Chapter 20 : Sect Leader, Ju Yulgok
"A certain sage in the past said, 'If you leave home, you'll suffer like a dog.'"
"Suffer like a dog? A dog suffers?"
"…That's not it, Sohyun."
"But now, here, I will say!! If you leave the sect, you'll suffer like a dog!!"
Cheongmu felt his head throb as he looked at Cheong Yeonah, who was shouting incomprehensible nonsense.
"Yeonah, stop it and let's go in now."
"Aww~ come on, Senior Brother! A trip is a trip until you get home!"
"…So shouldn't we cross the mountain gate and return to the sect now?"
"Aww~ I wanted to enjoy the trip a little more~"
Cheong Yeonah, who was twisting her body and making a high-pitched sound mixed with a nasal voice, snorted loudly as if she was bored when Cheongmu showed no reaction, and then jumped over the mountain gate of Mysterious Profound Sect.
"I'm back!"
"Sohyun is back too!"
"…I'm… I'm back…"
"Yuhan, you don't have to force yourself."
"…Thank you, Senior Brother."
The group, which had been playing along with Cheong Yeonah's antics for a while, was finally able to return to Mysterious Profound Sect.
"…Master, I thought this was a rather rude question, so I haven't asked until now, but has Senior Aunt Cheong Yeonah ever fallen from a persimmon tree on her head when she was young?"
"…As far as I know, no."
The senior and junior brothers, who were having such a foolish conversation, followed the three people who had gone ahead and crossed the mountain gate of Mysterious Profound Sect.
It was the end of a two-day trip.
***
On the night the group returned after finishing their trip to the Geumjo Merchant Guild, a group of people had gathered in the main hall of Mysterious Profound Sect.
They were the executives of the first generation of Mysterious Profound Sect and the key members of the second generation.
And in the center of them, Cheong Yeonah was talking.
"…So fortunately, Yuhan wasn't seriously injured, but… well, that doesn't mean this is something to just let go."
What Cheong Yeonah was talking about was the incident that had occurred during their trip to the Geumjo Merchant Guild, between the third-generation disciple of Qingcheng, no, the blood relative of the Qingcheon Sect.
The reactions of the first and second generations who had heard the whole story were divided.
One side was the faction that said that due to this incident, the Qingcheon Sect would not be able to easily touch them, and that in the meantime, they should expand their territory and increase their commercial rights to quietly take the real profit.
The other side was the faction that said to stop such petty tricks and have an all-out war with the Qingcheon Sect.
Although the two factions had completely opposite claims, the person they were watching was the same.
One was, of course, the Sect Leader.
The current Sect Leader of Mysterious Profound Sect, Ju Yulgok, was a person who was not considered very outstanding as a martial artist.
He was a person who had barely reached the peak realm in his late twenties, and his title, the One-Way Sage, was not something he had gained through outstanding achievements or martial prowess in the martial world, but a title he had gained through the events he had held as the master of Mysterious Profound Sect.
But despite that, the reason he had become the Sect Leader of Mysterious Profound Sect was because he was a wise person, as his title suggested.
Just as he had not shown much prominence in martial arts, he was not a person who was so smart, clever, or brilliant in terms of intelligence.
But despite that, the reason he was called a wise person was because he knew well that he was not that smart, and at the same time, he was a person who did not do things that would put him at a disadvantage rashly, and at the same time, he was a person who could make a bold decision on things that had to be done.
As the surrounding evaluation was like that, the evaluation and trust in the Sect Leader within the sect were considerable.
That's why, of course, the two factions with different opinions waited for the Sect Leader's answer.
And the second person they were watching was Cheongmu.
He was still in the second generation and in his mid-twenties. In terms of position alone, Cheongmu would not have had much influence, but the trust that the disciples of Mysterious Profound Sect had in Cheongmu was absolute.
That was because he was the only martial artist in Mysterious Profound Sect who had reached the transcendent realm in the past few decades.
Transcendent!
The name for those who had reached the supreme realm of qi!
Currently, the power of Mysterious Profound Sect was not that overwhelming compared to the other powerful sects in Gangjeong County, but due to Cheongmu's existence, Mysterious Profound Sect was able to gain a firm advantage over them.
As such, in this meeting as well, there was a high probability that the opinion would lean heavily to one side depending on which side Cheongmu supported.
Among the two key figures, the one who spoke first was Cheongmu.
"I… think we should not just let this matter go."
When Cheongmu supported the faction that wanted an all-out war with the Qingcheon Sect, the faces of the disciples who had made that claim brightened.
And a person from the first generation of the opposing faction hurriedly said to Cheongmu.
"Cheongmu, I understand that you are angry because your disciple was persecuted, but you also know that the problem is not the Qingcheon Sect, but Qingcheng, don't you?"
The Qingcheon Sect was a sect that had its roots in the same Gangjeong County as Mysterious Profound Sect.
Since both sects were sects that could aim for the top in Gangjeong County, the two sects had been at odds for a long time.
But as time passed and the power of Mysterious Profound Sect began to grow a little stronger than that of the Qingcheon Sect, the Qingcheon Sect came up with a special measure.
That was to send the direct blood relatives of the master to Qingcheng.
Of course, they didn't send them empty-handed. They had to donate a considerable amount of wealth to have them accepted as direct disciples, and even after that, they had to regularly offer a considerable amount of wealth to Qingcheng. But thanks to this, the Qingcheon Sect was able to obtain a strong shield to block Mysterious Profound Sect.
And this practice continued to this day, and the Qingcheon Sect was still using Qingcheng as their shield.
In fact, even if it weren't for that, even if they talked about an all-out war, there were too many difficult matters to actually carry it out.
The martial world, of course, could be seen as a world within a world, a world where power was everything, but as people lived in that world and had their lives and daily routines, there were naturally devices to maintain a certain degree of rules and peace.
And one of them was the branch meeting.
If a dispute arose between two sects belonging to a branch, the prestigious sect that held the branch would intervene, whether the two sects wanted it or not, to prevent it from escalating too much.
It was the same in the past dispute between Mysterious Profound Sect and the Qingcheon Sect…
But the situation was different now.
The Qingcheon Sect still belonged to the Qingcheng branch, and Mysterious Profound Sect had left the Qingcheng branch and was registered with the Emei branch.
If such two sects were to have an all-out war, this would no longer be a problem between just the two sects, the Qingcheon Sect and Mysterious Profound Sect.
It would become a problem between Qingcheng and Emei, the sects belonging to the Qingcheng branch and the sects belonging to the Emei branch.
There was a possibility that it could escalate from an all-out war to a great war! And if the scale grew to this extent, the government, which usually did not interfere in the affairs of the martial world, would have no choice but to intervene.
The elder of the first generation who had persuaded Cheongmu had also pointed this out.
At this, Cheongmu nodded his head and continued.
"As you said, Senior Uncle. I did not say that with the intention of having an all-out war unconditionally. What I meant was that we should no longer be cautious about the gray area."
At that, not only the senior uncle of the first generation who had persuaded Cheongmu, but also the people of the other two factions were puzzled.
The gray area, that is, the part where the two sects had been compromising and avoiding each other to some extent. They were puzzled as to how the claim to be strong in that area was so different from the claim of the moderate faction.
But at Cheongmu's continuing words, the crowd understood the meaning of what he was trying to say.
"As this incident has occurred, the Qingcheon Sect will have no choice but to be cautious of us in the gray area. Even so, if we go too strong, there will be a local backlash… I am saying that we should actively respond to that backlash."
What Cheongmu was trying to say was ultimately this.
To respond in the same way that Jeongpung had done to Yuhan at the Geumjo Merchant Guild.
The people who clashed in the gray area would include those who were directly related to Mysterious Profound Sect and the Qingcheon Sect, and those who were indirectly related. It was true that they had to be cautious of Mysterious Profound Sect due to the incident that Jeongpung had caused, but that did not mean that they would gladly accept that fact.
It was a natural thing. Even if he was a blood relative of the Qingcheon Sect, he was ultimately an outsider who had entered as a direct disciple of Qingcheng.
But how many people could gladly and humbly accept it when the sect suffered damage due to the mistake of such an outsider?
Even if it was dirty, since they had benefited from it, there were times when they would suffer a loss, so they could only remain silent.
That's why the moderate faction had also said to take the profit as carefully as possible.
And what Cheongmu was trying to say was precisely that part.
If they proceeded without hesitation in eating that gray area, even the Qingcheon Sect, which had to be cautious, would have no choice but to rebel, and if that happened, they should respond strongly to that rebellion.
"But… that's…"
Even the senior uncle of the first generation who had been persuading Cheongmu was at a loss for words at Cheongmu's claim. That was because that, that was too…
"Yes, it's a petty trick."
Cheongmu said the words that he couldn't bring himself to say out loud.
"But weren't they the ones who did the petty trick first?"
At those words, the crowd fell silent.
Because it was true. Who was the one who had first threatened and persecuted the young disciple of the sect with a petty act?
Cheongmu was saying to fight an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
At Cheongmu's proposal, both the moderate and radical factions fell silent.
They were weighing the pros and cons of doing as Cheongmu had proposed.
As everyone was organizing their thoughts, the Sect Leader, who had been silent until now, opened his mouth.
"Cheongmu."
"Yes, Master."
"I know your heart. And I can roughly understand what you were thinking when you made that proposal."
"Then…"
"But I will not allow it."
At the Sect Leader's firm answer, reactions erupted from the moderate and radical factions.
Since it was a proposal that was in the middle of the moderate and radical factions, there were a considerable number of people who supported Cheongmu's opinion in both the moderate and radical factions.
But the Sect Leader, who calmed the reaction of the crowd with a gesture, continued.
"There is a fact that everyone is overlooking. In a few months, the Qingcheng branch meeting will be held."
At those words, the crowd became quiet.
"If we use the method of the radical faction or Cheongmu's method, the Qingcheon Sect will surely mention this problem at the Qingcheng branch meeting, and they will try to get help even if it means their prestige or position within the branch will decrease."
"Ugh…"
"Come to think of it, the timing…"
Both the radical and moderate factions let out a groan at the words that the Qingcheng branch meeting would be held soon.
"Since it has come to this, whether we like it or not, we will proceed with the matter in the way of the moderate faction. The head of the external affairs hall, please proceed with the matter knowing that."
"I understand, Sect Leader."
***
Thus, the meeting was adjourned, and only the Sect Leader, Ju Yulgok, Cheongmu, and Cheong Yeonah remained in the main hall.
"Tsk, so it ends with such a lukewarm response?"
When Cheong Yeonah complained as if it was boring, the Sect Leader glared at Cheong Yeonah with angry eyes.
"You brat! Would you have preferred an all-out war!?"
"No, well, it's not that… it's just a little boring. There's been nothing going on lately…"
"Well, look at this!? Boring? You ran away after stealing my emergency fund because you were bored!?"
"…No, that's… uh, aww! Then what should I do!? It's not my fault that the tiles weren't good!"
"Tiles? Tiles~!? You…! Aww!! I'd rather die than know…!"
When only his disciples, Cheongmu and Cheong Yeonah, were left in the main hall, Ju Yulgok showed a completely different behavior from when everyone was there. He was the Sect Leader of Mysterious Profound Sect, but at the same time, he was also the master of Cheongmu and Cheong Yeonah.
While Ju Yulgok and Cheong Yeonah were exchanging meaningless jokes, Cheongmu just watched them quietly.
Ju Yulgok, who had been bickering with Cheong Yeonah for a while, also knew this and soon spoke to Cheongmu.
"Hmph, Cheongmu, don't be so sulky."
"…I'm not sulky."
"Have I known you for a day or two? It's obvious that you're sulky because I didn't listen to you… anyway, you don't have to be so sulky. I have no intention of just letting this matter slide either."
At Ju Yulgok's reaction, a different light appeared in Cheongmu's eyes.
"May I know specifically what you are going to do?"
"What, if Qingcheng is the problem, then we just have to shake Qingcheng~"
At the Sect Leader's reaction, whose true intentions could not be known, both Cheongmu and Cheong Yeonah were puzzled…
"Didn't you guys say it? 'If Qingcheng didn't have such thoughts, how could a mere third-generation disciple say such arrogant things!?' was it?"
Only after hearing that did Cheongmu and Cheong Yeonah realize what the Sect Leader was trying to say.
In other words.
"You're going to use that as a pretext to pressure Qingcheng and lower the position of the Qingcheon Sect within the Qingcheng branch, no, you're going to make it fall completely?"
"It's good that you're quick on the uptake. That's right. Of course, it would be difficult for Mysterious Profound Sect to do such a thing alone, but…"
That's right. Mysterious Profound Sect alone had its limits in applying pressure. But coincidentally, they were not the only ones who were there. There were people from various sects from all over Sichuan, the Demon-Subduing Azure Sword from the Emei Sect, and the White-Blooded Poison Flower from the Tang Clan.
There was no reason for them, who had not looked favorably on the Qingcheng Sect, which had been rapidly expanding its power recently, to just let this matter go.
After hearing the Sect Leader's plan for the future, Cheongmu nodded his head.
He thought that that would be enough.
"So, is Yuhan okay?"
He was Jang Yuhan, who was called the future of Mysterious Profound Sect. Of course, the Sect Leader also had to be concerned about Jang Yuhan's condition.
"Yes, he's fine. As you heard, before a bigger incident could happen, Baekseo stepped up and protected Yuhan, so there were no serious injuries."
"Ahem, he is a child who will carry the future of our sect. From now on, you should pay more attention to him."
"Yes, I understand, Master…"
"Aww~ that's not it."
At Cheong Yeonah's sudden words, Ju Yulgok's eyes widened.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, I admit that Yuhan is talented, but the one who will carry the future of the sect is Baekseo. That brat is already at the second-rate… aak!? Senior Brother, why did you hit me!?"
"…"
Cheong Yeonah shouted at Cheongmu, who had hit her arm with a slap while she was talking.
But the one who really wanted to shout was not Cheong Yeonah, but Ju Yulgok.
"…Yeonah, what did you just say?"
"What do you mean, what did I say? I just said that that brat Baekseo has reached the second-rate level."
"Second-rate!?"
The Sect Leader's eyes widened to a degree that had never been seen before, and Cheongmu and Cheong Yeonah were surprised that their master could open his eyes that wide.
"Cheongmu, is it true!?"
"…Yes, it's true."
Cheongmu, who had been hiding the fact that Jang Baekseo had reached the second-rate level as much as possible for the sake of his disciple's well-being, had no choice but to hide it any longer.
"Why didn't you tell me before!?"
Ju Yulgok's reaction was more intense than when Cheong Yeonah had stolen his emergency fund and lost it all playing Go-Pa.
At Ju Yulgok's reaction, Cheongmu sighed once and explained the situation. The fact that Jang Baekseo had recently achieved a certain level of achievement, and at the same time, the fact that he was burdened by the attention of those around him due to the sudden achievement, and the fact that he was anxious about what would happen if he couldn't show that much growth after receiving that attention.
After hearing the whole story, Ju Yulgok let out a groan.
Because it was all a plausible story. But that was that, and this was this!
"You brat! You should have at least told me!"
"I'm sorry, Master."
Although Ju Yulgok was scolding Cheongmu with his mouth, his eyes were drawing a crescent moon.
"Second-rate at fourteen… second-rate at fourteen… haha, it's a great fortune for our sect, a great fortune!"
"Master, this matter should not be spread too widely…"
"I know, I know! This master is not such a light-lipped person!"
While saying that, Cheongmu, who saw his master's lips twitching as if he wanted to boast somewhere, was convinced that this fact would soon spread throughout the entire sect, no, the entire Gangjeong County. Thus, the master who had failed to keep his promise with his disciple apologized to his disciple in his heart.
'I'm sorry, Baekseo.'
(End of Chapter)