Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1201. What's the Difference? (1)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
"Then, the only one left is..."
Everyone's gaze turned to Tang Gun-ak.
With Mount Hua, Namgung, Nokrim, and two of Five Outer Palaces having already decided their representatives, the only one left was Tang Family.
"Gaju-nim?"
Feeling everyone’s eyes on him, Tang Gun-ak cleared his throat with a cough.
"Tang Family will..."
"Are Gaju-nim going yourself?"
"In other sects, the sect leader goes there themselves."
"..."
The corners of Tang Gun-ak's eyes twitched slightly in irritation.
"As it stands… Ahem. Right now, I'm not here as gaju of Tang Family but rather as the deputy leader of Heavenly Comrade Alliance, handling matters from that position. So, for matters related to Tang Family, please ask Sogaju."
"Isn’t that the same thing?"
"Even Mount Hua separates the roles of acting sect leader and sect leader, so naturally, Tang Family should do the same, shouldn't they?"
It felt like he was trying to sidestep the issue, but it was a bit tricky to challenge him further. Naturally, everyone's attention turned to Tang Pae, who was sitting quietly in a corner.
"Um… That’s…"
Feeling the intense gazes, Tang Pae awkwardly began to speak.
"Of course, there are many exceptional martial artists in Tang Family who could represent us…"
Before he could finish, the Five Swords began to whisper among themselves.
"Are there many?"
"There were many. But didn’t Gaju-nim, after colluding with Chung Myung, send every single one of them to the backroom?"
"Oh, you mean when they dissolved the Elder Council? In that case, there aren’t any."
Ignoring their remarks with great effort, Tang Pae continued.
"But, um… considering fairness among the sects and the symbolic meaning, it would be best if Gaju-nim himself..."
At that moment, Tang Pae felt a chill run down his spine and quickly turned his head. Tang Gun-ak's face had twisted into a terrifying, demonic expression before swiftly returning to a blank, neutral one.
"...."
"Directly?"
"N- No…"
Tang Pae stammered, sweating profusely.
"It would be ideal, but… as you know, if our Gaju-nim goes, there could be some… issues…"
"What kind of issues?"
"...There would be something, right?"
"Excuse me?"
"...."
Feeling the murderous intent stabbing into his back again, Tang Pae desperately racked his brain and stammered on.
"That’s... Right now, Gaju-nim is also the acting deputy leader of Heavenly Comrade Alliance and handles numerous responsibilities. If he were to leave, it would cause several disruptions in our operations, and..."
Jo-Gol and Yoon Jong started whispering again.
"Sahyung. Is Heavenly Comrade Alliance even doing anything right now?"
"...How would I know? But I don’t think there’s much going on."
"Then what disruption could there be?"
"Beats me."
Cold sweat began to bead on Tang Pae’s forehead.
These damn jackals. And they call themselves Taoists...
"I- If Gaju-nim were to leave, it could make things difficult for Maengju-nim."
"Oh, well then."
"That’s understandable."
"Sect Leader must have a lot on his mind lately; we shouldn’t burden him."
Tang Pae ground his teeth. These wretched Mount Hua bastards…
Sensing the conversation dragging on, Baek Cheon cut straight to the point.
"So, who’s going from Tang Family?"
"One of our elders..."
"An elder?"
“…."
Tang Pae glanced back at Tang Gun-ak. His father was smiling warmly, as if saying, "Why are you still deliberating over something that’s already decided?"
And Tang Pae felt he knew exactly what that decision was.
"...I'll go."
"Sogaju himself?"
"Yes. Since the leaders of other sects are going personally, shouldn’t I do the same?"
"Hmm. If Sogaju is going, then that settles it."
"Ahem."
As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Gun-ak cleared his throat and spoke.
"Well, it's a long journey, and it’s a dangerous one at that."
"...."
"Still, having Sogaju volunteer to go personally saves us some face. I appreciate it, Sogaju."
"Not at all. It’s only right that I go."
Tang Pae bit his lip slightly as he watched Tang Gun-ak smile warmly.
He didn’t used to be like this. When did he become so sly and crafty? Why?
"Well then, I suppose we have our conclusion."
Tang Gun-ak took the lead in organizing the situation.
"The ones heading to Hainan will be Sogaju of Namgung Family, Sogaju of Tang Family, Gungju of Ice Palace, Nokrim King, and…"
His gaze shifted to those seated around Baek Cheon, almost as if guarding him.
"Five Swords, as always?"
Baek Cheon glanced at those behind him.
"...Strictly speaking, they aren’t on the level of the leaders of other sects to participate in such an important mission."
"No, what are you saying….”
"But if they're willing, I'll take them along. It’s not as if they lack the martial prowess to protect themselves. Of course, this would be with the consent of the other sect leaders."
"I see no issue."
Tang Gun-ak nodded as if it was the most natural decision.
"I believe having them accompany you will also be beneficial for smoother negotiations. Right now, Five Swords of Mount Hua are the most recognizable symbol of Heavenly Comrade Alliance to the outside world."
"...A symbol, you say. That’s quite the exaggeration."
"Hmm? Are you unaware?"
"Yes?"
Baek Cheon tilted his head, puzzled.
"It’s often the case that as one’s reputation grows, they remain unaware. But it’s true—ever since the news of your activities in Gangnam spread, Five Swords has soared."
"…Is that true?"
"Of course, most of that fame belongs to Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword, but the fame of the other Five Swords, including you, is no longer something to be discussed merely on the level of rising stars."
“….”
Watching Five Swords’ mixed expressions, Tang Gun-ak smiled faintly.
"Who knows, you might each end up with your own nicknames. After all, people in the martial world can’t seem to rest until they’ve given everyone a nickname."
"Oh? Nicknames!"
Jo-Gol’s face lit up with excitement.
"So, we might be getting our own nicknames now?"
"...Are you that happy about it?"
"Of course! Sasuk and Sahyung all have nicknames, but we didn’t, so it felt a bit unfair. We fought hard too, after all."
"What if you end up with a weird nickname?"
"Ei, I’m sure my nickname will be something cool. Like Swift Wind Plum Blossom Invincible Sword (질풍매화무적검(疾風梅花無敵劍)) or something!"
"That’s the strangest thing of all. That..."
Tang Gun-ak smiled as he watched Jo-Gol's reaction.
If Baek Cheon hadn’t intended to bring the Five Swords along, Tang Gun-ak might have been the one to request their presence himself. In battles against Evil Tyrant Alliance, as well as Magyo, Five Swords had always been there.
They were no longer just junior disciples of Mount Hua. They had become the swords of Heavenly Comrade Alliance that fought against demonic forces, symbols of justice that would rush to any place where the wronged and oppressed needed aid.
Hainan Sect, too, wouldn't be completely isolated from the world. They must have heard of Five Swords’ exploits, and their treatment would undoubtedly change once they saw these heroes arrive in person.
"Then, we have... Yoo Iseol, Yoon Jong, Jo-Gol..."
Tang Gun-ak paused and looked at Tang Soso.
"…You don't have to."
"I'm going."
"The group seems large enough as it is."
"I'm going."
"...You might end up being a hindrance."
"I said I'm going."
When Tang Soso responded with a bright smile that didn't budge an inch, Tang Gun-ak's face grew noticeably distorted.
"Are you absolutely sure?"
"Father’s stating the obvious. This could be a dangerous journey. So of course I should follow. My Sahyung are yangbans who don't even know how to sew themselves up when they get stabbed and have their flesh torn."
"Since Sogaju is going himself, there’s no need for a physician."
"That’s…"
At that moment, Baek Cheon opened his mouth.
"Soso isn't going as a physician."
"...Hmm?"
Tang Gun-ak's gaze turned to Baek Cheon. With a firm expression, Baek Cheon continued.
"Soso will be accompanying us not as a physician, but as a sword representative of Mount Hua. Regardless of who else we bring, it would be difficult to find a swordswoman who could replace her."
"...."
"So please, grant her permission."
Tang Gun-ak’s lips twitched.
As a father who didn’t want to send his daughter into danger, it wasn’t easy to hear those words. Yet, at the same time, they were precisely the words he most wanted to hear.
After all, this child, who had once joined Mount Hua late and sought to compensate for her shortcomings with Tang Family’s medical skills, was now being recognized by the acting sect leader for her value as a swordswoman.
As expected, Tang Soso’s face flushed red upon hearing Baek Cheon’s words. Tang Gun-ak, sensing her excitement, had no choice but to nod in the end.
"If Acting Sect Leader insists, then it’s not my place to object. I give my permission."
"Thank you."
Baek Cheon bowed his head politely and then fixed his gaze forward as if there was no need to exchange looks with Tang Soso over something so obvious.
‘Indeed…’
Tang Gun-ak couldn’t help but nod unconsciously.
There were undoubtedly many differences between Hyun Jong and Baek Cheon. But the most prominent among them was the resolute will and confidence that Baek Cheon radiated.
"So, is the group finally settled?"
"It seems that way."
"Uh, Sasuk."
"Huh?"
"...I think you should take a look behind you."
"What?"
Baek Cheon turned his head. In one corner, he spotted Hye Yeon fidgeting restlessly, looking like an anxious puppy.
"…Monk?"
"That’s... Have a safe journey. Yes, have a safe journey, Dojang. I will stay here and pray to Buddha for your safe return…"
Jo-Gol whispered to Yoon Jong.
"What’s with the Monk?"
"Dunno. Maybe it's because of the mess his Bangjang caused, and he's embarrassed to travel with us since he's from Shaolin?"
"Does he really care about that sort of thing?"
Everyone turned to Hye Yeon with puzzled looks. Almost instantly, Hye Yeon's face turned beet red.
"...If only Bangjang had even half his sense of shame."
"Half? Even if he had just a tenth of it, he wouldn’t act like that."
"Come to think of it, maybe this yangban took all the decency, leaving nothing for Bangjang."
"Then the monk's to blame?"
"N- No, what did I do?"
Baek Cheon couldn’t help but chuckle as he watched Hye Yeon protesting as if he were wronged.
"Don't worry about it, and come along with us, Monk."
"I- Is that really alright? While the members of Heavenly Comrade Alliance may understand my position, to Hainan Sect, having someone from Shaolin might come across as an insult."
"I don't think you need to worry about that. No one would be foolish enough to think that all the sect leaders risked their lives just to mock them."
"Ah…"
Hye Yeon looked around at everyone present.
It was true that his presence might easily cause misunderstandings, but the caliber of those heading to Hainan seemed more than sufficient to dispel any such concerns.
"Then I will shamelessly accept your favor. Amitabha."
When it was confirmed that Hye Yeon would be joining as well, Jo-Gol looked around in amazement.
"Wow. Then, except for Beast Palace, the sect leaders, Sogaju, the acting sect leader, and even Monk Hye Yeon join us…."
Just as he expressed his admiration, Jo-Gol tilted his head as if something didn’t quite add up.
"Uh... No, Sasuk. But, um."
"What is it?"
"Wasn’t the original reason for sending a small elite team to Hainan to minimize risks and ensure safety, since it might be dangerous?"
"That's right. Didn't I explain that earlier? Why?"
"…Then why is it that all the most important leaders from each sect, who absolutely shouldn't die, are the ones going?"
"...."
Jo-Gol asked again, seemingly unable to understand.
"How is this any different from Heavenly Comrade Allianceflocking there altogether?"
"...."
No one.
No one had a proper answer to that question.
Not one.
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