Chapter 1174: A Man Who Can't Even Answer (Part 4)

Chung Myung gazed silently at the moon hanging in the sky.

Against the backdrop of the seemingly indifferent, pure-white moon, the familiar yet nostalgic face of Cheon Mun overlapped, smiling warmly at him.

"How amusing..."

Chung Myung pursed his lips.

'A man who can't even answer.'

Resentment that couldn't be helped, and an inevitable longing. Even though he knew that the person was no longer here, there were times when he couldn't help but recall that face.

Staring intently at the face of Cheon Mun overlapping with the moon, Chung Myung spoke in a slightly raised voice.

"No, it's not like that."

A new smile escaped from his lips.

"At my age, I should be shocked to hear that bald guy ramble on, and not even listen to what he has to say. It's not like I haven't seen a bunch of mouth-breathers before."

He casually waved his hand. But soon, he spoke in a slightly weakened voice.

"Just..."

He hesitated for a moment then raised his head. He saw an infinitely dark night sky, devoid of clouds and the moon.

"It's not because of what the bald head said... I just reconsidered my situation. I tried not to think about it if possible."

Contrary to other people's guesses, what shook Chung Myung the most among Beopjeong's words was, 'You should be at the very back.'

Because that statement wasn't wrong.

Chung Myung was not a fool. The one leading should always be in the safest place. He naturally knew that. That's why, during the past war with the Demonic Sect, he tried to keep Cheon Mun from entering the battlefield as much as possible.

The reason was simple. Back then, Chung Myung didn't have the capacity to lead the entire Mount Hua Sect. Even if Chung Myung was strong, if Cheon Jin was already lost and Cheon Mun was also lost, then the Mount Hua Sect would have lost its center and would have been unable to exert its full power.

Yes. Being a leader was that important.

Despite knowing this fact, Chung Myung had always been on the front lines so far. And he had repeatedly fought recklessly.

Because he had firm confidence in his accumulated experience.

But... Chung Myung also knew. The 'Heavenly Luck' that had continued from his previous life to his current life was by no means eternal.

If he continued to stick to his current method, someday, as Beopjeong said, the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect might witness Chung Myung's cold corpse with their own eyes.

And after that, what awaited the Mount Hua Sect would probably be destruction.

A complete and unavoidable destruction that no one could escape.

"Who said I was so great..."

Chung Myung forced a light, fake laughter.

The thought of destruction was absurd. What role could Chung Myung alone play even if he tried? If the babies of the Mount Hua Sect grew fully, they could accomplish much more than Chung Myung.

If Baek Cheon became a proper sect leader and followed in the footsteps of Cheon Mun, if Yoon Jong became a true Taoist and led the Mount Hua Sect in the way it lacked.

If Jo Gol became the assault leader of the Mount Hua Sect, if Yoo Iseol became the exemplar textbook of the sword Mount Hua pursued, and if Tang Soso became a strict mentor to the disciples of Mount Hua.

And if other disciples could all fulfill their roles in their respective positions, the Mount Hua Sect would become a much stronger and more remarkable sect than when led by Cheon Mun.

Chung Myung, who had observed them for a long time, could be sure of that.

Despite always mistreating them as youngsters and disregarding them, they were truly outstanding talents, incomparable to the Chung Myung of the past.

Yes, definitely... It would surely be like that.

That's why it was even more regrettable.

"Isn't it harsh, Sect Leader Sahyung?"

Chung Myung chuckled in disappointment.

"If I had just ten more years... I could really make it like that. Even if I don't lead, those brats would be able to get there on their own."

As always, the world did not give him enough time.

Chung Myung also knew this fact, so he had been leading Mount Hua tirelessly since the moment he returned to this world. A little higher, a little bit higher. But in the end, he couldn't reach it in time.

If it were ten years later, Chung Myung would fight without any hesitation on the front lines to save even one more person. Because there would be enough people to do the role he should do from behind.

But not now. Now, Chung Myung's death would be an irreplaceable loss for the entire Mount Hua Sect. To save even one more person, Chung Myung must not stand on the front lines.

Yes, to save more lives...

"How ironic."

Chung Myung laughed bitterly. He asked the question. What to do about the Southern Island Sect. That should have been an unanswerable question for Beopjeong.

However, whether Beopjeong intended it or not, that question came back to Chung Myung.

Just as Shaolin had to prove its righteousness through the Southern Island Sect, Chung Myung now also had to prove what he meant by righteousness.

One day, Chung Myung would have to face it.

In a situation where he might have to sacrifice all other disciples to save one disciple of the Mount Hua Sect.

What would he do then? In extreme terms, what there is no other way to rescue the one Baek Cheon who fell into a trap than to launch the entire Mount Hua Sect into the main base of the Demonic Cult... What choice should be made?

Should throw away his own life along with everyone else's, ignoring Baek Cheon's words, who's coughing out blood and screaming they shouldn't come?

"…Sahyung."

Chung Myung murmured bitterly.

"You're truly an amazing person. No matter how much closer I think I've gotten, you're still far away..."

He had never thought of surpassing Cheon Mun. But still, now he thought he could understand a little of what Cheon Mun felt and contemplated in the past. However, each time, he realized anew what obstacles Cheon Mun overcame.

"The sword of the Mount Hua Sect...."

Chung Myung chuckled.

It would have been nice if it were possible. Just swinging a sword without thinking.

The position Chung Myung wanted was precisely that. A position where he didn't have to think for himself. A position where he could fight as he pleased and not take responsibility.

But he knew.

He could not be the sword of the Mount Hua Sect. He may return to his rightful place someday, but for now, he could not be a complete sword. No one in the Mount Hua Sect could freely wield him. No one could properly raise the sword named Chung Myung.

So, he had no choice but to move on his own. He had to think and choose with his own will and identity.

"Sect Leader Sahyung."

Chung Myung called slowly and laughed softly.

"I'm sorry. At that time, I didn't know anything...."

When he tried to save Cheong Jin, Cheon Mun stopped him. At that time, Chung Myung didn't withhold his feelings and poured out his anger at Cheon Mun.

But now he understood. How ridiculous his actions were in the past. One who did not have to take responsibility for his choices should not have dared to say such things to one who had to accept the full consequences of those choices.

"But... I still don't know, Sahyung."

Chung Myung's dull gaze turned towards the moon.

"I knew I have to choose, but I didn't know what to choose. So, I kept delaying it, but eventually, it brought me here."

He thought if he raised the disciples of Mount Hua to be stronger, if he could somehow make them strong enough before the enemies showed up, there might be no need to force such an unreasonable choice. No, he believed so.

Although he expressed anger that they couldn't face the deaths of their fellow sect members, it was none other than Chung Myung who, more than anyone else, was turning away from the deaths they faced.

He had seen too many deaths, so he knew it acutely. How painful the sudden absence of those who were together was.

So, he had no confidence in making a choice.

He could not boldly say that saving more people was right like Beopjeong, and he could not simply discard and abandon all his emotions, nor could he drag everyone into the midst of death, to save one person, and call it great.

If he really faced such a situation, Chung Myung would be unable to do anything. He would probably just sit down, unsure of what to do.

And he believed that would eventually push Mount Hua into destruction. Chung Myung's hesitation, Chung Myung's indecisiveness would push Mount Hua into a pit of no return.

"I thought I would become an adult if I lived longer."

He had already lived enough. No, he had lived more than enough. He had been persistently clinging to his life, which should have already been cut off.

"But... I guess there are people who are predetermined to become adults. I was someone who couldn't."

How nice would it be if Cheon Mun were by his side at a time like this?

If only there was someone here to make the choices he couldn't make and bear the burden in front of him. Even if it wasn't Cheon Mun, if Cheon Jin were here...

"It's just greed."

Chung Myung lifted his head slightly.

Longing for those who were already gone wouldn't change anything. That longing was evidence that Chung Myung had become that weak now, nothing more nor less.

Chung Myung glanced down at the bottle of liquor in his hand. He looked intently at the bottle of liquor filled to the brim, which had not lost a single drop. He sighed, then spoke.

"Do you have a cup?"

There was no response.

However, as if he had expected it, Chung Myung didn't turn his head and replied.

"I didn't bring a cup."

Thud, thud.

With familiar footsteps, Baek Cheon approached and sat down next to him as if naturally. Then, he snatched the bottle of liquor from Chung Myung's hand.

"It's surprising that this guy hasn't even drank a sip."

Baek Cheon tilted the bottle, and with a single gulp, he downed the liquor. Chung Myung silently gazed at him, watching his every move.

"Ah."

Baek Cheon lowered the bottle with a bitter expression.

"It's strong."

"That's how liquor is."

Chung Myung received the bottle that Baek Cheon handed it over. However, unlike usual, he didn't bring it to his lips; he just placed it down.

Quietly observing this, Baek Cheon cast his gaze forward and spoke.

"What are you doing here?"

"Nothing."

"Really?"

Staring at the moon in the sky, Baek Cheon slowly spoke as he opened his mouth.

"I was relieved."

"What?"

"You too..."

Baek Cheon's voice, flowing out, was calm. However, for some reason, it carried an indescribable resonance.

"You're human too."

The moon floating above the Yangtze River was obscured by the incoming waves.