He took a deep breath, his voice strained. "Elder Kong, are we just going to let this go? That man's origins are unknown. He trespassed into a restricted area of the Sun-Moon Palace and fought us using martial techniques from the same lineage as ours. Are we really going to let him leave?"
The elderly man surnamed Kong stood where shadow met light before the gate, a dark wooden staff braced in front of him. His clear eyes swept over the young man. There was no reproach in that glance, only a depth and calm like an ancient pool. The young man's heated emotions cooled as though a bucket of cold water had been poured over them.
"He was stronger than you. What more is there to say? The five of you joined forces and formed an array, and he broke through it head-on by himself. He earned that outcome with his own strength."
"When you lose, you admit it. That is the most basic rule for disciples of the Sun-Moon Palace. As for his origins and those martial techniques, there will be an explanation once he wakes. There's no need for you to fret over it here."
The young man's lips moved as though he still wanted to say something, but he swallowed the words before they came out.
His fist slowly loosened, then tightened again. In the end, he let out a muffled grunt of frustration. "Yes, this disciple understands."
The other four lowered their heads together. "We will heed your teachings, Elder." Their voices were in unison, but they could not hide the dejection and defeat in them.
Elder Kong said nothing more. He tapped his wooden staff once, then turned and walked deeper through the gate.
The five young men and women stood in the square