Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1253

Hae Nam. It was more than just a name; it was their sect, their home, their way of life on this island. Now, some were turning their backs on Hae Nam, while others held onto it tightly, knowing danger was coming.

Members of Hae Nam watched their leader, Geum Yang-baek, and his calm advisor, Kwak Hwan-so. They waited anxiously, their breath held tight in their chests. What would these two men say? What would they do?

But the two men remained silent, as if their part was over.

Their silence made everyone in Hae Nam understand that they had a choice to make.

They understood the choice: to follow Geum Yang-baek and Kwak Hwan-so into danger, or to stay behind and be safe. It was their decision alone.

Neither man pressured them, nor did they claim that one choice was better. Each person had to decide for themselves.

“Hoo.”

The sound of a sword being drawn broke the silence.

Thud. Thud.

Lee Ja-yang, sword in hand, stepped forward to stand beside Kwak Hwan-so. He didn’t speak, but his stance showed his loyalty. If Kwak Hwan-so protected Geum Yang-baek, then he would protect Kwak Hwan-so.

Seeing this, others bit their lips, spurred into action.

Thud. Thud.

More swordsmen joined them.

One, and then another.

It was a short distance, just a few steps, but it felt like an infinitely long road that some were now walking.

Perhaps they didn’t fully understand what they were choosing when they stepped forward. Perhaps they would regret it later.

Yet they walked it. They couldn’t explain why, but they felt it was the right thing to do.

Thud. Thud.

Dozens now stood beside those who shared their beliefs, raising their swords to show their commitment.

Another. And another.

Like waves crashing on the shore, more and more people joined Geum Yang-baek and Kwak Hwan-so.

But not everyone felt the same enthusiasm.

“…Senior Brother.”

Go Hong’s hesitant voice made Yoo-gong bite his lip.

‘Why…’

Why was this happening now?

It was supposed to be over. After the ceremony to kick out those who were leaving and going down to the lower mountains, his connection to Hae Nam would be completely cut off.

So why create this scene now?

Those who stepped forward and those who stayed behind.

The difference was obvious, almost cruel.

Geum Yang-baek had said he didn’t want to hold the ceremony to make it easier for those leaving. But Yoo-gong felt this was even more shameful than a ceremony.

At least the ceremony would have forced them to be brave and step forward. It would have given them a chance to look courageous, even if they were being criticized, instead of being swept away to their deaths.

But not in this situation.

In this situation created by Geum Yang-baek, those leaving Hae Nam could only stand frozen, watching the backs of those who were staying loyal.

What made Yoo-gong feel even more ashamed was those backs.

Normally, those leaving Hae Nam would have faced angry stares. They would have left with people calling them cowards. Those looks would have made Yoo-gong feel stronger and stopped him from hesitating.

But now, those who stepped forward didn’t look back.

No one looked at those who were staying. No one glared at those who had abandoned Hae Nam. Those who stepped forward were focused on what was ahead, not on those who were staying behind.

That made it unbearable for Yoo-gong.

“Senior Brother… what do we do?”

Go Hong, sensing the mood, looked worried and asked Yoo-gong.

But Yoo-gong pushed him away coldly.

“Why are you asking me?”

“…Yes?”

“Didn’t you hear the Head of the sect? We each have to choose for ourselves.”

“But, Senior Brother…”

Yoo-gong didn’t answer, biting his lip and glaring at Geum Yang-baek.

‘How much more do you want to make us suffer, Head of the sect?’

In that moment, Yoo-gong realized something. Sometimes, kindness can hurt more than anger.

Even now, more people were joining the group stepping forward. But not everyone. After a long silence, the older members who had been quiet also joined those who had made their choice.

A little more than half of the members stepped forward.

But that also meant that almost half had decided to leave without joining them.

Even though the numbers were close, the atmosphere was very different.

Those who stepped forward didn’t care who was staying behind. They only saw the Head of the sect, who was risking everything for Hae Nam, the outsiders who had come to help, and the difficult path ahead.

But those who stayed could only see the backs of those who had chosen a different path. They couldn’t look ahead and lowered their heads.

Then, Geum Yang-baek spoke to those who had chosen to stay.

“There is no need to lower your heads.”

Geum Yang-baek’s words were not angry or blaming.

“It takes courage to risk your life, but it also takes courage to choose to survive. No one can judge that choice.”

Geum Yang-baek looked at those who were staying, then closed his eyes.

“However… from now on, you are no longer members of Hae Nam. I won’t take away your skills, but I won’t allow you to use Hae Nam’s martial arts, and I will remove your names from the records.”

Everyone understood.

This was to protect those who were staying. If they used the martial arts carelessly, the Evil Faction Alliance would find them and try to kill them. If that happened, Hae Nam couldn’t avoid trouble, no matter how much those going to Jiangnan tried to distract them.

But people’s feelings are complicated. Even knowing this was for their own good, they still felt sad.

“Even if you are not members of Hae Nam, you are still people of Hae Nam living on this island. We will go to Jiangnan to protect our name. Those who stay, protect the lives of the Hae Nam people here.”

Those who were staying lowered their heads even further.

Even though Geum Yang-baek spoke kindly, they still felt like they were betraying their sect. They knew it better than anyone else.

It might have been easier if they were being yelled at and cursed. But Geum Yang-baek didn’t do that. He just wanted them to live. That made those left behind feel even more ashamed.

“Descend the mountain.”

People were confused and upset, and they looked at Geum Yang-baek in surprise.

“There’s no point in saying goodbye for too long. Go down the mountain now. That will end your connection to us.”

“Head of the sect.”

“Go.”

Geum Yang-baek closed his eyes tightly after saying that.

Those who were watching him bit their lips. One by one, they bowed to their master for the last time, then turned and walked towards the mountain gate, shoulders slumped.

The members were leaving.

Some cried, some lowered their heads as if they had done something wrong. Some cursed, and others punched their chests in anger.

Those who turned away and those who didn’t look back.

They had once shared the same dream and believed they were family, but now their paths were divided forever.

And Yoo-gong, who stayed until the end, bit his lip and watched those who carried the name of Hae Nam.

His heart told him to leave, but his feet wouldn’t move.

After watching them for a long time, Yoo-gong bit his lip until it bled and spoke.

“Don’t think you’re heroes just because you’re staying!”

He didn’t even understand why he was saying it.

He had no reason to criticize them. He had made the smart choice, and they were being foolish. Shouldn’t he just laugh at them and leave?

“We’re not leaving because we’re scared,” Yoo-gong continued, his voice rising. “So stop looking down at us!”

Lee Ja-yang frowned.

“You…!”

But just as Lee Ja-yang was about to yell back angrily, Kwak Hwan-so gently grabbed his shoulder, stopping him.

“…Senior Brother.”

“It’s alright.”

Kwak Hwan-so shook his head and looked at Yoo-gong.

“Yoo-gong.”

“…”

“I have one request.”

“What…”

“After we leave, please check on the buildings of Hae Nam from time to time.”

Yoo-gong glared at Kwak Hwan-so, his face twisted.

“I am no longer a member of Hae Nam.”

“I know.”

Kwak Hwan-so smiled gently.

“Can’t you do this much for me, as a friend?”

Yoo-gong glared at Kwak Hwan-so, then turned and walked towards the mountain gate without looking back.

Lee Ja-yang gritted his teeth as he watched him.

“That damned bastard…”

“Enough.”

Lee Ja-yang glared at Yoo-gong, then turned back. There was no need to pay attention to them anymore.

“Head of the sect.”

Those who were leaving had left. Kwak Hwan-so, speaking for those who remained to protect Hae Nam, spoke.

“What should we do now?”

“Hmm.”

Geum Yang-baek nodded and looked to the side. Im So-byeong stepped forward.

“Alright! Everyone needs to move quickly. First, go to the nearest coast and get a boat…”

“Are we supposed to get a boat?”

“No.”

“Yes?”

Im So-byeong smirked.

“Instead of getting them, destroy all the boats on the coast.”

“…Yes?”

“All of them! Every single one! Fishing boats, everything!”

“…Y-yes?”

“Move out!”

“…”

Im So-byeong’s words hung in the air. This was not the plan they had expected at all.