章 99: Chapter 1741 - It Cannot Be Seen (1)
The day had dawned.
Jo Gul, who had spent the entire night wide awake, stared blankly at the sunlight pouring through the window before he finally got up. Those who had silently kept vigil with him through the night turned their gazes toward him.
"Gul?"
Scratching his head, Jo Gul muttered, "I think I should go check on him. The early morning air was cold, and I'm worried he might have fallen ill. And… well, I don't want to burden the medical hall unnecessarily."
It was a nonsensical excuse.
"The Sect Leader…" Yoon Jong, who had opened his mouth to speak, hesitated before shaking his head. He sighed. Hyun Jong had explicitly ordered that no kindness be shown to the expelled disciple. But it wasn't as if Jo Gul had forgotten that already. Even if he faced harsh consequences for his actions, Jo Gul had made up his mind to go, and Yoon Jong could not stop him.
"Gul."
"No, Sahyung, I'll just go for a bit. If I get in trouble, I'll get in trouble. You can just say you dozed off and didn't notice…"
"I'll go with you."
"…What?"
Yoon Jong stood up. "I need to check on him too."
Without waiting for a response, he headed for the door. The others who had been seated also stood up, as if they had all agreed on this course of action beforehand.
"Wait, this isn't…"
Jo Gul hadn't intended for this to escalate like this. Sighing deeply, he scratched his head again. "Does this sect have some unspoken rule about defying orders?"
They were all blatantly ignoring the decree issued just the day before by the Sect's Senior Leader. Watching the others walk ahead, Jo Gul eventually followed behind them.
"Will he be okay?"
"He will be."
No matter how weakened he had become, Baek Cheon was still a martial artist. A single cold night wouldn't seriously harm him. However, it was his heart they were truly worried about.
'Expelled…'
Yoon Jong tried to imagine what it would feel like if he were in the same position. It was impossible to fathom. He had never once considered a life away from Mount Hua. Even during the sect's darkest times, when its collapse seemed inevitable, Yoon Jong never thought about leaving. Mount Hua was his entire world.
How could he possibly understand the feeling of being forcibly severed from all that? He couldn't even offer words of comfort.
"Health comes first. No matter what someone goes through, they need to stay healthy."
Yoon Jong's face hardened at Jo Gul's careless words. Even in this situation, Jo Gul was spouting nonsense, which only made Yoon Jong more irritated.
"Sahyung."
"What?"
Yoon Jong's voice was cold without him meaning it to be.
"Are you sure going to the Southern Edge Sect will cure Sasuk?"
Yoon Jong turned to look at Jo Gul.
"It will, right?"
Instead of answering, Yoon Jong let out a long sigh. 'Yes… Right now, we need to cling to that hope.'
"We have to believe."
"Everything will be fine. Sasuk's family is wealthy, right? As long as he gets better, everything will work out. It'll be fine."
Anyone could tell that Jo Gul didn't truly believe his own words. Yet he kept repeating them, as if trying to convince himself that everything would somehow work out for the best.
"Right. At least… it'll be better than it is now."
"But, Sahyung, just in case… I mean, if Sasuk recovers, do you think the sect might cancel his expulsion…"
"Jo Gul."
Jo Gul flinched as Yoon Jong's icy voice pierced through him.
"Think before you speak."
"No, I wasn't saying it *should* happen, just that it *could*…"
"Stop saying ridiculous things. That would only disgrace both Mount Hua and Sasuk. And Sasuk would never accept such a thing."
Jo Gul sighed deeply. He knew it was impossible. Even if there were a way, Baek Cheon would never choose such a path.
"…I was just talking."
"…"
Yoon Jong didn't scold him further. Truthfully, he had thought about it too, even though he knew it was a vain hope. It was time to accept it: Baek Cheon would become a part of the Southern Edge Sect.
'The Southern Edge Sect…'
Although their relations had improved recently, of all the places it had to be, it had to be there. Would the friendship with the Southern Edge Sect last? Or would it revert to the old days, or even worse, lead to outright hostility? And if, one day, Baek Cheon stood at the forefront of the Southern Edge Sect, how was Yoon Jong supposed to look at him then?
'It's complicated.'
Just as Yoon Jong was trying to suppress his conflicted emotions, Jo Gul interrupted his thoughts.
"Sahyung, over there."
And then, the people Yoon Jong least wanted to see appeared in his view. They were walking in the same direction as his group. At the forefront was the Sect Leader of the Southern Edge Sect, Jong Rigok, along with Jin Geumryong, Lee-Song Songbaek, and Baek Cheon's father, Jin Cho Baek.
'Are they going to take him?'
Yoon Jong found himself biting his lip. It was only natural that they would come to retrieve Baek Cheon, yet it felt as though his insides were being torn apart.
Yi Songbaek, noticing their gaze, awkwardly lowered his head. The rest of the Southern Edge Sect's group soon noticed them as well, and exchanged looks. Yoon Jong bowed respectfully.
No matter how he felt, the Sect Leader of another sect stood before him. To fail to show proper courtesy would tarnish Mount Hua's honor. Jong Rigok gave a slight nod in return.
Since their destination was the same, the distance between them gradually closed. Eventually, they were less than ten steps apart. No matter how hard Yoon Jong tried to ignore it, the tension grew. It was Jin Geumryong who broke the silence first.
"Are you going to see him?"
"…Yes."
Though they didn't usually stand on ceremony, in terms of rank, Jin Geumryong was still technically Yoon Jong's senior. As Baek Cheon's elder brother in training, Yoon Jong spoke respectfully. However, Jin Geumryong's response was brief.
"Why bother?"
So much meaning was packed into those two words that Yoon Jong felt a surge of anger rise within him. He clenched his teeth to stop himself from saying something he'd regret. Causing a scene here would benefit no one.
It was Jong Rigok who next spoke.
"I heard that Mount Hua's Sect Leader forbade contact with the expelled disciple. You are aware that what you're doing could cause problems, are you not?"
"Yes, I am aware."
"And yet, you still intend to go?"
Though Jong Rigok's tone was gentle, his message was clear: leave now. But even knowing that, Yoon Jong couldn't bring himself to back down.
"Yes. I will take responsibility for my actions."
Jong Rigok narrowed his eyes slightly.
It wasn't just Yoon Jong who refused to retreat. Jo Gul was glaring at them as if they were his enemies, Yoo Iseol's sharp gaze was unwavering, Baek Sang and Hye Yeon stood their ground despite their obvious unease, while Tang Soso and Namgung Dowi maintained their quiet composure.
All of the most promising rising talents in the martial world were openly defying their orders and accepting punishment, all for the sake of reaching Baek Cheon.
'Is this what charisma is?'
Baek Cheon clearly had a power to draw people to him that no one in the Southern Edge Sect could match. The Southern Edge Sect had the rational Jin Geumryong and the steadfast Lee Songbaek, but Baek Cheon had something neither of them possessed.
"Hm…"
Jong Rigok let out a brief sigh.
Though he could forcibly stop them, there was no need to do so. By accompanying them to fetch Jin Dong Ryong, it might serve to wake them up to reality.
"In that case, let's go together. After all, both sides are heading to see the same person."
"...Though I won't insist on going separately, we can't go together either."
"Hm?"
"We aren't going to send off our Sasuk."
Jong Rigok's eyes twinkled with interest.
Even as he stood before Jong Rigok, Yoon Jong remained calm and composed. Despite meeting the sect leader of another clan while on his way to visit someone who had been expelled for defying Hyun Jong's orders.
Jong Rigok scrutinized Yoon Jong's deep, serene gaze, like a windless lake.
'How does Mount Hua keep producing talents like this?'
Though it would be shameless to admit, he couldn't help but feel envious.
"Then, do as you wish."
With a brief nod, Jong Rigok resumed walking.
In any case, he needed to get Jin Dong Ryong back to Southern Edge Sect as soon as possible. The sooner they diagnosed and treated him, the better his condition would be.
Jong Rigok quickened his pace.
Jin Geum Ryong, following behind, shot a sharp glance at Yoon Jong and Jo Gul.
A cold tension filled the space between the two groups walking side by side at a distance. It was a chill that hadn't existed since they sorted out their positions.
Lee Song Baek quietly sighed.
'This is frustrating.'
They had barely managed to mend the relationship between the two sects. Now, because of Baek Cheon, it felt like things were cooling down again, a bad omen.
And yet, Baek Cheon himself wouldn't want that.
Suppressing his frustration, Lee Song Baek turned the corner toward the pavilion where Baek Cheon was likely to be.
Suddenly, Jong Rigok came to a halt. At the same time, Yoon Jong stopped in his tracks.
A low groan escaped Jong Rigok's lips.
"Baek Cheon... No, where is Jin Dong Ryong?"
"What?"
Jong Rigok lightly stroked his chin, his gaze dark.
"I expected him to be here. Send someone to his quarters immediately."
He had assumed that yesterday's shock wouldn't be so easily shaken off, and that Jin Dong Ryong had gone to his quarters to collect his thoughts.
'Is he stronger than I thought? If so, that's fortunate.'
While Jong Rigok calmly waited for news from Baek Cheon's quarters, the report he received was unexpected.
"Sect Leader, there's no one at his quarters."
"...Is that so? Then check the medical hall—"
One of the disciples approached Jong Rigok with a nervous expression.
"The, the medical hall is empty as well."
Finally, Jong Rigok's expression shifted.
"...Then where could he have gone, in that condition?"
"I—I don't know…"
"Search Wudang thoroughly! Wasn't he here until dawn? He must still be somewhere on the grounds!"
It was unthinkable to search another sect's premises so recklessly. But the gravity of the situation forced Jong Rigok to breach such decorum.
At the order of the visibly angry Sect Leader, the disciples of Southern Edge scattered frantically throughout Wudang.
A vague sense of unease crept into Jong Rigok's mind.
'Could he have gone to Hyun Jong?'
It was possible. Perhaps he had gone to plead for forgiveness, hoping to have the punishment revoked. Jong Rigok would have done the same in his place.
'This is no time to hesitate. I should—'
The situation was growing stranger.
"He's not here, Sect Leader."
"We can't find him anywhere."
Even those who had searched near Hyun Jong's quarters and the reception hall where Mount Hua's disciples were staying came back empty-handed.
Not just Wudang's grounds, but even the entire Wudang Mountain had been thoroughly searched, and still, there was no sign of Baek Cheon.
"This is…"
Jong Rigok's face turned ashen. Hyun Jong, who had heard the news late, came rushing over, visibly anxious.
"Sect Leader."
"Grand Sect Leader! You haven't been with Baek Cheon... or Jin Dong Ryong, have you?"
"I haven't seen him since yesterday."
"That can't be…!"
Hyun Jong's face paled as he turned to the other disciples.
"Has anyone seen Baek Cheon?"
"...You ordered us not to make contact with the expelled."
"Has anyone seen him today?"
Unsurprisingly, there was no response. Hyun Jong, his expression blank, stared at the wide-open gates of Wudang.
"This... this is…"
Baek Cheon had vanished.
In this land, still rife with the flames of war, Baek Cheon had disappeared as if into thin air.
"This is impossible…"
Mount Hua had cast him out, hoping he would head to Southern Edge Sect.
But Baek Cheon hadn't gone there.
No one could have predicted this turn of events. Everyone's faces drained of color.
"Baek Cheon…"
Hyun Jong's sorrowful voice echoed through the silent training ground.
And on the roof of a nearby pavilion, far removed from the commotion, Chung Myung let out a quiet sigh.
The taste of the liquor in his mouth seemed especially bitter today..
クリエイターの想い 
Muffin_niffuM
Muffin_niffuM Holy Shit. He really can't stand his family huh. (I know thats not it but this just reminded me of what his brother said to songbaek about getting his brother to come back before the injury)
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット