Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1157. A sect abandoned by all other sects (1)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
A strange atmosphere settled in the room.
Chung Myung stared intently at Hainan Island drawn on the map.
'Did I miss something?'
No, that wasn’t it. Even though Hainan Sect wasn’t part of Ten Great Sects during his time, he couldn’t have overlooked the fact that they were now part of Ten Great Sects and located on Hainan Island.
However, the reason why this fact did not remain in Chung Myung's mind was because in the first place, Ten Great Sects was not something he had to keep in his head and adjust.
‘That’s the Great Bald King's job.’
It's hard enough to build a single Heavenly Comrade Alliance, so how can he possibly take care of Ten Great Sects's circumstances?
But now, it was none other than Im Sobyeong who pointed out that part. This was certainly something that was difficult for Chung Myung to think about.
The others, realizing that the situation was more serious than they had initially thought, stopped berating Im Sobyeong and fell into serious contemplation.
Tang Gun-ak stroked his chin and spoke up.
“Does that mean… Hainan Sect is in a desperate situation right now?”
“Likely so.”
“But there are some aspects that I don’t understand. Isn’t it the responsibility of Ten Great Sects, not us, to resolve that situation?”
Everyone nodded in agreement. But Im Sobyeong smiled meaningfully and said,
“Let’s think about it differently.”
“Huh?”
“Let’s look at it from the perspective of Hainan Sect. Those yangbans were living well on Hainan Island anyway. But then one day, all of a sudden, Shaolin, Ten Great Sects, and Namgung… No, I mean Five Great Family….”
Im Sobyeong glanced at Namgung Dowi and continued speaking with an awkward expression.
“While capturing the water fortress in the Yangtze River, they were suddenly attacked by the Evil Sects and, without discussion, signed the Gangnam Non-Aggression Pact. Then, what would have been the stance of the Hainan Sect about that?”
“It was a bolt from the blue, huh?”
“They probably wondered if those people were even human.”
“If it were me, I’d have gone to set fire to that Baldy’s head.”
It was something that didn't require much thought.
The Gangnam Non-Aggression Pact was a humiliating treaty for other Ten Great Sects and Five Great Family, who were oppressed by Evil Sects and could not set foot on Gangnam. However, this means that, conversely, it was only a humiliation, not a real threat.
But what would it have been like from Hainan Sect's perspective?
With Gangnam Non-Aggression Pact alone, Hainan Sect was unknowingly surrounded and isolated by Evil Sects.
“Wait a moment. But wasn’t that already the case before?”
“It’s different.”
When Jo-Gol asked, Im Sobyeong answered firmly.
“Of course, Gangnam was always a land dominated by Evil Sects. However, the difference between Five Great Evil Sects and Evil Tyrant Alliance is… whether they recognize each other as enemies or as colleagues.”
"Ah…"
“Even during Five Great Evil Sects, Evil Sects were strong. However, it was difficult to demonstrate that strength. Because they saw each other as enemies. After all, didn't we (Nokrim) ourselves fight a war against those damned Myriad Man Manor bastards?"
At those words, Tang Gun-ak nodded heavily.
"Indeed."
“So even though Hainan Sect was geographically isolated, they didn’t feel threatened because Evil Sects would not unite. And if Evil Sects were to attack, wouldn’t Namgung Family and Wudang in the Yangtze River basin, as well as Sichuan Sects that were geographically close, come to their aid?”
"They would have."
Tang Gun-ak nodded as if he had nothing to consider. If that had happened, Tang Family would have put everything aside and headed to Gangnam. That was a promise between Ten Great Sects and Ten Great Sects.
“But the moment Gangnam Non-Aggression Pact was signed!”
Chwaaak!
Im Sobyeong's brush once again drew a line across the map following the Yangtze River.
“No matter what happens to Hainan Sect, they can't come to their aid."
"Ah..."
Only then did everyone understand the pressure that Hainan Sect had felt.
"And for three years..."
“Yes, that’s right. Hainan Sect must have held out for three whole years, desperately. They were anxious that Evil Sects might come after them at any moment. And finally! Those long, long three years are coming to an end….”
“The Plum Blossoms Island happened.”
"Yes, it exploded with a bang."
Everyone's eyes were instantly drawn to one side. Namgung Dowi hung his head low, his face flushed bright red.
‘I never even considered that.’
Of course, even if he had thought about it beforehand, he wouldn’t have been able to stop Namgung Hwang, but still, they hadn't considered what position Hainan Sect would be in after they attacked Evil Sects.
“The Plum Blossom Island incident has only one conclusion. The Gangnam Non-Aggression Pact will now end… but that’s it. Now, neither side can set foot on the other's land. Wasn’t that proven by Shaolin themselves during the Hangzhou Magyo Disaster?"
“Yes.”
Baek Cheon nodded deeply.
During that incident, Shaolin had essentially announced to the world that Righteous Sects were reluctant to step foot in lands controlled by Evil Tyrant Alliance, even if the pact wasn’t the issue.
"So, what position does that leave Hainan Sect in?"
Baek Cheon looked at the map with a stern face. Their position? Well….
"They must feel abandoned."
“That's correct.”
Im Sobyeong clapped his hands loudly.
“If Wudang had thought about Hainan Sect’s position even a little, the Yangtze River Incident should not have happened. And if Shaolin had thought about Hainan Sect’s position even a little, during Magyo uprising, they should have somehow set foot on Gangnam land and sent a signal that Ten Great Sects could head to Gangnam if the commoners or friendly forces were in danger.”
Im Sobyeong coldly sneered.
"But they failed both times."
People's shoulders trembled slightly. Thinking about it from Hainan Sect’s perspective, they could deeply feel the despair that Hainan Sect must have experienced.
“Because Hainan Sect was the last sect to join Ten Great Sects, they probably had a sense of inferiority. And in this situation, they were essentially treated as if they didn’t even exist. Do you think they would really believe that just by maintaining their position in Ten Great Sects, Shaolin or Wudang would rush to their aid?”
“They wouldn't.”
“Yes. Unless you’re an idiot, you wouldn’t think of that. If the bond between Ten Great Sects and Five Great Family was the same as before, then it would be understandable. But in this situation where there is internal division, how many sects would stand up to Five Great Family to save Hainan Sect in that faraway place? I can say with confidence…”
Im Sobyeong's eyes grew cold. There was a sharp, scornful undertone in his voice, a reflection of the reality behind the so-called Righteous Sects.
“None.”
No one dared to speak. They all wanted to disagree, but they knew the reality too well.
‘Has Gangnam really grown that large?’
Suddenly, the map seemed overwhelmingly vast. To support Hainan Sect, one would have to traverse the entire breadth of Gangnam region.
'That's ridiculous.'
Baek Cheon's lips trembled slightly.
In fact, Hangzhou was not located very deep in the Yangtze River. The problem was that it was a long way to go across the Yangtze River. It wasn't that far from the Yangtze River in the first place, was it?
But Hainan Sect is a completely different story. In order to support Hainan Sect, they have to cross Gangnam, which is no different from the den of Evil Tyrant Alliance, and then continue all the way to the sea.
“No, even if we actually reach the sea….”
“How would we get to the island?”
“…So you’re saying that we need to find a ship to go from Gangnam, which is under the control of Evil Tyrant Alliance, to Hainan Island?”
“And if you only set off after hearing about the war, it would be over before you even arrived. So you’re saying we’d have to go there in advance?”
Im Sobyeong nodded vigorously as he summarized.
“Yes, that’s right. So, in order to help Hainan Sect, the conditions must be met. Even if Hainan Sect doesn’t ask for help, we must be able to head to the southern sea, and even after breaking through Gangnam, which teems with Evil Tyrant Alliance, we must find a way to head to Hainan Island.”
Hyun Jong stared at the map with a shocked expression.
'This ….'
This isn’t just something to criticize Ten Great Sects about. Realistically speaking, it's not an exaggeration to say there’s no way to help Hainan from here.
“Nokrim King, this is….”
“Yes, I know. But that's precisely why it has meaning.”
Chwaak!
Im Sobyeong spread his fan with a snap and began to speak.
“Hainan Sects hope for salvation, but realistically, they cannot imagine that there will be anyone who will come to save them. That’s why they’re prepared to fight to the death, to make a last stand.”
“Hmm.”
“But at such a time!”
Im Sobyeong's brush drew a line that crossed Gangnam and reached Hainan in one breath.
“What if we could help them?”
“….”
“In a situation like the present, where the power of Ten Great Sects has weakened and the benefits that the name Ten Great Sects brings have become meaningless, it would not be a dream for Hainan Sect to leave Ten Great Sects and join Heavenly Comrade Alliance on their own initiative.”
Paaaaang!
Im Sobyeong hit the map with such force that a section of the sturdy cloth map tore with a loud rip.
“Do you understand?”
“….”
“It’s a departure from Ten Great Sects. It’s something that has never happened in the history of Kangho! Ah… Of course, I mean willingly leaving. There have been sects that were expelled…”
“No, but is this punk really?”
“Chu- Chung Myung! I told you to be patient!”
“This isn’t the time for that!”
“I get that you're angry, but let’s hear him out before deciding to kill him!”
Hyun Jong, who had once again suppressed the struggling Chung Myung, urged Im Sobyeong to hurry.
“Please, go on.”
"Yes."
Im Sobyeong gave a sneak glimpse of Chung Myung with a face that seemed to be scratching someone's face, then continued speaking.
“It won’t be an easy task, but if we succeed, all the sects in the world will witness Hainan Sect, which belongs to Ten Great Sects, voluntarily abandon its position and join Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”
“….”
“Do you know what that means? You all said a little while ago. Why would a small-sized sect join Heavenly Comrade Alliance? Even if they were a small-sized sect, they would still join Ten Great Sects. And why did you say that? Because it’s Ten Great Sects! Their history and reputation are something that Heavenly Comrade Alliance, no matter how powerful it becomes, will find difficult to overcome in a short time. But!”
Taaaaak!
Im Sobyeong, who had folded his fans in one go, smiled and said.
“It’s Hainan. Hainan Sects, one of Ten Great Sects, not some small and insignificant sect… will abandon Ten Great Sects and choose Heavenly Comrade Alliance, declaring to the world that Heavenly Comrade Alliance is the more valuable place to be.”
“….”
“And if that happens?”
Squeeze.
Im Sobyeong pressed the tip of his fan firmly against a spot on the map. The place where the tip of the fan touched was none other than Seongsan, the place where Shaolin was located.
“The balance between Ten Great Sects and Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”
Jjiiiik.
Im Sobyeong’s fan moved sideways, almost tearing the map as it slid. Everyone’s eyes followed the tip of the fan.
“…could shift.”
Finally, the fan stopped. The long line it had drawn ended at none other than Mt. Hua in Shaanxi, the location of Mount Hua Sect.
“Don’t you think?”
Im Sobyeong's eyes gleamed with a chilling light.
“I think if that’s even remotely possible, it’s worth doing, no matter what the sacrifice, no matter what the price.”
Tak!
He lightly tapped his palm with the fan and then took a step back with a chuckle.
“That’s all.”
As Im Sobyeong finished speaking, a strange atmosphere began to fill the room—a mix of confusion, concern, and a peculiar sense of excitement.
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|Note
Everyone: Gasp!!! (they didn't expect it)(just so that everyone is clear this is about the story's characters)
Thank you for the Chapter """