Chapter 1445
What should I do? (5)
As the day dawned, those who had collapsed as if dead the night before began to rise one by one.
Despite being famous for its warmth, Sichuan’s morning on the plains felt unusually chilly. No, perhaps the chilliness wasn’t due to the temperature but rather the hearts of those greeting this morning.
“Now what should we do?”
“For now, we need to prepare to leave. It’s said we’re going to Hwasan.”
Amidst the chaotic atmosphere, members of the Tang clan tidied up their camp and bustled around.
Not far from there, disciples of Hwasan, with faces similar to those of the Tang clan, woken up from their slumber, rubbing their eyes and splashing water on their faces.
“Ugh… Thought my jaw was frozen.”
Jo Geol shivered.
Actually, camping out in the plains wasn’t anything particularly remarkable for them. Sleeping on the roadside due to following that harsh bastard was almost a daily occurrence for them.
Yet, this time, the chill seeping into their bodies was particularly piercing, meaning their bodies were truly in a bad shape.
“But yesterday, the Tang clan folks checked our bodies, didn’t they?”
“Yeah, Sahyeong. They even gave us some kind words.”
“Oh, really? What did they say?”
“They said if we want to die before thirty, we should keep living like this.”
Yoon Jong shook his head.
…In truth, their bodies were all in a terrible state right now. They needed to make time somehow to recuperate and recover. Especially…
“Sasuk, are you alright?”
In response to Yoon Jong’s question, mixed with concern, Baek Cheon glanced back briefly.
“…Your face looks really pale.”
“My face is naturally pale.”
“No, I mean, it looks really, really pale…”
“It’s pale by nature.”
“…”
With a look that seemed to ask, ‘Are you jealous?’ Yoon Jong faltered, lost for words, as he gazed at Baek Cheon’s expression. The corners of his mouth trembled. Maybe it would be better if this guy just disappeared.
Yoon Jong turned his head and glanced briefly at the Tang clan members.
“Anyway, the atmosphere is really something.”
“Yeah.”
Baek Cheon nodded in response.
The absence of people’s presence isn’t immediately felt. They probably wouldn’t have realized it until after a night’s rest. But now, having taken a brief break, the reality is sinking in.
Those who once lived together and faced each day together have now embarked on a path from which they can never return. And now, those who remain must leave Sichuan and settle in an unfamiliar place.
“I’m worried. I hope they’re doing well…”
“Well, aren’t you worried about everything.”
“…Huh?”
Yoon Jong gave Jo Geol a puzzled look. Jo Geol’s face was twisted with dissatisfaction. Yoon Jong sighed deeply.
“What are you complaining about now?”
“Well, it’s not like the cat is worried about the mice. Why would Hwasan worry about the Tang clan? Just because a few pavilions were burned down, do you think they’re going to collapse immediately?”
“…”
“Even now, the Tang clan is probably better off than Hwasan was. So, worry about our own fate instead of theirs.”
Yoon Jong suppressed a bitter smile. Of course, Jo Geol wasn’t entirely wrong. After all, the Tang clan has preserved its fighting force and still wields significant influence.
However, the situation Tang clan is facing is not as simple as Jo Geol suggests. The crucial point is that they now have nothing left to lose.
Just as Hwasan faced imminent collapse after losing its essence: the elders and martial arts, Sichuan Tang Clan will likely experience the same fate. Despite having Tang Gunak and remaining elders, the outcome is uncertain.
Things might seem fine for now, but as generations pass, the collapse could come suddenly, like a torrential downpour.
‘Perhaps the one suffering the most right now isn’t the Lord, but the next in line.’
Yoon Jong’s gaze shifted towards Tang Pae. He was assisting the elders with an inscrutable expression, his mind undoubtedly burdened with many thoughts. If Yoon Jong were in his shoes, his mind might have been so overwhelmed with worry and contemplation that it could have burst by now.
“Where’s Lord Tang?”
“Yeah, where’s he been? Haven’t seen him since earlier.”
It was a time when Hwasan’s disciples were looking around for Tang Gunak.
“There he comes.”
They saw Tang Gunak walking from a little distance away from the field.
Baek Cheon let out a sigh of relief. Tang Gunak’s expression seemed slightly more relaxed compared to yesterday. But since he was such an expressionless person, it may have just been Baek Cheon’s imagination.
Tang Gunak approached the place where the members of the Tang clan gathered and gestured lightly.
“Young Lord.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
Tang Pae, approaching Tang Gunak as if sensing his intention, bowed his head.
“We will soon be ready to depart without any issues…”
“No. For now, cease all current tasks and gather everyone in one place.”
“Um… Yes?”
Tang Pae slightly lifted his head in confusion, but soon understood Tang Gunak’s intent and replied.
“Yes. I will gather the warriors.”
“I have clearly said ‘everyone.’”
“My Lord?”
Tang Gunak spoke with an unchanged expression.
“Everyone with the Tang surname. Gather every person who can speak and express opinions without exception.”
Tang Pae couldn’t readily respond. It wasn’t because he didn’t understand Tang Gunak’s instructions. As far as he knew, it was unprecedented in the Tang clan.
Although known by a single name, Sichuan Tang Clan had strict divisions within. Each member harbored secrets they needed to conceal from one another, making it exceedingly rare for people with different roles to gather in one place.
Yet, now, not even gathering each respective leader, but everyone.
“Do you still not understand?”
“Oh, no, my Lord. I understand. I will implement it immediately.”
Tang Pae vigorously nodded.
Thus, everyone with the Tang surname gathered in one place.
And disciples of Hwasan watched the scene from a considerable distance. Though the Tang clan members never asked them to make room, it felt like the right thing to do.
“It’s quite a remarkable sight.”
“It is.”
The prestigious Sichuan Tang Clan. It would not be easy to see people from a prestigious clan, who are said to have secured at least the second-highest rank in the Five Great Families, all sitting together in a desolate field.
“But… Is this really okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“Isn’t this place unsafe?”
At Yoon Jong’s words, Baek Cheon glanced briefly to the south.
While it’s true that Maninbang had retreated, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t attack again. Especially this cunning bastard Jang Ilso might be scheming something unimaginable even at this moment.
“Lord Tang is not someone who would overlook such things.”
“That’s true, but…”
“It must be one of two things. Either you’re absolutely certain that Maninbang won’t attack again, or…”
Baek Cheon’s gaze settled on Tang Gunak, who sat at the center of the Tang clan members.
“…You consider the issues need to be addressed here more important than the threat of Maninbang.”
“…It’s the latter, isn’t it?”
Yoon Jong nodded in understanding, looking at Tang Gunak.
“I understand, but… can they really find a solution quickly by discussing matters here like this?”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk.”
Suddenly, a tongue-clicking sound mixed with reproach reached their ears. Yoon Jong turned his head towards the source of the unsettling noise. The approaching demon was looking at him with a face of an old man who had lived a hundred years.
“How can someone as young as you be so stuck in your ways?”
“I’m older than you…”
And I’m your Sahyeong, Chung Myung-ah. Although it is surprising.
“It’s not about finding a solution. It’s about attempting to find one.”
“Huh? What’s the difference?”
“If you must reach the correct conclusion right then and there, it limits who can speak up.”
“Ah…”
Yoon Jong nodded as if understanding the point. He had experienced it himself. It’s the experience of having thoughts but not daring to voice them.
“The important thing is enabling everyone to speak up. Anyone should be able to speak, express their thoughts, and ensure those thoughts aren’t disregarded.”
“…Isn’t that obvious?”
“Yes, it is. The problem is that this obvious thing has never been implemented in the Tang clan.”
The Tang clan had changed significantly. There was a stark difference between Chung Myung’s first visit to the Tang clan in this lifetime and now.
However, this change was merely a result of Tang Gunak’s victory in power struggle against the Council of Elders, leading him to heed Chung Myung’s words.
If it had been Tang Pae instead of Tang Gunak, or if it had been Tang Jan instead of Tang Pae who responded to Chung Myung’s words. And if Tang Gunak had opposed Chung Myung?
Then the Tang clan wouldn’t have changed at all. Tang Pae or Tang Jan would have treaded the same path as Tang Bo in the past.
“Rather than defining limits through strict hierarchical divisions, anyone should be able to speak for the family. Listening to each other’s opinions and seeking a better path together. Not just to preserve what has been passed down from the past, but to move forward even if it means breaking away from the past.”
A sense of bitterness crossed Chung Myung’s face.
Tang Bo had strived for that obvious thing his whole life. Yet, he has never achieved it in his lifetime. Perhaps, this scene was what Tang Bo had lived for and envisioned in his mind.
Chung Myung couldn’t help but admire Tang Gunak once again.
‘What an incredible person.’
Someone who, almost shattered by despair, managed to regain composure and move forward in just one night. While unable to reach a conclusion, he found a way to reach one.
Chung Myung suddenly wondered, what if that guy had become the head of Sichuan Tang clan? Surely…
“…The clan would have been ruined.”
“Huh? Ruined?”
“Oh, no, nothing.”
Chung Myung, startled, waved his hand dismissively. Even the mere thought sent shivers down his spine. In this moment, Tang Gunak was listening earnestly to clan’s members’ words with a serious expression. At such a time, Tang Gunak being the head might have been the greatest stroke of luck for the Tang clan, Chung Myung thought.
So, Tang clan members can be happy too…
“Hey, are they fighting over there?”
“Huh?”
“Wow, it is really a flying dagger.”
“Huh?”
“Hey, isn’t that serious?”
Cold sweat trickled down Chung Myung’s face.
It seems there was a lot built up between them over time. The peaceful gathering had quickly turned into chaos.
“Just because families live together doesn’t mean they always get along.”
“Isn’t it funny hearing Sasuk saying that?”
“What do you mean?”
Chung Myung chuckled at Baek Cheon’s embarrassment.
‘Well, it’s worth it.’
With strict laws, a perfect hierarchy, and a status that only mattered within the family, Tang clan members had struggled with these facades throughout their lives.
But now, the guardian of those laws, the head of the family, had created an opportunity to break free from that hierarchy, so it’s no wonder that everything bottled up was bursting out.
“Is it really chaotic over there? It’s a mess, isn’t it?”
“No need to worry.”
Chung Myung chuckled.
“The Lord of the Tang clan isn’t a child. Surely, he didn’t overlook something like this? He must have known everything. It’s either just as he expected or…”
Chung Myung suddenly fell silent.
“Lord Tang?”
All eyes turned to Tang Gunak.
“…Are you talking about that person over there? Yes, Chung Myung?”
Amidst the warriors who were jumping at each other, Tang Gunak sat with a pale face.
“…I guess he sidn’t expect this?”
“His expression looks like ‘save me,’ doesn’t it?”
“Chung Myung-ah?”
Chung Myung, who had been staring intently at Tang Gunak, lifted his head and looked up at the blue sky. It seemed like a familiar face was smiling at him.
– The Tang clan is a mess.
“Hey, you…”
Didn’t expect it to be this bad. Oh well.
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