1293 — This Is Just The Beginning. (3)

“Yes, Sect leader.”

Baek Cheon immediately bowed with clasped hands to greet Geum Yang-Baek. However, Geum Yang-Baek didn’t speak at once and stared at Baek Cheon with a troubled expression.

From that look, Baek Cheon roughly guessed what Geum Yang-Baek wanted to say.

‘Was it six?’

Not certain, but it was probably around that. The number of Southern Island disciples who’d been lost getting this far.

It was a painfully large number even for Baek Cheon. But no matter how much Baek Cheon sympathized, it couldn’t compare to the despair Geum Yang-Baek must be feeling.

The trembling at the corners of Geum Yang-Baek’s eyes seemed to tell the story, what torment he was enduring. Baek Cheon resolved he could endure even harsh words.

Then Geum Yang-Baek stepped forward, held out both hands, and respectfully bowed with clasped hands.

“I’m sorry for showing such a pathetic… appearance.”

A flash of bewilderment crossed Baek Cheon’s face.

“As the Sect leader of Southern Island Sect, I failed to properly lead my disciples. Please forgive me for placing this burden on the Acting Sect Leader.”

Baek Cheon stared blankly at Geum Yang-Baek. Not only Baek Cheon, but the other Mount Hua disciples couldn’t hide their surprise either.

Of course it was undeniable that others had been burdened by Geum Yang-Baek’s mistake. Still, it’s never easy for the leader of a sect to acknowledge his own failure so plainly.

So the reaction was inevitable.

“You needn’t say that, Sect leader.”

Baek Cheon quickly shook his head and said.

“If you hadn’t acted swiftly to contain it, the damage would have been worse. So don’t blame yourself.”

Hearing that, Geum Yang-Baek slowly looked up at the sky.

Baek Cheon couldn’t bring himself to offer more comfort. It would be presumptuous to try to guess what Geum Yang-Baek was thinking now.

But at that moment, an enraged voice rang out.

“Why is the Sect leader apologizing!?”

One of the Southern Island’s elders shouted in an agitated voice.

“If we’re to blame anyone, it’s them! What on earth were they thinking to do this? Had they not forced their way through the enemy lines like this, these casualties would never have occurred in the first place!”

“Gwak Wol.”

“Am I wrong, Sect leader? What kind of insane stunt is this! You have to do something that actually makes sense from the start!”

“Enough.”

“We shouldn’t have trusted those kids in the first place. That Heavenly Friends Alliance or whatever…”

“Can’t you shut that mouth!”

Geum Yang-Baek glared at Gwak Wol with furious eyes. Gwak Wol bit his lip until it bled. Pressing down on him, Geum Yang-Baek let out a deep sigh and bowed with clasped hands to Baek Cheon again.

“…I’m sorry. We have lost a sahyung who’ve been with me all my life… my emotions are raw. Please understand with a broad heart.”

“No, Sect leader.”

Baek Cheon shook his head.

“Acting Sect Leader.”

“Yes, Sect leader.”

“The casualties are entirely our fault. The Acting Sect Leader bears no responsibility.”

“…”

“This wasn’t land we came to for a comfortable life. If we’d stayed in the Southern Island Sect, we’d have suffered worse. How could we blame the Acting Sect Leader? However…”

Geum Yang-Baek glanced at the disciples cultivating their qi. Even in cultivation they all looked utterly exhausted. Seeing their faces caked in blood and sweat, he couldn’t help but ask.

A sigh-tinged question escaped.

“…Truly… can we break out of their encirclement like this?”

“Sect leader, that’s…”

“I know. I know it was difficult from the start. To accomplish something hard, you inevitably have to push yourselves.”

Baek Cheon silently watched Geum Yang-Baek. He wasn’t throwing a tantrum; he was calmly stating his view more than anyone.

“But Acting Sect Leader. If it’s impossible anyway… shouldn’t we at least avoid dying like this? The Southern Island’s disciples crossed the sea to preserve their honor. Even if they die, it’s to leave Southern Island’s name intact. So…”

Geum Yang-Baek bit his lip and continued.

“We shouldn’t let them be slaughtered like driven rabbits, should we? Better to have an honorable…”

“Honor?”

At that moment, Chung Myung’s cold voice cut Geum Yang-Baek off at once.

“Chung Myung.”

Baek Cheon tried to stop him, but Chung Myung didn’t stop.

“Whose honor?”

“Well…”

“Southern Island’s honor?”

A clear sneer curled Chung Myung’s mouth.

“You’re talking about honor like it’s something real.”

“Chung Myung!”

“Sect leader.”

Chung Myung glared coldly at Geum Yang-Baek and said.

“You’re greatly mistaken… a noble death only exists in stories.”

“…”

“It’s the same even if you accomplish something monumental. Do you think there’s anyone who dies without a single regret? The only thought in a dying person’s final moment is one thing.”

Chung Myung spat the words.

“‘I want to live.’ That’s all.”

Geum Yang-Baek bit his lip hard.

“If you want to die proudly to preserve Southern Island Sect’s honor, then do as you please, Sect leader. Who would stop you if that’s your wish? But…”

Chung Myung’s life-or-death gaze pierced Geum Yang-Baek.

“Don’t use that pitiful authority to force your disciples into talk of an honorable death or any such crap. We’ll save as many people as we can.”

Geum Yang-Baek let his head drop.

Chung Myung showed him no sympathy. He glared once as if to kill, then turned and strode away. Watching Chung Myung distance himself, Baek Cheon sighed softly.

Having put distance between himself and Geum Yang-Baek, Chung Myung rubbed his face irritably. Hearing such naive words about reality made his anger flare. He knew that those who’ve lived in peace couldn’t truly grasp the nature of war.

As frustration built and Chung Myung reached to clutch his neck, something was suddenly thrust beside his face.

“Wh-what…”

“Drink.”

Chung Myung was momentarily at a loss for words and blinked.

Yu Yiseol, who had abruptly held out a water canteen, stared at Chung Myung with the same inscrutable, expressionless face.

“You were told to guard the convoy…”

“Drink.”

“No, I’m fine…”

“Drink.”

Words weren’t getting through.

No, expecting words to work with Yu Yiseol was futile from the start. There was no winning this standoff. Chung Myung silently took the canteen Yu Yiseol offered.

When Chung Myung began to drink, Yu Yiseol finally withdrew her hand and watched him silently.

“Huh.”

Chung Myung drained the water in one go and handed the canteen back to Yu Yiseol.

“Okay?”

“Yeah.”

Yu Yiseol took the canteen with a calm expression and slung it back at her waist.

“So now you’ll go escorting…”

“It’s not your responsibility.”

The unexpected remark came out as abruptly as the canteen. Chung Myung stared at Yu Yiseol silently, then let out a short laugh.

“What are you talking about? Out of nowhere. Anyway, the convoy…”

“You can’t save everyone.”

“I know that, okay?”

Who else would know that better than Chung Myung? He found it absurd that someone would say that to him.

But Yu Yiseol looked at Chung Myung with a dark, steady gaze. Chung Myung watched her for a moment, then sighed.

“…I really know.”

Without replying, Yu Yiseol spun on her heel and returned to where she needed to be.

Chung Myung stood dazed for a moment watching her, but there was no time to linger. Something flew at his face again.

“What now, again?”

He caught what flew at him and found it was a spotless white cloth.

Chung Myung’s expression dimmed slightly. The cloth began to redden from where his hand had touched it.

“Wipe your face. You’re a disgrace to look at.”

“No need. It’ll get dirty again anyway.”

“Just do as you’re told for once.”

“…No, I don’t ne-…”

“Wipe it.”

Seeing no sign of giving up, Chung Myung grumbled but wiped his face with the cloth. The pristine white quickly stained dark red.

Baek Cheon, who had been watching in silence, spoke.

“How is it?”

“What?”

“The Sect leader’s words aren’t entirely wrong, are they?”

“…”

“I don’t know about an honorable death and all that… but I can see they’re suffering terribly.”

“Right now, that’s actually better.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Anger, a burning ache in your chest, wanting to kill them all.”

Chung Myung said in a flat voice.

“When you’re full of righteous rage, it’s actually better. Being able to feel anger at the slaughter and deaths around you means you can still hold on. The real thing comes after that.”

Anger becomes fuel. But when that anger turns to fear, people lose the will to resist.

“The moment you think the next one to die might be you, things get worse. You have to move as much as possible before that. After that point, it’s not about stamina anymore.”

Chung Myung roughly tossed the bloodstained cloth aside.

Being chased. Being surrounded.

They didn’t yet know the real terror that comes with it. When rest ceases to be rest, and when you collapse from exhaustion and wake screaming from nightmares of a blade at your throat, there is no way left to replenish your strength.

You must push even one more step before it gets to that point. If you can’t, it’s total annihilation.

Baek Cheon said.

“As I said before…”

“Hm?”

“If things worsen, I won’t hesitate to abandon Southern Island Sect or anything else and flee. That’s not a lie. It was my unhidden truth.”

“…What obvious nonsense are you saying? Of course. What is Haenam anyway?”

Baek Cheon calmly looked at Chung Myung and spoke.

“And I will be the one to make that decision.”

“What are you talking about…”

“Don’t cry about it then. I’ll drag you along if I have to, even if I have to beat you.”

Chung Myung looked at Baek Cheon as if he couldn’t understand at all.

“Sasuk, do you think I’d risk my life for Southern Island Sect?”

“You know everything in the world.”

“Huh?”

“You know things others don’t even guess at as if they’re obvious things to know, and you do things no one imagines as if they’re natural.”

“…Suddenly what…”

“But there’s one thing you’re completely ignorant of. Do you know what it is?”

“…What is it?”

“Yourself.”

Baek Cheon said with a hard expression.

“So the one to restrain you should be someone who knows you well. Remember this: no matter what, you must follow my orders. The moment you disobey my command and act on your own, I will, in my capacity as Acting Sect Leader, expel you from the sect.”

Chung Myung was dumbstruck. Baek Cheon added calmly.

“I’m not joking. Nor is it a threat.”

“…”

“Remember that.”

With those words, Baek Cheon turned and walked away. Chung Myung, watching his retreat, looked up at the distant sky.

“This one and that one…”

Their heads have finally grown far too thick.