Now it’s just the beginning. (3)

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

Baek Cheon replied promptly, meeting Geum Yangbaek’s gaze head-on. However, Geum Yangbaek remained silent for a moment, his expression complex as he looked at Baek Cheon.

In that gaze, Baek Cheon roughly guessed what Geum Yangbaek intended to say.

‘Were there six?’

It wasn’t certain, but it must have been around that number – the disciples of Haenam who had sacrificed themselves to reach this point.

For Baek Cheon, it was a painful realization. Yet, no matter how much Baek Cheon empathized with that pain, it couldn’t compare to the despair Geum Yangbaek must be feeling.

The trembling in Geum Yangbaek’s eyes seemed to convey what kind of suffering he was enduring. Baek Cheon resolved to endure any bitterness that might arise from the conversation, knowing that Geum Yangbaek was enduring a much greater pain.

At that moment, Geum Yangbaek extended both hands forward in a courteous gesture.

“I apologize for the disgraceful… display you witnessed,”

he said with genuine remorse.

A flicker of bewilderment crossed Baek Cheon’s face.

“As the leader of Haenam, I failed to properly guide my disciples. Therefore, Vice Sect Leader, please forgive me for putting the burden on you.”

Baek Cheon stared blankly at Geum Yangbaek, and it wasn’t just him – the disciples of Hwasan couldn’t hide their astonishment either.

Of course, it couldn’t be denied that Geum Yangbaek’s mistake had burdened others. But for a leader of a sect to admit their mistake so humbly was never an easy task.

Hence, it was no wonder they were taken aback.

“You need not say such things, Sect Leader.”

Baek Cheon quickly bowed and spoke.

“If Sect Leader hadn’t swiftly rectified the situation, the damage would have been greater. So please, do not blame yourself.”

Upon hearing his words, Geum Yangbaek slowly looked up at the sky.

Baek Cheon couldn’t bring himself to offer any further consolation. It was beyond his place to even guess what Geum Yangbaek might be thinking.

But then, a voice filled with rage erupted.

“Why on earth are you apologizing, Sect Leader!”

One of the elders of Haenam shouted in an enraged tone.

“If we’re assigning blame, it should be on them! What were they thinking to cause such a debacle! If they hadn’t recklessly attempted to break through the enemy lines, these sacrifices wouldn’t have happened in the first place!”

“Gwak Wol.”

“Am I wrong, Sect Leader? What kind of madness is this! We should have acted sensibly from the start!”

“Stop it.”

“I won’t tolerate this anymore!”

“Just shut your mouth!”

Geum Yangbaek glared at Gwak Wol with eyes full of anger. Gwak Wol bit his lips until they bled, feeling the weight of his gaze. With a heavy sigh, Geum Yangbaek, still pressing down on Gwak Wol, spoke again, this time directing his words to Baek Cheon.

“…I’m sorry. Losing his Sahyeong, who he lived with his whole life… It stirred up his emotions. Please understand with a generous heart.”

“No, Sect Leader.”

Baek Cheon shook his head.

“Vice Sect Leader.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“The casualties are entirely our fault. Vice Sect Leader bears no responsibility.”

“…”

“After all, we didn’t come here just to survive. If we had stayed in Haenam, we would have faced even worse circumstances than we do now. How can we blame Vice Sect Leader? However…”

Geum Yangbaek glanced briefly at his disciples, who were cultivating inner strength. Even in the midst of their cultivation, they all looked visibly exhausted. Seeing their weary faces drenched in sweat and blood, Geum Yangbaek couldn’t help but ask the tough question.

“…Is this really… the way to escape their encirclement?”

“Sect Leader, that’s…”

“I know. It was always going to be difficult. To achieve something difficult, one naturally has to push oneself.”

Baek Cheon silently stared at Geum Yangbaek. Right now, Geum Yangbaek wasn’t being unreasonable. On the contrary, he calmly expressed his opinion more composedly than anyone else.

“But Vice Sect Leader, if it’s ultimately impossible… shouldn’t we at least ensure they don’t die like this? Haenam’s disciples crossed the sea to uphold their honor. Even if they die, it’s to preserve the name of Haenam. So…”

Geum Yangbaek clenched his lips tightly before speaking.

“We shouldn’t allow them to die like rabbits being hunted, should we? It’s better to go down with honor…”

“Honor?”

At that moment, Chung Myung’s chilling voice cut off Geum Yangbaek’s words.

“Chung Myung-ah.”

Though Baek Cheon tried to interject, Chung Myung didn’t stop.

“Whose honor?”

“Well, it’s…”

“Haenam’s honor?”

A faint mockery lingered at the corners of Chung Myung’s lips.

“Talking about honor…”

“Chung Myung-ah!”

“Sect Leader.”

Chung Myung directed a cool gaze at Geum Yangbaek.

“You seem to have a grand misconception… A glorious death is something found only in tales.”

Silence hung heavy between them.

“No matter how remarkable the deed, there’s no guarantee that one will have no regrets at the moment of death. The thoughts of those dying are one.”

Chung Myung continued, spitting out his words.

“‘I want to live,’ that’s all.”

Geum Yangbaek bit his lip tightly.

“If you want to die with dignity to uphold Haenam’s honor, then go ahead, Sect Leader. Who would stop you if that’s what you truly desire? But…”

“Stop trying to impose the notion of an honorable death with your petty authority on our disciples. Because we’re going to save at least one more person.”

Chung Myung’s murderous glare pierced through Geum Yangbaek.

Geum Yangbaek dropped his head.

Chung Myung didn’t show any sympathy towards his reaction. He just gave him another penetrating glare before turning away. As Chung Myung walked away briskly, Baek Cheon let out a short sigh.

Chung Myung, now distancing himself from Geum Yangbaek, impatiently rubbed his face. Every time he heard such oblivious remarks, it ignited a fire within him. Despite knowing that those who’ve lived in peace wouldn’t truly grasp the essence of war.

Feeling suffocated, Chung Myung attempted to grab his own collar, but suddenly something was thrust into his face from the side.

“What… what is this?”

“Drink.”

Chung Myung was momentarily speechless, blinking his eyes in confusion.

Yu Iseol, extending a flask of water, stared blankly at Chung Myung with an expression that revealed nothing about her thoughts.

“Sago, the protection…”

“Drink.”

“No, I’m fine…”

“Drink.”

Words failed to persuade her.

No, in the first place, expecting communication from Yu Iseol was futile. There’s no winning in this standoff. Chung Myung silently accepted the water.

Chung Myung started drinking, and only then did Yu Iseol withdraw her extended hand, silently watching over him.

“Phew.”

After draining the water in one gulp, Chung Myung handed the flask back to Yu Iseol.

“Done?”

“Yeah.”

Yu Iseol calmly accepted the flask and secured it back to her waist.

“So, now we should go guard…”

“Not your responsibility.”

Unexpectedly, the words came out as abruptly as the falsk. Chung Myung stared at Yu Iseol in silence for a moment before chuckling softly.

“What are you talking about? Suddenly saying something out of the blue. Anyway, Sago…”

“You can’t save everyone.”

“I know?”

Who else would know that fact better than Chung Myung himself? It was absurd for someone to say such things to him. However, Yu Iseol silently looked at Chung Myung with darkened eyes. He sighed briefly at her demeanor.

“…I really do understand.”

Without a word in response, Yu Iseol simply turned on her heel and went back to her designated position.

Chung Myung watched her with a slight sense of bewilderment, but there was no time to dwell on it. Something flew towards his face again.

“What now, again?!”

Catching it mid-air, he realized it was a pristine white cloth.

Chung Myung’s expression darkened slightly as the cloth turned red where his hand touched it.

“Wipe your face. You don’t even look human”

“It’s fine. It’ll just get dirty again anyway.”

“Just do as you’re told.”

“…No, it’s not necessa…”

“Wipe.”

With a resigned sigh, Chung Myung continued to wipe his face with the cloth, quickly staining it a dark red.

Baek Cheon, who had been silently observing, spoke up.

“How does it feel?”

“How does what feel?”

“What Sect Leader said isn’t necessarily wrong.”

“…”

“Whether it’s an honorable death or not, I may not fully understand, but… I can see that they’re suffering too much.”

“At this point, maybe that’s better.”

“…What do you mean?”

“They are angry, frustrated, they want to kill them all.”

Chung Myungs voice was filled with boundless frustration.

“When you’re filled with rage, it’s actually better. Being able to get angry at the carnage and death happening around you means you still have the strength to endure it. The real pain comes after that.”

Anger fuels us. But when that anger turns into fear, people lose the will to resist.

“The moment you start thinking you might be the next to die, the situation becomes even more troublesome. We have to move as much as possible before it gets to that point. Because once it does, it’s not just about stamina anymore.”

Chung Myung roughly tossed the blood-stained cloth aside.

Being chased, being surrounded.

They still didn’t know the true horror that comes from those situations. When resting is no longer truly resting, and even when exhausted, falling into a light slumber, they’re haunted by nightmares of blades piercing their throats, there’s no way to replenish their strength.

Until they reach that point of desperation, they have to somehow move forward, even if it’s just one step. If they can’t, they’ll all be slaughtered.

Baek Cheon said,

“I’ve said it before, but…”

“Yeah?”

“When the situation worsens, whether it’s Haenam or anything else, abandoning it and fleeing isn’t a lie. It was sincere.”

“What are you talking about? That’s obvious. Who cares about Haenam?”

Baek Cheon calmly looked at Chung Myung before speaking again.

“And that decision will be mine.”

“Why are you saying such obvious things?”

“Don’t say otherwise when the time comes. I’ll drag you out even if I have to beat you up.”

Chung Myung looked at Baek Cheon as if he couldn’t understand at all.

“Do you think I would risk my life for Haenam?”

“You know everything about the world.”

“What?”

“You take for granted things we’ve never imagined, and you accomplish things no one has ever dreamed of as if they’re natural.”

“Why are you suddenly…”

“But there’s one thing you’re completely unaware of. Do you know what it is?”

“What?”

“Yourself.”

Baek Cheon said firmly.

“So, the one stopping you would be someone who knows you well. Remember this. No matter what happens, you must obey my orders. If you go against my orders and act on your own, I will use my authority as the Vice Sect Leader to excommunicate you immediately.”

Chung Myung was at a loss for words, feeling incredulous. Baek Cheon added calmly.

“I’m not joking. And it’s not a threat.”

Silently, Baek Cheon turned and walked away, leaving Chung Myung staring at his back, feeling the weight of his words.

“Now, whether it’s him or him…”

His mind was now too burdened to think clearly.