Return of the Mount Hua Sect Chapter 1249: That Is That? (4)

Gwak Hwan-So's thoughts raced. 'What kind of absurd notion is this?' Initially startled, then bewildered, and finally, agitated, he found himself in a state of disbelief. Despite Chung Myung's insults labeling him as foolish, Gwak Hwan-So, as the esteemed head disciple of Southern Island, was not inherently unwise. He fully comprehended the implications of their declaration.

“So, um…” Gwak Hwan-So began hesitantly. “I shall not contest the failed mission further, the one undertaken as an envoy for the Heavenly Friends Alliance…”

“Yes.”

“You intend to relinquish all claims to that status and join Southern Island simply as a warrior of the murim world?”

“Precisely.”

Gwak Hwan-So stared, mouth agape, at the assembled members of the Heavenly Friends Alliance. Observing them calmly continuing to eat, regardless of the gravity of the discussion, shattered the fragile sense of reality he had just managed to grasp.

After a significant effort to regain his composure, Gwak Hwan-So managed to utter what he believed to be the most sensible question.

“Are you out of your minds?”

Was it too harsh? No, not at all. From his perspective, it was the mildest possible response. Where else could one find a more gentle way to address someone intent on recklessly throwing away their life?

“Tsk, look at how this fellow speaks. Say that to Mount Hua’s Acting Sect Leader!”

“Chung Myung, calm yourself!”

“You’re the one who treats Mount Hua’s Acting Sect Leader the worst…”

Though Chung Myung was incensed, Baek Cheon offered a gentle smile.

“Do I appear insane to you?”

“…That is not something a sane person would typically say.”

“It’s not entirely inaccurate, making it difficult to refute.” Baek Cheon replied with a casual shrug. “But what else can be done? This decision has already been made.”

The stunned Gwak Hwan-So suddenly flinched, as if a sudden realization had struck him.

“Th-then, are all of you gathered here?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

Words failed him entirely.

'Are they truly sane?' He considered the identities of the individuals present. Mount Hua’s Acting Sect Leader, Namgung’s young master, the Tang Family’s young master, and the Ice Palace’s lord. Was not even the Green Forest King in attendance? Of course, the Green Forest King sat in a corner, a palpable aura radiating from him that screamed, 'How did I get involved with these lunatics? I’d rather bite my tongue and die,' yet, he was indeed present.

Gwak Hwan-So scratched his head in utter helplessness. Naturally, he was grateful. In a time when Southern Island was being shunned by all, these people had traveled all this way. Even after negotiations had failed, they had offered to remain instead of departing—how could he not feel thankful? He felt an urge to collapse onto the ground and weep with gratitude.

But at that precise moment, Gwak Hwan-So had a profound realization: he was, in fact, a remarkably rational individual. Or perhaps, he came to understand that there existed countless individuals far less rational than himself.

“Do you not comprehend your current standing?”

“…”

“You are the individuals carrying the future of your respective sects. Why, in the name of all that is, would such prominent figures choose to forfeit their lives in this remote land?”

“Precisely because of that.”

“Pardon?” Baek Cheon responded calmly. “As you stated, we bear the future of our sects. Therefore, every action we take inevitably serves as an example for our disciples.”

“You, who understand this…” Baek Cheon interrupted him with a firm tone. “If we were to retreat now, how would those awaiting our return be expected to comprehend the situation?”

“…”

“Should we inform them that we visited Southern Island, encountered difficulties, and then fled before the Four Sects Alliance arrived?” Baek Cheon quietly shook his head. “We cannot. Doing so would only establish a dangerous precedent: that when a formidable enemy emerges, one abandons their comrades and flees.”

“…”

“Therefore, we must stand and fight. Not because we are unafraid of the enemy’s strength, but precisely *because* the enemy is strong. That is the fundamental obligation of those who advocate honor and righteousness while simultaneously reaping its benefits.”

“But the Heavenly Friends Alliance…”

“Indeed. Naturally, individuals, sects, and the alliance itself can hold differing viewpoints. At times, an alliance’s directives must supersede individual agreements. However…” Baek Cheon paused, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. “What of it? The alliance leader is not present. He may hold us accountable later, but he cannot act against us at this very moment.”

“…Pardon?” The instant these words were spoken, those nearby—especially the disciples of Mount Hua—visibly paled.

“If the Sect Leader finds out, he’ll kill us.”

“He’s not just the Sect Leader now, but the former Sect Leader.”

“No, even if the current Sect Leader knows, he’ll still kill us, Sahyung.”

“…Uh, well…”

“You’ve never witnessed Un Am’s Sasuk become enraged, have you?”

“I don’t believe I ever have…”

“I saw it once. I… I actually saw it, I…” Jo Gul trembled as if seized by terror at the mere recollection. “The Sect Leader shouldn’t have changed… We’re all doomed.”

While the Mount Hua disciples descended into despair, Baek Cheon remained unfazed.

“We shall worry about what comes later when it actually arrives. For now, our sole focus must be on the present circumstances.”

At that moment, Gwak Hwan-So was absolutely certain.

'He truly is a madman.' The sheer extent of peculiarity contained within this outwardly normal man was astonishing. His tone was polite, and his countenance appeared trustworthy, yet within resided a madness truly befitting Mount Hua. Naturally, someone of his ilk would indeed hold the position of Mount Hua’s Acting Sect Leader.

His reasoning was arbitrary and lacked consistency, leaving him unsure where to even begin dismantling its flaws. Yet, Gwak Hwan-So found himself unable to openly challenge it. It wasn't because aligning with them offered any particular advantage. The simple word 'comrades,' spoken casually by Baek Cheon, had effectively silenced Gwak Hwan-So.

"We..." Gwak Hwan-So struggled to voice the words, forcing them out with difficulty. "We refused the Heavenly Friends Alliance’s offer."

"Yes."

"We confirmed our decision not to join the alliance."

"I am aware." Gwak Hwan-So met Baek Cheon's gaze directly, his eyes steady. "And yet, you still consider us comrades of the Heavenly Friends Alliance? Someone worth fighting and dying alongside?"

"…What?" Baek Cheon appeared genuinely perplexed by the question. "No, the Southern Island's refusal to join the Heavenly Friends Alliance doesn’t render them an Evil Sect. They remain part of the righteous faction—so why can't we fight together?"

"..."

"Certainly, there exists some awkwardness between the Nine Great Sects and the Heavenly Friends Alliance. But, objectively speaking, that conflict lies between the alliance and Shaolin. What reason do we have to harbor animosity towards Southern Island?"

Gwak Hwan-So remained silent, unable to provide an answer. Baek Cheon offered a slight smile and continued, "That is not the crucial point. What matters is that Southern Island is currently standing alone against the Four Sects Alliance, and we are here." His voice was calm, as if he were stating an obvious truth that required no further discussion.

"Therefore, we fight. I see no need for any other words."

A brief silence followed. Gwak Hwan-So lowered his head, a storm of emotions welling up within him. He wished to conceal the expression on his face. Bowing his head, he spoke in a voice tinged with restraint, "…Mount Hua does not exactly hold fond feelings for Southern Island, does it?"

"Indeed, honestly speaking, the feelings are not warm. There are past grievances involved."

"But…"

"But that does not justify us abandoning Southern Island."

Gwak Hwan-So bit his lip, unsure of what to say or how to proceed. "And you seem to misunderstand… the alliance's stance and an individual's position are distinct. However, it does not mean the alliance would abandon Southern Island if it were aware of the current situation."

"..."

"We simply arrived without fully grasping the circumstances. Had we known, even if Southern Island had not joined the Heavenly Friends Alliance, we would have lent our full support to Southern Island."

Gwak Hwan-So bit his lip hard again and inquired, "Is that… the way of the Heavenly Friends Alliance?"

"No."

"…Pardon?"

"This is not the alliance's way—it is the duty of those who bear the sword."

Gwak Hwan-So's chest felt a stir. Such words were easily spoken. Gwak Hwan-So had heard them countless times and had uttered them himself on many occasions. Yet, how many in the world could truly pledge their lives to such pronouncements? And yet, the few who could were standing right before him.

"…Thank you." For the moment, Gwak Hwan-So set aside his personal position. These were not words from Southern Island's senior disciple, but from an ordinary disciple of Southern Island. "Even if they are just words, thank you for saying them. Thank you for saying you would die with us…"

"Who said that?" At that precise moment, an extremely displeased voice cut abruptly across the air, interrupting Gwak Hwan-So's sentence.

"…What?"

"Who claimed they would die with you?"

"…No, I meant just now."

"Argh, is this bastard truly out of his mind?" Chung Myung contorted his face into a scowl and unleashed a stream of curses. "Who in the blazes is going to die, you idiot! Am I insane? To die here? I’d be carefully interred in Mount Hua’s plum forest and lauded for generations!"

"…I truly wish not to witness that with my own eyes."

"A curse, that's a curse."

"Toss him off a cliff."

"Wouldn't burying him on Southern Edge Mountain be more fitting? The curse would persist for generations."

Chung Myung whipped his head around and glared, causing the Mount Hua disciples to hastily shrink back. "Who the hell is going to die, you bastard."

"Ah, no… Isn’t that the situation?"

"Situation? What situation?"

"The Four Sects Alliance is…"

"Hey!" Sparks practically flew from Chung Myung’s eyes. "When the Four Sects Alliance invades, should we all offer up our throats and beg to be slaughtered? They won't all come; only a portion will. It makes my blood boil to see the Nine Great Sects acting like senile old fools ready to perish! Hey, you bastard! If you have time for idle arguments here, focus on eliminating those who are approaching!"

"S-strength…"

"To hell with strength! Battles aren't decided by the strongest; they're won by the victor. If we were to fuss about raw power, the Central Plains would have been annihilated a hundred years ago!"

"That is also true."

"Those Demonic Cult bastards are truly formidable."

"…They were even more so in the past. I don't understand how they were repelled."

"Compared to them, the Four Sects Alliance is insignificant."

Gwak Hwan-So stared blankly at everyone, utterly bewildered. Then, Chung Myung spoke with absolute clarity. "Listen up, you bastard."

“There is a significant difference between fighting with the resolve to die and simply surrendering to death. Who here is willing to perish for you? Cease your nonsensical muttering. I intend to confront the Four Sects Alliance, not to embrace my demise here.”

“Mount Hua’s Sword Saint...”

Chung Myung’s gaze sharpened slightly as he fixed his eyes upon Gwak Hwan-So.

“Therefore, if you insist on spewing useless drivel and squandering our precious time, then go and make your preparations. We shall depart for our discussion once we have eaten.”

“...Discuss? What is there to discuss?”

“What else would there be to discuss?”

All eyes in the vicinity were drawn to Chung Myung.

“We must discuss the most effective methods to annihilate those scoundrels from the Four Sects Alliance.”

A sly, crooked grin spread across Chung Myung’s face.