Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1179

Jo Gul’s hand tightened into a fist. He hadn’t meant to listen in. He was just outside the Head Disciple’s residence to show his respect, as always. But then, words drifted through the paper windows, words he wasn’t supposed to hear.

His good intentions didn’t matter anymore. What he was hearing was far more important.

A wave of heat rushed through his chest, making his breath catch.

He was about to burst inside, not even thinking, when a strong hand clamped down on his shoulder.

Unable to hide his anger, Jo Gul spun around. But when he saw who it was, his anger faded, and he lowered his head.

It was Baek Cheon.

Baek Cheon shook his head, his face firm.

Signaling Jo Gul to be quiet, Baek Cheon pulled him back. Baek Cheon’s grip was strong, telling Jo Gul not to argue.

Jo Gul couldn’t resist and was pulled away from the Head Disciple’s residence.

Once they were far enough away, Baek Cheon let go of Jo Gul and looked at him sternly.

“Didn’t I tell you to accept whatever the Head Disciple decides without complaining?”

“But… but, Uncle.”

“Those inside have worried ten times more than you, and their hearts ache a hundred times more. Shouting, crying, or begging won’t change anything.”

Jo Gul’s shoulders slumped.

‘Damn it.’

He knew all this. He knew Baek Cheon’s reasons, and he had prepared himself. But he couldn’t control his emotions. He cared about the Cheonwoo Alliance more than he realized.

The others felt the same way. Though they didn’t say anything, the Five Swords standing nearby looked grim.

“Haa…”

Yoon Jong sighed, unable to hold it in.

“I’ve thought about this a lot… but now that it’s happening, it feels strange.”

“Is that so?”

Baek Cheon looked closely at Yoon Jong.

“Even though you said you couldn’t decide, it seems you already had an idea in your mind.”

“Yes. That’s better than being unsure.”

Baek Cheon tried to dismiss it, but Jo Gul couldn’t stay quiet any longer.

“Uncle, even so, this isn’t right, is it?”

Baek Cheon turned to Jo Gul without a word.

“I know there’s no easy answer. But can’t you at least listen to what we have to say?”

“That’s too much,” Yoo Iseol interrupted, glaring at Jo Gul with cold eyes. Jo Gul flinched.

“Sago…”

“It is the Head Disciple’s choice.”

He couldn’t argue and bit his lip.

“Samae is right.”

“Uncle…”

Baek Cheon was more stern than usual.

“Aren’t you a disciple of Hwasan?”

“The Head Disciple decides the direction of Hwasan. Asking the disciples for their opinions is also the Head Disciple’s choice, not something they have to do.”

“But…”

“If you are a disciple of Hwasan, you must trust and follow the Head Disciple’s words, even if you don’t agree. Do I have to explain such an obvious thing again?”

Jo Gul lowered his head. Baek Cheon watched him and shook his head slowly.

“Hwasan has given its disciples more freedom than other sects would ever allow. That’s because the Head Disciple is so good. You should be grateful for it and not think that what you’ve enjoyed is something you automatically deserve.”

“Yes.”

Yoon Jong, who had been listening, spoke with an awkward look.

“Don’t be too hard on Jo Gul, Uncle. He’s just upset, isn’t he?”

“Being upset doesn’t give you the right to say anything you want.”

“Then why don’t you just tell me to shut up all the time?”

A moment of silence followed. Baek Cheon turned to Yoon Jong, his eyes unreadable. But Yoon Jong didn’t back down.

The two men stared at each other.

“I understand you’re not happy with Jo Gul criticizing the Head Disciple’s choice. But wasn’t Hwasan always a place where people could speak their minds?”

“Speak their minds?”

Yoo Iseol’s eyes narrowed as she spoke instead of Baek Cheon.

“More like, allowed to get away with it.”

The White Plum Blossom members and the Azure Dragon members faced each other, as if ready to fight. The air grew tense, and Tang Soso murmured weakly.

“…Maybe they couldn’t listen?”

All four turned to Tang Soso.

“If they listen… if they decide together, then they have to share the responsibility.”

“If they listen…”

Yoon Jong closed his eyes tightly.

He took a deep breath, then opened his eyes and bowed to Baek Cheon.

“I’m sorry, Uncle. I wasn’t thinking.”

“No. Don’t worry about it,” Baek Cheon said, brushing it off. But Yoo Iseol still glared coldly at Yoon Jong and Jo Gul. Because she admired Hyun Jong, she didn’t like them questioning the Head Disciple’s decision.

Baek Cheon said sternly.

“Everyone, listen.”

“Yes.”

“There’s no way they didn’t know we were listening outside.”

“But the fact that they kept talking means they wanted us to hear and understand. We should be grateful for that.”

“Yes.”

Baek Cheon looked intently at Yoon Jong and Jo Gul.

“There is no perfect choice that makes everyone happy. In the end, you have to move forward in the direction you think is best. Those who don’t choose and don’t take responsibility shouldn’t judge the choices of those who do.”

“I will remember that.”

“Yes.”

Baek Cheon nodded.

“Go back to your rooms. The Head Disciple will call you soon.”

Baek Cheon turned and left without waiting for an answer. A cold feeling filled the air. Yoo Iseol, Tang Soso, and Hae Yeon, who had been watching him leave with worried looks, also left.

“I’m sorry, Sahyung. It’s all my fault,” Jo Gul said with a sigh as soon as they were alone. But Yoon Jong shook his head.

“It’s okay. You don’t need to apologize. Wasn’t Hwasan a place where anyone could say what they thought, no matter what?”

“Even so.”

“It’s okay.”

Yoon Jong patted Jo Gul’s shoulder.

“Just be yourself.”

“Sahyung.”

He smiled quietly at Jo Gul and then looked at Baek Cheon’s back as he walked away.

I understand. Yes. I understand.

From Baek Cheon’s position, he had to trust the Head Disciple’s choice and calm any complaints. But…

‘At least you shouldn’t have said it that way, Uncle.’

Yoon Jong, who had been watching Baek Cheon’s shrinking back, turned away with a cold look.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

The two walked silently back to their rooms.

As the early morning passed, two figures walked slowly toward the Cheonwoo Alliance’s residence.

Beop Jeong, in his yellow Shaolin robes, and Jongli Hyung, who followed him like a bodyguard.

Jongli Hyung glanced at Beop Jeong, who looked relaxed, and smiled gently.

“You seem to be in a good mood, Abbot.”

“…Is that so?”

Beop Jeong looked slightly embarrassed, which was unusual for him.

“I’m a little embarrassed. I’ve been thinking about something for a long time, and now that it’s finally being resolved, it seems my feelings are showing.”

“Haha. Why wouldn’t they be?”

Jongli Hyung smiled, holding back a laugh. Beop Jeong usually didn’t show his emotions. People saw him as a strong and important figure. But the Cheonwoo Alliance was such a sensitive topic that even Beop Jeong couldn’t hide his feelings.

Jongli Hyung asked.

“We’ll get a good answer, right?”

“That’s right,” Beop Jeong nodded. But he frowned slightly, as if something was bothering him.

“But, Abbot, I trust what you said, but… I’m still worried. You said that Hwasan Sword Saint is unpredictable…”

“That won’t happen,” Beop Jeong said, shaking his head.

“I know what you’re worried about. The Cheonwoo Alliance is a strange group. The Head Disciple of Hwasan, the head of the Tang family, the leader of the Green Forest, the successor of the Namgung family, and even leaders from beyond the border are all in one place, but a young disciple makes the decisions.”

Jongli Hyung nodded.

He didn’t understand it, but considering what the Hwasan Sword Saint had done, he couldn’t dismiss it.

“The Hwasan Sword Saint is unpredictable. At least, that’s how it seems. So you’re worried he might change his mind at any moment, right?”

“That’s right. I’ve heard and seen so much…”

“But this time, that won’t happen.”

“Yes?”

Jongli Hyung asked, confused. Beop Jeong shook his head.

“That’s because the Head Disciple of Hwasan is Hyun Jong. A normal Head Disciple would try to avoid this. Because they couldn’t easily handle the consequences of their choice.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Jongli Hyung had been thinking the same thing. The issue had too many consequences to be decided by one Head Disciple.

“But Hyun Jong never backs down at times like this. He knows that if he delays his choice, the Hwasan Sword Saint will have to take all the responsibility.”

“Ah…”

“Amitabha.”

Beop Jeong quietly chanted.

“So Hyun Jong will never let the Hwasan Sword Saint make this choice. Even if the Hwasan Sword Saint tries to change his mind, Hyun Jong will use his authority as Head Disciple to stop him. That way, even if problems arise, he can protect Hwasan and the Hwasan Sword Saint by taking the blame and stepping down.”

“…To that extent…”

“He’s a great person. That’s why he’s respected.”

Beop Jeong sighed softly.

“This time, Hyun Jong’s character will make everything go smoothly. We’re lucky that the Head Disciple is a true gentleman, and that the Hwasan Sword Saint tries to protect his Head Disciple’s reputation at all costs.”

“It’s truly amazing,” Jongli Hyung nodded.

Beop Jeong was saying they were lucky and praising the others. But Jongli Hyung thought Beop Jeong was the amazing one. He understood the others so well that he guided them into a situation they couldn’t escape.

“So now, don’t worry about them. They are now family who must face enemies together. Jongli Head Disciple should set an example.”

“I will keep that in mind, again and again.”

“Amitabha.”

Beop Jeong smiled gently. Then, he looked at the residence and calmly walked forward.

“Let’s go. Dragging this out won’t be good.”

“Yes, Abbot.”

The two walked toward the residence. As they got closer, Beop Jeong’s eyes grew serious.

‘Now everything will be set right.’

It had taken a long time, but it might lead to a better result than if they had rushed.

The Cheonwoo Alliance sects were stronger than before, and Shaolin and the Nine Great Sects could fully accept them.

‘Now only the last step remains.’

There must be no mistakes. As he thought about the final step, the gate of the residence opened.

A group of people with serious faces came out to greet Beop Jeong and Jongli Hyung. Little did they know, the conversation inside had already set events in motion that would change everything.