Episode 1171 A man who can’t even answer. (1)
“Hmm.”
Lim So-byeong lightly waved the fan in his hand.
“Such stories were exchanged. “That’s interesting.”
Nangung Do-wi looked at Lim So-byeong with a slightly displeased and disapproving gaze. Even Meng So and Seol Sobaek sitting next to him.
‘I don’t even know myself.’
It is true that my heart felt tight. So, I wanted to open it up and talk about it to anyone. But is there no reason why that ‘someone’ should be this man?
Nevertheless, strangely enough, Namgung Dowi’s footsteps headed towards this place. In the meantime, it was natural for Lim So-byeong and other palace lords who were with him to sit together. Of course, when I sat down, it didn’t look particularly natural, but…
“So, what are other people’s reactions?”
“I have to say it’s a reaction….”
What can I say to convey that atmosphere?
Namgung Do-wi has never thought of himself as a person who lacks the ability to talk. However, it was not easy to accurately convey the subtle atmosphere of the place.
Nevertheless, Lim So-byeong was intelligent. Intelligent people know how to picture a situation in their head even without perfect communication.
“I guess I get the idea.”
Like now. Lim So-byeong, who anticipated the reactions of others based on Namgung Do-wi’s expression, smiled softly.
“Hmm, what can I say about this… As befits a court, I can say that I did a good job of stabbing the painful spot, but…”
Lim So-byeong glanced at Namgung Do-wi.
“It’s really surprising to see the reactions of people who heard that.”
“Did you say it was new?”
“yes. It’s surprising. “Isn’t this a fact that everyone clearly knows?”
Namgung Do-wi sighed involuntarily at the transparent gaze of Lim So-byeong, who was looking at him blankly. Lim So-byeong said.
“To begin with, Cheonwoomaeng is that kind of place. Are there really people here who are drawn by the two words ‘volcano’?”
To those words, not only Nangong Daowi, but even Xue Xiaobaek and Meng Xiao could not answer.
“No. Everyone gathered here was drawn to the two letters Cheongmyeong. Even if Hwasan had done the same things as now, if the subject of the work had not been the Hwasan Sword Association Cheongmyeong Dojo, Cheonwoo Meng would never have been created.”
“…It’s not wrong.”
Meng Xiao, with his arms crossed, nodded heavily.
Since he was also someone who saw the potential of Cheongmyeong and decided to join hands with Hwasan, he couldn’t help but sympathize with Lim So-byeong’s words.
“But on the other hand, it also means that Cheonwoomaeng can only be established through the sacrifice of Cheongmyeong, the Hwasan Sword Association.”
“The word sacrifice is a bit…”
Nangong Daowi frowned, as if he couldn’t agree.
“In the first place, Namgung never asked for the blood of the Cheongmyeong seal. The reason we were drawn to Hwasan is because of the consultation and character shown by Cheongmyeong Dojo. “It wasn’t because we thought he would catch the arrows for us.”
“…Let’s first put aside how absurd it is to apply the word ‘character’ to that man.”
Lim So-byeong cleared his throat and looked at Nam Gung-do-wi with slightly dark eyes.
“what. What Namgung Sogaju said may not be so wrong. “The reason Nangong Sogaju follows the Cheongmyeong dojo is not because of the sacrifice he showed, but because of the heroic deeds he showed.”
Nangong Dowi nodded.
When he asked Hwasan for help, Cheongmyeong drew his sword without any hesitation and headed toward Maehwa Island. Namgung Do-wi will never forget that sight for the rest of his life.
An agreement that has always been discussed as a habit.
Because at that moment, I keenly felt what it feels like to the person who is most desperate to see the back of the person who actually puts that agreement into practice.
“But… it’s ultimately the same thing.”
“yes?”
“Because saying a heroic deed is not that different from saying something extremely dangerous.”
“…No, how can that be…”
Lim So-byeong sneered faintly.
“Of course, Nangong Xiaojiazhu would like to argue that the core of heroic deeds is not danger, but the cooperation contained within them… Is that really true? “If the Cheongmyeong dojo had struck down local bandits with the same spirit as when he headed to Maehwa Island, would Nangong Sogaju have evaluated both actions equally?”
“That’s…”
Lim So-byeong chuckled as if he wanted to see something.
“It’s funny, but it’s not like that. Because what people see is ‘which person did what.’ Therefore, even if the same thing is to suppress bandits, if it is done easily by a disciple of a noble family, it is a proper thing to do, but the story of the common people of Saga risking their lives becomes a beautiful story that moves people.”
When Namgung Do-wi remained silent, Lim So-byeong shrugged his shoulders.
“In other words, the more we evaluate and praise the cooperation of the Hwasan Sword Association, the more the world believes in and follows the cooperation of Cheon Woo-maeng, the more the Cheongmyeong Dojo will be trapped in the prison of that agreement.”
Namgung Dowi bit his lip tightly. Even though I wanted to say no, I couldn’t think of any logic to deny it. Aren’t things already going that way?
“So, in the end, Cheonwoomaeng has no choice but to be a place created based on the sacrifice of the Hwasan Sword Association. Perhaps Nangong Sogaju has been thinking about the fight between the Four Sisters and the Demonic Cult, but what was the Cheongmyeong Dojo doing in his imagination?”
“That’s right…”
I couldn’t finish my sentence. A sigh escaped my lips.
Fight at the forefront. Most cruelly.
Although he leads countless people and shines brighter than anyone else, it was also difficult for Namgung Dowi to deny it. The fact that the brightest place is also the most dangerous place.
“Be aware. Namgung Sogaju. It exists in the world. “Crazy people who do not take care of themselves and calmly repeat reckless acts.”
Nangung Dowi had no choice but to admit it. Of all the people he knows, the person who best fits that description is Cheongmyeong.
“Of course, most of those people die. But… one in a million… or maybe even one in hundreds of years.”
Lim So-byeong held the fan tightly.
“There are people who are lucky enough to survive until the end even after doing such crazy things. Do you know what the world calls such people?”
“…What do you say?”
“They say he’s a hero.”
“….”
The word “hero” no longer sounded like a good word.
Lim So-byeong looked at Nam Gung-do-wi as if laughing.
“In Nangung Sogaju’s imagination, after all the wars were over, the Cheongmyeong seal would have become a hero. “Isn’t that right?”
Those words sounded as if it was none other than Namgung Dowi who was pushing Cheongmyeong into hell. That’s why Namgung Dowi couldn’t bear to raise his bowed head.
“Then…”
At that moment, Seol So-baek, who had been listening to Lim So-byeong in silence, opened his mouth.
“Are you saying the Green Forest King is different?”
Lim So-byeong looked at Seol So-baek with a grin and answered.
“What difference would it make? “I know for sure that I am parasitic on the Cheongmyeong seal.”
“….”
“But… I don’t know. I do not know. Who is worse, those who know and use it or those who say they didn’t know and push people off the cliff? Of course, if he comes back from that cliff alive, he will become a hero, but…”
Meng Xiao, who was listening, frowned and interjected.
“I think the King of Green Forest is being too cynical.”
“Are you being sarcastic?”
“In the first place, it’s not like others forced what the Hwasan Sword Association didn’t want. Others were simply drawn to the path that the Hwasan Sword Association walks. Such people inevitably appear dazzling to ordinary people.”
“Hmm.”
When Lim So-byeong looked at Maeng-so, a hint of youth appeared in his eyes.
“That is indeed true. “It’s just that I find it quite comical to now act as if I am once again shocked by such an obvious fact.”
“Let’s just leave it at that.”
“Yes, of course.”
Lim So-byeong obediently withdraws.
Perhaps wanting to lighten the awkward atmosphere, Meng So secretly asked Lim So-byeong.
“So what do you think, King Green Forest?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Do you think Hwasan will accept Shaolin’s offer?”
“Hmm.”
Lim So-byeong smiled and scratched his cheek as if it was fun.
“Conversely, I would also like to ask you something. How do you two palace lords plan to answer? “It seems like we can’t avoid change.”
“…If the promise is kept, it’s not such a bad offer from our perspective.”
“yes?”
Seol Sobaek was startled by Meng Xiao’s calm answer and asked.
“Palace lord! Are you going to take that offer?”
“Truly Seol Palace Lord.”
Meng Xiao shook his head.
“It is difficult to compare the Hwasan Swordsmen Association and the court. “It’s not easy to trust Shaolin in the first place.”
“yes! of course.”
“Of course I should choose the volcano now. “Because there is a Hwasan Sword Association in Hwasan.”
“yes. “Me too…”
“But will there still be a Hwasan Sword Association in Hwasan a hundred years from now?”
“….”
Xue Xiaobaek did not answer.
“Even a hundred years from now, Shaolin will be the North Star of the Central Plains. And they will remember the promise made by the leader of the squadron. But… it’s impossible to know what the volcano will look like a hundred years from now.”
“That’s…”
Seol So-baek, who was about to refute something, quietly closed his mouth. Because what Meng Xiao said is not wrong.
“Personally, I don’t want to join hands with Shaolin. However, if you judge it as the lord of the palace, no sect in the world can reject the hand that Shaolin extends. “Especially a sect like ours.”
“….”
“Putting my own feelings first is something I shouldn’t do as the head of the palace in charge of the archers. “What guarantee is there that future generations will not one day resent my judgment for being wrong?”
Seol Sobaek bowed his head.
“However, it is also a natural duty for a palace lord to maintain loyalty to Hwasan, who has cared for the outside world so far. So, I plan to just follow whatever conclusion the leader comes to. “That would be natural.”
Lim So-byeong let out a small exclamation and looked back at Seol So-baek.
“What about the Prince of Seol?”
“I…”
Seol So-baek hesitated and couldn’t answer, so Lim So-byeong nodded as if he understood.
“I understand. In fact, that is the most correct opinion.”
“so? “What is the answer to my question?”
“Actually, I think it would be good if Green Forest refused. In this situation, Shaolin should not kick out Nokrim, but it would be difficult to treat it like it is now.”
“Are you going to be pushed to the bottom of the post-war debate?”
“Yes, that’s right. So, personally, I hope so, but…”
Lim So-byeong held up a fan and half covered his face.
“…But this time, the moves the court brought were so exquisite. Perhaps just this time… it won’t be easy for both the leader and the Hwasan Sword Association to refuse the offer.”
“But haven’t you two turned down any offers so far? “Then I can’t say that the probability of the same happening this time is very small.”
“That’s because everything they have done so far has been in line with the cause of saving people. But this case is different. Think about it. What if that offer is rejected and Chun Woo-maeng confronts the Sapae-ryeon on his own?”
Meng Xiao nodded as if he understood.
“…All the blood that needs to be shed due to lack of strength will be the responsibility of those two people.”
“That’s right. That choice could actually lead to the death of more people. So it’s not easy, is it?”
Meng Xiao sighed. It’s really difficult.
“It was a reality that I would have to face at some point… but I never thought it would come this way. The head of Shaolin is indeed not someone to be ignored.”
Lim So-byeong’s eyes turned toward the open window.
“I’m curious too. “What choice will he make when he finds himself in a situation where everything he has believed in up until now may end up harming what he was trying to protect?”
At those words, Namgung Dowi let out a heavy and long sigh.
Feeling the dull air, Lim So-byeong gazed at the moon half-hidden by clouds.
‘It’s going to be a long night.’
For him and everyone else.
It seemed like it would be a very long night, especially for one person.
