Three days later.

“What did you say?”

Mo Yonggun’s expression turned savage in an instant.

“You’re telling me there’s talk of delaying the Demon-Sweeping & Evil-Smiting combined force’s deployment?”

“Yes.”

“Which insane bastard ran his mouth with that kind of nonsense?”

Mo Yonggun rarely showed anger.

And it made sense. The deployment date for the Demon-Sweeping & Evil-Smiting combined force—along with the target—had already been set.

Especially since the target was a pack of vicious bastards that would rank in the top ten headaches in the martial world. They flashed east, flashed west, impossible to pin down—but a trustworthy informant had given him their travel route and even the place they’d be staying for the next month.

Hit that location, and it was over. The Evil-Smiting Corps would take point anyway, and once they handled it in flashy fashion, all the merit would flow to Mo Yong-woo, the combined force’s Grand Commander.

That was the plan: use that as the opening act, then steadily broadcast the Demon-Sweeping Corps’ might—and Mo Yong-woo’s value—one step at a time.

And now they wanted to delay the deployment?

“It’s just...”

Ho Gyeong—Mo Yonggun’s closest aide—spoke with a troubled look.

“The first one to bring it up was reportedly the leader of the Emei Sect.”

“Abbess Bokho?!”

“Yes.”

The anger that had flared up cooled at once.

The Alliance of the Martial World’s upper leadership wasn’t made up of Councilors alone. Leaders were appointed to head each organization based on ability and reputation, and among them were figures with such lofty renown that even Councilors couldn’t treat them lightly.

If a rumor like that was circulating, Mo Yonggun had assumed it came from one of those figures.

But the Emei Sect’s leader?

There’s something here.

He caught the scent of something ominous. The sharp strategic mind that had made him what he was sensed danger.

After a moment of thought, Mo Yonggun spoke.

“This isn’t something that would circulate as serious talk without even going through the Councilor meeting. Isn’t it more likely someone spread it on purpose?”

“It’s...”

Ho Gyeong hesitated, then continued.

“There are Emei Sect secular disciples among the Evil-Smiting Corps’ soldiers. One of our people heard them talking in the dining hall.”

Mo Yonggun’s eyes glinted coldly.

Kids?

He’d believed there wasn’t a single soldier in the Evil-Smiting Corps with real seniority or long seasoning.

“Go and get me the personal dossiers for the Emei Sect secular disciples. As fast as you can.”

“Understood.”

Half a day passed.

“Clan Lord.”

Ho Gyeong handed over several documents.

They were the dossiers—starting with Song Yeongyeong—covering the Emei Sect’s secular disciples. Their martial level, personalities, standing within their sect, and more were recorded in detail.

Mo Yonggun read for a long time.

Then a blue aura flared in his hand.

PFF—FWOOOSH.

Threatening Lightning Radiance snapped into existence, and the documents turned to ash and vanished.

“When did you say the Councilor meeting is?”

“Two days from now, at noon.”

At that meeting, they were supposed to recheck the combined force’s deployment preparations, then send them out exactly five days after.

I can’t pin it down just from the kids’ placement and temperament. If that’s the case...

Mo Yonggun’s gaze shifted to a stack of paperwork on the side—agenda items he planned to submit at the final Councilor meeting before deployment.

“Abbot Gonggong?”

“He’s in his quarters.”

“Send word. Tell him there’s something urgent. Move it up to tomorrow morning.”

*****

The next morning, the Councilors gathered in the Hall of the Martial Sage’s meeting chamber.

Abbot Gonggong opened his mouth.

“Very well. Councilor Mo Yong—what brings you to summon us like this?”

Before answering, Mo Yonggun swept his eyes over the Councilors.

His gaze stopped on Abbess Bokho.

“...”

Abbess Bokho looked remarkably calm. Even though the meeting had been abruptly pulled forward, she didn’t seem surprised.

Mo Yonggun’s eyes deepened.

She knew.

She already knew how he would move.

Abbess Bokho isn’t a political operator. She’s someone who spent her entire life for the Orthodox Path and chivalry.

There were three Councilors Mo Yonggun had deliberately excluded while pulling others into his camp.

Shaolin. Wudang. Emei.

The leaders of those three sects didn’t sway easily. If you approached carelessly, you could get hit by backlash instead.

He’d been careful for that reason.

And yet—he was taking a strike to the back like this.

If this wasn’t Abbess Bokho’s intent...

His eyes drifted to Yeon Wi.

Not the Yeon Clan Lord.

In a sense, Yeon Wi was even more rigid than Abbess Bokho. And he was the father of Yeon Hojeong, the Evil-Smiting Corps commander. Because of law and face alone, he couldn’t casually bring up anything related to the Evil-Smiting Corps.

And it’s unlikely it’s the Peng Clan Lord.

His gaze finally settled on Je Gal Munho.

The way Je Gal Munho sipped tea with an unhurried motion looked like Zhuge Liang reborn.

The Strategist.

Abbot Gonggong’s face showed faint puzzlement.

“Councilor Mo Yong?”

“...I’ll speak.”

Mo Yonggun’s expression was slightly stiff as he began.

“Recently, in Shandong Province, illegal...”

He delivered the contents of the documents he’d brought, point by point, in detail.

There was a lot of it. Some of it was severe. And since some of it had immediate negative impact on the people’s livelihoods, the room’s atmosphere grew heavy.

But the Councilors all understood something.

Mo Yonggun hadn’t moved the meeting up for the sake of those documents alone.

Even those who weren’t skilled at politics had spent months in these meetings and learned the mood of the room. The Councilors waited, stubbornly, until Mo Yonggun revealed what he actually came for.

A little later—

“That concludes today’s agenda items.”

“Does it?”

“Yes. And...”

Mo Yonggun’s eyes shone.

“Lastly, I’d like to discuss the combined force’s deployment date.”

The leader of MOUNT HUA SECT and Daoist Yonghwa both looked puzzled.

“Wasn’t the combined force’s deployment set for five days from now?”

“It was. However, I believed it was right to hold a meeting even a day earlier and then deliver the operational details to the combined force’s soldiers afterward.”

“Hm.”

“The Evil-Smiting Corps has been through months of real combat and coordinated as a unit. The Demon-Sweeping Corps has not. And since their numbers are larger, I believe we should give them even a single extra day of breathing room.”

Daoist Yonghwa nodded.

“That’s true. Frankly, it’s concerning to send them out without proper training. However, the martial prowess and presence of Commander Mo Yong that we saw at the inauguration were deeply impressive, so we can be reassured on that point.”

“Exactly.”

Mo Yonggun smiled.

“Besides, the Demon-Sweeping Corps is made up of skilled experts with renowned reputations across the rivers and lakes. If Commander Mo Yong leads well, they’ll accomplish the mission without significant losses.”

Daoist Yonghwa smiled back.

“Still, gaining even one day would help the entire force’s morale. I support Councilor Mo Yong’s opinion.”

“Thank you.”

Having a political companion was truly a good thing.

And MOUNT HUA SECT was a sect that had long contended with Wudang Sect as the Under-Heaven’s First Sword Gate. With their sect leader in agreement, several Councilors nodded along as well.

Then—

“There is something I’d like to say on that matter.”

Mo Yonggun’s eyes flashed.

So it’s you after all.

Je Gal Munho spoke.

“I’ll be direct. How about delaying the combined force’s deployment date a little?”

Namgung In frowned.

“Why would we delay a deployment date that’s already been confirmed?”

Je Gal Munho wore a relaxed smile.

“In truth, I’ve worried about that point for some time. In the Evil-Smiting Corps’ case, they departed the Alliance without even an inauguration and established countless merits. The soldiers who make up the Demon-Sweeping Corps are likewise outstanding, so it’s not as though they couldn’t do the same.”

“That’s a fair point.”

“However, the situation then and the situation now are different. When the Evil-Smiting Corps deployed, the Alliance’s system wasn’t yet established. But now, aren’t we operating with a clear structure and organizational chart?”

Yeon Wi asked curtly.

“Are you saying there’s no need to push?”

“Yes.”

Deung Cheongyo, the leader of Kongtong Sect, frowned.

“Commander Mo ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) Yong-woo’s ability is exceptional. If the deployment date is delayed, the morale that’s already heated will collapse.”

“As Councilor Deung says, Commander Mo Yong’s ability is exceptional—so he will be able to steady any morale that sags.”

“I consider this needless.”

It was a rather rough remark—very much in keeping with Kongtong Sect’s leader, a man whose speech was as coarse as anyone’s.

Daoist Seunghyeon of Wudang Sect spoke.

“Strategist Je Gal.”

“Please.”

“Even in this lacking man’s opinion, delaying the deployment date seems problematic. Of course, more thorough preparation is good, but with only a few days left, adjusting the timing now—wouldn’t that be forcing it?”

Je Gal Munho nodded.

“Is that so?”

“That is my thought.”

“Then I agree that it does give me pause as well.”

Je Gal Munho rose and offered a cupped-fist salute.

“It seems I did not wish to take risks when the Alliance’s organizational structure is established. Please forgive my hasty remark.”

It was a clean apology.

Most of the Councilors smiled and said it was fine.

Mo Yonggun couldn’t.

What is this?

Mo Yonggun’s eyes narrowed.

He gives up already? There’s no way.

One look at Abbess Bokho’s expression gave the answer. Je Gal Munho had clearly predicted even Mo Yonggun pulling the meeting forward.

“Ah! Since we’re already talking about the deployment date, I have one suggestion as well.”

Mo Yonggun flinched.

Suggestion?

What?

That reaction—like he’d been waiting for this—what was it?

In an instant, Mo Yonggun felt a chill run down his spine.

Was he really waiting for it?!

Spreading the rumor to force an early meeting—and even bringing up the deployment date—were those all bait?

...For what?

Je Gal Munho smiled.

“It concerns the Alliance Leader’s Office. Will you hear me out?”

Interest sparked across the Councilors’ faces.

Abbot Gonggong nodded.

“It is something we would have to discuss sooner or later. Very well—what will you propose?”

“The Alliance Leader’s seat is a truly honorable one. But even if the structure is established, no matter who becomes Alliance Leader, it will surely be difficult to lead the Alliance in its first era. Not because of a lack of ability, but in terms of experience.”

“And?”

“So I propose this.”

Je Gal Munho said evenly.

“In the Alliance Leader’s Office to be newly established, how about creating two Deputy Alliance Leader seats?”

Not one.

Two.

Watching the Councilors’ eyes glitter, Mo Yonggun became trapped by a single thought.

He got me.

*****

“Deputy Alliance Leader... I get the idea, but why push for two instead of one?”

“It’s to guard against the concentration of power.”

“But even an Alliance Leader can’t ignore the Councilors.”

“However, what do you think happens if more than half the Councilors support the Alliance Leader?”

“...!”

“A counterweight must exist, no matter what. A power institution only has meaning if it exists for the world. It must not be swayed by one person’s political skill.”

“Huh.”

Yeon Hojeong gave a cold smile and looked out the window.

The sunlight was nice.

“If the Alliance Leader is truly a good person, couldn’t he embrace even the opposing faction?”