Chapter 1176: I Have Something To Say (Part 1)

Chung Myung burst into laughter.

"Well, Dong Ryong needs to recognize his own confidence. Even though you've become stronger, it seems like it's still not enough, right? Well, when I think about the past..."

"I told you not to talk about the past. I said it clearly."

"Oh my! Yes, yes. Is there anything I can do for you?"

In response to Baek Cheon's glare, Chung Myung exaggeratedly raised both hands, pretending to be frightened. As Baek Cheon let out a deep sigh, Chung Myung burst into laughter and took a sip of his drink.

After a while, he slowly lowered the wine bottle, and his lips spoke with a voice filled with warmth.

"Sasuk...And the Sahyungs are doing well."

"...."

"I'm not just saying it. I really think so. They can't do any better than this. They all endured so stubbornly."

"I suppose so."

"It's a bit complicated. When I watch, sometimes I think, 'How can they only practice like that? Are those bastards really human beings?'"

"...."

"And sometimes, I think, 'They don't do anything other than practice. They're really trying.'"

"Just say one thing, just one. Decide on one thing."

Chung Myung smirked.

"I know. They're all working hard until their bones ache. And they're trying to be of a little more help."

Honestly, it was admirable.

As someone who always reprimanded himself for being insufficient, Chung Myung knew. He knew how everyone was doing their best to improve themselves.

"It's just that what we have to handle is too big. Even if we distribute it, it's overwhelming for everyone."

"Still."

"But that can be powerful."

Chung Myung pressed his mouth with his fist as if he had said something he shouldn't have. Then, he took a long breath through his nose and said,

"I didn't do it all alone. I'm just a person who can't do anything if I'm alone."

It was truly sincere.

Chung Myung understood. Whenever he did something, there was always someone by his side. When he stood at the forefront of Mount Hua Sect, Cheon Mun led the way, and Cheon Jin supported him from behind. When facing the most formidable enemies, Tang Bo guarded his back.

Without them, Chung Myung would have just been a strong individual in Kangho. It was because of them that Chung Myung could become the Plum Blossom Sword Saint.

"If it weren't for Sasuk, Sago, and the Sahyungs, I wouldn't have come this far. Of course, including Sect Leader and the elders, as well as other people from Mount Hua."

Words that he would never say under normal circumstances flowed out.

Maybe, when morning came, he'd want to permanently erase those words, but for now, he just wanted to speak freely.

"Especially, I have a lot to be thankful for to Sasuk."

"Are you that kind of person?"

"...Cancel that. I must have lost my mind for a moment."

Chung Myung smiled slightly and shook his head.

"Anyway, there's no need to worry about unnecessary thoughts. Sasuk is doing what Sasuk needs to do perfectly. There's nothing more to ask for."

"Just because a young bird can only squawk."

"I'm an adult."

"Sure. Keep blabbering."

Chung Myung chuckled softly and looked up at the moon.

Perhaps he really was someone who would never be able to become an adult.

That thought hadn't changed.

But even for someone like him, there were times when he had to become an adult. At least there were times when he had to pretend to be an adult.

When younger ones looked at him, with trust and faith in their eyes. At such times, even if he hadn't fully grown up, he had to straighten his shoulders and pretend to be a reliable person.

Maybe everyone was like that?

As more and more people believe that they are adults, won't they naturally end up pretending to be adults at some point even though they haven't become adults yet?

If there was Cheon Mun, if there was Cheon Jin, or if there was even that Tang Bo guy, Chung Myung might have still been the immature madman of Mount Hua.

But there was no Cheon Mun, no Cheon Jin, and no Tang Bo here.

What was left for Chung Myung were just young children who were still watching him, not having yet fully developed talents. Someday, they would spread their talents like wings and shine brightly.

So shouldn't he give strength to his shoulders? Even if his shoulders and back hadn't fully grown yet, shouldn't he straighten them and stand tall as much as possible?

'So you felt like this, Sahyung.'

He probably knew.

Why Cheon Mun had looked so imposing, how he had seemed so unshakable.

Perhaps it was Chung Myung's gaze toward Cheon Mun that made Cheon Mun that way As Cheon Mun led Chung Myung, unknowingly, Chung Myung was pushing Cheon Mun forward.

There is no such thing as a one-sided relationship. Even seemingly meaningless things have their own significance.

As insignificant as this conversation may have seemed, as trivial as these jokes were, they were all lifting the sense of oppression that lingered in Chung Myung's mind.

'So I need to become a bit more of an adult.'

A small smile formed on Chung Myung's lips.

"There are times in life when even Dong Ryong can be helpful."

"...Do you want to fight?"

"It's a compliment."

"You're kidding."

Baek Cheon murmured with a bitter expression. Seeing him like that, Chung Myung laughed.

"Don't worry. Everything will be fine."

"..."

"We'll destroy Evil Tyrant Alliance, the Demonic Cult brats, all of them. And someday, we'll make Mount Hua the greatest martial arts sect."

Chung Myung sighed deeply.

"Of course, it's a bit hard to believe that Sasuk or Yoon Jong Sahyung will become the Sect Leader of Mount Hua."

"Then you do it!"

"...Really?"

"No. Cancel that. Please, erase it from your memory. I beg you."

Chung Myung laughed heartily at Baek Cheon's startled reaction. Then...

"Utkka!"

He suddenly stood up.

"Why are you standing up?"

"Things became clear."

"Huh?"

Chung Myung shrugged.

"I couldn't understand why I was agonizing over such things. Thanks, Sasuk. It's because of you."

...What."

Baek Cheon looked at Chung Myung with a bewildered expression.

"There's still alcohol left."

"What?"

Chung Myung lifted the bottle of alcohol in his hand to his lips, took a sip, and leaned back, emptying the bottle in one gulp. The liquid poured out vigorously, passing through Chung Myung's throat.

"Hey, I...!"

"Kkuh!"

Chung Myung, who emptied the bottle in one breath, shook the empty bottle with a smirk.

"Nothing left now?"

"You crazy..."

"Hehehe."

Chung Myung slyly chuckled and jumped down from the beam.

"Sasuk, don't waste time unnecessarily and go to sleep. We'll be training the same way tomorrow."

"Even when someone's worried about you..."

"Who's worrying about whom? Sasuk worrying about me? Oh, I'm so embarrassed, I don't know where to put myself."

"This bastard?"

"Thank you."

Chung Myung turned his body.

"See you tomorrow, Sasuk."

And without any hesitation, he walked away.

"Hey, you! I haven't finished talking yet..."

Although Baek Cheon called out, Chung Myung ultimately didn't turn back.

"That bastard..."

Baek Cheon, who had been staring blankly at his retreating figure, eventually shook his head. Then he raised his head and looked at the moon.

The moon, obscured by clouds, emitted a faint light.

"...Leave some alcohol at least."

The hollow voice spread emptily across the night sky.

Time passed quickly.

For three days, there was no significant change in the daily life of the manor. The sounds of those suffering from intense training continued to fill the manor, and the voices of those tormenting them were even more triumphant.

Outwardly, daily life seemed calm, flowing swiftly, and in an instant, the day promised by Beopjeong arrived.

"Have you pondered over the matter?"

Early morning, when Baek Cheon asked after summoning them, the Five Swords's faces hardened.

"Have you found an answer?"

Yoon Jong sighed deeply and was the first to speak.

"Sasuk."

"Yes, Yoon Jong."

"...Of course, I've been thinking. To the point of tearing my hair out."

Upon hearing this, the others nodded in agreement.

The hours they spent sleeping in the past three days could be counted on one hand. Even if they entered their quarters as if they would collapse at any moment, sleep eluded them. It was because their minds were filled with worries.

Yoon Jong glanced at the others and then nodded.

"I don't know about others, but honestly, I still don't know. What is right and what is wrong."

Baek Cheon listened earnestly with a grave expression.

"If I had to stake my life alone, I would do it as much as needed. If my death could save others, even if it caused great harm later on, I would willingly do it."

Some showed agreement with his words.

"But... I can't bring myself to send others to their deaths for the sake of saving others. If Jo Gol were to say he's going to die to save the common people, I wouldn't have the heart to send him."

Jo Gol bit his lip slightly.

"This seems to be a problem that is not about right or wrong from the start. I don't think anyone in the world can answer that question. Sasuk, I've seriously thought about it... I'm sorry. I couldn't find an answer."

Yoon Jong, with an apologetic look, bowed deeply. However, instead of blaming him, Baek Cheon just smiled calmly and nodded.

"You've worked hard."

"Yes."

"What about the others?"

As no one else spoke up, Baek Cheon's gaze naturally turned towards Yoo Iseol. Upon receiving his gaze, Yoo Iseol, unexpectedly biting on her lips, replied.

"I don't know."

"Is that so?"

"Regardless of the situation, I will fight at the forefront. However... I can't ask others to do the same."

"I see."

Baek Cheon nodded as if acknowledging the truth. This time, his gaze shifted to Jo Gol.

Jo Gol scratched his head awkwardly.

"How can I find an answer that even Sago and Sahyung couldn't find?"

"I didn't expect you to."

"Huh?"

"Nothing. So?"

"Honestly, I thought putting my life on the line was enough, but it occurred to me...that risking my life to uphold righteousness might be coercing someone who doesn't want to do that to throw away their own life."

Everyone looked at Jo Gol with surprised eyes at his unexpected revelation. In response to their reactions, a bewildered Jo Gol asked.

"Oh, no, why are you all so surprised? I didn't say anything I couldn't say, did I?"

"...He also does something called thinking."

"He's growing, growing."

"This way, someday he might become a human being."

"These bastards!"

As Jo Gol got angry, Baek Cheon laughed and restrained him.

"Yeah, you've worked hard. What about Soso?"

"Sasuk. Honestly, I might not be able to tell someone to go out and die, but I feel like I could suggest dying together."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. As long as I don't survive alone."

"I see. So Soso is that type, huh?"

"But...I can ask Sasuk and Sahyungs to die with me, but when the disciples come in later, I might not be able to do that. They need to live. Even if we die."

Some nodded at her words.

"So, I don't know. I only thought about protecting, but I've never considered that those I want to protect might be willing to sacrifice themselves for someone unknown. However...what I want to protect and what Mount Hua wants to protect may be different..."

As Tang Soso lowered her head, Yoo Iseol gently comforted her by patting her shoulder.

"And monk Hye Yeon?"

"Amitabha."

Hye Yeon closed his eyes and chanted a prayer.

"Dojang. The Buddha has instructed us to spread the light of the Dharma to all corners of the world to save sentient beings."

"Yes, that is the teaching of the inexhaustible Dharma."

"Even dividing the superiority and inferiority of what one wishes to protect is merely an attachment to small affinities. It is more fitting to save more beings."

It was when Baek Cheon nodded his head. Hye Yeon smiled bitterly and continued.

"But... if that happens, how can one be the Buddha, let alone a human?"

"True."

"...When you think about it, those people aren't on the right path."

"He's a heretic monk."

Hye Yeon's face quickly turned red.

"When, when did I become a heretic!"

"Isn't that the case?"

"Well, that's..."

Hye Yeon, blushing, recited the mantra loudly. Baek Cheon sighed calmly and looked at everyone.

"It's good that you've all thought seriously about it. What did you think after contemplating? Did you come up with an answer?"

"No."

"Honestly, I can't find an answer."

"There was no answer to this in the first place."

Baek Cheon nodded his head.

"Yeah. This is a problem without an answer. But you need to know. If we simply say there's no answer, that's the end of it. But Sect Leader and Chung Myung must somehow find that missing answer."

Those who understood the feelings of those making decisions nodded seriously.

"So, today, no matter what answer you hear, you should never resent it or criticize it for being a wrong choice. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sasuk."

"We understand."

"What qualifications do we have?"

"Right."

With that, Baek Cheon turned away. His eyes were deeper than usual.