After quieting the crowd, the selection process resumed. With the initial intimidation done, the remaining task didnât take long.
To be fair, calling it a "selection process" was a stretch.
âDidnât I say to pick only seven?â
At my words, the remaining candidates stiffened.
Gone were their earlier expressions of discontent and anger, replaced with palpable tension.
How amusing. A small demonstration of power was enough to change their attitude so drastically.
âThis is exactly why I canât stand Zhongyuan.â
Everything starts and ends with power.
Itâs efficient, but itâs also unbearably primitive.
Not that Iâm in any position to complain, considering how well I exploit it.
âThe group is still too large. But wasting time here feels unnecessary.â
I waved my hand dismissively.
âFigure it out amongst yourselves.â
ââ¦What?â
âWhat do you mean by that?â
Confusion spread through the crowd at my statement.
The meaning shouldâve been obvious, though.
âVote, talk it out, orâ¦â
My gaze flicked toward Cheonma, who was watching from afar with her vacant expression.
âFight each other. I donât care. Just decide.â
It was the most straightforward solution.
Simple, efficient, and easy for everyone to understand.
âYouâve got about half an hour. Make your decision by then.â
With another casual wave, I turned and walked away.
Even as I moved, my senses remained trained on Cheonma, keeping an eye out for any change in her demeanor.
When I glanced at Moyong Hee-ah, I found her staring at me with an incredulous expression.
ââ¦Is this really okay?â she asked.
âYou told me to handle it however I wanted. If you donât like the results, you can change them later.â
âI wasnât talking about the selection.â