Chapter 1646
So, are you enjoying this? (5)
"Sit down."
Despite Chung Mun's words, Chung Myung remained standing. Arms crossed, he stared ahead openly, his dissatisfaction written plainly across his face.
Chung Mun glanced at him, then sighed quietly.
"What's the matter?"
"Why are you even talking to those people?" Chung Myung snapped. "It's obvious they aren't even human."
He ground his teeth slightly.
Chung Mun let out a deeper sigh.
"Mind your words. Night words are heard by birds, day words by—"
"Let them hear."
"…"
"No, maybe they won't hear at this volume. Should I speak louder? So the whole world can hear?"
Chung Mun rubbed his forehead.
"All right. Enough. Sit down."
"Sect Leader Sahyeong!"
"Sit."
Chung Mun repeated himself firmly. Grumbling, Chung Myung dragged over a chair and sat—deliberately choosing one untouched by the other sect leaders, as though even the idea of sharing their seat offended him.
Chung Mun watched him silently.
To live so freely at that age—perhaps that itself was a rare talent. Most people were worn down by the world long before now.
No… that wasn't quite right.
Compared to the past, Chung Myung had changed. The younger Chung Myung would have stormed in and struck those sect leaders with a wooden sword without hesitation.
That thought—
"What are you thinking about?"
"Ahem!"
Chung Mun coughed sharply, his face flushing. Such thoughts were unbecoming of a Taoist.
Composing himself, he spoke sternly.
"Chung Myung."
"…"
"Chung Myung."
"…Yes."
Chung Myung answered with clear reluctance.
"Do not be rude to the sect leaders."
"…"
"I know the situation as well."
"Aware of what?"
"That you deliberately intimidate them—using your presence as a shield so that I can speak more freely."
Chung Mun paused.
"And in that regard… I am grateful."
Chung Myung blinked.
"Me? Did I do that?"
He quickly looked away.
"…Just knowing is enough."
"…Fine."
Chung Mun shook his head.
Whether intentional or not didn't matter. Chung Myung's existence alone made negotiations bearable. Without him, the burden would have been at least three times heavier.
At least the others hesitated before pushing too far.
Chung Myung suddenly asked,
"So what are you going to do now?"
"…What?"
"You said you'd secure support. Instead, you got mocked. Are we just going to keep cleaning up after those scumbags?"
Chung Mun gave a bitter smile.
"Scumbags? They're the leaders of Gangho."
"Enough."
Chung Myung slammed his hand down.
"If this continues, only Hwasan bleeds. Our brats' wounds will never heal."
Chung Mun fell silent.
"I'm saying we should pull back."
"Chung Myung."
"Those bastards have never fought the Demonic Cult properly. If we announce a temporary withdrawal, they'll come crying later. How can you not see that?"
Chung Mun exhaled slowly.
"Do you think I haven't considered it?"
"…"
"Do you think I don't feel the same rage you do?"
"Then why—!"
"Who takes responsibility when innocents die because we withdrew?"
"Innocents, innocents—damn it!" Chung Myung shouted.
"Why is that our responsibility? We're fighting while they watch!"
"Chung Myung!"
"Are we at fault for not fighting better?"
Chung Mun looked at him with quiet pity.
"…Does it hurt to see the disciples wounded?"
Chung Myung bit his lip.
"It's not—"
"I feel the same."
Chung Mun's voice was heavy.
"But if we abandon responsibility to vent anger, others will lose their families. Their pain will be greater."
Chung Myung stared at him, jaw clenched.
"Can you understand?"
"Damn understanding."
He cursed under his breath but didn't argue further.
"This is our responsibility as martial artists."
"Are we the only ones who learned martial arts? Are they scholars?"
"They will act—eventually."
"This is driving me insane."
Chung Myung dragged his hands down his face.
"Do you really trust them?"
"Trust…"
Chung Mun repeated softly.
"The Demonic Cult is strong."
"…"
"And they haven't deployed their full force."
Chung Myung nodded.
"If they move in earnest, we alone can't stop them. All of Gangho must unite."
"…Right."
"If we fracture before that, we lose before the fight begins."
"…"
"They know this too. Eventually, they'll be forced to act."
Chung Myung sighed.
"You're right. Everything you say is right."
"…"
"If only we weren't the ones carrying all the responsibility."
"It won't last long."
Chung Mun shook his head.
"Their movements are suspicious. Something big is coming."
"…"
"So endure a little longer."
Chung Myung scratched his head furiously.
"Just answer me. Do you really trust them?"
"Yes."
"No, Sahyeong!"
"I don't believe they'll fight for us. I don't believe in their compassion."
"…"
"But I believe they don't want to be destroyed. When retreat becomes impossible, they will fight."
His gaze hardened.
"I'm waiting for that moment."
Silence fell.
"What if they don't?" Chung Myung asked quietly.
"What if they stay cowardly to the end?"
"That won't happen."
"How can you be so sure?"
"I'll make it so."
Chung Myung was stunned.
A gentle smile appeared on Chung Mun's face.
"So trust me, Chung Myung."
"…"
"If you can't trust them, trust the Tao. Even selfish people can fulfill their duty."
Chung Myung sighed deeply.
"You really talk well."
He grabbed his sword and stood.
"So I just keep fighting?"
"Yes."
"I'll hold as long as I can. But even I have limits."
"I know."
Chung Myung turned to leave.
"Chung Myung."
"Yes?"
"Don't hate them too much."
"They're protecting their sects, just as we protect Hwasan."
"…"
"Their love for their disciples is no different from ours."
Chung Myung paused.
"I don't know, Sahyeong."
He spoke coldly.
"I don't love Hwasan the way you do."
"…"
"If everyone were like you, you'd be right. If everyone were like me, you'd be wrong."
He opened the door.
"Let's hope it isn't so."
Chung Mun closed his eyes.
It's heavy.
Hwasan cannot win alone. Chung Myung cannot win alone.
Someone must hold the center.
The Tao….
That hope alone remained.
❀ ❀ ❀
Chung Myung stared at the ceiling.
His fingertips brushed his eyes—wet.
"Sahyeong…"
He wanted to ask—
Did you believe until the end?
Perhaps that answer was for himself.
Knock. Knock.
He wiped his eyes and stood.
Now isn't the time for memories.
Back then, Chung Myung believed in Chung Mun.
Now, others believe in Chung Myung.
He grasped his sword tightly.
And stepped forward.