Chapter 548

**Chapter 548: The Lazy One Arrives (3)**

—Report!

The eyes of the **Master of Divine Abilities (신기수)** did not move. His gaze rapidly scanned the documents on the desk, but his ears accurately followed the voice coming in.

—The **Wudang (무당)** and **Namgung (남궁)** clans have met in **Anhui (안휘)**. They will camp there while waiting for reinforcements.

—And **Shaolin (소림)**?

—Shaolin has also departed. In addition, several minor families and sects from the surrounding areas are joining. The Yue (악가) family of **Shandong (산동)** is advancing rapidly south, and the leader of the **Beggar Sect (개방)** is also heading to **Hefei (합비)** with his troops.

—Anything else?

—Zhongnan (Southern Edge Sect) and **Mount Hua (화산)** have asked how to proceed.

—**Shaanxi (섬서)**, Shaanxi… —The Master of Divine Abilities’ brain began to spin rapidly—. Although they are all part of the **Nine Sects (구파)**, they are not equal. The main force of the Nine Sects is concentrated in **Henan (하남)** and Shaanxi. With Shaolin, Wudang, the Beggar Sect, Mount Hua, and Zhongnan, we can say that more than 70% of the total power of the Nine Sects has been mobilized.

If we add in the great families and minor sects, a colossal army will be formed. Furthermore, the **Supreme Sovereign (권극)** is personally leading the warriors of the **Righteous Martial Alliance (정무맹)** towards Anhui. Then…

—Have Zhongnan and Mount Hua wait.

—Shall I convey that?

—We do not know when the **Demon Cult (마교)** will turn its head and attack from **Xinjiang (신강)**. The martial sects of Shaanxi must coordinate with **Sichuan (사천)** and remain alert.

—…Strategist.

The voice that responded trembled slightly.

The Master of Divine Abilities, understanding the meaning behind that tone, frowned slightly.

*’It won’t be easy.’*

Shaanxi and Sichuan are neighbors. It is natural for the nearby factions not to get along. When the **Righteous Heavenly Alliance (천의련)** joined the Righteous Martial Alliance, the most opposed were Mount Hua and Zhongnan.

Especially Mount Hua, which had already shown tensions with Sichuan in the past. It is not easy for them to cooperate now. Although it would be logical to put aside their differences in the face of an external threat, the world does not always operate with logic.

—*Sigh*.

The Master of Divine Abilities took a deep breath.

This problem between Shaanxi and Sichuan was only the beginning. He knew it would continue to hinder his plans. If the front expanded, it would eventually become a conflict between the Righteous Martial Alliance and the Righteous Heavenly Alliance.

Deep emotional wounds would remain, even fighting together.

*’That’s why we needed that guy…’*

What he expected from **Wei Yanho (위연호)** was that he would act as a lubricant. Wei Yanho had a unique quality: not exactly a virtue, but a strength.

Everyone who had dealt with him shared a strong sense of empathy towards him. Just look at those around him.

Without Wei Yanho, such peculiar people would never have come together. Perhaps they had some friendship, but they would not have yielded in their opinions, and each would have gone their own way.

But with Wei Yanho in the middle, a group formed naturally. It was an incredible ability.

The Master of Divine Abilities hoped that Wei Yanho would fulfill that role between the Righteous Heavenly Alliance and the Righteous Martial Alliance. Even the **Jegal (제갈)** family, or at least the Righteous Heavenly Alliance, would understand the importance of allying with the Righteous Martial Alliance and would use Wei Yanho to achieve it.

But after the incident with Wei Sanho (위산호), everything had become complicated.

*’In life, when you gain something, you always lose something.’*

That is life. You do not always win, but you do not always lose either.

The fact that Wei Yanho and the others delayed the advance of the Demon Cult was a great achievement. But in return, they had lost the opportunity to consolidate their alliance. If the gains and losses are weighed, it can still be said that they won, but…

—Add that I thank the leader of Mount Hua for their cooperation.

—Yes, Strategist.

When the messenger left, the Master of Divine Abilities asked in a sharp voice:

—When will Shaolin arrive?

—They are advancing rapidly. It will take no more than two days.

—And the alliance leader?

—The same.

—At least they haven’t been delayed much.

The Master of Divine Abilities began to tap the desk with his fingers.

*Shaolin, it’s always Shaolin that is the problem.* By its nature, Shaolin is slow to act. To mobilize, they must justify their intervention before the disciplinary council.

The renunciate monks are reluctant to get involved in worldly affairs.

*’What stupidity.’*

But when have they stayed out of major crises? Their specialty is to stay on the sidelines until the situation is critical and then appear as saviors. And they never fail to protect their interests.

Given their nature, they acted exceptionally quickly this time.

*’That means the situation is serious.’*

They must have calculated that if they waited too long, they could lose everything. In that, at least, they agreed with the Master of Divine Abilities. Although the martial world has faced many crises, it had rarely been in such a dangerous moment.

—And the **Baekgeom Fortress (백검성)**?

—They are advancing north. At this rate, they will reach Hefei in three days.

—Three days… three days…

An ambiguous time.

Fortunately, most of the allied forces will arrive in Hefei before the Baekgeom Fortress, but there will be no time to unify command. Even the authority of the alliance leader will have difficulty imposing itself on the abbot of Shaolin, the leader of Wudang, and the head of the Beggar Sect.

Now that they have regained their strength, they will not blindly obey the orders of the Righteous Martial Alliance.

*’There are too many problems.’*

Even so, the fact that the sects have responded so quickly and are following his instructions showed that his work had not been in vain. He had dedicated twenty years to building this system.

But no matter how perfect the system is, you cannot completely control the people who make it up. Because they are human.

The challenge now was to correct and optimize the problems that arose. At least there was time to do so.

If the Demon Cult invaded the **Central Plains (중원)** now, the chaos would be such that just moving the troops would be a nightmare.

—And the Demon Cult?

—They haven’t turned their head yet.

—…Still?

—Yes.

—Still…

The Master of Divine Abilities looked away from the desk for the first time.

—Are you sure?

—Yes.

—”Still”…

He looked up at the ceiling. According to calculations, they should already have reached their base. That meant that Wei Yanho and the others would have already escaped. In that case, there was no need for their entire army to remain there.

The logical thing to do would be to leave a force sufficient to defend the base and turn towards the Central Plains. But they were still there.

Why?

*’There is nothing to gain.’*

The Baekgeom Fortress has already acted. The longer they wait, the weaker the Fortress will become. The great battle in Anhui is inevitable. Then…

*Do they want to exhaust the Baekgeom Fortress?*

No.

That doesn’t make sense.

*’It doesn’t fit.’*

In theory, letting the Baekgeom Fortress and the Righteous Martial Alliance face off would weaken both. It might seem like a smart strategy.

But that would force the Demon Cult to face the entire Baekgeom Fortress. It would be stupid to waste their forces like that.

There would be more efficient ways to exhaust both sides. A surprise attack at the right moment would cause devastating damage. But to act so calmly…

Why?

No matter how much he thought about it, the Master of Divine Abilities could not find a clear advantage for the Demon Cult. In any scenario, the risks would outweigh the benefits.

If there is no reason to doubt, there is no need to doubt. If the Demon Cult acts stupidly, the easiest thing is to assume that they are stupid.

But the Master of Divine Abilities could not afford that.

This is not a war where you can admit defeat and start again. It is a total battle where the losers lose everything. A single mistake can turn the Central Plains into hell. He could not underestimate them.

*’There is something I don’t know.’*

Sure.

If there is no military benefit, there must be another type of benefit. Now he had to find out what it was.

—Has there been any news from Wei Yanho?

—No, not yet…

—*Hmm*…

The Master of Divine Abilities’ face darkened.

*’Will they be able to return alive?’*

It would not be easy. If the Demon Cult decided to kill them and kept that force there, it was impossible for them to survive. Not even Wei Yanho, as strong as he was, could do it. Even if there was a warrior ten times stronger than the Supreme Sovereign, they could not escape. That is how dangerous the Demon Cult is.

Even so, the Master of Divine Abilities did not lose hope.

The Demon Cult’s strange behavior must be related to them. And Wei Yanho had always done more than he expected.

Perhaps this time too…

He closed his eyes.

*’Calm down.’*

He could not rely on Wei Yanho, a child. In the end, his job was to ensure victory even without variables like him. A strategist who depends on variables is doomed.

—The Demon Cult will act.

—Yes.

—Reinforce the border between Shaanxi and Sichuan. I will send a personal letter to the **Sword Saint (검존)**.

—Yes!

As the messenger ran out, the Master of Divine Abilities refocused on the desk. There was too much to think about: troop movements, supplies, relations with the government, calming the people… Everything weighed on his shoulders.

This war was not like those of the past, where they acted without thinking. This time he would not allow such a disaster.

But…

*’What am I overlooking?’*

A heavy feeling took hold of his chest. He had not omitted anything. But he knew that something was escaping him. And he was certain that that single variable would change the course of the war.

—**Bodyguard (영사)**!

—Yes, Strategist.

—From now on, you will receive the reports. Unless it is urgent, take care of everything.

—And you, sir?

—I have something important to think about. Do not bother me unless it is critical.

—How critical?

—Something that could change the course of the war.

—Understood.

The Master of Divine Abilities got up and left. No one followed him. The bodyguard took his place and began to attend to the affairs.

*’Think… think, Jo Hyeon.’*

Upon reaching his room, he closed his eyes and sank into his thoughts.

He had to find it.

At all costs.