1117 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

"I refuse." The air turned chilly at the Heavenly Master's response. A refusal? It was an unexpected reply. 'What?' His eyes narrowed. Was he really saying no? It was a bewildering statement. "Are you saying you won't help us?" asked the father again, unable to believe it. "Yes." The Heavenly Master's answer was unchanging. It was perplexing. 'You're really not going to do it?' This wasn't just any issue—it could potentially threaten Namgoong, or even the whole of Anhui. Furthermore, the Red Demonic Sect was not yet fully understood. Especially its evolved form, the Great Demonic Sect. It could erupt in a few days, and no one could predict the extent of the damage. Yet the Heavenly Master would not intervene? 'Huh?' No matter how he thought about it, it made no sense. It wasn't that he was scared. Not only he, but no one else could comprehend it, which prompted the Heavenly Master to address Namgoong Jeohwi directly. "I have long since relinquished my position as head and plan to leave Zhongyuan to live quietly. All such matters are entrusted to the current head, so it is not right for me to interfere." "......" He clicked his tongue softly at the explanation. On the surface, it sounded reasonable. 'The old man plays with words.' Upon closer inspection, it didn't add up. 'What? Gave up the head's seat?' It wasn't even funny. Anyone could see that the man who claimed to have stepped down from power still held the real authority. Even Namgoong Jeohwi seemed too busy trying to gauge the elder's intentions. 'I suppose the elders are the same.' The elders of the Namgoong family. They must also be keeping an eye on the Heavenly Master. 'The fact that Namgoong Jeohwi’s level is below expectations is also problematic.' A head of a noble family who hadn't yet reached the Huajing level. The weak honor and power resulting from that must have been a hinderance. Even then, he became the head. 'He might be recognized for his outstanding capabilities as a leader.' But it was clear to anyone that the Heavenly Master played a role in it. The man who claimed he relinquished his position still held power. In that situation, is it right for someone who isn't the head to refrain from intervening? 'Yeah, right.' It was hard to believe. Even the claim of leaving Zhongyuan was doubtful. That man hadn't left at all. 'I come from a reality where I saw him secretly working with the Martial Alliance.' I knew he would be involved for the next decade or so. It was absurd of him to claim he wouldn’t get involved in the head’s matters. ‘Could there be some underlying reason?’ He, who had no knowledge of the issue regarding the Red Demonic Sect. To know the circumstances yet not take action. ‘There’s a reason in there.’ The space where the Heavenly Master was about to ascend. It seemed as if there was a reason there. 'Ah, so that's it.' I was curious why the Heavenly Master appeared before ascending. ‘Was it to prevent us?’ Whatever was up there, he appeared to prevent us from reaching it. 'Whatever it is, the critical point is.' It was clear that the Heavenly Master wouldn't engage in this matter. 'Tsk.' It got slightly troublesome. "......Father." Namgoong Jeohwi appeared equally flustered, gazing at the Heavenly Master, but his gaze remained firm. "As the head, if you truly are, shouldn’t you demonstrate the capability to prevent at least such an incident?" "......" Namgoong Jeohwi closed his mouth at the Heavenly Master’s words. "Withdraw. Any further will also be intolerable to me." It was a warning. There was no action left to take here. Even if it was incomprehensible, this was the Heavenly Master’s choice. "......I will keep that in mind." In the end, Namgoong Jeohwi nodded at the Heavenly Master’s words. He returned the way he came, descending from the mountain back to the Namgoong household. * * * Upon returning to the household, I had a brief conversation with Namgoong Jeohwi. He stated he would issue an evacuation order and prepare his forces. And he inquired how Goo Cheolwoon intended to handle this situation. Would he collaborate with Namgoong to block the Great Demonic Sect, or— ‘Return to Hanam, perhaps.’ Would we depart without aiding, thinking of returning to Hanam? He inquired about my choice. It was a decision. Leaving would pose no major issue. The original assignment was to investigate. Since I identified the form of the Demonic Sect and the anomalies, returning to Hanam wouldn’t present a problem in terms of justification. Although it's the Martial Alliance’s matter, there was a high risk involved, and it was certainly Anhui’s issue as well. However. ‘There's the matter of conscience.’ The moral responsibility. Whether the sect warriors should retreat leaving civilians behind facing the Great Demonic Sect, that was the question. That aspect could become a problem. Of course, even if it became an issue, it wouldn’t be significantly highlighted. Hence. ‘The contemplation time isn't that long, I’ll provide an answer before midnight.’ Father declared he’d ponder it briefly. Namgoong Jeohwi accepted this. All members gathered at Father’s quarters thereafter. To be precise, everyone except Namgoongjin. The reason we gathered was clearly to discuss whether to return to Hanam or not. When Father began to express his thoughts. "Let's go back." Mi Hyoran was the first to answer without hesitation. "There’s no need to dwell on it. It’s too dangerous." Her eyes were firm. "Handling the Great Demonic Sect is already a problem, and now with the Red, what could happen if we stay? Particularly since the Heavenly Master declared he wouldn’t intervene." Her reasoning was sound. Moreover, it wasn’t incorrect. "Return, Goo noble sir. This is no longer something you need to get involved in." The form of address was familiar yet unfamiliar. It was exactly how Mo Yong Hee A used to speak and address me. At the moment when Father was about to cast his gaze on Mi Hyoran. "No." Another voice interjected from the side. It was Soyi. "Leaving civilians behind and going back, you say. How could you make such a choice without knowing what would happen if we can't stop the demonic beasts?" "...Soyi." Mi Hyoran's forehead furrowed deeply at her words. "That's a rather sentimental notion. Civilians? They might be important, sure. But where does the assurance come from, that we'll be able to fend off the demonic beasts?" It's a valid point. If we manage to fend them off, it would be one thing, but failing to do so could cost us our lives as well. Despite this calm reasoning, Soyi's resolve stayed unchanged. "We might not succeed. I'm not certain either." "Then—" "Even so, shouldn't we try? As a martial artist of the orthodox sect and a sword-bearer of the Martial Alliance, isn’t this our duty?" "Ha..." Mi Hyoran finally let out a sigh, realizing there would be no convincing her. "Soyi, I understand that you might not grasp the full picture, but from what I can see, there’s really nothing we can—" "Miss Mi, why do you keep referring to 'us'?" "...What?" "Miss Mi, you're not part of the sword-bearers. The fighting is 'our' task. So why are you involving yourself in this?" There was a sudden sharp intake of breath. Mi Hyoran’s expression twisted at Soyi's words. Wow. I didn't expect her to bring that up here. 'Although not inaccurate.' No matter how logically Mi Hyoran spoke, as Soyi pointed out, it's us, not Mi Hyoran, who would be fighting. Her touching upon this seemed to have hit a nerve for Mi Hyoran. "Soyi. Are you done speaking?" "No. I’m just getting started. So, could you please step back, Miss Mi?" "You—!" As Mi Hyoran was on the brink of an outburst. "Enough." Silence... Amidst the tension, my father spoke in a low tone. At his words, the two bickering women fell silent. "What are you both doing?" "......I'm sorry." "......Sorry." At the growling timbre of his voice, the women bowed their heads. Amazing how just a word from him could achieve that. While observing this with fascination, I was taken by surprise when my father addressed me. "Baek Yang Cheon." "......Yes?" Startled, I reacted as my father, with piercing eyes, questioned me. "Do you have an opinion?" ".....Are you asking me?" "Yes." An opinion. My opinion? I scratched my cheek. Well? 'In this situation, however...' What would the original me have done? 'Would I have fled?' If I were in my father's position, I might have fled. No, rather than fleeing, I would have probably ignored it. Because it wasn't necessarily my business to get involved. These refugees and others are faces I don’t know. I was never the type of person to concern myself with such things. Yet. 'If it weren’t my father’s situation but mine...' I might have. I would have taken action. For the sake of Namgoong Bia. And also because— '…thinking about how this current mess might be my doing.' Knowing that the Great Demonic Sect anomaly was partially my fault, I would have tried to do something. So. "Logically, returning to Hanam makes sense." I started speaking to my father first. Mi Hyoran's expression turned brighter, while Soyi's face fell into shadow. Ignoring those changes, I added to my statement. "But I'm staying." ".....Huh?" "What?" "What did you say?" "Baek, my friend?" Even Do Yoon, who had been quiet until now, reacted. They seemed to think they heard me wrong, but I was clear. "It doesn't bother me if you all return. But I'm staying. Just saying." At my words, Soyi's darkening eyes began to widen.