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Chung Myung had fallen unconscious, again . Since their expedition to Southern Island Sect, to rescuing Tang Family; there was not a single moment of rest for Chung Myung.
Im So-Byeong sometimes think, is it necessary for Chung Myung to push himself so hard every single time? The Heavenly Comrade Alliance was made for those who will help each other, that was what Chung Myung said to them. But Im So-Byeong disagreed. In his eyes, the reason why all of them gathered under the same banner was because they see potential—a better future—if they walked together with Mount Hua's Divine Dragon; though the recent sparring session have caused them to be more intimate with each other without Chung Myung's presences, yet it will takes time for them to properly come together as one.
In a sense, Im So-Byeong knew that Chung Myung was trying. He tried as much as he could in his ability . He tried to build an alliance that will last longer even after his death, even after they are all gone, and he tried to do whatever he could in his present situation.
Though Chung Myung looked like he was having fun beating disciples and bandits alike, he knew that the lad was pushing his body.
Im So-Byeong pinched Chung Myung's nose, and the brat's slowly frowned, shifting slowly uncomfortably.
His finger withdrew, and he chuckled softly.
There were too many things they have to do; tending the injures from Southern Island Sect and Tang Family, preparing the lodging and miscellaneous tasks, accepting Southern Island Sect as part of alliances and many more; they couldn't freely stayed and watched Chung Myung asleep, so the people who have gone together in this expedition decided on taking turns.
Though most likely they are afraid that Chung Myung might disregard himself once he is awake, something that Im So-Byeong agree with.
"You look cute only when you are asleep," Im So-Byeong murmurs softly, barely audible only for the two of them.
Im So-Byeong admitted, when he saw Chung Myung's barely alive state, blood rushed into his head and he wanted nothing more but to slaughter everyone there.
As strategist, and as Green Forest King, he knew this emotion wasn't supposed to exist. After all, isn't he only here to leeched on Chung Myung, as Chung Myung had already been aware of?
Yet, he too aware that his feeling toward Chung Myung, it was no longer transactional, you and I both earned something together ; but shifting to, I don't want to see you injured .
Even though Chung Myung didn't seem to think so.
Yes, he admitted, he had slightly fallen for Chung Myung.
"Tsk," he clicked his tongue. From another perspective, Chung Myung had truly played him well; turning someone like him who weighs win-and-loss, into someone who is willing to put everything aside and come to "save him", as he originally said to the alliance.
Im So-Byeong reached his finger out to flick Chung Myung's forehead; only at times like this, can he do what he wanted to do to Chung Myung. It wasn't because he was afraid of retaliation, though maybe slightly , but he knew well that Chung Myung must retain the image of unshakable mountain, unstoppable force.
"Isn't it tiring?" He asked the sleeping Chung Myung.
To keep moving forward, to keep standing before everyone. Chung Myung once said he wanted to be Mount Hua's sword, but from what he saw, Chung Myung had become a shield instead; one battered with injuries and on the verge of being broken.
Maybe , Im So-Byeong mused to himself, maybe he could've used this chance to destroy his meridia —
No , what was he thinking about?
Im So-Byeong shook his head, getting rid of the thought, yet he knew what he was thinking of: he wanted to abolished this man's martial arts, not out of spite, but because he didn't wanted to see Chung Myung to keep sacrificing for the sake of the other discipline's selfish ideal.
It would have been easy, judging from how defenseless Chung Myung was now.
Im So-Byeong sighed, finger caressing Chung Myung's cheek, which soon turned into another pinch. Soft, softer than he expected it to be, though the skin was dried from being exposed too much to the sun, yet it still—
A hand suddenly grabbed his wrist.
Im So-Byeong didn't retreat. He simply stared back at the man who slowly opened his eyes and looked at him, frowning.
"Taking advantage of my situation, aren't you?"
That was the first thing Chung Myung said to him after regaining consciousness.
Im So-Byeong simply smiled. "Don't you think I would've done more if that was the case?"
Chung Myung slapped Im So-Byeong's hand away, without much force, without much intensity as he would before. He was already awake a moment ago, right after Im So-Byeong asked whether it was tiring. But it took him a while to regain full control of his body; after all, his body ached with every single movement; even when he breathed, it felt like his ribs might be broken.
Chung Myung leaned his body back. His eyes looked at the ceiling, then looked at Im So-Byeong's face.
"How long have I been asleep?"
"4 days," Im So-Byeong answered. "It is a record, I heard."
Mount Hua's Divine Dragon exhaled his breath. In truth, 4 days was already considered a good number, despite closely walking to the underworld; but considering the damage he took, the emergency treatment Tang Gunak had given to him, and his action after receiving first aid, it was even surprising that he was still alive.
"Don't call others," Chung Myung said.
"I know," Im So-Byeong replied.
In fact, Im So-Byeong didn't have any intention to. Not for any particular reason, but because he felt that Chung Myung needed some time alone. He simply felt it. How to describe this kind of understanding?
Im So-Byeong might not understand, but to Chung Myung, it was as clear as water.
Tsk , Chung Myung clicked his tongue inwardly, making a face as though someone his loved had almost lost their life and now miraculously woke up.
Chung Myung, in fact, knew Im So-Byeong's feelings for him. He had long been aware of it; he simply chose to ignore it. In his present state, how could he even have the time to date someone?
In a sense, he was admitting that he too, was slightly attracted to Im So-Byeong.
"I'm fine, don't make a face as though I'm dying," Chung Myung suddenly said, tone clearly annoyed, yet lacking the energy as before; because he too, felt back.
Im So-Byeong's face twisted, not wanting to accept that he was worrying about Chung Myung's well-being, and being caught red-handed.
"What," Chung Myung continued, leaving no time for Im So-Byeong to retorted, "If I hadn't awakened, would your hand have been wandering around down to my body?"
"Pervert old man," he added.
And Chung Myung laughed. Not over his own joke; because if he was in Im So-Byeong position, he would have done that, so how could this bandit king not do the same? This bastard lacked some moral line , he said, despite not being any better, but Chung Myung also knew that Im So-Byeong wouldn't have gone further.
Yet, the reason he was laughing was because Im So-Byeong's current expression.
It was the kind of expression filled with bewildering, outrageous that he was being accused of something he did not do; shame that he was actually thinking of it, and frustration because he has clearly missed the chance to do it.
Green Forest King Im So-Byeong was a smart man. He knew how to control himself, how to present himself, how to adjust his emotion; but it was only when Chung Myung was present, did he seem to lose grips over himself.
No, to be exact, he allowed himself to be honest in front of me.
Im So-Byeong might have not noticed, but he felt most comfortable when Chung Myung was around; and Chung Myung knew it. Im So-Byeong wouldn't have acted this way if it was not for him to see.
A smart man, intelligent enough to be Emperor's advisor, yet so foolishly stupid at the same time.
By the time he was catching his breath, Im So-Byeong had calmed his emotion and he scolded, all while gritting his teeth, "Looks like you still have energy after being beaten like a rag! How about I put you to sleep again!"
Yes, this side too, was shown when Chung Myung was around.
Chung Myung took a deep breath, his body bent down, holding to his torso, wincing in pain, with teardrops appearing on the corner of his eyes. Pretending, as he always liked to do. "You... You dare to hit a patient?"
Im So-Byeong's fist stopped in the air. It flinched, struggling to withdraw or continue.
But Chung Myung knew.
Those fingers would withdraw, it would relaxed its gripped, and he would pushed Chung Myung back to bed, tucking the blanket and adjust Chung Myung with caution and fear that he would break.
Look, wasn't he doing it now?
"I am not a porcelain glass," Chung Myung hummed.
Im So-Byeong looked at him as though he could stab Chung Myung, of course, he couldn't, how could he bear so?
Struggling with himself for a moment, Im So-Byeong ultimately sighed, and said, "Welcome back," and please, do not go again. Those went unheard by Chung Myung.
Still the mischievous man showed a toothy grin, and replied, "I'm back."