Only I Am A Reader-Chapter 370: Path To Stability, Killing Indecision
Although it was hard for a beacon of energy like an Unrestrained Martial Artist to escape Geochin who was assisted by the Murim Lord, spotting their actual physical form within a crowd was close to impossible, especially if said Martial Artist was proficient in stealth arts and didn't want to be found.
As such, despite being aware of an additional powerhouse's presence, Geochin had ignored it, waiting for the unknown figure to reveal his intentions.
In a sense, Geochin's attitude wasn't that much different from Namgung Jo-Chan's…
"Wait!"
However, none of that was something that the First Elder could hope to understand. Just like he wholeheartedly believed in following the past Head's will, he believed that others would have the same thoughts.
"Just let him go, we can't force people into our path or it will lose its purpose."
In contrast with the First Elder's worries, Geochin welcomed the Second Elder's decision with a smile!
'This is not bad at all.'
From the very beginning, Geochin had no intent to rely on powerhouses to lead this 'change' of his. After all, why would the people who stood at the top of the ladder want to let go of their freedom and change the law that suited them the most?
Even if there were selfless exceptions such as Namgung Hyun, the real core of this move was the helpless people at the very bottom!
While strength equaled justice in this world, the fantasy level of 'Murim Supremacy' had yet to reach the point where numbers could be completely disregarded, especially with the low number of Profound powerhouses.
As long as they were actual Martial Artists, an army of them would make up for a large difference in strength. Most importantly, whether someone would dare to face them was questionable on its own.
'Reputation is everything.'
Whether it was the ruined Murim of now or the one in its heyday, almost every single Martial Artist of the righteous faction dreaded the possibility of having a bad name.
Massacring a village, robbing a trading caravan… One could do whatever they wanted as long as no witnesses or evidence that could be linked to them were left around, but the opposite wasn't true.
Even if there was someone capable of turning a thousand third-rate Martial Artists into a sea of corpses, the whole world would know about it by the time he would be done.
'After enduring for this long, I can't ruin things by being hasty.'
Using actual powerhouses might speed things up in comparison, but aside from losing the moral advantage, such a choice could only be a direction and not a beginning!
As much as Geochin was confident in confronting other Unrestrained Martial Artists like Namgung Jang, he wasn't capable of controlling them like puppets. The more people that stood on equal ground as him, the harder the job became.
In the case of the snake-like Namgung Jo-Chan, having him around could kill the idea in its cradle. Rather than grabbing anyone he could, Geochin was aiming to collect the irregulars similar to Namgung Hyun as he went around growing his army's numbers.
Why bother consuming his already limited attention when he could just make it so everyone would keep each other in check instead?!
With his mind already set on accumulating the core players in a slow and careful manner, Geochin was happy to see the Second Elder go.
"Others who share the same opinion as him can also leave if they want to."
He even made sure to use this opportunity to filter out the unsure pieces that might become a problem later on!
However, perhaps it was because the timing of the First Elder's loyal impression was too perfect, only a few people awkwardly slipped out of the crowd, running quickly in the direction of the Second Elder who uncaringly walked away, never looking back.
After remaining silent for a dozen more minutes and getting no further reaction, Geochin's quaking heart finally started slowing down. No matter how much he prepared for this, nothing was like experiencing something for what it was.
"I'm truly glad that so many of you share the same view as me. However, I admit that today's sudden events had been too hectic. Everyone here deserves a rest to collect their thoughts, so feel free to go back to your normal lodgings. Just be sure to prepare yourself for the following. After all…"
With another widespread smile, Geochin went along the benevolent atmosphere that filled the air, but in reality…
"Tomorrow will be a very busy day."
Considering how uncertain and shaken the people that he had gathered were, there was no way he was going to give them a proper chance to think over the situation!
`~~~`~~~`~~~`
Following a leading figure was a solution, but the issue that had plagued humanity for centuries wasn't something that could be dealt with that easily. That was just how powerful of an emotion indecisiveness was.
Fortunately, no matter how strong something was, it could be easily dealt with using the right tactic, and Geochin knew exactly which one to use.
'Strike while the iron is hot.'
Being forced into a decision might make the one hesitant about proceeding even after they firmly choose to follow through, but there was a simple way to forcibly erase that hesitation.
'I just need to get them involved.'
One could always retreat as long as the only stake involved was integrity or word of mouth. However, they couldn't take a step back once they have bet a leg or an arm on it.
By being assigned as the core of the infiltration and recruitment team for the very next 'raid', it would be too late to get cold feet after acting upon that decision!
Whether it be killing or injuring those who they thought were innocent in the past, getting injured themselves, or perhaps losing a comrade, the attachment would simply grow too far for the team to fall apart.
'This is all for the sake of change.'
