Chapter 1548: Nevertheless (Part 3)

Following that was a whirlwind of activity.

As the weight of the gathered individuals' perspectives was significant, the discussion lengthened...

"Ah, just get to the point! Just say what needs to be said! Is it okay or not?"

The situation was urgent, and time was pressing. These two uncontrollable factors shattered any pretenses that should have been maintained during the meeting.

"Moving in units to respond to the current situation is impossible. Haven't the enemies spread throughout the entire Gangbuk?"

"So, what do you suggest?"

"We need to divide ourselves! Just like they did, but even more finely!"

Im Sobyeong, who led seventy-two Nokrim strongholds, suggested breaking the alliance into eighty pieces without hesitation.

"That's impractical. While they can cause chaos wherever they go, we need to move organically! How can we communicate and respond to Jang Ilso's movements if we're spread throughout the entire Central Plains?"

"Don't find reasons why it won't work; find ways to make it work!"

"Well, how about..."

"If there are communication issues, attach a person responsible for communication! Put a contact point in the Beggar's Union to support them! Attach one beggar to each unit!"

"Ah!"

"Just relying on the Beggar's Union won't be an immediate solution."

"Then send ten units to one region and place a Ghost Sect unit in the central unit. Then you can use an inter-unit communication system instead of relying on those spread across the entire Central Plains."

"Although they may not be as fast as Baek-Ah, there are some relatively fast spirit creatures. It could be a good idea to utilize them. However, for that to happen, a spirit creature and a Beast Palace member must move together."

"Even so, it's not easy. We may have to go all the way to Zhejiang, but Zhejiang from Shaanxi is..."

"We just need to choose several suitable locations in the mountain peaks as temporary command posts. Make a temporary command post in each region, receive daily reports, and issue orders. Then we can create a system where filtered reports are sent to the Heavenly Comrade Alliance headquarters."

Tang Gunak, Meng So, and Im Sobyeong quickly filled in the necessary elements, as if proving that they didn't win the position of sect leader through luck but by their capabilities.

And with their expertise and the passion of the young members, a better solution emerged.

"That alone is not enough! Mobilize the healers we trained in each sect!"

"Um, already?"

"Absolutely."

"But the necessary training may not be finished yet."

"There's no end to medical training. Still, it's better than nothing. Even though it's regrettable, we have no choice. Prioritize those who already know about medicine or are from the Tang family over those learning from scratch!"

Tang Gunak nodded. Although more discussion might lead to better solutions, in the current situation, even a brief skirmish was a waste of time.

"Then let's do that. Inform the Beggar's Union and the Ghost Sect of the situation and request support immediately."

"Yes, Vice Lord!"

Tang Gunak decisively resolved the situation.

"Which sects will go?"

"Namgung!"

"Southern Island!"

"Wait a moment. The Ice Palace has no suitable places to support, so, of course, our Palace should be sent!"

The sects led by young leaders were full of vitality.

But Tang Gunak remained composed.

"Nokrim King!"

"Yes."

"Choose."

"Neither Namgung nor Southern Island."

"Nokrim King!"

Namgung Dowi stood up angrily, but Im Sobyeong spoke as if he didn't see him.

"What sect is stronger, which one is more eager and enthusiastic, none of that matters now. Each unit can only consist of about ten members at most. So, what matters now is..."

"The leaders within the units."

"Yes."

Im Sobyeong quickly nodded his head.

"The number of units that will be formed will correspond to the number of leaders here. Namgung and Southern Island are lacking in manpower."

"Ice, Ice Palace?"

"How can those who don't know the geography of the land lead a unit?"

"Ah..."

Seol So Baek sighed with a pitiful expression. Im Sobyeong continued.

"Form ten or so units centered around Mount Hua and the Beggar's Union, and each unit should receive additional support members from each sect."

Tang Gunak quickly nodded his head.

The Mount Hua Sect and the Tang Family were the center of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. If those two sects took the lead in this dispatch, naturally, Hwaeum's defenses would weaken.

However, now that they were receiving support from the Southern Edge Sect, there was no other solution. It was a self-evident fact.

"Maengju-nim."

After a rough summary, Hyun Jong nodded slowly.

"Well, then..."

"Then, can the Southern Edge Sect also provide a unit?"

Everyone turned their heads in surprise. There stood Lee Songbaek with a stern face. Jin Geumryong spoke coldly.

"Shut your mouth, Lee Songbaek."

"When news of this spreads, there will undoubtedly be those in Southern Edge eager to step forward. Instead of keeping them tied here, wouldn't it be better to let them act according to their will?"

"Is that what you want?"

Although Jin Geumryong shot a sharp look, Lee Songbaek remained silent without a response. A sneer appeared on Jin Geumryong's lips.

"It seems I wasn't in a position to criticize Mount Hua."

"Sahyung."

"Do as you please. There's nothing more tiresome than trying to turn a lowlife into a human. Let the lowlifes behave like lowlifes."

There was blame, scolding, and mockery, but Lee Songbaek smiled warmly. Because he knew this nasty-tempered Sahyung well, he understood the implicit permission hidden within his words.

"In that case, Southern Edge will also participate."

Tang Gunak pressed his temples as if in pain.

"So..."

Mount Hua, Tang Family, Namgung, Southern Island, and now Southern Edge. If those five sects each formed units, with a medical group and the Beggar's Union attached, and supported by Ghost Gates and Nokrim, the result was...

"What a terrible mix of things."

It was a mess.

In the first place, it couldn't be called an alliance or a unit. It was just a composition of pouring in as many available personnel as possible and sticking them together at will. However...

"Nevertheless."

Chung Myung, as if understanding Tang Gunak's sentiments, chuckled.

"Doesn't this seem like the most reasonable result?"

While thinking that he wanted to pull the smiling mouth left and right at least once, Tang Gunak nodded.

"And if we add the phrase 'among the options available within this urgent time,' it seems acceptable, right?"

Tang Gunak sighed deeply, looking at Hyun Jong.

"Maengju-nim."

"Approved."

Hyun Jong answered without a moment's hesitation. The only thing he could do now was reduce unnecessary formalities.

"However, when forming the units, their strength must not be weak. We can't afford to take harm in trying to minimize damage."

Tang Gunak sharp eyes swept over everyone.

"Did you hear that?"

"Yes."

"Then, how should we form the units?"

When Baek Cheon asked, Tang Gunak answered sharply.

"Why are you asking me that?"

"Huh?"

"Those who want to step forward can form the units themselves. Gathering suitable people and bringing them under their command is also a leader's ability."

Some faces among the crowd stiffened.

"The minimum number in one unit is five. There should be a Beggar's Union beggar and a medic, and depending on the situation, a Beast Palace member may follow. Make sure there are at least five, but not more than ten. Keep in mind that the more people, the less risk."

"Yes!"

"Prepare quickly. The conditions are two. There should be enough power, and it should be swift. I will review and decide in the order they come. Once the number of units I have in mind is filled, further assessment will not be conducted, and they will be rejected."

It was a natural statement.

Even if they received support from Southern Edge, they couldn't recklessly deplete Hwaeum's power.

So, even if he allowed the maximum, the force that could be sent out would not exceed thirty percent.

On this matter, Tang Gunak would not accept any discussion or adjustment. Everyone responded concisely, looking at Tang Gunak's serious face.

"Yes, Vice Lord!"

"Dismissed!"

As soon as the words were spoken, Jo Gol turned and looked at his fellow martial siblings.

"We have nothing to worry about... Eh? Sahyung? Sasuk?"

However, excluding him, the Five Swords were already rushing out of the conference room.

"No, Sahyung! Where are you going?"

"I'm going to organize a unit, of course."

"If we organize it ourselves..."

Jo Geol momentarily closed his mouth. He realized that now was not the time to concentrate their strength.

If you were a strong individual, it would be much more beneficial to take on the role of a faction leader than to gather around others. Even for the sake of the commoners.

But then again...

"...Me as a unit leader?"

The realization struck him.

This meant he needed to secure at least five people who would trust him with their lives.

"Huh?"

Jo Gol's complexion turned pale.

"Sahyung! Let's go together! Sahyung, please include me in your unit! Sahyung!"

* * *

As morning broke, Hwaeum was in chaos, much like a disturbed beehive.

"Sahyung! Take me with you! Please!"

"They said they're going to fight against the Evil Sect! Who else is going if I don't?"

The entire Heavenly Comrade Alliance was excited by the news that they were recruiting people to be dispatched to Gangbuk.

Although some quietly pulled away, saying it was ominous, most immediately grabbed well-forged swords and joined the cause.

"Let's form one more unit!"

"Don't we need strong forces? Two units should do!"

"We're sending them to Anhui, does only two units make sense? We definitely need one more."

Amidst the chaos, the relationships between sects became entangled.

"Sago! Take me with you!"

"Samae! You haven't forgotten me, have you? Huh?"

"Monk! I brought you meat last time, didn't I?" [lmao?]

"Oh! I gave you alcohol, alcohol! You can get meat from killing animals, so alcohol is much more important! Besides, you often go hunting alone, don't you?"

"...What kind of life have you been living, Monk?"

Amid the easy recruitment of five people and the increasing influx of support, there were those who struggled with the decision of whom to exclude for quite some time...

"I, I'll go with..."

"Hiiyeee!"

"Sasuk! Save me!"

"Ptueh!"

...Like Jo Gol, there were those who struggled to find people.

Nevertheless, amidst the continuous influx of real-time organization of units, it was clear that several units were being formed.

"Five, right?"

"Yes."

"A few more might be better, but if Sahyung thinks otherwise, don't worry. Five will be enough."

"Is that so? It might not be easy to gather five."

"What are you talking about, Sahyung? The time it takes to decide on a leader among those who volunteer is the same as the time it takes to select the better one. If we just gather people randomly, we can fill the positions before taking a single breath."

"...Really?"

"Seriously. Sahyung tends to underestimate himself. It's natural for the Deputy Sect Leader to go!"

Baek Cheon laughed lightly at Baek Sang's words.

"That's right. Anyway, hurry up."

"Yes!"

Following Baek Cheon's instructions, Baek Sang rushed away. When he looked at Baek Sang's back, Baek Cheon let out a small sigh.

"Foolishness is incurable."

Startled, Baek Cheon turned around.

A familiar yet infinitely unfamiliar face was approaching him.

"Why bother creating units that are bound to be eliminated anyway?"

"If you're here to pick a fight, leave. I don't have time to deal with you."

"I wouldn't do that, little brother."

Jin Geumryong smiled broadly.

"On the contrary, it's the opposite."

"What?"

"As a unit leader, you're useless, but as a unit member, you still have some use. How about it? Won't you join my unit?"

Flames flickered in Baek Cheon's eyes at Jin Geumryong's words.