Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1280. I wasn’t wrong (5)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
"He's caught."
“He’s gonna get scolded.”
The disciples of Mount Hua clicked their tongues as they watched Chung Myung standing next to Baek Cheon from a distance.
"Sasuk seems really angry, doesn't he?"
"How could he not be?"
“With his personality, it’s a miracle he’s not already beating him up.”
“If he tried to beat him up, he would end up getting hit back.”
“Even so, hitting first and thinking later is our Sasuk’s style, right?”
Yoon Jong nodded in agreement with Tang Soso's words.
“That’s true.”
That's why Baek Cheon was the only one at Mount Hua who could even grab hold of Chung Myung's ankle.
Namgung Dowi, who had been listening to their conversation, tilted his head.
"But does Acting Sect Leader even have a reason to be angry? Wasn’t it all planned for Chung Myung Dojang to hold the rear from the start?”
Jo-Gol sneered.
“Oh, it was planned all right.”
“But why....”
"Imagine you tell someone to pull out some weeds from the garden, but they go and dig up the entire yard instead. What would you say to that?"
“....”
“If he had just defended a bit and then retreated, no one would have gotten hurt. But he turned his eyes red and charged forward. He deserves to get scolded."
“Ah....”
"He’s probably going to get an earful."
“And he should!”
"This time, I hope he gets properly scolded."
Namgung Dowi looked at Chung Myung's back with a bitter smile.
Chung Myung's actions of fighting alone against Myriad Man Manor appeared infinitely heroic, but it seemed quite different to them.
That was probably due to their different positions and perspectives on Chung Myung. To Namgung Dowi right now, Chung Myung was an object of admiration. But to these disciples of Mount Hua, he was a Sahyung and family.
No matter how righteous the cause, no one would enjoy seeing their family put themselves in danger. So their reaction was only natural.
But....
Namgung Dowi suddenly turned his gaze to Baek Cheon.
‘What does the Acting Sect Leader think?’
The disciples next to him only needed to worry about Chung Myung as their Sahyung. But Baek Cheon was different. As the acting sect leader, responsible for both Mount Hua and Heavenly Comrade Alliance, he could no longer simply act as Chung Myung’s Sasuk.
As someone who had effectively taken over the de facto gaju of Namgung Family, Namgung Dowi couldn't help but understand this well. And so he was curious—what words would Baek Cheon say to Chung Myung now?
Unfortunately, their small conversation was not audible from this distance. While he could enhance his hearing with internal strength, that would undoubtedly be rude.
So Namgung Dowi's gaze remained fixed solely on the backs of the two figures standing side by side. From a distance from those two who must be having a conversation difficult to guess at.
Baek Cheon, who had been silently watching the sea, opened his mouth first.
"How's your body?"
“I’m fine.”
Chung Myung shrugged as if it were nothing.
“By tomorrow morning, there won’t even be a scar and I’ll be fine. Those Myriad Man Manor bastards were nothing special.”
Baek Cheon's gaze briefly turned towards Chung Myung's legs.
“But Soso says otherwise?”
Chung Myung didn’t even try to hide his injured leg and spoke shamelessly.
“That’s just how physicians are. Making a fuss over nothing. If you pay attention to everything they say, you would end up lying in a corner doing nothing.”
Baek Cheon chuckled.
“Soso would flip out if she heard that.”
“That’s why I said it where she can’t hear.”
Chung Myung chuckled along with him.
He may say this, but Chung Myung knows better than anyone how important the role Tang Soso plays in Mount Hua. Few understood better than Chung Myung how crucial a physician was on the battlefield. Moreover, Tang Soso can fight as well.
Baek Cheon put away his smile and stared at Chung Myung as if he had something to say. Chung Myung quietly avoided his gaze.
But it didn't last long. Since Baek Cheon kept his gaze on him, Chung Myung eventually broke into a sweat and shouted.
"Ah, really! If you're going to nag, just do it. Let me hear it and get it over with."
"I won't."
"Alright, alright. I'll... Huh? What did you say?"
“I said I won’t.”
Baek Cheon's gaze fixed on the sea was thoroughly indifferent.
Chung Myung blinked blankly as his eyes went wide. It seemed like it wasn't a lie since he didn't show any signs of nagging even after this long.
Chung Myung leaned in slightly and examined Baek Cheon’s expression.
“Sasuk.”
"What."
“What did you eat wrong?”
“....”
“I was sure you would give me an earful until my ears fell off.”
Then Baek Cheon looked straight at Chung Myung.
"Was it a situation where you could avoid pushing yourself?”
“....”
“What do you think?”
Chung Myung shook his head.
"No."
"Right. Then that's that."
Baek Cheon had no desire to criticize Chung Myung's actions. No, to be exact, it wasn't that he didn't want to reproach—he couldn't reproach.
How could he not understand? He had watched and endured Chung Myung until he was sick of it.
Chung Myung believed in seizing the advantage in the first clash. He believed he had to show he could decisively overwhelm them so the opponent couldn't fully display their abilities afterward.
For Chung Myung, the significance lay not in the victory itself but in how the victory was achieved.
In the past, Baek Cheon couldn't understand such Chung Myung. But now he does. If it were a one-time battle, Chung Myung’s attitude would be excessive. But a war is different. War continues on.
Myriad Man Manor will definitely be chasing them. That means they’ll have to fight continuously as they cross Gangnam. Leaving a strong impression while he could was the better option.
If those who faced Chung Myung next time were filled with dread, the following battles would be much easier.
That way, they could reduce casualties even a little more. Perhaps even save more lives. At the cost of a few of Chung Myung’s wounds.
A few wounds versus a few lives.
There was no need to even compare the two. This was Chung Myung’s way of thinking.
That's why Baek Cheon, who has been watching him for a long time, knows.
If there was a fault, it was not with Chung Myung. Chung Myung was always that kind of person. He could get angry at Chung Myung when he didn’t know this. But now that he knows, all the fault lies with Baek Cheon.
Because he had knowingly placed Chung Myung into a situation where this outcome was inevitable.
Just then, Chung Myung spoke nonchalantly.
"Seems like you're overthinking things again?"
When Baek Cheon slightly furrowed his brow as if puzzled, Chung Myung snickered.
“Stop wasting your time on useless thoughts. You’re doing fine, Sasuk.”
“…The cat worrying about the mouse, huh.”
Chung Myung chuckled. Baek Cheon spoke firmly.
“And don’t get me wrong.”
“Hm?”
"I'm not regretting anything, nor am I blaming myself."
“....”
“From the moment we decided to head to Gangnam, I anticipated at least this much. No, I even anticipated worse.”
He continued calmly.
“I won’t stand here pretending to be heartbroken or sorry after saying we should take this risk. Even if the same situation arises again, I will tell you to step forward without hesitation. Even if others curse me as a bastard and spit at me. And...”
Baek Cheon looked at Chung Myung with a hardened face.
“Even if it puts you in even greater danger.”
A slow smile spread across Chung Myung’s face until he grinned broadly and revealing his teeth. He spoke with a satisfied tone.
"That's how it should be."
Those who lead must act that way.
Even if burdened by the pain caused by their decisions, they must never waver even a moment. That was the path Cheong Mun took, and that was why Chung Myung still respects Cheong Mun. Even despite their occasional fights over disagreements.
Cheong Mun cherished Chung Myung more than anyone else in the world.
But at the same time, Cheong Mun was the one who pushed Chung Myung into danger more unhesitatingly than anyone else in the world. On days when Chung Myung returned wounded, Cheong Mun couldn’t entirely hide the pain twisting his face, and yet the next day he would give Chung Myung another impossible order.
Because they were at war. That was the ruthless resolve required of a sect leader at war.
A sect leader who merely cherishes and loves their disciples might make a good leader, but they can never be a great one. If they fear their disciples’ blood being spilled and only search for ways to avoid it, they will ultimately drive them into even greater danger.
The sect leader must never be swayed by personal feelings. They must be willing to send even those they hold dearest into the heart of danger if it was necessary.
All the more so in the turbulent times ahead.
'I told you, Nokrim King.'
Chung Myung smiled and muttered inwardly.
How could he not hold expectations? Even without having to whisper in his ear and explain, Baek Cheon understands exactly what he needs to do and what role he must fulfill.
“Do you remember? What Sasuk said to Sect Leader.”
“I remember.”
Baek Cheon nodded.
“I said I’m the one who will wield you, the sword.”
"You know well."
Chung Myung stared at Baek Cheon with slightly subdued eyes.
"Anyone worried about their sword getting damaged doesn’t deserve to wield one. There’s only one thing they should think about.”
"How to wield it most effectively?"
“That's right.”
Chung Myung nodded slowly.
Hesitating to strike always leads to wounds, and the price of the sect leader's hesitation falls upon their disciples.
Baek Cheon was someone who understood that.
"Don’t worry. I didn’t start this without thinking it through. I'm simply resolved to take full responsibility for all of this."
Just as Chung Myung was about to nod.
"But you should also keep one thing in mind."
“...What?”
"For you, what's most important is protecting Mount Hua and protecting Mount Hua's disciples."
“....”
"You’re ready to do whatever it takes for that."
“...And?”
Chung Myung's gaze darkened slightly.
Baek Cheon tried to say something but ultimately shut his mouth. Then he shook his head slowly.
"No. There’s no point in saying it. You'll know soon enough."
"What?"
"Never mind."
Baek Cheon lightly patted Chung Myung on the shoulder.
"We'll have to move again when we arrive. Rest while you can until then.”
“No, what were you going to say?”
“I said you’ll find out.”
“This guy is so damn frustrating … Hey. Sasuk! Hey! Hey, this guy! Where are you going! Tell me before you go!”
Baek Cheon walked forward without looking back and left Chung Myung alone. He didn’t pay any attention to Chung Myung’s curses trailing behind him.
As he said, Chung Myung would find out soon enough.
As Baek Cheon made his way toward the cabin, he saw the other Mount Hua disciples glaring at him with eyes full of discontent.
A light chuckle escaped Baek Cheon’s lips. Jo-Gol asked through his gritted teeth.
"Sasuk, did you give him a good scolding?"
"Well... moderately?"
“Just that much?”
"Are you joking? Do you think that’s enough to knock some sense into that guy?"
Should I show you what a real scolding is? Hm?”
"Gol-ah... He's Acting Sect Leader."
"That’s why he needs even more scolding… Ack! Why are you hitting me!"
Baek Cheon let out a bitter smile at the bustling Sahyungs.
Right, Chung Myung would soon understand.
To Chung Myung, Mount Hua was these people. But for these people, Mount Hua was Chung Myung.
And... they too are ready to do anything to protect Mount Hua.
Just as Chung Myung does.
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