Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1416. Even if it's meaningless (1)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
Hyun Jong bit his lip hard.
Bop Jeong. Bangjang of Shaolin, who should be the symbol of benevolence, was mostly engulfed in anger in the memory that Hyun Jong remembered. It wasn’t as if Bop Jeong had only ever shown him anger, but those moments were what burned most vividly into his memory.
That was why Hyun Jong had sometimes resisted him, even considered him impossible to reason with. How many times had Beopjeong forced unreasonable demands on Mount Hua and Heavenly Comrade Alliance?
But this time, even Hyun Jong could not offer any rebuttal.
“So....”
Bop Jeong said through gritted teeth.
“That’s why I told you so many times! That it was nothing more than self-satisfaction! That your so-called self-satisfaction could plunge Kangho into even greater chaos! Multiple times! I said this multiple times!"
“....”
"What exactly do you plan to do about this! With the situation as it is, with those bastards attacking the now ownerless Sichuan, what do you intend to do about this!”
Bop Jeong, unable to contain his anger, bit his lips.
In truth, it wasn’t just Hyun Jong’s fault. Bop Jeong too played a part in bringing about this disaster. If only he hadn’t been so easily manipulated by Jang Ilso’s schemes like a child, there might have been a way to protect Sichuan.
But he hadn't seen it. Blinded by the grand flow of Heavenly Comrade Alliance, he had completely failed to realize what Jang Ilso was truly aiming for. Even though the signs had been there multiple times.
If he hadn't missed Jang Ilso's movements, he might have saved both Sichuan and Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
Yet knowing this, his anger toward Heavenly Comrade Alliance showed no signs of abating. After all, it didn’t change the fact that this all began with Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s journey to Hainan Island.
“Bangjang.”
Hyun Jong sighed deeply and opened his mouth.
"I understand you have reason to be angry. But isn't this not the time to argue about right and wrong? We must find some way to help Sichuan..."
"Help?"
A voice like a frost-laden blade escaped Bop Jeong's lips.
“How?”
“....”
"The distance from here to Sichuan is over three thousand li. How, exactly, do you plan to help Sichuan from three thousand li away! Even if you start running and shouting now, do you think Paegun will be idle in the meantime?"
The force of Bop Jeong’s words felt like a blade piercing Hyun Jong’s lungs, forcing him to shut his eyes tightly.
Hyun Jong knew too.
Looking back, everything had already been determined. Jang Ilso's true aim wasn't to massacre them, but to cleverly drive Chung Myung's group and Hainan Sect eastward, drawing Heavenly Comrade Alliance and Ten Great Sects to the east.
To the eastern side of Jungwon, where they could not interfere with Sichuan for several days.
"If we combine our forces...”
“Wake up, Maengju!”
A thunderous roar erupted from Bop Jeong.
"Combine our forces? To fight our way to Sichuan? Fine! Let’s try breaking through! And then what? Do you think those in Sichuan will hold out until we arrive? Against Evil Tyrant Alliance?"
“....”
"Do you think you’re the only one who wants to rush to Sichuan and save them? There are Qingcheng and Emei in Sichuan! Do you not understand what that means!"
Hyun Jong found himself speechless for a moment.
Qingcheng and Emei were pillars of Ten Great Sects. Losing their military strength would mean Ten Great Sects could never return to their former power.
No, this wouldn’t end with just that much.
Among Ten Great Sects, Kunlun has long since become meaningless, and due to the recent disaster in Hainan Sect, Hainan Sect has also lost much of its power.
In such a situation, if Sichuan's Qingcheng, Emei, and possibly even Jeomchang were to be destroyed... Ten Great Sects could lose over thirty percent of their remaining might in this single stroke.
Thirty percent in one stroke. No, including Hainan Sect, perhaps even more. In less than a month's time.
For Ten Great Sects, this might be an even greater loss than Magyo’s uprising. It was a situation beyond mere recovery.
Therefore, Hyun Jong could not blame Bop Jeong even if he was half-mad with anger.
“If you hadn’t carried out such a reckless journey to Hainan Island, Sichuan wouldn’t be drowning in this disaster! Don't you understand? This is the price of your actions. The world will condemn you!"
Bop Jeong's cold gaze shifted from Hyun Jong to Tang Gun-ak.
Facing the gaze filled with reproach, Tang Gun-ak did not avoid it, but met it directly with a fierce gaze.
"That’s why I warned you!”
Just as Bop Jeong gnashed his teeth, ready to roar again.
“...Did you just say it was reckless?”
Bop Jeong fell silent.
This was because Hainan Sect Sect Leader Geum Yangbaek, whose complexion looked as if he would stop breathing at any moment, stepped forward from behind. His body swayed with every step.
Bop Jeong who was seething with anger felt as if his entire body had been plunged into ice water.
"Are you saying..."
A chilling killing intent seeped from Geum Yangbaek's two eyes.
".....that the actions of those who rushed to Hainan Island to save us were unnecessary, is that it? Say that to my face, Bangjang."
It was the spirit of one who stood at death’s door. The final momentum of one who had accepted his death overwhelmed even the world-renowned Bop Jeong.
“Sect Leader, that’s....”
"Why!"
Geum Yangbaek roared, taking a step closer to Bop Jeong as if he was about to swing his sword.
"Why is that their fault!"
“....”
"If we follow principles, wasn't it Bangjang's fault for thoroughly denying a fellow Ten Great Sects and ignoring the countless rescue requests we sent! If you had helped us even once before the situation escalated, would this disaster have happened today!"
Bop Jeong fell silent as though his mouth had disappeared.
There was no logic he could fall back on.
How meaningless and cruel would it be to logically explain to the abandoned why they were abandoned?
No matter how blinded by rage he was, he could at least discern that much.
"And yet! You don't care about what you've done yourselves! You blame those who did what you were supposed to do for being foolish? And you call yourself the bangjang of Shaolin? You call yourself a Buddhist! You?"
Blood suddenly gushed out from the mouth of the excited Geum Yangbaek.
“Cough!”
"Sect Leader!"
"Sect Leader! You mustn’t be agitated, Sect Leader!"
"Step aside!"
Geum Yangbaek shoved away the disciples trying to restrain him. A chilling cold glimmered in his eyes.
"You said the world would condemn them?"
“Sect Leader....”
“Yes! Perhaps it will. But that won’t be the whole world! Even if every last soul points fingers and spits on them, Hainan Sect alone will stand on their side! Even if the name Hainan crumbles with not even ashes remaining! Those who bear the emblem of Three Waves on their chest will take the stones hurled their way, and will endure the spit of the world on their behalf!”
A cry that seemed to wring his very soul echoed through the air.
Bop Jeong sighed involuntarily. Not just because of Geum Yangbaek's shout, but because of the vengeful gazes from Hainan Sect disciples standing behind him.
Just those eyes were enough to tell. That now the relationship between Hainan Sect and Ten Great Sects had crossed a river of no return.
In this moment where sects under Ten Great Sects banner in Sichuan might be wiped out, even Hainan Sect, which could have been a potential ally, had severed ties.
"Hah, hahaha..."
Bop Jeong suddenly laughed hollowly.
"I see. Everything is this humble monk's fault."
“....”
"Sichuan burns, and innocent sects drown in blood. All of it is my fault! Everything!"
Bop Jeong once again glared at Hyun Jong and Tang Gun-ak. Ho But that gaze couldn't quite reach Geum Yangbaek.
At that moment, Maeng So, who had remained silent, opened his mouth.
"This is not the time. I understand there are old grudges between us, but now is not the time to bring them up. We must first discuss what we can do to help Sichuan.”
“Y- Yes, Bangjang. Right now…”
Jongni Hyeong, the sect leader of Kongtong Sect, stepped forward to support Maeng So. While he wasn't without resentment toward Heavenly Comrade Alliance, right now they were literally in a situation where every moment was precious.
But Bop Jeong merely glanced coldly at Maeng So with cold eyes.
"A measure?"
“You speak of measures?”
“....”
"What meaning is there in us discussing countermeasures? You have never listened to a word I have said! When have you ever accepted a single suggestion I've made?"
“Bangjang. How can you say such....”
“Am I wrong?”
Now it was Hyun Jong who found himself at a loss for words.
Of course, the details were complicated, but looking purely at the results, Heavenly Comrade Alliance had consistently rejected Bop Jeong's proposals. And they have always prioritized their own will.
So it wasn't wrong for Bop Jeong to speak like this.
"And now you ask us to help you?"
"Qingcheng, Emei, and even Dianchang are at risk. Isn't protecting them the rightful duty of bangjang!"
"Yes, that's right! That's why I've been trying to protect them all this time! I even ran all the way here and risked my life crossing the river, trying to save even you!"
“....”
"And all you have to say is that everything is the fault of me as bangjang of Shaolin.”
Beopjeong sneered, then turned his gaze toward the distant forces of Evil Tyrant Alliance, maintaining their distance.
“Breaking through them is impossible. No, it may be possible, but that’s exactly what Paegun wants. There's no need to risk even greater losses when we've already suffered significant damage. I will return to Gangbuk."
“Bangjang! But Sichuan is in a critical situation right now....”
“Don’t you understand that if we continue to suffer even greater damage, it will truly become irreversible!"
Kuung!
Bop Jeong stomped his foot, sending tremors through the earth.
With an expression unbefitting a monk, twisted with hostility, he glared sharply at Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
"If we too perish here, the era of evil will come upon the world!! That Jang Ilso will take the world in his grasp and twist it as he pleases!”
Everyone's face suddenly became gloomy.
"For all your talk of chivalrousness and justice, Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s answer to every crisis is to rush in and swing your swords! Do you really think Jang Ilso doesn't know you would move like this?"
“....”
“Meaningless as it may be now, but heed my word carefully. This is my final piece of advice. Do not go to Sichuan. Unless, of course, you wish to die there.”
Bop Jeong turned away sharply.
Behind him, the disciples of Ten Great Sects who had been looking at Heavenly Comrade Alliance stared at them briefly before turning away.
In that instant, Hyun Jong understood.
'The disciples....'
While the leadership of Ten Great Sects might have Heavenly Comrade Alliance unfavorably until now, their disciples at least had maintained quite a bit of goodwill toward them.
But not anymore.
The looks in their eyes as they turned away were far from those looking at allies.
The wall between Ten Great Sects and Heavenly Comrade Alliance had now become far too solid to be torn down.
Then, just as he turned, Bop Jeong let out a cold sneer and spoke quietly.
"Nevertheless... you'll still go to Sichuan, of course. Right?"
The person who answered wasn't Hyun Jong.
"We will."
Baekcheon answered in a calm voice without a hint of wavering. Bop Jeong glared at him with a cold face and turned his head sharply, leaving a chill in his wake.
“Of course. I’m sure you will.”
Hyun Jong, who was watching Bop Jeong’s retreating figure, closed his eyes tightly.
'Jang Ilso....'
It was as if he could hear Jang Ilso's laughter in his ears.
That maniacal laugh of a cunning tyrant who had achieved everything exactly according to his will.
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