As expected, you have a big heart. (4)

Baek Cheon’s gaze drifted into the distance, where everyone had already disappeared from view behind the house.

He hadn’t asked for a reward. He hadn’t even asked for the grain for free, had he? He simply wanted a fair exchange… No, more than that, he wanted the opportunity to buy the grain, even if it meant paying a higher price.

Was that really too much to ask?

Baek Cheon found himself instinctively looking towards Yoon Jong. Whenever he felt lost on the path he should take as a Taoist, Yoon Jong was the one who provided guidance. However, Yoon Jong’s expression was unusually rigid, even for him.

It seemed that Baek Cheon’s feelings of betrayal and anger weren’t solely due to his own narrow-mindedness.

“I’m sorry…”

Hyung Wook bowed deeply, his face flushed with embarrassment and shame, as if he couldn’t bear to show himself.

Baek Cheon knew blaming him would be pointless, yet he couldn’t help but utter a few words.

“I didn’t realize it was such a difficult request.”

“Masters…”

Hyung Wook closed his eyes tightly. It couldn’t have been such a difficult request. At least not for him.

Of course, as his father had said, helping them might bring trouble. But hadn’t they stepped forward to help the villagers without hesitation, even when they could have faced danger?

Strength doesn’t always mean extending a helping hand, and weakness doesn’t always mean turning away.

But he had nothing he could do. Even those who had been subtly assessing the situation eventually expressed their hope that he wouldn’t help.

The impending danger, as mentioned by the elder, resonated much more strongly than any grace already bestowed upon them.

“What… What can I say…”

As Hyeong Wook hesitated to speak, the elder cautiously emerged from inside the house. He glanced at Baek Cheon, then lowered his head. There was no sense of triumph or pride in his demeanor. He simply bore an expression that prayed that Baek Cheon’s judgment had not been distorted.

“Warriors…”

The elder spoke with a trembling voice. Understanding the significance of his tremor, Baek Cheon let out a bitter smile.

“You don’t need to worry.”

Although he couldn’t completely mask the coldness in his voice, Baek Cheon spoke as politely as possible.

“We are not Sapaeryeon who kill as they please without remorse. You don’t have to worry about us behaving ruthlessly.”

“Thank you. Thank you, esteemed warriors!”

The elder hastily expressed his gratitude before discreetly gauging Baek Cheon’s reaction once more.

“Please… Don’t think too poorly of us.”

“What do you mean?”

“We understand that from your perspective, this may seem absurd. But we have no choice.”

Baek Cheon silently looked at the elder. A sorrowful expression appeared on the old man’s tired face.

“The kind of righteousness that warriors like yourselves speak of requires power or influence. How can those struggling just to survive concern themselves with others’ affairs or pave the way for them? I have urgent matters to attend to myself.”

Baek Cheon’s eyebrows lifted slightly. He could endure anything else, but this statement was difficult to swallow.

Being part of Cheonumaeng’s group didn’t leave room to assist them. Righteousness meant…

“Simple folks like us can only pretend to live while awaiting death. That’s what I’ve observed, and that’s how the world has treated me.”

Unable to hold back any longer, Baek Cheon was about to speak.

“Let’s go.”

A voice sounded briefly behind him. Baek Cheon turned around to see Chung Myung scratching the back of his head.

“I was in a hurry too. Didn’t think things through. Should’ve considered that things aren’t good here either. Tsk. I’m getting old.”

“Chung Myung-ah…”

“Let’s go. We were told to leave inconspicuously and quickly, so let’s hurry. It’ll put everyone’s mind at ease.”

Baek Cheon felt a sense of relief for some reason. Normally, Chung Myung would be bouncing around spewing fire at a time like this, but now he had nothing more to say.

“Seems like they’ve eaten their fill anyway…”

Chung Myung glanced over the people from Haenam and continued.

“If they’ve filled their bellies, we should leave. We don’t really have much time, do we?”

“Yeah…”

“Hurry up and get ready. Once we’re gone, these people will have plenty to do.”

Baek Cheon still had much to say, but eventually, he replied with a deep sigh.

“Yeah… Let’s do that.”

It left a bitter taste in his mouth.

“You don’t have to pay for the grain…”

“No.”

Baek Cheon looked at the elder with firm eyes.

“We will pay the exact price. That’s what needs to be done.”

His emotionless voice somehow sounded a bit sad.

With Baek Cheon leading them, they left the village.

The atmosphere was quite different from when they had left the village before. No one spoke hastily.

Even the disciples from Haenam, who were not well informed of the situation, couldn’t help but sense the atmosphere and remained silent.

“Are you just going to leave it at that?”

In such a situation, it was Im Sobyeong who boldly spoke up.

“Well, yes?”

“After all, as long as the outcome is the same, isn’t it? Even if there’s surplus grain, we can just take some and throw money at them. Then it’s the same as a smooth transaction with the same outcome.”

“…”

“And then, they could argue that even if something were to happen, they’re not guilty of anything since they were just robbed of grain by us, right? It’s obviously reasonable, so let’s turn back now!”

Baek Cheon laughed. It might indeed be rational. It could be a path where no one gets hurt.

But they couldn’t choose that path. If they were to simply say that anything is fine as long as the outcome is the same, then they would be admitting that they were no different from Sapaeryeon they were fighting against.

“Ugh!”

At that moment, Jo Geol let out a burst of frustration. He knew what Im Sobyeong said couldn’t be done, but he seemed unable to contain his exploding anger.

“Don’t people have at least a bit of conscience?”

“…”

“…We came here with what little strength we had left, didn’t we? Even if they don’t repay the favor, shouldn’t they at least consider the circumstances?”

“That’s enough.”

“Before, your eyes were teary with innocence! Now, you don’t even shed a tear as we leave! If people like them…”

“Enough.”

When Baek Cheon sighed weakly, Jo Geol clenched his lips tightly.

“…It’s unfair, that’s why.”

“…”

“I didn’t expect any repayment, but still… still, there’s that feeling, isn’t there? Still…”

Baek Cheon seemed to have something more to say, but he just shook his head instead.

In truth, his inner turmoil was no different from Jo Geol’s. Trying to articulate such conflicted feelings would only lay bare his inner thoughts.

Seeing Baek Cheon’s lack of a proper response, Jo Geol’s gaze shifted to Yoon Jong this time.

“Aren’t you angry, Sahyeong?”

At that, Baek Cheon also turned to look at Yoon Jong.

If it were Yoon Jong, he might offer a different perspective.

“Aren’t you, Sahyeong?”

“Angry…?”

Yoon Jong calmly shook his head in response to Jo Geol’s question.

“I’m not angry.”

“…Not angry at all?”

“It’s not anger, I’m just… confused.”

“…What?”

As Jo Geol looked puzzled, Yoon Jong glanced up at the sky before continuing.

“As a Taoist and a member of the Just Sect, I believed we should protect and assist the common people because they inherently possess kindness. They are righteous people persecuted by the powerful, and I thought we should do what little we can to protect them.”

“…”

“But today, for the first time, I have such thoughts. Not just about the villagers, but in any situation.”

“I see…”

“If those we seek to protect are not good… why should we risk our lives to protect them? Simply because we are stronger?”

“…”

“Perhaps the reason we should not expect repayment for righteous deeds is because there may be no way to receive that repayment… Yes, such thoughts come to mind.”

His voice was calm, yet the weight of his words was undeniable. Coming from Yoon Jong, it carried even more gravity. It was a moment when everyone was lost in their own thoughts.

“I’ve heard such words before.”

All eyes turned to Chung Myung, who was walking confidently in the front as if he had no regrets.

“The commoners are neither as righteous nor as good as one might think. Their strength is often weaker than expected, and their reasoning is generally mediocre.”

“…Isn’t that almost an insult?”

“But that’s precisely why we must protect them.”

The disciples of Hwasan frowned as they listened. They couldn’t quite grasp the reasoning. If they were truly so mediocre, why should they be protected?

“They, too, could have become righteous people.”

“…”

“That old man’s words weren’t wrong. Most people don’t even have the luxury of maintaining their own life. And that’s because those with power haven’t protected them.”

Yoon Jong watched Chung Myung’s back with a stern expression as he walked and spoke.

“Good people are good even without receiving help. But perhaps the small acts of kindness bestowed upon those who are not good may lead them toward goodness. Taoists are those who do not overlook that small possibility, and righteousness is an attempt to change the world by giving what one has.”

Chung Myung’s gaze drifted far away into the sky as if following something distant.

“To be honest, I still don’t fully understand that statement. But one thing I know is this: the predecessors didn’t give out of ignorance, but because they knew and still chose to protect.”

That was the end of Chung Myung’s words. There was nothing more to add. He did not assert that they must do the same or that it was the right path. He simply conveyed what he had heard.

However, upon hearing those words, everyone was lost in their own thoughts, pondering what they truly intended to do.

Then, it happened.

“Wait, wait! Esteemed warriors!”

A booming voice came from behind. Hyeong Wook was rushing toward them, carrying something heavy on his shoulders.

Huff! Huff! Huff!

Breathless, he stood before them and panted heavily. Baek Cheon blinked in confusion, not understanding what was happening.

“Why… what’s this?”

“This… this is for you!”

Hyeong Wook lowered the large sack from his shoulders with a thud.

“It’s grain. Please take it.”

“What?”

Hyeong Wook’s face still bore a deep sense of remorse.

“The villagers decided not to, but this is my responsibility. What else can I do but fulfill my duty?”

“Oh, no…”

Baek Cheon looked back and forth between the sack of grain and Hyeong Wook, feeling bewildered.

“This is something we can’t accept…”

“Please accept it!”

Hyeong Wook bowed deeply without listening further. He resembled his father, yet the feeling was entirely different.

“I’m powerless, this is all I can do. Please allow me to do at least this much.”

“…”

“The villagers aren’t evil for this. They’re just… just fearful. Please don’t judge them too harshly.”

“…”

“Take this, even if it’s insignificant. I’m truly… truly sorry.”

Baek Cheon looked down at the sack of grain with mixed emotions. It was cheap grain, and for many present, there would barely be enough for a handful each. Yet… the sentiment contained within was anything but insignificant.

Silently looking at the sack of grain, Baek Cheon eventually brought his hands together and bowed deeply, showing utmost respect.

“…I will accept it gratefully.”

His hand holding his fist trembled faintly.

The road ahead was long, and time was pressing. Yet, for a while, everyone present remained silent, their eyes fixed on the sack that lay between Baek Cheon and Hyeong Wook.

Within that worn and faded sack lay a modest yet precious of grain.