Chapter 606

**Chapter 606: Encounter with the Lazy One (1)**

“Hmm…”

Wei Yanho stretched his neck.

The retreating vanguard had rejoined the main force. In that case, it would be time to consider a counterattack. But for a while now, his senses had detected nothing.

If it were just a few experts, they might deceive Wei Yanho’s senses and plot something, but it wasn’t possible for so many troops to evade him.

In other words…

“Did they flee?”

Wei Yanho smirked.

It seemed Baek Hoemyung had really gotten scared. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have fled without looking back even after reuniting with such a large army.

Or perhaps he had gone to take responsibility for this defeat.

Either option was fine for Wei Yanho. Taking down one more to reduce their strength would also be good, but…

‘What a pain.’

His motivation was waning.

To tell the truth, had Wei Yanho ever moved with such effort in his life?

Moreover, it wasn’t about fleeing, but chasing.

If Baek Muhan saw his current state, he would be dumbfounded. Wei Yanho, who wouldn’t even lift his sword in the morning unless absolutely necessary, was now chasing someone while sweat soaked his back.

‘It was too much.’

People tend to have defined behavioral patterns. When they deviate from those patterns, side effects inevitably arise.

That was what was happening to Wei Yanho now.

His motivation disappeared, and his shoulders slumped.

If he could, he would throw himself on the ground and stay there.

‘When was the last time I slept well?’

He didn’t remember.

Since he left the Righteous Martial Alliance, he hadn’t rested properly. How many days had passed already?

Sshhhk.

The sword he was holding returned to its scabbard.

He had made his effort.

There might be those who said it wasn’t enough, but Wei Yanho had given his all. This was no longer his responsibility.

Besides…

“Tsk.”

Wei Yanho shook his head.

It wasn’t time for weaknesses like saying he didn’t want to see any more blood.

The world is full of countless people, each with different desires. But when the situation becomes critical, personal choices lose meaning.

Would someone who is about to starve release a trapped rabbit because they don’t want to take a life with their own hands?

There is no other option.

Wei Jeonghan approached and asked:

“How is it?”

“It seems they all fled.”

“Hmm, really?”

Wei Jeonghan also nodded.

He had been the one who insisted on tracking their movements exhaustively. Wei Jeonghan, with his vast experience, never let things pass halfway.

“Then they won’t attack again for a while, right?”

“That should be the case. But I can’t guarantee it. In war, anything can happen. That’s why it’s war.”

“Hmm.”

Wei Yanho nodded in agreement.

Those words resonated deeply with him. Indeed, who would have imagined not long ago that they would be in this situation?

No one knew that the Demon Cult would resurface, nor that Baekgeom Fortress would ally with them. It was also impossible to predict that the Righteous Martial Alliance would suffer such a great defeat against Baekgeom Fortress.

But the same applied to them.

They never imagined that Wei Yanho’s group would invade the Demon Cult and turn it upside down, nor that Wei Yanho would stop Baekgeom Fortress.

It was a constant exchange of surprise attacks and moments of mutual astonishment.

‘That’s war…’

Perhaps the so-called “great strategists” of history were simply those who could fluently handle these unpredictabilities.

‘It’s not my area.’

That corresponded to others. For example…

“¡Mukmul!” [1]

“Yes, my lord.”

Jegal Munin quickly approached Wei Yanho’s side.

His eyes shone with intensity.

“…Move away a little.”

“Ah, did I bother you?”

Jegal Munin took a few steps back.

Although Wei Yanho had rejected him, Jegal Munin didn’t feel offended.

‘I knew how to choose well.’

Believing in his father’s words and following Wei Yanho would be the best decision of his life.

‘Ignorant, unpredictable, and invincible.’

Where else would they find such a perfect lord?

His power was undoubted… no, enormous, and he didn’t bother them with tedious demands either. Moreover, if they left him alone, he didn’t cause problems.

He was the ideal lord to serve.

“Analyze the situation.”

“Immediately, my lord.”

The first quality to serve such a master was one:

To perfectly understand even the most cryptic words.

Wei Yanho hated giving detailed explanations, so he constantly omitted context. Asking him every time was a sure way to lose his trust.

No matter how enigmatic Wei Yanho’s words were, one had to deduce the context and offer the best possible answer.

“If Baekgeom Fortress retreated, there are two possible reasons. First, that they have temporarily retreated to reorganize. In that case, they will return soon.”

“Mm.”

“Second… that they have received orders to retreat. In that case, they would change commanders. Sub-leader Baek Hoemyung would be removed, and another would take his place. This would take more time. A reorganization is only effective if it adjusts to the style of the new leader. Depending on their personality, it would take longer than the first scenario.”

“Which do you think it is?”

“The first.”

“Why?”

“Because of his position as Sub-leader. Although Baekgeom Fortress prioritizes strength above all else, they cannot ignore the weight of the Great Family of the Infinity Sword. If they retreat now, Baek Hoemyung’s position would suffer a fatal blow. He has held the title of Sub-leader for decades. It’s not easy to remove someone like that for a single mistake.”

“Why not?”

“Because the one who put him as Sub-leader was the current Clan Leader. Baek Hoemyung’s mistake becomes a mistake of the Leader. Saying he doesn’t have a good eye for talent would also be a stain on the Leader.”

“Hmm, so they can’t just retreat like that?”

“Important commanders are not replaced lightly. Changing the leader of the Baekgeom Fortress offensive for a single mistake would also be problematic.”

Wei Jeonghan objected:

“But this isn’t just any mistake, is it?”

“Of course. But if we put aside appearances, the damage to Baekgeom Fortress is not that serious. Although you hurt them, considering the immense power of the Fortress, it was only a small part.”

“Hmm.”

Wei Jeonghan made a disgruntled expression, but eventually nodded.

Objectively, Jegal Munin was right. Furthermore, the true power of Baekgeom Fortress had not yet been revealed.

“So Baekgeom Fortress will return soon?”

“No.”

“Isn’t that contradictory?”

“There is another factor. As I mentioned before, the main reason for their retreat is that they don’t want to face you and suffer losses.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“As long as you stay here, they won’t act. They will wait for you to leave to face the Demon Cult.”

Jegal Munin let out an ironic laugh as he spoke.

‘It’s absurd.’

His prediction was logical and justified.

If he were in Baek Hoemyung’s place, he would do the same. But that didn’t make it any less ridiculous.

‘That the entire Baekgeom Fortress can’t move because of a single person.’

Avoiding the enemy when they are powerful is also a strategy. Didn’t Emperor Gaozu of Han use the same tactic when unifying the Central Plains? They avoided directly confronting the King of Chu.

While containing the attacks of the King of Chu, they defeated the other armies one by one, isolating Gaozu.

The reason Gaozu was able to conquer the world was because he knew how to put aside his pride and recognize the enemy.

But Wei Yanho was alone.

No matter how many more were here; they wouldn’t count them as a relevant force. Only Wei Yanho made Baekgeom Fortress hold its breath.

This surreal situation was actually happening.

‘The tactics of the martial world are different from the military.’

It was a phrase his father had repeated to him countless times. Now, Jegal Munin finally understood it in his heart, not just in his mind.

In the army, this would never happen.

In the martial world, strength is not measured only in numbers. Sometimes, a single supreme master can face thousands or tens of thousands of soldiers.

Therefore, strategists in the martial world must think much more than the military.

“So, what should we do now?”

At Wei Jeonghan’s question, Jegal Munin turned his gaze. In his field of vision entered Wei Yanho, half slumped.

“Doesn’t it depend on our lord’s will?”

“Huh?”

“We can go face the Demon Cult or continue chasing Baekgeom Fortress.”

“Hmm…”

“Since we can’t split up, we must choose a front. If we contain one, the Righteous Martial Alliance can take care of the other. Surely the strategist thinks the same.”

“What do you think is the best option?”

“As I said, it is our lord’s choice.”

“But you can advise.”

When Wei Jeonghan insisted, Jegal Munin frowned slightly.

Whoever serves someone like Wei Yanho should not give opinions lightly. Because Wei Yanho is not someone who acts on his own initiative.

Any suggestion he gave would become Wei Yanho’s decision. That is, if things went wrong, the responsibility would fall on Jegal Munin.

In crude terms, if his advice failed, no one would blame Wei Yanho. He was already doing more than anyone could expect.

The blame would be on whoever failed to guide him properly.

“If you insist…”

But staying silent was not a good option either. Be cautious but find the best solution. That was the role of a strategist.

“I think it would be better to face Baekgeom Fortress.”

“Why?”

“Because the Righteous Martial Alliance cannot deal with them. Although the Demon Cult is stronger, it is easier for the Alliance to face them. Because…”

Jegal Munin swallowed and continued:

“Because there is still no established method to treat demonic diseases. If the Alliance faces them, it will be a repetition of Hefei.” [2]

“That makes sense.”

Wei Jeonghan nodded and looked at Wei Yanho.

“Did you hear that?”

“Yes.”

“Then you must take care of Baekgeom Fortress. Can you do it?”

Wei Jeonghan also felt uncomfortable asking him.

But someone had to do it…

“The problem is demonic diseases, right?”

“In part, yes.”

“Then we just have to solve that.”

“Huh?”

Wei Jeonghan opened his eyes wide.

What other madness was he planning now?

—

[1] “Mukmul” (먹물) literally means “ink,” but here it seems to be a nickname or term of endearment that Wei Yanho uses to refer to Jegal Munin, possibly because of his role as a strategist (who works with ink and paper).

[2] Hefei (합비) refers to a historical battle where there were great losses due to diseases, used here as a metaphor for an avoidable disaster.