In the silence, Hyun Jong stared at the person sitting in front of him without speaking.
Though the sleeves could cover the wounds, they could not hide the gauntness of the arms. The face was pallid and brittle, the lips dry and cracked, and the area beneath the eyes dark and hollow.
The familiar person in an unfamiliar state was painfully distressing to Hyun Jong, like a knife piercing his heart. What made it even more sorrowful was that Baek Cheon, who sat across from him, looked calm as if nothing had happened.
Though his inner feelings might be different… No, surely they were not, but the Baek Cheon in front of him was desperately feigning calmness. Even though he should have been collapsing and falling apart.
That mature and admirable demeanour was painful. Hyun Jong had always wished for his disciples to grow up splendidly, but he had never considered the immense price it would take to achieve such completion.
"The tea is getting cold, Sect Leader" Baek Cheon said quietly.
Hyun Jong glanced at his teacup, which was still empty as it had not been poured yet.
Normally, he would have filled his teacup immediately upon sitting, but he couldn't bring himself to do that now.
After a moment's hesitation, Hyun Jong finally spoke.
"How is… your condition?"
"It's good," Baek Cheon nodded and added, "It's much better than before."
"I see."
Hyun Jong could not find a suitable response and merely nodded in agreement.
"I'm sorry. I should have come out to greet you first."
"Don't say that."
Unable to hold back, Hyun Jong sighed deeply. He reproached himself for rushing into this room without any plans in his anxious state.
What words would be comforting? What words could provide hope?
He had no idea of the answer. No matter what he said, it seemed like he would only be offering empty excuses with the word 'understanding.'
Hyun Jong struggled to speak again.
"Baek Cheon…"
"Just a moment."
Baek Cheon suddenly interrupted Hyun Jong's speech.
It was an impolite act, but it might have been a consideration for Hyun Jong. At the very least, it stopped him from squeezing out meaningless words of comfort.
"I have something to say to the Great Sect Leader first."
Baek Cheon stood up from his seat. He then walked to the bed and carefully lifted the white cloth that had been covering it.
Even the simple act of holding the thin cloth and walking had become a difficult task for him, requiring several attempts before he managed it.
As Hyun Jong watched the pitiful sight, his gaze was caught by an object revealed from under the cloth.
"I am now returning this to you, Sect Leader."
Hyun Jong shut his eyes tightly, stunned.
What lay beneath the cloth was the sacred weapon of Mount Hua that Hyun Jong had once bestowed upon Baek Cheon when he appointed him as Acting Sect Leader.
(Just a refresher, it is Chung Mun's sword that was first shown by Abbot during the tournament arc and then later received during the Ice Palace arc)
What did it mean to return this to Hyun Jong?
"...Baek Cheon."
"Great Sect Leader, I…"
After a brief hesitation, Baek Cheon composed himself and continued calmly.
"I realize my shortcomings and intend to resign from the position of Acting Sect Leader of Mount Hua that you appointed me to."
"..."
"Moreover, I also intend to step down from the position of Grand Disciple of Mount Hua. Please forgive my rudeness in resigning from the position you granted me. However, to make an excuse, it seems Mount Hua does not need an Acting Sect Leader at this time. If you must appoint someone else to that position…"
"Baek Cheon."
Hyun Jong interrupted Baek Cheon's words.
A long silence followed. Hyun Jong, who had been gazing intently at Baek Cheon with deep eyes, looked at the Divine Sword and asked.
"What does it mean? That thing is what I…"
"Sect Leader."
Baek Cheon smiled awkwardly.
"It was a decision made after much consideration. I believe this is the natural course of things."
"The natural course?"
Suddenly, a surge of anger rose in Hyun Jong's eyes.
"Did you say it's the natural course?"
"..."
"What is the natural course? Fine! I can accept stepping down from the Acting Sect Leader position as that's more or less a temporary role! But to step down from the position of Grand Disciple… What absurdity is this!"
Hyun Jong did not miss the words Baek Cheon had spoken.
"Do you not understand the significance of being a Grand Disciple? Is that truly your sincere intention?"
"...Sect Leader."
"A Grand Disciple is meant to be the next Sect Leader! Are you now saying you won't become the Sect Leader of Mount Hua?"
Hyun Jong's voice grew increasingly agitated. It was as if he had never shown such anger towards his disciples before.
"I know! You can no longer use the martial arts. With that arm, you cannot wield a sword or teach disciples!"
"..."
"But what's the big deal? If the position of Sect Leader were determined solely by martial arts and accomplishments, would someone like me ever become the Sect Leader of Mount Hua? Martial Arts is but a small part of being a Sect Leader! And you know that well, don't you?"
Baek Cheon faced Hyun Jong without saying a word. In his unwavering gaze was a deep bitterness.
"Yes. It is a small part, Sect Leader."
"Knowing that, how can you…"
"But it is also an indispensable part."
Hyun Jong unconsciously bit his inner cheek.
"I also know. Even if I were to become the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, no one would oppose it. Rather, they would actively support me."
"Exactly! You understand well!"
"But would that truly be for the benefit of Mount Hua and its people?"
Hyun Jong was left speechless. He couldn't bring himself to answer directly.
"A Sect Leader should naturally receive help. No one can be perfect alone, and the same goes for someone in the position of Sect Leader. But Sect Leader…"
Baek Cheon spoke with a small smile.
"There is a big difference between receiving help and becoming a burden."
"Baek Cheon!"
"My current condition is no better than an ordinary person. For me, who must live as a patient for the rest of my life, even just living at Mount Hua will not be easy. Rather…"
Baek Cheon's gaze suddenly turned to the window.
He knew it too.
Even though the window had been left open, there had been no sign of anyone for days. He was grateful for the consideration, but at the same time, that consideration made him painfully aware of his situation.
"If those people… if they were angry at the thought of a cripple sitting as the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, then perhaps I would have desperately tried to become the Sect Leader. But…"
Baek Cheon slowly shook his head. Slowly but resolutely.
"They are not that foolish."
Hyun Jong's lips trembled.
"There are many who can do a splendid job at Mount Hua without me. No, there are those who would be much better suited to be the Sect Leader than me. So why should I…"
At that moment, Hyun Jong could not hold back and shouted loudly.
"Then what are you planning to do? To give up the position of Sect Leader, to step down from being the Grand Disciple, and even renounce the Acting Sect Leader role, what do you intend to become?"
"Sect Leader."
Baek Cheon smiled faintly.
"Even so, I am a disciple of Mount Hua. Isn't that enough?"
Hyun Jong bit his lip. Baek Cheon briefly lowered his eyes before looking directly at Hyun Jong again.
"Even if I cannot use the martial arts, there will still be things for me to do at Mount Hua. After all, what I received from Mount Hua was not just the martial arts, was it?"
Having reached this point in the conversation, Hyun Jong could not help but deeply understand. It was not just simple despair and stubbornness that Baek Cheon had expressed.
In this small room, Hyun Jong could hardly imagine how deep Baek Cheon's concerns were. How much profound anguish must be hidden behind his calm expression?
Despite this, Hyun Jong found it difficult to accept the conclusion Baek Cheon had reached in his suffering.
"I will pretend I did not hear that."
"..."
"No matter what anyone says, the next Sect Leader of Mount Hua will be you. Even if you do not want it, I will make it so."
"Se…Sect Leader."
Hyun Jong abruptly got up from his seat and, turning his body, paused and spoke in a heavy voice.
"... Could you truly be satisfied as just a disciple of Mount Hua?"
"..."
"If that is the case, then why is your sword so clean?"
Baek Cheon flinched and looked away. Behind him, his old Plum Blossom Sword was resting against the wall.
It was not the divine sword of Mount Hua. It was Baek Cheon's sword, which had accompanied him through many hardships. Unlike the dusty items beside it, it was meticulously maintained and completely free of dust.
Baek Cheon's and Hyun Jong's eyes met in the air.
"I will not say comforting words like 'Don't give up' or 'Everything will be fine.'"
"..."
"I will find a way."
Hyun Jong then turned and headed outside.
"Grand Sect Leader."
At the sound of Baek Cheon's voice from behind, Hyun Jong hesitated. He did not turn his head but spoke.
"To me, you were an exceptional disciple beyond compare. Your coming to Mount Hua was considered a gift sent by my ancestors who pitied my difficult life. And that feeling... did not change even when Chung Myung came to Mount Hua."
"..."
"The reason I valued you so much was because, at that difficult time for Mount Hua, I believed that only you could overcome all of it."
Baek Cheon gently closed his eyes.
"Let's discuss this matter again after your mind is more settled."
Having said this, Hyun Jong left the room.
Baek Cheon, who had been staring at the closed door, turned his gaze back to the Plum Blossom Sword resting against the wall.
Even though he thought he would no longer need to wield it... he still meticulously polished it. Baek Cheon looked up at the ceiling.
'It cannot be avoided.'
Something must be lost. If that is the case, then at least Mount Hua will not be what he loses. He could not abandon the warmth that was as tangible as the touch of his fingertips.
However... perhaps no one knows. Sometimes that warmth feels as sharp as a blade.
Thud. Thud.
Hyun Jong marched forward with heavy steps, feeling as if his chest might burst.
'How utterly foolish!'
What was he thinking when he met Baek Cheon? What made him so recklessly confront Baek Cheon's face?
How could he, who could offer nothing, have such confidence?
Seeing Baek Cheon, who tried to remain composed despite losing both arms, felt like his heart was being torn apart.
Had he at least shown resentment or wept and rolled around, it would not have been as suffocating as it was now.
It was as if he had lost his way, with his vision dark and bleak.
What could he offer to a disciple who had lost everything? If he could even give up his life to cure Baek Cheon, he would do so with a smile and without hesitation!
Unable to handle his rising sorrow, Hyun Jong held his face in his hands at that moment.
"It's been a while since we last met."
A person who had appeared before him spoke.
It was Jong Rigok.
In his deep bow and respectful demeanor, there was now a clear, unwavering respect towards Hyun Jong.
Hyun Jong cleared his throat softly to regain his composure.
"Yes, Sect Leader. It has been a while."
Hyun Jong also bowed deeply, showing full respect. Jong Rigok raised his head and spoke in a serious tone.
"Maengju-nim. I know it is not appropriate to ask such a favor of someone who has travelled a long distance, but could you spare me a moment?"
It was a cautious and extremely polite request. Under normal circumstances, Hyun Jong would not have refused such a request regardless of the situation.
But now, he had no space left in his mind.
"I am sorry. At the moment... I am not in a state to handle such matters, so we can discuss it later..."
"It concerns Baek Cheon."
"..."
"Should I refer to him as the Acting Sect Leader of Mount Hua?"
In that instant, Hyun Jong's head snapped up. Jong Rigok's face was as calm as ever.
"What... do you mean?"
"Maengju-nim."
Jong Rigok sighed deeply and then spoke.
"I am deeply sorry to bring this up to you now, but..."
"Please, speak. What is it about Baek Cheon?"
At Hyun Jong's urging, Jong Rigok nodded.
Given the sensitivity of the matter, he had been cautious. Perhaps if the two sects had been at odds, it might have been different, but now Mount Hua was a benefactor sect to Southern Edge Sect.
Jong Rigok looked directly at Hyun Jong.
"Since you asked, I will speak directly."
"..."
"If there is a way for our Southern Edge Sect to treat the Sect Leader of Mount Hua..."
Hyun Jong's eyes widened.
"Would the Grand Sect Leader be willing to send Baek Cheon to Southern Edge Sect?"
Unconsciously, Hyun Jong clenched his fist inside his sleeve. His eyes, trembling in shock, were as precarious as a small boat caught in a great storm.