Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1202. What's the Difference? (2)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
"Well..."
Namgung Dowi glanced at Tang Gun-ak, gauging his reaction, before letting out an awkward laugh.
"Isn’t this a good thing? Hainan will clearly see our sincerity."
Namgung Dowi genuinely believed that. What better way to show their sincerity than for the sect leaders themselves to visit Hainan in person?
But Jo-Gol seemed to have a little different thought about it.
"Wouldn’t we be lucky if they don’t feel threatened?"
"T- Threatened?"
When Namgung Dowi turned at him as if to ask what that meant, Jo-Gol shrugged his shoulders and said.
"Think about it. Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s member sects aren’t exactly pushovers, right?"
“....That’s right.”
Calling them "not pushovers" was an understatement. While Heavenly Comrade Alliance might not yet be on the same level as Ten Great Sects, it was undoubtedly one of the top three powers in the world.
"We’ve got Namgung Family and Tang Family, who were central to Five Great Family, Nokrim—one of Five Great Evil Sects, and even two of Five Outer Palaces."
"Hmm..."
"Now, do you think Hainan would see any of these sects as something they can take lightly?"
“I... don’t think so?”
Despite being part of Ten Great Sects, Hainan was the last to join, barely a hundred years ago. Objectively, the side feeling more pressure in this situation would undoubtedly be Hainan.
"And yet... imagine all the sect leaders from Heavenly Comrade Alliance showing up at Hainan’s doorstep, saying, ‘We’ve come with good intentions, so you’d better join us while we’re being nice.’"
At that moment, a scene played out in everyone’s minds.
The scene of Hainan’s sect leader being surrounded by Heavenly Comrade Alliance leaders who, when talking about bad temperaments, even the Ten Great Sects won’t dare compete with, that is.
"Uh…"
"Yeah, that’s quite the scene..."
“There is even a sect leader of Evil Sect.”
The awkwardness in the room grew as Namgung Dowi, now sweating, tried to explain.
"We- We’re not there to make threats! We’re simply suggesting that joining Heavenly Comrade Alliance would be beneficial for Hainan’s future..."
"Isn’t that basically the same thing? ‘Join us, or we’ll leave. But if we leave, Shaolin won’t help you, and you’ll be doomed. So, unless you want to fall, you’d better join.’"
“......”
“That’s a threat.”
At that, Five Swords started murmuring amongst themselves.
“Now that you mention it?”
"That’s pretty scary."
"Yeah, really scary."
"If it were me, I’d be terrified."
At this point, it almost felt like a blessing that Tang Gun-ak wasn’t going. The thought of him standing a few paces away, glaring, while the other leaders surrounded Hainan’s sect leader would be enough to make anyone offer even something they don’t have.
"...At this point, can we even call this peaceful Chivalry, Sahyung?"
“Tsk, tsk. Don’t you understand?"
"Yes?"
Yoon Jong looked at Jo-Gol with a pitying expression.
"Chivalry is always backed by strength."
Jo-Gol blinked in confusion.
“N- No, what do you mean?”
"Think about it. Chivalry that doesn’t require strength isn't Chivalry at all."
“T- Then?”
"That’s just doing a good deed."
"Huh?"
Jo-Gol’s eyes widened in surprise. It sounded ridiculous, but the more he thought about it, the more sense it made. Seeing his bewildered expression, Yoon Jong nodded in agreement.
“It’s called Chivalry instead of good deed because the problems are solved by beating people up to submission. And isn’t that exactly what we’re about to do?”
“That’s true?”
"Exactly. So of course, we need to use strength."
“Wow. This Saje didn’t know that. Indeed, this is Mount Hua’s Chivalrousness.”
“No, you crazy bastards!”
Baek Cheon, unable to hold back any longer, yelled in frustration. Jo-Gol tilted his head in confusion.
“Sahyung, Acting Sect Leader says we’re wrong.”
“Tsk, tsk. Gol-ah, you still don’t understand. When you’re in a position as lofty as the acting sect leader, sometimes you have to say what’s wrong is right, and what’s right is wrong.”
"Ah, so he’s not saying what he really means."
"Exactly. After all, wasn’t it the acting sect leader who came up with this plan in the first place? And if you think about it, the acting sect leader is practically the founder of 'Mount Hua-style Chivalrousness.'"
“Of course!”
“N- No, it isn’t!”
Watching the exchange, Tang Gun-ak gazed up at the ceiling with a resigned expression.
'Should I have just held hands with Bangjang?'
At least then, the one suffering through this madness would have been the head monk, not him. In retrospect, that might have been the best way to get back to Bangjang. Why hadn’t he thought of that earlier?
Tang Gun-ak let out a deep sigh and straightened his expression.
"Anyway, this isn’t something to joke about."
Everyone looked at Tang Gun-ak at his change of tone.
"I can’t fault your determination to go to Hainan personally... but we must recognize that the weight of those heading there is much greater than we originally anticipated. Objectively speaking, shouldn’t we say that this is an unprecedented situation?”
“If, by some misfortune, something were to happen to the sect leaders going to Hainan, the consequences would be immeasurable. Depending on the situation, it could even threaten the very existence of Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”
After saying this, Tang Gun-ak glanced at the other sect leaders. He knew, even as he spoke, that his words wouldn’t change their minds.
Who could blame them? In the first place, Heavenly Comrade Alliance was a place where such people gathered. That's why they were part of Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
"So, the most important thing is ensuring a safe return. Don’t forget what responsibilities you carry.”
At his words, everyone nodded solemnly.
Finally, Tang Gun-ak's gaze shifted to Baek Cheon. It was a brief glance, but Baek Cheon understood its meaning perfectly.
This whole endeavor had been started by Baek Cheon. If anything went wrong, the responsibility would fall on him. Even if the sect leaders were participating voluntarily, it would still be on Baek Cheon’s shoulders.
It wasn’t a look of reprimand but one of concern and worry. Baek Cheon understood this and nodded gravely.
Seeing the resolve in Baek Cheon’s eyes, Tang Gun-ak allowed himself a small smile.
"But..."
Tang Gun-ak’s voice, filled with the authority befitting the head of Tang Family, resonated through the room.
“If you think about it from another angle, there’s no better way to clearly show Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s resolve and intentions to the world than through this very mission.”
"We’ve declared that we are taking a different path from Ten Great Sects. If that declaration ends in mere words, our decision will eventually be judged as nothing more than a selfish act driven by personal grievances."
Everyone nodded in agreement at his words.
"I’ve come to learn through life that sometimes there is no right or wrong choice. A choice is just a choice. What matters is proving that the choice you made was the right one."
This was Tang Gun-ak's honest belief.
Throughout the years, Heavenly Comrade Alliance, Mount Hua, and Tang Family had repeatedly made decisions that the world had deemed wrong. Yet, they had come this far because they proved, through their swords and their will, that their choices were not wrong.
He knew. The moment they ignored the cry of their hearts and began talking only about the practical risks, they would end up no different from Shaolin Bangjang.
The path that Heavenly Comrade Alliance had chosen now was to prove they were different from Shaolin. Not to anyone else, but to themselves.
Suppressing the worries and concerns rising in his heart, Tang Gun-ak looked at everyone with a firm expression.
“And so, go and come back proudly. In the name of Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”
The response came as one.
"Yes!"
Filled with fiery determination.
***
Negotiations between Shaolin and Heavenly Comrade Alliance broke down.
Bangjang of Shaolin, Great Teacher Bop Jeong, had suggested that the two factions put their past grudges behind them and unite once again under the banner of Righteousness to prepare for the impending disaster facing the world. But Heavenly Comrade Alliance had flatly rejected the proposal.
In response, Great Teacher Bop Jeong expressed his fury at Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s prioritization of its own power over the crisis facing the world and declared that Shaolin would not cooperate with them.
- The insidious forces of Evil Tyrant Alliance are on the rise, and Magyo, which disappeared a hundred years ago, is in motion. In the face of this, Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s selfish behavior is not the conduct of those walking the Righteous path. Shaolin, along with Ten Great Sects, firmly denounces Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s reckless actions.”
This news spread across Kangho with astonishing speed.
The reactions of those who heard the news were varied.
“Isn’t Heavenly Comrade Alliance going too far?”
Upon hearing this, a man’s face twisted with anger.
“What? This guy… Are you out of your mind? How can you curse Heavenly Comrade Alliance? When powerless people were suffering, who was the first to rush to their aid? Who was it that ran to Hangzhou when Magyo massacred the people there?"
"No, that's not what I'm saying? I’m just saying, Heavenly Comrade Alliance has always helped the common people, right? So wouldn’t it make sense for them to unite with Ten Great Sects and offer even more help? Why would they reject that?"
“Because they don’t trust those Ten Great Sects! How could they trust them? Ten Great Sects just stood by and watched while their own comrades were being slaughtered because they were too afraid for their own lives!"
A middle-aged man listening to the heated argument furrowed his brow.
"Even if Ten Great Sects aren’t what they used to be, they’ve still protected people for hundreds of years as righteous sects. Do you really think they’d just sit by and do nothing if Evil Tyrant Alliance and Magyo invaded the north? Their own lives are on the line too."
“...I suppose that’s true.”
"Then shouldn’t they join forces to fight together? From what I’ve heard, Great Teacher Bop Jeong made quite a few concessions to Heavenly Comrade Alliance. And yet, they still rejected the proposal. Doesn’t that show that Heavenly Comrade Alliance is now more concerned with something else?"
“Something else?”
“Power. Wouldn’t they crave power now? Heavenly Comrade Alliance isn’t a small force anymore, after all.”
“This guy keeps speaking whatever comes to mind! Hey, man. You’re going to get punished for this. Heavenly Comrade Alliance has done so much for the world.”
"Don’t act like you know everything. Do you think Ten Great Sects were always like this? They used to do exactly what Heavenly Comrade Alliance is doing now. Back when Magyo first reared its head, it was Ten Great Sects who risked their lives to protect the world."
“That’s......”
The man, left with little to say, trailed off.
Indeed, there was a time when Ten Great Sects were symbols of righteousness. But isn’t the one undeniable truth about the world that everything changes?
"No matter what, it’s hard to believe Heavenly Comrade Alliance has changed so quickly."
"Don’t jump to conclusions. If they truly prioritized protecting the innocent, they would’ve accepted the proposal even if it came from Ten Great Sects. But what did they do instead? They rejected the offer outright.”
“......"
"When Evil Tyrant Alliance or Magyo invades, even a three-year-old child knows that the losses will be fewer if we stand united rather than divided. I’m deeply disappointed in Heavenly Comrade Alliance this time."
"You’re just saying that because your nephew is an inner disciple to that Kongtong Sect, aren’t you. Look at yourself—your arm is bending too deep inward, you’d barely be able to use chopsticks." (‘arm bent inward’ means being biased to profit one’s self or their people)
“What? Are you done talking?”
“What! Did I say something wrong?”
“This guy!”
As the two men’s voices rose sharply, the inn grew noisy. The other people frowned but didn’t step in to stop them. They, too, were caught up in their own complicated thoughts.
In the corner of the inn, a beggar quietly watched the scene unfold. His darkened gaze softened as a disgruntled server approached him with an annoyed look.
The beggar took the stale rice offered to him with a grin, then quietly slipped out of the inn.
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|Note
"Don’t act like you know everything. Do you think Ten Great Sects were always like this? They used to do exactly what Heavenly Comrade Alliance is doing now. Back when Magyo first reared its head, it was Ten Great Sects who risked their lives to protect the world."
It’s as if Mount Hua's activities are being erased. And Ten Great Sects who let things come to this...
Thank you for the Chapter """
ughhh i judt wish everyone would know jt was mount hua who sacrificed everything