Chapter Text
✿
While heading back towards the Sect Leader's residence, Chung Mun unconsciously slowed his steps as they passed by the Medical Hall.
Curious disciples were gathered outside, whispering amongst themselves and trying to take a peek inside to see what was going on. Some disciples who had witnessed the scene were keen on keeping them out.
Chung Mun watched for a bit, before turning his head back and continuing onwards. He walked away quickly.
Truthfully, he'd like to go in there himself and see just how much damage he'd caused to Baek Oh, but it was probably best for him not to intrude.
Or even be in the area. He grimaced at just the mere thought.
Chung Myung, on the other hand, couldn't keep his eyes off the Medical Hall entrance even as they walked further away. It seemed like he was even more curious than those disciples, even though he had witnessed the show firsthand.
Chung Mun considered letting Chung Myung go in there to check, just to further prove to him how much he'd messed up. Baek Oh would be entirely wrapped in bandages, anyway. So it wouldn't be too much of a harsh sight for a child.
Maybe then he'd manage to get some of these thoughts of violence out of his head, by causing him to feel even the slightest bit of pity for Baek Oh.
But, he immediately relinquished the thought once Chung Myung cracked his knuckles while still looking in the Medical Hall's direction.
He quickly pulled him away, encouraging him to walk faster.
He needed to get him away from the Medical Hall as quickly as possible.
He found himself pitying Baek Oh, somehow. With him stuck laying helplessly in bed, and with a kid who'd just discovered another use for his fists planning his murder, just how would he fare while Chung Mun was in seclusion?
.
Perhaps, he should just mind his business. Whatever happens, happens. He needs to focus on repenting anyway, doesn't he?
And so, he pushed the matter to the very back of his mind.
❀❀❀
In the Sect Leader's residence.
"Can't I come see you?" Chung Myung tugged at the hem of Chung Mun's robe.
"I don't know if that's allowed..." Chung Mun wore an unsure expression.
"Please!"
Chung Mun gave an awkward glance to the Sect Leader.
Un Hwa simply laughed and waved his hand. "I'll permit it this time. Just one visit a day should be sufficient, right?"
But Chung Myung seemed to disapprove. He ran to the desk and slammed his hands on the surface. "That's not enough!"
Chung Mun quickly grabbed him and pulled him back. But he couldn't stop Chung Myung's mouth in time from spouting insults.
"You bastard! You're already locking him up! Now you're keeping him from people entirely! What if he forgets how to speak like a human!"
"I won't--MMMPH!"
A hand was quickly clamped tightly over his mouth, preventing him from speaking and insulting the Sect Leader further. Chung Myung struggled back fiercely as if he couldn't breathe.
Ah, wait. He really couldn't.
"Pah!" Chung Myung inhaled deeply once the hand was removed from his face.
He gasped for air for a moment before glaring daggers at Un Hwa, even though the one who had accidentally suffocated him was standing right behind him.
But his shoulders were suddenly grabbed, and he was turned to the side. Chung Mun had kneeled on one knee to get down on his level.
He looked Chung Myung in the eyes.
"Don't cause any more trouble for the Sect Leader, Chung Myung-ah. He's been lenient enough with the situation as is." Chung Mun spoke sternly.
When Chung Myung still looked frustrated, he softened his tone and added, "Even if it's just once a day, you can still visit me, and we can talk about anything you want as usual, alright?"
Chung Myung's frustrated expression slightly lessened.
"So, make sure you visit every day. Or I'll be so depraved of human interaction, I'll..."
Chung Mun lowered his head to quietly laugh. "...I'll really forget how to speak like you said."
"Can you do that?" He looked back up at him with a warm smile.
Chung Myung stared blankly at him for a moment, and then nodded furiously, as if he'd just been tasked with an important mission.
"..Alright, Sahyung!" He wiped a small tear that somehow managed to slide down. "I promise!"
Patting his head, Chung Mun sighed in relief. "Good, good. Be on your best behavior while I'm gone."
Un Hwa watched the scene from his desk in amazement. Chung Mun's ability to contain that child was truly remarkable in all aspects.
It seemed like he alone was the only one who could coax Chung Myung like this. This was a well known fact, but he couldn't help feeling impressed once more as he witnessed the familiar sight.
"And once the weeks pass, then we can..." Chung Mun trailed off, about to say they could go down to Hwaeum again. But he was unsure if it'd be allowed.
He glanced at the Sect Leader again.
Seeing Un Hwa nod his head, Chung Mun smiled and pinched Chung Myung's cheek.
"We can go down the mountain again to Hwaeum, and you can eat as much meat and candy as you want then, alright?"
Chung Myung's face lit up once food was mentioned. He nodded again, more energetically.
"Yes!" His eyes were incredibly bright.
And so, the timer for three weeks was set.
❀❀❀
Just like he'd promised, Chung Myung made sure to visit Chung Mun every day without exception. He skipped out on his training even more than he usually did.
His visits were random, as well. Sometimes he'd visit midday, sometimes at sundown, and sometimes he'd even sneak out in the middle of the night.
All just to run to the Plum Blossom Caves and talk to Chung Mun through the small crack between the cave and the boulder.
And currently, his visit was near the end of the day again. The sun was setting, and night was soon.
Tap
The disciple guarding the cave then tapped Chung Myung on the shoulder, causing him to sigh. Time was already up.
But he still quickly whispered through the crack, "Just one more week, Sahyung! You can do it!"
"Has it been that long already?" Chung Mun asked back in shock, before shaking his head.
"Alright, I've got it. Is it nearly nighttime? Make sure to brush your teeth, don't forget again." He reminded.
"Tch...the same old nagging..."
"I heard that, Myung-ah."
This boulder doesn't completely block all outside noise, you know.
"Eh? Ah...I meant goodnight, Sahyung!" Chung Myung quickly covered up his mistake, and jumped up from where he'd been sitting on the ground.
Soon, the sound of retreating footsteps could be heard from outside, leaving Chung Mun with a lack of company.
He traced the cracks in the roof of the cave with his eyes. His eyes had adjusted to the dark a long time ago, so it wasn't like he was in complete darkness.
But still, it was quite a lonely sight. And for a small kid, there was no doubt that being in here would be terrifying.
Thinking about how this was the same sight that Chung Myung saw, his heart once again felt heavy as he was hit with the overwhelming urge to leave this cave himself and go to him, despite knowing that Chung Myung was currently alright.
A sigh.
Just one more week, he told himself.
Just one...
❀❀❀
Scrape...
The boulder blocking the entrance to the cave slowly moved to the side, letting the bright sunlight invade the cave.
As soon as the light hit his eyes, they soon closed again as he flinched at the burning sensation. He raised a hand to block it.
Three weeks really had gone by so quickly. While in the cave, he wasn't able to keep track of time at all unless he directly asked someone from outside, but the time passed so easily.
Just as he had gotten to his feet, a small figure appeared in front of him and blocked the sun. Soon, that same figure ran over and jumped at him with force, tackling him.
He nearly fell back onto the ground because of the impact, but quickly regained his footing. He looked down to the small head of unruly hair that had buried its face into his stomach.
"..Chung Myung." He let out a light laugh, and caressed his head gently. They stayed like that for a while, before Chung Mun's eyes flew wide as he suddenly remembered something.
"Ah, wait! Stay back, I probably stink!"
Right. He'd been in the Repentance Chamber for three whole weeks, meaning that he had no way of bathing during that time. So..!
That's what that foul smell was!
He quickly pushed Chung Myung off of him.
Or...he tried to.
But no matter how much he pushed or pulled, this kid was thoroughly attached to him like a leech. His fists were latched tightly onto Chung Mun's clothes, with no sign of letting go.
This greatly confused Chung Mun.
'Did his grip somehow get stronger in that short amount of time?' He'd thought that Chung Myung had been skipping out on his training entirely. Was he wrong?
Finally, Chung Myung slightly loosened his grip and raised his head. He looked up at him with a beaming smile on his face.
"Was it scary, Sahyung?" He asked with an expectant gaze, as if he were eager to prove that he was right.
Chung Mun was momentarily taken aback, but he just ruffled Chung Myung's hair and replied with a small laugh:
"Not at all. You wimp."
That caused Chung Myung's face to twist into a scowl, but that didn't last long as he then grabbed Chung Mun's arm and pulled him out of the cave.
'..Did his grip really get stronger?' Chung Mun found himself being easily pulled along, but he once again brushed it off. If he's been training instead of slacking off, then that was good as well.
They exited the cave, with Chung Myung basically dragging him along, and Chung Mun going along with it as if this was a normal occurrence.
But as he was being dragged, they passed by the disciple that was in charge of guarding the cave, and who had opened it for them just earlier.
Chung Mun's eyes caught a short glimpse of him as they walked past. His eyes widened in surprise.
Uh?
Why did this guy look so worn out?
With deep sunken eyebags, a pale complexion, and disheveled hair that fell in his face, it looked as if he hadn't slept for days - becoming a walking corpse.
The person who guarded the cave wasn't always the same person, either, as they took shifts. Was simply guarding the Repentance Chamber more tiresome of a task than he'd thought?
But he couldn't continue his thoughts for long, as he was already far from him now. He looked ahead.
Chung Myung was still gripping his arm as he quickly walked infront, giggling to himself without a care as he rambled on about them going down the mountain again like they'd promised.
Chung Mun gently smiled and let the small matter slip from his mind as he followed behind Chung Myung. In that moment, nothing else seemed to matter.
They would soon reach the sect.
❀❀❀
"...What's with everyone?" Chung Mun mumbled to himself in shock as he hesitantly glanced around.
As they casually walked through the sect, Chung Mun had noticed something very strange.
Each person that they walked past would immediately lower their heads upon spotting them, before turning in the opposite direction and quickly walking away.
Even his own Sajaes and Sahyungs didn't stop to greet him, even after all this time he'd spent locked up. It would be a lie to say that his feelings weren't slightly hurt.
This was truly a strange occurrence. Why was everyone seemingly avoiding them? Chung Mun's confused expression slowly turned into a frown.
Then, as he remembered something he'd once again forgotten about, his face immediately flushed a deep red in embarrassment.
...
Could it be that...they were all avoiding him because of the smell?
Is that why they all lowered their heads when they so much as looked in their direction? Was that really it?
Chung Mun's own head gradually lowered as he picked up the pace, prompting Chung Myung to walker faster, and continued to head in the direction of their house.
He'd forgotten once again that he hasn't had a bath in weeks. Chung Myung beside him didn't seem to have noticed anything unusual, so he had forgotten. Entirely forgotten.
Yes, that was probably it. No wonder everyone was steering clear of them!
Everyone was so kind and refrained from pointing it out, but it still instilled him with intense shame.
Their thoughtfulness of not holding their nose in front of him was an act of mercy. Mercy.
He nodded to himself. They needed to go home immediately. He was planning on greeting the Sect Leader once they reached the sect, but this was much more important! He couldn't meet him without cleaning himself up.
Once again, he encouraged Chung Myung to walk faster, but Chung Myung had suddenly stopped as something stole his attention away. He was looking at something in the distance.
Chung Myung then scowled.
But his face returned to normal, as he looked back at Chung Mun with a wide smile.
"I need to take care of something, Sahyung! Wait here!"
That was all he said before running off.
"Ah..." Chung Mun's hand that was raised midair slowly lowered.
He ran off before Chung Mun could even ask just what he had to take care of. Did Chung Myung even have any responsibilities of the sort?
A sigh.
He shook his head, and leaned against one of the pillars to wait for Chung Myung.
He was currently itching - literally - to take a bath, but he still stood there patiently as he waited for Chung Myung to finish whatever it was he was doing.
A few minutes passed.
Thinking of walking off to go find him, a person then entered his view as they turned from around the corner.
They immediately stopped as they saw Chung Mun, and smiled with a surprised expression.
"Sahyung, you're back from the caves already? How come I didn't hear anything about it?" He laughed as he pat Chung Mun's shoulder casually.
Chung Mun recognized him as his junior Chung Soo, who was only a few years younger than himself.
Chung Mun widened his eyes in surprise at this. Did this person's nose perhaps not work properly?
"Uh..." He hesitated.
"Do..I not smell bad to you?" He slowly pointed to himself.
Chung Soo wore a confused expression for a moment, before leaning in and sniffing him.
He then leaned away. "Nope? Did you skip a bath or something?" He shook his head dismissively. "This is a martial arts sect, Sahyung, so that's not uncommon anyways."
"..." said Chung Mun.
Did he really not stink that much? Then...
"Uh, Sajae. This might sound strange to you, but..." He furrowed his brows, and glanced towards the rest of the sect.
"..Is everyone avoiding me for a specific reason?"
"Avoiding? You?" Chung Soo scratched his chin in thought. "Why would they avoid you? Shouldn't they be glad to see you?" He also wore a confused expression.
Now Chung Mun was even more confused. If it wasn't because he was stinky, then why did everyone avoid him, even to the point of lowering their heads?
At that moment, Chung Mun could spot Chung Myung coming into view. He must've finished whatever it was he was doing.
He was about to say his goodbyes to his Sajae and go meet him...
"...--!"
--When he was all of a sudden pulled by the arm, and forced to hide behind the corner. Chung Soo had dragged him away as soon as he spotted Chung Myung.
Watching as Chung Soo cautiously peeked out from around the corner with an uneasy expression, Chung Mun found himself the most confused he's been since he'd arrived at Mount Hua.
Just what was happening?
❀❀❀
Chung Mun held his face in his heads, a distraught expression displayed on his face.
How did this happen? Just how?
As it turned out, he didn't stink as bad as he thought he did. At least, it wasn't enough to stop his Sajaes from greeting him after not seeing him for so long.
In fact, they were avoiding him for an entirely different reason.
No, it was more like who they were avoiding.
Similarly to his Sajae, Chung Mun peeked out from the wall, and looked towards Chung Myung.
Chung Myung was currently looking around, confused at Chung Mun's sudden disappearance. Soon, he started to shout out loud for him.
Chung Mun turned away and returned to rubbing his face in denial. But soon, he was forced to accept it.
.
While Chung Mun was in the Repentance Chamber, during those three weeks, Chung Myung had gained quite the reputation in the sect.
--For ruthlessly breaking the heads of anyone who approached him with even the slightest hint of ill will.
Not only that, but now he was attacking patients! Patients!
Through Chung Soo, he only just found out that once Chung Mun was gone, Chung Myung had immediately snuck into the Medical Hall, and continuously attacked and sabotaged Baek Oh until his sickbed was on the verge of becoming his deathbed.
These common occurrences went on for so long, that Baek Oh had jumped up from his sickbed and insisted he himself be locked away in the Repentance Chamber immediately, despite the grave injuries he still suffered.
And so, he went into the Repentance Chamber a few weeks earlier than expected. All to avoid being harassed - and maybe even killed - by Chung Myung.
And it wasn't just him. The kids who had severely beaten Chung Myung with wooden swords had gotten punished by the Sect Leader as well. But Chung Myung obviously didn't think that was enough, and was the one doing the chasing now!
He'd sneak up on them and knock them unconscious, sabotage their meals, dangle them off cliffs, beat them up whenever he so much as passed by them...
Apparently, this was now common knowledge in the sect.
In merely three weeks, Chung Myung had thoroughly turned the sect upside down. Now, he terrified not just those who wronged him, but now everyone who lived on Mount Hua.
And since no measures have been taken, then perhaps even the Sect Leader as well.
No wonder everyone looked so worn out!
But did Chung Myung think he was some kind of gangster now? Is that how Chung Mun raised him to be? Who in the world could've taught him this?
...
Ah. Right. It was him. He had done this himself. He was the sole cause of this entire disaster.
Wasn't this situation exactly what he was so worried about happening? Now it really went and happened, except it happened at such an inconvenient time.
He more or less predicted the attacks that would befall Baek Oh, but to think that the entirety of Mount Hua would fall victim as well..
If he hadn't been locked up in the Repentance Chamber, no, if he hadn't shown that violent sight to Chung Myung in the first place, then none of this would've ever occurred.
Now it was up to him to try and mend his mistakes again, no matter how challenging it would be this time.
He really shouldn't have just let this be, but how was he to know that Chung Myung had such strength hidden within him?
It seemed that, Chung Myung had finally found the perfect outlet for his emotions that they'd been tirelessly searching for.
.
He sighed again and looked towards Chung Soo, and quickly said his goodbyes.
He then walked off into Chung Myung's direction, prepared to give another scolding, and hoped that at least a few words of his would reach him.
...
Uh?
But, when he looked back out from around the corner, Chung Myung wasn't there anymore?
❀❀❀
"Sahyuuung!" Chung Myung continued to call desperately, but there was no response.
He ran wildly around the sect, looking behind every building and searching through every crack and corner. Shrieks from disciples echoed throughout the sect as he rushed towards them, asking if they'd seen Chung Mun anywhere.
But he couldn't find him. He was nowhere to be found in this huge place.
He'd only been away for a moment to take care of some...business, but Chung Mun had suddenly disappeared, leaving Chung Myung to become worried sick within that short amount of time.
He had just gotten him back, but now he'd wandered off again! Really, he had to keep his eye on him, or else who knows what would happen!
Everyone he tried to ask kept running away from him, too! He used to giggle at their fearful reactions, but now this was starting to seriously irritate him!
He'd been running so much that he was starting to have trouble breathing, and his throat was becoming hoarse with every yell.
His old wounds started to hurt again, too. They still haven't completely healed; he'd overexerted himself too much.
He knew, of course, that Chung Mun was obviously still somewhere in the sect, most likely having gotten distracted by something. Sahyung was forgetful like that sometimes. He was definitely going to remember Chung Myung, and come find him soon.
But still, coming back to emptiness and not being able to find him no matter how hard he looked, made his throat start to burn again, and his vision blurry. Over such a stupid reason.
He hated this feeling. He thought he'd been done with it already.
He slowly lowered the hands from his mouth that he was using to amplify his voice, and stood wearily in the middle of the sect.
He lowered his head, and his shoulders shook and slumped inwards as if he were about to curl up into himself again.
"Chung Myung!"
Chung Myung flinched, and looked up with widened eyes.
"..Huh?"
Chung Mun was rapidly running towards him, an enraged expression on his face that only appeared when Chung Myung did something truly, irreversibly wrong. The face that made him seem like more of an asura than Chung Myung himself.
But instead of running away like he usually did at that terrifying sight, Chung Myung's face immediately brightened up, blossoming into a bright smile at the natural disaster coming his way.
Even though he was still a bit ways away, Chung Mun continued to berate him even at a distance:
"--Just what have you been up to while I was gone? You think you're some gangster now? Terrorizing the sect? I leave for a few weeks, and you've done all this! Did you think I wouldn't find out? Diiid you? Just openly disregarding my words! I really can't leave you alone for one second! It was just three weeks! Three weeks!"
Woah, that was a lot.
He wasn't done, either. He continued to curse Chung Myung even upon reaching him. Chung Mun reached out to grab him by the earlobe, but his hand suddenly stopped midair.
His anger couldn't help but dwindle into confusion as he looked down and took notice of Chung Myung's expression.
'Huh?' He tilted his head.
A reddened and damp face as if he'd been sobbing his eyes out just moments before, but on the same face there was such a bright smile that it hurt the eyes. Ah, no - tears still continued to silently fall.
Chung Myung immediately wiped his wet face with his sleeve, and looked up at the taken aback Chung Mun with clearer vision. He easily moved past the raised hand reaching for his ear, and tackled him!
"...--!"
..No, actually, he hugged him gently this time, leaving Chung Mun to stand there gaping in utter shock.
Usually, this kid would just tackle him whenever he felt like, without even considering the consequences. Like during the times they'd both fall ungracefully to the ground.
But even then, in those moments he still couldn't help but wrap his arms around Chung Myung in return each time, even as they laid there covered in dirt.
Just as he was doing now, his anger - that was so prominent just moments before - was now nearly entirely nonexistent as it melted away.
...
No...if this kid kept acting like this, and kept avoiding punishment, then would he ever get scolded? That would just be enabling his atrocious actions.
This was extremely dangerous not only for his development, but for the entirety of Mount Hua. He can't keep getting away with this!
...
But, he could still scold him later, couldn't he?
From how his shoulders continued to shake as he refused to let go, Chung Mun didn't think any type of lecture could reach Chung Myung's ears right now, anyway.
He let out a deep sigh, and raised a hand to Chung Myung's head, ruffling his messy hair like he'd done so many times before while raising him.
Really, was he planning on being a crybaby forever?
As he smiled to himself at the thought, he asked a question that'd been on his mind once he'd finally found him again, after running all over the sect looking for him.
"Hey, Myung-ah..." He spoke almost listlessly, glancing up to the sky.
"..."
"Why are your knuckles suddenly red?"
He asked, knowing full well what the answer was. As they were also tinged with the faint smell of blood.
Chung Myung merely tightened his grip as he buried his face into Chung Mun's stomach further. He didn't answer, but a muffled giggle reached Chung Mun's ears.
The reason for the shaking in his shoulders from earlier seems to have been replaced by an entirely different reason now.
Without much of a change in expression, Chung Mun simply closed his eyes and nodded with the same faint smile, as if that said enough.
He merely wondered if he'd be able to raise this kid up properly.
Or if he'd perhaps already ruined the chance of Chung Myung growing up to be a human being, much less a normal person, by completely altering his mindset into one that resembled a devil's.
Unknowingly, a regretful tear had formed in his eye, and he had the foreboding feeling that it would be only the first of many.
All while Chung Myung's muffled giggles grew louder and louder with each passing second.
.
.
.