Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1198. How on earth did you endure this? (3)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
“That... No, Acting Sect Leader.”
Tang Gun-ak, speaking in a slightly flustered tone, cleared his throat loudly. After a moment, he regained his composure and let out a deep sigh.
“Of course, I agree with Acting Sect Leader's assertion that we should head to Hainan.”
There’s no room for disagreement on this point.
Heavenly Comrade Alliance has already resolved to walk a different path from Ten Great Sects. At the heart of this decision was undoubtedly the journey to Hainan. If they hesitated to head there now, the words they had exchanged with Bop Jeong during the negotiations would be dismissed as mere lip service.
So, up to this point, it was simply the natural course of action.
"And I’m also aware that Hainan's current situation is far from favorable. If possible, it's best to act quickly. However, acting quickly and being hasty are not the same thing."
Baek Cheon also nodded as if he agreed.
“The journey to Hainan is not something to be taken lightly. We have to penetrate deep into Gangnam. Naturally, thorough preparation and precautions are essential. Acting hastily could ruin everything, don't you think?”
"I wholeheartedly agree with you, Tang Gaju-nim.”
Baek Cheon nodded and looked at Tang Gun-ak.
“To minimize casualties and to reduce the damage, sufficient preparation is indeed necessary.”
“But then, why...”
"And that’s precisely the reason."
“Hm?”
Tang Gun-ak tilted his head slightly, not fully grasping Baek Cheon's meaning. Baek Cheon then calmly elaborated.
“Right now, the fastest way to minimize losses is to move with haste."
“...Are you speaking about Hainan?”
“No, I am not.”
Baek Cheon answered immediately without a moment's hesitation.
“Of course, shortening the time will benefit Hainan as well. But the reason we really need to hurry is not for Hainan, but rather those heading toward Gangnam.”
“...Please explain in more detail.”
"This talk of going to Hainan isn’t something that just started today or yesterday. Even though only a select few within the alliance have discussed it, words eventually leak, don’t they?"
Tang Gun-ak nodded in agreement, acknowledging the truth.
“Recently, even Bangjang has come to know of our intentions. He, too, will need to explain to others why the negotiations broke down, and in doing so, he’s likely to discuss this matter."
Only then did Tang Gun-ak nod as if he now fully understood.
“So what you’re saying is that our journey to Hainan could be known to Evil Tyrant Alliance as well.”
“Yes, that’s correct. It's not that I distrust those I've shared my thoughts with. However, words are like water; they can’t be contained or bottled up forever. Even without malicious intent, or perhaps precisely because there’s no malice, they tend to leak all the more easily."
Tang Gun-ak's expression grew a bit serious. He found Baek Cheon’s words to be quite reasonable.
‘Evil Tyrant Alliance, huh...’
If Shaolin hadn’t intervened, the situation might have played out differently. But now, the likelihood of keeping their journey to Hainan a secret has diminished significantly.
“This just became complicated.”
Right now, from Heavenly Comrade Alliance's perspective, Gangnam was practically enemy territory. And if Evil Tyrant Alliance were to catch wind of their plans to head into Gangnam?
‘What used to be the enemy yard will turn into our graveyard.’
Tang Gun-ak, his face hardened, looked at Baek Cheon.
“Acting Sect Leader.”
“Yes, Tang Gaju-nim.”
“I understand what you’re saying. But I can’t deny that I have concerns. I understand that you're saying we should hurry because things might become more difficult, but…”
“You mean it could end up as a situation where we’re plunging into danger without adequate preparation.”
“That’s right.”
When Tang Gun-ak readily agreed, Baek Cheon continued speaking.
“I haven’t overlooked that point either. However, this time, taking our time won’t yield any solutions. While we deliberate, our enemies will also be coming up with their own countermeasures.”
“Hmm. But still...”
“And it’s Jang Ilso who will be devising those countermeasures.”
When Tang Gun-ak heard those words, he fell silent.
Matching wits and strategies against one another? Everyone present here knew how that scenario had ended before. In a battlefield where both sides are equally prepared, there’s no one in the current Kangho who can outmatch Jang Ilso.
“Of course, I understand. It may seem rash and dangerous.”
Tang Gun-ak did not deny and simply listened to Baek Cheon's words.
“But up until now, Heavenly Comrade Alliance has spent far too much time coordinating opinions and finding common ground to determine the best course of action. Perhaps that approach worked in the past, but it won’t suffice from now on.”
Tang Gun-ak's expression hardened slightly.
He understood exactly what “from now on” meant. Once the flames of war engulf Kangho, the leisurely approach of sitting down together to gather opinions and reach a consensus won’t work. What will matter then are swift decisions and bold actions.
“Is that what you think?”
“Yes, Tang Gaju-nim.”
Baek Cheon nodded.
“But if that choice turns out to be wrong, it could lead to irreparable consequences.”
“That’s why I proposed a time frame of three days. I can’t find the best solution on my own. However, with the individuals present here and given three days, if not the best, we should at least be able to find the second-best option.”
"......"
“I believe we need to find a compromise between the two methods. We should avoid being arbitrary, but dragging things out isn’t ideal either. Therefore, from now on, we must strive to find the answer within a limited timeframe.”
Tang Gun-ak lightly stroked his chin, lost in thought. Initially, he had thought it was a reckless and impulsive proposal, but upon hearing it out, it was an entirely rational argument.
He looked at Baek Cheon with newfound appreciation.
When Baek Cheon stood up to Bop Jeong with confidence, Tang Gun-ak already sensed he wasn’t ordinary, but now it was evident—this man was not to be taken lightly. While others were still caught up in the shock of him taking on the role of the acting sect leader, Baek Cheon had clearly already moved on to thinking about the next step.
’He might be impulsive and immature, but the acting sect leader of Mount Hua couldn’t afford to be like that, was it?’
Looking at this sight, he understood the meaning of what Baek Cheon said at that time.
"First..."
Tang Gun-ak slightly furrowed his brows as he spoke.
"Just to be absolutely certain, this is a suggestion made by Mount Hua in its capacity as a member of Heavenly Comrade Alliance, correct?"
"Of course, that’s correct. If there’s a better idea, we’re always open to changing our stance."
“I see.”
After addressing the necessary points, Tang Gun-ak asked again.
"You mentioned mobilizing personnel, but how many are you expecting? How many for each sect....”
"In my opinion, we should aim for one person from each sect, and ideally, the total number shouldn’t exceed ten."
Tang Gun-ak’s eyes widened in surprise for a moment.
"Are you saying you intend to go to Hainan with just that few?"
"Could we possibly take on Evil Tyrant Alliance with mere numbers?"
Baek Cheon shrugged.
"Even if we brought a hundred or two hundred people, if we were surrounded by Evil Tyrant Alliance in Gangnam, we’d be wiped out without being able to put up much of a fight. But if we were to mobilize enough to actually confront Evil Tyrant Alliance?"
"...That would be the start of a war."
"Yes, exactly."
Baek Cheon looked straight at Tang Gun-ak with resolute eyes.
"Therefore, we must keep our numbers going to Hainan to an absolute minimum."
“But then, if they find out, we won’t have enough strength to resist?”
"That’s why I specifically requested those who are confident in their martial skills. Also, it would be best if each sect could select individuals with exceptional lightness art (movement techniques/ì‹ ë²•)."
“…Lightness Art?"
"Yes."
Baek Cheon spoke with an air of righteousness, his face shining as if illuminated by a halo.
"Because if we get caught, we’ll need to run."
“......”
"And when we do, it’s best if everyone scatters in different directions. That way, the chances of survival are higher. We need people who can evade the pursuit of Evil Tyrant Alliance alone. That’s the top priority."
"Uh..."
It made sense. Yes, it did make sense, but…
Tang Gun-ak eventually failed to maintain his expression. He stared blankly at Baek Cheon, deep in thought.
'Is there any other person in the position of a Sect Leader who would say something like that?'
Even people who aren’t usually cautious start watching their words once they ascend to a high position…
Clearing his throat awkwardly, Tang Gun-ak nodded.
"So, Mount Hua's proposal is that we prioritize reaching Hainan quickly with a small group of individuals who excel in lightness art."
"Yes."
Tang Gun-ak said, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"It sounds like a good idea, but the lack of a solid plan is still an issue. First and foremost, if we manage to reach Hainan, we still face the problem of how to evacuate them safely, don't we?"
"That's not something we need to worry about."
“Hm? What does that mean?”
At that moment, the corners of Baek Cheon’s mouth twisted strangely.
"Normally, if it were following Heavenly Comrade Alliance's way, we'd have a perfectly devised plan on how to get Hainan out as well. But honestly, isn't that a pointless concern?”
“Why?”
“Even if we go to all the trouble of preparing everything and finally reach Hainan, what if they say they don't trust our plan and decide to just stay where they are? What could we possibly do then?”
"....Huh?"
Tang Gun-ak's face went blank for a moment. Baek Cheon straightened his posture and continued.
"The most important thing right now is to confirm Hainan's intentions. The rest can be discussed later. Every problem stems from the fact that we've lost contact with Hainan once Evil Tyrant Alliance took control of Gangnam."
“....Lost contact, you say.”
"Yes, I believe it's best to first focus on restoring that communication."
“Hmm. If that’s the case, then certainly, it would be a bit more...”
Tang Gun-ak, who had initially nodded in agreement, suddenly halted, realizing something odd.
“No... isn’t there a contradiction in what you’re saying? If they’re set on staying in Hainan, what meaning is there in establishing a communication network with them?"
A peculiar smile appeared on Baek Cheon's face when he heard that question.
“There’s no meaning for us, of course.”
“But then why?”
"Tang Gaju-nim. It’s not always essential for a person to only pursue meaningful actions. Sometimes, there is value in doing good, grounded in compassion, isn't there?"
“Compassion?”
"Think about it."
Baek Cheon spoke with a tone that carried a deep sense of pity.
“Our fellow brothers of the same alliance are isolated deep in enemy territory, unable to maintain proper contact. How much agony must the others be feeling over that?”
“The same alliance? Do- Do you mean Ten Great Sects?”
"Yes!"
A truly compassionate expression appeared on Baek Cheon's face.
“If Hainan is determined and decides to fight alongside Heavenly Comrade Alliance, then of course, Heavenly Comrade Alliance will step in and offer assistance. But even if they don’t intend to do so, simply turning our backs and leaving them there is inhumane. At the very least, we should restore their severed lines of communication since we’re going to Gangnam anyway.”
“Making sure Shaolin and Ten Great Sects receive the letters from the isolated Hainan, and ensuring that everyone in Kangho is aware of their plight. Isn’t that the duty of a human being, and the responsibility of a daoist?”
“...Is that really what you’d call ‘duty’?”
“Haha, Tang Gaju-nim.”
Baek Cheon smiled brightly.
“This is now the Tao (path/way) of Mount Hua.”
Tang Gun-ak's face grew pale. Of course, he wasn’t a Taoist, and it felt awkward to discuss the ways of Taoism in front of a Mount Hua disciple, but still, something seemed off...
At that moment, Tang Gun-ak's gaze naturally fell upon one individual. There had to be at least one person who would raise an objection to Baek Cheon's antics. After all, wasn’t there someone who always seemed ready to challenge everything he did? That guy must be…
"Oh?"
And then Tang Gun-ak saw it. Chung Myung, who just moments ago had been glaring daggers, now staring at Baek Cheon with eyes sparkling in admiration.
“That sounds pretty plausible?”
“Huhu, right?”
“If this works out well, we might even turn that big bald head of his a bright red.”
"This is the dignity of the sect leader, dear third-class disciple."
"Ugh... I’ll admit it this time.”
The tension drained from Tang Gun-ak’s eyes, which had been filled with bewilderment.
‘Is this really okay?’
He thought to himself. As soon as this meeting ended, he was determined to arrange a private audience with Hyun Jong, no matter what.
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