Chapter 1363: Indeed, You Have A Generous Heart (Part 3)

When conducting righteousness, one should not expect reciprocation. This is a principle held by those who engage in righteousness.

The moment one expects reciprocation, it ceases to be righteousness and transforms into a transaction. That's why Baek Cheon did not expect reciprocation for his actions, even if he had endured countless dangers and sacrificed much. However...

Baek Cheon slowly nodded, parting his lips.

"I understand your circumstances."

He managed to suppress the involuntary sigh that escaped him.

"But, Village Chief. Our situation is not so favorable either. So, would it be too much to ask for your help just this once? It's difficult to guarantee our lives if we have to cut ties, even with the pursuit of the Evil Tyrant Alliance."

Under normal circumstances, Baek Cheon wouldn't have gone into such detailed explanations. The reason he spoke was not to garner sympathy by revealing difficulties. He simply wanted to know.

How does the goodwill, given without expecting anything in return, come back? Is their righteousness truly making the world a better place?

"Sir..."

But it seemed that such sentiments didn't reach the elderly chief.

"How can ignorants like us discuss your circumstances?"

"..."

"We know nothing. We only wish to survive each day, somehow managing to put food in our mouths. Please, consider us pitiable."

The elderly chief rubbed his head again. Seeing this, Baek Cheon let out a bitter laugh.

What could they do?

If a strong force pressed down, they could resist. But what words could be spoken in front of someone weak, who sought understanding?

"No!"

Jo Gol, who had been quietly observing, raised his voice with a flushed face.

"We're not talking about robbery or buying with money! We're willing to pay several times more. If you just go down to a reasonably large village and buy more grain with that money, isn't that enough...!"

"Enough."

"Sasuk, isn't this a bit too much? It's not even such a terribly dangerous task!"

"Stop it!"

Baek Cheon shouted firmly at Jo Gol. Jo Gol, despite closing his mouth, couldn't hide his displeasure.

"Please, esteemed sirs."

The elderly chief, bowing his head, spoke again.

"To you, esteemed sirs, it might seem like a trivial matter. But for ignorant people like us, each and every task is a matter of life and death. While sleeping in the mountains may be nothing special to a bear, it's like staking our lives for a rabbit."

Jo Gol was about to protest again, but someone's hand was quietly placed in front of his face. Startled, he stopped himself. It was Yoon Jong.

Yoon Jong silently stared at the old man and then spoke.

"Village Chief... I understand your words. However, when we helped the people of this village, we risked our lives."

Seeing that, the elderly chief had nothing more to say.

"Coming all the way to Gangnam to eliminate the Evil Tyrant Alliance's menace is not a simple or easily decided matter. But none of those present here opposed it."

"Esteemed sirs..."

Yoon Jong, with a gaze slightly different from his usual one, looked at the old man.

"That's why we're pleading for something small, incomparable to what we've given. Even so, can't you reconsider?"

"Father!"

Unable to bear it any longer, Hyeong Wook shouted, and when the elderly chief looked at him with stern eyes. Then the look gave Hyeong Wook relaxed as if it were a lie, and there was a feeling of awkwardness and embarrassment.

"How could we not know that? But even if we help you... Even if we happen to suffer any misfortune because of it, wouldn't it be meaningless?"

Yoon Jong, for a moment, looked dumbfounded as he stared at the elderly chief.

Even Yoon Jong, who had always sided with the commoners, hadn't expected these words. The old man drove home his point.

"Please understand our position. While the favor received is as great as the sea... we are foolish beings with no power to repay that favor. We barely survive by cultivating the land and eating what we can get with the grain from the Evil Sect. What more can we do?"

"..."

"Please, we beg you. Please just accept those words."

The elderly chief's humble demeanor, to the point of groveling, made those seated in front uncomfortable. It felt as if they were somehow oppressing the powerless ones.

Baek Cheon, who had been silently observing the situation, finally spoke.

"In the end, you're saying not to expect grain and to leave this place as soon as possible."

"Well, that..."

The elderly chief's voice trailed off. There was no outright denial. Baek Cheon didn't press for more. With their positions so firmly entrenched, trying to persuade each other seemed pointless.

And indeed, persuasion was impossible.

Even if those wielding swords softened their words, would it sound any better? The moment the initial proposal was rejected, there was no choice given to the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and the Southern Island Sect. If they considered themselves practitioners on the righteous path, they had no other option.

The elderly chief continued to glance around apologetically, and Hyeong Wook next to him was biting his lips.

Observing them silently, Baek Cheon turned to those behind him.

Most couldn't hide their frustration and injustice, especially Tang Pae, Namgung Dowi, and Seol So Baek, who found this situation hard to accept.

On the other hand, there were two individuals showing completely different reactions.

Im Sobyeong, smirking as if saying, 'I knew it would turn out this way,' and Chung Myung, maintaining an expressionless face that revealed nothing about his thoughts.

A sigh escaped Baek Cheon's lips.

"Well, then..."

"Wait, please!"

At that moment, Hyeong Wook urgently spoke up. Although the elderly chief tried to stop him again with a glance and pressure, this time Hyeong Wook didn't yield so easily.

"This doesn't make sense."

"What else could..."

"What we received gratitude for was none other than from the village people. Father, at that time, you were unconscious, weren't you? You haven't seen how much effort these people put in to protect the village."

The old man raised his white eyebrows.

"What are you trying to say?"

"This is not something we decide among ourselves. We should ask the villagers! Present the situation as it is and leave the choice to them. Even if father is the Village Chief, can you decide everything on your own?"

The old man let out a sigh.

"Is that so?"

"Yes! Then I will also submit."

Hyeong Wook nodded quickly and addressed Baek Cheon and his party.

"Esteemed sirs! I will gather the opinions of the villagers. It might be troublesome, but can you wait until then?"

Baek Cheon turned to those behind him. They all just stared blankly at him, without expressing any disagreement.

"...Then please."

This was the only option left. There was no other choice.

"Yes! Just a moment!"

Hyeong Wook rushed outside. As Baek Cheon stared at the wide-open door, a small cough reached his ears.

"Um... Esteemed sirs."

"Yes?"

"Before that, one thing..."

It was the elderly chief. His face wore a deeply regretful expression once again.

"I'll say it once again..."

Baek Cheon spoke, looking around at the villagers gathered in front of him. Although he felt that going to such lengths was unnecessary, he couldn't deny the fairness in the elderly chief's words.

"Whatever choice you, the villagers, make... we won't bring any harm to you. That is a guarantee from me, Baek Cheon, the Deputy Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect, and..."

As Baek Cheon turned his head, Kim Yang Baek nodded with a troubled expression. There was no way he was in a good mood, saying absurd things in front of everyone like he was performing a Peking opera without even knowing what was going on.

"I vouch for this in the name of Kim Yang Baek, the Sect Leader of the Southern Island Sect."

Once Kim Yang Baek solemnly declared, the villagers vigorously raised their hands.

"Oh my! What are you saying!"

"Yes, yes! Thanks to all of you, we are alive, aren't we? How could we entertain such absurd thoughts towards those who saved our lives?"

"Yes! That's right. It's like expecting gratitude from a beast."

Still, the villagers who had witnessed them fighting against the Evil Sect were decidedly more favorable compared to the chief.

"Is it over now?"

Hyeong Wook asked as he glanced at the chief. The old man nodded subtly.

"Discussions will take place over there."

"Yes. Let's go this way."

Leading the villagers, Hyeong Wook headed towards the back of the house. Perhaps worried that voices might carry, they moved farther away than expected.

Once the chief entered the house, Jo Gol, who had been observing the situation, spoke up.

"Still, the villagers' opinions might differ, don't you think?"

"Maybe."

"Yeah, wasn't that old man unconscious when we rescued those people? Of course, it'll be different."

Baek Cheon just nodded silently.

"I think the same way."

Rather than a confident answer, it was a pure wish, and it was the last hope Baek Cheon had for them.

However, at that moment, a mocking voice echoed.

"It seems our Taoists have been living in the mountains for too long."

It was Im Sobyeong. He looked at Baek Cheon with a faint smile.

"When you place your hopes in people, all that's left is disappointment."

"I understand what you're saying, but..."

"No, the Taoists don't understand."

"…Yes?"

Im Sobyeong chuckled and said.

"Why the Mount Hua Sect became the talk of many people and why, despite having power incomparable to the Ten Great Sects, it continues to attract the eyes of many sects."

"That's..."

"Perhaps, you'll find out soon."

Just as Im Sobyeong was about to elaborate on his words, unexpectedly, Hyeong Wook returned quickly.

The fact that he returned so swiftly, without prolonging the discussion, indicated that the majority of the villagers had a similar opinion.

'Well?'

For a moment, Baek Cheon harbored hope that it might be good news, but he soon saw the expression approaching on Hyeong Wook's face. A slight awkwardness and a hint of heaviness in his steps.

Baek Cheon and Hyeong Wook met eyes, and Hyeong Wook silently bowed his head.

Even without hearing the conclusion, it seemed evident.

The laughter-filled voice of Im Sobyeong echoed.

"To those in dire straits, you offer kindness. When you receive grace, you repay it."

"..."

"Since there are no ones upholding these natural principles, the name 'Mount Hua' has become special."

Before Baek Cheon could respond to these words, Hyeong Wook approached and stood. Then, with a long sigh, he opened his mouth.

"...I apologize, honored guests."

Baek Cheon's shoulders dropped involuntarily.

"The villagers... wish for you, honored guests, to leave the grains and depart... Yes, they desire that..."

Silence.

Baek Cheon clenched his fist tightly. The sound of knuckles cracking resonated with a dull thud.