waste.
“Then let’s do that. Inform Beggar Union and Yuryong Sect of the situation and request their support right now.”
"Yes, Vice Alliance Leader!"
Tang Gun-ak decisively organized the situation.
"Which sect will go?"
“Namgung!”
“Hainan will go!”
“W- Wait a moment. Ice Palace doesn’t have much to contribute otherwise, so of course you have to send our Ice Palace for this!”
The sects led by young sect leaders were all brimming with fighting spirit.
But Tang Gun-ak was cold-headed.
“Nokrim King!”
"Yes."
“Select them.”
“Neither Namgung nor Hainan will do.”
“Nokrim King!”
Namgung Dowi flared up and shot to his feet, but Im Sobyeong spoke as if the man weren’t even there.
“Which sect is strong, which sect is more desperate or motivated, such things are not important right now. Each unit can only be made up of at most ten or so people. Which means what we need to focus on now is…”
“The unit leader.”
"Yes."
Im Sobyeong nodded quickly.
“The number of units will be determined by how many capable leaders we have. Hainan and Namgung lack the manpower.”
“Wha- What about Ice Palace?”
“How can those who don’t even know the geography lead a unit?”
"Ah...."
Seol So-baek sighed regretfully. Im Sobyeong continued.
"We should form a dozen units centered around Mount Hua and Tang Family, and receive additional support of one or two units from each sect."
Tang Gun-ak nodded quickly.
Mount Hua and Tang Family were the core of Heavenly Comrade Alliance. If those two sects were to be at the center of this dispatch, the defenses of Huayin would naturally be weakened.
But now that they had even received Southern Edge Sect’s support, there was no better plan than this. It was self-evident.
“Maengju-nim.”
As things were roughly sorted out, Hyun Jong slowly nodded.
“Mm, then let’s....”
“Then would Southern Edge Sect be able to provide at least one unit as well?”
Everyone instantly turned their heads in surprise. There stood Isong Baek with a hardened face, looking solemn and determined. Jin Geumryong spoke coldly.
“Shut your mouth, Isong Baek.”
"There will surely be those in Southern Edge Sect who wish to step forward upon hearing this news. Wouldn’t it be better to let them carry out their will rather than tying them down here?”
“It’s not that you want to do it?”
Though Jin Geumryong shot him a sharp look, Isong Baek remained silent without answering. A cold sneer appeared at the corner of Jin Geumryong's mouth.
"Guess we're in no position to criticize Mount Hua either."
"Sahyung."
"Do as you please. There's nothing more tiresome than trying to make a person out of an idiot. An idiot should just act like an idiot."
Though his words were filled with criticism, rebuke, and ridicule, Isong Baek smiled rather brightly. Knowing this ill-tempered sahyung, he had understood the meaning of permission hidden within.
“Then Southern Edge Sect will also join.”
Tang Gun-ak pressed his brow firmly as if his head ached.
'Therefore....'
Mount Hua and Tang Family... Namgung and Hainan, and even Southern Edge Sect on top of that.
If those five sects each formed units, the Medic Group and Beggar Union would follow, and Yuryong Sect and Nokrim would provide support.
In conclusion….
“What a terrible hodgepodge.”
A complete mess.
It was a composition that couldn't be called an alliance from the start nor was it a sect. It was nothing more than pouring in all available personnel as they came and cutting and sticking them at will. But…
“Even so.”
Chung Myung smiled as if he understood exactly what Tang Gun-ak was thinking.
“It does seem like this is the most reasonable outcome?”
Tang Gun-ak nodded, thinking that he sometimes wanted to just grab that grinning mouth and pull it wide to both sides.
“If you add the phrase ‘among the options we can prepare in this short amount of time’… I’ll acknowledge it.”
Tang Gun-ak sighed deeply and turned to Hyun Jong.
“Maengju-nim.”
“I approve.”
Hyun Jong answered without a single inch of hesitation. What he could do for them right now was nothing but reduce useless formalities.
“However, when forming the units, their strength must not be lacking. We can't end up suffering damage in an effort to minimize it."
Tang Gun-ak looked at everyone sharply.
“Did you hear me well?”
"Yes."
“Then how should we organize the unit?”
Tang Gun-ak answered Baek Cheon's question coldly.
“Why are you asking me?”
"Huh?"
"Those who want to step forward should form their own units. Gathering suitable people under one's command is also part of a unit leader's ability."
At those words, several faces hardened with resolve.
“The minimum number in a unit is five. There, Beggar Union members and physicians will be attached, and depending on the situation, Beast Palace warriors as well. Form units exceeding five but no more than ten. Remember, every extra person reduces the risk.”
"Yes!"
"I won't wait. There are two conditions. They must have sufficient strength that I would acknowledge. And swiftness. I'll examine in the order of arrival and decide approval, and the moment the number of units I've thought of is filled, those after will be eliminated without even examination."
That goes without saying.
Even though they had received Southern Edge Sect’s support, they could not carelessly withdraw Huayin’s forces without a plan.
So even if they allow the maximum, the force that could be sent out won’t exceed 30%.
On this matter, no negotiation or adjustment would be entertained. Seeing Tang Gun-ak's serious face, everyone answered briefly.
"Yes, Vice Alliance Leader!"
"Go!"
The moment the words left his mouth, Jo-Gol spun around toward his sahyung and saje.
"We don't need to worry...! Eh? Sa- Sahyung? Sasuk?"
But Five Swords except for him had already turned and were rushing out of the great hall.
“No, Sahyung! Where are you going?”
"Naturally, to form a unit."
“If we do it among ourselves….”
Jo-Gol closed his mouth. He had belatedly realized that now was not the time to concentrate their strength.
If there were strong people, it would be far more beneficial for them to act as unit leaders rather than gathering in one place. For the sake of the commoners as well.
But that also meant…
“…I’m the unit leader?”
It meant he had to find at least five people who would trust him and risk their lives for him.
"Huh?"
Jo-Gol's face turned pale.
“Sa- Sahyung! Let's go together! Please take me in your unit! Sahyung!"
* * *
Huayin, greeting the morning, was in an uproar like a disturbed beehive.
“Sahyung! Take me with you! Me!”
“You said you were going to fight those Evil Sects! If I don’t go, who will?”
The entire Heavenly Comrade Alliance was in an uproar over the news that they were recruiting people to be dispatched to Gangbuk.
There were those who quietly slipped away, saying it was ominous, but most grabbed their well-sharpened swords without hesitation and stepped forward.
“Let’s make one more unit!”
"Didn't they say we need strong combat power? Two units should do!"
"Namgung is going to Anhui, but are two units really enough? We absolutely must add one more."
Even in the midst of this, the interests between sects became entangled.
"Sago! Please absolutely take me with you!"
"Samae! You haven't forgotten me, have you? Huh?"
“Monk! I got you that meat last time, didn’t I?”
"Ahem! I got you liquor, liquor! Meat is something that comes out if you just beat up some beast, so of course, liquor is much more important! Besides, this guy often goes hunting by himself anyway, doesn’t he?”
“…Just what kind of life have you been living, Monk?”
Some easily filled the five-member minimum and were troubled over who to cut out because too many volunteered…
"Me, with me..."
“Hiieeeekkk!”
"Sa- Sasuk! With me!”
“Ptui!”
…there were also those like Jo-Gol, who were having a hard time recruiting people.
But even in the midst of that, it was certain that numerous units were being organized in real-time.
“Five?”
"Yeah."
"I think a few more would be better, but if that’s Sahyung’s decision. Don’t worry. Half an hour will do."
"Will that be enough? Gathering five won't be easy."
"What are you saying, Sahyung? Half an hour is how long it takes to pick the better ones among those begging to join. If we just gather them haphazardly, we could fill it before taking a single breath."
“…Is that so?”
"Good grief. Sahyung tends to underestimate yourselves sometimes. This is the acting sect leader of Mount Hua, of course people will line up.”
Baek Cheon laughed bitterly at Baek Sang's words.
"Right. In any case, hurry."
"Yes!"
Baek Sang, following Baek Cheon's instructions, ran off in a hurry. As Baek Cheon quietly watched his back, he let out a small sigh.
“Stupidity is incurable.”
Baek Cheon flinched and turned around.
A face that was familiar like looking in a mirror, yet endlessly foreign, was approaching him.
“What’s the point of forming a unit that’s going to be eliminated anyway?”
“If you came to pick a fight, get lost. I don’t have time to deal with you.”
“How could that be, little brother?”
Jin Geumryong smiled broadly.
“It’s actually the opposite.”
"What?"
"You as a unit leader are useless, but you as a unit member still have use. How about it? Won't you join my unit?"
Flames sparked from Baek Cheon's eyes.
|Note
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