Chapter 1031: We're Not There With Him (Part 1)

The river simply flowed by, no matter what was happening in the world. It flowed elegantly, and the only things that changed were the people who watched over the river.

Chung Myung sat alone by the riverside, feeling the breeze blow against him. On his right, as usual, a white wine bottle was placed, but instead of being full, it sat there half-empty.

He stared silently across the river, his gaze heavy with a darkness that was hard to fathom.

He slowly wiped his face with his hand. After pausing at his chin, Chung Myung lowered his hand and looked down at it absentmindedly.

He found himself laughing involuntarily.

How confused he had been when he first returned to this world and saw his unblemished, small hands. Yet, in just a few years, they had become almost indistinguishable from the hands of the Plum Blossom Sword Saint from the past.

Finally, it seemed as if he was openly admitting that people didn't change. He put it into words as if to reassure himself.

For a long time, Chung Myung stared at his hand, then cast his gaze across the river again as if he were drawn by something.

He had felt a constant uneasiness sitting there. The thought of those accursed beings beyond the river was enough to turn his head white and make his heart boil.

Chung Myung pressed his chest firmly with his rough hand.

'Have I changed?'

Had Chung Myung really changed from his past self? He might be able to answer that he had. He would never have just sat idly like this in the past when he heard the word 'Demonic Sect.' He would have crossed the river without hesitation, leaving everything behind, to assess the situation with his own eyes.

But now, Chung Myung was sitting here, still and unmoving. So, could it be said that he had changed from the past?

'What...?'

Blood seeped from his bitten lips.

'What has...?'

If he had changed, he wouldn't be feeling like this. Hearing the words 'Demonic Sect' shouldn't bring this kind of excruciating pain that felt like it was tearing at his soul.

The fact that this deep-rooted hatred he felt for them hadn't changed meant that Chung Myung had never really stepped away from that bitter past. But... How could he? How could he forget?

How could he ever forget?

Every time he closed his eyes, the sight of those who died cold and lifeless on the icy Mount Hua came to his mind. He could vividly imagine the feelings of those who had to take lives without leaving a trace.

How could one possibly change?

Chung Myung quietly clenched his knees. His fingernails dug into his flesh, but he remained oblivious to the pain, simply staring into the distance across the river.

And not too far away, the Five Swords watched him intently.

Jo Gol, who had been unable to hide his anxious gaze, turned around to look at Baek Cheon. But as soon as he saw Baek Cheon's stern expression, he swallowed the words he was about to blurt out.

Unable to speak in the face of Baek Cheon's stiff demeanor, Jo Gol finally dared to open his mouth cautiously.

"Why?"

However, Baek Cheon opened his mouth with a look that seemed to catch Jo Gol's hesitation.

"If you have something to say, say it."

"No, well..."

Jo Gol hesitated for a moment before carefully speaking.

"...If we're going to stop him, wouldn't it be better to get closer, Sasuk?"

Baek Cheon's eyebrow twitched slightly.

"Do you have the confidence to stop him if he decides to run to the river from there?"

"...."

Jo Gol closed his mouth.

Baek Cheon was right. Even if they surrounded him, there was no way to stop him if Chung Myung was determined to escape. With his skills, he could easily break through and get away.

"But... still..."

Jo Gol glanced back at Chung Myung, as if there were lingering doubts.

"What the heck is he doing?"

At that moment, Tang Soso couldn't hold back and raised his voice.

"Why is he like that?"

"...."

"Demons. I get it. I hate them too. Our Tang Family almost fell apart because of them. Who wouldn't hate the Demonic Sect?"

"Soso."

"No, I understand that the Mount Hua Sect suffered the most from the Demonic Sect in the past due to their involvement. However... Mount Hua has largely overcome those past scars, hasn't it?"

Jo Gol remained silent without responding.

"But why is Sahyung acting like this? What kind of grudge does he have against the Demonic Sect that hearing their name drives him insane like that?"

"Enough."

Baek Cheon firmly interrupted Tang Soso's words. Upon being silenced by his resolute tone, Tang Soso looked at Baek Cheon with a face that couldn't comprehend.

"It was Sasuk who was most angered by Sahyung's incomprehensible behavior because of his past actions."

"...It's not because of incomprehensible behavior."

Baek Cheon paused for a moment and bit his lip slightly.

"Everyone has their own stories, and there are secrets that cannot be revealed."

"Then you should just tell us."

When Tang Soso muttered, Baek Cheon looked at her in silence.

"Have you told us everything about your own story, everything you're thinking?"

"Well..."

Tang Soso trailed off. Of course not. Everyone has something they can't reveal to others, even if they're close, whether it's family or not. Even if they're truly family.

Baek Cheon spoke with a calm tone.

"I'm not at all curious about what he did before he entered Mount Hua."

"...Then why did you get so angry?"

Baek Cheon didn't get angry at Chung Myung because of his actions yesterday or today. But everyone here knows. It was the first time Baek Cheon was so sincerely angry with Chung Myung.

Baek Cheon gazed at Chung Myung's back and spoke.

"...It's not because I can't understand."

A hint of anger flashed across his face again.

"I won't make you understand, and I can't make you understand, so your attitude of not explaining and taking the blame on yourself is shitty."

"...."

"Instead, if he had said, 'I'm not going to explain, so shut up and follow me to Gangnam,' I might have cursed at him, but I would have followed him without hesitation."

Upon hearing this, Yoon Jong and Jo Gol nodded without delay.

Baek Cheon let out a soft sigh and continued.

"My family is in the Southern Edge Sect. My father is an elder of the Southern Edge Sect, and my brother is the head disciple. However, even though he made fun of that fact, he never once used that against me, not even a single time. Even when the topic was about the Southern Edge Sect, or when he taunted me for being from the Mount Hua, he never cared about my past."

Yoon Jong took a deep breath and said.

".... That's only natural, Sasuk."

"I'll ask then."

Baek Cheon looked at Yoon Jong with a serious expression.

"How would he have reacted if my family were in danger, and I had to run to the Southern Edge Mountain to protect the Southern Edge Sect? Or if my family were murdered by someone, and I ran to the Southern Edge to seek revenge? How do you think he would have reacted?"

"Well..."

There's no need to think about that. If it were the Chung Myung they know, he would have drawn his sword and rushed to the Southern Edge Mountain even before Baek Cheon could ask for help. Because they were his family before they were people from the Southern Edge. They were his blood.

And the same goes for everyone here.

"He probably did just that. Naturally, he must have."

"...."

"But he never... He never asked us for something that natural."

At those words, everyone fell silent.

"What makes me really angry, and what I'm worried about, is not that he might do something foolish and die..."

Baek Cheon bit his lip tightly.

"....But that when he dies after doing something foolish..."

"...."

"We're not there with him."

"...."

"I... I get mad about that."

Baek Cheon's tightly clenched fist had veins popping out. Seeing his demeanor, Tang Soso lowered her head slowly.

"....I'm sorry, Sasuk."

"No... There's no need for you to apologize."

In the end, Tang Soso's words had originated from her concern for Chung Myung. Everyone couldn't blame her for that.

"Like a child."

Yoo Iseol, who had been silent until now, spoke in a somewhat aggravated tone. Although she usually maintained the same tone, today there was a hint of agitation.

"Like a fool."

"...."

Baek Cheon let out a deep sigh without saying anything.

"Damn it."

He knew. He was aware of the difference between how they looked at Chung Myung and how Chung Myung looked at them.

But this time, the difference was starkly evident, and it was unbearable for Baek Cheon.

"Sasuk."

At that moment, Yoon Jong spoke up. While the others appeared anxious and restless, his gaze remained calm and clear.

"May I ask one question?"

"....What is it?"

"Going to Gangnam right now is extremely dangerous. Your life can't be guaranteed."

"That's right. Naturally, it's that...."

"And protecting the Mount Hua isn't just about Chung Myung. Perhaps, for the current Mount Hua, Sasuk is even more important than Chung Myung."

Baek Cheon fell silent at Yoon Jong's words.

"So, I'd like to ask. If Chung Myung suggests that you go with him to Gangnam, what will you do, Sasuk? Will you follow him into danger?"

Baek Cheon seemed to understand the reason why Yoon Jong's gaze had been so sharp and clear when everyone else had been looking at Chung Myung with concern. While everyone was looking at Chung Myung's worried back, Yoon Jong alone had been calmly envisioning Mount Hua's future. That's why he asked Baek Cheon this question. Therefore, Baek Cheon couldn't give a dry response.

"I...."

Baek Cheon was about to answer when suddenly Jo Gol urgently spoke up, and everyone turned to look behind them. Hyun Jong, Hyun Sang, and Hyun Young were approaching.

The Five Swords had postponed their conversation and offered a bow to Hyun Jong.

"I greet Sect Leader Hyun."

"...."

Hyun Jong nodded slightly in response to their courtesy. His expression was unusually cold and firm. His gaze had shifted towards Chung Myung's back.

He didn't know how to handle this situation. What Hyun Jong was pondering was a question that couldn't be answered directly.

"Follow us."

"....Yes, Sect Leader."

The Five Swords, with their expressions hardened, followed Hyun Jong and approached Chung Myung.