"Ugh!" The face of Gi Mok-seung, who received the meal, twisted in discomfort.
He had picked up his chopsticks but ultimately placed them back down on the table without picking up anything.
The disciples who were training nearby glanced at Gi Mok-seung, gauging his mood.
"Is the food not to your taste?" "Hmm."
Gi Mok-seung lightly shook his head.
"It's not that the food doesn't suit my palate, but my heart is uneasy."
"Why do you say your heart is uneasy? If we have done something wrong, please scold us harshly."
"It is not your fault."
Gi Mok-seung pushed the meal away slightly with a hint of annoyance on his face.
"I cannot eat when someone I despise is lingering around the table."
At that, Lee Song-baek, the top disciple of Jongnam, quietly asked, "Are you perhaps referring to that child from Hwasan?" "Ahem."
Gi Mok-seung did not confirm or deny, but no one was oblivious to the meaning behind his uncomfortable cough.
"Elder, I do not understand. What is so great about a mere child coming here...?" "It's not about the child."
"Then...?" "It's about the child from Hwasan."
The disciples looked at Gi Mok-seung with puzzled expressions.
What was so significant about a child from Hwasan? They sometimes could not comprehend the hostility their elders showed towards Hwasan.
"Have I not told you repeatedly? Hwasan and we cannot coexist under the same sky."
But Gi Mok-seung was different.
He had grown up hearing countless stories about Hwasan from the elders of Jongnam.
He knew how much trouble Hwasan had caused Jongnam and how Jongnam had suffered under Hwasan's influence.
"It is already bothersome that a child from Hwasan has entered our territory so brazenly, but to think that their name is like that bitter plum sword!" "……."
The disciples exchanged glances. 'So that's why he is upset.' 'That bitter plum sword has been dead for nearly a hundred years, yet it is still being talked about.' 'The people of Hwasan probably wouldn't even remember the name of the bitter plum sword, yet we seem to hear more about it than the current investigations.' The bitter plum sword.
When the people of Jongnam mention the past master, Cheongmyeong, they do not attach the honorific "Zun" to his name.
They cannot dare to attach such a noble title to someone who is not worthy of it.
Lee Song-baek gathered the gazes of his fellow disciples.
It was clear to anyone that Gi Mok-seung's obsession was abnormal, yet he was still the elder of Jongnam and the one they served.
And when it came to topics other than Hwasan, Gi Mok-seung was a very normal and gentle person.
"Do not worry about it."
"Do not worry?" Gi Mok-seung raised his eyebrows.
"That child is going around saying he will treat Lord Hwang."
"Ha ha. Surely not...?" "He claims there is progress." "……."
Lee Song-baek fell silent.
Gi Mok-seung did not say more, but the clever Lee Song-baek could guess the hidden meaning behind those words.
If that child really were to treat Lord Hwang... 'It would cause an uproar.' Lord Hwang was a person of clear grudges.
There was no way he would simply let Hwasan, the one who saved his life, go.
He would surely do everything in his power to support Hwasan both materially and immaterially. 'We must stop this.' Lee Song-baek quickly calculated in his mind and cleared his throat before speaking.
"Elder, if that child is such a nuisance, why don't we just chase him away?" "You all?" Gi Mok-seung widened his eyes slightly.
"Yes. If you were to take action directly, it would be inappropriate, but we are the top disciples, after all. What harm would it be for the top disciple of Jongnam to exchange swords with the top disciple of Hwasan?" "Hmm. Wouldn't it be said that we bullied a child?" Lee Song-baek smiled brightly.
"Who would not know that Jongnam and Hwasan have had exchanges for a long time? If we happen to meet and compare our swords, and if things got a bit out of hand, it would not be seen as a disgrace."
Gi Mok-seung slowly nodded.
"Moreover, with the Jonghwa Gathering coming up soon, it would provide even more justification."
"I understand what you mean. However, I cannot allow it."
Gi Mok-seung spoke firmly.
"Even so, he is a top disciple. It would not be fitting for you to lay hands on that child or challenge him to a duel. How would the people of the martial world view bullying a child from a sect that is already on the verge of collapse?" Lee Song-baek felt a sense of satisfaction.
The one most concerned about that child was none other than Gi Mok-seung himself.
It was hard to suppress a smile when he heard such obvious words from him.
However, it was the duty of a disciple to consider the feelings of their elders.
"Then I will take it that you do not permit it. But if one of the disciples makes a mistake, it would be appropriate for them to receive a fitting punishment, wouldn't it?" "Of course. Anyone who lays a hand on that child will face my punishment."
"I will keep that in mind."
Gi Mok-seung was a man of his word.
Therefore, it was certain that he would indeed punish anyone who crossed that line.
However, one thing was clear: along with the punishment, there would surely be a reward even greater than the punishment.
"Following the words of the elder is the duty of a disciple. But is it not also the duty of a disciple to ease the elder's troubled heart? We will take care of the remaining matters, so please do not worry."
"Ahem. Do as you wish."
"Yes, elder. Then I will take my leave."
As Gi Mok-seung nodded without answering, the disciples bowed deeply and exited the room.
Gi Mok-seung watched them leave, frowning slightly. 'Those children are underestimating Hwasan too much.' He understood.
When those children were born, Hwasan had already been in decline.
In their minds, Hwasan was merely a withered tree, collapsing under the weight of its past glory.
Yet Gi Mok-seung knew how powerful Hwasan had once been.
Although Jongnam was currently making a name for itself in the martial world, the masters of the sect he had seen in his youth were certainly not inferior to Jongnam's current level.
No, there were aspects in which they were even superior.
Even the past Jongnam could not hold a candle to Hwasan.
If it had not been for the invasion of the demonic sect, Jongnam would not have been able to surpass Hwasan even to this day. 'There is no way to return to those times.' A resolute expression crossed Gi Mok-seung's face.
"Seeing that child has come all the way here from Hwasan, it would not be wrong to think that Hwasan has begun its external activities again."
He had thought he had completely crushed Hwasan so that it could never rise again, but it seemed he had underestimated Hwasan's resilience.
"It seems I need to have a conversation with the sect leader as soon as this matter is settled."
A fierce determination, uncharacteristic of a sage, glimmered in Gi Mok-seung's eyes.
"Elder, are you not being too sensitive? A child?" "Do I not react like this every time Hwasan is mentioned?" "Even so, it is too much to be wary of such a small child. No matter how much Hwasan was once a sect that contended for the title of the best in the world, it is now merely a fallen sect without even a root left."
"That is true."
"And even if the former Hwasan were to return, it would not be able to match the current Jongnam."
Lee Song-baek smiled brightly.
"The spirit is good. But I also agree with the elder's words. The past Hwasan is certainly not a sect to be taken lightly. The current Jongnam does have some shortcomings compared to the Hwasan of that time."
"Elder!" "However, the past is the past. In the end, it is the one who survives who is the strong one."
Only then did everyone nod in agreement.
Ko Hwi, Lee Song-baek's disciple and Jongnam's top disciple, asked casually, "So, elder, what do you plan to do about that child?" "We should soothe him and send him on his way, shouldn't we?" Lee Song-baek smiled.
It was against his nature to bully a child, but with Gi Mok-seung in such a state, keeping that child here would also be a problem.
While it was unlikely that Gi Mok-seung would directly lay hands on the child, it would not look good for a person of Jongnam's stature to be seen tussling with a child.
"But what on earth was Hwasan thinking, sending that child alone? If it were Jongnam, that child would not have been allowed to go outside the sect alone."
"Not all sects have the same circumstances. There must be a reason."
"Hmm. One thing is certain, Hwasan's situation does not seem to be very good."
"How would we know the affairs of other sects?" Lee Song-baek cut off the unnecessary talk.
"We just need to do our job. Let us not forget that our duty now is to serve the elder well."
"Yes, elder."
"I will keep that in mind."
Only then did Lee Song-baek quietly nod.
"So how should we call that child out...?" "Wait a moment, elder. Look over there."
"Huh?" At one person's words, everyone's heads turned to one side.
"Isn't that the child?" "It is, isn't it?" "He is coming this way?" "Hmm."
Lee Song-baek chuckled lightly.
While he was pondering how to call out the child from Hwasan, that child was actually walking towards them on his own.
"What should we do? Right now?" "There is no need to drag it out."
Lee Song-baek stepped forward and called out to the approaching Cheongmyeong.
"Greetings!" "Huh?" Cheongmyeong tilted his head upon seeing Lee Song-baek and the other disciples.
Before Cheongmyeong could speak, Lee Song-baek took the initiative.
"I am Lee Song-baek of Jongnam. It is a pleasure to meet a disciple from Hwasan."
"Ah, hello."
Cheongmyeong replied nonchalantly.
Lee Song-baek maintained a patient and friendly smile as he asked, "Where are you headed?" "I am going to Lord Hwang. I want to see if there is any progress."
"Ah, I see."
Lee Song-baek smiled. 'The child is quite bold.' Lord Hwang, who even the greatest healers in the world could not cure.
It was hard to believe that such a child could do anything about Lord Hwang.
Yet, seeing him boldly claim he would treat Lord Hwang, he did not seem to have a good heart.
"If you are not busy, would you mind talking with me for a moment?" "Sure, what is it?" "Ha ha. It is nothing much. Historically, Hwasan and Jongnam have exchanged swords and developed together, right? Even now, Hwasan and Jongnam hold regular sword exchange events. Are you aware of this?" "Oh, really? I didn't know. I have only recently joined Hwasan."
"I thought so."
Lee Song-baek smiled. 'If he knew that, he wouldn't be able to hold his head so high in front of me.' Even with the name Jongnam mentioned, there was no change in the child's expression.
If he had seen the Jonghwa Gathering, he would never be able to maintain such a calm face.
"Experiencing Hwasan's sword would be a great help in your training. What do you say? Would you show me the esteemed sword of Hwasan?" Lee Song-baek smiled slightly.
He was sure the child would refuse, but he had a few ways to bind this child...
"Ah, so..."
At that moment, Cheongmyeong tilted his head slightly.
"Are you asking for a fight?" "……."
Lee Song-baek cleared his throat.
"I am not asking for a fight, but rather for training or a friendly duel..."
"That is asking for a fight."
Lee Song-baek's eyes went blank.
What was this child? Receiving that blank stare, Cheongmyeong grinned.
"I will accept a fight anytime. But don't regret it."
It was a calm declaration.