Episode 1729 You can’t not lose it. (9)
In silence, Hyunjong stared at the person sitting in front of him without saying a word.
Although the sleeves could cover the scars, they could not hide the thinness of the arms. Her face was bloodless, her lips were dry, and there were dark circles under her eyes.
The unfamiliar sight of a familiar person felt like cutting my heart with a knife. What made Hyeonjong even more sad was that Baekcheon, who was sitting across from him, looked peaceful as if nothing had happened.
It may not be like that on the inside, but… … . No, it definitely wasn’t like that, but in any case, Baekcheon, who was now sitting across from him, was desperately trying to feign calmness. Even though it is bound to collapse and become disorganized.
It was painful to see that mature and wonderful appearance. King Hyeonjong always wanted his students to grow to the highest level, but he could not fathom how much it would cost to achieve this.
“The tea is getting cold, Taesangjangmunin.”
Baekcheon said quietly. Hyeonjong glanced down at his teacup. It wasn’t poured yet so it was empty.
Normally, I would have filled my teacup as soon as I sat down, but I couldn’t do that now.
Hyeonjong hesitated for a moment and finally opened his mouth.
“The body… … How was it?”
“great.”
Baekcheon nodded and elaborated.
“It’s a lot better than the first time.”
“I see.”
Hyeonjong could not find a proper answer and just nodded.
“sorry. “I should have gone out to meet you first.”
“Don’t say that.”
In the end, Hyeonjong could not bear it anymore and sighed deeply. He internally reprimanded himself for entering this room in a hurry and without any plan.
What words will comfort you? What kind of words can give hope?
I just can’t figure out the answer. No matter what I said, it seemed like it would be nothing more than a modest excuse by saying ‘I understand’.
Hyeonjong opened his mouth again with difficulty.
“Baekcheon… … .”
“for a moment.”
Baekcheon suddenly interrupted Hyeonjong.
It may be a rude action, but it may actually be a consideration for King Hyeonjong. At least it prevented Hyeonjong from coming up with meaningless words of comfort.
“First, I have something to say to Master Taesang.”
Baekcheon stood up from his seat. Then he walked to the bed and with difficulty pulled up the white cloth that covered it.
Even the simple task of walking while holding that thin cloth has become a difficult task for him that he can only accomplish after several attempts.
Hyunjong, who was looking at this situation with regret, was caught by an object that had appeared inside the cloth.
“Now, I would like to return this to Taesangjangmunin.”
Hyeonjong was devastated and closed his eyes tightly.
What was placed under the cloth was the Jashin sword. This is a sacred object from Hwasan that King Hyeonjong gave to Baekcheon in the past when he gave him the title of deputy.
What does it mean to return it to King Hyeonjong?
“… … “Baekcheon.”
“Taesangjangmunin, I… … .”
After hesitating for a moment, Baekcheon seemed to have made up his mind and continued speaking calmly.
“Conscious of my shortcomings, I am resigning from the position of Hwasan’s Deputy Jangmun appointed by Taesang Jangmun.”
“… … .”
“I also intend to relinquish my position as the Great Disciple of Huashan. Please forgive my rudeness in daring to step down from the position bestowed upon me by the Taesangjangmunin. But in my defense, I don’t think there’s any need for a long letter in Hwasan right now. If you have to have someone else sit in that seat… … .”
“Baekcheon.”
Hyeonjong interrupted Baekcheon.
There was silence for a long time. Hyeonjong, who was staring at Baekcheon with deep eyes, looked at Jashingeom and asked.
“What does it mean? That’s what I gave you… … .”
“Taesangjangmunin.”
Baekcheon smiled humbly.
“This is a decision I made after much thought. “It seems like the natural thing to do now.”
“Is it natural?”
For an instant, aging appeared in Hyeonjong’s eyes.
“Did you say it was natural now?”
“… … .”
“What is the net leader? okay! Let’s say you can do that by giving up your position as assistant manager! That position is just a temporary job anyway! But the position of great disciple… … ! “What kind of nonsense is it to say that you are going to give up your position as Speaker?”
Hyeonjong did not miss Baekcheon’s words.
“Are you saying this because you don’t know what the name Jangmun means? “Is that really your truth?”
“… … “Taesang Jangmunin.”
“Jangmunja refers to the person who will become the next great Jangmunja! “But are you saying that you will not become the master of the volcano?”
Hyeonjong’s voice became increasingly intense in a rare way. It made me wonder if he had ever shown this level of anger towards his student.
“know! I could no longer use martial arts. “With those arms, you won’t be able to swing a sword or teach a student!”
“… … .”
“But what’s the big deal? If the position of Hwasan’s Jangmun was determined only by one’s attainment of martial arts, would someone like me have dared to become Hwasan’s Jangmun? Military education is only a very small part of Jang Mun-in’s life! “Don’t you know this well?”
Baekcheon looked at Hyeonjong without saying a word. In that unwavering gaze… … There was a deep sense of bitterness.
“yes. “It’s a small part, Taesangjangmunin.”
“Knowing him, how… … !”
“But at the same time, it’s an essential part.”
Hyeonjong bit the inside of his mouth without realizing it.
“I know. Even if I were to become Hwasan’s chief writer, no one in Hwasan would object. No, on the contrary, I will actively try to help.”
“Yes, you know very well!”
“But is that really for the volcano and for them?”
Hyeonjong was speechless. He couldn’t bear to answer straight away.
“Jangmunin is in a position where he naturally needs help. A person cannot be perfect alone, and the same goes for someone who has reached the position of Jangmun. But Taesang Jangmun… … .”
Baekcheon said with a small smile.
“Receiving help and being a burden are completely different.”
“Baekcheon!”
“My body right now is not as good as an ordinary person. For me, who has to live my whole life as a sick person, even just living in a volcano will not be easy. rather… … .”
Baekcheon’s eyes suddenly turned out the window.
He knew it too.
Even though I kept the window open, I couldn’t feel anyone’s presence for several days. Thank you for your consideration. But at the same time, thanks to that consideration, I was able to become acutely aware of my own situation.
“If those guys… … If they were the kind of people who would get angry because they would never see an asshole sitting in the chair of the volcano, if that were the case, I don’t know if I would have stubbornly tried to become a reporter as well. but… … .”
Baekcheon slowly shook his head. It was slow but firm.
“Aren’t those guys so stupid?”
Hyeonjong’s lips trembled slightly.
“There are many people in Volcano who can do great things even if it’s not me. No, there are people who would be much better writers than me. But I don’t have to… … .”
At that moment, Hyeonjong could not stand it anymore and shouted.
“Then what are you going to do? “If you give up your position as Jangmun, give up your position as great disciple, much less become Jangmun’s deputy, then what are you trying to become?”
“Taesangjangmunin.”
Baekcheon grinned.
“Even so, I am a disciple of Hwasan. “Wouldn’t that be enough?”
Hyunjong bit his lips. Baekcheon lowered his eyes for a moment and then looked at Hyeonjong clearly again.
“Even if I can’t use martial arts, there won’t be a lot of things for me to do in Hwasan. In the first place, martial arts wasn’t the only thing I received from Hwasan, right?”
After talking to this point, Hyeonjong also had no choice but to know. The fact that Baekcheon did not just say these words out of despair or frustration.
Hyeonjong could not even guess how deep Baekcheon’s worries must have been in this small room. How much deep agony is hidden behind a calm expression?
Nevertheless, King Hyeonjong found it difficult to accept this conclusion that Baekcheon had reached through suffering.
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it.”
“… … .”
“No matter what anyone says, you are the next Jangmun of Hwasan. Even if you don’t want it, I will make it that way.”
“Taesangjangmunin.”
Hyeonjong suddenly got up from his seat and tried to turn around, but then stopped and spoke in a heavy voice.
“… … “Did I say I could be satisfied with being just one of Hwasan’s disciples?”
“… … .”
“Then why is your sword so clean?”
Baekcheon flinched and looked away. His old plum sword was leaning against the wall behind his back.
This is not the Jashin Sword, a sacred item from volcanoes. The sword of Baekcheon, who has been through hardships all along. Unlike the dirty furniture placed next to it, it was cleanly maintained without a single speck of dust.
Baekcheon and Hyeonjong’s eyes met in the air.
“I won’t tell you things that are nice to hear, like don’t give up or everything will be fine.”
“… … .”
“I will find a way.”
Hyeonjong turned and headed outside.
“Taesangjangmunin.”
Hyeonjong stopped when he heard Baekcheon’s voice from behind him. Then he spoke without turning his head.
“To me, you were a disciple who could not be more excellent. I almost thought that your coming to Hwasan was a gift from my ancestors who took pity on my difficult life. And that heart… … Even after Cheongmyeong came to Hwasan, it didn’t change.”
“… … .”
“The reason I cared about you so much is because I believed that only you could overcome everything that was difficult at the time.”
Baekcheon gently closed his eyes.
“Let’s discuss this again after I’ve calmed down a bit more.”
After finishing speaking, Hyeonjong left the room.
Baekcheon, who had been staring at the closed door, looked back again. To be exact, the plum sword leaning against the wall.
Even though I thought I wouldn’t have to wield it anymore… … I cleaned it with great care. Baekcheon looked up at the ceiling.
‘You can’t not lose it.’
Something has to be lost. In that case, the least he has to lose is not the volcano. He couldn’t abandon the warmth that was so clear that he could feel it with his fingertips.
but… … Maybe not everyone knows. Sometimes that warmth can feel like an extremely sharp blade.
* * *
Jeez. Jeez.
Hyeonjong took a rough stride. His heart felt like it was going to burst from frustration.
‘You are so foolish!’
What on earth were you thinking when you met Baekcheon? What did you mean by putting your face in front of me to tell me something?
What kind of confidence do you have when you are powerless and can’t do anything?
Seeing Baekcheon trying to look resolute despite losing both arms felt like my heart was being torn apart.
If I had complained, if I had cried and rolled over, then it wouldn’t have been as suffocating as it is now.
My vision was dark and hopeless, as if I had lost my way.
What on earth can we do for a student who has lost everything? If I could heal Baekcheon by giving up my life, I would smile and laugh and do it willingly!
It was a time when Chimi could not help her sadness and Hyeonjong held her face.
“It’s been a while since I saw you again.”
Suddenly, a person appeared and was standing in front of me.
It was Zhongligok.
From the way he bowed his head deeply while holding his hand, I could feel his firm respect for King Hyeonjong.
Hyeonjong cleared his throat slightly and adjusted his shoes.
“Yes, Jang Mun-in. long time no see.”
King Hyeonjong also did his best to suppress power. Zhong Ligo raised his head and spoke in a serious tone.
“Lord. “I know this is not an example to someone who is probably tired from the long journey, but could you please give me a moment?”
It was a word filled with caution and extreme example. A normal King Hyeonjong would not have rejected such words under any circumstances.
But now, there wasn’t even a fingernail’s worth of space left in my heart.
“sorry. now… … Since I’m not in a good mood, I’ll come back later… … .”
“It’s a story about Baekcheon.”
“… … .”
“Is it better to call it Hwasan Jangmundaeri?”
At that moment, Hyeonjong suddenly raised his head. Zhongligok’s face was extremely calm.
“what… … “What do you mean?”
“Master.”
Zhong Ligu sighed deeply and opened his mouth.
“I feel very guilty now to say these words to the leader, but… … .”
“Go ahead and say it. What is this story about Baekcheoni?”
At King Hyeonjong’s urging, Zong Ligok nodded.
Because it was such a sensitive issue, I was being more careful than usual. It might not have been possible in the past when the two sects were at war, but now Hwasan is the sect that has become Jongnam’s benefactor.
Zhongligok looked straight at Xuanzong.
“Since you say that, I would rather be straightforward.”
“… … .”
“If there was a way to cure Hwasan’s Jangmun Dae-ri in Jongnam… … .”
Hyeonjong opens his eyes wide.
“Will the Great Minister be able to send Baekcheon to Jongnam?”
Hyunjong clenched his fists into his sleeves without realizing it. His eyes were shaking with astonishment, and he looked as dangerous as a boat caught in a big typhoon.
