Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1392. You're making fun of people (2)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
His breath caught in his throat.
'They're going to rescue him?'
Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword?
No, thinking about it, this wasn't a surprising choice. Considering who these people were, it might be the most natural thing. But...
"Acting Sect Leader."
Gwak Hwanso forced himself to speak, steadying his trembling voice.
“As you know… the rear is now filled with Myriad Man Manor chasing us. Going to save Chung Myung Dojang now is not much different from saying you'll break through them."
Baek Cheon stared at Gwak Hwanso silently.
"I know Mount Hua is strong. There's no comparison between your strength and ours. But…"
Gwak Hwanso trailed off. But everyone could guess what would come next.
This was no different from suicide.
They have done everything they can to escape from the grasp of Myriad Man Manor so far.
They had endured the constant fear that the enemy might burst through their rear and stab them at any moment, and they had finally made it this far.
And now they would jump back into the arms of those they had been fleeing from? Just to save one person?
'This is madness.'
Can this really be called courage or Chivalrousness?
A truly courageous person might risk their life to rush into a burning house and save a crying child.
You could call that courage. But if someone who had already lost an arm in the process ran back into the flames to save another child, could you still call that courage?
When the second attempt was ten times more dangerous than the first?
That's not courage.
Only someone who’s broken in some way could do something like that.
But now, not a single face among the Mount Hua disciples discussing this madness showed hesitation or fear.
The faces of those who spoke of something utterly absurd as if it were completely natural. That sight filled Gwak Hwanso with indescribable emotions.
"I'm truly sorry to the disciples of Hainan Sect."
“A- Acting Sect Leader…”
“But as I said, I believe Mount Hua has fulfilled its duty to you to this extent."
Gwak Hwanso nodded without realizing it.
In truth, the phrase ‘to this extent’ was far too inadequate. What Mount Hua had done for them was more than enough, to the point of overflowing.
Even if they had abandoned them halfway through the journey north, Gwak Hwanso would not have blamed them.
“To ask more of Mount Hua would go beyond shamelessness, something inhuman. But Acting Sect Leader... are you truly all right with this?"
He already knew the answer.
The answer from someone with those eyes was obvious.
However, the answer he heard began somewhat differently than expected.
"Well, I don't know. Actually, my duty as Mount Hua's Acting Sect Leader ends here."
"What?"
“What remains isn’t the duty of Baek Cheon, the acting sect leader of Mount Hua, but of Baek Cheon, the eldest disciple of Mount Hua. So I’m just going to do what I want to do.”
"N- No, then what about the others......"
"They'll decide for themselves. I have no intention of forcing anyone."
Gwak Hwanso unconsciously gaped. Baek Cheon's demeanor had somehow changed from before.
That composed face now carried an inexplicable air.
"Those who want to follow will follow. Those who want to stay will stay. It's not my place to concern myself with that, is it?"
"N- No...."
At that moment, Jo-Geol opened his mouth as if he were annoyed.
"Why so many words? We don't have much time."
Gwak Hwanso turned his gaze to Jo-Gol with an incredulous expression, and Yoon Jong picked up the conversation and scolded Jo-Gol.
"As Acting Sect Leader, you have things to do, don't you?"
"So we wait?"
“No, let’s just leave it at that.”
"Wow... I didn't even think of that."
Before the words had fully settled, Yoo Iseol stepped forward and stood beside Yoon Jong.
"Cheeky."
"Urgh, Sago, that's not what I meant...."
"Not happening, I'm the lead."
"....Yes."
Tang Soso also stood firmly beside Yoo Iseol with a stern face, and Hye Yeon, who had remained silent all this time, naturally took his place next to Jo-Gol.
As if to say that their going to Chung Myung now was by no means because of Baek Cheon's orders.
'What in the....'
As Gwak Hwanso was left speechless by the absurd scene, Baek Cheon spoke up with a nonchalant expression.
“See? They’re not the type to listen to me anyway. I should be thanking them for quietly following me this far.”
“If it weren’t for Sasuk.”
“If it weren’t for Acting Sect Leader.”
“If it weren’t for Dongryong.”
"Who bastard just now?"
When Baek Cheon swears and turns, everyone pretends not to hear him.
A hollow laugh escapes Gwak Hwanso’s lips.
These people now had to go into a hellish battlefield.
A place where the probability of dying was several times higher than the chance of coming back alive. Yet they showed neither burden nor tension.
No, it wasn’t that they felt no burden or tension. It was just that something else mattered more.
'Had they planned this from the start?"
Is that why they fought so fiercely and increased their pace? To lead everyone to a safe place before turning back?
“If you’re done talking, let’s go.”
Gwak Hwanso turned his head toward the voice.
Namgung Dowi, sogaju of Namgung Family. He, too, had already turned around as if this were the most natural choice.
Along with Tang Pae, sogaju of Tang Family.
As for the rest....
“Let me make one thing clear.”
Im Sobyeong, Nokrim King, spoke to them in a chilling tone.
"This goes against Chung Myung Dojang's wishes."
At those words, everyone's expressions hardened slightly.
"Chung Myung Dojang would not want you to do this madness. Even if a miracle occurs and you break through hell to face him again, all you'll hear are curses. And there are more likely outcomes that you'll all meet your end hand in hand."
"......"
“Still going?”
Baek Cheon picked at his ears at those words.
With a completely different and utterly delinquent expression than usual, he replied indifferently.
“So what?”
"...Pardon?"
Nokrim King blinked. It seemed he truly hadn't expected this response in the slightest.
“So what do you want me to do about it?”
"....."
"Nokrim King doesn't seem to understand well. Take this opportunity to learn."
"Learn what?"
“I’m the Sasuk, me!”
"...Yes?"
"So why the hell should I listen to that bastard? That brat who doesn't even know his place! It's not me who should be listening to that bastard, it's that bastard who should be listening to me! Got it?"
“Right.”
"Right! I'm the Sahyung!"
"I agree. I'm the Saje, though."
The corners of Im Sobyeong's mouth twitched.
"Do you all share the same thoughts?"
Namgung Dowi and Tang Pae, who received his gaze, simply shrugged.
"Realistically, we know this makes no sense. If we’re talking about gains and losses, it’s better to give up cleanly.”
"That's a given."
"But isn't friendship a relationship that isn't bound by such calculations?"
Namgung Dowi continued firmly.
“That’s why we’re Heavenly Comrade Alliance. If we were going to weigh gains and losses, would I even be here? I should’ve died at Plum Blossom Island. Nevertheless, Chung Myung Dojang came to save Namgung. We already became friends then. So now it's my turn to risk my life for him."
"...."
"Is it the same for you, Tang Family Sogaju?"
"If I abandon Chung Myung Dojang and go back, I will die by the hand of my father anyway."
"...."
"At least I'll die with a little less suffering in this option."
Several people nodded at those words. The thought of an enraged Tang Gun-ak was enough to give them nightmares.
“You’re all insane.”
"So what will Nokrim King do?"
"Tsk, tsk, what a ridiculous question."
Im Sobyeong pulled out a fan from his sleeve.
A few people whispered as they watched.
‘How many fans does he even carry around?’
‘It seems like each fan has a different purpose?’
Unfolding the fan wide, Im Sobyeong partially covered his face and spoke.
"Anyway, it's obvious that if that man dies, Nokrim will be treated like cold rice. Might as well use this chance to clear a debt or two. It’s a good deal.”
"...Now I understand why the Green Forest is poor."
"He can't calculate. Calculate."
"Noisy!"
At Im Sobyeong's irritated outburst, Baek Cheon smirked slightly and turned toward Gwak Hwanso.
"I ask for your understanding."
As Baek Cheon clasped his hands together, Gwak Hwanso hesitated for a moment before speaking in a suppressed voice.
“Acting Sect Leader. If you insist…”
"No."
Baek Cheon cut him off, as if already knowing what he was about to say.
"That won't do. If we lead Hainan Sect to turn back now, everything we've done so far will be reduced to nothing but foolishness."
"......."
"Having greater numbers won't make a difference. So please don't worry and go. And make sure to survive. That way, everything we’ve done won’t be in vain.”
Im Sobyeong nodded.
"It would actually be more helpful if Hainan Sect headed toward the Yangtze River as planned to draw their attention."
"See?"
The strength left Gwak Hwanso's shoulders.
They were right. They were absolutely right, but...
“Then at least let me…”
Baek Cheon smiled faintly and shook his head.
"That won't do either. Gwak Sohyeop, you need to lead Hainan Sect. You know this, don’t you?"
The difference between Haenam with Gwak Hwanso and without him would certainly not be small. That was why, even though Baek Cheon understood Gwak Hwanso’s feelings, he couldn’t take him along.
Unable to do anything, Gwak Hwanso clenched his fists in frustration. Baek Cheon simply smiled and patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry. When we meet again in Gangbuk, you’ll be the one treating us—with interest."
At that sight, Gwak Hwanso eventually shook his head.
These guys were fools. Hopeless fools.
He couldn't understand. Whether people who were particularly foolish gathered around Chung Myung, or whether that man turned those around him into fools.
But right now, Gwak Hwanso found himself wanting to be one of those fools.
“Then.”
Baek Cheon turns away from Hainan Sect. Without leaving a single trace of lingering attachment.
His gaze landed not on the comrades who would accompany him, but on the path they needed to break through.
No, on someone who would be at the end of that path.
"Ready?"
"Why ask now of all times?"
"Right."
Baek Cheon chuckled. It was indeed a pointless question.
Seureureureng.
Drawing his sword from its sheath, he tightened his grip around the Plum Blossom Sword.
“Anyone who falls behind gets left behind.”
“Don’t get tired yourself, Sasuk.”
“Damn brats.”
Grinding his teeth, Baek Cheon shot forward without another word.
His comrades, now like streaks of light, followed closely beside him.
"Let's go! To that damned bastard!"
"Yes!"
The martial artists of Heavenly Comrade Alliance charged forward with all their might.
And Gwak Hwanso, who had been staring blankly at their backs, clenched his teeth.
He too wanted to be there with them. But he couldn't go. There were people he had to protect.
So…
"Sahyung, I'll go."
Gwak Hwanso turned his head.
"Jayang?"
Lee Jayang spoke as if casually tossing the words out.
"Hainan Sect has its pride too. At the very least, we can't have people saying we abandoned our benefactor and returned alive on our own."
"...."
"Even if someone must die, it's better that I die than you, Sahyung. Well then."
"J- Jayang!"
Without waiting for Gwak Hwanso’s permission, Lee Jayang ran after the group that had gone ahead.
Gwak Hwanso, who had reached out his hand toward that retreating figure, awkwardly lowered his fist that had grasped only empty air.
"...Damn it."
A hollow voice echoed with a deep sigh.
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