Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1031

“Did you say there’s a problem?”

Hyun Jong felt worried, but he tried to sound calm. “Is there a problem?” he asked.

“Yes, Alliance Leader.”

“What kind of…?…”

Beop Jeong slowly shook his head.

“Before that, I think we need to sort out the situation first.”

“…Yes, Abbot.”

“As you know, the Demonic Sect is attacking everyone in Hangzhou right now. The Beggars’ Sect told us they are killing people at the Black Ghost Fortress and regular people too.”

Hyun Jong bit his lip hard.

He had guessed some of this already, but hearing it from Beop Jeong made it feel different.

“Is that information reliable?”

“The Beggars’ Sect just told us. They don’t know everything happening in Hangzhou, but it seems a terrible massacre is happening there.”

“…What should we do about this…?…”

Hyun Jong repeated a Buddhist prayer, feeling heavy-hearted. Chung Myung was right: people were dying even as they hesitated.

“How big is the enemy force?”

“That’s not certain. As you know, the Beggars’ Sect is one of the Nine Great Sects, so most of them left three years ago.”

“I suppose so.”

Even normal beggars listen to the Beggars’ Sect, so they should know what’s happening. But it’s not the same as the Beggars’ Sect seeing it themselves.

“Alliance Leader.”

“Yes, Abbot. Please speak.”

“As you know, all martial artists must deal with the Demonic Sect. In the past, people put aside their differences and fought together, right?”

Hyun Jong nodded seriously.

“Especially since you, the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, know how scary the Demonic Sect is.”

“…Of course.”

Beop Jeong picked up his teacup and took a drink, as if he was thirsty.

“As you know, I have been watching the Demonic Sect closely. They don’t just disappear when they retreat.”

Hyun Jong had to agree.

Even when Hwasan forgot about the Demonic Sect, Beop Jeong chased after them and asked them to go to the Northern Sea.

Now, he didn’t trust Beop Jeong as much, but he couldn’t deny that Beop Jeong had been wary of the Demonic Sect.

“Now they have shown their true colors, I will do everything I can to destroy them completely. That’s what everyone in the martial world must do.”

Hyun Jong nodded.

He had been worried coming here. He often disagreed with Beop Jeong and couldn’t shake off his anxiety. But at least they seemed to agree about the Demonic Sect.

Hyun Jong finally sighed in relief.

“That’s why I have to thank the Alliance Leader.”

Beop Jeong bowed deeply to Hyun Jong, showing personal respect, not just as the Abbot of Shaolin.

“Why, why are you doing this, Abbot!” Hyun Jong asked, embarrassed.

Beop Jeong looked up and smiled gently.

“Even if I say it nicely, we both know things are very strange between us, right?”

“Well… ….”

“You took this difficult step only for the peace of the martial world and the lives of the common people. As a Buddhist and a martial artist, I thank you for your decision, Alliance Leader.”

“Please don’t do this, Abbot. I’m embarrassed. It’s a natural thing to do, isn’t it?”

Beop Jeong chanted a Buddhist prayer and nodded. He closed his eyes for a moment, then looked at Hyun Jong with a deep gaze.

“That’s why I’m telling you this, Alliance Leader.”

“Yes.”

“Based on what I know, I want to ask for help from the Nine Great Sects and other martial arts groups. The people here aren’t enough, so we need to gather strength quickly.”

“The Heavenly Union will help actively.”

Beop Jeong spoke seriously to Hyun Jong’s strong reply.

“However… it’s because of the problem I mentioned earlier.”

“Yes. Please tell me.”

“Again, this is urgent. We can’t be picky. To save the common people and stop the Demonic Sect, someone should go to Gangnam now. The damage will be too great if we wait. I don’t think the Four Evil Sects will help the common people.”

“Hmm.”

That was true.

“But, Alliance Leader.”

“Yes, Abbot.”

“As you know, Shaolin can’t cross the river right now.”

“…Yes?”

Hyun Jong’s face changed quickly.

“The Gangnam Non-Aggression Pact, which should be cursed, hasn’t ended yet. So, the Nine Great Sects can’t cross the river and fight the Demonic Sect right now.”

“No, no, Abbot. What are you… ….”

Hyun Jong looked at Beop Jeong, unable to hide his shock.

“This isn’t the time to follow that treaty!”

“Of course, I think so too. But, Alliance Leader, can we decide that ourselves?” Beop Jeong sighed deeply.

“If Jang Il-so of the Four Evil Sects would put aside small things for the greater good like you, Alliance Leader, I don’t know, but he will try to profit from this treaty somehow. Can you even talk to him?”

Hyun Jong stared blankly at Beop Jeong.

Hyun Jong said, “If Jang Il-so didn’t want help from the Nine Great Sects, why would he tell us about the Demonic Sect?”

“It’s hard to guess his plans. Isn’t he Jang Il-so?”

“That’s… ….”

Hyun Jong bit his lip.

This was a checkmate.

Hyun Jong knew Shaolin’s situation and his own. He couldn’t say, ‘Jang Il-so knows the situation, so try to negotiate.’

But if he didn’t say that…

“Therefore,” Beop Jeong said subtly, bringing up the main point.

“I’m sorry, but I have to ask you for a difficult favor, Alliance Leader.”

Hyun Jong clenched his fist without thinking. He wanted to leave right now.

But Beop Jeong’s voice continued, not giving him time to get up.

“As far as I know, the Heavenly Union isn’t restricted by the Gangnam Non-Aggression Pact.”

“…Abbot.”

“Please, Alliance Leader,” Beop Jeong bowed to Hyun Jong again.

“It’s for the suffering common people of Gangnam, for their precious lives. It’s a difficult task, but could the Heavenly Union cross the river and fight the Demonic Sect first?”

“… ….”

Hyun Jong clenched his fist so hard his fingernails dug into his palm. He glared at Beop Jeong with anger.

“…May I ask you one thing?”

“Please do.”

“…The request you made, Abbot… ….”

Hyun Jong stopped talking, fighting to control his anger.

“…Is it really for the common people of Gangnam? Or is it to send our Heavenly Union to its death?”

“Of course, it’s the former,” Beop Jeong said firmly, as if it was obvious. Hyun Jong bit his lip until it bled at his confident answer.

“Is that the Abbot’s… No, is that Shaolin’s intention?”

“That’s right.”

“Really!” Hyun Jong raised his voice.

“Is that *really* Shaolin’s intention, Abbot?” Hyun Jong asked, his voice tight with disbelief.

“I thought we were just going different paths. I was sad and angry sometimes, but I thought it was because we saw the world differently! I thought we just cared for the world in different ways!”

“… ….”

“I thought we both cared for all people in the world. Because Shaolin is that kind of place! It has to be that kind of place! But is that really Shaolin’s intention? Really?”

Beop Jeong looked at Hyun Jong strangely. His next words made Hyun Jong’s anger disappear.

“I don’t understand why the Alliance Leader is so angry.”

“…What did you just say… ….”

“That day!” Beop Jeong’s firm voice cut off Hyun Jong’s words.

“That day, when we met at the Yangtze River, didn’t you clearly tell me that the Heavenly Union will do what it believes is right?”

“… ….”

“It was a harsh thing to say, but I was impressed. I know how hard it is to do that. But…” Beop Jeong continued with a smile.

“Now I see that the Heavenly Union’s idea of what is right changes depending on the situation.”

“Beop Jeong!” Hyun Jong finally jumped up from his seat, unable to control his anger. Beop Jeong spoke coldly.

“Fifteen days.”

“… ….”

“That’s how long until the Yangtze River Non-Aggression Pact ends. Fifteen days from now.”

“… ….”

“When those fifteen days are over, the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families will cross the river to punish the Demonic Sect. So, you just have to choose, Alliance Leader. Will you cross the river first, or…” Beop Jeong’s cold gaze swept over Hyun Jong.

“Will you wait here for fifteen days for the Nine Great Sects to march out?”

Unlike Hyun Jong, who was furious, Beop Jeong calmly picked up his teacup, which was still steaming slightly. He looked surprisingly calm as he took a drink.

“Alliance Leader, I’m curious too.”

“… ….”

“Are the Heavenly Union’s words about fairness and doing good real, even when things are hard? Or are they just empty words said when things are easy?”

“Is that what you’re saying… ….”

Beop Jeong reached out and gently pressed down on Hyun Jong’s teacup. The tea water bubbled up.

“Of course, I sincerely hope that the Heavenly Union truly does what it says. I mean that sincerely.”

Hyun Jong stared at Beop Jeong without a word. He no longer trusted Beop Jeong.

Beop Jeong continued, “I will share the information from the Beggars’ Sect. I will support you with everything you need, including supplies.”

The two men looked at each other.

“So please make a wise decision.”

Hatred and anger, not fitting for a Taoist, filled Hyun Jong’s eyes.

“…I will go.”

“Yes. Please be careful.”

Hyun Jong turned around with a cold expression and threw open the door.

As he left, Beop Jeong’s low voice came from behind, “Please give my regards to the Hwasan Sword Saint as well.”

“… ….”

Hyun Jong slammed the door and left without answering.

A strange smile appeared on Beop Jeong’s face as he sat alone in the room.

“People, really.”

The Buddhist prayer he chanted echoed emptily in the quiet room.