Moyongwigyeong looked around in dismay, contemplating the dire situation that had unfolded unexpectedly. Initially, the atmosphere hadn't been so tense. It was supposed to end with discussions about Chung Myung's martial arts proposal and each party taking their fair share.
However, everything had changed drastically because of Jong Ligok. Moyongwigyeong found himself in the most difficult position as a result. Even if only Zhuge Family had sided with him, he wouldn't have been pushed this far forward. Yet, to Moyongwigyeong's dismay, even Zhuge Family had aligned with Mount Hua, leaving him isolated in his stance against them.
A shiver ran down his spine as he contemplated Moyong Family being positioned against Mount Hua.
He discreetly glanced towards the sects beyond the Great Wall. Nanman Beast Palace and North Sea Ice Palace had been the first to voice their opposition to Chung Myung's proposal. If only they could amplify their voices...
Particularly, he observed Seol Sobaek attentively. It seemed Maeng So might not be swayed easily. Therefore, aligning with Seol Sobaek, who might still be open to persuasion, seemed like a better option.
However, it appeared Seol Sobaek was engrossed in his own thoughts, oblivious to Moyongwigyeong's gaze.
After a while, Seol Sobaek raised his head, looking at Han Imyeong beside him with uncertainty.
"Sir Palace Lord, please proceed as you wish."
Seol Sobaek began to speak but was interrupted by Han Imyeong, who responded before he could finish. Seol Sobaek looked surprised, and Han Imyeong smiled.
"Palace Lord holds the power over the lives of all palace members, and the Palace Lord of North Sea Ice Palace happens to be you."
Seol Sobaek had no substantial reason to refuse Chung Myung's proposal. He had nothing to lose.
Although Seol Sobaek held the title of Palace Lord, Han Imyeong effectively commanded and managed the members of Ice Palace.
Given the circumstances, seizing Han Imyeong's authority from Seol Sobaek and transferring it to Mount Hua wouldn't be easy.
"Palace Lord is indeed a kind person. However, sometimes, being overly considerate and understanding others' hearts before they even speak can be problematic. If Palace Lord had consulted with me, even briefly, I would have supported your decision without hesitation, no matter what it entailed."
Seol Sobaek's face displayed various emotions.
"Are you feeling conflicted?"
"A little."
"In that case, don't search for reasons. Instead, listen to your heart. Sometimes, it leads you in the right direction."
Seol Sobaek closed his eyes as if contemplating something. Seeing this, Han Imyeong secretly smiled bitterly.
In reality, Seol Sobaek owed nothing to Ice Palace. Rather, the previous Palace Lord of North Sea had pursued him, and the members had never given him anything.
Ironically, it was the five sword masters of Mount Hua who had helped and guided Seol Sobaek. He probably felt more attached to them than to the people of North Sea.
Seol Sobaek always struggled because of the bond he had formed with them. He feared making decisions that would cause pain to the people of North Sea due to his personal feelings.
Even though Han Imyeong watched from the sidelines, he couldn't advise hastily. He was merely there to oversee the Palace Lord. Ultimately, the most decisive and final decision rested solely with Seol Sobaek.
Despite his youth and lack of experience, the same applied to him. It was the destiny of those who ascended to the position of Palace Lord.
After deliberating without any external pressure, Seol Sobaek opened his eyes and looked directly at Hyeon Jong and Chung Myung.
"I have one question."
"Please, Palace Lord."
"Can Heavenly Friendship Alliance... No, can Mount Hua guarantee that those who participate from beyond the Great Wall will not be discriminated against?"
"Palace Lord, that's a given..."
"No, I can't," came the affirmative response from Hyeon Jong and the negative response from Chung Myung simultaneously. Naturally, all eyes turned to Chung Myung.
"You can't?" Seol Sobaek asked, looking directly at Chung Myung.
Seol Sobaek waited for Chung Myung to continue without saying anything.
"I will make an effort. I'll do as much as I can. But there's no way to change people's long-held perceptions overnight with a single command from above or a few harsh words," Chung Myung replied firmly.
Seol Sobaek didn't say anything, waiting for him to continue.
"Nevertheless, I will still try. To prevent the same foolish actions from recurring. Someday, we might be able to look at each other without such prejudices. And it's clear that we're not the only ones who need to make an effort for this."
This also meant that North Sea needed to take a step forward. If they continued to stay cold and isolated, perceptions about them would never change.
Seol Sobaek also looked directly at Chung Myung and asked, "Do you believe we can break down the walls as you said?"
Chung Myung nodded decisively. "It may not be perfect, but we'll move towards a better relationship than now."
"If we don't start, nothing will change," he added.
Seol Sobaek didn't nod or shake his head with an expression that hid his thoughts. He simply observed Chung Myung intently for a long time.
Then finally, he spoke up. "Our North Sea Ice Palace will set aside our previous stance and stand with Mount Hua."
A faint smile appeared on Han Imyeong's lips.
"As the Palace Lord of North Sea Ice Palace, I hereby delegate all authority held by the Ice Palace Lord to the alliance until the end of this war. This fact will be communicated to all members of the Ice Palace, and it will not be subject to change by any authority."
As Chung Myung was about to nod slowly, Seol Sobaek added, "However, disciple, promise me one thing. Prove that your words were not just sweet talk for the people of the Central Plains, but that all of this is to minimize sacrifice."
Seol Sobaek's eyes were steady now. Chung Myung replied, more clearly than ever, "I will, without fail."
Seol Sobaek then nodded.
"Well done, Sir Palace Lord," Han Imyeong silently praised, smiling softly. It was finally the feeling of being the true Palace Lord of North Sea Ice Palace for Seol Sobaek.
Letting go was all he could do now.
He was shedding the excuse of being inexperienced and taking responsibility for his own choices.
"Well then, Beast Palace Lord."
The response didn't seem to change?" Seol Sobaek's bold words made Maeng So look puzzled as he sighed.
"People of Mount Hua... Youngsters these days are quite different," he mused.
"Indeed," agreed Seol Sobaek.
Hyeon Jong, Tang Gunak, and other gate masters also sighed deeply.
It's not about debating right or wrong.
Chung Myung was turning the bomb Baek Cheon had thrown into a current, sweeping everything away. And Seol Sobaek was assisting in that. Could anyone have imagined such a scene in the past?
The atmosphere, once stiff with Maeng So's complaints and occasional chuckles, eased slightly. After a moment, he spoke with a deep, commanding voice that captured everyone's attention.
"During the war with the Demon Cult in the past, the Sword Saint of Mount Hua and the Hidden Saint of the Tang Family intercepted the Demon Cult's forces heading towards Yunnan."
Some eyes widened slightly. While this was common knowledge within the Heavenly Friendship Alliance, it remained an unknown tale to many outside its confines.
"At that time, the relationship between the Central Plains and beyond the Great Wall was even worse than it is now. They viewed each other as enemies, reveling in each other's downfall."
There was no laughter on Maeng So's beastly face.
"In such circumstances, the news of the Demon Cult targeting the Beast Palace might have been favorable to those in the Central Plains. However, the Sword Saint and Hidden Saint risked their lives to stop them. Without them, I, and perhaps even the Nanman Beast Palace, would not be here today."
Various emotions and sentiments flickered across everyone's faces.
"It is because of the grace of that history that I am here now. It wasn't mere words that resolved the hostile relations, but the actions of those two risking their lives. The movements of the Sword Saint and Hidden Saint, which happened only once, have changed the world for nearly a century."
Maeng So chuckled softly as he spoke.
"Of course, I am not the Sword Saint. I am not capable of such great deeds."
His gaze shifted to Chung Myung and paused.
"Yet, even in today's world, boundaries mean nothing. What matters is that there are people who speak of humanity. I suspect that perhaps even the Sword Saint of the past stood against the Demon Cult with similar thoughts."
Unconsciously, Chung Myung clenched his fist under the table as Maeng So continued.
"I, too, refuse Meng's proposal. I believe the world hasn't changed that much yet. However..."
This time, Maeng So's gaze moved away from Chung Myung to Hyeon Jong and Tang Gunak.
"If the Nanman Beast Palace must repay its debt to Mount Hua and the Tang Family of Sichuan now, and if the current Mount Hua and Tang Family share the same sentiments as the Sword Saint and Hidden Saint of the past, then the Beast Palace will stand with both sects. Not to break walls, but to prove that we are willing to sacrifice ourselves."
Maeng So's firm and rumbling voice echoed through the meeting room.
"What do you say?"
As Maeng So's question returned to him, Tang Gunak cleared his throat softly.
"To be honest... it's hard for us to understand the thoughts behind our ancestors' actions against the Demon Cult back then. But..."
Tang Gunak retrieved eleven flying daggers from his sleeves and laid them down.
"I understand why they fought the way they did. It was to protect. To risk their lives to save even one more person."
Tang Gunak lightly brushed the handles of the flying daggers, which gleamed in the light, before raising his head.
"That sentiment still resides within the Tang Family. And it always will."
Only Hyeon Jong's response remained. As Maeng So and Tang Gunak looked at him simultaneously, Hyeon Jong let out a faint sigh before speaking.
"Can we dare to emulate the lofty spirit of our ancestors? We simply... strive to live lives that wouldn't embarrass them. That spirit still resides within Mount Hua. And it always will."
It was a truly Hyeon Jong-like response. Maeng So glanced at Chung Myung, subtly posing the question that perhaps he wanted to ask the most.
"What about you? Can you become someone like them?"
Chung Myung paused for a moment, then chuckled softly. While Maeng So may have asked the question earnestly, from Chung Myung's perspective, it was a rather amusing question.
The answer was clear.
"I'm not just trying to become someone like them."
"...And?"
"I have to surpass them."
Chung Myung's nostrils flared slightly, akin to a beast revealing its aggression and fierceness.
"That alone isn't enough. I have to do much better than that. Otherwise, won't I be unworthy to face those who lived through that past?"
Maeng So chuckled heartily, his massive frame shaking.
"That's why you're irrepressible, military leader!"
The past and the present intertwined. Similar yet different, different yet not so different. The beastly aura on Beast Palace Lord Maeng So's face wasn't so different from Chung Myung's.
"Nanman Beast Palace will prove it. That the spirit of Plum Blossom Sword Saint and Hidden Saint lives not only in Mount Hua and the Tang Family but also in our Nanman Beast Palace. With our blood and lives!"
It was a declaration filled with boiling passion.