Return of the Mount Hua Sect

This was the case with Chung Myung’s words just now.

The meaning contained within was not small, but what was conveyed even more keenly was the emotion carried by Chung Myung’s words.

The price of merely waiting and doing nothing for a day.

Who wouldn’t remain silent due to the heaviness of those words?

Hyun Jong slowly opened his eyes and received Chung Myung’s gaze. The calm and settled gaze. There was no reprimand or urging contained in it.

But…

‘It’s different.’

The decision might not change. However, making a decision knowing what it sacrifices versus making one in ignorance could not be the same.

Now, Chung Myung is telling Hyun Jong that he needs to be prepared for everything that will happen because of his words.

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That’s why he says it.

Just understand. To just understand just how much is at stake with a decision momentarily postponed as if it were nothing.

“Thousands of…”

Hyun Jong’s voice became heavy and subdued.

“…lives.”

The words that flowed out slowly took everyone’s breath away.

How could anyone not be shaken by those words? Even if there were such a person, they wouldn’t belong here. This is Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

“Gaju-nim.”

“Yes, Maengju-nim.”

Hyun Jong said while looking at Tang Gun-ak.

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“What do you think about what the disciple just said?”

“Hm.”

Tang Gun-ak glanced at Chung Myung and opened his mouth.

“Considering the actions of Magyo in the past, it is not wrong.”

“….”

“Of course, since we haven’t accurately assessed the scale of Magyo’s current emergence, the impact may differ… It cannot be denied that commoners casualties will increase as time goes by.”

“Then….”

“I don’t know the lives of thousands of people but….”

He understands without even having to listen. It is certain that hundreds of lives will be lost.

Hyun Jong pressed his eyes shut.

‘So that’s why.’

There were times he harbored resentment. He had inwardly sighed, thinking them foolish.

There were times when he resented his ancestors in his heart, asking why they risked their lives until the end to stand at the forefront when everyone else had backed off, and why they couldn’t see a little further into the future.

But now, he understood. They had no luxury to consider the future.

Because they know what it means for Mount Hua to be pushed back. That is why their ancestors killed Heavenly Demon without thinking about what would happen later and risked everything to defeat Magyo.

Then….

If the ancestors made such a choice, what decision should Hyun Jong, who has witnessed the consequences of their choices, make now?

Hyun Jong took his hand away from his eyes and looked at Chung Myung.

“Chung Myung.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“…Tell me as it is. I’m not sure what the right decision is right now.”

“….”

“So, let’s hear it. What do you think Mount Hua, and Heavenly Comrade Alliance, should do from now on?”

Chung Myung, after staring at him intently, began to speak heavily.

“It’s not something to wait for Beggar Union.”

Chung Myung paused for a moment, then looked at everyone and continued speaking.

“Currently, the one who holds the information about Hangzhou is Evil Tyrant Alliance. If we want to obtain information, we need to hear it from the most reliable sources.”

“Evil Tyrant Alliance….”

A sigh flowed from Hyun Jong’s mouth. This is because he knows what it means to obtain information from Evil Tyrant Alliance.

In a situation where Ten Great Sects is already claiming collusion between Evil Tyrant Alliance and Heavenly Comrade Alliance, the result of Heavenly Comrade Alliance taking the initiative to request information from them will only give strength to Shaolin’s claims.

There is no way Chung Myung doesn’t know this fact. However, he was saying that even at the risk of everything, they had to receive correct information from Evil Tyrant Alliance as soon as possible.

“…As you said, Evil Tyrant Alliance might have the earliest information on Hangzhou, but isn’t it difficult to trust them?”

Chung Myung shook his head at Tang Gun-ak’s words.

“They’ll speak the truth.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Because there’s no reason for them to lie. The fact that they gave us information means that they will somehow be getting us involved. There’s no need for them to downplay the enemy’s strength. If anything, they’d exaggerate.”

“But….”

Chung Myung looked directly at Tang Gun-ak.

“While we hesitate, another person dies.”

A sigh involuntarily escaped Tang Gun-ak’s mouth.

He was beginning to understand how absurd the situation was.

Although there are beggars in Hangzhou, ordinary beggars inevitably have limitations in estimating the power of Magyo.

And the experts from Beggar Union who could accurately assess Magyo’s strength have all withdrawn from Hangzhou due to the non-aggression pact with Gangnam.

In the end, this means that at this point, Evil Tyrant Alliance is the only window that can provide accurate information about the power of Magyo that has emerged.

‘But…’

Those holding the information are the least trustworthy people in the world, leaving Tang Gun-ak caught in a dilemma, unable to do one thing or another.

He knew they couldn’t trust Evil Tyrant Alliance, so the information must be verified. However, as more time is taken to verify information, the damage to commoners increases exponentially.

How on earth should they resolve this situation?

“…So, are you now saying that we should believe the words of Evil Tyrant Alliance and walk on our own feet towards Gangnam?”

“I’m just stating the situation as it is.”

Chung Myung’s gaze shifted from Tang Gun-ak to Hyun Jong.

“The decision is up to Sect Leader.”

Those eyes weighed heavily on Hyun Jong.

“There is no such thing as a right choice, Sect Leader.”

Chung Myung growled.

“Because things in the world aren’t always clear-cut. Making a choice isn’t about finding the correct answer; it’s about deciding which direction you want to go. Searching for the right choice is no different from choosing not to choose.”

Hyun Jong’s fingertips, hidden within his sleeves, trembled slightly.

“However, that means there’s also no such thing as the wrong choice. It’s just different.”

“….”

“The reason a sect leader, a maengju, must exist is precisely because there are moments when decisions must be made in situations where right and wrong are indistinguishable. Someone has to do it. No matter what Sect Leader chose, it will undoubtedly be better than not deciding and procrastinating.”

Hyun Jong nodded.

It was a valid point.

“So just make a choice. That’s enough. The alliance and sect members will follow Sect Leader’s decision.”

Finally, Hyun Jong felt a little more at ease.

“Then…”

It was at that moment that he opened his mouth to answer.

“Let me ask one thing.”

Baek Cheon, who had remained silent until now, opened his mouth. A fleeting interest flickered in Hyun Jong’s eyes.

It was rare for Baek Cheon to open his mouth like this first, not at a meeting of Mount Hua Sect, but at a meeting of Heavenly Comrade Alliance. Even cutting off Hyun Jong’s words.

Baekcheon’s cold, frozen face seemed to somehow even contain a murderous look.

“If the Sect Leader decides not to confront Magyo and to observe from here…”

“….”

“What will you do?”

That was a question addressed to Chung Myung. But Chung Myung remained silent. Rather, he didn’t even look at Baek Cheon and just looked at Hyun Jong as if urging him to decide.

“Answer me.”

“Sect Leader.”

When Chung Myung called only Hyun Jong pretending to not listen, Baek Cheon’s voice eventually grew louder.

“Not to the Sect Leader, answer me, you bastard!”

His voice was laced with anger. It was a blatantly disrespectful act, but no one here blamed Baek Cheon for his behavior.

This is because everyone here heard Chung Myung’s answer through silence.

He would go.

Even if it means leaving everyone here, he will head to the place where Magyo is located, even going alone. Tang Family might not know, but the people of Mount Hua clearly understood Chung Myung’s intentions.

In the end, Baek Cheon grabbed Chung Myung by the collar and yanked him towards him.

“The disciples and alliance members will follow Sect Leader’s commands, you said?”

“….”

“Then what about you? Aren’t you an alliance member, a disciple of Mount Hua? Are you exempt from that? You goddamn bastard.”

Baek Cheon’s face, which was pulling Chung Myung almost as if he was going to lift him, was distorted to an unfamiliar degree. It was an angry face that had never been shown before.

“Answer me!”

Chung Myung looked at Baek Cheon with indifferent eyes.

“Let go, Sasuk.”

“Sasuk? Do you really think of me as Sasuk?”

“….”

“This damn thing….”

“Stop this! What disgrace is this!”

Unable to watch any longer, Hyun Sang shouted. Baek Cheon bit his lip tightly. Then he reluctantly let go of his hand and took a step behind. However, his gaze staring at Chung Myung did not soften in the slightest.

It wasn’t just Baek Cheon.

The other Five Swords guarding behind him were also glaring at Chung Myung with eyes no different from Baek Cheon.

Hyun Jong looked around at everyone with a stern expression.

In this situation, he must never appear shaken. Hyun Jong was a person who could understand that fact well.

He opened his mouth, and a dignified voice flowed out.

“As Maengju of Heavenly Comrade Alliance and Sect Leader of Mount Hua, I command.”

“Yes, Maengju-nim.”

Hyun Jong’s gaze pressed down on the surroundings. He had a strong appearance befitting his position as Maengju of Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

“While the situation in Gangnam is urgent, entering Gangnam without proper information is too risky. We need the minimum amount of information to decide our next course of action.”

Chung Myung’s eyes darkened.

“The most reliable information will, after all, come from Beggar Union. We will discuss with Beggar Union and at the same time, seek cooperation by contacting Ten Great Sects staying nearby. And if the correct information cannot be obtained from Ten Great Sects… I also wouldn’t mind contacting Evil Tyrant Alliance.”

“….”

“One day.”

Hyun Jong declared firmly.

“All of this will not take more than one day, and after that, we will decide the direction of Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s response. Therefore, from this time onwards, I will strictly prohibit the disciples from leaving their position. Everyone, please do not leave this manor and wait for the next command. This is my order as Maengju. Anyone who disobeys will be severely punished!”

“We receive Maengju’s command.”

Everyone present bowed their heads towards Hyun Jong.

However, only one person, Chung Myung, did not bow his head, instead looking at Hyun Jong with a cold gaze.

No one knew what was hidden in the depths of that intense gaze.