As the situation grew urgent, it became difficult to keep up.
"Wait a moment!"
Jaegal Jain raised his voice urgently.
He needed to stop this absurd decision. The reason for jumping into the trap laid by the enemy was simply, 'We just have to break the trap!' How could that make sense?
"Chief! For now, stay calm!"
"Deputy leaders!"
However, Chung Myung shouted as if he didn't hear Jaegal Jain's voice.
"Summon the members immediately. You have one moment!"
"Yes!"
"Understood!"
"Move!"
As soon as Chung Myung's words fell, the deputy leaders who were seated jumped up and ran out like arrows.
"Uh, what?"
Jaegal Jain stood there, wide-eyed and dumbfounded. Chung Myung continued speaking.
"The leaders, please prepare to head to Hubei right away. Right now, as quickly as possible!"
"Understood."
"We will follow the chief's orders."
The leaders immediately stood up. As Tang Gunak, Meng So, and Pungyeong Shin Gae responded promptly, Jong Rigok rose a little later, and then Moyong Wigyung, observing them, slowly lifted himself off his chair.
"All necessary support will be provided by Tang Zhan, the head of the support group! Hurry up!"
"Understood."
The leaders exited without hesitation.
After the storm-like moment passed, the only ones left in the room were Hyun Jong, Chung Myung, and two commanders.
"Nokrim King!"
"Call me Commander Woo, Chief."
Im Sobyeong spread his fan and covered half his face. A deep smile appeared in his eyes above the fan.
"Or First Commander if you prefer."
Chung Myung glanced at him without a word and then shifted his gaze to Jaegal Jain.
"Analyze and predict all possible movements of the enemy and report to me."
"I will, of course, do so, but..."
Snap.
As Chung Myung snapped his fingers, a golden bird flew in through the window. The golden bird circled above and then landed gently on Chung Myung's hand.
"Report through this one."
Jaegal Jain instinctively reached out and accepted the golden bird from Chung Myung.
"A thousand-mile golden bird... Is this from the Beggar's Union?"
"Don't worry about it. We'll be using it until the war is over."
"Ah...."
Jaegal Jain, who was staring blankly at the bird, suddenly looked at Chung Myung in surprise.
"Wait...! If this one is with me, how will you give orders to each unit?"
"It's fine. There are more."
"Pardon?"
"Come here!"
As soon as Chung Myung shouted, the closed door swung open with a bang. Something that looked like a mix of black and white flew into the room at an unimaginable speed.
In an instant, something climbed up Chung Myung's body and settled on his shoulder, lifting its head.
"A... marten?"
Moreover, it was a pure white marten dressed in Mount Hua's black martial arts uniform.
Jaegal Jain's face showed undisguised bewilderment. Chung Myung scratched the marten's chin with his finger and spoke.
"In terms of speed, it's faster than the bird, so don't worry."
"Ah...."
Jaegal Jain nodded with a somewhat peculiar expression. Just then, someone interjected with a gentle voice.
"But... it seems you've forgotten about me?"
Im Sobyeong gently shook his spread fan as he spoke.
"The orders you are giving should actually be given to me, the First Commander, shouldn't they?"
He emphasized 'first' with force. Chung Myung, watching him laugh softly, nodded as if he understood.
"First Commander."
"Yes!"
"You're coming with me."
"...What?"
"You're coming with me."
Thud.
The fan fell to the ground weakly. At the same time, Im Sobyeong's face turned pale.
"Me? Why me...?"
"With Jaegal Gaju-nim here, you're not needed. Follow me. You will command on the field."
"N-no, Chief! Do you not know what a military commander is? A commander should be at the baaaack, huh? At the back! The one who gives orders from behind!"
"Stop talking and follow me unless you want to die."
Im Sobyeong's shoulders slumped weakly.
In fact, going to the front line was something he could somewhat endure. It wasn't unheard of for military commanders to direct from the battlefield.
The problem was that the position he was assigned to was right beside that damned Taoist.
Anyone who knew even a little about the Heavenly Comrade Alliance—no, about the current Kangho—would know that the place where that damned Taoist was was the most dangerous spot in Kangho.
And now they wanted to take him to such a place? Im Sobyeong thought.
'I'd rather swallow a sword and collapse!'
How could they expect a delicate (or so he thought) scholar to endure where even the insane warriors of Mount Hua couldn't?
"Th-that position would be better suited for Jaegal Gaju."
"Stop talking and follow."
"...Yes."
Im Sobyeong eventually nodded his head lifelessly. He instinctively knew that if he refused once more, fists, kicks, or even a sword would definitely come flying at him.
"W-wait a moment, Chief. This is..."
"Maengju-nim."
Just as Jaegal Jain tried to say something, Chung Myung spun around and bowed to Hyun Jong.
"Mount Hua disciple, Chung Myung, reporting to support Wudang. Seeking approval!"
A trace of worry crossed Hyun Jong's face, but he quickly wiped it away and spoke resolutely.
"Granted."
"Thank you!"
Thud.
Chung Myung turned and glanced at the wide-open door before dashing out like the wind. He didn't look back once.
"Uh..."
Jaegal Jain watched his disappearing figure, almost losing his soul.
"Ugh. This is driving me crazy."
Now Jaegal Jain could only cling to Im Sobyeong.
"W-wait a moment, Nokrim King."
Im Sobyeong, already deep in thought, responded with a sullen face.
"Yes?"
"W-what is going on here?"
"What do you mean?"
"Just a moment ago, we were arguing back and forth about what's right and wrong."
"Oh, that?"
Im Sobyeong sighed deeply again, as if the ground would sink.
"Well, it's natural to share opinions. Everyone has different thoughts."
"Yes?"
"But the important thing is, once a decision is made, you don't look back. Isn't that what a command is about?"
Jaegal Jain looked at Im Sobyeong's face, filled with a 'Why are you asking such obvious questions?' expression, and swallowed dryly.
"Not looking back once a decision is made?"
It made sense.
But how easy is that? If it were that easy, why would any sect struggle with internal conflicts?
If there are a hundred people, there are a hundred thoughts, and if there are a thousand people, there are a thousand thoughts.
Yet, were they able to unify these scattered opinions all at once? As if prearranged?
"It's not that complicated."
"...Yes?"
"Think intensely, act simply."
Im Sobyeong picked up the fallen fan, folded it, and looked outside.
"It's a method that those who have been entangled with that person have learned through their bodies. And... hmm. Well, it's not necessary."
Im Sobyeong left Jaegal Jain behind and stepped outside, feeling no need to say more.
Jaegal Jain, left behind, stood in a daze for a while, lost in thought. Though Im Sobyeong didn't say everything, he felt he understood the unsaid words.
'And now that's the way of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance?'
He never thought it would actually be possible.
But if it did happen? If those rabble-like groups could move like the wind at Chung Myung's word, just as what unfolded before his eyes?
He shivered all over.
The events that followed were beyond imagination. Such occurrences were the ultimate aspirations of those who wield strategy, even in their dreams.
Because it was such a lofty ideal, it was difficult to predict the impact when such an event actually occurred in reality.
"So, what exactly am I supposed to do?"
"You will be in charge of intelligence."
"Pardon?"
Jaegal Jain turned around abruptly. Hyun Jong was smiling at him.
"The information gathered by the Beggar's Union and the data sent by each faction will be collected here through the branch established by Chung Myung. You will handle this, Commander. Additionally, you will oversee supplies and support from the rear."
"Ah..."
"Perhaps the battle here will be even more intense. Are you prepared?"
Jaegal Jain looked at Hyun Jong without saying a word. Even though he was sending his disciples into what might be a trap, Hyun Jong wore a gentle smile.
However, that smile did not come from mere composure. It was meant to reassure Jaegal Jain.
Realizing this, Jaegal Jain saw Hyun Jong in a new light.
"Hoo..."
Jaegal Jain let out a long breath. Straightening his attire, he faced Hyun Jong directly and bowed sincerely, not out of formality but from the heart.
"Please take care of everything, Maengju-nim."
"The pleasure is mine."
Hyun Jong, accepting Jaegal Jain's bow, looked beyond him toward the wide-open door.
"They have gathered."
"Damn, what should we call ourselves? Euls? Eul faction has assembled!"
"The whole faction has all gathered!"
"This side too!"
The road leading to Hwaeum.
It was merely the entrance to a small village, but it was famous to some, meaningful to others, and bittersweet to yet others because it led to Mount Hua.
Countless people stood in line there.
The factions of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, which couldn't all fit into an arena thrice the size of an ordinary martial arts gathering ground, lined the path to Hwaeum.
The faction leaders and vice-leaders stood at the forefront.
The significance of this was much greater than the public could imagine.
The world had endured numerous invasions and calamities, and each time, Kangho had united to fend off the enemies.
But never before had the barriers between sects been completely dismantled. Who could understand the meaning of people dressed differently, wielding different weapons, and bearing different titles standing together without distinction?
There was one person who understood this meaning better than anyone else. He stood firmly before the assembled factions of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
Dressed in Mount Hua's black uniform, Chung Myung surveyed everyone and nodded slowly.
Some eyes flickered with anxiety, others burned with resolve. Chung Myung's inner thoughts probably mirrored those looks. But...
His gaze suddenly shifted backward.
He could see the path leading to Hwaeum and, beyond it, the towering Mount Hua.
Although the path led to Mount Hua, it also meant leaving Mount Hua. The road was always open in both directions.
He would proceed down this path, and he would return along the same path.
Things were different now. It wasn't the same as before.
Looking again at the assembled members of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, Chung Myung's eyes were unwavering.
Even if they were lacking, even if they were still wanting, there was no hesitation in moving forward. He knew now that the moment of perfection would never come.
Tak.
Chung Myung stepped forward. He looked at everyone and spoke.
"When we return."
"..."
"It will be after we end the war."
This was a declaration that they would not set foot on this ground again without seeing the end of the war.
Understanding his words, determination filled the faces of everyone.
"Move out!"
"Yes!"
Without needing any further orders, the members of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance let out a great but controlled roar and began to march.
There were no special instructions; nothing was to be given or received.
The goal was one: Wudang.
The decisive battle that would determine the future of the world would take place there.