Chronicles of the Lazy Sovereign Novel - Chapter 463

Chapter 463: The lazy Fight (3)

‘How did we get here?’

Tang Cheongun watched the two men with a perplexed look.

Normally, martial duels didn’t happen like this. The contenders usually wanted to test each other first, as a defeat could cost them dearly.

Especially for men like these.

Cheok Soogwang and Wei Yanho had already established their reputations in the martial world. Cheok Soogwang, as the leader of the Righteous Heavenly Alliance and War King, held an unquestionable status.

His fame extended throughout the Four Seas. Although he didn’t reach the celebrity of the Supreme Sovereign, no martial artist ignored the name of War King Cheok Soogwang.

And what about Wei Yanho?

In terms of popularity, not even Cheok Soogwang could compare. Wei Yanho was probably the most famous man in the world at this moment.

With their current reputations alone, both could live comfortably for the rest of their days, being received with honors wherever they went.

But fame is fleeting.

A reputation built over decades could crumble with a single defeat.

The higher the tower of fame, the more devastating its fall would be. That’s why renowned masters avoided public duels. If they did face each other, they did so in private, away from prying eyes.

‘Especially these two.’

Both Wei Yanho and Cheok Soogwang had many enemies. Just as many despised Cheok Soogwang, considering him a heretic, many envied Wei Yanho for his meteoric rise by defeating the strong.

The reason they still maintained their status was simple: they hadn’t been defeated. A single loss could shake their positions.

And yet they fight?

Before so many witnesses?

“…I don’t understand.”

“Because it’s worthless.”

Tang Cheongun turned to Jegal Yeom, who had spoken.

“Worthless?”

“Yes.”

Jegal Yeom observed the two contenders.

“From the perspective of a clan leader, this is incomprehensible. If they lose clumsily before so many witnesses, their entire reputation will vanish.”

Tang Cheongun nodded.

He had experienced it himself.

After his defeat against Wei Yanho, his position had wavered. Even within the Tang Clan, which he firmly controlled, movements had arisen to remove him.

Was strength everything to martial artists?

How absurd.

Humans are social animals. When someone strong appears, the weak band together to overthrow them. Brute force alone guaranteed nothing.

Formidable martial power expanded options and consolidated position, but it had its limits.

That’s why Tang Cheongun couldn’t understand those two. Unless they had some personal feud, there was no reason to fight.

“It’s because they have nothing to lose.”

“Nothing to lose?”

Tang Cheongun frowned.

“They are different from us. They obtained everything solely through their strength. Unlike us, who use clans, political situations, and human psychology to build power. When your position is based solely on martial strength, it remains firm as long as your strength doesn’t disappear.”

“What about their reputation? Wouldn’t they lose it?”

“As I said, it’s worthless. They didn’t cultivate martial arts to gain fame. Fame came as a consequence. Do you think Wei Yanho would care if tomorrow they called him the biggest fool in the world?”

“…Then the truth would finally be told.”

“Exactly.”

Jegal Yeom smiled with satisfaction.

He was a strategist.

Strategists always asked themselves one question: What was the point of a ruler? They led factions, determined courses of action. The fate of any organization depended on the mind of the strategist.

Finally, Jegal Yeom had reached a conclusion.

“The intelligent and calculating often overlook certain things. By avoiding losses by taking detours, they end up unable to withstand the losses when they inevitably arrive. They are the ones who forge their own path. That’s why they don’t fear losses.”

“I don’t understand. I simply don’t understand.”

“Perhaps we’ll never understand. But this is certain: posterity won’t remember people like you or me. But it will remember them. That’s the difference.”

Tang Cheongun narrowed his eyes.

“Didn’t you despise the leader of the Alliance?”

“I still despise him. He’s a man with clear limits. He can ascend on the martial path, but he can’t gather followers. His limitations are evident. But…”

“But?”

“But isn’t there someone different? Someone who attracts people without even trying.”

Tang Cheongun’s gaze fixed on Wei Yanho.

“Attract people?”

“You yourself are an example, leader Tang.”

“Hmm…”

Tang Cheongun couldn’t deny it.

Intentionally or not, he had taken in Wei Yanho. He was one of those with the most reason to hate him, as Wei Yanho had destroyed everything he built. Yet, far from hating him, he remained by his side.

‘It’s strange, when I think about it.’

He perhaps wasn’t angry.

When Wei Yanho defeated him, what he felt wasn’t anger, but disbelief and emptiness. Also admiration for a junior who reached peaks unattainable for him. That’s why he didn’t hate him. Rather, he wanted to observe him.

“Emperor Gao of Han was just a lazy man, but many gave their lives for him. The King of Chu was a hero among heroes, but in the end he couldn’t defeat him. That’s the difference between who attracts people and who pushes them away. What do you think?”

“I don’t understand your intention in telling me this.”

“The Righteous Heavenly Alliance has fulfilled its cycle.”

“…What?”

Tang Cheongun glared at his interlocutor. It was dangerous to speak like that with so many ears around.

“Lower your voice.”

“It’s the truth. The Alliance was created to surpass the Righteous Martial Alliance. But it can’t anymore. The Righteous Martial Alliance has stabilized, and soon the Demon Cult will resurface. Sichuan will suffer great losses. Whatever happens, the Heavenly Alliance will never surpass its rival. So what then?”

“It will disintegrate.”

“An organization created out of interest loses value when the interest disappears. Since Wei Yanho subdued the Nine Sects before the Righteous Martial Alliance, the Heavenly Alliance lost its luster. You know it, right?”

Tang Cheongun remained silent.

It was a truth he knew but deliberately ignored. And now Jegal Yeom was pointing it out.

“What is your intention in telling me this?”

“When a ship sinks, you have to abandon it. Or find a more resistant one.”

“Where is that ship?”

“Right before your eyes at this moment.”

Right before his eyes?

There were only Wei Yanho and Cheok Soogwang. Since he and Cheok Soogwang already shared a side, he couldn’t be referring to the latter.

Then?

“You.”

Tang Cheongun’s face turned stern.

“Are you suggesting I abandon the Heavenly Alliance to join the Wei Clan of Guangdong?”

“Suggesting…”

Jegal Yeom smiled in a peculiar way.

“Am I really suggesting it?”

“…”

“The leader Tang I know is prudent. He wouldn’t bring that troublemaker into his clan just to maintain his position, causing unrest. You wanted to see him, didn’t you? You wanted to know what kind of person he is. Because a man’s character is only known by observing him for a long time.”

“Hmm.”

Tang Cheongun responded coldly.

“You’re buttering me up. But I’m not as great as you think.”

Jegal Yeom maintained his smile.

“In the world, there are those who act taking risks and those who wait for absolute certainties. But these are not times for the latter. That’s why I give you a push. So that the Tang and Jegal Families survive, we need a new ship. Even if it seems ridiculous or unreliable. Remember, leader Tang: the ships that change the world always seem ridiculous at first. The bigger the ship, the harder to build, and the more types of wood it requires.”

Tang Cheongun sighed.

“And you?”

“I’ve already made my decision.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

Jegal Yeom smiled satisfied.

“Although Sichuan has many notable characters, you are the only one I wish to associate with.”

“You’re ruthless.”

Tang Cheongun shook his head.

That’s why strategists were so annoying. Talking to them gave the feeling that they were opening your stomach to expose your entrails.

Revealing hidden thoughts was always uncomfortable.

“Are you really decided?”

“Yes. I don’t need someone perfect. I need someone great. Deficiencies can be compensated by others. But potential cannot be expanded.”

“A great vessel…”

“Yes. So, what do you say? If you can’t trust that man, why don’t you trust me?”

Tang Cheongun slowly moved his head.

“I see.”

“See what?”

“Why the Jegal Family, with all its intelligence, has never dominated the world.”

“Huh?”

“That will be later. It’s not important now.”

Tang Cheongun turned his attention forward, ending the conversation.

‘Intelligent people are always problematic.’

Those who see one step ahead believe they can control everything. That’s why they don’t fear crises or distrust.

‘No matter how intelligent you are, there are things you can’t control.’

Like…

Yes, like that brat.

That brat who swings brazenly in front of Cheok Soogwang with his sword drawn.

You intend to complement his deficiencies?

‘What an idiot.’

He probably hadn’t dealt much with Wei Yanho. He didn’t understand why those who knew him ended up by his side, always complaining.

What good is intelligence and eloquence against someone who doesn’t follow logic or reason?

‘You’ll understand too.’

Everyone has grand plans.

Before facing that monster.

Probably Cheok Soogwang thought the same. Tang Cheongun smiled with satisfaction.