The guest hall of Mount Hwasan, Cheongmaegwan, was filled with a strange atmosphere.
Jin Geum-ryong, sitting in the central chair, narrowed his eyes and muttered, "I don't like this."
He had just finished a meal.
The cleanly arranged dining hall and the mouthwatering food were perfect for filling his hungry stomach after climbing the mountain.
However, that very fact was irritating him.
"Did they discover some kind of gold mine?" Hwasan should be inferior to Jongnam in every aspect.
He knew that the wealth of Hwasan could not even be compared to that of Jongnam.
Yet, the fact that the gap was narrowing displeased Jin Geum-ryong immensely.
Jong Seohan glanced at him and awkwardly smiled.
Usually, Jin Geum-ryong was an exceptionally gentle person.
But if one judged him solely based on that demeanor, they would surely be in for a surprise.
The Jin Geum-ryong that Jong Seohan knew was like the sea.
The sea is calm and embraces everyone, but when angry, it becomes a raging storm that swallows everything.
Jin Geum-ryong was just like that.
He was incredibly gentle on ordinary days, but when angered, he became more fearsome than anyone from Jongnam.
Jong Seohan awkwardly smiled and spoke, "It is true that Hwasan is quite arrogant, Senior Brother."
"Mm."
"But in the end, what matters is the martial arts, right? No matter how flashy they dress up, wearing silk clothes and eating well, if their martial arts cannot support them, they are just a pretty facade."
"That's true."
Jin Geum-ryong slowly stood up.
He looked around at the gathered brothers.
"One!" Jin Geum-ryong shouted in a booming voice.
"What I want is a perfect victory!"
Everyone held their breath.
"Fame, wealth, martial arts—none of them should be comparable. If there is even a single aspect where Hwasan can be compared, it would be a disgrace to Jongnam. We cannot be held back in a place like this. Have you forgotten? In our generation, we must make Jongnam the number one sect in the world."
Determination shone in the eyes of Jongnam's second-generation disciples.
"Steady yourselves. The sight of you all relaxed as if on a trip angers me. Do not forget the purpose of our visit here. Those who do not show the demeanor of a Jongnam disciple will not be forgiven by the Elder, and I will not forgive them either!"
"We will keep that in mind, Senior Brother!"
"We will not let our guard down!"
Clap, clap, clap, clap.
At that moment, the door swung open.
Samaseung entered, clapping his hands.
"Excellent."
"Greetings, Elder!" Everyone stood up and bowed, and Samaseung smiled and nodded.
"Geum-ryong has spoken the words I needed to say."
"I am embarrassed. If I had known the Elder was coming, I would not have said such things."
"No, no. Those were excellent words. A Jongnam disciple should naturally have such a mindset."
Samaseung lowered his hand and wore a faint smile.
"Moreover..."
"Yes, Elder?"
"This Jonghwa Conference must not end with mere victory. We must ensure they do not even dare to speak the name of Jongnam. Do you understand what I mean?"
Jin Geum-ryong narrowed his eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"Martial arts is about matching skills. The basic principle is not to harm each other, is it not?"
Jin Geum-ryong, who had been lost in thought, smiled.
"Elder."
"Mm?"
"The spirit of the Hwasan disciples is quite sharp. They do not seem like their former selves."
"Hmm?" Samaseung's expression stiffened slightly at Jin Geum-ryong's sudden weak tone.
However, his expression softened again with the following words.
"The principle of martial arts is not to harm each other. But since their spirit is sharper than expected, there may be limits to showing leniency. To avoid injury on our side, it might come to breaking an arm or a leg. Are you okay with that?"
"Ah, that would be a big problem."
Samaseung pretended to think, resting his chin on his hand.
"No, no. That cannot happen. No matter how important the martial arts competition is, if our children get hurt, it loses its meaning. You all must end this competition with as little injury as possible. Even if..."
Samaseung grinned and continued, "You must harm them if necessary."
With those words, Jin Geum-ryong smiled and nodded.
"I will manage the disciples well and ensure everything ends without incident."
"Hmm, good."
Samaseung smiled as he looked at Jin Geum-ryong.
With a child like him, there would be no worries in the world.
When Jin Geum-ryong eventually became the leader, Jongnam's golden age would begin anew.
Of course, he was already playing that role sufficiently.
"Geum-ryong."
"Yes, Elder?"
"I will leave other matters to you. But there is one thing I want to ask of you."
"Please command me."
"Do not let that arrogant brat go unpunished."
"..."
A face came to Jin Geum-ryong's mind.
Other disciples were likely thinking of the same person.
There was only one person who combined Hwasan with arrogance.
"Are you talking about that Cheongmyeong kid?"
"That's right."
Jin Geum-ryong smiled brightly.
"Do not worry. I will make sure to correct that kid's behavior."
"You are underestimating him a bit."
"…Yes?"
Jin Geum-ryong hastily lowered his head, realizing he had spoken out of turn.
"That kid has already made significant contributions to Hwasan. Everyone knows that."
"Yes."
While everyone answered energetically, Lee Song-baek hung his head low, unable to respond.
Every time the topic of the Eunha Association came up, he felt smaller and smaller.
Samaseung briefly glanced at him before continuing.
"From what I see, it seems Hwasan has placed quite a bit of trust in that kid. Yet he has such a personality. Do you know what that means?"
"My disciple is foolish, so I cannot guess."
"The world is a place where those with ability rise to the top. But sometimes, those without ability ride on the momentum and create absurd achievements. I believe that if that kid grows up as he is, he could become a great trouble for Jongnam."
Jin Geum-ryong narrowed his brow. 'To that extent?'
"Forgive my words, but he is still a child, is he not?"
"That is precisely why."
"…"
Samaseung spoke with a growl.
"A child who has just barely reached adulthood spoke freely in front of me. What will happen when that child grows up?"
"…Hmm."
"It will be one of two things: either he will grow excessively or he will perish."
"Isn't the possibility of him perishing much higher?"
"I cannot accept that the child has the potential to grow and nurture Hwasan. Therefore, we must cut off the sprout."
"I understand what the Elder is saying."
Jin Geum-ryong turned his head.
"Seon-ryang."
"Yes, Senior Brother!" Seon-ryang quickly stepped forward from the back.
"You heard what the Elder said, right?"
"Of course, Senior Brother. Do not worry. I will thoroughly crush him so that he cannot speak again."
"That is not enough. Make sure he cannot rise again. Let him regret opposing Jongnam for the rest of his life."
"Yes! Senior Brother!"
Jin Geum-ryong nodded.
Seon-ryang was known as the best talent among Jongnam's three great disciples.
Although he was not the oldest among the three, his skill was unmatched.
Especially since his abilities began to shine after the last Jonghwa Conference, Hwasan would not know what kind of person Seon-ryang was.
He was the best card to capture Cheongmyeong.
Jin Geum-ryong smiled brightly as he looked back at Samaseung.
"Everything will go as the Elder wishes. I will make it happen."
Samaseung nodded with a satisfied expression.
"I trust you."
He was incredibly reliable.
These were the children Jongnam had nurtured with all their might.
Samaseung had no doubt that all the efforts made so far would open the golden age of Jongnam through these children.
And this Jonghwa Conference would be the opportunity to announce the prologue.
'Thoroughly trample them down.'
A cold killing intent glimmered in Samaseung's eyes.
"…Are they really going to do it?"
"My heart is pounding to death."
"I went to the restroom twelve times today."
"Ugh, disgusting."
The three great disciples could not sleep late into the night.
Tomorrow, the Hwa Jong Conference would begin.
Until now, just enduring the training had been enough to leave them breathless, and they had no time to think about the conference.
But now that they had taken a day off from training to preserve their energy, all sorts of thoughts flooded their minds.
"Can we really do well?"
"You said we would become Cheongmyeong."
"Still, he has never faced Jongnam's kids."
"That is true, but…"
Yoon Jong let out a deep sigh.
He understood that his disciples were anxious, but he could not find the words to calm them down. 'I’m anxious myself.'
His heart was pounding continuously.
He turned his head and glanced sideways, and even the great Jo Geol was clearly showing signs of tension.
That was why no one could sleep and they were all gathered here at this late hour.
Yoon Jong scratched his head a couple of times and spoke.
"What about Cheongmyeong?"
"He’s sleeping."
"…That kid must have a liver made of steel."
Does he not feel nervous?
Does he not feel anxious?
Tomorrow is the Hwa Jong Conference! No, should I say today? Since it’s past midnight.
Just thinking about it made his heart race.
"He was sleeping since earlier."
"I saw him sprawled out. He was even snoring."
"…I’m both jealous and think he’s crazy."
Probably both.
Just as Yoon Jong was about to speak, a nonchalant voice interrupted.
"It’s not that I have a big heart; it’s that you all have hearts the size of beans."
Everyone turned their heads in unison toward the stairs.
Cheongmyeong was coming down with a nonchalant expression.
"What are you all doing awake at this hour, huddled together?"
"W-We’re nervous."
"Nervous?" Cheongmyeong tilted his head.
'Here we go again.
That brat!'
'What is he going to say this time?'
"Why are you nervous?"
"…Huh?"
"Nervousness is what unprepared people feel, isn’t it?"
Yoon Jong answered on behalf of everyone.
"No, it’s not that. I’m just worried that we won’t show a good performance tomorrow…"
"Senior Brother."
"Yes?"
"If we could turn back time ten days, would you be able to do anything more?"
"…"
No, he wouldn’t.
Just thinking about it made him feel sick.
To have to go through this madness again for ten more days.
For someone who has done everything they could, there is no such thing as nervousness.
Right now, the senior brothers are not nervous.
They just do not trust themselves.
But that’s funny too.
If you’re weak, acknowledge yourself as weak.
What matters is whether you truly did your best.
Did you do your best, Senior Brother?
""…Yes.
"This is something he could say for sure. They truly did their best."
Then that’s enough.
"Cheongmyeong snapped his fingers."
No matter what anyone says, I will acknowledge that you all did your best.
So don’t waste time on useless things and go to sleep.
Getting enough rest the night before is also a skill and effort.
"Everyone nodded."
Then let’s go up.
""…Where are you going?
""I’m going to train.
""Today is the Hwa Jong Conference, you know?
""What’s so great about that?
Training is ten times more important than that.
"With that, Cheongmyeong opened the door and left. Everyone let out low sighs."
That kid really…
""He’s going to train.
"Watching Cheongmyeong maintain his usual routine even on the day of the Hwa Jong Conference made them feel foolish for the worries they had been carrying."
Alright.
"Yoon Jong said quietly."
Cheongmyeong is right.
If we want to confidently say we did our best until the end, we need to make an effort to get some sleep too."
"Yes, Senior Brother."
Perhaps everyone felt the same way, as they all stood up obediently.
As Yoon Jong watched his brothers head to their rooms one by one, he turned his head slightly to look at the door Cheongmyeong had exited.
'He’s such a strange kid.'
With just a few words, he had relaxed those who had been unable to sleep until this dawn.
No matter how the results of the Hwa Jong Conference turn out, as long as Cheongmyeong is there, the three great disciples will only grow stronger.
Yoon Jong was convinced of that.