That will do. (5)
“….I see.”
Gwak Hwanso slowly closed his eyes and fell silent for a moment.
“A sacrifice… If that was what it was meant to be.”
“Sohyeop.”
“If, in the end, that was how it was going to be…”
Then, wearing a somewhat bitter expression, he picked up the teacup. But in the end he couldn’t bring it to his lips. He simply sat there, holding the teacup in silence, lost in regret.
Baek Cheon, wondering if there was anything he could say to help, soon shook his head.
It would be overstepping.
No matter that Baek Cheon had received Yu Gong’s help, perhaps even owed him a debt for saving his life, that did not grant him the right to judge Yu Gong in front of Haenam’s disciples.
After seemingly being lost in thought for a while, Gwak Hwanso finally looked to Baek Cheon.
“Could you tell me where his remains are?”
“That is not difficult. However…”
When Baek Cheon, trying to confirm whether Gwak Hwanso’s intention was what he thought it was, gave him a questioning look, Gwak Hwanso answered with a calm nod.
“It is a somewhat personal story, but… the sect called Haenam was born to fight pirates.”
“…”
“On Hainan Island, where the hand of the government does not reach, the only way for people to stand against those villainous pirates was, likewise, to take up the sword.”
“Hmm.”
Baek Cheon nodded. He had heard there were often sects founded for similar reasons.
“I’ve been thinking about it lately, and that fact came to mind.”
Seeing Baek Cheon’s expression as if asking why he was bringing this up, Gwak Hwanso spoke with a bitter look.
“To fight pirates… meant to protect the people of Hainan Island. But now, there are no pirates left to fight. So at some point Haenam Sect became like that as well: revering the martial art [무(武)], dreaming of higher realms of attainment, and perhaps placing the sect above the people of Hainan…”
“…”
“That thought occurred to me. That perhaps the one who was most faithful in protecting the people of Hainan – the foundation of Haenam Sect – was… that bastard Yu Gong. Even if his chosen method was entirely wrong.”
“Sohyeop…”
Gwak Hwanso sipped his tea. When he raised his head, that had been slightly lowered previously, his expression had somehow turned calm and composed.
“When I return to Hainan, I will formally become the Sect Leader.”
“Yes, of course, that is only natural.”
“Therefore… as the one who will become the Sect Leader, I can never forgive the one called Yu Gong. Haenam will not take him back. Not until the day the name of Haenam itself disappears.”
Even at words that felt not only resolute but downright cold, Baek Cheon silently nodded.
One can say each person’s choices may differ, but Yu Gong becoming Sapaeryeon’s hound and pursuing Haenam’s disciples is something that can never be forgiven. All the more so from the standpoint of those who were betrayed.
“However…”
Letting his words trail off for a moment, Gwak Hwanso closed his eyes.
“No matter the crime he committed, if we cannot embrace a son of Hainan who wallowed in the mud only to protect his wife and child left behind at home… then Haenam Sect loses its very reason to bear that name.”
“……Sohyeop.”
“It is not because I forgive Yu Gong, disciple of Haenam Sect. It is simply to gather up the remains of a man of Hainan who died in a far-off foreign land and take him home.”
Baek Cheon lowered his head slightly towards Gwak Hwanso. He was not in any position to offer gratitude on another’s behalf, yet he simply felt compelled to do so.
“By the way, are you truly thinking of returning immediately?”
At the question, Gwak Hwanso smiled.
“As expected, it will be difficult, won’t it?”
“…More than you imagine.”
“Haha. Hearing that from you of all people, Dojang, makes me suddenly feel afraid.”
He said he was afraid, but in truth there was not the slightest sign of unease on Gwak Hwanso’s face.
“And…”
“I know.”
Gwak Hwanso cut Baek Cheon off.
“If we return like this, the world will forget Haenam Sect for quite a while. Perhaps it may be forgotten forever.”
“…”
“But it doesn’t matter.”
As Gwak Hwanso spoke with composure, there was not a trace of lingering attachment on his calm face.
“Gupailbang this, the Southern Sea’s Foremost Sword Sect that… I truly don’t know why we clung so desperately to such hollow reputation. In the end, it should have been enough just to live in harmony.”
“Haha.”
“Why are you laughing?”
“No. It’s because you, Sohyeop, feel more like a Taoist than I do.”
“Is that so? Then perhaps… it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to change my path and join a Taoist sect instead.”
Gwak Hwanso and Baek Cheon looked at each other and laughed. Soon after, Gwak Hwanso spoke again.
“May I ask just one thing?”
“Anything is fine.”
“If you, Dojang, were in the same situation as I am, what choice would you have made?”
“Well. If it were me…”
Baek Cheon pondered for a moment. But there was no need for that to be long. The answer came out all too easily.
“If it were me, I think I would already have set out for Hainan. To be honest, I’m itching even now to hurry back to Hwasan.”
Gwak Hwanso nodded as if that was enough.
“Hearing you say that, Dojang, eases my mind a little.”
After smiling briefly, Baek Cheon asked.
“Do you remember?”
“If you mean the time when we first met, please stop. It’s one of the few memories I’d like to erase from my mind.”
“Haha.”
As though they had agreed beforehand, both men rose to their feet.
“Haenam will not forget Hwasan.”
“Hwasan will likewise not forget Haenam.”
The two bowed deeply to each other.
⠀⠀
A few days later.
“Then.”
Hwasan’s disciples waved their hands vigorously towards Haenam, who were setting out first.
“Live well!”
“Damn it, let’s meet again. I’ll definitely come to Haenam!”
Haenam’s disciples also kept waving back. Their faces heavy with deep regret.
Given the vastness of the Central Plains, and considering Haenam’s situation as well, this might be the last moment they would stand face to face. And countless hardships awaited those returning to Haenam.
Both sides knew this.
“Ugh.”
Jo Geol let out a faint groan.
“……I can’t even put it into words.”
Looking back, there was nothing but hellish memories. Especially the dreadful journey from Hainan to the Yangtze, a nightmare still haunting him from time to time.
But perhaps for that very reason, parting with them felt all the heavier.
“Getting all the way to Hainan won’t be any simple matter. Gangnam isn’t pacified yet, is it? If they run into remnants of Sapaeryeon…”
“They know.”
“Then why are they leaving in such a rush? If they stayed just a bit longer…”
“Exactly because it’s no easy task. And because it’s that far. If they leave a day earlier, they might arrive a day sooner, right?”
“…..Ugh.”
Yoon Jong smiled bitterly.
“They also seem intent on retrieving the body of Sect Leader Geum, who was hastily buried on the way. They must have their reasons.”
“Phew. I suppose so.”
Still unable to shake off his regret, Jo Geol smacked his lips.
“Is there no way we can help?”
“Why wouldn’t there be?”
“What is it? Just say the word. I’ll grab Sasuk by the neck if I have to…!”
“No, hold on. Why Sasuk and not the Sect Leader?”
“What obvious nonsense are you spouting? How could I grab the Sect Leader by the neck? But, Sasuk, maybe.”
“…That’s still a problem all the same, though.”
Yoon Jong let out a hollow laugh, then spoke while keeping his gaze fixed on the figures of the disciples of Haenam, which were growing more and more distant.
“Trusting in their choice and supporting it – that’s how we can help them.”
“…”
“To us it may feel wrong, and so we may feel frustrated… but that is the conclusion they reached after long and careful consideration.”
Jo Geol slowly nodded as if in agreement.
“Then we should send them off with a smile.”
“Yeah.”
Yoon Jong smiled quietly, as though proud that Jo Geol had understood what he meant.
“Because the right answer can be different for everyone.”
“Yes.”
Jo Geol waved his hand so hard, it seemed his arm would give out.
“Don’t go dying on the way – make sure you get to Hainan alive! And send a word once in a while!”
Whether his words reached them or not, no one could say. All they saw were the figures waving back.
Hwasan’s disciples all stood there until the disciples of Haenam were no longer in sight.
“Hh… Ugh.”
“You crying?”
“What are you saying, all of a sudden!”
“Something just sparkled a moment ago.”
“Sparkled, my foot!”
Jo Geol hurriedly wiped the corners of his eyes and shouted angrily.
“So when are we leaving?”
“Don’t rush. Soso’s work isn’t finished yet.”
“That’s what I’m asking – when will it be finished? At this rate, with all those people needing treatment, we won’t get back even by year’s end!”
“As it is, it looks like they’re about to start moving the patients.”
“……Is that so?”
“Yes. We can’t keep the sick in those tents like that forever.”
“Are they going to entrust them to other clinics?”
“…No, they’re going back to their own sects. To examine internal injuries in detail, it’s best to receive treatment at one’s own sect that knows their cultivation methods.”
“That’s true.”
“Perhaps tomorrow? If late, we should be able to depart the day after.”
Jo Geol scratched his head roughly.
“Hmm, now that we’re actually leaving, it feels kind of strange.”
“Why? You were nagging so much just a moment ago.”
“No, it’s just… After such a great war, everyone’s scattering their own way again.”
Yoon Jong studied Jo Geol quietly, then sighed.
“What nonsense have you been spouting since earlier? Did you forget where the headquarters of Cheonumaeng are?”
“Huh? The headquarters of Cheonumaeng are obviously… Oh? Right, in Hwaeum. That’s right.”
Yoon Jong clicked his tongue.
“Sects with urgent matters like Wudang or Haenam can’t be helped, but the others will have to stay at the headquarters for a while even if they don’t like it. There will be too many things the Alliance has to handle.”
“Well, yes…. With trade caravans, too, it’s usually busier and harder before setting out and right after returning.”
“Why does your brain only work when you’re making examples like that?”
“What are you talking about? My mind is always sharp.”
“…..Fine. Let’s go with that.”
“Hmm. So, tomorrow.”
“I said tomorrow or the day after. Please listen to the end, will you.”
Only half-listening to Yoon Jong, Jo Geol nodded. Then he sneaked a glance back. Baek Cheon’s face was quite serious, and as always, Yu Iseol’s expression was difficult to read. And…
“Huh? Where did that rascal Chung Myung go?”
“Hm? Not sure. Haven’t seen him since morning. Maybe he’s busy?”
Jo Geol tilted his head.
“No way. It’s weird that he wouldn’t come out to see them off just because he’s busy. If anything, he’d use this as an excuse to wriggle out of whatever he was doing.”
“Now that you mention it……”
Yoon Jong frowned slightly, as though it made sense. Scowling, Jo Geol muttered.
“Where did that bastard run off to again?”
❀ ❀ ❀
Step. Step.
He moved forward, treading slowly over the undergrowth that had grown tall in the meantime. The place, once so ruined that even the word ‘desolate’ fell short, was now slowly recovering with fresh green growth.
Pausing for a moment to gaze at the stubborn new sprouts, Chung Myung set off again.
Rustling softly, he walked alone for some time until, at last, he halted in one spot, lowering his eyes to look at the ground beneath him.
It was someone’s grave – no, rather, closer to a body so hateful to look upon that it had simply been covered with dirt. It was far too shabby to be called a burial mound.
Yet even this might be treatment too fortunate for the one buried there. Anyone here who had lost someone would, upon finding this corpse, butcher it on the spot.
Chung Myung stared vacantly at the low, dark-reddish mound where not a single blade of grass dared to peek out, then dropped heavily to the ground right on the spot.
Then, looking up at the distant sky, he muttered faintly.
“…Serves you right.”
From somewhere, a sorrowful wind blew.
________
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Return of the Mount Hua 
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