Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1242. Is that all? (2)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
Geum Yangbaek, who was standing under the eaves of the hall, walked out with a measured steps and deeply bowed to Baek Cheon, who was at the front.
"Let me formally greet you again. I am Geum Yangbaek, Sect Leader of Hainan.”
At the sight, the disciples of Mount Hua felt a strange emotion.
Sect leader of Hainan. These days, the title doesn’t carry the weight it once did for them. They’ve already encountered so many powerful figures that the name doesn’t intimidate them as it might have before.
When they're in a position to argue loudly with Shaolin's bangjang, what could be so special about Hainan's sect leader?
But that's because Mount Hua's position has changed.
Just a few years ago, Hainan's sect leader was a figure who stirred up complex feelings among Mount Hua's disciples.
He was the object of resentment for taking the place that Mount Hua should have had, and at the same time, he was the object of envy for leading a rising sect to greatness.
And now that same person stepped out from under the eaves, letting the rain soak his body to welcome Baek Cheon.
“I am Baek Cheon, the Acting Sect Leader of Mount Hua Sect. Thanks to Sect Leader's consideration last night, we were able to rest our tired bodies comfortably. I sincerely thank you again for offering me warmth and hospitality despite my sudden visit without any prior notice.”
Baek Cheon respectfully returned Geum Yangbaek's greeting with cupped hands.
Seeing this made Yoon Jong's heart tremble involuntarily.
He knows.
The courtesy that Geum Yangbaek was showing now wasn’t to Baek Cheon, but to Baek Cheon’s position as ‘acting sect leader’. No, it may be a courtesy to the position of ‘special envoy’ of Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
But what does that matter?
A few years ago, Geum Yangbaek wouldn’t have paid any attention to Mount Hua. The younger disciples might have been unable to hide their disdain, but Geum Yang-baek neither feared nor despised Mount Hua—he simply ignored it. This meant Mount Hua wasn't even considered a threat to Hainan.
But now, this same Geum Yangbaek was standing in the rain, welcoming Baek Cheon personally. Showing proper courtesy again to someone he's already met. This alone made it impossible not to feel how much Mount Hua's status had changed from the past.
“Please, come inside.”
"It's an honor, Sect Leader."
Geum Yangbaek led them to the wide-open great hall. Those waiting ahead carefully approached and offered the clothes they were holding to Heavenly Comrade Alliance members.
“What is this....”
"Shh."
As the bewildered Jo-Gol was about to say something, Yoon Jong nudged his side and chinned. He pointed toward Namgung Dowi, who was calmly taking a cloth and using it to dry the water from his clothes.
Jo-Gol catching on, followed suit, wiping off the rain with the offered cloth.
"It's good we have a young master from a prestigious family here."
“Right. If it was just us, we would have just stood there blankly and wondering what to do.”
“As expected of Namgung Sogaju.”
Tang Pae's face suddenly twisted.
“I am also sogaju of a prestigious family.”
"Ah. Right. But... why doesn't it feel that way? Strange. Is it because you're too approachable?"
“It’s the face.”
At that moment, all three turned to look at the one who had made the last remark.
“Why? Did I say something wrong?”
“....”
Tang Soso tilted her head as if confused by their stares. Without a word, they all turned their heads away again.
“…Let’s go in.”
"Yes."
Tang Pae's shoulders slumped, and Yoon Jong simply turned his head out of consideration.
"Please be seated."
"Then, excuse our imposition."
When Geum Yangbaek gestured, Baek Cheon sat down on the prepared cushion. Only then did Geum Yangbaek and the other elders of Hainan take their seats in a neat row at the front.
The moment everyone was seated, the disciples of Hainan appeared, carrying tea and simple refreshments on small tables, which they placed before the members of Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
Sweat began to form slightly on Yoon Jong's forehead.
'It doesn't seem to be from the heat.'
It didn’t take long for him to realize why.
Though he had always carried pride in being a disciple of Mount Hua, never before had he been formally treated with such respect by another sect.
It was always the sect leader and elders who received treatment in Mount Hua's name. But the moment that treatment meant for the sect leader came to them instead, they began to acutely feel that they were here representing both Mount Hua and Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
The sensation was almost suffocating, but Yoon Jong straightened his shoulders even more. If he was representing Mount Hua and Heavenly Comrade Alliance, he shouldn't give the impression of being overwhelmed by this atmosphere.
"I apologize that we cannot properly serve guests who have come from afar over treacherous paths But please understand that this is unavoidable given Hainan's current urgent situation."
“To receive such unanticipated kindness is already more than I could have hoped for, and to hear such words as well leaves me truly humbled. Who in the world has ever received such treatment from Hainan? Regardless of my position, as an individual, this will be something to boast about for a lifetime."
The exchange of compliments flowed smoothly for a while. Even the disciples of Mount Hua, who would normally snicker at Baek Cheon’s silver tongue, now kept their mouths shut and listened intently to the conversation, seemingly overwhelmed by the atmosphere.
“So....”
At that moment, Geum Yangbaek cleared his throat slightly and changed the subject.
“Forgive the impertinence, but I must confirm once more. You said you are here as the acting sect leader of Mount Hua Sect and also as Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s special envoy. Is that correct?”
"That is correct."
“It is not a gentleman’s virtue to doubt another’s words, but this place is far from Jungwon, so the news does not arrive quickly.”
Baek Cheon smiled brightly and took off Violet Mist Divine Sword that was hanging on his waist. Geum Yangbaek silently watched his movements.
Sureureuk.
Baek Cheon, raising the sword horizontally, slowly drew the sword. The moment the white blade was revealed, a short exclamation escaped from everyone's lips. Even at a glance, it was clearly no ordinary renowned sword.
“This is the sacred relic of Mount Hua Sect, Violet Mist Divine Sword. Sect Leader of Mount Hua entrusted me with this relic to convey his will.”
Baek Cheon then spoke in a slightly troubled tone.
“However, proving that this sword is indeed Mount Hua’s sacred relic.....”
“No, Acting Sect Leader. Your answer is sufficient."
At that moment, Geum Yangbaek completely dispelled the last shred of lingering doubt like a knot in his heart.
He had never doubted that Baek Cheon came as the acting sect leader of Mount Hua. Baek Cheon himself was renowned throughout the world as one of Mount Hua's Five Swords. It was unimaginable that he would fabricate or falsely discuss matters concerning his sect's leader.
Even if Baek Cheon harbored such ill intentions, the disciples of Mount Hua who came with him and the sogajus of other sects wouldn't just stand by and watch.
However, what he wanted to confirm was the extent of the authority vested in this ‘acting sect leader’.
A sacred relic exists to empower its wielder to act in the absence of a sect leader. Sometimes, a sect's sacred relic carries even more authority than the sect leaders themselves.
If that Violet Mist Divine Sword was indeed Mount Hua's sacred relic, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Baek Cheon came holding all of Mount Hua's authority in his hands.
Geum Yangbaek unconsciously gulped. Realizing this, he hurriedly relaxed his expression.
‘I was tense.’
He hadn’t yet heard a single official word from them. Nevertheless, just facing Mount Hua's acting sect leader had made him so tense he couldn't manage his expression.
Baek Cheon was the acting sect leader of Mount Hua, but isn't he a young man not yet half Geum Yangbaek’s age? There should be no reason for Geum Yangbaek, sect leader of Hainan, to feel tense facing someone like Baek Cheon.
And yet, he couldn’t completely let down his guard. The white robes Baek Cheon wore and the plum blossom symbol emblazoned on his chest refused to let him relax.
The fact that these two symbols of the sect caused tension meant that even in their eyes, Mount Hua had become an immensely powerful sect.
Geum Yangbaek slowly took a deep breath and broke into a faint smile as he speak.
“Acting Sect Leader, what brings you to this place?”
Easing into a heavy discussion often requires starting with lighter topics. Geum Yangbaek prepared himself to respond amiably, no matter how Baek Cheon answered, hoping to set a more relaxed tone.
"To arrive at this time, you must have departed quite early, but why didn't you send word ahead? Had you done so, we would have gone out to sea to welcome you properly. Instead, we must seem like people who lack proper courtesy. It’s a little embarrassing, haha.”
However, Baek Cheon's following answer completely shattered Geum Yangbaek's intentions.
“We came through Gangnam.”
“...Yes?”
“We came straight through Gangnam by land.”
Geum Yangbaek, speechless, stared blankly at Baek Cheon.
Gangnam? Did this man just say Gangnam?
"...Acting Sect Leader. The Gangnam you're speaking of..."
"We departed from Hubei and came through Guangdong."
Geum Yangbaek's eyes widened even further.
“Gu- Guangdong?”
"Yes."
Baek Cheon answered casually with a slight smile. Geum Yangbaek, for a moment forgetting his dignity as the sect leader, asked in utter disbelief.
“Are you saying you crossed the Yangtze River? And… through Guangdong, the heart of Myriad Man Manor?”
"Yes."
“N- No, why would you do something so dangerous…? What were you thinking?”
Not only Geum Yangbaek, but even the elders momentarily forgot their positions and started whispering among themselves. Some were dumbfounded, others disbelieving.
But Baek Cheon simply stated the facts calmly.
“Because it was the fastest route.”
Geum Yangbaek was at a loss for words.
This young man—was he incredibly bold, or just outright reckless? Even amidst their stunned reactions, he simply maintained his soft smile.
'No....'
In truth, what Geum Yangbaek truly wanted to ask was something else entirely.
‘Is he in his right mind?’
But this wasn’t the kind of setting where one could say whatever came to mind. So he filtered and softened his words as much as possible.
"Wh- What if something had happened..."
"Of course, something could have happened. But as you can see, we arrived safely, didn't we?"
But Baek Cheon didn't bother to mince his words.
“And....”
Baek Cheon looked straight at Geum Yangbaek and the elders behind him as he spoke.
"We weren't the only ones in danger. Hainan was the one truly in peril.”
Everyone looked at such Baek Cheon. It felt as if they could be drawn in at any moment.
“If one sets out to aid someone in danger but becomes preoccupied with their own safety, how could that ever be considered true aid?”
Baek Cheon speaks calmly, but with the utmost firmness.
"That is neither Mount Hua's way, nor Heavenly Comrade Alliance's way."
Everyone present instinctively straightened their posture.
At that moment, Geum Yangbaek had a gut feeling. The control of the conversation—the upper hand he had hoped to maintain—had completely shifted to Baek Cheon.
This young man had completely dominated the meeting simply by speaking his mind, without relying on Mount Hua's power and authority.
"So, Sect Leader. From this moment forward, I ask that you listen to what I have to say without any prejudice.”
Typically, a statement like this would be followed by a brief pause or some softening remarks, so Geum Yangbaek guessed as much and was about to nod.
But.
“For the future of Hainan, and for the safety of the world, we of Heavenly Comrade Alliance formally recommend that your sect withdraw from Ten Great Sects and join Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”
"Cough!"
Geum Yangbaek suddenly choked and hurriedly covered his mouth.
It was truly a full-force direct statement without the slightest attempt to soften the blow to the solar plexus, without even a single pretense of beating around the bush.
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