Chapter 1723. You Can't Avoid Losing. (3)
Wudang Sect, Medicine Department.
Two people, dressed differently from the members of Wudang, are sitting face to face in a room deep within the large building, which appears twice as big as any structure on Mount Hua.
One of them has a very calm expression, while the other shows a dark and heavy face.
"In short..."
Tang Gunak, who had unconsciously taken a cup of tea while speaking softly, suddenly stopped. He looked at Baek Cheon's bandaged arm. Pretending to be calm, he put the cup down and continued talking.
"Fortunately, his life is not in danger."
It's an obvious statement. The person in front of him is not here just to hear those words.
Despite knowing this, Tang Gunak continued to say the same thing. Even for someone known as the Poison King, it was difficult to directly address what the person in front of him really wanted to hear.
"The arm... although it's uncomfortable now, with constant effort, it will improve greatly. That I can assure you."
The situation is really heavy.
That unwavering gaze, without a hint of hesitation, made Tang Gunak feel an even greater burden than when he was being crushed by the responsibilities of his position as the family leader.
Finally, unable to bear that gaze any longer, Tang Gunak spoke with a sigh.
"But... you won't be able to practice martial arts anymore."
There was no noticeable reaction.
In fact, that's why Tang Gunak continued to speak unsolicited things.
"In this world, there is the word 'miracle', so it can't be said with certainty. Although it is extremely difficult to follow the path of a martial artist..."
Tang Gunak observed Baek Cheon's expression and continued speaking.
"But even if you're not a martial artist, as a Taoist..."
"Gaju-nim."
At that moment, Baek Cheon's lips, which had been firmly closed, opened.
"Would it be disrespectful if I only ask for your opinion as a doctor?"
There was deep respect in his words. Despite the situation, his impeccable behavior made Tang Gunak sigh deeply.
"The body is the vessel of energy, and your vessel is broken."
"......"
"I'm not just referring to the Dantian. If it were only the Dantian, the physical strength you've accumulated so far would remain, but your body has also suffered severe damage. In other words..."
"A weakened body cannot return to what it was."
Tang Gunak closed his eyes tightly. But he couldn't close his ears, and Baek Cheon's soft voice filtered through mercilessly.
"Even if a broken vessel is repaired, it will never be the same as before."
Finally, Tang Gunak nodded slightly.
"As a doctor... that's correct."
It's a really unfortunate situation, but for Tang Gunak, Baek Cheon is now like an ordinary civilian who has suffered a serious accident. To walk and use his arms properly, it may take months... or even years. It all depends on his constant effort.
"And above all, the arms..."
Tang Gunak bit his lower lip. He tried to remain calm, but his heart wouldn't settle.
How could it not be so?
Baek Cheon was one of the most promising talents in Kangho. Anyone who knew him would recognize that he would be one of Kangho's future leaders, rather than the eccentric Chung Myung.
Although it couldn't be said that he would become the best in the world, he would undoubtedly be one of the most influential people.
Tang Gunak had to tell someone like that that his life as a martial artist was over. It was like a death sentence.
"No matter what you try... you won't be able to be the same as before."
"......"
"Of course, depending on your effort, there may be some improvement... but it will never be like before..."
Tang Gunak desperately tried to speak calmly. Never in his life had it been so difficult to talk.
But, fortunately, Baek Cheon rescued him. Looking directly at Tang Gunak, Baek Cheon asked.
"Even if I can't use my internal energy, can't I wield a sword again?"
Tang Gunak couldn't respond easily.
All he could do was look directly at Baek Cheon without averting his gaze.
"I understand."
Baek Cheon spoke without hesitation. His voice was calm, as if affirming something he already knew.
"That's what I expected."
"Deputy Sect Leader."
Baek Cheon briefly looked at his arm.
"Anyway, I tried too hard."
A silent sigh finally escaped Tang Gunak's lips.
Maybe Baek Cheon had already anticipated the loss of his martial arts skills. Or maybe he had even contemplated death. The Deputy Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect that Tang Gunak knew was someone like that.
But had he anticipated this? Had he even imagined such a situation?
A life where not even death was allowed, losing everything he desired and valued, and simply surviving?
Had Baek Cheon really considered this outcome?
Tang Gunak had no regrets. Even if he could go back in time, he would do everything possible to save Baek Cheon without hesitation. Even knowing the result. Because, besides being the leader of the Tang family, he was also a doctor.
But what did Baek Cheon think? Was this really the outcome he desired?
And if Tang Gunak's efforts had pushed Baek Cheon into even greater despair?
Maybe... for this young man, a heroic death would have been a more dignified outcome than a miraculous survival.
He couldn't know for sure. He couldn't dare to affirm it.
"Are you...?"
That's why Tang Gunak gathered his courage and spoke. Perhaps it wasn't a mature attitude. But he couldn't help but ask.
"Are you okay?"
Even though the words came out of his lips, Baek Cheon's gaze lit up with surprise, as if he didn't expect Tang Gunak to ask that.
But only for a moment, his eyes quickly returned to calm.
"'Am I okay'...?"
Baek Cheon's words faded slightly. But there was no sadness in his tone.
"It would be a lie to say it doesn't affect me."
"......"
"But..."
Baek Cheon's gaze turned to the window. He saw the old buildings of Wudang.
"Many valuable people have already died."
"......"
"They also had dreams and hopes for the future. Those left behind will have to mourn the losses."
Tang Gunak nodded sadly.
"In that context, the fact that I survived doesn't allow me to complain."
"That's true."
But despite his words, Tang Gunak slowly shook his head.
"But that's only a superficial problem."
Staring at Baek Cheon, he asked again.
"I'm asking if your heart is really okay."
A heavy silence fell between them.
Baek Cheon closed his eyes, and Tang Gunak fiddled with his teacup. The long silence made Tang Gunak start to regret it, but at that moment, Baek Cheon finally spoke.
"Honestly... I still don't know."
"......"
"Still... yes, I still don't know well. I haven't been able to sort out my thoughts, so it's hard for me to say exactly how I feel right now."
Tang Gunak withdrew his hand from the teacup he had been fiddling with. Suddenly, he realized how childish he was being. All the pain, regret, and sadness belonged to Baek Cheon, so why was he insisting so much from his place?
"You're right. I asked an unnecessary question. Don't worry about it."
"But..."
Baek Cheon stared at Tang Gunak as he spoke.
"I don't know if I'll regret it or not... but if I could go back to that moment, I would take the same path without a moment's hesitation."
Tang Gunak sighed long at seeing Baek Cheon smile with his hardened face.
"That... is called 'not regretting'. Young man..."
Tang Gunak's voice was loaded with immense sadness.
-----------------------
"S-Sasuk."
Yoon Jong paled at seeing Baek Cheon enter through the door of the large hall temporarily assigned to the Mount Hua Sect and the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
He wasn't doing anything more than walking. However, Yoon Jong's face turned white as a sheet for a reason.
He knew how much pain Baek Cheon must be enduring just by walking.
As expected, Baek Cheon's face was covered in cold sweat as he took steps forward. In the brief moment that Baek Cheon approached, Yoon Jong's palms also became drenched in sweat.
"Sasuk. You should be resting now..."
"Yoon Jong."
"Yes? Yes! Yes, Sasuk!"
"Instead of standing there, come and help me."
"What...?"
"What are you doing?"
Yoon Jong, who was looking at Baek Cheon in disbelief, hurriedly ran to him and held him carefully. He avoided touching his shoulder, where he couldn't support his hand due to the wounds.
"Sasuk. You should be resting now, why have you come out?"
"There."
Baek Cheon pointed to the work desk in a corner of the room. It wasn't the one he usually used; it was empty.
Understanding what it meant, Yoon Jong was left stunned.
"Come on, quickly."
At Baek Cheon's insistence, Yoon Jong couldn't say anything and led him to the desk.
"Ugh."
Baek Cheon sighed deeply as he slowly sat in the chair.
"Sitting is a relief."
...Could that be true?
In his current state, it would probably be difficult even to lie down and rest in bed. There was no way that sitting in a chair was comfortable.
"What... do you intend to do, Sasuk?"
"Bring me the documents I need to review. Ah, and also the ones you've been handling in my place."
"S-Sasuk, I can do that."
"Yoon Jong."
Yoon Jong closed his mouth tightly. Looking at Baek Cheon's firm and determined face, he couldn't say anything else.
"I know you can do it."
"Sasuk..."
"But there are things I must also do. Do what I ask."
Yoon Jong reluctantly nodded his head.
"What do you need?"
"A report on the situation of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, a list of the dead and their current status, and the progress in obtaining supplies. Ah, and also all the reports sent to headquarters so far."
"Yes, Sasuk."
Yoon Jong turned and quickly ran.
Soon, the documents that Yoon Jong had been handling and the reports that had arrived in this room were all moved to Baek Cheon's desk.
Baek Cheon quickly glanced at the documents in front of him. Then he stared at the brush Yoon Jong had brought him.
At that moment, Yoon Jong, realizing something, bit his lip and tried to remove the brush.
But before he could do so, Baek Cheon extended his hand, trembling like a leaf.
The room grew increasingly silent.
The hand that had once wielded the sword that touched the heart of the Black Dragon King and pierced the chest of the Leader of the Sun Palace, now reached out, trembling, to grasp a simple brush. With all his strength.
The thin and weak arm.
The arm that everyone believed would lead the Mount Hua Sect into the future, now was in a pitiful state.
The disciples of the Mount Hua Sect, unable to help it, clenched their fists or covered their mouths. It was painful to see Baek Cheon's trembling hand and sweaty face.
"S-Sahyung."
"Shut up."
When someone couldn't contain themselves and murmured, another person, with a trembling voice, responded.
"Just... shut up."
But even that trembling voice was full of emotion.
Baek Cheon, feeling all those gazes and the atmosphere, didn't stop trying to reach the brush.
-It seems you have nothing left.
'Still... Not yet. Not yet.'
Finally, the trembling hand touched the brush Yoon Jong had placed, but he couldn't grasp it firmly.
"Yoon Jong."
"Yes... yes, Sasuk."
Yoon Jong tried to maintain composure, but his voice trembled incessantly.
"Tie the brush to my hand."
"...Sasuk."
"Help me."
Yoon Jong closed his eyes tightly. Then, he began to wrap Baek Cheon's hand with the bandage, tying the brush in place.
Baek Cheon, exhausted, observed the scene with half-closed eyes.
'Not yet. Not yet...'
His long eyelashes trembled finely. Although his face was unperturbed, he couldn't hide what his eyes reflected.