'What is this situation?' Jo Geol could not gather his thoughts.

Surely, there would be no disciple of Mount Hwasan who was unaware of Yu Iseol's existence, but this was the first time he had encountered her at such a close distance.

It was not because Jo Geol was a third disciple; he had never seen even the second disciples speak so casually with Yu Iseol.

Although she was a disciple of Hwasan, she felt somewhat detached from them.

Now, she was speaking to Cheongmyeong right in front of Jo Geol.

Soon, the sharp gazes of the second disciples were directed at him. 'Wow, those looks could kill.' No, to be precise, they were aimed at Cheongmyeong, and Jo Geol was merely sitting beside him.

However, being next to a prickly person meant that he was getting hit by the fallout, and he was currently taking the brunt of it.

"Cheongmyeong, please!" Use some respectful language, you fool! There are all the second disciples here, and what kind of speech is that? Despite the glaring eyes of the other disciples, Cheongmyeong remained utterly calm.

In an atmosphere that felt like something was about to fly at any moment, Yu Iseol whispered softly as if it were nothing.

"It'll just be a moment."

"I'm not going."

"I really just need a moment."

"I'm not going! Do you not understand what I'm saying?"

The tone.

That tone, you brat! Jo Geol unconsciously squeezed Cheongmyeong's thigh.

Cheongmyeong turned his head sharply.

"Why?"

"…Uh…."

He shouldn't have asked that.

He shouldn't be asking me that in front of the other disciples; he should have picked up on the hint.

Cheongmyeong clicked his tongue and turned to look at Yu Iseol.

"I have nothing to say to you."

"I have something to say."

"I don't particularly want to hear it."

"It'll just be a moment. Let's step outside."

"It's bothersome; can't we just eat?"

"Then I'll wait until you finish eating."

The second disciples were on the verge of losing their minds.

First of all, they had never seen Yu Iseol speak so much at once.

No, to be precise, they had no memory of her speaking like that to someone of a similar age who was not an elder.

Yet here she was, pleading with a mere greenhorn.

Indeed, what drove them even more mad was Cheongmyeong's attitude. 'That crazy guy…' 'Isn't it impossible for a disciple to just ignore the request of the elder?' 'Does that brat have no eyes?' 'Truly, a transcendent being, Amitabha.'

A mix of burning anger and subtle respect poured toward Cheongmyeong.

A person who cultivates should first distance themselves from reason.

Yet, Yu Iseol was a being capable of easily shattering such cultivation.

No matter how deep one's training was, if Yu Iseol pleaded like that, they would have no choice but to yield.

Especially if they saw her face and expression right in front of them.

However, Cheongmyeong was openly showing his annoyance toward Yu Iseol.

This was something the second disciples could not even imagine.

"I'm not going! I have a lot to do. Find someone else."

"I came to find you."

"Why me…?"

It was at that moment.

"Hmm."

A low voice, rich with authority, spread widely.

Everyone turned their heads to one side.

Baek Cheon, dressed in white robes, stood up and smiled at Cheongmyeong.

"Did you say Cheongmyeong?"

"Yes."

His answer was concise.

However, Baek Cheon did not get angry.

Getting angry at a time like this would only reveal his weakness.

"I understand that you are tired from your duties after visiting the sect leader and taking on various tasks. You might be doing things I am unaware of. However, since the elder is asking like this, can’t you at least consider it as a disciple?"

After finishing his words, Baek Cheon wore a gentle smile.

It was something he thought was reasonable…

"Why?"

Baek Cheon flinched.

Did I hear that wrong? No way? Did he really just say 'why'?

Flustered, Baek Cheon examined Cheongmyeong's expression.

Seeing his sulky face, it seemed he had not misheard after all.

In that moment, Baek Cheon felt a surge of frustration and barely suppressed his anger.

'Calm down.'

If he lost his temper here, he would become the one who fought with the youngest of the three disciples.

"You said 'why'?"

"Yes."

"There could be various reasons. First of all, a person should have manners. There are manners that should be observed even between teachers and disciples."

"Oh, manners?"

Cheongmyeong nodded quickly, as if he understood.

Then he called out to Yu Iseol.

"Elder."

"Huh?"

"Hurry and apologize. You're being told that you lack manners right now."

"……."

Yu Iseol pointed a finger at herself.

"Yes. Hurry and apologize."

"Me?"

"Goodness, you really don’t understand."

Cheongmyeong explained step by step.

"This gathering is to celebrate the return of the second disciples. If you make personal requests and act individually in such a setting, it goes against manners."

"Ah…."

Yu Iseol nodded as if she had not thought of that.

Then she stood up and bowed her head toward Baek Cheon.

"I'm sorry, elder. I didn’t think that far."

"Oh, no, junior. That’s not it…"

Baek Cheon bit his lip tightly.

How did the conversation turn out like this? The moment he opened his mouth to somehow salvage the situation, Cheongmyeong whispered again from behind Yu Iseol.

"You should apologize to the other disciples. You made a mistake in front of them."

"That’s right."

Yu Iseol bowed her head again toward Ungeom.

"I was thoughtless."

Ungeom smiled gently.

"You say the strangest things. I’m fine, so sit down."

"Yes, elder."

As Yu Iseol sat down, the one who became awkward was Baek Cheon.

He momentarily lost his sense of what to do.

He had stood up boldly, but now that it was resolved like this, it felt embarrassing to sit back down.

The second and third disciples were now looking at him, waiting to see what he would say.

What if he just sat down under those gazes? Baek Cheon would look foolish.

He cleared his throat a couple of times and fixed his gaze on Cheongmyeong.

'This won’t do.'

'I have to stop this.'

Jo Geol and Yoon Jong exchanged glances.

It was difficult to catch Cheongmyeong with a sword, but it was even harder to catch him with words.

This guy had no logic.

He would throw out all sorts of fallacies to win an argument and use illogical reasoning as if it were logical.

If the conversation continued any longer, it might lead to a situation where Baek Cheon truly lost his mind.

That was something they had to prevent.

"Ahem! Elder! Congratulations on your return!"

"Isn’t today a wonderful day? Since the elders have returned from their training, we can say that the Hwa Jong meeting is in good shape."

Jo Geol and Yoon Jong desperately tried to change the subject.

They were not trying to protect Cheongmyeong.

They simply did not want to see the chaos that would ensue from Cheongmyeong and Baek Cheon clashing on the very first day.

Baek Cheon glanced at Jo Geol and Yoon Jong.

Seeing their earnest expressions, he narrowed his eyes slightly and spoke.

"Did you say Cheongmyeong?"

'Ah, that consistent guy!'

'He doesn’t know how to back down.'

The two, realizing it was impossible to stop Baek Cheon, reached out and grabbed the hem of Cheongmyeong's clothes.

Come on, let’s just let it go.

Just this once, let’s be polite…

Did he read their desperation? Cheongmyeong opened his mouth.

"Did you have a hard time traveling such a long distance?"

Oh?

Yoon Jong and Jo Geol's eyes widened.

It had been a long time since such polite words had come from Cheongmyeong's mouth…

"Seeing you ask again, do you want to rest?"

…That was impossible.

No way, that couldn’t be.

That stubborn brat.

Baek Cheon’s eyebrows twitched.

"I have one question. Did we meet during the day today?"

"It’s my first time seeing you."

"You should be honest."

"Hey, I said it’s my first time. Have you been deceived all this time?"

Looking into Cheongmyeong's sparkling eyes, no one would think he was lying.

Except for the third disciple.

And Ungeom too.

Um… The second disciples might think that way.

Um…

"Is that so? If I ask, I’ll find out."

Baek Cheon turned his body toward Ungeom and made a statement.

He did not want to go this far, but if he could not put Cheongmyeong in his place here, he would only look foolish.

"Elder, I saw that child at Hwa Eum today."

Ungeom's eyes twitched slightly.

"Really?"

"Yes. As far as I know, the third disciple is prohibited from leaving Mount Hwasan. However, coming down to Hwa Eum alone, dressed in casual clothes instead of a uniform, is certainly suspicious. So I was thinking of investigating whether anyone saw that child leave Mount Hwasan today…"

"That’s fine."

"Yes, I’ll investigate… Huh?"

Baek Cheon, who had been bowing his head while making his statement, suddenly raised his head.

Did I hear that wrong? No, is my hearing strange today?

"I said it’s fine."

Baek Cheon looked at Ungeom with a bewildered expression.

Ungeom was the head of the strict Baekma Pavilion.

He was not strict because he was the head of the Baekma Pavilion; he became the head because he was originally sensitive to rules and strict.

Now, this person was clearly saying it was fine regarding the third disciple who had broken the rules of Mount Hwasan.

What on earth was going on?

"Elder?"

"That child is allowed to leave the sect without permission from above."

"Wh-what do you mean by permission? Who could give that child such authority?"

"The sect leader granted it. Is there a problem?"

"The sect leader… really?"

Baek Cheon, too surprised to respond, hurriedly covered his mouth with his hand.

His tone was one thing, but questioning the truth of what the elder said was also a breach of manners.

Baek Cheon had been making mistakes all day today.

"Then it doesn’t matter."

Baek Cheon’s dazed gaze turned toward Cheongmyeong.

Clap, clap, clap, clap.

"……."

If Cheongmyeong had been looking at him with a mocking face, he might have been less angry.

However, Cheongmyeong was swiftly using his chopsticks, seemingly uninterested in the entire situation.

Baek Cheon bit his lip tightly.

'I'll go all the way.'

Now that it had come to this, he had no intention of showing mercy.

Baek Cheon, with a sword hidden, was about to speak again when the door opened, and a person entered.

A person whose face seemed to be covered with a layer of cold ice.

It was Hyun Young, the head of the Jeonggyeong Pavilion.

He strode in and looked around.

"I greet the elder."

As everyone stood up to greet him, he waved his hand as if it were bothersome.

"Enough. I came to check on you all. Enjoy your meal and rest well today. I’m leaving. Ungeom, make sure the children don’t play too much."

"Yes, elder."

At that moment, Baek Cheon, who had been standing, opened his mouth.

"I have something to report to the elder."

Hyun Young, who was about to leave, turned his head to look at Baek Cheon.

"What is it?"

"I apologize for the inconvenience, but I saw the third disciple here drinking at the Hwa Eum today."

"Drinking?"

"Yes!"

Hyun Young's face contorted.

"The third disciple is drinking? Did you see correctly?"

"I’m sure. He says he didn’t, but I saw it clearly."

Baek Cheon slightly covered his face with his hand and smirked.

It felt a bit petty, but they had provoked him first.

So he thought he should do this much.

"Which third disciple did you see?"

Baek Cheon subtly turned his gaze to confirm Cheongmyeong's face.

Although he pretended to be calm, he was probably burning with anxiety inside.

'Don’t blame me.'

This was about establishing the laws of Mount Hwasan.

"It was the third disciple, Cheongmyeong."

"……Who?"

"Cheongmyeong. The one over there."

A head elder should know the names of the third disciples.

Baek Cheon pointed at Cheongmyeong with his hand.

Hyun Young, looking at Cheongmyeong at the tip of Baek Cheon's finger, frowned deeply.

Then, with a face full of annoyance and anger, he opened his mouth.

"What is that?"

"Yes. That Cheongmyeong was drinking… Yes?"

"What is that?"

"……."

Yes?