Chapter 1190: The Path We Will Continue To Walk (Part 5)

Was it right? Or was it wrong?

Chung Myung had no authority to make that judgment. After all, he was the one directly involved.

No matter how vehemently he opposed Cheon Mun, the fact remained that the Mount Hua of his era couldn't prevent what had happened. Therefore, he couldn't pass judgment.

Even though he could vent his frustration mixed with sighs, even though he could vent his anger at those who mocked his determination, he couldn't say in front of those who endured the pain brought about by his choices that he was right.

But now, those who had taken up their will were affirming that he wasn't wrong. Even Chung Myung had never forced such thoughts even once.

If Cheon Mun and his Sahyungs were really watching this scene from the afterlife... Baek Cheon's words would be more comforting than the rising status of the Mount Hua Sect, even more than Chung Myung's achievements in the Central Plains.

They would have realized that what they tried to convey had ultimately led to this point. They would confirm that their deaths were not in vain.

Baek Cheon smiled as he looked at Beopjeong.

"That's why we choose our own path, Bangjang."

"..."

"Of course, to you, Bangjang, it might seem foolish and naive. However... Isn't it necessary to have such fools in the world?"

After finishing his words, he bowed deeply towards Beopjeong.

"Please understand that we cannot accept the proposal, Bangjang."

"...Amitabhul."

Beopjeong closed his eyes and sighed. After what seemed like a long silence, he slowly opened his eyes. He looked around at the other monks.

"Do the others of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance share the same intention as well?"

"Yes."

The first to answer was Tang Gunak. He nodded with a solemn face and added.

"It may sound like naive words, but I believe the Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua is not wrong."

"..."

"And perhaps, it's not the wise ones who change the world, but decisions like theirs. It's a decision that may seem foolish and hasty to those who conform to the world."

A small smile deepened on Tang Gunak's lips.

"I'm not wise enough to judge whether it's right or wrong immediately, but at least I won't regret following that decision, whatever the result may be."

Namgung Dowi also nodded in agreement. Then he opened his mouth.

"Bangjang."

"...Speak, Sogaju."

"I don't necessarily want to say that my father's choice was right. That choice was undoubtedly hasty."

Beopjeong's expression became serious. Surprisingly, Namgung Dowi's expression remained calm.

"But even so, even if it was hasty, I don't want to deny the determination that my father held in his heart. Wouldn't Namgung lose everything the moment they deny that determination? "

"..."

"So, Namgung also wants to be with Mount Hua and its will. To regain the title of Heaven's Friend, Namgung does not want to lose that determination."

A faint smile appeared on Beopjeong's lips.

He wasn't approving those words. It was just that he felt a keen realization that he had aged.

It was still hard to empathize. It just seemed too hasty. Wasn't the world a place where you couldn't break through with just enthusiasm? But...

'I must have been the same.'

The past Beopjeong was probably no different from these people now. In the end, Beopjeong accepted the world and carved away at himself. But these people were declaring that they would walk a different path.

Would it be wrong? Or...

"It seems there's no need to listen to the words of others."

Their gazes had already spoken about what their decision was.

"I..."

Beopjeong paused for a moment and looked at Hye Yeon. Without turning away, meeting Hye Yeon's gaze head-on, Beopjeong's mouth curled up a little.

"As a Buddhist, I respect your choices. What words could I use to diminish such lofty intentions?"

Hye Yeon's eyes widened slightly. But Beopjeong soon lowered his head.

"But as the leader of the Shaolin, it is difficult for me to respect your choices. If that intention leads to a wrong outcome, your deaths alone would not be enough to bear the consequences."

"Bangjang..."

Beopjeong looked uncharacteristically a little bitter.

"So... Shaolin, along with Ten Great Sects and the Five Great Families, will not provide any support to Heavenly Comrade Alliance in the future, and we will clearly express our opposition to any actions undertaken independently by Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

Baek Cheon's face slightly stiffened.

This statement was no different from the Ten Great Sect officially announcing that Heavenly Comrade Alliance and the Ten Great Sects were different entities.

They were prepared for it, but hearing this statement come from Beopjeong's mouth still sent a chill down their spines. The Ten Great Sects, those three words, held a history and legitimacy deeper than anyone else knew.

"Also, the Ten Great Sects will not intervene in conflicts between Heavenly Comrade Alliance and other sects."

"Bangjang!"

The one who reacted to this statement was Tang Gunak.

Others might let it pass, but Tang Gunak understood clearly what this statement meant. Even if the Evil Tyrant Alliance were to attack the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, the Ten Great Sects had declared that it would not assist the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

This declaration meant only one thing.

Complete separation.

Until now, Shaolin had acknowledged the Heavenly Comrade Alliance as one branch of a righteous sect and had regarded them as a subject they should embrace. Therefore, although there may have been disagreements, they had not openly opposed each other.

But now, Beopjeong, in this very place, declared that Shaolin would no longer see Heavenly Comrade Alliance as a potential ally.

In the world of martial arts, has one of the Ten Great Sects ever declared hostility against a righteous sect?

Perhaps this was an attempt to deny the Heavenly Comrade Alliance as a righteous sect. After all, Shaolin and the Ten Great Sects were places that protected all commoners and righteous sects in the world.

Conversely, didn't it make sense that those who didn't receive their protection were not righteous sects? It was too great a price to bear with just one declaration that they would walk a different path.

Beopjeong's gaze, which had been on Tang Gunak, shifted to Baek Cheon. Even with such a significant declaration, Baek Cheon showed no change from before. He simply accepted Beopjeong's gaze calmly.

'Excellent.'

Beopjeong made this declaration not because of any ill feelings towards them.

He understood why Mount Hua and Heavenly Comrade Alliance were choosing this path. But Beopjeong, too, was a person who must walk his own path. He had come too far to bet everything on the one word: righteousness.

In that case, he, too, must do his best from his own standpoint. He needed to block the movements of those who sought to join the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, even if it meant defining Heavenly Comrade Alliance as evil in the process.

"I hope you will understand."

As if it were not himself who uttered those calm words, Beopjeong's voice remained silent. Baek Cheon, who received the question, let out a faint sigh.

"To be honest, it's hard to understand."

Then, he raised his head, straightened his shoulders, and faced Beopjeong.

"Even though understanding is difficult, if that's the way Bangjang upholds his righteousness, we also have no right to blame Bangjang."

Beopjeong lightly smiled.

The Heavenly Comrade Alliance had firmly established its position, and the Ten Great Sects had gained a pretext to break the Heavenly Comrade Alliance's momentum.

Although it was not the desired outcome, it couldn't be said that he gained nothing. If he hadn't clearly stated his position on the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, he would have been dragged into the Heavenly Comrade Alliance now.

"Then it's settled."

Beopjeong stood up from his seat. It seemed like it was time to end this long conversation. As he did, everyone who was sitting stood up and watched Beopjeong.

"Amitabhul."

Beopjeong chanted the Buddhist prayer, and everyone bid farewell to him.

"Goodbyes are never easy, but since we have confirmed each other's positions, it cannot be said that it was meaningless."

"We think so too."

Beopjeong's gaze shifted from Baek Cheon to Chung Myung. Looking at Chung Myung, who seemed to have a strange expression, Beopjeong's gaze moved to Hye Yeon, who was closing his eyes this time.

"The reason why even lofty ideals eventually collapse is because the path to embodying those ideals is unbearably painful."

His voice resonated sharply in everyone's ears.

"As a solitary monk before becoming the leader of Shaolin, I express my respect for those of you who have made difficult decisions. I hope your path is not too treacherous."

Beopjeong slowly bowed his head, and everyone else followed suit.

"Well then."

Beopjeong turned around without lingering. Jonglihyung, who seemed to have some regrets, stared at the others for a moment and then followed Beopjeong out of the room. The elders left the room to see Beopjeong off.

"There is no need to see me off."

"But there's still etiquette..."

"I'm more comfortable that way."

"If that's the case..."

Beopjeong chuckled as he looked at Hyun Jong.

"Maengju-nim."

"Yes, Bangjang."

"You've raised excellent disciples."

"...They're more than I deserve."

Beopjeong smiled broadly and spoke.

"I hope we can meet with smiles on our faces next time."

"I hope so too."

"May you be well."

As Beopjeong walked towards the main gate of the manor, everyone watched his departing figure. At that moment, Hye Yeon, who had been holding back until the end, ran forward.

Sensing his approach, Beopjeong glanced back at Hye Yeon.

Although he had run all the way, Hye Yeon hesitated when faced with Beopjeong. Without waiting for Hye Yeon to say anything, Beopjeong spoke first.

"Experience it for yourself. You've only seen their determination until now. You've only seen what they achieve. But now that you know the cost of that determination, you too must share in that responsibility from now on."

"...Yes, Bangjang."

"Then you'll feel it for yourself. It's probably a road you can't take in Shaolin."

That was the end of his words.

Without leaving any words of farewell, without words wishing for health, for congratulations, or even for resentment, Beopjeong left the manor without any lingering attachments.

Watching his confident strides, Tang Gunak let out a sigh.

"Bangjang is truly Bangjang."

"...Yes."

Baek Cheon nodded approvingly.

"That's the kind of person who becomes the leader of Shaolin."

Tang Gunak smiled slightly.

"Don't worry too much."

"Yes?"

"The position of Mount Hua's sect leader is also just for anyone."

A similar smile appeared on Baek Cheon's lips.

"It should be like that."

Baek Cheon's gaze, now free from Beopjeong's back, turned towards the vast sky. A cloudless sky spread out before them.

"Definitely."

The endless expanse of blue sky simply looked down on him.