Chapter 1252: And To Survive! (Part 2)

Southern Island.

Those who were trying to discard those two characters, and those who were trying to die with those two characters engraved in their hearts.

All who had once embraced the two characters of Southern Island held their breath and looked at Kim Yang Baek and Guo Hansuo.

However, those two didn't speak anything more. They simply remained silent as if it were not their turn anymore.

The silence of the two made all of the Southern Island disciples realize.

Whether to join and die together, or stay here and watch over them, the choice was now up to them.

Therefore, the two were not resentful. They didn't loudly proclaim that this was just. Because only you can choose how you will end your life. 

"Ugh."

At that moment, the sound of a sword being drawn broke the deep silence.

Swish. Swish.

Lee Ziyang, with his sword drawn, stepped forward and stood next to Guo Hansuo without saying anything. He didn't need to say anything more. He was conveying that it was Guo Hansuo's duty to guard Kim Yang Baek's back, and it was his duty to guard his side.

Those who were sparked by this sight gritted their teeth.

Swish. Swish.

Several more swordsmen stepped forward and joined.

One, and then another.

It was a short distance just a few steps long, but there were those who walked that endless and distant path with their own feet.

Perhaps they still didn't fully understand the meaning of that path. At their last moments, they might regret those few steps they had taken.

Nevertheless, they walked that path. There were only a few who could accurately explain the reason. Many just believed it must be done.

Swish. Swish.

One and two, dozens of disciples stood by those who shared the same name. And with the sword they had kept by their side for a lifetime, they declared their will.

One more. And another one.

Like waves pushing toward the coast, more and more people added their will to the will of Kim Yang Baek and Guo Hansuo.

But not everyone felt fervent enthusiasm at that sight.

"...Sahyung."

In the trembling, crimson voice, Yugong slightly bit his lips.

'Why...'

Why now, at this moment, do such an unreasonable thing?

It was a done deal now. By going through with the departure ceremony and heading down to Saga, the connection between him and the Southern Island Sect could be neatly settled.

But why in the world do such a ridiculous thing at a time like this?

Those who stepped forward and those who stood still.

The contrast was so starkly vivid.

Sect Leader Kim Yang Baek said he wanted to ease the burdens of those leaving the Southern Island Sect by not holding the departure ceremony. However, from Yugong's perspective, this event was more humiliating than the departure ceremony.

At least the departure ceremony was about suppressing shame and gaining the courage to step forward. Choosing to face ridicule and resentment rather than being swept away by it would give a more courageous appearance.

But not in this situation.

In this dire situation created by Kim Yang Baek, those severing connections with the Southern Island Sect could only stand like stone monuments. Watching those who had vowed to throw their lives in name of the Southern Island Sect.

What made it more humiliating and painful was precisely the backs of those stepping forward.

Originally, those leaving Southern Island should have stepped forward and received the gaze of resentment. They should have left this place under the eyes of those who despised them and tried to feel superior in some way. That gaze, that hostility, would have steadied Yugong.

But at this moment, those who stepped forward did not look back.

No one looked at those left behind. No one showed the eyes of resentment towards Southern Island's defectors. Those left behind had already become a matter of indifference.

That fact made it difficult for Yugong to endure.

"Sahyung... How can this be?"

Even Gohong seemed to sense the atmosphere and anxiously asked Yoo Gong. His face was full of restlessness.

But Yugong coldly rebuffed him.

"Why are you asking me that?"

"...Excuse me?"

"Didn't you hear Sect Leader's words? It's a matter for each individual to decide."

"But, but Sahyung..."

Yugong didn't respond any further. Instead, he stared coldly at Kim Yang Baek.

'How much more must people be made miserable, Sect Leader.'

In this situation, Yugong painfully learned. Sometimes, kindness can be more painful than malice.

Even more people joined the front group at this moment. However, it wasn't a unanimous decision. As time passed without anyone else stepping forward, the elders who had been silent finally joined the ranks of those who stepped forward.

The number of those stepping forward exceeded half of the sect members.

However, that also meant that close to half of the sect members decided to leave the sect rather than join them until the end.

Although they were divided into unequal numbers, the atmosphere was completely different.

Those stepping forward did not bother to check who was left behind. What they saw in their eyes was their Sect Leader, who had staked everything on the two characters, "Southern Island." They saw the outsiders who came from afar to share the road with them, and the arduous path they had to traverse.

But those left behind could only see the backs of those who had pledged to walk the path they did not choose. Therefore, they could not bear to raise their heads and had to lower them.

To those who remained, Kim Yang Baek spoke.

"There's no need to lower your heads."

What Kim Yang Baek uttered was not condemnation or rebuke.

"If having the courage to risk your life is bravery, then it is also courage to suppress your blood and choose to survive. No one can blame that choice."

Kim Yang Baek silently watched those who remained and closed his eyes.

"However... from this moment on, you are no longer disciples of the Southern Island Sect. Although we won't abolish your martial arts or revoke your association with Southern Island, we will prohibit the use of Southern Island's martial arts and erase your name from the sect records."

Everyone knew.

That it was for the sake of those who remained. If they used martial arts carelessly, the Evil Tyrant Alliance would inevitably track them down and try to kill them. In that case, even if those heading towards Gangnam land attracted attention, Southern Island would inevitably face a crisis.

But human hearts were not that simple. Despite knowing that these words were for their benefit, their hearts ached.

"Even if you are no longer disciples of the Southern Island Sect, the fact that you are people of Southern Island will not change. We will head towards Gangnam to protect our name. Those remaining here, protect the lives of the Southern Island people."

The heads of those remaining dropped even further.

No matter how well it was packaged with good words, they were ultimately defectors who willingly abandoned the sect's name. They knew this better than anyone.

It might be more comforting to face anger and endure insults. But Kim Yang Baek did not do that. He simply wished the best for their lives.

This fact made those who remained even more ashamed.

"Leave."

Those who were bewildered by the surging emotions looked at Kim Yang Baek in surprise.

"Long goodbyes are not good. Go down the mountain right now. Let that be the end of your connection with us."

"Sect, Sect Leader."

"Leave."

With those words, Kim Yang Baek closed his eyes firmly.

Those who were watching his expression bit their lips. Then, one by one, they began to bow. Finally, after paying their respects to their sect leader, they turned around, shoulders hunched, and headed towards the mountain gate.

The disciples left.

Some showed tears, some lowered their heads as if guilty, some cursed, and someone struck their chest as if unable to contain their anger.

Those who turned away and those who didn't look back.

Once, they shared the same dream, believed in each other as family, but now their paths had diverged, never to unite again.

And, until the very end, Yugong, the last remaining one, simply stood while biting his lips, gazing at those burdened with Southern Island Sect's name.

His mind told him to leave, but his feet didn't move.

After staring at them for a while, Yugong, biting his lips until they bled, finally spoke.

"Just because you've stayed here doesn't mean you've done anything remarkable."

Yugong didn't know why he was saying such words.

In truth, he had no reason to blame them. He had no reason to force them. In his opinion, he had made a rational choice, and they were nothing more than people who made foolish choices. So, it might be enough to laugh at them and leave.

"Just because we're leaving doesn't mean we're cowards. Please keep the arrogance to a minimum.

Lee Ziyang frowned.

"You...!"

But just as he was about to say something, Guo Hansuo interrupted him, lightly grabbing his robe.

"...Sahyung."

"Enough."

Guo Hansuo raised his head and looked at Yugong.

"Yugong."

"..."

"I have one request."

"What..."

"If you leave, please occasionally check on the remaining Southern Island disciples."

Yugong glared at Guo Hansuo, twisting his face.

"I am no longer a disciple of the Southern Island Sect."

"I know."

Guo Hansuo grinned.

"But with the friendship we had once shared, can't you do that much?"

Yugong stared at Guo Hansuo without saying a word, then abruptly turned around and walked towards the mountain gate without looking back.

Watching his figure, Lee Ziyang ground his teeth in frustration.

"That damn...!"

"Stop it."

Lee Ziyang glared at Yugong, who was leaving the mountain gate. Now, there was no need to pay attention to them anymore.

"Sect Leader."

The departing ones left. However, Guo Hansuo, representing the remaining disciples, opened his mouth.

"Now, what should we do?"

"Hmm."

Kim Yang Baek nodded, looking to the side. Upon that, among those who received his gaze, Im Sobyeong stepped forward.

"All right! From now on, you all need to be busy. First, go to ships at the nearby coast and..."

"Get a boat, you say?"

"No."

"Huh?"

Im Sobyeong smirked with a sly smile.

"Not get, but destroy all the boats on the nearby coast." 

"...What?"

"All of them! Without leaving a single one! Destroy them all, whether it's a fishing boat or whatever!"

"...Yes?"

"Move!"

"..."

Somehow, there was a gut feeling that something different from what was expected would unfold.