Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1180. I have something to tell you (5)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
Upon entering this room, there wasn’t a single person who hadn’t anticipated that Hyun Jong would bring up the subject.
And yet, when the expected words actually flowed from Hyun Jong’s mouth, everyone felt as if the air was stifling, unable to help but remain silent.
Isn't it strange?
Heavenly Comrade Alliance was undoubtedly a place of unique significance. To them, Heavenly Comrade Alliance was an eave to protect them from the rain and a wall against the harsh winds.
But objectively speaking, there is no reason why Ten Great Sects and Five Great Family could not play that role. In fact, it was Ten Great Sects and Five Great Family who have played that role longer than Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
So, it is no exaggeration to say that in reality, there is no significant difference. What matters isn’t where one belongs but rather the determination of the sect to carry out its will, isn’t it?
Yet, despite knowing this, they still couldn't understand why Hyun Jong's words came across so harshly.
Bop Jeong's expression was difficult to read, as if it concealed his true feelings. It was a mixture of heaviness and relief.
“Maengju-nim….”
"But."
Before Bop Jeong could continue speaking, Hyun Jong quickly opened his mouth first, cutting him off. It seemed as if he would not let Bop Jeong conclude the whole situation.
“Before that… there is something I must confirm.”
Bop Jeong slowly nodded his head while meeting Hyun Jong's heavy gaze.
“Yes, Go ahead.”
Hyun Jong, calming his increasingly erratic breath, spoke in a composed manner.
“Bangjang said that all of this was not just Bangjang’s and Shaolin’s greed, but was done for a greater cause.”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“And you said that Bangjang’s purpose was to save as many people as possible. Has that intention not changed?”
Bop Jeong nodded without hesitation.
“Of course, Maengju-nim.”
“If that is so, can you promise that in leading Ten Great Sects, Five Great Family, and even the Righteous Sects of the world, that purpose will not waver?”
“I promise.”
Was it because the answer came too quickly? Hyun Jong’s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Bop Jeong.
“Bangjang….”
“I do not answer lightly, Maengju-nim.”
Bop Jeong shook his head as if he had already guessed Hyun Jong's feelings.
“It is not an answer I gave without thought. It’s just that I didn’t need to think. If I hadn’t already steeled my resolve, how could I be here?”
“….”
“Maengju-nim. If Heavenly Comrade Alliance points a finger at me, I could laugh it off. But if the people of Ten Great Sects were to do the same, it would hurt too much, and the pain would be unbearable.”
As if understanding that sentiment, a deep sigh escaped from Hyun Jong’s lips.
“So then… how could I possibly utter falsehoods? How could I hesitate?”
“…I understand what you're saying.”
Hyunjong took a deep breath and opened his mouth again.
“And as Bangjang mentioned, the promise that the sects under Heavenly Comrade Alliance will be treated equally must also be upheld.”
“Amitabha.”
Bop Jeong replied firmly as if there was no need to consider.
“Unity is a good thing. Remaining divided is not. But what’s even worse is when those who have united split apart again.”
“…Yes.”
“It's my role to ensure that such a situation never arises. Now that we’ve become one, we can’t let people say we’re worse off than before. I will think and think again on how to prevent Ten Great Sects from dividing once more.”
Hyun Jong closed his eyes tightly. It was an answer that was neither excessive nor insufficient. That was why it was an answer that could not be faulted. Yes, there was no fault to be found.
A small laugh escaped Hyun Jong's mouth.
'I’ve been nitpicking, am I?'
Though he had already made up his mind, it seemed he had still been searching for an excuse to reverse his decision.
'This is greed, greed.'
Hyun Jong unconsciously turned his gaze to the others. They were all looking at him. Seeing their eyes, he felt a strange pang in his chest.
It may not have been a long time. Compared to Hyun Jong’s long and arduous life, the time he had spent with these people was brief, incredibly short.
But even though that time was short, the weight contained in each of those gazes was not light. What is right? What is wrong? Even at this moment, he was wavering and his mind was in disarray.
Hyun Jong was a man who readily admitted that he was not great. But this was not a decision he could push onto someone else. Whichever path he chose, he would have to bear the consequences.
‘I may not know what is right…’
If this decision demanded a price, and if someone had to bear the burden of disgrace, it should naturally be Hyun Jong. Even if this choice turned out to be wrong, the others could move forward using him as the stepping stone.
That was the burden that Hyun Jong, who enjoyed the position of leader of Heavenly Comrade Alliance, had to bear. That is the best he can show to those who have believed in him all this time.
“Maengju-nim.”
As if he had guessed his inner thoughts, Bop Jeong opened his mouth in a soft voice.
“I can fully understand why you may find me untrustworthy.”
“No, Bangjang. It’s not that I don’t trust you…”
“If I were in the same situation, I would have hesitated and conflicted like you, Maengju-nim. It’s not an easy answer.”
“….”
“But, Maengju-nim.”
The gaze of Bop Jeong grew heavier and darker than ever.
“Isn’t the position of Sect Leader one that requires bearing all such burdens?”
Hyun Jong closed his eyes and nodded. Though their positions were different, he could not disagree with that statement.
A headmaster was one who endures this heavy burden. Whether the sect was large or small, none are exempt.
A little later, when Hyun Jong opened his eyes again, his expression was much more relaxed than before.
‘It’s simply something I must bear.’
What he must be most cautious of was not that Heavenly Comrade Alliance might lose its practical advantages. It was that they might lose their sense of purpose and identity.
Losing possibilities. And thus losing the future. The young martial artist leading Heavenly Comrade Alliance must be wary of losing the possibility of blossoming by being held back by trivial matters.
‘Wasn’t I originally someone who endures the winter?’
He thought it was spring, but it seems that spring has not yet come. In that case, he must wait. For the time when those flowers will eventually bloom. What does it matter whether that place is Heavenly Comrade Allianceor or Ten Great Sects?
He simply had to become the fertilizer for them and wait for that time.
Hyun Jong's gaze turned to Chung Myung.
His face was blank, void of any emotion. It was clear that Chung Myung was trying not to burden Hyun Jong by showing his feelings.
Hyun Jong knows that countless emotions are swirling inside that expressionless appearance.
'Chung Myung-ah.'
There were times when that expression pierced Hyun Jong’s heart. (현종은 때때로 저 표정이 사무쳤다.)
The determination held in that tightly sealed mouth was focused on only one thing: respect for sect leader, and the unwavering will for the future of Mount Hua. Chung Myung was someone who lived solely for Mount Hua, almost to an obsessive degree.
So, Hyun Jong often wanted to ask.
‘Then, what exactly do you hold in your hands?’
The only thing Hyun Jong could do was to bear a small part of the heavy burden resting on Chung Myung’s shoulders.
“Bangjang.”
“Yes, Maengju-nim.”
“…I will believe Bangjang’s will.”
For a brief moment, an intense surge of emotion crossed Bop Jeong’s face. The fingertips resting on the edge of his robe trembled slightly.
“I still don’t know what is right and what is wrong. But… this is the best I can do at this moment.”
“Maengju-nim!”
Bop Jeong nodded vigorously.
“It will be so. No, I will make it so. I will prove that Righteous Sects united as one are correct so that the entire world can praise Hyun Jong Jinin wise decision for the sake of the world.”
“Just keep your word. That all of this is for the sake of protecting as many people as possible. That is the one thing you must uphold.”
“I will definitely do so.”
Hyun Jong nodded with a heavy heart. Prolonging such a situation would only leave both sides wounded. It was better for him to make a decisive choice, even if it meant being resented.
Hyun Jong, whose resolve had been strengthened, finally opened his tightly closed lips.
“I, Hyun Jong, in my capacity as Maengju of Heavenly Comrade Alliance declare here….”
“W- Wait a moment!”
At that moment, Jo-Gol, who had been restless the whole time, screamed.
“Se- Sect Leader! No, Maengju-nim! At least, for the sake of the others—!”
“Shut your mouth.”
“Sasuk!”
Jo-Gol looked back at Baek Cheon with a burning gaze.
“I said, shut your mouth.”
"This…!"
For an instant, rage flared in Jo-Gol’s eyes. His eyes were seething with bare emotions that should not be shown to his brother disciples.
But Baek Cheon suppressed Jo-Gol with his cold eyes. Jo-Gol's burning gaze and Baek Cheon's icy-cold gaze clashed fiercely.
After a moment of silence.
In the end, Jo-Gol, who was pushed out of his momentum, bit his lip so hard it bled. His head dropped weakly.
The atmosphere in the room grew even heavier.
No one could bear to look at the scene, turning their gazes away. It felt as though this situation perfectly reflected the current state of Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
Though their hearts screamed not to do so, their reason suppressed those emotions. And so, it was understandable. Jo-Gol, who couldn't bear it, and Baek Cheon, who suppressed him. This sight was bitter to everyone. Even Chung Myung was leaning against the wall and looking up at the ceiling. He turned his gaze away.
Amid the silent yet intense emotions that even Hyun Jong and the elders could not escape, the only one who remained calm was Baek Cheon. He silently looked at Jo-Gol’s trembling shoulders, then turned his gaze to Bop Jeong and slightly bowed his head.
“I apologize, Bangjang.”
“No, no. Think nothing of it. It's only natural, isn’t it?”
Bop Jeong shook his head gently with a kind expression. It wasn’t just a polite response—he fully understood Jo-Gol’s reaction. If he had been a young disciple of Mount Hua, he might have rebelled even more fiercely than Jo-Gol.
What surprised him was not Jo-Gol's reaction, but Baek Cheon's ability to maintain a frightening level of composure even in this situation.
‘Mount Hua is truly Mount Hua.’
These are the people who are growing up in the fields that Hyun Jong and Chung Myung cultivated. One day, far in the future, if someone like Baek Cheon became the sect leader, Mount Hua would become an even more fearsome sect than it is now.
At that moment, Baek Cheon raised his head and looked straight at Bop Jeong.
“However.”
"Hm?"
“This may not be the right time, but I must commit a small act of disrespect. I ask for your understanding.”
“…A disrespect?”
Bop Jeong asked with a puzzled look. For a moment, he did not understand what Baek Cheon was saying. It was no wonder, as Baek Cheon’s expression and his words were in complete contradiction.
Baek Cheon turned his gaze to Hyun Jong without any further explanation.
“Sect Leader.”
At the calm call, a lament-like sigh escaped Hyun Jong's mouth.
“Baek Cheon-ah. Now is not the time for that….”
“I have something to say.”
In that moment, Hyun Jong’s expression hardened. He could sense the unwavering determination in Baek Cheon’s voice.
Baek Cheon. The eldest second-class disciple of Mount Hua was looking at him without wavering. With gaze he had never shown before.
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