Chapter 1633: Before Everything Disappears (Part 3)

"..."

"..."

"..."

Three individuals silently gathered together in one place.

One was a the leader who had flawlessly guided a prestigious sect without wavering.

Another was his loyal assistant who had stood by his side silently.

And the last one was...

Twitch.

The eyebrows of the 'assistant' who was looking at the last person twitched slightly. The shoulders of the last person, like a startled insect, involuntarily shrunk.

"Well..."

As a voice that seemed to carry some weight flowed out, the shoulders that were always held confidently naturally slumped. In this moment, neither the usual dignified expression, nor the grace that usually made others turn their heads, could muster any strength.

"Ahem."

Jin Chobaek, shooting an uncomfortable glance towards Baek Cheon with eyes that expressed more discomfort than words could convey, let out a strained cough. Baek Cheon's shoulders slouched even more at that cough.

Watching this scene quietly, Jong Rigok smiled kindly and spoke.

"Let's stop here. Aren't you feeling uncomfortable?"

"..."

"Your actions are embarrassing me too. Please consider my position as well."

Jin Chobaek, who seemed to have no intention of clearing his expression, finally sighed. Confirming that Jin Chobaek's face had relaxed somewhat, Jong Rigok turned to Baek Cheon and offered a charming smile.

"I'm sorry. I thought arranging this meeting in haste might make it awkward, but it seems to have made things more uncomfortable unnecessarily."

Sect Leader? Despite that, you seem quite amused. Are the corners of Sect Leader's mouth twitching?

"Answer."

"Yes?"

At Baek Cheon's reflexive response, the blood veins on Jin Chobaek's forehead popped once more.

"...When an elder speaks, you should respond! Where are your manners! Shut your mouth properly!"

"Ca-Calm down."

"If a person gains fame, they should also cultivate appropriate demeanor! What on earth...Mount Hua..."

Jin Chobaek's body trembled. He must have been holding back the urge to retort, 'What did you learn from Mount Hua?' with superhuman patience.

"Huff..."

Jin Chobaek breathed out heavily.

His eyes scanned Baek Cheon, who looked like a frightened puppy... no, a frightened tiger.

It was complicated. Too complicated to figure out how to express this feeling.

The other was like a sore thumb that, despite being such a pain, had risen to fame, become renowned throughout the Kangho as one of the top martial artists, and even occupied the position of Deputy Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect.

Looking at him, he felt proud... but at the same time, frustrated at why someone with such abilities would end up like this, especially in that Mount Hua Sect. As a father, he was proud, but as an elder of the Southern Edge Sect, he couldn't help feeling conflicted.

"As I've said before."

Jong Rigok, who had been looking at the two with a peculiar gaze, spoke in a calm tone. Of course, any subtle amusement mixed in that calm tone would not be felt right now, given Baek Cheon's sensitivity.

"Elder Jin is like my own disciple."

"..."

"It's inevitable that you'll have many entanglements with him... Are you feeling unwell?"

"...No. I'm fine."

"Your face looks a bit pale."

"I'm naturally... on the fairer side."

"Is that so? Your brother is fair too, but he wasn't this pale before. Well, brothers aren't always the same."

Watching Jong Rigok chuckle, Baek Cheon ground his teeth invisibly. This guy was clearly enjoying himself.

"Anyways."

At that moment, Jong Rigok's expression turned solemn as he changed his tone.

"It doesn't matter what your relationship was originally. No, even what your relationship is now doesn't matter. What's important is that you set aside all past grievances and cooperate. For the sake of protecting Kangho. Understand?"

"..."

"..."

"Do you hear me, Elder Jin?"

At Jong Rigok's persuasion, Jin Chobaek exhaled deeply.

"I understand what you mean, Sect Leader."

Looking at Baek Cheon with regained composure in his eyes, he continued.

"There's no need to worry. There won't be any missteps due to personal emotions. I won't bring trouble to Sect Leader Jin by taking up a position that doesn't suit my son..."

"You misunderstood, Master Jin. No. Jin Chobaek."

As a chilling voice seeped from Jong Rigok's lips, Jin Chobaek instinctively adjusted his posture.

"The person in front of you right now is not Jin Dongryong, your son, but Baek Cheon, the Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua Sect."

"..."

"Distinguishing between public and private affairs isn't about acknowledging the other party's personal position, but rather recognizing and respecting their public position. Objectively speaking, the Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua has not only surpassed you in terms of his achievements but even me."

Jong Rigok emphasized coldly once again.

"If you truly are an elder of the Southern Edge Sect, don't embarrass me."

"I apologize."

Jin Chobaek nodded briefly, realizing his mistake.

"There's no need for concern, Sect Leader. I am merely a servant to Sect Leader. No, just a role assisting Unit Leader. Since Unit Leader is superior to me, I will also respect Vice Unit Leader's orders."

Finally, Jong Rigok nodded in approval.

"That's how it should be."

Jong Rigok, after withdrawing his gaze from Jin Chobaek, turned to Baek Cheon.

"Is that clear?"

"Yes, but please refrain from speaking as if I subtly wished for it. Didn't I just come here because you called me?"

"That's true. However...I thought you would enjoy it. I suppose it is a bit awkward for you to be in command of Jin Chobaek."

Sweat dripped continuously down Baek Cheon's forehead.

To him, Jong Rigok was someone he didn't want to meet on the streets. But Jin Chobaek, his father, was someone he didn't want to meet even in his dreams.

"So, I'd like to advise you as well. Please focus on your role and set aside personal emotions."

"..."

"Sometimes, you must issue orders even at your father. Do you understand what I mean?"

Baek Cheon reflexively turned his head towards Jin Chobaek at that statement. And the moment Jin Chobaek's eyes met his, his head instinctively lowered.

There was a displeased look on Jin Chobaek's face.

If you were going to feel so sorry, why... 

"Well..."

Just as Jin Chobaek was about to say something.

"A person's relationships aren't easily severed."

"Yes?"

Jong Rigok interjected with a tone that seemed to wander off.

"In particular, heavenly connections are even more so." [i think 'heavenly' = by fate = family]

Jong Rigok spoke with a voice that seemed to transcend.

"Heavenly connections tend to reattach when we think they're severed, and they resurface when we think they're forgotten. Therefore... There's no need to reject a connection just because it seems to have been severed already. By any chance, do you know? There's nothing that cannot happen in human affairs..."

"No."

Baek Cheon met Jong Rigok's gaze as he raised his head. Jong Rigok seemed slightly taken aback by Baek Cheon's gaze.

The gaze was different.

The young man who had been trembling at how his father might scold him just a moment ago was nowhere to be seen. The one here now was none other than Baek Cheon, the young Deputy Sect Leader leading the resurgence of the Mount Hua Sect.

"Even if a connection seems to be severed, the path doesn't necessarily change upon reconnection. I am a person of the Mount Hua Sect, and I will forever be a person of the Mount Hua Sect."

"..."

Baek Cheon stood up from his seat.

"There's no need to worry. I will never let personal emotions interfere. Whether it is a father, an older brother, or a member of the Southern Edge Sect. There's no reason for it. Although I feel sorry for my father, I'm more proud of what I've achieved in the Mount Hua Sect."

Jong Rigok smiled as he looked at Baek Cheon.

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

Baek Cheon nodded briefly.

"As there's much to do, I'll take my leave first. Sect Leader, and Elder, please excuse me."

As Baek Cheon made his move, both Jong Rigok and Jin Chobaek rose from their seats to see him off. Then, with an air of confidence, Baek Cheon looked at them before turning and walking towards the door.

"Then..."

"Wait, Deputy."

"What else do you have to..."

"You forgot your sword."

"..."

Baek Cheon's head snapped back. His eyes fell sharply on his sword placed on the table.

"Eek!"

Baek Cheon exclaimed as he rushed over and swiftly grabbed the sword placed on the table.

"Why is this here?"

Baek Cheon, his face drenched in sweat as if it were raining, glanced at Jin Chobaek and then hastily ran towards the door without saying a word.

"Until we meet again."

"Please take a look..."

Thud!

As the door slammed as if it were about to break, Jin Chobaek clicked his tongue.

"Oh my, oh my... Hurrying like that."

Sitting back down, Jin Chobaek cupped his face in his hands.

"Are you alright?"

"Why did that... sigh..."

Jin Chobaek sighed deeply once more.

"I just can't trust him at all... I don't know what to do."

"That's natural for a child in the eyes of their father."

"Sect Leader... Even if one is nervous, where's the sense in leaving your sword unattended? That's why I was worried, but you didn't seem to take that into consideration and just left."

"I thought it was rather impressive?"

"Yes?"

Jin Chobaek squinted his eyes as if asking what that meant.

"Don't you know? It means now the skill and fame of that child surpass yours."

"..."

"Usually, one would want to show off. 'Look how skilled I've become. Father who thought I couldn't surpass my brother was wrong.' You would try saying something like that."

"That..."

But it wasn't wrong. Anyone would feel that way.

"But wasn't he nervous? Wasn't he sorry? That was because he cared more your aching heart as you watched your son gain fame in Mount Hua than your own position. That's an inherent trait. It's hard to change through effort alone."

"..."

Jin Chobaek sighed for the umpteenth time.

If he had been a little more lenient...

"He's an outstanding talent."

"..."

"Maybe even more so than Geumryong."

At that, Jin Chobaek looked at Jong Rigok with a slightly surprised expression. One thing had been bothering him since earlier.

"Sect Leader... Could it be?"

"It's just a thought. That's all."

"..."

Jin Chobaek, who had been staring intently at Jong Rigok, shook his head.

"He won't come back. And now, isn't he a disciple of Mount Hua?"

"He's still young. At his age, it's not too late to abandon everything and become the best in the Southern Edge. Surely, Mount Hua won't sever the limbs of such a promising disciple for leaving."

"No. It's not about that. He never intended to become a member of Southern Edge in the first place."

"It's not about intention. It's about the circumstances."

"Yes?"

Jin Chobyeok smiled faintly.

"Isn't the vault (秘庫) still securely closed?"

"Vault... Are you referring to that?"

"That's right. There must still be a bottle of Heavenly Elixir (上天藥水) inside. The miraculous medicine."

"...Are you talking about the elixir? Yes. There must be one bottle left. In recent centuries, there hasn't been anyone who suffered injuries severe enough to warrant using that elixir. But why bring it up now?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

His eyes turned towards the door Baek Cheon had just opened and left through.

"If goodwill and profit are on same path, there is no need to avoid treading upon it."

A faint smile appeared on Jong Rigok's lips.