Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1239. Is that so? (4)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
“What should we do, Sahyung?”
“….”
"Sahyung."
Go Hong looked at Yoo Gong with desperate eyes.
“...Didn’t you say there was no such thing as reinforcement? That we should abandon the sinking ship?"
“....”
"And now, with all these people showing up out of nowhere…"
Go Hong, who couldn't help feeling frustrated as he watched Yoo Gong’s silence, eventually raised his voice.
“If it turns out that they actually manage to hold off Evil Tyrant Alliance with that reinforcement, then we’ll…”
"Speak with common sense!"
Yoo Gong glared.
“What, do you think ‘Evil Tyrant Alliance’ is some stray dog’s name? You think a handful of people can really fend them off?”
“But they must have some sort of plan. They wouldn’t have come all the way here to Hainan without any preparation, right? Besides, rumors have reached even Hainan that Heavenly Comrade Alliance's momentum is extraordinary, even threatening Ten Great Sects..."
“Nonsense.”
Yoo Gong immediately dismissed Go Hong’s concerns.
"So what if they threaten Ten Great Sects? What’s so impressive about that? This is Hainan Island. A land that even Shaolin’s hand can't reach. What could Heavenly Comrade Alliance possibly do?"
“...That’s true, but....”
"Don't worry about it. Even if they came, they’re just here to make an appearance and then leave."
"Would they come all this way just for that?"
“Better than doing nothing, I suppose.”
“Well....”
A look of annoyance crossed Yoo Gong's face.
'The situation has turned messy.'
The timing was terribly inconvenient. If Heavenly Comrade Alliance had arrived just one day earlier, they could have delayed their decision after seeing the situation. And if they had come after the storm had calmed, they could’ve formally carried out the excommunication and washed their hands of it.
But arriving while everyone was awkwardly stuck here led to this unwanted, uncomfortable coexistence.
'Why now of all times?'
The disciples seeking excommunication were already under cold stares.
And now, just as some of them were ready to leave the sect of their own accord, people had shown up from across the sea to Hainan. Naturally, the eyes looking at the disciples who had demanded the excommunication ceremony grew even colder. Even those who had previously been sympathetic, acknowledging the practical need to leave, were now regarding them with frosty glances.
Well, why wouldn't they?
Even Yoo Gong himself would have pointed fingers and condemned them if he were on the opposite side. He would have cursed them as beasts who didn't know gratitude while even outsiders showed loyalty.
“That, Sahyung....”
"What?"
“One in a thousand, no… one in ten thousand.”
Go Hong began speaking with a slightly fearful tone.
"If Haenam... no, if the main sect actually manages to fend off Evil Tyrant Alliance with their support... what happens to us?"
Yoo Gong couldn't answer the question.
What happens to them? Is there even a need to think it over?
The moment that happens, every disciple who requested excommunication will be branded as traitors. They will be openly ostracized in by Hainan Sect, whose position would have soared after repelling Evil Tyrant Alliance.
Being ostracized by them means that it will be difficult to settle and live in Hainan Island After all, within Hainan Island, Hainan Sect held more influence than even Tang Family in Sichuan or Namgung Family in Anhui.
“Sahyung. Wouldn’t it be better to just cancel the excommunication even now…"
"Stop spouting nonsense!"
Yoo Gong snapped irritably.
"How could they possibly stop Evil Tyrant Alliance with just these few people!"
“....”
"In this situation, even if Five Hero Demon-Repellers (척마오걸(斥魔五傑)) who supposedly stopped Magyo a hundred years ago came personally, not these people, they couldn't stop Evil Tyrant Alliance."
"That may be true, but still..."
“And! What if I cancel our excommunication? Do you think that will make any difference? We’ve already crossed the river. All it would do is make us look like spineless fools, jumping back and forth.”
Go Hong let out a heavy sigh. He knew deep down that even if they changed their minds now, the stigma they carried would never disappear.
Once they had spoken of leaving the sect, they could never truly return as genuine Hainan disciples.
“So don’t worry about it.”
“....”
"As planned, we'll hold the excommunication ceremony when the storm subsides and leave the sect. And we’ll live out our lives forgetting Hainan ever existed.”
Go Hong hung his head low.
Yoo Gong, staring at him, sighed and spoke.
“Go Hong.”
“...Yes, Sahyung.”
“Think of your old mother at home. She's already frail, how would she live if you died an unnatural death?"
“...Yes.”
"Whatever about me, but you've done nothing wrong. You don’t have to lower your head like you’re guilty. No matter how important the sect is, could it be more important than the parent who gave you life?"
"But Sahyung, you have a child too?"
"...I'm just afraid."
Yoo Gong smiled bitterly.
"Maybe it’s because I grew up without a father, but the thought of my child growing up being called fatherless scares me."
“Sahyung....”
Yoo Gong turned and gazed at the fierce storm outside.
Hainan experiences storms frequently. But that doesn't mean they're used to them. No matter how many times you experience it, a storm is always frightening. A sudden storm in the southern sea can turn a calm ocean into a hellscape in an instant.
How many lives has that hellish sea taken?
"When my child was born, I wanted to raise them upright. I didn’t want them growing up yearning for a father they never even saw, like I did."
“I understand. No, I think everyone else does too.”
"...What understanding."
Yoo Gong sneered.
“It’s just an excuse. I simply don’t have the courage to face death. But what’s so wrong with that? Death is frightening for anyone."
“....”
"So if we're leaving, let's leave without regrets."
“Yes, Sahyung.”
Go Hong nodded heavily.
Although he said that, Yoo Gong’s mind was far from at ease. What particularly troubled him was Go Hong's question.
If Hainan miraculously repels Evil Tyrant Alliance, what should they do then?
Gwak Hwanso?
No, Daesahyung would never retaliate. He’s a hot-tempered man, but he’s also broad-minded.
But the other disciples?
Would they tolerate those who abandoned the sect in its time of crisis living with their heads held high in Hainan? Even if Gwak Hwanso tried to stop them, wouldn’t there be some resentment shown?
He could endure whatever persecution came his way. No, it was his burden to endure. But... what about the suffering his child would have to endure for years to come?
Growing increasingly uneasy, Yoo Gong asked cautiously.
"So... what are those outsiders doing now?"
“It seems that they have unpacked their luggage in the Guest Hall first of all. It's quite late now, isn't it? The official meeting with Sect Leader will probably be tomorrow morning."
"Is that so?"
Yoo Gong pondered something for a moment, then rose from his seat.
"Let's go see."
“...Huh?”
“We should at least look into why they came. Sitting here worrying to ourselves won’t help.”
“Bu- But Sahyung. There are others there too....”
"Our faces are already sold anyway. What, should we just hide in our rooms until the storm passes?”
“....”
“Let’s go and see.”
"Yes."
Yoo Gong flung open the door. The rain was pouring in torrents, but he wasn’t in any state to care about that now.
'Even if they are mindless, they’re not ignorant of Hainan’s situation. They wouldn’t try anything drastic right away. Most likely, they’re keeping their distance and putting on a dignified act.'
That was the part Yoo Gong was counting on. If the intentions of the guests were as he had expected, they too would need someone to testify about Heavenly Comrade Alliance's goodwill even after Hainan's destruction.
‘If things go well, maybe we can strike a deal.’
Having made his firm decision, Yoo Gong strode forward without hesitation.
“...Sahyung.”
“....”
“Um, Sahyung?”
But Yoo Gong didn’t hear Go Hong’s voice at all, staring blankly at the Guest Hall. Because what was happening inside had far exceeded common sense.
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
A man downed his drink with a hearty laugh and slammed the cup down with a bang.
"What's this! Do they brew their liquor here with water? It's so bland! So bland!"
“...Chung Myung-ah. Alcohol is brewed with water in the first place.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Bodies were sprawled everywhere. Among them were faces Yoo Gong recognized and others he didn’t. In particular...
"Urghhhh... dy...ing..."
'What’s that guy doing there?’
The most shocking sight was Lee Jayang, who was usually so prickly that everyone except for Gwak Hwanso kept their distance, now crawling on the floor nearly unconscious.
No, others were in the same state.
So, not only were the guests from outside, but even Hainan disciples were lying around in a drunken stupor.
Just looking at the empty wine jars rolling around everywhere, one could guess what had happened here.
"...They drank?"
No, drinking wasn’t a problem. After all, offering food and drink to guests was only natural.
What was really beyond comprehension was why, in the Guest Hall where the guests were supposed to be resting, the disciples of Hainan were the ones sprawled out everywhere.
“Th- That pale-faced… guy… at least… he can drink…”
"Speak... after untwisted... your tongue..."
In the middle of all the bodies sprawled out, two men were sitting across from each other, barely holding on as they swayed, clutching their cups.
“...Daesahyung?”
"Tha- That person looks like Mount Hua's leading disciple we saw at Shaolin before. Why are they..."
Gwak Hwanso and Baek Cheon, the two stared intently at the cups in their hands with hazy eyes. Then, as if on cue, they drank them in one go.
Gulp! Gulp! Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!
"Th- That... that..."
After downing every last drop from cups as big as bowls, both men slammed their cups as if throwing them.
"...I."
“I won....”
Thud!
And then, at the exact same moment, they both slumped to the side.
The Guest Hall was filled with a strange cacophony of snoring, sleep-talking, and someone's groaning.
‘What on earth is this?’
Just half a day ago, this place was tense with mutual distrust. How could things have unraveled like this in such a short time?
And to think they were mingling so freely with guests who were visiting Hainan for the first time.
Just as Yoo Gong was trying to guess what could have possibly led to this point.
"What? All passed out? Why are these cubs so lightweight drinker. Tsk!"
Someone who was leaning against the wall, taking leisurely sips, looked around with half-closed eyes.
“Oh.”
Then, he found Yoo Gong and Go Hong standing in front of the doorway and grinned.
“Would you like a drink too?”
Yoo Gong was momentarily speechless. Go Hong quickly whispered to him.
“Sahyung. Hwa, it’s Mo- Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword. I remember him clearly.”
“...Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword?”
That guy?
“Don’t be shy. Come, have a cup. It’s boring without someone to drink with. Gotta show hospitality to guests, right?"
“....”
“Sahyung...?”
Yoo Gong, with a hardened complexion, went inside and sat across Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword.
“I am Yoo Gong.”
“Chung Myung.”
Chung Myung smiled and picked up a jar of alcohol.
"Since you came late, let's start with three cups."
Yoo Gong raised his cup without saying a word.
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Bro they stopped heavenly demon and they can't face EYA? Had it been jang ilso leading thr. To hainan i could have thought that maybe they'll lose but if he's not there yhen naa bro