Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1359

Peace… release from pain… The words of the chant filled the quiet room. Beopjeong’s voice, reciting the ancient words, slowly grew softer as his eyes closed.

The Heart Sutra. It was a short prayer, meant to help people understand emptiness and overcome pain. Beopjeong had recited it countless times, but lately, the words felt different, deeper. He was facing a hard choice, and the Sutra’s message of letting go seemed to speak directly to him.

Understanding comes when you are ready to see it. Clack. The prayer beads clicked softly in Beopjeong’s hand. Life is suffering, he thought, and a Buddhist must face that suffering. He had to be strong, like a traveler on a difficult path. Nirvana, true peace, wasn’t easy to reach. It came only to those who kept going, who didn’t give up. This problem with the Huashan Sword Master… it was just another challenge, another test of his faith. He would endure it. He had to endure it. Then, maybe, he would find the answer… But his thoughts were cut short.

Abbot.

Beopjeong opened his eyes. Beopgye stood there, his face tight with worry. Abbot, we can’t just do nothing!

Beopjeong sighed, a small sound of air escaping his lips. He wished Beopgye would let this go. It was over. I told you my decision.

But Abbot… Beopgye’s voice was strained. He took a breath. I know the Huashan Sword Master isn’t perfect. He’s… he’s too harsh sometimes, too quick to command.

Beopgye pictured the Sword Master in his mind – powerful, yes, but also cold and unyielding. But he’s done so much good for the world. He’s strong, Abbot. If we lose him now…

Beopjeong just looked at him, saying nothing.

Beopgye pressed on. Jang Il-so is too dangerous for the Cheonwoo Alliance to face alone. If we helped, if we joined forces…

It’s finished, Beopgye.

Beopjeong’s voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

Beopgye bit his lip, frustrated. Why are you so against him, Abbot? It feels… different.

Beopjeong’s eyebrows flickered for a moment, a tiny sign of reaction. Different?

Yes. I know we shouldn’t blindly support anyone. But… it feels like you’re judging him more harshly than others.

Beopjeong remained silent.

You always say we should have compassion for everyone, even bad people. We should try to guide them, to help them find the right path.

Beopgye’s voice pleaded. The Huashan Sword Master isn’t evil. He’s trying to fight the bad guys too, in his own way. We need him to fight the Four Evil Alliances and the Demonic Cult. He’s the leader of the Cheonwoo Alliance…

Beopgye.

Beopgye stopped talking, surprised by the coldness in Beopjeong’s voice. What would you do if you saw someone running towards a fire, carrying wood to make it bigger?

I… I’d try to stop them.

Beopgye said, confused.

Exactly.

Beopjeong nodded slowly. I would try to save someone who is making a mistake, who is rushing into danger. But what if that person was also carrying oil, and throwing it on the fire, making it spread and burn everything around them? Could I save that person without letting the fire destroy everything else?

Abbot…

Beopgye started to understand.

The Buddha taught compassion for all, Beopjeong continued, his voice softening slightly, but even compassion must be wise. We cannot help someone if it means hurting more people in the end.

Are you saying the Huashan Sword Master is like that… person with oil?

Beopjeong shook his head slowly. Not exactly. Maybe he thinks he’s doing good. Maybe he believes he’s right. But even if his heart is in the right place, if his actions cause more pain and suffering… then helping him might be the wrong thing to do.

Beopgye sighed deeply. How did things get so complicated? He wasn’t completely against the Huashan Sword Master himself. He even agreed with some of Beopjeong’s points. But… maybe if the Sword Master had been willing to compromise just a little, things would be better. But then, couldn’t Shaolin have compromised too? Couldn’t they have tried harder to understand the Sword Master’s point of view? Maybe everyone thinks they are right, Beopgye thought. Maybe that’s the problem.

He looked at Beopjeong. The Abbot’s face was calm, wise, unchanged. But Beopgye still felt something was different about him, a subtle shift he couldn’t quite name.

Let’s stop talking about this now, Beopjeong said, his voice gentle but final.

Abbot…

Beopgye lowered his head. He knew Beopjeong wouldn’t change his mind. But he still felt a flicker of hope, a wish that things could be different. Abbot, then…

Just as he spoke, a hurried voice shouted from outside the door. Abbot! Abbot, are you in there?

Beopgye spun around. What is it?!

he yelled towards the door.

The door burst open, and Hyejong rushed in, breathless. Abbot!

Forget the greetings, Beopgye said quickly. What’s happened?

Jang Il-so! We know where he is!

Hyejong gasped. Message from the Beggars’ Sect! They found him in Gangnam. Lots of fighters moving with him… a fancy carriage with white horses, men in white robes around it, and others in dark red…

Paegun, Beopjeong said, his voice sharp now.

A heavy silence hung in the abbot’s room. The abbot, the head monk of the temple, began to speak, his voice steady.

Of course, Jang Il-so wasn’t the only one with a fancy four-horse carriage. But only one person would dare to ride in such a carriage, escorted by the elite warriors of the Myriad Man Hall and the Hongcheon.

“Yes! The Beggars’ Sect agrees,” Beopgye said. “And they say many warriors from the Four Evil Alliances are following him.”

The abbot’s eyes narrowed.

“How many?”

“They say about two thousand…”

“Heh heh…”

The abbot laughed softly, shaking his head.

Two thousand…

“The Hegemon is very determined.”

With that many warriors, he could easily destroy the Mount Hua Sword Master and several other groups. Even dealing with Jang Il-so alone would be hard for those in Gangnam. With two thousand elite warriors, the result was clear.

The abbot turned to Beopgye.

“What do you think?” he asked.

“…”

“Is the Mount Hua Sword Master worth saving, even if it means fighting two thousand elite warriors from the Four Evil Alliances? Is his life more important than the lives of the thousand who would die in the war?”

“Abbot, I…”

“If we could save him without any losses, I would think about it. But this is not something to consider lightly.”

Beopgye lowered his head, unable to speak. He never imagined Jang Il-so would bring so many people.

If two thousand were seen, how many more were hidden?

“Why go so far…”

“He must not be allowed to live.”

The abbot shook his head.

“Going through Gangnam wasn’t necessarily a mistake. Even the Hegemon might have been surprised, as I didn’t expect it.”

“…”

“But because of that, the Hegemon has to act.”

“Why?”

“The Hegemon cannot afford to lose.”

The abbot’s voice was colder than usual.

“To control Gangbuk, the Hegemon needs the complete loyalty of the Four Evil Alliances. He needs them to obey him like his own arms and legs. But the Demonic Faction doesn’t easily pledge loyalty. The Hegemon’s perfect reputation, the belief that he always wins, makes this possible.”

Beopgye nodded.

He understood.

Jang Il-so brought victory to the Demonic Faction, who had always been oppressed by the Orthodox Faction. He even mocked and suppressed the Orthodox Faction.

That’s why the Demonic Faction members were loyal, hoping for bigger victories and more rewards.

“But a perfect reputation is fragile. It can break with one defeat. Now, he needs to control the Four Evil Alliances and unite the Demonic Faction to attack Gangbuk. What would happen if the Mount Hua Sword Master of the Heavenly Union led Hainan and broke through Gangnam?”

“Ah…”

The myth of Jang Il-so, the undefeated, would fall apart. More people would doubt the war with the Orthodox Faction.

The excitement would fade, leaving a greater chill than before.

“Do you understand? If he had escaped, I wouldn’t have chased him. I might have let him go to cause trouble. But…”

“We can’t let him walk through our home and make a mess…”

“Yes, exactly.”

The abbot spoke calmly.

“I don’t know why the Mount Hua Sword Master did such a foolish thing, but he will not leave Gangbuk alive. Even if we try to help.”

Beopgye closed his eyes.

‘It was pointless to even think about it.’

Now that the Hegemon had decided, the outcome was certain.

Seeing Beopgye’s sad face, the abbot felt a pang of pity.

‘Mount Hua Sword Master…’

Why did you make such a foolish choice? I knew you were arrogant, but I didn’t expect this.

‘It’s a bit much.’

He should be killed, but two thousand is too many… The Hegemon shouldn’t be so afraid.

“So, where are they now?”

“They were last seen east of Jin Hyun.”

“Jin Hyun?”

“A small village on the southern edge of Poyang Lake.”

“I see.”

The abbot stopped nodding.

“…What did you say?”

“Yes?”

“You said east?”

“Y-yes… that’s right.”

The abbot’s eyes widened.

The southern part of Poyang Lake was normal. To surround the Mount Hua Sword Master, they would go south. But why east of Jin Hyun, not south? There was no reason to go east.

“Which way did the Beggars’ Sect say they were going?”

“I-I don’t know exactly… but they were definitely moving…”

Hyejong paused, trying to remember, then looked up, surprised.

“Southeast! It was east!”

The abbot glared and bit his lip. Then he spoke.

“…Check again.”

“Yes?”

“Go to the Beggars’ Sect and find out which way they’re moving! Now!”

“B-but, Abbot. The Beggars’ Sect can’t do more than this…”

“Tell them to find out no matter what! No, I’ll go myself!”

The abbot jumped up and ran out.

“Abbot!”

“Abbot, what’s wrong! Abbot!”

The abbot ran, ignoring the shouts.

‘Hegemon!’

The abbot bit his lip until it bled.

‘What are you planning! You sly person!’

The image of Jang Il-so flashed in his mind.

He saw Jang Il-so in a fancy robe, laughing wildly with his head thrown back and his red lips wide open. It was a horrible sound.

The terrible hallucination echoed in the abbot’s ears as he ran.