Chapter 1612: So, We Have To Break It Ourselves (Part 2)

"Chief...."

Tang Gunak attempted to speak with a bewildered expression, but Chung Myung raised one hand, silencing him for a moment.

"Let's confirm things first."

Chung Myung's gaze turned towards Jaegal Jain.

"Why did we lose?"

Jaegal Jain's face momentarily filled with discomfort. Why bother asking such an obvious question?

"Haven't I said it repeatedly? Unknown enemies appeared in front of us..."

"No. What I'm asking is, even if such a thing happened, were the Ten Great Sects truly so weak to be crushed to that extent?"

"...."

"Did you anticipate it? That things would turn out like this just because you were a bit late?"

Jaegal Jain's face stiffened.

The sight he saw upon reaching the battlefield was so horrific that he didn't have time to analyze it thoroughly, but this was definitely something he had thought about as well.

"From a tactical perspective..."

Jaegal Jain hesitated before shaking his head reluctantly.

Despite personal feelings, as someone who bore the name Jaegal, there could be no falsehood in discussing tactics.

"That wasn't right. Definitely."

Chung Myung nodded.

"My thoughts exactly. Even if the Evil Tyrant Alliance used clever tricks, their power didn't increase dramatically. It wasn't enough to crush the combined strength of Shaolin, the Peng Family, and Kongtong, even if Shaolin's power wasn't complete."

The faces of some individuals hardened. Chung Myung looked sharply at Jaegal Jain again.

"So, why did it happen like this?"

Jaegal Jain touched his dry lips, unintentionally. It was a gesture he didn't realize he had made.

Why?

The horrific scene still vividly came to his mind. To those who hadn't studied martial arts, it was just a scene of carnage.

But Jaegal Jain could find an answer even in that chaos.

Combining the scenery of the devastated battlefield and the testimony of the few survivors, the reason became clear.

"The collapse of leadership... and arbitrary actions."

Jaegal Jain exhaled heavily after giving the answer, lowering his head.

"Definitely... no, Chief was right. They weren't an enemy force that could completely annihilate us. The reason for our defeat was that we didn't move according to the tactics we initially agreed upon."

"Who are 'we'?"

"The Peng Family and Kongtong, probably. Originally, they were supposed to support Shaolin's main attack. If they had fulfilled their roles properly, there wouldn't be corpses scattered everywhere... No, there wouldn't have been so many dead."

Jaegal Jain made a momentary slip, thinking he had misspoken, but Chung Myung didn't pay any attention and continued the meeting.

"So, why didn't they follow the agreed-upon tactics?"

"Well, that's..."

There was no need to delve into tactics. Even if Jaegal Jain didn't answer, everyone here would know the reason.

"...Because of the sense of justice. The desire to raise the reputation of one's sect by taking Paegun's head."

Jaegal Jain sighed deeply once again, rubbing his forehead.

'How could this happen?'

The more he thought about it, the more pitiful it became.

If only they had won, if they had only been victorious, the glory would have been shared by all. Even if Shaolin took the most significant honor, the remaining glory alone would have been enough to illuminate a sect.

But why did they do such an unreasonable thing at that moment? What were they thinking?

In the end, it was the greed that flared up inappropriately that led to such a terrible result.

But Jaegal Jain couldn't blame them, even if he felt sorry. Because he knew better than anyone what their thoughts and feelings were.

Wasn't the desire to enhance the reputation of the sect a common sentiment among all leaders? If Jaegal Jain had been in that position, he couldn't be sure that he wouldn't have acted the same way.

"In the first place, this war started because of Bangjang's mistake. And unforeseen variables interfered with this wrongly started war."

Chung Myung's eyes left Jaegal Jain and scanned the others.

"But, in a war where it is kill or be killed, such things can happen at any time. So... if we had correctly timed our response to the war and had no variables, could we have won?"

Jaegal Jain pondered, biting his lip, before responding.

"...It wouldn't have been easy."

"Gaju-nim?"

At the unexpected answer, Moyong Wigyung, with a perplexed expression, looked at Jaegal Jain. However, Jaegal Jain had to speak honestly because he knew the answer.

"I've never heard of an army with multiple leaders winning."

This was not a personal statement but a matter of the Jaegal family. After all, wasn't he the competent head of the Jaegal Family, a clan well-versed in military strategy? Though he could create conflict and tear others apart for the sake of interests, he couldn't deny the identity of his family. Jaegal Jain was such a person.

"That's what I'm saying."

Chung Myung nodded significantly.

"The existence of traitors? Of course, it's important. But if we get distracted by that and can't fix what really needs fixing, the result will be obvious."

Tang Gunak sighed heavily.

"Well... but, Chief. Isn't the Heavenly Comrade Alliance different from the Ten Great Sects?"

"How are we different?"

"Still, we... "

Tang Gunak was about to say more but closed his mouth. It seemed a bit awkward to bring it up. Chung Myung shook his head slightly.

"They probably believed the same. That their alliance was unshakeable."

"...."

"If we have trust, they have history. We saw the path to the future, and they had the camaraderie of relying on each other in difficult times."

Moyong Wigyung nodded significantly.

Indeed, he thought so. No matter how terrifyingly the Heavenly Comrade Alliance built momentum, it could never surpass the centuries-old alliance between the Ten Great Sects and the Five Swords. Even in this situation, those who fought together were the true comrades.

"But that belief was shattered inevitably. Not because of betrayal or conflict. In fact, the trust in each other was solid. Yet, in the end, they became enemies. Why?"

Chung Myung's voice resonated heavily.

"Because they couldn't let go of the desire to enhance their sect's glory and the yearning for the honor of spreading their reputation throughout Kangho. And Jang Ilso is someone who knows how to use those desires better than anyone."

Jaegal Jain let out a bitter laugh without realizing it.

He and Mount Hua had seen the same things. They arrived similarly, witnessed the same scenes, and reached the same place.

But the answers he gave and the answers that person gave were completely different.

It wasn't a matter of right or wrong. What was important was that Chung Myung had already seen something that he hadn't considered at all.

'Age doesn't seem to be the problem.'

Now he seemed to understand. Why that person was sitting in the Chief's seat. How he was leading the meetings of these eminent figures gathered in one place.

Because he had eyes to see the world like that and was a person who could confidently speak such words, the lord and vice lord of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance came at his beck and call.

"We are different, we can deal with it. Behind many defeats in history, there must have been such determination."

Tang Gunak nodded heavily. It meant that trust alone was not enough.

A short silence descended in the conference room. At that moment, Jaegal Jain spoke up.

"May I ask one thing?"

"Yes."

"What Chief said... No, I understand what you're saying, Chief. But even if it's possible to diagnose the situation, if there is no solution, it becomes meaningless."

Contrary to the previous tone, politeness was included in his speech. Under everyone's surprised gaze, Jaegal Jain took a breath for a moment.

"But still, martial arts and honor are inseparable. Chief may not be aware because he is a Taoist, but telling ordinary martial artists to let go of their sense of honor and just fight is like telling a person not to breathe."

Chung Myung did not deny him and nodded.

"You're right."

"Then, in the end, wouldn't this discussion be meaningless? If the solution to what happens from the mindset is changing the mindset... it will eventually become a common saying."

This time, Chung Myung shook his head.

"As you mentioned, it's impossible to change people's hearts with just a few words. Surely, before this battle, Bangjang must have reiterated to be firm to their determination. They should have moved according to the prearranged plan."

Jegal Jain nodded vehemently. Even he, who rarely faced Bangjang directly, felt a chill at Bangjang's persistence. The Kongtong sect leader and Peng Gaju by his side must have had nails drilled into their ears. [not sure]

But even so, they could not overcome their desirs at the critical moment.

"However, no matter how strong one's determination may be, it is still challenging. Jang Ilso is a person who finds cracks in even the firmest resolutions."

As the survivors' accounts suggested, if Jang Ilso hadn't boldly taunted them to cut his throat, neither Kongtong nor the Peng Family would have been shaken to that extent.

Even a perfectly organized army can lose order in the moment of victory. Perfection is an unattainable ideal in human endeavors.

Chung Myung spoke decisively.

"Humans can only believe. We fight, trusting that those sitting here, and those who have stood by our side until now, prioritize comradeship over personal reputation and greed."

His gaze penetrated each person in the room. Those present understood the weight conveyed in his eyes. Heads nodded heavily in agreement.

Then, Chung Myung brought up the main point.

"But there are things we can change."

"What is that?"

"The sects."

The voice was calm, but it wasn't something that could be taken lightly.

The voice was calm, but the words were not something to be taken lightly. The sect leaders exchanged skeptical glances and responded with puzzled expressions.

"...The sects?"

"Just as it sounds. The name Mount Hua, the name Tang Family, the name Jaegal, Southern Edge, Righteous Sects, and Evil Sects, along with the distinctions like large sects and small sects. All those names and boundaries that make us different from each other."

As Chung Myung continued, the sect leaders' faces stiffened. They sensed what Chung Myung was about to say.

"Although people can't change, we can break down the boundaries between the sects. If the ultimate destination for different people to reach a common point is to confront their 'differences,' then there is only one way left."

As Chung Myung's words continued, the faces of the leaders grew tense. They understood what Chung Myung was hinting at.

"Become truly united."

Someone tried to interject, but Chung Myung did not give them a chance. His gaze was squarely aimed at Hyun Jong.

"I believe that we should retract the commanding authorities of each sect within the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and unite all disciples under the name of the Alliance, thus eliminating the boundaries between the sects."

"..."

"That is the best we can do now. I believe."

A heavy silence settled in the conference room. No one dared to speak. What they had just heard seemed too absurd.

"Ha... ha ha."

Amid the oppressive silence, a small laugh erupted from someone. Though quiet, all eyes turned toward the source.

"Deputy Sect Leader?"

"Ah... I apologize."

Baek Cheon covered his mouth with his hand, still caught in a smile.

What path did he take? What kind of gazes did he receive?

'Regardless, it seems I can't compete.' [not sure]

Baek Cheon felt it.

Regardless of right or wrong, this was a too Chung Myung-like solution.