The elder council convened at mid-morning in the Grand Hall, an ornate room with walls painted in flowing blue and white patterns meant to evoke water's eternal movement. Raon stood among the guard escort, positioned along the back wall where he could observe without being conspicuous.
Master Hwan Dojin sat at the head of the council table, flanked by the four primary elders: Cho Ryang (conservative, suspicious), Min Soha (moderate, pragmatic), Yoon Taeyang (traditionalist but open minded), and Jeong Hana (youngest elder, reform minded).
Jin stood before them, hands clasped behind his back in formal address posture.
"Honorable elders, Sect Leader," Jin began. "I come with a proposal to strengthen our sect's readiness and morale."
Elder Cho's eyes narrowed immediately. The old man had been watching Jin with increased scrutiny since the well incident. "Go on, Young Master."
"I propose we hold a sect wide martial arts tournament," Jin said clearly. "Open to all members, outer disciples through inner disciples, guards, and junior instructors. A comprehensive evaluation of our current martial strength."
The reaction was immediate.
Elder Cho's face darkened. "A tournament? Young Master, we've just suffered an infiltration and poisoning attack. Our resources should be directed toward strengthening defenses, not hosting festivities."
"It's not a festivity, Elder," Jin replied calmly. "It's an assessment. The recent attack revealed gaps in our security and combat readiness. A tournament would allow us to evaluate every practitioner's current skill level systematically."
"We have regular evaluation sessions," Elder Yoon pointed out. "Why do we need a tournament?"
"Because regular evaluations are predictable," Jin countered. "Disciples know when they're being tested, so they prepare specifically for those moments. A tournament provides combat scenarios that better reflect real world conditions, pressure, adaptability, improvisation."
Elder Min leaned forward, interest showing in her sharp eyes. "You're suggesting this as a diagnostic tool."
"Precisely," Jin confirmed. "We'd identify who's genuinely progressed, who's stagnated, and who needs additional training. With the Heavenly Demon Alliance becoming more aggressive, we can't afford to have weak links in our ranks."
**He's good. He's making your spy hunting scheme sound like legitimate security policy.**
Raon remained expressionless, but internally he was impressed. Jin had refined their argument beautifully.
"There's also the morale consideration," Jin continued. "The poisoning incident has everyone on edge. Disciples are afraid, guards are suspicious, and rumors are spreading. We need to give the sect something positive to focus on, a goal that unites rather than divides us."
Elder Jeong, who'd been silent until now, spoke up. "The Young Master has a point. I've observed decreased training enthusiasm since the attack. Fear paralyzes. A tournament could channel that nervous energy into productive competition."
"Productive competition?" Elder Cho scoffed. "Or dangerous distraction? While we're hosting games, the Alliance could strike again."
"Which is why the tournament serves a dual purpose," Jin said smoothly. "Enhanced security during a public event. We'll have everyone gathered in one place, under observation, with maximum guard presence. If there are remaining infiltrators, they'll be forced to either participate, revealing themselves through their techniques, or abstain, which flags them as suspicious."
The elders exchanged glances. Raon could see the calculation in their eyes, weighing risks against benefits.
Master Hwan Dojin stroked his beard thoughtfully. "An interesting proposal. But organizing such an event requires significant preparation and resources."
"We already have the training grounds and facilities," Jin pointed out. "The infrastructure exists. We'd need to arrange brackets, assign referees, and prepare medical support, all of which we should have ready anyway for emergency scenarios."
"What about prizes?" Elder Min asked practically. "Competitors will expect rewards."
"Essence pearls and elixirs to strenghten their foundation" Jin suggested. "Personal instruction from elders. Priority for mission assignments. Recognition that costs us nothing but provides real value."
Elder Yoon nodded slowly. "That's... actually reasonable."
"There's one more benefit," Jin added, and Raon knew what was coming. "The tournament would allow us to publicly demonstrate the effectiveness of our recently corrected techniques."
The room's temperature seemed to drop slightly.
"You mean Guard Raon's methods," Elder Cho said flatly.
"I mean our sect's restored foundations," Jin corrected diplomatically. "The techniques aren't new, they're our own legacy, properly reconstructed from historical texts. Guard Raon simply... rediscovered what we'd lost."
"A convenient narrative," Elder Cho muttered.
"An accurate one," Elder Jeong interjected. "I've reviewed the texts Guard Raon cited. His corrections are documented in our own archives, fragmented across multiple sources, but verifiable. Whether we like how he discovered them or not, the techniques work."
"Which is precisely why we should showcase them," Jin pressed. "The other sects see us as declining. A tournament where our disciples demonstrate superior methods especially our younger practitioners who've been training with the corrected forms, that changes the narrative. It announces that the Blue Pearl Sect is returning to its former strength."
**He's a marketing genius. He's turned your corrections into a political statement.**
Master Hwan Dojin raised his hand, and the debate ceased. The Sect Leader's expression was contemplative, his gaze distant as he considered all angles.
Finally, he spoke. "The Young Master makes compelling arguments. However, I share Elder Cho's concerns about resource allocation during a security crisis." He paused. "Therefore, I propose a compromise."
Everyone leaned forward slightly.
"We'll hold the tournament," Hwan Dojin declared, "but with modified parameters. A Three day duration, not the traditional week long event. Participation is mandatory for all able bodied members, with only medical exemptions accepted. Securities already doubled with special observation protocols."
He looked directly at Jin. "And Young Master, you will personally oversee the arrangements. If this tournament is truly about assessment and protection, prove it."
Jin bowed deeply. "I accept the responsibility, Sect Leader."
"Furthermore," Hwan Dojin continued, "the tournament will be observed by representatives from the Martial Alliance's regional office. If we're showcasing our recovered strength, we should do so officially."
The Martial Alliance is a coalition formed by the major sects of Murim to maintain order among cultivators and defend the land from demonic forces as well as corrupt practitioners.
*Hey genius, Now you've got external observers. That makes things slightly complicated.**
Elder Cho looked somewhat at ease by this addition. "Having Martial Alliance oversight ensures proper conduct. I can agree to this compromise."
The other elders nodded their assent one by one.
"Then it's decided," Hwan Dojin announced. "The Blue Pearl Sect will host a grand tournament in two weeks time. All members will participate in their respective divisions. Elder Min, you'll handle logistics. Elder Yoon, medical preparations. Elder Jeong, referee assignments. Elder Cho, you'll assist the Young Master with security protocols."
**And there's the punishment. Jin has to work directly with the elder who suspects you both. Fun times ahead.**
"Yes Sect Leader," the elders responded in unison.
As the council members dispersed to begin preparations, Jin caught Raon's eye briefly. The look said everything: Phase one complete. Now comes the hard part.
Raon nodded slightly. Two weeks to identify every infiltrator in the sect, gather evidence, and prepare for whatever came after exposure.
**Quest Updated: Identify Alliance Infiltrators.**
**Time Limit: 14 days.**
**Penalty for Failure: Spy network remains hidden, sect destruction proceeds as scheduled.**
**Bonus Objective: Do all this while Elder Cho watches your every move.**
**Difficulty: Hard Mode with Surveillance DLC.**
"Perfect," Raon muttered under his breath. "Absolutely perfect."