Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1452. I look forward to your kind cooperation (2)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
Chung Myung glared at the people grinning and giggling around him.
"I... No, um... I'm genuinely curious... Is this how such positions are normally handed over, like some back-alley gambling? Is that normal?"
Tang Gun-ak casually glanced at the other sect leaders and shrugged calmly.
"Would we know? We’ve never done it before either."
"Right."
"Honestly, this is my first time discussing something like this with other sects."
“...It hasn’t been long since I became the patriarch.”
For a moment, Chung Myung’s mind went blank as he stared at the distant sky.
'This is a mess.'
The increase in work isn't important. No, that is important too. It is important, but...
“You want me to be the general?”
"Don't you like positions?"
Of course, I like positions! But this one’s way out of line!
“No...!”
"Enough."
“...Huh?”
As Chung Myung was about to have another outburst, Maeng So cut his words off sharply.
"I don’t see why we’re even debating this. Isn’t this what you’re trying to say? If command authority is centralized, someone is bound to suffer losses."
“That’s right!”
"Then conflicts will arise, leading to discord. That's why Heavenly Comrade Alliance has made agreements on equal footing without dividing ranks. Even responsibility is shared!"
"Right!"
"So shouldn’t we prioritize decisions made through collective agreement above all else?"
“...Huh?”
Chung Myung froze in place, confused. He realized what the next line would be.
"By that logic, you should assume the general’s position. Because it's something we all agreed upon and decided. Surely a man wouldn't go back on his own words?"
"Ngh..."
Chung Myung grabbed his nape as if suffocated.
"If a mere disciple of one sect refuses what all sect leaders have agreed upon through discussion, then there's no reason for this alliance to continue existing."
Everyone looked at Maeng Ao with faces full of admiration. It was only now that they truly understood why Chung Myung had once said that although Maeng So looked like a bear, there was definitely a fox living inside.
"And... when you think about it, Mount Hua has made the same decision, so are you perhaps defying your Sect Leader's orders? Tsk, tsk. To blatantly reject the sect leader’s will in front of all these people. That’s a disgrace to your sect leader’s dignity."
"Huh?"
Chung Myung’s eyes widened like lanterns as he turned to look at Un Am, who smiled warmly.
"N- No, that's not what I..."
"It’s alright. Maengju-nim, you needn’t pity me so deeply."
Pity? Excuse me, Sect Leader?
“I have only recently ascended to Sect Leader, and my martial prowess is insignificant. So, even if my disciple does not trust me, I will have to accept it.”
"Oh my..."
"How pitiful…"
"That's too harsh."
Despite the outpouring of sympathy from all sides, Un-am still only smiled warmly as if he were a serene painting.
But behind him surged a deadly aura. Behind Un Am, Un Gum, Hyun Young, and Hyun Sang were emitting a killing intent as if ready to grind Chung Myung to pulp right then and there.
Even the great Chung Myung felt his body shrink when he saw Un Gum's bloodshot eyes.
"N- No, that's not it... It's just..."
At that moment, Im Sobyeong snapped open his fan with a chuckle.
"Haha. Isn’t Mount Hua the sect that doesn’t know hierarchy anyway? Hahahahat!"
Chung Myung turned to look at Im Sobyeong with his mouth agape.
"You, you Evil Sects bastard..."
"Eek, how scary. Baek Cheon Dojang, save me! Ah… if he ignores the sect leader, then maybe acting sect leaders aren’t enough to stop him?"
Crack.
Baek Cheon's fist trembled. All Five Swords standing around him were also glaring at Chung Myung with eyes that looked like they could grind him up and drink him.
"That rootless bastard!"
"Lock him in the Plum Blossom Cave!"
"We should drive a sword through his crown!"
“Just kill him.”
Chung Myung broke into a cold sweat as he glanced around. Then, the one who opened his mouth was none other than Namgung Dowi.
“Dojang. There is something I really want to say to you."
“...Huh?”
"Dojang always thinks of us. But conversely, you also tend to look down on us."
"What's that outta of nowhere... No, what do you mean, Sogaju?"
"Why do you assume our decision stems from shortsightedness, unable to see further ahead?"
Chung Myung was briefly at a loss for words. Namgung Dowi shook his head and continued.
“We have already thought about what Dojang is worried about. Maintaining the character of Heavenly Comrade Alliance and not creating hierarchies among them is important. But responding to the approaching crisis and saving even one more life is also important."
It was hard to hold both at once. Especially in a time like this.
"That’s why we entrust that role to Dojang."
"I'm not that great..."
“No, Dojang. It's not because Dojang is great."
“...Huh?”
"If we must die following someone’s orders.”
Namgung Dowi looked straight at Chung Myung and said,
"We Namgung want that person to be you, Dojang."
Every sect leader nodded at the words. They too don't believe that Chung Myung will only make the right decisions. Chung Myung is also human. He will make mistakes and misjudgments.
But even if they had to suffer from that misjudgment, they can accept it if it was Chung Myung who gave those orders.
“What I believe in is not Dojang. It is the path that Dojang has walked so far.”
“....”
"Please."
The other leaders’ unwavering gazes locked onto Chung Myung.
“Ugh....”
At this point, there's really nowhere to run. No, perhaps there was never any escape route to begin with.
Chung Myung faced Tang Guna-k for the last time.
Then, Tang Gun-ak spoke in a calm voice.
"While my family was under attack and coming all the way here, I thought about many things. Among those deep considerations, I held onto only one thing."
“...What’s that?”
"Let me not be someone who learns nothing from his mistakes."
Tang Gun-ak shook his head.
“Perhaps we have made too many mistakes and misjudgments since Hainan journey until now. That’s why things have come to this. But we can't keep avoiding change based on a groundless belief that things will somehow go well next time. At the very least, I want the Sichuan Tang Family and Heavenly Comrade Alliance to take one step forward tomorrow."
“....”
"Become the general, Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword. And do as you wish. No one will hold you back anymore."
Tang Gun-ak's eyes held clear trust.
Chung Myung wishes to be Mount Hua's sword.
But the world can no longer leave him as a mere sword.
Tang Gun-ak too wanted to see it. What kind of world would unfold when Chung Myung, who had always chosen to be a sword wielded by others, became its master?
After pondering for a long while, Chung Myung scratched his head vigorously as if it ached. He tugged and pulled at his hair so fiercely that his high ponytail became a disheveled mess.
"Ha... life."
Nothing ever goes easily.
Chung Myung looked up at the sky. But the sky he saw was so blue, as if indifferent.
"Fine. I’ll do it! It’s not like it’s a big deal!"
A pleased smile appeared on Tang Gun-ak's face.
"Oh, good. You've thought well....”
"Since you all want to receive my orders that badly! It would be impolite to refuse any further. What else can I do?"
“....”
“But.”
Chung Myung glanced around at everyone. The face of Chung Myung, which had been contorted with reluctance until now, relaxed as a strange smile spread across his lips.
It was a strangely ominous smile.
"I clearly refused. Yet you all are the ones who insisted on putting me in this position. Don't forget that."
"...Hmm?"
"So whatever happens from now on is not my responsibility. I’m just following your decision. Right?"
A moment of silence followed. Five Swords, who had heard the words from a distance, began to whisper among themselves.
"...Doesn’t something seem kind of wrong, Sasuk?"
"A little? How can you call this a little?"
"Gol... To be honest, I had a bad feeling halfway through."
"Right, Senior Brother? We all know what happens when you give that guy authority."
"That's right. But come to think of it..."
Yoon Jong's face turned slightly pale.
"Only we know that, only we..."
“...This is why information is important. My condolences.”
As Five Swords whispered among themselves, the unease on Tang Gun-ak's face grew a little deeper. Chung Myung said with a smile.
“Whether it’s Ten Great Sects, Evil Tyrant Alliance, or whatever the hell it is, I can just do whatever I want and turn it all upside down, right?”
"N- No, Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword. What I meant was..."
“General.”
“...Huh?”
“You should call me general, general!”
“G- General....”
"Yes."
Chung Myung nodded happily.
"No need to worry. If you all really want this, I’ll do my best. Since you’ve pushed me this far, what else can I do? I’ll respond to that expectation with everything I’ve got."
The sect leaders frantically looked around at one another.
This all happened because they didn't know.
Why did Cheong Mun, who had recognized Chung Myung the most in the world, never give him a single position? Why did someone who was as much of an elder as Mount Hua not even have a single hall leader position? Why, even in the desperate moment when Magyo invasion, Chung Myung moved alone without a single subordinate.
"Well, for now..."
Chung Myung glanced around.
"It's not like we've had a formal inauguration ceremony, but this isn't the time to worry about such things. Still, since I’ve taken the position of general, I should do what needs to be done."
"…Here and now?"
"Hey, don't worry. It's nothing complicated. Would I ask for anything grand in this situation?"
"R- Right?"
The faces of the sect leaders, which had darkened with unease, momentarily brightened.
They had escaped from Sichuan and entered Shaanxi, but they were still on the road. This wasn’t exactly the best place to do anything significant.
“Hey, Sahyung!”
“What?”
Jo-Gol poked his head out.
"Go fetch an empty ledger. And a writing brush."
"Where am I supposed to find that?"
“Ah, figure it out yourself!”
"...Aish, damn..."
Jo-Gol grumbled as he disappeared. Tang Gun-ak looked at Chung Myung with uneasy eyes and asked.
“But… why the sudden use of brush and ink?”
“Ei. Well, it's nothing much. You can write ledgers even while heading to Huayin, right?"
“...Ledgera?”
"Yes."
Chung Myung smiled happily.
"Just jot down a simple list of each sect's assets along the way and hand it to me."
"...A simple list?"
“Yes, a simple list.”
"And by 'simple,' exactly how simple do you mean..."
"Come on. Why ask something so obvious? What need is there for such thoroughness between us? Just roughly."
"What?"
“If you hide even one grain of grain, your head will fly off."
...The sect leaders shuddered at the sudden chill that poured over them.
"If you hadn’t started, fine. But once it’s begun, you have to see it through."
Chung Myung ground his teeth.
"Don't worry. Since we've started, I'll make sure to finish it thoroughly."
Tang Gun-ak smiled warmly.
'I feel like we're the ones who will be finished.'
This is the right thing, right? Haha... Ha...
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