Return Of The Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1159

Everyone was silent. Im So-byeong’s words had shocked them.

“…The Southern Sea…?”

“Through the very heart of Jiangnan?”

Some were surprised at how reckless Im So-byeong’s plan was.

Jiangnan was known as the land of the Four Evil Sects. It was never safe, but now it was extremely dangerous, like a dragon’s lair. ‘Death trap’ was too weak a word for it.

Was it even possible to support a sect at the southernmost tip of such a dangerous place?

“How are we supposed to get ships?”

“Supporting an island… and not even one in Gangbuk.”

Some focused on the Hainan Sect’s location on Hainan Island.

Hainan was a familiar name, but also seemed impossibly far away. Most martial artists had heard of Hainan, but few had actually been there.

In a way, the Hainan Sect, though one of the Nine Great Sects, felt more distant than even the sects beyond the borders.

“Wait a moment… Does this only work if they want our support? If we go to Jiangnan and they reject us, we could end up isolated.”

“That would be truly awful.”

Others wondered if the Hainan Sect could be trusted.

But the most powerful idea in their minds was something else.

“One of the Nine Great Sects…”

When Chung Myung spoke, everyone looked at him. He smiled strangely as he received their attention.

“Are you saying one of the Nine Great Sects is breaking away?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Even leaving the Nine Great Sects to join the Heavenly Union?”

“Precisely.”

“Hmm.”

Chung Myung tapped his cheek. Despite looking thoughtful, he quickly came to a conclusion.

“Just thinking about it…”

Chung Myung grinned wickedly.

“Makes me feel fantastic!”

He didn’t need to think about the consequences.

“If it’s possible, if it really happens, the results will be terrifying. This could turn the Central Plains upside down.”

The martial world had a long history.

In that history, no sect had ever willingly left its place among the Nine Great Sects. People in the martial world had never even imagined it.

The title ‘Nine Great Sects’ was incredibly symbolic.

Every established sect in the martial world wanted to be among the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Families.

Even the disciples of Mount Hua secretly hoped to return to the Nine Great Sects. Of course, if Shaolin controlled the Nine Great Sects, they would refuse even a free position, but if the situation changed, few would refuse.

The ‘Nine Great Sects’ had long been a symbol of the established groups and the last defense of the Central Plains.

But now…

“It’s like hearing the first cracks in a strong wall, isn’t it?”

Chung Myung’s lips curled up even more.

If, by some chance, such a thing happened, the ‘Nine Great Sects’ could no longer be a symbol of the established groups.

Yes, if it really happened.

“Hmm.”

Tang Gunak, who was usually stern, looked twice as serious. The situation was that important.

“If the Green Forest King is right, it will be a tremendous event.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“The Hainan Sect is not ordinary. It’s one of the pillars of the Nine Great Sects. At the very least, um…”

Tang Gunak trailed off, but Namgung Dowi quickly understood and finished his sentence.

“It’s stronger than the Namgung Family, which has lost more than half its strength.”

“…That’s not what I meant.”

“Don’t worry, Family Head. The truth is the truth.”

Namgung Dowi’s eyes didn’t waver. He seemed to say, ‘The future is what matters.’ Only then did Tang Gunak nod.

“Comparing it to the Namgung Family might be too much, but few sects in the world have that kind of power. Especially among those that might join the Heavenly Union.”

“Even if they’re the lowest-ranked of the Nine Great Sects?”

Tang Gunak shook his head at Jo Gul’s words.

“The Hainan Sect joined last, but they aren’t the weakest. They’re much stronger than sects like Kunlun, which was almost destroyed by the Demonic Sect.”

“Ah, is that so? But why…”

“Obvious, isn’t it?”

Chung Myung answered for Tang Gunak.

“You can’t just kick out a sect from the Nine Great Sects because a stronger sect appears. That’s not how it works.”

“But we kicked them out, didn’t we?”

“Kraaah!”

As Chung Myung’s eyes rolled back, everyone glared at Jo Gul. Normally, they would have blamed Chung Myung, but this time, Jo Gul was clearly at fault.

“Ah, no, I’m from Mount Hua, so can’t I say things like that…?”

“Gul, just shut your mouth.”

“Yes, sir!”

Jo Gul shrank into a corner. Chung Myung clicked his tongue and continued.

“…Anyway! The Hainan Sect is unique.”

“That’s right.”

Tang Gunak completely agreed.

“Power is important, but the symbolism is even more so. The Hainan Sect choosing the Heavenly Union over the Nine Great Sects… Does anyone not understand what that means?”

The room was silent. Someone swallowing sounded like thunder.

“Of course… Hainan is just one sect, so the world won’t be turned upside down. But at least…”

Tang Gunak looked sternly at everyone.

“It will shift the current. Definitely.”

Chung Myung, with his hands behind his head, muttered indifferently.

“The perception has already changed since the Namgung Family joined the Heavenly Union, hasn’t it?”

“Precisely.”

Tang Gunak snapped his fingers to focus everyone.

“It’s awkward for me to say this… but the Five Great Families and the Nine Great Sects aren’t equal. The Namgung Family under Namgung Hwang could rival any of the Nine Great Sects… but the other families can’t compare. People don’t see the Five Great Families as equal to the Nine Great Sects.”

“That’s true.”

“So, this is significant. The Heavenly Union has surpassed the Five Great Families and can even embrace the Nine Great Sects. Perhaps…”

Tang Gunak smiled like Chung Myung.

“This might lead to the Heavenly Union surpassing the Nine Great Sects.”

That was the final nail in the coffin.

Surpassing the Nine Great Sects.

The Heavenly Union had to do it someday. But it seemed too far off to discuss.

But now, the solution had appeared unexpectedly.

“…What happens if that really happens?”

Yoon Jong muttered blankly. Jo Gul scoffed.

“What do you think? The Shaolin Abbot will be furious!”

“…Could we see the Abbot die of frustration?”

“At that point, his qi will go wild. The Shaolin Abbot might even change.”

Im So-byeong snapped his fan shut.

Everyone closed their mouths and looked at Im So-byeong. He was already influential, but now he was even more so than Tang Gunak.

“It’s not just that.”

“Huh?”

“Think about it. What’s the biggest difference between the Nine Great Sects and the Heavenly Union?”

“The Nine Great Sects are the Nine Great Sects because only nine sects can have that name. But the Heavenly Union has no limit. It’s not just for the great sects.”

“Ah…”

“Until now, many sects have hesitated because they’ve been watching the Nine Great Sects, but when the Heavenly Union surpasses the Nine Great Sects! No, even when they become equal, perceptions will change.”

Im So-byeong covered half his face with his fan and smiled slyly.

“They’ll say it’s better to be a proud member of the Heavenly Union than to be under the thumb of the Nine Great Sects.”

“…”

“And I’ve already made an amazing move, haven’t I?”

“A move?”

“The Green Forest! It’s the Green Forest! If the Heavenly Union didn’t have the Green Forest, most sects wouldn’t have dared to come. Even if they said they would accept everyone, they would have thought it was just talk. But now, the Heavenly Union has those unorthodox fellows in it, doesn’t it?”

“…”

“Then everyone will think! We may be a bit weak, but at least we’ll be treated better than those unorthodox bastards, right?”

“…Green Forest King…? It’s not wrong, but… Green Forest King, is it okay for you to say things like that?”

“That’s the truth, so what does it matter? It’s not like I’ll be treated like a human just because I get angry, and if you’re upset, you should have been born into the Namgung Family.”

“No, but why have you been picking on us since before…?”

“That’s right!”

Im So-byeong raised his voice.

“With just this one move! We can change the Central Plains. And if this one move succeeds!”

His eyes shone.

“The Heavenly Union will be strong enough to fight the Four Evil Sects. If we can just make this succeed. Do you understand?”

Anyone who didn’t understand didn’t belong there.

“We have to do it.”

“It’s something we have to do no matter what.”

“Then who will go?”

At that moment, when everyone was determined to succeed, an indifferent voice spoke.

“I’m against it.”