"Did you hear the news?"
"Huh? What's all the fuss about?"
"It's about the Eul Division!"
"What about the Eul Division?"
The listener tilted his head in confusion. The five new divisions of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance had not yet been officially named, so they were temporarily referred to as Gap, Eul, Byeong, Jeong, and Mu.
"The Eul Division leader has imprisoned the division members in the dungeon!"
"In the dungeon? Wait, does the Alliance even have a dungeon?"
"They must be using the one at Mount Hua."
"Oh, right... But that's not the point. Why would they imprison people? Especially with a war on the horizon?"
"They were charged with insubordination against the Vice Leader! So the Alliance is in an uproar right now."
"In, insubordination?"
Against the Vice Leader? The listener, still confused, asked again.
"The Vice Leader? Do you mean those rookies?"
"Hush!"
The one conveying the news quickly covered the speaker's mouth, looking around nervously like someone who was frightened.
"Watch your words! Things have changed."
"..."
"We could end up in the dungeon too if we're not careful. Twenty people have already been imprisoned. This is serious."
The listener's eyes widened. As soon as the hand covering his mouth was removed, he asked again, unable to believe it.
"Really?"
Twenty. It's rare for that many people to be imprisoned at once. Any sect would be thrown into chaos.
"The leader of the Eul Division..."
"Yes, it's Tang Gaju."
Others who had been lingering nearby approached them, clearly curious about the situation as well.
"Twenty people, so it's not just one sect?"
"Right. It includes members from the Jegal and Moyong families, as well as the Beggar's Union and the Namgung family, even the Southern Edge Sect."
"Even the Southern Edge Sect? Is that allowed?"
The listener's face turned pale.
"Whether it's allowed or not, it's already happened. They've declared that insubordination against the Vice Leader is a challenge to the Alliance itself. Even the Chief has supported this."
The more they heard, the more serious their expressions became.
Of course, the Chief would side with the Vice Leaders, but for a Division Leader to support them was unprecedented. Until now, everyone could subtly ignore the Vice Leaders because they believed the real power lay with the Division Leaders.
"Should we take this as the Division Leaders protecting the Vice Leaders?"
"Probably. Otherwise..."
"Why?"
The man looked bewildered.
The Heavenly Comrade Alliance was a coalition of many sects. The recent appointment of the Vice Leaders went too far. It was clear to everyone that Mount Hua had placed their chosen people in all the Vice Leader positions.
There must have been more than a few members harboring quiet resentment. While no one openly conspired, there was a tacit agreement to suppress the Vice Leaders' authority.
But now, the Division Leaders were not only failing to protect their own members, but they were also actively supporting the Vice Leaders. This was a serious blow to those who had quietly opposed them.
"Maybe it's because Tang is on good terms with Mount Hua. Other Division Leaders might think differently, like our own leader."
"Don't be ridiculous. If that were the case, they would have already stated their position. Some of the imprisoned must be their disciples!"
That seemed to be true enough. Any remaining hope was dashed.
"So, what happens now?"
"What do you mean by what happens? Anyone who rebels against the Vice Leaders will be thrown into the dungeon. They're not planning to release them until after the war."
"What? For that long?"
"Yes! So the entire Alliance is on edge right now."
Sighs came from all directions.
This meant they had no choice but to obey the young Vice Leaders. They had to sit when told to sit and crawl when told to crawl.
"Damn it. Why did they have to cause trouble?"
"I knew this would happen!"
"You should have done it moderately, whatever it was!"
If you had just stayed quiet until the war started, things wouldn't have gone this wrong.
In a situation where a battle is imminent, the probability of reducing forces for punishment is low, so it might be difficult to punish every minor for insubordination.
But since you made a mess while there was still room, only the Vice Leaders' authority will become more solidified.
How many people would welcome this?
"So, we just need to avoid insubordination?"
"It's still a rumor, but... that..."
"Stop beating around the bush and just say it! What's next?"
"The Chief intends to formalize the authority of the Vice Leader to include summary execution rights over Unit members."
"What...? Su-summary execution rights? Does that mean they can just behead someone on the spot?"
"It's not even at that level. They say the Vice Leaders can behead someone whenever they feel like it, regardless of wrongdoing."
"How can that make sense? Even the Evil Sect wouldn't do that!"
"It doesn't make sense, of course not. But... 'that Chief', right?"
This statement suddenly lent legitimacy to the situation.
It is now common knowledge in Kangho that Chung Myung of Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword is an insane guy, worse than the Evil Sect. Was anything he did ever normal?
"Then what about us?"
"We're completely doomed, that's what. We already have to serve a young kid from a sect we have no ties with, and now they have the power over life and death too?"
The phrase 'driving one mad' was made for situations like this.
At that moment, one of those listening to the conversation spoke up.
"No matter how it is, with the Sect Leaders and Sect Elders present, it can't go that far, right? They will surely stop it at a reasonable level."
Someone else chimed in.
"Right. They aren't scarecrows! No matter how irrational the Chief is, he can't win against all of them!"
Indeed, that made sense.
In the midst of complex worries, everyone's gaze naturally turned to one place: the main conference room, where the elders of the alliance were gathered.
✿❀✿❀ ✿❀✿❀ ✿❀✿❀ ✿❀✿❀
Inside the conference room, Moyong Wigyung cleared his throat and spoke up.
"So, about this... I apologize for the situation that has arisen, but isn't this a bit excessive?"
"Excessive?"
"To imprison for that long..."
"Oh, that. Indeed, it was a problematic solution."
"Right...?"
"I should have severed their tendons on the spot and thrown them to the Beggar's Union as punishment. I was shortsighted. Even now, I can."
"No, no! That's not what I meant by 'excessive'! I meant, well..."
Moyong Wigyung desperately changed his words. Rightly so, he could see genuine intent on Chung Myung's face.
"I mean, isn't giving such excessive authority to the Vice Leader a concern?"
"Excessive?"
Moyong Wigyung's face grew sorrowful. How could one not be able to speak?
"In the first place!"
Bang!
Chung Myung slammed the table in front of him as if to break it.
"If the Sect Leaders had done their job properly, this wouldn't have happened! What were they doing that led to this situation? Not doing their assigned tasks!"
"Chung Myung. The Sect Leaders don't assist the Vice Leader. The Vice Leader assists the Sect Leaders."
"That's just nominal! In reality, they were chosen to clean up after the Vice Leader! If given work, they should at least do it properly!"
Though it might be the internal story, saying it all out loud isn't right. That's what the world calls 'courtesy' and 'common sense.'
Hyun Jong wanted to say so much, but he couldn't bring himself to say it. Unfortunately, he was a person who had common sense and courtesy.
Chung Myung, who lacked such things, was busy lashing out.
"Tell me! What have you done to make the situation come to this? Huh?"
"It's not like that..."
"Busy?"
"No, not busy."
"Then not busy? Quite the luxurious life, isn't it?"
Moyong Wigyung, speechless, stared blankly at Chung Myung. Then, he suddenly felt a surge of anger.
'Wait a minute. Why am I just apologizing like this?'
Respecting the Chief as a member of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance is natural. But to be unable to say a word of rebuttal and just be cowering, isn't that different?
At first, he was not someone who would receive such treatment. Even the former Alliance Leader, Beop Jeong, could not treat him this way!
He was about to retort angrily when...
"Chief, right now...!"
"I'm sorry, Chief."
Pungyeong Shin Gae, the former leader of the Beggar's Union, bowed deeply to Chung Myung.
"There was an order from the Chief, but I failed to carry it out properly due to my incompetence. Please forgive my complacency."
"Is this a situation you can dismiss as complacency?"
"Even if I had ten mouths, I wouldn't have anything to say. Our role was to support the Vice Leaders so they could fulfill their roles. Once again, I apologize."
Pungyeong Shin Gae. No less than Pungyeong Shin Gae bowed his head and apologized.
Moyong Wigyung froze like ice. Not only Moyong Wigyung but also others couldn't hide their astonishment.
Who is Pungyeong Shin Gae?
Though his actual status was ambiguous, he had led the Beggar's Union for decades and has since passed it down and retired. In terms of symbolism and status, Moyong Wigyung couldn't compare.
And such a person was bowing to a young man? It was unbelievable.
"...I guess I also need to apologize."
At that moment, Meng So added to Pungyeong Shin Gae's stance with a troubled face.
"The immediate backlash from the Beast Palace was considerable, so we tried to calm it."
"That's one thing, and this is another!"
"That's what I'm saying. Sigh."
Meng So clicked his tongue, looking embarrassed. Even his face turned red. Seeing the large man so flustered made Moyong Wigyung feel uneasy.
As these two opened the way, the atmosphere became strange. Especially since Pungyeong Shin Gae, who seemed to have little connection with Chung Myung, was openly showing such humility, it had a significant impact.
It became difficult to criticize Chung Myung for being excessive. This naturally included Tang Gunak, who directly caused the issue, and even Moyong Wigyung and Jong Rigok.
"I didn't say this to get a perfunctory apology. I want things to be clear."
Chung Myung spoke again in a slightly more composed voice.
"It's lucky it happened now, but if something like this happens on the battlefield, it would be truly irreversible. At that time, I won't be able to do anything about it."
"...That's true."
"So, make sure you know what you should be doing. Is this the time to be playing power struggles? You formed a party to resolve the chaos between sects, and now you're fighting within the party. Ha, the more I think about it, the more infuriating and exasperating you all are! I'll kill you all!"
"Chung Myung, calm down."
"He's getting angry at his own words..."
Chung Myung took a deep breath and barely cooled down his temper. Then he spoke sharply.
"Vice leaders, get your heads straight!"
The Vice leaders flinched and shrank their necks.
"These things happen because you seem easy! If some useless people acted up, you should have stabbed them in the belly with a sword right there! Where do you think?"
"In this case, isn't the Evil Sect more reasonable, Sahyung?"
"I'm also contemplating."
"Shut up!"
Chung Myung snapped in annoyance and hardened his expression.
"A commander loses everything if they lose their authority."
"..."
"Even seemingly trivial cracks can eventually lead everyone to death. Don't forget that. We're at war right now."
Everyone felt the weight in his voice. That weight made everyone nod.
And at that moment.
Bang.
The door was roughly opened, and someone entered the meeting room.
"Sect Leader, Chief. I have a report."
It was Im Sobyeong, the Nokrim King. With a face paler and more rigid than usual, he spoke.
"The Evil Tyrant Alliance has finally made a move."
His voice was colder and heavier than his expression.