Still, What Can We Do? (4)

The next day.

“Oh my.”

Chung Myung energetically rolled his shoulders.

“Well then, shall we spar gracefully once again today?”

Chung Myung still had plenty of energy, but Tang Gunak and Meng So’s expressions were not as bright or vigorous as his.

“…Aren’t you tired?”

“Tired?”

Chung Myung glanced subtly at Tang Gunak and Meng So. Their faces showed clear signs of fatigue.

Of course, the moment they entered the training ground, their faces would turn stern like true warriors, but here, it seemed unnecessary to put on such an act and waste energy.

“Hey. What have you done to be so tired already?”

“Ugh…”

“Age is scary.”

Meng So and Tang Gunak shook their heads vigorously.

Putting aside Chung Myung’s martial power for a moment, his tireless stamina was something they simply could not match.

“After all, you’re just dealing with kids, so you’re not going to complain, are you?”

At Chung Myung’s teasing, the two shook their heads.

“Once is nothing… but when it happens two or three times, it’s not easy to get up in the morning.”

“People don’t fully recover just by cultivating qi and sleeping, you know?”

At that, Chung Myung clicked his tongue.

“When war starts, it’s not just three or four days, but sometimes a month or two without rest. Will you still say the same then?”

Chung Myung turned his head slightly.

“It seems the elders think similarly. When war breaks out, if you say, ‘I’m too old to keep fighting like you, so I’ll rest at the back,’ that’s when the table gets cleared. If you don’t want to become an old man in the back room, endure it no matter what.”

“Ughhh.”

“Ugh…”

Groans escaped from the elders one after another. Though they felt upset inside, it was hard to argue since nothing said was wrong.

“It shouldn’t be that hard in the first place, so why the fuss?”

At that, Tang Gunak gave a bitter smile.

‘Not that hard…’

In some ways, it’s true. Facing them isn’t that difficult, as long as you never show weakness and aren’t required to only subdue them.

‘Moreover… they are definitely improving with repetition.’

They were clearly learning how to face us, either physically or mentally.

“It’s not as easy as it sounds.”

At that moment, Meng So spoke.

“They might find it unfamiliar to face a group like us, but conversely, we also have no experience fighting so many enemies at once.”

Everyone nodded at those words.

“It’s true, who in the world has such experience? Even if sects train to face multiple opponents, it’s usually no more than five. We have to adapt too.”

Though Meng So unusually complained, Chung Myung cut him off sharply.

“Then we must adapt.”

His expression was cold, as if not even needing to listen to Meng So.

“If there’s something to adapt to, just adapt. You don’t really think the blades of the Demonic cult or Four Sects Alliance will avoid you and only target them, do you?”

“Well…”

As Meng So hesitated, Tang Gunak’s eyes gleamed strangely.

“…Do you think we’ll face such situations often in the future?”

“It’s not about how often. The important thing is that such situations will inevitably occur.”

Chung Myung added, as if that alone wasn’t enough.

“The weaker side must do something.”

“…”

“If you arrogantly sit back as usual, letting the juniors handle the fight while you aim for the enemy leaders, all the juniors will be killed before you even meet the enemy commanders.”

At those words, Tang Gunak, Meng So, and the elders’ faces stiffened slightly.

“Then those who can fill the lacking forces must do so. If a real war breaks out, you won’t have the luxury to leisurely assess the situation with your arms crossed. Never.”

Chung Myung’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“You have two choices: either watch your juniors die in front and excuse yourself by saying you’re waiting for the right moment, or fight at the very front, getting your hands dirty.”

“Hmm…”

“Which will you choose?”

As the elders tried to answer, Chung Myung waved his hand to stop them.

“Ah, enough of this. If I ask, everyone will say they’ll fight on the front lines. But in reality, few really do. Most get scared and retreat, and those eager ones don’t know their limits and end up dying first.”

“…Huh.”

“So take this chance to get used to what it means to face many opponents.”

Tang Gunak gave a bitter smile.

“I always feel that you have too many demands.”

“Everyone at Mount Hua does it.”

“…That’s why it’s so frustrating.”

Tang Gunak shook his head.

Asking him to develop himself while training them is excessive. But wanting his disciples to grow, he can’t just back out.

“There’s nowhere else in the world that trains like this.”

“That’s why everyone is like this.”

“…”

“The problem isn’t just between sects. Even those who start as low disciples fail to understand their juniors once they rise. They vow not to be like that but later say, ‘You don’t understand,’ or ‘I understand now that I’ve been through it.’”

Tang Gunak cleared his throat, feeling a bit guilty.

“If it’s because they don’t know, just tell them. If you understand first, explain so others can too. Saying ‘You’ll understand later’ without doing that… isn’t that just the easy way out?”

“…That’s right.”

“So it’s not only them who must change.”

As Tang Gunak tried to speak, Meng So scratched his head.

“Enough nagging, let’s go quickly. It is easier to deal with them instead of getting scolded by you.”

“Yes!”

Chung Myung didn’t argue with that.

In fact, considering their rank and apparent age in the murim world, they aren’t people who should be scolded by Chung Myung. Objectively, it’s impressive these two listen to Chung Myung, just Mount Hua’s third class disciple, without resentment.

Knowing this, Chung Myung didn’t go overboard.

‘Ugh. There’s too much to worry about.’

In the past, just saying ‘What are you asking? Shut up and do as told!’ was enough to silence complaints before him. Now, he must speak gently to avoid hurting feelings.

‘Sahyung. This is how I live.’

• Do you know how it felt when I tried to speak around so you wouldn’t get upset?

‘Hey. That’s different from this.’

• This damn…

Chung Myung shook his head and headed to the training ground.

‘Will nothing change today as well?’

The fastest way to change a person is to pinpoint and tell them the problem. But sometimes, nothing changes that way.

This isn’t something he can teach; they must feel it themselves.

‘It won’t be that easy.’

Patience is needed. Like Chung Mun, who waited knowing Chung Myung wouldn’t change easily.

“Phew.”

Chung Myung stood there and took a deep breath.

He must not rush. “More haste, less speed” is one of Chung Myung’s least favorite sayings, but now he must engrave it in his heart.

If he drags them by the collar because they don’t change fast enough, chaos will ensue where he isn’t. If he can’t protect everyone, he must make everyone able to protect themselves.

No matter how arduous, if it must be done, it must be done.

“Alright.”

Chung Myung nodded and briskly entered the training ground around the corner.

“Now, are you ready to get hit enthusiastically today… huh?”

But he suddenly paused upon entering the training ground. Chung Myung’s head tilted slightly.

“Oh?”

The scene before his eyes was very different from usual.

Until now, each sect gathered separately waiting. But now, what he saw was a clear formation.

At the front stood the Beast Palace, behind them Namgung Family. At the rear, the Tang family was ready to intervene anytime, while Ice Palace and Mount Hua stood on the wings, swords drawn on both sides.

Though basic, it was clearly a sight that showed preparation.

“Hmm?”

“Ho…”

Meng So and Tang Gunak, who followed, also looked at the scene with interest.

Chung Myung lightly covered his mouth with his fist, not wanting to show his involuntary smile.

‘This is faster than I thought.’

He expected Baek Cheon, the Five Swords, and Im So-Byeong wouldn’t just take this lying down. But he thought it would take at least ten more days.

‘They say children grow faster than parents expect. I guess I’m human after all to feel this.’

Everyone was growing day by day. Watching closely made it feel slower.

Chung Myung’s gaze shifted to Baek Cheon, who wore a confident smile. Then he looked at Green Forest behind the Tang family, especially Im So-Byeong.

After confirming Im So-Byeong shrugged his shoulders, he composed his expression and lowered his hand.

“Seems like they’ve done something…”

What came from his mouth was not praise but a blatant sneer.

“Will that really change anything?”

“Who knows?”

Baek Cheon smirked, accepting Chung Myung’s provocation.

“I don’t know what will change. Maybe a sword will be stuck in that big mouth of yours.”

Namgung Do-Wei spoke politely.

“You might experience an unexpected defeat.”

Of course, the Tang Family hadn’t lost either.

“Even if everything falls apart, it’s hard to avoid an addiction. The Family lord is the same!”

“Huh?”

Chung Myung looked at everyone incredulously, and Im So-Byeong, fanning himself at the back, raised his voice.

“I always say this!”

His voice pierced everyone’s ears.

“Winning or losing is a later matter. First, just land a hit on that pathetic face!”

“Oh!”

“Damn! Then I can sleep well today!”

“Please! Please! Pleeease!”

Before the excitement cooled, Im So-Byeong pointed his fan forward at Chung Myung.

“If you’re confident, come at me?”

“Confidence?”

“If not why are you backing off so much? Are you scared?”

“Ah… really?”

Chung Myung chuckled and grabbed his sword.

Ssshhh.

His sword slowly slid out of its sheath. Seeing this, everyone swallowed hard.

“You seem quite confident…”

Tang Gunak and Meng So stood to Chung Myung’s sides. Behind them, the elders chuckled as they followed.

“You’ll just get hit a bit longer. I’ll show you the difference in level, you bastards!”

Im So-Byeong shouted loudly as Chung Myung charged with his sword raised.

“Trample him!”

“Kill him!”

“Justice will prevail! Villains!”

Everyone charged forward, their eyes blazing with killing intent.

Chung Myung lowered his stance and bowed his head slightly. A faint smile crossed his lips, hidden from their view.