Chapter 1134: Let's Get Closer Together! (Part 4)

"Hmm..."

Chung Myung stretched lazily, his face radiating an endless sense of freshness. His expression seemed almost dewy.

"I feel alive now."

"..."

"That's why you should've moderated yourself a bit, Sasuk."

As Chung Myung glanced down, tears welled up in Baek Cheon's eyes.

'I did what you told me to do, you bastard!'

There was a time when he criticized them for hesitating to beat enemies down, but now he preached moderation. What tune should he dance to?

Of course... Baek Cheon couldn't deny that he didn't enjoy it a little bit inside. It was a bit excessive. Well... no, it was actually quite excessive.

"Anyway, those who wield swords don't know moderation. If you let them loose, they'll come crawling up right away."

Thud. Thud.

Chung Myung looked around at the sprawled figures, bending his head from side to side.

Looking at the miserable figures sprawled around, he felt proud as if he had achieved something great. If all these people were in their normal condition, no matter how much Chung Myung teamed up with the other sect leaders or elders, he wouldn't have been able to sweep them away so cleanly(?).

But these crazy guys had been repeatedly beating each other up for almost ten days without sleeping, so it was a situation where they could fall over if someone just poked them from the side. So, it was impossible for them to deal with the masters who had preserved their stamina while leisurely watching.

"Especially you! You, you bastard!"

Chung Myung kicked the one who had fallen at his feet.

Im Sobyeong, whose soul seemed to have partially left his body, rolled lifelessly as Chung Myung kicked him.

"You should moderate yourself! Setting people on fire while they're asleep?"

"Chemistry... It's a strategy... used since ancient times..."

"It still has energy left. It's tenacious. Just die already!"

Chung Myung, who kicked Im Sobyeong without hesitation, turned his body with a satisfied face. Tang Gunak approached with a strange expression. Chung Myung greeted him.

"You've worked hard."

"Umm."

Tang Gunak scratched his cheek with a suspicious face.

"I did what you asked... but I'm not sure if it was a good thing."

"For someone saying that, you seem to be quite happy."

Tang Gunak coughed slightly, blushing. Of course, now he could think like this, but a little while ago, when he threw coins at the Tang Family guys, it felt refreshing.

"Normally, kids grow up while getting hit a bit."

"Kids..."

Tang Gunak looked at the sprawled figures with a subtle expression. In the normal world, they would have already formed a family and had children at their age. Could these guys really be called kids...

"We didn't act based on personal feelings, it was just a form of training."

"... That's true."

At Meng So's words, Tang Gunak nodded. Of course... he felt a sting when he heard the words that they didn't act based on personal feelings...

"Listen carefully, everyone."

It was doubtful whether those who had fainted could listen carefully, but Chung Myung didn't care and shouted.

"We'll train the same way tomorrow. Don't make a fuss, just come out."

"..."

"Since there still seems to be energy left to spare and nowhere to vent it, I'll make sure to release it properly. That's all!"

"..."

"Let's go."

"Well, let's do that."

"Oh, I feel so refreshed. Hehehe."

Chung Myung led the leaders of each sect and moved away from the training ground.

Jo Gol, who was lying on the floor covered in dust, mumbled softly as he watched the scene.

"...Bitch."

Everyone vehemently agreed with those words in their hearts.

"Is that really okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"It seems like everyone has reached their limit now, but repeating the same training in this situation...."

Tang Gunak's concern was no different.

The training mentioned by Chung Myung would not refer to the sparring they did among themselves. Starting tomorrow, it meant that Chung Myung, the other sect leaders, and elders would engage in intensive training against them.

"Is there a problem?"

"Don't we need to give them a break?"

"Ah, Gaju-nim. You're too confident."

"Hmm?"

"Do you think we can win if they're not in that state?"

Tang Gunak tightened his expression as if lost in thought.

"It won't be easy."

"We have to thoroughly defeat them now to make it easier to defeat them in the future."

"...Seems a bit impure in intention."

Chung Myung replied with a sly smile.

"That's the key."

Tang Gunak tilted his head.

"What does that mean?"

Chung Myung chuckled.

"Now everyone should already have a rough idea of the skills of those with whom they practiced together with. After exchanging blows and observing each other on the ground, it's safe to say."

"True."

The problem was that they observed a bit too much.

"I actually thought about it up to that point. It turned out to be a bit more than I expected... Well, quite a lot, actually."

"Very much so."

"...Honestly, I didn't expect them to be so crazy. Mount Hua, I can understand, but why was the Tang Family like that?"

"Have you heard the saying 'a crisis can force unity'?"

"Indeed, the Tang Family is a bit unusual."

When Tang Gunak, who was lost in thought, turned back with a troubled expression, Chung Myung shrugged his shoulders.

"Anyway, they had to go that far. People can't truly understand each other in the midst of awkward formalities."

"But only negative emotions are left, aren't they?"

"That's why continued training is necessary."

"Huh?"

Chung Myung chuckled.

"Do you know when a person truly needs a comrade?"

"...I'm not sure."

"When you don't have the strength to lift a finger, but there's an enemy right in front of you that you can't deal with alone."

Chung Myung said matter-of-factly.

"That's when anyone becomes desperate. Whether it's the guy you brawled with yesterday, or the guy you've considered an enemy, in that situation, they become so welcome and grateful."

Tang Gunak nodded silently. He hadn't experienced it, but he could understand. Couldn't he understand just by thinking about how the Namgung Family, who were trapped on Plum Blossom Island, reacted to Mount Hua?

Since then, the Namgung Family had regarded Mount Hua as an unparalleled benefactor.

"If that happens, they naturally gather."

"...Does that mean..."

Understanding Chung Myung's words, Tang Gunak narrowed his eyes slightly.

"It means people need a common enemy to unite."

"Yes. A formidable enemy... one that they can't handle on our own."

Chung Myung looked up at the distant sky.

When the Demonic Sect first appeared, the Central Plains was literally in chaos. No, to be more precise, even before the arrival of the Demonic Sect, the Central Plains was a mess.

There was no need to look for a reason. To the strong at the time, the guys next door who had been growling at each other were more annoying than the crazy guys who suddenly appeared from nowhere.

Wasn't that why Mount Hua couldn't share the same space with the Southern Edge Sect on the battlefield?

But as the war continued, and as they began to realize the magnitude of the power the Demonic Cult possessed, and above all, as they understood what kind of creature the Heavenly Demon was, their relationships with each other were somewhat mended.

Those who stood at the forefront of the battlefield had unquestioningly entrusted their backs to the disciples of rival sects.

The sense of camaraderie was born in such circumstances.

'Well... the guys who did that were all wiped out at the summit of the Hundred Thousand Mountain.'

That probably played a significant role in the chaos of Kangho and the disintegration of Mount Hua. If any survivors of that chaos were left, they would have become heroes of the sect, leading the sect in the future.

In the end, only the cowardly and incompetent ones who didn't participate in the decisive battle remained and led the sect. That was likely the root cause of all the events.

In conclusion, it was none other than the presence of the Heavenly Demon that, at least to some extent externally, brought together the scattered sects that were in a state of disarray.

"It'll happen again this time. With Jang Ilso and that Heavenly Demon bastard returning."

"Hmm."

"But if we try to unite then, it'll be too late. At that point, we won't be receiving beatings like now, but we'll be paying the price with our lives."

How much sacrifice and bloodshed had occurred before the sects could move united with a common purpose?

"It's essential to experience it beforehand. Seeing the full extent of your allies, facing formidable enemies, and situations where just having someone who growls and fights beside gives you strength."

"..."

"While it can't compare to firsthand experience, it's better than doing nothing, isn't it?"

Chung Myung turned his head to look at Tang Gunak and Meng So. Before Meng So could respond, Tang Gunak spoke first.

"So if you're going to do it, do it properly. Don't regret losing disciples later."

"Yes."

Chung Myung grinned.

"Well... I might hear some complaints, but isn't it better than watching the kids die?"

It was unclear whether his words were said with such intention, but Chung Myung's words became an extremely sharp dagger that pierced Tang Gunak and Meng So.

As Chung Myung said, the foremost duty of a sect leader was to protect the disciples. It wasn't about avoiding blame, fearing a decline in authority, or withdrawing when insults were thrown. Even if they received curses and witnessed the disciples rebelling, they must guide them to survival.

Yes, that was the right thing to do.

But until now, Tang Gunak and Meng So couldn't do that. They simply withdrew, saying it was something they couldn't do, and that only Mount Hua could do it.

"...So it was this way."

"What are you talking about?"

Looking at Chung Myung, who was acting strangely, Tang Gunak suppressed a bitter smile.

'I thought he was angry with the kids.'

Instead, it seemed that Chung Myung's anger was directed at the sect leaders of each sect. What he did to those kids today was a punishment for their wrongdoing, but ultimately, it was also a warning to the sect leaders who had allowed the situation to go this far.

"…I understand what you mean."

Tang Gunak let out a deep sigh.

He also knew the Tang Family needed to change. Considering the challenges they would face in the future, it would be difficult to survive as they were. However, it seemed that he had inadvertently distanced himself from the very change he had envisioned.

He had thought if Chung Myung could lead the children of the Tang Family well, the Tang Family would also change.

'Impossible.'

If the waters above are murky, how can the waters below be clear?

When he thought about it, it was such an obvious thing.

"It's embarrassing."

"You're talking in riddles."

Seeing Chung Myung shrug his shoulders as if he didn't know anything, Tang Gunak smiled bitterly. Meng So also nodded seriously, as if he shared the same thoughts as Tang Gunak.

'The way he treated the Nokrim King and Namgung's Sogaju wasn't a punishment.'

They didn't need separate punishments. Because they were already making efforts to change by mingling with others.

After understanding the meaning and seeing their efforts, he realized how pathetic he had been while smiling at their attempts. His face felt hot again.

How ridiculous must it have been for those who received the same treatment for trying to change, and how pathetic for those who could not join them because they had already defined themselves?

Today, the children received a lesson, but it was Tang Gunak and Meng So who actually received the punishment.

"Ahem."

Tang Gunak, who cleared his throat loudly, made up his mind and looked at Chung Myung.

"...If what you say is true, we should become an even more formidable enemy. Even if some resentment accumulates, it seems so."

"Better than fighting amongst ourselves."

As Tang Gunak and Meng So spoke as if they understood, Chung Myung grinned.

"If you're going to do it, I'll ask for it clearly."

"Got it."

"Leave it to us."

Nodding, Tang Gunak felt it once again.

'In the end, all this training was not about everyone becoming one.'

They clashed, fought, and grumbled over trivial disagreements. And finally, they faced an overwhelmingly powerful enemy, joining forces with those they had fought against until yesterday.

This was something they would have to experience against that Demonic Cult someday. Chung Myung had created the pain they would face in the future against the Demonic Cult in a much milder way right here.

The reason he had to go through this troublesome and annoying process was too clear.

Chung Myung's underlying principle in all his actions was just one: to save at least one more disciple of Mount Hua. Now, those be saved were not only from Mount Hua.

Not just in words but genuinely.

"...I misunderstood you a bit."

"You?"

"Embarrassingly, I thought you were furious and beating the kids. I had no idea you had any plans."

"..."

"Now that I think about it, you scolded those kids today according to your plan..."

Tang Gunak stopped speaking suddenly.

Chung Myung avoided eye contact, looking away.

"...Did you?"

"Ha... Haha! Yes, that's right! It was like that today! Because I had a plan all along!"

"..."

"Oh, dear, I got caught. Embarrassing."

Tang Gunak, who had been staring blankly at Chung Myung's retreating figure, burst into laughter.

"I can't stop him."

He shook his head as he laughed, then straightened his shoulders.

He understood Chung Myung's intentions. Now, what he had to do was clear.

"Well, then, for a while, let's try being devils."

Tang Gunak, brimming with enthusiasm, clenched his fist tightly.

The sound of the joints cracking in his hand seemed to foretell the future of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance's disciples, who were blissfully unaware.