Chapter 1732
What’s the right thing to do… (2)
ROTMHS Glossary || About page
“What did you just say!”
“Geol-ah!”
Yoon Jong quickly restrained Jo Geol.
“Wait, wait! Don’t get angry so suddenly….”
But his efforts were shattered by Tang Soso’s voice, which echoed once more.
“Am I wrong?”
“What?”
Jo Geol’s face contorted even further. Even Yoon Jong, who had been trying to mediate and hold him back, was startled and turned to look at her.
“Soso, it seems like you don’t understand the meaning of what you just said….”
“I knew exactly what I was saying.”
“…”
“I knew it clearly when I said it. Can’t we just send Sasuk to Jongnam?”
“Soso!”
Yoon Jong was momentarily stunned, and Jo Geol gritted his teeth. Meanwhile, Yu Iseol maintained a blank expression, her thoughts unreadable.
Only Baek Sang and Hye Yeon, who couldn’t dare intervene in the argument, bit their lower lips in frustration.
“You’re suggesting we send Sasuk to Jongnam?”
“Yes.”
“How does that even make sense?”
“Why can’t we?”
“Tang Soso!”
“I can’t understand it at all.”
Yoon Jong, rarely raising his voice, spoke firmly, but Tang Soso didn’t back down an inch.
“Isn’t saving a life the most important thing? No matter how important affiliation is, it can’t be more important than a person. If Sasuk changes his affiliation to Jongnam, does that make him any less of who he is?”
“At the very least, he would no longer be our Sasuk.”
Yoon Jong cut her off sharply.
“The name Baek Cheon would cease to exist. That’s the name given to a disciple of Hwasan.”
“So what? A name is just a name. A title is just a title! It’s not like the person we know is disappearing.”
“Is it really that simple of an issue?”
“Then is it such a difficult issue?”
Tang Soso, growing frustrated by Yoon Jong’s consistently cold attitude, shouted.
“Has everyone lost their minds? This is just a matter of changing affiliations!”
“…”
“Are we really going to stand by and watch someone live out the rest of their life in that condition just to preserve some petty name and title? Are we going to keep a person who can be healed trapped here, watching them with pitiful eyes and offering them empty support?”
“Who said we should do that!”
“Then what are we supposed to do!”
For a moment, Yoon Jong was at a loss for words and couldn’t say anything.
Of course, that wasn’t what he truly believed, but Yoon Jong realized that, in the end, his thoughts weren’t much different from what Tang Soso had pointed out.
A cold silence settled over the room. After a moment, Tang Soso looked at Jo Geol and asked,
“So, Sahyeong, do you agree with Yoon Jong Sahyeong? Do you think it’s better for Sasuk to live the rest of his life in that condition at Hwasan rather than becoming someone from Jongnam? Really?”
It was strange. Jo Geol had been the first to vehemently oppose what Tang Soso had said. Yet now, he found himself unable to respond.
“Answer me, Sahyeong.”
Jo Geol lightly clenched his fists.
To them, ‘Hwasan’ was irreplaceable, something that couldn’t be exchanged for anything else. Perhaps it had even become a name that encompassed their entire being.
But to Jo Geol, Baek Cheon was as important as Hwasan itself.
“I don’t understand.”
Tang Soso spoke in a voice as cold as ice.
“What’s so great about Hwasan?”
“…”
“I don’t care whether Sasuk is from Hwasan or Jongnam. Sasuk is still Sasuk. He’s still Baek Cheon, the person I know. So, to me, it’s a hundred times more important that Sasuk gets better and that the person I care about isn’t suffering.”
She paused for a moment, as if gathering her thoughts, then added.
“That precious name, Hwasan…”
“Watch your words.”
Tang Soso’s final words, which required great resolve, were abruptly cut off by a calm but firm voice. Yu Iseol was staring directly at Tang Soso with a steady gaze.
“That name isn’t something to be taken lightly. It’s not something you can dismiss as trivial.”
It was rare for Yu Iseol, who usually spoke very little, to speak so firmly. Tang Soso lowered her head deeply.
“I’m sorry.”
She, too, had been too agitated to distinguish between what should and shouldn’t be said. How could she not know the significance of that name? In truth, Tang Soso had also been part of shaping the meaning behind it.
Yu Iseol looked at Tang Soso, who seemed deeply troubled, and then spoke quietly.
“Sahyeong will refuse.”
Her words were brief and to the point, but everyone understood what she meant.
“Yes, I know. That’s why… we have to persuade him. Somehow.”
Tang Soso forced the words out, her voice lacking confidence. Even she couldn’t claim to be certain of anything.
But the concern and care she felt for Baek Cheon were unmistakable.
Perhaps that was why Jo Geol let out an unconscious sigh. He then scratched his head in frustration, his mind tangled with conflicting thoughts.
“Seriously… So, we’re supposed to convince Sasuk, who chose to stay at Hwasan, to leave for Jongnam?”
“…”
“The one who chose to stay here, even in that condition? Someone who’s already made up his mind?”
“Yes.”
“Damn it.”
Jo Geol spat out a curse. It wasn’t directed at Tang Soso, but rather at the suffocating reality that he had no choice but to accept. Frustrated, he turned to the person he always relied on in moments like this.
“Sahyeong, what do you think?”
Yoon Jong answered without a moment’s hesitation.
“I think it’s ridiculous.”
“…You think so too?”
“Just imagining Sasuk in Jongnam’s robes makes my blood boil.”
“Yeah, even the brief glimpse we had before was unbearable.”
“That was truly something I never want to see again.”
They had once disguised themselves to infiltrate the Beggars Sect, but that had been just a disguise, nothing more. Yoon Jong spoke bitterly.
“It would feel like my insides were being torn apart, like my stomach was being twisted… But the truth is, seeing Sasuk pretend to be fine every time we run into him is even more gut-wrenching.”
He let out a deep sigh.
I don’t know.
“What’s the right thing to do…”
It’s impossible to know. But there was one thing he was certain of.
“Soso.”
“Yes, Sahyeong.”
“Will Sahyung get better?”
“…No. It will be difficult.”
“Will he get worse?”
Tang Soso didn’t answer.
Finally, Yu Iseol asked the question that no one had dared to bring up until now.
“Then, how much longer does he have to live?”
A long silence followed. That silence alone was enough of an answer for everyone present.
After what felt like an eternity, Yu Iseol, with the same composed expression she always wore, looked around at everyone.
“We don’t need to think the same way. We’re not children. No one needs to tell us what the right thing is.”
Despite her unusually long speech, Yu Iseol arrived at a simple conclusion.
“So, act. According to what you each believe.”
“…”
“But if you’re going to do it, do it right.”
In that moment, a small but resolute determination flickered in everyone’s eyes.
❀ ❀ ❀
Those who encounter Hwasan Sect for the first time are often left bewildered. The reason is simple: the disciples of Hwasan are far more unassuming than their reputation would suggest. This is the polite way of putting it. To put it bluntly, they can seem almost naively straightforward.
It’s not that the disciples of Hwasan are genuinely simple-minded. They’ve been through their share of trials and hardships, and in terms of experience alone, they could outmatch most other sects.
The real reason lies in the influence of their sect leader, Hyun Jong, and the elders, whose temperaments have subtly shaped the disciples over time.
As a result, the disciples of Hwasan are well aware of how to handle various situations, but they often hesitate to act coldly because they worry about those who might get hurt in the process.
Baek Cheon, in particular, had the opportunity to fully experience what it feels like to be on the receiving end of that concern.
“Go back.”
“Sasuk.”
“I said go back.”
Baek Cheon clenched his teeth as he looked at the person who had barged into his room.
“Even you’re doing this?”
There was a clear look of irritation on Baek Cheon’s face – not anger, but genuine annoyance.
“With the others, I could understand, but you, of all people, shouldn’t be doing this.”
The person standing in front of him was supposed to be his successor, the one who would eventually become the Sect Leader of Hwasan.
Yoon Jong let out a deep sigh, his face filled with guilt.
“…I’m sorry.”
“Did everyone really plan this together?”
“We decided to act according to our individual beliefs.”
Baek Cheon, who couldn’t hide his irritation, stared at Yoon Jong for a long time before eventually letting out a sigh of his own. He could more or less guess what was going on, making it difficult to openly express his anger.
Instead, he looked at Yoon Jong with an exasperated expression.
“Fine, I get it. But if you’re going to do this, at least do it properly.”
Yoon Jong had nothing to say in response.
To be honest, he knew exactly how they could force Baek Cheon to leave for Jongnam. The fastest and most effective way would be to provoke his emotions mercilessly.
Humans are emotional creatures, so if they were to mock Baek Cheon about his inability to use his arms, it would surely diminish the affection he held for Hwasan, making it easier for him to leave.
Another option would be to subtly apply physical pressure. After all, Baek Cheon’s current condition was worse than that of an ordinary civilian.
And that’s not all. If one were to think about it, there would be countless methods. Even without an exceptional mind, one could come up with them.
But the disciples of Hwasan weren’t ruthless enough to carry out such measures. So instead, they had tried their best to persuade Baek Cheon in their own way, attempting to do so without wounding his pride.
“…Was it too clumsy?”
“Yeah.”
“Even Soso could’ve done a better job…”
“She unraveled and rewrapped the bandage three times while endlessly rambling about how leaving the Tang clan to come to Hwasan was the best decision she ever made. She even suggested that maybe it was time to try something new.”
…Honestly, such a misguided approach.
“Did Baek Sang Sasuk come by too?”
“He said Jongnam is wealthy, so living there would be easy. He even mentioned that, since I’m a legitimate son of the Jin family, I could probably siphon off a third of their wealth.”
“That crazy man.”
“Huh?”
“No, nothing…”
Can we really trust that man with the financial affairs of Hwasan? Is our sect doomed?
“What about Monk Hye Yeon?”
“He suggested that getting expelled might actually be worth experiencing.”
There’s someone even crazier.
“And… what about Sago?”
“She barged in without warning, stared at me intensely for a while, then just sat down in the corner of the room. She stayed like that for so long that I had to call someone to drag her out.”
“…Did she actually get dragged out?”
“After repeating that three times, she finally stopped coming back.”
Yoon Jong fell into an unexpected bout of despair. Listening to all this, it made him wonder if these people were the best the sect had to offer. Is there really no future for this sect?
Baek Cheon asked indifferently.
“Aren’t you going to ask about Geol?”
“To be honest, I’m a bit scared to hear it.”
“Then I won’t tell you either.”
“…Thank you.”
Yoon Jong let out a deep sigh. He expected this. That’s just how Hwasan’s people are. Full of enthusiasm, but what good is that? They have the will, but lack the courage to hurt someone if necessary.
“Sasuk.”
“Leave.”
“What?”
Baek Cheon’s face twisted in irritation. If his arms were working, he would have been massaging his temples by now.
“I can already guess what nonsense you’re about to spout, so just get out.”
“No, at least hear me out first-“
“I said get out.”
Finally losing his patience, Baek Cheon suddenly stood up and kicked Yoon Jong.
“Agh! Sasuk! Using force like this-“
“Then hit me back.”
“How could I possibly do that?”
“Then get out.”
Baek Cheon fiercely kicked Yoon Jong again, this time aiming for his backside. As Yoon Jong stumbled out of the room, Baek Cheon shouted after him.
“If you come near here again, I won’t let it slide!”
“I’ll see you tomorrow!”
Yoon Jong called back, his voice trailing off as he hurried away.
“Don’t come back!”
Baek Cheon gritted his teeth. Only after Yoon Jong disappeared behind the distant pavilion did Baek Cheon, now exhausted, mutter to himself,
“Foolish brats.”
He knew. He knew all too well that these foolish actions stemmed from their concern for him. If it weren’t for that, they wouldn’t be lingering around his quarters so late at night.
But… it still made Baek Cheon feel a little sad.
Because he understood their intentions, it made him feel even more like there was nothing left for him to do at Hwasan.
And accepting that warm concern from them only made him feel all the more pathetic.
After staring blankly into space for a while, Baek Cheon suddenly shifted his gaze and spoke.
“Hey.”
He looked up at the edge of the roof, where there appeared to be no one, and spoke again.
“Do you have any liquor left?”
Though Baek Cheon spoke into the empty air, a reply soon came from above, specifically from the eaves of the pavilion where he was staying.
“There’s always liquor around.”
“Where did you get it?”
“Found a storage room near the Sect Leader’s quarters.”
So, he had taken out something from Hwasan’s warehouse. Baek Cheon chuckled softly.
“Give me a bottle. I feel like having a drink.”
At that, Chung Myung, who had been lying on the roof with his head resting on his arms, nodded faintly.
“…Alright, let’s do that.”
Next to him were a few bottles of liquor and two cups, as if he had anticipated this moment.
Comments