What’s the meaning of this? (3)

“Ah…..”

Despair surged in Jin Hyeon’s eyes.

The pavilions were burning. The place he has lived in all his life, and the place where he must continue to live in, was engulfed in crimson flames.

The strength left his knees.

How many people lost their lives to protect that place? How many sacrifices were made to defend that land?

As though mocking all those efforts, the flames entwining the pavilions spread even faster, growing in size.

“Ahhh…..”

What was it all for? If it was going to be lost so easily, what meaning did those previous sacrifices hold?

More agonizing to Jin Hyeon than the sight of the burning pavilions was not knowing the fate of those who had been defending them.

‘Sajes… and Sasuks…’

The moment their faces rose in his mind, Jin Hyeon’s body finally gave out. But before he could slump to the ground, Mu Jin caught him, providing support.

“Wait!”

But Jin Hyeon reflexively shook off his arm. It was due to resentment. If Mu Jin had not stood in his way, if he had been able to dash up that mountain just a bit earlier, he would not now be writhing in such overwhelming despair…

“No!”

At that moment, Mu Jin’s shout tore into Jin Hyeon’s ears. Slowly, the focus returned to Jin Hyeon’s eyes.

“Look carefully! They haven’t reached Wudang yet! I’m telling you, Wudang hasn’t fallen!”

At last, once he regained clarity, doubt flickered in Jin Hyeon’s gaze.

Yes. Mu Jin’s words were indeed true. The Blood Palace had not yet reached Wudang. And yet, it was equally true that the pavilions were aflame.

“We’re in the midst of war right now. The same goes for Sapaeryeon. They’ve already sent a force to attack Wudang, so there’s no reason for them to waste additional troops just to start a fire!”

Mu Jin’s words made Jin Hyeon nod almost without realizing it. Even so, his doubts remained unresolved.

“But then, why is that fire…”

❀ ❀ ❀

Muscles on the Blood Palace Lord’s face twitched slightly. The smoke rising from above had started to catch his eye as well.

“Sapaeryeon sent another…”

“No.”

The Blood Palace Lord cut him off coldly.

“We’re the only ones who set foot on this mountain.”

Then, narrowing his eyes, he muttered under his breath.

“What sort of trick is this now?”

“What should we do?”

At the question from the Blood Palace warrior, the Blood Palace Lord, who had been silently clenching his teeth, gave a short command.

“We go up.”

“Yes!”

Boom.

When the Blood Palace Lord stomped his foot, a thunderous roar shook the ground. In an instant, his body shot up the mountain. With no one to obstruct him, a mountainside like this could be scaled in just a few breaths.

Thus, in the blink of an eye, the Blood Palace Lord reached the main gate of Wudang.

Hwoooosh.

Thick smoke and scorching flames were devouring the entirety of Wudang. It was a far more hellish blaze than what he had seen from below.

Slightly furrowing his brow, the Blood Palace Lord opened his mouth to speak.

“What in the world…”

“Go back.”

A voice suddenly broke in, and the Blood Palace Lord swiftly turned his head to the side.

Engrossed by the immense flames, he hadn’t even sensed the presence. Only upon hearing the voice did he detect a calm yet powerful aura.

“And who are you…..?”

The first things that caught his eye were snowy white hair and rough skin. Gaunt was the word that best described him, coupled with a stern look. Yet his discerning gaze was deep, like a vast lake – a true Taoist’s eyes.

“Wudang is not accepting any visitors right now.”

Noticing the Pine Crest Ancient Sword [송문고검(松紋古劍)] hanging from the old man’s waist, the Blood Palace Lord had little trouble guessing his identity.

“Heo Do?”

“That’s correct.”

Heo Do Jinin nodded lightly.

For a moment, the Blood Palace Lord’s emotions were in turmoil. Even though Heo Do Jinin was here, someone had dared to set the pavilions aflame – who could it be?

“Who did this?”

“Aren’t you seeing it right now?”

A flicker of doubt passed through the Blood Palace Lord’s eyes, as he did not immediately grasp the meaning of it.

But then, realizing what he meant, the Blood Palace Lord let a rare slip of an exclamation of shock.

“You did this?”

He was so astonished that even a hollow laugh escaped him.

This was none other than Wudang Sect. Moreover, Heo Do Jinin had once been Wudang’s Sect Leader. Could he really have set fire to Wudang with his own hands?

“…Unbelievable.”

The Blood Palace Lord did not particularly enjoy conversations with his enemies, except as a means to pressure or threaten them. Yet, at this moment, he felt an unexpected urge to talk to Heo Do Jinin out of sheer curiosity.

“Have you lost your mind?”

“Who knows…”

Even now, Wudang’s land, and the pavilions built upon it, were going up in flames.

Everything that had shaped Heo Do’s life was turning to ash.

“If that were the case, it might be a relief. But… unfortunately, my mind is clearer now than ever.”

“Madmen always say the same thing.”

When the Blood Palace Lord sneered, Heo Do Jinin let out a low laugh.

“Perhaps so. Then let’s say I have gone mad.”

Even though Heo Do Jinin spoke thus, but in truth, the Blood Palace Lord knew well that he was no madman.

“What are you thinking?”

When the Blood Palace Lord asked, Heo Do Jinin did not answer. He was merely gazing in silence at the burning pavilions, his eyes filled with regret.

He muttered as though talking to himself.

“What’s the meaning of this? It was never going to last forever anyway.”

“You’re the one who killed hundreds in order to protect that which wouldn’t last, weren’t you?”

“That’s right.”

Heo Do Jinin let out a faint chuckle. The Blood Palace Lord’s eyes narrowed, as if he was in doubt.

“Even so, you have gone and did something like this?”

“There’s no need to be ashamed of being stupid. What else can I do if that’s all I amount to?”

“…”

“What one should truly be ashamed of is not the fact of being foolish itself, but being unable to admit it. Not realizing how pitiful one’s deeds are and then repeating them. And I’ve already done that just once.”

Though his voice was calm, it contained grief so profound that words could not fully express it.

“In a situation like this, I can’t repeat the same mistake again, can I? That’s why I set it on fire with my own hands. So that no one would hold onto this place with regret, so that my disciples wouldn’t feel the same pain as I did.”

The Blood Palace Lord let out a small groan of dismay.

“That was all there was to it?”

“Is there more you need?”

“I take back what I said before.”

“…”

“You’re insane.”

The Blood Palace Lord’s eyes were filled with fear.

He tried imagining the situation from the other side. If, for fear that the cult followers might be harmed, he set fire to the Blood Cult and turned its entire history to nothing [무(無)] – would the Blood Palace Lord have done such a thing?

There is only one answer. He would not. No, from the start, he never would have chosen such a path. The Blood Palace Lord spoke coldly.

“People die. But truth is eternal. Right now, you’re burning the very things that should never be lost with your own hands.”

Heo Do Jinin turned his gaze silently towards the Blood Palace Lord. Then he slowly opened his mouth.

“Perhaps so.”

“…”

“But what can I do? I’ve come to realize something as well.”

“What did you realize?”

“That meaning also lies with people.”

The Blood Palace Lord’s eyes grew subtly rigid.

“If there are no people, then there is no truth. Without people, there is no Tao. If the Tao only holds meaning when bound to these buildings… how can you call that the Tao?”

A faint bitterness lingered at the end of Heo Do Jinin’s words.

“I should have realized that a bit sooner.”

Heo Do Jinin’s gaze turned down the mountain. Far below, his disciples were fighting.

It was obvious what they were after. These pavilions, and the lives within them. Merely threatening those would throw Wudang’s disciples on the battlefield into confusion.

‘It’s my fault.’

Value is something people assign. Once assigned, it cannot be easily stripped away. And Heo Do had already placed the worth of countless lives on these buildings. Abandoning them now would be tantamount to turning all prior sacrifices into a pointless waste.

Therefore, they would be unable to give up. They would be unable to sit idle. Even knowing they should not come, they would be forced to rush here regardless.

Even knowing that decision would bring an even greater ruin.

Heo Do could not allow his disciples to walk that path.

“I wonder how your name will be remembered.”

“There’s no need to wonder. I’ll be remembered as a criminal unlike any other in Wudang’s history. Perhaps they’ll find even my name shameful and erase it from the records.”

Heo Do Jinin let out a faint chuckle.

From the moment he set fire to this place with his own hands, he could not have been unaware of how his previous deeds would be judged. He would forever remain a fool who had driven hundreds of disciples to meaningless deaths.

But what of it?

“Isn’t it fortunate? That I can be called a fool.”

“…”

“If I couldn’t be called that, I would never be able to truly close my eyes, even in death.”

Once again, Heo Do Jinin looked down the mountain. A slightly different expression than before settled on his face.

“Of course, it would’ve been nice if I’d realized it sooner – that even after everything ends, a person can still continue to struggle.”

He realized this truth far too late, all thanks to a Taoist much younger than himself.

‘I have never even managed to say thank you.’

That was his only regret.

The Blood Palace Lord shook his head. The more they spoke, the further from understanding he felt. He spoke coldly.

“So… you’re saying you want to thwart our mission? Not just yet.”

A glint of crimson bloodlust flashed in the Blood Palace Lord’s eyes.

“The wounded can’t have gone too far.”

Even though this was a blatant threat, there was no visible change in Heo Do Jinin’s expression. For the Blood Palace Lord, that alone served as enough of an answer.

“Well then, I wonder. If we round up those injured and peel off their flesh one by one, would the rest still remain calmly where they are?”

Srrrng.

In that moment, Heo Do Jinin slowly drew his sword.

“That’s only a story if you manage to get past me.”

“You Just Sects’ lot are all unbearably arrogant. What can you do by yourself?”

“It won’t be by himself.”

Suddenly, another voice intervened, causing the Blood Palace Lord to turn his gaze.

Heo Do Jinin looked in the same direction as well.

From within the burning pavilion, a lone figure slowly walked out. Heo Do Jinin furrowed his brow.

“Didn’t I tell you to go?”

“I’m just slow on my feet.”

“…What?”

“I have tried, but it’s not working out.”

Heo Do Jinin stared blankly at Heo Gong, who approached without a hint of worry, then let out a sigh.

“Saje.”

“I’m only a burden, Sahyeong.”

“…This is something I must do.”

“Yes. But it’s too much for you alone, Sahyeong.”

“Aren’t you aware you can no longer be of any help?”

“It’s still better than being a burden.”

Srrng.

Heo Gong drew his sword. Then he stood beside Heo Do. Heo Do Jinin, who had been glaring at him in exasperation, let out another sigh, as if resigning himself.

“You’re so stubborn.”

“From whom do you think I learned it?”

With the blazing Wudang behind them, the two stood side by side, raising their swords.

It would be a lie to say they had no regrets. But regrets are buried in the heart, and the sins committed are etched into one’s bones. All they could do was carry out what had to be done now.

“….Even laughter doesn’t come out.”

The Blood Palace Lord ground his teeth as he looked at the two.

“Cut off their limbs and drag them before me.”

“Yes!”

The Blood Palace warriors let out beastly howls and charged towards them.

“Here they come!”

“Yes!”

Heo Do and Heo Gong.

The flames consuming the pavilions reflected on their swords. The two blades, dyed in the same hue, moved towards the onrushing foes.