Chapter 1438
Yes, I’ll remember that. (3)
Naturally, it was Tang Gunak who spoke first.
“Thanks to Jongnam’s personal presence, the members of our clan were spared. I don’t know how to repay this kindness.”
At his words, Jongli Gok, the Sect Leader of Jongnam, smiled warmly.
Despite the passage of many years, Jongli Gok’s appearance didn’t seem to change. If anything, he appeared even younger than before he entered Bongmun.
“You’re being too kind. It was only natural for us to come.”
“You must have been reluctant to leave Bongmun.”
“I was indeed considering lifting Bongmun soon. And when I heard that the Evil Sect was attacking the Tang clan, I couldn’t stay away.”
At this, Tang Gunak nodded once more.
“We are simply grateful.”
“Please don’t mention it, Lord Tang. We, too, are extremely grateful because the first thing we did after releasing Bongmun was to help the Tang clan. As a sect that upholds righteousness, it was only natural to.”
“Ha!”
A stifled snort cut through the tense atmosphere. Jongli Gok slightly furrowed his brow and turned his gaze towards the source of the sound.
“Hmm…”
It was Hwasan Geomhyeop Chung Myung.
Seeing him in such a sorry state, Jongli Gok let out a sigh. It wasn’t just Chung Myung’s state that was troubling.
“It seems like Sodojang* is feeling uncomfortable.”
“No, well, it’s just… whenever Jongnam starts talking about righteousness, my nose starts itching.”
“Chung Myung-ah!”
Five Swords hastily interjected, but Chung Myung shrugged as if to say he hadn’t said anything wrong.
Jongli Gok shook his head.
“Sodojang hasn’t changed a bit.”
“They say if a person suddenly changes, they’ll die. Speaking of which, Sect Leader doesn’t really look the same, does he?”
“Argh!”
“Shut your mouth!”
Five Swords panicked and forcibly shut Chung Myung’s mouth.
Caught off guard by the absurd scene, Jongli Gok found himself inadvertently opening his mouth before quickly shutting it, emitting a groan. Reflexively, he had almost scolded Chung Myung, but he remembered that this young swordsman had risen to a position where he couldn’t be reprimanded.
They say even the strongest mountains change over the years, but surely there’s a limit. In the duration of Jongnam’s Bongmun, the status of Hwasan, and the position of Hwasan Geomhyeop Chung Myung had changed dramatically. He was no longer just a young disciple of Hwasan.
Jongli Gok’s gaze shifted slightly to the side.
“You seem to have become younger, Sect Leader?”
“I was just about to say the same. It’s a pleasure to see you looking better, Sect Leader.”
At Hyun Jong’s response, a subtle smile graced Jongli Gok’s lips.
He still felt a certain awkwardness in Hyun Jong’s demeanor towards him. It was unavoidable, really. Jongli Gok and Hyun Jong had maintained an uncomfortable relationship for decades.
But at the same time, he could definitely sense something. Despite Hyun Jong’s awkwardness, there was no trace of being intimidated.
‘Is this truly the Hwasan’s Sect Leader Hyun Jong that I knew?’
He had observed him for decades.
Because of that, Jongli Gok considered himself to know Hyun Jong better than anyone else in Gangho. Hyun Jong he knew was naive and lacking in flexibility, a powerless Sect Leader who simply watched as Hwasan crumbled.
Moreover, he even had a naturally timid side, portraying himself as friendly but ultimately being a pathetic figure who couldn’t make proper decisions when it mattered most.
But now, Hyun Jong standing before him didn’t resemble the one he knew. The foolish figure who always chuckled with shrugged shoulders was nowhere to be found, replaced by a figure emitting a strange aura of authority.
And…
Jongli Gok raised his head and looked at Hwasan.
‘These youngsters…’
In that moment, he found himself chuckling involuntarily.
‘After going through such a lengthy Bongmun and refining the sect, it seemed like seizing control of Shaanxi would be a piece of cake.’
Just how remarkable must their experiences have been for so much to change since the martial arts tournament?
Jongli Gok spoke up.
“…Sect Leader.”
At that moment, Hyun Jong paused as if something had occurred to him before speaking.
“Ah. I apologize, Sect Leader. There seems to have been a misunderstanding. I have stepped down from the position of the Sect Leader of Hwasan.”
“…What?”
Jongli Gok blinked in momentary confusion.
Though they had entered Bongmun, he hadn’t completely shut himself off from the outside world, so he had been vaguely aware of what was happening with Hwasan. However, hearing that Hyun Jong had stepped down from the position of the Sect Leader was something entirely new to him.
Hyun Jong smiled calmly as he spoke.
“Currently, Un Am is the Sect Leader of Hwasan.”
“…Already?”
Hyun Jong nodded quietly.
“It may have been early, but ultimately, I deemed it to be the right decision.”
“Hmm.”
Jongli Gok’s expression shifted once more.
Reluctant to admit it, but Hwasan of today is different from Hwasan of the past. The current Hwasan is not the mediocre sect of waiting to put down its plaque, but a renowned force making waves throughout the realm.
So, it’s natural that the position of the Sect Leader of Hwasan now differs from what it was in the past. Now, merely holding the position of the Sect Leader of Hwasan wields immense power and commands admiration from all around.
But to hand over what was painfully acquired over a lifetime and step down from one’s position straight away?
‘I don’t understand.’
He had felt it for a long time, but he truly didn’t align with Hyun Jong. Perhaps they would never understand each other in their lifetimes.
Just as Hwasan and Jongnam could never have a close relationship.
As the masters exchanged words as if probing each other’s intentions, the disciples of Hwasan, after several years, once again looked at Jongnam with renewed interest.
“…Don’t these bastards seem a bit different?”
Yoon Jong furrowed his brow in response to Jo Geol’s whisper.
“They’ve been in seclusion for a long time. Naturally, they would have become stronger than before.”
“No, Sahyeong, that’s not what I meant…”
Jo Geol looked troubled.
Their skills would naturally have improved. After all, wasn’t Jongnam already esteemed as a sect leading Gupailbang alongside Shaolin and Wudang even before Bongmun? Moreover, considering Jongnam’s exponential increase in martial arts prowess as time passes, it would be even stranger if they hadn’t become stronger. But Jo Geol’s sense of unease wasn’t due to their martial prowess. He couldn’t explain it, but he kept feeling that there was something different about them compared to before.
“But these bastards keep glaring, Sahyeong?”
“…Don’t make eye contact with them.”
“Are you scared?”
“No, you idiot. It’s not that…”
“They say getting hit as a child lasts a lifetime.”
“…”
“…Huh? R-Really?”
Jo Geol was startled and turned to Yoon Jong.
“No, Sahyeong…!”
Thunk!
Baek Cheon struck Jo Geol’s head with his palm in a swift motion.
“Quiet down. Can’t you see the Sect Leaders are having a conversation?”
“…This is a bit unfair, Sasuk.”
“Unfair?”
Baek Cheon was about to say something more.
“You don’t look like yourself.”
A harsh voice that was so familiar, but had bothered him his entire life, pierced his ears. Baek Cheon furrowed his brow and glanced to the side.
So alike, yet so different.
That’s why there was both comfort and discomfort in the face before him.
Meeting the somewhat condescending gaze, Baek Cheon sighed deeply.
“It’s been a while.”
In response to Baek Cheon’s words, Jin Geumryong simply looked at him as if searching for something. Jin Geumryong’s sharp gaze and Baek Cheon’s calm gaze intertwined in the air.
Soon, a crooked smile appeared on Jin Geumryong’s lips.
“You are lucky to be alive.”
“…”
“Being overly ambitious compared to one’s abilities leads to a downfall. People should know their limits.”
“No…!”
Before Jo Geol could interject, Baek Cheon grabbed him firmly by the back of the neck, silencing him.
“Sasuk!”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
“…Huh?”
Removing his hand from Jo Geol’s neck, Baek Cheon rubbed the back of his own neck.
“…One could really end up dead if they keep doing things that don’t match their abilities. But what can you do? It’s just the way of the world if you stay by the flawed ones.”
After glancing briefly at Chung Myung, Baek Cheon turned back to Jin Geumryong and smiled.
“I just hope to get hit a little less painfully.”
Jin Geumryong stared silently at Baek Cheon. Seeing his younger brother’s smiling face was strangely discomforting, he furrowed his brow and spoke coldly.
“Don’t rely on insignificant fame and act recklessly. You’ll end up dead.”
“…I’ll do my best.”
“You…”
Just as Jin Geumryong was about to retort, someone quickly approached and casually intervened.
“It’s been a while since you’ve met your younger brother, and it seems like you’re quite pleased, Sahyeong.”
“Lee Songbaek!”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Sahyeong being so talkative. Hahaha.”
As Lee Songbaek awkwardly laughed, Jin Geumryong frowned.
“Tsk.”
Then, he swiftly turned away, distancing himself from them.
Baek Cheon sighed deeply and rubbed his forehead. It seemed meeting Jin Geumryong even for a moment was quite exhilarating.
With a hint of bitterness, Lee Songbaek spoke.
“I may have rudely intervened, but I didn’t just say it on a whim. He truly is glad to see you.”
“…It’s a problem if I don’t know that.”
Jin Geumryong is just that kind of person. Even if one try to put his words in a positive light, it’s essentially a warning to be careful and not to overreach due to increased fame, as it could lead to death. Is there anyone else in the world who can be as irritating as Jin Geumryong?
“It’s nice to see you again, Baek Cheon Dojang. Do you remember me?”
“…Of course, I remember you, Lee Songbaek Sohyeop.”
There’s no way to forget him. To some, Lee Songbaek may just be an ordinary swordsman of Jongnam, while to others, he might be remembered for his impressive performance in the martial arts competition. But the true meaning behind Lee Songbaek that Baek Cheon remembered was different from that, so he couldn’t forget.
‘A martial artist recognized by that damn bastard.’
Someone hanging in the sky, not even at the tip of one’s nose, acknowledged him. Not just any swordsman, but a swordsman of Jongnam. What more needs to be said to describe this person?
Even if he hadn’t known his significance until now, he wouldn’t be able to forget it from this moment on.
‘Magnanimity**…’
It’s an indescribable sturdiness.
Even though it’s not threatening, it carries considerable weight. Just by looking at his solidity, even someone like Baek Cheon, who has no particular affinity with Lee Songbaek, feels a sense of reassurance.
The problem is that this reassurance oddly irks Baek Cheon.
‘…Is this what it feels like for Hwasan’s swordsman to see Jongnam’s swordsman?’
Baek Cheon now had an intuitive understanding of why Hwasan and Jongnam couldn’t get along.
“Um… uh…”
Lee Songbaek seemed to have something to say, opening and closing his mouth repeatedly. Baek Cheon furrowed his brow slightly while observing this behavior.
He wasn’t looking at him. Though his actions could be perceived as dismissive, Baek Cheon wasn’t particularly bothered. Sometimes, there are things more important than acknowledgment.
“Chung Myung-ah.”
“What?!”
Chung Myung, who had been eagerly waiting for an opportunity to intervene in the conversation between Jongli Gok and Hyun Jong, turned his head aggressively.
“…Come here.”
“Why?”
“Just come.”
“Ugh.”
With an irritated expression, Chung Myung reluctantly walked over to where they were.
“Why?”
“Say hello.”
“Huh?”
Chung Myung’s eyes widened as he saw Lee Songbaek standing before Baek Cheon.
“Oh? You…?”
“Chung Myung Dojang! It’s been a long time. How have you been?”
“You…”
“Yes!”
Chung Myung’s head tilted to the side in confusion.
“Who… are you again?”
A moment of silence ensued.
Lee Songbaek’s shoulders slumped. The heads of those who had been subtly observing their encounter also drooped.
Baek Cheon’s face flushed with embarrassment.
‘I’m just a fool who had high expectations.’
Acknowledgment my foot…
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