Chapter Text
A prestigious sect of the Justice Faction saw the skies unusually grey, proof of the peaceful times it was leaving behind.
Mount Hua's training ground was filled with disciples that didn't quite know why, yet still stood in a formation facing the gates of the sect and some Elders, who waited for some cue to lead into battle. Possibly someone.
The scene looked worthy of a painting, showing the discipline every sect sought after.
"No, this bastard! I told him to come, where did he run off to again?"
And the sect leader incarnated that discipline as well...
Noises subsided when someone could be seen climbing up the path that led to the Mount Hua sect.
Cheong Suyeong was walking steadily, despite coming back from a region where war had broken out. That was because she wasn't the one who fought in the frontlines, that should be the person she was helping up...
'No matter how you look at it, she isn't helping anyone up, she's carrying them.'
Cheong Sumae was flung over her shoulder. The look the older sister had did not hold good news either.
"Sago! Someone come help sago!"
Only then did a few disciples run forward towards her, but they were all swatted away.
"Why are there so many of you? Don't bother, she's dead."
Anyone who didn't know her much would be laughing at her joke or her cruelty.
But.
'She looks the worst I've ever seen her.'
Her sahyung and sajaes present knew better.
"Jangmun sahyung," she called with a bow. "Can I take her to the western peak?"
Cheong Mun nodded. "Should we come with you now?"
His samae just stood and stared, her own expression ill-suited for her, before she averted her eyes.
"No, you all can visit later if you wish. I can see Jangmun sahyung has more pressing matters at hand."
"...Yes. Call us if you need anything..."
Of course he was reluctant to leave Cheong Suyeong alone.
'If this is what I can do, so be it.'
Her eyes scanned the disciples, closing when she seemed to have gotten her answer.
Cheong Suyeong bowed deeply to her sect leader then moved on, walking back outside the sect westward.
—- -- -
"There."
Cheong Suyeong looked proud of her work she sat facing.
In front of her, the soil looked disturbed in a perfect rectangular shape underneath which Cheong Sumae lay.
"This place should be to your liking, right? We used to come here together..."
Suyeong was brave, by far braver than your average martial artist.
Still.
Her fists clenched around the dirt. If one looked closer, they could see her shoulders shaking.
"You should've come back with me, Sumae..."
She felt like vomiting her guts. Older siblings usually died first, right? So then when did it come to this? Why did the first casualty have to be the one dearest to her?
—- -- -
"Sajeo."
Cheong Suyeong looked up.
"Myeong-ah."
Cheong Myeong sat next to her, and she looked back at the now finished grave.
"Isn't it all pitiful?"
"You look the most pitiful here, sajeo."
"..." Truly, her sajae had a talent for angering people with truthful words.
Couldn't he go easy on her? She was grieving. Grieving!
"Why didn't you suggest anything to be written?"
Suyeong shrugged.
"It would've felt like intruding, honestly."
"That makes no sense?"
"Cheong Myeong, stop testing my patience."
"...Still, she's your sister, do whatever you want."
Now it was her turn to look puzzled.
"Did you get hit on the head...?"
Cheong Myeong started scratching the back of his head.
"I'm sorry."
"Uh? You definitely got hit in the head? Should I take you to the Physician Hall?"
Cheong Myeong felt sad not because of her words, but because there wasn't a tredge of insincerity in her eyes as she spoke.
"No, I'm trying to be nice, and this is what you say!"
She huffed.
"What are you even apologizing for? What's done is done."
"..."
"..."
—- -- -
Cheong Myeong cast one last glance at the grave.
"What's the empty space next to it for?"
"Another grave?"
The two blinked at each other.
"...I'll be going. Sahyung said to call if you need something."
"Yes."
Cheong Myeong leapt down the cliff back towards the sect under his sajeos' watchful eyes.
'Pfft.'
"See? I'm not the only one who likes you."
Right then, Cheong Suyeong felt as if she could see Cheong Sumae's frowning face from across the mountaintop.
— No, since when did unnie get all sappy? Please act normal, for everyone's sake.
'Hoho.'
"Come down here if you have a complaint, samae, I can't hear you."
Phew...
—- -- -
The sunset looked cruelly beautiful.