It will be fine. (1)

Yoon Jong had never imagined it. He couldn’t believe such words would come out of Chung Myung’s mouth.

Despite having his collar grabbed, Chung Myung didn’t show a hint of anger or even a trace of heat. This calm demeanor only made Yoon Jong tremble more violently.

“How can you be like this? You know exactly why Sasuk had to do it!”

At that moment, Chung Myung grabbed Yoon Jong’s wrist.

“Let go.”

“You…”

“I said let go.”

Yoon Jong, glaring at Chung Myung, finally released his grip.

“…I’m sorry.”

He took a step back, realizing too late that he had done something he shouldn’t have out of agitation he felt.

Of course, he still couldn’t accept it.

But it was clear that getting into a fight with Chung Myung in this heated state wouldn’t improve the situation.

Yoon Jong sighed.

“I just…”

“I know.”

But before he could finish, Chung Myung’s voice, tinged with a mocking laugh, interrupted him.

“Yes, I know why he did it.”

“…”

“So? What exactly do you think someone who knows should do?”

Yoon Jong’s eyes flickered once more.

“Should I thank him and spend my life bowing down to the ground? Or perhaps stick by his side forever and fight in his place?”

“This…!”

His momentarily subdued anger surged back. But as soon as he met Chung Myung’s eyes again, a chilling calm washed over his heart. Confronted with Chung Myung’s indifferent gaze devoid of emotion, Yoon Jong felt his resolve weaken involuntarily.

Yes, Chung Myung was right.

Chung Myung had never asked Baek Cheon to save him. It was Baek Cheon’s own choice to risk everything for Chung Myung’s sake.

Knowing all this, it wasn’t fair for Yoon Jong to burden Chung Myung with guilt or demand solutions from him.

Furthermore, it’s an act that even disregards Baek Cheon. Baek Cheon wouldn’t ever seek compensation, and Chung Myung wouldn’t want to feel indebted.

If Baek Cheon knew about this, he might not want to see Yoon Jong ever again.

But that doesn’t mean it’s easy to give up.

“I understand that you can’t fix Sasuk’s condition… Fine.”

Yoon Jong’s voice flowed emotionlessly from his lips. It was a blunt and dry tone.

Even in a situation where an apology was necessary, he didn’t want to. Even if it wasn’t fitting for a Taoist.

“But in that case, we have to at least stop Sasuk.”

“How so?”

“Don’t you understand what I mean?”

Yoon Jong’s face grew even colder.

“We have to somehow persuade him not to go to the battlefield. If he stands on the battlefield with that personality of his, he’ll die. You know that too!”

Chung Myung replied bitterly.

“So, how do you plan to stop him?”

Yoon Jong faltered for a moment, unable to find words.

There seemed to be no way.

Even after mentioning the possibility of death, Baek Cheon did not waver. If he had been that type of person from the start, he wouldn’t have become Vice Sect Leader of Hwasan, nor would everyone have followed him.

What other options remained?

Should he vent his frustration, knowing it wouldn’t help at all?

Baek Cheon would rather face Yoon Jong’s anger if he heard such words. However, Baek Cheon is the kind of person who would volunteer to carry baggage in the rear. Yet, if someone else is in danger, he would inevitably intervene.

There’s only one option left.

To say that Baek Cheon’s presence on the battlefield endangers others, so he can’t accompany them.

“..I can’t do it.’

How could such words be said?

Baek Cheon has staked everything to become the Vice Sect Leader of Hwasan. He would willingly continue to do so in the future. How could one speak such cruel words to Sasuk?

It would be more merciful to stab him with a sword and cut him down than to say those words, which would tear apart Baek Cheon’s soul, not just his body.

“…I understand the difficulty.”

Still, Yoon Jong persisted with a glimmer of hope and said to Chung Myung.

“But surely, if it were you, you could come up with some solution. We can help….”

“If it were me?”

At that moment, Chung Myung’s cold voice cut through Yoon Jong’s words.

“So, are you asking me to say it myself now that you’ve become useless? Sahyeong will just stay quietly here and cultivate your Tao, while telling me to do something you couldn’t bring yourself to do?”

Yoon Jong flinched.

“No, I meant… another way…”

“There’s no other way. I’ve already said it.”

Yoon Jong’s eyes trembled.

“Listen carefully. Sasuk’s dantian is broken, and he’s not someone you can persuade with ordinary words. There are only two choices. Either leave him to go to the battlefield prepared to risk his life, or prevent him from going there at all, even if it means cutting him down like a sword.”

“…”

“But it’s clear that you prefer the latter.”

“I… I…”

“If that’s what Sahyeong desires, I’ll do it. If someone is needed to mistreat people in Sahyeong’s name while putting on a good face, then yes, that’s what I’ll do.”

“Hey!”

Yoon Jong couldn’t contain his anger and shouted vehemently. Chung Myung merely smirked lightly in response.

“No? Then what? It’s just the same old story. Find a suitable way that can satisfy everyone somehow? Sahyeong can’t do it, but I can do it?”

“…Chung Myung.”

“Listen carefully.”

Chung Myung spoke as if chewing his words.

“I’m not a God.”

He asserted firmly in a low voice.

“What Sahyeong cannot do, neither can I. So if there’s something you want to decide, do it yourself. Whether it’s words or a fight.”

Yoon Jong’s face contorted. In a brief moment, his complexion changed several times.

Meanwhile, Chung Myung maintained silence.

After some time had passed, Yoon Jong finally struggled to speak.

“…So, you’re going to let Sasuk go to the battlefield?”

“Are you asking for my opinion?”

“Yes.”

“That’s right.”

Chung Myung replied calmly without hesitation.

“Why?”

“It would be better that way.”

“If you’re going to protect him…”

“I won’t.”

“…”

Chung Myung shook his head.

“If I protect Sasuk, others will die.”

Emotion drained from Yoon Jong’s face, leaving only a cold moonlight cast upon it.

“So you’re just going to let Sasuk die?”

“…”

“Even knowing he’s likely to die if sent to the battlefield? Regardless of the outcome?”

“Yes.”

Silence fell again. After a moment, Yoon Jong’s lips parted with a short, blunt question.

“Why?”

“…I have already answered. It would be better that way.”

Chung Myung let out a short sigh and spoke again.

“We could restrain him. Break his legs, cut him down, or if necessary, bind him tightly and throw him deep in a cave. That would stop him.”

“…”

“But that would truly be killing Sasuk. The person named Baek Cheon I know couldn’t bear that. If not a single one of us returns from the battlefield, Sasuk will never forgive himself for the rest of his life. Perhaps he wouldn’t even forgive us, who tried to stop him.”

“…”

“So, if we can’t avoid it anyway, it’s better to let him do what he wants. That’s what I think.”

After hearing all of this, Yoon Jong asked once more.

“Why?”

Chung Myung did not respond.

Because he had already given an answer.

But Yoon Jong continued to glare at Chung Myung as if he hadn’t heard a response.

Chung Myung let out a short sigh.

“If my choice doesn’t sit well with you, then follow the right choice as Sahyeong sees fit. That should suffice.”

With those words, the conversation ended.

Finally, the expressionless mask that had covered Yoon Jong’s face melted away. For the first time, a hint of cynicism, never before seen in Yoon Jong, appeared.

“Instead of always running over here whining whenever there’s something difficult to resolve, why don’t you speak up?”

“…”

“Fine.”

Yoon Jong turned away, and Chung Myung didn’t bother to catch him.

The distance between the two grew.

“I understand.”

Yoon Jong paused in his steps and turned to speak. His gaze wandered into the distance.

“Maybe what you’re saying is right.”

Despite the affirmation, his voice carried a hard and distant tone.

“But I didn’t just ask you for a solution. I wasn’t seeking for a clear answer on what the right choice is.”

“…”

“Maybe I didn’t express myself well… I just wanted to talk to you. I wanted to share my concerns for Sasuk with you, even if there’s no solution.”

Chung Myung watched Yoon Jong’s back without any movement.

“Even if it was meaningless to you.”

Yoon Jong gradually distanced himself.

Ki…!

Behind a rock, Baek Ah, who had been watching the two of them the whole time, lowered his tail and weakly followed Yoon Jong.

Chung Myung stood still, silently watching until Yoon Jong’s figure disappeared completely. After a moment, he turned and looked down at what he held in his hand.

A dew-covered bottle of liquor.

Chung Myung, who had habitually brought it to his lips, paused.

A faint, long sigh escaped quietly from his lips as he stared at the pale white bottle.

His eyes slowly closed.

The eyes closed tightly, as if entering deep darkness. Chung Myung’s lashes trembled faintly.

“Ah! Sahyeong!”

Tang Soso, upon spotting Yoon Jong from a distant street corner, rushed over breathlessly.

“Sahyeong! Have you seen Chung Myung Sahyeong anywhere? I’ve searched everywhere but couldn’t find…”

“…I don’t know.”

Yoon Jong cut her off without even turning his gaze, swiftly passing by Tang Soso.

“Uh…?”

Tang Soso stood there in confusion, watching Yoon Jong quickly move away.

‘What’s going on…?’

Frowning in concern, she was absorbed in thought. It was an unusually cold response from Yoon Jong, something she couldn’t have imagined from him under normal circumstances.

About to lift her hand and call out again.

“No, Sahyeong…!”

Ki…!

But at that moment, something crawled up her leg.

“Huh? Baek Ah? Hm?”

Baek Ah swiftly climbed onto Tang Soso’s shoulder and then slumped weakly. Tang Soso looked slightly surprised at the limp Baek Ah and tilted her head.

‘Something’s up…’

Baek Ah wasn’t one to usually enjoy being held by people. There must really be something going on.

Although she didn’t know what it meant, Tang Soso gently stroked Baek Ah’s head, who seemed weak and frail. Through his small white head, a faint trembling could be felt.

“Why are you trembling…”

Sensing a hint of sadness in Baek Ah’s demeanor, Tang Soso looked up at the sky. The moon, partially obscured by clouds, seemed unusually cold tonight.

“…It’ll be okay.”

She whispered repeatedly while gently stroking Baek Ah’s warm head.

“It’ll be okay, everyone… Yes, it’ll all be okay.”

Anxiety that one couldn’t brush off. Fear that no one could hide.

There were those walking the darkened streets, those standing alone with themselves in the deep valleys of Hwasan’s gorges, and those observing them.

Unable to sleep, pacing by the window, and standing alone far from everyone else.

Everyone silently watched the cold moon.

“It will be fine…”

Her whispered words, as if it was a pray, spread quietly coloring the silence.