Return of the Mount Hua Sect

When you see someone thinking in ways ordinary people do not, or when you see someone thinking in a direction different from that of ordinary people.

But an even bigger surprise is when you see someone who sees further than ordinary people.

“We were afraid of Magyo. Moreover, we were concerned about the unification of Evil Tyrant Alliance and the division of Ten Great Sects. That’s why we panicked and became impatient. What we were thinking at that time was how we should deal with them from now on.”

At Tang Gun-ak’s words, Hyun Jong nodded.

“That is correct.”

“But Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword was looking at something else. He wasn’t thinking about how to deal with Magyo; he was thinking about how we should change. It’s a similar but entirely different story, isn’t it?”

Tang Gun-ak sighed as he spoke.

“It’s truly strange…”

“Hmm.”

It was an unexpected remark, but Hyun Jong nodded as if he understood its meaning.

“Sometimes when I look at Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword, I wonder how people can think like that. How can someone who has walked such a perfect path have so little faith in himself?”

“…Gaju-nim.”

Tang Gun-ak’s gaze turned slightly upward. It felt like he was looking somewhere beyond the ceiling.

“From Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s perspective, it is a blessing. It’s undoubtedly something to be welcomed from Hwasan’s perspective too. Such a person’s presence leads everyone. But…”

The eyes of Tang Gun-ak, who spoke vaguely for a moment, were dark.

“Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword…. From the perspective of one person named Chung Myung, I’m not sure if that’s something to be welcomed….”

His voice carried a clear sense of regret.

“I don’t know, Gaju-nim. Perhaps it is… a sorrowful thing.”

Hyun Jong slowly closed his eyes.

Tang Gun-ak’s words seemed to penetrate to the core of a person named Chung Myung.

Of course, on the outside, Chung Myung appears to be the embodiment of self-confidence. He moves forward without hesitation, always giving the right answer, without any doubt that he might be wrong. At the same time, he is a superhuman who leads not only himself but also others.

But within that outward appearance, what lies deep inside?

It’s a feeling of doubt and anxiety bordering on self-loathing, and… fear.

Hyun Jong still cannot forget the shock he felt when he first glimpsed Chung Myung’s inner self. Even if Chung Myung’s arrogance reached the sky, no one could fault him for it. Yet, he saw himself as less than an insect. Anyone, not just Hyunjong, would be astonished to learn that.

Among the many reasons why Hyun Jong did not delve into Chung Myung’s past, this was the biggest reason.

No matter what Chung Myung saw or experienced, even if he committed an unforgivable sin… isn’t he already filled with regret and suffering?

Even if he’s not the Sect Leader, how can he, as a Taoist, deepen the wounds of someone who has been in such pain for so long?

There was a short silence. Both had thoughtful expressions on their faces.

Tang Gun-ak slowly began to speak again.

“Shaolin prioritized its own interests, leading to the disintegration of an already established alliance.”

“….”

“And Myriad Man Manor is even subjugating the allied sects under its command. It might seem like the right thing to do now, but… If you think about it conversely, they’re following in the footsteps of Great Evil Sects that flaunted its power until now but eventually disappeared into history.”

Hyun Jong nodded heavily.

“On the other hand, the method chosen by Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword is a completely different path. Without erecting walls between sects, sharing what we have with each other, and without anyone standing in a superior position… That’s right. That’s what friendship is.”

Tang Gunak smiled.

Previously, Chung Myung always gave preferential treatment to other sects, but deep down, he always placed Mount Hua at the forefront. The proof is that even though Mount Hua trained so rigorously, he did not pay much attention to strengthening the power of other sects.

Doesn’t it clearly show his inner intention that the first thing he did when he felt threatened by the rise of Evil Tyrant Alliance was to make Mount Hua strong by leaving all the other sects alone?

But now, Chung Myung has begun to reach out not only to Mount Hua but also to other sects belonging to the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

In the eyes of some, this may seem like overstepping authority or excessive interference. But from Chung Myung’s perspective, he’s giving up something significant. He’s someone who evaluates his abilities more objectively than anyone else.

Then, Hyun Jong smiled faintly and spoke.

“Thinking about it, Sogaju of Namgung Family … I think he may have awakened Chung Myung’s thoughts a little.”

“I don’t think it’s without influence.”

It was probably a first for Chung Myung as well. The experience of a sect like Namgung Family approaching with a humble attitude in order to grow stronger.

Therefore, Chung Myung, who had previously respected the independence of each sect, may have slightly expanded the scope of what he believed he could do.

“Gaju-nim….”

Hyun Jong hesitated as if choosing his words carefully, then asked.

“What do you think will be the outcome of what that child is trying to do?”

“Hm.”

Tang Gun-ak smiled wryly.

“To be honest, I don’t know. This is something no one has ever attempted in Kangho.”

“Hmm.”

He immediately looked at Hyun Jong with clear eyes and spoke.

“But the situation we are facing is also unprecedented. We don’t know when Magyo will rise to invade Jungwon, and Ten Great Sects, which should be at the center of the response, are too divided to demonstrate their full strength. Moreover, even Evil Tyrant Alliance, which is difficult to expect cooperation from, is becoming stronger day by day.”

“….”

“In this situation, the chances of Heavenly Comrade Alliance overcoming everything without sacrifice are not very likely. No, to be honest, resolving this situation, even if it means making sacrifices, would be a difficult task.”

“…Indeed.”

Tang Gun-ak smiles.

“Then, even if it may only be grasping at straws, shouldn’t we try everything we can? Even if it’s something that has never been attempted before?”

Hyun Jong also smiled.

“Yes, we should. The only thing I can do is quietly support that child in whatever he aims to achieve.”

“Don’t say that. At least for Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword, nothing will be more powerful than that silent support.”

A hint of embarrassment showed on Hyun Jong’s face.

“There is much to be done.”

“Yes. First of all, I think we should inform Yasugung Palace and North Sea Ice Palace of this fact and ask for participation. Actually… we’ve somewhat neglected them, haven’t we?”

A sigh flowed from Tang Gun-ak’s mouth.

It was never something he intentionally avoided. However, since Yasugung Palace and Ice Palace were located far away from Jungwon, it was difficult to ask for help hastily.

However, from the perspective of the two palaces, it may have felt like Mount Hua and Tang Family were leading most of Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s actions with neglect rather than consideration.

Now that they have declared their intention to embrace everyone, they must ensure that no one feels excluded.

“Yasugungju may find it a little annoying, but….”

Tang Gun-ak laughed bitterly at Hyun Jong’s words.

“Possibly. But it’s something we must endure. With authority comes responsibility. He understands that much.”

Hyun Jong nodded and sighed.

Every time Chung Myung goes through a major event, it brings about significant changes, both within Mount Hua and Heavenly Comrade Alliance as a whole.

But they cannot blame him for that. Chung Myung has always turned things upside down and rebuilt them, from himself to the entire Heavenly Comrade Alliance, to get to where they are now.

What Hyun Jong should do is not to criticize that fact, but to allow Chung Myung to carry out his will without burden.

“However…”

Tang Gun-ak began to speak with a slightly different expression.

“It’s not that there are no concerns. Internal issues are one thing, but the biggest worry would be external.”

“…Are Gaju-nim talking about Ten Great Sects and Evil Tyrant Alliance?”

“Yes.”

Tang Gun-ak’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“The full details of the incident in Hangzhou will soon spread throughout the world. If that happens, the status of Mount Hua and Evil Tyrant Alliance that participated in it will rise incomparably compared to before. The ones who will feel the most discomfort with this…”

“It would be Ten Great Sects.”

“Yes. And it may be more than what Sect Leader imagines.”

As Hyun Jong looked at him with questioning eyes, Tang Gun-ak smiled bitterly.

“What Shaolin did not want to lose at any cost was the concept of ‘Shaolin protecting Kangho.’ But with this incident, Mount Hua took that notion away.”

“Ah…”

Hyun Jong nodded with a slightly complicated expression. At that time, Tang Gun-ak, who was about to say something, covered his mouth with his wide sleeve. His shoulders began to shake slightly. Hyun Jong asked, widened his eyes in surprise.

“Why all of a sudden?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I know it’s inappropriate, but I can’t help laughing when I think of how furious Bop Jeong must be.”

It was an incredibly frivolous sound to have come from the mouth of Tang Gun-ak.

However, Hyun Jong fully understood Tang Gun-ak’s feelings. When he thinks of Bop Jeong going on a rampage, the corners of his mouth curl up and it’s hard for him to control himself.

He collected his expression and said,

“He is a pitiful person.”

“Indeed. He is not inherently foolish. It’s just… he knows his own excellence and has a strong sense of pride.”

From this perspective, Bop Jeong stands in stark contrast to Chung Myung.

Bop Jeong is also an exceptionally talented individual. Just the fact that he stood out among the talents of the Thousand-Year Shaolin and eventually rose to the position of Bangjang (head abbot) proves he is far from inadequate.

‘That’s exactly why.’

Bop Jeong does not even think that he might be wrong. He never relinquishes his certainty that he is right. This makes him a perfect foil to Chung Myung, who lives with the constant awareness, like a dagger in his heart, that he could be wrong at any time.

“So, we must be cautious. We can never predict how Bop Jeong might react once his pride is wounded.”

Hyun Jong nodded with a heavy heart.

As frustrating as it was, Ten Great Sects posed a more immediate threat than Magyo, which sought to destroy Kangho, or Evil Tyrant Alliance, which constantly eyed Gangbuk. At least for now.

Hyun Jong spoke with a newfound firmness in his voice.

“They… No matter what they think.”

Due to the sudden change in momentum, even the eyes of Tang Gun-ak, who was sitting across from him, sparkled with interest.

“They won’t be able to put a finger on those children. That is what I must do as Sect Leader of Mount Hua and Maengju of Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”

It was a statement that clearly showed his will. Tang Gun-ak smiled and said,

“I will do my best to help you, Maengju-nim.”

Perhaps even Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s actions may only be a small change. No, it is definitely a minor change when looking at the rapidly changing situation of Kangho.

However, Tang Gun-ak was increasingly convinced that the end of this change would not be insignificant.