Chapter 1532: What Do You Know? (Part 2)

As if asking, 'Why? Did I say something I shouldn't have?' Baek Cheon leaned back on the chair's backrest.

It was an unimaginable posture considering that the leaders of each sect of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance were gathered. However, people paid little attention, or rather, they couldn't. Their gazes were completely focused elsewhere.

And for a good reason... something unprecedented was happening.

The mouth of Tang Gunak, which had always been firmly sealed, opened wide like a fool. It was as if someone had seen a meteor falling on their head while they were sleeping. [?lol]

That expression on Tang Gunak's face?

Without a doubt, not even Tang Soso, let alone Tang Gunak's parents, would have seen such a sight.

Witnessing this rare spectacle, fear began to grip the hearts of those who saw it with their own eyes.

Jo Gol, who thought that any moment now Tang Gunak might spout all sorts of venom from his sleeves, was the first to grab the chair and stealthily retreat from Baek Cheon's side, all while keeping an eye on Tang Gunak.

"Ah..."

Then, he flinched and glanced sideways. It was a belated realization that Yoon Jong might scold him.

But at that moment, what Jo Gol saw was Yoon Jong's back, already quite far away.

"Sahyung?"

No, despite emphasizing the importance of loyalty among the martial siblings...

Kkgik!

At that moment, a sound of a chair being pulled was heard from the opposite side. When everyone's gaze focused, Yoo Iseol, who had moved quite far from Baek Cheon, spoke with an expressionless face.

"It's hot."

"...."

"Really."

"...."

This was definitely not betrayal.

When a person causes such a commotion, there's no way to remedy it. Even if Tang Gunak were to rush forward, and threaten to kill Baek Cheon in front of Hyun Jong right away, Hyun Jong would have to say, 'Ha ha. How can you stab someone to death with spit? Use this instead,' and hold up the Plum Blossom Sword.

However, everyone, including Tang Soso, desperately keeping an eye on Tang Gunak, Baek Cheon, the main character in question, faced Tang Gunak with an annoyed expression.

After a tense standoff that made it hard to breathe.

"Do you understand better after experiencing it?"

"Yes."

"Hmm."

Tang Gunak threw words instead of needles.

"Haa...."

"Hoo..."

"Kueuh."

At the same time, sighs of relief burst from all directions.

"Amitabha. Amitabha. Amitabha."

Hye Yeon continuously recited Buddhist scriptures, sincerely thankful that hell did not unfold in the human world. Perhaps, to him, Tang Gunak might appear as compassionate as Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.

And Baek Cheon, who would undoubtedly seem almost like an Asura in Tang Gunak's eyes, opened his mouth.

"I am not disrespecting the Sichuan Tang Family. I guarantee you, the place that recognizes the Sichuan Tang Family the most in the world is Mount Hua."

"Is that so..."

Before Tang Gunak could finish speaking, Hyun Jong's voice interjected, small and fast.

"All of Deputy Sect Leader's statements are his personal opinions and may differ from Mount Hua's official position."

The speech stopped again, and only Tang Gunak stared blankly at Hyun Jong. [lmao it's like those disclaimers in ads]

Hyun Jong, with his neck twisted as if looking at a distant window, didn't even make eye contact with Tang Gunak.

"...Right. That's... right. Deputy Sect Leader."

Tang Gunak thought.

Perhaps, if the day came when Mount Hua was set on fire again, it might not be the work of the Demonic Cult but rather their own doing.

Baek Cheon spoke.

"I am not underestimating the capabilities of the Tang Family; instead, it is Gaju-nim who does."

"...Me?"

Doubt flickered in Tang Gunak's eyes. Baek Cheon, looking at him, replied firmly.

"Yes. Soso's words are never wrong. The Tang Family, even in small numbers, can exert great strength. When they stand behind us, we can fight twice as hard."

"Hmm..."

"If Soso's proposal doesn't align with the Tang Family's ways, it is natural to reject it. However, because Soso's words are not wrong, it becomes difficult for us to accept. That's..."

Baek Cheon's gaze shifted towards Tang Soso and Tang Pae.

"Because it is an insult to those who protected our lives in that hellish place."

The Five Swords all nodded in agreement. And perhaps provocatively, they stared at Tang Gunak.

In that gaze, Tang Gunak felt an inexplicable emotion churning inside him.

Pride? Dignity?

No.

The emotion that momentarily overwhelmed Tang Gunak was nothing other than anger and resentment.

Was it worth getting so angry? To the extent of losing composure for a moment?

And soon, he figured out the cause of his emotions.

It wasn't because they resisted him that he was moved. It was the emotion of resentment because they resisted him. Simply put...

'Now, they're no longer children.'

When a wolf cub bites an adult wolf's leg and hangs onto it, the adult wolf either licks the cub or lightly bites it without causing harm as a form of discipline.

But when it's no longer a cub but a full-grown wolf biting the leg, then a fight ensues, and one of them has to submit to end the conflict.

Humans are no different.

There were disputes with them before, but what made this time so different was that he now accepted them as equals. 

"Deputy Sect Leader."

"Yes."

"Is Deputy Sect Leader's words now meant to praise your Sajils' efforts? Or..."

"No."

Baek Cheon raised his head without bothering to listen to the rest.

"I did not step forward as their Sahyung. I stepped forward as an individual. Tang Soso and Tang Pae are individuals I naturally respect. Not because of their status but because of their abilities."

The Five Swords, and even Chung Myung, nodded in agreement. At the same time, Tang Soso's eyes became red.

Tang Gunak silently observed this scene with his eyes. His lips trembled slightly. Those whom he had acknowledged as equals were now acknowledging his daughter and son.

This meant...

"Then I will ask for the last time."

"Yes."

"As someone who has experienced the most battles within the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, who has overcome adversity from Southern Island to here, and as the Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua, what do you think of these two's arguments?"

"...."

"Do you believe there is a reason for the Tang Family to choose that path?"

Baek Cheon's gaze became a bit clearer and more focused.

"I won't dare to discuss the Tang Family's affairs."

"...Is that so?"

Tang Gunak muttered. Baek Cheon added,

"But if I were the head of the Sichuan Tang Family, I would not ignore the experiences and opinions of those who will lead the Tang Family in the future."

The question asked with Tang Soso in mind was answered with Tang Pae in mind. However, it didn't matter. Both Tang Soso and Tang Pae had put forward their opinions.

Tang Gunak's expression was heavy. Everyone silently watched, waiting for his decision.

Tang Gunak's gaze briefly turned towards Chung Myung.

A talkative, noisy person who liked to step forward anytime, anywhere.

Yet, since this discussion began, he hadn't uttered a single opinion. He just stood with clenched fists and watched. Behind the Five Swords.

Tang Gunak smiled awkwardly.

"Well then, I..."

* * *

"Ah!"

Jo Gol screamed and jumped up. Once again, a needle pierced the tip of his finger. Yoon Jong spoke without even looking at him.

"Stop exaggerating. A guy who didn't even groan when a sword pierced his abdomen."

"Well, it hurts in different areas, you know?"

"...Can't win against the Tang Family for a lifetime."

"What?"

Yoon Jong shook his head slightly.

Tang Gunak eventually accepted Tang Soso's opinion. Although there was a condition attached that they would test it until before the war and immediately revert if it was not satisfactory, it was practically an approval.

"Honestly, isn't this ridiculous?"

Jo Gol said, looking at Yoon Jong as if he couldn't believe it.

"No, dividing a martial arts sect into smaller factions ultimately means that the orders of the head cannot be delivered to each individual. It means entrusting the lives of Tang Family members to the instructions of other factions."

"Right."

"If it's Sahyung, could you make that decision?"

"What's so great about that?"

"Isn't it a great thing? Can you die according to the orders of the Prince Seol?"

"Prince Seol is an excellent person, so naturally..."

"What about a vice commander Han?"

Yoon Jong remained silent. Instead, his eyebrows twitched.

"No, not even a vice commander, but what if it's one of the senior disciples of the Ice Palace?"

"Alright."

In the end, along with a groaning sound, Yoon Jong sighed.

"Well, your point is correct. It's definitely something we couldn't even imagine if we were doing it the way we did before."

"Right?"

"So, isn't Tang Gaju-nim amazing? Because he accepted that without doubts."

"...Is it possible to withdraw even now?"

"You're not saying this because you don't want to sew, are you?"

Seeing him hesitate, it seemed to be the right answer.

"Don't scheme and work diligently. Remember what Soso said? Those who can't do it properly will be dragged to the Healer's Group."

"...What did she eat to grow up to be so inconsiderate?"

"She grew up eating poison."

"Ah..."

The Healer's Group. A temporary organization within the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, formed based on the opinions of Tang Soso and Tang Pae.

Currently, Tang Soso was busy gathering all the martial artists of the Tang Family except for the elders and the female disciples to learn medicine and healing arts.

Of course, the nominal leader of the Healers was Tang Soso and the real leader was Tang Gunak, but Tang Soso actively performed a substantial role in the Healers, much like she did at Mount Hua.

Jo Gol still felt unfairly treated.

"No, in the end, everything was done according to her words, so why are we asked to do this?"

"I've already said it ten times, haven't I? Even if there is a doctor behind you, there is a world of difference in whether the person fighting knows how to properly administer simple first aid or not. If you know how to do just that, you can save three out of ten people."

"Ugh."

Jo Gol scratched his head in frustration.

Since there was no way to win with logic, he decided to go along with it while complaining, but it didn't seem to suit his temperament.

"No! What on earth is so interesting about needlework, Sasuk?!"

"...Well, if you do it quietly, you'll get addicted."

"What a great talent, really!"

On the other hand, Baek Cheon was almost like a fish in water. People around him admired and watched him.

"Look at this. The gap is really as small as a hair."

"See how dense it is. It could even repel rainwater."

"Sasuk, can you put a plum blossom here, a plum blossom?"

"It's not embroidery!"

Jo Gol tossed his tattered fabric, grumbling.

"No, what do we gain by doing this well? We just have to swing our swords well."

"To wield the sword well, do needlework."

"What?"

Yoon Jong spread the cloth he was holding, revealing his needlework, which was similar to Baek Cheon's—tight and uniform, stitch by stitch.

"Watching quietly, I realized that those who curse because they can't do this well have a commonality."

"What commonality is that?"

"Quick-tempered, aggressive, and those who prefer swinging a sword freely rather than sticking to a fixed style."

"Huh?"

"Yeah, that's right. People like you."

Yoon Jong clicked his tongue.

"This is more about patience than skill. And the sword is no different. A sword that cannot resist the impulse to swing fast and hard is simply a sword of the Evil Sect."

"..."

"If you want to get stronger, learn to restrain the sword first."

"That's true."

Even Baek Cheon supported Yoon Jong.

"Can those who can't handle needles properly handle a sword properly?"

"..."

"Once it's in the hands of a Mount Hua swordsman, whether it's a needle or a sword, it has to be perfect. So, stop complaining and do your best. It'll save your lives and mine."

"Yes!"

"We'll keep that in mind, Sasuk!"

Baek Cheon nodded and was about to look at the fabric again, but suddenly turned his gaze. Because there was something that caught his eye.

He promptly stood up and approached the nearby table. What had caught his eye was a piece of cloth that looked almost like a rag—a complete mess.

"Whose is this?"

"Um, well..."

"Tell me the truth. Which one of you did the sewing like this? I clearly said to do it as precisely as swordsmanship! Who did it?"

"Sasuk, that's..."

"Didn't I say to tell me..."

"Sasuk, it was Chung Myung."

"..."

Baek Cheon, who silently stared down at the rag, which looked like a child had scribbled on it, returned to his seat without saying a word.

Then, he quietly resumed sewing.

* * *

"How is it?"

"Aaaagh!"

Startled, Tang Gunak flinched and stepped back.

They just asked how it was, but his cute and pretty...and sometimes embarrassing daughter, even for her father, had a fit.

"Why aren't you listening! Why!"

"..."

"No, what's the big deal if you know more about medicine? Have you been to the battlefield? Have you ever treated someone while dodging swords? Whether it's this guy or that guy, if they've caught an injury where they can't even utter a word and are about to die, they can't keep their mouths shut!" 

Still, even though they were the brothers and sisters of a family, wasn't their way of talking too different...

...Tang Gunak only said these things in his mind.

"It's difficult, huh."

"It is difficult!"

Thud!

Tang Soso slammed the ground hard. Then, with her eyes burning, she shouted,

"But we have to do it!"

"Hmm."

"I'm not saying it's easy, but we have to do it! It's better than crying in front of a dying person!"

Indeed, it was a firm and determined statement. Seeing his daughter full of determination, Tang Gunak smiled subtly.

"My daughter after all."

It was a statement made as the head of the family, and also as a father.