Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1181. I have something to tell you (6)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
At that moment, a memory from the past flashed through Hyun Jong's mind.
- I want to join Mount Hua Sect.
That was the first time he met a boy who climbed a rugged mountain alone, despite his tender age.
At that time, the sect was in visible decline, and Hyun Jong struggled just to get through each day. However, the moment he first saw the boy, Hyun Jong remembered the one word he had long forgotten: hope.
Yes. That’s how it was.
To Hyun Jong, who was worried that he might have to stop accepting disciples in order to avoid repeating the same sorrow, Baek Cheon's existence was a hope that Mount Hua's future might continue.
That very hope was now looking at him.
“Step back!”
Hyun Sang shouted sternly.
“This is where the leader of Ten Great Sects and the leader of Heavenly Comrade Alliance are discussing the future. Even if you were allowed to attend, you were not granted permission to speak. Do not act disrespectfully any further. Step back!”
But Baek Cheon shook his head.
“I will not.”
“Baek Cheon-ah!”
“Heavenly Comrade Alliance was originally a place that did not block the path of communication. Therefore, I think it would not be unworthy for me, as a disciple, to ask Sect Leader a few questions when facing such an important matter.”
“This rascal!”
“And furthermore.”
Baek Cheon continued, still looking at Hyun Jong.
“I understand the intentions behind Sect Leader’s actions, but rather than leave things to assumption, I believe that asking and answering to clarify those intentions is the better path for everyone involved. If this disciple’s thoughts were short-sighted, please punish me appropriately after this meeting.”
“This rascal really!”
The moment Hyun Sang was about to jump up from his seat, Hyun Jong raised his hand to stop him.
“Stop.”
“Sect Leader!”
“It’s fine.”
Hyun Jong shook his head, but even Hyun Sang, who absolutely followed the sect leader at all times, did not lighten his expression this time.
It was Hyun Jong's gentle reassurance that made him step down.
“It will be fine.”
Hyun Sang let out a heavy sigh but reluctantly returned to his seat.
Hyun Jong could understand why Hyun Sang was reacting so violently. It wasn’t about authority. It wasn’t about accusing Baek Cheon of disrespect toward Hyun Jong.
Hyun Sang was worried that Baek Cheon, soon to join Ten Great Sects, might say something that would offend Bop Jeong and incur his wrath.
“You’re not entirely wrong.”
Hyun Jong nodded and asked for Bop Jeong's understanding.
“I apologize, Bangjang. I know this is not something that should be discussed in front of a guest, but…”
“How can you refer me as a guest? Now that Mount Hua and Shaolin are practically family, think nothing of it.”
"…Thank you."
Hyun Jong, who had bowed his head toward Bop Jeong, finally faced Baek Cheon.
“You said you had something to say?”
“To be precise, I have a question.”
“I see. Go ahead.”
Hyun Jong looked at Baek Cheon with a slightly relaxed face.
Perhaps this was for the best. If he could provide a proper answer and gain his understanding, it would be a good outcome. And if his answer was lacking and caused discontent, that too wouldn’t be bad. Then, it would become clearer who would bear the responsibility.
“Then, as the eldest second-class disciple of Mount Hua Sect, I would like to ask on behalf of the other members of Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”
“Hm.”
As Hyun Jong nodded, Baek Cheon slowly opened his mouth.
“Do Sect Leader really believe that it is right for Heavenly Comrade Alliance to join forces with Ten Great Sects?”
“That’s right.”
“Then, this disciple, dare to seek the reason. When the leader makes a decision, we disciples must follow it. But before that, I believe we have the right to understand why you made such a choice.”
“That’s a difficult question.”
Hyun Jong took in Baek Cheon and everyone behind him at a glance. Those who were watching him with complex emotions in their eyes.
“Because what Bangjang said wasn’t wrong.”
“Not being wrong is a good reason. But I don’t think it is a complete one.”
“Right. That’s true.”
Hyun Jong took a moment to gather his thoughts and then spoke again.
“It’s because I agreed with the idea that saving even one more life is also a righteous cause.”
“Heavenly Comrade Alliance can also save more people.”
“That would be true. But Baek Cheon-ah, wouldn’t we have to spill too much blood to do so?”
Hyun Jong, who had been silent for a moment, spoke.
“To carry out the will of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, we must always take the lead and always rush into dangerous places. What we can achieve that way is not worthless. On the contrary, it is extremely important and precious. But... can you say that the price paid in blood will be small?”
“I cannot say that.”
“Yes, I think the same. That’s why I’ve been trying to find a way to spill even a little less blood.”
“If we were free to choose for ourselves, we will determine the price of that blood. But if we follow the orders of others, we will no longer have control over the cost.”
“That is why I repeatedly confirmed Bangjang’s true intentions. And even if we join Ten Great Sects, it doesn’t mean we have to blindly follow their orders, does it?”
Hyun Jong added, shaking his head.
“I must protect. And I must cherish. That is my duty, and I must fulfill it with the life I have left.”
Baek Cheon nodded.
“Then, does Sect Leader believe this is the right decision?”
Baek Cheon brought up the question that Hyun Jong had been struggling with endlessly.
“…I don’t know.”
Hyun Jong shook his head with a troubled expression.
“Deciding what is right or wrong is an incredibly difficult task. So, all I can do is try my best. It might seem frustrating or inadequate to you, I understand that.”
Baek Cheon nodded quietly.
“Then, what do you plan to do about the things that will be lost as a result of protecting what we currently hold?”
“….”
"The blood we don’t spill will only be paid for with someone else’s blood. If we, who have been taught to uphold righteousness and pursue chivalrousness, turn a blind eye to that and protect only ourselves, what value does anything we protect have?"
Hyun Jong closed his eyes.
These were the words he least wanted to hear.
To save more lives, you must look away from those who are dying. How contradictory is that? Following Bangjang meant, in the end, following that contradiction.
A sigh escaped Hyun Jong's mouth as he opened his eyes and looked into Baek Cheon's eyes.
If he wanted to, perhaps he could come up with some sort of excuse. But he was sect leader of Mount Hua. Facing his disciple’s gaze, he couldn’t bring himself to utter a convenient lie.
“Baek Cheon-ah.”
"Yes."
“Just as much as those who need to be protected, you and the others are equally precious to me.”
“….”
“You, the other disciples, Mount Hua, and all those who stand with Heavenly Comrade Alliance …”
There was deep regret in Hyun Jong’s voice.
“Indeed. That's what I said. That's what I taught. You should be willing to risk your life for Chivalrousness. But... I'm sorry. I'm such a worthless person that I can't even keep my own words."
“Sect Leader….”
“I don’t have the courage to praise you as you risk your life to uphold that Chivalrousness. All I want is for at least one more of you to survive, so you can do even more in the future.”
“….”
“So blame me. Resent me. This is all happening because I’m weak.”
Baek Cheon's face hardened. Hyun Jong shook his head with a slightly worn-out look.
“If that answers your question, then step back now. It wouldn’t be right to keep Bangjang waiting any longer, would it?”
“Then, I have one last question.”
“…What is it?”
“If Sect Leader was not the Sect Leader of Mount Hua but just a disciple of Mount Hua, would you have turned your gaze away from those who were dying?”
Hyun Jong fell silent. He opened his mouth several times to answer but, in the end, couldn’t say a word.
Baek Cheon spoke as if he had already heard the answer there.
"Understood."
“No. No. Baek Cheon, I….”
“That’s not it, Sect Leader.”
A look of doubt flashed across Hyun Jong's eyes for a moment. Not it?
“I understand now. Sect Leader isn’t wrong.”
“….”
“A position like Sect Leader should never be the same as a mere disciple. The decision that Sect Leader made for the sake of Mount Hua and Heavenly Comrade Alliance was not wrong. No one can deny that.”
“Baek Cheon-ah….”
“I’ve just realized something. Even if no one is wrong, the decisions made can differ. Because everyone’s position is different.”
Some of those who understood Baek Cheon’s words nodded solemnly.
They don't know what Baek Cheon's intention was in leading this conversation, but no one who heard this conversation would be able to criticize Hyun Jong.
Hyun Jong looked into the distance with eyes full of regret. Baek Cheon spoke calmly.
“I think it’s really fortunate that Sect Leader is the Sect Leader of Mount Hua Sect.”
“…Thank you.”
When Hyun Jong, with a bitter smile, was about to dismiss him, Baek Cheon asked another question.
“Sect Leader. Is the decision Sect Leader made as Sect Leader of Mount Hua? Or is it the decision Sect Leader made as Maengju of Heavenly Comrade Alliance?”
“…Both. Neither one was neglected.”
“I see. That answers everything.”
Baek Cheon bowed his head toward Hyun Jong.
At that moment, Hyun Jong saw it. The emotion of 'resignation' flashed across the faces of those who could not help but feel discontented, and the faces of those who could not help but feel their emotions seething inside.
Even if they couldn’t accept the decision with joy, they had, at last, come to terms with it. And it was none other than Baek Cheon who had brought them to this realization.
‘…Baek Cheon-ah.’
Since when did Baek Cheon grow so much? For a moment, a ray of light seemed to enter Hyun Jong's heart, which had been filled with heavy darkness.
‘Yes, this is enough.’
As long as he could protect these disciples, there was nothing he couldn’t do. That’s why he could move forward with conviction.
But it was at that very moment.
Baek Cheon straightened his back and faced Hyun Jong directly.
“So...”
"Hm?"
At that moment, Baek Cheon's appearance seemed even bigger to Hyun Jong's eyes.
“It may not be appropriate to do this in a seating meant to discuss the affairs of Heavenly Comrade Alliance, but since this is not a situation where we have choice with the timing, I, Second-class disciple Baek Cheon, would like to request one thing as the great disciple of Mount Hua towards Sect Leader.”
“…A request? What is it?”
“Sect Leader.”
The atmosphere instantly grew silent.
Even those who had been quietly observing the situation sensed that something significant was about to happen and held their breath. All eyes were fixed on Baek Cheon’s broad back as he sat facing Hyun Jong.
“As the eldest disciple of Mount Hua, I humbly make this request.”
Even under everyone's attention, Baek Cheon spoke with a resolute gaze and a voice unshaken by even the slightest tremor.
“Please appoint this disciple as the sect leader of Mount Hua Sect.”
The voice fell like thunder, breaking the tense silence.
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