Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1171. Was I Really Wrong? (5)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
“Hmm.”
Im Sobyong lightly waved the fan in his hand.
"So that's the kind of conversation that took place. Interesting."
Namgung Dowi looked at Im Sobyeong with a somewhat displeased and disapproving look. Even Maeng So and Seol So-baek, who were sitting next to him, also had such a gaze at him.
‘I don't even understand myself.’
It was true that he felt a tightness in his chest. He wanted to unload his thoughts and talk to someone, anyone really. But why did that ‘someone’ have to be this man?
However, strangely, Namgung Dowi's footsteps led him to this place. It was natural for him to join the outer palace gungjus who were with Im Sobyeong. Of course, when he sat down, the setting didn't seem particularly natural...
"So, how did the others react?"
“If you ask me….”
How could he accurately convey the atmosphere of that meeting?
Namgung Dowi never thought of himself as someone who was not eloquent. But accurately conveying the delicate atmosphere of that meeting was no easy task.
Still, Im Sobyeong was smart. Smart people know how to picture a situation in their heads even without perfect communication.
"More or less, I can imagine."
Just like now. Im Sobyeong, who had predicted the reactions of others based on Namgung Dowi’s expression alone, smiled quietly.
"Well, this is.... I should say that Bop Jeong did a good job of stabbing a sore spot, but....”
Im Sobyeong glanced at Namgung Dowi.
"It's very refreshing to see the reaction of people who heard that."
"Surprising, you say?"
"Yes, surprising. Wasn't this something everyone already knew?"
Im Sobyeong‘s transparent gaze staring at him made Namgung Dowi sigh unknowingly. Im Sobyeong said.
“That’s what Heavenly Comrade Alliance is in the first place. Is there anyone here who was truly drawn by the name 'Mount Hua' alone?"
At those words, not only Namgung Dowi, but even Seol So-baek and Maeng So were unable to respond.
"Of course not. Everyone gathered here was drawn by the name Chung Myung. Even if Mount Hua had been doing the same things as it is now, if the one leading them wasn't Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword, Chung Myung Dojang, then Heavenly Comrade Alliance would never have been formed."
“…You're not wrong."
Maeng So, with his arms crossed, nodded heavily.
He, too, was someone who saw Chung Myung’s potential and decided to join hands with Mount Hua, so he couldn't help but sympathize with Im Sobyeong's words.
“But on the other hand, it also means that Heavenly Comrade Alliance could only be established if there was a sacrifice by Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword Chung Myung.”
"The word 'sacrifice' seems a bit..."
Namgung Dowi frowned as if he could not agree.
“Namgung never asked for the blood of Chung Myung Dojang in the first place. The reason we were drawn to Mount Hua was because of Chivalrousness and character that Chung Myung Dojang showed. It wasn’t because we thought he would take the arrows for us.”
“…Let’s first put aside how absurd it is to bring up the word ‘character’ to that yangban.”
Im Sobyeong cleared his throat and looked at Namgung Dowi with slightly darkened eyes.
“Well. Namgung Sogaju’s words might not be so wrong. The reason Namgung Sogaju follows Chung Myung Dojang is not because of the sacrifices he made, but because of the heroic deeds he showed.”
Namgung Dowi nodded.
When he asked for help from Mount Hua Sect, Chung Myung drew his sword without a moment's hesitation and headed towards Plum Blossom Island. Namgung Dowi would never forget that sight for the rest of his life.
The Chivalrousness that has always been mentioned like a habit.
In that moment, Namgung Dowi keenly felt how the most desperate ones feel the moment they see the back of someone who actually practices the said Chivalrousness.
"But... it all amounts to the same thing in the end."
"Yes?"
"Heroic deeds are not much different from reckless and dangerous acts."
“…No, how can you say that...?"
Im Sobyeong let out a faint laugh.
“Of course, Namgung Sogaju would like to argue that the essence of heroic deeds is not danger but the spirit of Chivalrousness contained within them… But is that really true? If Chung Myung Dojang confronted local bandits with the same determination as when he marched to Plum Blossom Island, would Namgung Sogaju have evaluated the two acts equally?”
"That’s…."
Im Sobyeong chuckled as if to say, ‘There you have it.’
"It's ironic, but no, you wouldn’t. Because what people see is ‘who did what.’ So, when a prestigious disciple suppresses a bandit with ease, it's seen as a natural duty, but when a commoner risks their life to do the same, it turns into an inspiring tale that moves people."
When Namgung Dowi remained silent, Im Sobyeong just shrugged his shoulders.
“In other words, the more we evaluate and praise the Chivalrousness of Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword, and the more the world believes in and follows the Chivalrousness of Heavenly Comrade Alliance, the more Chung Myung Dojang becomes trapped in the prison of said Chivalrousness.”
Namgung Dowi bit his lips tightly. He wanted to deny it, but no logical argument came to mind. Wasn’t the situation already unfolding exactly that way?
“So, Heavenly Comrade Alliance was ultimately created based on the sacrifice of Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword. Perhaps Namgung Sogaju had also been thinking about fighting with Evil Tyrant Alliance and Magyo, but what is Chung Myung Dojang doing in that scene you thought of?”
“Well….”
He couldn’t finish his sentence. A sigh escaped his lips.
He is fighting at the front. Most fiercely.
He leads countless others, shining brighter than anyone else, but Namgung Dowi couldn’t deny the fact that the place where he shines the most is also the most dangerous.
“Know this, Namgung Sogaju. There are crazy people in this world who don’t care about themselves and calmly repeat reckless actions.”
Namgung Dowi had no choice but to admit that, of all the people he knew, the one who best fits that description was Chung Myung.
"Of course, most of those people end up dead. But... one in a million, one in ten million... No, perhaps only once in several centuries."
Im Sobyong tightly gripped his fan.
“There are those who do crazy things and still survive until the end by sheer luck. Do you know what the world calls those people?"
"…What do they call them?"
"They call them heroes."
“….”
The word "hero" no longer sounded like a compliment.
Im Sobyeong looked at Namgung Dowi as if laughing.
"In Namgung Sogaju's imagination, after all the battles are over, Chung Myung Dojang would have become a hero, right? Isn’t that so?"
Those words sounded as if it was none other than Namgung Dowi who was pushing Chung Myung into the depths of hell. As a result, Namgung Dowi couldn’t bring himself to lift his bowed head.
"Then…."
At that moment, Seol So-baek, who had been silently listening to Im Sobyeong, opened his mouth.
"Does that mean that Nokrim King is different?"
Im Sobyeong smiled brightly, looked at Seol So-baek, and answered.
"How different could I be? I, too, am well aware that I’m merely taking advantage of Chung Myung Dojang."
“….”
"But… well, I don’t know. Which is worse: knowingly exploiting someone or pretending not to know while slowly pushing them off a cliff? Of course, if they come back from that cliff alive, they’ll be a hero….”
Maeng So, who had been listening, frowned and interjected.
"I think your sarcasm is going a bit too far, Nokrim King."
"Sarcasm?"
"After all, it's not as if others forced Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword into something he didn’t want. People were simply drawn to the path he was walking. It’s inevitable that such a person would appear dazzling to ordinary people."
“Hmm.”
A strange light appeared in the eyes of Im Sobyeong, who was looking at Maeng So.
"You’re absolutely right. I just find it rather ridiculous that now, after all this time, everyone is acting shocked by a truth that’s always been obvious."
"Let's leave it at that."
“Yes, let’s do that.”
Im Sobyeong backed down obediently.
Perhaps wanting to break the awkward atmosphere, Maeng So turned to Im Sobyeong and asked,
"So, what do you think, Nokrim King?"
"What are you referring to?"
“Do you think Mount Hua will accept Shaolin’s offer?”
“Hmm.”
Im Sobyeong chuckled as if he found the question amusing and scratched his cheek.
“I would also like to ask you something in return. How do the two gungjus plan to answer? It seems like a change is unavoidable.”
"…As long as the promises are kept, it’s not a bad proposal from our perspective."
"Huh?"
Seol So-baek was startled by Maeng So's calm answer and asked.
"Beast Palace Gungju-nim! Are you going to accept that proposal?"
"Calm down, Seol Gungju."
Maeng So shook his head.
“It’s hard to compare Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword and Bop Jeong. It’s not easy to trust Shaolin in the first place.”
“Yes! Of course.”
“If it’s now, I should definitely choose Mount Hua. There’s Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword in Mount Hua, after all.”
“Yes. I also think….”
“But will there still be Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword in Mount Hua a hundred years from now?”
“….”
Seol So-baek did not answer.
"A hundred years from now, Shaolin will still be the Northern Star of Jungwon. And they will remember the promises made by the previous bangjang. But... who knows what will happen to Mount Hua in a hundred years?"
"That’s…."
Seol So-baek, who was about to refute, quietly closed his mouth. This was because Maeng So’s words were not wrong.
“Personally, I don’t want to join hands with Shaolin. However, as a Gungju, I think no sect in the world can refuse the hand that Shaolin extends. Especially not an outer palace like ours.”
“….”
“As a gungju responsible t my people, it is not right for me to prioritize my feelings. There’s no guarantee that future generations won’t resent my decision if it leads our sect astray."
Seol So-baek bowed his head deeply.
"But maintaining loyalty to Mount Hua Sect, which has cared for the outer palaces until now, is also a duty a leader should uphold. So, I intend to follow whatever decision Maengju-nim makes. That is only natural.”
Im Sobyeong let out a small exclamation and looked back at Seol So-baek.
"What about you, Seol Gungju?"
"I…."
When Seol So-baek hesitated and couldn't answer, Im Sobyeong nodded as if understood.
“I understand. In fact, that is the most reasonable stance."
“So? What’s the answer to my question?”
"To be honest, from the perspective of Nokrim, I’d prefer it if they rejected the proposal. While Shaolin might not entirely cast us aside, we certainly wouldn’t receive the same treatment as we do now."
"And in the post-war rewards, we'd be pushed down the ranks?"
“Yes, that’s right. So, personally, I hope for that outcome, but…"
Im Sobyeong spread out his fan and covered half of his face.
"…But this time, Bop Jeong has made a move that is too clever. Perhaps this time… it will be difficult for both Maengju-nim and Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword to refuse the offer."
"But haven’t they refused every other offer up until now? So we can’t completely rule out the possibility that they’ll refuse this one too."
"That's because everything they’ve done so far has aligned with the greater Good of saving lives. But this situation is different. Think about it. What if they refuse this proposal and the Heavenly Comrade Alliance faces Evil Tyrant Alliance alone?"
Maeng So nodded as if he understood.
"…Any bloodshed that occurs due to insufficient power would fall squarely on the shoulders of those two."
“Yes. That choice could end up leading even more people to their deaths. So it’s not an easy decision."
Maeng So sighed. It was indeed a difficult matter.
"It was a reality we’d have to face eventually… but I never imagined it would come like this. Shaolin Bangjang is not someone to be underestimated."
Im Sobyeong's gaze turned towards the open window.
“I’m curious, too. What choice would he make when he finds himself in a situation where everything he has believed in up until now might actually harm what he was trying to protect?”
At those words, Namgung Dowi let out a long, heavy sigh.
As the atmosphere grew heavier, Im Sobyong gazed at the half-hidden moon behind the clouds.
'It's going to be a long night.'
For him, and for everyone else as well.
It seemed like it would be a very long night, especially for one person.
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