Episode 1364. After all, you have a big heart. (4)
Baekcheon’s eyes turned to the distance. Everyone had already disappeared to the back of the house so they wouldn’t be seen.
It’s not that I wanted anything in return.
You didn’t ask for the grain you had to be given away for free, right?
Just a fair price… No, they just wanted the opportunity to buy grain, even if it meant paying more than that.
Was that really that much?
Baekcheon looked back at Yunjong without realizing it. Whenever I lose my way as a Taoist monk, the person who serves as my standard is Yunjong. However, Yoonjong’s expression was also stiffer than usual.
In that case, the sense of betrayal and anger Baekcheon feels right now is not simply because he is narrow-minded.
“I’m sorry…”
Hyeong-wook lowered his head as if he had no shame. My face was red from embarrassment and guilt, as if it was about to explode.
Even though Baekcheon knew that there was no point in blaming this person, he ended up saying one thing.
“I had no idea it was such a difficult request.”
“⋯⋯Chief.”
Hyungwook closed his eyes tightly.
It can’t be a difficult request. At least it was that way for him.
Of course, as my older brother said, after helping them, a crisis may come. But didn’t they help the villagers without any hesitation even in situations that could be dangerous?
It is not natural to help someone because they are strong, nor is it natural to turn away because they are weak.
But there was nothing he could do. Even those who were paying close attention eventually said that it would be better if they did not help.
The future danger that my older brother mentioned was much more impactful than the grace that had already been given.
“What… what can I say…”
While Hyeong-wook was speaking in confusion, the old man who was inside the house cautiously came out again. He looked at Baekcheon’s gaze and bowed his head. There was no sense of victory or pride at all. It was just an expression that prayed that Baekcheon’s judgment had not been distorted.
“Warriors…”
The old man opened his mouth in a trembling voice. Baekcheon, who understood the meaning of the trembling, let out a laugh.
“There is nothing to worry about.”
Although Baekcheon could not get rid of the coldness in his voice, he spoke with as much politeness as possible.
“We are not a sect that commits slaughter just because it feels wrong. “You don’t have to worry about us being nasty.”
“thank you. Thank you warriors!”
The old man quickly expressed his gratitude and glanced at Baekcheon again.
“Please don’t think too badly about it.”
“⋯⋯What do you mean?”
“We know that it would be absurd from the warriors’ perspective. But we have no choice but to do this.”
Baekcheon looked at his older brother in silence. A sorrowful expression appeared on the old man’s tired face.
“The consultation that warriors talk about is something that only powerful people can give. How can people who are at a loss as to how to make a living care about other people’s circumstances and help others make a living? “It’s urgent for me right now.”
Baekcheon’s eyebrows slightly rose. Even though I could tolerate everything else, it was difficult to tolerate these words.
Just because it was Cheon Woo-maeng’s party didn’t mean he had extra time to help them. The thing about consultation…
“Ignorant worms like us have no choice but to live by pretending to die. That’s what I’ve seen and that’s the world I’ve lived in.”
It was when Baekcheon, who could not stand it anymore, finally tried to say something.
“let’s go.”
Someone’s voice was briefly heard. When I looked back, I saw Cheongmyeong scratching the back of his head.
“I guess I was in a hurry too. I had no idea. I should have taken into account in advance that the situation here was not good either. Tsk. I’m done too. “When I get old, I have to die.”
“Cheongmyeong…”
“let’s go. I asked you to go quickly and not be noticed, so I have to go quickly. “That will make both of us feel at ease.”
Baekcheon somehow relaxed.
Normally, Cheongmyeong would have been furious at times like this, but now that he had said that, he had nothing more to say.
“Looking at it, it looks like I ate almost everything…”
Cheongmyeong glanced at the people of Haenam and said.
“Once we’ve filled our bellies, we should leave. “Actually, we don’t have a lot of time.”
“⋯⋯That’s right.”
“Tell them to get ready quickly. “After we go, these people will have a lot to do.”
Baekcheon still had a lot to say, but he finally answered with a deep sigh.
“Okay… “I guess so.”
I felt sick to my stomach. It’s so much that I can’t even express it.
“You don’t have to pay for the grain you ate…”
“no.”
Baekcheon looked at his older brother with stern eyes.
“I will pay the exact price. Because that’s how it should be.”
That emotionless voice somehow sounded a little sad.
Those led by Baekcheon left the village.
The atmosphere was quite different from when I left this village before. No one was too quick to open their mouths.
Even Haenam’s disciples, who did not know much about the situation, did not easily open their mouths because they could not have known this atmosphere.
“Does that mean it just comes out?”
In such a situation, there was someone who had the courage to open his mouth and it was Lim So-byeong.
“sure?”
“Isn’t it okay if the result is the same anyway? There is a surplus of grain, so wouldn’t it be okay to take a reasonable amount and throw money at it? “Then the result is the same as if you had done the transaction innocently.”
“⋯⋯.”
“And then, even if something happens to them, won’t they be able to claim that they are innocent because they only robbed us of grain? Anyone can see that’s reasonable, so let’s go back now!”
Baekcheon burst out laughing. Surely that might be reasonable. It might be a path where no one gets harmed.
But they couldn’t choose that path. If they say that anything is okay as long as the result is the same, it would be an admission that they are no different from the Sapaeryeon they are currently fighting.
“Ah-oh!”
At that time, Jogeol yells loudly.
He also knew that he couldn’t do as Lim So-byeong said, but he seemed unable to help his outburst of anger.
“Aren’t people supposed to have at least a conscience?”
“⋯⋯.”
“Why did we have the strength to help? Even if you don’t repay the favor, you can at least consider the situation, right?”
“done.”
“Before, my innocent eyes were filled with tears! Now, I don’t even stick my nose out until the moment I leave! “Maybe if those guys become unmanned, Sapa will go…”
“Even if I tell you to stop.”
When Baek-cheon gave a brief, helpless remark, Jo Geol kept his mouth shut.
“I do it because it’s unfair. It’s because it’s unfair.”
“⋯⋯.”
“You said you didn’t expect anything in return, but still… there is such a thing, right? Still…”
Baekcheon was about to say something before shaking his head.
In fact, his intentions are not that different from Jo Geol. If you speak at length with such a confused mind, only your true feelings will be revealed.
Since Baek-cheon did not answer properly, this time Jo-geol’s gaze turned to Yun-jong.
“Isn’t that so? Death penalty!”
At those words, Baekcheon also looked at Yunjong.
If it were Yoonjong, he might say something different.
“Aren’t you angry about the death penalty?”
“Tuesday…”
In response to Jo Geol’s question, Yoon Jong calmly shook his head.
“I’m not angry.”
“⋯⋯It’s not even a living fire.”
“I’m not angry, I’m just confused.”
“yes?”
When Jo Geol gave him a puzzled look, Yoon Jong looked up at the sky and said.
“As a Taoist and a sect, I thought that the reason I had to help and protect the common people was because there was goodness in them. “Since they are good people who are persecuted by powerful people, I thought we should do our bit to protect them.”
“⋯⋯.”
“But today, for the first time, I feel that way. “I’m not just talking about the people in that village, but in any case.”
“yes.”
“If the people we are trying to protect are not good… why do we have to risk our lives to protect them? Just because we are stronger?”
“⋯⋯.”
“The saying that you shouldn’t expect a reward for your cooperation may be because there is no way to receive that reward… Yes, I think so.”
The voice was calm, but the content was extremely heavy. Especially since it came from Yoonjong’s mouth. It was a time when everyone was lost in their own thoughts.
“I’ve heard something like this before.”
Everyone’s eyes turned to Cheongmyeong. To the guy in front who was walking as if he had no regrets.
“The common people are neither as good as you think nor as great as you think. “Their power is less than you think, and the reasons they discuss are generally insignificant.”
“⋯⋯Isn’t that almost an insult?”
“But that is precisely why we must protect the civilians.”
The volcano disciples who had been listening quietly frowned. Because I didn’t understand it at all. If they are really so insignificant, why should we protect them?
“Because they too are people who could have become good people.”
“⋯⋯.”
“What the old man said was not wrong. Most people can’t even afford to keep their own lines. “It happened because those in power did not protect them.”
Yunjong looked at Cheongmyeong’s back as he walked and spoke with a stern expression on his face.
“Good people are good even without help. However, a small kindness shown to those who are not good may be able to lead them to good. Taoists are people who do not let go of that small possibility, and collaboration is an attempt to change the world by giving what one has.”
Cheongmyeong’s gaze, which was muttering, turned to the sky. Like chasing something far away.
“Honestly, I don’t understand everything yet. I just know one thing. Our ancestors did not give because they did not know, but they tried to protect it even after knowing.”
Cheongmyeong’s words ended there. There was no more connection.
So we didn’t say that we should do that or that it was the right way. I just relayed what I heard.
But everyone who heard those words became lost in thought. What are they really trying to do?
It was then.
“Now wait a minute! “You charlatans!”
A loud voice came from behind.
Hyeong-wook was running quickly, carrying something on his shoulder.
“Huh! Huh! “Huh!”
Hyeong-wook ran with all his might and stood in front of them, panting. Baekcheon blinked, not knowing what was happening.
“No, why…?”
“This!”
Hyungwook put down the large sack he was carrying on his shoulder. There was a thud.
“It’s grain. “Take it.”
“yes?”
Hyungwook’s face was still full of guilt.
“The villagers decided not to do it, but this is my responsibility. “What can you do if I give you my share?”
“Oh no…”
Baekcheon was embarrassed and looked at the sack of grain and then at Hyeongwook.
“We can receive this…”
“Please accept it!”
Hyeong-wook bowed his head deeply without listening any further. Although he looked similar to his father, the feeling was completely different.
“I am weak and can only do this. Please let me do this at least.”
“⋯⋯.”
“It’s not because the villagers are evil either. Everyone just… They’re just scared. “Please don’t look at me too negatively.”
“Execution (兄丈)⋯⋯.”
“It may be insignificant, but please take this. “I’m really… really sorry.”
Baekcheon looked down at the sack of grain with mixed feelings. It is a cheap grain and probably only amounts to a handful for many of these people.
But… the heart inside it is by no means insignificant.
Baekcheon, who was looking at the sack of grain in silence, quickly put both his hands together and hugged it. He then bowed his head deeply with the utmost respect.
“⋯⋯I will gratefully accept it.”
The hand holding the fist trembled slightly.
There is a long way to go and time is running out.
But everyone there looked at the sack between Baekcheon and Hyeongwook in silence for a while.
A few handfuls of the insignificant but most precious grain contained in that old, worn-out sack.
