Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1243. Is that all? (3)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
“K- Kuhum.”
Geum Yangbaek hastily cleared his throat. While it might be understandable for an ordinary person, for a martial artist of Geum Yangbaek’s caliber, losing control of his own body and choking was a deeply embarrassing moment.
Yet, who in the world wouldn’t be flustered after hearing such words to their face?
What did he say again?
“Right now....”
Geum Yangbaeksteadied his breathing and asked again.
“Did you just say… to withdraw from Ten Great Great Sects?”
"Yes."
The response came immediately, without a single hesitation. That made it all the more bewildering.
Geum Yangbaek was struck speechless again and stared blankly at Baek Cheon. If he opened his mouth now, he feared he might say something he would regret.
What on earth was this man?
What kind of person could so boldly hold Mount Hua’s sacred artifact in hand and brazenly demand that Hainan withdraw from Ten Great Sects?
'In all of martial arts history, has there ever been even one person who heard such words?'
He was sure there wouldn’t be any. Telling a sect belonging to the Ten Great Sects to leave of their own two feet. This is something that no one in their right mind would ever say.
Even Magyo who had invaded Jungwon, or the major Evil Sects that once brought bloodshed to Jungwon but have now disappeared, would not so casually voice such a demand.
If one understood the significance of the term 'Ten Great Sects', it was absolutely unspeakable. Especially for someone who knew even a fraction of the effort Hainan had invested to gain its place within that esteemed alliance.
That's why....
'No, no!'
Geum Yangbaek flinched and quickly erased the thought that had surfaced in his mind.
For a moment, he suspected that Baek Cheon's words might have stemmed from lingering ill feelings about how Hainan had taken the position that originally belonged to Mount Hua.
'How could I allow such an absurd thought!'
It was a shameful thought to even have.
These people had come all this way, breaking through Gangnam which was practically death itself. How could there be anyone in the world who would do this simply out of petty ill feelings?
Moreover, everything Geum Yangbaek had heard about Heavenly Comrade Alliance and Mount Hua up to this point suggested that such suspicions seemed beneath them—an unworthy doubt born of small-mindedness.
Geum Yangbaek, who felt ashamed that he had even briefly entertained such thoughts, continued in a thoroughly cautious tone.
“I must apologize for my dullness… but I find it difficult to grasp the full meaning of Acting Sect Leader’s words. With what intention did you speak those words......"
"I mean exactly what I said."
However, Baek Cheon seemed to not consider Geum Yangbaek's feelings at all and answered firmly as before.
"I am suggesting that you cast off the banner of Ten Great Alliance, which is now nothing but an empty shell, and join our Heavenly Comrade Alliance."
“No....”
“What on earth are you saying....”
The elders of Hainan who were surroinding Geum Yangbaek were muttering loudly. They too were looking at Baek Cheon with expressions of disbelief.
"What are you thinking!"
“How could be so disrespectful...!”
"Quiet."
“But, Sect Leader! This is going too far....”
"Be quiet, all of you."
When Geum Yangbaek cut them off sharply, the elders cleared their throats and reluctantly closed their mouths. They had interrupted out of shock, but this wasn't really a place where they could freely speak their minds.
Clack.
Geum Yangbaek maintained silence for a moment as he picked up the teacup placed before him.
“The tea will grow cold. It is brewed from fine leaves grown in the high mountains of Hainan. Would you care to enjoy its fragrance?"
"Thank you."
Baek Cheon responded with a light smile and raised the cup. From the graceful way he picked it up to the slow, deliberate manner in which he savored its fragrance, every action was flawlessly refined and smooth.
"Perhaps you have an interest in the tea ceremony?"
Baek Cheon put down his teacup and smiled brightly at Geum Yangbaek's question.
“I’ve never had the leisure to formally study it, but since Former Sect Leader Hyun Jong Jinin of Mount Hua enjoyed tea so much, I learned the etiquette by observation."
“Ah, Hyun Jong Jinin… Huh? Has Hyun Jong Jinin stepped down from the position of Sect Leader?"
"I apologize for not mentioning this sooner. The Former Sect Leader has passed the position to Un Am Jinin, the current Sect Leader of Mount Hua."
“Huh....”
This time too, Geum Yangbaek could not conceal his shock.
"Pe- Perhaps Hyun Jong Jinin... No, the Grand Sect Leader..."
"It's nothing like that. Grand Sect Leader is still in good health."
“Ah....”
"I cannot fully comprehend his profound intentions, but I believe he decided it was time to pass on the responsibility to the next generation."
It was one surprise after another. Just moments ago, the suggestion to leave Ten Great Sects had been nothing short of shocking, and now this revelation was equally bewildering.
'He stepped down from the sect leader position willingly'
At this time? It was completely incomprehensible.
The martial world was facing an unprecedented crisis. How could the leader of a sect relinquish their position to a successor in such a turbulent era? Just how deeply must one trust their disciples to make such a decision?
It was something that Geum Yangbaek could not even imagine.
'No, that's not all.'
In fact, it was no exaggeration to say that the current Mount Hua’s momentum threatens even Shaolin. While their actual power might not yet surpass Shaolin, in terms of influence over Kangho, there were undeniably areas where Mount Hua outshone them.
To reach such heights, Mount Hua must have endured a staggering amount of patience and waiting.
After enduring pain like having their whole body sink into a swamp, they've finally seen the light, yet the person at the center willingly steps down? How selfless must someone be for such a thing to be possible?
"...How remarkable."
“I think so too.”
A sigh escaped from Geum Yangbaek's mouth.
'Our positions are completely reversed.'
When they had met before, Hyun Jong was in no position to be compared to him. But now, the situation had flipped. Now, it was Geum Yangbaek who couldn’t even step on Hyun Jong’s shadow.
He had become the incompetent one who brought Hainan to the brink of extinction, while Hyun Jong had raised Mount Hua from a third-rate sect to a major sect renowned throughout the world.
'They say life is full of unexpected twists.'
Geum Yang-baek, who tried hard to push away the countless emotions that were flooding in, spoke in a voice that feigned composure.
"I think I can understand why Acting Leader makes such a proposal. You were taught and guided by someone as transcendent of worldly concerns as Hyun Jong Jinin. It’s only natural that names like Ten Great Sects seem like mere superficial titles to you."
“....”
“But, Acting Sect Leader. You should also consider what Ten Great Sects means in Kangho, and how people view it. Ten Great Sects..."
“I understand, Sect Leader.”
Geum Yangbaek paused, staring intently at Baek Cheon.
Interrupting another sect's leader mid-speech could be considered the height of rudeness, but right now, Geum Yangbaek had no desire to nitpick over such a thing. Rather, he was more curious about what Baek Cheon would say next.
“You understand?”
“Yes. Perhaps I understand it even better than Sect Leader does. While you lead Hainan as a member of Ten Great Sects, we were the ones who could only look up at them from the very bottom.”
At those words, Geum Yangbaek nodded without realizing it.
Come to think of it, Mount Hua has only recently reached its current position. They, too, must have gazed at Ten Great Sects with a mixture of admiration and resentment. And they must have dreamed of the day they would return to it.
"Yet you say such things to us?"
"Yes."
Baek Cheon closed his eyes slightly and opened them again. Then he spoke decisively, as if there was no need to mince words.
“The reason is simple. Ten Great Sects, as they stand now, are not a pillar Hainan needs to cling to.”
“...Acting Sect Leader.”
"The fact that..."
Baek Cheon paused, then looked at the elders sitting behind Geum Yangbaek. Then, making eye contact with each of them, he continued.
"The fact that it was us who came here, not Ten Great Sects, proves this point."
A sigh escaped Geum Yangbaek's mouth at once. After the long sigh, he spoke in a slightly slower tone.
“Of course, no words of gratitude could suffice for those of you who have traveled so far to reach this distant place. As Sect Leader of Hainan, and as one of the people of this land, I express my deepest gratitude.”
“....”
“But, Acting Sect Leader. That and this are separate things. That gratitude and....”
“Originally.”
Baek Cheon interrupted Geum Yangbaek once again.
This time, Geum Yangbaekdo frowned in displeasure. However, Baek Cheon's words that followed next made him even more displeased.
“It was not us who should have come here but Ten Great Sects.”
“....”
“The reason is simple. Those who bear the word Righteousness (정(正)) have an obligation to help those in difficulty, no matter the circumstances."
After Baek Cheon said that, he looked around at everyone.
“Therefore, we of Heavenly Comrade Alliance also wish to extend our apologies to those gathered here.”
Baek Cheon deeply bowed his head while remaining seated. At this sudden action, Geum Yangbaek was startled and shifted in his seat.
"W- Why are you suddenly doing this, Acting Sect Leader!"
"We should have come sooner. We should have realized earlier that Hainan needed our help, that Hainan’s circumstances had worsened. For failing to do so... No, for half-turning a blind eye when we could have acted, please forgive us."
“How could this possibly be the fault of Heavenly Comrade Alliance? Please don't do this, Acting Sect Leader! Please raise your head!"
Only then did Baek Cheon slowly raise his head.
“Sect Leader.”
“Yes, Acting Sect Leader.”
"Forgive me for saying so, but to claim this is not Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s fault is simply unreasonable. Heavenly Comrade Alliance raised its banner under the value of upholding Righteousness and aiding those in need. It is also an alliance that has gained much through this principle. For such an alliance to fail in doing what it should have done deserves criticism."
For a moment, Geum Yangbaek felt as though he was being drawn into Baek Cheon’s presence.
Righteous. Just utterly righteous.
Sometimes being righteous can mean being frustratingly inflexible, but at times it can also become a force stronger than anything else in the world.
Beyond martial power, influence, justification, and their respective situations, what Baek Cheon was presenting now was uprightness. That alone was enough to overwhelm Geum Yangbaek.
"Therefore, I must ask."
Baek Cheon looked straight at Geum Yangbaek and asked.
"Where are those who should have upheld that Righteousness before anyone else?"
“Acting Sect Leader....”
"You must understand. No. You must acknowledge, Sect Leader."
Baek Cheon declared coldly without a moment's hesitation.
“Ten Great Sects abandoned Hainan.”
Those words pierced Geum Yangbaek's heart like a dagger.
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