Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1210. Now the Sect is Running Properly! (5)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
Since the vacant lot of the manor was being used as a training ground, it wasn't that big. Thanks to that, just having Mount Hua's disciples all lined up at once made it look full rather than empty.
As not a single one was in sight, the other sects of Heavenly Comrade Alliance seemed to have emptied the training grounds for the appointment of the acting sect leader of Mount Hua Sect. Grateful for their consideration, Baek Cheon took a heavy step forward.
It was something he had always wanted. Ever since he left Southern Edge Sect to join Mount Hua, his dream was to become the sect leader and one day make Mount Hua an even greater sect than Jongnam.
Though it had been a goal set with youthful arrogance, even after growing older and leaving behind that arrogance, his dream had not changed in the slightest. If anything, it had grown larger, more resolute.
Now his dream wasn’t to make Mount Hua a better sect than Southern Edge Sect. It is to surpass them and make Mount Hua the best sect in the world, and even beyond, to make Mount Hua a sect that leads the flow of Kangho.
And today, Baek Cheon is finally taking the first step toward the dream he has longed for.
'Don't be nervous.'
It's just the first step. If he let himself get nervous now, how would he face the treacherous path ahead?
Baek Cheon took a brief, deep breath.
The disciples of Mount Hua, who were always playful, were watching him with utmost seriousness. Baek Cheon stepped forward amidst their gazes. Dressed in his formal robes, he looked more dignified than ever. He walked down the center of the training ground until he stood before Sect Leader and the elders who awaited him.
No one had explicitly told him what to do. But somehow, he knew exactly what was expected of him.
"Mount Hua's second-class disciple, Baek Cheon, greets Sect Leader."
At his words, the disciples of Mount Hua, in unison, dropped to one knee and extended their hands forward to pay their respects.
“We greet Sect Leader!”
Hyun Jong gazed at Baek Cheon in silence and then turned his gaze to the disciples lined up behind him.
Hyun Jong, dressed in formal attire, exuded a weighty seriousness that went beyond his usual demeanor. Those who received his gaze all straightened their postures and tensed their bodies in unison. As if they would not leave any blemish on this occasion
Everyone understood the weight of the moment.
Appointing an acting sect leader in any sect was no simple matter. And especially for Mount Hua, the significance was even more profound.
Mount Hua has stronger authority given to the leader than any other sect. And it was a sect that was on the brink of extinction just a few years ago.
For such a sect to appoint an acting sect leader, doesn't it signify a farewell to the Mount Hua Sect of the past and at the same time a rebirth as a new Mount Hua Sect?
That's why appointing someone at this occasion, even if it's just an "acting sect leader," carries the same weight as appointing a new sect leader.
Hyun Jong took in all the disciples with his eyes. Seeing the disciples emitting blade-like gazes, unlike their usual selves, felt a bit unfamiliar and at the same time reassuring.
At that moment, he closed his eyes at the strange sense of déjà vu that washed over him.
'So that's how it was.....'
There was no reason to feel déjà vu at a sight he had never seen before. Yet, this feeling wasn't a mere illusion. Hyun Jong knew the reason well.
The image of the disciples before him now was no different from the vision of Mount Hua that he had dreamt of in the past. No, rather, his disciples had grown into an even more outstanding form than the future of Mount Hua Sect he had always imagined.
Seeing the realization of his dream with his own two eyes, an indescribable emotion welled up in his chest. And at the same time, he realized once again that it was time for him to step down from his position as the sect leader.
'Perhaps I may have stayed on a bit too long.'
Regret? There was none.
Every person has a role to play. And for someone like Hyun Jong, who realized that his role had come to an end, there was no regret.
The only thing left, if not regret, was...
Hyun Jong smiled faintly and spoke.
“Listen, Disciples.”
“Yes, Sect Leader!”
Mount Hua’s disciples responded with loud voices. Hyun Jong nodded in approval and spoke in a serious tone.
"As everyone knows, I, Hyun Jong, in my capacity as the sect leader of Mount Hua, intend to appoint a new sect leader who will lead the future of Mount Hua Sect on this occasion today."
Various emotions flashed in everyone's eyes for a moment.
Regret over Hyun Jong stepping down from his position.
A bit of unease and fear about Mount Hua that will change from now on.
But the greatest would be the anticipation for the changing Mount Hua and the firm trust in Baek Cheon who will lead Mount Hua.
Hyun Jong thought.
How fortunate.
Anyone who can elicit such gazes from the disciples would be fully qualified to become the sect leader and would be able to perform the role better than Hyun Jong.
Hyun Jong suddenly recalled the time when he became the sect leader.
The position of sect leader that he took on as if it were thrust upon him because all his Sahyung had left Mount Hua. He was left without any congratulations or blessings. There was only the stubborn determination to somehow protect Mount Hua and a heavy sense of responsibility.
The gazes of Hyun Sang and Hyun Young looking at him back then became a weight that Hyun Jong would recall for the rest of his life.
'How fortunate.'
That's why it was truly a relief. The fact that the one who would become the sect leader could receive a different gaze from him.
Mount Hua was no longer the declining sect of Shaanxi that he had inherited in the past. It was no longer a place where everything was chosen haphazardly and the opinions of a few people were used to fill in the gaps.
The new Mount Hua, like the Mount Hua of the distant past, would stand proud as a prestigious sect of Shaanxi and grow into a grand sect that would shake the world. Therefore, it was only natural for someone fitting that era to take the position of sect leader.
As for what Hyun Jong would carry with him after stepping down, it would simply be the pride of having endured long enough to see Mount Hua enter this new era. Wasn't that one thing enough?
"The sect leader of Mount Hua, as the head of this Taoist sect, must never forget the duties of a Taoist, and as the sect leader of the sword sect Mount Hua, must walk the path of the sword correctly."
Baek Cheon's face was as resolute as ever. Hyun Jong smiled softly.
Right, if it's Baek Cheon, he'll do well. He had walked the path of the sword more sincerely than anyone else, and he had firmly engraved in his heart the Chivalrousness that Mount Hua sword warriors should naturally possess.
"I, Hyun Jong, now declare that Mount Hua's future generation has proven worthy, and I hereby announce to our ancestors that I am abdicating the position of Mount Hua's sect leader to the leader of the next generation."
A gentle yet powerful momentum emanated from Hyun Jong.
"Is there anyone here who objects?"
"None!"
“Is there anyone here who opposes?”
"None!"
Hyun Jong nodded quietly. Surely, the ancestors watching this scene would smile and acknowledge his decision.
Hyun Jong could proudly say to the ancestors he would one day meet. Though he might not be able to say he did everything perfectly, he could at least say he gave his all, that he had never neglected his duties as the sect leader of Mount Hua, not even for a moment.
'Everything follows the natural course.'
Hyun Jong nodded and gazed at Baek Cheon. A heavy sense of responsibility settled on his upright face. Hyun Jong silently nodded.
Was this how he had looked back then? Was this how his master had felt when passing the responsibility to him?
“Then, I, Hyun Jong, as the recognized sect leader of Mount Hua, having received the authority from the previous generation, and as the sect leader entrusted by the disciples, shall now appoint the next sect leader."
All the disciples of Mount Hua Set looked at Baek Cheon with eyes full of anticipation.
At that moment, Hyun Jong's gaze turned to another person. To Chung Myung, who was the only one looking straight at Hyun Jong while all the disciples, even the elders, were looking at Baek Cheon.
Hyun Jong smiled as he looked at those unwavering eyes. It was a smile that perhaps resembled Chung Myung's.
'Ancestors, I have done my utmost.'
So....
"The one to succeed me as Sect Leader of Mount Hua—!"
Hyun Jong's gaze left Chung Myung and settled on one person. To the person who rightfully deserved the position.
“Un Am!”
"Yes?"
"...Huh?"
In an instant, the disciples' eyes grew as wide as lanterns.
Over a hundred disciples all widened their eyes and looked blankly at Hyun Jong. But the one most visibly shocked was none other than Un Am. His eyes shook wildly.
On the other hand, a mischievous smile formed on Hyun Jong's lips.
'So... could I make this one last choice according to my own will?'
In the end, Tao is about following where the heart leads.
His heart speaks.
Even if Baek Cheon would make a better sect leader, Un Am's lifelong dedication to Mount Hua should not be disregarded.
If it became natural for only the most capable to take the highest positions, Mount Hua would inevitably turn into a sect that only values ability above all else.
Not ignoring the voice of his heart—this was the first and last indulgence Hyun Jong allowed himself, and the result of confronting himself as a Daoist.
"Uh..."
When Un Am was so flustered that he couldn't even open his mouth, Hyun Jong felt an indescribable feeling at that moment.
'Perhaps living like that rascal Chung Myung in my next life wouldn’t be so bad.'
This scene, where everyone couldn't hide their shock, gave Hyun Jong a feeling he had never experienced before in his life.
“Disciple Un Am, come forward!”
“Se- Sect Leader......?”
Un Am didn't know what to do and just looked at Hyun Jong.
"What are you doing? Are you disobeying Sect Leader’s command?"
When Hyun Jong shouted in a voice filled with authority, Un Am, unsure of what to do, finally stepped forward. Even though it was from a distance, others from different sects were watching, so disobeying the sect leader's command in front of them was unthinkable.
As Un Am stepped forward with cautious steps and knelt down next to Baek Cheon, Hyun Jong shouted in a firm voice.
"I, Hyun Jong, as the sect leader of Mount Hua, hereby appoint first-class disciple Un Am as the new sect leader of Mount Hua!"
A dazed expression appeared on Un Am's face. Hyun Jong raised his voice again.
"Furthermore! As Mount Hua is no longer as it once was, and it is difficult for one person alone to lead the sect, I hereby establish the position of permanent acting sect leader to share the external duties of the sect leader. Accordingly, I appoint Baek Cheon, second-class disciple, to the position of Mount Hua acting sect leader!”
"Ah!"
"Uh....?"
Even though they knew they weren’t supposed to be, exclamations burst out from the mouths of Mount Hua's disciples for a moment.
"Is there anyone here who objects?"
The disciples of Mount Hua exchanged glances for a moment. Soon after, their gazes all shifted to the two individuals standing before them.
To the one who would lead the future of Mount Hua, and to the one who would bridge the past and future of Mount Hua.
Soon, a tremendous cheer erupted.
“None. Sect Leader!”
Amid such whirlwinds of emotions, one person, Chung Myung, smiled brightly.
“Now the sect is running properly!”
It was a moment when satisfaction, more profound than ever before, flickered in his gaze as he looked at Hyun Jong.
Consider supporting me by subscribing on Patreon for 5$. The Patreon membership for Mount Hua and Infinite Mage is the same. The benefit:
Advance chapters of Mount Hua : 76
Advance chapters of Infinite Mage : 24
Advance chapters of Magic Realm Convenience Store Worker : 10 Chapters
|Note
Thank you for Chapter"""
thank you for the chapter