I wasn’t wrong. (3)

The boat rocked vigorously as it collided with rough waves, creating white foam. Chung Myung observed the scene with sunken eyes, feeling stifled.

‘It’s frustrating.’

When traveling on foot, one could simply quicken their pace, and when riding a horse, urging the horse would suffice. However, traveling on a boat driven by the wind had its limits in speed, beyond the control of human strength.

Therefore, from now until they reached Gangnam, they would have to pass the time like this.

‘This isn’t quite suited to my temperament.’

Ironically, it was quite natural. Yet, feeling stifled by this made Chung Myung wonder if he was ever meant to become a Taoist in the first place.

“You seem lost in thought,”

a voice came.

Chung Myung turned his head to see Nokrim King, Im Sobyeong, approaching with a smirk on his face.

“Or perhaps you just have no thoughts at all?”

“…”

“Which is it?”

“I suppose it’s this one.”

As Chung Myung gestured towards his own fist with his chin, Nokrim King subtly retreated.

Chung Myung let out a dry chuckle and turned his gaze back to the sea… or more precisely, to the land of Gangnam beyond the sea.

“How much longer?”

“Well, at this speed, we won’t arrive until midnight.”

“Seems to be taking longer than expected.”

“Well, if we swim as skillfully as Dojang, we might get there quickly, but…”

Im Sobyeong glanced towards the deck. The disciples of Haenam were scattered around, resting. They were as exhausted as worn-out horses.

“If we do that, those gentlemen will completely collapse.”

“Hmm.”

Chung Myung let out a quiet sigh. Im Sobyeong glanced at him with a faint smile.

“You sure it’s okay?”

Im Sobyeong asked, not really expecting an answer, but speaking casually nonetheless.

“Of course, I’m the type to just do as I’m told, but aren’t you the one who has to take responsibility?”

“You don’t mind if others think poorly of you,”

Chung Myung remarked dryly.

“If someone suffers because of choosing the wrong superior, it’s just part of life for the subordinate. Subordinates like us are meant to suffer like that anyway.”

“Is that what Nokrim King has to say about it?”

“Whether it’s Nokrim King or anyone else, what’s the difference? This is the role I’ve envisioned for myself in Cheonumaeng.”

Chung Myung chuckled softly. He was indeed a peculiar person. However, from Im Sobyeong’s perspective, it was Chung Myung who seemed peculiar.

“Of course, I understand that there are reasons behind what Dojang does, but…”

Im Sobyeong glanced at the disciples of Haenam with a somewhat cool gaze.

“I’m not sure. Will dragging these burden along really be of any help?”

“…”

“Bringing Haenam, one of Gupailbang, into Cheonumaeng would undoubtedly be a significant symbol externally, but… Well, I’m not so sure. Just because something is justified doesn’t mean it becomes a source of strength later on.”

Im Sobyeong spoke with a peculiar expression.

“I don’t necessarily think that prioritizing immediate benefits over distant justifications is always wrong.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Nothing in particular,”

Im Sobyeong shrugged.

“I’m just curious. I’m wondering if it would really be helpful to save those inept creatures who haven’t even properly wielded a sword and are now collapsing from exhaustion like they were facing all the world’s battles alone.”

With those words, Chung Myung also surveyed the disciples of Haenam. They appeared exhausted.

Well, it’s not hard to understand. It would be strange if they weren’t shocked after witnessing scenes where people’s throats were slit and limbs scattered in the air, especially in today’s world. But… Chung Myung also knows. Im Sobyeong’s point is not entirely wrong.

Making excuses won’t change the situation. Chung Myung has to break through Gangnam with these inexperienced youngsters who don’t even know what that battle is about. Gangnam defended by that notorious Sapaeryeon.

“If you were going to object, you should have objected earlier.”

“Have you ever listened to my objections?”

Im Sobyeong scratched the underside of his chin with the tip of his fan.

“Strategists inherently dislike inefficiency. Objecting when you know nothing will change is just a waste of time, and it’s nothing but a sore throat for nothing.”

At that, Chung Myung stared blankly at Im Sobyeong.

“Why do you say that?”

“Well…”

Chung Myung lowered his head.

“It feels like I’ve heard that before.”

“Where could that have been?”

“Yeah, where indeed.”

– What’s the point of saying anything? You’ll do whatever you want anyway, despite what your Sahyeongs say! I might as well read poetry to a cow!

Chung Myung couldn’t help but laugh. The image of Chung Jin, furiously pounding his chest and making a racket, passed through his mind.

It seems Chung Myung hasn’t changed much since then, after all. He thought he had changed a lot himself, but apparently not much has changed, it seems.

“Still, you never know what might change if you speak up.”

“Well…”

Im Sobyeong looked at Chung Myung with a curious gaze.

“If it’s just stubbornness, then maybe.”

“…”

“But it seems like it’s not just simple stubbornness.”

Chung Myung chuckled and shook his head.

“You might be overestimating me.”

“Of course, I might be. Well, honestly, the probability of that is much higher…”

…But this guy? When Chung Myung quietly glared at Im Sobyeong, he quickly looked out to sea, fidgeting uncomfortably.

Then he spoke quietly again.

“I still can’t stop it.”

“Why?”

When Chung Myung asked for the reason, Im Sobyeong paused briefly before starting to elaborate on a different topic.

“From a young age, listening to old stories or studying history, there were parts that I just couldn’t understand.”

“What parts?”

“The smartest people always end up suffering under the foolishness of others and eventually fail.”

“…”

“Originally, scholars hold the position of the smartest people in their time. So wouldn’t their conclusions be closest to the correct answers?”

“That’s true.”

“But those higher-ups never listen to their advice and end up failing miserably. Then later, they regret not listening. It’s like saying, ‘Oh, I should’ve listened back then.’”

“Are you criticizing me now?”

“Tsk. Just listen to the end.”

Chung Myung frowned disapprovingly, but Im Sobyeong continued without paying attention to it.

“The biggest question I had while observing such situations was, do you know what it was?”

“…Why don’t the higher-ups listen to you?”

“No, that’s not it. Those higher-ups are naturally stubborn fools who never listen to advice. They’re born to be fools. What’s the point of calling them stupid when they’re born that way… Oh, no! I didn’t mean it as an insult! Put your fists down!”

“…Be careful, you.”

When Chung Myung spoke in a tone that Im Sobyeong didn’t like, he chuckled.

“Anyway, that’s not what frustrated me. What I couldn’t understand was why the smartest people end up suffering under such irrational behavior from those above them. They could just build their own power.”

Chung Myung smirked.

“So?”

“So, I thought to myself, I shouldn’t do such things. I should build my own force where only my words are obeyed and crush all those foolish factions led by those idiots!”

“Is that why you became the Nokrim King?”

“Well…that’s partly what I took on.”

He did take on the role, but if he truly didn’t want to become the Nokrim King, there were plenty of ways to avoid it. However, he didn’t do that. He had something he wanted to try for himself.

“So? Why didn’t you just do as you thought?”

“I did. Of course, I did as I thought. But soon I realized how naive that thought was.”

Im Sobyeong clicked his tongue in frustration.

“What’s the point of saying the right thing? Even if you speak the truth, they won’t listen. They’ll just dismiss it as nonsense from a desk-bound scholar.”

“…”

“Persuasion? Oh, I tried. Of course, I did. But people never even entertained the idea that they might be wrong from the start. Even if you tell them nine perfectly sound arguments and just one is slightly off, they latch onto that one and insist that you’re completely wrong. It’s maddening! So, I just kept quiet.”

“Couldn’t win, huh?”

“…So I bit my tongue.”

Chung Myung gave Im Sobyeong’s slumped shoulders a comforting pat.

“You did your best.”

“…Stop it.”

Im Sobyeong’s weary face earned a smile from Chung Myung.

In truth, objectively speaking, Im Sobyeong’s martial skills weren’t lacking. However, he wasn’t up to par with the name “Nokrim King.” Moreover, until recently, he hadn’t even been able to fully utilize his abilities.

How much could Im Sobyeong’s words resonate in Nokrim, a place that adhered more faithfully to the law of the jungle than anywhere else?

It was obvious what kind of struggles he must have gone through. Initially, aside from Nokchae, who were loyal to the previous ruler, no one would have treated Im Sobyeong as a proper Nokrim King.

“But still, as you age and your martial prowess increases, wouldn’t your influence grow?”

“If the goal was to enjoy some power and influence in Nokrim, perhaps. But what would that change? I’d still end up a Nokrim King inferior to my predecessor in every way.”

“True.”

Im Sobyeong stared intently at Chung Myung.

“That’s when I saw it. Spouting nonsense, reaching absurd conclusions, repeating senseless gambles, and being a perfect fool… Oh, no! I mean, that was in the past! It’s in the past! Cough, cough! Oh, my illness…”

“…”

“But still!”

Im Sobyeong grinned mischievously.

“Some people, despite making utterly foolish decisions and declaring they’ll walk into the jaws of death, still find others willingly following that path,”

“…”

“That’s when I realized. Ah, there are people like that from the start.”

Chung Myung said with a bitter smile.

“That’s also an overestimation.”

But then, Im Sobyeong added.

“But, you know, I don’t think I’m the only one overestimating them.”

“What do you mean?”

Chung Myung asked, while Im Sobyeong nodded towards the disciples of Haenam. Chung Myung followed his gaze.

“There are folks who were living quietly and comfortably in Haenam, but now, upon hearing just one suggestion from some unknown guy, they’re abandoning everything they’ve known in Haenam and heading straight for danger. They’re determined to live and die there.”

“…”

“Is that logically possible?”

“Because it’s the right path,”

Chung Myung replied.

“That’s what matters,”

Im Sobyeong added with a chuckle.

“If people always chose the right path to walk, there wouldn’t be wars in the world. If everyone could act according to the right path they know, the world would be full of good intentions. But what’s the reality?”

“…”

Im Sobyeong smiled slyly.

“Dojang isn’t someone who simply shows others the right path they don’t know. Everyone knows that. He is someone who makes them dare to walk a path they couldn’t have dared to on their own.”

His gaze shifted beyond Chung Myung towards Gangnam.

“Even if the end of that path is death.”

Chung Myung’s expression, which had been maintaining silence, stiffened slightly.