Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1165

Jongri Hyung’s lips twitched as he looked at Beopjeong’s back. Beopjeong’s head was bowed low.

‘Could it be…?’

At first, he thought Beopjeong had lost his mind.

How could the other sects of the Nine Great Sects possibly accept his words—returning Mount Hua to the Nine Great Sects and offering everything they could?

This was no different from an unconditional surrender to the Cheonwoo Alliance.

But the moment Beopjeong spoke his last words, Jongri Hyung was able to grasp Beopjeong’s true intentions.

‘There’s nothing to lose.’

What impact would acknowledging the Green Forest as a righteous sect have on the Nine Great Sects? Even if those sects from beyond the borders were recognized as sects of the Central Plains, would they suddenly abandon their foundations and flock to the Central Plains to settle down?

The Tang Family and Namgung were merely returning to their original places. So, in effect, all that Shaolin was conceding was the recognition of Mount Hua.

Of course, it would not be good news for Shaolin to have another strong group like Mount Hua to balance their power. Shaolin had been leading alone, but…

‘It’s not even comparable to having the Cheonwoo Alliance outside.’

No. Setting up Mount Hua as a balance might not necessarily be a bad thing for Shaolin. The current Shaolin was wavering.

What if a sect that would oppose Shaolin came in from the outside amidst all this?

The other sects, not wanting to lose power to Mount Hua, would surely rally under Shaolin. The reason Shaolin was being attacked now was partly due to Beopjeong’s misjudgment, but also because Shaolin was so much stronger than the other sects.

People always want to challenge the strongest person. Shaolin was so much stronger than everyone else, so other groups wanted to challenge them.

‘But people hate someone overtaking them even more than someone who was already high up.’

No one would want the number of people standing above them to double. If that happened, Shaolin would instead gain an opportunity to recover its wavering position.

‘The more I think about it, the more perfect it is.’

If Mount Hua were to accept this proposal, Beopjeong would instantly become a hero who united the divided righteous sects against the Four Evil Alliances and the Demonic Sect! A hero who sacrificed even what he possessed for the sake of the world!

What’s even more absurd is that all of this was originally what Beopjeong should have done. If things had simply flowed according to reason, they would have naturally turned out this way, but it was achieved dramatically after going through various pains.

It was strange. Something that seemed bad at first might actually become something good. It was like a hidden good thing inside a bad situation.

‘What will you do, Hyun Jong?’

Jongri Hyung’s gaze was fixed on Hyun Jong, whose face had hardened.

Of course, if the Cheonwoo Alliance rejected this proposal, it would be like chasing after a pipe dream, but such a thing was unlikely to happen. The moment they rejected this proposal, all the justifications and values that the Cheonwoo Alliance had put forward until now would be thrown to the ground.

And all that would remain was the assessment that they had ignored the sacrifices of the common people in their pursuit of power.

But how on earth could they reject this proposal?

Jongri Hyung could see it. Beopjeong’s words were like a dagger, sharp and cold, lodged deep in Hyun Jong’s side, unseen but deeply felt.

“Um…”

It was the moment Hyun Jong swallowed a breath of air as if groaning in pain.

“Why… why do we have to do that? If that’s the case, Shaolin should just join the Cheonwoo Alliance! Wouldn’t the same result come out even if the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families joined the Cheonwoo Alliance?”

Jogyeol, who felt that the situation had become strange even if he didn’t know it with his head, hurriedly shouted. It was an excessively rude remark to make to the Abbot of Shaolin, considering his status as one of the three great disciples of Mount Hua.

But Beopjeong did not blame Jogyeol. On the contrary, he smiled as if he were impressed.

“Of course, that would be possible. But that won’t do.”

“Why not?”

“Because the common people are also those who fight with us. Which name would they be more familiar with?”

“That’s…”

Beopjeong sighed.

“And, though it’s embarrassing to say, the other sects of the Nine Great Sects will refuse to dissolve the Nine Great Sects and join the Cheonwoo Alliance. That would only create another division.”

“Why, why only us… Why do *we* have to do this? Why only Mount Hua?”

“So, I’m asking you like this. I don’t think there’s a better way than this.”

Beopjeong looked at those who remained.

“There’s only one major principle. To gather strength in a better direction and save more people. If you know a better way than I do, teach me. If it’s reasonable, I will surely follow it.”

“…”

There was no way there could be such a method.

Even those here had all been convinced. That the method Beopjeong had spoken of just now was the most powerful means of dealing with the Four Evil Alliances and the Demonic Sect.

‘Fighting together with the Nine Great Sects?’

He felt so foolish for struggling to strengthen his forces even a little while ago. Of course, all of that might not have been in vain, but the name of the Nine Great Sects was so great that he couldn’t help but think that way.

Tang Gunak bit his lip slightly and said,

“A little while ago, you promised Mount Hua an equal status. But in the end, isn’t that just words? Is that realistically possible?”

“What makes you think it’s not possible?”

“Even if Shaolin acknowledges it, the other sects won’t.”

Beopjeong smiled faintly.

“Why is that a concern? Then the people here can help.”

“…”

“Just because you change affiliations doesn’t mean the bonds you’ve built will disappear. Isn’t that a more certain support than those paltry promises and status?”

“The Nine Great Sects are a bit of a special case…”

“Tang Family Head, there is nothing perfect in this world.”

Beopjeong shook his head and said,

“If you don’t give up even one thing you have, and don’t try to concede even one thing, then harmony and compromise are just a pipe dream.”

Beopjeong slowly turned his gaze towards Hyun Jong.

“Isn’t that right, Sect Leader?”

Hyun Jong couldn’t help but laugh.

Until a little while ago, he had been calling him Alliance Leader without fail because he had to be the leader of the Cheonwoo Alliance, but now he was calling him Sect Leader as if he were already a member of the Nine Great Sects. What a subtle way of speaking.

“I have a question, Abbot.”

“Ask away.”

“What is the reason for you to go this far?”

Beopjeong looked at Hyun Jong with unwavering eyes.

“Sect Leader, you must be doubting my true intentions right now.”

“To be honest, I am.”

“Then I will speak honestly. I am now very personal, blatant, and full of desire.”

“Yes?”

“In later generations, I absolutely do not want to hear that the crazy monk named Beopjeong ran wild without knowing what he should do and turned the world into a den of evil.”

Hyun Jong flinched.

“If my words sounded like intimidation, it is because I am that desperate. I may not become a hero who saves the world, but I do not want to become a traitor who plunges the world into misery. If that happens, I will not have the face to see the ancestors of Shaolin even after death. I would rather fall into the Avici hell and suffer eternally.”

The tips of Hyun Jong’s fingers trembled slightly.

Beopjeong was merely expressing his inner thoughts calmly, but to Hyun Jong, it sounded like a sharp warning. That if he were to reject this proposal, it would be Hyun Jong who would become a traitor.

Even though he knew that was not his intention.

“Therefore, I am trying to do what I should have done from the beginning, even now. No matter how early, regret is always late, and what has passed can never be undone, but wouldn’t it be better than not regretting at all?”

“You are right.”

Hyun Jong could no longer understand.

The person sitting in front of him now seemed like a snake with the most deadly poison, and on the other hand, he seemed like a high priest who had abandoned all the attachments of the world and attained enlightenment.

No, perhaps those two were both one and the same.

‘I don’t know.’

He couldn’t understand. Clearly, Beopjeong’s actions and purpose were those of a virtuous man, but the result of his actions was driving Mount Hua into a corner. The supreme virtue was oppressing him like a terrible evil.

‘Perhaps… the Abbot was like this from the beginning.’

If he deemed something to be right, he would try his best to enforce that righteousness. In the process, he would not be afraid of sacrifice, would even endure losing face, and would persistently endure momentary humiliation.

Yes, this was just the 모습 that Beopjeong had been showing them from the opposite side until now. The only difference was that Beopjeong’s purpose had now changed to being with them.

Could one say that that was wrong?

‘What should I do?’

Everyone was looking at Hyun Jong.

Those who had been so passionately discussing the future of the Cheonwoo Alliance until just now were now looking at his mouth with faces that didn’t know what to do.

These great people here had all been swayed by Beopjeong without exception.

No, without exception?

Hyun Jong’s gaze naturally turned to one person. To the one who had always opened the way whenever he was in a corner.

“Mount Hua in the Nine Great Sects…”

Before Hyun Jong’s gaze could even reach him, Chung Myung’s languid voice flowed into the room like water. That voice naturally drew everyone’s attention.

“Well, it’s not bad. If the Abbot keeps his word, that is.”

“If you don’t have faith, I will even make a vow. I am even willing to offer my neck as the price.”

“Well, if you say so much.”

Chung Myung shrugged his shoulders.

“Then does that mean the Nine Great Sects are now becoming the Ten Great Sects? The name is terrible.”

Beopjeong laughed heartily.

“What does the name matter so much? The Nine Great Sects may mean nine sects, but it has long become a symbol in itself. So, even if eleven sects are included in the Nine Great Sects, the world will understand.”

“Well, I guess that’s true.”

Chung Myung, with his arms crossed, nodded his head.

“Abbot.”

“What is it?”

“You’re more impressive than I thought. Honestly, I never imagined you’d be pushed this far.”

At those words, Beopjeong smiled faintly.

“Seeing the Sword Demon of Mount Hua say this, it seems I have made a good proposal.”

“I’m so happy I could dance. When did you start thinking about this?”

“I only understood this plan when I stopped trying to control everything and looked at the bigger picture.”

“Maybe I should believe in Buddhism too.”

Chung Myung shook his head as if he couldn’t win. Beopjeong, who had been watching him intently, opened his mouth again.

“So, what will you do? What’s your answer?”

“I can’t think of a way to refuse. Honestly, if we don’t accept this, Mount Hua will be cursed by the whole world until we die of a burst stomach.”

“That’s because it’s simply the right thing to do. Isn’t it?”

“That justification and righteousness are the sword I used to wield, but I never thought the Abbot would wield it.”

Chung Myung clicked his tongue loudly and raised both hands slightly. As if surrendering.

“Then can I assume that you are accepting it?”

“Well, I guess we have to. I don’t know what it will be like later, but for now, the first thing to do is to answer that we will discuss it positively.”

“Yes. I am not asking for an immediate answer in this place either. Take your time to think about it.”

His confidence was evident in Beopjeong’s smile. Chung Myung looked at him and said,

“But before that, I’ll ask you one thing.”

“What is it?”

“A little while ago, you said it was to save even one more person? That you gave up everything for that?”

“That’s right.”

“Are you serious?”

“Of course, I am.”

“Oh, really?”

Chung Myung smiled brightly. The moment the two men’s smiling gazes met each other.

“Then what are you going to do with the Hainan Sect?”

“Hainan Sect?”

“Yes, the Hainan Sect. The Hainan Sect that is surrounded by the Four Evil Alliances at the end of the Gangnam.”

“…”

“I’ll decide after hearing that. Tell me, what are you going to do with them?”

Those who had been holding their breath in that place clearly saw it in that instant. Chung Myung’s eyes were chillingly cold as he pierced through Beopjeong.