Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1281

The disciples of Mount Hua watched Chung Myung and Baek Cheon from a distance, clicking their tongues in disapproval.

“He’s really done it this time,” Yoon Jong whispered, concern etched on his face.

“Of course he has,” another disciple replied.

“It’s a relief Grand-uncle isn’t beating him up, considering his personality,” one of them said.

“If he did, he’d probably get beaten instead,” another chuckled.

“Still, isn’t Grand-uncle usually the type to hit first and ask questions later?” Yoon Jong wondered.

Tang Soso nodded in agreement. “That’s true.”

Baek Cheon was the only one in Mount Hua who could even try to keep Chung Myung in check.

Namgung Dowi, who had been listening, tilted his head. “But wasn’t it planned for Chung Myung to block them? Why would their Senior Disciple be angry?”

Jo Gul scoffed. “It was planned, yes, but…”

“Then why…?”

“What would you say about someone who was asked to pull a few weeds but instead destroyed the whole garden?” Jo Gul asked, using a simple example. ‘It’s like if you asked someone to pull a few weeds, and they destroyed the whole garden!’

“……”

“He should have just blocked them a little and retreated. He wouldn’t have gotten hurt if he did that. But he went wild and charged forward, so he deserves a scolding.”

“Ah…”

“He’s going to get a good scolding,” Jo Gul predicted.

“He should!” another disciple agreed.

“I hope he gets a real beating this time,” someone added.

Namgung Dowi smiled wryly, looking at Chung Myung’s back. Chung Myung’s fight against Maninbang seemed like a heroic feat to him, but the Mount Hua disciples saw it differently.

They had different views of Chung Myung because of their roles. To Namgung Dowi, Chung Myung was someone to admire. But to the disciples of Mount Hua, he was a fellow disciple and family.

No one likes it when a family member is in danger, no matter how righteous the cause. So, their reactions were understandable.

Namgung Dowi turned his gaze to Baek Cheon, wondering what the Acting Sect Leader thought. Those beside him could worry about Chung Myung as fellow disciples, but Baek Cheon couldn’t. As the Acting Sect Leader, he had to consider both Mount Hua and the Heavenly Union. He couldn’t just be Chung Myung’s senior disciple.

Namgung Dowi, as the head of the Namgung family, was aware of this. That’s why he was curious about what Baek Cheon would say to Chung Myung.

Unfortunately, their quiet conversation was too far away to hear. He could use his martial arts skills to hear them, but that would be rude.

So, Namgung Dowi watched the two men. He watched them having a conversation that was difficult to even guess at.

Baek Cheon had been silent, his gaze fixed on the endless horizon of the sea, which was now turning a deep grey in the twilight. Finally, he turned to Chung Myung, his voice quiet but filled with concern.

“How’s your body?” he asked, his eyes searching Chung Myung’s face.

“I’m fine,” Chung Myung replied, shrugging one shoulder as if dismissing a minor annoyance. But even as he said it, he subtly shifted his weight, favoring his left leg. “By tomorrow morning, these scratches will be gone. Those Maninbang fools were nothing special, anyway.” He tried to sound confident, but a slight edge of weariness crept into his voice.

Baek Cheon looked quickly at Chung Myung’s leg. “Soso says otherwise?”

Chung Myung spoke without trying to hide his injured leg. “Doctors are always like that. They worry too much. If you listen to everything they say, you’ll end up doing nothing.”

Baek Cheon chuckled. “Soso would be furious if she heard you say that.”

“That’s why I made sure she didn’t,” Chung Myung replied, also chuckling.

Chung Myung said this jokingly. But he knew very well how important Tang Soso was to Mount Hua. Few knew better than Chung Myung how important a doctor was on the battlefield. Moreover, Tang Soso could fight too.

Baek Cheon stopped smiling and stared intently at Chung Myung, as if he had something to say. Chung Myung looked away.

But it didn’t last long. Chung Myung, who had been sweating under Baek Cheon’s gaze, finally burst out.

“Ah, really! If you’re going to nag, just do it. Let’s get it over with quickly.”

“I’m not.”

“Ah, I get it. I… Huh? What?”

“I said I’m not.” Baek Cheon’s gaze, fixed on the sea, was indifferent.

Chung Myung blinked, surprised. Since Baek Cheon didn’t start scolding him, Chung Myung realized he was serious.

Chung Myung cautiously leaned in and examined Baek Cheon’s expression.

“Grand-uncle.”

“What.”

“Did you eat something wrong?”

“……”

“I thought you’d be scolding me until my ears bled.”

Then Baek Cheon looked straight at Chung Myung.

“Was it possible to avoid pushing yourself?”

“……”

“What do you think?”

Chung Myung shook his head. “No.”

“Alright. That’s enough.”

Baek Cheon didn’t want to criticize Chung Myung’s actions. He couldn’t criticize him.

How could he not know? He had experienced it for so long, watched it until he was sick of it.

Chung Myung believed in taking the initiative from the start. He believed in showing them that he could crush them, so they wouldn’t be able to perform at their best afterward.

For Chung Myung, what mattered wasn’t just winning, but how he won.

The old Baek Cheon didn’t understand Chung Myung. But now he did. In a one-off battle, Chung Myung’s attitude would be excessive. But war was different. War continued on and on.

Maninbang would pursue them. So, they would have to fight battles across the Jiangnan region. Therefore, it was better to leave a strong impression when they had the chance.

If those who faced Chung Myung next were intimidated, the following battles would be easier.

That way, they could reduce the damage even a little more. They might be able to save even one more person, at the cost of a few wounds to Chung Myung.

A few wounds and a few lives. There was no need to compare which was more important. That was Chung Myung’s way of thinking.

That’s why Baek Cheon knew. If there was a fault, it wasn’t with Chung Myung. Chung Myung was originally that kind of person. He could be angry when he didn’t know that, but now that he knew, all the fault lay with Baek Cheon.

Because he had pushed Chung Myung into a situation where the outcome was obvious.

Then Chung Myung opened his mouth nonchalantly.

“You’re thinking too hard again, aren’t you?”

Baek Cheon frowned slightly, looking puzzled, and Chung Myung chuckled.

“Don’t think useless thoughts. Grand-uncle is doing well.”

“It’s like the weaker one is worrying about the stronger one,” Baek Cheon said firmly.

Chung Myung chuckled. Baek Cheon stated firmly.

“And don’t you get the wrong idea.”

“Huh?”

“I’m not regretting it, and I’m not blaming myself.”

“……”

“From the moment I decided to head to Jiangnan, I expected this much. I even thought that something worse might happen.”

His calm voice continued.

“I’m not going to act heartbroken or apologetic now that I’ve said we should take the risk. Even if the same thing happens again, I will not hesitate to tell you to step forward. Even if other people curse me and spit on me. And…”

Baek Cheon looked at Chung Myung with a hardened face. “Even if it becomes the most dangerous thing for you.”

The corners of Chung Myung’s lips slowly rose. Soon, Chung Myung, who smiled so that his teeth were clearly visible, said in a satisfied voice.

“That’s how it should be.”

Those who stand above must be like that.

Even if they suffer from the consequences of their choices, they must not hesitate. That was the path Cheong Mun had walked, and it was why Chung Myung still respected Cheong Mun, even when they argued.

Cheong Mun cherished Chung Myung more than anyone else.

But at the same time, Cheong Mun was the one who pushed Chung Myung into danger more than anyone else without hesitation. On the days when Chung Myung returned wounded, he couldn’t even hide his painful heart, but the next day, he would give Chung Myung another absurd order.

Because they were at war. That was the ruthlessness a sect leader had to have in times of war.

A sect leader who cherishes his disciples can be good, but not great. Because if he is afraid of the blood his disciples will shed and only looks for ways to avoid shedding blood, he will be driven into a more dangerous situation.

The head of a sect must never be swayed by personal feelings. Even the one he cherishes most, he must be willing to push into danger if necessary.

Especially in the coming turbulent times.

‘I told you, Green Forest King.’

Chung Myung smiled as he thought. He had high expectations in this situation. Baek Cheon understood exactly what he needed to do and his part in it, without needing to be told.

“Do you remember what Grand-uncle said to the Sect Leader?”

“I remember,” Baek Cheon nodded.

“I said that I am the one who will wield you as a sword.”

“You know it well.” Chung Myung gazed at Baek Cheon with calmer eyes.

“A swordsman who worries about breaking his sword can’t fight well. There is only one thing to think about.”

“How efficiently to wield it.”

“That’s right.” Chung Myung slowly nodded.

One who hesitates to wield the sword will be wounded. And the price of the sect leader’s hesitation will be paid by his disciples.

Baek Cheon knew that.

“There’s no need to worry. It’s not like I started this without thinking it through. I’m just prepared to take full responsibility for everything.”

Chung Myung was about to nod when.

“But you should know one thing too.”

“……What?”

“The most important thing for you is to protect Mount Hua and the disciples of Mount Hua, right?”

“……”

“You’re ready to do anything for that.”

“……And?” Chung Myung’s eyes darkened slightly.

Baek Cheon hesitated, then closed his mouth. Then he slowly shook his head.

“No. There’s no use in saying it. You’ll find out soon enough.”

“What?”

“It’s nothing.” Baek Cheon lightly patted Chung Myung’s shoulder.

“We’ll have to move again when we arrive, so get some rest until then.”

“No, what were you trying to say?”

“I said you’ll find out.”

“This guy is making me frustrated… Hey. Grand-uncle! Hey! Hey, you! Where are you going! Tell me and go!”

Baek Cheon didn’t look back and walked away, leaving Chung Myung behind. Chung Myung’s curses poured into his ears, but he didn’t care.

Like he said before, Chung Myung would find out soon enough.

As he headed towards the cabin, he saw the other disciples of Mount Hua glaring at him with dissatisfied eyes.

A light laugh escaped Baek Cheon’s lips. Jo Gul gritted his teeth and said.

“Grand-uncle. Did you give him a good scolding?”

“Well… somewhat?”

“With that?”

“Are you kidding me? Do you think that’s enough to make that guy come to his senses?”

“Should I give you a demonstration of what scolding is? Huh?”

“Geol… He’s the Acting Sect Leader.”

“He should be scolded more because he’s the Acting Sect Leader… Ack! Why are you hitting me!”

Baek Cheon smiled wryly as he looked at his noisy fellow disciples.

Yes. Chung Myung would find out soon enough.

That for Chung Myung, Mount Hua was them, but for them, Mount Hua was Chung Myung.

They were all ready to protect Mount Hua, just like Chung Myung.