Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1526

Hyun Jong clicked his tongue, looking a little displeased.

“So…” he began.

He tried not to, but his eyes kept going to Tang Gunak and Im So-byeong. They had hurried all the way back from Mount Hua. Their faces were pale and tired, showing how hard they had worked.

“…The punishment for those who left Hwaeum and acted without permission…”

“Absolutely not!”

As expected, anger flashed in Tang Gunak’s eyes.

“Punishment, you say! What are you talking about, Sect Leader! It started as a mistake, but it ended well. How can you punish those who have done good? What will people think of our strength if you do that!”

“Well…”

“No one will do anything they aren’t ordered to do! If we think like that, we can’t get through the trouble we’re in. The rival groups are pushing up from below, and the other powerful sects are watching us from the side.”

“But this is a bit of a special case…”

Just then, Im So-byeong, who was trying to catch his breath, slowly opened his fan.

He probably wanted to open it with a flourish, making a ‘whack’ sound as usual, but he seemed too tired. His wrist lacked strength, so the sound was weak.

“A general on the battlefield isn’t punished for disobeying orders. They are judged only by what they achieve.”

“…That’s also a bit of a special case…”

And Green Forest King, stop hiding your face. With that pale face and dark circles, you look like a ghost…

“Anyway, I, speaking for the Green Forest, am against it.”

“I, speaking for the Sichuan Tang Family, am also against it.”

“The Eunha Merchant Guild is also against it!”

Even Hwang Jong-i, who had hurried over to join them, added his voice.

These three were in charge of most of the planning for Hwaeum. Hyun Jong felt uncomfortable with them disagreeing so strongly, their faces red.

How could he not know why they were doing this?

No one could deny that Chung Myung was turning things upside down and making a mess of the sect… but when it came to what he could do, he was worth a hundred ordinary strategists.

It wasn’t an exaggeration; he was truly worth a hundred people. You might not miss someone when they’re around, but you’ll feel their absence. They had realized that painfully during the ten days Chung Myung was gone.

And from the start, the idea of building this city had come from that rascal’s head. No matter who you brought, no one could work as well as that rascal on this project.

If Chung Myung were punished, everyone else would have to keep doing his work.

“Good grief.”

Chung Myung, sitting on one side of the conference room, leaned back in his chair as much as possible, looking relaxed. It was very different from when he had been sulking with his lips stuck out when he first heard about the punishment.

“I said I’d take the punishment, didn’t I? If a person does something wrong, it’s only right that they should be punished, so why are you all trying to stop it?”

Im So-byeong’s hand trembled. If looks could kill, Chung Myung would probably have been torn to pieces by now.

But…

“There… there must have been circumstances!”

Unfortunately, looks couldn’t kill, and the sad truth was that he had to say things he didn’t want to say.

“There weren’t any circumstances, though?”

“There must have been!”

“No, I’m telling you there weren’t?”

“There were! There absolutely were!”

Im So-byeong was about to cry. Chung Myung finally nodded as if he felt sorry for him.

“See! He said there were circumstances!”

“…Please speak without crying.”

“Mom…”

It was both funny and sad. Everyone teared up at the desperation.

Only Chung Myung clicked his tongue and brought a flask he was carrying to his lips.

“Geez, you won’t even let me get punished properly. I’m trying to reflect, you should give me a fair punishment.”

“Chung Myung! What do you think you’re doing, drinking alcohol here…”

“Can’t I have a drink!”

“Oh, how generous of you!”

“What are you all doing! Bring snacks! High-class ones!”

Hyun Jong, who was about to scold him, didn’t know what to say. But he didn’t feel like scolding the three of them at all.

Tang Gunak said with a tired face.

“Sect Leader.”

“…Yes, Vice Sect Leader.”

“If you really have to punish him… you can just give us some of his work. Then we won’t argue with the punishment…”

“…Ahem. I understand what you’re saying, that there’s no rule to punish a general during wartime.”

Tang Gunak glared. But Hyun Jong looked away.

He was old too, and he would die if he kept working like that. Hadn’t he only recently learned that a martial artist could die from overwork?

The Five Swords, who had been watching all this from a little behind, quickly exchanged glances.

‘…Is this right?’

‘Is it right?’

When that rascal Chung Myung suddenly changed his mind and said he would enter the Plum Blossom Dormitory, I thought he was crazy, but I never thought it would turn out like this… It’s not just amazing, it’s…

‘He’s like a demon.’

‘That’s not a real person.’

Yoon Jong whispered to Baek Cheon.

“Is it okay for a Taoist to be like that?”

“…Isn’t he good at it?”

“Yes? Why is that?”

“A Taoist should understand people’s troubles, right?”

“That’s… right?”

“How can he pick out only what makes others suffer like that? Isn’t that a great skill?”

…Usually, we don’t call that a skill, Martial Uncle…

“Anyway, tell me what’s going on. What’s the situation now?”

“Ugh.”

At Chung Myung’s question, Tang Gunak groaned. But it was only for a moment, and all emotion disappeared from his face. Work was work.

“The repairs to Hwaeum are mostly done.”

“Already?”

“Building, dividing, and raising are not that hard. It’s just about having enough people.”

Tang Gunak said calmly, but those ‘people’ knew how scary those words were.

Hidden behind those words was the idea that any task could be easily finished by making people work hard.

“The number of refugees coming in has also gone down a lot… All that’s left is helping those people get used to living in Hwaeum.”

“What about the main headquarters?”

“It’s being built. Though I don’t know if you can call it the main headquarters.”

Tang Gunak’s eyes twitched slightly with annoyance.

He didn’t think a large building with no roof should be called a ‘main headquarters.’

Honestly, what kind of main headquarters was that? It was a refugee camp.

“Who will join the main headquarters?”

“Hainan is said to be coming to Hwaeum now, so it won’t take long. The main group from the Ice Palace in Bukhae is also said to be coming down, but it will take some time because of the distance. Also, other small and medium-sized sects want to join…”

Im So-byeong interrupted and continued the explanation.

“We’re being careful about who we accept. If we accept just anyone, it will be a mess.”

“Like the Green Forest?”

“Yes! Exactly… No, you old geezer! How careful do you think the Green Forest is! Not just anyone can become a bandit! Do you know how many people fail just because of how they look? Even if you dress someone who looks weak in leopard skin, he’ll still be a cat!”

“But why is it such a mess then?”

Lim Sobyeong trembled, his eyes bloodshot.

“Keeeugh… I think I understand why people turn to the Demonic Sect.”

“You’re already Demonic, Green Forest King,” Tang Gunak said with a smirk, cutting through the tension.

“At first, I didn’t understand why we had to go this far, but now that it’s done, I see it. The main headquarters is more important than I imagined.”

Having everyone in one place worked even better than Tang Gunak thought it would.

“Well, people naturally grow attached to the place where they eat and sleep.”

“Is that why the Green Forest is such a disorganized rabble?”

“Why are you bringing up the Green Forest again! The Green Forest! Keurgh….”

“Soso, is he about to collapse?”

“Leave him, Senior Brother. We don’t have any medicine.”

“……”

“Why are you looking at me like that? You know he’s badly hurt inside.”

Even as Jo Gul exclaimed in admiration and readily agreed, Tang Gunak continued, “It’s not just the great sects. The small and medium-sized sects that joined attracted by the Sky Alliance’s reputation will also feel a clear sense of belonging once they establish themselves in Hwaeum. Then, truly…”

Tang Gunak trailed off. He originally wanted to say, ‘The Sky Alliance might not end up as just a temporary alliance,’ but it felt a bit premature to discuss it already, so he held back.

Then, Chung Myung said nonchalantly, “It’s obvious. Even if you’re renting someone else’s house, you grow attached to it after living there for a while.”

“If you know that so well, then make the exterior a bit more impressive…”

“Forget it.”

A profound sense of gloom settled on Tang Gunak’s face.

“Looking at that wretched state, the world will point fingers at the Tang family…”

Leaving the despondent Tang Gunak to his thoughts, Lim Sobyeong continued, “Anyway, this completes the picture.”

“The picture, you say?”

“The biggest problem with the Sky Alliance so far has been the lack of a middle ground. There weren’t enough people to support the high-level masters.”

“Could you be more specific?”

“To put it simply, we’ve always lacked absolute numbers. That’s why we’ve always had to fight at a numerical disadvantage. We’ve done well so far, but there will be limits. War always favors the majority.”

Everyone nodded, especially those who had been to Hainan, who moved their heads up and down with frightening speed.

“So, by consolidating the small and medium-sized sects, we can match their numbers?”

“It won’t give us an advantage, but at least we would always be outnumbered and lose. And that’s not all.”

His eyes suddenly became serious.

“There are three things you need to prepare to win a war. First, soldiers; second, supplies; and last, information.”

“……”

“We’ve gathered all our scattered allies for the soldiers, built a city in Hwaeum for smooth supply and management, and secured the cooperation of the Beggars’ Sect to gain an advantage in information.”

At that, everyone turned to look at Chung Myung anew.

“Which means…”

“Yes.”

Lim Sobyeong nodded. He was not only the leader of the Green Forest but also the strategist of the Sky Alliance. And that strategist spoke with conviction.

“It may take some time to stabilize, but that’s just time spent on ‘stabilization.’”

Someone swallowed hard, the sound echoing loudly.

“The preparations for war are complete.”

A quiet silence descended upon the great hall.

Lim Sobyeong’s words made everyone realize the gravity of the situation. An unavoidable war was about to engulf them.

It was then that Hyun Jong, with grave eyes, stared at Lim Sobyeong.

“Green Forest King.”

“Yes, Alliance Leader.”

“What, then, should we do from now on?” We can see his worry in his eyes.

Lim Sobyeong smiled faintly.

“Well, I don’t think I’m the one to answer that. Shouldn’t you ask the person who started all this in the first place?”

Now, everyone’s gaze was fixed on Chung Myung.

“Strategist.”

“Yes, Alliance Leader.”

“Then I shall ask you, Strategist. What should we do from now on?”

“That’s obvious.”

Chung Myung, who had been lounging as if it were none of his business, slowly leaned forward. Then, he turned his head leisurely.

He was looking at the large window in the conference room. It faced south.

Everyone knew. They knew where he was looking and who was there.

“It’s been about a month. Since that snake hasn’t moved from there.”

Everyone’s face hardened. No one here didn’t know who the snake was.

‘Already.’

Time had flown by without them realizing it. They had been too busy preparing for the war and reorganizing Hwaeum.

“He wouldn’t have spent a month just to divide the Nine Great Sects and us.”

“Then…?”

“He’ll be here soon.”

Chung Myung’s eyes turned cold.

“He’s been planning something dangerous for a month.”

Everyone held their breath.

The fact that Pae Geun, Jang Ilso, needed a month for something… just imagining what it could be sent chills down their spines.

At that moment, Baek Cheon, who had been silent until now, opened his mouth.

“Then… we have to stop that Pae Geun.”

No one answered. There was no need. The answer was already decided.

Lim Sobyeong’s gaze turned south. His eyes were uncharacteristically somber.

‘Jang Ilso. What are you plotting?’

With dark skin, a slightly gaunt body, thin lips, and thick eyebrows, coupled with a harsh impression, he was not a person with a likable appearance.

But that was merely appearance.

If one were to see the golden robes he wore, the elaborate crimson embroidery upon them, and the clear symbol of the sun emblazoned in the center of his chest, the impression would change.

His eyes seemed to look down upon countless people.

Not the eyes of someone filled with confidence in what they held in their hands, but the eyes of someone for whom ruling was as natural as breathing.

Such a man slowly opened his mouth.

“So? A mere bandit… dares to command me?”

An immense light erupted from the man’s arrogant eyes.

“I’ve heard that Thousand-Faced Guanyin has a thousand faces, but I’ve never heard that he has two necks. Did you think you could insult me and still return alive?”

Then, the long-haired man before him answered calmly.

“A person cannot have two necks. But…”

The long-haired man, known as Thousand-Faced Guanyin, a master of disguise, stared piercingly at Jang Ilso, the Palace Lord, on the throne and continued.

“The opportunity for Palace Lord will not come twice either.”

A refreshing smile bloomed on the lips of Dam Yeohae.