Chapter 1183: I Will Bear It (Part 2)

It wasn't just Mount Hua's disciples who were staring at Baek Cheon with admiration or awe.

Everyone present couldn't take their eyes off Baek Cheon. Even Beopjeong and Jonglihyung were visibly surprised.

All eyes were on him. A person named Baek Cheon. The unveiling of his true intentions, long hidden behind the authority of Hyun Jong and Chung Myung.

"The moment when my thoughts took shape was then. But my real concerns had begun long before that."

"…Long before?"

"Yes. It started with Namgung Sogaju."

"What? Are you serious?"

Namgung Sogaju, who had been staring at Baek Cheon with eyes full of amazement, unintentionally blurted out before covering his mouth in surprise.

However, Baek Cheon disregarded the reactions around him and continued with his words.

"To be honest, Namgung Sogaju was someone I didn't consider remarkable."

"…"

Namgung Dowi's face, which had become an unexpected target, showed a momentary sign of frustration. He was feeling moved by Baek Cheon, but then the latter went on to say such things.

"But the current Namgung Sogaju is an incredibly remarkable person, to the point where I wouldn't dare to follow him."

"Baek, Baek Cheon Dojang."

"Namgung Sogaju is leading the half-fallen Namgung Family and reconstructing it. At times, he is so splendid that no one can deny it."

Hyun Jong nodded in understanding. Who here wouldn't know the struggles Namgung Dowi was going through?

"At times, I admired him, and at times, I envied him. After narrowing the gap, I thought I could catch up to that person and surpass him, but suddenly the gap suddenly widened again and grew further apart."

Hyun Jong simply nodded his head again as if he understood.

To others, Namgung Dowi may have seemed admirable, but Baek Cheon, who was of the same generation, would not have been able to look at him with warm eyes.

Naturally, there must have been a sense of competition.

"So, I thought. How did this gap widen?"

Baek Cheon shifted his gaze from Namgung Sogaju to others in the vicinity.

"I realized then. Those who were ahead of me weren't just Namgung Sogaju."

This time, Baek Cheon's gaze stopped at Seol So Baek.

"Even though Prince Seol is younger than Sogaju, he is receiving recognition from the Ice Palace. Everyone believes that Prince Seol will become an outstanding Lord, and Prince Seol is working hard to live up to those expectations, sacrificing sleep."

Seol So Baek scratched the back of his head awkwardly in response.

"And."

Baek Cheon's gaze then reached Im Sobyeong, who was half-hidden in a corner.

King Nokrim, who was younger than Jang Ilso, led the important position of head of one of the five Shinju factions, hiding my identity and age so that others would not look down on me.

"Im Sobyeong is leading Nokrim excellently, despite his age not being much greater than mine. The Nokrim King, despite being younger than Jang Ilso, held the weighty position as one of the leaders of the Five Great Evils, concealing his identity and age so others would not underestimate him."

Im Sobyeong coughed awkwardly and then lightly tapped his face with an unfolded fan.

Looking at everyone, Baek Cheon turned his head and asked Hyun Jong.

"Sect Leader."

"..."

"What is the difference between them and me? Why can't I be like them? Even those who are not much different from me, even those who are younger, lead a martial arts sect excellently. Why do I still rely on the protection of and defer the price of cowardice to Sect Leader?"

"..."

Even Hyun Jong couldn't answer this question.

However, Baek Cheon did not seem to seek an answer as he shook his head.

"It's not Sect Leader's fault. But there is undoubtedly a difference. So, I pondered where that difference came from."

Baek Cheon looked at Namgung Dohwi.

"My conclusion was simple. I apologize, but if Lord Namgung Hwang were still alive, you, Namgung Sogaju, would not be the same as you are now."

It could sound impolite. However, Namgung Dowi nodded without looking offended. And he opened his mouth as if giving strength to Baek Cheon.

"You have nothing to apologize for. That's a natural thing to say."

Baek Cheon lightly murmured and continued speaking.

"There was one biggest difference. What burden did we take upon ourselves?"

His gaze turned to Tang Gunak.

It was as if he was asking Tang Gunak to agree, just as he did when Tang Gunak ascended to the position of the family head. Tang Gunak also received that gaze and nodded unconsciously.

"A position makes a person. It's not that one becomes a family head because they are excellent, but that once one becomes a family head, they can be excellent. Responsibility suitable for the position is required. But that means, again...."

Baek Cheon turned his gaze to the disciples of Mount Hua. As if they, too, should listen.

"By taking on the responsibility, by bearing the weight, one can grow. It also means growing through the responsibilities carried on one's own shoulders."

"..."

"Claiming to want to stand in the same position as those who haven't taken on any responsibility is nothing more than a child's whim. If you truly want to stand in the same position, you must know how to bear the responsibility yourself."

His voice became clearer and more distinct.

"Now that I know this, I want to face the burden I have to bear. No, I want to carry that burden myself. To grow further through the responsibilities on my shoulders, to become more confident."

"Baek Cheon..."

"So please, Sect Leader, allow me."

Baek Cheon slowly bowed his head. It was incredibly polite, but certainly not servile.

"Please grant permission."

A sigh escaped from Hyun Jong's mouth.

How could he be so confident and dignified? An indescribable feeling swept over him.

And then, a faint chant passed by his ears.

"Amitabhul."

Beopjeong, who had been observing the situation, seemed dissatisfied with something and tried to break the mood.

"It seems Baek Cheon Siju is in too much of a hurry. Responsibility is..."

"Baek Cheon."

"..."

However, that sentence was cut off by Hyun Jong's voice.

"I understand your intention, but it's a very difficult task. Do you think you can handle it?"

It was a heavy question, but Baek Cheon's answer showed no hesitation.

"It's difficult alone."

"...Alone?"

"Yes. However, Sect Leader didn't handle everything alone either. By your side were the elders. Elder Hyun Sang led the martial arts of Mount Hua, and Elder Hyun Yeong managed the finances of Mount Hua."

Emotions welled up in the faces of the two elders.

"It's not just about tasks. When the cold wind blows and the waves come crashing, how can one bear such hardships alone? Sect Leader must have endured because those people were by your side. And the Un line disciples, Un Am Sasuk and Un Geom Sasuk, did their best to protect Sect Leader."

"Yeah. It wasn't something I did alone. Definitely not."

"Yes, Sect Leader. That's right. I am the same. I can't do it alone. But I have people who support me. I have Sajils, who although quiet, are more reliable and trustworthy than anyone else. When I go the wrong way, they are the ones who will tell me the right path without paying attention to others."

Yoo Iseol's lips tightened, and Yoon Jong closed his eyes quietly.

"There are people who remind us to follow warm consensus rather than cold reason. There are also people, though their distributions are low, who can objectively mediate situations better than anyone else."

Jo Gol turned his gaze upwards as if suppressing tears, and Tang Soso lowered her head.

"And.. There are people who keep me in check more than anyone else just by watching from behind. I will endure their gazes for the rest of my life."

Everyone in Mount Hua looked at Baek Cheon.

At this figure emitting light like the pure white robes he wore.

"Do you ask if I can do it? Sect Leader. Your disciple will do better than anyone else. Everyone will make me this way. And..."

Baek Cheon's gaze finally turned to Chung Myung.

"I have no resentment towards the past, and no debts to future generations. Therefore, I must become the Sect Leader now. In the coming era of war, I am the only one who can properly wield the sword called Mount Hua."

Chung Myung's eyes, looking at him, were as deep and dark as the bottomless sea. However, Baek Cheon did not avoid his gaze and accepted it.

After looking at Chung Myung for a long time, Baek Cheon slowly turned his gaze to Hyun Jong.

"So, Sect Leader. Please make a decision. Do not trust the disciple. Trust Mount Hua. Believe that Mount Hua will lead the disciple in the right path. Please decide."

Hyun Jong closed his eyes. What came to his mind was something that had happened even before he met Baek Cheon.

'Master.'

The position of the leader of Mount Hua, which no one wanted to take, was handed over to Hyun Jong, who was not fully prepared. And even until his death, his teacher worried about Hyun Jong.

Hyun Jong endured those harsh years. The freezing winter, to be precise. If Hyun Sang and Hyun Yeong hadn't been by his side, he would never have endured that cold.

So, he wanted to give them more time. Time when the responsibilities of their position wouldn't crush them, and they could fully live their lives.

However, Baek Cheon was speaking to him right now.

That time was not in vain. That time, the place, and the weight made Hyun Jong who he was today.

The words were willing yet also...

As Hyun Jong's silence prolonged, Yoon Jong subtly observed the atmosphere around.

Beopjeong, who always looked uncomfortable even if something was slightly amiss, and Jonglihyung, who looked like he was about to scream, 'What is this nonsense?' any moment.

Even the leaders of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, who were friendly to Mount Hua, were struggling to handle the current atmosphere.

Sensing that something might go wrong, Yoon Jong discreetly spoke up as Hyun Jong's silence continued.

"Perhaps...it would have been better to adjourn the meeting and discuss it later..."

It was precisely at that moment.

"Disciples, listen."

Hyun Jong opened his eyes and spoke solemnly. The disciplined disciples of Mount Hua immediately adjusted their posture and attitude.

"Yes, Sect Leader!"

Hyun Jong, with a profound and serene gaze, stared at Baek Cheon. Baek Cheon, shoulders confidently squared, met that gaze without flinching.

"The crime of tarnishing the honor of Mount Hua with inappropriate remarks was tremendous. Furthermore, the crime of daring to demand the succession from the Sect Leader constituted insubordination!"

"Sect Leader!"

"No..."

The disciples of Mount Hua, startled by the accusation of insubordination, looked at Hyun Jong in horror. However, his gaze was so icy that no one dared to offer any resistance.

Everyone tightly shut their eyes, but Baek Cheon alone stared unwaveringly at Hyun Jong. It seemed he would accept any conclusion without resistance.

"Therefore, I, Hyun Jong, in my capacity as the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, hereby decree that Baek Cheon, who has committed a transgression under the authority of Mount Hua, shall be prohibited from practicing martial arts for six months and confined to the Plum Blossom Cave."

The disciples of Mount Hua widened their eyes, which had been tightly shut.

However, Baek Cheon closed his eyes in opposition. He had done everything he intended, so there was no regret. Just...

"In the sect, there are laws that must be upheld at all times. These laws must be observed regardless of the situation. Punishment for not adhering to time, occasion, and proper conduct is unavoidable for anyone."

Hyun Jong, who always yielded to others' opinions, spoke with authority. As he uttered those words in a commanding tone, no one dared to voice dissent. They simply bowed their heads and accepted it.

A bitter chill settled in everyone's hearts.

"Elder Hyun Sang."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

"As the Chief Disciplinary Officer of Mount Hua, execute the punishment for the disciple's transgressions."

"I will carry out the order."

The sound of someone grinding their teeth can be clearly heard. It seemed to carry an irrevocable fate, a bitter prelude to what lay ahead. As the chilling foreboding sliced through the hearts of the onlookers, Hyun Jong's voice, sharp as a blade, thundered into everyone's ears.

"Here!"

Staring directly at the closed-eyed Baek Cheon, Hyun Jong declared with all the authority at his disposal.

"By the authority of the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, I hereby appoint Baek Cheon as the Deputy Sect Leader, representing the authority of the Sect Leader. The execution of all these punishments is deferred until Baek Cheon steps down from the position of Deputy Sect Leader! This is the decree of the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, and it shall not be contested."

Baek Cheon's eyes snapped open.

The slightly blurred world around him sharpened, filling his vision with the sight of Hyun Jong. A soft smile had graced Hyun Jong's lips, a warmth reminiscent of that spring day when Baek Cheon first ascended Mount Hua.

"Baek Cheon."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

Hyun Jong spoke gently, his lips adorned with that long-lost warm smile.

"Now, you are the Sect Leader of Mount Hua."

Baek Cheon lowered his head.

His shoulders lost his previous confidence, trembling even to a pitiful extent. Yet, no one here pointed fingers or mocked his vulnerability. Silence prevailed, accepting the scene unfolding before them.

"I-I..."

Baek Cheon's voice, watery with emotion, broke through.

"I shall... accept the decree."

It was the moment a new Sect Leader was born within the confines of Mount Hua.