Chapter 296: Chapter 1185: I Will Bear It (Part 4)

Although it was well-packaged on the surface, among those present here, no one believed that the 'pretty' words spoken by Baek Cheon truly carried a 'pretty' meaning.

'Oh my god...'

'Bangjang...'

The leaders of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance looked at Baek Cheon with faces that seemed like their eyes could pop out at any moment.

Of course, it wasn't their first time seeing Beopjeong getting screwed over. After all, the person who had openly trampled on him the first time was here. However...

'The method is different, but this is a bit more...'

Namgung Dowi secretly observed Beopjeong's expression. Sure enough, the corners of his mouth were faintly twitching. That subtle tremor conveyed enough about Beopjeong's current feelings.

Even Jo Gol, who usually only thought about kicking the Bangjang out as soon as he saw him, looked around with a slightly nauseated expression and whispered to Yoon Jong,

"Sahyung."

"Why?"

"Is, is this really okay?"

"Do you think it's okay?"

Yoon Jong answered heavily. However, Jo Gol couldn't be as nonchalant.

"But, why is Sasuk behaving like that?"

"Why? That guy has always been like that."

Jo Gol, momentarily dumbfounded, shut his mouth like a clam.

'Well, that's true...'

From an external perspective, people might think Jo Gol was the least sane person after Chung Myung in the Mount Hua Sect, but that was a mistaken notion. If you were to ask the disciples of Mount Hua, without a doubt, everyone would say that Baek Cheon was the least sane.

Still, even so. The opponent was the Bangjang...

At that moment, Beopjeong, who had been silent, spoke up.

"Deputy Sect Leader."

It was a short voice, but everyone present could understand. Beopjeong's voice had become distinctly lower than before.

"Yes, Bangjang."

"...Is this the intention of Mount Hua?"

"Yes."

But Baek Cheon remained calm, facing Beopjeong.

"...Does the Sect Leader also agree with this?"

As Beopjeong glared sharply, Hyun Jong glanced at Baek Cheon's back and shook his head.

"You shouldn't ask that, Bangjang."

"What does that mean?"

"I have already delegated all authority regarding this matter to the Deputy Sect Leader. So, there is no need to ask for my opinion. Even if I were to say something, it wouldn't overturn the Deputy Sect Leader's decision."

Beopjeong's eyes visibly trembled.

Even those who harbored nothing but ill will towards Beopjeong felt a momentary unease at the sight. But the sense of satisfaction was undeniably greater than that unease.

"If that's the case, it means Mount Hua won't align itself with Shaolin and their intentions."

"Yes. However, this is merely Mount Hua's intention. The Heavenly Comrade Alliance's intentions may differ."

Beopjeong, who had been glaring at Baek Cheon with a fierce look, turned his gaze towards Hyun Jong.

"What about the intentions of Heavenly Comrade Alliance?"

"The situation has changed, so we need to ask for their intentions again."

"Then ask for them right here and now."

"No, Bangjang, that's... "

"Is there a reason it would be difficult?"

A chill ran down Beopjeong's face.

"You said that formalities and etiquette could be disregarded in urgent situations, didn't you? You won't say that we need a separate time for such an urgent matter, will you?"

Even choosing the Deputy Sect Leader was done in front of him, indicating that opinions should be expressed in his presence. It may be a demanding request, but there was no gap in his words.

Just as Beopjeong was about to say one more thing to pressure Hyun Jong, Namgung Dowi, seated calmly, opened his mouth.

"You don't need to ask us."

"We have already answered. Nothing has changed from the beginning."

Beopjeong's expression finally relaxed.

"A wise choice, Sogaju. Suppressed emotions..."

"Bangjang, please do not misunderstand."

At the moment Beopjeong paused, Namgung Dowi's words interrupted. What misunderstanding was he referring to? According to his words, Namgung had already expressed his intention to rejoin the Five Great Families.

Namgung Dowi opened his mouth as if reading the little doubt in Beopjeong's eyes.

"Before this meeting, the Namgung Family had clearly stated that they would follow Sect Leader's decision."

"That's..."

"It's the decision of Mount Hua's Sect Leader."

Only now did Beopjeong understand what Namgung Dowi was saying. Without realizing it, he gritted his teeth.

"Nothing has changed. If the Deputy Sect Leader has made a decision for Mount Hua, Namgung will follow that decision. Namgung won't return to the Five Great Families."

"Sogaju!"

As Beopjeong raised his voice, a faint laughter emanated from Tang Gunak's mouth.

"It is difficult to find a reason for the Sichuan Tang Family to return to the Five Great Families without Namgung. Bangjang, the Tang Family will also follow Mount Hua's decision."

Uhduk.

As Beopjeong pressed his lips and glared at Tang Gunak. Baek Cheon and Namgung Dowi were still at an age where they could be swayed by vigor and impetuosity. But how could Tang Family, who lived long enough to know the world, say such a thing?

However, Tang Gunak remained nonchalant.

"In this world, there are things that cannot be calculated just by bouncing a bead on an abacus. Moreover... If I were to say that we would join the Five Great Families again, I would have to find a reason for the Tang Family to change its loyalty. What would I do if I made such a statement here and the leadership of the Tang Family changed? I can't withdraw now, can I?"

Upon hearing those words, everyone turned to look at Tang Pae. Tang Pae cleared his throat with a slightly embarrassed expression.

"Well... It's not like I've thought about it that much. I just thought I should express my thoughts a bit more seriously."

"...There was some consideration."

"Well, having seen this right in front of us,"

"It might be a bit regrettable, this."

"Well, that's a provocation."

Tang Pae's retort loosened the atmosphere. No one openly laughed, but faint chuckles could be heard here and there. In this changed atmosphere, Beopjeong's expression became even stiffer.

"The Ice Palace, too!"

At that moment, Seol So Baek, with an excited, flushed face, shouted.

"The North Sea Ice Palace will join forces with Mount Hua and its will. If Mount Hua protects the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, the Ice Palace will also stand with Mount Hua to protect the Heavenly Comrade Alliance until the end!"

Baek Cheon gave Seol So Baek a smile in response.

"Thank you, Palace Lord."

"Oh, don't mention it! It's only natural!"

Meng So, who had calmed the shaking Seol So Baek by lightly grabbing the edge of his clothing, looked at Beopjeong with a meaningful smile.

"With the situation like this, if the Southern Beast Palace separately joined the Ten Great Sects, Bangjang here wouldn't be pleased, would he?"

"...!"

"If the owner isn't welcoming, the guest can't ask for a seat. So, the Southern Beast Palace will also stay with the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. It must be fortunate for Bangjang since there won't be anything for him to regret."

It was a pointed remark. However, Beopjeong couldn't find the words to retort.

Then, the gazes of the people naturally turned to the last remaining person. The person who received those gazes spoke bluntly.

"What are you looking at?"

Im Sobyeong gestured dismissively, showing clear disdain, like chasing away a neighborhood dog.

"The disciples of the esteemed sects can't even enter, but if these bandits shamelessly sneak spoons into the Ten Great Sect's bowl, they'll end up with a wooden clapperboard smacked on their heads. I'm not an idiot..."

"..."

"Why don't you give them a choice and ask them to decide? Should've asked them in the first place."

Still, as the gazes didn't waver, Im Sobyeong waved his hands with irritation.

"Oh, staying. I'm staying. Do I really have to say it out loud?"

That was the end of it. Before Hyun Jong had even spoken of the disbandment of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, all the sects within the Heavenly Comrade Alliance had agreed to its continued existence.

Im Sobyeong laughed and said.

"But isn't this a bit too hasty? Even if we go along with it, the esteemed righteous sects over there might find something if they go that way. Won't it be disappointing for the Namgung Sogaju? Perhaps inwardly, he is pounding the ground in frustration?"

At those words, Namgung Dohwi glanced at him with an irritated expression, then sighed.

"As I've said... Namgung will align with Mount Hua's intentions."

"Well, that's..."

"When you receive a favor, you must repay it. That's only natural. However, it's not everything."

Namgung Dowi spoke firmly.

"Even when there was only gratitude, Namgung sought to follow Mount Hua. But now, it's not just about gratitude between Mount Hua and Namgung. In a short time, we trained together, sometimes hitting each other, cursing, and rolling on the ground together."

Namgung Dowi's gaze shifted to Baek Cheon. For him, while Hyun Jong was merely someone to be grateful to, Baek Cheon held a slightly different meaning.

"Do you know what we call such individuals?"

"Yes?"

"We call them close friends."

Namgung Dowi looked at Baekcheon and smiled faintly.

"Of course, the affection may not be so deep, and it's closer to a bad relationship than a good one. But, regardless, aren't friends still friends? If repaying Mount Hua's favor is Namgung's duty, the desire to go with a friend is Namgung's will."

Namgung Dowi's gaze now turned to Beopjeong.

"And... anyway, Deputy Sect Leader has shown me trust and considered me excellent. To the Sect Leader, I might still seem like an inexperienced youngster, but to Deputy Sect Leader, I am more than that."

Beopjeong furrowed his brows. Namgung Dowi shrugged.

"If you're not a fool, it's better to choose a place that values you more. Even if there are friends there, why would Namgung hesitate? There is no reason to return to the Five Great Families."

At these words, Im Sobyeong chuckled.

"I thought he was born into a noble family, but it turns out he was just born into a wealthy one. I pity the man who was born without one." [idk]

Laughter echoed more loudly at Im Sobyeong's remarks. However, Beopjeong couldn't join in the laughter. Instead of finding it amusing, he stared at Baek Cheon with not just coldness but also resentment.

'This is... This is why... I should have prevented this situation.'

It was something he already knew. If you gain Mount Hua, you gain everything, and if you lose Mount Hua, you lose everything.

That's why he led them down a path where Hyun Jong and Chung Myung, the centers of Mount Hua, couldn't escape. But unexpectedly, someone who wasn't Hyun Jong or Chung Myung ruined everything for him.

'No, it's not over yet.'

Beopjeong suppressed the rising frustration and anger. In the past, he might have shouted out his anger right here. But that wasn't the case now. He still had a way.

Beopjeong raised his patience as much as he could and stared at Baek Cheon. If everything came to this point because of Baek Cheon, then bending to Baek Cheon's will could set everything right.

"Deputy Sect Leader."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

"Do you, Deputy Sect Leader, believe the choice that Mount Hua has made is the right decision now?"

In response to this question, Baek Cheon remained silent, gazing at Beopjeong.

The heavy gaze of Beopjeong, a giant of the era, fell on Baek Cheon.

"With vigor, you made a choice and raised your voices together, but Deputy Sect Leader hasn't proven that the choice is valid. If a wrong decision is made merely based on vigor and not logic, how do you intend to bear the countless lives that may be lost due to it?"

Baek Cheon's lips remained tightly sealed. Beopjeong intensified his momentum.

"Is Deputy Sect Leader really intending to tread the path of becoming an unparalleled sinner? Do you truly not know how much chaos that choice will bring to the world?"

It was a thunderous impact. Beopjeong's hands, resting on his knees, trembled as he struggled to contain his emotions.

Baek Cheon silently stared at Beopjeong, seemingly ready to accept all decisions with equanimity. After a while, he slowly opened his mouth and asked.

"Did you say 'vigor'?"

"That's right."

"You seem to have a misunderstanding, Bangjang."

Beopjeong's gaze turned fierce.

"What possible misunderstanding could there be here!"

"Of course, I am still just a young man with abundant vigor. Naturally, I may make mistakes, and my experience may be lacking."

"If you know—"

"One."

In that moment, Baek Cheon's low-pitched voice cut off Beopjeong's words, piercing sharply into his ears.

"I may not know if I will, but the Sect Leader of Mount Hua does not decide the direction of the sect based on something like vigor. It is because the position of the Sect Leader of Mount Hua is a duty."

"What..."

"Understand clearly. The person you are facing right now is not the disciple Baek Cheon, but the Deputy Sect Leader Baek Cheon of Mount Hua."

"Deputy Sect Leader!"

"And!"

At that moment, Baek Cheon glared at Beopjeong with a wrathful expression.

"If you truly understand what Mount Hua represents, if you know what the ancestors of Mount Hua did for the world! Before you foolishly curse and raise your voice."

Baek Cheon's icy gaze, paused for a moment, sharply penetrated Beopjeong.

"Begin by fulfilling the qualities that should be inherent in one representing Mount Hua. That is the duty that a person should uphold. Do you understand?"

Crack!

The prayer beads held in Beopjeong's hand finally shattered into pieces.