Chapter 1438: Alright, I'll Remember That (Part 3)

The first to speak was, of course, Tang Gunak.

"Thanks to the Southern Edge Sect's visit, the Tang Family's disciples' lives were spared. I do not know how to repay this kindness."

Upon hearing this, Southern Edge's sect leader, Jong Rigok, smiled broadly.

Despite the years passed in Bongmun, Jong Rigok's appearance seemed unchanged. No, he even appeared younger than before Bongmun.

"You're being too kind. It was something I had to do."

"You must have been busy with Bongmun."

"Well, I was already thinking about releasing the seal. But when I heard that the Evil Sect was attacking the Tang Family, I couldn't stay away."

Tang Gunak bowed his head again.

"We are just grateful."

"Don't mention it, Gaju-nim. We, too, are extremely grateful that our first act after opening Bongmun was helping the Tang Family. This os a matter of course for a sect that understands righteousness."

"Hah!"

Someone's snicker cut through the conversation. Jong Rigok raised an eyebrow and turned his gaze in the direction of the sound.

"Um..."

It was Chung Myung, Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword.

Jong Rigok sighed involuntarily at the sight of him in disarray. However, it wasn't just because Chung Myung's condition was terrible.

"It seems Sodojang is uncomfortable." [So = "small"]

"No. Well, hearing righteousness come from Southern Edge's mouth, my nose started itching."

"Chung Myung!"

The Five Swords hastily restrained Chung Myung. However, Chung Myung shrugged as if to say he didn't say anything wrong.

Jong Rigok shook his head in exasperation.

"Sodojang hasn't changed."

"They say people die when they suddenly change. By the way, Sect Leader, you don't seem as young as before either?"

"Ah!"

"Shut your mouth!"

The Five Swords panicked as they covered Chung Myung's mouth.

In that absurd spectacle, Jong Rigok unconsciously opened his mouth, but quickly shut it, letting out a groaning sound. Reflexively, he attempted to give a scolding, but now he recalled the fact that this young swordsman had risen to a position where he couldn't easily provoke him.

They say even mountains change in ten years, but isn't there a limit? During the time Southern Edge entered Bongmun, the positions of Mount Hua and Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword Chung Myung had changed drastically. That man was no longer an inexperienced disciple of Mount Hua.

Jong Rigok's gaze shifted slightly to the side.

"Sect Leader seems to have gotten younger?"

"I was just about to say that as well. It's nice to see an improved appearance, Sect Leader."

Jong Rigok's subtle smile deepened at Hyun Jong's response.

There was still a palpable discomfort in Hyun Jong's attitude towards Jong Rigok. It couldn't be helped. Jong Rigok and Hyun Jong had maintained an uneasy relationship for decades.

But at the same time, he could clearly feel it. Despite the awkwardness in Hyun Jong's attitude, there was no sense of intimidation.

"Is this truly the Mount Hua Sect Leader Hyun Jong that I knew?"

He had watched him for over decades.

Therefore, Jong Rigok considered himself to know Hyun Jong better than anyone in the martial world. The Hyun Jong he evaluated was a naive and inflexible leader who simply watched Mount Hua crumble without taking any action.

Moreover, he was timid by nature, and in his eagerness to please people and be the better person, he ended up being a pathetic figure who couldn't make the right decisions at crucial moments.

But now, the Hyun Jong standing in front of him showed none of those familiar traits. The man who always laughed with his shoulders drooped was nowhere to be found, replaced by someone emitting a strange sense of authority.

And...

Jong Rigok lifted his head and looked at the Mount Hua Sect.

'These kids...'

At that moment, he burst into laughter involuntarily.

'Considering that we've gone through this extent of Bongmun and reorganized the sect, I thought it wouldn't be a big deal to take control of Shaanxi.' 

Thinking about it, how many things had changed since the martial arts competition?

Jong Rigok spoke.

"...Sect Leader."

At that moment, Hyun Jong seemed to remember something and hesitated before speaking.

"Ah, I'm sorry, Sect Leader. There was a misunderstanding. I have already stepped back from the position of Mount Hua's Sect Leader."

"...What?"

Jong Rigok blinked in surprise.

Although they had entered Bongmun, he hadn't completely closed his ears. However, the news that Hyun Jong had stepped back from the position of Mount Hua's Sect Leader was something he heard for the first time.

Hyun Jong smiled calmly and said.

"Now, Un Am is the Sect Leader of Mount Hua."

"...Already?"

Hyun Jong nodded silently.

"I may have seemed a bit early, but I concluded that it was the right decision."

"Hmm."

Jong Rigok's gaze changed once again.

He hated to admit it, but the current Mount Hua was different from the past. The current Mount Hua wasn't a third-rate sect waiting for the day to put down its plaque, but the ruler of Shaanxi establishing dominance in the martial world.

Therefore, the past Mount Hua Sect Leader and the current Mount Hua Sect Leader couldn't be the same. Now, just holding the position of Mount Hua's Sect Leader allowed for wielding numerous things and gaining admiration from the world.

But after a lifetime of suffering and finally obtaining something, could one simply pass it on to the next generation and step aside?

'I don't know.'

He had felt this way for a long time, but he truly didn't match with Hyun Jong. Perhaps they would never understand each other throughout their lives.

Just like how Mount Hua and Southern Edge could never have a close relationship forever.

While the leaders were exchanging words as if gauging each other's thoughts, Mount Hua's disciples, after several years, looked at Southern Edge with renewed curiosity.

"...Don't these kids seem quite different?"

Jo Gol whispered, and Yoon Jong responded with a furrowed brow.

"They've been in Bongmun for a long time. Of course, they must have become stronger than before."

"No, Sahyung. It's not that..."

Jo Gol wore a troubled expression.

Certainly, their skills would have naturally improved. From even before Bongmun, wasn't Southern Edge recognized as a leading sect among the Ten Great Sects alongside Shaolin and Wudang? Moreover, considering the exponential rise in the strength of its martial arts with the passage of time, it would be odd if they didn't get stronger.

But the discomfort Jo Gol felt now wasn't due to their strength. He couldn't explain it, but there was something different about the atmosphere they exuded compared to before.

"But these kids keep acting weird, don't they, Sahyung?"

"...Don't make eye contact."

"Are they scared?"

"No, you punk. It's not that..."

"When I was young, I heard if you get hit, it stays with you for a lifetime."

"..."

"Huh? Is that true?"

Jo Gol turned to Yoon Jong with a shocked expression.

"No, Sahyung..."

Thunk!

At that moment, Baek Cheon smacked Jo Gol on the head.

"Be quiet. The Sect Leaders are having a conversation."

"...This is a bit unfair, Sasuk."

"Unfair."

Baek Cheon was about to say one more thing when...

"It's not just a blunder."

Familiar but forever annoying, a stern voice pierced his ears. Baek Cheon turned his gaze with a slight frown.

So similar, yet so different.

That face made him feel both comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time.

Gazing into what seemed like a downward look, Baek Cheon let out a deep sigh.

"It's been a while."

At Baek Cheon's words, Jin Geumryong looked at him as if searching. The sharp gaze of Jin Geumryong intertwined with Baek Cheon's calm gaze in the air.

Soon, a crooked smile appeared on Jin Geumryong's lips.

"You're lucky to be alive."

"..."

"Being too ambitious for your abilities leads to trouble. People should know their place."

"No..."

Jo Gol was about to say something, but Baek Cheon tightly grabbed his nape.

"Sa-Sasuk!"

"I also think that way."

"Uh?"

Baek Cheon released Jo Gol, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Do reckless things beyond your capabilities, and you might really die. But what can we do? Being next to a twisted guy is just part of the world's nature."

Baek Cheon glanced briefly at Chung Myung before smiling wryly again.

He just hoped he got hit a bit less painfully.

Jin Geumryong stared at Baek Cheon silently. Seeing his younger brother's smiling face was unpleasant, so he coldly spoke with a frown.

"Don't go crazy, relying only on trivial fame. You might end up dead."

"...I will try my best."

"You..."

Just as Jin Geumryong was about to retort, someone quickly approached and casually opened their mouth.

"It's been a while since meeting his younger brother, it seems like Sahyung is very pleased."

"Lee Songbaek!"

"Seeing Sahyung speak so much is a rare sight. Hahaha."

As Lee Songbaek laughed awkwardly, Jin Geumryong frowned.

"Tsk."

Shortly after, he turned his body away from them, creating some distance.

Baek Cheon took a deep breath, touching his forehead with his hand. It seemed like meeting Jin Geumryong alone was too much for him.

Lee Songbaek, with a smile on his face, spoke.

"I may have intervened without courtesy, but it wasn't just an impromptu remark. I am genuinely glad to see you."

"...I know, he's a problem for me to deal with."

That was the way Jin Geumryong had always been.

Even now, if one were to put his remark in a positive light, it would be a warning not to push too hard and risk death despite one's high reputation.

Was there anyone else in the world who could irritate him so much with such words?

"Nice to see you again, Baek Cheon Dojang. Do you remember me?"

"...Of course, I remember, Lee Songbaek Sohyeop."

He was unforgettable.

To some, Lee Songbaek might be just an ordinary martial artist from Southern Edge, and to others, he might've been an impressive figure from the martial arts competition.

However, the meaning of Lee Songbaek, as remembered by Baek Cheon, was different from both.

'A martial artist acknowledged by that bastard.'

Someone acknowledged by that guy whose eyes weren't on the top of people's heads but dangled at the edge of the sky. Not just anyone but a swordsman of none other sect than Southern Edge. What more was there to say to describe this person?

And even if Baek Cheon didn't know about this acknowledgment until now, from this moment on, he couldn't forget it.

'Presence... ' [idk, '기도가']

It was a presence that couldn't be described by any other terms.

Despite being non-threatening, there was a considerable weight. Even though it wasn't intimidating, it provided a sense of stability that even someone like Baek Cheon, who had no particular affinity, could feel.

The problem was that this sense of stability strangely irritated Baek Cheon.

'...Is this the natural feeling of a Mount Hua swordsman observing a Southern Edge swordsman?'

Baek Cheon now had an intuitive understanding of why Southern Edge and Mount Hua had got along

"Um... well..."

Lee Songbaek seemed to have something to say, hesitating to open and close his mouth repeatedly. Watching this, Baek Cheon raised his eyebrows slightly.

It wasn't himself whom Lee Songbaek was looking at. Even though his actions could be perceived as disrespectful, Baek Cheon wasn't particularly offended.

Sometimes, there were things more important than martial arts.

"Chung Myung."

"What?"

Chung Myung, who had been eagerly waiting for a chance to interject the conversation between Rogik and Hyun Jong, turned his head aggressively.

"Come here."

"Why?"

"Just come."

"Ugh."

Chung Myung walked towards them, seeming annoyed.

"Why?"

"Say hello."

"Huh?"

Chung Myung's eyes widened upon seeing Lee Songbaek standing in front of Baek Cheon.

"Huh? You...?"

"Chung Myung Dojang! It's been a long time. Have you been well?"

"You...?"

"Yes!"

Chung Myung's head turned awkwardly to the side.

"Who...are you again?"

A brief silence ensued. Lee Songbaek's shoulders slumped. The heads of those who had been discreetly watching their encounter also dropped.

Baek Cheon's face flushed hotly.

'I'm an idiot for expecting something.'

Acknowledgment? Forget it.