So, you’re all gathered here. (1)
First POV of Hwasan and Baek Cheon wasn’t revised, it stays the same. Here is the revised second POV that was uploaded on the official platform today.
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“Has everyone gathered?”
At Pung Yeong Shin Gae’s words, those seated slowly nodded.
Their faces were all, without exception, sunk in deep gloom. It could not be otherwise.
However hastily this meeting was convened, the lineup of those gathered was painfully sparse. Remembering that when the war began, twice as many people had assembled to hold such meetings, they found it impossible to ease their expressions.
Of course, there are those who could not attend due to injuries or personal reasons. But their absence did nothing to fill the emptiness left by those who were gone forever.
After sweeping his gaze over the assembly, Pung Yeong Shin Gae nodded.
“Originally, the Alliance Leader should have presided over this meeting. However, due to severe internal injuries, he cannot be present.”
“Internal injuries, you say. Has he, perhaps, been grievously hurt…?”
At Jongli Gok’s question, Pung Yeong Shin Gae shook his head.
“Not to that extent. It is a kind of internal injury. But with some rest, he will recover completely.”
“That is at least a relief.”
“Normally, in such cases, Lord Tang would preside over this meeting.”
At the mention of Tang Gunak, everyone’s faces darkened at once.
Not everyone would have felt the same towards Tang Gunak. Some may have felt affection, some a quiet rivalry, and some may even have disliked him.
Yet, since they shared the bond of comrades who had fought together, the only fitting response to his death was solemn respect and regret.
“Now that Lord Tang Clan is no longer with us, it falls to me, unavoidably, to preside over this meeting.”
“Mm.”
“Therefore, I would like those of us here to discuss the most urgent matters first.”
Those listening quietly nodded.
War does not truly end simply because the battle is over. In truth, the harder struggle begins only after the fighting stops. If the pressing issues were not swiftly resolved, Gangho would groan under the scars of war for far longer.
“But still…….”
“Do you mean, just among ourselves alone?”
From among those seated, a troubled voice broke the silence.
At that voice, everyone turned to look at one another.
Wudang was not present. Given the damage they had suffered, it was only natural. No – setting that aside, Wudang had likely not even settled who among them should represent the sect.
Shaolin was of course absent, and Qingcheng, Emei, and Kongtong likewise were unable to attend.
The Peng, Zhuge and Moyong Families naturally could not be present, and from the Tang Clan came Tang Pae, who had temporarily ascended to the position of family head. From the Namgung Clan, Namgung Myeong was filling the seat in place of Namgung Dowi, whose injuries were severe.
In the end, those present here were only Nokrim King, the Sect Leader of Jongnam, the Sect Leader of the Beggars Sect, the acting family head of the Tang Clan, and an elder of the Namgung Clan.
However much this was a discussion related to postwar cleanup, it was only natural to feel burdened at the thought of proceeding with just these few.
“If the Alliance Leader’s injuries are not severe, then perhaps after he recovers…….”
“Regrettably, we don’t have that time. Matters of utmost urgency are piling up before us.”
Tang Pae, who had cautiously brought up the suggestion, pressed his lips and nodded. How could he not know the matters were urgent?
“But will this really be all right? With just us?”
The expressions of those who judged themselves unqualified stiffened. One could not say they were unfit to represent their respective sects, but most of those remaining here had barely ever decided the Alliance’s major or minor affairs.
With the figures who had always held the center now absent, a subtle unease naturally took hold.
“Phew.”
Jongli Gok let out a short sigh.
Of those here, the only figures with any real weight were him and Pung Yeong Shin Gae, but Pung Yeong Shin Gae had already relinquished the position of the Sect Leader and stepped back, and he, too, had issues that made it difficult to step to the forefront.
But with things as they were, there was no helping it…
Just as Jongli Gok was about to open his mouth to speak again.
“Huhuhu.”
From the seat beside him came a strangely self-satisfied chuckle.
“What…….”
“It seems it can’t be helped, then. Huhuhu.”
One man sprang to his feet and strode forward.
“Now, now. Don’t worry. You have the strategist of Cheonumaeng right here, don’t you!”
“…”
Everyone stared blankly at Im Sobyeong.
“The Alliance Leader is injured, the General is, well, said to be on his last legs any day now, and Division Leaders have been mowed down in droves.”
Im Sobyeong’s gaze shifted back and forth between Pung Yeong Shin Gae and Jongli Gok.
“One Division Leader is a husk without even a post, so he’s out of the question, and the other b-”
“Other?”
“Ugh. Jongnam deciding Cheonumaeng’s affairs? As Hwsan’s Outer Hall Master [외당주], I can’t possibly tolerate such an ugly business.”
“……So who is Hwasan’s Outer Hall Master supposed to be? That bandit?”
“Ahem.”
When Jongli Gok began to speak in sheer disbelief, Im Sobyeong snapped open his fan and fluttered it at his own face.
“Silence, if you please. Silence. It seems you’ve yet to realize where true authority lies.”
“…”
“As matters stand, with all power transferred to me by the General, I alone must take charge of managing Cheonumaeng. Hahahahaha! There’s simply no other choi- Kwueeeeeeeeegh!”
At that moment, a flying shoe crashed through the tent flap and landed into the back of Nokrim King’s head. The fan Im Sobyeong was holding bent like a sickle as his head slammed into the table.
“Honestly… As if you weren’t a bandit. I can’t take my eyes off you for a moment.”
“…”
“G-General!”
“Are you all right, Dojang?”
Seeing Chung Myung step through the tent flap, everyone rose to their feet.
There was not a soul present who didn’t know how fierce a battle Chung Myung had fought was, or how grievous his injuries had been. For such a man to appear walking on his own two feet, it was only natural their eyes flew wide.
“Your injuries?”
At Jongli Gok’s question, Chung Myung shrugged.
“Why would I make a fuss over a body a little worse for wear?”
“…Most ordinary men would already be dead.”
“I’m anything but ordinary.”
Chung Myung shoved Im Sobyeong’s slumped body aside with a kick to the backside, clearing a space at the table, then sat down in the chair Namgung Myeong quickly pulled out for him.
“Thank you. Ahh. As expected, Elder, it’s always you.”
“Haha…… Think nothing of it.”
Seated, Chung Myung swept his gaze once over those assembled and nodded.
“Well then… shall we begin?”
And everyone nodded in agreement.
________
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Return of the Mount Hua 
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