Return of the Mount Hua Sect Chapter 1239: Who Did You Say Has Come? (4)
Previously on Return of the Mount Hua Sect...
“What should we do, sahyung?”
“...”
“Sahyung.”
Go Hong looked at Yu Gong with desperate eyes.
“Didn’t you say there would be no support? You told us to get off the sinking ship, didn’t you?”
“...”
“But if people suddenly arrive like that...”
Unable to stand Yu Gong’s refusal to answer, Go Hong finally raised his voice.
“If they actually stop the Four Sects Alliance with their support, what will become of us...”
“Speak as if you can make sense!”
Yu Gong glared.
“Is the Four Sects Alliance some household dog? Do you think a few people arriving could stop them?”
“But they must have thought things through; they wouldn’t come to Southern Island with no plan. Besides, the Heavenly Friends Alliance’s momentum is said to be so strong that even the Nine Great Sects feel threatened — rumors have reached the Southern Island...”
“Nonsense.”
Yu Gong cut off Go Hong’s worried words at once.
“Even if they threaten the Nine Great Sects, so what? This is the Southern Island. It’s land even Shaolin can’t reach. What could the Heavenly Friends Alliance possibly do here?”
“...That may be so, but...”
“Don’t worry. At most they’ll show their faces and leave.”
“Would they really come all the way here just for that?”
“Better than doing nothing, I suppose.”
“True...”
Irritation crossed Yu Gong’s face.
‘The situation’s gotten filthy.’
The timing was incredibly unfortunate. If they’d arrived just one day earlier, they could have waited to decide after seeing the situation. If they’d arrived after the typhoon calmed, they could have made waves and withdrawn in advance.
But arriving while everyone’s feet were awkwardly stuck forced an unwanted and uncomfortable cohabitation.
‘Why now of all times.’
The expelled disciples were already receiving cold stares.
And then, while the disciples were declaring they’d leave the sect of their own accord, people from afar arrived in Southern Island. Naturally, the eyes on the disciples who demanded expulsion grew even colder. Even those who had previously accepted the reality with resignation now looked on icily.
Why wouldn’t they?
Even Yu Gong himself, if he were opposed, would have pointed and criticized. People from other sects value loyalty — they would have spat curses, calling those who forget Southern Island’s favors like beasts.
“Th-there, sahyung...”
“Why.”
“I mean, one in a thousand, no... one in ten thousand, perhaps.”
Go Hong spoke in a slightly frightened tone.
“If Southern Island... no, if our main hall, with their support, miraculously stops the Four Sects Alliance — even if that’s one in ten thousand — what happens to us?”
Yu Gong couldn’t answer that.
What would happen? How could one know without seeing it?
The moment that happens, the disciples who requested expulsion would be branded traitors. In a Southern Island that repelled the Four Sects Alliance and rose in status, they’d be openly ostracized.
Being expelled from the Southern Island faction means it would be hard to live and plant roots in this Southern Island. At least within this island, the Southern Island faction holds more influence than the Tang Family in Sichuan or the Namgung Family in Anhui.
“Sahyung. Wouldn’t it be better to cancel the expulsion even now...”
“Cut the stupid talk!”
Yu Gong snapped irritably.
“Do you think those damn bastards, just a handful, could stop the Four Sects Alliance!”
“...”
“In this situation, even if warriors — who fought the Demonic Cult a hundred years ago — personally came, he couldn’t stop the Four Sects Alliance.”
“That may be, but still...”
“And! If you cancel the expulsion? Do you think anything would change? The river’s already been crossed. At best you’ll be treated like spineless ingrates who cling to wherever benefits them.”
Go Hong sighed deeply. He knew, too: even if they changed their stance now, the stain branded on them wouldn’t disappear.
Once they’d voiced the intention to leave the sect, they could never truly return as Southern Island disciples.
“So don’t worry about it.”
“...”
“When the typhoon calms as planned, hold the expulsion ceremony and descend the mountain. Then live the rest of your life forgetting about Southern Island.”
Go Hong bowed his head deeply.
Yu Gong, who had been staring at him, sighed and spoke.
“Go Hong.”
“...Yes, sahyung.”
“Think of your elderly mother at home. She’s already frail — how would she live if you died suddenly?”
“...Yes.”
“I may not be important, but you haven’t done anything wrong. You don’t need to bow your head like a sinner. No matter how important the main hall is, is it more important than the ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) parents who gave you life?”
“Sahyung, you have a child too, don’t you?”
“...I’m just afraid.”
Yu Gong smiled bitterly.
“Maybe because I grew up without a father, I’m afraid my child will grow up called ‘fatherless.’”
“Sahyung...”
Yu Gong turned his head and stared at the pelting wind and rain.
Typhoons are a frequent occurrence on Southern Island, yet they never cease to inspire fear. Even those accustomed to enduring them find typhoons to be terrifying phenomena. In the blink of an eye, a sudden storm on the South Sea can transform tranquil waters into a watery grave.
How many souls has this perilous ocean claimed over the years?
“When my child was born, I desperately wanted to raise them properly. I couldn’t bear for them to yearn for a father whose face they’d never recall, just as I did.”
“I understand. No, everyone would understand.”
“...Understand?”
Yu Gong let out a snort that turned into a laugh.
“It’s merely an excuse. I lack the courage to face death. But is that truly a flaw? Everyone is afraid of dying.”
“...”
“Therefore, if you intend to depart, do so without any lingering regrets.”
“Yes, sahyung.”
Go Hong nodded with great gravity.
Despite his words, Yu Gong’s mind remained unsettled. The most unsettling aspect was Go Hong’s unspoken question.
What if Southern Island miraculously repelled the Four Sects Alliance? What then?
Would Gwak Hwan-So pursue vengeance? No, the great sahyung, while quick-tempered, was also known for his magnanimity.
But what about the other disciples?
Would they readily accept those who had abandoned the sect in its hour of need and fled for their lives, now walking proudly upon Southern Island’s soil? Even if Gwak Hwan-So attempted to intervene, wouldn’t they find ways to humiliate them?
He could bear any persecution directed at him; he had no choice but to do so. But how could he endure the lifelong shame his child would inevitably face?
Growing increasingly anxious, Yu Gong inquired softly.
“So... what are the visitors doing at this moment?”
“It appears they’ve settled their belongings in the guest hall for the time being. It’s quite late now, isn’t it? The formal discussions with the sect leader will likely take place tomorrow morning.”
“Is that so?”
Yu Gong pondered for a moment before rising to his feet.
“Let us go and see.”
“...Yes?”
“We should at least ascertain the reason for their arrival. Remaining here, confined to our own company, will only lead to unproductive brooding.”
“Ah, but sahyung. There are others present...”
“Our identities are already known. Are we to remain hidden in our rooms until the typhoon subsides?”
“...”
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
Yu Gong flung open the door. Rain cascaded down in a torrential downpour, but it was hardly the moment to be concerned about the weather.
‘Even if they lack foresight, they cannot be oblivious to Southern Island’s predicament; they won’t attempt anything rash immediately. They will likely maintain a respectful distance and act with caution.’
This was Yu Gong’s assessment. If his assumptions regarding the visitors’ intentions held true, they would require witnesses to attest to the Heavenly Friends Alliance’s benevolent actions, even in the aftermath of Southern Island’s potential downfall.
‘If circumstances align favorably, we might even forge an alliance.’
With renewed resolve, Yu Gong stepped forward without hesitation.
“...Sahyung.”
“...”
“Um, sahyung?”
Yu Gong failed to register the call; his gaze was fixed, unseeing, upon the guest hall. Whatever was unfolding within defied all logic and reason.
“Kuhahahahaha!”
Someone who had taken a deep draught slammed their cup down with a resounding thud.
“What in blazes! Do you dilute your liquor with plain water here? It’s utterly tasteless! Tasteless!”
“...Chung Myung. Liquor is, by its nature, brewed with water.”
“Oh, really?”
Figures were sprawled haphazardly throughout the room. Among them were individuals Yu Gong had never encountered, alongside some he recognized intimately. That is…
“Ugh… I think I’m… going to die…”
‘Why is that fellow behaving in such a manner over there?’
What astonished him the most was witnessing Ja-Yang—a man typically possessing a temper so fiery that everyone kept their distance, save for Gwak Hwan-So—now nearly insensible, crawling on the floor.
No, the others fared no better.
Thus, not only the visitors to Southern Island but also Southern Island’s own disciples were all incapacitated, lying senseless.
Merely observing the shattered, empty liquor jars rolling about offered a clear indication of what had transpired.
“...They were drinking?”
Indeed, guests could be offered liquor. It was only natural to provide sustenance and drink to visitors.
What remained truly inexplicable was why Southern Island’s disciples were the ones found sprawled senselessly in the guest hall, where the guests should have been resting after their meal and drinks.
“That damned… the drink is something else…”
“Speak properly, without that twisted tongue of yours.”
And amidst the insensible multitude, two individuals sat opposite each other, swaying precariously as if about to topple, cups held in their hands.
“...Great sahyung?”
“Th-that person resembles the Mount Hua Sect leader’s disciple I encountered at Shaolin previously. Why are the two of them…”
Gwak Hwan-So and Baek Cheon gazed at the cups they held, their eyes glazed over. Then, as if by mutual consent, they downed the contents in a single gulp.
Gulp! Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!
“Th-that… that…”
The two emptied the cup-sized portions of liquor, leaving not a drop behind, before dropping their cups as if discarding them.
“...I…”
“won…”
Thud!
And simultaneously, the two collapsed onto their sides.
The sounds of snoring, muttering in sleep, and someone’s groans intermingled, creating a peculiar cacophony that filled the guest hall.
‘What in the world is happening?’
Barely half a day had passed since tensions ran high, marked by mutual distrust. How could they have become so utterly relaxed in such a brief period?
And furthermore, mingling with visitors who were experiencing Southern Island for the very first time.
As Yu Gong attempted to fathom the circumstances that led to this strange situation...
"What the—? They’re all unconscious? These youngsters are quite susceptible to alcohol. Tsk!"
A figure, propped against the wall and taking sips, surveyed the room with unfocused eyes.
"Ah."
His gaze then fell upon Yu Gong and Go Hong, standing at the entrance, and a wide grin spread across his face.
"Care for a drink as well?"
Yu Gong found himself momentarily at a loss for words. Go Hong quickly interjected in a whisper.
"Senior Brother. It’s the Sword Saint of Mount Hua. I recall him distinctly."
"...The Sword Saint of Mount Hua?"
It's him?
"Don’t linger there — come in and join us for a drink. It’s rather dull with no one to socialize with; we should certainly entertain our guests, shouldn’t we?"
"..."
"Senior Brother...?"
Composing his features, Yu Gong entered the room and took a seat opposite the Mount Hua Sword Saint.
"I am Yu Gong."
"Chung Myung."
Chung Myung flashed a grin and hoisted a jug of liquor.
"Since you’ve arrived late, you should begin by downing three cups."
Yu Gong silently raised his cup.