Chapter Text
Chosam is a weak guy. Ever since he was born that was all he knew. He was not supposed to even enter the prestigious Mount Hua sect and he couldn't even dare to dream of it. How could he? Not even a status to his name, abandoned by parents and relatives. Not even a single talent or skill to be conveyed. However, one lucky day when he was begging on the street and suddenly a kind elderly reached out to him.
“Are you hungry?”
Chosam made a feeble nod. He took the bread as soon as it was offered to him. Chosam was acting just like an animal that hadn't been eaten in days when he seized and swallowed the entire object.
He was even more miserable because of the bruises and fresh scabs that Jongpal's hit had left on his flesh.
“Are you still hungry? Do you want more or- Be careful, eat slowly!”
The elder yelled when Chosam choked on the bread. The man slowly gave him a drink before slowly asking.
“Do you want to come with me?”
After that, Chosam did not remember much except following him to reach Mount Hua. Looking back at it now, Chosam could see how foolish he was. If this man was not kind and tried to take advantage of him, it was surely easy to do so. He had no family to his side, even if he was gone no one would give a double glance at him. He would surely end up dead or something unspeakable could surely happen to him.
Fortunately, the elder's name was Hyung Jong, and the man was the nicest human Chosam had ever met for the first time in his short existence.
“No more Hyung Jong, we cannot!”
Chosam flinched at the commotion within the room where Elder Hyung Jong had vanished. He was instructed to wait outside while the elders discussed something.
“But he could not survive another days, I am sure of it-”
“Hyun Jong!” the unknown voice yelled again “Before this, Yoon Jong, next, a beggar? What do you think Mount Hua is? I sent you out there for duties not to make Mount Hua a nursery!”
“Sect leader, I am sorry but-”
Chosam didn't know how many times passed as he remained there, but the voice progressively softened. Hyung Jong then fled the room and made his way to Chosam. He was smiling warmly as he attempted to cheer up the child. When asked if he was welcomed, the senior nodded but told him to vow to make the sect proud.
Chosam knew what that meant, if one thing he learnt as a beggar was that everything has price and the cost he has to pay in order to stay here was to ensure that Mount Hua will have another strong disciples that can bring fame to the sect.
Except that was not happening at all. Chosam kept forgetting how frail he was. Chosam is ambitious and hopeful that he would be able to overcome his vexing weak nickname. However, as the days grew into months and years passed, he was unable to absorb even the most basic teaching. Hence, he earned the scorn of the disciples of the third class.
That day, as usual, after the training, all the disciples head towards the river to wash up their body.
“I can’t believe how weak the newcomer is. What are the elders thinking of accepting him?”
“I know, right? He could not even grasp the teaching of holding a sword properly. When do you think he could even learn the style of sword?”
“I heard that he was also a beggar, same like our Sahyung-”
“Compared to Yoon Jong, he could not even on same par with him-”
“It is a shame. I hope outsider won’t notice that Mount Hua has such person”
Chosam was hugging his body while dumping his whole body in the water. They surely did not notice that he was there and even if they did, maybe they wouldn't care at all.
That night, when everybody was asleep, Chosam would slowly get out of bed to practice. No matter how his mind and body told him that it was useless, Chosam believed that his hard work will surely prevail one day, so that’s why he worked his ass harder than everyone else with this belief.
“Hey, get me a drink”
Plsu, a command from Jo Geol was also something that he had to face daily.
Chosam did whatever he asked. He believed that maybe Jo Geol could accept him no matter how weak he was. So he did it all, from getting him water, to washing his clothes, to preparing his bed, to ensuring his food was warm enough before eating and actually everything was done for him.
Except Chosam knew that he was getting bullied, like in the past. Except it was no longer Jongpal the beggar, but Jo Geol, the mount Hua sect disciples.
“Chosam- I mean Cheong Myeong is your name, right?”
Chosam was startled from his thoughts upon hearing that voice.
“Yoon Jong sahyung? Wh-why are you here?” Chosam knew so much about him. He was the head of the third class disciples, but he also did not have home before, just like Chosam, However, he managed to overcome and gain the respect of others compared to him.
“Y-You can call me anything you want. Cheong Myeong is also okay”
“Right, what are you doing?”
“Oh, did, I- I am washing clothes”
“For Jo Geol and the gang?”
Chosam just smiled awkwardly “Yes…”
Both were chuckling to themselves before Yoon Jong intervened again “I understand Chosam, as the youngest you have to follow orders but not like this. Do you want me to report to the elders?”
“No!” Chosam scratched his head “I don't want to burden Elder Hyung Jong anymore, my presence already gave him bad name”
Yoon Jong sighed “Then you have to stop giving it to them. If you are too lenient, they are going to take advantage of that”.
“H-How do you do that?”
“Huh?” Yoon Jong was startled when the topic suddenly changed.
“How do you make others respect you? Do you make yourself stronger?”
Yoon Jong smiled “I don;t make myself stronger, well as you can see, Jo Geol is definitely stronger than me”.
“Th-Then how?-”
“I respect myself, I ensure that no one can no longer disrespect my status. I am a disciple of Mount Hua, so I bring it with pride. You should be too”
“Oh”
“As your Sahyung, I should help you too”,
“You are my Sahyung?” The statement alone brought tears to his eyes.
“Well, you are disciples of Mount Hua right? Strong or weak who cares, Mount Hua is Mount Hua”
Chosam nodded vigorously, the tears were pooling in his eyes, no one even acknowledged him that much and this is the first time someone has acknowledged him as a brother in martial arts.
At that time, Chosam swore to never do anything Jo Geol ever asked. He felt so good about ditching the clothes to the drain and get the good night he deserved. He was so sure that tomorrow morning the happiness will continue once he saw Jo Geol and others did not have their clothes
“What am I doing, really?”
So he swore. He swore on his life that he would never let anyone take advantage of him again. In his mind, he can already imagine himself ignoring Jo Geol and the others. So, Chosam promised himself that he would not let others take advantage of him. Jo Geol or anyone else, no more!
Instead that was not happening at all..
"You, go do this work, Great Brother Ungeom told you to do it"
Chosam just kept quiet.
"Hey, Chosam! Are you ignoring me?"
When there was no answer, Jo Geol shouted louder "Chosam!"
"What happened?" Yoon Jong comes towards Jo Geol and Chosam.
"This brat, brother Ungeom, told him to do work but he doesn't want to!"
"Brother Ungeom command or are you pretending it was an order from him?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You want to avoid doing the work brother Ungeom gave you, right? So you told me to do it as an excuse!"
"Are you accusing me? You-"
"What happened now?" Brother Unguem suddenly appeared behind them.
"I ask what happened?" Brother Unguem asked again "Jo Geol, have you told Cheong Myeong about the job?"
"Chosam doesn't want to do it..." Jo Geol answered slowly.
"What? Why don't you want to do it?!"
Chosam became agitated when Brother Unguem spoke. If Brother Unguem had actually given the command, Chosam would have carried it out; but, he believed Jo Geol only wanted to make fun of him once more. It appears that Chosam's absolute decision to refuse to follow Jo Geol's demands occurred at the wrong time and place.
"Actually, I can do it.."
"Just now, you said you didn't want to do it!" Jo Geol screamed.
Brother Unguem sighed and advised him "You as the youngest in this sect are supposed to follow instructions especially if they come from your own older martial art brother. Do you understand, Cheong Myeong?"
Chosam nodded slowly "I didn't mean to..."
"It's okay, brother Unguem, I can do it," Yoon Jong interrupted.
Brother Unguem nodded his head "Alright then, Yoon Jong you come with me, there's something you have to send"
"Alright," Yoon Jong said before following Brother Unguem.
Chosam and Jo Geol are alone.
"Unsettling, for sure. Despite being the youngest, behaving like a senior," Jo Geol snorted as he left Chosam.
--------------
"Yoon Jong sahyung," he heard before he stepped out the gate. He knew that voice very well and he was sure who its owner was.
"Chosam, why are you here?"
Chosam scratched his head "I want to see you before sahyung leaves"
Yoon Jong smiled.
"And forgive me, because of me, Sahyung had to-"
Yoon Jong interrupted "It's okay, after all I'm proud you stand on your feet- although I have to admit that it is really not the right times"
"Yeah, a very inappropriate time," Chosam added before asking "When will Sahyung come back?"
"Oh here, I have to send this letter to the merchant, then I'll be back. In two days maybe".
"Oh, not so long then"
"Yes, so you need to take care of yourself, don't let yourself be bullied again"
So, Chosam waited for the return of his beloved Sahyung. He ignored the scorn or insults that Jo Geol would give every time they met. He believes Sahyung will come home.
However, from one day to two days. And so, it's been three and almost a week Yoon Jong hasn't come home. Until the shocking news arrived at Mount Hua Sect.
"Yoon Jong, the head disciple for third class disciples is missing?!"
"Yes," the informant stated "The merchant said the expected letter from Mount Hua did not arrive. And after a week, the disciple's trail could no longer be traced"
"How could this happen?"
Then, Mount Hua ordered some disciples to find Yoon Jong. However each time, they would go home empty-handed. No news or traces can be found.
Until, one day the informant from the beggar sect came again after getting news about the whereabouts of the disciples.
"You said he was kidnapped? By pirates?" Hyung Jong asked
"Now a lot of people are missing and many are found kidnapped by pirates to ask for ransom," the informant said "The possibility of Yoon Jong being kidnapped too is high"
"What? Aren't they afraid of Mount Hua?" Hyung Young shouted at the news "Come on, let's attack those useless kidnappers, let them fear Mount Hua!"
"Hyung Young, be patient," Hyung Dang replied softly
"Thanks, can you leave us for a while because we need to talk," Hyung Dang told the informant and he nodded before leaving them.
"What are we waiting for?- we attack them now-!"
"Hyung Young-," Hyung Dang's voice sounded like a warning to him.
"Hmph- I know, I'm sorry..."
Hyung Jong interrupted "So, when can we send our disciples?"
"Hyung Jong, you too? I said be patient"
"Huh? What do you mean-"
"Do you know where the pirate lives?"
"Usually in the Yangtze River right"
"So, you know," Hyung Dang said as if impressed with basic knowledge "Do you know what party these pirates usually side with?"
"With Myriad House"
"Clever!"
"No, I don't understand, what with this pointless question?" Hyung Young asked impatiently.
"Hyung Young, do you know how long Myriad House and the 10 great sects haven't been at war?"
"Almost a decade,” he answered.
"Right, so you do understand what will happen if Mount Hua acts like a saint to eliminate the pirates, Myriad House people?"
"There going to be a fight"
"It's not just a fight, it's a war! You know war? For a hundred years, nothing happened and now you want to intervene. Forget the bloodshed that might happen between Myriad House and Mount Hua, maybe 10 great sects will also get involved at once and then all of China will be at war!"
"Still, what do you suggest we do now?"
"Hyung Jong- Hyung Jong," Hyung Dang said as if sympathizing with him "This is why you will never be able to shoulder the responsibility of a sect leader. Do you know why? Because you are short-sighted!"
Hyung Jong didn't mind at all even though he had just been made fun of "I am sorry Sect leader but I really don’t understand, what are you implying now?”
"How about Yoon Jong then?" Hyung Young also took his chance to ask.
Hyung Dang took a deep breath. He looked at each of the elders in the room especially towards Hyung Jong and Hyung Young before he sighed.
"Losing a disciple is painful even though the disciple is just a third class disciple-”
“Sect leader-”
“However, compares to million of lives that might lost if we proceed-”
“Sect leader-?” Hyung Jong called out to him as he senses that something awful will spit out from the sect leader’s mouth.
“We will not send any rescue to save Yoon Jong”
Speaking as if it were his fixed will, the sect leader exclaimed to the others.
“Sect leader!” Hyung Jong, who could not bear to accept the news, cried out to him.
“I cannot accept this, sect leader!” Hyung Young also voiced his thoughts..
“How dare you blatantly oppose the sect leader of mount hua!” Hyung Bob yelled at them “Do you still call yourself the elders of Mount Hua?”
“Hyung Bob, enough-” Hyung Dang stopped him but in his action, it was obvious that he was satisfied that other elders were on his side.
“Hyung Jong, Hyung Young, I understand how you felt, considering you are the one that brought Yoon Jong to Mount Hua, but really, we cannot do anything now. As a sect leader, I hope you can understand how heavy of me to carry out such a decision".
It was such a nice and humble word. Anyone who heard it could feel the dire and tough situation that the sect leader has to face it through. However, to someone who has been with them long enough, Hyung Jong and Hyung Young could see through the facade so easily now.
"Then, you want to abandon the disciples-" Hyung Jong stated before the sect leader objected
"No, you're wrong. I just want to save our disciples-"
Feeling that his presence there was useless, Hyung Jong asked to leave. And as he was going out, he bumped into a small disciple hiding behind the door.
"Cheong Myeong? Why are you-" not wanting it to drag on, Hyung Jong took the boy out with him.
"Elder Hyung Jong, is it true? They don't want to save Yoon Jong? But-"
"Chosam," Hyung Jong's stern voice made him silent.
"First of all, you shouldn't even eavesdrop on our conversation. Secondly, about Yoon Jong, I-," Hyung Jong fell silent.
"They don't want to save Yoon Jong right?" Chosam asked but since there was no answer, Chosam continued "It's okay, I can save him. After all, it's my fault in the first place. I'll go and-"
"Chosam, you can't," Hyung Jong said simply.
"But, I have strong luck! People say since I was born-!"
"Chosam!" Hyung Jong raised his voice at Chosam for the first time, which made Chosam flinch "You, you can't. Now, go to your dorm”.
“But…,” he wanted to refuse but he sensed that Hyung Jong was not ready for any conversation at that moment “I will leave…”
Chosam bowed before running away. His heart is beating fast. He did not agree with the decision not to send rescue to Yoon Jong, but he was sure that other disciples would also object to the sect leader's decision. So he hoped the decision would change.
At night, all the disciples gathered as they were waiting for the news. The disciples are preparing and readying themselves to fight. Everyone knows that if the operation is to save Yoon Jong which is now in the Yangtze River, they will have to fight with Myriad House.
"All this is because you are stubborn to do the job," Jo Geol who was standing next to Chosam said "You are the one that should have disappeared, not Sahyung"
Jo Geol didn't show it to the crowd, but Chosam noticed that his eyes were puffy. Did he cry all night? Of course, just as Hyung Jong felt like he lost a child, Jo Geol who spent years with Yoon Jong must feel like he lost a brother. Chosam felt more and more guilty.
It's supposed to be me.
"Good, everyone gather now. The Sect leader will make an announcement!"
On the stage, Chosan saw the Sect leader standing tall with the elders behind him.
"I know you're all waiting for an answer about Yoon Jong, and I'll tell you all in a moment, so I hope you'll be patient-"
Chosam gritted his teeth but he swallowed his anger. He knew that the other disciples would definitely not accept the decision so he remained silent.
"It is with regret that Yoon Jong is no longer a Mount Hua disciple-"
The hall began to be noisy with dissatisfied complaints.
"Patience everyone - be patient," the sect leader added.
"Sect leader, forgive me, I cannot accept this decision," Baek Chun interrupted immediately "Even if we have to fight with Myriad House, we are willing-"
Sect leader hissed "Didn't I say patience? You disciples are just like the elders, you all lack patient- I said I'm not done yet"
He then continued calmly "He is no longer a disciple because he has somehow returned to his real family. He knows where his family is and he wants to stay with them. Unfortunately his mother is sick, so he has to take care of her and in addition, he feels that he is not able to carry out his responsibilities as a son if he was still Mount Hua disciples, so he apologized and asked for permission to leave Mount Hua"
As if finishing the last drama sketch, Hyung Dang took out a letter "This letter just arrived this morning, so we finally know its whereabouts"
"Sect leader, so can we visit him?" Jo Geol asked, his face like a second before tears of joy fell down his cheeks.
"Unfortunately, he didn't tell us where his village is. It seems we have to wait for the next letter".
"Thankfully..."
At that moment, the disciples were finally relieved. Their faces looked clear as if a problem had been lifted from their shoulders.
"This Sahyung just makes me worry!"
"He should have informed us from the beginning!"
"This brat, if I meet him, I will beat him next time!"
However, only one person remained silent.
No, this is not correct. Sect leader lies. He wants to cover what he said in that room. It's because he knew that others would not agree with him.
So he blatantly lied!.
He's lying!
Chosam wanted to scream as hard as he could but his tongue was numb. He was unable to utter a single simple sentence.
He's lying!
"Alright, everyone can go back to your respective dorms"
As a result, everyone leaves the room grinning broadly. Apart from Chosam, his expression was bitter and discontent.
No, this cannot happen!
That night, he looked for someone he could ask for help and went to Elder Hyung Jong. He entered his room without even knocking on the door. Chosam knew that was very rude but he knew there were more important things.
Elder Hyung Jong just wrote something in the book without paying attention to his presence at all.
"Elder! Elder!" Chosam held tightly to his shirt "That's not right, I heard earlier in that room, Yoon Jong Sahyung is still missing!"
However, Hyung Jong was frozen in silence, he acted as if he did not hear a single word.
"Elder, answer me! I know that Sahyung is still missing".
"Chosam, go back to your room..." his voice was low.
"It's okay, Elder. If no one can help, I can! I'll go to the Yangtze River-"
"Chosam, go to your room," Hyung Jong continued to write.
"Elder, I can do it! People say I have strong luck! Maybe I can search for where he is"
"Chosam, please- I beg you- just go to your room-"
“But-”
“Now! I am not accepting any other excuses! Please, listen for me just once”
“Elder, we can try-”
“What more do you want?” Elder Hyung Jong threw the books onto the floor and gripped onto Chosam’s shoulder so hard that it left an imprint “We all can't. You hear me? We all can’t”
At that moment, something appalling happened as that was the first time Hyung Jong’s face wrinkled in sadness “Do you hear me, we cannot… because we're weak- because you're weak, because I- I'm not strong-"
"Because I'm not strong-" at that time, for the first time Chosam saw Hyung Jong's always cheerful face crying. Chosam's heart broke but he couldn't do anything.
'Aigoo, what is this old man doing to bother the little boy?" Hyung Young's voice was heard as he came towards them. He persuaded Hyung Jong while giving Chosam a sign to leave.
"Do you not understand? We can not! We just can't!” Elder Hyung Jong threw the books onto the floor and gripped onto Chosam's shoulder so hard that it left handprints.
"We all can't because we're weak- because you're weak
"And especially- be-because I- I'm not strong-"
"Because I'm not strong-" at that time, for the first time Chosam saw Hyung Jong's always cheerful face crying. Chosam's heart broke but he couldn't do anything.
"If only I was a little stronger, if only I was strong," Hyung Jong cried "If only I was strong-"
“Aigoo, what is this old man doing to the little boy?" Hyung Young's voice was heard as he came towards them. He separated Hyung Jong from Chosam while patting on his back.
At that time, Hyung Jong's hand was torn from Chosam's body. Chosam rushed out and left the place immediately. The tears that had been pooling in his eyes were already rolling down his cheeks non-stop.
For the first time in his life, he felt very weak, dwarfed and incapable. He always felt that way however this time this feeling was so painful that he felt every single breath that he had difficulty to take..
Hyung Jong's cry was still clearly heard in his ears
"If only I were strong"
Unconsciously, Chosam's body fell to the ground. In the dark night, he cried as hard as he could.
This is all my fault.
This is all because I am not strong, if I was strong, I would not be bullied.
I can defend myself and I don't need Sahyung to defend me from others.
So Sahyung doesn't have to disappear and I will be the one to disappear.
Thus, this matter will not happen and now... now...
Chosam hugged her tightly. This world is cruel to the weak.
If only, he was strong. If only this world had the strongest version of himself. He will uphold the truth! He will take Sahyung home with his own hands and feet! He will then bring success to Mount Hua! And he will beat the sect leader with his own hands!
But all that will happen only if he becomes strong…
And he was so weak that any martial art would not even glance at him twice.
“Why… why…?”
"If only I was strong, I will.." as he uttered the words, in the dark and cold of the night, the eyes slowly closed and he drifted into the dreamland.
"...surely uphold the truth," Cheong Myeong said.
All six disciples were staring at him.
"You want to uphold the truth– what?" Baek Chun asked.
"Yeah, I heard that too, I guess this gruesome training also getting to his head-"
Before Jo Geol could even finish the sentence, the sword smacked right through his head.
"Focus! Focus! This is why- kid this day, huh? When I was young-"
“I am the one that focuses! Why are you hitting me?!”
The unsatisfied Jo Geol screamed and yelled while the sound of smacking and thwacking was heard from the background. Just an ordinary night in Mount Hua.
It was at a training field late at night and the five swords were practicing with Cheong Myeong as always. However, he suddenly went into rigid mode. The others always prepared for the attack but instead Cheong Myeong said something out of the ordinary.
"Cheong Myeong, enough, it;s time to take a rest," Yu Iseol said, unknowingly helping to end Jo Geol’s suffering.
"Yes, I also felt a bit sluggish now," Cheong Myeong said before ordering the other disciples around "Clean up this place! Tomorrow, wake up early! No one is late!"
"Yeah-yeah," the disciples rejoiced as the training came to a halt despite the threat given to them.
However, unknown to them, Cheong Myeong walked away with such a strange feeling inside.
"What happened before? Eh, just need more rest-"
That night, after both went to sleep, Chosam and Cheong Myeong exchanged places completely.