I Became a Supporting Character in a Martial Arts Novel (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 53

Unlike my slightly chilled hands, I felt his warm body heat. Startled, I looked up at him. The Sect Leader met my gaze and spoke.

“You’ve suffered alone far too much. It must have been frightening.”

“Uh…”

I had never dared to guess what kind of reaction he might show—but even if I had tried, I never would have imagined this.

For a moment, flustered, I couldn’t reply and just stared wide-eyed. The Sect Leader continued in a calm, steady tone.

“Five years ago, I clearly promised that our sect would protect you. It seems I have failed to keep that promise. I am sorry you had to endure such an ordeal.”

“Sect Leader, that’s…”

“Yes, I am the Leader of Mount Hua Sect. I am also an elder responsible for safeguarding the disciples of our sect. Yet I failed to notice that those people had infiltrated Mount Hua and were extracting information about your life. This is undeniably my fault.”

Still flustered, I glanced back and forth between the Sect Leader and the Grand Elder. But the Grand Elder remained seated beside me, wearing a grave expression and showing no sign of speaking, so I finally had no choice but to hesitantly open my mouth first.

“No, Sect Leader. I, I actually…”

“Do you wish to blame yourself?”

He struck right at the heart of it.

In that instant, I forgot my earlier fluster and fell silent. At the same time, I realized exactly where the emotional shift I’d experienced alone in the Sect Leader’s hall had originated.

The relief, subtle fear, and tension I’d felt right after speaking.

‘It happened to Mount Hua because of me.’

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