Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1182

At that moment, a memory flashed through Hyun Jong’s mind.

– I wish to enter Hwasan.

He recalled the first time he met the young boy who, despite his tender age, had climbed the treacherous mountain alone.

At that time, the sect was visibly declining, and Hyun Jong was struggling just to survive each day. But the moment he saw the boy, Hyun Jong remembered the word ‘hope,’ which he had long forgotten.

Yes, that was certainly it.

Hyun Jong had been contemplating whether he should stop accepting disciples to avoid repeating past sorrows. But Baek Cheon’s presence was a beacon of hope, suggesting that Hwasan’s future might yet be secured.

And now, that hope was looking at him.

“Step back!”

Hyun Sang shouted sternly.

“This is a place where the leaders of the Nine Great Sects, powerful groups in the martial world, and the Heavenly Union, an alliance of smaller groups, are discussing their futures. Even if you were allowed to attend, you are not allowed to speak. Do not be rude any further and step back!”

But Baek Cheon shook his head.

“I will not.”

“Baek Cheon-ah!”

“The Heavenly Union has never suppressed free speech. Therefore, I believe it is not wrong for me, a disciple, to ask the Sect Leader a few questions before such an important event.”

“This rascal!”

“And also.”

Baek Cheon looked at Hyun Jong and said.

“I know what you are thinking, Sect Leader, but I think it’s better if we ask questions and understand each other clearly, instead of hiding our thoughts and guessing. If I am wrong, please punish me after this meeting.”

“This fellow still!”

Just as Hyun Sang was about to jump up from his seat, Hyun Jong raised his hand to stop him.

“Enough.”

“Sect Leader!”

“It’s alright.”

Hyun Jong shook his head, but even Hyun Sang, who always followed the Sect Leader’s words, looked worried.

It was Hyun Jong’s calm words that made him step back.

“It will be alright.”

Hyun Sang sighed and reluctantly sat back down.

Hyun Jong could calm him because he understood why Hyun Sang was so angry. It wasn’t about Baek Cheon questioning Hyun Jong or being disrespectful.

Hyun Sang was worried that Baek Cheon, now part of the Nine Great Sects, might say something to upset Abbot Beop Jeong.

“You are right to ask.”

Hyun Jong nodded and asked Beop Jeong to understand.

“I am sorry, Abbot. I know I shouldn’t do this in front of a guest, but…”

“Why do you call me a guest? Hwasan and Shaolin are like family now, so don’t worry about it.”

“…Thank you.”

Hyun Jong bowed to Beop Jeong and then looked at Baek Cheon.

“You said you had something to say?”

“I want to ask something, to be exact.”

“Alright. Go ahead.”

Hyun Jong looked at Baek Cheon, his face a little more relaxed.

Maybe this was for the best. If he could answer well and make them understand, it would be good. And if his answer was bad and made them angry, that wouldn’t be so bad either. Then it would be clear who would take responsibility.

“Then, as the Great Disciple of Hwasan, I want to ask on behalf of the other members of the Heavenly Union.”

“Hmm.”

As Hyun Jong nodded, Baek Cheon began to speak.

“Do you think it’s right for the Heavenly Union to join the Nine Great Sects?”

“I do.”

“Then, I ask why. The members must follow the Union Leader’s decision. So, shouldn’t we know why you made this choice?”

“That is a difficult question.”

Hyun Jong looked at Baek Cheon and everyone behind him. They were watching him with complicated expressions.

“Because what the Abbot said is true.”

“Saying it’s not wrong is a good start, but it doesn’t feel like the whole reason.”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Hyun Jong paused to think. Then he spoke again.

“Also, I believe saving even one person is very important.”

“The Heavenly Union can also save more people.”

“That may be so. But Baek Cheon, wouldn’t that cause too much bloodshed?”

Hyun Jong paused before speaking.

“To reach the Heavenly Union’s goals, we must always be ready to rush into danger. What we achieve will be important and precious.

But… can we say that the cost of the blood we shed will be small?”

“It cannot be said so.”

“Yes. I think so too. That’s why I was trying to find a way to shed as little blood as possible.”

“If we choose for ourselves, we decide the price of that blood. But if we follow orders, we lose control of that price.”

“That’s why I made sure to understand the Abbot’s true intentions. And it’s not like we have to blindly follow the Abbot just because we join the Nine Great Sects, right?”

Hyun Jong shook his head and added.

“I will protect and cherish. That is my duty, and I must do it for the rest of my life.”

Baek Cheon nodded.

“Then, do you believe this is the right thing to do?”

Baek Cheon asked the question that Hyun Jong had struggled with.

“…I do not know.”

Hyun Jong shook his head, looking pained.

“It’s too hard to know what’s right and wrong. So, I’m just trying to do my best. It may seem frustrating and not good enough to you.”

Baek Cheon quietly nodded.

“Then, what will you do about the things we can’t protect while protecting what we have?”

“The blood we don’t shed will become someone else’s blood. If we turn away from that blood to protect ourselves, what good are we, who have been taught about the greater and lesser good?”

Hyun Jong closed his eyes.

This was what he didn’t want to hear.

To save more people, he had to ignore those who were dying. How could he do that? Following the Abbot was like accepting that contradiction.

Hyun Jong opened his eyes and looked at Baek Cheon, sighing.

He could have avoided the question, but he was the Sect Leader of Hwasan. He didn’t want to lie to his disciple.

“Baek Cheon-ah.”

“Yes.”

“You are as precious to me as those I must protect.”

“……”

“You, the other children, Hwasan, and everyone in the Heavenly Union…”

Hyun Jong’s voice was full of regret.

“Yes, I said it. I taught you to risk your lives for the lesser good. But… I am sorry. I am not strong enough to live up to my own words.”

“Sect Leader…”

“I don’t have the courage to watch you die for the lesser good and praise you for it. I just hope that more people will survive and do more in the future.”

“……”

“So, blame me. Hate me. It’s all my fault.”

Baek Cheon’s face became serious. Hyun Jong shook his head, looking tired.

“If I’ve answered your questions, step back now. It’s not polite to keep the Abbot waiting.”

“Then, I’ll ask one last question.”

“…What is it?”

“If you weren’t the Sect Leader of Hwasan, but just a disciple, would you have turned away from those who are dying?”

Hyun Jong closed his mouth. He tried to answer, but he couldn’t say anything.

Baek Cheon spoke as if he knew the answer.

“I understand.”

“No, that’s not it. Baek Cheon-ah, I…”

“No, Sect Leader, I understand clearly. You are not wrong.”

A look of confusion crossed Hyun Jong’s face. That’s not it?

“The Sect Leader’s position must be different from a disciple’s. The decision you made as Sect Leader for Hwasan and the Heavenly Union is not wrong. No one can deny that.”

“Baek Cheon-ah…”

“I’ve just realized that decisions can be different even when no one is wrong. Because everyone has a different role.”

Some who understood nodded, looking serious.

He didn’t know why Baek Cheon was saying this, but anyone who heard it wouldn’t be able to criticize Hyun Jong.

Hyun Jong stared into the distance, looking regretful. Baek Cheon spoke calmly.

“I think we are lucky to have you as the Sect Leader of Hwasan.”

“…Thank you.”

Just as Hyun Jong was about to dismiss him with a sad smile, Baek Cheon asked another question.

“Sect Leader, is this your decision as the Sect Leader of Hwasan? Or as the Union Leader of the Heavenly Union?”

“…Both. I have considered both roles.”

“I understand. All my questions have been answered.”

Baek Cheon bowed to Hyun Jong.

At that moment, Hyun Jong saw it. Even on the faces of those who were unhappy and those who were agitated, there was a look of acceptance.

Even if they didn’t like the decision, they had accepted it. And it was Baek Cheon who had made this happen.

‘…Baek Cheon-ah.’

When had Baek Cheon grown so much? A ray of light entered Hyun Jong’s heart, which had been so dark.

‘Yes, this is enough.’

If he could protect these children, he could do anything. He could move forward with confidence.

But then…

Baek Cheon straightened his back and faced Hyun Jong.

“So…”

“Hmm?”

Baek Cheon looked even more impressive to Hyun Jong.

“It might not be right to discuss important matters of the Heavenly Union here, but since we can’t wait, I, the Second Great Disciple Baek Cheon, ask the Sect Leader as the Great Disciple of Hwasan…”

“…A request? What is it?”

“Sect Leader.”

Everything became silent.

Even those who were just watching felt that something was about to happen and held their breath. They stared at Baek Cheon’s back as he faced Hyun Jong.

“As the Great Disciple of Hwasan, I ask you to appoint me as the Sect Leader of Hwasan.”

His words broke the silence like thunder.