Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 140

A Motley Crew

“What nonsense. Going to war?” Moyong Gun frowned.

“How can we talk about going to war when we haven’t even selected the warriors for the Yoon Army? Are you planning to send the commander alone?”

“No.”

“Then?”

Jegal Munho spoke calmly. “Yeon Hojeong, the commander of the Yoon Army, has already selected all the warriors.”

“……?!”

“Though the number is small, considering the commander’s deep knowledge of military tactics and his extraordinary martial arts, it was judged best to send them to Kangho as soon as possible. This was also a direct request from the commander.”

At that moment, Namgung In spoke up. “No matter what, this is too extreme.”

“Too extreme?”

“An independent Yoon Army, one of only two standalone units in the Murim Alliance, has been established. Even if it is a free unit, sending them without a formal inauguration or assembly is undoubtedly a mistake.”

He spoke in a calm but reprimanding tone.

Jegal Munho smiled. “Do you think the Murim Alliance is a military organization?”

“It’s not a military, but there are procedures for everything. If they’ve already gone to war, they should be called back, and if they haven’t left yet, they should be held until formal approval is given.”

“I understand your point, but such things are merely formalities.”

Namgung In’s eyes twitched slightly. “Formalities?”

“Commander Yeon insisted on going to war as soon as possible to weaken the forces of the Black Path spreading across various regions and to stabilize the lives of the people. Are you suggesting that ceremonial procedures are more important than curbing the rise of the Black Path?”

Namgung In’s eyes turned cold.

This unexpectedly aggressive response was delivered in a sophisticated tone, but it was clearly offensive.

‘So, this is how you’re going to play it,’ thought Moyong Gun as he opened his mouth.

“Lord Jegal’s words….”

“Please correct yourself. I am the military strategist of the Murim Alliance.”

The atmosphere in Musung Hal suddenly turned icy.

“Moreover, those gathered here are the leaders of the current generation of the White Path. While in a private setting, such titles might be forgivable, in an official setting, please be mindful of titles.”

Moyong Gun smiled faintly. “I apologize. This man is not yet accustomed to the new titles and made a mistake.”

“I understand.”

“To reiterate, there is a flaw in your statement.”

“I will humbly listen.”

“The rumors of the Murim Alliance’s establishment have spread far and wide. However, such rumors will not cause the Black Path to rise without preparation. Isn’t it that you, Lord Jegal, are overreacting?”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Furthermore, even if the forces of the Black Path are springing up like mushrooms at this very moment, it’s impossible to identify their locations one by one. Saying that Commander Yeon’s unit alone can suppress all these forces is an absurd statement.”

Jegal Munho smiled.

At that moment, Moyong Gun realized he had made a mistake.

‘Was he waiting for me to say this?’

Jegal Munho called out towards the entrance of Musung Hal.

“Gadeuk Sang, please enter the hall.”

Rumble.

The door opened, and Gadeuk Sang entered, carrying a large rolled-up paper.

“Gadeuk Sang of the Beggars’ Sect greets the esteemed members of the Murim Alliance.”

Jegal Munho spoke. “Please provide the map.”

“Here it is.”

A detailed map of Jungwon was spread out on a large table.

On the map, numerous names of Black Path factions were written in red.

Surprisingly, there were over a hundred names, from well-known Black Path factions to small-scale groups, all meticulously marked.

“As you all know, the world is vast. The red marks indicate the locations that pose significant threats to public safety, either due to their size or potential for growth.”

“Wow.”

“At the very least, there are this many. Counting them all would be impossible. However….”

Jegal Munho glanced at Gadeuk Sang.

Gadeuk Sang smiled and continued, “If the Yoon Army travels across Jungwon and annihilates all the places marked here, the Black Path will face the darkest period in its history.”

The Black Path is an unrootable existence. In some ways, they are more deeply embedded in the lives of the common people than the White Path.

Famous masters are part of the Black Path, as are the gigolos of brothels, and those who exploit the common people through usury.

Calling all these villains the Black Path, it is impossible to eradicate them unless all people die.

Thus, there is only one way to suppress the Black Path.

Fiercely crush the prominent factions and masters of the Black Path. If they rise again, crush them again, and if they hide, drag them out and annihilate them.

“All of you here are giants of the martial world with vast experiences. You must know that eradicating the Black Path factions marked on this map is no easy task.”

Of course, it was not easy.

This task required not only martial prowess but also military tactics, and more importantly, the unity of the troops.

Moyong Gun asked, “I wanted to ask from the start, where did you recruit the warriors for Yeon Hojeong’s Yoon Army?”

Some of the leaders of the Nine Great Clans cleared their throats.

Moyong Gun’s eyes widened. “Did you recruit from the Nine Great Clans?”

Fung Pyeongja, the leader of the Cheongseong Sect, spoke up.

“I cannot speak for other clans, but in Cheongseong’s case, we left it to the discretion of our disciples.”

“Discretion? What do you mean?”

“They are precious disciples of our sect, but they are currently lost and wandering. I believe that becoming part of the independent Yoon Army and embarking on a journey in Kangho will be a new stimulus for them.”

“Wow.”

Moyong Gun looked around.

“Is it the same reason for the other leaders?”

Everyone remained silent. They had nothing more to say, and saying anything would only prolong the discussion.

Fung Pyeongja spoke again, “However, I know the number is extremely small.”

Jegal Munho nodded. “Yes. There are fewer than fifty.”

Moyong Gun frowned. “Even if there are fewer than fifty, each one of them is a young master who has inherited the essence of the Nine Great Clans’ martial arts. At the same time, they have never trained together as a unit. Sending such individuals into Kangho without proper training is absurd.”

Jegal Munho tilted his head. “It’s hard to overlook that statement.”

“What?”

“Weren’t you the one who proposed the creation of the independent Yoon Army and suggested giving the commander full authority over the life and death of his subordinates?”

“……!!”

“How the unit is trained and how it is operated is entirely up to the commander. Therefore, the responsibility the commander bears is equally significant. Isn’t that correct?”

Moyong Gun’s eyes deepened.

‘I’ve been hit.’

He never imagined Yeon Hojeong would mobilize so quickly.

He had expected the two independent Yoon Armies to hold a grand inauguration ceremony in front of everyone.

Naturally, the unit under Yeon Hojeong would be shabby compared to the one under Moyong Woo. And this would significantly affect the morale of the troops.

‘I planned to suppress them from the start, but they mobilized first? Ha!’

This guy’s ability to think on his feet is truly impressive. It’s like waiting for a showdown only to find out the opponent has gone to another gambling den.

Jegal Munho continued, “Furthermore, let me clarify. Even if there are disciples from the Nine Great Clans in the Yoon Army without the permission of their elders, it is impossible to withdraw them without the commander’s consent.”

The eyes of the leader of the Huashan Sect, Yong Hwajin, immediately sharpened.

“Nonsense. How can we stand by when our disciples are part of an unproven unit without permission? Absolutely not.”

“In that case, this clause should be removed from the alliance law.”

Jegal Munho spoke in a cold voice.

“The alliance law is sacred, and no one within the Murim Alliance is free from its regulations. Even the alliance leader can be punished by law after the special protection period ends.”

“……!!”

“If you are not willing to grant the unit commanders such authority, I will also step down from my position as military strategist.”

Yong Hwajin was flustered. “Oh, how can you say that?”

“The strength of the White Path has gathered in the long-vacant Murim Alliance. We who are gathered here are the representatives of each clan.”

Jegal Munho looked around at the gathered leaders.

His eyes, usually filled with wisdom, were now shining with a stern light.

“When we agreed to the establishment of the Murim Alliance, I believe all of you here were prepared to follow the strictness of the alliance law.”

Jegal Munho overwhelmed the gathering with his eloquence.

Moyong Gun inwardly clicked his tongue.

‘I’ve been completely outmaneuvered.’

Whether Jegal Munho had any prior arrangement with Yeon Hojeong was unknown.

However, due to Yeon Hojeong’s unusual actions, Jegal Munho had gained the justification to take control of the leaders. And Jegal Munho did not miss this golden opportunity.

Now, no one could ignore Jegal Munho’s words. Not even Moyong Gun, who could deduce the unfolding situation.

“Excuse me, but I have some fresh information to share.”

Gadeuk Sang scratched his head, causing white dand

ruff to fall.

“Since all the leaders are gathered, may I share some recent news?”

Jegal Munho nodded. “Please speak freely, Gatekeeper.”

“Thank you.”

Gadeuk Sang took a deep breath.

“Speaking of the Black Path, some significant figures have emerged that the alliance cannot ignore.”

“Who are they?”

“The disciples of the King of Duels.”

“……!!”

“And some of them are… closer than we think.”

* * *

A space filled with darkness.

In it, two pairs of blazing ghostly eyes appeared.

“Did you say Murim Alliance?”

“Yes.”

“The righteous sects have established the Murim Alliance?”

“Yes.”

“Could it be that they have noticed our movements?”

“We are considering all possibilities, but the likelihood is low.”

“If they do not know about us, why establish the Murim Alliance in such times?”

“We have not yet uncovered the detailed reasons. However, it is widely believed that the annihilation of the Nine Great Clans was the catalyst for the righteous sects’ union.”

“I see.”

“So far, we have not detected any unusual movements from them. While we must remain cautious, there is no need to delay our plans due to the Murim Alliance.”

“I never intended to delay. However, we must be very careful. Unlike the demonic sects, we must be like the mist. At least until we have secured more than seventy percent control, we must maintain our current system.”

“Understood.”

“Fortunately, with ‘him’ awakened, our grand plan will advance by over ten years.”

“Has he finally awakened?”

“Yes.”

“…….”

“It’s good news, but do not get too excited. Proceed as we have been doing, step by step.”

“Understood.”

“……It will be a long fight. A very tedious and long fight.”