Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1206. Now the Sect is Running Properly! (1)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
Power has been with human history, and has driven countless people to ruin. Power was like a double-edged sword; those who wield it incorrectly are bound to lose everything they have.
Even so, people cling to it because, despite the risks, it holds enough value to be worth pursuing.
But here, the young swordsman who has risen to become the most powerful person in Mount Hua was wondering whether the power he now possesses was worth as much as a stone lying on the roadside.
“Take this, and make sure to take this too.”
"...Thank you."
“And before you leave, don’t forget to stop by and get some travel expenses from me.”
"Yes. I won’t forget."
"When the water changes, the kids might get stomach aches, so make sure to tell Soso in advance to prepare some medicine."
"What martial artists would get a stomach ache because the water changed...?"
"Then if they do get sick, will Sahyung take responsibility?"
"...I'll tell them."
“Tsk.”
...It's uncomfortable.
Of course, Baek Sang was never the kind of Saje that Baek Cheon always felt comfortable around. Anyhow, Baek Sang was the second among Baek generation's disciples, a position that Baek Cheon naturally had to respect. Besides, Baek Sang had helped him with many things in the past, acting as his hands and feet.
So Baekcheon was always somewhat mindful of Baek Sang's feelings. But how should he put it... the uncomfortable feeling he felt now was a little different.
"That... Sang-ah."
"What?"
"…Never mind."
Baek Sang, who had been glaring at Baek Cheon, suddenly turned his head and started rummaging through the supplies.
"It’s not like you’re a calf that got hit by a hot iron..."
“.....”
"I look away for a second, and they’ve already caused trouble. Look away again, and there’s more trouble!"
“.....”
"And who’s the one cleaning up all that mess? Ugh, such is my fate. I'm going to become Finance Hall Elder at this age."
“That.... I'm just taking on the role of acting sect leader. It's not like anything will particularly change for you all..."
Baek Cheon stopped mid-sentence. Baek Sang, as if too tired to even argue, pulled something out of his sleeve and shoved it in Baek Cheon’s face.
When Baek Cheon saw the bundle of keys hanging on a thick iron ring, his expression turned slightly strange.
"Do you know what this is?"
"…Looks like keys?"
“The warehouse! The keys to the warehouse where we store food and supplies! Keys!"
Baek Cheon, who had been blankly staring at the bunch of keys, tilted his head.
"What's that small key in the middle? Why is it gold-plated…?"
"Yes, you noticed it well. That's exactly the problem, that!"
Baek Sang raised his voice, his eyes wide open. Baek Cheon flinched and took a step back at the momentum.
“Do you know what this is?”
“Y- You just asked me.....”
"It's the key to the safe, the safe! The safe that Elder Hyun Young carries around like a sacred treasure wherever he goes! The sect's safe that's only in Elder Hyun Young's room! It’s the key to that safe! The key to Mount Hua's safe that the Elder brought here all the way from Shaanxi!"
“.....”
“Not once in his life he let this go! He held it in his mouth even when bathing, and now he's handed that key over to me! Do you know what this means?”
Of course, I do. How could I not...
"The Elders are already delighted at the thought of handing over their responsibilities, but the very person who caused trouble is having a flower garden blooming in his head!"
“I’m, I’m sorry.”
"Ei, seriously!"
Baek Sang huffed angrily. Baek Cheon, who had gotten a little scared, neatly clasped his hands in front of him.
"I thought this would be a story from at least twenty years later."
"Me, an Elder. Aigoo, my stomach..."
Baek Cheon bowed his head deeply.
For others, it was enough to just flaunt their title as an elder and continue doing what they were used to, but Baek Sang’s case was very different. He was the person who had to become the Head Elder of the Finance Hall following Hyun Young.
If you consider the workload in Mount Hua, it was the Finance Hall that had no equal. Naturally, Baek Sang's stomach, who had to be forcibly placed in the position of the Finance Hall Head Elder, could only twist and turn.
"So!"
"Huh?"
Baek Sang speaks with narrowed eyes.
"Have you decided on the position of the Martial Hall Head Elder?"
"M- Martial Hall Head Elder?"
“Yes! Martial Hall Head Elder!”
“That’s, uh.... If Elder Hyun Sang steps down, then Un Gum Sasuk would be..."
“Un Gum Sasuuuuuuuuuk?”
When Baek Sang rolled his eyes again, Baek Cheon shut his eyes tightly.
“The sect leader is Baek Cheon, the Finance Hall Head Elder is Baek Sang! But the Martial Hall Head Elder is Un Gum Sasuk? No matter how much the sect is turned upside down, there's a limit to lawlessness! Are you saying you'll receive reports from Un Gum Sasuk now? Huh?"
"T- That can't be! Right! That doesn't make sense!"
"Then who will you put in that position?"
"That’s…."
Baekcheon shut his mouth like a clam. Baek Sang, unable to contain his frustration, clutched at his own chest.
"I shouldn’t have even brought it up! Why did I..."
“.....”
"Sahyung."
"Uh... Yes?"
Baek Sang glared at Baek Cheon with fierce eyes.
“Listen to me carefully.”
The serious tone made Baek Cheon instinctively straighten his shoulders. He felt that what Baek Sang was about to say wasn't something that could be dismissed as a joke.
"Sahyung’s mind must be preoccupied with the state of Kangho, the future of Heavenly Comrade Alliance, and the relationships between the sects."
Baek Cheon nodded silently.
Although he pretended otherwise, he was actually feeling an immense burden. As a result, his head could only be filled with the things Baek Sang had mentioned.
"People who rise to higher positions are usually like that. They can't pay attention to small matters when faced with big issues. I understand. However..."
Baek Sang let out a deep sigh and continued speaking.
"They say that a harmonious home leads to success in all endeavors."
“.....”
"The reason the ancestors told us to pay attention to what's within our reach first is that if the ground beneath our feet is not stable, we cannot leap up. If you truly wish to lead Mount Hua well, you must prioritize the matters close at hand over distant concerns."
Just as Baek Cheon was about to nod heavily, Baek Sang’s expression changed.
"If that happens, I wouldn't have to say things like this. Ugh!"
“.....”
“Read this on your way to Hainan.”
Baek Sang took out a booklet from his bosom and handed it over.
"...What is this?"
“It’s a ledger. Mount Hua’s financial ledger!”
Baek Cheon's face grew slightly pale.
"Do I really need to look at this? It's your job, I trust you..."
"How can you say something so carefree!"
As Baek Sang shouted, Baek Cheon flinched and slightly shrank his neck.
"Trusting someone is one thing, but you still need to know how to manage things properly! Funds are like the lifeline of the sect! If the blood vessels get blocked, a person dies, a person!"
"R- Right."
"Then, at the very least, you should know how to read the ledger to see what the sect's income and expenses are! And if there's any money leaking in the middle, you should at least be able to read the ledgers! What would you do if I decided to embezzle some of the funds?"
When Baek Cheon couldn't respond, Baek Sang clicked his tongue softly, took out another booklet from his bosom, and placed it in Baek Cheon's hand.
“And look at this too.”
"...What's this now?"
"It’s a detailed record of the second and third-class disciples, their characteristics, their martial arts levels, and such, all sorted and organize. The sect is built on its disciples, isn’t it? As the sect leader, you should be fully aware of the condition of each disciple."
“N- No, Baek Sang-ah. What you're saying isn't wrong. It's just that right now, I..."
"Ah, you’re saying it’s not something to deal with right now? Because you’re the acting sect leader?"
“.....”
"Stop saying such complacent things. Do you think I wanted to end up like this? I thought it would take me at least another ten years to be carrying around the warehouse keys! But it’s been less than a year!"
"Th- That’s fast."
"When have things ever progressed at a reasonable pace in Mount Hua? It takes less than a year for Sahyung to shed the position of acting sect leader and become the sect leader. Do you understand? That means Sahyung has less than a year to fully master the duties of a sect leader!"
"You're right, but…"
"Don't even think about saying that the current Sect Leader will help you."
Baek Cheon, who was about to say exactly that, immediately shut his mouth and folded his hands in front of him politely.
"That’s the same as enjoying the rights while dodging the responsibilities. How do Sahyung think the disciples would view you? Even I couldn't tolerate that!"
"Y- Yes. I'll do my best…"
"So memorize the ledgers and the records I just gave you, perfectly!"
Baek Sang pulled out yet another booklet from his robe.
“T- There’s more..... Just a moment.”
"This is a summary of the information on Mount Hua's businesses that Sect Leader manages externally, and a rough outline of the projects Mount Hua is currently engaged in."
"No, how do books keep coming out of your robes?"
Was he really carrying all of that around?
"This is a rough information and internal organizational chart of places that are allied with Mount Hua, including Eunha Merchant Guild and Yuryong Sect!"
“.....”
"And this one…"
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
In an instant, a tower of booklets piled up in Baek Cheon's hands. He closed his eyes tightly.
"Just going through all of these should give you an idea of how Mount Hua is operating. These are really the absolute minimum information, so cram everything into your head without leaving anything out!"
A sigh escaped Baek Cheon's mouth. He was beginning to realize just how many things the sect leader of Mount Hua was responsible for...
'These are things I should have known from the beginning.'
Up until now, Baek Sang had been silently doing all of this on his behalf, without even taking credit for it once.
When Baek Cheon's face stiffened after realizing that fact, Baek Sang glanced at him and changed the subject.
"Well... Of course, it's a bit much, but Sahyung doesn't have to worry too much. Sahyung just needs to know it, and I'll be the one actually managing and operating it."
Baek Cheon felt a sudden surge of gratitude toward Baek Sang, but Baek Sang thought that Baek Cheon was overwhelmed by the numerous tasks.
"No, don't make that face. I know you're busy with external affairs. I'll take care of the internal matters, but you should at least be aware of them. That’s the least you can do to be a capable sect leader..."
"Baek Sang."
"Yes?"
"…Thank you."
For a moment, Baek Sang, who had been blankly standing, twitched his lips.
“What a strange thing to say.... Anyway, make sure you go through all that. I’ve got to go manage the food supplies now."
With his face slightly flushed, Baek Sang left the storeroom without looking back.
Baek Cheon, who stood there in a daze, put the booklets down on the floor and opened the one on top.
At that moment, a sigh escaped from his lips without his knowledge.
It was newly written.
It wasn’t an old book that had just been handed over. Every word in it was freshly written. As he checked through them, he realized that all the booklets were the same.
Wasn’t Baek Sang the one who hardly had time to sleep, busy feeding the members of Heavenly Comrade Alliance? It was obvious that he had stayed up all night for several days to make these booklets.
The ink wasn’t even fully dry yet, and its scent was still strong. Baek Cheon couldn't take his eyes off and stared blankly before closing the cover. A small sigh escaped.
"That damned bastard..."
The responsibility isn't borne by Baek Cheon alone.
As much as he advances, others also bear the same amount of responsibility and move forward. Only when everyone grew accustomed to that weight could Mount Hua become what they all longed for.
A corner of his heart grew heavy.
'I won't disappoint you.'
With that firm resolve etched into his heart, Baek Cheon gathered all the booklets in his arms. And at that moment, when he was about to open the warehouse door, there was a voice piercing his ears.
“Noooooooo, do you think wooden swords grow from the ground? Why are you using it like that! And didn't I tell you to be careful not to tear the clothes when you spar? Do you think clothes magically fall from the sky when needed, you little punks!”
“N- No, Sasuk..... How can we spar without…”
"What? You bastard, are you talking back to me now? You ungrateful bastards who can't earn a single penny, how dare you waste the blood-like money that Sasuk and Sahyung have earned with their own bodies!"
"We, we were wrong..."
"Do you think money will pour into Hwasan forever? Is this because Chung generation suffers less? Why don't you know the value of money! Back in my day, we wore the same clothes, patching them up dozens of times! And we made our own wooden swords, chopping down trees ourselves! Kids these days are out of their minds!"
“I was wrong, Sasuk! I was wrong. Please.....”
"I'm not saying this because I'm stingy with money, am I! Huh? That money was earned by your acting sect leader and Chung Myung, getting stabbed and beaten by others! And yet you…”
“Eeeek!”
Baekcheon, who had been listening quietly to the sharp, scolding voice stabbing his ears, carefully carefully let go of the doorknob.
"...I should read it here right now, even if it's just to show sincerity, right?"
And let's go out when it gets a bit quieter...
When it was quieter...
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Thank you for the Chapter """