Chronicles of the Lazy Sovereign Novel - Chapter 496

**Chapter 496. The Lazy One Falls into Despair (1)**

—*”Baekgeom Fortress, then.”*
—*”Yes, Baekgeom Fortress.”*

Saha didn’t seem particularly surprised.

—*”You expected it?”*
—*”I couldn’t imagine any other place. No one else would be capable of orchestrating something like that. The Righteous Martial Alliance and the Righteous Heavenly Alliance are stakeholders, but they don’t have the ability to devise such a thing.”*
—*”Well-informed, as always.”*

In terms of raw power, neither the Righteous Martial Alliance nor the Righteous Heavenly Alliance should be inferior to Baekgeom Fortress. However, both organizations had an inherent limitation: they were alliances.

An alliance, in the end, involves many people in decision-making. There is a leader, yes, but they cannot decide everything on their own. The real power behind their movement resides in others.

When it comes to defending against an invasion, there isn’t much difference. But when attacking, the situation changes. An alliance must seek approval on multiple fronts to mobilize its force, which inevitably leaks information. Furthermore, perfect coordination becomes impossible.

In the end, people prioritize their own safety and that of their faction. An attack is a choice of one’s own, and no one wants to be the first in the line of fire.

For that very reason, they couldn’t pursue the Demon Cult when it retreated after the death of the Great Supreme Demon. Many advocated for pursuing them and ending the fight once and for all, but others, exhausted by the long war, insisted on stopping. Without consensus, an attack is impossible.

But Baekgeom Fortress was free from such restrictions.

Unlike other alliances, Baekgeom Fortress obeyed only the orders of its Lord. So, when the Lord made a decision, they acted immediately.

—*”In that sense, yes, you could say that Baekgeom Fortress was the most powerful force of the time.”*

Back then, many considered the Righteous Martial Alliance to be the best, but now, looking back, it was nothing more than a shadow of what it could have been. What good is it to gather so many people if you can’t use their strength?

As much as the Righteous Martial Alliance debated, how many would be willing to risk their lives for the order of their leader?

But Baekgeom Fortress was different. United by a blind loyalty to their Lord, its members were willing to sacrifice their lives to fulfill their orders.

—*”I didn’t see it coming.”*

It seems obvious now, but at that time it was difficult to perceive.

—*”You didn’t expect it at all?”*
—*”Well, to say ‘at all’ would be a bit strange.”*

Gwanggu Shingae spoke with a somewhat discouraged face.

—*”There was no one who didn’t know that Baekgeom Fortress was plotting something. Anyone interested in the affairs of the martial world knew that their movements were suspicious. But no one expected them to act so abruptly.”*
—*”Weren’t you on guard?”*
—*”Guard? Against what and how?”*

Gwanggu Shingae shook his head.

—*”We couldn’t move. It wasn’t possible. We weren’t in a position to watch them or investigate them just because they were acting suspiciously. Back then, Baekgeom Fortress carried enormous weight in the martial world. If we provoked them and they turned against us, we wouldn’t be able to stop the Demon Cult.”*
—*”Certainly…”*

Gwanggu Shingae shook his head again.

—*”There’s no excuse for our complacency. No, we were complacent. We should have been more alert. But that’s how things are: what seems obvious in hindsight is impossible to see in the moment. We were all too busy. It was difficult to even deal with the resurgence of the Demon Cult and the incidents of the Blood Explosive Dans.”*
—*”I understand.”*

It’s easy to judge history from the future. Analyzing what should have been done for a better outcome is easy when you already know the result.

But for those who lived in that era, making those decisions was difficult. Those who study history must always remember that difference.

—*”But there’s something strange. It’s well known that Baekgeom Fortress betrayed everyone, but I never heard that they collaborated with the Demon Cult. Why…?”*
—*”We couldn’t say it.”*
—*”Because it had to be hidden from future generations that there was a traitor among you?”*
—*”No, that’s not it. Literally, we couldn’t say it. Because if we did, we would have to explain why they betrayed… and that would have exposed a shame of the martial world.”*
—*”A shame?”*

Gwanggu Shingae shook his head again.

—*”Everything will be revealed in due time. Don’t rush. Rice tastes better when cooked slowly. It’s almost ready, just needs to rest. You wouldn’t want to eat it raw out of impatience, would you?”*
—*”Of course not.”*
—*”Good. This story is already coming to an end. From this moment on, everything happened very quickly. So pay attention. If you listen distractedly, you’ll miss important details.”*

Gwanggu Shingae looked towards the lamp that swayed gently.

—*”I told you that, in hindsight, we couldn’t do the obvious.”*
—*”Yes.”*
—*”It was a lie.”*
—*”…Eh?”*

Saha was confused, but Gwanggu Shingae only muttered enigmatic words.

—*”I still don’t understand. No matter how many times I think about it, I don’t know what I should have done. What would have been the best option? Everything was too entangled. Too complicated to solve with human force. So I had no choice but to watch.”*

—*”…”*
—*”Perhaps if I had been bolder, the result would have been different. But at that time, I just… just…”*

Gwanggu Shingae shook his head.

—*”Anyway, that’s how it was. The Heavenly Flowing Sword created a situation in which we couldn’t intervene. Even if I had been in Tang Cheongun’s position, it wouldn’t have been easy to get involved.”*
—*”The Heavenly Flowing Sword was strong?”*
—*”Very strong.”*

The answer was firm.

—*”He was incredibly strong. Among the Three Great Swordsmen of the Martial World, there were those who fell before him. His sword was fast, sharp, and powerful. No one could underestimate it. However…”*

Gwanggu Shingae clicked his tongue.

—*”His opponent was the wrong one. Ha.”*

—

Tang Cheongun couldn’t reach a decision.

If he considered justice and consensus, the right thing to do was to mobilize troops immediately and arrest the Heavenly Flowing Sword. But the warriors of Baekgeom Fortress, stationed on the walls of the Tang Family, prevented him from acting.

—*”The losses would be enormous. If we act, a war will break out. But should we stand idly by?”*

It was a dilemma that no one could easily solve. Preaching consensus and justice was simple, but sacrificing oneself for them was something that only a few fanatics could do.

Tang Cheongun’s beard trembled.

If it were only about him, he would have charged without hesitation. But this wasn’t just his problem. The fate of the Tang Family depended on his orders. Who could make that decision lightly?

—*”Wait, Family Leader”*

Tang Cheongun turned his head.

Jegal Yeom nodded gravely.

—*”Trust him.”*
—*”In that boy?”*
—*”Yes. If the Heavenly Flowing Sword desires it, let it be. That will curb his momentum.”*
—*”Hmm.”*

Tang Cheongun pondered.

The Heavenly Flowing Sword.

Someone like Tang Cheongun knew very well how strong he was. Loved or hated, no one could argue about the best swordsman in the world without mentioning him.

But…

—*”Do you really think he’ll lose? It doesn’t seem like it.”*

In the end, Tang Cheongun decided not to intervene.

If the Heavenly Flowing Sword had asked that Baekgeom Fortress be allowed to attack Wei Yanho without interference, Tang Cheongun would never have tolerated it. Preserving their strength would be meaningless if the Tang Family’s reputation was destroyed.

But what if it was a personal duel between Wei Yanho and the Heavenly Flowing Sword?

—*”We’ll wait for now.”*

—*”A wise decision.”*

Unlike Tang Cheongun, who still couldn’t shake off his unease, Jegal Yeom watched the situation calmly.

—*”Alliance Leader.”*

—*”What is it?”*

—*”Who do you think will win?”*

—*”Hmm.”*

Cheok Soogwang ran his hand over his chin.

—*”Heavenly Flowing Sword is strong. No one would deny it. But… that brat is not human.”*

Jegal Yeom’s eyes gleamed with certainty.

—*”The sword of the Wei Family…”*

Heavenly Flowing Sword slowly drew his sword.

*Shiiing.*

The clear sound of the blade resonated in the ears of those present. A sound that anyone in the martial world had heard countless times, but the Heavenly Flowing Sword’s sword conveyed something special.

Neither fast nor slow… simply natural.

The simple act of drawing it already gave an idea of his power.

—*”Very well. Let’s see how powerful that sword of the Wei Family is…”*

PAANG!

In that instant, a ray of cutting energy grazed the Heavenly Flowing Sword’s face.

*Drip.*

His expression turned incredulous. His cheek was slightly cut, and blood began to drip.

The one responsible, of course, was Wei Yanho.

—*”Sorry, but I have a bad temper. I can’t stand seeing someone who came to kill me act so calmly. We’ve talked enough, so let’s fight at once, yes?”*

—*”You…”*

The face of the Heavenly Flowing Sword distorted like that of a demon.

When was the last time he was hurt?

At a minimum, it was ten years ago. And now, after a decade, his wound didn’t come from a fierce battle, but from the surprise attack of a brat.

His pride shuddered.

—*”You…”*
—*”Wow, don’t you understand?”*

PAAANG!

CLANG!

A sound of cutting energy and metal resonated at the same time. Heavenly Flowing Sword blocked Wei Yanho’s attack with his sword, but his face twisted with fury.

—*”I said enough already. Aren’t you listening to me?”*

Wei Yanho turned his sword and advanced towards him with calm steps, as if he were taking a stroll.

—*”I don’t have the patience to listen to your relaxed words. I have too many grudges accumulated.”*

His voice gradually hardened.

—*”I want to destroy everything, but I’ve had to restrain myself because everyone is important people. I’m at my limit. You came at the perfect time. So let’s fight.”*

Heavenly Flowing Sword brandished his sword.

—*”Very well. I will grant you your wish.”*

*Wuung…*

As if he understood his owner’s will, the Heavenly Flowing Sword’s sword resonated.

Heavenly Flowing Sword and Shining Sword.

Two swordsmen who represented different eras faced each other with the intention of decapitating each other.

Aura against aura.

Murder against murder.

Without yielding an inch, both closed the distance. Their energies collided, generating a wind impossible to ignore.

The spectators also held their breath as they watched.

And it was in that place, on that day…

That the destiny of the world began to twist abruptly.