“My Liege.”
Xianyu Hyeong-bi, the Governor-General of Jilin, addressed the Grand Young Master, her gaze fixed on the map spread before them.
“You say the alliance forces of the Third Young Master will move south to face you?”
On the strategic map atop the desk, the black lacquered pieces symbolizing the Third Young Master’s alliance had been shifted toward the southern front. The Grand Young Master had moved them personally, guiding them with his own prediction.
“Is there a reason you are so certain?”
“Of course there is.”
The Grand Young Master acknowledged the reports from the subordinates bustling in and out of the tent before turning back to his generals.
“Ultimately, in the end, it does not matter whether it is the Huashan Sect, the Wudang Sect, the Namgung Clan, or the Third Young Master’s own faction. What they desire is…”
He pressed his finger firmly onto the center of the map of the Central Plains Kingdom.
“…the hegemony of the Central Plains. Not some skirmish in the borderlands.”
Even if the divided corps of the Dread King failed to defeat the Honorable Supreme Commander of Haedong on the Heilongjiang front, the true prize lay elsewhere.
“…Grand Young Master—no.”
Mak Gu-ju, the Governor-General of Liaoning, shook his head and corrected his address, his voice respectful.
“If they can capture only you, my Liege, the hegemony within the Sword Clan will pass to the Third Young Master. And if that happens…”
“Exactly.”
As the Grand Young Master lifted his hand from the center of the map, the city that lay beneath his fingertip was revealed.
Luoyang.
“The Sword Clan is the Tengen of the Central Plains.”
Tengen. The center point of a Go board. The single stone that commands the heart of the game.
“If they seize the Sword Clan, the hegemony of the Central Plains will tilt heavily in their favor.”
Therefore, it was inevitable. The Third Young Master’s alliance would come for the Grand Young Master.
“Indeed…”
“I see…”
As the two Governor-Generals nodded in agreement, the Grand Young Master offered a thin smile.
“Furthermore, the Third Young Master is personally overseeing that front.”
It was a strange thing for the Grand Young Master to refer to his own younger brother, Yeon Jeok-gwang, by such a formal title. However, considering the bloodstained internal politics of the Luoyang Sword Clan, it was not awkward at all.
“According to common intelligence, he has a personality that compels him to eat the most delicious thing on the table first.”
At Xianyu Hyeong-bi’s assessment, the Grand Young Master chuckled and shook his head.
“No.”
Third Young Master Yeon Jeok-gwang’s greed, ambition, and obsession were far beyond the ordinary scope of human avarice.
“He is the type who would chase away everyone else sitting at the table just to hog all the food for himself.”
“…Is that so?”
Seeing the two Governor-Generals nodding in slow understanding, the Grand Young Master added a chilling postscript.
“For your information, that is not a metaphor.”
“Pardon?”
The Grand Young Master shrugged lightly. “It is something that actually happened on his twelfth birthday.”
The two Governor-Generals looked dumbfounded.
“Well, the Military Strategy Bureau covered it up, so the rumor never leaked outside.”
But the Grand Young Master remembered. At the time, the Third Young Master had sat alone at his birthday feast, consuming the food in solitary gluttony for two full days.
“…Speaking of the Military Strategy Bureau, it reminds me.”
Looking incredulous, the Liaoning Governor-General asked a pressing question.
“Isn’t Grand Strategist Sima over there? With him present, would the enemy move so obediently according to your predictions?”
“That is certainly a valid view.” The Grand Young Master nodded. “Normally, it wouldn’t have been so.”
“Then that means…?”
“However.”
The Grand Young Master tapped the solitary piece symbolizing Grand Strategist Sima on the strategic map.
“Right now, the only things dominating Grand Strategist Sima’s mind are delusion and doubt.”
The Grand Young Master raised his gaze, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous intelligence.
“Perhaps Grand Strategist Sima has put aside his own rational decisions. He has likely decided to move in the direction the Third Young Master desires.”
It seems concluded that we deal with the Grand Young Master’s front line first.
Grand Strategist Sima had acted exactly according to the Grand Young Master’s orchestration. But the Governor-Generals standing here could not know that truth just yet.
“…Hmm.”
Unlike the Liaoning Governor-General, who rubbed his forehead in an attempt to grasp the complexities, Xianyu Hyeong-bi was quick to act.
“If the enemies have started moving, there is no time to waste.”
Skree.
Xianyu Hyeong-bi stood up from her seat, the legs of her chair scraping against the floor.
“I must return and begin preparations.”
Although the Third Young Master’s forces might have just departed, the Dread King’s forces dispatched yesterday had already clashed once in the morning. They were forming a front line with the corps of the Northern Great General’s Department. The first objective of the Third Young Master’s side would be to join them.
“T-That is true!”
Mak Gu-ju, snapping out of his thoughts, also rose to his feet.
“The Northern Great General Regent will also become busy.”
Xianyu Hyeong-bi spoke to Moyong Woon-jeong as if bidding farewell.
“Now, you will begin the conscription procedures in earnest.”
Forced mobilization. Normally, it would have been impossible. But the two Governor-Generals had sworn loyalty to the Grand Young Master. Therefore, contrary to the enemy’s calculations, Moyong Woon-jeong and the Grand Young Master were now capable of raising a massive army.
“My Liege. Our Liaoning Province will also spare no cooperation.” Not wanting to be outdone, Mak Gu-ju quickly interjected.
***
Rumble, clatter.
Inside a speeding carriage, the scenery blurred past the windows.
“Grand Strategist Sima.”
Sitting opposite the strategist was Wang Cheol-jin, the former Martial Righteous Alliance Leader.
“How do you think the Grand Young Master will come out?”
Since he despised headaches and complex planning, the Third Young Master was not riding with them.
“If I were in the Grand Young Master’s position…”
Grand Strategist Sima rubbed his temples. Although his recent predictions had missed the mark repeatedly, in front of Wang Cheol-jin—with whom he shared a long history—it was easier to voice his internal deliberations.
“First, his aim would be a long-term war.”
“Probably.” Wang Cheol-jin nodded. “They said the first thing the Sword Clan’s Grand Young Master did upon arrival was secure food.”
“…That is correct.”
“And not just the amount needed immediately. He secured a continuous supply.”
“Furthermore…” Grand Strategist Sima continued, “If he has the Governor-Generals in his hand, conscription will also become possible.”
A massive influx of soldiers secured through conscription was the lifeblood of a protracted conflict.
“Why do you think he has the Governor-Generals in his hand?”
Grand Strategist Sima smiled bitterly. “According to our contacts, both Governor-Generals who had appointments scheduled ultimately did not show up at the meeting place.”
“…Hoh.”
In this political climate, figures of such stature would not break appointments on a mere whim.
“And, he must also be waiting for Haedong’s advance.”
Grand Strategist Sima did not mention the Honorable Supreme Commander specifically, but Haedong as a whole. As expected of a former Alliance Leader, Wang Cheol-jin caught the implication immediately.
“If it becomes a long-term war, not only the Iron Armored Cavalry, but other corps of Haedong will also arrive at the front line.”
“That is correct.”
From that point on, it would truly become a war of massive scale.
“In addition, considering the terrain of the Grand Young Master’s territory, it is natural that a defensive stance is advantageous.”
All of the Grand Young Master’s actions pointed to one conclusion: he was preparing for a long, grueling siege.
“…Right.”
Siege warfare. Large-scale pitched battles. A war of such magnitude had been a long time coming, even for veterans like Alliance Leader Wang Cheol-jin and Grand Strategist Sima.
“…From now on.”
Grand Strategist Sima, silent for a moment, looked out the window.
“It seems we must pay more attention to the Imperial Capital as well.”
Wang Cheol-jin nodded in agreement. “If it becomes a long-term war, preventing the dispatch of the Central Army from the Imperial Palace will be critical.” He added in a calm tone, “Besides, it has been revealed that even the Head Eunuch, whom we believed was forming a joint front, can stab us in the back at any time…”
It was surprising that Wang Cheol-jin, who had only recently returned from the front lines, already knew this fact. Yet, on the other hand, it wasn’t surprising at all. The position of Martial Righteous Alliance Leader was not one held solely by martial prowess; it required a sharp political mind.
“…To achieve gains in the Imperial Capital without the Head Eunuch… My main family, the Sima Clan, along with the Namgung Clan and the Zhuge Clan… We will need the strength of all of them.”
Wang Cheol-jin slowly nodded, his eyes calm. “Grand Strategist Sima. If it is you, you will do well.”
The subtext was clear: I will not help you with that task.
He maintained the stance that he was merely the Third Young Master’s temporarily hired martial arts instructor.
“…Alliance Leader.”
Grand Strategist Sima looked at him heavily. “The end of the Martial Righteous Alliance is a story of the past. How long do you intend to live as a wandering martial artist like this?”
Now, the Sword Clan’s Third Young Master was Grand Strategist Sima’s liege. But originally, the man sitting before him had been his lord.
“Well…” As always, Wang Cheol-jin deflected. “Shouldn’t enough time pass that there are no longer any who call me Alliance Leader? Only then can I say I have fulfilled my responsibility for the fall of the Alliance.”
“…Alliance Leader.”
Wang Cheol-jin shook his head. “Rather than me, how about you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Under that scoundrel, do you think you can achieve your ambitions and possess true power?”
He called Third Young Master Yeon Jeok-gwang a ‘scoundrel’ without a flicker of emotion.
“Haha.” Grand Strategist Sima smiled bitterly. “…Where in the world is there a perfect person?”
For a fleeting moment, the image of someone flashed through his mind, but he did not show it. Instead, thinking of that person, he turned his gaze back to the passing landscape.
“Besides.” His voice dropped, heavy with a grudge capable of killing. “Since Brother Zhuge was murdered, this is no longer a matter for ambition or power. Purely, it is a personal matter between that Grand Young Master and me.”
He could hear Wang Cheol-jin reciting a Daoist title in a low voice, befitting a successor of the Quanzhen Sect.
“By now…” Grand Strategist Sima checked the time. “It is the time when the Grand Young Master’s main unit would have joined him.”
“Right. Then—”
Just as Wang Cheol-jin was about to speak, his head snapped toward the carriage door.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Someone was hammering roughly on the wood.
“Grand Strategist Sima!”
A rough voice shouted from outside.
“Are you still alive inside, or have you died of old age?!”
Wang Cheol-jin shook his head. Scoundrel.
Grand Strategist Sima sighed, lifted the curtain, and opened the window.
“What is the matter?”
Third Young Master Yeon Jeok-gwang, galloping alongside the carriage on his horse, shouted over the wind.
“News has just come in! The front line has been attacked by the Grand Young Master’s forces!”
Not a long-term defensive war, but a preemptive strike.
Startled, Grand Strategist Sima nearly jumped out of his seat. Wang Cheol-jin, who rarely showed emotion, clicked his tongue audibly.
“…That Grand Young Master is a man harder to predict than rumors say.”
***
“What did you just say?!”
Doubting his ears, Liaoning Governor-General Mak Gu-ju stared at Moyong Ho.
“Did you just say he started the attack first?!”
Moyong Ho, who had just entered the tent to deliver the report, shrugged and pointed toward the Grand Young Master.
“Do not ask me.”
The two Governor-Generals turned their heads in unison, their eyes wide with shock.
“Hmm, strange.”
The Grand Young Master looked back at them with a nonchalant expression, twirling a game piece in his fingers.
“I clearly recall saying I would end this war quickly?”
Clack.
The Grand Young Master threw the piece onto the desk. It skittered across the map and came to a rest.
“Now. The war game on the table is over.”