Chapter 1646 - So, Are You Happy? (5)

"Sit down."

Despite Cheongmun's words, Chung Myung stood firm without moving. Cheongmun glanced at him briefly. With his arms crossed and a dissatisfied look on his face, it was clear he was quite upset.

Cheongmun sighed quietly and asked, "Why are you acting like this?"

"Why are you even talking to those kinds of people? You know they're not human."

Chung Myung ground his teeth slightly. A deep, blatant sigh escaped from Cheongmun.

"Watch your words. Walls have ears at night and...

"Let them hear."

"…"

"Actually, I don't think they can hear this well enough. Should I speak louder so the whole world can hear?"

Cheongmun made a groaning sound as if he had a headache. "Fine, fine. Sit down."

"Sect Leader, Sahyung!"

"Sit down."

Cheongmun repeated himself, and Chung Myung reluctantly pulled out a chair and sat down, but not without some grumbling. He even chose a new chair instead of one that other Sect Leaders had used, as if he couldn't stand touching anything they had.

Cheongmun quietly watched the still-muttering Chung Myung.

To live this long and still act so freely according to his mood—wasn't that a skill in itself? Usually, people get worn down by the world over time.

No, that wasn't right. Thinking about it, even this was a rounded version of him. When he was younger, Chung Myung would have barged in and struck the Sect Leaders' heads with a wooden sword without any preamble.

Even that scene...

"What are you thinking about?"

"Ahem!"

Cheongmun coughed loudly, his face reddening. No matter how frustrated he was, a Taoist shouldn't think like that.

With his expression restored, Cheongmun seriously called out to Chung Myung.

"Chung Myung."

"…"

"Chung Myung."

"…Yes."

Chung Myung frowned as if he already knew the lecture that was coming and found it tiresome.

"Don't be so rude to the Sect Leaders."

"…"

"Of course, I do understand."

"Understand what?"

"I know that your intimidating behavior is actually your way of taking the heat for me to make my work easier. For that, I always..."

Cheongmun paused. Chung Myung, who had been listening, gave a look that seemed to say, 'Me? I did that?' and then subtly averted his gaze.

"I appreciate it."

"Well, if you know, then fine."

"…Yes."

Cheongmun shook his head. Whether Chung Myung intended it or not, it didn't matter much. What mattered was that Cheongmun could breathe a little easier thanks to Chung Myung's presence.

If Chung Myung weren't at Mount Hua, Cheongmun would be facing an even tougher battle. At least, with Chung Myung around, the others would compromise at a reasonable point.

Then, Chung Myung asked in a firm voice, "So, what will you do now?"

"Hmm?"

"You said you'd get support, but instead, we were just ridiculed. Are you going to keep cleaning up after those bastards?"

Cheongmun smiled wryly. "Bastards? They are the leaders representing the sects of Kangho. Calling them…"

"Enough. If this keeps up, Mount Hua will continue to suffer. The children never have a moment without injury."

Cheongmun closed his mouth at that.

"Just withdraw."

"Chung Myung."

"Those damned fools have never fought the Demonic Sect properly. If we just notify them that we're reorganizing and step back, they'll eventually come begging us with tears in their eyes. Why can't you, who are smarter than me, see such a simple thing?"

Instead of answering, Cheongmun sighed. Chung Myung's voice grew louder.

"We do all the work, but why should we watch those damned fools act all high and mighty? If this continues...

"Chung Myung."

A stern voice came out of Cheongmun's mouth. Chung Myung, who had been complaining with a frustrated look, shut his mouth tightly.

"Do you think I don't want to? Do you think their behavior doesn't infuriate me?"

"...."

"I want to show them what we're made of, just like you said. But who will take responsibility for the suffering of the innocent people if we retreat?"

"Innocent people, innocent people! Always with the innocent people!"

"Chung Myung!"

"Damn it! Why is that our responsibility? It's their fault! We're the ones doing all the fighting while they just stand by and watch! Are you saying it's our fault for not fighting better?"

Chung Myung looked at Chung Moon with a mixture of frustration and pity.

He seethed with anger, feeling helpless. He looked as if he might rush over to the Sect Leader and start yelling at him.

But Chung Moon understood that Chung Myung's reaction was not simply because he couldn't control his anger.

"Does it hurt and sadden you to see your fellow disciples get injured and suffer?"

Chung Myung bit his lip.

"It's not that..."

A bitter voice escaped Chung Moon's lips.

"I feel the same way. If it's about heartache, I'm no less affected than you."

"...For someone who feels that way!"

"But, Chung Myung, if we abandon our responsibilities to vent our anger, others will lose their families, and their pain will be even greater."

Chung Myung couldn't say anything and just stared at Chung Moon. He could see the sorrow etched on the face he had known all his life. With a sigh of frustration, Chung Myung spoke.

"Do you understand?"

"Understand my ass."

Chung Myung muttered curses repeatedly but did not further oppose Chung Moon.

"This is our responsibility as martial artists."

"Are we the only ones who've trained in martial arts? Are those bastards scholars or something?"

"They will have to play their part soon enough."

"Damn it, really."

Unable to contain his frustration, Chung Myung rubbed his face roughly with both hands.

"No, Sect Leader! Do you really trust those bastards? After seeing what they've done so far, do you still believe in them?"

"Trust...."

Chung Moon muttered the word and then set his expression with a sigh.

"The Demonic Sect is strong."

"...."

"You, who are fighting them directly, know this best. But more importantly, the Demonic Sect has not yet committed all its forces to the battlefield."

Chung Myung nodded in agreement.

"If the Demonic Sect starts to get serious, we won't be able to stop them alone. All the forces of the central plains will have to be mobilized to face them."

"...That's true."

"But if we are divided before that happens, what will become of us? We'll be defeated before we even have a chance to fight properly. Everything will be over."

"...."

"They must know this too. Eventually, they will have no choice but to act. I just hope that our grievances with them don't deepen before that time comes."

Chung Myung sighed.

"You're right. Sect Leader, you're right about everything."

"...."

"All your words are right, except for the fact that we are shouldering all the responsibility for maintaining this damned relationship and ensuring the safety of the innocent people. That's all."

"It won't be for much longer."

Chung Moon shook his head.

"The movements of the Demonic Sect are unusual. I don't know what they're planning, but soon they will prepare a proper attack. When that time comes, we won't even be able to think about what happens after the war."

"...."

"So let's endure a little longer."

Chung Myung, staring silently at Chung Moon, suddenly scratched his head roughly.

"I might as well die! Just answer me. Do you really trust those bastards?"

Chung Moon nodded.

"Yes, I do."

"No, Sect Leader!"

"I don't believe they will fight for us. I don't believe they will act out of compassion for us."

"...."

"But I believe they don't want to see everything destroyed. I believe they don't want to lose. That's why, when the time comes and they have no other choice, they will fight with all they've got. I just...."

Determination shone on Chung Moon's face.

"Wait for that time to come."

A heavy silence fell between the two. Chung Myung stared at Cheongmun for a while, then squinted and asked.

"What if they continue to behave as they have until the very end?"

"..."

"What if those bastards continue to look out for themselves, terrified and pulling back? What if they are more pathetic and ridiculous than you think? Will you regret your decision then?"

"That won't happen."

"How can you be so sure? Look at what they've done so far!"

"I will make sure of it."

The resolute voice was so firm that Chung Myung was momentarily speechless.

After a moment, a gentle smile spread across Cheongmun's face.

"So, let's endure just a little longer, Chung Myung."

"..."

"If you can't trust them, then trust me. I don't believe only the best of people can uphold righteousness. Even selfish and pathetic people can do so; that's the way Dao is."

A big sigh escaped Chung Myung's lips.

"You talk well; you really do."

He grabbed the sword that was on the table and stood up abruptly.

"I don't know about the complicated stuff, but basically, I just need to keep fighting like I have been, right?"

"..."

"I'll endure as much as I can. But you should know, Sect Leader, even I can't hold on forever."

"Yes, I know."

"Anyway, words are... Hmph."

Chung Myung shook his head as if he didn't want to argue anymore and headed for the door.

"Chung Myung."

"Yes?"

"Don't hate them too much."

Cheongmun spoke with a bitter voice to Chung Myung, who turned back with a stern face.

"They are also just trying to protect their sect. Just like we are trying to protect Mount Hua. Their methods... their ways are just a bit different from ours."

"..."

"Because they love their sect, they are afraid, and because they care for their disciples, they don't want to step forward. Even if their methods are not right, their love for their disciples is no different from ours."

"Sect..."

"Yes. So, please..."

"I don't know, Sect Leader."

Chung Myung spoke in a slightly cold voice.

"I don't know what you think, but I'm not someone who cares about Mount Hua as much as you do."

"..."

"If everyone were like you, then your words would be right. But if everyone were like me, then your words would be wrong. I just hope it's not like that."

Chung Myung opened the door and went outside.

Left alone, Cheongmun slowly closed his eyes, pondering Chung Myung's words.

'It's heavy.'

Chung Myung cannot win alone. Mount Hua alone cannot win. In the end, they need the strength of those others. All the power of Kangho must come together to face the Demonic Sect.

Someone must hold the center. No matter how difficult and challenging that position may be,.

'The ways...'

Cheongmun's hope lay in that one thing, the heart that anyone could have.

* * *

When Chung Myung opened his eyes, he stared at the ceiling for a long time.

As he absentmindedly recalled the dream, he inadvertently brought his fingertips to his eyes, feeling a dampness.

Chung Myung murmured as if reciting something.

"Sect Leader..."

He wanted to ask. If he ever met Cheongmun again...

'Did you keep believing until the end?'

Perhaps that answer is needed not for Cheongmun but for Chung Myung himself.

Knock, knock.

At that moment, he heard someone knocking on the door.

Chung Myung roughly wiped his eyes with his sleeve and got up.

'This is not the time to be lost in old memories.'

The current situation he faced was no less severe than in the past. No, it might even be harsher.

At that time, Chung Myung believed in Cheongmun, but now, others believe in Chung Myung just as he once believed in Cheongmun.

So now is the time to fight against the given reality.

Chung Myung tightly gripped the sword by his bedside and stepped off the bed.