Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1198

People often expect this when a young person becomes the leader. When a new, young leader takes over, people usually think they will bring vitality and big ambitions.

But this was not the case.

Tang Gunak’s eyes twitched.

‘My uncle in Sichuan has more energy than these guys.’

He thought, ‘He’s old and forgets things, but he’s still more lively than *these* guys.’

What bothered him even more was that this handsome but crazy Acting Sect Leader was the same person who had impressed him during the fight with Beop Jeong.

‘I can’t understand the Mount Hua disciples, no matter how hard I try.’

Think about Chung Myung. One minute he’s a careful swordsman, the next he’s acting crazy. Or Baek Cheon, everyone expects him to be a great leader, but sometimes he acts like a village idiot – like Dong-ryong.

The thought of discussing important matters with these people made Tang Gunak miss Hyun Jong even more.

Tang Gunak hesitated, then finally spoke, “So… about this…” He had to ask. “I heard… you created this ‘Acting Sect Leader’ position?”

Baek Cheon blinked, looking surprised. “Me? Yes… I guess so.”

Tang Gunak stared, speechless for a moment. *Now* he understood why Mount Hua was known for fighting. Living with people like this… wouldn’t you just want to punch them before even talking?

“Ah… Ah, right. I… Yes, I did.”

“So, the reason I gathered you all is…” Baek Cheon tilted his head. “Why was it again?”

Just then, Tang Gunak saw Chung Myung’s face twist in anger, like someone possessed.

Tang Gunak was sure he had never seen anything so scary. Even if the Heavenly Demon appeared, he wouldn’t be as terrified.

“…There was a reason.”

“Hey, you!” Just as Chung Myung was about to start convulsing, the Five Swords jumped forward, gagging him and pinning him down.

Even Hye-yeon, who usually just watched, was horrified and pressed his bald head against Chung Myung’s chest, holding him down.

“Chung Myung! He’s the Acting Sect Leader!”

“Other people are watching!”

“Shut your mouth! If you say the wrong thing, you’ll be dragged to the Repentance Cave!”

“Hold him down!”

Tang Gunak watched the scene, stunned. He covered his face with his hands and bowed his head.

‘Is this really going to be alright?’

Wouldn’t it be better to join the Nine Great Sects? Even his family members, who had strongly opposed it, would see this and say, ‘Shaolin is a prestigious family with history!’ and run to Mount Song.

Just then, Yoo Iseol tapped Baek Cheon’s head and handed him a water bottle.

“Drink.”

“Ah.”

Baek Cheon drank the cold water quickly, and his face gradually regained its color.

It was amazing. He just calmed down his wild expression and looked normal again. It was amazing how different he looked just by doing that.

“I apologize. I’m not feeling well.”

“When are you ever?”

“Yes?”

“…Never mind.”

Tang Gunak bit his lip. He seemed to be picking up the bad habits of the Mount Hua disciples. He was saying such things now.

Baek Cheon cleared his throat and began to speak.

“The reason I invited the Sect Leaders is to discuss the most important issue for the Heavenly Union.”

“Discuss…” Tang Gunak repeated quietly, then nodded slightly. “I hope I understand. Are we deciding what to do first? Or are we discussing how to do something you’ve already decided?”

“More like the second one.”

“Hmm.”

Tang Gunak’s expression changed slightly.

Hyun Jong wouldn’t have spoken like this. He would listen to others before deciding. But Baek Cheon was saying they should discuss what he had already decided. It could be just a difference in personality, but it was also a bit uncomfortable.

Then, Baek Cheon spoke.

“Ah, please don’t misunderstand.”

“Hmm?” He noticed Tang Gunak’s mood and added calmly, “I am only the Acting Sect Leader of Mount Hua, not the Acting Alliance Leader of the Heavenly Union. I’m not making a decision for the Alliance Leader. I’m just giving Mount Hua’s opinion as the Acting Sect Leader.”

“…Hmm.”

“The Alliance Leader always makes the decisions, so don’t think my words are the same as his.”

It was a suggestion from someone in a lower position, not an order from someone higher up. To be clear, Baek Cheon’s position as Acting Sect Leader of Mount Hua is actually lower than Tang Gunak’s family, who are Vice Alliance Leaders. Mount Hua is just like any other sect in the Heavenly Union.

But…

“Acting Sect Leader, because of our positions, it’s hard for us to think that way. First of all, the Alliance Leader and you are from the same sect…”

“Will the Alliance Leader favor your opinions?”

“…I understand.”

Tang Gunak nodded. Hyun Jong would never do that, no matter who it was. There was no doubt about his fairness.

Besides, Hyun Jong trusted his disciples a lot, but also…

‘He also trusts them the least in the world.’

He didn’t distrust them, but he understood their craziness the best. Anyway…

So, Mount Hua wouldn’t get any special treatment.

“But if that happens, Mount Hua will be treated like any other sect with the same rights. Is that alright?”

“Isn’t that obvious?” Baek Cheon answered quickly, as if it was obvious. “That’s how it should be. That’s what the Heavenly Union is. Mount Hua seemed to lead the Heavenly Union because the Alliance Leader was also the Sect Leader of Mount Hua. If the Family Head became the Alliance Leader, the Dang Family would do the same.”

“Hmm.”

“Mount Hua doesn’t want special privileges from the Heavenly Union. Our ideal is based on equality, right?”

Tang Gunak smiled slightly without realizing it.

‘Indeed…’

People are praised for not wanting power when they don’t have it. But it’s hard to give up power once you have it.

Power feels good. Why give up something comfortable for something difficult? Especially if no one is telling you to.

But now, Baek Cheon was saying he would give up the superior rights that Mount Hua had in the Heavenly Union.

Maybe it was because he was young, but it was still impressive.

“Is that Mount Hua’s opinion?”

“Yes, Family Head.”

“Hmm. Good. Young people are different.”

Tang Gunak nodded, then made a strange expression. “But you know…”

“Yes.”

“…Someone seems to disagree with you?”

“Yes?” Baek Cheon glanced to his side.

“Mmph! Mmmph!” Chung Myung, pinned down by the Five Swords, was struggling with bloodshot eyes. His eyes were full of anger, shouting, ‘We finally got it right, and you’re giving it up! You Jongnam spy! Get out of Mount Hua!’

“Uuuuuuugh!”

“Just stay still!”

“Someone get a rope!”

“A thick rope?”

“Not a thick rope, a steel rope! What are we going to do with a thick rope!”

“Where are we going to get a steel rope right now…”

The Five Swords desperately held down Chung Myung. Baek Cheon smiled faintly as he watched the strange scene.

“Family Head.”

“Hmm?” Baek Cheon looked at Tang Gunak and said calmly, “You don’t have to worry about it.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. I am speaking as the Acting Sect Leader of Mount Hua. I don’t understand why you’re worried about a ‘mere’ Third-Generation Disciple.”

“Cough, cough.”

Tang Gunak choked and coughed violently.

“A mere Third-Generation Disciple?”

“Don’t worry. He’s just one of the Third-Generation Disciples that are all over Mount Hua. He knows how to use a sword, so I let him attend the meeting. But he’s just a ‘mere’ Third-Generation Disciple and has nothing to do with Mount Hua’s official position. Just ignore him.”

“Oh…”

“Which is more important, my opinion as the Acting Sect Leader or the opinion of a ‘mere’ Third-Generation Disciple?”

“Well, that… No, it should be… That’s right, it should be…”

“Haha. Isn’t it obvious?”

Tang Gunak saw Baek Cheon glance at Chung Myung and smile.

Chung Myung convulsed even more violently and started foaming at the mouth.

“Glug…” Chung Myung made a strange noise and rolled back his eyes. The room became silent, except for his occasional twitching.

‘Is this okay?’

What he said was right. Even if the Sword Saint of Mount Hua was amazing, he was still just a Third-Generation Disciple. He shouldn’t have the right to speak here.

‘But still, he’s the Sword Saint of Mount Hua?’

Is this really okay?

“If I were to speak as the Acting Sect Leader of Mount Hua, not as a mere Third-Generation Disciple…”

“Huh?”

“The most important thing for the Heavenly Union is to work together and show that we are different from the Nine Great Sects.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Therefore, Mount Hua suggests that the other Sect Leaders send people to Hainan immediately. We should be ready to leave within three days and reach Hainan by going through Gangnam.”

“That’s a little too sudden…”

“Only those who are confident should join. If no one joins, Mount Hua will go to Hainan alone.”

Silence fell. Baek Cheon smiled.

“That’s all.”

Tang Gunak realized that this crazy Acting Sect Leader wasn’t just targeting Beop Jeong.

Tang Gunak’s stomach began to hurt again.