Chapter 134
134
Beopgong, who was patting my shoulder as I chewed my lip, shrugged.
"Kid, let's think about it on the way to the Alliance. We've already sent word that we're taking you. If we back out now, we'll be in deep trouble."
"What about Yeon-ryang?"
"If he dies there, that's just the end of his life. It's better for him to die alone than for you to be chased as an Enemy of the Martial Arts World."
"...What are you talking about right now? Did you eat something wrong?"
Beopgong remained calm despite my annoyance.
"Your brother wanted to clear your name, not save himself. I'm faithfully carrying out his request. Your brother expected all of this."
"What is that...!"
"That guy came to me prepared not to leave the prison from the start. Unless you're trying to ruin your brother's plan, come along quietly. Getting rid of your wanted poster is the priority."
I was so dumbfounded that my voice naturally rose.
"Are you both crazy? How can you decide something like that without even consulting me? Did you think I'd be happy to go if you said, 'I'll sacrifice myself, so you clear your name and leave'?"
I huffed, my face red, but Beopgong didn't even bat an eye.
"All done venting?"
"Beopgong Daesa!"
"I understand how you feel, but let's argue about this later. He still looks red in the face, so he's not in good condition. Don't provoke him."
Beopgong gestured with his chin towards Yeon-ryang, who was sitting on top of a tree, suppressing his emotions with an indifferent expression. His hair still had a reddish tinge.
The realization that he had been planning this since Yeon-ryang spoke at the hermitage made my teeth grind.
Both of them are just doing whatever they want.
One wants to send me away alone, one wants to cut off someone else's family, and one wants to start a fight...!
Do you think I'm not getting angry because I don't know how to get angry? Why do I have to keep worrying because of these inconsiderate Martial Artist guys?
"You're all the same! I don't want to see any of your faces, so get lost!"
Unable to contain my anger, I kicked a rock, and the shattered pile of stones collapsed with a crash.
"Hey, kid. Hey, hey. What are we going to do if you get angry too? Kid? Just a moment!"
I heard Beopgong's flustered shout, but I didn't want to respond. I stomped my feet and ran away from the unlucky Martial Artist guys.
\ \ *
My anger didn't subside even after walking and walking.
I wandered aimlessly through the forest, huffing and puffing, and then plopped down on the ground.
I was angry, but I didn't know who to direct my anger at. The fact that I understood each of their situations made me even more annoyed.
Why am I worrying about other people's situations when I'm about to die from frustration? Am I really a pushover?
Gritting my teeth, I took out a whetstone from my pocket. It seemed better to sharpen my Flying Dagger and calm down than to hurt my teeth for no reason.
I didn't want to think about anything. Everything was a mess.
I was focusing all my attention on sharpening the Flying Dagger to clear my head when I felt Jin-sung's presence cautiously approaching from behind.
In a moment of anger, I threw the Flying Dagger at him.
The Flying Dagger that grazed Jin-sung split a large tree into three pieces and knocked it over.
Thud!
With a loud noise, dust flew up, and birds took flight.
I snorted and took out another Flying Dagger when a long shadow fell over me.
"Dang Sojeo."
"...What."
I raised my head in annoyance and saw Jin-sung looking down at me hesitantly. I met his gaze with a blank expression.
"Is it alright if we talk for a moment?"
"No. It's not alright."
"......"
"If you're going to talk about Demonic Cultist or something, go away. I'm not in the mood to listen to the Jinseong disciple's lecture."
Jin-sung's Adam's apple moved greatly at my blunt reply. He bowed politely.
"I apologize for my excessive words and actions earlier when I was agitated."
"Ah, yes. I'm not in the mood to receive an apology either. Go away."
"Sojeo. I am..."
"What answer do you want from me? That it's okay? That I'll do as you say? Too bad. I have no intention of giving you the answer you want."
A look of bewilderment appeared in Jin-sung's eyes. I knew I shouldn't be doing this, but the words wouldn't come out nicely.
"I understand that you can't just ignore things that bother the dojang, but apologizing over and over again makes me feel like you're forcing me to forgive you, which is annoying. I don't want to talk to you, so please shut your mouth?"
After lashing out harshly, I walked past him and picked up the Flying Dagger stuck in the fallen tree trunk. Then, I started to sharpen the blunted blade again.
It was an act of openly ignoring him, but Jin-sung stood still without leaving.
His gaze was bothering me, so I moved my position, and Jin-sung quietly followed me.
"Why are you following me?"
"......"
"Why are you following me? Are you afraid I'll run away? I won't run away, so go away. Let me catch my breath too."
"......"
"Are my words a joke to you? I said go away."
Unlike me, who had lost my composure, Jin-sung was calm. He replied calmly.
"You have not yet said that I am allowed to open my mouth."
This stubborn human being! I'm going crazy!
I tore at my hair and jumped up and down.
"Agh! Do you know you're really unlucky?"
Jin-sung's indifferent face, asking back in a level voice, made my anger boil. The fact that I knew he wasn't trying to tease me made me even more angry.
Unlucky!
"Why are you asking when you're already saying everything you want to say?"
I glared at Jin-sung with annoyance, but he wasn't intimidated at all. Rather, he narrowed the distance between us.
"I will wait until your anger subsides."
"Feel free to do so if you want a Flying Dagger in your Hundred Meeting Point."
I retorted fiercely, turned my back on him, and plopped down on the ground. I felt like I would only feel better if I took out all the remaining Hidden Weapons and sharpened them.
Jin-sung, who had been silently watching me, slowly lowered his body.
"Dang Sojeo. Shouldn't you stop now?"
"I don't want to."
"Your fingers are swollen."
"Huh?"
"You quickly notice wounds on other people's bodies, but you don't know about the wounds on your own body."
He muttered and gently supported my left hand.
As Jin-sung said, my fingers were slightly swollen. It seemed I had been gripping the whetstone tightly.
I roughly pushed away his hand.
"Don't touch me carelessly. Now that I see it, you're good at changing the subject too."
"The two of them are worried about you."
"Tell them to worry. I've been anxious for days because of what you guys are doing, and I can't even get angry?"
"That's not what I meant."
His gray eyes, answering slowly, were as calm as a lake.
Seeing Jin-sung, who didn't waver no matter how annoyed I got, made me feel like I was the only fool.
I glared at him, kicked the ground, and rubbed my face roughly.
Right. The situation won't change just because I get angry. If I have no choice but to go to the Alliance, the first thing to do is to find a way to get out safely.
I also need to talk to Yeon-ryang.
Think rationally. Rationally.
I organized the Hidden Weapons scattered on the ground and got up from my seat.
As I brushed the dirt off my clothes and calmed my mind, I swallowed a hollow laugh at the bizarre sight in the distance.
Yeon-ryang, who had come nearby at some point, was hiding behind a tree half his size, watching my mood.
"Brother. You can't hide by hiding there. I can see everything?"
Does he think that his bulk will be hidden by the gap in the tree? Does he even have the intention to hide?
As I grumbled and approached, Yeon-ryang flinched and walked out from behind the tree. I was about to get angry at him, who was trembling with anxiety, but I hurriedly gathered my patience.
He looked terrified that I would ignore him.
I'm going crazy. I can't even get angry like this.
"So-hye. Your brother..."
"It's okay. You don't have to make excuses."
"So-hye..."
Yeon-ryang's complexion darkened.
"Your brother was wrong. I should have endured it no matter how angry I was..."
"What? I'm going crazy. Do you think I'm angry because we fought? Don't you know what kind of things you did behind my back?"
"Th, that... Did I not hide my Demonic Energy?"
...This guy really doesn't know.
My stomach churned at his truly clueless face. I rubbed my eyes and shook my head.
"Brother. I don't want things like one-sided sacrifices."
"So-hye. That's for you...!"
"No. If you really care about me, you shouldn't have made that choice."
"......"
"That's not what family is. Brother. It's about trusting and relying on each other."
Yeon-ryang's eyes shook violently at my firm tone.
A bitter smile naturally escaped at his helpless appearance.
What a pitiful person.
Swinging a sword and jumping into enemy lines alone, prepared to die, doesn't solve everything.
His choice, which was absurd to me, must have been the best choice Yeon-ryang could think of. That was unfortunate.
I softened my voice.
"If you plan something like this one more time, I really won't see you again. Don't ever do this again."
Yeon-ryang nodded slightly at my threat.
He looked relieved, as if he was relieved by my softened voice.
"Hoo, I'm still not relieved. Take a hit!"
"Ack! So-hye! You said one hit, one hit!"
I glared and patted the back of the foolish giant, and then turned my gaze to Jin-sung.
He was looking at us siblings with strange eyes. I asked Jin-sung.
"Jin-sung disciple. Is there no room for negotiation at all?"
"The word 'negotiation' is inappropriate. Sojeo. The disposition of the Demonic Cultist is not a matter that can be negotiated."
"Yes. I understand."
Perhaps it was because I had never even expected it. I didn't get angry even at Jin-sung's stubborn reaction. Just as I was about to turn my head, Jin-sung added.
"However..."
"Yes?"
"However, it is possible to entrust all decision-making power to Beopgong Daesa. Beopgong Daesa will have to bear all the responsibilities that come with it."
He said with a blank expression.
