ONCE AGAIN : ROTMS

16: what!? That crazy bastard!(4)

"The second-class disciples are coming back."

"Hmm."

Hyung Jong sighed heavily.

It was good to hear that the children who left for closed room training were returning, but it was unpleasant to think about what would happen soon afterward.

"How far away are they?"

"Some seem to have already reached Hua-Um village, and some are yet to arrive."

"I see."

Hyun Jong raised his head and looked at Un Am.

"Sect leader."

"Speak."

"Why was the conference being held so soon? Wasn't it originally scheduled to be held in half a year?"

"The Southern Edge Sect sent us a letter requesting it. This time they wanted to hold it earlier."

"Can't we ask them to postpone it?"

"That'll be difficult."

Un Am sighed.

"Mount Hua is in high spirits right now. Everything is going well, and we can live without worrying about food or our stability. Everyone is smiling brightly. Compared to a few months ago, it's a remarkable change."

"Yes."

Hyun Jong agreed.

The most significant difference was that Mount Hua was full of energy now.

Those who once lived without knowing what tomorrow would bring finally saw the faintest glimmer of hope. The children's smiling faces brought warmth to the hearts of the sect leader and other elders.

"But, we are still a martial arts sect."

"Yes."

"We did recently rediscover some of our lost martial arts from the books that were found, but it isn't yet the time to see results."

Hyun Jong nodded without saying anything. What Un Am was saying was correct.

Mount Hua could overwhelm the Southern Edge Sect in the past, but now Mount Hua wasn't great. Only recently did they find their lost martial arts and gain new hope.

'That too, just a small glimmer of hope.'

They had a long way to go.

Now, they were able to survive and solve their financial woes. However, to regain their former fame and glory, they would need to regain their former martial might.

But could martial arts be learned overnight?

Absolutely not.

"If the conference ends in the same result as before, I'm worried that the disciples will lose their newfound hope and turn into defeatists with no motivation."

"Un Am."

"... yes. Sect leader."

"Do you think I don't know that?"

Hyun Jong shook his head and continued.

"Would avoiding it or pushing it away make any difference? If we avoid it, will it quell the disciples' doubts and produce positive results? This would have to happen one way or the other. If I ask to postpone it, then wouldn't the disciples believe that their own sect leader lacks faith in them?"

"That..."

Un Am bowed his head.

"There is no shame in losing. If you lose despite your best efforts, it is unavoidable. They will simply have to work harder next time. But delaying the conference to avoid a loss is something we should never do."