Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1520. This isn’t my fault? (5)
Editor: Hoamz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
While the disciples of Mount Hua were troubled watching Wind Shadow Divine Beggar's face with veins twitching from his clenched teeth, someone chuckled.
"Ei, that's only natural."
“....”
"There's no need to praise us like that. It was the natural thing to do, the natural thing! Hahahaha!"
Wind Shadow Divine Beggar was left completely dumbfounded.
The disciples of Mount Hua gave a silent round of applause in their hearts.
'Our Chung Myung is doing a good job!'
'Sometimes it helps to be tactless.'
‘Is he really tactless? That bastard has ghost-like intuition, isn't he doing it on purpose?'
‘Who cares either way?’
Wind Shadow Divine Beggar's complexion cycled through countless shades before he finally managed to calm himself with an earth-shattering sigh.
“...Anyway, thank you.”
It must be complicated and subtle.
It was true that Mount Hua saved him, and it was also true that they removed the rotten parts of Beggar Union.
But, how should one put it…
If a man arrived at a physician's with injured fingers and toes, only for the doctor to amputate both arms and legs while declaring ‘All fixed now!’, wouldn't it be difficult to readily say good things to such a physician?
No, it would be fortunate if only the arms and legs were cut off. In reality, about half his wealth had flown away too… The more he thought about it, the more his head throbbed.
"So what are your plans now?"
“First of all… I'll have to deal with the collapsed headquarters. And...."
Wind Shadow Divine Beggar stroked his chin.
"I'm thinking of stepping down from my position once the elders' situations are sorted out."
“Situations?”
“I plan to keep my word not to hold them accountable, but I cannot just leave things as they are. This incident has made me realize that the power given to them was too great."
“Hmm.”
Chung Myung looked at Wind Shadow Divine Beggar with a strange gaze. As if asking whether that was really his true intention. Before that gaze that seemed to see through everything, Wind Shadow Divine Beggar continued as if he had no choice.
"If they remain in their current positions, they'll interfere with the new sect leader's ability to carry out his will. People do not change so easily, so it falls to me to take responsibility for those I failed to handle and step away with them.”
"New wine in a new bottle?"
“Yes.”
Chung Myung nodded. Then he suddenly hesitated.
"Then the sect leader, don't tell me..."
“It’s exactly the person you’re imagining.”
All the disciples of Mount Hua turned their gazes simultaneously to the side. There stood Hong Dae-gwang, awkwardly positioned like a borrowed barley sack.
“Huh? What?”
Complex emotions flashed across the disciples' faces.
"No, well. Actually... there aren't any alternatives..."
"After all that commotion, it would be strange if someone else became the sect leader now."
"Right. That's definitely true, but that’s..."
One single question arose on the faces of Mount Hua disciples as they looked at each other.
'Will it be okay?'
They couldn't help but feel anxious. That yangban as the sect leader of Beggar Union.
“Have you decided?”
“Yes, Chivalrous Sword.”
“...Really?”
“....”
"Really? For real? Without a single regret? Any contingency plans? No, what are you thinking....”
“Hey, you rascal! Are you doing this to me?”
“No, I know you, old man! You're not the type to boss people around!"
“You said you’d make me the sect leader!”
"No, the situation was urgent so I couldn't say anything!"
"What, this bastard? And you call yourself a Taoist!"
Chung Myung glared.
"This isn't just making porridge for a dog... No, this is worse than making porridge for a beggar. I was trying to save Beggar Union but I’m ruining it even more!”
"After all I did to help you, you ungrateful brat!"
"That was helping? Really?"
Watching the two bicker, Wind Shadow Divine Beggar burst into laughter and spoke in a calm voice.
"I have decided that ability is not what's important."
“Hm?”
“If there are shortcomings, others can assist. That's what positions are for. What's important is not whether one's ability is outstanding, but whether one walks the right path."
As if he had already solidified his decision, Wind Shadow Divine Beggar’s eyes were resolute.
"And this is not just my will. There was a strong recommendation from Lone Tiger Divine Beggar. With that, we should be able to suppress the elders' objections to some extent."
Chung Myung looked at Hong Dae-gwang with unpleasant eyes. Then he immediately let out a deep sigh.
"Don't sigh right in front of someone!"
"You're a beggar, not a person....”
“You little…!”
Hong Dae-gwang, flaring up, snorted.
“I’m the most dumbfounded one here! I got dragged to the headquarters expecting a scolding, but suddenly a war breaks out, and as if that wasn't enough, I'm about to become sect leader overnight!"
(H: Slow down, old man. Somewhere, someone is having inspiration for a light novel title when this chapter is published.)
“So you don’t like it?”
"I fucking love it!"
“....”
"N- No. That was a slip of the tongue."
Not only the disciples of Mount Hua, but even Wind Shadow Divine Beggar looked at Hong Dae-gwang with a soulless stare.
“...Reconsider."
"Please think about it again."
“This doesn’t seem right.”
A flicker of hesitation crossed Wind Shadow Divine Beggar's face for a moment, but he soon shook his head again.
“There’s no reconsidering.”
"Ei."
"It's over."
"Let's just cut ties with Beggar Union. This place is finished."
Wind Shadow Divine Beggar smiled wryly at their reactions.
"There's no need to worry too much. I'm thinking of calling Ciwu Beggar to sit in the Dharma Protector position."
"Ah!"
“If it’s Grandpa Ciwu Beggar...”
"Then it should be a little better."
Everyone nodded at the mention of Ciwu Beggar. No one paid any attention to Hong Dae-gwang, whose feelings were clearly hurt in the process.
"But Sasuk, what's the difference between Dharma Protector and Elder?"
"The generation level could be seen as the same. In some sects they're the same thing just with different names, but if we're to purposefully point out the difference..... an elder is normally an honorary role. But a Dharma Protector is a position with real substantial authority. You can see it that way."
"What’s that mean?"
“Just think of it this way, A Dharma Protector is a role that protects a sect so their martial skills are emphasised on more.”
“………..understood.”
No he didn’t.
Baek Cheon made a mental note to catch that idiot Jo-Gol later and explain it to him properly. Wind Shadow Divine Beggar continued his words.
"And seeing him today, Ugly-Faced Beggar also seems like a person suited for the position of Dharma Protector, so I'll have to ask him to help as well."
"Ah, that ugly beggar grandpa?"
"Hey, you bastard! Calling someone ugly to their face!"
“No, he’s called Ugly-Faced Beggar because he’s ugly! If you're going to argue, you should curse Beggar Union beggars who gave someone title like that!"
"...Huh?"
Come to think of it, that too…
“Ahem!”
Wind Shadow Divine Beggar let out a dry cough and quietly turned his gaze away. Baek Cheon smirked at the sight.
‘From our standpoint, this isn’t a bad outcome.’
Regardless of his abilities, everyone knew about Hong Dae-gwang’s passion and sense of chivalry. Besides, no matter what anyone said, Hong Dae-gwang was the most favorable person toward Mount Hua within Beggar Union.
Having such a person become Beggar Union's sect leader couldn't possibly harm Mount Hua.
Furthermore, hadn’t they confirmed that there were factions favorable to Mount Hua in both Southern Edge Sect and Shaolin while resolving this incident?
This might be an even greater achievement than simply changing the sect leader of Beggar Union.
'Especially Shaolin....'
Then Chung Myung spoke.
"When are you thinking of delegating authority?"
"I'll have to organize the headquarters first."
“So you’ll step down as soon as the cleanup is finished?”
“Shouldn’t I?”
Wind Shadow Divine Beggar looked quite relieved. The heavy burden that had always weighed on his shoulders could finally be put down.
“Thanks to Chivalrous Sword, I realized that the future of Beggar Union should be entrusted to those who will live in that future. Of course, he's not entirely reliable....”
Wind Shadow Divine Beggar shook his head after seeing Hong Dae-gwang.
"That too would be the greed of one whose time to step down has come."
“....”
“The sins I’ve committed towards Beggar Union can be repaid even without being the sect leader. Now I plan to spend the rest of my life atoning not as Beggar Union's sect leader, but as an ordinary beggar belonging to Beggar Union."
Wind Shadow Divine Beggar's gaze turned towards the ceiling of the pavilion.
What he was looking at was not a simple ceiling, but the one person who would be lying above it.
“I’m sure Master-nim would wish for that too.”
“Tsk.”
Chung Myung clicked his tongue with displeasure.
“The one who really should atone already kicked the bucket.”
“Chung Myung-ah!”
"Watch your mouth! You bastard, watch your mouth!"
Though it would sound incredibly rude to others' ears, Wind Shadow Divine Beggar merely smiled warmly. The person in front of him was the only one in this world who could scold his master.
And he knew well that even these harsh words were said out of regret.
Chung Myung's gaze turned to Hong Dae-gwang.
"Anyway, now I have to talk with this yangban?"
“....”
“Beggar Union sect leader....”
Chung Myung’s face gradually contorted. He had started this to set Beggar Union back on the right path, but the result was somehow…
"Ugh. Anyway, Prospective Sect Leader."
“Hahahaha! Speak, Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword!”
Hong Dae-gwang puffed up and lifted his chin. At that moment, Chung Myung unconsciously hit his chin.
“Kyaaagh!”
“Hey, Chung Myung!”
"Sect Leader! Sect Leader!"
"He's not yet! Not yet!"
“Still, you can’t just hit someone out of the blue like that!”
“He acts like he’s begging for it!”
“No, that’s true, but...!”
Even the great Baek Cheon couldn't bring himself to refute Chung Myung's words.
However, the actual victim who got hit seemed not to hurt at all as he chuckled and sprang up.
“Keunggg, it’s alright.”
"What?"
“Strictly speaking, it’s Mount Hua that made me the sect leader. A little chin hit is nothing! Hahaha!”
“Ch- Chung Myung! Calm down!”
“No, why are you so mad!”
“Honestly, I’m pissed, Sahyung.”
“…Actually, me too.”
Hong Dae-gwang was a person who made one truly understand why the phrase ‘to get under someone’s skin’ exists. Chung Myung asked with a groan.
"Ugh, so what are you planning to do now?"
"About what?"
“Beggar Union, Beggar Union! You’re becoming the sect leader! What are you going to do with Beggar Union now?”
Hong Dae-gwang rubbed his swollen red jaw and said.
“What do you mean what am I going to do? It’s obvious.”
“Huh?”
“Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword. As you know, my head isn't particularly good."
"Yeah, and you have no tact either."
“No ability.”
“And ugly.”
“…Watch it, you bastards.”
Hong Dae-gwang clenched his teeth. Then he let out a deep sigh. His face became quite serious.
"Even so, the reason I was able to come this far is because I think I have an eye for people."
“Hm?”
"Among those, what I'm especially best at is finding people who will show me the way."
Hong Dae-gwang straightened his posture. Not his usual frivolous appearance, but an expression of resolve and steadfast will settled on his face.
“Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword. No, Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s General Chung Myung.”
"What?"
“The moment I take the seat of sect leader, I intend to formally request Beggar Union’s entry into Heavenly Comrade Alliance. Please, do not reject our intent.”
Facing Hong Dae-gwang's face filled with solemnity and Chivalrousness, Chung Myung's face also became serious. Hong Dae-gwang continued.
“I will do my utmost to help Heavenly Comrade Alliance. To stand against the crisis that has befallen the world!”
“Hm.”
Chung Myung slowly brought his hands together in a respectful martial salute.
"If Sect Leader speaks thus, our Heavenly Comrade Alliance will also welcome Beggar Union with complete sincerity."
Chung Myung's eyes shone with resolve as he spoke once again with strength.
“And we will do all we can to ensure that the wishes of Sect Leader are fulfilled through Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”
“I just believe.”
Two people held hands.
When they had first met in Luoyang in the past, neither of them had fame or position.
Those same two people were now here, representing a sect and an alliance respectively, clasping hands.
The two who exchanged glances slowly released their hands.
It was the moment Wind Shadow Divine Beggar, who was watching the scene with a somehow moved expression, was about to open his mouth.
“Ahem.”
Chung Myung’s face contorted strangely.
“But uh....”
"Yes?"
“…I don’t know if this is the right thing to do.”
“....”
Mount Hua disciples completely sympathized with Chung Myung's words, which seemed to have pointed out their true feelings and brought them out. Of course, only in their hearts.
|Note
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