When the council of the three Military Strategists began, the air in the Grand Strategist’s hall was cold.
It was not merely because someone who was not a Military Strategist was attending the council of the three Military Strategists.
There were occasional cases where strategists from the Strategists’ Office attended the council of the three Military Strategists, and the Martial Alliance’s unit lords attended as well.
What had chilled the air in the Grand Strategist’s hall was the grave information brought by the unfamiliar young man, Chief Secretary Kwak, who had come as the Alliance Leader’s representative.
However, once Chief Secretary Kwak’s explanation ended and the true strategy meeting began, the air in the Grand Strategist’s hall slowly began to heat up.
The Martial Alliance’s three Military Strategists were men who would have been deeply wronged to be called second to anyone in wisdom and military strategy, so they competed to pour out all manner of strategies and countermeasures.
When Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi made a proposal, Left Military Strategist Yong Baekcheon supplemented it. When Left Military Strategist Yong Baekcheon advanced an argument, Grand Strategist Sagong Ui proposed a revision. Such exchanges continued without pause.
Kwak Yeon held his breath and listened to the heated discussion among the three Military Strategists.
To Kwak Yeon, who had never separately studied military law or tactics, every word from the three Military Strategists was a new world and new knowledge.
What especially interested Kwak Yeon was the art of employing men in accordance with the martial characteristics of the orthodox sects while organizing the eight corps.
When it comes to gaining the greatest effect in group combat, the art of employing people is the most important thing.
Kwak Yeon suddenly recalled that, in childhood, he had experienced something similar with his Hall of Heroic Martiality classmates during the Cheongmu Tournament.
To the children of prestigious families belonging to True Martial Hall, it had been nothing more than a game of stealing balls, but to him and his Hall of Heroic Martiality classmates, it had been a test with their future fate on the line.
That was why they had fought so fiercely, but without a strategy prepared in advance, they would have had the balls stolen helplessly by the prestigious family children’s superior skill.
Above all, if I want to reduce casualties, the art of employing people is essential.
Kwak Yeon resolved that whenever he had the opportunity, he would attend Military Strategist meetings and learn even one more thing.
If Kwak Yeon thought only of himself, he would have had no reason to care about such arts of employing people, military law, or tactics.
After all, there were not many opponents left in the martial world who could stand against Kwak Yeon’s realm.
Kwak Yeon was keeping in mind the safety of his Hall of Heroic Martiality classmates, his fellow disciples of Wudang, and further still, the orthodox martial artists.
“This one is wholly ignorant of military law, so I will only answer what the Military Strategists ask of me, and otherwise listen with cleansed ears so that I do not disturb the meeting.”
As he had said when he entered the council of the three Military Strategists, Kwak Yeon intended only to listen as though he were not there.
However—
“Chief Secretary Kwak, where do you think it would be best to place masters of poison arts?”
When Grand Strategist Sagong Ui abruptly asked his opinion, Kwak Yeon had no choice but to speak.
“In my humble opinion, should we not first determine whether poison arts are effective against the madmen, then arrange their positions according to the result?”
When the three Military Strategists failed to reach an agreement on how to organize the masters of poison arts, Grand Strategist Sagong Ui had asked for the opinion of Kwak Yeon, who had directly faced and dealt with the madmen.
At Kwak Yeon’s answer, Grand Strategist Sagong Ui asked Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi and Left Military Strategist Yong Baekcheon,
“Following Chief Secretary Kwak’s opinion, how would it be to place the masters of poison arts in the rear for now, and have the commanders of the eight corps employ them according to the situation?”
“Since we do not know what sort of poison arts will be effective against the madmen, giving discretionary authority to the commanders of the eight corps would not be a bad idea.”
“I have no objection to the Right Military Strategist’s words either.”
With the two Military Strategists accepting Grand Strategist Sagong Ui’s proposal, an agreement was reached, and after that, the number of times the Military Strategists asked Kwak Yeon’s opinion increased.
Naturally, Kwak Yeon had changed from an observer of the council of the three Military Strategists into a participant.
It was truly a startling thing. It meant the three Military Strategists were implicitly acknowledging Kwak Yeon.
Kwak Yeon thought these three Military Strategists were giving him a chance because they were considering his position as the Alliance Leader’s representative, so he gave his opinions with as much restraint as possible.
Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi inwardly admired Kwak Yeon as he watched him clearly state his opinions with a cautious attitude.
As a senior strategist, it was always a pleasure to see a brilliant young pillar of the martial world.
It was even enjoyable, building consensus through the exchange of opinions like this.
The more that enjoyment grew, the gloomier one corner of Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi’s heart became.
Why, of all places, did he have to belong to Wudang?
It was while Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi was feeling conflicted.
FLUTTER.
“Right Military Strategist, have you nothing more to say?”
At Grand Strategist Sagong Ui’s question as he fanned his crane-feather fan, Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi hurriedly set his expression straight.
“Thanks to Chief Secretary Kwak laying things out clearly, I have nothing for the moment.”
“What about the Left Military Strategist?”
At the Grand Strategist’s question, Left Military Strategist Yong Baekcheon answered with a satisfied expression.
“Grand Strategist, the same is true for me.”
“Then let us bring today’s meeting to a close.”
FLUTTER.
When Grand Strategist Sagong Ui fanned his crane-feather fan and declared the council of the three Military Strategists closed, Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi looked at Kwak Yeon with as neutral a gaze as possible and said,
“Chief Secretary Kwak, I look forward to many fine opinions from you in the future as well.”
Kwak Yeon hurriedly said,
“Right Military Strategist, calling them fine opinions is more than I can bear. It is an honor merely for you to refer to my humble views.”
Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi shook his head.
“Not at all. They were truly a great help. I intend to reference Chief Secretary Kwak’s proposals and reorganize the structure of the eight corps.”
Grand Strategist Sagong Ui, who had been watching the two of them with satisfaction, said,
“Chief Secretary Kwak, though the three of us Military Strategists gather and discuss strategy, in practice, the Right Military Strategist is the one who oversees this campaign to punish the Demonic Eight Divisions. So if you have anything to propose, go and see the Right Military Strategist.”
Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi also smiled faintly and said,
“Chief Secretary Kwak, stop by the Right Military Strategist’s hall whenever you like.”
For Kwak Yeon, it was a chance to learn even one more thing, so there was no reason to refuse.
“Understood.”
When Kwak Yeon gave a hand-over-fist salute and answered gladly, Grand Strategist Sagong Ui said,
“Come to think of it, we ended the meeting without asking Chief Secretary Kwak. The council of the three Military Strategists always has three seats, so I forgot about you.”
“.......”
“Let me ask now, then. Chief Secretary Kwak, do you perhaps have anything left to say?”
Kwak Yeon hesitated briefly, then spoke carefully.
“May I dare ask the Military Strategists one question?”
“Chief Secretary Kwak is here as the Alliance Leader’s representative, so say anything you wish.”
Once Grand Strategist Sagong Ui gave his permission, Kwak Yeon asked the question he had been holding back.
“Is punishing the Demonic Eight Divisions truly the only way?”
Kwak Yeon had heard from Hu Gae that it was the Strategists’ Office that had decided to punish the Demonic Eight Divisions and convened the All-Under-Heaven Heroes Assembly.
That was why he had mustered his courage. He felt he would regret it if he did not ask.
The Grand Strategist’s hall fell silent as though cold water had been poured over it.
“No matter how many preparations the Strategists’ Office makes, will there not be great sacrifices?”
He knew it was nothing more than a mantis flailing at the wheels of a carriage that had already begun to roll, but he could not bear to do even that much.
“Chief Secretary Kwak, you truly are a Taoist who has cultivated the immortal path. In any case, the three of us in the Strategists’ Office naturally know there will be great sacrifices. That is why we have searched for other measures in many ways until now. Even so, we ultimately reached the conclusion that there was no other method but punishing the Demonic Eight Divisions.”
“.......”
“Chief Secretary Kwak knows better than anyone, does he not? That the Demonic Eight Divisions’ forces grow larger as time passes.”
“Of course I know.”
When Kwak Yeon nodded weakly, Grand Strategist Sagong Ui let out a low sigh and said,
“Whew. It seems our Strategists’ Office’s abilities have fallen short and disappointed you.”
At Grand Strategist Sagong Ui’s words, Kwak Yeon bowed his head with guilt.
“I apologize for asking an impertinent question.”
Even the Military Strategists of the Strategists’ Office had no other way, which was why they had chosen the painful measure of punishing the Demonic Eight Divisions. He had overstepped and touched that pain.
“Not at all. I am glad to see a hero overflowing with chivalrous spirit.”
FLUTTER.
Grand Strategist Sagong Ui fanned his crane-feather fan and spoke to everyone present.
“Now that we have heard Chief Secretary Kwak’s closing words as well, let us end today’s council of the three Military Strategists here.”
After announcing the conclusion of the council of the three Military Strategists, Grand Strategist Sagong Ui continued to Kwak Yeon.
“Chief Secretary Kwak, a senior leaders’ council will be held shortly at Righteous Heaven Hall. In my heart, I would like to introduce Chief Secretary Kwak to the heads of the sects and martial families immediately, but the matter to be discussed at today’s senior leaders’ council is rather difficult, so it seems troublesome to go together.”
“Grand Strategist, I am fine either way.”
Kwak Yeon had no particular desire to form connections with the heads of martial sects and families.
He had suddenly been draped in the shell of the Martial Alliance’s Chief Secretary, but to the leaders of the great sects and great families, he would merely be the Cave Hermit Taoist of Samryeong Palace on Mount Wudang.
Rather than catering to the moods of people who looked down on him, it would be a hundred times better to spend that time training in the Wisdom Sword of Taiji.
Moreover, among the heads of the Five Great Families, the Clan Master of the Jegal Family would certainly be present.
He had spared the Jegal Clan Master’s underhanded agent and had him report the circumstances, but he did not know whether the Jegal Clan Master had set aside his grudge.
Even if he had set aside his grudge, the Jegal Clan Master and Kwak Yeon would never be people who welcomed each other.
“Chief Secretary Kwak, then I will arrange a separate occasion soon for you to exchange greetings with the leaders.”
With those words, Grand Strategist Sagong Ui rose first, and Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi and Left Military Strategist Yong Baekcheon followed him to their feet.
As soon as they came out of the Grand Strategist’s hall, Left Military Strategist Yong Baekcheon said to Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi and Kwak Yeon,
“Right Military Strategist, Chief Secretary Kwak, I will see you both later.”
After Left Military Strategist Yong Baekcheon left hurriedly with that brief farewell, only Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi and Kwak Yeon remained on the landing before the main doors of the Grand Strategist’s hall.
Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi spoke to Kwak Yeon.
“Chief Secretary Kwak, I was glad to meet you today.”
“The honor was mine, Right Military Strategist.”
Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi looked at Kwak Yeon for a moment, then asked,
“I heard a rumor that Chief Secretary Kwak came from the training ground on Mount Wudang and rose to Samryeong Palace. Is that true? Ah, please do not misunderstand. I only ask because I wondered how the zhenren of Wudang failed to recognize such outstanding talent.”
Kwak Yeon had already sensed that Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi had shown him profound interest from their first meeting, so he answered without minding it.
“As the rumor you heard says, Right Military Strategist, I came from the training ground and became a disciple of Samryeong Palace. And it was not that the zhenren of my sect failed to recognize me. It was that I displayed talent very late.”
“Ah! Is that so?”
Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi saw that Kwak Yeon’s words and gaze were steeped in deep affection for Wudang Sect.
There is absolutely nothing to hope for!
Realizing that there was not even enough space for the tip of a needle to enter Kwak Yeon’s feelings toward Wudang Sect, Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi changed the subject.
“Chief Secretary Kwak, could you come to the Right Military Strategist’s hall tomorrow at the beginning of the Goat Hour? I would like to hear your opinion while arranging the detailed tactics.”
“If you say I can be of help, I will gladly come.”
After parting from Kwak Yeon, Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi walked the corridor alone, his expression gradually darkening.
*****
FLAP! FLAP!
The red dragon banner snapped fiercely above the Jegal Family manor’s training field, where a group of warriors were practicing martial arts.
WHOOSH!
SWISH!
On the command platform, a robust man in his early forties wearing a red martial uniform looked down at the warriors moving in perfect order across the training field with a satisfied expression.
A gate guard hurried over and bowed to him.
“Unit Lord, the Right Military Strategist has arrived.”
The robust man in his forties, Fire Dragon of the Jegal Family, Jegal Geon, frowned.
“Bring him here.”
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