Episode 1725. You can’t not lose it. (5)
The wind blowing past the hem of the clothes. Cheongmyeong closed her eyes and felt the wind passing through her body.
cold.
Although it is not as strong as the volcano, the mountain breeze here in the shaman area is also not very favorable. Perhaps this chill may be the mountain’s warning to those who are crawling and cultivating a place where no one should ever go.
If you long for something you shouldn’t want, you will end up losing something you shouldn’t lose… … .
Cheongmyeong felt that the air flow was slightly disrupted and slowly opened his eyes. Before he knew it, a familiar person was standing in front of him, looking down at him.
“accident?”
“It’s surprising.”
At her brief words, Cheongmyeong glanced to the side. The blue tiles and blue sky filled my eyes.
On the roof of the pavilion. Clearly, Cheongmyeong has not been coming here often for some time.
Why?
You might understand the reason without having to think about it for long, but Cheongmyeong didn’t bother to admit that fact. If that’s the case, you’ll have to admit why he’s here now.
Instead, Cheongmyeong asked softly.
“… … what’s the matter?”
Yu Iseol looked down at the scene of the shaman visible under the eaves without answering. A short silence followed, but Cheongmyeong did not hesitate.
Finally her mouth opened.
“I had a lot to say.”
“… … .”
“however… … .”
She caught a glimpse of Cheongmyeong lying on the roof.
“I don’t think I can do it.”
Cheongmyeong’s eyebrows twitched briefly. It felt like something was off.
“So why did you come…” … .”
“Is there really no way?”
Yu Yi-seol cut off Cheong-myeong’s horse’s waist.
Cheongmyeong closed his mouth. It was as if something inky had twisted his neck and blocked it.
“100,000 death sentences.”
“… … .”
“Is there no way for you too?”
The two people’s eyes met in mid-air for a moment. However, it was Cheongmyeong who turned their heads first.
“It’s me… … “You can’t do everything.”
Yu Iseol’s long hair swayed in the wind. Unlike her unchanging face, her fingertips could not hide her emotions.
Yu Iseol said as she watched Cheongmyeong’s back as she stared at the distant sky for a long time.
“That’s not like you.”
“… … .”
“That is correct. but.”
A dark shadow appeared in Yu Iseol’s eyes.
“If it were you in the past, you would have said just make a method and that’s it.”
“… … .”
“And you believed it, we did. “Even though I was skeptical, in the end.”
Sarah.
The sound of Yu Iseol’s clothes brushing against her as she turned reached Cheongmyeong’s ears. It just felt creepy.
“I will find a way. “Because I haven’t become an adult like you yet.”
Soon, any trace of Yu Iseol disappears.
The sudden absence felt not only nihilistic but also bitter. Cheongmyeong let out a short sigh.
“execution.”
Cheongmun’s face is visible in the sky. Cheongmun looks at him with a small smile, as if she feels sorry for him.
“It’s not easy, really…” … .”
* * *
Sararak.
The wind was blowing even through the towering mountain peaks.
Is it because the arms inside are so thin compared to the wide sleeves? In particular, the sleeves were fluttering violently.
‘It’s cold.’
Baekcheon sneered.
My body has become so weak that it is not easy to withstand even this much. The wind that would have felt cool in the past is now even colder and colder than the harsh wind from the North Sea.
Nevertheless, Baekcheon liked this place now.
It is better to be in a place where no one’s eyes reach, even if it is cold and difficult, rather than a warm place down there where other people’s eyes reach you.
Suddenly his thoughts came to Cheongmyeong.
Perhaps that’s why Cheongmyeong used to climb up to the roof of the pavilion whenever he had the chance. Because you can avoid the gaze of others. Then you won’t have to worry about being caught with the confusing thoughts in your head.
‘He too… … .’
Did that guy back then feel the same way as Baekcheon does now?
Baekcheon let out a hollow laugh.
No, it will be different. It has to be different. I don’t know what concerns Cheongmyeong had at that time, but at least he had a future left. Because I wasn’t stuck in the dark bottom like Baekcheon is now.
The foot of the mountain stretches far beneath your feet. It was charred by fire and now looked hideous.
Of course, it won’t be like this forever. Even though it looks like this now, the grass and trees will grow strong again. The mountain will eventually regain its original appearance, albeit slowly.
But Baekcheon can’t do that. He is like the collapsed cliff you see over there. It is a crushed rock that once collapsed there is no way to return it.
however… … .
‘Is that really true?’
He tried not to think about it, but yesterday’s conversation eventually came to Baekcheon’s mind.
* * *
“… … What are you talking about?”
When Baekcheon asked, Jingeumryong faced him without saying a word. His eyes were even clearer.
“… … “Is there a way?”
“okay.”
Baekcheon muttered blankly, as if he had been hit hard by something.
“My body… … Are you saying there is a way to fix it?”
Jin Geumryong nodded clearly again with a serious face.
“Yes.”
Soon, Baekcheon’s face became miserably distorted.
“Don’t talk nonsense. Both Hwasan and Tangga said it was impossible. But what about Jongnam? Because you’re making fun of me… … !”
“Come to your senses.”
Before Baekcheon could finish speaking, Jingeumryong spoke coldly.
“Since when did the Hwasan and Tang families become such great sects?”
“… … .”
“Just because they can’t do it, do you think Jongnam can’t do it too? “You know best that Jongnam is a clan so big and great that they can’t be compared to them, right?”
I couldn’t deny it. Baekcheon’s eyes shook greatly.
“If you want to confirm, I’ll tell you again. Even if they can’t do it, Jongnam can do it. “If Jongnam uses all his strength, I can heal your body.”
Baekcheon’s pale, dried lips cracked and blood showed. A burning thirst enveloped his entire body. The thirst was so intense, the pain that seemed to crush my body, and the humiliation of facing Jingeumryong in such a miserable way did not feel as if it had never existed in the first place.
“Fix it… … You can… … ?”
Jingeumryong sighed briefly.
“Of course, it might be completely unreasonable.”
“… … .”
“It may be impossible to go back to the time when you were most perfect. As I am not a member of the National Assembly, I cannot guarantee. but… … From what I know, it might be possible to at least get you to learn martial arts again.”
Jingeumryong looked down at Baekcheon’s bony arms. Those pathetic arms that can’t even hold that light brush properly.
Baekcheon’s fingertips flinched for a moment, as if even the gaze was too much.
“Hold the sword again with that hand…” … “We can make it possible for you to practice martial arts again.”
“… … .”
“If you give up being Hwasan’s disciple and become Jongnam’s disciple.”
Jin Geum-ryong’s voice was cold. But he could even know Baekcheon. That voice disguised as coldness contains earnest sincerity.
“This isn’t about you abandoning the volcano. All you have to do is return to where you belong. you… … .”
“… … lose.”
“what?”
At that moment, Baekcheon’s teeth dug into his lower lip.
“If you’re done with all that bullshit, get out of there.”
“… … .”
“I am the chieftain of Hwasan. “Even if things end up like this, that doesn’t change.”
Jin Geum-ryong’s face, which had seemed cold the whole time, finally became cruelly distorted.
“vibration… … !”
He was so hot that he felt like he was going to yell, but he managed to hold back his words. His red face also returned to white.
Instead of shouting, he let out a long sigh and came over and lightly squeezed Baekcheon’s shoulder.
“Let go. What are you trying to do… … .”
“Stay still. “A guy who can’t even resist!”
Jingeumryong raised Baekcheon, who had fallen. And after carefully placing the body so that it could lean against the bed, I stood up without hesitation.
Jingeumryong took a cool glance at Baekcheon, who was panting and looking at him, and opened his mouth.
“I admit it. “I was impatient.”
“… … .”
“But these are not empty words, they are sincere. “If you make up your mind, Jang Mun-in will greatly welcome you.”
“I am… … !”
“Shut up and listen more!”
Jingeumryong gritted his teeth and growled.
“I’m not saying this to make light of your true feelings about the volcano. I just want to tell you that Jongnam is also sincere towards you. “To the extent that I would without hesitation give the sect’s treasures to you, even though I cannot guarantee whether your recovery will be complete!”
“… … .”
“The choice is yours. “If you come back, Jongnam and I will take care of all the rest.”
As if he had finished saying everything he wanted to say, Jin Geum-ryong turned and strode towards the door, left the room, and slowly but firmly closed the door.
After a while, Jingeumryong’s voice came from beyond the closed door.
“Dongryong.”
“… … .”
“I am your older brother. And Jongnam is your family.”
Baekcheon clenched his bony hand into a fist without realizing it.
“Don’t forget that.”
With the sound of footsteps, Jingeumryong’s presence moved away.
Baekcheon, who had been staring blankly for a while at the door that Jingeumryong closed and left, lowered his gaze.
The brush, which had lost its value because I couldn’t hold it properly, was still lying around on the floor.
A laugh escaped Baekcheon’s mouth.
“Hahaha… … .”
It was a bitter and helpless laugh.
* * *
Remembering the conversation last night, Baekcheon opened his eyes, which had become cold due to the wind.
The barren, burned-out mountain and the fields beyond it were still vast and green. To the point where it feels shabby to lament how things have changed.
My heart was shaken.
perhaps… … Wouldn’t such an opportunity be given?
“I am the chieftain of the volcano.”
Every time that happened, Baekcheon muttered these words over and over again.
This was Baekcheon’s pride and everything to Baekcheon. But it is also something that will soon disappear.
Yoonjong or Baeksang will soon take over that position… … . Perhaps Cheongmyeong will come to the fore.
In this way, Baekcheon will retreat little by little. Either voluntarily or by someone else’s will.
I never felt sorry about it. This is Baekcheon’s wish, and it is something that must naturally happen that way.
It’s just bittersweet.
Wounds will eventually be covered with new skin, and emotions will eventually become dull. The sadness of those who look at Baekcheon now will someday fade. He will just become a person whose existence is natural.
And the light he lost will pour out even more brilliantly through someone else. Yoon Jong, Jo Geol, Yu Iseol, Dang Soso, Hyeyeon, and… … .
Baekcheon looked up at the sky.
It’s just bittersweet to have to look at that splendor now, from a place where light doesn’t reach.
Actually, it must have happened to him too. A bright future with them. A future that might be even brighter than theirs.
Didn’t you let go yourself?
right. If I hadn’t done that, I would have felt less regret. Because I chose it myself… … That’s why I regret it even more.
Baekcheon soon laughed softly.
Know. If he said he would go to Jongnam to heal his body, his brothers would be happy. They might turn his back on him by asking what is important about affiliation. No, it definitely will. Because they are like that.
But Baekcheon also knows. That choice will someday… … The fact that it will separate the paths of them and Baekcheon. Even if their paths do not diverge, he will never be able to live with them as brothers again.
What is right? No, what do you hope for?
It was a time when I looked at my bony arms and the sky in a daze. A voice suddenly came from behind.
“Hmm. I don’t mean to disturb you… … .”
When I turned around in a bit of surprise, there was someone standing there that I could no longer call unfamiliar.
“This is my place.”
“ah… … .”
Looking at Baekcheon, who was embarrassed and only let out a small exclamation, the sky smiled.
oh…
