Chapter 387: Chapter 1275: A Tiger in A Trap (Part 5)
"This much is tolera... Ahhhh!"
Chung Myung shouted in pain, looking at his leg. Tang Soso tightly bound the wound with a bandage, her face showing signs of strain. The purple veins on the back of her hand seemed to convey her emotions.
"Well... Soso..."
"Why? Does it hurt?"
"No."
Tang Soso continued to bandage Chung Myung's wound as he pouted. The previously long gash on his calf was neatly organized in an instant.
"It's done."
Tang Soso wiped her hands with a cloth and looked down at Chung Myung's leg.
"The treatment is complete. The problem is..."
"If the treatment is done, that's all that matters."
"No, Sahyung..."
"Oh geez, it's so frustrating! Being cooped up in the cabin makes me feel stuffy. I'll just go out and get some fresh air for a moment."
"Your leg! You shouldn't use that leg! Hey!"
Chung Myung quickly hopped out of the cabin with his uninjured leg. Tang Soso sighed deeply.
"What the hell is that guy thinking..."
Everyone sent comforting looks to her.
"How is he?"
Externally, the treatment seemed to be cleanly finished, and Chung Myung appeared fine. However, Yoon Jong was not someone to overlook it just because Chung Myung acted nonchalant.
Tang Soso clicked her tongue before answering.
"He's fine. The detoxification is complete, and the wound isn't as severe compared to the ones he usually gets."
Namgung Dowi looked at Tang Soso, his expression skeptical.
'You mean this is less than usual?'
His leg was shredded to the point where bone was visible, and over ten venomous needles longer than fingers were pierced all across his body?
Then, what kind of injuries did he usually have? How many lives did that guy have?
"Well, isn't that fortunate?"
"It is. It's fortunate, but..."
Tang Soso sighed for a moment before speaking.
"From a medical perspective, the most dreadful patient is not the one with big wounds. In many cases, if the patient is conscious, we can do something about it."
"But?"
"The real headache is a patient whose healed wounds reopen. From that point on, it's not the trauma that's the issue; it becomes internal injuries. Once the blood of a living patient starts to rot, it becomes a situation that can't be reversed."
"I understand what you're saying."
Yoon Jong nodded slowly with a heavy expression.
Until now, as long as Chung Myung was alive, it was enough. It was always after the battle was completely over that they tended to Chung Myung's wounds. But now?
'It's just the beginning.'
They had just escaped from Southern Island Province. Now they had to break through the Gangnam region and head towards the Yangtze River. They couldn't even predict how many more battles like this would occur.
"It's unlikely he'll fully recover before the next battle."
"Yes."
Tang Soso answered succinctly.
"So, Sahyung."
"Huh?"
"If Chung Myung Sahyung tries to go wild next time, you must restrain him as much as possible, whether it means tying a leash around his neck or by clinging onto his pants."
"...Got it."
"Don't just listen casually."
Yoon Jong's expression hardened as Tang Soso's voice turned slightly chilly.
"I know better than anyone that we can't stop Chung Myung's recklessness. But this time, it's not something we can just overlook. What if it happens again next time? Or the time after that?"
"..."
"You seem to forget each time, but that guy is also human. People die when they suffer severe injuries. Most likely, that guy will go too far again, and this time..."
"I understand."
Yoon Jong calmly interrupted Tang Soso. Tang Soso gave him a scrutinizing look, but Yoon Jong's expression remained steadfast.
"Don't worry, what you think won't happen."
"Sahyung..."
"I didn't come with a sword just to suck fingers from behind. I had to endure it because there was no other choice on the coast. From now on, I won't just let Chung Myung run wild."
Yoon Jong was much more resolute than usual. Tang Soso looked at him with newfound scrutiny.
Normally, Yoon Jong's temperament was gentle and moderate.
But there were times he was more firm than anyone else in Mount Hua. Like right now.
"...I understand. Sahyung."
Tang Soso nodded silently.
As the atmosphere settled slightly, Jo Gol raised the hand he had rested on the back of his head, stretched, and yawned.
"Ugh, easier said than done. Just thinking about stopping that guy makes my stomach churn already."
"But we have it lucky."
"....Really?"
Yoon Jong chuckled and said.
"Think about the person who would have been nagging at Chung Myung's side if things were the same as usual. Now he can't even be here, so how much would his stomach be churning?"
"Ah."
Jo Gol sighed briefly and chuckled.
"Indeed. That's true. Considering his personality."
In another cabin, Baek Cheon was meditating. Looking at him, Kim Yang Baek's face showed a hint of surprise.
Even though he had already experienced a fierce battle once, there was not a single bloodstain on Baek Cheon's clothes. This meant that despite facing such a battle, Baek Cheon still had room to spare.
'Mount Hua...'
He thought highly of them. As much as possible, he tried to erase prejudices and evaluate them to the maximum extent that he could evaluate.
But in reality, the power of the Mount Hua Sect that Kim Yang Baek had witnessed made all those efforts meaningless.
People who haven't seen the sea find it hard to understand the vastness of the sea, no matter how much they hear about it. Similarly, those who haven't experienced the Mount Hua Sect can't fully comprehend the power of the Mount Hua Sect, no matter how much they hear about it.
'If there are more than a hundred of these people...
No, in fact, upon closer examination, what he had witnessed was not the true power of the Mount Hua Sect. It was simply the remarkable performance of a few with the most reputation in the Mount Hua Sect.
If those filling their ranks right now were not the Southern Island Sect, but people whom they had always trained together and grown up together with, what kind of power would they truly exhibit? Just the thought sent shivers down his spine.
'I need to reassess Heavenly Comrade Alliance.'
Kim Yang Baek did not think poorly of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. No, in fact, he was inclined to evaluate them quite highly.
Even if they hadn't risked their lives to find the Southern Island Sect, he would have highly regarded the ideals and values that the Heavenly Comrade Alliance held.
However, deep down, there was a prejudice the Heavenly Comrade Alliance was an alliance made up of those who couldn't become part of the Ten Great Sects.
But now, after witnessing this coastal battle, he realized.
'It's not like that.'
They weren't being pushed away but joining. [idk] That's what Kim Yang Baek thought after witnessing that sword and that person.
"... First."
At that moment, Baek Cheon spoke. Unknowingly, Kim Yang Baek straightened his shoulders.
Since they first met, Kim Yang Baek had respected Baek Cheon as the Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua, but after seeing him fight, his perception was bound to change.
"I offer my deepest condolences for the loss of your disciples."
Kim Yang Baek slowly nodded, responding with a solemn voice.
"Please don't be disheartened. It was something I was prepared for."
"..."
"And those kids must have been prepared too."
Baek Cheon nodded silently. At that moment, Kim Yang Baek let out a dry cough. He realized he was subtly observing Baek Cheon's reaction.
Well, the term "observing the reaction" might not be appropriate.
It was more about waiting for the evaluation of the other party before judging right or wrong on his own. Wasn't that called 'reading the room' in the world?
Though no one was peeking into his thoughts, he felt somewhat embarrassed. Yet, anyone who witnessed such a scene would naturally react this way.
In the Kangho, each sect went to any lengths means to acquire as many absolute masters as possible. It was all for reasons like this.
He tried to hide his mixed feelings and embarrassment, and spoke calmly.
"I would also like to thank Deputy Sect Leader. It seems that Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword has suffered injuries, yet before checking on his well-being, you came to us first..."
"It's a matter of course. Even if there are injuries, how can they compare to those who lost their lives?"
Is that so? Well, he didn't know.
What if, instead of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, other martial arts sects from the Ten Great Sects were present here?
Among those martial artists, would there be even one who would prioritize consoling the sect leader of the Southern Island Sect over the injuries of Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword?
'Probably not.'
It was a bit melancholy, but that was how the world worked. However, Baek Cheon did not inquire about the wounds of his martial brother. Instead, he first comforted the disciples of the Southern Island Sect and came to console Kim Yang Baek. He might have said it was a matter of course, but in the eyes of the world, someone who could do such a matter of course was called a hero.
Kim Yang Baek thought again. Perhaps the power of the Mount Hua Sect came not from strength but from such moments.
"But, Sect Leader."
At that moment, Baek Cheon looked up at Kim Yang Baek.
"It's just the beginning now."
"..."
"Perhaps the disciples of the Southern Island Sect are quite confused right now. Promising to fight with your life is different from actually fighting with your life."
Kim Yang Baek hardened his expression. It was an undeniable statement. Even Kim Yang Baek, let alone the younger disciples, must have keenly felt that fact.
"At times like this, the Sect Leader should comfort the disciples well."
Usually, Kim Yang Baek would have said a word at this point. That he would take care of it himself, so don't worry about unnecessary things. However, this time, Kim Yang Baek just nodded positively. He had to admit that Baek Cheon had more experience.
"The Evil Tyrant Alliance will track us down immediately. Once they catch up, constant battles will unfold from the moment we arrive in Gangnam."
"..."
"Please ensure the disciples' spirits don't waver. We will also make efforts."
"Hmm."
Kim Yang Baek nodded heavily.
"I will do my best."
"Thank you."
Watching Baek Cheon politely nod his head, Kim Yang Baek showed an awkward smile.
"The situation is difficult, but... there is one hopeful sign."
"A hopeful sign?"
Baek Cheon looked at him with a puzzled expression. In response, Kim Yang Baek's smile became a bit more natural and brighter.
"A headwind is blowing right now."
Baek Cheon frowned slightly, finding it difficult to understand.
"In Deputy Sect Leader's eyes, all of us may seem like Southern Sea people, but in fact, Guangdong and Southern Island are different in every aspect, from culture to customs. And that applies to the shape of the ships too."
"Ah."
Kim Yang Baek sighed deeply.
"Southern Island people often see ships from Guangdong, but Guangdong people rarely drive ships from Southern Island. So, even if they seize the ships, it will take quite a long time to break through this headwind."
"You're saying we might have a bit more leeway."
Kim Yang Baek nodded heavily.
"Now, I think we have a little more time."
Baek Cheon looked at him, but his expression didn't brighten.
"It may be a bit presumptuous of me to say this, but Sect Leader."
"...Hm?"
He spoke with a heavy head.
"If you think like that, you might be underestimating the Evil Tyrant Alliance and Myriad Man Manor too easily."
"..."
"They won't slow down. No matter what method they use."
It was a voice filled with conviction. Kim Yang Baek closed his mouth for a moment.
And at the same time.
The scene unfolding in Southern Island was proving that Baek Cheon's expectations were not far off.
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