Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1441. What Should I Do? (1)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
“Sect Leader. Are you truly returning like this?"
Jong Nigok frowned slightly and asked back at Jin Cho-baek's question, who had somehow approached him from the side
“What do you mean?”
"I'm talking about Jeomchang."
Jong Nigok remained silent. Jin Cho-baek spoke again.
"Of course, as you said, it would be too late even if we headed to Jeomchang now, but if we were to turn back like this, Kangho would point a finger at Southern Edge Sect and say we are heartless."
“What does it matter?”
Jong Nigok coldly sneered.
"The world has changed while we were in seclusion. This is no longer an era where face matters."
"...That's certainly true..."
"We've already entered an era of chaos. The way to survive in such times is to cultivate strength and pursue practical benefits."
Jin Cho-baek nodded heavily. Jong Nigok looked back at him with a peculiar expression.
"Why. Are you perhaps concerned about the child you left behind?"
After a moment of silence, Jin Cho-baek let out a short sigh.
"You know well that wasn’t my intention in bringing this up."
"Just making conversation. That son of yours has grown remarkably."
Jong Nigok clicked his tongue as if with regret.
"We should have somehow kept him at Southern Edge Sect.”
"...I apologize."
"Why should you apologize? Even the Emperor cannot raise children exactly as he wishes. It's just…"
"Yes?"
Jong Nigok stared ahead silently and muttered to himself.
"The problem is that it’s not just one."
It was a vague statement, but Jin Cho-baek immediately understood the meaning of his words. It wasn’t just Baek Cheon. Each and every one of Mount Hua’s disciples who were guarding the man was incredibly sharp.
It was hard to believe that these were the people who were being trampled unilaterally by Southern Edge Sect's disciples at the Jonghwa Conference.
(H: It was supposed to be Hwajong but mentioned as Jonghwa by Southern Edge Sect to show superiority. X: For context, Hwa = Hwasan = Mount Hua, Jong = Jongnam = Southern Edge)
“In just a few years....”
He couldn't help but smile bitterly.
While others in Kangho seemed to accept these changes naturally, Southern Edge Sect's perspective was different. Having been in seclusion for a few years, the gap and magnitude of change felt far more striking and real.
Just then, Jin Cho-baek opened his mouth with a worried voice.
"Sect Leader. I’m a little concerned."
“What is it?”
"For now... Yes, honestly, I'm not greatly concerned right now. No matter how much Mount Hua might spread its wings, they are ultimately a sect without even a proper elder, isn't it?"
"Right."
"No matter how strong they are, they’re just children. Right now, their fame has simply been overinflated, but Mount Hua’s true power can’t compare to Southern Edge Sect’s."
Jong Nigok nodded. He thought so as well.
"Then what is there to worry about?"
"But... will it be the same ten, twenty years from now?"
“....”
“When the time comes for the first-class disciples of Mount Hua to become Mount Hua elders, I am concerned that Southern Edge Sect will still be able to pride itself on being ahead of Mount Hua.”
Jong Nigok chuckled audibly.
"It seems your youngest son troubles you more than your eldest."
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Right. But… there’s no need to worry so much."
"Yes?"
Jong Nigok's eyes sank deeply.
"Do you know why it's difficult to find a good person in the world?"
"Isn't it because doing good is difficult?"
“Tsk, tsk. Listen. Those who don't act because it's difficult were never good to begin with. That's not the right answer."
“Then...?”
“The reason is simple.”
Jong Nigok let out a faint sneer.
"Because they all died."
Caught off guard by this unexpected answer, Jin Cho-baek looked back at Jong Nigok blankly for a moment. Seeing his expression, Jong Nigok let out a small laugh.
"Why the face?"
"Sect Leader. What kind of..."
He was about to ask what strange words those were, but Jong Nigok spoke faster.
"Just a joke."
Jong Nigok smiled broadly as if it was really a joke, but Jin-Cho-Baek knew that it was no mere jest.
"Sect Leader. Perhaps Mount Hua..."
"Would there be any need for that?"
"Huh?"
Jong Nigok shrugged his shoulders. Then he again spoke words whose meaning was unclear.
"Look here, Cho-baek.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
"What do you think makes a good father?"
Jin Cho-baek's face flushed slightly. He knew all too well he hadn't been a proper parent himself. Had he been a truly good father, his son wouldn't be at Mount Hua now.
"I'm not really..."
"I think like this. Is it someone who teaches children properly and makes them walk the right path? No, that's not it. A true parent is one who protects their child no matter what happens."
Jin Cho-baek subtly glanced back. Jong Nigok glanced at the same place and said.
"Look. Soon the land we are standing on will be dyed red. And not just here, but in countless places across the world."
"...That will be so."
"My goal is one. To add the blood of Southern Edge Sect as little as possible among the blood that soon soaks the earth. For that purpose, I'm ready to become a despicable person, an evil person, anything. How about it? Would you point fingers at me for that?"
Jin Cho-baek shook his head.
"Perhaps I would have if I weren't a Southern Edge Sect person.”
“That’s an interesting answer. Hahaha.”
The image of Hyun Jong came back to Jong Nigok's mind after laughing out loud. In the end, a person's fundamental nature doesn't change. No matter how much Hyun Jong changed, he was still Hyun Jong in the end.
“Don't be too late.”
"...What do you mean?"
"I'm talking about your son."
Jong Nigok smiled.
"If you’re too late, you might end up with a regret you can never undo. Southern Edge Sect’s arms are generous and can accommodate even the prodigal son, so don’t miss the opportunity.”
Jin Cho-baek's face stiffened.
"For your information, that was not a joke."
“Sect Leader....”
“Let’s go.”
Jong Nigok picked up his pace and went ahead of Jin Cho-baek. It wasn’t because he was in a hurry to reach somewhere. It was because he didn’t want Jin Cho-baek to see the expression he was making.
‘Mount Hua.’
The world is not so easy.
How many sects were there that once spread their fame as if about to swallow the world? But in the end, they couldn't bear what they had done and collapsed. Just like the current Mount Hua.
'That's how it will be. That's how it must be.'
But what if... Mount Hua overcomes it all? If they were to prove themselves as a sect capable of shouldering all that weight?
If so, who in this world could possibly stop them?
Jong Nigok's eyes darkened.
'What a delusional thought.'
Such a thing will not happen. It never will.
❀ ❀ ❀
"Gaju-nim. We have recovered all the bodies, but..."
Instead of urging him to continue, Tang Gun-ak closed his eyes tightly.
The reason the man reporting hesitated at the end was obvious. Normally, the bodies recovered here would have been moved to Chengdu and buried in Tang Family grounds. Isn't it only proper to give such treatment to those who threw away their lives to protect the family members?
But now, that was impossible. Tang Family has already been burned down, and the land of Sichuan has been taken over by Myriad Man Manor.
"Bury them here."
“...Yes, Gaju-nim.”
He was about to add that they should erect a proper gravestone so that it would be easy to find it later, but soon shook his head instead. Because the thought crossed his mind that it was all pointless.
And above all... Tang Wei and those who fell here wouldn't have wanted that. They would rather command him to use that time to lead the surviving family members and seek the revival of Tang Family.
"Gaju-nim, now..."
Tang Pae, who had approached to ask a question, immediately closed his mouth upon seeing Tang Gun-ak's expression.
The question he had meant to ask was, 'What are we going to do now?' But now he felt like that question was too harsh for Tang Gun-ak.
“Sogaju.”
“Yes, Gaju-nim.”
“Prepare for camping.”
"...H- Here?"
Tang Gun-ak nodded.
"Night is coming. It's too much to move exhausted people through the dark. We'll rest here tonight."
"...Understood."
Tang Gun-ak turned to Tang Pae and said,.
"And... have everyone ready to move at first light tomorrow."
“Where shall we go?”
Tang Gun-ak didn’t answer, but Tang Pae nodded quietly.
“Yes, I will do so.”
As Tang Pae turned to leave, Tang Gun-ak watched him quietly before slowly raising his head.
'Well.'
The sunset sky comes into view.
'Where should we go?'
Darkness fell on the field.
Camping unprepared in open fields isn't as easy as one might think, especially so for children and women who haven't learned martial arts.
But thanks to the busy movements of Mount Hua's disciples, who were accustomed to such things, they were able to complete the preparations without great difficulty.
The women calmed the crying children as best they could, and even in this situation, the craftsman managed to set up tents to shield them from the wind.
Crackle.
Bright red sparks flew up from the bonfires lit here and there. Deep gloom soon settled on the faces of Tang Family members who silently gazed at those bonfires.
Only after finally catching their breath did the reality fully set in.
That they had lost their home and become wanderers.
Even the fact that perhaps they might never return to Sichuan again.
A heavy atmosphere settled over the small groups huddled together.
"We've procured cauldrons and grain as instructed. We'll prepare porridge immediately."
As Tang Gun-ak nodded, Tang Family members began setting up cauldrons over the campfires here and there. A quiet voice reached Tang Gun-ak's ears as he blankly watched.
“Gaju-nim.”
It was Hyun Jong who had somehow approached very close to him. He, who had not dared to offer words of comfort, spoke cautiously.
"Is there anything more we can help with?"
Tang Gun-ak shook his head with a faint smile.
"Though exhausted from the journey here, my people aren't completely helpless. Tang Family's strength alone will suffice now, so please don't worry."
Hyun Jong looked at Tang Gun-ak with renewed eyes.
How can one be so strong?
If Hyun Jong had suffered the same... If Mount Hua had all burned down from an enemy attack, and disciples were lost, he probably wouldn't have regained his senses until now.
Yet Tang Gun-ak maintained the dignity of the Sichuan Tang Family Head throughout it all.
“Gaju-nim.”
"If we think negatively, there is no end. We have lost much, but we have saved lives. Isn't that enough for now?"
Hyun Jong closed his eyes.
Hearing this made him feel petty for being disheartened by Jong Nigok's words. Even Tang Gun-ak, who was in a far more difficult situation, had such firm resolve.
Just then, Tang Gun-ak bowed his head respectfully.
"More importantly... Thank you."
A flustered Hyun Jong hurriedly stopped him.
"W- Why are you doing this, Gaju-nim!"
"If Ryeonju-nim had not made the decision, we could not have saved these people."
"How is that a decision I made? Please raise your head quickly. Quickly."
Naturally, their voices rose a little.
Watching the scene from a short distance away, Yoon Jong let out a sigh.
“Tang gaju-nim really is incredible, isn't he, Sasuk.”
“What are you talking about?”
"Despite experiencing such things, he's no different from usual. I couldn't even pretend to be like that."
"Yeah, that's why he's the patriarch."
Jo-Gol frowned at those words.
"What's so difficult about that? You just had to act like always."
"......Gol-ah, Can't you see that us humans are having a conversation here?"
“Huh? What does that mean?”
"Look, they have food over there, food."
“But this guy?”
Five Swords began bickering noisily.
The heavy air, the casual conversations trying to ignore it, the exaggerated jokes as if trying forcibly to lift the mood.
In this place mixed with so many things, Chung Myung was just staring at Tang Gun-ak in silence. At the back that only looked firm.
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