Chapter 1429
So, is this flying dagger a failure? (4)
Tang Gunak stared at Chung Myung with a stern face.
Chung Myung’s expression was casual. It seemed like nothing was wrong. But that couldn’t be true. As someone who knew Chung Myung’s physical condition best, Tang Gunak couldn’t ignore how much Chung Myung was pushing himself right now.
So, there was only one thing he could say.
“Thank you, Hwasan Geomhyeop. But I’ll have to decline that offer.”
As Chung Myung, who was groaning and tapping his back, turned his head slowly and looked at Tang Gunak.
“What?”
“We’re not going to Tangga.”
“…Huh.”
Chung Myung let out a short breath and asked with a puzzled expression.
“Why is that?”
“Because it’s the right thing to do.”
“The right thing?”
Tang Gunak nodded heavily.
“I am deeply grateful for your generosity towards the Tang clan, but we cannot bear that burden. Should more blood be shed for the lives of a few members of the Tang clan?”
“…”
“…Then let’s go to Diancang. That’s the right thing to do.”
Tang Gunak’s tone was firm. But his heart felt like it was being stabbed with a knife.
He knew. Now that Chung Myung regained consciousness and spoken up like this, no one would oppose going to rescue Tangga. Just by remaining silent, he could go to save his family.
But Tang Gunak couldn’t bring himself to do that. He couldn’t do it because he was Lord Tang Gunak.
“Lord, even Hwasan Geomhyeop is saying this…”
“Shut your mouth!”
Tang Pae, who had been trying to turn Tang Gunak’s heart took advantage of this moment, immediately bowed deeply at the chilling gaze of his father.
“My decision remains the same. So, this time, we’ll go to Diancang… Are you listening to me right now?”
“Yes, of course. Please continue. I’m listening.”
Although Tang Gunak spoke with utmost seriousness, Chung Myung’s response didn’t seem serious at all.
Chung Myung, who had been picking his ear with his little finger, pulled out his finger and blew on it before turning to Tang Gunak with a blank expression.
“Weren’t you going to say something?”
Tang Gunak’s face trembled for a moment.
He had forgotten. No, he hadn’t forgotten… He had remembered, yet forgotten. That this bastard was always like this.
“Are you done?”
“You…”
As Tang Gunak tried to say something, Chung Myung lazily called out to Baek Cheon.
“Hey, Sasuk.”
“Yeah?”
“Was there anything strange while I was asleep?”
“What are you talking about?”
“No, it’s not like someone poisoned the head of Sichuan Tangga, so why is he so worked up?”
“Well, it’s not some poison or anything. Lord Tang Gunak has always been like that… Oh… I’m sorry.”
Baek Cheon, who received a disapproving glare, quickly cleared his throat and discreetly avoided eye contact. Tang Gunak’s face twisted miserably.
‘He…’
How trustworthy was Baek Cheon when Hwasan Geomhyeop lost consciousness? To the extent that even if Tang Pae followed only half of his footsteps, Tang Gunak believed there would be nothing more to wish for.
But as soon as Hwasan Geomhyeop regained consciousness, that trustworthy demeanor vanished into thin air, and there stood a man who seemed like any other country bumpkin.
The same went for the others.
As soon as Chung Myung regained consciousness, the intimidating aura that surrounded Hwasan like a blade loosened as if it were a lie. Even Jo Geol, who seemed ready to swing his sword with malice just moments ago, was now grinning.
“So, what’s the conclusion?”
“We must go to Diancang!”
Tang Gunak, annoyed for a moment, shouted impatiently.
“If we don’t go to Diancang, Beop Jong will surely demand us to pay the price. Someone of your caliber should understand that, shouldn’t you?”
“Well, I don’t have a clear understanding of the situation… Well, I guess so.”
“Why are you being so stubborn then?”
“Well, I didn’t know, but you sure know how to make people laugh.”
“What?”
Tang Gunak stared blankly at Chung Myung.
“Well, think about it. Would someone who knows the Great Baldy so well say something like that?”
A moment of doubt crossed Tang Gunak’s face. What is this guy talking about?
Then Chung Myung spoke.
“Well, what if we go to Diancang as that guy wants and rescue them? Then, the Great Baldy will be moved to tears, saying, ‘I’ve seen Cheonumaeng again! Now we are blood brothers bound by fate! Let’s fight against Sapaeryeon together!’ Something like that.”
Tang Gunak was momentarily speechless.
And it wasn’t Tang Gunak, but someone else who answered that question.
“No.”
“That’s unlikely.”
“Amitabha… He wouldn’t do that.”
Tang Gunak stared blankly at the Five Swords as if he had just been punched. Even Hye Yeon was shaking his head.
Chung Myung clicked his tongue.
“Well, maybe this time he’ll agree to let it slide. So what do we gain from this? Is it worth giving up something for Gupaillbang to look favorably upon Cheonumaeng? Why should we sacrifice for that?”
“…Hwasan Geomhyeop.”
“Come to your senses.”
For a moment, a sharp energy emanated from Chung Myung. Startled, Tang Gunak unconsciously took a step back.
However, Chung Myung’s fierce demeanor quickly disappeared as if it had been a mere illusion, and in its place was Chung Myung, who was now grinning mischievously as usual.
“If you feel like blood is rushing to your head, try to let it out. Spit is all over the place. I know because I’ve been stabbed before, and it’s not very effective.”
Chung Myung laughed and glanced back at Tang Soso, who had been silently biting their lip. Tears streamed down from Tang Soso’s large eyes, and Chung Myung, momentarily taken aback, turned his head and murmured.
“Why is she crying and making a fuss again?”
Chung Myung cleared his throat and this time looked at Hyun Jong instead of Tang Gunak.
“Sect Leader.”
“Oh, no, I’m retired…”
“Let’s not waste time listening to nonsense from someone who’s lost their mind. Let’s go quickly. You should know how to discipline a child when they throw a tantrum. Are you really going to indulge them? What a waste of time.”
“…Sorry.”
Upon Chung Myung’s blatant scolding, Hyun Jong found himself apologizing unintentionally. He wasn’t sure what he had done wrong, but seeing that arrogant frown on Chung Myung’s face, he felt like apologizing was the right thing to do.
“Does anyone else have anything to say?”
No one spoke up. Seeing this, Tang Gunak tightly bit his lips.
“This… right now…”
“You’re persistent. If that’s how it is, then take only those who want to go and go to Diancang. But I’m not sure if anyone here would follow you, Lord Tang.”
At that, Tang Gunak unconsciously glanced at his family members.
The elites of Tangga all turned their eyes away from Tang Gunak as if they were never determined to go to Diancang. Just a moment ago, they seemed like they would jump into the fires of hell if Tang Gunak commanded it.
“These… people…”
“We’ll accept any punishment.”
Speaking on behalf of them, Tang Pae opened his mouth.
“Even if I lose all my limbs for disobedience, I will endure it. But, my Lord. No, Father.”
Representing them, Tang Pae faced Tang Gunak with an unprecedentedly upright gaze.
“I remember the words you told me, Father. You were clear about it. The Lord of the Tang Clan must be someone who can do whatever it takes for the family, whether it’s right or wrong.”
“…”
“So, I cannot follow your words now, Father. I will go to rescue our family. That is my decision as the Young Lord of Sichuan Tang and as a member of the Tang clan.”
Tang Gunak bit his lower lip tightly. Staring at Tang Pae for a while, he looked at the one who caused all this. Tang Gunak, who seemed ready to explode with rage any moment, finally sighed deeply.
“How are we supposed to handle this?”
“…”
“Your words must be right. It’s probably going to be like that. Even if we go to Diancang, Beop Jong won’t look kindly upon us. But it’s incomparable to truly becoming enemies with him. And the way all the people of the world will look at us won’t be the same as before. How am I supposed to handle that? Who will bear that cost…”
“Me.”
For a moment, Tang Gunak widened his eyes in astonishment, while Chung Myung just remained calm.
“Who do you think will bear it? I will bear it. It’s nothing new.”
“…”
“If you want to scold me, go ahead. When did I ever do something to please others? I’ve always lived according to my own wishes. What’s the big deal?”
“That’s right.”
“Perhaps he went too far. No, he definitely went too far.”
“People should consider others’ perspectives a bit and behave accordingly. How can someone act like that?”
“But what about these bastards?”
As Chung Myung glanced at the Five Swords, they turned their heads away. Chung Myung looked back at Tang Gunak once again.
He knew as well. He knew why Tang Gunak wanted to go to Diancang now.
But Chung Myung couldn’t bring himself to agree with that statement, no matter what.
He knew all too well how sacrificing what shouldn’t be sacrificed to achieve righteousness could turn someone’s life into a living hell.
He knew how excruciatingly painful that could be.
So, he couldn’t push Tang Gunak into that hell.
“I’d die for the world. That’s heroic. I really admire people like that. But…”
Chung Myung’s face twisted.
“Someone who insists that you should die for the world’s sake is just an idiot on a high horse. Especially if it’s their own family.”
Under the wide sleeves, Tang Gunak’s hands trembled faintly.
“And if a friend acts like an idiot, you have to shake them up, even if it means giving them a good beating. That’s only right, isn’t it?”
Under the piercing gaze Chung Myung threw at him, Tang Gunak eventually closed his eyes tightly.
“You.”
“Yes.”
When he opened his eyes again, Tang Gunak’s gaze seemed to be burning.
“Do you truly have the resolve to bear all of this?”
“…”
“Are you doing this not out of mere sympathy for us, but out of a willingness to shoulder all that responsibility? Is that really it?”
Instead of answering that question, Chung Myung shouted.
“Sasuk!”
“Yes!”
Baek Cheon tossed the Dark Plum Sword he had been holding to Chung Myung. Catching the sword, Chung Myung immediately drew it and swung it. The sharp blade of Chung Myung’s sword touched Tang Gunak’s neck.
The green tassel hanging from the hilt of the sword shook heavily.
Chung Myung spoke as if growling.
“If I was going to avoid responsibility, I would have never wielded a sword.”
Snap!
The sword was cleanly sheathed back into its scabbard. Chung Myung’s sword, made by the Tang clan, returned to its place at his waist. Where it rightfully belonged.
“So, stop with the pointless talk and say what you need to say again. What you should have said as the Lord of the Tang clan.”
A complex and subtle light flickered in Tang Gunak’s eyes. His fist clenched tightly under his sleeve, each knuckle turning white.
The words he wanted to say the most. Yet, the words he couldn’t bring himself to say.
Tang Gunak bowed deeply.
“Let’s go to the Tang clan. To the Tang…”
Choking back the rising tears, he opened his mouth again.
“Please help the Tang clan.”
“As much as you need.”
Grabbing Tang Gunak’s shoulder firmly, Chung Myung turned his head towards Hwasan and shouted.
“Did you hear that, you bastards?”
“Yes!”
“No time to waste! Let’s go!”
Once again, the sharp energy surged forth like a blade. The elite warriors of Tangga, now able to go where they needed to, gathered their strength with all their might.
Exhausted bodies regained vigor like a tightly drawn bowstring. It was a significant change, far too large to be attributed to just one person’s effort.
“Let’s go quickly, Chung Myung!”
“Looks like you’ve finally come to your senses after all that sulking! Are you okay now?”
“It’s not too late to start going now, is it?”
Amidst the laughter and banter directed at Chung Myung from all sides, Jo Geol also approached, his face bright with a smile. Seeing him, Chung Myung chuckled.
“But before that, Sahyeong.”
“Huh?”
“Could you give me a lift?”
“What?”
“I think I don’t feel my legs.”
“Uh…”
“Quickly.”
…Is this guy really okay? Jo Geol’s shoulders slumped weakly.
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