Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1645. So, are you having fun? (4)
Editor: Hoamz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
"I understand what Sect Leader is saying, but isn't war a reality?"
The voice of an old swordsman was tinged with an unavoidable sharpness.
It wasn’t quite hostility, but it was certainly not friendly. Blatant vigilance and faint competitive spirit.
No, perhaps it was an emotion that should be called 'jealousy,' though that seemed disrespectful.
"You said reality?"
"Yes."
The old swordsman, dressed in blue martial arts robes, looked at the person sitting before him with cold eyes.
“The disciples of each sect are bound to follow their own masters. Where would fledgling birds with no mother go? What more could they do than fall from the nest and die?”
"Of course, I do not deny that the seniors of each sect are the ones best suited to lead their disciples. But the current situation..."
"Even if the situation is difficult, aren't there some things that can and cannot be done? Each sect's disciples are those who have devoted their lives to their sects. How can such a demand be made of them?"
Listening to the angry voice, the man closed his eyes. The old swordsman spoke again with determination.
"I don't know what the other Sect Leaders think, but at the very least, our Wudang cannot provide disciples separately. Even before my will, the disciples themselves will not want it.”
Just as the one who heard those words was about to nod his head silently, another person spoke. It was a Taoist priest wearing a crown.
"It is certainly a difficult request... but what Mount Hua Sect Leader says also has merit."
“Sect Leader!”
The old swordsman exclaimed in surprise, but the other person continued with a gentle smile.
"Then how about we do it this way?"
Unlike the old swordsman, his voice was full of composure.
"To gain many people's agreement, showing an example is important. In that sense, how about Sect Leader making the decision and offering Mount Hua's disciples? If Mount Hua's swordsmen receive our Wudang's command, I believe I could definitely produce results."
"...Sect Leader."
"Wouldn't that clearly lend weight to what you, Sect Leader of Mount Hua Sect, are promoting as well?"
A gaze full of composure. But just because it was so, it was by no means filled with goodwill.
A faint sigh escaped Cheong Mun's lips as he stared intently into that gaze.
“Do you not also know full well, Sect Leader, that Mount Hua is not in a situation to spare disciples right now?”
"Isn't it the same for each other?"
Cheong Mun's face hardened slightly.
The same?
What was the same? Mount Hua was at the very forefront breaking the enemy's sharp edge, while they were merely in a position of supporting from behind.
Was it such a difficult request to ask each sect to select disciples to support Mount Hua, whose losses at the vanguard were great?
Words continued to pour out towards Cheong Mun, who was suppressing his devastated feelings.
"If it's for Kangho and a method to reduce sacrifices, naturally, we would do so. But now doesn't seem to be the time to pursue rapid change."
Cheong Mun had no choice but to nod.
Not because he agreed with that logic. It was because it was difficult to raise his voice alone when everyone opposed.
"Regardless, our Wudang finds it difficult to agree with Sect Leader's opinion. A sect is originally like a family and a home. Its strength is fully exerted only when we fight together."
"...I see."
“Do you have anything else to say?”
Cheong Mun, who was about to say something, immediately shook his head.
“I understand well what Sect Leader has said.”
Though he had been rejected outright without even a proper discussion, neither regret nor awkwardness showed on Cheong Mun's face. Only calmness as if what was meant to happen had happened.
Those pressed by the tranquil atmosphere difficult to read cleared their throats awkwardly as if their feet had fallen asleep. (H: Figuratively, it describes the mental discomfort of being in an awkward social situation where you feel uneasy and want to change the subject or leave.)
"Then since we seem to have finished all the discussions for today, I'll take my leave."
The Wudang Sect Leader who had spoken thus added in passing, as if embarrassed.
"In wartime, it's only natural that we must also reduce the time for discussions."
As he rose from his seat leaving behind an excuse no one had asked for, the other sect leaders also rose without regret. And as if to flaunt their numbers, they quickly walked toward the door as if running away.
Then, the Wudang Sect Leader who had approached the door stopped walking and looked back at Cheong Mun still sitting.
"If I may... speak from excessive concern."
“...”
“Who in the world would not acknowledge Mount Hua Sect Leader’s intelligence and wisdom? But at times, you seem to have a side that is excessively far ahead. For ordinary folk like us, it is burdensome to keep up with your insight, so I ask for your consideration.”
Countless gazes were focused on Cheong Mun like arrows.
"If I've caused discomfort, I apologize. It's all because I'm still lacking."
"...Not at all."
The Wudang Sect Leader briefly showed courtesy with a cupped-fist salute and completely turned around. At the corner of his turned mouth bloomed a small sense of victory.
Creak.
Wudan Sect Leader opened the door decisively and stepped forward with confidence. No, he tried to.
He would have, if someone hadn't been standing right in front of the open door.
“Huh?”
"This is..."
Those who were about to question the rudeness of someone daring to visit unannounced the meeting place of the leaders of Ten Great Sects and Five Great Family instantly shut their mouths like clams.
The person blocking the door stared at Wudang Sect Leader. His gaze was indescribably cold.
He neither emitted momentum nor leaked killing intent. However, Wudang Sect Leader's body quickly stiffened so clearly that anyone could tell.
The man, who glanced at him, frozen like ice and then spoke slowly.
“You all look very clean.”
At his words, the gazes of the crowd moved. First to their own clothes, then to the clothes of the person blocking the door.
Unlike their immaculate garments without a speck of filth, the clothes of the man blocking the door were sullied here and there with indelible stains.
Those who knew the identity of those stains could do nothing but let out dry coughs or remain silent.
"Sometimes you should do some training too, sect leaders. If you yangban who call yourselves martial artists are this fat, even the demon cult bastards might mistake you for manor landlords and just pass you by."
“...”
The words about being fat were naturally different from the facts. They were already martial artists who had reached the peak, and their body types wouldn't change just from slacking a bit in training.
But no one here could point this out or question the rudeness.
"Um..."
Those who had been staring at the man blocking the door with stiff expressions finally spoke in suppressed voices.
"...P- Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign."
Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign Saint Chung Myung glared at the one who had spoken without answering. The one who flinched at this clamped his mouth shut and avoided Chung Myung's gaze.
A sneer leaked from Chung Myung's mouth.
"Sounds like mother birds chirping."
“...”
"Even lowly creatures like birds fight snakes risking their lives when their chicks are in danger. Not just watching from behind."
“Sword Sovereign. We….”
Those who tried to say something but found their words blocked looked back one after another. At the only person who could handle Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign. Cheong Mun, receiving those gazes, sighed and opened his mouth.
“Chung Myung-ah. Refrain from rude speech and conduct towards the sect leaders.”
“...”
“Move aside for them. Quickly.”
Chung Myung glanced at the door and took a step to the side. He opened a path just wide enough for one person to pass through narrowly.
And he stared fixedly at the sect leaders. As if to say, 'Go on and pass if you want to.'
“Chung Myung-ah!”
Only after another outburst did Chung Myung fully clear the path. But as if he had no intention of hiding his displeasure, he crossed his arms and leaned crookedly against the doorframe.
“Ahem.”
The Wudang Sect Leader awkwardly let slip an unnecessary word.
"Then."
Everyone rushed out of the meeting room. Among all those people, not one made eye contact with Chung Myung standing beside them.
Stiff and rigid, they barely managed to exit the meeting room and hurried away without looking back as if fleeing.
“Phew.”
And only after getting far enough that the meeting room was barely visible did they look back and let out sighs.
"Such rudeness...!"
"How can he be so insolent?"
Only then did the chorus of denunciations erupt.
“Sect Leader! Are you truly going to keep tolerating this? Has that man’s impudence not gone too far?”
A bitter expression clouded the Wudang Sect Leader's face.
"Then what would you have me do?"
"Shouldn't he be punished for his rudeness until now?!"
“Punishment, you say...”
Wudang Sect Leader let out a short sigh.
"Punishment must be asked of someone who will accept it. Don't you know? What kind of person he is."
At those words, the other sect leaders could only fall silent.
Punishment can only be delivered to someone who will accept it.
An odd statement perhaps, but at least in the present situation, it was true.
Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign Chung Myung.
The world calls him one of the Three Great Swordsmen Under Heaven, but everyone here knew. Just how empty 'Three Great Swordsmen Under Heaven' was.
The difference in martial prowess between the others included in the Three Great Swordsmen Under Heaven and Chung Myung was so great that the word ‘vast’ was insufficient. The others didn't even have the qualification to discuss swords with Chung Myung.
Who could possibly punish such a person?
They couldn't punish him by force. Then they would have to suppress him with authority and justification, but Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign was not someone authority would work on.
A bastard to whom the phrase ‘the world's scoundrel’ perfectly suited.
If Mount Hua Sect Leader had not restrained the man, trouble would have erupted several times already.
Seeing the deep dissatisfaction on the other sect leaders' faces, the Wudang Sect Leader said.
“Besides, punishment wouldn't necessarily benefit us either."
“Hmm...”
A few nodded in agreement.
In truth, if Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign were to actually receive punishment and vacate his position, the ones who would take the full brunt of that damage would be none other than Ten Great Sects and Five Great Family.
Knowing this, no one here could show active movement beyond venting complaints.
"Don't worry too much. A hunting dog that hunts well should be fed good meat even if its temper is a bit fierce. But when it no longer hunts, don't we all know what that hunting dog's fate will be?"
Only then did the sect leaders' expressions slightly ease.
“For now, think only of tossing it fine meat. That is the path for everyone’s sake.”
“Understood.”
After exchanging what seemed like nothing more than a typical venting of frustration, a sense of awkwardness crept in. Just as everyone was hastily exchanging greetings and about to disperse.
"But, will it really be alright?"
"You mean Sword Sovereign?"
"Not that, but... what Mount Hua Sect Leader said."
Beggar Union Sect Leader opened his mouth with a reluctant face.
“It’s no lie that injuries are flooding the very front where Mount Hua stands, and that they need manpower support…”
“Of course, Mouint Hua Sect Leader is not the type of person to discuss falsehoods.”
"That's why I'm saying this."
"But support won't really be necessary."
“...Why not?”
Wudang Sect Leader slowly stroked his long beard.
"Yuanshi Tianzun. Mount Hua isn't the only sect that can stand at the front, is it? Once Mount Hua's power is completely exhausted, the other sects can step forward. There's no need for other sects to split their strength just to help them. Wouldn't that be a more proper course of action?"
A peculiar light clouded Beggar Union Sect Leader's face. At first glance, it might sound reasonable.
But could other sects really fulfil the same role as Mount Hua? Was this person really saying this because he thought it would work?
Perhaps...
“The more a sect is divided, the weaker it becomes. So long as Magyo still has plenty of strength left, we must not squander our own forces recklessly.”
“Your words are correct.”
“If Mount Hua loses its power, then Southern Edge Sect will stand in front.”
"No, that would be our joint role."
Watching the sect leaders chatting away so spiritedly, Beggar Union Sect Leader's gaze darkened.
'When the time actually comes, it would be fortunate if even one person steps forward.'
But he couldn't openly sigh. Differing in opinion with them was equally difficult.
His gaze unconsciously turned toward the meeting room they had left.
'Sect Leader…. Sword Sovereign.'
Those eyes held unavoidable regret.
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