"*sigh* Well..."
Jo Gol let out a groan and stepped towards Huaying with weary legs.
"Oh my, you look like you're about to collapse."
He looked like he was almost melting from running all the way from Mount Song. But despite his vigorous arrival, Huaying, spread out before him, was so quiet, almost serene.
"See? Nothing's happening, right?"
"..."
"I told you we didn't need to rush after elder brother, didn't I? We could've just taken our time coming here. The high and mighty fuckers up there will handle everything, so why did we need to run all the way here?"
"..."
"And I specifically said if we really needed to bring someone along, we should take Soso. Why are you pushing yourself so hard, not even letting us rest..."
"Gol."
"Yes?"
"Could you please shut up? Please."
"Listen. I've told you this so many times. We didn't need to rush. The high-ranking fuckers will handle everything, so what's the point of running here until we're soaked in sweat..."
"...Gol. I've been thinking."
"Yes?"
"I wonder what it feels like to push a sword into a babbling fool like you."
"..."
Jo Gol quickly shut his mouth as his spine chilled. Yun Jong smiled kindly at him.
"I may leave it out of genuine curiosity, even though it's not something a Taoist should do, but listening to your words, I sometimes think experiencing something a Taoist wouldn't normally do might not be such a bad thing."
Jo Gol remained silent, his mouth tightly shut.
In the past, he might have grumbled a few more words, but lately, this fucker was a bit intimidating. Sometimes he would glare at Jo Gol with eyes like daggers, which was slightly eerie.
Finally quieting down, Yun Jong let out a deep sigh. Jo Gol, who had been watching him, asked cautiously.
"I'm just curious, but... really, why did you come here in such a hurry? Do you have a plan or something in mind?"
Yun Jong sighed wearily.
"As you said, there's not much we can do. At best, we'll just be filling seats. We might not even be allowed into the meeting room."
"I see. But even if all we can do is act as placeholders..."
"And what's that?"
Yun Jong stared at Huaying and said, "Even if all we can do is act as placeholders, there may be someone who finds comfort in that. The difference between having someone behind you and not is quite clear."
"What do you mean?"
"Never mind... just keep that in mind."
Yun Jong spoke less and glanced around the familiar... no, now it was familiar, Huaying's scenery. The silent, darkened Huaying.
A small smile played on Yun Jong's lips.
"Well, luckily, you're not too late."
His gaze drifted beyond Huaying, towards Mount Hua.
Someone was descending the steep, rugged mountainside at an incredible speed.
❀ ❀ ❀
"More importantly, what do you plan to do now?"
Zhuge Zhan's careful gaze turned to Moyong Weigyeong and Jong Ligok.
"...What do you mean by that, Lord of the Zhuge Family?"
Moyong Weigyeong asked, and Zhuge Zhan narrowed his eyes.
"I won't beat around the bush. The situation is clear. Right now, it's chaotic due to the sudden change of circumstances, but once things settle down, we'll need to sort out our position."
"...Sort out our position?"
"It means there's no one to share my life with the remnants of defeat."
Moyong Weigyeong's face stiffened slightly.
"Are you saying we might be attacked?"
"It's possible. In fact, it would be strange if such a thing didn't happen. They have no reason to spare us, do they? After all, we caused a great loss to the Martial Arts World and returned unscathed from that terrible war."
"Hmm."
Moyong Wigyeong cleared his throat uncomfortably at the words. But Jeok Galsin continued steadfastly.
"Furthermore, our strength now is nothing compared to the Heavenly Friendship Alliance. If we hesitate, we might just become a nuisance."
As Moyong Wigyeong pondered Jeok Galsin's words, he hardened his expression.
He didn't think Hyeon Jong would let such a thing happen, but Moyong Wigyeong still understood. The leader guiding a group sometimes had to make tough decisions, balancing their personal principles with ruthless choices. That, too, was the duty of a family lord; Moyong Wigyeong knew that well enough.
"In that case, what do you think Zhuge Family Lord should do?"
"We'll have to make a choice. Either leave the Heavenly Friendship Alliance and aim for a comeback."
Jeok Galsin lowered his voice slightly.
"Or, we could also establish a force that they would find it difficult to ignore."
As soon as he finished speaking, Jeok Galsin's gaze fell on Jong Ligok.
"What do you think, sect leader?"
"..."
Jong Ligok stared silently at the half-empty teacup. Jeok Galsin prodded for an answer.
"Southern Edge, Moyong, and Jeok Galsin himself—none of us can be easily disregarded by them. In fact, we might even be able to wrestle the leadership of the Heavenly Friendship Alliance from them. Their alliance may seem solid, but it's actually quite fragile. While the Tang Family may pose a challenge, establishing relations with the Beggars Union, Nangong, and Hainan, who have had past ties, shouldn't be too difficult. If we move based on this..."
At this point, a small laugh escaped Jong Ligok's lips. Taking it as a sign of approval, Jeok Galsin's expression softened slightly.
"If it's Southern Edge, then leading those sects shouldn't be a problem, right? And if so, it wouldn't be too difficult to rise to an equal position with the alliance lord. Naturally, Southern Edge should do that."
It was a subtle challenge, asking whether Jong Ligok would truly lead them into such a situation. Jong Ligok contemplated as he looked at the cold tea inside the cup.
'Familiar.'
Yet, it felt strange.
In the past, all of this was close to daily life. Even within one group, there were unspoken rules about who the enemies were and who would be on one's side. Laughing in front of someone while saying different things behind their back, always looking for opportunities to gain the most benefit—it was a busy mindset.
Jong Ligok didn't particularly want to blame Jeok Galsin.
Before becoming a sealed sect, Jong Ligok had been the most enthusiastic about such matters. Jong Ligok had created the status of Southern Edge as one of the three fingers within the Nine Sects and One Union.
Jeok Galsin must be the same. That's all there was to it. He had just done what needed to be done.
Would it be easy for someone who had lived their entire life like this to suddenly change their ways? Especially when there was no realization that change was necessary?
"...Sect leader?"
Jeok Galsin urged again, and finally, Jong Ligok set the teacup down on the table. Then, he chuckled softly.
"You're making a valid point. But I don't think now is the time to discuss such matters. We'll need sufficient time to discuss such serious matters, won't we?"
"Yes, yes. That's true, but... Right now, time is what we're lacking the most, isn't it?"
"Well, that's true."
Ironically, now Jeok Galsin had given Jong Ligok a valuable lesson.
It wasn't in the words themselves, but in Jong Ligok's attempt to cover up the discomfort he felt at Jeok Galsin's intentions and smoothly move past the situation.
'I'm just like them, after all.'
Despite going through a long period as a sealed sect and thinking he had changed significantly, Jong Ligok had lived much the same way as them. There wasn't much difference in thought and attitude.
If the person sitting here now had been Jin Geumryong, how would it have been?
"Knock, knock."
As Jong Ligok imagined the strong-smelling Jin Geumryong, he couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
That inflexible Jin Geumryong might have immediately told them to leave if he sensed any discomfort in the air.
Sometimes, the once imposing Jin Geumryong could be uncomfortable, but now Jong Ligok found it hard to erase the feeling that he himself had grown too old and round.
"At any rate, now is not the time to discuss such things."
"Yes? What do you mean by that..."
Just then.
Knock, knock.
Accompanied by a sense of urgency, the sound of knocking on the door echoed in the room.
"Who is it?"
As the door opened, a young man bowed his head.
"Sir Family Lord, there's a request to gather again in the meeting hall where we just had the meeting."
"Meeting again?"
Jegal Jain unconsciously turned towards the window. It was dark.
"The sun has already set. How can we resume a postponed meeting at this late hour, no matter how urgent the situation?"
"I'm just delivering the message..."
"Who called for it? Sir Alliance Lord?"
"That... I was informed it's the Military Leader for now."
"Military Leader?"
Was there such a position in the Heavenly Friendship Alliance? Jong Ligok muttered, seemingly curious about Jegal Jain's question.
"It seems Mount Hua's Chivalrous Knight."
Jegal Jain's face was astonished.
"Mount Hua's Chivalrous Knight Chung Myung is the Military Leader of the Heavenly Friendship Alliance?"
"Yes."
"What...?"
He couldn't help but burst into laughter.
How could a mere second-generation disciple of Mount Hua hold such a grand title? No matter how much the Martial Arts World favored the strong, this was excessive.
"Wait, wait. Are you saying he called us?"
Disbelief turned to anger.
"Just how prestigious is the position of the Military Leader? Is it saying that we, the lords of distinguished families, should come at his beck and call? And in such a situation..."
But Jegal Jain's outrage subsided before it could fully erupt. It was because Jong Ligok stood up from his seat.
"Sect Leader?"
"If he's calling, we should go."
"Sect Leader, wait!"
Jegal Jain stumbled over his words, clearly taken aback.
"Is this not the time for such a thing!"
"One thing you should know."
"Yes?"
"The Heavenly Friendship Alliance I've seen doesn't care about such circumstances. If you stay here with that mindset, you probably won't be able to do anything."
"What do you mean?"
"If you look over there, you'll understand."
Jong Ligok gestured towards the open door. Jegal Jain and Moyongwigyeong turned their eyes towards it.
They saw Huaying's juniors, using lightness techniques, swiftly running towards their destination.
"Those...?"
"Despite being a second-generation disciple, he's summoning the lords and vice lords of the Heavenly Friendship Alliance. So hearing that isn't necessarily embarrassing."
The family lords, who moments ago were fumbling for the distant traces of Hyeon Jong and Tang Gunak, swallowed dryly without even realizing it.
With a laugh in his eyes, Jong Ligok looked down at them.
"If you're going, it's better to hurry. It won't look good if the guests arrive more leisurely than the hosts, will it?"
Leaving those words behind, he left the hall.
It felt palpable. Huaying's juniors, who were scattered all around, were quickly gathering in one place.
Perhaps it was just a mood, but even their movements alone seemed to infuse the place with a strange vitality. Huaying, which moments ago felt like it was sinking into oblivion, now seemed different.
A wry smile played on Jong Ligok's lips.
"Are you there?"
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"Tell Geumryong and Songbaek to attend the meeting. If there's any obstruction, tell them I'll personally see to it."
"Yes."
Nodding, Jong Ligok pounded the ground.
"Well, then. How interesting will this story be?"
If there was one thing he had learned from Mount Hua, it was that the future of the sect was not in the hands of those intoxicated with glory. That was the one thing.