70 Chapter 958: Where is Mount Hua? (Part 2)

A terrible silence pressed down upon the riverside.

Some may have sighed with relief, thinking that Namgung Dowi hadn't rebuked or scolded them. However, those who understood what this situation meant clenched their fists until blood seeped from their nails.

Here was the Shaolin, the Kongtong, and the Beggar's Union. Three of the Ten Great Sects, among one who protected the river and upheld their alliance, stood right in front of Namgung Dowi. Yet he didn't even glance at them.

Although the people he needed to rescue were still trapped on that island, waiting for salvation, Namgung Dowi seemed to ignore their existence, as if they didn't matter.

Because he had no expectations of them.

That fact tormented everyone present. They had been treated like this, unable to even utter a word in their defense. Instead, they had to lower their heads.

Silent, as if bound by a pact, they all lowered their heads. They couldn't answer because they didn't know the truth. Even if they knew, they felt ashamed, unable to open their mouths in the presence of Namgung Dowi.

Namgung Dowi looked at everyone with cold eyes.

"...Why aren't you asking?"

"...Mount Hua Sect," someone finally muttered.

In the end, Beopjeong's voice broke through the stifling silence.

"Sogaju, I'm truly sorry."

The Shaolin monks knew. It was rare for Beopjeong to show this expression.

Right now, Beopjeong felt genuinely remorseful toward Namgung Dowi.

"Once the Peng Family arrives, we will use every means to rescue the Nanggung Sect members who remain on Plum Blossom Island..."

"Mount Hua!"

At that moment, Namgung Dowi's voice erupted, silencing Beopjeong.

Namgung Dowi's face was pale. His lips, which had trembled, opened with great effort.

"...Where is it?"

Beopjeong's head slowly lowered.

Namgung Dowi didn't search for them. He didn't ask for their help. He didn't cry out to those who should be seen, who were standing right in front of him. He wanted none of it.

'Who am I to speak?'

Just a sinner.

"Mount Hua Sect..."

Beopjeong sighed deeply once more.

"I understand your sentiment, but it can't be like this right now. Shouldn't you, as the son of the head... No, as the head of the Namgung Family, save them?"

Beopjeong's eyes met Namgung Dowi's.

"..."

Beopjeong's voice choked. Had he ever experienced such a gaze? It wasn't the gaze one used to look at a person. It was like looking at scattered stones by the roadside. It seemed to say that there were no expectations, desires, or hopes. It seemed to imply that it was not even worth feeling any emotion.

"Do you not know?"

"...?"

As there was no response, Namgung Dowi slowly nodded his head and began walking forward, as if they did not exist.

"So, So-gaju!"

Thump, thump.

Using his sword as a cane, Namgung Dowi leaned on it to support his body and continued walking with quiet determination.

In response, the Shaolin monks moved aside, biting their lips and clenching their fists, making way for him as if they couldn't dare to block his path.

Thump, thump.

Following the path that opened up, Namgung Dowi walked laboriously. At this moment, he looked like he might collapse at any time.

"So-gaju."

"...?"

"So-gaju!"

"...?"

"So-gaju! What are you going to do!"

At first, Beopjeong's voice seemed like he was trying to persuade him. But it gradually grew louder, almost like a shout.

Namgung Dowi, as if he couldn't hear anything, continued to stagger forward.

Frustrated, Beopjeong shouted once again.

"Don't act emotionally! Even if you're angry, what can the Mount Hua Sect do? Do you know what it takes to save Namgung?"

Namgung Dowi's steps did not falter.

Beopjeong's words had not reached him in the slightest.

This indifferent act left a more profound mark of sin on everyone's hearts than any curse or outcry could have.

"Th-then..."

Beopjeong's face, which was reddish and bluish, trembled. 

"So-gaju!"

"...Mount Hua."

At that moment, someone spoke, and it wasn't Namgung Dowi. It was Jaogae, who had been watching this entire scene. No, more precisely, it was Jaogae who spoke towards Namgung Dowi, not Beopjeong.

"It's not far from here."

Namgung Dowi, who had finally stopped walking, slowly turned to look at Jaogae.

"...Where is it?"

"It's difficult to explain in words."

Jaogae spoke firmly as if he had made up his mind.

"Come with me, I'll guide you."

Namgung Dowi silently stared at Jaogae. Then, he nodded slowly.

"Elder! What are you doing?"

Beopjeong shouted in a furious voice. Jaogae looked at him with cold eyes.

"I'm just sharing the information. It's not that big of a secret."

"There can't be Mount Hua Sect here! How can you say such a thing?"

"But there is."

"What did you say?"

Jaogae looked directly at Beopjeong and spoke clearly.

"They are not far from here. They've been here for quite some time."

Beopjeong opened his eyes wide.

"They... They definitely said they wouldn't get involved in the affairs of the Yangtze River! How could..."

"They probably meant they wouldn't assist the righteous sects. Right now, they are providing refuge for the people of the Yangtze River."

Beopjeong was left speechless. It was the first time he had heard that the Mount Hua Sect had come to this place. His face showed confusion as he looked at Jaogae, who explained everything clearly.

"You never asked me, so I never told you. He asked, so I told him"

Jaogae's words were confident. There was nothing wrong with responding to what was asked, and the whereabouts of the Mount Hua Sect weren't such a significant secret.

But the problem lay in what would follow. If it became known that Namgung Dowi had arrived at this river and sought refuge at the Mount Hua Sect, ignoring the righteous sects, would there be anything more horrifying than that?

"Jaogae!"

Beopjeong glared at Jaogae with an eerie expression.

"Is this your way of representing the Beggar's Sect?"

"I don't think so."

Jaogae calmly nodded his head.

"I'm just following my own intentions."

"Do you think someone in the position of a Beggar's Union Elder can have their own intentions?"

Beopjeong coldly retorted. Jaogae closed his eyes for a moment as if contemplating something, then let out a deep sigh.

"...You're right."

Realistically, Beopjeong's words were accurate. No matter how Jaogae guided Namgung Dowi, as an Elder of the Beggar's Union, all his actions would ultimately be considered the will of the Beggar's Union. As a leader of the Beggar's Union, personal emotions couldn't exist.

"You shouldn't be uncertain about how to act as an elder of the Beggar's Union."

"... Well..."

Jaogae gazed at the night sky, contemplating something. Then, he slowly lowered his head.

"Away."

"..."

Heavy silence filled the air. Even though Beopjeong urged him, Jaogae seemed to pay no attention and continued to gaze at the night sky. Then, he lowered his head and gave a faint smile.

"Well, I have no choice."

"You've thought well..."

Suddenly, Jaogae grabbed his robes tore them apart before Beopjeong could finish his sentence. [LMFAO, I was so concerned]

Beopjeong's eyes widened in shock.

"W-what...?"

Jaogae threw the torn rags on the ground. Amid the miserable pieces of fabric, a knot symbolizing the position of an elder of the Beggar's Sect was clearly visible.

Palgyeol (八結).

Only an elder of the Beggar's Union could tie these eight knots. 

"What does this kind of thing mean?"

"Jaogae!"

"If I can't do my duties because of this status, I might as well discard it."

Jaogae laughed as if he didn't care at all. Beopjeong watched him in utter disbelief.

"The actions I'm taking now have nothing to do with the Beggar's Sect. So, please don't give me orders. You have no authority over me."

With that statement, Jaogae turned away and swiftly supported Namgung Dowi.

"I'll guide you, Lord Namgung."

"..."

Namgung Dowi, who had been silently watching him, nodded slowly as Jaogae was about to take his first step. At that moment, several Beggar's Sect disciples, just like Jaogae, tore off their clothes and rushed to support Namgung Dowi as well.

"What... what are you guys doing? These fools!"

Jaogae glared, but the disciples just chuckled.

"Elder... I mean, Senior Jaogae is old, so he can't carry people long distances. Move aside. Let's not make a fuss before the injured young master arrives."

"Tsk... curses. I never knew that living to become a beggar would be considered a blessing. That's why I've lived my life as I pleased."

Everyone had satisfied expressions.

Beopjeong, speechless with indignation, was pushed aside by the Beggar's Sect disciples.

"Move aside. Can't you see that the man is injured?"

"Old man, carry him."

"Yes, sure, Senior... I mean, Brother."

As they bickered among themselves, the disciples supported Namgung Dowi, lifting him up together. Seeing the scene, Jaogae couldn't help but let out a small laugh.

"You foolish beggars."

"Are we to be only beggars?"

Ignoring the question, Jaogae lowered his head slightly and glanced back at Beopjeong. Beopjeong's eyes were filled with suppressed anger. Jaogae, who seemed to enjoy the sight, spoke boldly.

"Let's go."

"Yes!"

The beggars carrying Namgung Dowi rushed forward like the wind.

"..."

The ones left behind watched them until they became distant figures. Until the moment the specks on the horizon disappeared, they couldn't even make a single gesture.

Silence fell again. No one dared to speak; they simply bowed their heads or gazed into the distance.

They knew. They were no longer representatives of the alliance of the righteous sects, the place where those in desperate need would come seeking help.

"Haha."

Then, someone burst into loud laughter.

"Hyebang!"

Beopgye scolded as his voice grew louder, but Hyebang laughed even louder, as if he couldn't hear him.

"Hahaha! Isn't this a sight for sore eyes? Is this what Bangjang wanted?"

"Can't you shut up?"

"What will change if I do?"

Hyebang snapped back defiantly.

"Yes! I'm a fool for not understanding your lofty intentions! I'd rather be that way! I'd rather be a naive idiot who knows nothing! Please! My goodness!"

His harsh words, like spilled blood, made Beopjeong look around with powerless eyes.

No one met his gaze. Truly, not a single person.

"Huhu."

A rueful laughter escaped from Beopjeong's lips. How had they ended up like this by sheer coincidence?

How had they...

"Ami... Tabul."

With a heavy heart, he closed his eyes, feeling as if he was falling a thousand miles down a cliff.

Down that bottomless abyss.