Return of the Mount Hua Sect

‘What…’

What exactly was that person spouting just now?

Did that snout just say the word ‘collusion’? Heavenly Comrade Alliance and Evil Sects?

Baek Cheon’s eyes filled with blood for a moment. His blood was surging, and his heart was burning with anger.

“This….”

As he was making his way towards Bop Jeong with bloodshot eyes, someone grabbed his shoulder and gently pressed him.

He gritted his teeth and turned around to find Un Gum standing there. He too was gritting his teeth, but he shook his head and tried to dissuade Baek Cheon.

“…Wait.”

“Sasuk.”

“It’s up to Sect Leader to handle.”

However, Un Gum also seemed to be having a hard time holding back his anger, and his remaining hand was trembling on Baek Cheon’s shoulder.

It wasn’t just Mount Hua who was surprised by Bop Jeong’s words. Jongni Hyeong, Sect Leader of Kongtong, also looked at Bop Jeong with a shocked and bewildered face.

‘Collusion?’

What does this mean? Surely, he had watched everything unfold in Plum Blossom Island from here.

And at that moment, Hyun Jong broke the silence and opened his mouth.

“I….”

There was no anger or resentment on his face. He simply faced Bop Jeong with an emotionless face. However, anyone who knows even a little bit about what kind of person Hyun Jong is will immediately know the immense anger he is suppressing now.

“I find it difficult to understand what Bangjang is asking right now.”

There was not the slightest emotion in his tone of voice. It was difficult to hear Hyun Jong speak like this.

Bop Jeong smiled thinly in response.

“Exactly as I said.”

“…..”

“With common sense, there is no reason for water fortress not to attack Heavenly Comrade Alliance as they leave the island.”

“The reason is simple. We had Black Dragon King as a hostage.”

“Is that so?”

Bop Jeong turned his gaze toward the ship in surprise.

‘So that’s it.’

He nodded, realizing once again that Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword had not disembarked yet.

“I understand what you’re saying.”

“Is that a sufficient answer?”

Bop Jeong slowly shook his head.

“No.”

In response, Hyun Jong’s face hardened.

“That’s not enough, Sect Leader.”

Bop Jeong’s face lost its smile.

“You’re not suggesting, Sect Leader, that you had such faith in those pirates, are you?”

“Bangjang.”

For the first time, anger flickered on Hyun Jong’s face.

In fact, depending on how one thinks about it, the question Bop Jeong is expressing now may be justifiable. The process of them leaving the island must have been unnatural to watch from here. Hyun Jong was not one to fail to understand that.

But still, there is only one reason why he cannot hold back his anger now.

Malice.

This is because eerie malice dripped from every end of Bop Jeong’s words. This is not about expressing doubts and hoping for an understandable explanation. No matter what the answer is, there is malicious intent lurking in the air to somehow throw them into a dirty place and trample on them.

“We risked our lives to save Namgung.”

“I would also like to thank Heavenly Comrade Alliance for their Chivalrousness in rescuing Namgung. However…”

Bop Jeong’s gaze turned to Mount Hua’s disciples lined up behind Hyun Jong. To those young sword warriors who were glaring at him with murderous eyes.

“So, who lost their lives?”

“Bangjang!”

Hyun Jong let out a scream, but Bop Jeong did not blink.

“Isn’t it too unnatural a situation where, without a single sacrifice, you entered a place occupied by Myriad Man Manor and water fortress and emerged unscathed?”

In the end, unbearable anger bloomed on Hyun Jong’s face.

What on earth is this madman talking about?

“Based on common sense, isn’t this a situation where we can only assume that there was some kind of agreement between Heavenly Comrade Alliance and Evil Tyrant Alliance? Otherwise, is Sect Leader going to claim that the power of Heavenly Comrade Alliance is such that there is no need to make a single sacrifice against that Evil Tyrant Alliance?”

Bop Jeong’s face was stern. Listening to his serious expression and stern reprimand as if it were a selfless act, one couldn’t help but wonder if Mount Hua had really done something wrong.

Sure enough, the disciples of Kongtong and Beggar Union, who had been listening to this conversation with bated breath, began to exchange glances among themselves. A consensus has begun to form that what Bop Jeong is saying does not seem to be groundless.

“I have only one thing to say.”

Hyun Jong opened his mouth with a stern expression.

“Mount Hua did not compromise with them. It was simply that we had Black Dragon King as a hostage, so they could not do anything to us.”

“Hm?”

Bop Jeong’s eyes curved strangely.

“Does this mean….”

Hyun Jong’s face turned pale for a moment when he saw those eyes. Because he also realized what he was going to say next.

“Does this mean that Heavenly Comrade Alliance agreed to spare the life of Black Dragon King, a wicked man who should be punished by heaven, in exchange for their escape from Plum Blossom Island?”

Hyun Jong closed his eyes tightly.

The reason Mount Hua decided to spare Black Dragon King was because the revenge belonged to Namgung. But who would believe that in this situation?

To those who have already listened to all of Bop Jeong’s outrageous arguments, it will only sound like they begged for their lives in exchange for releasing a notorious evil person.

Because the current ruthless Kangho is too harsh to simply believe Hyun Jong’s words at face value.

“It’s too much!”

At that moment, someone suddenly raised their voice. It was Ciwu Beggar.

Bop Jeong’s gaze turned towards him.

“If you cannot trust the words of Heavenly Comrade Alliance, perhaps you can trust mine. I witnessed everything on that island. From what I saw, Heavenly Comrade Alliance did not collude with any Evil Sects!”

Ciwu Beggar glared at Bop Jeong and spoke emphasizing his words.

“I can swear on my name.”

But Bop Jeong just shook his head.

“Your name holds no such value.”

“What now….”

“Aren’t you the one who abandoned the position of elder of Beggar Union to prove your words?”

Instantly overcome with rage, Ciwu Beggar trembled.

‘That crazy bastard!’

But he couldn’t refute it. How could one argue against something that had no logic to begin with?

“And!”

Bop Jeong said, frowning.

“One’s eyes and ears cannot represent everything. If what I fear is true, the world must brace itself for a great tribulation. Can you truly take responsibility for all your statements, Ciwu Beggar?” (“? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??? ?? ?? ????. ?? ?? ???? ?? ????? ??? ??? ??? ???? ???. ????? ?? ? ?? ?? ???? ? ?????”)

“Look, Bangjang!”

“It’s not your place to step forward!”

Bop Jeong pressed down on Ciwu Beggar with a heavy force.

No matter how much he lost his face, Bop Jeong is Bangjang of Shaolin. As he began to weigh down with determination, Ciwu Beggar couldn’t move an inch.

“Be prudent, Ciwu Beggar. If they conspired with Evil Sects, maybe entering Plum Blossom Island was all part of the plan. This means that it is not a matter of making judgments based solely on what happened there.”

“This….”

Ciwu Beggar trembled.

But he couldn’t open my mouth anymore. He felt it too. Bop Jeong has no intention of listening to him now.

‘How can this be?’

Won’t Ciwu Beggar know? He can’t help but understand why Bop Jeong came out like this. That’s why it was even harder to contain his anger. It felt nauseating.

“I’ll ask again.”

Bop Jeong looked at Hyun Jong again and opened his mouth.

“Is it true that Heavenly Comrade Alliance made an agreement with Evil Sects in exchange for releasing Black Dragon King?”

Hyun Jong tried his best to remain composed. He had a gut feeling that if he let out his anger here, Bop Jeong would take it wherever it wanted.

“…It may seem that way. However, that’s not something that can be called an agreement.”

“So, Sect Leader thought that the life of Black Dragon King was so important to Jang Ilso. To the point it is worth letting go of Mount Hua, Tang Family, and Namgung?”

“What nonsense…”

“And.”

Bop Jeong’s meaningful gaze swept over Hyun Jong.

“It could also mean that Heavenly Comrade Alliance and Namgung begged for their life in exchange for sparing the life of the very important Black Dragon King.”

“Bangjang.”

Tang Gun-ak, who had been quietly watching the situation, took a step forward. As if he can’t tolerate this charade any longer.

“How can you call that an agreement? If you think about it that way, didn’t Shaolin also make a pact with them on the Yangtze River and beg for their life?”

After hearing those words, Bop Jeong actually smiled.

“That’s right, Gaju-nim. Exactly.”

Tang Gun-ak’s expression hardened at that response.

“And in return….”

The moment he saw the smile on Bop Jeong’s face, Tang Gun-ak realized he had made a mistake.

“Wudang took responsibility for it through Bongmun, and Namgung went into seclusion. Shaolin also paid a huge price. So, I ask you, if this whole situation is no different from the last Yangtze River Disaster….”

The gaze was still subtle and meaningful, but Bop Jeong’s voice now carried a clear power.

“Of Heavenly Comrade Alliance, which sect will pay the price for making an agreement with that Evil Sects?”

“This damned…!”

Tang Gun-ak’s eyes turned red as he spat out harsh words. He now clearly understood what Bop Jeong wanted.

It is no longer possible for Shaolin to regain its former glory. On the contrary, if what happened on the Yangtze River were to spread throughout the world, no one in the world would think of Shaolin as an honorable righteous sect again.

In contrast, Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s name will shine brighter than ever. So much that Shaolin couldn’t hope to catch up.

A normal person would have sought ways to restore their honor and climb back to the top. But now Bop Jeong’s aim was reversed.

Dragging Mount Hua into the mud as well.

Words can be twisted in any direction.

It is a great achievement to say that Mount Hua invaded Plum Blossom Island, surrounded by Evil Sects, and saved Namgung then escaped without damage.

However, what if the rumor spreads that Mount Hua negotiated with Evil Sects for Black Dragon King in exchange for escaping from Plum Blossom Island safely?

Dirt doesn’t show on those already filthy, but a speck on the snow-white will be glaringly visible.

Tang Gun-ak, who realized all his intentions, glared at Bop Jeong with murderous eyes. Unlike Mount Hua, Tang Family originally did not have deep ill feelings toward Shaolin. However, at this moment, Tang Gun-ak’s eyes were no different from that of a sworn enemy.

He, too, was sick of that terrible malice.

Bop Jeong smiled.

“Please don’t get too worked up. I, too, do not believe Heavenly Comrade Alliance would be foolish enough to collude with Evil Sects over such a trivial matter.”

Tang Gun-ak frowned. After pushing people to the edge, what kind of nonsensical talk was this?

“No matter how much I think about it, it’s not right. Aren’t the names of Mount Hua, Tang Family, and Namgung Family too great to compare to the life of Black Dragon King? There is no way that the value of those three great sects can be exchanged for the life of a pirate’s leader.”

“Enough already…”

“Unless, in addition to the life of Black Dragon King…”

At that moment, the voice that came from the mouth of Bop Jeong spread throughout the Yangtze River with utmost clarity.

“Is there any secret agreement in advance to give more.”

“You crazy bastard!”

In the end, a loud roar burst out of Tang Gun-ak’s mouth as he could not hold back any longer.

They risked their lives and entered Plum Blossom Island. But why should they be treated like this?

However, these words, as far-fetched as it can be, surprisingly had an effect. The eyes of Ten Great Sects’ disciples who were guarding the back of Bop Jeong began to change strangely.

Perhaps it was a given.

They lived with pride as disciples of the Ten Great Sects. But this time, they just had to watch Mount Hua in action on the Yangtze River.

Because they are weak?

That can’t be possible. No matter how strong Mount Hua has become, aren’t they a part of Ten Great Sects? They couldn’t possibly be that much weaker than Hwasan.

But how should they interpret the situation in which Mount Hua defeated Evil Sects and rescued Namgung in a situation where they had not even tried their hand at it? (??? ??? ?? ? ?? ?? ???? ? ??? ??? ???? ??? ??? ?? ??? ?? ???? ?????)

No matter how much they thought about it, it would have been too unnatural.

They can only doubt because of the Chivalrousness Mount Hua Sect has shown so far, but if a sect other than Mount Hua Sect had done the same thing, they would have already concluded that there was a conspiracy on the Yangtze River.

There was no trace of blood on Tang Gun-ak’s face.

‘Damn it.’

They probably didn’t realize. The blatant jealousy in their own eyes.

Now Bop Jeong was cunningly manipulating the pride of those present on the Yangtze.

Was it called Three People Became Tiger (????(三人成虎)/If three people come together and insist, everyone will listen).

As the saying goes, a lone voice lacks strength. But with the many present here harboring doubts, their voices would surely carry weight and spread.

‘What should I do?’

How on earth would it be wise to break through a situation where the most authoritative person in the world is determined to drive them out, and the most trusted people in the world are looking at them with suspicion? (???? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??? ??? ????, ???? ?? ???? ??? ??? ??? ??? ?? ??? ?? ?? ???? ??????.)

Even Tang Gun-ak of the world could not speak prematurely.

“Sect Leader.”

At that time, Bop Jeong looked at Hyun Jong with a strange smile.

As if to drive in the final wedge.

“I will ask you one last question. Has Mount Hua really not made any agreement with Evil Tyrant Alliance?”

Hyun Jong looked up at the sky with a distant feeling.

‘It is frightening.’

It is so harsh and frightening. He thought he already knew about Kangho, but this terrible malice made him shudder again.

“I will say one more time!”

It was just when Hyun Jong was about to raise his voice.

“…What if we did made an agreement?”

A cold voice cut through to their ears.

Every gaze at the riverside turned towards the source of the voice.

“What if we did?”

Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword Chung Myung. He was slowly walking towards them.

With an expression colder than the harsh wind of the North Sea.