The Sect Master sighed as he saw his trusted Core Elders acting in such a way. To his right was a silent First Elder who probably felt the same. As their eyes crossed, they both sighed. After a few more seconds, the Sect Master clapped once loudly. He easily attracted the attention of everyone even though the sound had been drowned by the voices. At their levels, they could hear the wing movements of flies many meters away...

This clap meant that the sect master planned to make a decision.

The Sect Master, noticing everyone finally silent, coughed once before he began: "I believe this pointless debate went on for long enough. There are only two options that would truly benefit ourselves. Do we capture him for ourselves as if an outsider or do we help him return to us as a disciple worth investing on? Each one of us has his own opinion but this is what we need to take a stance on. Those in favor of apprehending him as a criminal, raise your hands right now"

No hands were raised. Both the Sect Master and the First Elder nodded at the sight. It was true that while the option would provide many benefits, their image might take a fall if they went on with this. After all, hunting one of your own was not very reputable. Especially if he did not betray the sect in any ways. Apparently, this time, one of the Princess was very adamant to find him and keep him under her... Since the royalty decided to forget his past within the border war, why would they hold a grudge?

The Sect Master happily asked: "Then, those in favor of taking him back as a disciple raise your hands"

None were raised once again. This stunned both the Sect Master and the First Elder. They did not expect the Elders to all abstain. To be honest, it made them quite angry.

One of the experts stated: "Sect Master, do you seriously think we could take him back as a disciple? We gave up on him once, would he not hold a grudge? Also, he is partly corrupted. Having someone like that within our ranks... It is dangerous"

The Sect Master spoke back: "Then what should we do?!"

None of the experts spoke for they did not know. That was why they debated so fervently. But then, one voice was heard: "Kill him. Once and for all"

All the experts sighed as they recognized the voice from the tone. It was Core Elder Tae-Yeon. They knew that this guy had anger issues and remembered that this particular disciple was the origin of many nasty rumors about him circulating amongst the sect. No one here forgot how he lost his face back then because of that kid... Which was why they decided to simply ignore this revengeful guy.

The First Elder coughed before he spoke: "We can't go against him nor can we help him. In fact, whatever we do, it would bring many demerits to our sect"

The many experts nodded while Tae-Yeon snickered. He was ignored. One of the elder questioned the First Elder: "Do you have any ideas, First Elder?"

The First Elder nodded: "I do. Since we can't take a stance, then let us not!"

This created quite the commotion. The Sect Master slammed his fist on the table as he called for silence. Then, he turned to the First Elder: "What do you mean?"

The First Elder opened his arms wide as he stated: "Let's remain neutral as the official stance of the sect and let the disciples themselves decide! They can go after him. Whether they bring him back as a criminal or a friend will be left to them!"

The elders began to discuss amongst themselves. They all agreed that this was the best way. Officially, as a sect, they remained neutral and protected their image. Meanwhile, they could still join in the festivities. Even Tae-yeon was approving.

Thus was voted the official stance of the Twenty-Two Suns Sect. An edict would soon be written and published for the entire disciple population.

After all the elders left, only the Sect Master and the First Elder remained. The Sect Master asked him: "With this stance, even though we will retain our image, we've made it clear that we won't be taking him back as a friend indirectly"

The First Elder pondered for an instant and stated: "If our disciples decide to go after the bounty instead of trying to save a comrade, wouldn't it simply mean that they never considered him one of us?"

The Sect Master chuckled and stated: "You were always good with your words. But we both know that for this amount, even a mother would betray her child"

They both laughed before they got up. As they closed the doors of the grand hall, the first elder invited the sect master to go for a drink and he did not reject. Whatever happened next to Jin, it did not matter to them. Their interests were safe.

...

Soon, the entire sect disciples learnt of the shocking news. The most wanted man was an ex-disciple of their sect! What's more, many of them actually sparred with the guy in the arena back in their early days! Well, they got beaten up back in the days but still!

The achievements listed in the edict were impressive:

=> Entered the sect straight as an inner disciple with a mortal state.

=> One hundred battle in straight succession won.

=> Ten thousand duels without a single defeat.

=> Survived through a lost border war.

=> Became apprentice to the 'Encyclopedia of techniques' Hae-Hyuk

=> Became famous through a makeshift arena and his might as a 9th stage, even receiving the nickname 'Colorful Spear'

The happenings of The Peak were kept secret but everything else was already quite grand.

What came next depicted the stance of the sect. They decided to leave it to their disciples to decide. Obviously, their choice was clear. They would hunt down that guy if they ever crossed his path. The bounty or a friend? They would pick the bounty anytime.

Except one girl who crushed the paper angrily in her hands after she read it once.