Tension filled the air as all eyes turned to Jong Ligok.
It was natural. A person's position could change depending on the situation. The Jong Ligok of just a while ago and the Jong Ligok now were the same person but in entirely different circumstances.
When leading under the Heavenly Friendship Alliance, Jong Ligok was just another follower. But when everyone needed to come to a consensus, Jong Ligok held significant sway, being the leader of the anti-Mount Hua faction.
With Shaolin fallen and the Nine Sects and One Union dissolved, Southern Edge led by Jong Ligok was the only one to directly oppose the advancing agenda of Mount Hua. Depending on what Jong Ligok said, the atmosphere of this meeting could swing drastically.
Everyone present was aware of this, holding their breath and watching closely, but Jong Ligok surprised everyone with an unexpected move.
*step*
After carefully scanning the faces of those attending the meeting, Jong Ligok took his seat and closed his eyes without saying a word, leaving his lips sealed.
Some faces expressed relief at this ambiguous reaction, while others showed disappointment.
Tang Gunak seized the opportunity to clear the air with a fake cough.
"Ahem. Let's continue the meeting..."
After hesitating for a moment, he spoke up.
"Nanman Beast Palace and North Sea Ice Palace have expressed opposition to the current issue, while Sichuan is in favor..."
"Our Moyong Family will also reject it."
Before the summary could finish, Moyong's representative raised their hand.
"I understand the significance of the military leader's proposal. However..."
Moyong's representative glanced sharply at Chung Myung as they spoke.
"I'm not sure if completely changing our formation at the brink of war is a proper idea. Shouldn't we distinguish between ideals and reality, especially at a time like this?"
Tang Gunak struggled to suppress a sigh overtly.
"Well, this is to be expected."
Hadn't he thought the same at first? People instinctively fear change, especially those who have much to lose and much to protect.
Now, the currents within the meeting room were clear.
With three sects already expressing negative opinions, only Sichuan's Tang Family stood in agreement with Chung Myung's proposal. With the atmosphere so one-sided, even those who had somewhat positive intentions found it difficult to speak up.
If Nangong Dowi were here, he would have supported Chung Myung...
"Now, what about Green Forest?"
Thus, Tang Gunak reluctantly turned to Im Sobyeong. Although she was from an evil sect, her support here could have been significant, if not powerful. But Im Sobyeong's response was unexpectedly indifferent.
"Well... Green Forest has always been in a precarious position. Whether we agree or disagree, what difference will it make?"
"Green Forest King?"
Im Sobyeong surveyed those present with cold eyes.
"It seems that some of you would think it's advantageous to use the mountain bandits of Green Forest as a means to hinder the enemy, no matter what."
"Green Forest King, your words are too harsh."
"Are they?"
Im Sobyeong turned her gaze to Tang Gunak. Under her composed and transparent gaze, Tang Gunak found himself momentarily speechless.
Upon reflection, Green Forest might suffer the most if Chung Myung's proposal were to proceed. While Green Forest within the Heavenly Friendship Alliance had established a firm position, not everyone agreed with the alliance's stance.
It was straightforward to think about it. Would Green Forest under Southern Edge, Jegal, or Moyong's control receive proper treatment? Would they even consider the mountain bandits of Green Forest as equal colleagues?
No, they wouldn't. Even the sects beyond the Great Wall might look down upon or neglect Green Forest.
With the situation as it was, even Tang Gunak began to feel the weight of the meeting. Even Hyeon Jong had closed his eyes. As the former sect leader of Mount Hua, it would be difficult for him to interject. Any words spoken wouldn't be easily accepted.
"Then..."
Despite the circumstances, Tang Gunak attempted to steer the situation positively. However, Jegal Jain raised his hand.
"Before that, I have some questions for the military leader."
Chung Myung, who had been holding his arms throughout, unfolded them and faced Jegal Jain.
"As you can see, everyone is opposed to this matter. If things don't go as you want, what will you do?"
Chung Myung chuckled.
"Am I just going to leave because things didn't go my way?"
Jegal Jain didn't deny it. Chung Myung shrugged.
"Well, what can I do? We still have to fight. We have to fight somehow."
"Then, military leader, what is the reason behind pushing for this martial arts event?"
"The reason? Surely you're not asking because you don't know?"
Chung Myung chuckled again at Jegal Jain's question. In truth, it bordered on mockery, clearly violating etiquette, but no one pointed it out.
Eventually, Chung Myung's gaze softened.
"Because we have to win."
His voice filled the conference room with a heavy weight.
"Because we don't want to lose. Because we don't want to die. Because watching people needlessly die has become tiresome."
If one observes, they naturally understand. Why past wars flowed so disastrously. Why even someone as wise as Chung Mun had to accept his and Mount Hua's sacrifices.
Everyone knows that those who fiercely guard what is theirs never let go until the very end. Even when everyone sacrifices a little, leading to survival, they still refuse to let go and end up sinking without ever loosening their grip.
The righteous sects of the past would have been more terrible than what he sees now. What was Chung Mun's heart as he watched? What sentiment did he express to Chung Myung about sacrifice?
With a cold gaze, Chung Myung looked at everyone.
"Actually, I want to ask you all the same question. What exactly are you trying to protect?"
"Military leader, your words are a bit..."
Tang Gunak tried to calm the situation, but Chung Myung continued without caring.
"Is sacrifice so cheap?"
"...."
"Is death so light? Are you still not aware of the weight of the lives lost in Hubei?"
"Chung Myung..."
Even Baek Cheon, unknowingly, tried to interject, but at this moment, even Baek Cheon's words did not have any weight against Chung Myung's slip of the tongue. Those who have not experienced it will never understand. The fetters of irreversible choices and the weight of what was lost.
"Honour, glory, authority... they might not seem significant to you, but at least in my opinion, they're not more significant than the lives sacrificed for them."
Maeng So sighed quietly as he listened.
"Military leader. We oppose it because the weight is not light. Because we fear that those lives will be treated lightly."
"But it can be made. To not be so."
"...."
"I am not perfect. And this position is not originally for me to create everything. We can talk and complement each other. Everyone has different thoughts, and everyone has different methods. That's what this position exists for."
"Well..."
"If you think it's impossible, you're denying everything we've done so far. Then what's the point of this place? Of this relationship? And this damn alliance!"
"Chung Myung!"
Even Hyeon Jong was startled and raised his voice.
This cannot be. Even if his proposal is not accepted, they must not leave resentment behind. That is the path to eternal division for those who sit here.
But despite Hyeon Jong's urgent dissuasion, one person did not miss Chung Myung's slip of the tongue.
"You're right."
All eyes turned to him.
"In the first place... the method is wrong. Forcing all the sects under Heavenly Friendship Alliance, including those who joined for different reasons, to follow one purpose is oppression."
Southern Edge sect leader Jong Ligok. Within the gaze of everyone, he continued with a cold face.
"An alliance that loses its meaning is no longer valuable. It would be better for like-minded people to gather together?"
"What does that mean, Sect Leader Jong Ligok?"
Tang Gunak asked, and Jong Ligok drove the nail in sharply.
"All these half-hearted attempts at relationships and friendships are better left out. It's better for people who gather to have the same purpose."
"It's not good."
Tang Gunak's face was almost pale now. Was the strategy he proposed to avoid division causing even greater division!
Jong Ligok asked.
"What do you think, military leader?"
"...."
"Was what you said earlier sincere? Even if everything goes to hell, will you fight your best to fight? Even though the result of this meeting will likely be everyone prioritizing their own interests?"
Chung Myung glared at Jong Ligok instead of answering. But indeed, his question planted a doubt in Chung Myung's mind.
Is it really possible?
He had already experienced it in the past. What the result was of fighting alone in a world where everyone cared only for their own interests. Whether he could walk the same path again?
Or, if not, should Chung Myung and Mount Hua bend like the other sects this time? Should they strive to survive by trampling on other sects, even if it means sacrificing even one more member of Mount Hua?
What is right?
Seeing Chung Myung's expression, Jong Ligok smirked.
"It's a meaningless question. The answer has already been given."
Jong Ligok turned his gaze away from Chung Myung and looked at Hyeon Jong.
"Sir Alliance Lord."
"...Speak, Sect Leader."
"What will you do, sir Alliance Lord? If more people follow the Military Leader's words, would you also demand that unwanted individuals surrender their disciples?"
"Sect Leader..."
"Wouldn't that be another form of coercion? Do you, sir Alliance Lord, have the willingness to cooperate with those who do not share the same intentions as Heavenly Friendship Alliance?"
Hyeon Jong stared at Jong Ligok with a heavy gaze, then slowly nodded. Tang Gunak was taken aback. He tried to interject briefly, but Hyeon Jong firmly spoke up.
"Heavenly Friendship Alliance was never meant to be a place where someone can oppress others. If forcing others to comply with different intentions becomes coercion, then it's no longer Heavenly Friendship Alliance."
"So, does that mean those with different intentions don't need to join?"
Hyeon Jong closed his eyes and nodded again.
"I hope everyone will join together... But if that leads to oppression, I will do what must be done."
Jong Ligok smiled lightly after hearing Hyeon Jong's response.
"It seems things are settled."
This time, a sharp gaze was directed at Chung Myung.
"What do you think?"
"...,"
"Insisting like this would be a waste of time. Those who share your intentions will follow you. Those who don't can form their own groups. Just like how Heavenly Friendship Alliance emerged within the Nine Sects, new alliances can emerge within Heavenly Friendship Alliance. Isn't that right?"
Chung Myung simply stared at Jong Ligok with dark eyes.
"Will you do that? Or... will you continue to lead this hollow alliance, leaving all this buried here?"
Though it hadn't been long since Jong Ligok began speaking, the initiative had completely shifted to him.
Unlike those who obtained the position of Gate Master through family ties or status, Jong Ligok became a Sect Leader of a major sect solely based on his abilities, having control over one of the Three Sects under Heaven. Even in this position, Jong Ligok clearly demonstrated how he had led Southern Edge to this point.
Chung Myung spoke in a chilly voice.
"I have no intention of coercion. I just... want to minimize sacrifices."
"That's not really an answer."
"But if that's accepted contrary to my intentions..."
Chung Myung paused for a moment and bit his lower lip slightly.
"I have no desire to force anyone."
"Are you suggesting that those whose hearts don't align should leave?"
"No. On the contrary. If people share the same intentions, they should go together. That was the essence of the Heavenly Friendship Alliance from the beginning."
Tang Gunak nodded resignedly. Yes, upon reflection, that was the right approach. To trust those who could be trusted even if it meant trusting those who didn't believe.
Perhaps the recent feeling of stagnation and unease stemmed from violating that principle. Having to trust those you didn't believe in. Having to be together even if you didn't believe.
Maybe this was the better direction after all.
Only then did Jong Ligok nod lightly with a faint smile.
"It seems we have reached a conclusion."
Everyone waited for Jong Ligok's next words. It was only natural for Jong Ligok, the Sect Leader of Southern Edge, to act in this way.
"We will clearly state Southern Edge's position."
Everything Jong Ligok had said would be completed when Southern Edge stood as the center against Mount Hua. When they replaced Shaolin as the center of a new power, and gathered those who harbored resentment against Mount Hua, or more precisely, those who didn't agree with Chung Myung's methods... The righteous sects would once again be divided into two axes: Mount Hua and Southern Edge.
In just a short time, Jong Ligok had seized control of everything.
Hyeon Jong, looking partially resigned, Tang Gunak looking somewhat anxious, and Jin Geumryong, whose intentions were unclear, all looked at Jong Ligok with their own expressions. Finally, even Chung Myung, who calmly watched, fell under Jong Ligok's gaze.
"Southern Edge will stand with the intentions of Mount Hua."
"What...!"
Moyongwigyeong stood up in surprise, forgetting his composure. But Jong Ligok's gaze was fixed solely on Chung Myung.
"As of this moment, I will step down as the Sect Leader of Southern Edge and entrust the rights to the Heavenly Friendship Alliance... No, to the new alliance that will be formed with Mount Hua. This is the final decree I make as the Sect Leader of Southern Edge, and I will not entertain any objections."
"Uh... uh?"
Hyeon Jong's mouth fell open in disbelief at an event that could not even be imagined.
"Now, Sect Leader..."
"This is Southern Edge's position."
With this definitive declaration, a storm swept through the conference room. It was a storm that no one had ever experienced before.