Chapter 1645 - So, Are You Happy? (4)

"I understand what the Sect Leader is saying, but isn't war a reality?"

The voice of an old swordsman carried an undeniable sharpness.

It was more than mere animosity, though it certainly wasn't a friendly tone. It was blatant opposition mixed with a hint of competitiveness.

Or perhaps, although it might be irreverent to say, it was a feeling that could be called 'jealousy'.

"Did you say reality?"

"Yes."

The old swordsman, dressed in blue, looked coldly at the person sitting in front of him.

"The disciples of each sect follow their own masters. Where would fledglings go without their mother? They would only fall from the nest and die."

"Of course, I don't deny that the seniors of each sect can lead their disciples best. But given the current situation."

"Even if the situation is difficult, there are things that can be done and things that cannot. The disciples of each sect have staked their lives on their sects. How can we make such demands of them?"

As he listened to the voice tinged with anger, the man closed his eyes. The old swordsman spoke again, resolutely.

"I don't know what the other Sect Leaders think, but at least our Wudang cannot spare any disciples. Before my own intentions, the disciples themselves would not want it."

As the man started to nod silently in agreement, another voice spoke up. It was a Taoist wearing a hat.

"It is indeed a difficult request, but... the words of the Mount Hua Sect Leader also have merit."

"Sect Leader!"

The old swordsman exclaimed in surprise, but the Taoist merely smiled gently.

"How about we do this?"

His voice was full of ease, unlike the old swordsman's.

"To gain the agreement of many, it is important to set an example. In that sense, what if the Sect Leader decides to offer the disciples of Mount Hua? If Mount Hua's swordsmen follow our Wudang's command, I am confident we can achieve results."

"…Sect Leader."

"If that happens, wouldn't it give more strength to what the Mount Hua Sect Leader is advocating?"

There was a relaxed look in his eyes. But that did not mean there was any friendliness.

A faint sigh escaped Cheongmun's lips as he stared at the relaxed gaze.

"The Mount Hua Sect is currently not in a position to spare any disciples, as you well know."

"Isn't that the same for all of us?"

Cheongmun's face stiffened slightly. The same? What did he mean by the same? Mount Hua was at the forefront, bearing the brunt of the enemy's attack, while they were merely supporting from behind.

Was it really such an unreasonable request to ask for support from each sect's disciples when Mount Hua was suffering heavy losses at the front?

Suppressing his dismal feelings, Cheongmun listened as the Taoist continued to speak.

"If it's for the sake of Kangho and to minimize sacrifices, it must be done. But now is not the time to seek rapid changes."

Cheongmun reluctantly nodded.

Not because he agreed with the logic, but because it was difficult to raise his voice alone in a situation where everyone was opposing.

"In any case, our Wudang finds it hard to agree with the Sect Leader's wishes. A sect is like a family and a home. It exerts its full strength when fighting together."

"...So."

"Do you have more to say?"

Cheongmun, who was about to say something, shook his head.

"I understand what the Sect Leader has said."

Although he was rejected outright without even a proper discussion, there was no sign of regret or discomfort on Cheongmun's face. He merely accepted it calmly, as if it were to be expected.

The others, pressured by the unreadable, calm atmosphere, cleared their throats awkwardly.

"Since we've discussed everything we needed to today, let's adjourn."

The Wudang Sect Leader added, as if embarrassed, "In times of war, it's only natural to reduce the time for discussions."

As he stood up, the other Sect Leaders also got up without hesitation, filing out in a show of force yet seemingly in a hurry to leave.

At that moment, the Wudang Sect Leader, who had reached the door, stopped and turned to look at Cheongmun still seated.

"Just a word of caution, if I may."

"..."

"No one denies the wisdom and foresight of the Mount Hua Sect Leader, but at times you seem to be too far ahead. We ordinary people find it hard to keep up with your vision, so please be considerate."

Countless eyes bore into Cheongmun like arrows.

"If I caused any discomfort, I apologize. It's all my own inadequacies."

"There is no need for such words."

The Wudang Sect Leader briefly clasped his hands in salute and turned completely. A small smile of triumph appeared on his lips.

Thud.

The Sect Leader of Wudang Sect resolutely opened the door and took a step forward with unwavering confidence. Or rather, he tried to.

If only someone hadn't been standing right in front of the open door.

"Huh?"

"What is this?"

The leaders of the Ten Great Sects and the Five Great Families, who were about to question the person who had the audacity to enter their meeting without a word, suddenly clamped their mouths shut like clams.

The man blocking the door stared at the Sect Leader of Wudang Sect. His gaze was chilling.

He didn't emanate any particular aura or killing intent. However, the Sect Leader's body visibly stiffened, noticeable to anyone observing.

The man who froze him like ice spoke slowly.

"You all seem quite clean."

At those words, the others' gazes moved. First to their own clothing, and then to the clothing of the man blocking the door.

Unlike their immaculate attire, his clothes were stained with indelible marks.

Those who recognized what those stains were could only cough awkwardly or remain silent.

"Sometimes, you should train a bit more, Sect Leaders. If martial artists like you gain weight, even the Demonic Sect members will think you're landowners and just pass by."

"…"

The comment about gaining weight was obviously untrue. They were all seasoned martial artists, and a bit of negligence in training wouldn't change their physiques.

However, no one in the room dared to correct him or question his rudeness.

"Th…"

Those who had been looking at the man blocking the door with uneasy expressions finally opened their mouths, their voices suppressed.

"S-Sword Saint."

Mount Hua's Plum Blossom Sword Saint, Chung Myung, glared at the speaker without responding. The person flinched and shut their mouth, avoiding Chung Myung's gaze.

A snicker escaped from Chung Myung's lips.

"It sounds like the chirping of a mother bird."

"…"

"Even a mere bird fights to the death against a snake if its chicks are in danger. It doesn't just watch from the sidelines."

"Sword Saint. We..."

The people who tried to say something glanced around. The only person who could handle the Plum Blossom Sword Saint. Their gaze fell on Cheongmun, who sighed and spoke.

"Chung Myung. Refrain from disrespecting the Sect Leaders."

"…"

"Step aside. Quickly."

Chung Myung took a step to the side, allowing just enough space for one person to pass through narrowly.

And he stared at the Sect Leaders. As if daring them to try to pass.

"Chung Myung!"

Only after another shout did Chung Myung fully step aside. But he didn't hide his displeasure, crossing his arms and leaning sideways against the door frame.

"Ahem."

The Sect Leader of Wudang Sect awkwardly muttered a meaningless word.

"Well then."

They all hurried out of the conference room. None of them met Chung Myung's eyes as they passed by him.

Stiffly, they finally exited the conference room, hurrying away without looking back.

"Phew."

Only when they were far enough away that the conference room was barely visible did they look back and sigh in relief.

"What an insolent…"

"How can he be so arrogant?"

Finally, complaints erupted from the group.

"Sect Leader! Will you continue to tolerate this? Hasn't his rudeness gone too far?"

The face of the Sect Leader of Wudang Sect was marked with bitterness.

"What can we do?"

"Shouldn't we punish him for his continuous disrespect?"

"Punish…"

The Sect Leader of Wudang Sect sighed briefly.

"Punishments must be given to those who will accept them. Don't you know what kind of person he is?"

At those words, the other Sect Leaders could only remain silent.

Punishment can only be administered to those who will accept it.

It was a strange saying, but at least in this situation, it was true.

Plum Blossom Sword Saint, Chung Myung.

The world calls him one of the Three Great Sword Masters, but everyone here knew how superficial that title was. There was a vast difference between Chung Myung's martial prowess and that of the other two included in the Three Great Sword Masters. The others didn't even have the right to discuss swords in the same breath as Chung Myung.

To whom could blame be pinned? With power like his, it couldn't be enforced through mere strength. Then, it must be imposed by authority and legitimacy, but the Plum Blossom Sword Saint was not one to yield to authority.

The term "world's rogue" suited him perfectly. Had it not been for Mount Hua's Sect Leader, Cheongmun, reining him in, there would have been numerous conflicts by now.

As the other sect leaders displayed discontent, the shaman sect leader spoke up, "Moreover, this punishment isn't necessarily beneficial for us."

"Hmm..."

Some nodded in agreement.

In truth, if the Plum Blossom Sword Saint were to truly suffer consequences and vacate his position, it would be the Ten Great Sects and the Five Great Families who would ultimately benefit from his misfortune.

Knowing this, no one here could afford to express more than passive dissatisfaction.

"Do not worry too much. A good hunting dog may have a bit of a vicious temperament, but it must still feast on good meat. However, when a hunting dog no longer hunts, do we not all wonder about its fate?"

Only then did the expressions of the sect leaders slightly relax.

"For now, just think of it as tossing good meat. That's the path for everyone's sake."

"Understood."

After exchanging such banalities, an awkward silence crept in. And so, with hurried farewells, they dispersed.

"But, are you really okay with this?"

"You mean the Sword Saint's words?"

"No, I mean, what the Mount Hua Sect Leader said."

The leader of the Beggar's Union spoke with a troubled expression.

"If there's an influx of casualties from the front lines at Mount Hua and they truly require reinforcement..."

"Of course, Mount Hua's Sect Leader wouldn't lie."

"That's what I'm saying."

"But there may not necessarily be a need for reinforcements."

"Why is that?"

The shaman sect leader slowly stroked his long beard.

"As long as there are other sects that can stand at the forefront besides Mount Hua, there's no need for others to stretch themselves thin to assist them. Wouldn't that be a more reasonable approach?"

A strange gleam appeared in the Beggar's Union leader's eyes. On the surface, it seemed like a reasonable argument.

But could other sects truly fulfill the role of Mount Hua? Was this person genuinely confident that they could?

Perhaps...

"Dividing a sect only weakens it further. As long as the Demonic Sect still has plenty of resources, we mustn't waste our strength recklessly."

"You speak the truth."

"If Mount Hua's power wanes, then it will be our Southern Edge Sect's turn to step forward."

"No, that's our collective responsibility."

As the enthusiastic sect leaders spoke, the atmosphere darkened in the room.

'It would be fortunate if there were those who truly stepped up when the time came.'

But one couldn't openly sigh. Disagreeing with them was equally challenging.

My gaze inadvertently drifted to the exit of the meeting room.

'Sect Leader... Sword Saint.'

In those eyes, there was an unmistakable sense of regret.