"Hmmm."
Chung Myung sighed deeply and faced Tang Gunak. Seeing his seemingly deep worries, Tang Gunak asked.
"Have your thoughts changed a little?"
"No, it's not that."
Tang Gunak looked at him with a puzzled expression. Then Chung Myung smirked and continued.
"I realized this is the kind of person who becomes the sect leader."
"…Suddenly, what do you mean by that…?"
Chung Myung rested his chin on his fist.
"Well, Elder Hyun Young seems to think that way. Though he says no now, eventually I will become the sect leader."
"…"
"It seems the sect leader also sometimes thinks that way."
Tang Gunak gave a bitter smile.
In fact, to him, not having such thoughts would be stranger. Chung Myung's influence in Mount Hua has even surpassed Hyun Jong. Even if Baek Cheon or Yoon Jong became sect leaders, if Chung Myung wished, making them puppets would be easy.
Whether Chung Myung has the desire or not is not important. What matters is that he can do it. Considering how big a problem this could be for the sect.
Even Tang Gunak himself had trouble dealing with the elders who refused to relinquish power.
"I think I understand what you're thinking."
Rather than splitting power in two, it might be better to concentrate it in Chung Myung alone. Not like the old Chung Myung; the current one quietly cares for people.
"But that's a useless thought."
"Hmm? Why is that?"
"Because I will never become the sect leader."
Tang Gunak showed a completely baffled expression.
Of course, Chung Myung might think he has no desire for power. But Tang Gunak sees him as someone who throws a fit if things don't go his way and breaks down obstacles to turn the tide.
Can someone who cannot be satisfied without directly leading and obtaining what he wants be said to lack ambition? He might mistakenly think it's acceptable now…
Lost in thought, Tang Gunak calmly asked.
"If in the future, Taoist Yoon Jong, who becomes sect leader, acts completely opposite to your thoughts, what will you do?"
"What…?"
Tang Gunak pressed Chung Myung further into a corner, seeming a bit flustered.
"If you see that the then sect leader intends to execute a clearly disadvantageous action under his authority?"
"…"
"What will you do then?"
"I would persuade him."
"And if he refuses to be persuaded?"
Tang Gunak's voice was flat, devoid of emotion. Yet, that made it even clearer.
"Will you force him to submit? Or will you just let him go down the wrong path?"
Chung Myung hesitated to answer. Tang Gunak spoke now with a slightly reproachful tone.
"If you retreat, you must relinquish power. If you don't, you shouldn't retreat. If you act ambiguously, everyone else will suffer."
"Hmm."
Chung Myung pressed his hand against his chin.
'It isn't like I didn't know this.'
But knowing doesn't always mean acting. People tend to postpone things which are not for immediate resolution in front of them, even knowing that the delay will bring greater trouble later.
"So rather…"
"No, I think there's some misunderstanding here."
"Huh?"
Chung Myung looked at Tang Gunak. His expression was indifferent, not matching the serious conversation.
"If such a situation happens, I'll just leave it be."
"…What, you?"
"Yes. What's strange about that?"
"Isn't it obvious? The you I know wouldn't tolerate disciples going down the wrong path."
"That's true."
"Then it's a contradiction."
"No. Your question is based on a wrong premise."
Tang Gunak showed a puzzled look.
"The premise is wrong?"
"Yes."
Chung Myung said with an unwavering face.
"If such a situation occurs, there's no need to worry. I would be wrong, and Sahyung Yoon Jong would be right."
"…"
"If I've persuaded enough and he still doesn't change his mind, then I'm simply wrong. Yoon Jong sahyung isn't someone who would go down the wrong path or fail to recognize his mistakes from others' words."
Tang Gunak showed an incredulous expression.
"Does that make sense? Everyone makes mistakes and misjudgments."
"Yes, that's true. But then, Sahyung is not just a person but a Taoist, not just a disciple but the sect leader."
"…"
"People make mistakes, but the sect leader does not. I will make it so."
Tang Gunak was left speechless.
'What on earth is this…'
How can a person trust another to this extent?
"Is it the same with Taoist Baek Cheon?"
"Ah… the sasuk is a bit different. That person is reliable in battle but tends to bluff in daily life."
"…"
"If he does something foolish, I'll immediately remove him and replace him with Yoon Jong sahyung. Of course, before that, Yiseol Sago will stab him with her sword and remove him."
"Huh…"
Seeing Tang Gunak unable to hide his absurdity, Chung Myung smirked.
"You understand now why I shouldn't become the sect leader."
"…"
"Today, after hearing what the family lord said, I realized: Ah, the sect leader is this kind of person, and the sect leader must think about these things. Then I definitely shouldn't become the sect leader."
"Then shouldn't you just become like one?"
"I'm not someone who can do that."
Chung Myung chuckled.
"You asked if it's a waste, right?"
"Yes."
This conversation started with that question: Isn't it a waste to give the Heavenly Violet Pill to another sect instead of Mount Hua's descendants? Here's the answer.
"Not a bit."
"…Really?"
"Yes."
Chung Myung shrugged.
"That's why I say, I don't know Mount Hua's future. I've tried to understand, but honestly, I still don't. And no matter how much I understand, I don't think I can truly care for it."
"Can't you just do it?"
"There are things done with the head and things done with the heart."
Tang Gunak was momentarily speechless. Chung Myung waved his hand.
"So rather than trying to care for descendants I don't even know or when they'll come, I prefer to release the Heavenly Violet Pill to save even one more person now. To me, that's a hundred times better."
"I don't understand. No matter how important the current disciples are, what about Mount Hua's glory through generations…"
"It's not even comparable."
Tang Gunak flinched. Chung Myung's voice cutting in carried an inexplicable chill.
But looking again, Chung Myung was still smirking.
"Or, well, we can make it that way. So that each surviving disciple becomes worth more than a hundred Heavenly Violet Pills. Someone who can pass on even more to the descendants."
"…"
"Wouldn't that be enough?"
Tang Gunak finally shook his head.
"I don't know, at all."
"That's why I say, that's not what I'm good at. Do you know what I realized this time?"
"What?"
"I don't have to do everything. Everyone should do what they do best."
Chung Myung turned his head and looked at the training ground.
"Baek Cheon sasuk will lead and develop Mount Hua. No one can do it better than him. Yoon Jong sahyung will achieve the Dao that Mount Hua currently lacks. Though Baek Cheon sasuk may have more fame, Yoon Jong sahyung will have a greater influence on future generations."
"…"
"Yiseol Sago will become the manual of Mount Hua's swordsmanship. Her existence alone will change how descendants approach the sword. Jo Gul sahyung… well, he might cause trouble, but the sect needs people like him."
"Hmm…"
"And the family lord's daughter will nurture the lacking female disciples of Mount Hua. She might not be as good as Sago, but she communicates well and will be a channel to convey things that sasuk or sahyung can't say directly."
Chung Myung shrugged.
"The rest are the same. Baek Sang sasuk will enrich Mount Hua's finances, and other disciples will vividly pass on their experiences to future generations. Everyone has their role. There's no one expendable here."
Tang Gunak looked at Chung Myung again with a strangely renewed feeling.
He hadn't thought Chung Myung looked at each Mount Hua disciple so carefully.
Then another question arose.
"Then, what do you exist for?"
"Me? That's obvious."
Chung Myung smiled showing his teeth.
"I'm the sword that slays Mount Hua's enemies."
"…"
"I'll do anything to cut down those threatening Mount Hua now. Heavenly Violet Pill? It's not a tad bit precious. To save even one disciple in Mount Hua, I wouldn't hesitate to use a hundred or even a thousand pills. What's so great about them anyway?"
A deep sigh escaped Tang Gunak's lips.
"I thought I knew you well… but I still don't you fully."
"You only need to know one thing."
"…What is that?"
"That I sincerely need the Heavenly Violet Pill that much."
Tang Gunak looked at Chung Myung with a slightly sulky face. But seeing his still grinning face, he couldn't help but smile.
"If you're going to make me work, then take good care of the Heavenly Violet Pill."
"Of course. Naturally."
Tang Gunak, who had been looking at Chung Myung with a strange gaze, stood up and started walking.
"Are you leaving?"
"Because watching an obvious match isn't fun."
"It's somewhat interesting. Well, see you later."
Tang Gunak turned around and spoke.
"And… let me correct one thing."
"Yes?"
"You said you're the sword that slays Mount Hua's enemies?"
"Yes."
"I wouldn't call a sword which slays someone but says they wouldn't trade even one disciple for a thousand precious pills."
"…"
"That's a sword that protects. The sword that protects Mount Hua."
With those words, Tang Gunak silently walked away, feeling Chung Myung's gaze piercing his back.
'He didn't ask.'
Tang Gunak slowly closed his eyes.
There was one thing he truly wanted to ask. But even Tang Gunak didn't dare to.
'Everyone grows perfectly and leads Mount Hua in their own place. I understand that's ideal.'
Surely, such Mount Hua would become an unparalleled great sect, perhaps the greatest in history.
But if Chung Myung's role is the sword that protects Mount Hua, the sword that slays its enemies… then in a world without enemies, where does Chung Myung belong?
In a world where the sword is no longer needed, what should he live for?
'Does he really think the sect leader position doesn't suit him?'
Or…
Tang Gunak soon shook his head.
That's a story for a far future. Yes, it's too far. They still have countless mountains to climb; it's not a topic for them yet.
Tang Gunak ambled away.
And Chung Myung watched his back intently, his eyes sinking into endless darkness.