Who has come? (1)

Gwak Hwanso [곽환소(郭歡騷)], with a chillingly stern expression, observed the scene before him. Seated in the Great Sea Hall [대해전(大海殿)], a place only accessible to Haenam’s disciples, particularly those of Jinsan, were individuals clad not in Haenam’s customary robes but in civilian clothes.

Gwak Hwanso clenched and unclenched his fists, his anger surging to its peak.

It wasn’t just because outsiders had entered a place exclusive to Jinsan disciples – it was because those individuals in civilian clothes were none other than Haenam’s own Jinsan disciples.

“You. You said you were leaving Haenam.”

As Gwak Hwanso spoke, some of the disciples glanced around nervously before speaking hesitantly.

“Yes… Sahyeong.”

After biting his lip for a moment, Gwak Hwanso spoke again.

“Are you saying you’re willing to accept the punishment?”

If he had asked with such a stern face on any other occasion, they would have all been intimidated. Gwak Hwanso was not only one of Haenam’s senior disciples but also known for his straightforward and impatient nature.

Of course, they still found Gwak Hwanso intimidating. But…

“…There’s nothing we can do.”

Now, they were speaking words they wouldn’t dare to say so openly under normal circumstances.

“So what do you expect us to do…? We don’t know when Sapaeryeon will attack, and we have no way to win if we fight.”

“You…”

“Yes, we know. At times like this, we’re supposed to be willing to die together. But… I’m sorry, Sahyeong. We’re not courageous enough for that.”

“Is that your answer?”

“Please don’t blame your Sajils for lacking courage, Sahyeong.”

Before Gwak Hwanso could say anything more, another person intervened.

“It’s not just about courage.”

Gwak Hwanso looked silently at the person who interrupted.

“We’re not monks. We’re disciples of Haenam, and we all have families. Do you know that disciple Go Hong, who just spoke, has an elderly morher at home?”

“…”

“Maintaining loyalty to the sect is one thing, but what about the families we leave behind? Sacrificing our lives to preserve our pride isn’t real courage, is it?”

The expression disappeared from Gwak Hwanso’s face. He was truly angry, but this time, they didn’t back down easily.

“Sahyeong, since you don’t have family, you may not understand our feelings. If you’re going to be angry, be angry. If you’re going to curse, curse. But please don’t call us cowards. Filial piety is just as important as loyalty to the sect.”

At that moment, Lee Jayang [이자양(李子陽], who had been silently guarding Gwak Hwanso’s back, snorted.

“I didn’t realize Yu Gong [유공(庾供)] Sahyeong had a mother. Haven’t both of his parents passed away a while ago?”

“Jayang!”

“I’m just speaking the truth. So, do all the people who want to leave the sect now have mothers and families to take care of? Or are there some bastards without families or parents?”

There was a mocking smile on Lee Jayang’s face.

“If you’re just running away because you’re scared, why talk so much? If you want to curse, go ahead. If you want to be angry, do it. Don’t you hate hearing it directly?”

“Don’t speak recklessly!”

“Sahyeong, it seems you don’t know much. Right now, I’m carefully choosing my words. If I had spoken recklessly, one of us would have drawn a sword already.”

“…”

“Whether it’s a formal excommunication or just running away, I hope you decide quickly. And I hope you can understand how I feel about having to call someone like that Sahyeong in order to uphold the law.”

Yu Gong bit his lip and glared at Lee Jayang. Lee Jayang was about to sneer again, but Gwak Hwanso stopped him.

“Stop.”

“…Daesahyeong. That bastard…”

“Didn’t Yu Gong get married recently?”

“What’s so impressive about that!”

“The child is now a hundred days old. A baby who doesn’t even recognize his father’s face.”

Hearing those words, Lee Jayang momentarily lost his words and pursed his lips.

“Even so…”

“Enough.”

Gwak Hwanso shook his head heavily.

“It’s a decision made by the Sect Leader. It’s not for a single disciple to debate right and wrong over trivial matters in the sect. Isn’t it a decision made by Sect Leader after deep consideration?”

Lee Jayang turned his head with an uneasy expression. However, he didn’t continue to criticize Yu Gong or Go Hong.

Above all, knowing the kind of feelings Gwak Hwanso must have had to say such words, which he would normally have scolded and criticized with the loudest voice, they couldn’t say anything more.

Gwak Hwanso looked at the two of them sternly and sighed.

“It seems you’ve misunderstood my words, but I have no objection to you leaving the sect.”

“Then…”

“However, as is customary between people, there is a minimum etiquette to be observed between disciples and the sect.”

Gwak Hwanso looked at the disciples in casual attire with a cool gaze.

“Have you officially received the decree of excommunication?”

“Well…”

“I heard that you requested the ceremony from the Sect Leader and agreed to carry it out once the typhoon subsided. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Upon hearing this, they all seemed ashamed and avoided eye contact.

“In other words, until the ceremony of excommunication is carried out, you are still considered disciples of Haenam. However…”

Gwak Hwanso’s gaze turned even colder.

“Why do I not see the three waves that should be on your chests?”

The “three waves” [삼파랑(三波浪)] were the three wave patterns engraved on the chests of Haenam disciples’ robes, symbolizing Haenam and their pride. However, the disciples in casual clothes naturally lacked this symbol on their chests.

“This place is reserved for Haenam’s Jinsan disciples only. There’s no way you wouldn’t know that, and you still consider yourselves disciples of Haenam. So, what possessed you to appear here dressed like that?”

“We…”

Gwak Hwanso spat out his words.

“I understand your situation. I’m not here to condemn your decision to leave the sect. However, there should be a minimum level of respect shown to those who are prepared to stay. It’s a matter of respect for those who have shared the same roof and the courtesy extended to the sect that has been our refuge.”

The disciples in casual clothes bowed their heads deeply.

There was no room for excuses. Originally, they had planned to receive the decree of excommunication today and leave the sect. However, due to the sudden typhoon, they couldn’t leave Haenam as planned.

It felt awkward to put back on robes they had already taken off. However, as Gwak Hwanso pointed out, they shouldn’t have stepped foot into the Great Sea Hall if they had thought about it. This place was reserved solely for those who considered themselves Haenam’s Jinsan disciples.

“If you can’t put on Haenam’s robes again, if you have no intention of engraving the three waves back on your chest, then at least leave now. This place is for Haenam’s disciples.”

As if considering some form of protest, the disciples hesitated for a moment, but after seeing Gwak Hwanso’s stern expression, they bowed their heads and silently left the Great Sea Hall, one by one.

Gwak Hwanso let out a long sigh as the disciples in casual clothes left, leaving the Great Sea Hall feeling empty.

‘This is just the beginning.’

Those who had been watching from the sidelines would quietly join the procession once excommunication ceremony was carried out. Or perhaps one day, they would simply disappear without a trace.

How many would remain? How many would be left tomorrow, and how many the day after? Would half of them still be here after a week?

Lost in thought, he couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.

‘What’s the point of thinking about it?’

There was a time when they all shared the same dream: to make Haenam the greatest sect in the world. They dreamed of showing the arrogant sects of the Central Plains, who called them Southern Sea country bumpkins, just how strong and formidable Haenam truly was.

But now, that dream was swept away like a sandcastle on the beach, leaving only foolish dreamers who couldn’t bear to let go of what was already crumbling.

“Jayang, what about the third generation disciples?”

“They’re not budging. They are prepared to kick and scream, so we’re ready to kick them out. They’re just ignorant kids who need to be sent away.”

“Good. Well done.”

A blatant contempt flashed across Lee Jayang’s face.

“Even those kids who claim they’ll die with Haenam are not running away, while those who have been shouldering the burdens of Haenam and swallowing every bit of bitterness are the ones fleeing for their lives.”

“…”

“Just because they’re older doesn’t mean they’ve become mature adults, Sahyeong.”

“Enough.”

Once again, Gwak Hwanso shook his head, prompting Jayang to grumble.

“Are you pretending to be a good person now? Usually, Sahyeong would be the angriest.”

“There’s no point in getting angry when nothing will change.”

“Is it because you’re too angry to do anything?”

Gwak Hwanso didn’t respond. Perhaps he didn’t know himself. But soon, he lowered his head.

“Those who want to leave can leave.”

“…”

“I am the head disciple of Haenam. Why should I care about those who refuse to be disciples of Haenam?”

Lee Jayang smirked.

“Then the people Sahyeong should care about are probably the dumbest ones in Hainan Province. They’re the ones willing to throw away their lives.”

“That’s exactly why I should care. Because they’re foolish.”

Gwak Hwanso chuckled softly.

Indeed. Those who remain until the end are the most foolish and thoughtless individuals in all of Haenam. They’re the ones who insist on trying to break rocks with eggs.

“But still, isn’t there something to gain?”

Lee Jayang shrugged as he spoke.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t make Haenam the greatest sect in the world, but we could still be known as the sect with the dumbest people in the world someday.”

“Is that something to be proud of…?”

“Isn’t it better to leave some kind of legacy than nothing at all? Don’t you think so?”

Lee Jayang tapped his fingers nervously. A smile crept onto Gwak Hwanso’s lips as he looked at Lee Jayang’s worn face.

“Yeah, well, that’s not entirely wrong. Even if we search the whole world, there won’t be anyone as foolish as us.”

“Exactly. If we’ve become the best at something, isn’t that enough?”

As they exchanged glances, they laughed at each other. There was a mix of subtle self-deprecation and awkward pride in their smiles.

Then it happened.

Bang!

“Sahyeong! Daesahyeong!”

The door of the hall burst open as a soaked Haenam disciple rushed in frantically. Gwak Hwanso exclaimed in surprise.

“What’s going on? What’s the matter?”

“They’ve arrived!”

“Who? Don’t tell me it’s Sapae…!”

“Hwasan! Hwasan has arrived!”

“Who has come?”

“Hwasan! They are here!”

“Oh my! Hwasan has arrived just now! They have reached the mountain gate!”

Gwak Hwanso’s gaze shifted towards the open door. The rainstorm was raging outside.

“They’ve come here?”

Lee Jayang’s voice trembled with bewilderment.

“Are they really insane?”

At that moment, Gwak Hwanso’s mind cleared in an instant.

“Let’s go!”

He dashed out into the raging storm without hesitation.

“Sahyeong! Let’s go together!”

Lee Jayang and the other disciples hastily followed him.

The rain poured down like needles, stinging their faces, but they had no time to spare for such trivial matters.

‘They’ve come here?’

To break through this typhoon, to this distant Hainan island where they might wage war against Sapaeryeon?

There’s a limit to stupidity. That level of recklessness wasn’t just stupidity – it was madness. It was truly unbelievable.

Yet, in that moment, memories of Hwasan they encountered in the past flooded back. The faces they saw at the martial arts competition, though haggard, still carried a sense of dignity.

And there were countless stories about Hwasan flying through the Central Plains.

As Gwak Hwanso sprinted with all his might, the scene in front of the mountain gate came into view. Haenam’s disciples, looking bewildered, stood before a group of about ten people.

“R-really…”

The rain was truly relentless.

The rain poured down so heavily that it was difficult to see clearly ahead.

Upon reaching the mountain gate, Gwak Hwanso slowed his pace. Before him stood about ten people, looking confidently…

“…Cold!”

“It’s so cold here!”

“But how can you complain about the cold? We’ve come all this way!”

“How much longer do we have to wait?”

“I won’t come back south ever again!”

“…Food. Can someone get us food…”

No. He looked at the bizarre figures, who seemed like drowning rats or starving beggars, ranting and complaining about everything imaginable.

Then, someone who had been complaining louder than anyone turned to look at Gwak Hwanso.

“Huh?”

“Huh?”

“That parasite from before…”

“That ignorant country bumpkin!”

“Who are you calling a country bumpkin, you jerk!”

Gwak Hwanso couldn’t help but burst out angrily. The slick-looking guy with seaweed-like bangs slicked his hair to the side and took a step forward confidently.

“I am Baek Cheon, Vice Sect Leader of Hwasan. I have come here as a special envoy of Cheonumaeng. Please allow me to meet the Sect Leader!”

Rumble!

Before he could finish speaking, the sky flashed and thundered ominously. Baek Cheon glanced at the sky and then back with a pale face.

“If possible, let’s hurry before we get struck by lightning…”

“…”

“Let’s hurry.”

Gwak Hwanso thought. It was quite different from what he had been expecting… No, it was very different.