The morning sunlight filtered through the gaping windows of the Main Pavilion, which now felt much more spacious after Gwi-Hyuk had cleared away the
"rubbish"
of Elder Gong's body and his pile of useless luxury furnishings. The stench of blood had been replaced by the lighter scent of sandalwood and the fresh mountain air. For the first time in a long time, Yoe Choin felt a little at ease; a major blockage in the sect's power system had been forcibly removed.
In the center of the room, a large teak table, now free of the fake ledger, was surrounded by the men who would become the pillars of Evernight Gate's rebuilding.
Yoe Choin sat in the main chair, sipping simple green tea. Before him stood Han So-Wol, who, though her eyes still showed a trace of fear, now held the real ledger with a steadier hand. On the other side stood Instructor Ma, standing upright with his hands behind his back, gazing at Choin with now-genuine respect. Finally, a tousled-haired man with a faint aftertaste of alcohol, Baek-Un, leaned against a pillar, examining the map of the region with suddenly sharp eyes.
"Financial management first,"
Choin began in a calm baritone.
"So-Wol, what's our cash status after the seizure of assets from the Gong residence?"
Han So-Wol stepped forward, opening her ledger with a rhythmic clink of her abacus.
"Young Master, after counting all the gold, silver, and antiques you confiscated... we have enough funds to cover the full operations of the sect for the next year, including basic infrastructure repairs and proper nutrition for all disciples."
So-Wol paused, looking at Choin hesitantly.
"However... Elder Gong has many political 'debts' to the smaller sects around here. They might come to collect when they find out their 'guarantor' is gone."
Choin tapped the table with his finger.
"Political debt is like illegal trade. We won't acknowledge it. If they come to collect, tell them to talk to my sword. So-Wol, focus on distributing the funds. I want every student to get enough protein. Their bodies' foundations require proper nutrition."
So-Wol nodded, a slight smile appearing at the corner of her lips.
"Yes, Young Master. I will ensure every silver coin is allocated according to your instructions."
Choin then turned to Instructor Ma.
"Instructor, how are the workers... I mean, the students after yesterday's weight training?"
Ma cleared his throat, his posture straightening.
"They're suffering, Young Master. But miraculously, none of them complained after seeing you carry heavier loads while covered in blood. Their muscle density is starting to increase. The physical structure of Class 1 is showing remarkable progress."
"Good,"
Choin replied.
"Increase the intensity of their training. I want them to start practicing static defense formations. We must prepare to face the 'demolition unit' from the central area."
At the word 'central area,' Baek-Un, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. His voice was hoarse but full of strategic calculation.
"The Demon Empress won't stand idly by as her investment here is decapitated. She will send people far more dangerous than those small-time envoys from yesterday."
Baek-Un stepped closer to the table and pointed to the map of the Black Dragon Mountains.
"
Evernight Gate is geographically a natural fortress. But structurally, our current base has too many blind spots. We need someone who knows how to turn these ruins into a deadly labyrinth."
Choin smiled faintly, liking Baek-Un's way of thinking.
"That's your job, Baek-Un. I'll give you this responsibility, and you translate it into this area. I want this sect to be impregnable even to Grandmasters."
The meeting was slow but intense. Gone were Moen Kang Yo's wild, angry shouts; only Yoe Choin's cool, organized discussion. They discussed everything from reinforcing the sect's skewed gate to plans for coercive diplomacy against the neighboring sects that had been oppressing them.
Han So-Wol glanced at Choin occasionally, wondering how the man who was once considered the sect's trash could now coordinate these officials as if they were planning a massive project.
"One more thing,"
Choin stood, making everyone in the room stand as well.
"I am your temporary leader. But in my eyes, you are more than just subordinates. You are the main pillars of this sect. If one pillar cracks, the entire structure will collapse. So, maintain your integrity."
He looked at them one by one with his sharp blue eyes.
"The internal audit is complete. Now, we enter the physical and mental construction phase. Disband and do your duties."
The pavilion slowly quieted as the sect officials stepped out with more steady steps.
Yoe Choin took a deep breath, feeling the air no longer heavy with the scent of Elder Gong's betrayal. He leaned back in his sturdy teak chair, staring at the dust dancing in the morning sun.
"Foreman, you managed to get them to obey without having to cut off their heads again,"
the real Moen Kang Yo whispered to himself, his tone slightly admiring yet still sarcastic.
"That's called resource management, Boss,"
Choin replied in a low murmur that only he could hear.
"Chopping off heads is an instant solution, but building loyalty is a long-term investment. We need a stable structure if we are to weather the storm from the central Demon faction."
However, the calm didn't last long.
Yoe Choin rose from his chair and walked slowly to the pavilion's large window overlooking the border mountains. He realized that the renovation of Evernight Gate had just transformed from a simple home improvement project into the unmasking of a highly dangerous cross-faction conspiracy.
"Looks like we need to prepare,"
Choin said, squeezing the metal piece in his palm.
"Our audit will attract a much larger 'inspector' from the Orthodox Faction. And I'm sure the original owner of the shadow ledger involving these plum blossoms won't be happy when we find out his dirty trail."
In the distance, the shadow of a black cloud began to cover the mountain peak, as if signaling that the pillars of Jianghu would soon be shaken by the bloody audit that had just begun.