Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1286

The Hainan disciples arrived at the shore, all of them accounted for. Namgung Dowi and Dang Pae were busy taking care of Seol So-baek nearby.

Even though they had just arrived, the disciples looked exhausted.

“Are you all alright?” Namgung Dowi asked.

“…Yes, Sect Leader,” they replied, their voices weak.

Their faces showed doubt and confusion.

*Why do we have to do this?*

*Even if we didn’t swim, the shore is empty. Shouldn’t the Myriad Man House be in the sea, not here?*

They doubted if there was a good reason to swim so hard.

*If we keep this up, we’ll be too tired to even fight!*

“We will leave as soon as we are ready. Hurry,” Namgung Dowi said.

“Yes!” the disciples replied.

The Hainan disciples tried to hide their unhappiness and calm down. Lee Ja-yang spoke to Kwak Hwan-so.

“They seem unhappy,” Lee Ja-yang said.

“Unhappy?” Kwak Hwan-so frowned.

“What are you talking about?” he asked.

“They’re probably upset because they were told to move without a reason,” Lee Ja-yang replied.

“Disciples should follow the Sect Leader’s orders. That’s why they came here,” Kwak Hwan-so said.

“If it was the Sect Leader’s order, that would be true,” Lee Ja-yang said.

Kwak Hwan-so frowned slightly. “But these orders are from the Heavenly Union. Or, more accurately, from Baek Cheon Dojang, the acting leader of Mount Hua. The Sect Leader is just following his lead.”

“…What are you trying to say?” Kwak Hwan-so asked.

Lee Ja-yang shrugged. “I’m just saying, how many people would blindly follow the orders of someone from another sect, no matter how skilled he is?”

Kwak Hwan-so turned to look at Lee Ja-yang, who raised his hands playfully. “It’s not just me. The others are thinking it too. As for me…”

He didn’t need to explain. Kwak Hwan-so knew Lee Ja-yang well. Lee Ja-yang hated when power was given to those who weren’t good enough. He would follow someone skilled without complaint.

Since he had seen what Mount Hua and Baek Cheon could do, Lee Ja-yang had no reason to complain.

Lee Ja-yang chuckled at Kwak Hwan-so’s expression. “Don’t look so serious, Senior Brother. People don’t like being told what to do, but they complain when no one is in charge.”

“…”

“I don’t understand why they don’t explain the situation. It’s not like they can’t understand it,” Lee Ja-yang added.

“There must be a reason,” Kwak Hwan-so said.

“Yes, well, probably,” Lee Ja-yang shrugged, and Kwak Hwan-so sighed.

The Heavenly Union disciples were saying the same things.

“…They don’t look happy,” one said.

“No, they don’t,” another replied.

“Should we explain it to them? I’ve been waiting because it’s not my job,” the first disciple said.

“Hmm,” Dang Pae hummed.

It wasn’t hard to do, but they weren’t sure if they should decide on their own.

“Then, for now…” Namgung Dowi started to say.

“Are they all here?” Baek Cheon asked as he and Chung Myung returned.

Baek Cheon gestured behind him. “We didn’t see any enemies. It seems they haven’t surrounded us yet.”

“Hmm, the news must be late. Even if they knew, it would be hard to surround us here. Their forces are spread out,” Namgung Dowi said.

“Yes. I need to hear from the others, but if there are no scouts, we don’t need our own. Let’s leave as soon as we’re ready,” Baek Cheon said.

“Yes, but Acting Sect Leader,” Namgung Dowi said, glancing at the Hainan disciples. “It seems like they don’t understand what’s happening. It would be good to explain it to them.”

Baek Cheon looked at the Hainan disciples and nodded, understanding the situation.

Baek Cheon looked at Chung Myung. “What do you think?” he asked carefully.

“Forget them,” Chung Myung said.

“Yes?” Namgung Dowi asked, surprised.

Chung Myung said, “Are we going to explain everything every time we make a decision?”

“That’s…”

Chung Myung’s voice became cold. “It doesn’t matter if they complain. It’s not like people who complain will die and those who don’t will live.”

“…I understand, but I’m worried their complaints will cause problems later,” Namgung Dowi said.

“It’s alright,” Baek Cheon said.

“They will realize it soon, that this is not a place for complaints,” Baek Cheon said, looking at the Hainan disciples with a sad look.

He felt like he understood them. *I was like that too*, he thought.

Baek Cheon used to be proud and believed his talent was unmatched. He thought he could lead Mount Hua and make it famous.

Chung Myung had destroyed that pride and showed him reality.

If he hadn’t met Chung Myung, Baek Cheon would never have changed.

*And they are the same*, he thought.

No matter how hard they tried, the Hainan disciples’ pride as members of the Nine Great Sects wouldn’t disappear easily.

Even if they weren’t skilled, they believed they should be treated with respect.

But they would soon realize that in a battle where they kill each other, their fame and status mean nothing, just as Baek Cheon had.

“Sasuk!” a Mount Hua disciple called out as they returned from scouting the forest.

“There are no enemies around,” one said.

“We’ve secured the meeting point. This area is safe,” another added.

“No enemies,” a third confirmed.

Baek Cheon nodded. He wasn’t just checking for enemies, but also how far they had been surrounded.

He knew the enemies could follow them, but not completely surround the area.

*But that means they are building a stronger encirclement behind us*, he thought.

Baek Cheon looked at Im So-byeong. “Green Forest King,” he said.

“Yes,” Im So-byeong replied.

“Where do you think the enemy will start to surround us?” Baek Cheon asked.

“That’s easy. They’ll try to block three places. First, where we landed, but they know we’re not there,” Im So-byeong said.

“Yes,” Baek Cheon agreed.

“Second, they’ll try to surround a large area from Namnyeong to Gwangju,” Im So-byeong continued.

“Hmm,” Baek Cheon hummed.

“But!” Im So-byeong said, twisting his face. “If we think about Ho Gamyung, he’ll block the narrow path at Damgang, connecting this area to the inland.”

“That makes sense, but we can go around by sea. I don’t think Poisonous Heart Rakshasa wouldn’t think of that,” Baek Cheon said.

“They’d be happy if you did that. We’re being chased by wolves now, but tigers are behind us. If we waste time in the water, Ho Gamyung will gladly chase us,” Im So-byeong replied.

“Indeed,” Baek Cheon agreed.

“So,” Im So-byeong said, turning to the Hainan disciples, “If they’ve rested enough, we need to move. We’re wasting time.”

“I understand. Let’s move to Damgang quickly,” Baek Cheon said.

Im So-byeong nodded, and Baek Cheon looked at the others. Seeing no objections, he went to Geum Yang-baek.

“Sect Leader,” Baek Cheon said.

“Yes, Acting Sect Leader,” Geum Yang-baek replied, looking nervous. He seemed tense because they were entering Gangnam.

“We should move to Damgang quickly,” Baek Cheon said.

“Right now?” Geum Yang-baek asked.

“Yes. The enemies are chasing us and blocking the way, so we can’t waste time,” Baek Cheon replied.

Geum Yang-baek nodded. “I understand. But what do you plan to do when we get to Damgang?”

“I’ll decide based on the situation,” Baek Cheon said.

“Based on the situation…” Geum Yang-baek looked slightly unhappy, but he knew it was pointless to argue. “I understand. Don’t worry,” he said firmly.

“Yes. I’m counting on you,” Baek Cheon said, bowing slightly. He went back to his position, and Geum Yang-baek stared at his back.

“Tell the disciples to get ready to move,” Geum Yang-baek said.

“I understand, Sect Leader. But…” an elder said hesitantly. “You have a plan, right?”

“…”

“I…”

“We didn’t come here to die, did we?” Geum Yang-baek interrupted.

“…I know. But wouldn’t it have been better to fight on the Hainan coast? I’m worried we’ll die for nothing. They are only ten, and we are over two hundred. If we have to die, shouldn’t we decide where?” the elder asked.

“Stop,” Geum Yang-baek said, cutting him off.

“Tell them to prepare,” he repeated.

“…Yes, Sect Leader,” the elder replied.

As he watched the elders leave, Geum Yang-baek bit his lip. He wasn’t angry, but the same thought was in his mind.

*People change so easily*, he thought.

They had seen what Mount Hua could do on the Hainan coast, but now they were starting to doubt them. Even animals know gratitude.

*No, they just want to live*, Geum Yang-baek realized, closing his eyes.

They had escaped the Myriad Man House once and were now holding onto life. They were looking for a way to survive. Who could blame them?

He just hoped their desires wouldn’t cause problems.

“Let’s go!” Geum Yang-baek shouted, trying to shake off his worries.