Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 983. This is what makes the world interesting (3)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
The members of Namgung Family who collected the body of Namgung Hwang cried and collapsed from exhaustion. Either way, it would have been difficult to hold on because they were pushed to their limits.
And Tang Family did everything in their power to take care of them.
"How is it?"
Tang Gun-ak looked back at Hyun Jong with a calm gaze.
“There are many people with serious injuries, but fortunately, it seems there will be no further loss of life."
“…That’s a good thing.”
A sigh escaped Hyun Jong’s mouth.
Though he said it was fortunate, even he wondered if it was really appropriate to call it that.
'Namgung paid too much of a price.'
Gaju and the elders were lost all at once. Moreover, only one-third of those who entered Plum Blossom Island survived. Considering almost all of Namgung Family's forces were involved in the venture to Plum Blossom Island, this is a damage that is difficult to repair.
Hyun Jong looked at the unconscious Namgung Dowi. He looked very tired and broken, but with his eyes closed, his youthful appearance was unmistakably clear.
'The burden is too heavy.'
He wouldn't think about it that far now. But once the sadness wears off and he regains composure, reality will start to hit him.
Above all, the biggest problem was the loss of almost all of the seniors who were supposed to be the main force of the family. It is said that Namgung Myung still remains, but he couldn't possibly take on the role of Gaju.
And that's not the whole problem.
Even if Namgung Dowi is a heaven-sent genius and can lead Namgung Family again, he is still too young. At best, it would take more than ten years for him to replace Namgung Hwang.
'The predators of Kangho won't leave Namgung Family alone until then.'
Haven't Mount Hua already experienced this?
For a sect that lacks power, the brilliant reputation of the past is rather a curse. As its fame grows, so does the number of those eyeing it.
The tremendous damage and the disconnect with the past generation.
It was as if...
Hyun Jong, who was lost in thought, shook his head.
'That won't happen.'
Because he couldn't just watch them suffer through the same pain.
"I ask for your help."
"Do not worry."
Tang Gun-ak smiled a little.
His attitude of asking a favor was like a person entrusting his disciple to a physician. There was abundant concern and kindness in his eyes. For Hyun Jong, his relationship with Namgung Family is only a small thing, but how could he show such sincerity?
'The more you see, the more remarkable he is.'
No, it wasn't just Hyun Jong who was remarkable.
Tang Gun-ak glanced at Mount Hua's disciples who were looking at the Yangtze River from the railing.
'It's actually this side that's astonishing.'
Of course, he knew that Mount Hua had become stronger.
It would be even stranger if the people trained by Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword for three years did not become stronger. However, the sight they showed with their swords surprised even Tang Gun-ak, who had expected it to some extent.
'What kind of training must they have undergone to grow so dramatically?'
It is natural for one’s internal strength to become stronger and one’s martial art to become more refined. Doesn't every martial artist devote their time unreservedly for that purpose?
But their strength cannot be explained simply by such factors alone.
'Anyway, he's a fascinating person.'
Tang Gun-ak gave a slightly bitter smile and returned his gaze to the patients he was attending to. To him, it was a surprising and curious matter. And on the other hand, it was also a rewarding thing.
However, this was possible because Tang Gun-ak knew and understood Mount Hua Sect to a certain extent. It was not easy for Ciwu Beggar, who had unintentionally accompanied Mount Hua to Plum Blossom Island, to understand the current situation.
'Was Mount Hua this strong?'
In his eyes, there was not much difference between when they entered Plum Blossom Island and now. Mount Hua and Tang Family literally rescued Namgung Family from Plum Blossom Island without any damage.
"…This will cause a stir."
The leader of Heavenly Comrade Alliance is clearly Mount Hua. However, that did not mean Mount Hua was the strongest sect within Heavenly Comrade Alliance. Everyone thought so. At least until now.
The reason why Mount Hua could be the leader is because they were the central point of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and a sect that proved the values that Heavenly Comrade Alliance pursued. In other words, this means that the actual military power of Heavenly Comrade Alliance has been handled by the Sichuan Tang Family.
However….
'Not anymore.'
Once the events that transpired here on the Yangtze become known to the world, no one will be able to think that way.
Now, the sect called Mount Hua has risen to the throne of Heavenly Comrade Alliance, both in name and reality. It has become a true great sect that can be compared to the leaders of the Ten Great Sects.
'I wonder how they will accept this situation....'
Ciwu Beggar's gaze turned to the riverside.
There was still Shaolin, Kongtong, and a few beggars of Beggar Union camped there.
* * *
Bop Jeong watched in fascination the two ships approaching. The area around his eyes twitched slightly.
'How did this happen?'
The people who had voluntarily walked into a trap were now leaving the island with ease. What was even more incomprehensible was the fact that the ships of the water fortress, which were supposed to block their path, were actually opening a way for them to get out.
‘What in the world….'
Bop Jeong's lips trembled.
He had no intention of staying here forever.
Once Mount Hua and Tang Family set foot on Plum Blossom Island, there were two possible outcomes.
They will either get killed along with Namgung Family at Plum Blossom Island.
Or, manage to escape Plum Blossom Island after much difficulty, but then getting attacked one by one by water fortress and Myriad Man Manor on the cold waters of the Yangtze and dying one after another.
In the former case, he couldn't do anything about it, but if the latter case happened, even if it was just one chance in a thousand times, he was naturally prepared to jump into the Yangtze to help them. Because he can't bear to hear that they just watched them dying here and then escaped. (Hoamzz: HUH!? | xoxo: lol yes, he can bear to just sit back and watch the massacre, but can’t bear to have people talk about it. Righteous Sect who?)
However, the situation deviated completely from his expectations.
“How….”
His eyes were now extremely complicated as if the brilliance that flowed from him was a thing of the long past..
'This... How on earth did this happen....'
The judgment he made while standing here was never wrong. No matter how many times he reflected upon it, there were no mistakes whatsoever. Entering that Plum Blossom Island was tantamount to suicide.
But now it all means nothing.
Now that Mount Hua and Tang Family, that is, Heavenly Comrade Alliance, have jumped into Plum Blossom Island on their own and rescued Namgung, his cool-headed judgment will have turned into the misjudgment of a fool, and the patience he had maintained till the end would be seen as cowardice.
There was no escaping the scorn of the entire Kangho. No, the Ten Great Sects were not the issue here.
“…..”
Bop Jeong glances behind. The Shaolin monks lined up behind them were looking at the two approaching ships with expressionless faces, not even glancing his way.
He clenched his fists unconsciously.
These were the people who maintained their positions even when Hye Bang left. This means that they are people who did not abandon their faith in him even at that moment. But at this moment, even they were ignoring Bop Jeong.
'These fools!'
It was a time when Bop Jeong kept chanting mantras to calm his boiling stomach.
“…Bangjang.”
Jongni Hyeong, who had been watching the situation from the side, looked back at Bop Jeong with trembling eyes. He is also a Sect Leader from a certain sect. He wasn’t foolish enough not to understand how things were unfolding.
"Wha- What shall we do now?"
“…..”
Bop Jeong fell silent like a clam. The saying that even if there are ten mouths there is nothing to say is probably a phrase prepared for this situation.
“If this was going to be the case, wouldn’t it have been better if we joined Mount Hua when they headed to Plum Blossom Island? If things go on like this, what will the world think of us now?”
When Bop Jeong remained silent despite the pouring rebuke, Jongni Hyeong raised his voice as if frustrated.
“Bangjang!”
“Calm down!”
Bop Jeong looked back at him with an angry look on his face. Jongni Hyeong was momentarily startled by those sharp eyes.
Bop Jeong bit his lip slightly before speaking.
"…They will arrive soon. Should we raise our voices among ourselves like this?"
"But….”
“Just wait.”
Now the ship was about to reach the riverside.
“It’s not over yet.”
A bright blue light flowed from the eyes of Bop Jeong.
In the midst of this, the ships carrying Heavenly Comrade Alliance finally reached the riverside.
Kung!
The sound of the ship's bow scraping against the sandbank was almost thunderous.
Gulp.
In the silence so quiet that even the sound of swallowing dry saliva could be heard, everyone's eyes turned to the ship.
"Carefully move the injured!"
"Yes!"
Sichuan Tang Family martial artists dressed in green uniforms jumped from the ship, holding the survivors of Namgung Family.
Jongni Hyeong closed his eyes.
'They really saved them.'
They couldn't tell when looking at it from a distance. Is Namgung Family really on that ship? But at this moment, the fact that Heavenly Comrade Alliance had rescued Namgung became an undeniable reality.
'What should we do now?'
It should be a joyous occasion. It was an event that should be celebrated and praised without reserve.
But Jongni Hyeong couldn’t bear to do that. Despite the fact that those who had suffered were returning alive from the jaws of death, he felt a sense of disgust at themselves for not being able to truly rejoice in that fact.
Perhaps the people of Kongtong standing behind him felt the same way?
Meanwhile, Namgung's survivors continued to be brought from the ship. The Tang Family found a flat place and laid down the unconscious members of Namgung Family and checked their condition once again.
After that, the sword warriors of Mount Hua Sect finally appeared.
Dressed in black uniforms, they rushed out of the ship and lined up. No one spoke, and no one averted their gaze.
Perhaps that was an act of disregard for the people here. No matter how heroic they were when they returned, it was clearly out of etiquette for them not to even look at Shaolin and Kontong.
But those who stood here were rather grateful. Because they couldn't bring themselves to make eye contact with them.
It was at that moment that Hyun Jong, Sect Leader of Mount Hua, appeared behind them.
Step.
Bop Jeong, who had been quietly watching what they were doing, took the first step.
He bowed deeply towards Hyun Jong, who stepped forward as he came closer.
“Thank you for your hard work, Sect Leader.”
Hyun Jong quietly smiled.
Although these two people had experienced a conflict that could be said to be extreme before coming to the Yangtze River, their faces did not show any trace of ill will from the past incident.
"It's nothing. I only did what was naturally expected of me."
Bop Jeong was speechless for a moment and bit his lower lip.
Hyun Jong's words were a common modesty.
However, the part about 'What was naturally expected of me' scratched at Bop Jeong's insides. Didn't that mean Shaolin had not done what was naturally expected?
Of course, Hyun Jong probably had no malicious intent. Bop Jeong knew Hyun Jong was not one to mock or sneer at someone to their face. However, that lack of malice made Bop Jeong feel even shabbier.
Bop Jeong's eyes emitted a sharp glint.
"However."
He slowly straightened his back and looked around Mount Hua and Tang Family with meaningful eyes. Then he cast his gaze toward the fleets of water fortresses still occupying the Yangtze River.
"I think you have to explain one thing."
Hyun Jong’s eyes narrowed in an instant.
"An explanation, you say?"
“Yes, Sect Leader. It may be a small issue, but it is also important.”
“…What it is?"
Bop Jeong glared at Hyun Jong with cold eyes.
“If my eyes were not mistaken, it seemed that water fortress and Myriad Man Manor voluntarily opened a path for Heavenly Comrade Alliance to escape. Isn’t that right?”
Hyun Jong kept his mouth shut.
It's not because of the content of the question. It was because he sensed the sharpness in Bop Jeong's words.
“I don’t understand how such a thing is possible with the common sense of this small monk.”
"Bangjang, now..."
“Therefore, I need you to explain, Sect Leader.”
Bop Jeong spoke emphatically, twisting his eyes.
"Whether Heavenly Comrade Alliance has colluded with Evil Sects on Plum Blossom Island, I would like an explanation for my doubts."
For a moment, the air near the river froze.
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