Return of the Mount Hua Sect Chapter 1276: I Was Not Wrong. (1)

“What did you say?”

Ho Ga-Myung asked softly.

Ho Ga-Myung was never a particularly pleasant-looking man. To be precise, his features weren’t inherently bad, but his expression was so cold and sharp that it intimidated anyone who saw him.

With bandages wrapped around his face and a freezing glare, anyone reporting to him couldn’t help but feel their heart drop.

“T-the ships were requisitioned from the village. We couldn’t find anything as large as the one we came on, but we managed to secure several vessels of suitable size...“

“Get to the point.”

The man reporting swallowed dryly.

“The sailors brought from the mainland say it’s difficult for them to steer the vessels we requisitioned.”

Ho Ga-Myung’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“I don’t understand. Aren’t sailors the ones who steer ships? Why would it be difficult to steer them?”

“Th-their explanation is that the ships of the Southern Island are structurally different from the ones they’re used to, so nothing is easy.”

Ho Ga-Myung snorted. It sounded like a swordsman complaining that a differently shaped sword was hard to wield.

“Bring me the person in charge.”

“H-Here!”

As if expecting Ho Ga-Myung to say that, the reporter turned and shouted. A burly man nearby dashed forward and dropped to his knees before Ho Ga-Myung.

“I-I’m a lowly man, commander, to see you...”

“Enough.”

Ho Ga-Myung cut him off as if formalities were unnecessary. The man’s already pale face went even whiter.

“You said you couldn’t steer the ships?”

“...Yes. Th-that is correct.”

“Why?”

Ho Ga-Myung looked at the sailor with a cold gaze.

“Should I understand that you mean the ships don’t fit your hands?”

“N-no, Commander!”

The sailor bowed so that his head nearly touched the ground.

“Even if I’m the lowest of the low, I’ve sailed my whole life! How could there be a ship I couldn’t steer?”

Ho Ga-Myung quietly nodded. By common sense, the man was right.

“Then?”

“B-but the ships of Southern Island are unfamiliar to us. Though the typhoon passed, the waves are still high and there’s a headwind. Under these conditions, vessels we helm will inevitably be slower than usual.”

“Slower?”

“Yes. It will take at least another half-day, perhaps more, to reach the mainland...”

“Half a day...”

If there were time to spare, they could go at their leisure. But the one thing they did not have now was time.

Half a day would be more than enough for them to escape Guangdong.

“So you’re saying you can’t sail?”

“I-if you ask that, of course we won’t. But... we must consider that it may take longer...”

Ho Ga-Myung gave a short laugh.

“Clever. That’s why you came as a representative at such a young age.”

The sailor’s claim that they couldn’t sail wasn’t literal. If they had left without saying this and time dragged on longer than expected, the Ten Thousand People Clan’s enforcers would certainly hold them responsible.

He was trying to get Ho Ga-Myung to officially acknowledge the excuse he would later use.

On another day, Ho Ga-Myung might even have rewarded him. He liked people who thought through their situation and offered solutions.

But right now Ho Ga-Myung felt irritation rather than admiration.

‘Things are getting tangled in here.’

He paused in thought and smoothed the bandage on his cheek with his fingertip. He could feel the dry bandage dampen with sticky fluid.

“Commander! I’ll put these people through their paces...”

“No need.”

Ho Ga-Myung cut off the reporter and addressed the man.

“So you’re saying you’re not familiar with these ships. Is that right?”

“Yes.”

“Then summon someone who is familiar.”

Ho Ga-Myung’s mouth twitched.

“I hear that the people of the Southern Island are all sailors. Is that so?”

“Not everyone, but among two people there’s bound to be at least one who knows how to steer a ship.”

Ho Ga-Myung nodded and looked away. He saw a large fishing village adjacent to the coast.

“Bring them all. Not a single person left behind.”

“Yes!”

Ho Ga-Myung’s eyes darkly flickered.

The gathered villagers watched the surrounding men with anxious eyes.

The name Ten Thousand People Clan alone could make the faint-hearted’s heart pound. In this Gangnam, the terror inspired by the Four Sects Alliance and the Ten Thousand People Clan was that immense.

“L-leader.”

“Be quiet...”

When someone attempted to speak in fear, the village elder Jong quickly hushed them and scanned the surroundings to assess the situation.

‘What’s going on?’

To him, the atmosphere felt ominous. The Ten Thousand People Clan’s warriors who had gathered them all seemed possessed by malice.

“Are they all gathered?”

“Y-yes. These are all the people in this village.”

As Elder Jong answered, Ho Ga-Myung turned his gaze toward him.

“You’re the village head?”

“Y-yes.”

Ho Ga-Myung nodded.

“We need people to sail that ship to the mainland.”

At those words the village head glanced at the boats moored along the shore.

“The ships belong to Southern Island, so their people will know them best.”

Those who overheard Ho Ga-Myung’s words turned pale as dirt.

“You mean we are to sail the ships ourselves?”

“Yes.”

Ho Ga-Myung added a point that was obvious.

“And you need to do it as swiftly as possible, chasing the ship that departed first.”

Some present began to grasp the Ten Thousand People Clan’s objective.

‘It’s Southern Island.’

The shore where the Southern Island Sect had commandeered the ship was not far from their current location. Consequently, some individuals already suspected the Southern Island Sect was orchestrating something along the coast.

Elder Jong’s face began to glisten with sweat.

“We… we have to sail to the mainland?”

“Yes.”

“And then…?”

“It will depend on the circumstances.”

The elder’s countenance grew somber.

While they were only being asked to sail the ships, the uncertainty of what awaited them once they boarded with those men loomed large. The unfortunate could be detained on the mainland for an indeterminate period; worse still, they might forfeit their lives. Who would volunteer under such perilous conditions, especially with the Ten Thousand People Clan intending to pursue Southern Island?

“But… heroes.”

Desperation was evident in the elder’s eyes.

“W-we’ve had our boats grounded for days due to the typhoon. Now you’re taking the vessels, and if you take our men too… we’ll be…”

Ho Ga-Myung’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Do you truly believe the loss of a few men will spell starvation for everyone?”

“B-but you are taking all the seaworthy vessels…”

“Enough.”

Ho Ga-Myung decisively silenced the elder.

“I am not one to shy away from a debate; in fact, I rather enjoy them. However, we lack the luxury of time for such pointless arguments right now.”

“……”

“The Alliance Lord ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) frowns upon warriors laying hands on civilians. Yet, this does not equate to their protection. The more civilians capable of fulfilling their duties, the greater the benefit to the Alliance. However…”

Ho Ga-Myung paused, then let out a cold sneer, his already frigid demeanor intensifying.

“Should anyone, even now, choose to align with Southern Island and impede the Alliance, there will be no reason to offer them protection. It would be far more advantageous to the Alliance to eliminate such individuals preemptively.”

At these words, several members of the Ten Thousand People Clan drew the blades from their waists.

The villagers’ faces turned ashen.

“Has your resolve not wavered?”

Ho Ga-Myung snorted, his gaze fixed on the elder. But the elder, who moments prior seemed on the verge of trembling submission, suddenly displayed a fierce glint in his eyes.

“If you intend to kill us, then do so.”

“…What did you say?”

Ho Ga-Myung betrayed a hint of surprise.

“I said, if you intend to kill us, then kill us!”

He stared at the elder, incredulous. The man, who had been shaking moments ago, now glared at Ho Ga-Myung with palpable venom.

“Has he lost his mind?”

“Lost my mind? Indeed, I have.”

Elder Jong bellowed, consumed by rage.

“Among the disciples of the Southern Island Sect you are pursuing is my own child!”

“……”

“No matter how one cherishes their own life, what kind of deranged parent would assist those intent on killing their child? I would rather perish! Do as you villains of the world please!”

Ho Ga-Myung’s expression darkened.

If it were merely one elder spewing such words, it wouldn’t be significant. However, as he raved, Ho Ga-Myung observed the same venom mirrored in the eyes of the other villagers behind him.

‘Is it because they reside on an island?’

The bonds of kinship and loyalty here were extraordinarily strong. Had this been the mainland, no one would dare defy the Four Sects Alliance’s actions over a child or any other matter.

Ho Ga-Myung nodded slowly.

“I have a general understanding.”

“Commander…”

“Pursuing the fleeing is paramount. However… there are actions that should not be taken, even in haste.”

Ho Ga-Myung stated calmly, devoid of emotion.

“This is necessary for Southern Island as well. A definitive lesson demonstrating the consequences of opposing the Four Sects Alliance.”

At this, the members of the Ten Thousand People Clan displayed predatory smiles.

“Commander, then…”

“Leave no survivors.”

Ho Ga-Myung surveyed those assembled before issuing further instructions.

“Ensure not a single soul escapes. Annihilate them all, and then incinerate the village.”

The instant the command was given, the Ten Thousand People Clan members surged towards the villagers, murderous intent ablaze. Sensing their impending doom, the villagers squeezed their eyes shut.

Just then.

“Halt!”

A man’s voice rang out, and he stepped forward.

“Hm?”

Ho Ga-Myung turned his attention to the man who had intervened.

The burly man, his face etched with sternness, bit his lip before speaking.

“I will handle the ship. I shall select who will command the other vessels.”

“Hmm.”

Ho Ga-Myung regarded him intently, posing a question.

“Why should I place my trust solely in you? You could easily find individuals to pilot the ships elsewhere.”

“…Reaching the mainland is not the conclusion, is it?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You intend to pursue Southern Island, correct?”

“……”

“I can discern the trails they leave and the distinctive markers they employ.”

Ho Ga-Myung offered a faint smile.

“So, you hail from the Southern Island Sect.”

“...Yes.”

A brief silence followed, after which Ho Ga-Myung inclined his head in acknowledgment.

“You may prove useful as a hunting hound. However, one alone is insufficient. Should you bring a few more individuals of your caliber, I shall grant these villagers their lives.”

“...I understand.”

“Yu Gong!”

“Sang Gong!”

Yu Gong’s lip trembled. He had desperately attempted to avoid involvement, yet now, there was no alternative. He had even cast aside his own Sect’s honor for the sake of these people—if they perished now, his sacrifices would be rendered utterly meaningless.

He had to find a way to rescue them.

“...I shall comply with your every command. Therefore... I implore you to spare these villagers.”

“A pact it is, then. Agreed. Hasten your preparations; we depart within half an hour. Should you not be ready by then, the agreement is nullified.”

“Understood.”

“Do you comprehend?”

Ho Ga-Myung inquired once more, his voice low, prompting Yu Gong to bite his lip.

“I... I understand.”

Observing the flush of shame on his countenance, Ho Ga-Myung granted a curt, expressionless nod. Just as he turned to depart, he paused abruptly.

“Ah, there is one further matter.”

“Yes?”

In a flash, a force akin to lightning erupted from Ho Ga-Myung’s hand.

Smack!

The concussive blast mercilessly struck the village elder at the forefront.

“Village elder!”

“F-Father!”

The elder crumpled, blood erupting from him. Even at a cursory glance, it was evident he had met his end.

“Exclude that man from the agreement.”

“......”

“Bear this in mind: a bargain is a pledge. If you falter in fulfilling your end, the others will face a similar demise. And when that time comes, your end will not be as swift.”

Yu Gong’s lip split, drawing blood as he bit down.

“I shall… keep that in mind.”

“Excellent.”

Ho Ga-Myung finally pivoted and strode away. The members of the Ten Thousand People Clan, with evident reluctance, loosened their encirclement and retreated.

Only then did Yu Gong turn his gaze toward the assembled villagers. As expected, their stares were far from amicable.

Amidst the palpable blame and outright hostility, Yu Gong instinctively clenched his fist.

‘I made the right choice.’

It was a necessary action.

No, it absolutely had to be done.