658 Chapter 1546: Nevertheless (Part 1)

Stormy vigor, naive daydreams... it wasn't like that.

Even if it were, it wouldn't matter. The whims of a child may furrow brows, and the daydreams of someone with nothing may elicit laughter, but Yoon Jong, in his current state, was neither a child nor someone with nothing.

The disciples couldn't say a word. Not even Hyun Jong.

Because they knew it was too humiliating for them to utter blunt words on that hot yet cool, well-forged resolve.

"Yoon Jong..."

Eventually, it was Baek Cheon who spoke. However, even he stopped speaking after a brief hesitation.

He understood him, but because now was not the time to be stubborn.

He wanted to say those words, and he still believed it was something that needed to be said.

However, he couldn't bring himself to do it. He had endured so much, listening to similar words countless times. But now, when it came to saying those words directly to Yoon Jong, Baek Cheon couldn't find the words.

Maybe it was because he had matured, or maybe it was because he could now see things he couldn't see before.

At least, he hoped it wasn't just the fear that came with having more to lose and protect.

No one could speak up willingly. Agreeing with Yoon Jong's words would be considered thoughtless, yet no one dared to confront him directly.

Aware of everyone's sentiments, Yoon Jong spoke up.

"I have no intention of causing harm with my momentary thoughts."

"..."

"But I believe someone must do it. So please don't stop me; just let me go. That's all I ask."

In the end, it was Baek Cheon who sighed and spoke, his voice mixed with a heavy sigh.

"It's not allowed."

"Sasuk."

"I'm not denying your words. But you can't go alone."

"I..."

"No matter what you say, it's not allowed. If you're going alone, you'll have to go through me. I will not allow it until my head is severed."

Yoon Jong bit his lip tightly. If Baek Cheon had asserted his authority, Yoon Jong would have resisted immediately. But now, Baek Cheon was not speaking as the Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua; he was expressing concern as a fellow disciple.

How could they argue about right or wrong in this situation?

Just then, someone threw a question into the mix.

"Is it allowed if he doesn't go alone?"

When Baek Cheon turned his gaze, there was a person standing calmly with a composed face.

"I ask. If he is not alone, will you let him go?"

"..."

"No, let me rephrase. Even if he doesn't go, if we decide to go, will you stop us?"

Baek Cheon bit the inside of his mouth tightly.

Guo Hansuo. He, who represented the Southern Island Sect in this gathering, was staring at Baek Cheon more resolutely than ever.

"Guo Sohyeop. This is..."

"Please do not stop us. No, even if you try to stop us, we must go."

"Why?"

Before Baek Cheon could voice his concerns, Guo Hansuo glanced briefly at Yoon Jong.

"Because we've forgotten."

"…What?"

"Not always, but occasionally. And now... more often than when we used to think."

Guo Hansuo slowly nodded. His expression was serious.

"No. Now there are more times when I don't think about it than when I do."

Soon, everyone's faces darkened. They realized who he was referring to.

Those left in Southern Island.

They had reassured themselves by insisting that the Evil Tyrant Alliance wouldn't have the capacity to vent their frustration in Southern Island, trying hard to believe that Southern Island was not an important place to them now.

But was it really so?

It was impossible to know.

The Evil Tyrant Alliance may have left them alone to focus on the war, or they may have wielded cruel blades upon them as an example. Regardless of the choice made by the Evil Tyrant Alliance, all those present could only wish for the safety of those living in Southern Island.

"I don't want to vent or lament. I've just realized once again. There's not a single wrong thing in his words. Despite the pain and bitterness, I'm now living with acceptance."

"..."

"We lost numerous disciples and the Sect Leader. Honestly, it has been a constant misery. Betrayed by the Ten Great Sects, attacked by the Evil Sect – we wondered why we alone had to endure such unfair suffering."

Some members of the Five Swords nodded. It was understandable since they had felt the same way about the Mount Hua of the past.

"But thanks to Yoon Jong Dojang's words, I've learned how absurd our actions were. The ones who suffered the most were ultimately those who remained in Southern Island. We, who abandoned them and came here, were pretending to be unhappy."

A bitter smile of self-mockery surfaced. Hyun Jong, who had been deeply affected, comforted Guo Hansuo.

"Guo Sohyeop, don't blame yourself. It was inevitable, wasn't it?"

"Yes. That's right, Maengju-nim. We lacked strength, and our abilities fell short. At that time, we had no other choice. But now..."

Guo Hansuo looked at Hyun Jong and quietly asked.

"Is it the same now?"

Hyun Jong remained silent. There was a clear determination in Guo Hansuo's face.

"Southern Island is still lacking. We lack the ability to retake Southern Island, and all we can do is hope that our sincere apologies reach those suffering beyond the sea. However..."

After taking a deep breath, Guo Hansuo continued.

"Now we have the means. There are those who can save and help the residents of Southern Island with their own strength."

"Guo Sohyeop..."

"Even though there is a place where our strength can reach, if we just sit here and attach our backsides, wouldn't it ultimately be admitting that we didn't go to rescue the residents of Southern Island because we were afraid?"

Hyun Jong closed his eyes. Even though he knew that Guo Hansuo's words would steer the meeting in a direction everyone wished to avoid, he couldn't bring himself to stop him. What else could be done?

Guo Hansuo tightly grasped the sword at his waist.

"I still can't take pride in my sword like Yoon Jong Dojang. I've achieved nothing, protected nothing. I still don't know the grand reason for wielding this sword. But there is one thing!"

Guo Hansuo sharpened the blade faintly.

"I know that we can not show this appearance to the late Sect Leader who went through agony for Southern Island."

"..."

"The Southern Island Sect will go to save Anhui."

At that moment, someone intervened.

"No. This is going too far, Guo Sohyeop. This is not Southern Island's business."

Guo Hansuo sighed.

If someone else had uttered those words, he would have exploded in anger. But coming from that person, it was understandable. No, talking about this matter without mentioning that person was impossible.

"I will go."

Namgung Dowi, with a resolute expression, spoke as if spitting out the words.

"If no one goes, we will endure. Even if it means stabbing ourselves, we will endure. But if no one else goes, the Namgung Family will go."

The disciples let out long-held breaths. Suppressed emotions were bursting out and spreading. It was as if a dam was rupturing, and water was gushing out in all directions.

The Heavenly Comrade Alliance was still young. Therefore, sometimes, emotions moved their hearts more than logic.

And now, the people leading this meeting were not the Alliance Lord Hyun Jong or Vice Lord Tang Gunak, but the young disciples of each sect.

"This..."

Tang Gunak pressed his temples as if his head hurt.

A sharp glance returned to the starting point of all these events – Yoon Jong.

He was facing Tang Gunak with a calm expression. It wasn't the composure that came from having done nothing wrong. It was the confidence that if death were to come, he would face it without hesitation.

That... was self-assurance.

When Tang Gunak began to speak, he hesitated for a moment, then stopped. Whether he wanted to scold or praise, it was unclear.

Even when he opened his mouth, the people on either side of Yoon Jong extended their feet toward Yoon Jong, as if guarding him. Jo Gol and Tang Soso. It might have been an instinctive move, but their one step was enough to block Tang Gunak's mouth.

Both of them looked at Tang Gunak with slightly tense expressions. It was undoubtedly a determination to protect Yoon Jong, but Tang Gunak perceived it a bit differently.

Their gazes were questioning him. Have you forgotten your boiling emotions when Chengdu was under attack? Have you forgotten the tearing heartbreak when you had to turn away from Chengdu?

Of course, he hadn't forgotten. He couldn't forget.

Even if he reclaimed Chengdu, eradicated the Evil Sects, and soaked the Tang Family plaque in blood, his hatred wouldn't be completely washed away.

Tang Gunak sighed deeply. 

"How can the heart not know? If I could do as I pleased, I would have buried my bones in Sichuan back then. But those who brought me here at that time..."

He trailed off, then burst into laughter.

Upon reflection, there really was no forcing anything. The logic changed, and the positions flip-flopped at will.

And yet, there was nothing to blame.

"Deputy Sect Leader."

"Yes, Gaju-nim."

Therefore, Tang Gunak called upon Baek Cheon. Here, the current leaders of the Central Plains and the future leaders were intermingled. Aside from Baek Cheon, no one else seemed able to navigate both sides' perspectives and find a way forward.

"What should we do?"

Baek Cheon glanced back casually. There was Yoon Jong with a resolute face, Jo Gol and Tang Soso, Yoo Iseol, who still seemed to be lost in thought, and even Chung Myung, who had closed his eyes. 

After surveying everyone, Baek Cheon stared directly at Tang Gunak.

"Not sending them is the right decision."

"S-Sasuk!"

Tang Gunak narrowed his eyes and observed Baek Cheon's intentions. 

"The reason being?"

"Because the strategist's words that we would lose everything the moment we were defeated by them was not wrong."

Instead of directly refuting, Yoon Jong clenched and unclenched his fist.

However, he just stared at Baek Cheon's back. This was the back of someone who had endured more and had a stronger will than anyone else.

"Is that the way, then?"

"Sending them is the right decision."

"...What?"

Tang Gunak and Hyun Jong were left speechless. Baek Cheon calmly stated.

"Losing and gaining, in the end, are forms of loss. But the Heavenly Comrade Alliance was not created to gain benefits." 

"Look, Deputy Sect Leader!"

"Both are correct. Choosing one does not mean the other is wrong."

Tang Gunak let out a faint groan. It was true, but these obvious statements wouldn't resolve anything. 

"So, what do we do?"

"If two are right, won't three be right?"

"...What did you just say?"

"If three are right, won't four be right?"

Baek Cheon, dressed in a white robe, smiled broadly. At that moment, Tang Gunak felt strangely overwhelmed. 

There was neither arrogance nor intimidation in that overwhelming air.

"Both of them are correct. I can't choose between the two. Neither is wrong. But why go through all this trouble?"

"Baek Cheon."

"Everyone is here." 

Baek Cheon looked around the conference room.

"Don't ask what to choose. The orders from both of you should've been to find the best solution. You should be telling them to somehow find a way to help those who suffer without losing to the enemies." 

"Is that even possible?"

Baek Cheon shrugged.

"I don't know. But rather than wasting time on emotional arguments and confirming differences in positions, it would be better to spend time finding a better solution."

"..." 

"Currently, all the people from every martial arts sect in the Heavenly Comrade Alliance are gathered here. It might be impossible with my experience and thoughts alone, but it might be different when we put our heads together. Isn't it better to spend time finding a somewhat usable solution than wasting time with half-baked and clumsy emotional fights?" 

Hyun Jong and Tang Gunak stared blankly at Baek Cheon. It was not just absurd; it was just...

"I want to become the best swordsman in the world and at the same time, I want to be a strict yet compassionate teacher. I also want to become a reliable person that my martial siblings can trust anytime."

"That's impossible, Sasuk."

"You've already ruined a few."

"Failure."

"These..."

As Baek Cheon was sharpening his sword and turning around, the Five Swords quickly turned away.

Baek Cheon calmed his mind, looked ahead, and spoke.

"Accomplishing all of that is difficult but not impossible. It may be challenging and overwhelming, but I'll try somehow. However, why must the Heavenly Comrade Alliance choose only one?"

A bitter laugh escaped Im Sobyeong's lips.

"He... Truly, there's a lunatic among us."

The Five Swords nodded as if agreeing. Baek Cheon spoke clearly, looking at Hyun Jong and Tang Gunak.

"Give your command."

"..."

"Then we will find it. Somehow, even if we have to pull everyone here, even if it's not perfect, we'll find a worthwhile answer."

Laughter flowed like a breeze from Yoon Jong's lips.

'Sasuk.'

His back looked larger in Yoon Jong's eyes than anyone else's in the world.

"Words are easy."

But Tang Gunak coldly cut off Baek Cheon's opinion.

"If it's possible to compromise, why bother with the dilemma? Isn't the dilemma about not having a choice because it's impossible?"

"Gaju-nim."

"In the first place, the problem arose because of insufficient power. It's not a problem that can be solved by tactics. You can't solve two problems at the same time."

Baek Cheon sighed deeply and murmured with his lips tightly closed.

That's when it happened.

"Then just increase it."

Tang Gunak's gaze turned. Chung Myung, who had been silent, spoke with a stern face, sprawled in a chair.

"If there's not enough power to do both, just increase the power."

"...Is that possible?"

Chung Myung shrugged.

"It is."

"Really? How?"

"Wait, did you call the Beggar's Union or something?"

Chung Myung face wrinkled.

"What Beggar's Union! What kind of power can those beggars have? It's lucky if they don't bother us when they're not fed."

"..."

"You know, those guys who play around and eat well. Even so, they are seriously strong bastards."

"...Who are you talking about?"

"I don't need to explain. Looks like they've just arrived."

Just as Tang Gunak and Hyun Jong were about to ask what Chung Myung meant, a voice came.

"G-Great Sect Leader! No, Maengju-nim! A guest has arrived!"

"A guest? A guest?"

The door of the conference room opened wide, and a familiar... no, a very familiar face appeared.

"You, you! Why are you coming out here? This... crazy!"

Yoon Jong saw it. Baek Cheon's dignified face, which had been admired until a moment ago, looked ridiculously distorted. Of course, he understood.

"The mouth is meant to speak, not to bark. You still haven't learned your lesson."

"Th-th..."

The one who effortlessly brought Baek Cheon down to his knees politely bowed with a face much like Baek Cheon's.

"I am Jin Geumryong of the Southern Edge Sect. I greet Maengju-nim."

A bomb dropped right in the middle of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.