Chapter 556

## Chapter 556: The Lazy One Awakens (1)

“The Righteous Martial Alliance?”

“It wasn’t just the Righteous Martial Alliance.”

Gwanggu Shingae (the Beggar) shook his head.

“They were after the same thing too.”

“The same thing?”

“Yes. Just as the Radiant Martial Sovereign attacked their main base with a small group, they were planning to do the same.”

“That’s something…”

Gwanggu Shingae scratched his head uncomfortably. Seeing his reaction, Saha (the historian) tilted his head in confusion.

“Is there something different?”

“Well… it’s hard to explain. But what I do know is that attacking the main base definitely wasn’t in the Demon Cult’s plans.”

“What?”

Saha’s eyes widened.

According to Gwanggu Shingae, it seemed the bishops had attacked the main base, but if they didn’t intend to do that, what did it mean?

“I don’t understand…”

Gwanggu Shingae sighed.

“The thing is, it’s not even clear if they intended to infiltrate the Central Plains originally. And even if that had been their goal, they weren’t interested in the main base.”

“How do you know?”

“Because of their routes of advance.”

“Mmm.”

Although he didn’t fully understand, Saga decided it wasn’t a crucial matter and asked something else.

“Then why did they come to the main base?”

“Well, to attack it, obviously.”

“…But you said that wasn’t their intention.”

“What I mean is…”

Gwanggu Shingae clicked his tongue before continuing, with an expression of obvious discomfort.

“Originally, the Demon Cult had no intention of attacking the main base. For them, just like for us, that place was a site to plant their flag with brute force, not a target for a surprise attack.”

“Then?”

“But they saw something: rats hiding in their own territory.”

“Wow…!”

Saga was speechless.

Did he mean that…?

“Could it be…?”

Gwanggu Shingae smiled uncomfortably.

“In this world, every action has a reaction. Wei Yanho had a brilliant idea, but that doesn’t mean only he could do it.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Exactly.”

Gwanggu Shingae smiled awkwardly.

“His intentions were good, very good. And the results weren’t bad either. It was a great achievement.”

“But… that means the Demon Cult could do the same thing too.”

“Not exactly. I can’t be sure, since I can’t ask them directly. It’s just an assumption. I think that, until word spread that Wei Yanho was causing trouble in their base, the main group and the bishops were moving together.”

“Logically…”

“Yes, that’s how it was. But when they heard that there were rats causing trouble in their rearguard, someone had a bright idea.”

“But I don’t understand why the bishops would do something so risky. It’s not like they were burning with a desire for justice, or that they were fundamentalists willing to sacrifice themselves for the resurgence of the Demon Cult.”

“It’s possible if the person who thought of it and the person who gave the order were different people.”

“…”

Saha couldn’t help but nod.

Of course, if it was “him,” it was perfectly possible.

He had treated all the bishops of the Demon Cult like slaves. He was someone who truly deserved the title of “Demon.”

“So it was all…”

Gwanggu Shingae smiled uncomfortably.

“The truth is, I’m one of those who point to Wei Yanho as the root of all evil.”

“Yes.”

“If lightning strikes, it’s Wei Yanho’s fault; if there’s a flood, it’s Wei Yanho’s fault. Even if the neighbor’s dog dies, it’s Wei Yanho’s fault.”

“…Well, not to that extent…”

That was going beyond resentment. It was almost like a mortal enmity.

“Even for me, it’s hard to blame Wei Yanho for this. He did the best he could in that situation.”

“You’re right.”

“It’s like… well, I can only put it this way: it was damn bad luck.”

It was a rare moment when Gwanggu Shingae defended someone.

*Thinking about it, it’s incredible.*

Throughout this long story, Gwanggu Shingae had never once defended the Radiant Martial Sovereign. On the contrary, even in understandable situations, he hadn’t missed an opportunity to criticize Wei Yanho.

One thing was clear to Saha: the friendship between the Radiant Martial Sovereign and Gwanggu Shingae, which was so often talked about, was a complete lie. But the fact that even Gwanggu Shingae defended him showed that the Radiant Martial Sovereign couldn’t be blamed for this.

“He’s always been like that. Wherever he goes, disasters happen. It’s just his nature. If he hadn’t been there, maybe nothing would have happened… but who knows how things are in this world.”

“Yes.”

Saha nodded, as if he understood.

“So what happened to the main base?”

“The main base…”

Gwanggu Shingae sighed deeply, as if the topic made him uncomfortable.

“When you hear ‘main base,’ you imagine an impenetrable fortress, right? Full of masters and hidden secrets.”

“Yes.”

“But it wasn’t like that. In a war, who would leave their forces stationed at the base? In a war, they recruit anyone who can hold a spear, whether they’re old men or children.”

“…You’re right.”

“So, what was left at the base?”

“Ah…”

Saha understood what Gwanggu Shingae meant.

“It was undefended?”

“Completely empty.”

Gwanggu Shingae shuddered, as if the memory disgusted him.

“In a way, it was appropriate. If things had gone as they expected, the Master of Divine Abilities would have ended up buried there.”

“Undoubtedly.”

“Do you know what happened next?”

“Yes. Now I understand what happened after the Great Battle of Luoyang. It was never known where the bulk of the Demon Cult’s forces were. I wondered why, being a ‘great battle,’ the movements of the troops weren’t known…”

“It wasn’t a big deal. Just something symbolic. Because it was the first battle where he became famous in this war.”

“I see.”

“But, well…”

“Yes?”

Gwanggu Shingae smiled uncomfortably.

“I wish we had arrived a little earlier. Back then, I was exhausted too.”

“…”

Gwanggu Shingae avoided Saha’s gaze.

—

It had fallen.

From the window, it was clearly visible. The main gate of the Righteous Martial Alliance had been torn down.

The Master of Divine Abilities clenched his fists as he watched the scene.

*A single blow?*

The gate, as solid as a wall, had been destroyed with a single blow. The meaning was obvious: very few in the martial world could do something like that.

That meant…

*We’re late.*

A deep despair seized him.

It wasn’t because of the impossibility of facing those who were entering through the main gate, but because of the certainty that they had been manipulated.

There weren’t many.

Only five.

But those five were more than the main base could handle now. Or rather, could they even face one?

“Great Strategist!”

An anxious voice called to him. They were waiting for his orders.

The Master of Divine Abilities turned his head. In the eyes of those who looked at him, there was confidence.

Although the situation was desperate, they believed that he would have a solution.

That confidence pierced him like a sword.

*It hurts.*

What could he tell them?

That he hadn’t foreseen it either?

That he couldn’t do anything?

That they should run right now?

No words would do.

Their destiny no longer depended on his will. Everything depended on what those invaders decided to do.

The Master of Divine Abilities raised a hand and stroked his beard.

What should he do now?

The answer was clear.

“Shadow Lord.”

“Yes, Great Strategist!”

“Take those who are left and escape. Reunite with the Alliance Leader.”

“And you?”

“You already know.”

“…”

Shadow Lord nodded in silence.

“Your orders.”

“They are different now. They attack without hesitation. Don’t try to face them directly. They are no match for you. After reuniting with the Alliance Leader, go to Sichuan and join the forces of the clans. Delegate the position of Great Strategist to the Jegal Family.”

“Understood.”

“Good luck.”

“…I wish you good luck.”

Shadow Lord turned, and everyone followed him.

Firm steps, without hesitation or sentimentality.

It was the result of years of training for this situation. But that didn’t mean they didn’t feel anything.

*Drip.*

The blood falling from someone’s clenched fist resonated clearly. But the Master of Divine Abilities didn’t look.

“Let’s go.”

It was time to end this.

The Master of Divine Abilities jumped through the narrow window. He fell with the grace of a crane and spread his arms before the demons who were waiting for him.

“I see familiar faces.”

The leader of the demons smiled strangely when he saw him.

“I thought you would run like a rat, but here you are.”

“Such hurtful words. I have never run away from you. You simply never caught me.”

“In my memory, you always ran when we were near.”

“What does that matter now?”

“You’re right. But now we have caught you.”

“Do you want me to congratulate you, Death Demon?”

The so-called Death Demon laughed mockingly.

“If you congratulate me, I will gladly accept it. How can I reject the congratulations of the great Master of Divine Abilities?”

The Master of Divine Abilities gave a bitter smile.

“I am honored that you hold me in such high esteem.”

“Of course, I esteem you.”

The Death Demon spoke firmly.

“Anyone who lived through the last war would want to tear you to pieces. The hatred you left behind is proof that you were the greatest obstacle to our Cult. If I could behead you, I wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice not a thousand, but ten thousand followers.”

“That’s too flattering.”

“I decide how to flatter you.”

The Death Demon laughed and took a step forward.

“And now, I can behead you without sacrificing anyone. Isn’t that cause for celebration? There is no better way to announce the resurgence of our Cult.”

“Listen, Death Demon.”

The Master of Divine Abilities raised a hand.

“You said it yourself.”

“What?”

“That I always ran away. But even now, I could escape from you. My strength is no match for yours, but my legs are second to none. Isn’t that so?”

The Death Demon’s brow furrowed.

“What do you mean?”

“Behead me.”

“What?”

The Master of Divine Abilities spoke in a firm voice.

“But don’t touch the others. That is my condition.”

I hope this translation fulfills all your requirements! Let me know if you need anything else! 😊