Still, What Can We Do? (2)

The expressions of those filling the training ground suddenly became bewildered.

‘Ah, no…’

How should I put it? Unexpected? Or absurd? Or just downright strange?

Those who have experienced Mount Hua even a little know this: no matter what anyone says, Chung Myung represents Mount Hua. Whether seen from outside or inside, Chung Myung wields an incredible influence over the Mount Hua sect.

But those who have been close to Mount Hua for a long time see things a bit differently.

Chung Myung may be the center of the Mount Hua sect, but the core among its disciples is Baek Cheon. Chung Myung merely leads them, but the one who harmonizes their thoughts and practically controls them is this earnest young man in front of them, no matter what anyone says.

Even Hyun Jong, the sect leader of Mount Hua, when he has something to convey to the disciples, goes through Baek Cheon rather than Chung Myung.

It’s not just a second choice because Chung Myung is busy. While Chung Myung leads Mount Hua’s grand direction, it is an implicit agreement that Baek Cheon must lead the disciples.

Baek Cheon, the confirmed future sect leader of Mount Hua and representative of the current disciples, suddenly bowed his head before them.

Tang Pae looked around with a blank face. No one else was different; everyone was too stunned to speak.

Perhaps because Tang Pae was the only one to move, or because he was seen as the right person, all eyes turned to him.

Under implicit pressure, Tang Pae finally spoke with a reluctant expression.

“Taoist… why are you suddenly being like this?”

Only then did Baek Cheon raise his bowed head and evenly look at Tang Pae and everyone else.

At that moment, many words came to Baek Cheon’s mind: polite words, gentle coaxing, deeper apologies to make the other feel sorry, and so on.

But all those vanished in an instant. This was not a situation to patch up with mere face-saving.

“This cannot continue.”

What came out was his honest feeling.

“Right now, we are training against absolute warriors whom we cannot serve anywhere else. Every moment is invaluable beyond comparison.”

Everyone nodded at his words.

Whether enduring this training is hard or not was secondary; everyone agreed this was a rare opportunity unlikely to come again.

Even the disciples of the Sichuan Tang family rarely get a chance to face the family lord. Has the Beast Palace’s archer ever had a serious fight with the Beast Palace Lord?

Where else would one experience a situation where not one but three such figures rampage?

“But right now, we are wasting this time. This opportunity may never come again.”

“…”

“Thinking of the Heavenly Friends Alliance, and even the murim world, honestly, I don’t understand such grand ideas well. But I don’t want to waste this precious time like this. When we should focus all our strength on facing them, I don’t want to mix in old grudges.”

Some, especially Namgung Do-Wei, nodded strongly.

“So I ask you, please unite your strength.”

Tang Pae spoke with a slightly displeased face.

“Is that because it’s the path for the greater good?”

“No.”

Baek Cheon said bluntly.

“Because it’s the path that benefits Mount Hua.”

Baek Cheon’s gaze fixed on Tang Pae.

“Isn’t that the same for young lord?”

Tang Pae’s mouth tightened slightly.

Baek Cheon was asking him now: does he want the other disciples to waste this great opportunity just enduring punishment because of petty grudges? Or does he want them to use this time to improve themselves?

‘He speaks well.’

Anger surged instantly. This whole matter started because Mount Hua mocked and beat the Yang family, and Mount Hua’s Sword Saint relentlessly tormented everyone.

But when those who are practically the perpetrators speak so plainly, anger is inevitable.

Murder is wrong. But if the one who committed murder preaches this while being avenged, isn’t it natural to feel sick inside?

“It’s ridiculous for Mount Hua to utter such words.”

Baek Cheon bowed his head deeply again without excuse. Tang Pae, who had needlessly found fault, groaned and sighed.

“But… please don’t think the Taoist is the only one who cares about the disciples of the sect.”

What came to Tang Pae’s mind was none other than Tang Gunak’s gaze.

The words that since things were given without effort, there was no need to be anxious or desperate.

‘Not a single word he said is wrong.’

The ones who should be most desperate now are the Tang family. Despite their superior position, they cannot overcome Mount Hua’s disciples.

So they should be more urgent and restless. Tang Gunak should have done what Baek Cheon is doing now first.

But Tang Pae just lay down, and Mount Hua, who had no reason to be urgent, bowed first.

If you are desperate, you must act like it. Burning inside without moving is not true desperation.

“Regardless of feelings, I agree that we must do something. What they are doing is surely not to just have us get beaten and toughen up.”

Baek Cheon nodded firmly.

“I agree as well.”

At that moment, Namgung Do-Wei quickly spoke.

“If this continues, even after a year nothing will change. We cannot face them if we hinder each other. This cannot be overcome by will or training alone.”

This statement could hurt Namgung Do-Wei’s own pride.

He is practically the lord of the Namgung Family. Saying that the young lords must unite to face the Family lord’s is different from the family lord admitting he cannot face another family lord.

As the lord of the great Namgung Family, known as the greatest family in the world, this was not something to say lightly.

But Namgung Do-Wei accepted his limits willingly. In the past, he would never have admitted it, but now he knew that stubbornly denying his limits would hurt his pride even more.

“There must be a way to fight together. Not hindering each other, but helping. Why not start by finding that?”

Tang Pae nodded firmly at Namgung Do-Wei’s words.

But then.

“How impressive.”

One of the Beast Palace disciples watching the situation sneered openly.

“The three proud sects of Central Plains have made a truly grand decision.”

The three looked at the speaker with stern faces. Before others could speak, Baek Cheon took the lead.

“If you are displeased, I apologize.”

“No, no. What’s there to be displeased about? If the three great sects have decided so, we just follow. How could lowly barbarians oppose that?”

This was not just one twisted person mocking openly. Though only one spoke, the eyes of those behind him were similar. Even the Beast Palace and Ice Palace disciples nodded as if agreeing.

“We did not intend that…”

“Your intentions may be good.”

This time, an Ice Palace disciple spoke.

“But isn’t it Mount Hua, the Tang family, and the Namgung Family who decide the Heavenly Friends Alliance’s direction every time? And all we get is just a message of it.”

“…”

“So we will accept it again this time, but is there a problem?”

Baek Cheon found it difficult to respond to this.

Though Namgung was unfairly lumped in, it was hard to deny that Mount Hua and the Tang family had been deciding the Heavenly Friends Alliance’s affairs, while others were merely informed.

This certainly deviates from the original intent of the Heavenly Friends Alliance.

Even if it wasn’t Baek Cheon’s fault, the situation where the Tang family and Namgung naturally stepped forward first in front of everyone was enough to stir up their accumulated grievances.

“We apologize for that part. But we did not intend…”

“No, Taoist Baek Cheon. I don’t understand why you say that when we say we have no complaints. We just follow what is said.”

A sigh escaped Baek Cheon’s lips. He could handle honest attacks, but dealing with such sarcasm was difficult. As Mount Hua’s great disciple, whatever he said would be seen as just playing nice.

While Baek Cheon pondered how to respond, a sharp irritated voice rang out.

“You damn barbarians, mocking us so filthy.”

Instantly, the Ice Palace and Beast Palace disciples flared up and turned their gaze. But upon seeing the speaker, their half-open mouths closed again.

Im So-Byeong, wearing a horribly wrinkled martial robe, barely propping up his upper body, looked at everyone filled with all the irritation he had. Everyone instantly became solemn.

“Have you ever been discriminated against as much as the Evil Sect bastards have? Even before the Namgung Family joined, we were treated like slaves by Mount Hua, and we’re still like this here!”

When Im So-Byeong got angry, the Ice Palace and Beast Palace disciples subtly averted their eyes.

“I am the Green Forest King, you bastards! The Green Forest King! If your palace lord is like this here, you must have endured well, you bastards! Do you see my state?”

With one eye bruised blue, Im So-Byeong openly expressed his anger, and no one dared to speak. If a sect leader of another sect had been treated like that, a war would have broken out immediately.

But Im So-Byeong endured such treatment without complaint. Compared to what Im So-Byeong and Green Forest suffered, the Palaces have been treated like honored guests.

“This is why the Central Plains, Palaces, and humans alike have no shame. You make a fuss asking for care for what you’ve done for the Heavenly Friends Alliance! We’ve been slaves for years and still can’t say such things!”

“…No, well…”

“Ahem.”

Those who almost reflexively wanted to say “Because you’re Evil Sect” hurriedly covered their mouths. That would be no different from saying the Palaces deserve discrimination.

“If you’re going to complain, go get beaten for three years and then talk.”

“…”

“Damn it.”

Exhausted, Im So-Byeong looked up and sighed deeply.

“Taoist Baek Cheon.”

“Yes, Green Forest King.”

“You’ve been beaten enough, haven’t you?”

“…Yes.”

Im So-Byeong spoke with fiery eyes.

“I’m annoyed and don’t want to get beaten anymore, so let’s find a way. It’s no longer fun to watch you get beaten.”

At those words, Baek Cheon slightly curled his lips.

“I share that sentiment.”

“Exactly.”

Im So-Byeong glared with burning eyes at the place where Chung Myung and others had disappeared.

“Let’s show those arrogant fellows how terrifying a rebellion is! Be it the Emperor, family lord, just one spear…”

“S-stop right there!”

That crossed the line, you Evil Sect bastard!

“Everyone, gather!”

At Im So-Byeong’s command, who quickly organized the situation, those scattered began to gather slowly.

Seeing that, Baek Cheon chuckled softly.

‘I did my part, damn it.’

Baek Cheon, silently speaking to Chung Myung who was probably watching somewhere, approached Im So-Byeong with a face as if knowing nothing.