Chapter 1549: Nevertheless (Part 4)

"Stop bullshitting and get lost."

"Maintain some courtesy, you ignorant fool."

"Courtesy?"

Baek Cheon shot a fierce gaze at Jin Geumryong.

"Courtesy is for those worthy of it. Are you telling a Mount Hua disciple to join a unit created by the Southern Edge Sect? You should at least say something that makes sense for me to consider entering."

"Is there a reason not to?"

Baek Cheon's eyes became even fiercer. However, Jin Geumryong shrugged as if he couldn't understand the reaction at all.

"As far as I know, there were no such restrictions in forming a unit."

"...."

"I may not be a sect leader, but I'm not sure why I must explain this to you, whose precious Heavenly Comrade Alliance seems to have lost its meaning in distinguishing between sects. It wouldn't be strange for a Mount Hua disciple to join a Southern Edge unit."

"Move."

Baek Cheon, as if he had no more interest, tried to pass by Jin Geumryong. However, Jin Geumryong reached out and gently but firmly held his shoulder.

"Dongsaeng-ah." ["Little brother"]

"I told you to fuck off..."

"This hyung is extending his goodwill."

The gentle gaze of Jin Geumryong and the boiling gaze of Baek Cheon intertwined in the air.

Baek Cheon forcefully brushed away Jin Geumryong's hand holding his shoulder.

"Why are you talking about goodwill and favors again?"

Jin Geumryong chuckled.

"Slow on the uptake as always. I'm saying that I will place you in a position befitting of you."

Baek Cheon remained silent.

"Do you have the capacity to bear the lives of others right now? Shouldn't you think a little about those who may join your unit unwillingly? Wouldn't it be too harsh if they died due to the incompetence of their unit leader?"

"This..."

"Although you're a slow-witted one, it is the duty of an older brother to take care of his younger brother. So stop the unnecessary antics and just follow my words obediently."

Baek Cheon stared at Jin Geumryong without saying a word.

Jin Geumryong, still with a smile, met Baek Cheon's gaze as if looking down at a child throwing a tantrum.

That face incessantly irritated Baek Cheon's nerves.

However, instead of further confrontation, Baek Cheon silently passed by Jin Geumryong. Jin Geumryong, who was sporting an inexplicable smile, spoke towards Baek Cheon's retreating figure.

"If your thoughts change, feel free to let me know."

Baek Cheon moved away from Jin Geumryong without a response.

After Baek Cheon's back disappeared, Jin Geumryong clicked his tongue and finally turned around. However, at that moment, an unpleasant voice brushed against his ear.

"Sahyung was a bit too straightforward, don't you think?"

Jin Geumryong's face stiffened instantly.

He turned around with sharp eyes.

"Eavesdropping like a rat."

"I didn't eavesdrop. It's just that Sahyung talking about such matters so carelessly on the main road was a bit thoughtless."

Lee Songbaek, treated like a rat, sighed deeply.

Well, others wouldn't have dared to approach the area where Jin Geumryong and Baek Cheon were growling as if they might devour each other.

But before scrutinizing such things, shouldn't he consider that temperament, which would lose half its reason when it came to matters related to his younger brother?

"Why are you doing this?"

"What?"

"Wouldn't it be enough to just say you're worried?"

"Me? Worried about him? Nonsense."

"Isn't it reasonable for an older brother to place his injured younger brother besides him for protection in case he enters the battlefield and suffers further harm?" [wow the tsun...the tsun is real...]

Of course, it was strange that the injured younger brother was the Deputy Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect, no different from the an archenemy of the Southern Edge Sect, and it was even stranger that the one who would become the Sect Leader of the Southern Edge casually discarded the important matter of the positions of sects...Anyways, that wasn't important right now.

"But did you have to turn your brother's mind upside down like that? There must've been a hundred ways to say it nicely..."

"Even your delusions are stubborn."

"Then why are you suddenly forming a unit? A moment ago, you didn't even think about it."

Jin Geumryong narrowed his eyes and glanced at Lee Songbaek.

"If you have time to babble nonsense, go swing your sword again. I have no intention of keeping up with the third-rate script written with by your dull mind."

Truly, Jin Geumryong's sword was sharp even in his words. Lee Songbaek took a long sigh.

Why on earth happened to the Jin Family to make them twisted to such an extent?

"So were you just trying to make fun of him?"

"...I just wanted to prevent him from causing trouble."

"Trouble?"

"It can't be helped if he goes out alone and gets beaten up. He's a grown man. But leading others out and losing is a problem. Because of his foolish actions, unnecessary victims can be created."

Jin Geumryong glared at the direction where Baek Cheon had disappeared, as if he didn't like it even upon reflection.

"No matter how he kicked away the Southern Edge Sect on his own, he is still of the Jin Family. His foolish actions will tarnish the Jin Family's reputation."

"Aren't you worried about your injured dongsaeng?"

Jin Geumryong looked at Lee Songbaek with a twisted expression.

"After mixing with Mount Hua, are you imitating their actions?"

Lee Songbaek took a step back, subtly raising both hands. It was a clear indication that he had no intention of arguing with Jin Geumryong.

After all, it was true that commenting on family matters may be crossing a line.

"I just wanted to tell you that things won't be resolved this way. If Sahyung wants to persuade Baek Cheon Dojang, you will have to change your methods."

Even as he spoke, Lee Songbaek couldn't completely loosen the tension in his muscles. It was because he anticipated that Jin Geumryong's anger would be directed at him.

However, Jin Geumryong's subsequent reaction was different from what he expected.

Instead of getting angry, Jin Geumryong looked up at the distant sky.

"Persuasion..."

After looking at the sky for a while, a faint voice flowed from his mouth.

"Is that even possible?"

"Um?"

"Do you know what kind of person Jin Dongryong is?" 

"..."

"He is someone who ran away from home and entrusted himself to the house of a ruined enemy."

"…Ah."

"Well, that could be possible. When you're young, emotions can dominate your mind. However, that guy, even after clearly seeing the sorry state of the enemy's house, not only didn't turn back but calmly manipulated them to secure the position of the chief disciple. And now, he is even trying to become the leader of that house. Do you think that is something a normal human being can do?"

Lee Songbaek paled for a moment.

Until now, he hadn't really thought about it seriously, but considering it from Jin Geumryong's perspective, it was something... something...

"Persuade that guy?"

Jin Geumryong snorted.

"Do you think I left that him alone from the start? I've tried negotiating and making deals. I even said I'd listen if he had any requests. I've beaten him within an inch of his life. But even with arms and legs broken, he said he'd rather I kill him than return." 

Lee Songbaek felt a profound emptiness before his eyes.

When you thought about it, it was quite extraordinary, wasn't it?

The one who used to wielded absolute authority over all of Southern Edge's disciples was none other than Jin Geumryong. Being in a position of authority seemed fitting for someone like him. Even those much older than Baek Cheon wouldn't dare to oppose Jin Geumryong.

However, even when he was powerless and vulnerable, Baek Cheon never yielded to Jin Geumryong's pressure.

"There is no way someone like that will just obediently listen to me now."

"No, then why..."

"I said something unnecessary."

Cutting off Lee Songbaek's question, Jin Geumryong asked in his usual cold expression.

"How many people decided to come here first?"

"Are you talking about from the headquarters? The dozens or so whom the Sect Leader decided to send just in case have almost arrived. However, more will come when the details of the negotiation with the Heavenly Comrade Alliance are conveyed. But why..."

Before Lee Songbaek could finish speaking, he flinched. As expected, Jin Geumryong nodded.

"Good. Divide the arriving folks into two groups. Attach one to me, and you lead the other."

"Sahyung, really...?"

Instead of answering the obvious question, Jin Geumryong left without a word, leaving Lee Songbaek behind.

* * *

"Stop."

"Ga, Gaju-nim! We also...!"

"Enough!"

Tang Gunak abruptly cut them off with a determined tone.

"Securing people quickly is also a skill."

"Uh..."

There was no room for excuses; it was a valid point. While there were numerous variables in gathering people, on the battlefield, variables changed with every breath. There was nothing more to say.

And...

"I... I survived."

Jo Gol, who had barely managed to survive just before the cutoff line was drawn, was sweating profusely. If he had been a little later, wouldn't he have been left here alone while everyone else left, having to clean the yard by himself?

"Ugh."

"If only I had come a little later."

"Ah! Right, I was going to check on Sopi and come back!"

However, the response of the Mount Hua disciples who were partly dragged by Jo Gol was not favorable.

"Hey, you bastards! Am I that detestable?"

"Yes."

"Yes."

"Yes!"

"...Can't you think and speak a little more considerately?"

Except for him, the remaining Five Swords couldn't control the applicants swarming in, so they had to pick out a few...

"Why am I the only one getting this treatment...?"

"Sahyung, do you really not know?"

"How would I know?"

"...That too is a disease."

All the disciples hung their heads in embarrassment.

"Those selected, line up. Hurry!"

"Yes!"

The units lined up at Tang Gunak's command.

Their number wasn't significant. Considering the status and scale of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, which used the entire city of Hwaeum as its headquarters, it was only a handful.

However, that aspect more than made up for the lack of scale.

'...Southern Edge.'

Tang Gunak's gaze, which had been observing those lined up, reached Southern Edge standing in a corner of the training ground.

'I can't believe they are really...'

He didn't expect them to be so proactive. While they were undoubtedly skilled, wasn't Southern Edge always moving strictly for the sake of self-interests?

Thinking that he might need to revise his personal evaluation of Southern Edge, Dang Gunak glanced back.

"Maengju-nim."

"Yes."

Hyun Jong stepped forward in front of Dang Gunak.

Looking at everyone, he opened his mouth with a modest but powerful voice.

"Since we are in a hurry, I won't speak for long."

Hyun Jong, the leader of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. He didn't exude authority, but paradoxically, he created authority. As everyone looked at him, their eyes became infinitely serious.

"Just remember one thing. Right now, someone's son, someone's daughter, someone's parent is waiting for your help."

Hyun Jong's voice settled over everyone.

"But you are also someone's son, someone's daughter, someone's sibling, and parent."

Yoon Jong closed his eyes slightly. There was only one meaning in those words.

"So!"

Hyun Jong's earnest voice spread out.

"Make sure to come back alive. Absolutely!"

Yoon Jong gathered his hands and firmly responded.

"Yes!"

Soon, the disciples of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, each with determination in their hearts, rose with the sun at their backs and spread in all directions across the land.