Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1200

Tang Gunak’s mind was a chaotic whirlwind of thoughts. After a moment, he spoke again.

So, it’s a bit complex, but we agree to send a few people to Hainan first to find out what they want?

Yes, Patriarch.

And if they decide to side with the Cheonwoo Alliance, the main force will help them escape Hainan. If they stay with the Nine Great Sects, we’ll set up a way for them to talk to each other?

Yes.

If things go well, that’s good. If not, we can still use it to mess with Shaolin, or open a path to Hainan?

That’s right.

Chung Myung grinned.

I almost hope Hainan is very loyal. Hee hee.

Chung Myung, you’re really something.

Who says I’m not? Hee hee hee!

⋯⋯.

Tang Gunak looked at Chung Myung, his eyes narrowed in doubt. He rubbed his chin, thinking hard. *Hmm, not bad,* he thought. *It really does lower the risk.* He thought about their plan. Wasn’t the whole Hainan problem just a guess by their alliance?

He imagined it: if they marched to Hainan with a huge army, and the Hainan leader just asked, “Why are you here?”, they would look like fools to everyone! He could almost hear the laughter already.

The more troops we bring, the more likely the Four Evil Alliances are to notice.

Sending a small group to Hainan, making it easier to escape if needed, was a good idea.

He had worried that Baek Cheon’s words were too extreme, especially since he had suddenly become the acting leader. But Baek Cheon seemed to be doing well.

But,

Yes.

How will we keep that communication going?

Tang Gunak tilted his head, confused.

It’s not that the Nine Great Sects were trying to cut off contact with Hainan. It couldn’t be helped. Hainan is at least two thousand five hundred li from Gangbuk, right?

Um, that’s right.

Even the Beggars’ Sect’s best pigeons, called Thousand-Li Azure Doves, can’t fly very far. They say they can fly a thousand li, but really, it’s more like five hundred li. That’s why the Beggars’ Sect has branches everywhere to pass on messages, right?

Everyone nodded. This was a well-known method.

But we can’t put branches in Gangnam. So, if we do what you say, we need to create a way to talk that goes two thousand five hundred li without any branches?

⋯⋯.

Tang Gunak’s eyes narrowed as Baek Cheon stayed quiet.

You’re not saying we should just take a letter from the Hainan Sect’s leader and try to change what people think, are you? That’s not going to work.

I never said I would change what people think…

Hmm? You said you would change what people think to…

I only said I would tell people what’s happening, didn’t I? Are you jumping to conclusions? Of course, I know you dislike Shaolin, Patriarch.

⋯⋯.

Tang Gunak’s face turned red.

Ahem. I guess I misunderstood for a moment.

Misunderstood?

Just say so.

Yes.

Tang Gunak cleared his throat and looked at Baek Cheon.

So? You’re not trying to change what people think, so you don’t need that?

That is…

Before Baek Cheon could answer, Chung Myung casually interrupted.

Why are you worrying about that?

Huh?

Tang Gunak turned to Chung Myung, who quickly turned his head.

Hey! Map!

Yes.

At Chung Myung’s shout, Im So-byeong quickly responded. People wondered if Byeon Chung had arrived. Im So-byeong clumsily stood up and unfolded the map.

Listen carefully!

Yes.

Everyone looked away, unable to watch.

Good heavens… Using the King of the Green Forest as a map stand.

Even though the King of the Green Forest is a member of the Demonic Sect, he doesn’t deserve this… Why is he even with the Cheonwoo Alliance?

Look over there.

Huh?

Everyone looked at the map, their eyes narrowing. They knew it already, but seeing it on the map made them realize how far away Hainan was.

But Hainan is really big, isn’t it?

It’s about the size of a large province, maybe half the size of Shanxi.

Hey, not quite half.

Not there, but there!

Huh?

Chung Myung pointed to Hainan on the map with his chin.

Here. Here.

Chung Myung began to explain, drawing everyone’s attention.

Hainan Island is in the middle of the sea, but it’s both far and near to the mainland. There’s a peninsula right above it, see?

That’s right…

A peninsula stuck out like a tail from the continent, and Hainan was just below it.

So, if you only look at the distance between the closest coastlines, it’s only sixty li.

Is sixty li close? It’s still a few hours by boat.

Hey, that’s nothing.

⋯⋯.

They were amazed by his sense of scale, but that wasn’t the main point.

But… what does that have to do with talking to each other? You’re not saying we should send someone across that strait, are you? The problem is that people can’t enter Gangnam, right?

That’s why it’s been solved.

Huh?

There are three problems with keeping the communication going. People can only travel two thousand five hundred li back and forth. But people can’t enter Gangnam. And we have to cross the sea.

⋯⋯That’s right?

Those were the key points.

Tang Gunak felt uneasy and spoke cautiously.

The Four Evil Alliances aren’t dumb, so they’ll be guarding that peninsula like a fortress, won’t they?

Yes, yes. I know.

Chung Myung nodded as if it were obvious.

Then we just need something that can solve all three problems. Something that can travel two thousand five hundred li, cross the sixty li sea in one go, and come and go without being seen!

Huh?

Everyone tilted their heads. Something like that…

The Shadow Moon?

Hey. Even the Shadow Moon can’t do that. Even express delivery has its limits.

⋯⋯Then?

Chung Myung suddenly reached into his chest and pulled out something white.

Huh?

Wow…

Good heavens.

Here it i… No, is this rascal resisting?

Kkiiiiiiiiiiii!

Baek-ah desperately grabbed onto Chung Myung’s clothes, resisting. He knew something was wrong.

Heave-ho!

But Baek-ah was dragged out and dropped onto the floor.

Baek-ah quickly looked around and tried to run away.

Try running.

⋯⋯.

Baek-ah stopped.

Try running. Go ahead. Winter’s coming, and I was thinking a scarf would be nice. You’ve gained so much weight that I could make a thick one.

⋯⋯.

Human or animal, if I feed you, you have to earn your keep! This rascal has been eating all the meat in this poor temple, and now he’s trying to get out of it!

Kkiiiii⋯⋯.

People saw tears like chicken droppings falling from the weasel’s eyes.

‘Poor thing.’

‘How did he end up like that?’

‘Still, isn’t it better than the King of the Green Forest?’

Maeng So laughed.

Baek-ah could easily travel to Hainan and back.

Is it really possible?

Why else would he be called Baekjeon (白電), the White Flash? He can travel a thousand li in a day.

Ah, but what about the sea?

Animals are better swimmers than humans. He could cross sixty li quickly.

Wow…

He’s a special spirit beast.

Maeng So smiled.

He’s treated well even in the Beast Palace, so he’s reliable. The problem is making him do it…

Maeng So glanced at Chung Myung.

Maybe I should learn something.

No, Palace Lord!

Don’t learn it!

The Beast Palace is a friend to animals! That’s not a friend, that’s a slave owner!

Tang Gunak nodded.

Indeed… They might be wary of people, but not a weasel. Even if they were, it would be hard to find one small weasel in such a big place.

That’s what I’m saying!

It’s reasonable. Spirit beasts are useful.

Hehe. I knew it, so I’ve been feeding him and letting him sleep.

Excellent.

But what about food and sleep? It’s not going to take a day or two; even if he travels as fast as possible, it’ll take at least three or four days.

What are you worried about? He’s an animal. If he’s hungry, he’ll hunt. If he’s sleepy, he’ll dig a hole and sleep.

I thought you said spirit beasts were like humans?

Hey. That’s just a saying. He’s a spirit beast when I need him, and an animal when he’s a nuisance. Isn’t that how it always is?

Reasonable.

The Cheonwoo Alliance, known as a righteous group, was planning to use a tiny animal and smiled in satisfaction. It was a horrific scene.

Baek Cheon looked at Baek-ah, who was slumped on the floor, sighing. He could almost hear him saying, ‘Ah… my life.’

He felt a strange connection. Was it because they shared the same last name?

Ahem. Anyway, that solves the communication issue.

Tang Gunak quickly wrapped things up.

We’ve talked for a long time, but the important thing is whether this plan is realistic and what the other sects think.

Tang Gunak looked at the other sect leaders.

What do you all think? Do you agree with this plan?

Namgung Dowi spoke immediately.

Baek Cheon Dojang. No, Acting Leader.

Yes, Young Lord.

He looked at Baek Cheon.

I have one question. What does someone need to go to Hainan?

As I said, it would be good if they were skilled, especially with fast footwork.

Namgung Dowi shook his head.

That’s not what I mean. Why are you taking one person from each sect?

Ah, that’s simple. To show Hainan that all the sects in our Cheonwoo Alliance are willing to help.

I understand. So, the more famous the person going to Hainan is, the better.

That’s true, but…

Then.

Namgung Dowi turned to Tang Gunak.

The Namgung Clan will send the best person.

Huh?

The one with the highest martial skill, the greatest reputation, and the most helpful in persuading them…

No, surely…

Yes! I will go myself.

Tang Gunak covered his face.

‘Why is everyone like this…’

Why is everyone like this?

You damned things…