Chapter 407

Chapter 407

Chapter Title: Expansion (2)

Concurrently with the intense medical struggles taking place inside the temporary medical facilities of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

Il-mok conducted a strategic conference alongside the Provincial Commander.

“Word has reached me regarding recent events. Owing to the expertise the Young Master shared with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, numerous severely injured combatants have been preserved. These accounts are propagating across the land.”

Il-mok offered a somewhat pained smile.

“I can hardly claim credit for preserving these lives.”

His remark was not intended to falsely deflect appreciation from the medical practitioners.

‘Regardless, fifty percent of them continue to perish.’

Despite implementing adequate sedatives and cleansing agents to permit comprehensive surgical interventions, the current capabilities remained rudimentary.

Previously, ninety percent of the severely maimed succumbed. Currently, the mortality rate stood at fifty percent.

Naturally, shifting the outcome from nine tenths to a mere half represented an immense leap forward, yet for Il-mok, burdened with recollections of his previous existence, it provoked a deeply conflicted sentiment.

Recognizing that the discussion was disheartening, Il-mok transitioned to a critical topic.

“On a more crucial note, did you manage to convey the object in question?”

The Provincial Commander interpreted Il-mok’s humble demeanor quite literally.

His long-held conviction was that within conflicts, survival from catastrophic wounds was reserved for a fortunate minority.

However, there was little utility in lingering on historical occurrences, prompting him to deposit the item he had transported onto the conference table.

“Is this the notorious Thunderclap Bomb that has occupied so many rumors?”

“Indeed, this is identified as the Wooden Box Thunderclap Bomb. One packs the interior with explosive powder and fragments of iron, subsequently igniting this specific cord to trigger it. Once the fuse burns down to the core explosive within the container, a violent detonation occurs, dispersing the metal shards universally. It is a truly gruesome implement.”

As the operational details were laid out, Il-mok envisioned the modern explosive devices he had encountered within the armed forces during his former life.

‘A profound sense of dread overtook me when I first deployed one during initial infantry training.’

Had such devices detonated amidst the prior engagement, the casualties among his coalition would have been vastly more severe. This realization prompted an immediate inquiry.

“It remains highly illogical that such an item was abandoned within the rear encampment of the opposing forces.”

Responding to Il-mok’s observation, Provincial Commander Yang Guang provided his perspective on the matter.

“They likely squandered the opportunity for deployment amidst the initial turbulence. This Thunderclap Bomb makes no distinction between allies and adversaries, meaning its utilization within chaotic close combat risks substantial collateral damage. Furthermore, given the scarcity of supply, it is not an asset deployed without careful calculation.”

“Is manufacturing particularly problematic?”

“Securing the necessary explosive powder is the primary obstacle. Production is arduous, and the armed forces receive negligible allocations.”

“??? Under any logical consideration, shouldn’t this be an asset heavily utilized by the state military?”

Faced with Il-mok’s skepticism, the Provincial Commander let out a weary breath.

“The blame lies entirely with the Grand Eunuch. Whether driven by anxieties regarding insurrection or alternative motives, the vast majority of manufactured explosive powder is routed directly to the capital city, leaving mere remnants for distribution among the five commanderies. They go so far as to instruct Thunderclap Bomb detachments using vacant wooden containers. Artillery preparation follows an identical pattern-deprived of powder, they never execute live firings outside of genuine engagements.”

Absorbing these details, Il-mok experienced a peculiar sensation of familiar history repeating.

‘…The circumstances mirrored those of the contemporary era. No differences exist here.’

Was military-grade gunpowder being siphoned off for alternative purposes even within this historical epoch?

A fleeting, inconsequential musket-related thought crossed his consciousness.

Yet that passed instantly. A more immediate dilemma required attention, causing Il-mok to probe the Provincial Commander once more.

“Excluding these wooden variants, do metallic iterations not exist? For instance, deploying an iron Thunderclap Bomb from artillery pieces seems vastly superior to the simple discharge of solid iron projectiles.”

“Historical accounts indicate past experimentation, yet if the metallic casing possesses excessive thickness, it fails to fragment, rendering it ineffective. Conversely, if the casing is overly delicate, it undergoes sympathetic detonation alongside the propellant charge of the artillery piece, making it entirely unviable.”

“Understood.”

Il-mok gestured with a nod, appearing satisfied with the explanation.

Reflecting upon the situation, there was a total absence of matchlock infantry detachments.

The technological threshold appeared confined to manual fuse ignition, lacking the capacity for industrial-scale manufacturing or diversified gunpowder armaments.

‘Hmm. Based on my recollections from my previous incarnation, around the period of the Imjin War, the state forces of Joseon, the Japanese contingents, and the Ming armies uniformly utilized matchlock firearms.’

Naturally, those instruments were primitive matchlocks entirely inferior to contemporary firearms, deployed in tandem with traditional archery.

‘That era corresponds to the twilight of the sixteenth century, suggesting matchlocks will likely materialize within several decades. It is entirely possible that projectile weapons are undergoing advancement in Western lands at this very moment.’

In an instant, he perceived this technological stagnation as an unexpected advantage.

Provided they lacked the capacity to secure a monopoly on firearm creation-about which Il-mok possessed no technical expertise-it proved more advantageous that neither faction possessed them.

Subsequently, as the Provincial Commander itemized the precise metrics of the capitulated Nanju detachments, including those capable of combat, individuals undergoing convalescence, and verified fatalities.

The sound of approaching footsteps manifested outside the assembly chamber.

“Young Master, auxiliary forces have arrived from Singang.”

Reacting to Jin Ha-yeon’s announcement, Il-mok offered a rare, brief smirk and questioned her.

“What is their strength?”

“Approximately ten thousand individuals, Young Master.”

An auxiliary force of ten thousand.

The majority did not consist of disciplined infantry or trained martial artists.

They comprised ordinary citizens who, upon learning of the conflict between the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Central Plains, had stepped forward as volunteers.

When Wi Jin-hak originally guided the comprehensive Cult host into the Central Plains, his vanguard consisted solely of bloodline Cult combatants.

However, confronting the entirety of the Central Plains utilizing a mere handful of elite martial artists was akin to striking stones with fragile eggs.

Rather than retaining defensive martial artists within establishments such as the Demonic Path Academy and the Demon Horse Pavilion, Il-mok had issued a directive.

Disseminate intelligence regarding the hostilities to the ordinary populace of Singang and commence a mobilization effort.

The arriving combatants were the very individuals who had answered that summons.

“Provincial Commander, designate approximately one hundred instructors to provide basic instruction to these incoming auxiliaries.”

“Shall we execute the strategy settled during our previous discussion?”

“Indeed. On this occasion, we advanced precipitously with whichever individuals assembled, yet uninstructed ordinary citizens function as nothing more than targets for projectiles upon the field of combat-basic preparation is non-negotiable.”

The Provincial Commander gave an affirmative nod.

They had thoroughly scrutinized this necessity during their initial choice to instigate the insurrection.

‘Additional reinforcements are anticipated from the Singang territories. Furthermore, Gansu, Qinghai, Xizang, Sichuan, and related regions must be considered. To mitigate unnecessary mortality, we require fully functional preparation camps.’

He maintained confidence that additional enlistees would steadily manifest due to several factors.

Foremost were the philanthropic acts executed under the banner of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult alongside the Maitreya Illuminated Cult.

Even during this mobilization directed against the Western Army Commandery, a substantial number of Maitreya Illuminated Cult adherents had aligned themselves with the cause.

An additional factor was the psychological warfare material recently generated throughout the Gansu territories: informational bills and distributed notices.

He harbored no illusions that individuals would enlist solely based on the simplistic rhetoric.

Rather.

• Are there not vast numbers harbor resentment against the presiding royal administration?

  Provided their rebellion did not disintegrate prematurely, a growing number would recognize a window of advancement and align themselves.

  While the Provincial Commander reviewed Il-mok’s historical strategy, Il-mok articulated his next commands.

  “Provincial Commander. Proceed to bisect our total strength into two distinct detachments. The primary group shall journey toward Sichuan, while the secondary element targets Qinghai. Given that the Western Army Commandery has mobilized, the remaining regional commands are undoubtedly doing the same. The Southern Army Commandery is presumably advancing toward Sichuan, necessitating that we intercept them prior to their occupation of the region.”

  Following the alignment of the Qingcheng Sect, the territory of Sichuan had transformed into a secondary theater requiring defensive measures.

  Yet it was an essential undertaking.

  Among the northwestern strongholds of the Central Plains, Sichuan possessed the greatest agricultural abundance. Had the Qingcheng Sect declined to align, Il-mok intended to launch an invasion to capture it immediately following his campaign in Gansu.

  From his strategic viewpoint, the operational nature had merely transitioned from an offensive posture to a defensive one.

  “The Southern Army Commandery… That engagement will not conclude as effortlessly as our current victory.”

  Il-mok offered an affirmative gesture.

  “Should they merely deploy frontier garrisons comparable to the Western Army Commandery, our circumstances remain manageable. However, if they have enacted mass conscription across the southern strongholds, their total strength will be overwhelming.”

  A minimum of two hundred thousand, potentially exceeding three hundred thousand combatants.

  “Consequently, allocate those specific items to the detachments bound for Sichuan.”

  “In the context of defensive fortifications rather than open field engagements, adversaries will rarely intermingle with our own lines, rendering those tools exceptionally effective.”

  “Understood. Furthermore, what are the directives regarding Qinghai?”

  Faced with the Provincial Commander’s inquiry, Il-mok hesitated momentarily.

  “From your professional standpoint, Provincial Commander, what manner of individual oversees the Qinghai Provincial Commander’s office? Is he a candidate worthy of integration into our alliance?”

  Yang Guang entered brief contemplation, let out a heavy sigh, and responded.

  “A degenerate, despicable individual. It brings me immense dishonor to hold an identical military rank alongside him. He curried favor with the Eastern Depot, offered bribes utilizing illicit wealth, and governed the Qinghai region as a personal fiefdom, completely disregarding the statutes of the land.”

  He appended a measured qualification.

  “This assessment is not born from a desire to withhold accolades from him.”

  “I am aware. I have secured preliminary intelligence concerning the Qinghai leadership via the clandestine networks of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult as well. I merely sought corroboration from your position.”

  Following their entrenchment within Gansu under the assumed moniker of the Maitreya Illuminated Cult, their organizational operations had permeated northern Sichuan and the borders of Qinghai.

  Naturally, Il-mok had accumulated data regarding Qinghai functionaries utilizing regional operatives.

  ‘A minority of mid-level and subordinate administrators remain viable, yet the entirety of the senior leadership is utterly decayed.’

  Having categorized his conclusions, Il-mok spoke with resolution.

  “The situation in Qinghai shall be resolved in an identical fashion to the Western Army Commandery: eliminate the officer corps, and integrate solely the rank-and-file soldiers.”

  Even if their circumstances demanded every available resource, he possessed no desire to incorporate the degenerate and corrupt.

  Such elements might appear harmless initially, yet compromised provisions invariably induce illness over time.

  “We must accelerate our positioning to unify in Sichuan for defensive fortification operations prior to the arrival of the Southern Army Commandery. Regarding Qinghai, structure the deployment under the assumption of an open-field clash.”

  Hearing the Provincial Commander’s assessment, Il-mok indicated his approval and attached a singular stipulation.

  “Furthermore, ensure that Clan Head Baek Un-hak and Dokgo Ryong are designated to entirely separate operational elements.”

  The mere contemplation of those two individuals engaging in perpetual friction provoked an immediate headache.

The subsequent dawn.

Approximately eighty thousand combatants stood in organized ranks before the portals of Nanju.

The contingent comprised the surviving regulars, supplemented by the nomadic horsemen under the stewardship of Dokgo Ryong, alongside the integrated capitulated forces from the Western Army Commandery.

Every individual capable of bearing arms had been assembled.

“Waaaaah!!”

Simultaneous acclamations resounded universally across the location.

From the dedicated martial artists of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult to the standard infantrymen-a collective, zealous roar.

Their countenances manifested absolute certainty.

Under the leadership of the Young Master, failure was an impossibility.

Consequently, despite the reality that greater than half the host consisted of mobilized civilians, their collective enthusiasm mirrored that of seasoned combatants.

Peculiarly, the professional regulars of the Western Army Commandery mirrored this disposition.

They merely refrained from participating in the overt hysteria, maintaining silence.

“Gulp.”

Mirroring the behavior of the Nanju battalions, they fixed their gaze upon Il-mok with profound reverence.

“The malevolent deity aligns with our cause.”

‘In his presence, our forces cannot suffer defeat.’

They, too, had personally observed Il-mok’s supernatural capability during the engagement. They had been the recipients.

Indeed, experiencing that power directly ensured it left an indelible impression.

Even individuals suffering from mortal trauma, deemed beyond salvation, had persevered owing to the intervention of this demonic deity known as the Young Master, embedding the origins of devotion within their consciousness.

“Overthrow the degenerate eunuchs and their sycophantic, unprincipled administrators who bleed the populace dry! We shall forge an era wherein the ordinary individual may thrive!”

“Waaaaah!!”

“The Manifested Deity accompanies us!!”

The ecstatic shouts originating from the surrounding Nanju combatants nurtured those emerging sentiments identically.

“Heavenly Demon Descends!!”

“Ten Thousand Demons Rise!!!”

As Il-mok concluded his oration.

They as well, their countenances radiating an unhinged intensity, vociferated the foundational phrases of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.