Chapter 1462
Is that what we saw? (2)
“Th-That is…”
The people who had been holding their breath, unable to even peek outside due to the commotion, now all looked up in unison.
Under the sky that had turned from the Righteous to the Evil one overnight, they could do nothing but accept and endure it.
In the sky, blue to the point of indifference and something they could only seem to resent, a red plum blossom bloomed. It was so enormous that everyone in Chengdu could see it clearly.
A few years ago, this would have simply been an astonishing sight. But now, everyone in Chengdu knew. No, the whole world knew.
They knew what the red plum blossom symbolized and who was responsible for making it bloom.
“H-Hwasan!”
“Hwasan Sect…!”
At that moment, the plum blossoms that had bloomed in the sky scattered towards the ground of Chengdu.
Boom! Boom!
The deafening explosions, akin to celebratory fireworks, echoed widely. For a brief moment, the eyes of Chengdu’s residents filled with overwhelming hope.
But that hope quickly dissipated in the face of the enormous power called reality.
They, too, knew. Chengdu was already occupied by Sapaeryeon, and reclaiming the past wouldn’t be easy. If Hwasan and Cheonumaeng had the power to easily defeat Sapaeryeon, Chengdu would never have fallen into their hands in the first place.
Nevertheless, the significance of this sight was immense.
“I-I have to go out!”
“Hey, you fool! Where are you going? What difference does it make that Hwasan is here? You’ll just lose your head for nothing!”
“Still, I have to see it with my own eyes!”
The person who had resisted being stopped forcefully opened the door. There, in the sky, he saw a man descending.
“Ah…”
He wore black martial robes and had his long hair tied back tightly with a green hair ribbon. On his chest, a plum blossom emblem was embroidered.
The man who had opened the door stood there, stunned, staring blankly. He murmured as if in a daze.
“Hwasan Geom… hyeop.”
Thud!
Chung Myung landed on the ground and slowly scanned his surroundings.
It had only been a brief moment from the time he had launched himself into the air to make the plum blossom bloom and then descended back to the ground. But in that short time, the scene around him had changed significantly.
Those who had been cowering inside their homes in fear of Sapaeryeon and Maninbang were now peeking out. From behind door cracks, or over high walls, though they dared not reveal their entire bodies, their gazes were unmistakably fixed on Chung Myung.
Eyes laden with myriad emotions fell upon him.
Chung Myung knew. Occasionally, he would receive looks of gratitude or admiration, but mostly, he was met with gazes filled with resentment. Most of them were accusing him of not fulfilling his duty.
But Chung Myung did not avoid these gazes. Instead, he resolutely opened his mouth to speak. Or he would have, if someone had not stepped forward and spoken in his place.
“…Lord Tang?”
“Due to circumstances, we cannot take everyone with us right now.”
The moment Tang Gunak stepped forward, the expressions in people’s eyes subtly changed.
“I swear on my name… no, on the name of Cheonumaeng. We will definitely return. When that time comes, we will atone for our mistakes. So please!”
Tang Gunak clenched his fist tightly.
“Just hold on and endure a little longer.”
He bowed his head. It was an incongruous sight in the middle of Chengdu, where a fierce battle had recently taken place.
But a brief silence fell over Chengdu.
“Lord Tang. I…”
Chung Myung started to step forward, but Maeng So grabbed his shoulder, holding him back.
“Wait.”
The grip Maeng So had on Chung Myung’s shoulder was strong. He was sincerely trying to stop him.
At that moment, Tang Gunak straightened his back and looked ahead. He took one last look at Chengdu, biting his lips briefly. Just as he was about to speak, saying it was time to move, it happened.
“Let go of me!”
Thud!
One of the previously closed doors burst open roughly, and a man came running out from inside.
“I told you it’s not possible!”
“Damn it! What do you mean it’s not possible!”
The man who had forcefully burst out ran straight up to Tang Gunak. Everyone’s expressions hardened in an instant. The momentum of the approaching man was anything but ordinary.
Of course, Tang Gunak wouldn’t be overpowered by an ordinary commoner. But how would he feel being hit with the resentment of so many in front of all these people?
“Lord Tang.”
Maeng So, flustered, tried to step in, but Tang Gunak raised his hand slightly without even turning his head. It meant he didn’t want anyone to intervene.
“Huff!”
The man, eyes slightly bloodshot, stared at Tang Gunak. Tang Gunak met his gaze calmly.
“Given the situation…”
Tang Gunak began, his voice filled with embarrassment and regret. But before he could finish, the man pulled something from his bosom and thrust it out.
An exquisite jade Buddha. It was clearly a valuable and precious item.
Tang Gunak, known for his exceptional composure, was taken aback in that moment. Why was this man suddenly presenting a jade Buddha?
“This is…”
“Take it.”
The man shook the statue urgently, pushing it towards Tang Gunak.
“Sell it, use it for military funds or whatever you need!”
“But, Father, that’s our family heirloom!”
A voice protested from behind him. The man turned sharply, glaring over his shoulder.
“You fool! What good is an heirloom? In just a fortnight, those Sapa bastards will take everything from us anyway! If we’re going to lose it, wouldn’t it be better for these people to use it?”
“Th-that’s…”
The man silenced his son and looked directly at Tang Gunak again.
“This is our family’s heirloom. Please take it and use it. But in return!”
His eyes blazed with desperate determination.
“Please return. We will endure somehow.”
Tang Gunak’s lips trembled momentarily.
Even when his family’s home was burned and many of his kin lost their lives, he never showed weakness in front of others. But now, Tang Gunak’s composed face was clearly shaken.
He spoke in a slightly suppressed voice.
“I cannot accept this. It might bring trouble, so please go back quickly.”
“…”
“Someone might report this.”
He was worried that someone witnessing this might inform Sapaeryeon. But the man frowned as if he didn’t understand.
“Are you not the Lord of the Tang clan?”
A puzzled expression crossed Tang Gunak’s face.
“As the head of Sichuan Tang Clan, do you not know Chengdu?”
“…What…”
The man didn’t need to explain further. The meaning soon became clear.
“Make way!”
Another door opened, and an old man came running.
“Lord Tang! Here! This is the most precious item in our household. Please take it!”
“…”
“Here, you must also accept this! And please come back. We will endure somehow!”
The tightly closed doors began to open one by one. People who had been hiding behind doors and walls came running out on their own. It wasn’t the power of Cheonumaeng that broke through the reality that had been holding them back – it was the will of the people living in Chengdu.
“Lord, please take this! I beg you!”
Someone grabbed Tang Gunak’s hand and wept. Another person, fearful of being seen, quickly placed something on the ground and turned away. Others, unable to come out, threw items over the walls.
The methods varied, but their message was clear.
Tang Gunak clenched his lips tightly as he watched the pile of treasures grow. Each item was precious. The few who could offer anything had brought the smallest and most valuable items they could find.
He had failed in his duty. He was prepared to endure spit and curses.
The Tang clan had long been the dominant force in Chengdu because the people of Chengdu recognized and supported them. But he had failed to protect them. And now, he had to leave, asking them to hold on just a little longer.
Yet, they did not curse him. They did not abandon him. They showed only their desperate hope.
“Please come back, Lord Tang!”
“We will wait for the day the Tang clan returns!”
“We will endure somehow, so stay strong!”
Tang Gunak opened his mouth as if to say something, but then closed it again. He couldn’t bring himself to say anything.
“Sahyeong!”
“We’ve already brought it! Is this the cart?”
“Load it up, quickly!”
“Yes!”
Five Swords, who had been pulling the cart, ran over and began loading the piled treasures into the new cart.
“You can’t load it like that! The items will get damaged… Move aside!”
The merchants from Four Seas swiftly dismounted and began loading the treasures with quick hands, pushing Five Swords aside.
“What are you doing? Load it up!”
“Me? Are you talking to me?”
“Of course! Does the Lord have no hands?”
“I-I’m going, aren’t I?”
Maeng So groaned as he used his hands, as large as cauldron lids, to gather the treasures and load them.
It might have seemed comical, but no one was laughing. The mound of treasures was quickly organized and loaded onto the cart.
A loud voice rang out from somewhere.
“Lord Tang! You must return!”
“Please take care!”
“Don’t forget us, Lord!”
Tang Gunak took in the faces of those peeking through small gaps, not missing a single one. He stood silently for a moment before finally turning to Chung Myung. A slightly choked voice slipped out.
“General.”
“Yes!”
Chung Myung stepped forward and shouted loudly.
“We will definitely return, so please wait a little longer!”
There was no thunderous cheer in response. But that was enough for now.
“Let’s go!”
At Chung Myung’s command, several carts began to race down the main road. Those who had been dealing with the remnants of the Evil Sects at the rear quickly ran to join them.
“Lord Tang, let me…”
“It’s fine.”
Tang Gunak, who was pulling a cart, stopped Hye Yeon from running up. He had to pull this cart himself. Even if he is the head of the Tang clan…
No, because he is the head of the Tang clan.
The carts sped towards the massive gates of Chengdu. As if by silent agreement, everyone turned to look back.
They wanted to remember every gaze watching them, promising themselves not to forget. Then they turned to face forward again.
“Let’s go.”
The carts rolled out of the city gates.
“Chung Myung-ah.”
“It’s okay.”
Chung Myung shook his head, understanding Baek Cheon’s concern.
“Right now, any words are meaningless. We need to prove ourselves with actions, not words.”
“…You’re right.”
Baek Cheon’s gaze turned back to Chengdu. He looked for a moment, imprinting the sturdy gates into his memory. His mind was now set with one clear resolve.
‘We will definitely return.’
And by then, Cheonumaeng would undoubtedly be different from what it was now.
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