Chapter 1392: He Will Be Waiting For Us (Part 2)

Breath caught in his throat.

'Going to save him?'

Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword?

Well, thinking about it, it wasn't a surprising choice. If you considered who they were, it might have seemed quite natural. However...

"Deputy Sect Leader."

Guo Hansuo forcibly opened his mouth, calming his trembling voice.

"As you know... the rear is currently filled with the Myriad Man Manor pursuing us. Going to save the Chung Myung Dojang now wouldn't be much different stating that you will break through them."

Baek Cheon looked at Guo Hansuo in silence.

"I know that Mount Hua is strong. I'm well aware that we can't compare with you. However..."

Guo Hansuo's words trailed off. Everyone could anticipate what would come next.

This was tantamount to suicide.

They had done everything they could to escape from the Myriad Man Manor's grasp.

The fear of when the latter might leap behind them and thrust a sword had haunted them, leading them here.

But now, they were about to leap back into the arms of those who chased them, all for the sake of saving one person?

'It's madness.'

Could this really be considered an act of righteousness or courage?

A truly courageous person might risk their life to enter a burning house and save a crying child.

Going there could be considered courageous. But could it still be considered courage when someone who lost an arm in the process leaped back into the flames to save another child?

Even when the place they're leaping into has become several times more dangerous?

That wasn't courage.

Those capable of such actions are nothing but broken individuals.

However, among the disciples of Mount Hua discussing this insane plan, not a single face showed hesitation or fear.

The faces of those stating the obvious as if it were natural made Guo Hansuo feel indescribable emotions.

"We sincerely apologize to the people of Southern Island."

"Now, Deputy Sect Leader."

"But as I mentioned, it seems that Mount Hua has fulfilled the principles it owes you."

Guo Hansuo nodded involuntarily.

In fact, saying 'it seems' was meaningfull. What Mount Hua had provided was overwhelming.

Even if they had abandoned them in the middle of the journey north, Guo Hansuo wouldn't have blamed them.

"To expect more from Mount Hua would be beyond audacity, something a human shouldn't do. But, Deputy Sect Leader... are you really okay?"

The answer was already known.

Because the answer from someone with such a gaze was predictable.

However, the response he heard began a bit differently than expected.

"Well, I'm not sure. Actually, as the Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua, my responsibilities end here."

"Huh?"

"What remains is not the Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua, but only Baek Cheon, a disciple of Mount Hua. So, I will just do what I want to do."

"Oh, no, then what about the others..."

"They'll manage on their own. I have no intention of forcing them."

Guo Hansuo unintentionally opened his mouth. There was something different about Baek Cheon's atmosphere now.

A subtle expression could be sensed on his gentle face.

"Those who want to follow will follow, and those who want to stay will stay. That is none of my concern, is it?"

"Well, no..."

At that moment, Jo Gol spoke as if irritated.

"Why so many words? We don't have time for this." [Thank you, bro]

Guo Hansuo, with an absurd expression, turned his gaze towards Jo Gol, but Yoon Jong caught Jo Gol and scolded him.

"Deputy Sect Leader, don't you have things to do?"

"Then, shall we wait?"

"No, just leave him alone."

"Wow... I didn't even think of that."

As those words ended, Yoo Iseol walked briskly and stood next to Yoon Jong.

"So arrogant."

"Sago, that's not what I was thinking..."

"I can't do that, I'm the one leading the way."

"...Yes."

Tang Soso also stood by Yoo Iseol's side with a firm face, and Hye Yeon naturally stood next to Jo Gol.

They were going to Chung Myung now, not because of Baek Cheon's orders, it seemed.

'What is this...'

In the midst of the absurd scene, while Guo Hansuo was at a loss for words, Baek Cheon opened his mouth with a plaintive expression.

"See, they're not people who will listen to my words. I suppose I should be thankful for them coming all the way here without complaints."

"If it weren't Sasuk."

"If it weren't Deputy Sect Leader."

"If it weren't Dong Ryong."

"Which bastard was that just now?"

When Baek Cheon scolded, everyone looked back.

A hollow laughter escaped from Guo Hansuo's mouth.

Now, they would have to go to a battlefield akin to hell.

To a place where the likelihood of returning alive was much lower than the likelihood of death. But there was no sign of burden or tension on them.

No, it wasn't that there was no burden and tension. But there was something more important than that.

'Did they plan for this from the beginning?'

Is that why they fought so fiercely, raising their speed as much as possible? To lead them to the safest place possible and then turn back on that path?

"If you're done talking, let's go."

Guo Hansuo turned his head towards the direction where the voice came from.

Namgung Dowi, the Sogaju of the Namgung Family, was already turning around as if it were a natural choice.

With the Sogaju of the Tang Family, Tang Pae.

The remaining one...

"I'll say it clearly."

Nokrim King Im Sobyeong said with a chilly tone as he looked at them.

"This goes against the will of Chung Myung Dojang."

The faces of everyone slightly hardened at his words.

"Chung Myung Dojang doesn't want you to do this madness. Even if a miracle happens and you face each other again after going through hell, all you will hear is curses, and the probability of dying together is higher."

"......."

"But still, will you go?"

At that, Baek Cheon scratched his ear with a disgruntled expression.

With a completely different and unprecedentedly unruly face, he replied casually.

"What do you want me to do?"

"...Yes?"

Nokrim King blinked as if he couldn't understand. This response seemed truly unexpected.

"So, what should I do?"

"......"

"It seems Nokrim King doesn't quite understand. Take note of this opportunity."

"What are you talking about?"

"I am his Sasuk, me!"

"...Yes?"

"But why should I listen to that bastard? Why should I listen to a bastard with no rank above me! It's not that I should listen to that bastard; he should listen to me! Do you understand?"

"That's right."

"Exactly! I'm his Sahyung!"

"I agree. Although I'm a disciple."

Im Sobyeong's mouth trembled with laughter.

"Do you all share the same thoughts?"

Receiving those gazes, Namgung Sego and Tang Family's owner shrugged their shoulders.

"Of course, we know this is an unrealistic thing. If you think about gains and losses, it would be right to give up cleanly."

"But isn't friendship about not discussing such things?"

Namgung Dowi said firmly.

"That's why it's the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. If you're going to discuss gains and losses, should I be in this position? I should have died in Plum Blossom Island. But even then, Chung Myung Dojang came to save Namgung. At that time, we became friends. So now, I'll put my life on the line for him."

"........"

"Is the Sogaju of the Tang Family of the same mind?"

"If I abandon Chung Myung Dojang and return, I'll die at the hands of my father anyway."

"......."

"This way, it will be a slightly less painful way to die."

At those words, some nodded. The concept of the enraged Lord of the Tang Family was terrifying enough to plague their nightmares.

"Crazy people."

"So, what will Nokrim King do then?"

"Tsk tsk, making pitiful remarks."

Im Sobyeong took out a fan from his robes. Seeing this, some murmured.

'How many fans does he carry around?'

'They seem to serve different purposes?'

Im Sobyeong spread the fan wide, covering half of his face as he spoke.

"It's obvious that if that person dies, Nokrim will be left in debt. It's a good deal to take advantage of this opportunity to wipe out a debt or two."

"....Now I understand why Nokrim is poor."

"He can't do calculations. Not at all."

"Quiet!"

Reacting to Im Sobyeong's angered response, Baek Cheon chuckled and turned towards Guo Hansuo.

"Please understand."

Guo Hansuo hesitated for a moment and then spoke in a suppressed voice.

"Deputy Sect Leader. If that's the case..."

"No."

As if predicting what he was about to say, Baek Cheon interrupted him.

"That can't be done. Trying to lead Southern Island back now would make everything we've done so far foolish."

"..."

"It's not a feasible option with our current numbers. So don't worry and go. And definitely survive. That way, everything we've done won't be in vain."

Im Sobyeong nodded.

"It will be more helpful to attract their attention towards the Yangtze River by letting Southern Island go as it is."

"See that."

Guo Hansuo's shoulders slumped. Their words were correct. But...

"If that's the case, then even I..."

Baek Cheon smiled slightly and lowered his head.

"That's not possible either. Guo Sohyeop should lead the Southern Island Sect. You know that, right?"

The difference between Southern island with and without Guo Hansuo would be significant. Therefore, although Guo Hansuo understood, he couldn't accompany them.

Unable to do this or that, when Guo Hansuo clenched his fists, Baek Cheon laughed and patted his shoulder.

"Don't worry. When we meet again in Gangbuk, I'll collect interest."

With that, Guo Hansuo eventually dropped his head.

These guys were fools. Irredeemable fools.

It was incomprehensible. Whether idiots gathered particularly around Chung Myung or if he made those around him idiots.

But now, Guo Hansuo wanted to become one of those fools.

"Alright."

Baek Cheon turned away from Southern Island. Without a trace of regret.

His gaze was not on the comrades he would be with, but on the path they had to break through.

No, it was someone at the end of that path.

"Are you ready?"

"What's the point of saying that again?"

"True."

Baek Cheon smirked. Truly absurd.

Swish.

Baek Cheon pulled out the Plum Blossom Sword from his sword sheath and gripped it firmly in his hand.

"Whoever falls behind will be left behind."

"Don't get exhausted, Sasuk."

"Damn bastards."

Gritting his teeth, Baek Cheon moved forward without saying another word.

His comrades, turning into beams of light, followed him.

"Let's go! Towards that damn guy!"

"Yes!"

The disciples of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance exerted all their strength and rushed forward.

And as Guo Hansuo blankly stared at their retreating figures, he gnashed his teeth.

He also wanted to be there. But he couldn't go. Because he had those to protect.

So...

"Sahyung, I'll be back."

Guo Hansuo turned his head.

"Ziyang?"

Lee Ziyang spoke with a sour expression.

"Southern Island has its pride, right? At least, we shouldn't hear the story that only we survived leaving our benefactors behind."

"....."

"Even if someone dies, it's better for me to die than for you to die. That's it."

"Ziyang!"

Without waiting for Guo Hansuo's approval, Lee Ziyang chased after those who had gone ahead.

Guo Hansuo, who had stretched out his hand towards his departing figure, awkwardly lowered the fist he had clenched into empty air.

"...Good grief."

A disheartened voice echoed with a deep sigh.