Chapter 592

**Chapter 592: Rescuing a Lazy Person (2)**

I thought something had changed.

And in fact, I wasn’t wrong. It was true that Wei Yanho had changed a little.

Didn’t I mention it before?

So, how to put it, I harbored a fleeting hope. The hope that, just as people can change, perhaps Wei Yanho could too.

What?

That it’s possible?

Don’t talk nonsense.

People don’t change.

It’s usually a common mistake to think that. That when people get older, they become more prudent and thoughtful, right? Unlike when they were young. People often believe it’s a sign of maturity and temperance.

But is it because the person has changed?

No, it’s not.

People don’t change. The essence of a person never changes. What seems like a change is just appearance. It’s not that they’ve changed, it’s that they have more to lose.

Even the same person will act differently depending on whether they have something to lose or not. Can that be called a change?

No, it can’t.

Think about it carefully. The idea that people mature with age is a lie. Those who kicked balls and grabbed necks when they were young, play chess and throw the board in the air when they are older.

What?

That the elders you know are all more serene than young people?

How ridiculous.

Wait until you have children and grandchildren, and see if you can continue to behave as you did in your youth. Imagine a seven-year-old child looking at you with bright eyes. Could you act the way you do now?

And think about if you were the leader of your clan. Do you think you could do it?

No, you couldn’t.

The gaze of others weighs heavily. Do you know how much I worried about appearances when I was the leader of the Beggar Sect? It’s not just the subordinates who watch their superiors. Superiors also watch their subordinates.

We are all like that.

What seems like a change is not. It’s just caution for having more to lose. They are superficial restrictions, but the essence never changes.

But, what about that guy?

Huh?

I’m obviously referring to Wei Yanho.

If it’s difficult for others to change, do you think he would? Absolutely not.

Others at least have the concept of “something to lose.” Whether it’s reputation, social position, prestige, things like that.

But that guy doesn’t have any of that.

That’s right, he has nothing.

No, why don’t you understand! Wei Yanho doesn’t have any of that!

Sure, in a way he has obtained it. Wei Yanho’s status and reputation upon leaving the cave were very different from what he had during the war.

But that’s just how others see it. Wei Yanho doesn’t care about those things, what’s the point?

Wei Yanho has nothing to lose.

That’s why he can’t change.

Someone who has nothing to lose doesn’t need to be careful or change. If he’s already comfortable, why change?

What?

Why did I follow him then?

Hey! This…

Was it a situation where I could leave to save my own skin? Now, after so much wear and tear, if my life were in danger, I would play dumb, but back then I still had some sense of justice and cooperation.

What kind of look is that?

Aren’t you going to blink? I’m going to poke your eyes out with my fingers.

Ahem!

Anyway, so… how far was I going?

Ah, yes, that far.

Well, since it was impossible to refuse, in the end everyone followed Wei Yanho.

The atmosphere?

What do you think it was like?

…What do you think it was like?

* * *

“We’re going to die, for real!”

Jangil stuck his tongue out forcefully. But he soon had to put it back in its place.

It’s not that his anger had disappeared. It’s that it was too difficult for him to run while sticking his tongue out.

“Haa! Haa! Haa!”

At some point, Jangil realized.

‘Aren’t I running incredibly fast?’

Jangil had always been skilled in the arts of light movement. But he was now running at a speed that his self from a few months ago would have found mind-blowing.

And besides, he was talking while running at that speed.

‘Well, thinking about it…’

In the last few weeks, he didn’t remember walking. He only ran and ran non-stop. He had even dodged flying swords while running.

If you run again and again at full speed, it’s normal to get faster. It would be strange if it weren’t so.

“Ugh…”

That his arts of light movement had improved meant that his martial skill had increased. The arts of light movement are, in the end, a way to control the body and manipulate the qi. That the qi flows more freely means that his overall skill had taken a great leap.

That someone is faster doesn’t mean they are stronger than someone slower, but if a person improves in their arts of light movement, it means they have progressed.

For a martial artist, becoming stronger is a reason for great joy.

But Jangil couldn’t sincerely rejoice.

‘I have other things to think about.’

If you get beaten almost to death and develop more resistance, could you be happy about that?

It was true that his arts of light movement had improved, but remembering the process to achieve it, Jangil felt tears blurring his vision.

And there was another reason not to be happy.

They were now heading towards a death trap. No matter how fast their legs were, they would only advance the moment of their death. How could he be happy about that?

“Ughh…”

He couldn’t help but complain.

“This beggar is always complaining.”

“How can I not complain!”

Jangil burst into anger.

“After so much suffering to return to the Central Plains, we barely arrive and we have to suffer again! How do you want me not to complain!”

“Anyway, now that we are in the Central Plains, suffering is inevitable.”

Wei Yanho’s calm words turned his stomach.

Was Wei Yanho wrong?

No. It turned his stomach precisely because he was right. Nothing is more irritating than hearing a direct truth.

“But it doesn’t have to be us who go.”

“We’re not the only ones going.”

“Ugh.”

The Master of Divine Abilities didn’t trust Wei Yanho.

To be exact, his trust and distrust were half and half. He believed that his skill and results were more reliable than those of anyone else in the world, but in terms of his process and humanity, he distrusted him more than anyone else.

That’s why he couldn’t leave the whole matter in Wei Yanho’s hands.

Now Wei Yanho and his group were leading the way, but eventually other factions would follow them. If Wei Yanho didn’t resolve things properly, other factions would risk their lives to intervene.

“You don’t seem like the type, but you always end up sticking your head where there’s danger.”

“Just a beggar’s head?”

“Gaaah!”

If he had had the strength, he would have lunged at him, but Jangil didn’t even have the energy to argue with Wei Yanho. Just keeping up with his speed was already exhausting.

‘Wow, I have a strange character.’

If he’s so tired, he could just stay behind, but despite all his complaints, he strives not to lag behind. Even he himself is surprised by his behavior.

‘Damn it.’

Jangil trembled with frustration at his own emotional contradictions.

Thinking about it coldly, Wei Yanho was doing something incredibly foolish. It was true that they had to save those men, but it wasn’t necessary for Wei Yanho to be the one to do it.

There would be many others willing to do it. Going to rescue them meant risking a conflict with Baekgeom Fortress. What need was there to lead this small group on such a dangerous mission?

But, on the other hand, he was grateful to him.

At this very moment, the beggars must be dying. The arts of light movement of the Beggar Sect were legendary, but that only applied to a few who had mastered their techniques to the limit.

With so many members and responsibilities, common beggars were usually less skilled than the disciples of other factions. That’s why their arts of light movement were slower.

The Chilji Singae had abandoned the beggars and headed to the Righteous Martial Alliance, knowing this. It was obvious that, the more time passed, the losses would increase exponentially.

‘Damn it.’

While he criticized Wei Yanho’s stupidity, he should also thank him for that same stupidity. What kind of absurd situation was this?

“Yanho.”

While Jangil was reflecting, Wei Jeonghan called Wei Yanho in a low voice.

“Yes.”

“If this situation is the same as the previous one…”

“Yes.”

“There must be a reason, right?”

Wei Yanho let out a sigh.

“I’m not sure yet, but I have an idea.”

“……”

“Since it’s not certain, I’d rather not say it. But father, you must already have an idea, right?”

“There’s something that worries me.”

Wei Jeonghan’s eyes showed concern.

“Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t do anything wrong. If so many people saw it and didn’t realize it, how could I have known?”

“That’s right.”

Wei Jeonghan didn’t ask any more questions.

He was also confused. If the treasure of the Sword Emperor was the beginning of all this, Wei Yanho couldn’t avoid some responsibility. He would have to endure the criticism of the whole world.

And perhaps, Wei Yanho himself could collapse under that pressure. But how could it be his fault?

Even without Wei Yanho, the treasure of the Sword Emperor would have reached the world. Baekgeom Fortress created it with that purpose from the beginning. Wei Yanho only reduced the bloodshed in the process.

‘Of course, he also took a good share of the money.’

Just when Wei Jeonghan’s mind began to get tangled, Wei Yanho spoke firmly.

“Even if I made a mistake!”

“……”

“I’ve already made up for it.”

Wei Jeonghan’s face relaxed.

It was true. Even if Wei Yanho had caused a crisis in the martial world, what he had done for him far exceeded any mistake.

“And if it’s not enough, let them kill me, right?”

“That won’t happen.”

Wei Jeonghan would make sure of that.

If the world criticized and insulted Wei Yanho, he would be by his side to fight. As a father and as a man of justice, it was his duty.

“But that’s not what’s important now.”

“Huh?”

“The important thing is not that that manual has spread, but that someone created it.”

“Baekgeom Fortress?”

“They can’t. It’s impossible for them to have done it.”

“That Baekgeom Fortress couldn’t create it?”

“Yes.”

Wei Yanho was emphatic.

“They were able to take the first step. The martial arts it contains are really those of my master. Of course, it’s only superficial, but even the surface of a watermelon has its sweetness. If it’s a master-level watermelon, even the rind must be sweet.”

“…Y-Yes.”

What a strange analogy.

“But someone appeared and hid their intentions behind my master’s arts. Someone like that… well, how to put it.”

Wei Yanho sighed as he ran.

“It doesn’t matter if we rescue someone or not. The moment that person acts, everything will be over.”

“Is it that serious?”

“It’s not that there’s no hope. There must be a reason why he doesn’t act directly! If we could find it out, it would be great.”

Wei Yanho shook his head and pointed forward.

“There!”

“……!”

“Let’s go!”

Wei Yanho and the others sped up.