'...An alliance?'
Cheon Myeong, like the others, was mulling over what Jegal Jeong had just said.
To think that the reason the Martial Alliance had gathered them was for such an absurd thing.
Without even thinking about it for long, Cheon Myeong thought that this alliance would never be able to be formed.
"..."
One of the reasons was that, as he had felt at the banquet yesterday, the tendencies of the people gathered here were too different.
An alliance is something that can only be established when there is a common purpose.
Also, the tendencies of the members who form the alliance must be similar to some extent for this relationship to continue.
A representative example was that the Martial Alliance was a place made up only of members of the orthodox faction, wasn't it?
Although he didn't know what the reality was, since only the sects that claimed to be on the righteous path on the outside had gathered, a huge organization called the Martial Alliance could be created.
'And the ultimate reason why this alliance can never be formed is...'
It was then.
Thump-!
Wang Hyeon slammed the table with his right hand and shot up from his seat.
Because of that, the teacup that had been placed in front of him fell over and the tea inside spilled on the floor, but as if he didn't care at all, Wang Hyeon looked at Jegal Jeong and said.
"Are you saying that you called me to this place to say such absurd things?"
"Why do you think it's absurd?"
"To think that the military strategist of the Martial Alliance doesn't even know that."
"..."
"Fine. Then I will tell you the reason why this alliance can never be formed."
Words that could be said to be rather rude came out of Wang Hyeon's mouth.
Nevertheless, Jegal Jeong, who was continuing to maintain a consistent expression.
Wang Hyeon continued to speak with a calm voice, compared to being quite excited.
"The people gathered here now have each established a firm force. If that size were small, it wouldn't matter much, but as you said yourself, since it is at a level where it can be said to be ruling a region, it can be said to be already complete in itself."
"..."
"Since it is already complete, is there a need to form an alliance? At least I don't think so."
Although his tone could be said to be aggressive, Cheon Myeong also agreed with that opinion in his mind.
In all relationships in this world, a vertical relationship would naturally be formed.
Especially, here, there were five places that had a force that could be called a country.
Just as it is a difficult task to break large snowballs into small pieces and put them back together, it could be said to be the same for the forces gathered here.
It could be said that each force had already firmly established its own territory to the extent that it could not be united into one.
"Yes, let's say we concede a hundred steps and move on from that problem. But isn't it already over from the fact that the Martial Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult are here?"
"..."
"It's not at a level where their tendencies are different. It could be said that the Martial Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult are like water and oil, polar opposites."
Wang Hyeon said that and glanced at Cheon Myeong.
Cheon Myeong, who was maintaining his silence as if to agree with those words.
In fact, since there was nothing wrong with the part that Wang Hyeon had just said, Cheon Myeong also had no intention of refuting it.
"And in fact, this is the biggest problem."
Although he had been talking at length until now, Wang Hyeon's mouth did not stop.
"For what purpose on earth do we have to form an alliance?"
"..."
"Originally, an alliance can only be established when there is a purpose. You will never be able to convince the people here with just the words 'for the sake of harmony'."
Cheon Myeong also thought that the ultimate reason why this alliance could not be formed was because of this.
Of course, although what Wang Hyeon had said before also had a point, those could be said to be problems that could be solved if only this part were clearly present.
If only a purpose that would be beneficial to each other clearly existed, then even the Demonic Cult and the Martial Alliance would be able to join hands.
'It won't be easy for a purpose of that extent to exist.'
So couldn't it be said that there had been no case where the Demonic Cult and the Martial Alliance had joined hands until now?
Now it was not just a problem of these two places.
If the other three outer martial arts forces were to be included in the alliance, it could be said that the conditions would become that much more difficult.
Whether a purpose of that extent could exist, at least at this moment, Cheon Myeong could not think of any.
"...You have pointed it out very well."
"What?"
"In fact, I was about to talk about that part, but since you, Young Master, have said it for me, it's good for me because my mouth doesn't hurt."
As Jegal Jeong said with a relaxed smile, Wang Hyeon's face was instantly distorted.
But at the same time, a question that arose.
Was Jegal Jeong saying that he could refute all the parts he had just said?
Although he had thought in his mind that it would never be possible, Wang Hyeon's two eyes, which were looking at Jegal Jeong, were slightly trembling.
"The parts you have just pointed out, Young Master, can be divided into three main categories. Is that correct?"
"..."
Nod-
"Good. Then I will answer the first and second parts you have pointed out."
"..."
"The alliance I have proposed is not a complete alliance."
"What does that..."
"A partial alliance. In other words, it means that we should form an alliance only for one purpose, and only for that part."
As expected... so that's what it was.
Hearing Jegal Jeong's answer, Cheon Myeong could see that the Martial Alliance side had been considering this from the beginning.
No, rather, wouldn't it be stranger if they hadn't considered it?
Because it was unlikely that a person who was the military strategist of the Martial Alliance would have missed such a loophole.
At least the Jegal Jeong that Cheon Myeong had seen so far was like that.
"No matter what group it is, if there is just one purpose that is beneficial to each other, they can temporarily join hands."
"..."
"Even if it is this alliance and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, which can be said to be polar opposites. Do you agree with this part?"
Jegal Jeong, who was asking Wang Hyeon, looking at him. Then, as if he would not lose, Wang Hyeon immediately refuted Jegal Jeong.
"Isn't that just your side's thought?"
"..."
"The Martial Alliance side may be like that, but you can't know what the other side's position is."
"...Then it would be a problem that can be solved by asking directly in this place."
Jegal Jeong said that and looked at Cheon Myeong.
The moment those words came out, Cheon Myeong also immediately moved his head to Jegal Jeong's side, and as their eyes met, Jegal Jeong asked Cheon Myeong.
"What is the position of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?"
"..."
"If there is a part that is beneficial to each other, can you join hands with this alliance for that part?"
It could be said to be a question that could not be easily answered.
In fact, since the establishment of the Martial Alliance could be said to have been triggered by the establishment of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Since the purpose of its establishment itself could be said to be polar opposites, if you think about it simply, the two places would never be able to join hands, no matter what.
However, the time when that was really a problem could be said to be the early days.
Since several hundred years had passed since then, of course, many things had changed from that time.
"...This cult also agrees with that opinion."
As Cheon Myeong answered, Wang Hyeon's two eyes widened slightly.
On the other hand, the corners of Jegal Jeong's mouth, which seemed to have gone up slightly.
At that moment, Cheon Myeong added and continued to speak.
"But only if there is a part that is really beneficial."
"..."
"For me, I doubt whether such a part exists."
As Cheon Myeong said that, a strange light flashed in Wang Hyeon's two eyes.
In the end, if the condition that Cheon Myeong had put forward was not met, it would mean that the Demonic Cult also had no intention of joining hands with the Martial Alliance.
Wang Hyeon, who seemed somewhat excited, immediately began to argue with Jegal Jeong.
"Yes! In the end, it's a word that can never be realized in reality!"
"..."
"There is no way that a purpose that would be beneficial to everyone here exists..."
"There is."
This time, Jegal Jeong cut off Wang Hyeon's words in the middle.
For a moment, Wang Hyeon, who could not say anything with a blank face.
As Jegal Jeong said that so assertively, not only Wang Hyeon but also the faces of the others had a question at the same time.
"...Did you just say that there is such a thing?"
"Yes, you heard correctly."
"...Hah."
A chuckle came out of Wang Hyeon's mouth, as if he were dumbfounded.
If that were true, he would like to hear it.
What on earth was the purpose that could gather the people here?
Wang Hyeon asked Jegal Jeong with a face that had become cold in an instant.
"Then please tell me. What on earth is it?"
Although the question had come out of Wang Hyeon's mouth, everyone here had the same question.
The gazes that were all directed at Jegal Jeong.
After a brief silence, Jegal Jeong opened his mouth.
"If there is a common enemy, wouldn't the Martial Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult also be able to join hands?"
"...?"
"Not only that. If there is a common enemy that is a threat to the Ice Palace, the Beast Palace, and the Sea King Family, then this alliance will by no means be an absurd story."
As those words came out of Jegal Jeong's mouth, the people were even more surprised than when he had first proposed the alliance.
Don't tell me there is a common enemy that applies to all five forces gathered here?
Soon, Wang Hyeon shouted at Jegal Jeong, as if he couldn't believe it.
"Are you telling me to believe that now?"
"..."
"Don't tell me you've forgotten what you said yourself? Didn't you say yourself that the martial world is ruled by the five forces here!"
"Of course I said that."
"Then..."
"That's why this alliance is inviting you and proposing an alliance."
Jegal Jeong said, cutting off Wang Hyeon's words in the middle again.
Then, Wang Hyeon, whose words had disappeared with a blank face.
As his mind became quite complicated, Wang Hyeon could not say anything.
"...Pacheongyo."
At that moment, Cheon Myeong suddenly muttered.
At the same time, Jegal Jeong, who was looking at Cheon Myeong, as if he were quite surprised to hear those words.
Why on earth did Cheon Myeong know that name?
Jegal Jeong asked Cheon Myeong, as if he couldn't believe it.
"Why that name..."
"I told him."
It was then.
Howonjae, who had not particularly participated in the conversation until now, suddenly intervened and said that.
'Why did the leader tell that person...?'
Jegal Jeong could not understand.
Wasn't today the day to reveal this fact?
But to think that Howonjae had already told Cheon Myeong that name, it was something he had not known until now.
"Military Strategist, it seems it would be better for me to speak from now on."
Howonjae continued to speak.
Of course, although there were many questions that were not yet convinced, he could not argue with Howonjae in this place.
In the end, Jegal Jeong had no choice but to step back with an answer.
Thump-
At that moment, Howonjae, who placed his clasped hands on the table, rested his chin on them.
And in that state, Howonjae said to the people.
"For several hundred years, the balance of the martial world has been maintained by the five forces here. But... that balance may now be broken."
"...!"
"Let me be blunt. The reason why I have gathered you here. That is..."
Howonjae, who trailed off his words.
The people held their breath and waited for the words that would follow.
"...Pacheongyo, it is to destroy that place."
(End of Chapter)