Episode 1382 Of course, that won’t happen. (2)
“Here’s a report! “The carriage carrying Jang Il-so, the defeater of the Sapae Alliance, is currently approaching Nanjing. If this continues, it is expected to reach the vicinity of Nanjing within three o’clock!”
“Here’s a report! “The Black Demon Army is passing through Sangzhou and moving towards Nanjing at high speed!”
“What is the estimated time of arrival?”
“It is difficult to predict the exact arrival time as we are adjusting the speed by taking breaks in between, but considering the situation, it is expected to be between three and five o’clock.”
“Here’s a report! Safa people near Huangshan Mountain are gathering in Nanjing! We are currently trying to estimate the number, but it is difficult to get an accurate estimate because they are coming from all directions. However, it appears to be at least five thousand!”
As reports poured in from all directions, the face of Open Elder Zhao Gai, Neng San, became so hard that he could no longer do so.
Every piece of news I hear is so dangerous that it makes my heart shrink. But the news that really frightened him came later.
“Now Elder!”
bang!
The door to the inner room opened violently, and a beggar with a pale face burst in.
“This is an emergency! emergency!”
“What’s going on?”
“This is a report from Gangnam! “It is said that a large-scale procession of carts has been spotted at the top of Huangshan Mountain!”
“wagon?”
“yes! “It hasn’t been confirmed exactly, but judging from the type of cargo being loaded, it is said that there is a high probability that it is grain!”
“Yang…”
At that moment, cold sweat ran down Neungsam’s back.
What does it mean at this time to be loaded with grain? What other reason could there be for grain to move towards the Yangtze River in large quantities?
‘Military provisions!’
Unless Jang Il-so suddenly woke up to Tao and decided to provide grain to the Yangtze River refugees, his intention is very clear.
“Are you serious?”
Neungsam’s fingertips naturally trembled. Replenishing military rations means that Jang Il-so does not intend to end this situation as a simple one-off collision.
While he was speechless for a moment, the other beggars began to chatter.
“Is there any reason to mobilize military provisions? It’s a bluff! “What need would the elites of the Sapae-ryeon have for grain?”
“That’s stupid! There wouldn’t be a problem if the Sapae-ryeon bastards stopped eating for a few days, but aren’t they now attracting even small and medium-sized Sapae members? If you plan to lead them north, military rations are a must!”
“I don’t think so!”
Each member of the Intelligence Corps, with both hands full of reports coming in like crazy, raised their voices as if they were fighting with each other.
Of course, this is also something that those who interpret information must do. Their role is to analyze countless amounts of information in real time, even in the blink of an eye, and find the right response.
But Neungsam noticed. The fact that there is fear that cannot be fully hidden in the violent voices coming and going.
“Now, let’s calm down for a moment! Bringing military provisions does not necessarily mean crossing the river. “Isn’t it possible that they are planning a long-term confrontation centered on the Yangtze River?”
“That’s nonsense. “What reason is there to make such a choice when the Sapaeryun has already solidified its battle line?”
“stop!”
In the end, Zaogae Neungsam broke off the heated argument.
“First, send the news to the headquarters and immediately contact the old faction that is currently moving to Nanjing!”
“yes!”
“Don’t be hasty in judging what you can’t judge. The top priority is to convey the information as it is! Analysis comes next!”
“yes!”
At those words, several people quickly ran outside.
“Elder Cheon Yu-maeng! “What about Cheon Woo-maeng?”
“…Pass it to that side too.”
“yes!”
Neungsam, who was about to end the sentence, once again grabbed the person who was trying to run away and shouted.
“Oh, and check with the Black Clothing Corps in Gangnam to see if there is a way to contact Haenam, which is heading north!”
“Now Elder, that’s….”
“Check!”
“Yes, I understand!”
Zhao Kai frowned as he watched the back of the beggar running away.
‘Are you saying it was this sloppy?’
Jeongbogak was the pride of openness. They gather and analyze all information in the world. There is a saying that even if the neighbors don’t know what the person next door ate for breakfast today, they know what the person next door had for breakfast.
Jaogae Neungsam also always took pride in the function of Jeongjeongak. However, the real face of Jeong Bo-gak that he saw here today was very different from what he had imagined.
The information system, which operated with pinpoint accuracy in peacetime, was making creaking noises and off-beats here and there when the situation became so urgent.
‘Kangho… Kangho has been so peaceful so far.’
I thought I was sufficiently prepared. I believed that I could respond to any situation. However, looking at this scene, anyone can see how absurd and arrogant that belief was.
No matter how sharp the sword is, if it remains in its sheath for decades, the blade will become dull and lose its luster. I realized that fact painfully today.
“Has there been any news from the headquarters yet?”
“Ah, not yet…”
Neungsam bit his lip.
‘If at least the ark was intact…’
A young person who could respond quickly to any crisis should lead the opening.
If I had known this would happen, I would have succeeded to the title of Ark before the current Ark became so weak.
But now it is too late to regret. In this situation, transferring the ark location will only cause greater confusion.
‘volcano.’
Zhao Kai clenched and unclenched his fists.
When Zhao Gai heard that Emperor Xuanzong, who was a scholar in the mountains, had voluntarily stepped down from the position of master and placed his disciple in the position, Zhao Gai thought that he had made a big mistake.
When I heard that Baekcheon, the young Hwansanjeonggeom, had been appointed to the position of Jangmundaeri, I thought that King Hyeonjong had become senile.
That’s not all. Most people thought so.
It’s natural. There are countless people in the world who disparage King Hyeonjong, but among them, is there even one person who can deny the fact that King Hyeonjong was the one who brought back the fallen volcano?
Of course, it may not be Hyeonjong who accomplished all of this. Hyeonjong may have just been an observer.
But that’s why we shouldn’t retreat any further. There is no reason to change a system that is running well. When everything is going well, it is more important to maintain the status quo and continue the flow.
But now I think I know. It was only after going through this situation that I understood. Why did Hyeonjong step down on his own? Why was that position handed over to a young person?
“Other clans! “Have you received a response from the old faction that requested support?”
“No answer yet!”
“still?”
“yes. “Currently, Buntaju have joined the clans in each region and are awaiting their admission, but there has been no response yet!”
“why!”
Jaogae couldn’t bear it any longer and burst out in anger.
“It’s been a while since the news came out, so why is there still no answer? “Do you really think this is a Buddhist temple across the river? Damn it!”
As he continued to respond, the beggar who answered hurriedly said:
“Let’s put the flue in again!”
“Damn you!”
Neungsam hit the floor with the bamboo pole he was holding.
“What on earth are you all thinking?!”
His cries echoed desperately outside the palace hall.
* * *
Mt. Cheongseong.
“It is said that the Sapae-ryeon bastards have almost arrived in Nanjing.”
“hmm.”
After receiving the elder’s report, the eyes of Byeok Sage, the leader of the Qingcheng faction, sank solemnly.
“Jang Moon-in. Beggars are camped in front of the mountain gate. “Shouldn’t we give you an answer soon?”
The Byeok Sage nodded leisurely.
“That’s how it should be. Tell them that Cheongseong will respond to Shaolin’s call and march to the Yangtze River as soon as preparations are complete.”
“Yes, I will. “Then shall we prepare the disciples?”
“okay. You have to prepare. “I have eyes to see.”
Hearing those words, Elder Byeok Sang’s eyes brightened.
“Are you not planning on going to war?”
“I have to go. Don’t just go. “Cheongseong is one of the old factions and a faction that leads the way in Gangho, so how could you not go?”
“…if?”
“But there’s no need to rush.”
Byuksang said with a stern face.
“Jang Moon-in. But the enemy’s movements are unusual.”
“Know. It probably won’t end without bloodshed. “The defeated army will not return empty-handed.”
“But how could that be…”
As Byeok Sang trailed off with a frown on his face, a strange sneer appeared on Byeok Sage’s lips.
“You are misinterpreting my words. I never said I wouldn’t go out. “I just said that I would go out after thorough preparations.”
“….”
“It will be difficult to help if we rush in with only a half-hearted mind, so let’s do our best.”
“…Yes, Jang Mun-in.”
For now, Byeok-sang quietly lowered his head. Although he still looked unconvinced.
Seeing him like that, Byeok Sage smiled strangely.
“I’m just curious.”
“…yes?”
“For a long time, Qingcheng has been attacked by the enemy several times. “Sometimes the demonic power was rampant, sometimes the evil factions were proliferating, and sometimes we were fighting against evil people outside of the new world.”
“Isn’t that the pride of our Cheongseong?”
“But… I don’t know. “When things got like this, a thought suddenly occurred to me.”
“What…”
“How do you feel? “Isn’t Nanjing closer than you thought?”
Byuksang closed his mouth.
“I guess the same goes for Hanam. It is a place where you can leave your seat at any time and run to apply if you put your mind to it. “If unmanned vehicles run at full power, the distance would only take a few days.”
“That’s true, but…”
“But… when we look back, our ancestors always fought against the enemy with only the strength they had, without receiving proper support from Hanam.”
The face on the wall hardened. Because I understood what the Byeok Sage was trying to say.
“That’s why I was curious. “When we were shedding blood, were the people asking for help really so far away that they could not arrive in time?”
“Long story…”
“Isn’t it funny?”
The Wall Sage looked out the window.
“I guess this is what they always felt when they sat in the safest place in the world and looked at the fire burning in the distance.”
Even though he said it was funny, his eyes were somber.
“So let’s wait a little bit. I must find out with what kind of heart they watched the burning of Mount Cheongseong. There is nothing to worry about. Do you really want Shaolin to fall? It will not be too late. “Not too late…”
But never in a hurry.
Byeok-sang, who knew the meaning behind the blurred words, bowed his head in silence.
“How do you feel? Do you think I’m doing too much now?”
In response to Byeok Sage’s question, Byeok Sang slowly raised his head after a while. He spoke calmly, making eye contact.
“It wouldn’t be right to get emotional about what happened in the past.”
The Wall Sage’s eyebrows twitched slightly. At that time, a faint smile appeared on the corner of Byulsang’s lips.
“But patience is a virtue of no man. “If there is a lot to be gained from enduring a bit of bitterness, shouldn’t we encourage it?”
“Huh… heh heh heh heh!”
The Byeok Sage, who was looking at the wall statue blankly as if he was dumbfounded, laughed out loud.
Those words were exactly the answer he had been waiting for.
“Tell the disciples to prepare. “Children should know that.”
“Yes, Jang Mun-in.”
The Wall Sage smiled crookedly as he watched the wall statue going outside.
“…court. “Then why did you act so great?”
The Byeok Sage wondered what kind of expression the court would be making right now.
But what was more curious was the expression on Court’s face when he faced him, having lost his power due to the war with the Sapaeryun.
Will he be able to make an arrogant look like he did in the past?
“…don’t die, boss. “I really want to see it again as it is. Haha.”
The sound of his laughter spread eerily slowly throughout Daejeon.
