A tiger inside a poisonous trap. (5)

“This much is quite… Ahhh!”

Chung Myung screamed as he looked down at his leg. Tang Soso was tightly wrapping the thread around his wound, veins bulging on her hand as if conveying her emotions.

“…Why? Does it hurt?”

“No.”

Tang Soso finished stitching Chung Myung’s wound with a grimace. The deep gash on his calf was neatly closed in an instant.

“There, all done.”

Wiping her hands with a cloth, Tang Soso looked down at Chung Myung’s leg.

“The treatment is complete. The problem is…”

“If the treatment is done, then it’s done, isn’t it?”

“No, it’s about…!”

“Oh, frustrating! I can’t stand being cooped up in the cabin anymore. I’ll go out and get some fresh air!”

“Wait! You can’t use that leg! Hey!”

Chung Myung dashed out of the cabin like a jiangshi, using his healthy leg. Tang Soso let out a deep sigh.

“What on earth is that bastard thinking…”

Everyone sent comforting glances her way.

“How is he?”

At a glance, the treatment seemed to be neatly done, and Chung Myung appeared fine. However, Yoon Jong was not someone to easily overlook Chung Myung’s casual demeanor.

After hesitating for a moment, Tang Soso replied.

“He seems fine. The poison has been neutralized, and the wounds aren’t as severe as they might have been usually.”

Upon hearing this, Namgung Dowi frowned at Tang Soso.

‘Less severe than usual?’

A person’s leg torn to the point where bones were visible, with over ten venomous needles longer than fingers embedded in his body?

‘So, what does that mean? What kind of injuries does he usually have? Does he have fifteen lives?’

“Isn’t it fortunate then?”

“It is fortunate. But…”

Tang Soso, who had been momentarily silent, sighed before continuing,

“From a physician’s perspective, the most terrifying patient isn’t the one with large wounds. Those patients can often be saved as long as they’re conscious.”

“But?”

“The real headache-inducing patients are the ones whose wounds reopen and worsen. From then on, it’s not just about trauma but also about internal injuries. Once a living patient’s blood starts to putrefy, it becomes an irreversible situation.”

“I understand what you mean.”

Yoon Jong nodded slowly with a solemn expression.

Until now, it didn’t matter what kind of injuries Chung Myung had as long as he remained alive. They always took care of his wounds only after the battle was completely over. But now?

‘Now it begins.’

They had barely escaped from Hainan Island. Now they had to break through Gangnam and head towards Yangtze. Even they couldn’t predict how many more battles of this magnitude would occur.

“It’s difficult to fully recover before the next battle.”

“Yes.”

Tang Soso replied shortly, then added.

“So, Sahyeong.”

“Huh?”

“If Chung Myung Saheyong starts to rampage next time, you need to put a noose around his neck, hold his arms, and restrain him as much as possible.”

“…Understood.”

“Don’t just listen vaguely.”

The slight chill in Tang Soso’s voice stiffened Yoon Jong’s expression.

“I know better than anyone that we can’t stop Chung Myung Sahyeong’s rampages. But this time, we can’t just let it slide. Maybe we’ll manage it once, but what about the next time? Or the time after that?”

Yoon Jong remained silent.

“He seems to forget sometimes, but he is also human. Humans die from severe injuries. He is likely to overdo it again, and this time…”

“I understand.”

Yoon Jong calmly interrupted Tang Soso’s words. Despite her slightly narrowed gaze, Yoon Jong’s expression remained unwavering.

“Don’t worry about what you think might happen. It won’t.”

“Sahyeong…”

“I didn’t wield my sword to be dragged along. I just held back because we had no choice on the coast. But from now on, we won’t just let Chung Myung run wild.”

Yoon Jong was firmer than usual, catching Tang Soso off guard with his resolute. Normally, Yoon Jong’s disposition was gentle and moderate, but sometimes he could be as unyielding as a mountain, just like now.

“…I understand. Sahyeong.”

Tang Soso nodded without hesitation.

As the atmosphere settled slightly, Jo Geol, who had been scratching the back of his head, stretched and yawned.

“Ugh, easier said than done. Just thinking about stopping that guy makes my stomach churn.”

“Still, we’re on the lucky side.”

“…We are?”

Yoon Jong chuckled softly.

“Think about it. Imagine that person nagging at Chung Myung until his ears exploded. How upset must he be because he can’t even be here right now?”

“Oh.”

Jo Geol let out a brief sigh, then chuckled softly.

“Indeed, that’s true. His temperament.”

In another cabin, Baek Cheon was seated.

Upon seeing him, Gyum Yangbaek’s expression betrayed a hint of astonishment. Despite already experiencing a fierce battle, there was not a single spot of blood on Baek Cheon’s robes. This meant that Baek Cheon had managed to engage in such a battle while still maintaining composure.

‘Hwasan…’

Gyum Yangbaek had thought highly of them, doing his best to erase any biases and evaluate them to the fullest extent possible. However, witnessing the power of Hwasan in action rendered Gyum Yangbaek’s efforts seemingly futile.

Just as someone who has never seen the sea would struggle to comprehend its vastness, so too would someone who has never experienced Hwasan find it difficult to fully understand their power, no matter how much they hear about it or ponder over it.

‘If there were over a hundred of them gathered here…’

No, in reality, what he had witnessed was not even the true power of Hwasan. It was merely the remarkable performance of a few renowned figures of Hwasan.

If, instead of the current situation where Haenam was just filling in, it were the comrades who had trained and grown together over time, one couldn’t help but wonder what kind of force they would exert. Just the thought sent shivers down his spine once again.

‘I must reassess my evaluation of Cheonumaeng.’

Gyum Yangbaek harbored no ill will towards Cheonumaeng. No, quite the opposite – he held them in high regard. Even if these individuals hadn’t risked their lives to find Haenam, he would have still elevated Cheonumaneg’s ideals and values.

Yet, deep down, there lingered a bias rooted in the notion that an alliance formed by those who ultimately couldn’t become the great sects of Gupailbang, regardless of their contributions, was synonymous with Cheonumaeng.

However, this battle on the coast had opened his eyes.

‘It’s not like that.’

They hadn’t been displaced – they hadn’t joined. That sword and that swordsman, that’s what he meant.

“First…”

In that moment, Baek Cheon spoke up. Geum Yangbaek felt an unexpected weight on his shoulders.

Since their first meeting, Geum Yangbaek had shown Baek Cheon the utmost respect as the Vice Sect Leader of Hwasan, but after witnessing his fighting prowess, their interactions couldn’t help but be different.

“I offer my condolences for the loss of your disciples and the sorrow it must bring.”

Geum Yangbaek replied, his voice solemn as he slowly nodded.

“Don’t worry about it. It was something we had prepared for. It was a sacrifice they were prepared to make also.”

Baek Cheon nodded silently. In that instant, Geum Yangbaek cleared his throat unexpectedly, realizing he had been monitoring Baek Cheon’s reaction.

No, the term “monitoring the reaction” isn’t appropriate.

Waiting for someone else’s evaluation before judging one’s own actions, isn’t that what the world calls “reading the room”?

Although no one was actually peeking into his thoughts, he felt subtly embarrassed.

But if anyone, not just Geum Yangbaek, had witnessed such a scene, it would have been natural to react this way.

In the martial arts world, sects in Gangho go to great lengths to acquire ultimate master, all for reasons like this.

With a composed demeanor, he carefully concealed his mixed emotions and embarrassment as he spoke:

“I also extend my gratitude to the Vice Sect Leader of Hwasan. Even though it seemed that Hwasan Geomhyeop had been injured, you came to us first before ensuring their well-being…”

“It’s only natural. Even if he was wounded, how could it compare to those who lost their lives?”

Was it really? Well, who knows.

What if it hadn’t been Cheonumaneg but other sects of Gupailbang gathered here together?

Was there even one among those old masters who would prioritize comforting the disciples of Haenam over the death of their comrades, instead of the injuries of Hwasan Geomhyeop?

‘There probably wasn’t.’

It might be a somewhat melancholic thought, but that’s just how the world works.

However, Baek Cheon, without tending to his Sajil’s injuries, first comforted the disciples of Haenam and then came to console Geum Yangbaek. Although he casually dismissed it as a matter of course, the world tends to call someone who can do such seemingly ordinary things a hero.

Geum Yangbaek pondered anew. Perhaps the power Hwasan possesses doesn’t stem from brute force but rather from these aspects.

“But, Sect Leader.”

At that moment, Baek Cheon lifted his head to look at Geum Yangbaek.

“Now, it begins.”

“…”

“Perhaps the disciples of Haenam are also greatly shaken right now. There’s a clear distinction between pledging to fight with one’s life on the line and actually fighting with one’s life on the line.”

Geum Yangbaek hardened his expression. It was an undeniable statement. If Geum Yangbaek himself, let alone anyone else, keenly felt this fact, how much more so would the young disciples?

“Especially at times like this, Sect Leader, you should take good care of the disciples.”

Normally, Geum Yangbaek would have said something at this point. It would have been along the lines of assuring that they would take care of it here, so there was no need for unnecessary worry.

But now, Geum Yangbaek simply nodded in acknowledgment. He had to admit that his experience fell short of theirs.

“Sapaeryeon will come to track us down. From the moment we arrive in Gangnam, there will be constant battles.”

“…”

“Please ensure that the disciples’ spirits remain unbroken. We will do our best as well.”

“Mm.”

Geum Yangbaek nodded heavily.

“I will do my best.”

“Thank you.”

Geum Yangbaek awkwardly smiled as he watched Baek Cheon politely bow his head.

“Though the situation is difficult… there is one good thing.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Baek Cheon looked at him with a puzzled expression.

At that, Geum Yangbaek’s smile became a bit more natural and bright.

“It seems there’s a change in the wind.”

Baek Cheon furrowed his brow slightly, as if finding it difficult to understand. Geum Yangbaek’s smile then became more genuine.

“To Vice Sect Leader, everyone may seem like people from the Southern Sea, but in reality, Guangdong and Hainan are different in every aspect, from culture to cuisine. And that includes the shape of the ships as well.”

“Ha?”

“Hainan people can sail Guangdong’s ships, but Guangdong people rarely get to steer Hainan’s ships. So, even if they mobilize the ships, it will take quite some time to break through this headwind.”

“We might have a bit more time to spare.”

Geum Yangbaek smiled brightly at Baek Cheon. However, Baek Cheon’s expression didn’t lighten up.

“Though it may seem presumptuous, Sect Leader.”

“…Yes?”

Baek Cheon shook his head.

“If you think so, then you’re underestimating Sapaeryeon… and Maninbang.”

“…”

“They won’t slow down even a bit. No matter what methods they use.”

It was a voice full of conviction. Geum Yangbaek momentarily sealed his lips.

And at the same moment.

The scene unfolding in Hainan was proving Baek Cheon’s prediction to be not far from reality.