Yun Jong squinted his eyes and looked around.
There was no one.
They were nowhere to be seen.
If it were yesterday, the top disciples would have been sneaking up on them since morning, but today, not a single one was in sight. 'Is it true?' It's not that he didn't trust Cheong Myeong's words.
As Jo Geol said, Cheong Myeong may talk nonsense, but he doesn't lie.
The problem is that the "solution" Cheong Myeong speaks of is often worlds apart from what an ordinary person would consider a "solution."
So, he thought that surely something must have happened this time as well... 'Surprisingly, it seems to have been resolved well?' Although he still had doubts about the "well," it seemed certain that it had been "resolved."
"Senior brother. It seems that Cheong Myeong's words might be true, doesn't it?"
"......"
Yun Jong nodded his head unconsciously at Jo Geol's subtle inquiry.
But could he really accept this as it is? 'Is it a mindset that exists in the Central Plains to resolve issues by beating the disciples?' Even in the Western Regions, where common sense of the Central Plains does not apply, isn't it a bit much to think of becoming a Confucian scholar to correct their behavior?
The problem is that this absurd solution actually seems to work. 'Where is the future of Hwasan going?' Yun Jong had never thought of himself as an old fogey, but looking at Cheong Myeong made him think that being an old fogey might not be so bad after all.
Wouldn't it be a more beautiful world if an old fogey was in charge rather than a brat like that?
"What are you thinking so deeply about?"
"...... I was thinking about the future of Hwasan and old fogeys."
"......"
Noticing Jo Geol looking at him as if to say, 'Is this guy starting to lose it too?' Yun Jong cleared his throat softly.
The three great disciples, who had been watching cautiously from the side, slowly approached Yun Jong and spoke.
"Today, the disciples seem a bit strange, senior brother."
"...... That would be the case."
"Why are they acting like this all of a sudden? I'm worried they might be up to something else."
"Indeed."
Yun Jong looked up at the distant sky. 'These guys are not in their right minds anymore.' Using the term "up to something" for the disciples was something unimaginable before Cheong Myeong arrived at Hwasan.
But just like Yun Jong and Jo Geol, the three great disciples were gradually being influenced by Cheong Myeong.
If this continues, Hwasan might end up filled with people like Cheong Myeong...
Yun Jong shuddered at the thought, as if he didn't even want to imagine it. 'Just thinking about it is horrifying.' The problem is that it's not entirely impossible.
"It's more unsettling when it's quiet. Should we sneak over and poke around?"
"Those petty fellows wouldn't suddenly come to their senses now. It seems like they're definitely plotting something, right, senior brother?"
Oh, what a tragedy.
Where did the trust and faith between the disciples go?
"Shut up. Hurry up and prepare for training!"
"...... Yes."
Seeing the disciples gathering their swords with looks of 'What's with his temper?' Yun Jong let out a deep sigh.
Hwasan was drifting further away from the Hwasan he knew day by day.
Of course, this change couldn't be said to be entirely bad, but... the future Hwasan that Cheong Myeong would create was something he honestly didn't want to see with his own eyes.
"Senior brother. So, did Cheong Myeong really defeat Baek Cheon?"
As Jo Geol spoke quietly so that others wouldn't hear, Yun Jong frowned.
"Why are you saying something so obvious? That guy wouldn't lie, and if it weren't true, such a change wouldn't have happened."
"...... No. What I mean is..."
Jo Geol scratched the back of his head.
"I just can't comprehend it. No matter how strong Cheong Myeong was from the beginning, there is still a difference in the time spent learning from Baek Cheon. I thought it was vaguely possible to compete, but to have been defeated so decisively..."
Yun Jong also found this part utterly incomprehensible. 'Is that even possible?' It didn't make sense.
But wasn't it Cheong Myeong who always made the impossible possible?
"Then, senior brother. Does that mean Cheong Myeong is stronger than Baek Cheon?"
"Why do you keep saying obvious things?"
"Then how about compared to Jong Nam?"
Yun Jong fell silent.
Jong Nam? This was something Yun Jong had never really thought about.
"If it's Cheong Myeong, wouldn't he hold his own against Jong Nam? He even defeated Baek Cheon."
"Hmm."
Yun Jong's face hardened as he fell into thought.
"Then if Cheong Myeong participates in this Hwa Jong Conference..."
"Geol Ah."
"Yes, senior brother."
"Just because Cheong Myeong defeated Jong Nam, what difference would it make?"
"...... Wouldn't it make a difference?"
Yun Jong shook his head.
"It's a good thing for the sect to have a master. But in the world of martial arts, a single master can't do anything. He might gain fame, but the moment Cheong Myeong disappears, Hwasan will fall back into decline just like before."
"......"
"If we truly want to revive Hwasan, we must become stronger ourselves instead of relying on Cheong Myeong. Only when the disciples of Hwasan are respected by everyone can we truly declare our revival, don't you think?"
"That's true."
"However, as you said, I am also curious about the Hwa Jong Conference. It will be decided there."
"What do you mean?"
"Whether Cheong Myeong will become a true hero who can change Hwasan, or whether he will become a loser who lives in a small Hwasan."
Yun Jong and Jo Geol looked at each other with utmost seriousness.
Cheong Myeong...
"Ah! Seriously! Just go away already!"
The two turned their heads slowly to the side.
Cheong Myeong was running away while hurling insults behind him.
"......"
"Is that guy a lunatic?" Cheong Myeong was sprinting at full speed, being chased by Yu I Seol, who had a blank expression on her face.
"Teach me."
"I told you there's nothing to teach! I told you not to come anymore! You leech!"
"Moon Woman Sword!"
"Go ask the Master of the Cloud Sword for lessons!"
"The Master of the Cloud Sword is a man. The Moon Woman Sword is a woman's sword technique. The Master of the Cloud Sword's knowledge of the Moon Woman Sword is weak."
"Am I a woman? Huh? Am I a woman?"
"Teach me."
"Ah! Damn it, how did I end up in this situation!"
Cheong Myeong and Yu I Seol swiftly passed between the two.
Yun Jong and Jo Geol looked at them in disbelief. 'When did they get so close?' 'Was Yu I Seol always this talkative? It feels like I've heard more words just now than I have since she joined Hwasan.' 'No, more importantly, is it okay for her to talk back to a lunatic like that?' Anyway, he was someone without common sense.
"...... Earlier, you were saying something about whether he would be a hero or a loser."
"Geol Ah."
"Yes, senior brother."
"Let's focus on training."
"...... Yes."
Baek Sang's face twisted.
"Senior brother. Are you really going to let it be like this?"
Hearing Baek Cheon's dissatisfied words, Baek Cheon smiled gently.
"Why are you so angry?"
"Those guys are being so rude right now! Especially that Cheong Myeong, he doesn't show any signs of remorse at all. Isn't it right to punish him even now?"
"Punish? You?"
"Me?"
"Yes? No, it's nothing."
Baek Cheon forced a smile.
There wasn't a part of him that didn't hurt.
His gaze turned towards Cheong Myeong, who was running away from Yu I Seol. 'What a vicious brat.' How could he crush someone so thoroughly and leave no visible scars? The more he thought about it, the more absurd it seemed.
Thanks to that, he managed to avoid embarrassment in front of others, but he had no place to appeal this injustice.
If he complained about being beaten by a disciple without a scratch, he would just be treated as a madman.
Or worse, as a pathetic loser.
Of course, even if he had wounds, he would never think of saying he was beaten like a dog by a disciple.
But still, he felt a sense of injustice and regret.
"Why are you suddenly saying not to touch the three great disciples?"
"Baek Sang."
"Yes, senior brother. I truly do not understand your intentions."
Intentions? He wanted to avoid getting hit.
But he couldn't say that out loud.
After all, Baek Cheon had his own social standing to maintain.
"The Hwa Jong Conference is just around the corner, isn't it?"
"...... That's true."
Baek Cheon put on a serious expression.
"I was short-sighted. Dealing with the three great disciples can be done at any time. But the Hwa Jong Conference is not something that happens every year."
Baek Sang nodded silently.
Noticing that Baek Sang still had dissatisfaction on his face, Baek Cheon narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Dealing with the three great disciples is an internal matter, while the Hwa Jong Conference is an external matter related to Hwasan's honor. Internal matters are important, but external matters are also important. Moreover, considering the significance of the Hwa Jong Conference, we must put everything aside and focus on it. Don't you agree?"
"...... That's right."
"Our current enemy is not the three great disciples, but Jong Nam. Have you forgotten why we trained so hard even to the point of closing our doors?"
Baek Sang sighed deeply and lowered his head.
"Senior brother is right. I must have lost my mind for a moment."
'It was my mind that went missing.' And it still was.
Anyway, it was a relief that the excuse worked.
If Baek Sang had asked, 'No, you started this, so why are you pretending to be the good guy now?' he would have had no answer.
"Thank you for understanding. Let's put the matter of the three great disciples on hold for now. First, we must ensure that the Hwa Jong Conference goes smoothly. Tell the disciples to review their skills one last time and remind them of what they gained from closing their doors."
"Yes, senior brother!"
Baek Sang replied energetically and ran off to the back.
Watching him, Baek Cheon lowered his gaze slightly with a hint of emptiness on his face. 'After the Hwa Jong Conference, I won't even think about the behavior of the three great disciples.' They would witness an absurd spectacle.
Baek Cheon turned his head slightly to look at Cheong Myeong, who was disappearing into the distance. 'And we won't be the only ones surprised.' Jong Nam would likely be even more shocked than Hwasan.
Thinking about that made the pain from where Cheong Myeong had hit him feel a bit less... or rather, it hurt even more.
Damn it, he hit hard.
Baek Cheon sighed deeply and turned his body. 'I will do my part.' Although things had gotten tangled up due to Cheong Myeong's sudden appearance, his goal since two years ago had been to prove himself at the Hwa Jong Conference.
Considering who would come to Hwasan this time, he didn't have time to be like this.
This time, he would definitely prove his worth.
However...
Baek Cheon turned back with a twisted expression.
"But why does that guy keep hanging out with Yu I Seol?" It was an unpleasant thought.
As he glanced at the two, Baek Cheon forced down a feeling of unease and headed towards the training ground.
The time for the Hwa Jong Conference was approaching.