Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1247. That’s That (2)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
The still slightly cool air brushed against his forearm.
Geum Yangbaek blankly gazed up at the clear sky.
'How indifferent.'
Geum Yangbaek, who had lived by the principle that most of life is determined by one's own efforts, had looked to the heavens a few times in his life.
But each time, the heavens had coldly ignored his wishes.
'It wasn't even such an extraordinary wish...'
He hadn’t begged for the storm to last forever, but was it too much to ask for it to rage just one more day?
The net of heaven is vast and loose, yet nothing escapes it (천망회회소이불루(天網恢恢疎而不漏)). So goes the saying, but at this moment, Geum Yangbaek couldn’t help but resent that vast and loose net.
“Sect Leader.”
Geum Yangbaek shut his eyes at the voice coming from behind.
Whatever emotions swirled within his chest, he was still the sect leader of Hainan. He must show dignity befitting Hainan's sect leader until the end. It was his responsibility for everything he had done thus far and his duty to those who entrusted their lives to protect Hainan.
“What of the guests from Heavenly Comrade Alliance?”
“Hwanso ad already prepared a ship yesterday and informed them of its location."
"Hwanso did?"
"Yes."
A sigh escaped from Geum Yangbaek's mouth as he recalled Gwak Hwanso.
Just as a sailor grows through storms, a martial artist seems to grow through crises. Gwak Hwanso, once gifted with a sword but too impatient by nature, had matured into someone capable of such thoughtful consideration.
‘That makes it all the more heartbreaking.’
If they could overcome this crisis and preserve Hainan’s legacy, Gwak Hwanso could become a good sect leader far beyond comparison.
He only regretted that he wouldn't see that flower bloom.
“So, have they left?”
“I haven’t confirmed it myself, but since they haven’t come to say goodbye, it seems they’ve left without a word.”
“I see.”
"It would have been awkward to face each other while leaving."
“...What is there to be awkward about? We should only be grateful."
Geum Yangbaek let out a short sigh.
“Im Gyeom.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
"Besides Evil Tyrant Alliance, they will be the last to see Hainan Sect."
“....”
“What do you think? As Hainan’s sect leader, was I adequate?”
Geum Yangbaek wasn't looking at him, but Imgyeom bowed his head with the utmost respect he could muster.
“You were exemplary, Sect Leader. The special envoys of Heavenly Comrade Alliance surely left knowing this clearly."
“I see....”
Geum Yangbaek smiled faintly.
“Still, I’m relieved that they were the ones who witnessed Hainan’s final moments.”
“Is it because while Ten Great Sects would only scramble to hide their disgrace, Heavenly Comrade Alliance would make it known instead?”
“That’s not it.”
Geum Yangbaek looked up at the sky again with a serene expression.
"They will likely continue walking the path of righteousness. After all, they're the ones who didn't hesitate to travel such a long way to help us."
"...I believe so."
“If people like them speak well of Hainan, won’t the rest of the world remember us in a good light?”
When Im Gyeom remained silent without responding, Geum Yangbaek clicked his tongue briefly as if he had said something pointless.
"Make preparations. We must hold the excommunication ceremony quickly.”
“There is no need for Sect Leader to go in person....”
"It's best to be thorough. We shouldn't make those leaving for worldly life with heavy hearts think they're doing something wrong. And leaving through proper procedures might slightly increase their chances of avoiding Evil Tyrant Alliance’s grasp.”
"Understood, Sect Leader."
Geum Yangbaek turned and headed towards his quarters.
'It's been a while since I've worn the formal attire.'
And now, those robes would not leave his body until the moment he drew his last breath.
* * *
A heavy tension settled on the faces of Hainan's disciples.
The moment they confirmed the storm had stopped, they realized Evil Tyrant Alliance could invade Haenam Island at any time.
"...Is this really war now?"
“That’s right. You heard it yourself. Evil Tyrant Alliance are building ships.”
“T- Then, once those are finished, they’ll come, right? How long will that take?”
“...If even someone clueless about ships could recognize them on sight, at most a day. No, it might have already been completed.”
"But don't they need five days to treat the wood with salt water? Isn't that common knowledge, Sahyung!"
“...That’s for ships they plan to keep using. If they’re only going to sail to Hainan and back, they won’t care if the wood leaks or not. As long as it holds up for a few days, it’s fine.”
Those who heard this held their breath as if they had been stabbed in the lungs with a dagger.
“Anyway, once Hainan is dealt with, they won’t need the ships anymore. Evil Tyrant Alliance’s people aren’t fools. They’ll have considered that much.”
“Then... are you saying Evil Tyrant Alliance could attack as early as tonight?”
“...If they’re in a hurry, yes.”
As more disciples began grasping the situation, the tension swelled uncontrollably.
“That....”
"Yes?"
"...Perhaps..."
One of the disciples, who was observing the surroundings, leaned toward another and spoke in a hushed voice.
“Have you finalized the number of people who will participate in the excommunication ceremony?”
The person who heard this glared at the speaker with murderous eyes.
“Why? Planning to go beg Sect Leader to excommunicate you too?”
“N- No, Sahyung. How could I? I'm Hainan Sect to the bone."
"Then?"
“...But... even if not me, I think there might be others among our Sahyung who want that."
The one listening let out a long sigh.
'He's not wrong.'
After all, he too was struggling with the same temptation.
At least they can save their life if they get excommunicated. Then they might be able to do something afterward.
If everyone dies and disappears, Hainan Sect will disappear from the world. Wouldn't it be better to accept false excommunication and aim for Hainan's revival?
As he quietly lost himself in thought, So Yeorip (소여립(昭與立)) suddenly chuckled to himself.
'How desperately I want to live.'
To see himself rationalizing such an action as being expelled from the sect with an excuse even a dog wouldn’t bite.
Sighing, So Yeorip suddenly widened his eyes, seeing Gwak Hwanso leaving the hall.
“Daesahyung! Where are you going?”
Gwak Hwanso, with one foot outside the door, turned to look at So Yeorip.
“Are you going to prepare for the excommunication ceremony?”
“No, not yet.”
“Then....”
Lee Jayang, standing beside Gwak Hwanso, shouted with a scowl.
“He’s going to clean the pavilion those damn Heavenly Comrade Alliance people stayed in!”
“...Huh? No, why...? We won't use it again anyway?"
So Yeorip asked in disbelief.
That hall was the guest quarters, but why clean it now? Hainan Sect would never receive guests again.
But despite the questioning looks, Gwak Hwanso simply smiled briefly.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll just be gone for a moment…”
“No, it’s because it’s the last time! He says we can’t just leave it as it is because it’s the last time! He says people have to finish everything cleanly, and that no place in Hainan can end in such a state!"
Everyone in the hall stared blankly at Gwak Hwanso.
But among them, a few—those preparing for the expulsion—couldn’t bear to meet his eyes and instead lowered their heads deeply.
Lee Jayang grumbled irritably.
“What a grand Daesahyung we have. Who cares if some old damned hall is dirty?”
"...That's why I said I'm going alone."
"No way! Are you trying to make me look like a disgraceful wretch who lazes around while Daesahyung cleans?"
"...Go if you want to go, don't if you don't. If you're going anyway, why complain so much?"
“It’s frustrating, that’s why! So frustrating! You weren't usually this rigid."
“They say people’s true nature shows at the end. I suppose this was mine all along.”
“That’s nonsense....”
"Enough, let's go. If you really hate it, just stay here."
As Gwak Hwanso walked ahead with casual strides, Lee Jayang let out an exasperated sigh and followed. At that, nearly half the disciples in the hall leapt up and ran after them.
"Sahyung!"
"We'll take care of it."
"Sahyung, please stay here! This is obviously something we should handle! No, just say the word and we....”
Gwak Hwanso sighed heavily.
"I'm just trying to do something because I feel frustrated. Leave me be."
“We feel frustrated too. Then let's go together."
Gwak Hwanso stared at the lined-up disciples before nodding.
"Alright. Let's go. If we all go together, we can finish before the excommunication ceremony."
"Yes."
Without another word, Gwak Hwanso resumed his steps.
Even he found the situation absurd. Cleaning, of all things, in the midst of this chaos.
If it hadn’t sunk in that this was truly the end, he wouldn’t have thought of such a thing. But knowing it was the end, he couldn’t bring himself to leave things as they were.
This was the place where he had taken his first steps into the sect, the place that had been with him his entire life.
The hall might soon be reduced to ashes, leaving no trace behind, but at least he wanted to make its final moment neat and tidy. It was all he could do now. And so, he was grateful. To those who went along with his stubborn thoughts.
'So, in the end, the only thing a sect leaves behind is its disciples.'
No one else would help them.
Even the residents of Hainan Island, who had been quick to grasp the gravity of the situation, had started to distance themselves from the sect. Yet here were these disciples, spending what might be their last hours cleaning a hall of no significance.
And that was what made them a sect. That was what made them Sahyung.
'When I die, I will be with them.'
A faint smile appeared on Gwak Hwanso's lips as he arrived at the guest hall.
The guest hall was extremely quiet after the people left. So quiet, in fact, it felt like even the sound of an ant's footsteps could be heard. Gwak Hwanso remained silent for a moment, taking in the sight.
“...Sahyung?”
“It’s nothing.”
Only after a disciple called out did Gwak Hwanso force a bright smile and shout:
“Let’s finish quickly. Between the alcohol bottles and the vomit stains, we’re short on time.”
“That’s what Jayang Sahyung vomited out.”
"W- Who says that?"
“I saw it with my own two eyes.”
“This, this guy is framing me....”
As Lee Jayang's face turned bright red, Gwak Hwanso chuckled.
“You clean up your own mess.”
"Ah! I'm telling you it wasn't me, Sahyung!"
"Alright, everyone, let’s get moving!"
"Yes!"
Several disciples rushed toward the door. But just as one of them grabbed the handle, the door swung open abruptly.
Thud!
“Kuack!”
The disciple who got hit in the face collapsed backward.
"What?"
"Huh?"
The surprised Hainan disciples stared at the open door with round eyes.
Emerging from the hall, his hair a bird’s nest and his swollen eyes half-closed, was Chung Myung. He scratched his stomach lazily with one hand.
“Why are you all crowding here first thing in the morning?”
Gwak Hwanso, speechless, stared blankly at Chung Myung.
Why is this person still here?
“That’s....”
“Hey, you.”
Gwak Hwanso flinched at Chung Myung's voice calling him and asked back without realizing it.
"Yes?"
“Where’s the dining hall? Why hasn’t anyone brought breakfast?”
At that moment, Gwak Hwanso’s remaining composure flew straight into the heavens.
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