The atmosphere at Huashan was in turmoil.
It had already been seven days since the three great disciples had vanished without a trace.
This was an extraordinary situation.
Of course, there had been instances in the past when people fled during Huashan's decline, but such occurrences had not been seen recently.
As a result, the mood at Huashan was extremely tense.
"Could something have happened to them?"
"Something happened?"
"No matter how reckless they are, I don't think they would just not return. Besides, there’s no particular reason for that guy to leave Huashan, right?"
"That's true."
Yoon Jong nodded.
The words of Jo Geol rang true.
Cheong Myung had no reason to leave Huashan.
If he had even the slightest intention of doing so, he wouldn't have fed himself the precious elixir.
To give away something so valuable and then leave Huashan immediately? Unless that elixir was poison, it was simply impossible.
But there was one thing.
"The fact that someone with no reason to leave suddenly hasn’t returned means something must have happened, right?"
"Geol Ah."
"Yes, hyung."
"No matter how much I think about it, I can't imagine that guy getting into an accident."
"......"
"Can you imagine it?"
"I’m not sure..."
The smiling face of Cheong Myung appeared in Jo Geol's mind.
Of course, it wasn't a warm smile but a wicked one. 'Ah, no way.' Even if thrown off a cliff or dropped into hell, he would cling to life with all his might.
For someone like him to encounter an incident that would prevent him from returning was simply unthinkable.
"Something must have happened."
"I hope it’s something that the elders can understand. They seemed quite angry."
"That's right..."
"Elder Ungeom has been called back to the Sect Leader again. I’m worried that something big might happen."
"Huh."
Yoon Jong frowned and turned towards the mountain gate. 'What on earth is going on?' Despite thinking that nothing serious could have happened, he found himself strangely worried about Cheong Myung.
"Isn’t this outrageous!" Hyun Jong frowned at the sharp voice.
"It’s been seven days. For the three great disciples to leave without permission for seven days is unprecedented."
"Hmm."
"This is not something to be overlooked. The sect is just starting to establish itself, what will others think?"
As Hyun Young raised his voice, everyone nodded in agreement.
This was indeed not something that could be brushed aside.
At that moment, Mu Gak stepped forward and spoke.
"Calm down, everyone."
"Am I calm right now?"
"Why do you only think in that direction? What if something happened to the child? He might need our help right now."
"Something happened? What kind of accident could happen at Huashan? Even if something did happen, it’s true that he left the mountain gate on his own. Should we really have to consider that?"
"Or maybe he slipped..."
"...... Hmm..."
Perhaps realizing the validity of that thought, Hyun Young, who had been raising his voice, fell silent and pondered.
The terrain of Huashan was notoriously treacherous.
It was not uncommon for those who ventured out to slip and get injured.
Even seasoned martial artists could get hurt, so if a great disciple slipped, it wouldn’t be strange if he died.
"Shouldn’t we search the mountain? If he’s injured..."
"Let’s do that."
Hyun Jong, who had remained silent until now, replied in a heavy voice.
"We cannot rule out that possibility."
However, Hyun Young still stood firm.
"But even so, we cannot escape responsibility. It’s a problem that the three great disciples left the main sect on their own!"
Hyun Jong's face hardened slightly.
It was he who had granted Cheong Myung that authority.
Now, Hyun Young was subtly criticizing him for giving too much power to the child.
"There must have been a reason."
"There are reasons everywhere. But the law must be upheld before considering the reasons!"
"Hyun Young."
"Sect Leader, this matter shakes the very foundation of Huashan. Since when has Huashan been a place that grants privileges to children? He’s not even the first disciple, just the third! Even if he was in a private family, he’s still not old enough to know better."
"That’s enough."
"......"
At the heavy and cold voice, Hyun Young bit his tongue and fell silent.
If he spoke any further, it would cross the line.
He also did not wish to oppose the Sect Leader.
"...... Sect Leader. I have gone too far. But this is not meant to blame you."
"I know."
Hyun Jong sighed deeply. 'What is going on?' No matter how much he thought about it, he could not understand.
The Cheong Myung he had seen was not the kind of child to cause such trouble.
Was that why he had boldly granted him such authority? 'Am I misjudging that child?'
At that moment, Ungeom, who had been quietly observing the situation, spoke heavily.
"Sect Leader."
"Speak."
"I will gather the disciples and form a search party. We will thoroughly search Huashan and Hwaeum to find Cheong Myung."
"Hmm."
Hyun Jong nodded.
"Do so."
"After we find Cheong Myung, please punish me. The fault of the great disciple is due to my failure to properly discipline him."
"How can that be your fault? You are not even his teacher."
"I am the teacher of all the children."
"But..."
Hyun Jong was about to say something but shook his head.
Continuing to speak would only highlight the issue that Baekmaegwan could not take responsibility for the children's lives.
"This is not your fault. The trust in that child was excessive."
"Sect Leader, that is not true."
"What’s important now is not to assign blame. Discussing right and wrong can wait until after we find the child. If we delay and miss the chance to save him, it would be a regret for eternity."
Everyone bowed their heads deeply.
Even if there had been mistakes, no one could deny Hyun Jong's heart for his disciples.
"Unam."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"Organize the search party led by Ungeom. Spare no support. First, we must find that child, and then we will discuss right and wrong..."
At that moment, a loud voice came from outside the door.
"Sect Leader!"
Hyun Jong's brow twitched.
"We are in a meeting, so please..."
"The child has returned! Cheong Myung is on his way back to the mountain gate!"
Hyun Jong jumped up from his seat.
Relief was evident on his face.
"Is he safe?"
"Yes. He seems to be in good condition. However..."
"That’s enough. I will go out myself!" Though he felt a bit of resentment, his joy at hearing that Cheong Myung was safe took precedence.
"Please wait a moment, Sect Leader."
But Hyun Young stopped him.
"Why?"
"Sect Leader."
Not as a Sect Leader.
Hyun Young glanced around at the others before speaking.
"I understand that you care for the child. Given the achievements he has made, it is only natural for him to receive such treatment."
Hyun Jong narrowed his eyes slightly.
"What are you trying to say?"
"Hyung, do not spoil the child."
"......"
"Reward and punishment are methods of governing the sect, but they are also ways to raise a person properly. If he does not receive a punishment that fits his wrongdoing, he will not understand his mistakes. Please remember that the more you care for a child, the stricter you must be."
Hyun Jong sighed.
"Do you think I don’t know that? Do not worry. More than anyone, I want to raise that child properly. If he is safe, I will order a retreat for half a month..."
"That will not do."
Ungeom interrupted Hyun Jong's words.
"The crime of returning without permission is serious. He must be confined in the repentance hall for at least half a year."
"Ungeom. He is just a third disciple."
"If it were the first disciple, even a year would not be enough. If you do not give Cheong Myung a fitting punishment, I will take that punishment instead."
Hyun Jong squeezed his eyes shut.
The position of Sect Leader at Huashan was not one where he could decide everything according to his own will.
It was a position that required gathering everyone's opinions and making decisions.
"...... Do others think the same?"
"Yes."
"Sect Leader, do not blame us. We also cherish the child's talent. But that is why we must be stricter."
Hyun Jong nodded with a hardened face.
"I understand."
Without relaxing his stern expression, he walked outside.
Everyone who had been seated stood up and followed him.
Unam sighed as he watched them. 'Why did you do such a thing, you fool?'
No one knew how much Hyun Jong cherished Cheong Myung except for Unam.
So, no one else could understand how Hyun Jong felt right now.
As they neared the mountain gate, they saw Cheong Myung entering.
"Hey..."
Ungeom and Hyun Young's faces flushed.
There was not a single injury on him.
If that was the case, he should at least show some sign of remorse for his wrongdoing, but he showed no signs of regret at all.
Instead, he walked in confidently with his shoulders back.
"You brat!" Unable to hold back, Hyun Young shouted.
"Huh?" Cheong Myung tilted his head upon noticing those approaching him.
"Where are you going?"
"You brat! How dare you speak so brazenly..."
"I greet the Sect Leader."
Cheong Myung quickly bowed his head to Hyun Jong, causing Hyun Young, who had been shouting, to awkwardly stop.
'That, that brat?'
"Cheong Myung."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"Was there a reason for leaving the main sect?"
"Yes, Sect Leader. There were unavoidable circumstances."
Hyun Jong nodded.
"Explain. If your explanation does not convince us, you will receive a fitting punishment. The laws of Huashan are strict."
Hyun Young could not hold back any longer and interjected.
"How can a third disciple act so brazenly! If you cannot provide a proper reason, be prepared to face the consequences, you brat! The Sect Leader has shown you kindness! How can you repay such kindness in this way?"
Cheong Myung glanced at Hyun Young and scratched his head.
"No, that’s not it..."
"You brat! Can’t you stand properly?" The voice came from behind Cheong Myung.
"Please don’t."
"Huh?" Only then did Cheong Myung realize he was not alone, and everyone turned their heads towards the mountain gate.
"Is that you, Master Hwang?"
"Master Hwang, is that really you?"
"I heard you were unwell?"
Hwang Mun Yak, who had entered the mountain gate, looked around at everyone.
His gaze briefly lingered on Hyun Young before shifting to the Sect Leader.
Hwang Mun Yak bowed deeply.
"I greet the Sect Leader. Have you been well?"
"Master Hwang. It’s been a long time. I heard you were unwell, so I’m glad to see you are well."
Though he pretended to be calm, Hyun Jong was secretly flustered. 'Ah, how did Master Hwang get here?' Just seven days ago, he had received a letter saying that Master Hwang was gravely ill and on the verge of death.
Yet here was Master Hwang, looking somewhat thin but otherwise in good condition.
Only then did Hyun Jong notice the figures from the Eunha Sangdan entering the mountain gate.
"Sect Leader, please do not be angry. I owe my life to this child Cheong Myung. He saved me and the Eunha Sangdan."
"Excuse me?"
"The grace of Huashan is as vast as the sea. That is why I came to express my gratitude in person."
"...... What on earth?"
Everyone's gaze turned to Cheong Myung.
Cheong Myung grinned and shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, that’s what he said."
'Ah.' 'How infuriating.' 'No wonder he’s angry.' Cheong Myung was still the best at stirring up trouble.