The Elders' Meeting concluded on its first day, and the consensus was that Chun Wala could be better than all the other candidates.
Chun Wala had been the greatest opposing force against the Heavenly Demon Sect alongside the Alliance Leader, so it was natural for the Seven Clans to support him. He had also achieved much in the raids against the Blood Cult, making him acceptable to the Five Sects as well.
But Namgung knew there was a problem! Why would Yujin Hak propose him when Yujin himself opposed a new war with the Heavenly Demon Sect?
Why had someone once recognized as the successor left the Alliance and now returned?
Chun Wala was so skilled and experienced that the other candidates paled in comparison. Supporting another candidate would bring disgrace and create unnecessary enmity with the future leader, while also eliminating the leverage we had over the previous leader regarding the defeat in Shaanxi.
Jeagal called out to Namgung: "Lord Namgung, you seem lost in thought."
"Aren't you worried yourself?"
"No."
"Kang Long dealt us a heavy blow, but we're not the only ones seeking revenge. The Five Sects, Yujin Hak himself, and the Alliance Leader are all waiting for an opportunity to strike back."
"I know Tang collaborated with them, but they too are sharpening their daggers for war."
"Speak directly. Do you think they're making moves in Tai'an without telling us?"
"That's the most likely possibility."
"What if the Leader poisoned himself to buy time for certain actions?"
"I thought of that, Jeagal. But going to death's door just to buy a few years is somewhat excessive."
"Either way, we have to cooperate with them. Internal conflict doesn't look good, and Chun Wala's name isn't as great as his master's, so he'll have less influence. I hope my nephew is doing well."
"Your nephew is also a captive. I'm sorry the Heavenly Demon Sect hasn't accepted any negotiations."
Jeagal clenched his fists and gritted his teeth for a moment, then took a deep breath and regained his composure.
"I'll find something to bargain with Kang Long. I'll bring Seon back, even if it's the last thing I do."
---
The next day arrived very early, and with the first rays of sunlight, the Elders' Meeting began.
Jeagal stood as the council's spokesman and read the first agenda item: "This year's annual meeting began under dire circumstances, but that's exactly why the Murim Alliance Council of Elders exists."
"With the Alliance Leader's condition uncertain, a successor is necessary. The council's will is to examine the potential successors. Chun Wala, enter."
Yujin Hak and Noah Saiom were present. At Yujin's gesture, Noah went to bring Chun Wala inside.
But before Noah could leave, Chun Wala entered on his own and stood slightly ahead of Yujin and Noah.
"I'm here to take responsibility."
The Shaolin leader intervened: "It's not that simple. First, you must answer our questions. Let me ask the first one—where have you been all these years?"
"Traveling."
"Where to?"
"To Shaanxi after it was lost, to Tai'an—the Heavenly Demon Sect's headquarters—to the Northeastern Plains, and to the land of the Northern Frozen Palace."
"For ten years? Why, when a warrior like you traveled here and there, did news of it never spread?"
"News did spread."
"Every now and then, rumors would circulate about a lone rider, or an escort who fought off bandits, or a porter who stood against the Blood Cult's child traffickers."
"After each rumor, I had to change jobs and move."
Everyone knew what rumors or news he was talking about, and at the time, everyone had suspected that the wandering Chun Wala was behind such incidents.
Namgung began his questioning: "Why have you come now? Do you seek the position once promised to you? Or are you thinking of starting a war with the Heavenly Demon Sect?"
This was the core question—why had he suddenly become interested in this position? "When news of my master's illness came, the way it spread wasn't normal. It was as if someone had sent me an invitation to come to Xi'an."
"And I know you're looking for a new leader. Who better than me? I'm stronger than anyone, and as long as the Heavenly Demon does nothing, I'll show no reaction."
"I spent a long time in Tai'an. There's no reason to create chaos in the name of justice when the people there are satisfied with their situation."
The questioning continued, and after a short while, those who weren't part of the elders were asked to leave the hall and await the council's next announcement.
When noon arrived, Yujin Hak, Noah, and Chun Wala saw the elders exiting the hall and approaching them. Namgung walked toward Chun Wala and said:
"The council needs to observe your skills directly for a final assessment."
"We're going to the training ground."
Noah was surprised—the process was moving too fast.
"Do you need time?"
"No. Who's my opponent?"
"Any of the elders you choose."
Noah thought to himself: This is excessive.
Chun Wala pointed his finger at Namgung.
"I choose you."
---
In a scene a warrior might witness once in a lifetime, the Murim Alliance elders entered the training ground and asked the onlookers to clear the dueling area.
The instructors couldn't believe what they were seeing—Chun Wala and Namgung were entering the arena. No one cared why; this confrontation alone mattered.
Everyone knew that in high-level duels, providing weapons was essential. Warriors and instructors gathered whatever they had for the two to choose suitable weapons.
Namgung picked up a simple sword and returned to his position. Chun Wala strapped one sword to his waist, held another in his right hand, and an axe in his left—a form very different from what he had used in the past.
The Shaolin leader addressed the onlookers: "At my signal, the duel begins."
The Shaolin leader struck his staff so hard against the ground that the wood fibers split apart.
Chun Wala rapidly closed in on Namgung, attacking with a sword strike from above and an axe swing from below—like a beast's maw closing shut.
But you can't cut smoke with teeth. Namgung's footwork was like smoke sliding away.
Namgung's sword moved toward Chun Wala's neck. Chun Wala deflected it with his axe, then used the axe like a hook to pull Namgung's sword down. Just as everyone expected Namgung to receive a fatal wound from Chun Wala's sword, Namgung caught Chun Wala's blade with his bare hand before it could swing, holding it for just a moment before freeing his own sword.
But Namgung didn't retreat. In that close-quarters position, with minimal force, he wounded Chun Wala's thigh. Before Chun Wala could react, Namgung gently placed his sword on Chun Wala's left hand—just a simple touch, without any pressure or swing—then swiftly drew it back, leaving a deep gash, and retreated with fluid movements.
The Hua Mountain Sect leader knew this wasn't a battle of techniques but a battle of experience. What they were displaying wasn't martial technique at all—it was years of combat experience.
Namgung turned to Chun Wala: "If you want to continue, I have no problem."
Chun Wala drew his second sword as well, now holding an axe and sword in one hand, and a sword in the other. The technique of wielding more than two weapons simultaneously was one of the Four-Armed Demons' techniques, astonishing all present.
Namgung shifted his stance to a defensive posture. Chun Wala's aura had changed now—he wore a confident smile.
Chun Wala attacked directly again. Namgung reacted with a straight sword thrust toward Chun Wala's face, but Chun Wala struck Namgung's sword with all three weapons simultaneously and, with an explosive movement, broke it.
This should have ended the duel, but Namgung, with his broken sword, wounded the fingers of Chun Wala's left hand. Chun Wala's fist opened, and Namgung seized his axe, striking Chun Wala's head with the blunt side.
Chun Wala, momentarily losing his balance, quickly stomped his foot and returned to an offensive stance.
Chun Wala swung his sword from the right side of his body, and Namgung raised the axe.
Both put everything into a single strike at that critical moment.
The Tang Clan leader struck them with paralyzing needles, while the Hua Mountain and Gu Clan leaders blocked the paths of axe and sword with their own blades.
The Gu Clan leader shouted: "Enough, you fools!"
Namgung and Chun Wala were breathing heavily, their eyes locked on each other.
There was no way they would have survived that duel alive.
Jeagal tried to calm the atmosphere: "This duel has confirmed Lord Chun Wala's skills. In my view, he is at the master level and qualified for evaluation."
Yujin Hak knew that from now on, the interviews and evaluations of other leadership candidates would be mere formalities. With just a little help from him, Chun Wala would become the Murim Alliance Leader in no time.
Yet Yujin Hak felt a twinge of regret and murmured to himself: "I wish you'd wake up sooner and see this child's growth."