Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1251. And to live! (1)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
"Advisor!"
Someone burst frantically into the quiet great hall. However, the man meticulously reviewing the mountain of ledgers on his desk didn’t spare even a glance at the intruder.
"Advisor."
"Wait."
The intruder prostrated as he fell silent and waited.
By the time an incense had burned down further, the man flipped through the papers, signed a section of the ledger with a fine brush, and then closed it.
"Send these documents back approved."
"Yes."
The subordinate standing by answered respectfully.
"Summon the ones who drafted this ledger and throw them in prison."
"Yes, Advisor."
"Especially."
Ho Gamyeong tossed the ledger he had been holding onto the desk with a thud.
"The one responsible for this ledger—cripple his Dantian, sever the tendons in his body, and throw him into the underground dungeon. Dispatch troops to confiscate their assets. If anyone resists, treat them the same way."
“They won’t last long in the dungeon in that state.”
"Oh? I almost made a mistake then. Make sure to pull them out of the dungeon before they die and behead them instead. We can't let them die on their own terms."
"...I will carry out your orders!"
Ho Gamyeong, the advisor of Evil Tyrant Alliance, closed his eyes and pressed his temples.
"Humans truly are incomprehensible creatures. What’s so hard about choosing between one’s life and a bit of petty wealth?"
Even knowing they'll face certain death if caught embezzling from the alliance's property, despite so many having died this way, they still sneakily commit crimes at the slightest opportunity.
He, too, was from Evil Sects, but dealing with such people filled him with utter disgust.
But what can I do? It was his choice.
Ho Gamyeong slowly opened his eyes and spoke.
"Report."
"Yes, Advisor! All preparations for departure are complete."
"You're late."
"...I have no excuses."
Ho Gamyeong's gaze turned to the wide-open water. The blue sky, now cleared of clouds, stretched before him. Though the waves were still somewhat high from the recent storm, they posed no significant obstacle to navigation.
"Hainan..."
Ho Gamyeong slowly rose from his seat.
“Dragging this out serves no one. Embark the army.”
"Yes!"
The reporter bowed deeply and ran outside. Ho Gamyeong glanced briefly at the remaining unfinished documents but then abandoned any lingering attachment and strode forward.
'It can wait until I return after dealing with Hainan.'
It shouldn't take too long anyway.
However…
"Mun Bang (문방(文房))."
"Yes, Advisor."
"Have you received any reports on the movements of Ten Great Sects or Heavenly Comrade Alliance?"
"The most recent confirmation was three days ago, sir. At that time, there was no significant movements."
No matter what methods they used, they couldn't reach here from their position on the Yangtze River within three days.
"Evil Tyrant Alliance aside, even Heavenly Comrade Alliance …"
A faint smirk appeared at the corner of Ho Gamyeong’s lips.
"They couldn't do anything special either, could they?"
"They could."
"…Yes?"
Ho Gamyeong said calmly.
“If they knew the situation, they would have done something. They’re that kind of people.”
"But this place…"
"Whether it's Hainan or not doesn't matter. At the very least, they would’ve started a skirmish on the Yangtze to prevent us from focusing on this location. The fact that they haven’t moved suggests they’re unaware of our movements.”
Ho Gamyeong immediately revised his assessment of Heavenly Comrade Alliance. Their intelligence network, at least in Gangnam, was weaker than he had anticipated.
'What about Ten Great Sects? No, even if they knew, they wouldn't have passed the information to Heavenly Comrade Alliance. No... no. If they had known, they would have leaked it to ensure Heavenly Comrade Alliance and Evil Tyrant Alliance weakened each other. That old fox of theirs was just that type all.'
As Ho Gamyeong mentally organized his thoughts based on the information he had gathered, the curious voice of Mun Bang brushed past his ears.
“…I don’t quite understand, Advisor. If we’re talking about ties to Hainan, isn’t that more of a connection to Ten Great Sects? Why would Heavenly Comrade Alliance intervene? What benefit would they gain?”
Ho Gamyeong did not respond. There was no need to explain and make them understand. Ho Gamyeong was the one to assess situations and make decisions. They just needed to follow his words well.
‘If they moved only for practical gain, they wouldn’t be such a headache.'
What made them troublesome was the lack of discernible logic behind their actions. Perhaps there was always some internal logic, but from this side, it was impossible to discern.
Only Jang Ilso seemed able to factor even their movements into his calculations...
'That's not what's important right now.'
Ho Gamyeong, setting aside his thoughts, quickened his pace.
However things turned out, this incident at Hainan would serve as a major warning to them of what would happen to them if they dared to oppose Evil Tyrant Alliance.
Therefore, it needed to be handled with absolute certainty and utmost cruelty.
"Whatever they do now, it won’t matter. Whether it's Ten Great Sects or Heavenly Comrade Alliance, they'll only hear news of Hainan in ashes."
That’s precisely why he had come in person.
"Complete the preparations within one hour. We march for Hainan."
"Yes! Advisor!"
***
"Sahyung. Weren't we gathered for our excommunication ceremony?"
"…I thought so too."
“Then why are they just standing there?”
"Who knows?"
The disciples of Hainan, who had not yet heard of the situation, looked at the members of Heavenly Comrade Alliance with bewildered faces.
In fact, it was a situation that they could not help but find bizarre.
Of course, an excommunication ceremony isn't something that necessarily needs to be hidden from others, but isn't it awkwardly uncomfortable to show?
Whether it was a disciple being expelled for wrongdoing or voluntarily leaving the sect, such ceremonies were, at the very least, embarrassing for the sect to showcase.
"Weren't you supposed to eat and then leave?"
"They really want to watch the excommunication ceremony before leaving?"
"...That doesn't make sense?"
However, the reason why we cannot blindly criticize those who have barged in here without notice was because the person standing with the followers of Heavenly Comrade Alliance was none other than Geum Yangbaek, the sect leader of Hainan.
Sometimes, a single action speaks louder than a thousand words. The very fact that Geum Yangbaek was standing there with them was the clearest evidence that their actions had been sanctioned at the sect level.
"Sahyung. Have you heard anything about this?"
Those who couldn’t make sense of the situation eventually turned to Gwak Hwanso for answers. After all, he was the last person known to have spoken with them.
"Sect Leader will explain."
"Yes?"
"Just wait."
"…Understood."
Although their curiosity grew, they couldn’t press further. The gravity of the occasion made it difficult to continue speaking out.
'I don't understand.'
Lee Jayang frowned. He had felt this way repeatedly since these outsiders arrived—these people from Heavenly Comrade Alliance often overstepped their bounds.
What kind of occasion was this?
Was it a gathering to instill guilt in those leaving the sect? No, it was not.
This was a moment for those remaining in Hainan, even under dire circumstances, to reaffirm their resolve as they watched the others depart.
It was a moment meant to remain pure and untainted. With such impurities mixed in, how could one feel at ease?
'I heard the young martial artists of Heavenly Comrade Alliancewere all extraordinary talents of the world.'
Apparently, the saying that rumors can’t always be trusted was true. Strength in martial arts alone doesn’t earn one the title of prodigy. And yet, here were these oblivious individuals.
While Lee Jayang was trying to ease his uncomfortable feelings, Geum Yangbaek climbed onto the platform.
Hainan's disciples immediately straightened their postures and greeted the sect leader.
Geum Yangbaek, who had climbed up onto the podium, looked around at everyone and opened his mouth.
"Today... was originally scheduled for the excommunication ceremony of those leaving Hainan."
Originally? Sensing that something had changed, the disciples sharpened their focus on his next words.
"But we've decided to skip the excommunication ceremony. Instead!"
Geum Yangbaek’s firm voice cut through the air as he looked out over the gathered disciples.
"I wish to share with everyone our plan for facing those heretics of Evil Tyrant Alliance!"
Lee Jayang frowned deeply.
'What is this all of a sudden?'
How they were to confront them had already been decided…
"I, Geum Yangbaek! As Hainan's Sect Leader, will lead Haenam's disciples toward their territory in Gangnam!"
All of Hainan's disciples were shocked by the words that came out of the blue.
"Huh?"
"Se- Sect Leader!"
"What does Sect Leader mean by Gangnam?"
Of course, some had considered the possibility that the sect leader might propose an alternative approach. Given the dire circumstances, they had even imagined he might suggest embarking across the vast ocean to find a new path.
But Gangnam? What madman would throw himself into a tiger's den while fleeing from a tiger?
But Geum Yangbaek didn’t wait for their understanding and pressed on.
"And! The special envoys of Heavenly Comrade Alliance here will also head to Gangnam alongside our Hainan."
This time, every gaze shifted to the envoys standing below the platform. Under the weight of so many gazes, they stood composed, as if their calm demeanor was confirmation of Geum Yangbaek’s bold claim.
"Se- Sect Leader. Why so suddenly..."
"I am not compelling anyone!"
Geum Yangbaek shouted.
"We will not hold a separate expulsion ceremony because, for some, being excommunicated in front of everyone may be a path they simply cannot take. Those who lack the resolve to see Hainan Sect through to the end may stay on this island. Then you shall live."
"…"
"However!"
Geum Yangbaek bit his lips and shouted.
"Those who will fight until the end under the name of Hainan! Those ready to stake their lives to carve out a path to survival! Follow me. We will pierce through Gangnam, strike through the enemy's heart, and advance to the Yangtze! And there, not in Hainan but on the Yangtze, we shall continue our fight against those vicious Evil Tyrant Alliance!"
"…"
"Those who believe in me!"
Geum Yangbaek’s eyes swept across the disciples as he roared.
"And those who cannot abandon the name of Hainan, step forward! I will gladly cross the sea with them. We shall let the world know that Hainan's spirit lives on!"
In the heavy silence, Hainan's disciples merely stared at Geum Yangbaek. His words, devoid of logical reasoning yet brimming with fervent resolve, left them unsure of how to react.
Then, breaking the silence, Gwak Hwanso stepped forward and stood face-to-face with Geum Yangbaek.
"Disciple Gwak Hwanso dares to ask Sect Leader one thing."
"Granted!"
Gwak Hwanso showed proper respect and asked in a clear voice.
"Why does Sect Leader wish to fight in Gangnam and not here?"
At those words, Geum Yangbaek took a deep breath and answered,
"Some say that fishermen are those who understand and yield to the will of the sea."
"……"
"What do you think? Is that true?"
A few disciples shook their heads.
"Indeed, it is not. The best way to yield to the sea is not to venture into it at all. As long as one does not set sail, there is no risk of the sea’s unpredictable tempests, no fear of never returning from its depths. And without those risks, the countless tragedies of Hainan would never repeat."
Geum Yangbaek shouted with resolute eyes.
"Yet still, we set out to sea. Even knowing the dangers, even knowing we may never return! We board our boats, cast our nets, and face the waves. Because that is the path of those who fight, the path of those who resist!"
Everyone present was a son or daughter of those who fought the sea. None among them could fail to understand his words.
"For us, Gangnam is like the raging sea. So what of it? Will we simply dock our boats and stare helplessly at the sea until we starve to death? Shall we accept death, claiming it's foolish to venture into stormy waters?"
No. None would do so. At least, no one of Haenam.
"Our reason for going to Gangnam?"
Geum Yangbaek took a deep breath and roared.
"To fight! To survive! It may seem utterly reckless, but those who live by the sea understand this better than anyone. There is nothing more reckless than staying still and waiting for death!"
Geum Yangbaek's gaze turned to Heavenly Comrade Alliance and his group on one side.
"These outsiders reminded me of a truth I had forgotten. The guests from the mainland reminded me of things that we who live by the sea should have understood before anyone else. The obvious truth that if we truly wish to protect, to live, we must stand and fight!"
Finally, Geum Yangbaek turned his attention to Gwak Hwanso.
"That's why we go. However fearsome Evil Tyrant Alliance may be, they are not as fearsome as the raging sea."
Gwak Hwanso slowly nodded. Then he unsheathed the sword at his waist.
"My father too never returned from the sea."
"…"
"As a child full of resentment, I often blamed him. But… now that I'm old enough to be responsible for someone, I've finally come to understand his choices. That sometimes we must risk danger."
Their eyes met in the air.
"If Sect Leader will head for the sea called Gangnam."
Gwak Hwanso thrust forward his gripped sword.
"Then I, disciple Gwak Hwanso, as one of Hainan Sect, shall follow!"
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