‘Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1627. Isn't it good that it's good? (2)
Editor: Hoamz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
Previously I called it unit leader in the last chapter, but it was actually wrong. So there’s ‘dang’ and ‘gak’, and I mistook dang as a unit. ‘Dang’ is a much bigger structure, similar to a hall or pavilion in a sect, and ‘gak’ is a sub-division of it.
Moving on, I will call ‘dang’ as Hall and ‘gak’ as Unit. Chung Myung in the previous chapter is appointing a hall leader. A hall is directly below the leader of an organization so it’s just below the alliance leader that’s Hyun Jong.
Also, you might or might not notice, I tried to keep consistency of a title/positions albeit I admit, it’s still all over the place. So when it used to call the people themselves, I used the literal Korean spelling, ex; maengju, gungju, ryeonju. But when used in conversation or anything except calling the person, I used the English name, like alliance leader or palace master.
Of course, there’s exception like sect leader that I only use the English term and Paegun that I always use Korean spelling. This is personal preference of mine to keep it as literal translation of the term as much as possible, so I apologize if it causes confusion or if it displeases you. I’m not saying I won’t receive suggestion. If it’s too much, you can always tell me and I’ll consider your input. Sorry for the wall of text. And thank you for your time.
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In front of Hyun Jong, who seemed to embody the expression 'trembling with rage,' Chung Myung kept pouting.
"No... it's not like I said anything strange..."
"What?"
"W- Wait, Maengju-nim! Calm down!"
Tang Gun-ak was terrified and quickly dissuaded Hyun Jong. He was worried that Hyun Jong's health would needlessly suffer, as it wasn't like drawing his sword would actually do anything to that bastard.
Hyun Jong, glancing at Tang Gun-ak who was clinging and holding him back, gnashed his teeth.
"Chung Myung, are you someone with thoughts or without!"
"Obviously with, yeah?"
"Would someone like that do this!"
Chung Myung's mouth jutted out again. Whether he said he had them or didn't, he would get angry either way, so why ask in the first place?
"No, what's so bad about this that you keep..."
"What's wrong? What do you mean what's wrong! What do those children know to entrust them with hall leader positions!"
“Of course, I understand that you find them completely unreliable because they know nothing, are ignorant, and do as they please.”
“...No, not to that extent.”
Hyun Jong closed his mouth tightly. Calling them inexperienced himself hadn’t felt like much, but hearing it from that rascal strangely twisted his insides. After all the effort raising those children...
"But that goes both ways."
"Hm?"
"Who does Maengju-nim have in mind as unit leader?"
Hyun Jong hesitated slightly before answering.
“Well… if we’re appointing hall leader directly under the alliance leader, excluding special posts like strategist or general, shouldn’t they at least be sect leaders? Like Sect Leader Jongni or Murong Family Patriarch…?”
“And those yangban are reliable?”
"Naturally..."
‘Rather than those children’, the words that Hyun Jong about to say were blocked by Chung Myung.
"What did those yangban do? They're just people with the title of sect leader. Aren't they people who haven't even properly experienced a gang fight that even Evil Sects bastards do? Speaking coldly, forget war, they're yangban who haven't experienced a single proper battle."
“...”
"You'd put such pale-faced scholar (백면서생(白面書生)/Young and inexperienced person without practical experience) in positions responsible for so many lives? They’ve never actually done it even once, but since they’ve managed to keep the sect leader’s seat so far, you just kind of feel like they’ll do fine?”
Hyun Jong, who had been listening quietly, flinched slightly. It sounded like nonsense, but there was also logic to it. His mind started to get complicated.
“No, but still...”
"No, Grand Sect Leader! No matter how unreliable sahyungs be, at the very least they have experience fighting with their lives on the line countless times. They've led Evil Sects and elite forces against Magyo, and even led Hainan Sect out of Gangnam. They proved they have the ability to handle people even without me when dealing with the water fortress.”
“...”
“Meanwhile, what have those so-called sect leaders proven? Their ability to manage a sect well? If that's the case, let's just use Eunha Merchant Guild Leader. At least that guy makes money well."
Hyun Jong's upper body was slowly pushed back. Although Chung Myung wasn't speaking with particular force, he felt pushed back. Finally cornered, Hyun Jong quickly turned his head to seek help from Tang Gun-ak.
“Ga- Gaju-nim?”
"Yes?"
“What does Gaju-nim think…?”
It was basically him admitting he couldn’t argue it and begging the patriarch to somehow deal with that rascal’s nonsense.
However, despite clearly sensing Hyeonjong's desperate hope, Tang Gun-ak's reaction was completely different from expectations.
"I've thought about it a bit too, and Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword's words don't seem entirely wrong either."
"...Huh?"
A hint of betrayal flashed across Hyun Jong's eyes. He looked as if he was saying, 'How can you say that right now? You traitor!'
Tang Gun-ak elaborated with a somewhat bitter expression.
"In the past, I would have naturally opposed it too, but I've painfully realized firsthand that the ability to run a sect has little relation to judgment or command on the battlefield..."
His shoulders slumped. Hyun Jong squeezed his eyes shut. His mouth was the problem. In his desperation, he had chosen the wrong person to ask.
“Ga- Gaju-nim. That’s not what I meant when I asked…”
"No. It's a natural question to ask. However... I genuinely believe there is merit in Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword's choice."
“...Do you really think so?”
Tang Gun-ak nodded heavily.
"If we had leeway or... no, if we had even a little room to save face, I would have opposed it, but we're not in that situation now, are we? What we must prioritize most right now is proven capability.”
Hyun Jong felt a strange mix of disgruntled and satisfaction. In any case, wasn't the renowned Tang Gun-ak acknowledging that Mount Hua's Five Swords had the ability to lead so many people?
As alliance leader but simultaneously Mount Hua's Grand Sect Leader, Hyun Jong couldn't help but feel good even if it was just lip service.
However, that momentarily elated feeling crumbled moments later upon seeing Chung Myuing's expression, which seemed to boast, 'See? I was right, wasn't I?'
And that solidified Hyun Jong’s wavering resolve.
“No matter what, this isn’t right!”
"What! The general and Vice Alliance Leader agree!"
"I'm the alliance leader, you bastard!"
"Dictator!"
“Noisy!”
Hyun Jong breathed fire. It sounded grand, but in the end, it was temptation from a demon. He must not succumb easily.
Hyun Jong spoke sternly as if for Tang Gun-ak to hear as well.
"According to this opinion, doesn't it mean that not only each sect's elders but depending on the situation, even sect leaders might have to follow those children's instructions?"
“...That would likely be the case."
"Does that make any sense? Do you truly believe the leaders of each sect will genuinely accept this?"
Tang Gun-ak seemed to ponder briefly in silence, then let out a sigh.
"They'll have to accept it."
"Huh?"
“They will accept it. No, they must accept it. If they resist, I’ll make them accept it.”
Hyun Jong's jaw dropped.
Tang Gun-ak, on the contrary, put strength into his voice as if stating the obvious.
“Isn't that what laying down authority and dignity meant in the first place? Resisting this proposal would rather mean they only put down their authority in words. To prove their words were sincere, they'll have to accept this proposal."
Hyun Jong slowly blinked his wide-open eyes.
The more they talked, the more Tang Gun-ak's attitude grew firm. Consequently, Hyun Jong was being pulled deeper and deeper into the swamp.
“So… really?”
Chung Myung shrugged.
“I'm telling you. Well, if there were an alternative, I'd choose another method too. But this is the best we can do for now. Or you can try to think of a different way, Grand Sect Leader.”
"That’s..."
"Ah. Just for reference, there are five positions, and if you try to fill those positions by selecting only five from among the sect leaders belonging to Heavenly Comrade Alliance, you should consider that about two might run wild with swords in their mouths, you know?"
Hyun Jong's hands began to tremble.
A demon. This rascal is a demon.
"Wha- What do you all think?"
Unable to match Chung Myung in words, Hyun Jong's gaze this time turned to Baek Cheon, Yoon Jong, and Jo-Gol, who had been innocently summoned here.
They, who had been as if sitting on pins and needles, asked cautiously.
“...Hall leader?”
"Yes!"
“Us?”
"That's right."
"Why?"
At Jo-Gol’s reply, Hyun Jong felt his strength drain away. He wanted to make these kids hall leaders? Those kids…
“No matter how you think about it, it makes no sense!”
"No, it isn't about whether this makes sense or not. We need to consider whether another method is better! There's no alternative, no alternative!"
“Kkeueueu...”
A groan escaped his lips, as if he was about to collapse any moment. Hyun Jong's beard trembled.
"H- Hey, you rascal! If we proceed like this, what will Righteous Sects of the world say! It’s obvious they'll point their fingers and say, 'Mount Hua's old Grand Sect Leader was blinded by greed and shoved his own young disciples into the alliance's hall leader spots'!”
"Oh, that's definitely possible! But Grand Sect Leader. I think we should learn from Southern Edge Sect's Sect Leader here."
"Hm? What does that mean...?"
Chung Myung chuckled.
“Southern Edge Sect Sect Leader also endured disgrace for the future of his sect. Grand Sect Leader isn’t even the sect leader anymore, yes? Enduring a little slander is... Heuk!”
The Plum Blossom Sword spun sharply past right next to Chung Myung's face.
"What, throwing a sword just like that! What if this handsome face gets scratched!"
“I threw it because it's not handsome! If it were Baek Cheon, I wouldn't have thrown it!”
“...Ah. That one kinda hurts.”
Hyun Jong groaned while clutching his head.
He was speaking as if joking, but Hyun Jong knew this wasn't entirely nonsense. It would be better if he didn't know, but because he did, his head was a mess.
"No. No matter how I think about it, no. There’s no justification. This could make the alliance collapse before it even starts if handled wrong."
At those words, Baek Cheon, Yoon Jong, and Jo-Gol all nodded like seals.
“Yes, Grand Sect Leader.”
"This is the craziest thing I've heard in my life."
"Say something that makes sense! And why is Yoo Iseol Sago left out?”
“Because Sago probably wouldn't do it.”
“What? So we’ll do it if we’re told to?”
"Yep."
“...”
Hard to deny… No, if forced, they'll probably end up doing it while complaining they're dying, but still, this feels somehow...
Just then, Yoon Jong’s and Baek Cheon’s hands landed on Jo-Gol's thick shoulders at the same time.
“Let’s accept it.”
“Honestly, what that bastard said is true.”
"...Is this how it's going to be? Really?"
Why are you trying to live as voluntary slaves!
Meanwhile, Hyun Jong was busy clutching his head and groaning. Chung Myung clicked his tongue.
"So the point is, Grand Sect Leader can't do it because you're afraid the other sect leaders will oppose it?"
“No, that’s not necessarily…”
“Then, should we just resolve that first?”
"Huh?"
"Just wait. I'll get permission. Tsk. Seriously, if I don't do every single thing myself, nothing gets done. Haa, my fate.”
“Wa- Wait! Chung Myung, where are you going?”
"Grand Sect Leader said to get permission, right? I'm going to meet the sect leaders quickly and get it. Ugh, I'm already busy! I'll be right back!"
Chung Myung kicked off his seat and dashed out like a beam of light. Hyun Jong's eyes bulged as if his eyeballs would pop out.
"St- Stop him."
"Yes?"
“Ca- Catch him! Catch that crazy bastard right now! Quickly!"
“Chung Myung, you bastard!”
"No, this is something that shouldn't come out of your mouth!"
“Please behave like a human, pleeeease!"
Tang Gun-ak, who was blankly watching the Mount Hua disciples dash out in a panic as if to put out a fire, shook his head.
'They really are a sect without a peaceful day.'
More than that… setting Five Swords as hall leaders. Mulling over the idea for a moment, a dry laugh escaped Tang Gun-ak.
In fact, Chung Myung's opinions aren’t haphazard. Currently, there were no people in Kangho who have experienced as many crises as they have, nor were there any who have led people through those crises.
Looking back, Five Swords had been steadily preparing to lead someone. Whether it was their own intention or a well-planned external influence, one doesn't know.
That means….
'This agenda wasn't just a spur-of-the-moment decision.'
Perhaps Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword had been planning from much earlier...
Tang Gun-ak cut off the thought with a shake of his head.
‘That's too much of a stretch.’
That's beyond human ability. Even if he had prepared, he couldn't have matched even the timing this perfectly.
However it turns out, if... all this is accomplished according to Chung Myung's will, it will be an unprecedented groundbreaking event in the history of Kangho.
Groundbreaking enough to make even Jang Ilso, who seems crafted from breaking the common sense, gape in astonishment.
'It sounds ridiculous, but I'm still honestly curious.'
What form Heavenly Comrade Alliance led by Mount Hua's Five Swords, who move like one body, will take.
Tang Gun-ak's fingertips trembled slightly. It was a slight excitement, and an anticipation unavoidable for a martial artist.
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