Return of the Mount Hua Sect Chapter 1246: That Is That? (1)
Previously on Return of the Mount Hua Sect...
A long silence descended upon the main hall, the remnants of the Heavenly Friends Alliance's presence still lingering.
Despair often crushes spirits not when facing hardship, but when hope is utterly extinguished. And the event that had just unfolded before their eyes was precisely of that nature, capable of snatching away their final glimmer of hope.
“Haa…”
Geum Yang-Baek shattered the quietude with a heavy sigh.
“Once the typhoon subsides, order the disciples to make their descent.”
“...Didn’t we already issue that command?”
“There might be some who still cling to a sliver of hope. When reality truly sinks in, some might reconsider their path.”
“…”
“The elders should also consider this.”
Geum Yang-Baek’s gaze swept across the assembled elders.
“Your long association with the Southern Island Sect does not necessitate you sharing its ultimate fate. Those who wish to depart are free to do so. No one will face repercussions.”
A few elders stirred, murmuring their discontent.
“Where are we expected to go, marked as we are for death? Without our martial skills, we can barely even catch fish. If we return home, we’ll be nothing but outcasts.”
“Precisely, Sect Leader. Our grandchildren won’t welcome a Southern Island Sect member into their families. They’ll fear the wrath of the Four Sects Alliance. With what face can we even return to our kin?”
Geum Yang-Baek let out a dry, sharp laugh.
“Then why did you not act sooner?”
“...You would do well to say that after granting us the opportunity to act.”
The atmosphere was less oppressive than might have been expected.
When there was a possibility of action, grievances were aired amongst them. However, with the stark realization that nothing more could be done, even those frustrations began to dissipate.
“What of the skills of those requesting expulsion from the Sect?”
“They must be nullified.”
“Must we really…”
Geum Yang-Baek shook his head.
“It is not born of resentment towards those disciples, but rather out of concern. The Four Sects Alliance, led by Jang Ilso, targets the Southern Island Sect first precisely because he wishes to leave no loose ends. Would he permit disciples trained in martial arts to remain?”
“…”
“If they are expelled and their martial skills are rendered void, Jang Ilso will have no reason to hunt them down. He is wicked, not foolish; he understands the value of capable individuals who can contribute labor.”
The elders’ faces grew heavy with sorrow. His reasoning was sound, but if this course of action were taken, truly no one would be left in the world possessing the Southern Island Sect’s martial arts.
While the knowledge within their minds could not be erased, they understood the sheer impossibility of training new disciples without any demonstration. Thus, they could clearly foresee the grim fate awaiting Southern Island after these final practitioners were gone.
“Do not leave any regrets behind.”
Sensing the elders’ feelings, Geum Yang-Baek murmured, almost to himself.
“If heaven watches over us, it will somehow preserve a sliver of life. Who can say? Just as Mount Hua once did, Southern Island might one day ascend to a glory far exceeding its present state.”
“Indeed, Sect Leader.”
“It shall surely come to pass.”
Geum Yang-Baek offered a wry smile at the elders’ words.
He had spoken of hope, yet he, too, knew the chances were exceedingly slim.
Rumble—
The thunderclap drew Geum Yang-Baek’s gaze to the window. Outside, the wind and rain continued their relentless assault.
‘If only this storm would never cease.’
A bitter expression etched on his face, he looked out for a moment before turning away with resigned acceptance.
“...So it has all ended?”
The drenched disciples, paying no mind to the water streaming down their bodies, looked towards Gwak Hwan-So.
“No, Sahyung. They journeyed all this way from the Northern lands. Surely they had some plan? If not, then why even come...”
“Why place the blame on Sahyung for that?”
Lee Ja-Yang interjected with irritation.
“If you have complaints, direct them to the Heavenly Friends Alliance. You lack the courage for that, so why instead pester Sahyung?”
“No, that is not what I meant...”
“What do you mean it’s not! It’s quite obvious…!”
“Enough.”
Gwak Hwan-So lightly placed a hand on Lee Ja-Yang’s shoulder, restraining him.
“You are merely voicing your frustration.”
Gwak Hwan-So let out another sigh before speaking.
“It seems the Heavenly Friends Alliance also did not anticipate the Four Sects Alliance’s swift attack.”
“No, how could that be…”
“We were on guard against the Four Sects Alliance and coastal movements, but it is hardly possible for those from the distant Northern lands to possess intimate knowledge of the local situation, is it?”
“…”
“They were likely as taken aback as we were to see the Four Sects Alliance’s forces massing on the coast. Nevertheless, they made the arduous journey here, so we should be grateful.”
After uttering these words, Gwak Hwan-So couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.
He was not a man who typically found himself defending others. In a different circumstance, he might have been the first to voice criticism. Yet, strangely, at this moment, he felt no animosity towards them.
It wasn't a matter of principle or logic. It was simply that the shared cup of wine from a single night still resonated within his heart.
‘How strangely amusing.’
How long had it truly been since that time?
It meant that he, too, had once suffered the sting of contempt from the central lands. Thus, he couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie towards those who had personally come to their aid.
“There is no fault to be found with them. Have they not done all within their capacity?”
“Honestly, I don’t know what they did! If this was the result, they shouldn’t have come at all. They only raised people’s hopes for nothing...”
“Don’t say that.”
Gwak Hwan-So said in a bitter tone. “Your father was a sailor too, wasn’t he?”
“...Yes.”
“Then you know: fathers often take their sons to see the sea and set sail, only to be caught by a typhoon and not return. It happens often.”
“I know.”
“The sea is heartless, not the father. Even if the choice ultimately cost both their lives, can you call that father foolish and point fingers at him?”
“...I understand what you mean, sahyung.”
Though uttered out of frustration, the other Southern Island Sect’s disciples didn’t truly resent or hate the Heavenly Friends Alliance. They were closer to feeling grateful.
For three years, abandoned in indifference and coldness, those who came to find them were the only ones.
They had told Southern Island, abandoned even by comrades, to stand together.
When it seemed no one in the world needed the Southern Island faction, they at least told them that they were needed.
“Ja-Yang.”
“Yes.”
“When the typhoon stops, pick a sturdy ship and prepare it so they can depart immediately.”
“...Do we have to do even that?”
Lee Ja-Yang, who had been grumbling, saw Gwak Hwan-So’s expression and sighed deeply.
“All right, fine. If you ask, we’ll do it.”
“Good. Do me that favor.”
If it had been another time, the man who usually complained most would have continued whining, so Lee Ja-Yang couldn’t keep up his grumbling.
“Also, just in case, prepare a couple more ships separately.”
“What? There are only about ten of them—what’s the point of preparing more ships?”
“There will be such people: those who don’t want to die but also can’t live in Southern Island while abandoning the Southern Island Sect’s name.”
“...Sahyung.”
“Just have them ready. That’s enough.”
Lee Ja-Yang bit his lip hard.
“...Understood.”
“Good.”
Having said that, Gwak Hwan-So closed his eyes.
‘Those who want to run away...’
Perhaps he was speaking of himself. If he could, if only he could, he wanted to run away right now.
To someplace where he could survive.
But he couldn’t. He was Southern Island’s chief disciple. If someone must shoulder Southern Island’s name and die, it must be Gwak Hwan-So.
“Think deeply, all of you.”
“Sahyung. We...”
“And don’t say anything you’ll regret.”
Gwak Hwan-So rose from his seat and walked outside.
The other disciples watching him also rose one by one with deep sighs.
“...It’s really as sahyung said.”
Amazement slipped from Go Hong’s mouth.
Yu Gong’s claim that they could do nothing proved true. Even the sect leader and elders hadn’t abandoned all hope, yet still...
“You’re remarkable.”
A strange relief rose in his heart. Yu Gong was the one who looked at situations so coldly. If such a person had decided to leave the sect, Go Hong’s choice couldn’t be wrong.
But unlike Go Hong’s constant admiration, Yu-gong showed no particular emotion.
“...Is that how it turned out?”
“Yes. The sect leader said that when the typhoon stops, those leaving the sect will be formally expelled. Their martial skills will be abolished instead.”
“That’s the right course of action.”
“It’s a pity to lose their martial art, but what can we do? It’s better than death.”
Yu Gong nodded.
This was something he had prepared for. Going down into clans with martial skills would be dangerous for them.
They must become insignificant. Only by becoming simpletons whom Four Sects Alliance wouldn’t bother to hunt down can they survive.
First they must survive; only then can they do anything.
“But how did you know? Those formidable ones came—did you really think they’d have no plan?”
“It’s not that they had no plan.”
“Yes?”
“Four Sects Alliance is simply that fast and terrifying.”
Go Hong tilted his head in puzzlement, but Yu Gong’s gaze was no longer on him. Yu Gong was merely staring blankly at the pouring rain.
Just as he had expected. Not a single thing had changed.
Since it wasn’t a situation to realistically hope for anything, of course it would turn out this way.
So in a way it was for the best. If an unnecessary variable had intervened, things could have gone awry. If they had clumsily brought troops, the sect leader might have harbored hope and, instead of sending disciples down, mobilized everyone to fight Four Sects Alliance.
It was fortunate that events proceeded as planned without such misfortune. Yet...
‘I don’t know. Why does it feel so bitter?’
“You held on well, kid.” Those words kept echoing in his ears. The arrogant kid’s remark strangely stuck in his mind and wouldn’t leave.“What about the Heavenly Friends Alliance fellows?”
“They’re holed up in their room and won’t come out. They’re not shameless too—what can be done?”
“...I suppose so.”
Yu Gong slowly nodded his head.
Nothing had changed. Nothing would change. Everything would proceed as planned.
Tomorrow, once the typhoon subsides, their departure would seal the fate of Southern Island, leaving it to be trampled by the Four Sects Alliance. Those who elected to stand with Southern Island would inevitably meet death, while individuals like Yu Gong and Go Hong, choosing survival, would tread their own paths, deafening themselves to the cries left behind.
Thus, the very name of the Southern Island faction would be erased from existence forever.
“Such foolishness…”
“Hm?”
“It’s nothing.”
Yu Gong gave a slight shake of his head.
“Make your preparations early. Our impatience does not dictate the Sect Leader’s pace. Do not dally, lest misfortune befall you—depart immediately after the expulsion ceremony concludes.”
“Yes, um… hyung.”
“…For now, address me as sahyung.”
“Ah… yes, I shall.”
Go Hong, looking flustered, rubbed the back of his head.
That same night.
The typhoon engulfing Southern Island raged with even greater ferocity than the previous day, as if its talons were desperately trying to hold onto the island, refusing to let go. But as the next day dawned.
“…It has ceased.”
The violent winds and downpour had abruptly stopped, as if they had been merely pretending. An unsettling stillness had settled, much like the cold, impassive sea.