Chapter 1536: It Will Be Okay (Part 1)

Yoon Jong had never imagined it. He never thought such words would come out of Chung Myung's mouth.

Despite being suddenly grabbed by the collar, Chung Myung showed no sign of anger, not even a hint of warmth. In fact, Yoon Jong seemed even more unsettled by that demeanor.

"How can you be like this? You, who clearly knows why Sasuk acted that way!"

At that moment, Chung Myung caught Yoon Jong's wrist, which was grabbing his collar.

"Let go."

"You..."

"I said let go."

Yoon Jong, who had been glaring at Chung Myung, finally released his grip on Chung Myung's wrist.

"...Sorry."

He stepped back. It was a belated realization of doing something that shouldn't have been done in the heat of the moment.

Of course, it still didn't make sense.

However, even if Yoon Jong were to confront Chung Myung here, with blood boiling and fists flying, the situation wouldn't improve. That was the only clear fact.

Yoon Jong sighed, opening his mouth as if letting out a breath.

"I just..."

"I already know."

But before he could finish speaking, a voice mixed with a mocking laughter leaked out.

"Yeah, I know. Why it happened."

"..."

"So? What should someone who clearly knows what happened do?"

Yoon Jong's eyes shook once again.

"Should I thank him and spend my whole life bowing to the ground? Or should I stick by his side and fight in his place?"

"This...!"

The momentary silence was followed by a resurgence of anger. However, that too lasted only for a moment. When Yoon Jong looked into Chung Myung's eyes, his chest chilled as he felt a cold, emotionless gaze. Faced with such indifferent eyes, his energy involuntarily drained away.

Yeah, Chung Myung was right.

Chung Myung didn't ask Baek Cheon to save him. The plea to save Chung Myung was just Baek Cheon's choice.

Even knowing all of this, it wasn't fair for Yoon Jong to burden Chung Myung with guilt and demand a solution.

Moreover, that would be an act of disrespect towards Baek Cheon. Baek Cheon wouldn't want any kind of gratitude, and Chung Myung would prefer not to feel burdened by guilt.

If Baek Cheon were to know about this, he might not want to see Yoon Jong again.

But that didn't mean he could easily give up.

"I understand that you can't fix Sasuk..."

Yoon Jong's voice flowed out emotionlessly. It was an uncharacteristic, stiff, and dry tone.

Even in a situation where an apology was needed, he didn't want to speak like this. Even if it didn't suit a Taoist, it was not the right attitude.

"But then, we have to stop Sasuk."

"How?"

"Don't you understand what I'm saying?"

Yoon Jong's face became even colder for a moment.

"How will you stop him?"

For a moment, Yoon Jong was speechless.

There seemed to be no way.

Even though he said he would die, Baek Cheon didn't waver. If he were originally that kind of person, he wouldn't have become the Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua, and everyone wouldn't have followed him.

What other options were there?

Should he express his frustration, saying it's of no help?

If Baek Cheon got angry after hearing that, it would be fortunate. However, Baek Cheon was the kind of person who would offer to carry the luggage in the rear. If someone was in danger, he would subtly intervene.

The only remaining option was one.

To tell Baek Cheon that his presence on the battlefield would endanger others, so they couldn't be together.

'...I can't do that.'

How could he say such a thing?

Baek Cheon had sacrificed everything to become the Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua. He would willingly continue to do so in the future. How could he cruelly say such a heartless thing to his Sasuk?

It would be better to rather stab him with a knife and let him experience a thousand deaths. That way would be more merciful. Because those words would tear apart Baek Cheon's soul, not just his physical body.

"...I understand that it's difficult."

Nevertheless, Yoon Jong did not let go of a glimmer of hope and said to Chung Myung,

"But if it's you, there must be some way. We can help..."

"If it were me?"

At that moment, Chung Myung's cold voice cut through Yoon Jong's words.

"So, are you asking me to say it with my own mouth?"

"Huh?"

"Now that he's become a useless human, do you want me to tell him to stay quiet here, not to follow me, and not to cause trouble unnecessarily? Because Sahyung can't bring himself to do it."

Yoon Jong flinched.

"No, what I meant was... find another way..."

"There's no other way. I've already said that."

Yoon Jong's eyes trembled with coldness.

"Listen carefully. Sasuk's Dantian is shattered, and he's not someone you can restrain with ordinary words. There are only two choices. Either let him go to the battlefield with the determination to sacrifice his life, or cut him off like a knife so he can't come to the battlefield."

"..."

"But Sahyung wants the latter, doesn't he?"

"I... "

"If I say so, I'll do it if Sahyung wants. If Sahyung wants to stand behind someone with a fake smile and have someone else brutalize people in his place. Yeah, that's what I'll do."

"Hey!"

Yoon Jong couldn't contain his anger and shouted vehemently. Chung Myung just let out a faint smile.

"No? Then it's obvious. Do you want me to find a suitable way that can satisfy everyone somehow? Sahyung can't do it, but is there something I can do?"

"Chung Myung..."

"Listen carefully."

Chung Myung spoke decisively in a subdued voice.

"I am not a god."

With a firm voice that sank, Chung Myung continued.

"What Sahyung can't do, I can't do either. So if you have something you want to do, do it yourself. Whether it's talking or fighting."

Yoon Jong's face contorted. Even in a short moment, his complexion changed several times.

During that time, Chung Myung maintained silence.

How much time passed? before Yoon Jong opened his mouth with great difficulty.

"...So, you'll let Sasuk go to the battlefield by himself?"

"Are you asking for my opinion?"

"Yes."

"That's right."

Chung Myung answered coolly without hesitation.

"Why?"

"That would be better for him."

"If you want to protect him..."

"I won't."

"..."

Chung Myung raised his head slightly.

"If I protect Sasuk, others will die."

Emotions gradually disappeared from Yoon Jong's face. Only the chilly moonlight settled on his face.

"So, you'll just let Sasuk die?"

"..."

"No, even though you clearly know he's about to die on the battlefield, you'll send him out there anyway, without telling him the truth?"

"Yeah."

Silence fell again. After a while, a new question dripped from Yoon Jong's lips, short and thick.

"Why?"

"I already answered. That would be better for him."

Chung Myung sighed briefly and opened his mouth.

"You can catch him. Break his legs, cut him, or if all else fails, tie him up and stick him in a cave. But that would really kill Sasuk. The human named Baek Cheon that I know won't be able to endure that. If not a single one of us who went to the battlefield returns, Sasuk won't forgive himself for the rest of his life. No, maybe even those of us who prevented him might not forgive ourselves."

"..."

"So, if there's no way to avoid it, it's better to let him do what he wants. That's my opinion."

Even after hearing all of that, Yoon Jong asked again.

"Why?"

Chung Myung did not answer.

Because he had already given an answer.

However, Yoon Jong still stared at Chung Myung as if he had not heard the answer.

A short sigh escaped from Chung Myung's mouth.

"If my choice doesn't please you, then align with what Sahyung thinks is the right choice. That should be enough."

This was the last statement. Finally, the blank expression that had been covering Yoon Jong's face like a mask disappeared. A sneer, unseen on Yoon Jong even once, appeared in that place.

" 'Why do you always come running like this, whining whenever there's a difficult problem to solve?' "

"..."

"I get it."

Yoon Jong turned his body, and Chung Myung didn't bother to hold him back. The distance between the two gradually increased.

"I understand."

Yoon Jong, who was taking steps, paused for a moment and opened his mouth. His gaze was directed into the distance.

"Your words may be right."

Even though it was an affirmative statement, the emotions in his voice were distant and lacked warmth.

"But I didn't just ask you for a solution. It wasn't about finding a clear answer to what the right choice is."

"..."

"I just wanted to talk to you. I just wanted to worry about Sasuk with you, even if there was no solution."

Chung Myung silently watched Yoon Jong's back without a single movement.

"Even if it's meaningless to you."

Yoon Jong turned away gradually.

Kiiii...

Baek-Ah, who had been watching the two from behind a rock, followed Yoon Jong weakly after a moment of hesitation.

Chung Myung stood still until Yoon Jong's figure completely disappeared. Afterward, he turned his head and looked down at what was held in his hand.

A bottle of dewy liquor.

Chung Myung, who habitually brought it to his lips, stopped abruptly.

A sigh, long and heavy, escaped Chung Myung's mouth as he gazed at the pale white bottle.

He closed his eyes slowly.

Eyes firmly closed, like entering deep darkness. Above them, his eyelashes trembled slightly.

"Ah! Sasuk!"

Tang Soso, who saw Yoon Jong enter Hwaeum Avenue, ran toward him with joy.

"Sahyung! Did you see Chung Myung? I looked around, but he was nowhere..."

"I don't know."

Yoon Jong replied curtly without even turning to look at Tang Soso.

"Uh...?"

Tang Soso stood there dumbfounded, watching Yoon Jong quickly move away.

'What's going on...'

She furrowed her brows in contemplation. That was because, given Yoon Jong's usual behavior, it was an unexpectedly cold response.

As she raised her hand to call and ask.

"No, Sahyung...!"

Kiiiii...

At that moment, something crawled up her leg.

"Huh? Baek-Ah? Hmm?"

Baek-Ah, who had climbed up her leg all of a sudden, draped his body over Tang Soso's shoulder and hung weakly. Tang Soso looked at Baek-Ah with a slightly surprised expression.

"What's going on...?"

This guy usually didn't like human touch. It seemed that something had happened to him. One couldn't help but wonder what was going on.

Unable to determine the cause, Tang Soso carefully stroked Baek-Ah's head. A faint tremor was transmitted through the small and white skull.

"Why are you shaking..."

In that movement, for some reason, Tang Soso felt a sense of sorrow.

"The moon, half-shrouded by clouds, feels strangely chilly today.

"...It will be okay."

Whispering while gently stroking Baek-Ah's warm head repeatedly.

"It will be okay, everyone... Yes, everything will be okay."

Unrestrained anxiety that couldn't be suppressed. The remaining, unhidden fear.

The one walking along Hwaeum Avenue under the descending darkness, the one grappling with themselves in the deep valley of Mount Hua, the one observing him in that state.

The one who couldn't sleep and lingered by the window, and the one standing alone in a distant place separated from everyone else.

Everyone was silently gazing at the cold moon.

"It will be okay..."

As if making a wish, her voice, whispering, spread quietly as if coloring the silence.