With a slightly aged appearance, Jegal Jain opened the door and entered, nodding his head.
"You've accepted."
"Oh?"
Chung Myung said in amazement.
"You're just going to accept that so easily?"
"...."
Jegal Jain's face twitched slightly.
"I have one minor question."
"Yes?"
"What does the military leader think of the household head position?"
"Well... uh... there could be various expressions, but to put it bluntly, it's a... crappy..."
"That's enough."
Jegal Jain laughed softly, cutting off Chung Myung's words. He shouldn't say more and shouldn't leave.
"Now we just need to choose the deputy household head."
"Well, that's already decided, isn't it? We'll just fill it with Mount Hua..."
"That might not work."
"Huh? Why not?"
"Didn't I mention earlier? Nangong young family lord needs to be the deputy household head."
"Ugh..."
Chung Myung sighed, crossing his arms.
Although others heard Chung Myung muttering, "Ah, this is going to be a headache. But still, if it's San, he might be better than the others... But dealing with him can be unbearable at times," everyone pretended not to hear.
"Well, there's no choice. We'll be in trouble if we don't give Nangong Family a position."
"And we should also favor Southern Edge."
"Just give them the household head position! Why try to take the deputy household head position too? Don't say ridiculous things!"
Hyeon Jong looked bewildered at that.
"Wait... Didn't you say you could give Jin Geumryong a position?"
"That was before Southern Edge took the household head position!"
"...."
"And I've thought about it, but Geumryong isn't suitable."
"Why not?"
"Geumryong is like a less accurate Dongryong. He's just made from the worst parts of Dongryong."
"Why am I getting dragged into this?"
"Did I say something wrong?"
"No matter how much you say that, comparing him to that guy! Besides the face, they're nothing alike!"
"Huh?"
Chung Myung's head turned sharply.
Immediately, without Chung Myung needing to say anything, the backlash came.
"In fact, they're quite similar."
"Of course, elder brother is slightly better."
"What?"
Baek Cheon's eyes narrowed with betrayal, but Hyeon Jong coughed.
"Well... saying they're not alike at all might be a bit of a stretch."
"....Ceremonial sect leader?"
Jo Gol shrugged.
"I thought about it, but isn't Jin Geumryong just a less accurate elder brother? Chung Myung made one human, didn't he?"
"It's undeniable, his greatest achievement."
"...."
Baek Cheon, who heard Jo Gol and Yun Jong's final comments, collapsed with a face that looked like the sky was falling.
"Whether he's a worse elder brother or a better elder brother, anyway, Jin Geumryong is a wreck of a person. What would happen if such a person became the deputy household head?"
With a chuckle, Baek Cheon raised his head and grinned. Even then, it seemed he couldn't give up cursing Jin Geumryong.
"It would be chaos."
"That's what I'm saying."
Yun Jong sighed deeply, looking at Chung Myung.
"But still... on this trip to Anhui, Southern Edge led without any problems, right? We also received help."
"That's not enough."
Chung Myung shook his head.
"We can't just rely on that. Regardless of who, if they were going to delegate command authority just because they have a name and position, they wouldn't have created the position of deputy household head."
"Hmm."
It was certainly a statement that made sense. Even if Nangong Dowi and Jin Geumryong's abilities were considered equal, what they had experienced was vastly different.
From Plum Blossom Island to Hangzhou, and to Hainan, Nangong Dowi had experienced it all, while Jin Geumryong had only dealt with the sealed sect and fought with the black swords. Even if their abilities were considered equal, their experiences were incomparable.
"Then... what about Li Songbaek young warrior?"
"Well... It seems it's not a matter of temperament."
"...But it's only a matter of temperament."
Though Chung Myung seemed to react with some familiarity at the mention of Li Songbaek, his expression quickly changed.
"Still, it won't do. He hasn't been tested."
"Hmm."
"This upcoming war isn't about nurturing someone's internal qi."
Chung Myung's eyes emitted a cold light.
"It should be a place to prove one's worth."
"... "
His words settled heavily among the people.
Eventually, Yun Jong nodded.
"So?"
"Elder brother. Senior brother. And him."
"...At least call me senior brother."
Jo Gol's timid rebellion went unnoticed by Chung Myung.
"The remaining one is the problem... Senior sister would never agree to it, and should we really involve Soso? She has her own tasks to attend to. Hm."
Chung Myung scratched his head in frustration. While others might be persuadable, he had no confidence in convincing Yu Yiseol. She would surely shake her head as soon as he spoke.
"Hmm? Why not Sori?"
"What?"
"What's the problem with Yiseol?"
"..."
Chung Myung's gaze turned to Hyeon Jong.
"Huh?"
"Yes?"
"Oh... I see..."
The eyes of Mount Hua's disciples suddenly lit up as they looked at Hyeon Jong.
"So, that's a possibility."
"Indeed, elder brother?"
Baek Cheon, Yun Jong, and Jo Gol all smiled faintly.
"Therefore, Yiseol has agreed to take one position."
"..."
"Isn't that right, Yiseol?"
As Hyeon Jong smiled gently and looked at Yu Yiseol, she barely nodded her head.
"Yes..."
Yu Yiseol's expression remained impassive. But the Five Swords, familiar with her, could read the distorted soul within her blank expression.
"Does she dislike it?"
"She seems to dislike it a lot."
"That much?"
At that moment, Yu Yiseol's gaze shifted to the three. Sensing the malice and killing intent in her eyes, the Five Swords quietly lowered their heads. Crossing swords with Yu Yiseol meant facing a deadly threat even within Mount Hua.
"Is it settled then?"
Chung Myung couldn't answer immediately.
"Chung Myung?"
"Hmm."
Chung Myung hesitantly rubbed his cheek.
'Is it okay?'
The one he wanted as deputy household head wasn't just a strong rising star. They had to be someone with whom he could communicate smoothly and share mutual understanding. At the same time, they needed to have the ability to lead the members and communicate effectively.
Yu Yiseol's strength was unquestionable, but was she truly capable of leading people and facilitating smooth communication?
Though he hesitated, there was no other choice. They couldn't afford to delay any longer.
"It can't be helped. Then, the last remaining position of deputy household head goes to senior sister Yiseol..."
That was the moment.
"Is my position still available?"
All heads turned sharply towards the door.
"Monk!"
"Monk Hye Yeon!"
The Five Swords, who had been seated, rushed towards him.
Hye Yeon stood there as the head monk, his face beaming.
"Uh..."
Though they rushed over joyously, they found themselves hesitating in front of him, unsure of what to say. Seeing their hesitation, Hye Yeon smiled warmly.
"I apologize for causing concern."
"Oh, no, it's okay. You were worried."
Baek Cheon asked with a stiff face.
"Are you okay, monk?"
"Yes."
Hye Yeon nodded slowly.
"I'm fine. You don't need to worry."
Relief spread across everyone's faces.
Upon returning to Shaanxi, they hadn't mentioned the ordeal they had gone through because of Hye Yeon's departure, but the pain they felt inside was undeniable. But what about Hye Yeon? Despite facing such a monumental event, he had managed to overcome the suffering in just a few days.
"Amitabha. Is there a place for me to fight? As a disciple?" Chung Myung chuckled upon receiving that gaze.
"It's too late. Big Baldy," Hye Yeon chuckled back.
"Amusing. To wear such a skull-like face..."
That sharply chiseled gaze seemed to speak volumes about the immense pain Hye Yeon had endured. But people ultimately grow through suffering. If he had overcome all of that, then surely Hye Yeon had become stronger than ever before.
"There's one position left for deputy household head."
"...."
"Can you do it?"
Hye Yeon silently recited a short Buddhist prayer, looking solemn and resolute.
"If that's the only position left, then I have no choice. I'll do my best in any position. It's the way to repay the sins our sect has committed even a little bit."
Even Chung Myung, who would usually have something to say, simply nodded silently this time. It was the conclusion Hye Yeon had reached after deep anguish. If that was the case, then it was something to be respected.
"Is it okay if senior sister steps down from the deputy household head position?"
At that moment, Yu Yiseol vigorously nodded her head with a sense of seniority. She even looked at Chung Myung with a desperate gaze.
"....Looks good, doesn't it?"
"I've never seen senior sister nodding so vigorously."
"Neither have I."
Baek Cheon muttered, inwardly thinking it would be good if Yu Yiseol, from the same Baek generation as him, took on the position. But what was the point if she hated it so much?
Yu Yiseol was at her best when she was herself. Even if she wasn't the deputy household head, she was someone who could play a role beyond that.
"Is everything settled now?"
"Well, we just need to deal with one very minor thing."
"A minor thing? What?"
At that moment, Chung Myung looked at those who would become the deputy household heads with a strangely meaningful yet mischievous gaze.
"Each faction has one household head and one deputy household head."
"That's right."
"So, one of the people here should be in the same faction as that fucker."
"If it's that fucker..."
The faces of the Five Swords turned pale blue for a moment.
"Jong Ligok..."
"Southern Edge sect leader..."
The solemn face of Jong Ligok came to the minds of the Five Swords.
Whoever was affiliated with the same faction as him would have to negotiate with him until the war ended.
"Senior brother."
"Yeah?"
"I... just thinking about it makes me feel terrible."
"Me too."
Their already uncomfortable relationship had become even more so since Jong Ligok formally apologized to Mount Hua. But now they had to stick together with him until the end of the war?
"...What about sending Nangong Young Family Lord?"
"...."
"Or maybe Monk Hye Yeon?"
Jo Gol resisted.
He knew. Since Southern Edge had already stated their position, one of Mount Hua's deputy household heads had to be seen with Jong Ligok. That way, they could dispel any concerns that Mount Hua and Southern Edge might stir up discord.
Yeah, he knew all that.
But despite knowing all that, the reason Jo Gol resisted so vehemently was...
"Gol."
Baek Cheon's hand rested on Jo Gol's shoulder.
"I'm begging you."
"...."
Yun Jong's hand also gently touched Jo Gol's other shoulder.
"You're the only one."
"...."
Tears welled up in Jo Gol's eyes. Lately, he seemed to be witnessing scenes like this more often.
"Senior brother... elder brother."
As he tried to make some kind of argument with tear-filled eyes, Yun Jong smiled kindly.
"Gol."
"Yes?"
"If you didn't like it, you should have entered earlier."
"...."
"Stay strong."
"...."
...Sons of bitches.
Jo Gol's eyes filled with clear tears.