Chapter 1. Prodigy Development Report (2)
"Then the first matter has been decided.
Then let us now move on to the second matter.
If anyone has an opinion, please raise your hand as before."
This time, Soyuja raised his hand first.
"Elder Soyu."
"Ahem, if we divide the children into two groups, one group would be accepted into the 'Yu' character generation, and the other group into the 'Cheong' character generation. For the 'Yu' generation, we would assign teachers of the 'Song' character generation, and for the 'Cheong' generation, we would assign teachers of the 'Yu' character generation. But since we have agreed to grant everyone equal opportunities, I believe that has become impossible. I suspect Elder Soha has some profound insight."
It was a remark born of spite at having his own opinion ignored. Sohaja, receiving Soyuja's fearsome gaze, flushed red. As the youngest of the Nine Great Elders, being targeted by Soyuja, who was second in rank, made him uneasy. But the water was already spilled; moreover, since he had something in mind, he mustered his courage and opened his mouth.
"Then, allow me to say a word. One of the chronic problems of our sect is precisely the issue of generation ranks. Until now, generation ranks have been determined too heavily based on bone constitution, which has caused much dissatisfaction. Among peers of the same age, one might be a level above, while another is a level below, and one must even call those younger than oneself martial uncle. To say there is no dissatisfaction about this would be a lie."
When he had spoken thus far, Soyuja raised his voice slightly.
"But is that not because the martial world we inhabit follows the law where the strong are supreme? Is it not natural that those with strength receive commensurate treatment?"
"But it is we who grant that strength."
Sohaja replied softly.
But Soyuja, seemingly failing to grasp Sohaja's meaning, asked hurriedly.
"What do you mean by that?"
It was a tone that seemed as if he might devour him. Yet Sohaja maintained his composure and answered.
"Granting young children high ranks and teaching them powerful martial arts befitting those ranks—that is us. Likewise, granting children of the same age a rank one level lower and teaching them martial arts befitting that rank—that is also us."
"Hmm......"
"Hem hem......"
Embarrassed groans and dry coughs burst out here and there. Sohaja's words were true.
Then Muheoja's mouth opened.
"Hmm... Soha, your words are correct. It is we who distinguish among young children to create differences in rank and martial arts. But you must know there are advantages to that as well."
"......Of course I know. Children of high rank will feel pride when they see adults of the same rank as themselves. 'At such a young age, I share the same rank as an adult like you.' That is what they will think. And in order not to fall behind those adults, they will devote themselves even more to martial arts training. Since their rank is the same, they will think their martial arts level should be similar as well. Therefore, looking at the ancestors who have illuminated our sect throughout history, I know that most were one or perhaps two ranks higher than their peers. I do not think ill of that."
"But that is not what you are saying, is it?"
Soyuja's shout burst forth again.
But Sohaja, without even looking at Soyuja, fixed his gaze on Muheoja and spoke.
"However, I cannot agree with the number."
"Hmm......"
Muheoja let out a heavy groan and nodded.
If one or two people held a higher rank than oneself despite being the same age, that was tolerable. Furthermore, if they possessed superior ability and were being nurtured as figures who would illuminate the sect in the future, one could perhaps acknowledge a single rank difference. But what if there were dozens, hundreds? If one had to address and revere dozens or hundreds of peers as martial uncles, would there be anyone who could truly acknowledge and accept that?
"If dozens of martial uncles of the same age, or even younger than oneself, receive such privileges merely because their bone constitution is slightly superior, who would not feel aggrieved?"
At Sohaja's words, Muheoja let out another heavy sigh and said.
"Hmm... Indeed... Our sect increased that number greatly in order to produce more first-rate experts......"
"Therefore, the gap in martial arts level between those one rank above and one rank below within the same age group in our sect is growing ever wider. While some learn powerful martial arts to their heart's content and hold high ranks, others of similar age learn only basic martial arts and must even use honorifics for their peers, causing great mental anguish. I wish to lower that number again."
Then, Sojinja, who had been silent, opened his mouth.
"Hmm, I feel the conversation is gradually going in a strange direction. Elder Soha, what then do you propose?"
"I believe it would be best to place all one hundred children under the same rank, or alternatively, to select merely two or three and raise their rank by one."
"Hmm, then to summarize Elder Soha's words—you propose accepting all one hundred children into the 'Cheong' character generation, or accepting two or three among them into the 'Yu' character generation?"
"That could be said."
As Sohaja nodded, Sojinja looked around the assembly and said.
"Two opinions have emerged from Elder Soha simultaneously: to accept all one hundred children into the 'Cheong' character generation, and to select two or three among them for the 'Yu' character generation. Are there any other opinions?"
Before his words even finished, one of the Nine Great Elders, Somyeongja, raised his hand.
"Elder Somyeong."
"I shall speak briefly. I agree with Soha's words. But if we are to select two or three children, what criteria shall we use?"
To that, Sohaja cautiously opened his mouth.
"Personally, I would prefer all one hundred to be accepted into the 'Cheong' character generation, but if we absolutely must select two or three, it would be best to choose those with the most outstanding bone constitution."
"But did you not oppose selecting by bone constitution?"
It was a sharp question. But Soha maintained his composure and answered calmly.
"It is because there is no other method. Can we tell whether children not yet three years old possess outstanding wisdom, perseverance, or talent? In my honest heart, I would like to accept all into the 'Cheong' character generation, or entrust the selection of two or three children to chance. But since others would not agree, I have put forth this opinion out of necessity."
As his words ended, Somyeongja tried to open his mouth to say something, but Sojinja was a beat faster.
"Hem hem, then let us organize this first. Other than Elder Soha's opinion—to accept all one hundred children into the 'Cheong' character generation or to accept two or three into the 'Yu' character generation—are there any differing opinions? I shall count to ten. One, two, three, four......"
During the count to ten, no one raised their hand.
Sojinja opened his mouth again.
"Then it has been narrowed down to Elder Soha's two opinions. Let us decide by majority rule. Those who think all one hundred children should be accepted into the 'Cheong' character generation, please raise your right hand. Those who think two or three should be selected from the one hundred for the 'Yu' character generation, please raise your left hand. Then...... please raise your hands."
Each raised their hands.
Sojinja accurately counted those who raised their right hands and those who raised their left. And he said.
"Eight right hands, fifty left. Therefore, Elder Soha's second opinion is decided. Do you agree, Sect Leader?"
This time too, Soyoja replaced his answer with a nod.
"Songwon, record this."
As Sojinja spoke while looking at Songwon, Songwon swiftly began to move his brush.
Watching that, Sojinja opened his mouth.
"Then, regarding the problem derived from this second matter—how best to select two or three from among the one hundred children—if anyone has a good opinion, please raise your hand."
As soon as his words ended, Muheoja opened his mouth.
"Sojin, that too has yielded two methods from Soha."
"Ah, yes. Indeed. Then other than Elder Soha's two opinions—to select two or three children with excellent bone constitution, and to leave it to chance—are there any other opinions? I shall count to ten. One, two, three, four......"
No one raised their hand.
"Then we shall choose one of Elder Soha's two opinions. Those who think it best to select two or three children with excellent bone constitution, please raise your right hand. Those who think it best to leave it to chance, please raise your left hand. Then...... please raise your hands."
Hands rose accordingly. Sojinja accurately counted the number of people who raised their right hands and those who raised their left, then opened his mouth.
"Fifty-seven right hands, one left. Therefore, the selection standard shall be excellence of bone constitution. Do you agree, Sect Leader?"
As Soyoja nodded, Sojinja looked at Songwon and said.
"Songwon, record this."
Watching Songwon recording, Sohaja, the sole person who had raised his left hand, let out a sigh inwardly.
'Haah... In the end, it has come to this. I truly wished to grant everyone equal opportunity this time......
To think we must again select two or three from among those children... And those with excellent bone constitution at that... Haah......'
But since it was already decided, there was nothing more he could do. He could only watch.
"Then let us proceed. Ah, but before that, I wish to offer one opinion. It is nothing else but to entrust the Nine Great Elders with examining the bone constitution of the one hundred children. Are there any differing opinions?"
At his proposal, everyone nodded. Since the martial arts of the Nine Great Elders were acknowledged by all, they believed that if entrusted to them, the children with the most outstanding bone constitution would be selected.
"Then, understanding there are no other opinions, the Nine Great Elders shall select two or three children. Do you agree, Sect Leader?"
Soyoja nodded, and Songwon swiftly recorded this.
"Then let us move on to the next matter......"
Thus the meeting continued tediously, and only after three days were all matters decided.
1. Equal opportunity shall be granted to all one hundred children.
2. However, as an exception, 2-3 children shall be selected and granted a rank one level higher, receiving special instruction.
3. The 'Cheong' character generation shall be granted to 97-8 children, and the 'Yu' character generation to 2-3 children.
4. Teachers of the 'Yu' character generation shall be assigned to the 97-8 children, and teachers of the 'Song' character generation to the 2-3 children.
5. The 97-8 children shall be subdivided into groups of 1-2 and paired with teachers of the 'Yu' character generation to enable one-on-one instruction, allowing each child's individuality to flourish. The 2-3 children shall each receive instruction from the supreme experts of the 'Song' character generation to become first-rate experts in a short time.
6. No elixirs or internal energy transfer shall be given to the 97-8 children. For the 2-3 children, elixirs shall be provided with the highest priority, and they shall receive internal energy transmission from the elders.
7. The 97-8 children shall be entrusted to their respective teachers' discretion, but for fairness's sake they shall be taught starting from the basic martial art, the Samjae Sword Technique. The 2-3 children shall be entrusted to their respective teachers' discretion, but taught starting from the advanced martial art, the Daecheong Sword Technique.
8. The 97-8 children shall be taught in parallel with sword formations that combine the strength of many. The 2-3 children shall not be taught sword formations, in order to maximize their individual abilities.
9. The one hundred children shall be taught in accordance with the above matters.