Book 25 Chapter 16
Emergency Commander Meeting
- The Commanders of the Macheon Thirteen Corps
Normally, the commander meeting began with Commander Cheolgamyeon of the Twelfth Corps. This was because the Twelfth Corps was in charge of espionage and intelligence. The commander of this corps had worn an iron mask for generations to hide their identity. Because of this, everyone called him Cheolgamyeon, but there was a formal name.
Eunsin Biyoung (Hidden Body Secret Shadow), Eunjon (Hidden Existence).
It was closer to an official designation than a real name, and was only given because it was inconvenient to have no name to call him by. The Twelfth Corps was in charge of espionage and intelligence, and no one here used their real name. Although they used the character '존' (Jon, meaning existence), what they truly wanted to use was the character '尊' (Jon, meaning respected or noble), which is higher than '存'. It was no small feat of confidence.
Those who abandoned their past and hid in the shadows, that was the true nature of the Twelfth Corps.
"The number of intruders is currently twenty, with the possibility of increasing by more. Most of them have been identified as members of the Cheonmu Academy delegation. There is a possibility that they will increase their numbers by colluding with the remaining forces of the Cheonmu Academy within the castle."
"Is there a reason for them to forcibly break through the castle gates? A delegation should have passes, right?"
A giant, wearing a tattered monk's robe like a lion's mane and a large iron prayer bead necklace, asked. The number 'Three' was inscribed on his chest. He was Commander Hyeonjang of the Third Corps, known as the "Broken Monk." He was tall, with sparse black beard like steel needles, but his head was bald. There were rumors that he was a former disciple of the Shaolin Temple who had been expelled, but he neither confirmed nor denied it. However, no one disagreed that one of his goals was the "dismantling of the 108 Arhat Formation." Therefore, his goal conflicted with the plan to create the strongest formation of the Changlangdae, causing animosity between them.
"Don't you know? Some of them probably didn't have passes."
Commander Changlang of the Ninth Corps scoffed and said. He was wearing blue, and the number 'Nine' and a wolf emblem were on his chest. He wore iron chains, each with three crescent moon-shaped blades, like pauldrons on both shoulders. They were a pair of "Changlang Yuea-jo," his unique weapons. Hyeonjang looked at Changlang with great displeasure. Changlang, unfazed by Hyeonjang's gaze, grinned like a wolf tearing into bloody meat. He didn't hide his fangs, as if ready to fight at any moment. Eunjon smoothed over the thickening atmosphere.
"Commander Changlang is correct. Two of them were outsiders without passes."
"Have their identities been revealed?"
"One of them revealed himself as 'Bilyuyeon,' the winner of the last Hwasan Summit. The other is a young girl, and there is no further information about her yet."
"Ho ho, that's interesting news. But according to rumors, that Bilyuyeon is a braggart and an opportunist? They say he just happened to claim the summit of an abandoned mountain this time, or something like that?"
"One of his past nicknames was 'Lucky Strike that Hits Gold'."
As expected of the head of the intelligence corps, he seemed to have gathered a lot of information about Bilyuyeon.
"Just by hearing about it, he doesn't seem like much?"
"However, there are rumors that the mysterious figure who provided crucial help in extinguishing the Hwasan Summit fire was him."
"The mysterious master 'Sinpung Hyeop' is that guy?"
Sinpung Hyeop. He was the mysterious master rumored to be responsible for suppressing the inferno at Hwasan. The rumors arose from the words of the Cheonmu Samsung, who received thanks from the people for subduing the flames in the valley that raged like a mad dragon.
"Uh? You don't need to thank us. Because we didn't do it. We were actually going to give up."
"That's right. I thought we were really going to die this time. It was quite fiery."
"But you're alive? All's well that ends well. We learned a lot this time."
When asked who did it, they replied:
"We can't tell you. That young man told us not to say anything."
"A promise is a promise. If you have time, you can figure it out yourselves."
After that, the mysterious young master came to be called 'Sinpung Hyeop', but there were also frequent opinions that it was simply a prank by the Cheonmu Samsung. This was because there was no reason for a young man who performed such feats to be unable to reveal himself proudly. Moreover, it was a widely held opinion that it was impossible for a young master capable of accomplishing what the Cheonmu Samsung declared impossible. The public tends to think and understand things in a way that suits them. As a result, the initial interest in Sinpung Hyeop had subsided like burnt embers.
"Of course, reliable sources all acknowledge this fact, but… considering his past actions, it's impossible for him to achieve such miraculous feats."
"Then he's an empty cart?"
"However, there are stories that the Cheonmu Samsung quite likes him."
"What's the reason?"
"They say it's because he's entertaining."
"It has nothing to do with strength, does it?"
"Gaining the favor of the Cheonmu Samsung is not easy."
"Does it matter who he is? He's prey after a long time."
"Commander Changlang of the Ninth Corps seems to be enjoying himself." Eunjon asked.
"He's an intruder. It's good to have a chance to fight. I've been dissatisfied with the lack of practical combat. Our Changlangdae wanted more practical training, but it was difficult to find opportunities, and the kids were bored. Doesn't your blood boil?"
Actually, he wasn't the only one excited about the sudden intrusion. The commanders of other corps were also generally very positive in their reactions. It was strange to be positive about an intrusion, but it was the truth. A light, excited anticipation filled the Grand Commander's office.
"Commander Gu Cheok of the Fourth Corps, Saengsamuhyeo Bulakgucheok, do you have anything to say?"
Eunjon asked, needing to hear the opinions of the other commanders. A man about nine feet tall with a diagonal scar on his face, sitting still, slowly opened his mouth.
"When the fighting starts, there will be more patients."
His tone was truly indifferent.
"Are you worried about that?"
"No, I think it's a good thing. If the number of patients increases, it will be good practice for my subordinates. I hope they suffer various injuries. So they can get diverse practice."
In short, for them, it was better to have more patients as it provided practice.
"What about Commander Cheonbyeonmanhwajang Cheolhon of the Second Corps?"
"Huh? Me? For an old man like me, it doesn't matter. The kids' weapons might get a little damaged, but don't they need to drink some blood occasionally? If you get your hands on a good sword, bring it back. I hope someone is using a peculiar demonic weapon. I want to add it to my collection."
He meant that it didn't matter what happened as long as he could get his hands on peculiar demonic weapons or famous swords.
"What about Commander Hyeonjang of the Third Corps?"
"Are there any Shaolin disciples involved?"
His interest seemed to be solely in Shaolin.
"There is a report that one martial monk who appears to be from Shaolin is present."
Then Hyeonjang's eyes sparkled.
"Ho ho, really? Then, as a senior, I should give them some education. I'm also curious about the quality of today's disciples."
It seemed he had no complaints about the intrusion itself.
"Commander Muyeom of the Sixth Corps, do you have anything to say?"
Startled when his name was called while he was half asleep, Muyeom blurted out.
"Ah, me? No, can't I just go and sleep? I've been sleeping so much lately…"
"Denied."
"Isn't it good that the enemies are heading towards Sahhaedo first? We can leave trivial matters to the subordinates…"
"What if they fail?"
"I don't think they would commit such an incompetent act, but if it happens, it won't be too late to stop them then, will it? They aren't a large group anyway, are they?"
"Even the largest dam can collapse from a small hole."
"Ho ho, do you really think they have the skill to pierce a small hole in this thick embankment?"
Changlang interjected in their conversation.
"That remains to be seen. But we shouldn't be complacent. After all, they were carefully selected by the Cheonmu Academy." Hyeonrang warned in a low voice.
"That they were carefully selected is good. It seems like they will be interesting prey." Changlang licked his lips and grinned.
"Among them are the heirs of the Eight Great Families and the registered disciples of the Nine Great Sects."
"Ho ho, descendants of those couch potatoes who only care about their own land? Those are truly promising intruders. It will be enjoyable to hunt them. It's always good to show them how vast the world is, so that the meat doesn't spoil and stays fresh."
"Shall we watch and see for now? Let's see if they can pass through all four islands."
"Shall we bet on how many they can pass through?"
"Everyone is so laid-back."
At that moment, the Grand Commander, who had been silent since the meeting began, opened his mouth. A low but powerful voice emerged, and the eyes of the assembled commanders turned to the Grand Commander seated in the highest seat. He, clad in a blood-red robe, sat arrogantly, looking down at the commanders.
"Have you all been too dulled by the poison of peace? Your tensions have become very loose. That is not good."
His voice was calm, but it contained a growing, monstrous power.
The Grand Commander of the Macheon Thirteen Corps, Cheonpaemafeng Baekcheonjeol.
His face, whose age was difficult to guess, had a black beard that reached his chest, and his eyes shone like blades. This red-robed man, the leader of twelve untamed beasts, reigned over these beasts with an overwhelming presence of a different caliber.
"I value face. Macheongak cannot be seen as a place anyone can just enter and leave. Because it damages our face. If our face is damaged, we are looked down upon everywhere. And I hate being looked down upon. Do you understand?"
At that moment, an immense surge of energy erupted from his entire body. The Grand Commander's office seemed to be swept by a fierce wind. Even those who considered themselves strong shivered. Such was his powerful presence.
"Deal with them all, without leaving a single one alive. Do you understand?"
It was a voice that permitted no refusal.
"It could develop into a diplomatic issue with the Cheonmu Academy, is that alright?"
Commander Eunjon of the Twelfth Corps asked for confirmation.
"It doesn't matter. I'll speak to the Leader. You just do your job. What do you think the Macheon Thirteen Corps was created for?"
No one answered. After scanning the faces of the assembled commanders, Baekcheonjeol spoke again.
"It was to defeat 'enemies'."
After a brief pause, he added:
"And these are 'enemies'. The annihilation of enemies, that's all you need to think about. You don't need to think about anything else. That's my and the Leader's problem to handle. You don't need to think about it, and therefore, you don't need to take responsibility."
He surveyed the room with calm eyes.
"I will issue an extermination order."
The commanders, who had not expected such a high-level hardline measure, were surprised.
"An extermination order, you say?"
"It will cause a huge problem, won't it? Of course, I don't mind if the fight escalates," Changlang said with a chuckle.
"What about the Leader's approval?"
To issue an extermination order, the Leader's approval was required. The question was whether the Leader would approve such a matter with such a high potential for escalation.
"Didn't I say you don't need to think about the rest? Do you want to resign your position as commander?"
"……!"
Any objection immediately died down. He was satisfied when he confirmed that no one else would speak.
"This concludes the meeting. Dismissed."
As the closure was declared, the commanders of each corps, accompanied by their subordinates, left the Grand Commander's office. Baekcheonjeol, the Grand Commander of the Macheon Thirteen Corps, remained alone, sitting in his seat, gazing at the seat marked with the number 'Seven'.
An empty seat.
The Commander of the Seventh Corps, Blood Rakshasa Ok Yugyeong, did not appear until the end of the commander meeting.