Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1191

Doubt filled Chung Myung’s mind. Was it the right choice? Or a terrible mistake?

Chung Myung felt he couldn’t judge if it was right or wrong. He was too close to the situation. Even though he had strongly disagreed with Cheong Mun, he knew he was partly responsible for not stopping what Hwasan had done in the past.

So, he couldn’t judge them. He could complain and sigh. He could get angry at those who spoke badly of Hwasan’s spirit. But he couldn’t tell those who had accepted the pain of the past that their ancestors were right.

But now, the people who followed their ideas were saying that those who came before were not wrong. Chung Myung had never told them to think this.

If Cheong Mun and his friends in heaven were watching, Baektian’s words would be more comforting than Hwasan becoming stronger or Chung Myung’s brave deeds across the land. This is because they would see that what they tried to teach, even by giving their lives, had finally been understood. They would know their deaths had meaning.

Baek Cheon smiled gently at Beopjeong.

Therefore, we intend to walk our own path, Abbot.

Of course, maybe it seems like a mistake to you. But shouldn’t there be such fools in the world?

He finished speaking and bowed deeply to Beopjeong, his voice filled with respect but also firm resolve.

Please understand that we cannot accept the Abbot’s proposal.

A heavy silence fell. It felt long and full of unspoken words. Finally, Beopjeong slowly opened his eyes. He looked around at the other sect leaders.

Do the others in the Heavenly Union share the same sentiment?

Yes, we do.

The first to answer was Tang Gunak. He nodded with a serious face and added.

It may sound like childish words, but I think there is no mistake in what Baek Cheon, the leader of Hwasan, says.

And perhaps it is not the decisions of the experienced that change the world, but the decisions of people like them. Decisions that seem unwise and hasty to those who have accepted the way things are.

A warm smile spread across Tang Gunak’s face.

I am not wise enough to judge whether it is right or wrong right away, but at least I will not regret following that choice. No matter what the outcome may be.

Namgung Dowi also nodded in agreement. And then he opened his mouth.

Abbot.

Speak, Young Lord.

I don’t want to say that my father’s choice was completely right either. That choice was clearly hasty.

Beopjeong’s face became serious and heavy. On the contrary, Namgung Dowi’s voice was calm, and his eyes were steady, despite the serious topic.

But even so, I don’t want to deny the spirit that my father held in his heart. Wouldn’t the Namgung Clan lose everything the moment it loses that spirit?

Therefore, the Namgung Clan also intends to share its will with Hwasan. Because the most important thing that the Namgung Clan must not lose in order to become the strongest clan again is its spirit.

A sad smile touched Beopjeong’s lips.

It wasn’t because he agreed with those words. It was simply because he was suddenly aware of how old he had become.

It is still difficult to understand. It just seems hasty. Isn’t the world not such an easy place that you can break through with just willpower? But…

‘I must have been like that too.’

The Beopjeong of the past would not have been so different from them. Beopjeong eventually accepted the world and stopped trying to change the world in big ways. But these people are declaring that they will walk a different path from him.

Should he say they are wrong? Or…

I don’t think I need to hear what the others have to say.

Their eyes already told him what their decision was.

I…

Beopjeong paused for a moment and looked at Hye-yeon. Beopjeong’s lips curled up a little more at Hye-yeon’s gaze, which met him head-on without looking away.

As a Buddhist, someone who believes in peace and respect, I admire your spirit. But as the Abbot of Shaolin, the leader responsible for many, I must be practical. What words can I use to criticize such a high spirit?

Hye-yeon’s eyes widened slightly. But Beopjeong soon shook his head.

But as the Abbot of Shaolin, not as a Buddhist, I cannot respect your choice. If that spirit leads to the wrong results, your deaths alone will not be enough to bear the consequences.

Abbot…

A bitter look came over Beopjeong’s face, a look no one had seen before.

Therefore… Shaolin, and the Nine Great Sects (the most powerful and respected groups) and Five Great Families that are with Shaolin, will not provide any support to the Heavenly Union in the future, and will clearly express their opposition to any work that the Heavenly Union undertakes independently.

Baek Cheon’s face tightened.

These words were no different from the Nine Great Sects officially announcing that the Heavenly Union and the Nine Great Sects were separate groups.

He had been prepared for it, but he couldn’t help but feel a chill down his spine when he actually heard those words coming from Beopjeong’s mouth. It was because he knew better than anyone else how deep the importance and history of the Nine Great Sects were.

Also, the Nine Great Sects will not get involved in fights between the Heavenly Union and other groups who are not part of the main sects.

Abbot!

The one who reacted to these words was Tang Gunak.

Others might have taken it for granted, but Tang Gunak alone clearly understood what these words meant. This was no different from declaring that even if the Unorthodox Faction attacked the Heavenly Union, the Nine Great Sects would not help the Heavenly Union.

His words were like a hammer blow. Complete division. The word hung in the air, heavy and final.

Until now, Shaolin had recognized the Heavenly Union as a branch of the main groups, and had regarded it as an object to be embraced in any case. Therefore, although there may have been disputes, they had not been openly against each other.

But Beopjeong was declaring at this moment that he would no longer see the Heavenly Union as even a potential ally.

In the history of the Kangho, had Shaolin and the Nine Great Sects ever declared enemies towards the same main groups?

Perhaps this was even denying the fact that the Heavenly Union was a ‘main group’. Because Shaolin and the Nine Great Sects protect all the common people and the main groups under the heavens.

Conversely, doesn’t that mean that those who are not protected by them are not the main groups? It was too great a price to pay for just one declaration that they would walk a different path.

Beopjeong’s gaze, which had been on Tang Gunak, shifted to Baek Cheon. Even though he had made such a big declaration, Baek Cheon had not changed at all from before. He was just calmly accepting Beopjeong’s gaze.

‘Excellent.’

Beopjeong made this declaration not because of anger towards them.

He now understood why Hwasan, why the Heavenly Union, was trying to go that way. But Beopjeong was also a person who had to walk his own path. He had come too far to gamble with his future on the two letters of spirit.

Then he, too, should do his best from his own position. In order to gather even one more force and stand against those who would cover the world, he had to stop the movements of those who were trying to join the Heavenly Union.

Even if it meant defining the Heavenly Union as evil in the process.

I hope you understand.

As if it wasn’t he who had uttered those cold words, Beopjeong’s voice was simply calm. Baek Cheon sighed softly, a small sound in the tense room. ‘To be honest, it’s hard to understand,’ he admitted.

But then he straightened his shoulders, meeting Beopjeong’s gaze directly. ‘If this is how you protect what you believe in, then we can’t judge you.’

Beopjeong smiled lightly.

The Heavenly Union had made their decision clear, and the Nine Great Sects had gained a reason to slow down the Heavenly Union.

It wasn’t the result he wanted, but it couldn’t be said that he had gained nothing. If he hadn’t made his position on the Heavenly Union clear, he would have been forced to follow the Heavenly Union until now.

Then that’s settled.

The Abbot rose from his seat. As if it was time to end this long conversation. Then everyone who was sitting stood up and watched Beopjeong.

Beopjeong chanted the Buddha’s name while putting his palms together.

It has become difficult to say goodbye, but since we have confirmed each other’s positions, it cannot be said that it was meaningless.

We think so too.

Beopjeong’s eyes moved to Chung Myung, whose face held a strange, unreadable expression. Beopjeong’s gaze, which had been on Chung Myung, turned to Hye-yeon, who had her eyes closed.

The reason why a great dream eventually collapses is because the path to realizing that ideal is extremely difficult.

Everyone heard his words clearly.

As a martial artist, before being the Abbot of Shaolin, I express my respect to all of you who have made difficult decisions. I hope that path is not too difficult.

As Beopjeong slowly lowered his head, everyone lowered their heads in response.

Then.

Beopjeong turned and walked away without hesitation.

Jongli-hyung, who seemed to have some regrets, stared at the others and followed Beopjeong out of the room. The sect leaders left the room to see Beopjeong off.

The send-off is fine.

Still, there is such a thing as good manners…

That makes me feel more comfortable.

If that’s the case…

Beopjeong smiled gently and looked at Hyun Jong.

Alliance Leader.

Yes, Abbot.

You have excellent disciples.

Hyun Jong sighed, a mix of pride and worry in his voice. ‘They are… a handful.’

Beopjeong smiled gently and said.

I hope we can face each other with smiling faces next time.

I hope so too.

May you be well.

Beopjeong walked towards the main gate of the manor, everyone watched Beopjeong’s back. And at that moment, Hye-yeon, who had waited until the last moment, ran forward.

Beopjeong felt someone was there and glanced back at Hye-yeon.

Hye-yeon rushed forward, then stopped, her breath catching in her throat. She looked up at Beopjeong, words failing her. Beopjeong spoke first.

Experience it for yourself.

You have only seen their spirit so far. You have only seen what they have achieved. But now that you know what the price of that spirit is, you, too, will be responsible for what happens next.

Yes, Abbot.

Then you will feel something for yourself. It’s a path you can’t take in Shaolin.

Those were his final words.

Beopjeong turned and walked away, leaving no room for argument or farewell.

Tang Gunak, who had been watching his confident steps, sighed.

The Abbot is the Abbot.

Yes.

Baek Cheon nodded quickly.

That’s why he became the Abbot of Shaolin.

Tang Gunak smiled softly and said.

Don’t worry too much.

Yes?

Being the leader of Hwasan is not easy either.

A smile touched Baek Cheon’s lips, mirroring Tang Gunak’s.

It shouldn’t be.

Baek Cheon looked up at the sky, now empty of Beopjeong. The vast blue sky stretched endlessly above them, a silent witness to their difficult choice.