Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1190. This is the path we will walk from now on (5)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
Was it right? Was it wrong?
Chung Myung was not qualified to make that judgment. Because he was directly involved.
No matter how fiercely he opposed Cheong Mun, the fact remains that he was a complicit bystander who could not stop what Mount Hua Sect did at the time. That’s why he couldn’t pass judgment.
He could sigh and complain, he might even become angry at those who belittled the will of their predecessors, but he could never bring himself to say that the choices of his predecessors were right in front of those who had lived through the suffering their decisions had brought.
But now, those who inherited their will were saying that their predecessors had not been wrong, even though Chung Myung had never once forced such thoughts on them.
If his Sahyung, including Cheon Mun, were really watching this scene from the afterlife... Baek Cheon's words would have been a greater comfort to them than the status of Mount Hua, which was rising day by day, or Chung Myung's achievement, who was left alone to roam Jungwon.
Because they realized that what they were trying to convey by sacrificing their lives had ultimately led to this point. Because they could confirm that their deaths had not been in vain.
Baek Cheon smiled broadly as he looked at Bop Jeong.
"That’s why we intend to walk our own path, Bangjang."
"......"
"Of course, it may seem foolish and stupid to Bangjang. But… isn’t there a need for such fools in this world?"
With those words, he deeply bowed his head toward Bop Jeong.
“I hope Bangjang understands that I cannot accept your proposal.”
“...Amitabha.”
Bop Jeong closed his eyes and chanted prayer. After a silence that seemed a little long, he slowly opened his eyes. He glanced around at the other sect leaders.
"Do the other members of Heavenly Comrade Alliance share the same opinion?"
“Yes.”
The first to answer was Tang Gun-ak. He nodded with a serious expression and added:
“It may be a childish remark, but I believe there is nothing wrong with the words of Mount Hua’s Acting Sect Leader."
"......”
"And perhaps, it’s decisions like his, made by people like him, that change the world, not those made by the old and cunning. Decisions that may seem foolish and impulsive to those who have conformed to the world."
A faint smile deepened on Tang Gun-ak’s face.
"I am not wise enough to judge what is right or wrong, but at least, I will not regret following this choice. No matter what the consequence may be."
Namgung Dowi also nodded in agreement and spoke up.
“Bangjang.”
“...Please speak, Sogaju.”
"I do not wish to say that my father’s choices were always right either. His decisions were certainly hasty."
Bop Jeong wore a solemn expression. On the contrary, Namgung Dowi's expression was calm.
“But even so, I don’t want to deny the spirit that my father had in his heart. If we lose that spirit, wouldn’t it be the same as losing everything for Namgung?”
“......”
“That is why Namgung Family also wants to share the same will with Mount Hua. In order for Namgung Family to regain the title of the greatest family under the heavens, the one thing we must never lose is that spirit."
A faint smile appeared on Bop Jeong’s lips.
It wasn’t because he agreed with them. It was simply that he had realized how old he had become.
He still found it difficult to empathize. It still seemed impulsive. The world was not something that could be overcome with mere willpower, was it? But…
‘Perhaps I was the same.’
Bop Jeongs of the past would not have been so different from these people now. He had eventually accepted the world and chiseled away at himself. But these people were now declaring they would walk a different path.
Were they wrong? Or…
"There’s no need to hear from the others, is there?"
The look in their eyes already made it clear what their decision was.
"I...."
Bop Jeong paused for a moment and looked at Hye Yeon. The corners of Bop Jeong’s mouth curled up a little more at Hye Yeon’s gaze, which faced him head-on instead of looking away.
"As a mere Buddhist, I respect your choice. How could I possibly belittle such a lofty spirit?"
Hye Yeon's eyes widened slightly. But Bop Jeong soon shook his head.
“But as Shaolin Bangjang, not as a Buddhist, I find it difficult to respect your choice. Because if that spirit leads to a disastrous outcome, your deaths alone will not be enough to bear the consequences."
“Bangjang......”
For once, Bop Jeong showed a slightly bitter expression.
“Therefore.... Shaolin, along with Ten Great Sects and Five Great Family that stand with us, will no longer offer any support to Heavenly Comrade Alliance, and we will clearly oppose any independent actions taken by Heavenly Comrade Alliance from this point forward."
Baek Cheon's face hardened slightly.
It was no different from saying that Ten Great Sects would officially announce that Heavenly Comrade Alliance and Ten Great Sects were no longer on the same side.
He had been prepared for this, but hearing it directly from Bop Jeong's mouth sent a chill down his spine. More than anyone, he understood just how deep the history and legitimacy that came with the three words of Ten Great Sects.
"Furthermore, Ten Great Sects will not intervene in any disputes that arise between Heavenly Comrade Alliance and other sects."
“Bangjang!”
The one who responded to these words was Tang Gun-ak.
Others might have brushed it off, but Tang Gun-ak clearly understood what this meant. This was essentially a declaration that even if Evil Tyrant Alliance were to attack Heavenly Comrade Alliance, Ten Great Sects would not come to their aid.
This declaration meant only one thing:
A complete split.
Up until now, Shaolin had recognized Heavenly Comrade Alliance as a branch of Righteous Sects and saw it as something they should embrace, even if only in a limited sense. Thus, while there had been conflicts, they had never displayed outright hostility.
But now, Bop Jeong had declared here, at this moment, that they would no longer even consider Heavenly Comrade Alliance as a potential ally.
In the history of Kangho, had there ever been a time when Ten Great Sects, led by Shaolin, openly declared hostility toward another group from the same Righteous Sects?
Perhaps this was about rejecting even the notion that Heavenly Comrade Alliance was part of the "Righteous Sects." After all, Shaolin and Ten Great Sects were the ones who protected all commoners and Righteous Sects of the world.
Conversely, doesn't that mean that those who would no longer receive their protection would effectively not be considered part of Righteous Sects? The price for declaring a different path was far too great to bear.
Bop Jeong's gaze, which had been looking at the Tang Gun-ak, shifted to Baek Cheon. Despite making such a grand declaration, Baek Cheon remained unchanged. He simply calmly accepted Bop Jeong's gaze.
‘How admirable.’
Bop Jeong did not make this declaration out of ill will toward them.
He now understood why Mount Hua and Heavenly Comrade Alliance wished to walk this path. But Bop Jeong, too, had his own path to follow. He had come too far to stake everything on just one word: Righteousness (의기).
Therefore, he had to do his utmost from his own standpoint. To unite even one more force and resist those who would soon engulf the world, he needed to prevent others from joining Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
Even if it meant labeling Heavenly Comrade Alliance as evil in the process.
“I trust you will understand.”
Though the words were as cold as ice, Bop Jeong's tone remained still, as if it wasn’t he who had spoken them. Baek Cheon sighed softly after being asked that question.
“Honestly, it’s difficult to understand.”
Then, as he lifted his head, he straightened his shoulders and faced Bop Jeong with confidence.
“If that’s the way Bangjang upholds his cause, then we have no right to criticize Bangjang either.”
Bop Jeong smiled faintly.
Heavenly Comrade Alliance had solidified its stance, and Ten Great Sectshad gained the justification to suppress their momentum.
It wasn’t the outcome he had wanted, but it wasn’t as if he’d gained nothing. If he hadn't made his position on Heavenly Comrade Alliance clear, he would still be being dragged around by Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
“Then, that will be all.”
Bop Jeong stood from his seat, signaling the end of this long conversation. Everyone else stood as well, their eyes fixed on him.
“Amitabha.”
Bop Jeong folded his hands and chanted the Buddha’s name.
“Although parting on good terms seems difficult now, we cannot say this meeting was without meaning, as we have confirmed each other’s positions.”
“We think so too.”
Bop Jeong's gaze shifted from Baek Cheon to Chung Myung. Bop Jeong's gaze, which had been looking at Chung Myung with a strange expression, then turned to Hye Yeon, who had his eyes closed.
“The reason why lofty ideals eventually crumble is that the path to realizing those ideals is unbearably painful.”
His voice was etched into everyone’s ears.
“As a martial artist before being Bangjang of Shaolin, I pay my respects to all of you who made such difficult decisions. I hope your path isn’t too arduous.”
When Bop Jeong slowly bowed his head, everyone else bowed in return.
"Then."
Without hesitation, Bop Jeong turned to leave.
Jongni Hyeong, who seemed to have some regrets, stared at the others and followed Bop Jeong out of the room. The other sect leaders also left the room to see Bop Jeong off.
“No need to see me off.”
“But it’s only proper etiquette…”
“It would put me more at ease that way.”
“If that’s the case....”
Bop Jeong smiled brightly and looked at Hyun Jong.
“Maengju-nim.”
“Yes, Bangjang.”
“You have raised excellent disciples.”
“…They are far more than I deserve.”
Bop Jeong smiled broadly and said.
“I hope we can meet again with smiles on our faces.”
“I hope so too.”
“May you be well.”
As Bop Jeong walked towards the main gate of the manor, everyone watched his retreating figure. And at that moment, Hye Yeon, who had been holding back until the end, ran forward.
Bop Jeong, sensing the presence, glanced back.
Although he rushed over, Hye Yeon hesitated because he didn't know what to say, so Bop Jeong spoke first.
"Go through it yourself."
“You have only seen their will. You have only seen what they’ve achieved. But now that you understand the cost of that will, from now on, you too will bear part of that responsibility.”
“…Yes, Bangjang.”
“Then, you will realize something. It’s a path you would never have been able to walk within Shaolin.”
That was it.
Without leaving any blessings, praises, or even words of resentment, Bop Jeong left the manor without a hint of regret.
Tang Gun-ak sighed as he watched his imposing steps.
“Bangjang is Bangjang, after all.”
"...Yes."
Baek Cheon nodded in agreement.
“It’s only fitting that such a man became Shaolin’s Bangjang.”
Tang Gun-ak said with a faint smile.
“Do not worry too much.”
"Yes?"
“Becoming Mount Hua's Acting Sect Leader is not a position just anyone can hold.”
A smile, much like Tang Gun-ak’s, spread across Baek Cheon’s face.
“I suppose it must be so.”
Baek Cheon's gaze turned away from Bop Jeong and toward the high sky. It was a cloudless expanse.
“Certainly.”
The boundless blue sky simply watched over them all.
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Thank you for the Chapter"""