Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1393

He was breathless.

“Going to save him?”

The Mount Hua Sword Saint?

No, when he thought about it, it wasn’t a surprising choice. Considering who they were, it might be the most obvious thing to do. But…

“Acting Sect Leader,” Gwak Hwan-so said, trying to calm his trembling voice. He forced himself to speak.

“As you know… the Ten Thousand People Clan is chasing us from behind. Going to save Head Disciple Chung Myung now is almost like suicide. It’s very dangerous, like suicide.”

Baek Cheon looked at Gwak Hwan-so without a word.

“I know Mount Hua is strong. They are beyond comparison to us. But…” Gwak Hwan-so trailed off. Everyone knew what he meant.

This was almost like suicide.

They had done everything they could to escape the Ten Thousand People Clan. They had finally arrived here, constantly afraid they might jump out and attack them at any moment.

And now, they were going back into the arms of those they had been running from, just to save one person?

‘It’s madness.’

Could this really be considered courage? A truly courageous person might risk their life to enter a burning house and rescue a crying child. That could be called courage. But what if someone who lost an arm jumped back into the flames to save another child, into a place several times more dangerous than before?

That wasn’t courage. Only someone who was crazy would do such a thing.

Yet now, not a single one of the Mount Hua disciples showed any fear. They spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world. That sight filled Gwak Hwan-so with an indescribable feeling.

“I am truly sorry to the Hainan people.”

“Acting Sect Leader.”

“But as I said, I think Mount Hua has done everything it needed to do for you.”

Gwak Hwan-so nodded without realizing it.

In fact, the word ‘enough’ was not strong enough. Mount Hua had done more than enough for them. Even if they had left them and run away, Gwak Hwan-so would not have blamed them.

“Asking more of Mount Hua would be shameless. But Acting Sect Leader… are you really going to be alright?” He already knew the answer. The answer from someone with those eyes was obvious. But the answer he heard started a little differently than he expected.

“Well, I don’t know. In fact, my job as the Acting Sect Leader of Mount Hua ends here.”

“Yes?”

“What’s left is not the Acting Sect Leader of Mount Hua, but Baek Cheon, the first disciple of Mount Hua. So, I’m just doing what I want to do.”

“Ah, no. Then the others…”

“They’ll do what they want. I won’t force them.”

Gwak Hwan-so opened his mouth. Baek Cheon seemed different than before. A strange aura could be felt on his face.

“Those who want to follow will follow, and those who want to stay will stay. It’s none of my business to worry about that, right?”

“Ah, no…”

Jo Gul spoke, sounding annoyed. “Why do you have so much to say? We don’t have time.”

Gwak Hwan-so looked at Jo Gul, but Yoon Jong scolded Jo Gul. “Don’t you have things to do as Acting Sect Leader?”

“Then are we waiting?”

“No. So, let’s just leave them behind.”

“Wow… I didn’t even think of that.”

Yoo Iseol walked over and stood next to Yoon Jong.

“Impudent.”

“Ugh, I mean, not that….”

“You can’t. I’m leading.”

“…Yes.”

Tang Soso stood beside Yoo Iseol, and Hae Yeon came to stand next to Jo Gul. It was as if they were going to Chung Myung not because of Baek Cheon’s orders.

‘What is this….’

While Gwak Hwan-so was speechless, Baek Cheon said, “See? It’s not like they’ll listen to anything I say. I should be grateful that they’ve come this far.”

“If it weren’t for my uncle.”

“If it weren’t for the Acting Sect Leader.”

“If it weren’t for Dong-ryong,” someone said. (Dong-ryong was Chung Myung’s nickname.)

“Who the hell said that just now?” Baek Cheon turned around, but everyone was looking away.

Gwak Hwan-so laughed weakly.

They now had to go to a battlefield that was like hell, where they were much more likely to die than return alive. But they showed no fear. Well, it was impossible not to have fear. But something was more important.

‘So, were they planning this from the beginning?’

Was that why they fought so hard and moved so fast? To lead them to the safest place and then turn back?

“If you’re done talking, let’s go.”

Gwak Hwan-so turned to the voice. Namgung Dowi, the young lord of the Namgung family, had already turned as if it were obvious. Dang Pae, the young lord of the Dang family, was with him.

The remaining one was…

“I’ll make it clear,” Im Sobyung, the Green Forest King, said in a cold tone.

“This goes against Chung Myung’s wishes.”

Everyone’s expression changed slightly.

“Chung Myung wouldn’t want you to do this crazy thing. Even if you somehow break through hell and see him again, he’ll only curse you. You’re more likely to die together.”

“……”

“Are you still going to go?”

Baek Cheon scratched his ear. Looking like a troublemaker, he replied, “So what?”

“……Yes?” The Green Forest King blinked. He didn’t expect this answer.

“So, what do you want me to do about it?”

“……”

“It seems you don’t understand, so let me explain,” Baek Cheon said.

“Explain what?”

“I’m his uncle!”

“……Yes?”

“Why should I listen to that bastard? He doesn’t know his place! He should be listening to me! Do you understand?”

“That’s right.”

“That’s right! I’m his senior!”

“I agree. Although I am his junior.”

Im Sobyung’s lips trembled.

“Do you all think the same?” Namgung Dowi and Dang Pae shrugged.

“I know it’s impossible. If we think about what we gain and what we lose, we should give up.”

“That’s obvious.”

“But isn’t friendship a relationship that doesn’t think about those things?” Namgung Dowi said firmly.

“That’s why it’s the Heavenly Union. If I thought about what I gain and lose, would I be here? I should have died on Mae Hwa Island. But Chung Myung saved me. We became friends then. So now, it’s my turn to risk my life for him.”

“……”

“Is the young lord of the Dang family the same?”

“If I abandon Chung Myung and return, my father will kill me anyway.”

“……”

“This way will be a slightly less painful way to die.” Some people nodded. Tang Gunak was scary even in dreams.

“Crazy people.”

“So, what are you going to do, Green Forest King?”

“Tsk tsk. Nonsense.” Im Sobyung took out a fan. Some people whispered.

‘How many fans does he carry around?’

‘It seems like they all have different uses?’

Im Sobyung covered half of his face with his fan and said, “Anyway, if Chung Myung dies,” (and everyone knows he’s talking about Chung Myung even if he calls him ‘that human’), “the Green Forest will lose all respect and power – become worthless, like a cold rice cake no one wants to eat. So, it’s smart for us to help now and make him owe us a favor. It’s a good deal for the Green Forest.”

“…I know why the Green Forest is poor.”

“I can’t think about the cost. I can’t think about the cost.”

“Quiet!” Baek Cheon turned to Gwak Hwan-so. “Please understand.”

Baek Cheon clasped his hands, and Gwak Hwan-so hesitated before saying, “Acting Sect Leader. If you really insist…”

“No,” Baek Cheon interrupted. “That’s not allowed. If you came back to lead Hainan now, everything we’ve done would be foolish.”

“……”

“It’s not something you can decide with numbers. So, don’t worry and go. And be sure to survive. That way, everything we’ve done won’t be worthless.”

Im Sobyung nodded. “It would be more helpful for Hainan to go to the Yangtze River and draw their attention.”

“See?”

Gwak Hwan-so’s shoulders dropped. They were right. But…

“Then at least I…”

Baek Cheon smiled and shook his head. “That’s not allowed either. Gwak Hwan-so must lead Hainan. You know that, don’t you?”

Hainan would be much weaker without Gwak Hwan-so. That’s why, even though he knew how Gwak Hwan-so felt, he couldn’t bring him along.

Unable to do anything, Gwak Hwan-so clenched his fist, and Baek Cheon smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. When we meet again in Gangbuk, I’ll ask for even more help from you later.”

Gwak Hwan-so shook his head. These guys are complete fools.

He couldn’t understand. Did only fools gather around Chung Myung, or did he turn those around him into fools?

But now, Gwak Hwan-so wanted to become one of those fools.

“Then.” Baek Cheon turned away from Hainan, without any regret. He looked at the path they had to take. He was thinking of the person at the end of that path.

“Ready?”

“Why do you ask something obvious?”

“Right.” Baek Cheon chuckled. It was obvious.

Shhhring.

Baek Cheon drew his sword and gripped it tightly.

“Anyone who falls behind will be left behind.”

“Don’t you get tired first, Uncle.”

“You damned bastards.” Baek Cheon ran forward. His colleagues followed him like rays of light.

“Let’s go! To that damned bastard!”

“Yes!”

The members of the Heavenly Union ran forward. Gwak Hwan-so stared at them, gritting his teeth.

He wanted to be with them. But he couldn’t. He had people to protect. So…

“Senior Brother. I’ll go.”

Gwak Hwan-so turned his head.

“Ja-yang?”

Lee Ja-yang said, “Hainan also has face, you know. We shouldn’t let people say that only they came back alive, leaving behind their friend.”

“……”

“It would be better for me to die than for you to die. Then.”

“Ja, Ja-yang!” Lee Ja-yang ran after them without waiting for Gwak Hwan-so’s permission.

Gwak Hwan-so reached out, then lowered his fist. “…Damn it.” He sighed deeply.