1645 - So are you happy? (4)

"I understand what Sect leader is saying, but isn't war real?"

An old swordsman voice had a sharp edge that couldn't be concealed. It would be too much to call it hostility, but it was definitely not a friendly voice. There was blatant wariness and a slight sense of competitiveness.

No, perhaps it should be called jealousy rather than mere dissatisfaction.

"Did you say it's reality?"

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

"The disciples of each sect follow their teachers. Where would baby birds go without their mother? Would they just fall from the nest and die?"

"Of course, I do not deny that the elders of each sect are the best leaders for their disciples. But the current situation..."

"Even if the situation is difficult, there are things that are possible and things that are not. The disciples of each sect have dedicated their lives to their sect. How can you ask such a thing of them?"

Listening to the angry voice, the man closed his eyes. The old swordsman spoke firmly again.

"I don't know what the other sect leaders think, but at least our Wudang cannot send our disciples away. My disciples wouldn't want it even if I ordered it."

As the person who heard this was about to nod silently, another person spoke. It was a monk wearing a crown.

"It's certainly a difficult request... but there's some truth to what Sect leader from Huashan says."

"Sect leader!"

The old swordsman exclaimed in surprise, but the other person smiled softly and said, "So how about doing this?"

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

"In order to gain the sympathy of many, it is important to set an example. In that sense, how about Jang Mun-in decides to send Huashan's disciples? If Huashan's swordsmen are under our Wudang's command, I believe I can definitely achieve results."

"Sect leader..."

"If that happens, wouldn't the efforts of Sect leader from Huashan gain significant strength?"

Eyes full of leisure, but that doesn't mean there is any goodwill.

A faint sigh escaped from Cheongmun's mouth as he stared into those eyes.

"Sect leader, don't you know that Huashan is not in a position to send out its disciples right now?"

"Isn't that the same for us?"

Cheongmun's face hardened slightly.

The same?

What does that mean? Huashan is at the forefront, cutting down the enemy's vanguard, and they are merely supporting from behind.

Is it really such a difficult request to ask for disciples from each sect to provide support because Huashan, which is at the forefront, has suffered great losses?

Words continued to pour out toward Cheongmun, who was suppressing his devastated feelings.

"If it is for the sake of the martial world and a way to reduce sacrifices, then of course we will do it. But I don't think now is the time to pursue radical change."

Cheongmun had no choice but to nod his head.

It's not because he agreed with that logic. It was difficult to raise one's voice alone in a situation where everyone was opposed.

"Anyway, it is difficult for our Wudang to agree with Sect leader's wishes. Originally, a sect is like a family, a place like home. When we fight together, we can fully unleash our power."

"....If."

"Is there anything else you want to say?"

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

"I understand well what Sect leader said."

Although it was rejected outright without even being properly discussed, there was no sign of regret or discomfort on Cheongmun's face. There was just calm acceptance, as if it was bound to happen that way.

Those who were oppressed by the calm atmosphere that was hard to read coughed loudly as if their feet were numb.

"Well, I think we've discussed everything we need to discuss today, so let's get up."

The shaman Jang Mun-in, who said that, seemed embarrassed and added in passing.

"It is natural that discussion time should be reduced during wartime."

As he got up from his seat, leaving an excuse that he didn't ask for, the other sect leaders also left their seats without any hesitation. Then, they lined up as if showing off their power, but quickly walked toward the door as if running away.

At that time, the shaman Jang Mun-in, who was approaching the door, stopped and looked back at Cheongmun, who was still sitting.

"Why don't I say something in my old age?"

"....."

"No one in the world would deny the wisdom and abilities of Sect leader from Huashan, but sometimes you seem to go too far ahead. It is difficult for ordinary people like us to keep up with the insight of a long-time writer, so please be considerate."

Numerous eyes fell on Cheongmun like arrows.

"We apologize for any inconvenience caused. It's all because I'm still not good enough."

"It's nothing."

The Wudang Sect leader gave a brief bow and turned around completely. When he turned around, a small sense of victory appeared on his lips.

Thud.

The Wudang's Sect leader resolutely opened the door and stepped forward confidently. No, he was trying to take a step.

It would have been like that even if there wasn't someone standing right in front of the open door.

"Huh?"

"What is this?"

Those who dared to question the rudeness of the person who dared to visit the place where the leaders of the ten great sects and the five great families were holding a meeting, suddenly closed their mouths like clams.

The person blocking the door stared at the Wudang's Sect leader. The eyes were extremely cold.

It wasn't that he was particularly energetic or exuding an aura of killing intent. However, shaman Jang Mun-in's body soon became stiff enough for anyone to notice.

The man caught a glimpse of him frozen like ice and spoke slowly.

"You look very clean."

At those words, the eyes of the people in the room moved. First at their own clothes, then at the clothes of the person blocking the door.

Unlike their clothes, which were clean and without a single trace of dirt, the clothes of the person blocking the door were stained here and there with indelible marks.

Those who knew what the stains were had no choice but to clear their throats or remain silent.

"Sometimes you should do some training, you old masters. If the noblemen called martial artists are so fat, even those from the Demonic Cult will think they are the landowners of a manor and just pass by."

"....."

It wasn't true. They were martial artists who had already reached their peak, and their body shape would not change just because they were a little lazy in their training.

However, no one here could point this out or question the rudeness.

"that...."

Those who were looking at the man blocking the door with an awkward expression opened their mouths in a suppressed voice.

"S-Sword Saint."

Plum Blossom Sword Saint Cheongmyeong glared at the person who opened his mouth. The person who was about to speak immediately closed his mouth and avoided Cheongmyeong's gaze.

A slight smile escaped Cheongmyeong's lips.

"Talking like mother birds."

"....."

"Even lowly creatures like birds will risk their lives to fight off predators if their chicks are in danger. They won't just watch from behind."

"Sword Saint, we..."

Someone tried to say something but faltered. Everyone turned to look at the person who could handle Plum Blossom Sword Saint Cheongmyeong. Cheongmun, receiving those gazes, sighed and opened his mouth.

"Cheongmyeong, refrain from being rude to the elders."

"....."

"Step aside, now."

Cheongmyeong glanced at Cheongmun and stepped aside, allowing just enough space for one person to barely pass.

And he watched the elders with a challenging gaze.

"Let's go."

After a hesitant moment, the sect leaders finally moved. But none of them dared to meet Cheongmyeong's eyes.

Awkwardly and stiffly, they managed to leave the conference room and hurried away without looking back.

"Phew."

Only when the conference room was almost out of sight did they finally turn around and exhale.

"Such rudeness..."

"How can he be so insolent?"

Finally, pent-up resentment erupted.

"Sect leader, will you continue to tolerate this? Isn't his rudeness going too far?"

A bitter expression appeared on the face of the Wudang's Sect leader.

"Then what can we do?"

"We must hold him accountable for his past insolence."

"Hold him accountable..."

The shaman Jang Mun-in let out a short sigh.

"You can only hold someone accountable if they are willing to accept it. Don't you know who he is?"

That statement left the other sect leaders silent.

You can only hold someone accountable if they accept it.

It's an odd statement, but in this situation, it was true.

Plum Blossom Sword Saint Cheongmyeong.

The world calls him one of the top three swordsmen, but everyone here knew how superficial that title was.

There was a stark difference between Cheongmyeong's martial arts and those of the other two supposed top swordsmen. The others were not even qualified to discuss swords with Cheongmyeong.

Who could possibly hold him accountable?

Strength could not hold him accountable. Authority and justification had to be used, but Plum Sword Master was not someone who respected authority.

A notorious rogue perfectly describes him.

If it weren't for Huashan's Jang Mun-in, who kept him in check, there would have been more than a few incidents by now.

The Wudang's Sect leader, noticing the deep dissatisfaction on the other sect leaders' faces, spoke up.

"Besides, that punishment isn't necessarily beneficial to us."

"Uhm......"

A few people nodded in agreement with those words.

In fact, if Plum Sword Master is truly punished and leaves his position, it is the Ten Great Sects and Five Major Families who will bear the brunt of the damage.

Knowing that, no one here could do anything more than air their complaints.

"Don't worry too much. A hunting dog that is good at hunting must eat good meat, even if its temperament is a little vicious. But don't we all know what will be the fate of that hound when he is no longer hunting?"

Finally, the expressions on the faces of the sect leaders slowly relaxed.

"Now you just think about giving us quality meat. That's the way for everyone."

"All right."

After exchanging a conversation that was nothing more than an obvious vent, a feeling of awkwardness crept in. Just as everyone was about to disperse, quickly saying their goodbyes.

"But, are you sure it's okay?"

"You mean Sword Saint?"

"That's not it, that...That's what Huashan Sect leader said."

The leader of Beggar Union opened his mouth with a shocked expression.

"It is not a lie that manpower support is needed due to the number of injured people in Huashan on the front line..."

"Of course, Huashan Sect leader is not the person to discuss lies."

"So that's what I'm saying."

"But you probably won't need any support."

"Why?"

The Wudang's Sect leader slowly brushed off his long beard.

"Heavenly Demon Chun Ma. Isn't Huashan the only sect that can stand at the forefront? When all of Huashan's power is exhausted, other factions can step forward. There is no need for other factions to split their efforts to help them. Wouldn't that be a more reasonable treatment?"

A strange light appeared on the face of the Beggar Union's leader's eyes. At first glance, this may be true.

But can other factions truly play the role of Huashan? Is this person saying this because he really thinks it will happen?

Perhaps...

"The more a clan is divided, the weaker it becomes. Since the Demonic Cult still has a lot of power left, we must not waste our power carelessly."

"You are correct."

"If Huashan loses its power, then my Southern Edge Sect will stand in front of it."

"No, that is our joint role."

The Beggar Union's leader's eyes darkened as he looked at the people talking excitedly.

'When something goes wrong, it's fortunate that there is at least one person who really steps up.'

But he can't sigh openly. It's just as difficult to disagree with them.

His eyes turned to the conference room he had left without realizing it.

'Sect leader.... Sword Saint.'

There was helpless sadness in those eyes.