"What did you just say?!"
"Jo Gul!"
Yoon Jong quickly stopped Jo Gul from advancing.
"Wait, wait! Don't get angry so suddenly…"
But his efforts were shattered by Tang Soso's voice that rang out again.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"What?"
Jo Gul's face twisted further. Even Yoon Jong, who was trying to mediate, looked at her in surprise.
"Soso, it seems like you don't understand what your words mean…"
"I know exactly what I said."
"…"
"I clearly know, and I said it on purpose. I'm saying Sasuk should just go to the Southern Edge Sect."
"Soso!"
Yoon Jong was momentarily stunned, and Jo Gul gritted his teeth. Yoo Iseol, however, remained expressionless, as if deep in thought, not intervening in the argument.
Only Baek Sang and Hye Yeon, who couldn't dare intervene, bit their lower lips nervously.
"You're suggesting we send Sahyung to the Southern Edge Sect?"
"Yes."
"Do you think that makes any sense?"
"Why doesn't it?"
"Tang Soso!"
"I can't understand this at all."
Though Yoon Jong rarely raised his voice, Tang Soso didn't back down even an inch.
"Isn't saving a life the most important thing? No matter how important the sect's registry is, it can't be more important than a person. Would Sasuk cease to be Sasuk just because he changes his affiliation to the Southern Edge Sect?"
"At the very least, he would no longer be Sasuk."
Yoon Jong spoke decisively.
"The name Baek Cheon would cease to exist. That's a name given to disciples of Mount Hua."
"So what? A name is just a name. A title is just a title! The person we know isn't going anywhere."
"Do you really think it's that simple?"
"Is it really such a difficult problem?"
With Yoon Jong maintaining a consistently cold attitude, Tang Soso cried out in frustration.
"Has everyone lost their minds? It's just a matter of changing his affiliation!"
"…"
"Are we really going to stand by and watch someone live out the rest of his life in that condition just to preserve a name and a title? Are we going to keep someone who could be treated locked up here, looking at him with pity and helping him hobble around?"
"Who said that's what we should do?"
"Then what are we supposed to do?"
Yoon Jong found himself momentarily speechless.
Of course, that wasn't his intention, but he realized that what Tang Soso said wasn't all that different from the reality of the situation.
A cold silence fell. Eventually, Tang Soso looked at Jo Gul and asked,
"So, do you agree with Yoon Jong? Do you think it's better for Sasuk to live the rest of his life here like this rather than becoming part of the Southern Edge Sect? Really?"
It was strange.
Jo Gul had been the first to express strong opposition to Tang Soso's words. But now, he was unable to say anything.
"Answer me, Sahyung."
Jo Gul clenched his hands into fists.
To them, "Mount Hua" was irreplaceable. In a way, it had become more than just a name—it was almost everything.
But to Jo Gul, as important as the name "Mount Hua" was, so was the name "Baek Cheon."
"I don't understand."
Tang Soso said, her voice as cold as ice.
"What's so great about Mount Hua, anyway?"
"…"
"I don't care if Sasuk belongs to Mount Hua or the Southern Edge Sect. Sasuk is still Sasuk. He's still the Baek Cheon I know. So, what's a hundred times more important to me is that Sasuk gets better, that the person I care about isn't in pain."
She paused as if to collect her thoughts and then added,
"Those two little words, Mount Hua…"
"Watch your mouth."
Tang Soso's words, which had taken a lot of courage, were abruptly cut off by a low, even voice. Yoo Iseol was staring straight at Tang Soso with calm, sunken eyes.
"It's not just a name. It's not something to be belittled."
It was rare for Yoo Iseol, who usually spoke so little, to speak so firmly. Tang Soso hung her head low.
"I'm sorry."
She had lost her composure and spoken without thinking. She knew very well how much that name meant. After all, she had been part of building that name's significance too.
Yoo Iseol, seeing Tang Soso looking pained, spoke quietly.
"Sahyung would refuse."
Her words were brief and direct, but no one there failed to understand their meaning.
"Yes, I know. That's why… we have to persuade him. Somehow."
Tang Soso spoke hesitantly, her voice lacking confidence. She couldn't be certain of anything.
But her concern for Baek Cheon was evident and heartfelt.
Perhaps that's why Jo Gul let out an involuntary sigh, scratching his head in frustration.
"So, we're supposed to convince Sasuk, who wants to stay at Mount Hua, to leave for the Southern Edge Sect?"
"…"
"To force out someone who's already decided, even in his current state, to remain here?"
"Yes."
"Damn it."
Jo Gul cursed, not at Tang Soso, but at the frustrating reality he couldn't help but accept.
He turned to the one person he always relied on when he felt stuck.
"What do you think, Sahyung?"
Yoon Jong answered without hesitation.
"I think it's nonsense."
"…Of course you do."
"Just imagining Sasuk in the robes of the Southern Edge Sect makes my blood boil."
"Yeah, just seeing him like that for a moment before was unbearable."
"I really couldn't stand it."
There had been a time when he had to disguise himself for a mission, but that was just a disguise. Yoon Jong spoke bitterly.
"It would make my insides churn, like my stomach was being ripped apart… but seeing Sasuk trying to act like nothing was wrong every time we crossed paths, that's even worse."
He sighed deeply.
He didn't know.
"What is right…?"
He had no idea. But one thing was certain.
"Soso."
"Yes, Sahyung?"
"Is Sasuk getting better?"
"…No. It's going to be difficult."
"Is he getting worse?"
Tang Soso didn't respond.
Finally, Yoo Iseol asked the question no one had dared to voice.
"Then, how long does he have left?"
A long silence followed. It was enough to give everyone present the answer they dreaded.
After what felt like an eternity, Yoo Iseol, with a face as composed as ever, looked around at everyone.
"We don't need to think the same way. We're not children. We don't need someone to tell us what's right."
After speaking unusually long for her, Yoo Iseol came to a short conclusion.
"Act according to what you believe."
"..."
"But if you're going to do it, do it right."
At that moment, a small resolve was reflected in everyone's eyes.
* * *
Those facing the Mount Hua Sect for the first time are usually perplexed. The reason is simple: the disciples of Mount Hua are unexpectedly humble compared to their reputation. Of course, that's putting it nicely. A less flattering way to put it would be that they are exceedingly naïve.
It's not because Mount Hua's disciples are truly simple-minded. They've been through their share of hardships, and based on experience alone, they could easily outdo most sects. But as they say, like father, like son; the Sect Leader Hyun Jong and the elders' dispositions have naturally passed on to them.
In the end, Mount Hua's disciples know very well how to handle any situation, but they tend to hesitate because they worry about hurting others in the process.
And Baek Cheon, from the perspective of the one being affected, experienced firsthand how these traits could be perceived.
"Leave."
"Sasuk."
"I said leave."
Baek Cheon gritted his teeth as he looked at the person who had barged into his room.
"Even you?"
Annoyance spread across Baek Cheon's face. It wasn't anger, just clear annoyance.
"It's one thing for the others, but shouldn't you be different?"
The person standing in front of him was the one who would eventually succeed Baek Cheon as the Sect Leader… well, to be precise, the future Sect Leader of Mount Hua.
Yoon Jong sighed deeply with a face full of guilt.
"…I'm sorry."
"Did everyone plan this?"
"We decided to leave it to each person's discretion."
Baek Cheon, unable to hide his irritation, stared at Yoon Jong for a long time before sighing. He could roughly guess what was going on. So, it was hard to get angry directly.
Instead, he looked at Yoon Jong with a face that clearly said he found the situation absurd.
"Fine, I understand. But… if you're going to do it, at least do it properly."
Yoon Jong had no words.
Honestly, he knew exactly how to drive Baek Cheon out of Southern Edge Sect. The fastest and surest way would be to provoke his emotions mercilessly.
Humans are emotional creatures, so even if Baek Cheon couldn't use his arm, just mocking him a little would be enough to ease some of the bitterness he harbored toward Mount Hua.
Another option would be to apply physical pressure discreetly. After all, Baek Cheon's current state was worse than that of an ordinary civilian.
There were countless methods to consider. It wouldn't take a genius to come up with something.
But the disciples of Mount Hua aren't ruthless enough to execute such plans. So instead, they've been trying their best to persuade Baek Cheon, doing everything they can to avoid hurting his pride.
"…Was it that sloppy?"
"Yes."
"At least Soso…"
"She unwrapped and rewrapped the bandages three times while endlessly prattling on about how leaving the Sichuan Tang Family for Mount Hua was the best decision she ever made. She even said you should try changing your mind once."
…So much for that.
"Did Baek Sang Sasuk come by too?"
"He said Southern Edge Sect is rich and good for living. He even mentioned that, since you're a legitimate member, you could skim off a third of the estate's wealth."
"That crazy man."
"Pardon?"
"I mean, no… Never mind."
Is it really okay to leave the finances to that man? Won't Mount Hua end up bankrupt?
"Did Hye Yeon Monk…?"
"He said getting excommunicated might be worth trying."
An even crazier person had already done that.
"What about Sahyung?"
"He barged in, stared at me intensely, and then just sat down in the corner. He kept doing that, so I called someone to drag him out."
"…Did he leave?"
"After doing it three times, he stopped coming."
Yoon Jong was now plunged into unexpected despair. As he listened, he started to think that was the closest thing to a normal response. But in truth, maybe there was no future for this sect.
Baek Cheon asked nonchalantly.
"Aren't you going to ask about Jo Gul?"
"Honestly, I'm a little scared to hear it."
"Then I won't say anything."
"…Thank you."
Yoon Jong sighed deeply.
I knew this would happen. All Mount Hua people are like this. What's the use of having so much enthusiasm? They have the will, but no courage to hurt anyone.
"Sasuk."
"Go."
"Pardon?"
Baek Cheon's face twisted. If his arms were working, he'd be massaging his temples right now.
"I don't need to hear what nonsense you're about to spout. Just get out."
"No, at least let me…"
"I said, get out."
In the end, Baek Cheon, unable to hold back any longer, shot up from his seat and kicked Yoon Jong.
"W-wait, Sasuk! Using force is—"
"Then hit me back."
"How could I do that!"
"Then get out."
Baek Cheon kicked Yoon Jong's behind again, pushing him out of the room. After he'd driven Yoon Jong all the way to the door, he shouted at the figure running off.
"If you show up again, I won't let it slide!"
"I-I'll see you tomorrow!"
"Don't come!"
Baek Cheon gritted his teeth. Only after Yoon Jong disappeared behind the distant pavilion did he mutter to himself with a tired expression.
"Idiots."
He knew. He knew that all this stupidity came from a place of concern for him. If it wasn't for that, they wouldn't be wandering around his quarters at such a late hour.
But… Baek Cheon felt a bit melancholic.
Because he understood their feelings, it made him feel even more like there was nothing left for him to do in Mount Hua.
And he felt endlessly pathetic for accepting their warm hearts this way.
Baek Cheon stared blankly into space for a moment, then suddenly shifted his gaze and spoke up.
"Hey."
He looked intently at the eaves of the pavilion. Even though no one was there, Baek Cheon continued speaking.
"Got any liquor left?"
The words were thrown into the empty air, but a response soon came. More precisely, from the eaves of the pavilion he was staying in.
"There's always liquor."
"Where'd you get it?"
"There's a warehouse near the Sect Leader's quarters."
In other words, he had pilfered it from the Wudang Sect's storage. Baek Cheon chuckled.
"Give me a bottle. I feel like drinking a little."
Cheong Myung, who had been lying on the roof with his arms behind his head, faintly nodded.
"…Sure."
Next to him were a few bottles of alcohol and two cups, as if they'd been prepared in advance.