Chapter 1181: I Have Something To Say (Part 6)

At that moment, a certain point in Hyun Jong's past flashed through his mind.

- I want to join the Mount Hua Sect.

It was the first time he had met a boy that young who had climbed the rugged mountain alone.

At that time, the sect was noticeably declining, and each day was a struggle for Hyun Jong. However, when he first saw that boy, Hyun Jong recalled a word he had long forgotten: hope.

Yes, it was definitely like that.

For Hyun Jong, who was contemplating whether he should stop taking disciples to avoid repeating sorrow, Baek Cheon's existence was hope for the future of Mount Hua. That hope was now looking at him.

"Step back!"

Hyun Sang shouted sternly.

"This place is where the leader of Ten Great Sect and the head of Heavenly Comrade Alliance are discussing the future. Even if you were allowed to attend, it doesn't mean you are allowed to speak. Don't be disrespectful anymore and step back!"

However, Baek Cheon raised his head.

"I won't."

"Baek Cheon!"

"The Heavenly Comrade Alliance was originally a place where speech was not blocked. So, I don't think it's inappropriate for a disciple to ask some important questions before facing a significant event."

"This guy!"

"Also."

Baek Cheon glanced at Hyun Jong and said.

"I think I know what Sect Leader's intentions are in proceeding with things this way, but instead of speculating, I believe it's better for both of us to understand our intentions clearly by asking and answering. If this disciple's thoughts were shortsighted, please punish him appropriately after this meeting."

"Even like this!"

Just as Hyun Sang was about to stand up, Hyun Jong raised his hand to stop him.

"That's enough."

"Sect Leader!"

"It's done."

Hyun Jong nodded, but even Hyun Sang, who always followed the Sect Leader's words absolutely, couldn't relax his expression this time.

What made him step back was Hyun Jong's assurance.

"It will be okay."

Hyun Sang sighed reluctantly and sat back down.

Hyun Jong could understand why Hyun Sang reacted so strongly.

It wasn't about questioning qualifications or disrespecting Hyun Jong.

Hyun Sang was worried that Baek Cheon, who was now going to be a member of the Ten Great Sects, might say something that would offend Beopjeong.

"Your words are not wrong."

Hyun Jong nodded and apologized to Beopjeong.

"I'm sorry, Bangjang. I understand that it's not the right thing to do in front of guests, but..."

"What do you mean by guest? Now, Mount Hua and Shaolin are like one family, so don't be hesitant."

"Thank you."

Hyun Jong bowed his head towards Beopjeong, and only then did he face Baek Cheon.

"You said you had something to say?"

"More like I wanted to inquire."

"Fine. Go ahead."

With a slightly more relaxed expression, Hyun Jong gazed at Baek Cheon.

Perhaps this was better. If he could answer excellently and make them understand, it would be a good thing. On the other hand, if his answers were evasive and incurred their anger, that wouldn't be a bad outcome either.

It would make it clearer who would take responsibility.

"Then, as the head disciple of Mount Hua, I would like to ask on behalf of other Heavenly Comrade Alliance members."

"Hmm."

As Hyun Jong nodded, Baek Cheon slowly began to speak.

"Sect Leader, do you think it is right for Heavenly Comrade Alliance to join forces with the Ten Great Sects?"

"That's correct."

"In that case, this disciple dares ask for the reason. When a sect leader makes a decision, their disciples must follow that decision. So, don't we have the right to know why you made that decision, given that we will all follow it?"

"That's a difficult question."

Hyun Jong swept his gaze over Baek Cheon and everyone behind him, observing those who were watching him with complex eyes.

"What Bangjang said was not wrong."

"Not being wrong is a good reason. However, it may not be a complete reason."

"True. I understand."

After organizing his thoughts for a moment, Hyun Jong spoke again.

"It's because I empathize with the idea that saving even just one person is a great cause."

"The Heavenly Comrade Alliance can also save more people."

"That's true. But, Baek Cheon, to achieve that, don't you think we'll have to shed too much blood?"

Hyun Jong said after a momentary pause.

"In order to fulfill the will behind the establishment of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, we must always take the lead and always run into dangerous places. What can be achieved in that way will not be worthless. On the contrary, it will be even more important and precious. However... can we say that the price of blood to be paid for that is small?"

"I cannot say such a thing."

"Right. I also think so. That's why I tried to find any way to shed less blood, even a little."

"If we could choose for ourselves, we would determine the price of that blood. But if we follow someone else's orders, we won't be able to determine that price ourselves."

"That's why I wanted to confirm the sincerity of Bangjang and confirm it again. And even if we join the Ten Great Sects, we don't have to blindly follow Bangjang's orders, right?"

Hyun Jong added as he raised his head.

"I will protect and save. That is my duty, and I will fulfill it throughout the rest of my life."

Baek Cheon nodded.

"So, do you, Sect Leader, do you consider that right?"

Baek Cheon posed the question that Hyun Jong had been struggling with endlessly.

"I... don't know."

Hyun Jong raised his head with a somber face.

"Determining right and wrong is an extremely difficult task. So, I'm just trying my best. It may seem frustrating and insufficient from your perspective, but that's all I can do."

Baek Cheon nodded silently.

"Then what do you plan to do about those we will not be able to protect because we protect what we have?"

"..."

"The blood we don't shed will return as someone else's blood. Then what value is there in what we've protected if we, as disciples who have learned justice and righteousness, turn away from that blood and let it be spilled by others?"

Hyun Jong closed his eyes.

This was the last thing he wanted to hear.

To save more lives, he had to turn his gaze away from those dying. How contradictory was that? Following Bangjang ultimately meant following that contradiction.

When Hyun Jong opened his eyes and looked into Baek Cheon's eyes, a sigh escaped him.

If he set his mind to it, he might find a way somehow. But he was the leader of Mount Hua. He didn't want to spout lies in front of his disciple's eyes like that.

"Baek Cheon."

"Yes."

"You are just as precious to me as the people I have to protect."

"..."

"You and the other kids, Mount Hua. And everyone who joined the Heavenly Comrade Alliance..."

Deep regret echoed from Hyun Jong's voice.

"Yes. I taught that. You must be willing to sacrifice your life for that justice and righteousness. But... I'm sorry. I'm too much of a wretched person. I can't even keep the words I've spoken."

"Sect Leader..."

"I don't have the courage to watch you carry out that justice through your death and praise you for doing a good job. I just hope that at least one more person survives to do more later."

"..."

"So, blame me. Resent me. This is entirely my fault."

Baek Cheon's face hardened. Hyun Jong raised his head with a slightly tired expression.

"If the answer is satisfactory, then withdraw. It's also impolite to keep Bangjang waiting for too long."

"Then I'll ask one last thing."

"... What is it?"

"If, Sect Leader, you were not the leader of Mount Hua but just an ordinary disciple of Mount Hua, would you have turned your gaze away from those dying?"

Hyun Jong closed his mouth. He moved his lips several times to answer, but in the end, he couldn't say anything.

Baek Cheon spoke as if he had already received the answer.

"I understand."

"No. No. Baek Cheon, I..."

"That's not it, Sect Leader."

A moment of confusion crossed Hyun Jong's eyes. Wasn't it?

"I'm sure I understand. Sect Leader, you are not wrong."

"..."

"The position of Sect Leader should never be the same as that of an ordinary disciple. The decision you made for Mount Hua and for the Heavenly Comrade Alliance is not wrong. No one can deny that."

"Baek Cheon..."

"I acknowledge that decisions can vary even when no one is wrong. It's because everyone has different perspectives."

Those who understood those words nodded with solemn faces.

Whatever Baek Cheon's intention was in leading this conversation, anyone who heard it wouldn't be able to blame Hyun Jong.

Hyun Jong looked into the distance with eyes filled with regret. Baek Cheon calmly continued.

"I truly feel fortunate that Sect Leader is the leader of Mount Hua."

"...Thank you."

Hyun Jong was about to pat him with a bitter smile. It was then that Baek Cheon threw another question.

"Sect Leader, was the decision you made the decision of Mount Hua's leader, or was it the decision of the leader of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance?"

"...It's both. I didn't neglect either."

"I understand. All the answers have been given."

Baek Cheon respectfully bowed his head towards Hyun Jong.

At that moment, Hyun Jong saw it. Even on the faces of those who couldn't voice their dissatisfaction and those who harbored hidden emotions, there was an emotion called 'resignation.' Baek Cheon had brought about this acknowledgment.

'...Baek Cheon.'

When did Baek Cheon grow this much? A momentary ray of light seemed to penetrate the heavy darkness in Hyun Jong's heart.

'Yes, this will do.'

If he could protect these kids, there was nothing he couldn't do. So, he would move forward with confidence.

But it was precisely at that moment.

Baek Cheon straightened his back and faced Hyun Jong directly.

"So..."

"Hmm?"

For a moment, Baek Cheon's figure seemed larger than life to Hyun Jong.

"While it may not be appropriate to discuss trivial affairs in the Heavenly Comrade Alliance at this moment, but since it is not a situation to deliberate with timing, I, as Head Disciple Baek Cheon of Mount Hua, would like to make one request to Sect Leader Hyun Jong."

"...A request? What is it?"

"Sect Leader."

For a brief moment, the atmosphere became tense.

Even those who had been simply observing the situation held their breath, sensing that something unusual was about to happen. Their gaze was fixed solely on the broad back of Baek Cheon, facing opposite Hyun Jong.

"I humbly request, as the head disciple of Mount Hua."

Even amidst everyone's attention, Baek Cheon spoke confidently with clear eyes and an unwavering voice, without the slightest hint of hesitation.

"Please appoint me as the next Sect Leader of Mount Hua."

That voice fell like thunder, breaking the uneasy silence.