Chapter 1659
And I Like Those Kinds of Idiots (4)
"Rest!"
"Huff—! Huff!"
The moment the order was given, the members of Cheonumaeng halted abruptly. Heavy breathing filled the air, but no one fully relaxed. Their eyes remained sharp—more alert than relieved.
Jo Geol widened his eyes and whispered to Yoon Jong.
"Huh? They're holding up better than I expected. I thought people would collapse the moment we stopped."
"They're not Hwasan."
"…That sounded like a jab."
"It's just reality. When eyes are watching from every direction, people hesitate to show weakness."
"Hm."
Jo Geol scratched his cheek.
Come to think of it, if Hwasan's disciples were here, they would already be sprawled on the ground, groaning without shame.
"Besides," Yoon Jong added, "Sapaeryeon could appear at any moment."
"But the Beggars Sect is scouting."
"You trust that completely?"
"…Uncle Hong would flip if he heard that."
"That's karma."
"Fair."
If Hong Daekwang heard this, he'd be yelling about injustice—but that was the burden of being the Beggars Sect Leader.
"Isn't it early to rest?"
"…They're not Hwasan."
This time, the meaning was different.
Jo Geol glanced around. Many looked composed, but subtle signs told another story—ragged breathing, clenched jaws.
"…Already?"
He lowered his voice.
"Maybe it's just me, but—"
"It's not."
Yoon Jong answered immediately.
"If they were Hwasan, this wouldn't faze them."
Jo Geol blinked.
That meant one thing.
Hwasan's disciples were physically superior to the elites of other prestigious sects.
The thought felt strange.
"When did this even happen…?"
Jo Geol muttered awkwardly.
"It might just be temporary."
"Amitabha. That is unlikely."
Hye Yeon shook his head gently.
"You may not notice because you live among them, but Hwasan's physical conditioning is… abnormal. Beyond reason. Martial arts alone cannot explain it."
"…Is it prolonged abuse?"
"…Yes. That is an accurate description."
Jo Geol deflated.
So Chung Myung's demonic training had forged monsters.
Laugh or cry—there was no good answer.
"It's complicated."
"What is?"
"Well… it's good that Hwasan surpassed others in something, but…"
"But?"
"…Nothing."
Yoon Jong chuckled.
"I'd just prefer our allies to be more reliable. Leading exhausted fighters is a burden."
"Stamina isn't everything."
"I know."
He paused.
"And not everyone in Hwasan has good stamina."
"…What?"
"…Some are just endlessly foolish."
His gaze drifted toward the bushes.
"…Hoo."
Baek Cheon wiped sweat pouring down his face.
Suppressing it with internal energy was becoming difficult.
As he lowered his arm, a quiet voice spoke.
"Here."
Yu Iseol stood beside him, unnoticed until now, holding out a clean white cloth.
"…Drying clothes costs internal energy too."
After a pause, Baek Cheon accepted it.
She watched him calmly.
"You look burdened."
"…"
"It would have been twice as fast if only Hwasan had moved."
Baek Cheon nodded.
When he finished wiping his face, he hesitated—then slipped the cloth into his sleeve.
"There would have been another way."
"What way?"
"Are you worried I might fall behind, Samae?"
Yu Iseol stared at him.
She knew.
Even if his lungs tore, Baek Cheon would never fall behind.
And that was the problem.
"Why?" she asked.
"If you need an excuse, make one. You're not leading Hwasan."
"If you don't have one, I'll make one for you."
Her hand rested on her sword.
Baek Cheon chuckled.
"Planning to injure me?"
"…"
"It's fine. I appreciate it, but you don't need to worry."
She hesitated, then spoke again.
"I'm not at the front of Hwasan right now."
"…"
"So no one will protect you if you collapse."
Baek Cheon's smile faded briefly.
"Yes," he answered.
"Even so?"
"Yes."
"Why? Because you have something to protect?"
"Samae… Do you only swing your sword for Hwasan?"
She fell silent.
Baek Cheon looked skyward.
"I might be different from you. Hard to explain."
Then he smiled faintly.
"But I guess I haven't lived badly. I have a Samae who worries about me."
"You're pathetic."
"Am I?"
He laughed and gently patted her shoulder.
"I'll go ahead."
"Sahyeong."
"If you're worried, help me."
He paused.
"I used to believe I had to become exceptional. Someone who led from the front."
She watched his back.
"Do you remember what I told the juniors?"
"…No."
"Don't be afraid to fight. I'm behind you.'"
"…"
"Hwasan isn't weak. We fill each other's gaps."
He smiled.
"So I can't retreat just because I'm tired. That would make me a liar."
He scratched his nose.
"I don't fight because I'm strong. I'm strong because I fight."
"…All talk."
He didn't turn back.
Yu Iseol gripped her sword tighter.
❀ ❀ ❀
"Are you really doing this?!"
Heo San-ja roared.
The disciples didn't flinch.
"You stubborn fools!"
If there were fewer, he could force them. But there were too many.
"How can you end Wudang with your own hands?!"
"Heo Gong!"
"A gentleman's revenge—"
"—it is not too late after ten years."
Heo Gong answered calmly.
"But we are not gentlemen. We are martial artists."
"A broken spirit cannot be restored."
"You insolent—!"
"Sect Leader!"
Runners arrived, pale.
"Sapaeryeon has appeared!"
"…Too late to flee."
Heo Gong turned.
"If you fear death, step back."
No one moved.
Spirit is inherited—but sometimes it blooms on its own.
"Those unafraid—follow me."
Heo Gong drew his sword.
"Today, we carve Wudang into their bones."
Steel gleamed beneath the rising sun.
The same spirit that once birthed Wudang burned again.