Return of the Mount Hua Sect Chapter 1242: Is That Really All? (2)

Geum Yang-Baek, previously standing beneath the pavilion's eaves, emerged with a dignified air and bowed deeply towards Baek Cheon, who stood at the forefront.

"Permit me to offer my formal greetings once more. I am Geum Yang-Baek, the sect leader of the Southern Island Sect."

Upon witnessing this, the disciples of Mount Hua experienced a unique sentiment.

The sect leader of Southern Island. The name no longer carried the imposing weight it once did; they had encountered too many formidable figures recently to be easily intimidated by mere titles.

Their current standing allowed them to engage in discourse with the sect leader of Shaolin; what could the leader of Southern Island possibly do that would be so extraordinary?

However, this shift in perspective was a direct result of Mount Hua's transformed status.

Just a few short years prior, the Southern Island Sect leader was a figure who evoked complex emotions among the Mount Hua disciples.

He was both the subject of their resentment for occupying a position Mount Hua rightfully deserved and the object of their envy for leading a sect that was rapidly surpassing their own.

Now, that very man had emerged from the shelter of the eaves, standing exposed to the pouring rain, receiving Baek Cheon with his entire being drenched by the downpour.

"I am Baek Cheon, the Acting Sect Leader of Mount Hua. Thanks to your consideration last night, Sect Leader, I was able to rest my weary body. I am once again grateful that you did not turn away a guest who arrived unannounced and instead showed us kindness."

Baek Cheon inclined his head politely, acknowledging Geum Yang-Baek’s deference.

This exchange caused Yoon Jong’s chest to tighten involuntarily.

He understood the reason.

The courtesy Geum Yang-Baek extended was not directed at Baek Cheon personally, but rather at the title of 'Acting Sect Leader' he held. Alternatively, it might have been a show of respect for his role as a 'special envoy' of the Heavenly Friends Alliance.

Yet, in the grand scheme of things, did any of that truly matter?

A few years ago, Geum Yang-Baek would not have even cast a glance at Mount Hua. While the younger disciples couldn't conceal their eagerness, Geum Yang-Baek neither disliked nor disdained Mount Hua; he simply observed. This implied that Mount Hua was not even perceived as a threat to Southern Island.

But now, Geum Yang-Baek himself stood in the rain to welcome Baek Cheon, bestowing proper honors upon someone he had already met. This singular action highlighted the significant elevation of Mount Hua’s prestige compared to its past standing.

"Please, come inside."

"It is an honor, Sect Leader."

Geum Yang-Baek guided them into the spacious main hall. Those positioned at the entrance approached discreetly and offered facecloths to the delegation from the Heavenly Friends Alliance.

"What is this..."

"Shh."

As the somewhat flustered Jo Gul began to voice his question, Yoon Jong nudged him and subtly gestured with his chin. His attention was directed towards Namgung Do-Wei. Namgung Do-Wei, without hesitation, accepted a facecloth and began to dry himself.

Joe Gul followed suit, wiping away the rain after taking the cue.

"It's fortunate to have at least one gentleman from a noble family among us."

"Precisely. Had we arrived alone, we would have just stood there, unsure of what to do, wouldn't we?"

"Truly, as expected of a young lord."

Tang Pae's expression shifted abruptly.

"I am also the young lord of a noble family."

"Ah. Right. But... why doesn't it feel that way? Strange. Perhaps it's because he's too familiar to us?"

"It's his face."

For a brief moment, the three individuals turned their gaze towards the speaker.

"Why? Did I say something wrong?"

"..."

Tang Soso tilted her head, seemingly questioning why they were looking at her. In response, everyone silently averted their eyes.

"...Let's head inside."

"Yes."

Tang Pae's shoulders sagged slightly, and Yoon Jong kindly looked away, offering him a measure of consideration.

"Please, have a seat."

"Then, if you will permit my presumption."

At Geum Yang-Baek's gesture, Baek Cheon settled onto a cushion that had been prepared for him. Only then did Geum Yang-Baek and the elders of Southern Island take their seats in a row at the front.

Scarcely had everyone settled down when disciples from Southern Island arrived with trays laden with tea and light refreshments, placing one before each disciple of Mount Hua.

A bead of perspiration began to form on Yoon Jong's forehead.

"It doesn't feel like it's from the heat."

Not long after, he understood the reason.

Despite having cultivated a sense of pride as disciples of Mount Hua, none of them had ever been formally hosted in such a manner by another sect.

It was typically the sect leader and elders who received such hospitality in Mount Hua's name. But the moment the hospitality meant for the sect was directed towards them instead, the stark reality of them representing Mount Hua and the Heavenly Friends Alliance struck them with full force.

A slight breathlessness overtook him, but Yoon Jong straightened his shoulders even further. If they were indeed representing Mount Hua and the Heavenly Friends Alliance, they absolutely must not appear intimidated by the prevailing atmosphere.

"A guest has arrived from a distant land after traversing a treacherous journey, and we regret that we cannot provide more proper hospitality. However, please understand that the situation in Southern Island is so urgent that we could not act otherwise."

“We are profoundly grateful for your unexpected hospitality and are rendered speechless by your kind words. In all of Southern Island, who has ever received such treatment? Setting aside my position, as an individual, this is an honor worth boasting about for a lifetime.”

Complimentary remarks were exchanged for a time. The disciples of Mount Hua, who would typically find amusement in Baek Cheon’s eloquent speech, now remained in quiet contemplation, seemingly moved by the solemnity of the occasion.

“Well then…”

At that juncture, Geum Yang-Baek lightly cleared his throat, steering the conversation toward a new course. “Please forgive my impertinent inquiry, but allow me to reconfirm. You stated that you visited in the capacity of Acting Sect Leader of Mount Hua and also as a special envoy of the Heavenly Friends Alliance. Is that accurate?”

“It is so.”

“While it is not the mark of a gentleman to question another’s word, this place lies far from the Central Plains, and thus, news travels at a slower pace.”

Baek Cheon offered a faint smile and unsheathed the Purple Cloud sword from his waist. Geum Yang-Baek observed this action without uttering a sound.

(The soft rasp of steel sliding from its scabbard.)

With the sword held horizontally, Baek Cheon slowly drew forth the Purple Cloud sword. As the white-hued blade was revealed, a collective gasp escaped the onlookers; at first glance, it was unmistakably a sword of extraordinary quality.

“This is the sacred relic of Mount Hua, the Purple Cloud sword. The Sect Leader of Mount Hua dispatched me with this relic to convey his intentions to you.”

Baek Cheon then continued, his tone carrying a hint of slight embarrassment.

“However, to prove that this sword is indeed Mount Hua’s sacred relic…”

“No, Acting Sect Leader. That is a sufficient affirmation.”

At that moment, Geum Yang-Baek dismissed the final vestige of doubt that lingered in his heart, as if untying a stubborn knot.

He had never, not even for an instant, doubted Baek Cheon's legitimacy as Mount Hua's Acting Sect Leader. Baek Cheon was renowned throughout the land as one of Mount Hua’s Five Swords. The notion of him fabricating matters pertaining to the Sect Leader of Mount Hua was simply unthinkable.

Even if Baek Cheon harbored any ill intentions, the Mount Hua disciples accompanying him, or the leaders of other sects, would never have remained silent bystanders.

What he sought to confirm, however, was the true extent of authority vested in the title ‘Acting Sect Leader.’

A sacred relic exists precisely to exercise the Sect Leader’s authority during their absence. On occasion, a sect’s relic can wield even greater authority than the Sect Leader themselves.

If that Purple Cloud sword was indeed Mount Hua’s relic, it would not be an exaggeration to state that Baek Cheon held the entirety of Mount Hua’s authority in his grasp.

Geum Yang-Baek swallowed reflexively, his throat suddenly dry, then quickly composed his features, as if suddenly remembering himself.

‘I’ve allowed myself to become flustered.’

He had not yet heard any direct pronouncements from them, yet merely by facing Mount Hua’s Acting Sect Leader, he found himself unable to maintain his composure.

After all, Baek Cheon was still a young man, not even having reached the midpoint of his years; there was no logical reason for Geum Yang-Baek, the Sect Leader of Southern Island, to feel unnerved in his presence.

Yet, the reason he could not fully relax stemmed from the striking white long robe and the plum blossom emblem intricately embroidered on his chest.

The fact that these two symbols of the sect could induce such tension signified that Mount Hua had ascended to an immense stature, even in their perception.

Geum Yang-Baek drew a slow breath, a faint smile gracing his lips, and then began to speak.

“Acting Sect Leader. How did you manage to journey all this way?”

To alleviate the palpable tension, initiating light conversation seemed the most appropriate course. Geum Yang-Baek continued, prepared to respond with a touch of levity, regardless of Baek Cheon’s answer.

“If your intention was to arrive at this precise time, you must have departed a considerable duration ago; hence, why not provide us with prior notification? We could have dispatched a vessel to meet you at sea. Now, we feel somewhat embarrassed, as if we have been discourteous. Ha ha.”

However, Baek Cheon’s reply utterly dismantled Geum Yang-Baek’s carefully laid intentions.

“We traversed the Southern Lands.”

“...Pardon?”

“We crossed the Southern Lands directly by land.”

For a suspended moment, Geum Yang-Baek was rendered speechless, his gaze fixed on Baek Cheon in stunned disbelief.

Southern Lands? Had he just spoken of the Southern Lands?

“...Acting Sect Leader. This Southern Land you speak of is…”

“We commenced our journey from Hubei and proceeded via Guangdong.”

Geum Yang-Baek’s eyes widened considerably.

“G-Guangdong?”

“Yes.”

Baek Cheon offered a subtle smile and responded with tranquil composure. Geum Yang-Baek, momentarily forgetting his dignity as a sect leader, blankly inquired once more.

“You crossed the Yangtze River and Hubei to arrive? And… you passed through Guangdong, the very stronghold of the Ten Thousand People Clan?”

“Yes.”

“Ah, no—! Why undertake such a perilous endeavor…? What on earth were you contemplating?”

Not only Geum Yang-Baek but even the watchful elders momentarily lost their composure, commencing hushed whispers amongst themselves. Some expressed sheer astonishment, while others conveyed outright skepticism.

Yet, Baek Cheon simply offered his response with unwavering calm, stating nothing but the unvarnished truth.

“Because it represented the swiftest route.”

Geum Yang-Baek was left utterly bereft of words.

Whether the young man possessed audacious boldness or sheer recklessness, he maintained only a placid smile amidst their astonished reactions.

‘No...’

Geum Yang-Baek actually had something more he wished to convey.

‘Is he out of his mind?’

However, this wasn't a place where one could freely voice every thought, so he meticulously moderated his words.

“W-what if you met with some unfortunate event on your journey…”

“Such a thing could have occurred, naturally. But as you can plainly see, we arrived without incident, correct?”

Baek Cheon, however, made no effort to temper his speech.

“And…”

His gaze fixed upon Geum Yang-Baek and the elders present, Baek Cheon continued.

“We were not the only ones in danger. Southern Island was the one truly facing peril.”

All eyes turned to Baek Cheon, as if captivated by his words.

“If one is so concerned with their own safety while venturing to aid those in trouble, how can that be considered genuine assistance?”

Baek Cheon’s voice was steady, yet carried an unshakeable conviction.

“That is neither the way of Mount Hua, nor the way of the Heavenly Friends Alliance.”

Everyone involuntarily straightened their postures.

At that precise moment, Geum Yang-Baek realized with a jolt that the conversational advantage he had sought to establish had completely shifted to Baek Cheon.

The young man, without leveraging Mount Hua’s name or influence, had utterly commanded the room with the sheer force of his declaration.

“Therefore, Sect Leader, I implore you to hear what I am about to say with an open mind.”

Ordinarily, a brief silence would follow such a statement, and Geum Yang-Baek, anticipating this, began to give a subtle nod.

But then.

“For the prosperity of the Southern Island Sect and for the tranquility of the realm, we, the Heavenly Friends Alliance, propose that your Southern Island Sect withdraw from the Nine Great Sects and align yourselves with the Heavenly Friends Alliance.”

“Gasp!”

Geum Yang-Baek choked, his hand flying to his mouth in haste. Such a direct declaration, striking with the force of a piledriver and without any attempt to soften the impact, was truly astonishing.