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A singular drop of sweat ran down the temple of Hyun Jong, who had been deeply reading the scroll in front of him.
He had lost count of how many times he had read the same contents with the same precautions and carefulness. Yet, even after reading it so many times, he couldn't bring himself to comprehend the full meaning of the it.
It was a scroll that had been floating in the air ever since Hyun Jong found himself in this unfamiliar place.
He still didn't understand how this scroll was floating. Really, are papers supposed to do that? And not only the scroll, but even the brush swayed in the air as if telling Hyun Jong to grab it. What kind of martial arts was this? Was it even martial arts? It had to be magic.
Yeah, he tried to calm his shaken heart with a deep breath and useless self-assurance.
A tap on his back brought him out of his inner conflict as the whispered words of his youngest sect brother reached him.
"You must pay attention, Sect Leader. They must be reaching a conclusion soon," said Hyun Yeong, his intense eyes fixed on the strongest figures of Gangho deep in discussion.
Hyun Jong thought with a bitter heart, 'It's not as if it matters whether I pay attention or not. They're going to decide on their own without hearing us.'
He felt uncomfortable with the situation. Everyone other than the Mount Hua Sect—which had lost its glory—belonged to the most important sects of Gangho, such as the Ten Great Sects and Five Great Families, alongside a remarkable presence from the Five Outer Palaces, and lastly, the sects of Sapa.
Hyun Jong couldn't decide where Mount Hua belonged with this particular group gathered in this room, his eyes reaching the imposing figures of Gangho.
"So in the end, we have no choice but to sign the agreement," said the Wudang Sect Leader with clear regret in his voice.
"Amitabha, it is so, Sect Leader. We have no other way. We at least must prevent the disciples' hearts from being shaken further," said Beop Jong, the Sect Leader of the Great Shaolin Sect.
The Southern Edge Sect Leader's expression darkened as he thought, 'Aren't their hearts already shaken? Standing in an unknown place, restricted by invisible walls for almost four hours.'
He didn't voice his dissatisfaction to the others; he only nodded his head in agreement.
Beop Jong, seeing all the Ten Great Sect Leaders agreeing, turned toward the Five Great Family Lords.
"What do the Family Lords think?"
The Namgung Lord tsked, arrogance bleeding out of his every action.
"It's not as if there is any other way. We have tried everything."
His displeased eyes turned toward the invisible wall on his right—the wall he had tried to break with all his might.
The Zhuge, Moyong, and paegal Family Lords agreed and showed their intention to follow the Shaolin Sect Leader.
Only Lord Tang stayed silent, as if in deep thought. Seeing him, Beop Jong addressed him calmly, "Lord Tang?"
In the end, the face that had been in deep thought finally sighed as if he too couldn't think of any other way.
He looked at Beop Jong with clear and confident eyes that only the Tang Family Lord could possess, and said:
"The Tang Family agrees with the proposal of the Sect Leader."
Beop Jong, having heard the answers from every individual he was seeking, closed his eyes and chanted again. "Amitabha, then I leave it to the Sect Leaders to explain to the disciples."
He bowed in farewell to the other Sect Leaders, clearly indicating a conclusion had been reached.
All the Sect Leaders returned his bow and turned toward their sect disciples.
"So it has come to this."
Fear twisted Hyun Jong’s stomach. He dreaded the unknown, and the uncertainty of what awaited them weighed heavily on his heart
"Sect Leader!" The slightly panicked words of his sect brothers reached him.
He turned toward them. Seeing their faces clouded with worry and fear, his heart ached for them.
Hyun Sang spoke first. "Sect Leader, we don't necessarily have to follow their decision. After all, we aren't..."
His words trailed off, but Hyun Jong didn't need him to finish. The thought had already crossed his mind: After all, we aren't part of the Ten Great Sects anymore.
A fact as clear as the sky; a fact that brought profound pain to the hearts of everyone on Mount Hua.
Hyun Yeong's voice rang out before Hyun Jong could dwell on the pain.
"So what do you want us to do, Sajeong? We need to get out of here no matter what. God knows what is happening to a vacant Mount Hua! For all we know, those greedy merchants might have already taken over Mount Hua."
A genuine dread and panic echoed in his words.
'Right,' thought Hyun Jong with a touch of self-mockery. 'Mount Hua isn't in a position to waste time in a place like this.'
Turning his gaze toward the Un-generation, he asked, "What do you think? Un Am, Un Geom, how should we proceed?"
Un Geom scratched his head, unsure of his answer. "I don't know, Sect Leader. I have yet to understand the situation... This disciple will follow the decision of the Sect Leader."
Hyun Jong nodded at him and turned his eyes toward Un Am. Seeing the Sect Leader's gaze on him, Un Am scratched his cheek with one finger and said in a slightly timid voice, "Honestly, wouldn't it be better to follow the Ten Great Sects and Five Families rather than..."
He glanced toward the area where the Outer Palaces were gathered, then toward the Sapa
Following Un Am's gaze, Hyun Jong turned in those directions, finally nodding with an understanding expression.
'It would be better. Mount Hua's position is already shaken in the Central Plains. If we remain here right now rather than following the Righteous Sects... then it may be interpreted as siding with the Outer Palaces, or in the worst case, it might even be seen as siding with the Sapa.'
'Such things could lead to hostility from the Central Plains' Righteous Sects and discriminatory behavior toward Mount Hua, which currently has no power to protect itself.'
Having made up his mind, Hyun Jong addressed the elders and first-class disciples in front of him.
"Inform the disciples of the decision. Tell them to stay together and remain alert at all times. We don't know the nature of this place. Make sure to look after the disciples; we must not let any harm reach those children."
The elders and first-class disciples saluted Hyun Jong, declaring, "We heed the Sect Leader's orders!"
Hyun Jong stared at their backs for a moment. Then, his eyes landed on the scroll again. As if performing a solemn duty, he proceeded to read each and every word once more.
"Hmmmmmmmph," a nasal voice rang out from red lips stretched into a half-moon, eyes curved as if dripping with honey.
The scroll, unlike the others, was held firmly in the hands of the owner of those honeyed eyes, as if held captive.
However, the focus of those eyes was not on the scroll, but rather on the disbanding group of people who had been at it for a while.
“Gamyeong~ look at those slow people finally coming to a conclusion. Thank goodness, I feared they might never get there.”said the man with playful words, like a child enjoying his toy.
Ho Gamyeong, who had been coldly staring at the gathering of the Ten Great Sects and Five Families as if assessing them, finally pulled his eyes away toward his lord.
"They sure took their time, but it seems it is just as Ryeonju predicted. It looks like they will sign the parchment."
Seeing the unmistakable awe in Ho Gamyeong's eyes, Jang Ilso clicked his tongue, saying, "It's not that big of a spectacle. As long as you know how those old, smelly geezers are, it's not hard to guess what they will do."
Seeing Jang Ilso's face, looking as though he had already lost interest, Ho Gamyeong couldn't help but think: 'Because it's Jang Ilso. Would there be anyone else in Gangho who could predict the decisions of the Ten Great Sects and Five Families with such ease? Impossible. Because it's Jang Ilso, those strongest figures in Gangho, such imposing people, don't seem any different from ordinary folks. That is the kind of man Jang Ilso is.'
His hands, hidden beneath his sleeves, clenched slightly, yet no sign of his inner turmoil showed on his face; it remained as cold as the northeast sea winds.
He looked at his lord. "Shall we proceed to the next step as planned, Ryeonju?"
Jang Ilso, who had been staring blankly at the parchment in his hand, slowly handed it over to the waiting hands of his second in command, whispering in a tone that suggested he was sharing the greatest secret under the heavens:
"Sure, why don't you..."
His thoughts were a little different from his outward demeanor: 'Things are about to get interesting for a while, aren't they? The Gangho of peace ...'
"Hmph," Im So-byeong scratched his head with his fan, his scholar's cap long since discarded.
'It's a mess. It's all a mess. Does it make any sense that people from all over Gangho were pulled into this mysterious place out of nowhere, without their knowledge? Even the smartest scholar in history wouldn't be able to make sense of it.'
Im So-byeong was losing his mind, and if he didn't do something to get out of here soon, he might lose his head next.
His eyes traveled from the parchment floating in front of him to the man dressed in red standing across the room.
'No, just why? Why did that bastard have to be here? If not for that wretch Jang Il-so, his life and identity wouldn't both be in such danger. One word from that bastard... one word and a room full of Righteous Sect people will know the true identity of the Green Forest King. The fake identity Im So-byeong painfully built over all those years will be washed away in an instant.'
He really needed to do something. His eyes fell once again onto the parchment in the air, searching as if it might hold an answer.
Beot Chung, who had been hovering behind him trying his best to look like an imposing bandit leader, bent down a little to whisper into the scholar's ear.
"Boss, did you figure something out? You did, right? Tell me quickly, Boss! I can't handle this pressure, it's too much for me."
A vein popped on Im So-byeong's temple. His fan, which had been tapping his head, painfully stabbed at Beot Chung as he whispered threateningly:
"No, you fucker, stand straight! Wouldn't you stand straight? Are you trying to give me away in a time of crisis? You bastard, are you rebelling, huh? Pretend! Just pretend! How hard is it? You are the tyrannical bandit king, and I am the scholar you're holding captive. It's simple, you idiot! Am I asking too much of you now?"
Beot Chung, whose face had contorted in pain from the continuous stabbing of the fan, suddenly moved his hand as if swatting away a fly. Im So-byeong, hit by the blow, suddenly found himself on the floor from the sheer audacity.
He then heard a hateful voice above him:
"Tsk. How much longer, you useless scholar? Do your work properly if you want your head intact!"
His eyes, wide as moons, stared up at Beot Chung... or rather, at the disgusting face of Beot Chung that seemed to say, 'You told me to pretend, didn't ya?'
Im So-byeong swore to his bandit ancestors that he would skin this man alive.
Tears of frustration gathered at the corners of his eyes. Why must he suffer through this? What kind of shitty place was this where Qi couldn't be used? He clearly felt the presence of Qi in his body, but he couldn't use it. Doesn't that make Im So-byeong, who was born with a body weaker than a civilian's, the weakest person here? Everyone in this room was stronger than him. Frankly, more than half of them could kill him with just a flicker of their fingers, even without Qi or martial arts.
Im So-byeong really needed to get out of here. This place smelled like a hell personally made for him.
''It's a lost cause.' Maeng So was known as the "King of Beasts," a title that required utmost patience and a spirit that never backs down. After all, animals were part of nature, and a man does not bend nature to his needs, but bends himself around nature to achieve his needs.
That's how Maeng So lived his whole life in the Beast Palace and eventually stepped in as Lord upholding the same principle.
So he, who could stay crouched in heavy rain and terrifying thunderstorm as if the heavens itself were falling for 2 nights and one dawn just to get one scared tiny lump of fur out from under the boulder, thinks that sharing a single mindful human conversation with these people was a lost cause... then it really was a lost cause.
His eyes were empty as he looked at the Sun Palace Lord, who had introduced himself as Jin Pyeong, ranting about bowing to him, how dare he, his palace, blah blah blah... and the Blood Palace Lord, who hasn't even bothered to introduce himself due to never-ending maniac talk of sacrificing 100 virgin boys' blood...
No, really, how did the Blood Palace even become part of the Five Outer Palaces? Aren't these bastards the same as those Demonic Sects? Who let them in? Shouldn't they be thrown out?
No, no, he was losing track of his thoughts. Now was not the time to think such useless thoughts. So what if it was lost cause? Leave it be; no benefit in reading scripture to a cow.
He turned his head towards his side, looking at the monk wearing a helpless, disturbed face.
"You must be..."
"Om Mani Padme Hum, this humble monk goes by the name of Panchen Lama of the Potala Palace."
"I am Maeng So, the Lord of the Beast Palace."
They both turned towards their side, away from the unsightly things.
Seeing such imposing figures turning towards him, Han Yi-Myung flinched a little, his face gone pale. He brought both his hands up in a formal salute; a mistake in this place would be too heavy.
"Greetings to the esteemed Lords and Masters. I am Han Yi-Myung, a merchant from the North Sea."
"A merchant?" Maeng So's eyes narrowed a little.
"Ye-s, yes, my Lord. Me and my son live near the North Sea Lake. We are lowly subjects of the land."
Seeing him sweating profusely and nodding so aggressively as if trying to be as convincing as possible, Maeng So gave a small smile to the child peeking out from behind his father.
"I see..." Nodding in understanding, but his thoughts differed. 'As if anyone can see that ain't your child. There is barely any resemblance, and even if he was your child, why would a merchant family be brought into a place with Sect Leaders of various sects and Lords of different palaces? It's obvious he is the runaway Prince of the North Sea.'
A passing glance exchanged with the monk indicated that the Panchen Lama shared the same thought as Maeng So.
"So in any case, we should stay together. We don't know what kind of place this is, and those Central Plains people look like they are going to sign the agreement. For now, we should do the same. After all, I don't think there is any other way."
The Namgung Lord wasn't the only one who tried to break down the invisible restrictions with nothing but pure physical strength.
The Panchen Lama nodded with a solemn expression. "The Potala Palace agrees. Isn't it better to have more allies in a crisis? After all, this place is infinitely unfamiliar to us. Who knows what awaits us behind those doors?"
"We-e might not be helpful, but we will ask the esteemed Lords' help to let us tag along with you." Han Yi-Myung hurriedly bowed rapidly to both figures in front of him, worried he might be rejected. In this place, they looked like his only way to make sure that Seol So-Baek survives. No, he has to make sure Seol So-Baek survives.
"No need to be so stiff, it's no big deal! After all, one man and a child don't make much difference in numbers!"
A booming voice slammed on the listeners. Seol So-Baek stepped back a little due to the momentum, his wide eyes looking up at the titanic figure of the Beast Lord, no different from a startled small animal.
An elder approached the Beast Lord. "Then, my Lord..."
"Yeah, listen to me, Beast Palace soldiers! We will proceed with the agreement! Brace yourselves, we will fight down any threat to the Beast Palace!"
"We follow the Lord!" Earth-shaking shouts of the Beast Palace echoed in the room with more than 3,000 martial artists gathered, making everyone turn towards them.
Maeng So only nodded, as if satisfied with the answer. But soon, his eyes left the gathered Beast Palace soldiers to the group of people huddled far at the end of the room—people with plum blossoms on their chests.
Seeing him in such a deep space, the Panchen Lama chanted, "Om Mani Padme Hum. It looks like the Lord's heart calls him to another place. Wouldn't it be better to join them if the Lord wishes?"
"In normal circumstances it would, but right now..." His words trailed off, looking around the room and the people in it, shaking his head as if in regret. "No, it might only bring them more harm than good. Not even a beast would bring that on its benefactor."
Maeng So could only hope they might cross paths again. He has a debt to pay—a long-awaited one at that.
Looking at his imposing yet somehow lonely figure, the Panchen Lama could only pray to lessen the suffering of a kindred heart.
So it led to a dazzling spectacle. The moment the Wudang Sect Leader and the Shaolin Sect Leader, after sharing a final nod, picked up their brushes and signed their agreement on the scroll, the floating scroll suddenly started emitting a strange, four-colored light. Suddenly, the scroll ceased to exist in the strange light, and the light shot up toward the ceiling, only to fall down toward the ground the next moment as if it failed to ascend to heaven.
Once the light dissolved into the floor, a clear path lit by light appeared before the Sect Leaders of both sects—each path leading to a different door, unlike what those gentlemen had predicted.
Seeing the commotion among the other sects and disciples, Beop Jong, the Sect Leader of Shaolin, stepped forward right away to clear the increasing discomfort.
"Amitabha. There is no need to worry. In the end, it changes nothing. We just need to reunite as soon as possible as we cross the doors."
"The Sect Leader's words are true. After all, it's not much different, is it? The only difference is that the walls around us will be visible after we cross the doors. Wouldn't that be better than these walls right now around us, which we aren't able to see?"
The words of both the Shaolin and Wudang Sect Leaders calmed the disciples' shaken hearts.
After all, wasn't what the Wudang Sect Leader said true? Wouldn't people prefer an enemy they can see rather than an invisible one? At least the presence of entrances indicated the presence of walls that supported them. Wouldn't that be better than staying in this vast area that looks infinite, but is in fact covered in restrictions on all sides, separating each sect from another, closing in on all sides so they can't even leave—and on top of that, those restrictions can't even be seen? No matter how much they looked, or how long they looked, there was nothing to be seen, though in reality, there was indeed something like a wall caging them.
Staying in such a place for so long had developed a sick sensation in the stomachs of the Ten Great Sects and Five Great Families' disciples.
Surely, whatever came behind those closed doors couldn't possibly be worse than this.