Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1516. Isn't this my fault? (1)
Editor: Hoamz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
The great hall was dyed in a silence as quiet as death. No one dared to open their mouth first to respond. It was that shocking.
Even the monks of Shaolin who come here to aid the sect leader was staring blankly at Hong Dae-gwang with eyes that seemed to ask, ‘What on earth did I just hear?’
And for good reason…
"Wow... Beggar Union is no joke."
“I thought there could be no place worse than Mount Hua.”
"Right? At this point, Mount Hua seems almost Confucian old fart in comparison."
“Seeing him today, Chung Myung Dojang was a righteous Taoist who greatly respected his elders. Amitabha.”
Kangho was a place where even murder can be given mitigating circumstances depending on the situation, and banditry was so frequent as a livelihood that it's practically rolling around everywhere.
To an ordinary person, Kangho would seem like a hellscape overrun by demons. Yet even here, there were sins considered absolutely unforgivable.
"...It's really textbook ‘To betray one's master and destroy the ancestors’."
Betray one's master and destroy the ancestors (기사멸조(欺師滅祖)). The sin of despising one's master and ancestors.
Even if a sect disciple killed a few people and came back, martial sects would first check who the dead person was and whether there was a good reason to kill them. But the moment ‘Betray one's master and destroy the ancestors’ was involved, they wouldn't even ask questions. They sever the perpetrator’s meridians and lock them up in a dungeon without question.
On top of that, they would be pointed at by the entire Kangho for keeping such a sinner alive. Such a great sin was ‘Betray one's master and destroy the ancestors’.
And now Hong Dae-gwang had just driven both his sect leader and elders into being shameless trash who weren't even beggars.
This situation drained the blood from even 'that' Jo-Gol's face.
"Sa- Sahyung. Why is that person acting like that?"
“...Blood must have rushed to his head.”
“Even if blood rushed to his head, still.”
“Gol-ah.”
When the flustered Jo-Gol turned, saying ‘Eh?’ Yoon Jong responded with a gentle smile.
"When a madman does crazy things, it's meaningless to look for the reason. That’s what happens when a madman does something crazy. What’s the point of investigating?"
"...Sometimes when I look at you, Sahyung, you're really a terrible person."
Everyone stared at Hong Dae-gwang in shock, but Hong Dae-gwang was confident despite receiving all those gazes…
“H- Hiik?”
...he was not. He had turned pale as if belatedly realizing what he had said.
"N- No. Tha- That..."
He broke out in cold sweat under the pouring gazes and stammered as he opened his mouth.
“M- My words, that’s… yes, that’s not what I meant.”
“What did you mean then?”
“W- Wait, Mount Hua Divine Dragon. This isn’t the time for jokes!”
Hong Dae-gwang looked around with a frightened face.
If you’re going to make enemies, you must clearly pick one side. That way, you can stand on the other side. But now, Hong Dae-gwang had just splashed sewage on both the opposing sect leader and elders.
At this rate, no matter who won…
"That... Haha... ha. I didn't mean to do that, what I meant was…”
As he stammered trying to make excuses, he suddenly burst out and snapped his head toward Chung Myung before screaming.
"It's all because of you! You damn bastard!"
“...Huh? I didn't even do anything the whole time?"
Chung Myung blinked in confusion at the sudden curse.
“I got so used to you always spouting your long-winded bullshit that I did it too!”
“No, hy are you doing it and then blaming me?”
Normally, Chung Myung would have immediately flipped the place upside down and threatened to beat that beggar half to death, but this time he didn’t even get angry. There was no need to. Instead, he rummaged inside his clothes.
“Let’s see… It shouldn’t get crushed? Ah…! It’s still good!”
Chung Myung fumbled around and pulled something out then threw it at Hong Dae-gwang.
"Wha- What’s this?"
Hong Dae-gwang, who had accepted it in a panic, quickly unwrapped the long object wrapped in white paper, hoping that it might be the silk pouch of resonance.
"But this is...!"
It was long and somewhat round… So this was…
“C- Candy?”
No, why candy all of a sudden… Why would he even carry this around? No, more importantly, why would he give this to him?
"Eat it."
"Huh?"
"From the looks of it, you'll soon be dying while gnawing on stale rice in some dark cave with your limbs cut off, so think of it as your last meal and have something sweet..."
“Hey, you son of a dog!”
Hong Dae-gwang threw down the candy he was holding. Chung Myung clicked his tongue.
“Ah… what a waste.”
“Do you think this is the time for jokes!”
"I'm not joking, that's why..."
Hong Dae-gwang clamped his mouth shut.
No, it wasn’t really a joke. If the situation weren’t this chaotic right now, the elders and Sect Leader would already be debating where to start cutting off his limbs first.
"Uh..."
It was just as Hong Dae-gwang, having realized his future, was desperately racking his brain.
“Not beggars, you say…”
Lone Tiger Divine Beggar murmured with a voice completely drained of strength. Thanks to that, all the gazes that had been focused on Hong Dae-gwang were sucked toward him.
“…Not beggars.”
A hollow laugh leaked out.
“Yes. That’s right… Yes.”
Memories from the distant past were surfacing in Lone Tiger Divine Beggar's mind.
The hand that held him when he was on the verge of freezing to death in the cold winter. A shabby hut that, though it couldn’t be warm, had felt infinitely warm.
"That's how it was..."
That was how he had become a beggar. The darkest corners of the world, untouched by the eyes of the privileged. The ones who found him there and reached out their hands were people so lowly they couldn’t even secure food for the day.
“That’s why… I wanted Beggar Union to become great.”
It wasn't just Lone Tiger Divine Beggar.
Most of those belonging to Beggar Union had joined that way. A place that willingly accepted those whom no one else would. That was why Beggar Union was an endlessly gracious place to them.
Because it was such Beggar Union, he had wanted to make it great with his own hands.
But the world had stolen that opportunity from him. After a long time of gnashing his teeth in resentment, when he finally thought that opportunity had come again...
Lone Tiger Divine Beggar closed his eyes.
Come to think of it, that was it. What he wanted was a great and powerful Beggar Union.
But in the Beggar Union he envisioned, there was no place for the shabby beggar who had extended a hand to the young Lone Tiger Divine Beggar.
The greatness he had painted was only the greatness desired by his present, powerful self, not the greatness that his powerless and miserable younger self had once dreamed of.
Lone Tiger Divine Beggar opened his eyes and looked at Chung Myung quietly.
“So that’s what you meant, Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword.”
"Huh?"
"That's why I was unfit. Now I finally understand your words.”
Chung Myung tilted his head with a displeased face.
"...Even after I spat blood explaining it, you didn't get it then."
It seemed beggars shared some unspoken understanding. Lone Tiger Divine Beggar's gaze left Chung Myung and turned elsewhere.
"Sect Leader. No... Traceless."
Wind Shadow Divine Beggar faced him in turn.
“Speak, Sahyung.”
“What do you intend to do? Do you plan to remain in that position?”
It was a sudden question, but Wind Shadow Divine Beggar immediately shook his head as if there were no room for reconsideration.
"I too am a person with shame. Though I wish to atone for my mistakes, I also know that is my selfish desire. Even without status or authority, I can still repay my debts.”
"Then?"
"I'm thinking of passing down the sect leader position and stepping back."
Lone Tiger Divine Beggar laughed helplessly.
"Then there was no reason to fight from the beginning. Your version of Beggar Union that I detested so terribly will now come to an end."
“Yes, Sahyung. But...”
“I know. You couldn't have tolerated my version of Beggar Union either.”
“...Yes.”
Lone Tiger Divine Beggar closed his eyes tightly again and fell silent. He seemed to ponder something, and when he opened his eyes again, his gaze had softened noticeably. His tone also changed from that moment on.
“Then let it be so. Both you and I... those of us who were consumed and changed by past times should simply step aside."
"E- Elder!"
"What are you saying!"
The elders all cried out in horror.
“What are you saying now, of all times!”
When the elders reacted vehemently, Lone Tiger Divine Beggar coldly rebuked them.
"And what then? Will you fight to the end against Shaolin's monks and Mount Hua's disciples?"
One of the elders shouted with veins bulging in his neck.
"If we resist to the end without regard for our lives, the ordinary beggars won't be able to just stand by and watch. After all, aren't we all the same Beggar Union? If they fight alongside us...!"
“An enormous amount of blood will be shed.”
Lone Tiger Divine Beggar cut him off as if he had heard enough.
“Do you intend to use the lives of the common beggars just to obtain power?”
“Tha- That’s…”
Lone Tiger Divine Beggar laughed in resignation.
A Beggar Union where lives could be thrown away like a blade of grass. That was certainly Beggar Union he had once desired. But this was never what he meant.
“Calm yourself, Great Elder!”
One of the elders shouted, refusing to give up.
"Though these people came from Shaolin, Bangjang cannot possibly share the same intentions as them. Even if we are subdued, if we just hold out for a few days, Bangjang will sort them out and place Beggar Union back in our hands!”
Hye Bang's expression changed slightly as he listened silently. The words held some truth.
“It’s a battle that’s already won! If we just endure a little longer…”
“That’s enough.”
But Lone Tiger Divine Beggar shook his head with a face that showed no trace of lingering attachment.
“If things go that way, Beggar Union will fall into chaos again. We cannot avoid the rumor that the one who joined hands with Shaolin to oust the sect leader rose to the new sect leader’s seat. The beggars will not follow me.”
“So what if they don’t? What can they do? In the end, they will have no choice but to follow. No, they must follow!”
Those words were more discouraging to Lone Tiger Divine Beggar than any of the other elders' attempts to dissuade him.
Those very words proved Hong Dae-gwang's statement that Beggar Union he had tried to create would only fill the bellies of himself and the elders.
"It's already a foregone conclusion. If we fail, we lose everything. So what are you hesitating about!"
It was pitiful and empty.
Yet he couldn’t even be angry because he knew full well he was no different from them.
"Sect Leader."
"Yes."
“They...”
Lone Tiger Divine Beggar exhaled sharply, steadying himself before continuing.
“The reason they are rebelling like this is that they are afraid.”
“...”
"Could Sect Leader ease their anxiety? My one life may not be enough, but now seems like a time when Sect Leader should also show magnanimity."
"That was my intention from the beginning."
Wind Shadow Divine Beggar said firmly.
"I'll make a promise to the elders in advance."
“...”
“If you step back here, I will not hold anyone accountable for what happened today. Attempted assassination of the leader, insubordination, it doesn't matter what the wrongdoing is. Today will disappear from Beggar Union’s history!"
"Ah..."
The elders' eyes widened slightly.
That was tantamount to a promise to guarantee their rights in the future as well. They, who had faced no other end but to have their martial arts crippled and be locked in a dungeon upon defeat, had been given a chance to enjoy the same lives as before.
Of course, it wouldn't be completely the same, but considering their defeat in war, even saying ‘grateful’ wouldn't be enough.
“But I am different. I will take responsibility for all of this and step down from the position of sect leader.”
"A- Are... are you truly serious, Sect Leader?"
One elder asked with a doubtful expression. Wind Shadow Divine Beggar glanced at Lone Tiger Divine Beggar and answered.
"...From the beginning, both I and all of you were wrong. We should have realized long ago that we couldn't lead Beggar Union down the right path with this method."
Wind Shadow Divine Beggar closed his eyes as if suppressing something.
'Master-nim.'
He didn't want to say his master was wrong. But at least, he wasn't right. When I opened my eyes, the still-frozen Hong Dae-gwang came into view.
Lacking and unreliable. But still...
“The future of Beggar Union must be entrusted to those who will live that future. That must be what a predecessor should do.”
Wind Shadow Divine Beggar spoke. The elders swallowed dryly and looked around.
“Amitabha.”
Hye Bang uttered the chant softly, and Baek Cheon slightly raised the sword in his hand.
Sect Leader had offered everything he could offer. Even though he could suppress everyone here with the support of Shaolin and Mount Hua if he so wished.
Then wouldn't they too have no other choice?
All eyes were on the last person who could resolve this situation. Lone Tiger Divine Beggar opened his heavy lips and spoke.
“The elders and I…”
His unwavering voice spread.
“…will follow Sect Leader’s words. We merely hope for merciful judgment.”
Finally, Lone Tiger Divine Beggar's last words brought the situation to an end.
"We surrender."
The great hall of Beggar Union in Kaifeng.
Perhaps it was the moment when an incomparably enormous, yet small war came to an end.
A myriad of emotions crossed Wind Shadow Divine Beggar’s face as he gave a nod.
“Today’s events are sorrowful… but as my master once said, people, as much as they are wounded…”
"Um..."
“…can walk forward. I understand your hearts, but the children we’ve raised…”
"Tha- That... excuse me, Sect Leader?"
“…must never let Beggar Union…”
“N- No! Sect Leader!”
Wind Shadow Divine Beggar’s face crumpled. Why did he keep interrupting so tactlessly at this important moment! He whipped his head around to face Baek Cheon.
“What is it now?”
“Um… Th- That over there…”
“Hm?”
Wind Shadow Divine Beggar frowned and looked up where Baek Cheon was pointing. What was he supposed to see...
Jojojok.
"Huh...?"
Jojojojojok!
From that direction came the dull, heavy sound of something old and worn beginning to crack. No, it wasn’t just sound. It was actually cracking.
“Um… that…”
"It- It should be fine, right? The top was mostly blown away anyway, so just the half-remaining ceiling..."
Rumble!
“...”
Before he could even finish his words, the very building they were standing on began to shake violently. What that shaking meant was obvious. Everyone turned pale.
Jojojojok.
A large crack began to spread across the floor as well. The Shaolin monks were the first to stealthily back away.
“It’s c- collaps…”
“No way…”
Hong Dae-gwang's perfectly timed and utterly desperate scream tore through the hall.
“It’s collapsinggggggggggggg! Run for your liiiiives!”
"R- Run! We'll be buried aliiiiive!"
"Ahhh! Why now of all times!"
“Damn it! Nothing ever ends cleanly!”
“Less talking and more running!”
"Hiiiiiek!"
“Uh… that over there? Uh…”
The beggars who hadn’t been able to enter and were loitering outside blinked blankly at the great hall.
“It’s collapsing...”
Kureureureureung! Kureureung!
“Huh… It’s collapsing?”
Kwarrrrrrrrrrrr!
The precarious old pavilion collapsed completely and cleanly in an absurdly neat manner.
"...Hah. Hahaha."
It wasn't just the war that had ended.
The old great hall, which had symbolized Beggar Union for hundreds of years. Even its long history had come to an absurd conclusion.
|Note
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