Chapter 385

Chapter 385

The master of the cult, Wi Jin-hak, who had spent his entire existence mastering martial arts and remained unmarried well into his fifties, couldn’t help but blink in sheer amazement.

Il-mok found the turn of events equally ridiculous.

‘So that was his intention from the very beginning!’

Only at this moment did it click that the person who had been speaking so passionately just a short while ago was acting not as a military planner, but as a marriage broker.

In the midst of the disorientation caused by the sudden marriage offer, Wi Jin-hak rapidly regained his composure and answered.

“Regrettably, as the Grand Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Leader, I cannot contemplate marrying anyone who does not embrace our faith.”

“Hahaha. Your principles are truly admirable. However, you have no reason to fret over that matter. Naturally, partners must possess mutual understanding. My daughter of the Zhuge family will study and adopt the tenets of the Divine Cult.”

Before Il-mok could step forward to intervene against the man’s words, which carried the distinct vibe of a plotting court eunuch, someone else spoke up.

“Zhuge Family Head. What precisely are you trying to accomplish here?”

“We are gathered to map out our future, so why are we introducing marriage negotiations?”

“The two of you speak the truth.”

The Tai Chi Sword Immortal, the Iron King, and Hwangbo Ak all stepped in to cut him off.

Yet, faced with their disapproval, Zhuge Mun merely displayed a look of complete bewilderment.

“Marriage represents the future itself. Furthermore, nothing binds an alliance more firmly than matrimony. I am unaware of how things are done within the Nine Great Sects and One Gang, but such arrangements are standard practice among the Seven Great Noble Families. If this truly bothers you, why don’t you all exchange marriage offers among yourselves as well?”

The expressions of the Old Taoist and the Old Beggar contorted in anger.

“How can you degrade yourself to this level?”

“At a assembly meant to decide the fate of the martial world, how can you be so consumed by the pursuit of influence? To the point of bartering away your own flesh and blood for it.”

Hearing the blunt rebukes from the Tai Chi Sword Immortal and the Iron King, the grin faded from Zhuge Mun’s face.

“Indeed. It is necessary. Even if it requires bartering our children, we have no alternative. In fact, if it were possible, I would sell myself to ensure success. Considering the scale of the foes we must confront moving forward, I have zero desire to restrict our tactics or approaches.”

When the Tai Chi Sword Immortal and the Iron King hesitated at Zhuge Mun’s abrupt change in attitude, he directed his sharp gaze across the two of them and Hwangbo Ak before continuing.

“It seems you are all completely deluded about our reality. You are acting as though you have completely forgotten the identity of the adversary we are up against. Even if we stand completely unified, victory is far from guaranteed, so what exactly have you all been fussing over since we began?”

This was Zhuge Mun reprimanding them for the hesitant and defensive stances they had maintained ever since Wi Jin-hak’s arrival.

And none of the three could easily find a way to argue against his reprimand.

‘…We were treating this situation far too lightly.’

The opponent looming before them was the imperial court itself, which held absolute authority over the entire Central Plains.

Just as Zhuge Mun pointed out, it was a terrifying adversary against whom success could not be promised.

The oppressive mood hung over the room for only a brief moment.

Soon enough, Zhuge Mun turned his attention back to Wi Jin-hak, his face once again wearing that initially pleasant grin.

“What is your decision, Cult Leader? Do you accept the match with my daughter?”

Wi Jin-hak shut his eyes for a moment of quiet reflection before opening them and giving a firm nod.

“Provided she embraces the tenets of our Divine Cult, I shall take her as my spouse.”

However, Wi Jin-hak’s statement did not conclude there.

“The Zhuge family mentions marriage as a way to cement the alliance with our Divine Cult, but even in the absence of such a bond, we never intended to treat this coalition lightly.”

He locked his intense gaze onto Hwangbo Ak, the Iron King, and the Tai Chi Sword Immortal sequentially as he delivered his next words with deep sincerity.

“Our Divine Cult pursues a single objective. To shield the living souls and wipe out the wickedness that oppresses them. The imperial court has carried out the horrific slaughter of innocent citizens. Consequently, myself and the warriors of the Grand Heavenly Demon Divine Cult will lead from the front lines to bring retribution upon the imperial court. I request that you place your trust in us and stand by our side.”

Wi Jin-hak concluded his speech with a respectful cupped-fist salute, and the representatives of the righteous factions returned the gesture with their own salutes.

“The Beggars Sect will likewise be at the vanguard of the assault against the imperial court.”

“I pledge my remaining years and reputation on this oath. Mount Wudang will never be the one to abandon the path of honor.”

“Hahaha. The Hwangbo family has already forsaken our ancestral lands to journey here. This is practically a final, desperate stand, so I anticipate a strong partnership with you all.”

In an atmosphere where the partnership suddenly felt much tighter, Zhuge Mun unfolded his fan with a sharp snap and spoke.

“At long last, we can conduct a meaningful dialogue. Hahaha.”

Sporting a pleased grin, Zhuge Mun carried on without a break.

“In reality, our timeline is tight. Two days have passed since the demise of Chek Pae-myeong, meaning the report will likely reach Beijing in just a few days. We must quicken our pace before the imperial court launches a full mobilization upon receiving the news.”

“Are you proposing an assault on Beijing before the report reaches the imperial court?”

In response to Hwangbo Ak’s inquiry, Zhuge Mun shook his head. Before Zhuge Mun could clarify, Il-mok chimed in this time.

“To march from our current position to Beijing, we would have to traverse territories controlled by numerous factions, and the Central Military Command sits squarely along that path. Our supply routes would become dangerously overextended, and we would face a massive risk of being surrounded and attacked from all directions in a worst-case scenario.”

Zhuge Mun observed Il-mok with a look of curiosity for a brief moment before expanding on the point.

“Therefore, our primary objective is not Beijing, where the imperial throne sits. It is Shaanxi Province.”

“…Ah, if Shaanxi remains under hostile control, the Zhuge family and Mount Wudang in Hubei will be vulnerable to being cut off.”

Wi Jin-hak, who had been analyzing the conversation in silence, nodded as he grasped the strategy, and Zhuge Mun confirmed it.

“Precisely. In a perfect scenario, I would want to advance into Henan or Anhui as well, but that would stretch our battle lines too thin, threatening to scatter our forces. Practically speaking, before the imperial court can launch a massive counteroffensive, the only territory we can successfully secure is Shaanxi.”

Everyone gathered in the room nodded their heads in consensus.

The most prominent bastions in Shaanxi were Mount Hua and Mount Zhongnan, but both had recently sustained devastating casualties.

“We must rapidly neutralize the remnants of Mount Hua and Mount Zhongnan, then anchor the region before the adversary can consolidate their forces and strike back. We require Hubei to stay secure to block any internal betrayals.”

“Just as critical as capturing Shaanxi is our informational campaign. We must disseminate details of the imperial court’s cruelties and the schemes of the Embroidered Uniform Guard across the land to unite our fellow martial artists of the Central Plains and expand our ranks.”

“Even if we bring their plots to light, the established factions will refuse to accept it.”

The Tai Chi Sword Immortal spoke with a tone of bitterness, recalling how Shaolin, Nangong, Qingcheng, and Mount Heng had turned a blind eye even when confronted with the truth.

Hearing this objection, Il-mok shook his head and offered a counterargument.

“The outcome depends entirely on how we frame our informational campaign. Across the vast Central Plains, there are bound to be countless individuals who view the ruling power as tyrannical. Furthermore, the imperial court has governed the Central Plains for more than two centuries, making it the ultimate emblem of the current establishment.”

“…So, rather than just broadcasting the imperial court’s misdeeds, we declare our objective to topple the old regime and pioneer a fresh era?”

“Exactly. The reason Shaolin, Nangong, Qingcheng, and Mount Heng dismissed our accounts despite hearing them is that they experience very little hardship under the current system. Those who hold established power naturally resist any transformation of the world.”

Faced with Il-mok’s reasoning, the Tai Chi Sword Immortal showed some hesitation.

“I cannot speak for Nangong and Mount Heng, but Shaolin and Qingcheng do not operate on such base motives.”

“Even if that is true in reality, that is the angle we must use for our public campaign. We must declare that whoever aligns with the imperial court is part of a privileged elite protecting their own wealth. By doing this, the conflict will ultimately split into two clear factions: the entrenched elite versus the oppressed masses. And regardless of the era, the disenfranchised always vastly outnumber those holding power.”

As Il-mok laid out his rationale, the listening leaders showed a variety of expressions. A few seemed completely baffled, while others let out heavy sighs at the prospect of using smear tactics against fellow sects.

Among them, Zhuge Mun questioned Il-mok with a highly fascinated look.

“Oh. So by leveraging public perception, you transform this into a conflict between the outdated system and the new dawn, between the elite and the common folk. I am deeply intrigued by how you arrived at such a concept.”

Hearing Zhuge Mun’s inquiry, Wi Jin-hak let out a booming laugh.

“Hahaha. Our youngest martial brother is celebrated within the Divine Cult as our finest mind. To the extent that he is deemed a prodigy.”

Receiving Wi Jin-hak’s compliment, Il-mok attempted to conceal his self-conscious grin.

While Il-mok was indeed the one to suggest it, it wasn’t a tactic he had uniquely devised.

It was merely a method that came to mind based on his recollections from his past life.

A strategy that unfailingly reappeared during every political campaign season. The tactic known as framing.

At that juncture, the Iron King spoke up.

“A reasonable argument. Regardless of how much they detest the current government, people prefer survival to death. Therefore, initially, very few will rally to our banner. However, once they witness us successfully holding our ground, their perspective will shift.”

“Hmm. That renders our information strategy all the more vital.”

Zhuge Mun’s sudden comment left some confused, prompting Il-mok to clarify further.

“That is correct. Righteous justification might appear trivial on the surface, but its importance multiplies in a protracted conflict. Consider warriors fighting solely for the monarch and the preservation of elite authority, contrasted with those battling to tear down a corrupt system and birth a new world. If the engagements are completely lopsided, it matters less, but if the conflict drags out, which side will maintain superior morale?”

As Il-mok finished his explanation and the surrounding leaders showed signs of agreement, the Iron King pressed further.

“But all of that still depends entirely on the public campaign working, does it not?”

At the query suggesting everything would be useless if the information drive collapsed, Il-mok offered a confident smile.

“Have no fear. I possess absolute certainty regarding our public campaign.”

This certainty was anchored in actual results.

He had previously succeeded in propagating a faith known as the Miroku Divine Cult within a remarkably brief window, spreading it from Gansu Province all the way to the northern steppes, Qinghai, and the territories of the west.

‘I will demonstrate to you the sheer spreading capability of a religious movement.’

Public campaigns and religious proselytizing operated on nearly identical principles.

…

The strategy sessions regarding the impending conflict forged ahead after that.

Two individuals steered the entire debate.

Zhuge Mun primarily directed the grand military maneuvers. Meanwhile, Il-mok detailed the methods for securing the rear territories and implementing high-efficiency public communication plans.

Even though Il-mok retained the insights of his past life, his background as a standard bureaucrat meant his grasp of military warfare was bound to be shallower and more restricted than that of a master strategist like Zhuge Mun.

Only after a solid blueprint was established regarding the tasks that required completion before the imperial court could react did the prolonged gathering finally draw to a close.

“We must act with maximum speed, so let us conclude our session here.”

“On the appointed date, our paths will cross again in Shaanxi.”

“Sigh. My beggars are distributed across every corner, so gathering them all is going to be quite a headache.”

Following the closure of the council, the Tai Chi Sword Immortal and the Iron King got to their feet and offered their departures.

Once they had departed, Hwangbo Ak—who was slated to link up with the Hwangbo family already traveling toward Gansu in any case—strolled over to Il-mok and spoke in a friendly tone.

“The situation was so critical that I have neglected my proper greetings until now. You appeared to be in incredibly rough shape, so it brings me great comfort to see you up and around.”

“Was my state truly that perilous?”

Faced with Il-mok’s bewildered question, Hwangbo Ak gave a serious nod.

“If not for the medical care provided by that young lady, you wouldn’t be strolling around right now, let alone surviving to open your eyes.”

“A young lady? To whom are you referring?”

Hearing Il-mok’s question, Hwangbo Ak tilted his head in confusion.

“…Jin Ha-yeon, the young lady. Did she truly mention nothing to you?”