Chapter 1280
I wasn’t wrong. (5)
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“He got caught.”
“He’s in for it now.”
The disciples of Hwasan watched from afar as Chung Myung stood side by side with Baek Cheon.
“Looks like Sasuk is pretty mad, huh?”
“Why wouldn’t he be?”
“At least Sasuk isn’t losing his temper, that’s a relief.”
“If he did, it would be even worse.”
“But Sasuk tends to keep his composure, right?”
Yoon Jong nodded in agreement at Tang Soso’s words.
“That’s true.”
That’s why Baek Cheon was the only one from Hwasan who could catch Chung Myung by the ankle.
Listening to the conversation next to him, Namgung Dowi tilted his head.
“But will Vice Sect Leader get angry? After all, Chung Myung Dojang blocking their path was part of the plan from the beginning, wasn’t it?”
Jo Geol chuckled dryly.
“It was part of the plan.”
“But why…”
“I asked him to pull out some weeds in the yard, but what do you say to someone who ends up plowing the entire yard?”
“…”
“If he had just stopped when he should have, nothing would have happened. But he lost his temper and charged forward, so he’s in for it.”
“Ah…”
“He’s probably going to get a good scolding.”
“He deserves it!”
“I hope he gets a proper thrashing this time.”
Namgung Dowi glanced at Chung Myung’s back with a bitter smile. While Chung Myung’s lone battle against Maninbang seemed heroic in Namgung Dowi’s eyes, it appeared quite different to them.
This difference in perspective was likely due to their differing views and positions regarding Chung Myung. To Namgung Dowi, Chung Myung was an object of admiration and envy. However, to the disciples of Hwasan, he was both Sahyeong, Sajil and family.
No matter how righteous the cause, there would be no one who would willingly put their family in danger. So, their reaction was only natural.
But…
Suddenly, Namgung Dowi turned his gaze towards Baek Cheon.
‘I wonder what Vice Sect Leader is thinking?’
In reality, those standing nearby only needed to worry about Hwasan Geomhyeop as their brother. But Baek Cheon was different. As Vice Sect Leader of Hwasan, he had to consider both Hwasan and Cheonumaeng. Baek Cheon could no longer live simply as Chung Myung’s Sasuk.
Namgung Dowi, who had taken on the role of the temporary head of Namgung clan, understood this well. That’s why he was curious about what Baek Cheon would say to Chung Myung now.
Unfortunately, their small conversation was not easily heard in this bustling sea. It would be impolite to strain to listen, so Namgung Dowi’s gaze remained fixed on the backs of the two standing side by side, engaged in a conversation difficult to discern from a distance.
Baek Cheon, who had been silently gazing at the sea, spoke first.
“How’s your body?”
“I’m fine.”
Chung Myung shrugged and spoke nonchalantly, as if it didn’t matter much.
“I’ll be fine by tomorrow morning, without any lingering scars, you know? Those Maninbang bastards aren’t much.”
Baek Cheon’s gaze briefly shifted towards Chung Myung’s leg.
“But Soso said something different?”
Chung Myung spoke brazenly, without even attempting to conceal his injured leg.
“Well, those healers are always like that. Making a big fuss over nothing. If you pay attention to every little thing they say, you’ll end up lying in bed doing nothing.”
Baek Cheon chuckled.
“Soso would turn things upside down in an instant if she heard that.”
“I made sure no one heard.”
Chung Myung laughed along with him.
Despite his words, Chung Myung is the one who knows best how crucial Tang Soso’s role is within Hwasan. There are few who understand the importance of healers on the battlefield better than Chung Myung does. Moreover, Tang Soso is capable of combat as well.
Baek Cheon stopped laughing and looked at Chung Myung intently, as if he had something to say. Chung Myung subtly avoided his gaze.
But it didn’t last long. Unable to shake off Baek Cheon’s continued stare, Chung Myung eventually burst out angrily.
“Seriously! If you’re going to nag, just do it. Say what you have to say and be done with it.”
“I’m not nagging.”
“Okay, okay. I was just… What? What did you say?”
“I said I’m not doing it.”
Baek Cheon’s gaze fixed on the sea was truly sorrowful.
Chung Myung blinked his eyes, which had been slightly squinted before, and stared blankly. Despite waiting this long, there was no sign of nagging from Baek Cheon, indicating that it was probably not a lie.
Chung Myung tilted his head slightly and studied Baek Cheon’s expression.
“Sasuk.”
“…What?”
“…Did you eat something wrong?”
“…”
“I thought you’d have something to say that would hit me hard.”
At that, Baek Cheon looked straight at Chung Myung.
“Was it a situation where you could avoid overdoing it?”
“…”
“In your opinion?”
Chung Myung shook his head.
“No.”
“Alright then. That’s it.”
Baek Cheon didn’t particularly want to criticize Chung Myung’s behavior. No, to be precise, it wasn’t that he didn’t want to criticize, but rather that he couldn’t.
How could he not know? He had observed and endured it for so long, to the point of being sick of it.
Chung Myung was someone who believed he had to seize the advantage as quickly as possible. He believed in demonstrating dominance decisively, so that the opponent couldn’t continue to display their abilities afterward.
For Chung Myung, what mattered wasn’t just winning, but how he won.
In the past, Baek Cheon didn’t understand Chung Myung’s mindset. But now he did. If it were just a brief encounter, Chung Myung’s attitude would be excessive. But war was different. War continued indefinitely.
Maninbang would surely track them down. Then they would have to engage in battles all along Gangnam. So, it’s better to leave a strong impression whenever possible.
If the next time they encounter Chung Myung, those who face him involuntarily feel fear, the ensuing battles will be much easier.
In doing so, they may be able to minimize the damage. They might even save one more life in exchange for the few wounds Chung Myung sustains.
A few wounds and a few lives.
There’s no need to compare which is more important. That’s Chung Myung’s way of thinking.
That’s why Baek Cheon, who has been watching over him for a long time, understands.
If there’s any fault, it’s not Chung Myung’s. He’s that kind of person by nature. When he didn’t know that, he could be angry at Chung Myung. But now that he knows, all the blame lies squarely on Baek Cheon.
He had pushed Chung Myung into something where the outcome was obvious.
At that moment, Chung Myung opened his mouth with an angry expression.
“You seem to be overthinking things again.”
Baek Cheon furrowed his brow in confusion, and Chung Myung chuckled.
“Don’t worry about unnecessary things. Sasuk is doing fine.”
“…I am thinking about cats and mice again.”
Chung Myung laughed heartily, and Baek Cheon interjected sharply.
“And don’t you dare misunderstand.”
“Huh?”
“I’m not regretting or blaming myself for anything.”
“…”
“From the moment we set out for Gangnam, I expected this much. No, I even thought something worse might happen.”
A solemn voice continued.
“After urging us into danger with my own decisions, I have no intention of pretending to be sorry or remorseful now. If the same thing happens again, I’ll have no hesitation to tell you to come forward, even if others curse and spit at me. And…”
Baek Cheon stared at Chung Myung with a hardened expression.
“Even if it becomes an extremely dangerous situation for you.”
The corners of Chung Myung’s mouth slowly turned up. With a satisfied voice, he spoke.
“That’s how it should be.”
The one standing above must behave like this.
Even if suffering comes from the consequences of their choices, there should be no hesitation. That’s the path Chung Mun has chosen, and it’s why Chung Myung still respects Chung Mun. Even if they occasionally fought over differences of opinion.
Chung Mun cared for Chung Myung more than anyone else in the world.
But at the same time, Chung Mun was the one who pushed Chung Myung into danger without hesitation, more than anyone else in the world. On days when Chung Myung returned wounded Chung Mun was unable to hide the pain in his heart, grimacing as he spoke, but the next day, he would once again issue ridiculous orders to him.
Because they were in the midst of war. It was the ruthlessness that a Sect Leader had to possess in times of war.
As much as Sect Leader cherished and loved his disciples, one couldn’t be a great Sect Leader that way. He couldn’t hesitate to push his disciple into danger, fearing their blood would be spilled, only to ultimately lead them into even more dangerous situations.
A leader of a sect should never be swayed by personal emotions. Even for the one they cherish the most, they must be willing to push them into danger if necessary.
Especially in the upcoming turbulent times.
‘I told you, Nokrim King.’
Chung Myung chuckled to himself.
How could he not have expectations? Without even needing to be told directly, Baek Cheon understood exactly what he needed to do and what role he needed to fulfill.
“Remember? What Sasuk said to Sect Leader?”
“I remember.”
Baek Cheon nodded.
“I said I was the one who would wield the sword called Chung Myung.”
“You know well.”
Chung Myung looked at Baek Cheon with slightly calmer eyes.
“Those who worry about damaging the sword while wielding it are not worthy of being swordsmen. There’s only one thing to consider.”
“How efficiently you’ll wield it.”
“Exactly.”
Chung Myung nodded slowly.
Those who hesitate to swing will inevitably get hurt. And the price of hesitation from the Sect Leader will be paid by their disciples.
Baek Cheon understood that.
“No need to worry. This wasn’t started without some thought. I’m fully prepared to take responsibility for all of this.”
Just as Chung Myung was about to nod in agreement.
“But remember one thing.”
“…What?”
“The most important thing for you is to protect Hwasan and its disciples.”
“…”
“For that, you must be prepared to do whatever it takes.”
“But…?”
Chung Myung’s gaze darkened slightly.
Baek Cheon seemed about to say something, but hesitated and then closed his mouth. Eventually, he slowly shook his head.
“No. There’s no point in saying it. You’ll find out soon enough.”
“What?”
“Never mind.”
Baek Cheon lightly patted Chung Myung’s shoulder.
“We’ll have to move again once we arrive. Take a rest until then.”
“No, what were you going to say?”
“You’ll find out.”
“This guy is so frustrating… Hey! Sasuk! Hey! Where are you going? Tell me before you go!”
Baek Cheon walked away without looking back. Despite Chung Myung’s curses pouring into his ears, he paid no attention.
As mentioned earlier, Chung Myung would find out soon enough.
As he headed toward the cabin, he saw other disciples of Hwasan glaring at him with dissatisfied eyes.
For a moment, a light laugh escaped from Baek Cheon’s lips. Jo Geol, gritting his teeth, spoke up.
“Sasuk, did you just scold him?”
“Well… somewhat?”
“That’s it?”
“Are you kidding? Do you think he’ll come to his senses just like that?”
“Shall I show you what scolding looks like? Huh?”
“Geol-ah… that’s Vice Sect Leader.”
“Because he is the Vice Sect Leader, he should scold him even more… Ouch! Why did you hit me?”
Amidst the bustling disciples, Baek Cheon smiled bitterly.
Yeah. Chung Myung would find out soon enough.
For Chung Myung, Hwasan is these people, but for them, Hwasan is Chung Myung.
And… they too are ready to do whatever it takes to protect Hwasan.
Just as Chung Myung would.
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