Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 225
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C225. In Times of War, the General is Not Replaced
Henan Province, Zhengzhou, Chilriha Village
Chilriha Village, home to the Justice Alliance’s branch in Zhengzhou, was enjoying an unexpected boom. The village’s two inns were packed with elders from the Quanzhen Sect of Nanjing. Regular disciples from the Quanzhen Sect and other small sects were staying in the homes of local residents.
In the midst of winter, the arrival of these outsiders was welcomed with open arms by the people of Chilriha Village and the surrounding hamlets. In a time with little work, the arrival of these visitors was a blessing. However, while the residents were lively, the faces of the Murim members were grim.
At the Zhengzhou branch, the meeting hall was filled with representatives from the Quanzhen Sect and the Five Great Families. The meeting started with tension. Unlike the usual solemn atmosphere, there were frequent shouts and accusations.
Surprisingly, there was little criticism for misunderstanding the true nature of the Demon Warriors. Instead, everyone was furious about being divided into four squads and ambushed.
Tang Seho, the Head of the Tang Family, who had been criticized for the indiscriminate sale of poison, openly criticized the Great Strategist Jegal Seun of the Justice Alliance.
“Jegal Gaju, if you have something to say, say it. You scared us with the pretext of betrayal and, in the end, you divided our forces into four groups, making them easy targets for the Yoomyung Cult. Since when did we start fearing the imperial government so much? How were the movement plans of our squads leaked? How many heroes have died because of you? More than six hundred died just on the way to Zhengzhou! Who will take responsibility for their deaths?”
The leaders of the Quanzhen Sect did not try to stop Tang Seho. Instead, they indirectly supported his words with their silence. Murong Hwang, the head of the Moyong Family, added:
“Tang Gaju has spoken well. It’s time to clarify who is responsible. Was it really necessary to divide the Alliance into four units? Who is responsible for leaking our plans? Answer!”
The Leader of the Muguk Sect, Jang Kangho, who was also the Justice Alliance Leader, remained silent. He had defended the Great Strategist Jegal Seun several times, but to no avail. Until now, the Five Great Families had supported the decisions of the Quanzhen Sect, but the recent disaster had broken that tacit custom.
When the leader remained silent, Jegal Seun intervened.
“I have no excuses for the deaths of the heroes. However, our Jegal Family is also a victim.”
“What nonsense!”
Tang Seho scoffed. Jegal Seun trembled with anger. No one in the Alliance had spoken to him like this in an official meeting. However, no one reprimanded Tang Seho. Jegal Seun’s frustration was not only with Tang Seho but also with the others who remained silent.
Swallowing his anger, Jegal Seun responded calmly.
“First, allow me to explain why we divided the Alliance into four units. Remember that our rendezvous point was in Nanjing. Being close to the imperial palace, we had to coordinate with the Golden Guard. You all understood this and did not oppose it.”
Then, Peng Manho, the head of the Peng Family, replied:
“To be honest, we only followed the instructions of the Great Strategist. As Tang Gaju said, since when have we been so concerned about the imperial government? Although we gathered in Nanjing, our destination was Zhengzhou. We just needed to leave Nanjing quickly. The justification for dividing us into four units is insufficient.”
Seonu Dam, the head of the Seonu Family, added:
“I’ve also heard rumors that the Great Strategist divided the Alliance into four squads to harm the Namgung Family. Have you heard of this?”
Jegal Seun looked at Seonu Dam in disbelief.
“I don’t know why you are linking me with the Namgung Family. I’ve never heard such rumors. Please refrain from making baseless assumptions.”
But Seonu Dam did not back down.
“It’s not my assumption but a rumor circulating within the Alliance. If you haven’t heard it, your ability to gather information is questionable. It’s something that even I have heard.”
“If only I haven’t heard that rumor, it must be that. Has anyone else heard such nonsense?”
Jegal Seun looked at the gathered leaders. To his surprise, the representatives of the Quanzhen Sect and the Five Great Families nodded their heads.
Jegal Seun felt helpless for a moment.
“What enmity do I have with the Namgung Family to do such a thing?”
Seonu Dam said coldly:
“This is also a rumor, but they say the Great Strategist wanted to destroy the Namgung Family completely or that he was jealous of the Heart-Reading Solitary Flower.”
“That’s absurd…”
Jegal Seun’s lips trembled with anger. Sure, he had some of those thoughts. But he hadn’t divided the Alliance into four just because of those personal feelings. It was a decision made in coordination with the Golden Guard. But if he mentioned this, he would be even more criticized. He had to stick with the theory of baseless rumors.
“I swear that I have never acted on such dishonorable feelings. My Jegal Family is also at stake. How could I act so recklessly?”
Then, Tang Seho, who had stepped back for a moment, intervened again.
“Bah! Let’s say it’s not true. But what about the leak of our movement plans? Is that also the fault of the Golden Guard? Do you have proof that it was leaked by them?”
“There is no proof that the leak came from the Golden Guard. But the only people present were me and the commander of the Golden Guard, Maoyang. If it wasn’t me, it must have been the Golden Guard.”
“And you think the commander will admit to doing it? He will also deny it. So, who did it? A ghost? Of course, according to the Great Strategist, it must have been ghosts.”
Finally, the insults began. Unable to bear it any longer, the Leader of the Mount Hua Sect, Mu Geuk, intervened.
“Tang Gaju, please control your language. This is not your home. Remember that you are in front of the elders of Murim.”
Tang Seho did not dare to challenge one of the Ten Masters of the World. The Sword Emperor, Namgung Byeok, spoke in his place.
“For someone who has seen their family and disciples die, it’s not easy to control oneself. Although his words are harsh, he is right. You can’t just blame others when something goes wrong. People in positions of responsibility shouldn’t do that.”
Mu Geuk smiled bitterly. In truth, he did not disagree with Tang Seho; he was just bothered by his words. The heated discussion paused briefly. No one dared to intervene in a conversation between the Ten Masters of the World.
The Great Swordmaster, Lee Uijeong, also one of the Ten Masters of the World, intervened.
“I also think we need to clearly determine responsibilities. We cannot let the deaths of so many heroes pass.”
The eyes of the Sword Emperor, Mu Geuk, and the Great Swordmaster naturally turned to Jang Mudeok, who was the last of the Ten Masters of the World present at the meeting. The father of the Justice Alliance Leader, Jang Mudeok, sighed.
“I agree that we need to determine responsibilities. But there is a saying: ‘In times of war, the general is not replaced.’ Although we can choose a new leader, there is no one who can replace the Great Strategist.”
The representatives of the Quanzhen Sect and the Five Great Families remained silent. There were many who could replace the Alliance Leader. But there was no one who could replace the Great Strategist Jegal Seun. While they acknowledged the wisdom of the Heart-Reading Solitary Flower, she was too young to take on such responsibility.
Jegal Seun sensed the change in the atmosphere.
“The Alliance Leader is not at fault. I will take responsibility and resign from my position as Great Strategist, joining the fight as an ordinary soldier.”
Jegal Seun bowed to the warriors. Finally, the inevitable had come.
As the warriors began to murmur, the Shaolin Leader, Master Mu Beop, spoke with a solemn expression.
“Victory and defeat are common in war. As Jang Mudeok-nim said, the general is not replaced in the middle of a war. Great Strategist Jegal, do not get caught up in a single mistake and focus on devising strategies to win the next battle. In the face of the enemy, how can you speak so irresponsibly?”
The Leader of the Wudang Sect continued:
“I agree with Master Mu Beop. Who could replace the Great Strategist Jegal in the whole world? While the Heart-Reading Solitary Flower is wise, she is too young to handle this responsibility. I propose that the Heart-Reading Solitary Flower be appointed as an advisor to assist the Great Strategist. Namgung Gaju, what do you think of my proposal?”
The Leader of the Wudang Sect skillfully included the Namgung Family in the conversation.
“I appreciate your high regard for my daughter, but as you said, she is too young to take on this burden, so I decline the proposal.”
Namgung Byeok knew that his daughter hated being in the spotlight and declined.
The Leader of the Mount Hua Sect, Mu Geuk, intervened.
“Our sect also opposes the resignation of the Great Strategist. As Master Jang said, there is no one who can replace Great Strategist Jegal.”
Shaolin, Wudang, and Mount Hua were the core of the Quanzhen Sect. Their opposition to Jegal Seun’s resignation changed the atmosphere of the meeting. From the beginning, there was no one who could replace him.
After a brief discussion, Jegal Seun addressed the warriors again.
“Thank you for giving me another chance. I will do my best to prove my worth.”
The leaders of the Five Great Families frowned. Although there was no alternative, they clearly showed that they were only watching due to a lack of options.
It was then that Jang Kangho, the Thunder Wind Saber, spoke.
“I take responsibility for this disaster and resign. This will calm the anger of the Alliance members.”
The leaders of the Quanzhen Sect and the Five Great Families nodded silently. In reality, Jang Kangho was not to blame. But to calm the anger of the smaller sects, someone had to take responsibility.
Although it is a superficial solution, it often works surprisingly well.
The next proposed leader was Mu Geuk. With his martial skill and vigor, there was no opposition. Although he refused several times, he finally accepted. After the stormy session, the meeting resumed.
The new leader’s first comment was direct: “Great Strategist, can we continue this war?”
With the direct question from the Leader of the Mount Hua Sect, all eyes turned to Jegal Seun.
“To be honest, it’s not possible with our current state. In Zhengzhou, we have five hundred forty-five Alliance members. Meanwhile, the Yoomyung Cult has returned to Luoyang with seven hundred men.”
“Oh no!”
“This is terrible!”
“How can this be?”
The leaders exclaimed. After a moment, the Leader of the Gongdong Sect, Tang Ma Pyeon-woon, spoke with an enraged face.
“So, are you suggesting we leave empty-handed? Carrying the corpses of our disciples?”
Before Jegal Seun could respond, the Leader of the Quanzhen Sect, Mu Jongsang, shouted.
“Just because they are a hundred and ten more, you say it’s impossible? On what basis are you saying such a thing?”
Until now, the Alliance had always won despite being outnumbered, thanks to the elite of the Quanzhen Sect and the Five Great Families. But now, Jegal Seun was dampening their confidence.
Jegal Seun looked at Pyeon-woon with a complex expression. The Quanzhen Sect had not suffered as much in the ambush. Leaders like Pyeon-woon had not experienced the strength of the Yoomyung Cult firsthand.
“The number of Demon Warriors who ambushed the Alliance units was more than three hundred. The strength was almost equal. Some say our strength was even greater. And we lost that battle. Do you need more proof?”
Mu Jongsang could only groan in response. Seeing the situation, the Leader of the Jeomchang Sect, Saeng-sa Pyeong-gwan, spoke.
“The Great Strategist has clearly stated that it is not possible. So, what do we need to do to win?”
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