Chapter 1051: Getting Ready (1)

Inside a large tatami-floored room…

The Japanese warriors gathered in this room glanced at each other, their expressions a mixture of uncertainty and unhappiness.

“Do you know why

he

wants us here today?”

“Not sure myself. I haven’t heard anything concrete, either. However, it’s easy enough to guess, wouldn’t you say?”

The leaders of each

gumi

exchanged knowing glances with the others around them. Although their stances and positions might differ, at least in this moment… They were all thinking the same thing.

It was… Reestablishing the pecking order!

Shinichi-kai had made a terrible blunder this time. Recruiting younger elites from various gumis to conquer South Korea, only to taste a bitter defeat, was a monumental failure that nothing could fix.

Of course, the thoughts bubbling in their heads were somewhat different from the facade they put on.

In reality, the combat strength contributed by the younger generations to their gumi was not as significant as some might think.

It didn’t matter what organization it was. The real power and authority were never given to the younger generation. Such tendencies were even more pronounced within the martial world. The reason for that was simple enough.

Fundamentally, a martial artist’s skills and physical strength levels did not deteriorate due to age.

The natural course of events was for a weak little brat to become a peak specimen in their prime, only to gradually weaken as they grew older.

However, that common knowledge didn’t apply in the martial world. Why? Because the people in this part of the world cultivated internal qi.

Regular people would start to see their existing skills and strength deteriorate as they age past fifty. On the other hand, martial artists would see their internal qi reserve grow larger and stronger as they got older.

This meant an old expert who had been cultivating for decades would inevitably be far stronger than the younger generation.

The loss of the young elites meant these gumis would have to deal with their powers weakening at some stage in the future. However, objectively speaking, their current combat strength had not weakened by much.

“Our losses this time are considerable.”

“Yes. Our children who would’ve led our gumi in the future are now buried at sea. Nothing can wash away the sin of this blunder.”

“Indeed, indeed! Someone must be held accountable.”

Despite their calculations, however… These men still continued their denunciation of the event with the voices of grieving parents. It was as if they were actors appearing in a well-plotted stage play.

The meaning behind their glances being exchanged with others could only be one thing.

And that was… bringing down Shinichi-kai and its leader!

Kansai had been under Shinichi-kai's rule for far too long. Of course, it didn't rule over the gumis in its region with an unforgiving iron fist like the foreign invaders might have. However, that didn't mean these leaders had no problem with Shinichi-kai exerting considerable influence over their existences.

To these people, Shinichi-kai was like a shackle they could not escape from. But that shackle had come loose a little from the recent event.

‘If we do this right… We might even sever the shackle halfway through!’

‘Iemoto, sir? You’ve made a terrible blunder this time!’

The most important factor in maintaining and leading a coalition was not power. Even if Shinichi-kai was powerful, it still wouldn't be able to fight against the entirety of Kansai's forces, after all. No, what mattered the most in a coalition was… justification!

Shinichi-kai and the Iemoto had lost their justification. And now, it was time to make them pay.

Although completely dismantling Shinichi-kai’s status would be impossible today, dragging it down from its lofty perch should be eminently doable if the gathered leaders could exploit this situation.

Just as everyone’s thoughts reached that far, the sliding paper doors suddenly opened wide. The Iemoto of Shinichi-kai gallantly strode inside. All the leaders sitting upright stiffly bowed deeply to show their respect.

The Iemoto didn’t say anything while taking his seat of honor. Then, with his withdrawn eyes, he scanned his audience.

“I see that everyone has decided to attend this meeting. For that, I am grateful.”

“…”

“I’ve summoned you all today to discuss an undoubtedly important topic for us.”

“When you say an important topic…?”

“Of course, it’s about waging a war.” The Iemoto spoke firmly and concisely.

However, no one here was happy about the Iemoto’s concise way of speaking to them. And the mere mention of war was enough to make several people here frown deeply.

“When you say waging a war… Do you mean against South Korea, Iemoto?”

The Iemoto slowly nodded. “Indeed.”

“Mm…!”

The leaders of gumis glanced at each other to gauge their reactions.

The Iemoto's direct approach had succeeded in momentarily silencing his audience. If he had started the meeting off in the usual manner, such as sharing small talk and asking everyone how their situations had been, various rebukes and dissenting voices would've exploded forth from the crowd.

However, with that bombshell announcement leading the way, it became a lot trickier for the leaders of the gumis to talk about something else.

‘What a sly raccoon…!’

The Iemoto was indeed a cunning operator. At this point, it was impossible not to acknowledge that old monster's craftiness. There was absolutely no doubt that this man knew how to manipulate the conversation to his advantage.

However, something else was more attention-grabbing than that right now. And that was the topic of this meeting.

“Iemoto, sir… Are you thinking of invading Joseon again?”

“Correction, Yohei. It's not ‘again’ since we've never truly invaded Joseon until now.”

“Does that mean you wish to pretend nothing has happened, sir?”

“Nothing has happened?” The Iemoto coldly glared at the man named Yohei. “Listen, Yohei.”

“Yes, sir?”

The sudden sensory assault from the Iemoto's bone-chilling voice almost succeeded in tumbling Yohei's heart down to the pit of his stomach. However, he didn't back down. If he did, the event that led to this situation would really be swept under the rug, never to be mentioned again.

‘This is how you play the game of politics!'

In politics, the inciting event was not considered important. No, what really mattered was what one could do with the event in question!

Depending on how the situation was manipulated, a random event with little to no significance could be turned into a catastrophic world-ending storm. Or, an epoch-making incident could be dumbed down into a storm in a teacup instead.

But that was how one was supposed to play the game of politics!

The Iemoto tutted. “Do you believe what happened was an invasion?”

“Of course, Iemoto, sir. It is indeed an invasion because…”

“Oh, I see. Then, why weren’t you leading the invasion from the frontline, then?”

“…!” Yohei hurriedly lowered his head, then chewed on his lips.

What a crafty raccoon the Iemoto was! That label seemed so uncannily accurate right now.

With that reply, the Iemoto had completely shut down the potential attempts by others to make excuses. After all, not a single person in this room was aboard the ship heading to South Korea back then!

Indeed, they only dispatched a few youngsters, and that was about it.

A new dilemma was born from the Iemoto's response. By continuously arguing that the previous attempt had been a legitimate invasion, these leaders would also be admitting that their choice of sending only the youngsters to their watery graves was an act of disloyalty.

However, saying that that attempt was not a legitimate invasion was the same as absolving the Iemoto of his responsibilities!

"So? Do you all share Yohei's opinion?” The Iemoto haughtily raised his head and scanned the gathered leaders of various gumis. Unsurprisingly, no one dared to meet his probing gaze.

They might be swearing non-stop and gnashing their teeth in anger inwardly, but the lack of justification prevented them from voicing their grievances. It was truly unfortunate for them, but the Iemoto only needed to say a few things to wrestle the initiative away from their grasp.

“Huh. Isn’t this funny?” The Iemoto suddenly grunted and muttered sardonically. “You say it was an invasion, but our soldiers couldn’t even set foot in the peninsula. Does that mean the noble warriors of our Great Japanese Empire only amount to that much?”

“Iemoto, sir…” Yohei responded with a weighty voice. “Your assertion could be right. Yes, we have been disloyal, too lackadaisical, and too incompetent the last time.”

The Iemoto narrowed his eyes while glaring at Yohei.

“However! You’re also not free from the burden of responsibility, sir! After all, were you not the one who drew up the plan and told us to follow it?”

Yohei courageously took up arms to step onto the battlefield. That transformed the atmosphere inside the room in an instant.

“Hmm…!”

As hints of discomfort appeared on his face, the Iemoto glared sharply at Yohei. Criticizing him so openly in the gathering of leaders could only mean Yohei was declaring his intentions to break free from the old relationship dynamics.

In other words… This was akin to a declaration of war!

‘I can hear their brains kicking into gear already.’

The Iemoto scanned the rest of the leaders. Yohei's declaration immediately set these people's minds racing at a million miles per hour.

It was plainly obvious that they were busy trying to decide who to side with and extract the maximum amount of benefits while doing so!

What a familiar sight this was. However, it was also sight no longer familiar to the Iemoto.

Once upon a time, the Iemoto also went through something similar to secure the position of Shinichi-kai. However, this situation no longer occurred once he seized full control of the Kansai region.

This development could only mean his position had weakened significantly.

“Yes… The burden of responsibility weighs heavily on my mind, too,” said the Iemoto. He should acknowledge what needed to be acknowledged. “However! Everyone's share of responsibilities is not negligible, either!”

“But, Iemoto, sir!”

“Ah, ah. No need to get so riled up, Yohei,” the Iemoto dismissively waved his hand. His seemingly carefree attitude left Yohei frowning deeply.

‘What is he scheming this time?’

Even though the Iemoto craftily used his gift of gab to lead the audience around by the nose, the fact still remained the same. His fault in this matter was undeniable.

Everyone here was ready to rip into this open wound like a pack of ravenous hyenas, so even someone as cunning as the Iemoto would have to give up quite a lot of things today.

...And someone as cunning as the Iemoto should be aware of this. In that case, what could be the reason for his relaxed attitude?

“Now isn’t the right time to point the fingers of blame, that’s why!”

“Pardon us?!”

The Iemoto scanned the leaders in the room. “It is true that we experienced a seismic failure the last time.”

“…”

“Assigning blame to those who deserve it is indeed crucial… But you all seemed to have overlooked something. We are still in the middle of a war.”

Yohei’s expression crumpled even more. “Iemoto, sir… Are you suggesting that we shouldn’t discuss responsibilities during wartime?”

“No, that’s not it. However, remember that we are still at war. You shouldn’t act as if everything is now over because of one defeat!”

“Sir, from the very get-go…” Yohei sucked in a deep breath.

He knew that digging in even deeper would push him past the point of no return with the Iemoto.

‘However… We cannot back down now.’

This situation had to be flipped on its head, no matter what!

“From the get-go, a war is…”

“That’s enough, Yohei,” the Iemoto suddenly raised his hand and abruptly cut Yohei off.

Yohei’s brows shot up as he stared in shock and barely contained anger.

The Iemoto ignored him and asked the rest of the leaders. “Let me ask you all something. How much do you know about Kang Jin-Ho?”

“…?”

“You don't even know what kind of individual the enemy's leader is, yet you all still decided to blindly invade his territory. That alone demonstrates how lackadaisical your attitudes have been.”

One of the leaders sourly responded, “But, sir! We know what he is well enough.”

“No!” The Iemoto roared firmly. “None of you have any idea of how terrifying Kang Jin-Ho really is! If you did, you wouldn’t be blithely wasting time searching for an opportunity to tear me down! Don’t you understand? Our war has already begun! Now that he has been attacked, Kang Jin-Ho will never let this go. He will attack Japan!”

The Iemoto glared at each and everyone in the room, then angrily chewed his words out.

“You want to tear each other apart and devour what's left of the carcass? It's pointless. Because Kang Jin-Ho will take everything away in the end!”

Yohei grimaced in confusion.

‘Really? To that extent?’

South Korea had already proven to everyone here that it was no longer the same weakling as before. The testimonies of those who survived the massacre on the open seas were enough to figure that out.

However, that was still not quite enough to make these leaders think that the Koreans would dare target Japan itself. After all, the gap in strength between the two nations had been absolute and unbridgeable until now.

“Your faces say you don’t believe me,” the Iemoto smirked. “It’s understandable. You probably think I’m exaggerating the threat to escape from the consequences of the failure.”

He was right. Many in this room did think that.

“That is why… I’ve brought along a man who can serve as a reliable witness to how terrifying Kang Jin-Ho really is!”

Just as the Iemoto said that, the sliding doorway smoothly opened once more, and Cai Kechang leisurely stepped inside the room.

Everyone’s undivided attention zeroed in on Cai Kechang.