Chapter 580

**Chapter 580: The Lazy Man Bids Farewell (5)**

“……The Demon Cult?”

“Yes.”

Jegal Munin responded firmly.

“The troops that headed to Anhui couldn’t have been defeated so easily. The elite forces of the Righteous Martial Alliance made up the bulk of the army, and members of Wudang and the Namgung had also joined. Isn’t that so?”

“Correct.”

“But a crushing defeat… that’s impossible. Even if the combat power of Baekgeom Fortress doubles what we know, it doesn’t justify such a catastrophic defeat.”

The Master of Divine Abilities nodded.

Logically, it didn’t make sense. Unless someone like Zhuge Liang was on the other side, it would be difficult.

No, to be exact, even if Zhuge Liang were resurrected, in a battlefield where martial artists fought, his reputation wouldn’t give him a significant advantage.

Ingenious stratagems, fundamental for a great victory, don’t work against masters of the martial world. Fire attacks don’t work either. Martial artists run faster than flames spread. Nor can one take advantage of the terrain.

For martial artists who leap across rivers and scale cliffs with their bodies, the terrain isn’t a significant obstacle.

Therefore, the available tactics are limited.

Of course, a strategist like Zhuge Liang would find another way, but that kind of genius isn’t common. If Baekgeom Fortress had a strategist of that level, word would have already spread.

*”Unless there’s external intervention.”*

The Master of Divine Abilities frowned slightly. Jegal Munin’s words made sense. The whereabouts of the elite forces of the Demon Cult that headed to the Central Plains were unknown. What if they joined Anhui?

*”In terms of time, it’s almost impossible. Even they couldn’t cross the Central Plains in such a short time.”*

But what if they managed to join the battlefield by some unknown method?

Then…

“That can’t be.”

A firm voice resonated.

Gazes focused on a single spot. Surprisingly, the owner of that serene and decisive voice was Wei Yanho.

Under the gazes of those present, Wei Yanho spoke calmly:

“No matter how strong the elite forces of the Demon Cult are, they are few. If a small group joined and the battle turned unfavorable, they would have retreated. They couldn’t capture so many fleeing. Especially the Alliance Leader, who isn’t someone who puts his pride first. He would have withdrawn his troops without hesitation.”

“Ah…”

“The intervention of the Demon Cult might be a condition for defeat, but not for a crushing defeat. Nor could it create such a desperate situation as this, where not even an urgent message can get through. If the Poison King had been there, perhaps something similar would have happened.”

The Master of Divine Abilities nodded.

That was true.

If the Poison King had used his suicide technique on the Anhui battlefield, something like that could have happened. In such a situation, no one would have the peace of mind to send an urgent message.

But the Poison King was here.

*”Is there anyone else who can do something similar?”*

He couldn’t think of anyone.

*”I can’t believe I overlooked something so obvious.”*

The Master of Divine Abilities realized he was too agitated.

Under normal conditions, he would have reached the same conclusion as Wei Yanho as soon as the Demon Cult was mentioned. The fact that he hadn’t was proof that he wasn’t thinking clearly.

Although he pretended to maintain composure, he was the one who had been most disturbed by the lack of news.

“Then, what do you think happened?”

“I don’t know.”

“Mmm…”

As if he felt his explanation was insufficient, Wei Yanho added:

“I don’t know what happened, but it certainly wasn’t something common. Above all, if the Alliance Leader couldn’t do anything and died, then something unimaginable must have happened.”

“You’re right.”

“Then there’s only one thing to do: find out what happened.”

“But everyone we send doesn’t return.”

“Someone who can return must go.”

Someone who can return?

The Master of Divine Abilities frowned. That meant sending someone who, despite any obstacle, could fulfill the mission. And in the Righteous Martial Alliance, there was only one such person.

“Then…”

“I must go.”

“……”

The Master of Divine Abilities opened his eyes wide.

“Seriously?”

“There’s no other option. We’ve already sent people, but we don’t know if they’re alive or dead. If we send someone else carelessly, it will only demoralize the others.”

Wei Yanho shrugged.

“There’s no choice but for me to go.”

The Master of Divine Abilities stared at him in astonishment.

*”Has he gone crazy?”*

It was true that Wei Yanho was the only option. In fact, the Master of Divine Abilities had thought about asking him first.

But his motto was: *”I’d rather die in bed than do something tedious.”*

And now this same Wei Yanho?

*”There’s definitely something strange today.”*

He was completely different from his usual self.

Not only his words, but every expression and action lacked his characteristic frivolity. He seemed more mature, as if he had left behind his light attitude.

*”Something must have happened.”*

Perhaps this change was temporary, but in any case, it was a positive thing.

«We need it to be like this, at least for as long as the war lasts».

The death of the Supreme Sovereign was a devastating blow.

Everyone was still stunned, not fully understanding what it meant. When the weight of the news fell, they would no longer be able to remain calm as they were now.

The Supreme Sovereign was a symbol for the orthodox martial world.

Perhaps he couldn’t definitely be called the strongest in the world, but for decades he had been at the top, guiding the community. The Righteous Martial Alliance itself depended heavily on his prestige.

And he was now dead?

*”Everything will collapse.”*

Those who already had resentments against the Alliance would begin to abandon it. Although the common enemy would keep them together for now, the same coordination as before could no longer be expected.

The Master of Divine Abilities looked at Wei Yanho with a somber face.

Wei Yanho had to do something.

The death of the Supreme Sovereign was important, but the defeat in Anhui was even more so. And if it was a crushing defeat, if the troops were massacred, then the situation was serious.

If the Namgung, Wudang, Shaolin, and the Beggar Sect represented more than thirty percent of the total power of the Central Plains, what would happen if they all died?

He didn’t want to think about it.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t think of how to face the enemy with the remaining forces. If there were internal divisions on top of that, it would be the end.

“We need to think about it a little more.”

“What is there to think about?”

“There are things to consider.”

“As you say.”

Wei Yanho didn’t insist and stepped back.

Seeing his cautious attitude, the Master of Divine Abilities nodded. He didn’t know what had happened, but Wei Yanho had definitely changed.

*”Is it right to send him?”*

What they needed most now was information. Only by understanding what had happened and how the situation was could they plan a response.

In that sense, sending Wei Yanho was the safest thing to do. If his judgment wasn’t enough, they could also send Wei Jeonghan.

But the Master of Divine Abilities hesitated.

Wei Yanho was already too valuable a piece to risk like that. For him to leave the base and enter enemy territory was an enormous risk.

As he pondered, a shout echoed in his ears.

“Report!”

The Master of Divine Abilities turned his head towards the entrance.

Despite having given orders not to be interrupted, the messenger had arrived. That only meant an emergency.

“What is it?”

“The Leader of the Beggar Sect has arrived at the main gate!”

“The Leader of the Beggar Sect?”

The Master of Divine Abilities jumped to his feet.

“The Beggar King!”

Jangil also turned around, startled.

Given the situation, he couldn’t show his emotions, but since hearing the news of the defeat, he was worried about the fate of the Beggar King and the others who had gone to the battlefield.

“Bring him in immediately! No, I’ll go myself!”

Just as the Master of Divine Abilities pushed the table and hurried towards the entrance, a hoarse and tired voice was heard.

“There’s no need, Strategist. I’m already here.”

The door opened, and a figure entered.

And upon seeing that person, the faces of those present broke down in horror.

“…Leader.”

The Leader of the Beggar Sect, Chilji Singae, entered limping.

“Beggar King!”

Jangil’s voice trembled.

He blinked several times, bit his lip hard, and then shouted:

“Where did you leave your arm?! Where’s your arm?!”

Chilji Singae looked at him with a somber expression.

“What are you doing here?”

“Does that matter now?!”

“Damn beggar! Is my arm more important than this?”

One of Chilji Singae’s sleeves hung empty, soaked in blood.

“If I lost an arm but escaped with my life, it was cheap. My arm isn’t what’s important.”

His appearance was disastrous. Although he was a beggar, his state went beyond the normal. The bloodstained sleeve, the wounds all over his body… it was evident that he had fought a fierce battle.

And now, finally, they understood.

*”We lost.”*

*”Without a doubt.”*

If Chilji Singae had returned in that state, it was unlikely that the others were well. Those who still harbored hopes that the message was a mistake abandoned them, sinking into despair.

“This way!”

The Master of Divine Abilities guided Chilji Singae to a chair. In other circumstances, the beggar would have scoffed at sitting on such elegant furniture, but this time he said nothing and collapsed into the seat.

Then, he looked at those present.

“Let’s get to the point. There’s no time to waste.”

“Before that…”

The Master of Divine Abilities took a deep breath and asked:

It was something he didn’t want to ask, but he had no choice. It was too crucial.

“What happened to the Alliance Leader?”

“He couldn’t dodge the enemy’s sword.”

“……”

Seeing the shocked expression of the Master of Divine Abilities, Chilji Singae sighed.

“To be exact, I didn’t see his death with my own eyes. But it wasn’t a situation where you could expect him to survive. He died.”

“…What the hell happened there?”

Chilji Singae’s face darkened.

“I don’t know where to begin…”

His fingers trembled slightly. The Master of Divine Abilities did not overlook that detail, and his heart sank.

Chilji Singae was one of the most experienced of the group. If someone like him, hardened in a thousand battles, reacted like that… what the hell had happened in Anhui?

In a grave voice, Chilji Singae began:

“When we arrived at the battlefield, the fighting had already begun.”

“And then?”

“We thought it was a normal battle. We joined without asking. But… then it happened.”

“What happened?”

“…The world shook.”

Chilji Singae shook his head a couple of times, looked at everyone, and began to recount what he had experienced.