Late at night, the four of them sat down together.
Baek Cheon, Yun Jong, Jo Gol, and Hye Yeon.
Now, they understood each other just by looking into each other's eyes. However, there was a subtle depth in their expressions at the moment.
"How are you feeling?"
"...Are you asking about words?"
At Baek Cheon's question, Jo Gol let out a heavy sigh as if the ground was about to swallow him up.
"I don't know what's what. My legs were shaking, and I could barely stand."
"Why are you talking like that?"
"Well, aren't I a person? Do I look like someone who just goes around letting out gas instead of words?"
"Yeah."
Jo Gol grimaced, but he seemed to lack the energy to argue further and slumped back in his chair.
Just a while ago, they had looked at the members they would have to lead in the future.
Hundreds of members. Who else would have the experience of being looked at by so many people filled with suspicion and doubt?
"So... we're responsible for the lives of all those people."
"...Yeah."
Those words weighed heavily on everyone's minds.
Hundreds of lives. Were the people here really prepared to bear that burden?
"Damn that crazy guy. Seriously!"
Jo Gol grabbed his hair as if he wanted to tear it out.
"Why would I ask for something like this!"
"...We didn't ask for it because we're great, but because we're the most compatible for it, right?"
"That's the problem! Why does it have to be such a big deal that we're compatible! And why do you get to decide on your own! Have you ever felt that you were compatible with that bastard Chung Myung?"
"That's obvious... uh?"
As Baek Cheon was answering, his head suddenly jerked.
Hands and feet? With Chung Myung?
Huh?
"Look at this! Even among ourselves, we fought like cats and dogs because our opinions didn't match, but what's with this synchronization nonsense! Synchronization!"
"...That makes sense."
"Amitabha... It's hard to deny."
Everyone let out a collective sigh.
"Just leading ten people felt like a twisted stomach."
"You felt the same way?"
"Are you kidding? Do you know how nerve-wracking it is? What if someone gets hurt just because I took my eyes off for a moment? What if someone dies because I gave the wrong order? The bloodshot eyes I saw back then still haven't disappeared."
"Is it because you can't sleep?"
"Huh?"
Yun Jong looked at Jo Gol, who was casually shaking his head, with a trembling expression.
Normally, Yun Jong would have scoffed at Jo Gol's crying, but now he was just grateful that Jo Gol was here. If it weren't for him, Yun Jong wouldn't be able to talk about the things weighing on his mind.
Jo Gol quickly closed his mouth after saying his piece, bracing himself for the impending uproar. But contrary to his expectations, there was no outcry this time.
"Huh?"
Moreover, Baek Cheon and Yun Jong looked more serious than ever, as if they were pondering something even more profound.
"...Aren't you angry?"
"Why should I be angry?"
"Well... questioning decisions that have already been made, lacking in thought, lacking in determination..."
"I know."
"..."
Yun Jong glanced at Jo Gol as if scolding him, then turned his gaze to Baek Cheon.
"But it doesn't seem like unreasonable talk, elder brother."
"Hmm."
"Despite everything being rushed and brought to Sichuan, hasn't our opinion been completely disregarded in this matter?"
Baek Cheon nodded slightly. Then, with a slightly softened gaze, he looked at Yun Jong.
"If our opinion could have made a difference, wouldn't it have been considered?"
"I can't say for sure. But at least they must have thought about it."
"Why is that?"
"Because we're too inexperienced. We lack both experience and seniority."
"..."
As Baek Cheon pondered, Jo Gol interjected grumpily.
"From the start, he's been expecting too much from us. He keeps piling on more responsibilities before we even get used to one thing."
Jo Gol's complaints continued to pour out.
"Are we, inexperienced youngsters, even capable of commanding so many people? I don't understand why the sect leaders and family lords aren't actively opposing this."
"Amitabha... There's no use opposing it."
"Why not?"
"Haven't we experienced countless similar situations?"
"..."
That's true.
Would they have remained silent about what Chung Myung, that guy, was doing just because they had no complaints? After all, there was no point in trying to stop him, and they closed their eyes with a feeling of 'Just do whatever you want, you rotten bastard.'
Looking back, everything Mount Hua had done so far had started like this. But this time, honestly, the situation was too much.
"We should be given tasks that are possible! The most we've done is command a dozen or so people who are younger or around the same age as us. Why on earth should sect leaders and family lords expect us to issue orders to so many people?"
Hye Yeon vigorously nodded her head. It seemed as if she had never even imagined such a thing.
Thankfully, Shaolin was involved in this, but if Shaolin had also joined, and Hye Yeon had to give orders to Shaolin's guardians? Hye Yeon would have chosen to confine herself to the Cave of Penitence.
"And do you think we'll even hear about these orders? The looks they give us aren't welcoming from the start."
"..."
As Baek Cheon heard this, he recalled the wary gazes of the faction members. Those uneasy looks undoubtedly contained a mixture of suspicion and resentment.
They must be feeling the same way too.
All this was decided by the upper echelons' honorable behavior. Just as they had to blindly accept their roles, they too had suddenly found themselves in a position where they were taking orders from inexperienced youngsters.
Who could accept that fact without feeling awkward?
"Elder brother."
"Hmm..."
Yun Jong looked at Baek Cheon with a determined expression.
"We can't turn back now on what's already happened. We know we don't have time for that now. However... at the very least, we need some kind of plan, even a rough one. If that's not possible, we need to find a way for our voices to be heard."
"..."
"To be honest, it feels like we're adrift in the sea. I have no idea where to look or how to move forward."
Hye Yeon and Jo Gol nodded in agreement, looking puzzled. They had been in a position to receive instructions until now. So all they had to do was agree or disagree with those instructions.
But not now. Right now, they didn't know what to do or how to do it. So it was natural for anxiety to creep in.
"Elder brother?"
Baek Cheon raised his head slightly at Jo Gol's urging. And at that moment, everyone could see a strange smile playing at the corners of Baek Cheon's lips.
"It's interesting, isn't it?"
"What?"
"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
"Young age, lack of experience, unproven skills."
"..."
"The suspicions and annoyed looks pouring in from all sides. Yet somehow, we have to lead and overcome them."
"What are you saying..."
"Doesn't it sound familiar?"
While Jo Gol and Hye Yeon looked puzzled, Yun Jong exclaimed, "Ah!" in admiration.
"It does sound quite similar..."
"Senior brother, what do you mean by that?"
"Chung Myung."
"...
"Yes?"
"When Chung Myung first came to Mount Hua, his situation was similar to ours now."
"Ah..."
Jo Gol nodded reflexively. When he thought about it, there were indeed similarities.
Or perhaps Chung Myung's situation was even more desperate than theirs. They at least had some reputation, but he had nothing, not even an identity, just an orphan, neither more nor less.
Even in that situation, he managed to rally the sect with his abilities alone, persuading the elders to create the Mount Hua they have now.
"...It must have been overwhelming."
"Yes, indeed."
Yun Jong and Jo Gol murmured unintentionally. Watching Chung Myung from across the table, they couldn't help but understand why he had to resort to such extreme measures. Despite him being like a crazed, incomprehensible beast, being in a similar situation made them realize why he had to resort to such evil deeds.
Otherwise, nothing would have changed.
"Experience and expertise. Good words. But if that guy back then had waited until he had enough experience and expertise to handle everything, what would Mount Hua be like now?"
"Well..."
It probably would have failed long ago.
No matter how much of a guy Chung Myung was, he wouldn't have been able to handle all the events that followed by himself.
"Will waiting fill the gap in experience?"
"..."
Everyone fell silent and looked at Baek Cheon.
"Will time accumulate experience?"
"...Elder brother."
"I don't think so."
"Baek Cheon disciple. That's..."
"It's a difficult task, indeed. But it's not impossible. Haven't we already seen someone who achieved it with enough determination? Even if the situation we're in now is desperate, it's not as if we're alone in the vast sea of Mount Hua. So, at least, shouldn't we strive as hard as that guy did? It would be reasonable to discuss the lack of ability only after showing such desperation. Even if our current situation is dire, it's not like we're alone in the vast sea of Mount Hua. So, at least, shouldn't we strive as hard as that guy did? It would be reasonable to discuss the lack of ability only after showing such desperation."
Baek Cheon's voice was firm, yet gentle.
It was merely an earnest sentiment, devoid of logic or reason. But more than any words they had heard so far, that earnest sentiment shook them to their core.
"Hmm..."
Jo Gol scratched his head.
"I understand. Let's... give it our best shot for now."
"Amitabha. The sea may be tiresome, but... if it were the Buddha, he would have plunged without hesitation."
Baek Cheon smiled warmly at them.
"Thank you."
"...It's just a different approach. Elder brother seems to be becoming more like Chung Myung as time goes by."
"No, the approach isn't all that different. I just don't hit people."
"Amitabha. I agree."
Baek Cheon chuckled softly.
"We should convey this intention to the Nangong young family lord when he arrives. And... we should probably assign Yiseol to him. That way, things will go more smoothly..."
Baek Cheon began discussing the strategy for the future. The others at the table listened attentively to his words.
Leading them.
Even without anyone pushing them from behind, Baek Cheon was now taking the hands of others and leading them forward.
Yun Jong's eyes sparkled with admiration.
However...
'Elder brother.'
A brief sadness lingered in Yun Jong's eyes.
'It's not that I don't believe in you ten years from now, but... I can't imagine that future.'
But it couldn't be helped.
No one could extinguish the candle flame that burned brighter before it went out. Even if it was Yun Jong himself.
Yun Jong couldn't help but look at Baek Cheon with an indescribable feeling. Then, he closed his eyes, hiding his trembling fingertips within his sleeves.