Return of the Mount Hua Sect Chapter 1245: Is That Really All? (5)

Agitated voices of the elders echoed from various directions.

“Only ten individuals?”

“Are these… all the people present?”

“How is this possible…?”

The members of the Heavenly Friends Alliance who were escorting Baek Cheon regarded this reaction with utter bewilderment.

“...Sahyung. Why are they all reacting like this?” Jo Gul inquired in a hushed tone. Yoon Jong responded with a wry smile.

“Perhaps… they presumed we were merely an advance party.”

“An advance party?”

“They likely couldn’t fathom that only ten people would travel all the way to Southern Island… so they must have believed we were leading a larger contingent and that our small group crossed the sea first.”

“Ah…”

Jo Gul stared at the elders of the Southern Island Sect, his expression one of profound shock. While Jo Gul was significantly taken aback, their reaction was, from their perspective, entirely understandable.

From the Heavenly Friends Alliance’s viewpoint, they had dispatched esteemed figures and the leaders of various sects to demonstrate the utmost sincerity. However, from the Southern Island Sect's perspective, the idea of such prominent individuals traveling alone without any attendants was inconceivable.

What sect leader in their right mind would abandon their sect and traverse enemy territory unaccompanied? This action defied the common understanding of the Jianghu and even basic worldly logic.

Consequently, they naturally assumed the presence of others accompanying the group. This misunderstanding stemmed from an inability to fully comprehend the prevailing circumstances.

“Then what on earth did you come here for!”

“Are you planning to abandon the Nine Great Sects and join the Heavenly Friends Alliance? Will you cling to the name of a doomed sect until your very end?”

“Such shamelessness!”

The elders’ fury erupted like an inferno, directed squarely at the group. Some widened their eyes in astonishment at the intensity of the reaction, while others furrowed their brows. Regardless of the dire situation, risking their lives to journey here for the Southern Island Sect and being met with such a response felt profoundly unjust.

“Enough…”

“Sect Leader! How is this any different from preying on a weakened beast!”

“They claim they won’t provide assistance, yet they desire to usurp our name! Why must we endure such treatment….”

“Enough!”

Suddenly, Geum Yang-Baek’s voice boomed like a wild beast’s roar. The elders, stunned into silence, turned to face Geum Yang-Baek – none had ever witnessed him display such intense rage, despite their long-standing association.

“You men of the South Sea…”

Under Geum Yang-Baek’s stern gaze, the elders lowered their heads in deep deference.

“Even if these individuals’ actions deviate from our expectations, the fact remains that they braved danger to aid Southern Island. Is this not true?”

“Sect Leader…”

“There are those who should be assisting us, yet you point fingers and decry that we won’t offer more to those who at least cared enough to come. Regardless of how capricious human hearts may be, is this truly the disgraceful conduct befitting elders of Southern Island?”

The elders found themselves unable to meet Geum Yang-Baek’s gaze, bowing even lower. A quiet sigh escaped Geum Yang-Baek as he scowled, then turned his head to look at Baek Cheon.

“I offer my apologies for this unsightly display. Everyone is in a state of desperation…”

“No, Sect Leader. We should have made better preparations ourselves…”

“No. We are simply indebted to your understanding.”

Geum Yang-Baek offered a faint smile. However, unlike before, a distinct shadow now veiled his expression.

“Acting Sect Leader, I have fully comprehended your words.”

“Sect Leader, yet…”

“No.”

Geum Yang-Baek shook his head.

“It is not that we have reconsidered due to your not bringing those requiring aid alongside you. We simply held unwarranted expectations.”

“……”

“Even if, as those misguided elders suggest, the Heavenly Friends Alliance intended only to leverage our name…”

“Ah, that…!”

“Yes, I am aware. That cannot be the case. While I lead Southern Island, I do not presume the name of Southern Island is significant enough to sway everyone here.”

Geum Yang-Baek chuckled wryly.

“Should you have arrived with such intentions, it would represent an excessive courtesy to be utilized given the considerable effort you have expended.”

Geum Yang-Baek’s demeanor appeared serenely detached, as if he had transcended such worldly concerns. Baek Cheon silently bit his lip.

Then, Geum Yang-Baek slowly shook his head and spoke.

“However, Acting Sect Leader. I regret to inform you, but we must respectfully decline the Heavenly Friends Alliance’s proposal.”

“...Sect Leader.”

“The reason is quite straightforward.”

Geum Yang-Baek quietly raised his head, his gaze directed towards the ceiling. Though his eyes were fixed on the ceiling, his mind was likely contemplating something far more profound.

“Southern Island was once part of the Nine Great Sects, yet it never truly belonged. It was merely a hasty substitute, filling the void left by Mount Hua’s absence.”

Though his words were self-deprecating, his tone remained remarkably calm.

“Consequently, despite being affiliated with the same Nine Great Sects, we endured subtle forms of discrimination. And at the heart of that prejudice likely lay a disdain for us islanders of the South Sea.”

“That is…”

“Islanders are not to be trusted. They possess no loyalty and betray as easily as they breathe; their convictions shift like the ocean tides.”

Geum Yang-Baek let out a brief, sardonic chuckle. “Perhaps you who live inland will struggle to grasp this sentiment. And… perhaps even the esteemed Lord of the Ice Palace would find it difficult to comprehend. Consider what those who face constant discrimination must endure simply to insinuate themselves among those who perpetuate it.”

Baek Cheon, a look of bewilderment crossing his face, posed a question to Geum Yang-Baek. “But, Sect Leader, then there is even less reason for hesitation, wouldn’t you agree? As you yourself stated, no matter how diligently Southern Island strives, achieving the status of one of the Nine Great Sects remains a distant dream. Yet, the Heavenly Friends Alliance extends its welcome without regard for a sect’s standing within the Alliance. Even the Green Forest is recognized as a member. So….”

Baek Cheon’s words faded, his mouth falling silent. It wasn't merely that reiterating his offer felt futile; it was the subtle, unsettling smile on Geum Yang-Baek’s face that gave him pause.

Geum Yang-Baek then inquired, “Acting Sect Leader, what is your understanding of loyalty?”

“…Yes?”

“I mean it quite literally. What precisely is loyalty?”

Baek Cheon found himself unable to offer an immediate response. While defining loyalty in a general sense would be simple, he sensed that Geum Yang-Baek’s inquiry delved deeper.

As Baek Cheon remained silent, Geum Yang-Baek continued, “In my view, loyalty is something that is proven in the end.”

“……”

“Acting Sect Leader, for an extended period, Southern Island has been perceived as a sect that could not be trusted implicitly, a sect that might one day abandon the Nine Great Sects. Despite our earnest pleas and persistent efforts to engage in dialogue, their deeply ingrained prejudice remained unshaken.”

“……”

“This issue extends beyond mere Jianghu affairs. While Southern Island may possess considerable strength, its people, lacking influence, suffer from prejudice and discrimination solely due to their distinct appearance or their island dwelling, so far removed from the mainland.”

“Sect Leader….”

“However, if we, the Southern Island sect, were to betray the Nine Great Sects in our final moments and accept the alliance proposed by the Heavenly Friends, as you suggest, what reception do you imagine that would receive?”

Geum Yang-Baek spoke again, not waiting for Baek Cheon’s response. “Just as I suspected.”

“……”

“After all, they would deem us untrustworthy islanders.”

Geum Yang-Baek paused briefly before shaking his head. “Acting Sect Leader, we are not simpletons. We are not so naive as to be unaware that the sects of the Central Plains, including the esteemed Nine Great Sects, have already consigned Southern Island to its fate. Even with this knowledge, we were left with no other recourse.”

“Sect Leader, it was they who first abandoned their loyalty.”

“Even if that were undeniably true, what difference would it ultimately make? In the end, the sole remaining narrative would be that Southern Island failed to uphold its loyalty.”

A sigh escaped Baek Cheon’s lips. “Had we accepted the hand extended by the Heavenly Friends Alliance at that crucial juncture… we could have exposed the lack of integrity within the Nine Great Sects to the world, bringing them shame. But… the scorn directed towards those who remain would have only intensified. People have a tendency to magnify the slightest fault in others far more than their own significant transgressions, do they not?”

Even Baek Cheon could not find fault with this observation.

“Thank you, Acting Sect Leader. Regardless of the circumstances, I can offer nothing but my gratitude for undertaking such a perilous journey to reach us.”

Geum Yang-Baek offered a deep bow. Baek Cheon, however, swiftly retracted his hand, which had been halfway extended in an attempt to halt him.

This action was prompted by Geum Yang-Baek’s continued speech while in that bowing posture.

“However, regrettably, from Southern Island’s perspective, we cannot accept your proposal. The Southern Island sect may face its end, but the people of Southern Island must continue their lives beyond this point. I implore you to comprehend Southern Island’s position, which must prioritize this future reality.”

“…Of course, we understand.”

Baek Cheon responded, his expression etched with bitterness. “Then… what are your intentions now?”

“I am uncertain.”

Geum Yang-Baek raised his head, a serene smile gracing his features. Ironically, Baek Cheon’s offer had brought a sense of clarity to his mind.

“Some will depart, some will capitulate, and those who endure will stand firm and demonstrate their resolve. My role is to share the destiny of those who choose to stand and prove themselves.”

“……”

“When we believed a path to salvation had been discovered, I contemplated the possibility of shifting our allegiances, thinking we might contend with prejudice for the remainder of our days. But if the conclusion is already predetermined, then we must reach that end in a manner that does not bring shame upon the name of Southern Island.”

Baek Cheon lowered his gaze, a heavy heart weighing him down. ‘I should have arrived a little sooner.’ There was nothing more that could be done, leaving him with nothing to say. Any words spoken now would only serve as an insult to Southern Island.

“The storm will soon pass. Living for a long time on an island teaches you such truths.”

Geum Yang-Baek surveyed Baek Cheon and the individuals seated behind him before speaking his final words.

“When the storm passes, you must leave this island. Our fate is to be buried here, but yours is not. We won't chase a single small boat if it departs, not unless all of us go together.”

Jo Gul, without realizing it, clenched his fist against his thigh. Those words, spoken with such calm, somehow pierced his heart.

“So… when you go back to the Central Plains, please deliver just one message. Inform them that Southern Island remained loyal to the Central Plains and the Nine Great Sects, and that we upheld our duty as a righteous faction.”

Geum Yang-Baek, his eyes shut, spoke in a low tone.

“That is all we ask.”

Baek Cheon, whose gaze had been fixed on Geum Yang-Baek, finally shifted his head to look at someone behind him. However, that person met his gaze with a complete lack of emotion.

Baek Cheon released a brief sigh, then slowly stood up. He then offered Geum Yang-Baek a respectful murim bow.

“I have clearly understood the Sect Leader’s wishes.”

Geum Yang-Baek also stood and returned the bow to Baek Cheon.

“I wish for the safety of your Alliance’s martial artists.”

The meeting concluded on a somber note, its outcome a total failure.