Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1442

“Sect Leader,” Jin Chobaek said quietly, walking up beside Jongli Gok. “Are we really turning back now?”

Jongli Gok frowned a little, surprised Jin Chobaek had come so close without him noticing. “What do you mean by that?” he asked, his voice cold.

“You know,” Jin Chobaek said, looking towards the distant mountains. “About Jeomchang.”

Jongli Gok was silent. Jin Chobaek spoke again.

“Of course, even if we head to Jeomchang now as you said, it would already be too late, but if we turn back like this, the world will blame Jongnam for being heartless.”

“What does it matter?” Jongli Gok coldly sneered.

“The world has changed while we were secluded. Looks don’t matter in this new world.”

“…That’s certainly…”

“We’ve already entered an era of chaos. The way to survive in this era is to have strength and focus on what helps us.”

Jin Chobaek nodded heavily. Jongli Gok looked back at him with a strange expression.

“Why? Are you worried about the son you left behind?”

After a moment of silence, Jin Chobaek sighed briefly.

“You know that’s not what I meant.”

“I was just joking. Your son is quite outstanding, you know.”

Jongli Gok made a clicking sound with his tongue, like he was sorry.

“We should have kept him in Jongnam somehow.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Why is that your fault? Even the Emperor can’t control his children as he wishes. But…”

“Yes?”

Jongli Gok stared ahead silently and muttered to himself.

“The problem is that there’s more than one.”

It was like grasping at clouds, but Jin Chobaek immediately understood the meaning of Jongli Gok’s words. It wasn’t just Baek Cheon. Each of the Hwasan disciples protecting him was incredibly sharp.

It was hard to believe that they were the same people who had been completely beaten by Jongnam’s disciples at the Jonghwa Assembly.

“In just a few years…” He couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.

The others in the Jianghu seemed to accept this change naturally, but Jongnam’s position was different. Because they had been separated from the Jianghu for several years due to their seclusion, the extent of the change was felt all the more clearly.

At that moment, Jin Chobaek opened his mouth with a worried voice.

“Sect Leader, I’m a little worried.”

“About what?”

“Right now… Yes, honestly, I’m not too worried right now. No matter how much Hwasan shows off, they are, after all, a sect without a single proper elder, aren’t they?”

“That’s right.”

“They’re just strong children. Right now, they’re just too proud because they are famous now, but Hwasan’s power is not comparable to Jongnam’s.”

Jongli Gok nodded. He thought so too.

“Then what are you worried about?”

“But… will it still be the same in ten or twenty years?”

“…”

“When the current first-generation disciples of Hwasan become the elders of Hwasan, I’m worried whether Jongnam can still be sure they are stronger than Hwasan then.”

Jongli Gok chuckled.

“It seems your youngest son is more of a sore spot than your eldest.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I know. But… you don’t have to worry that much.”

“Yes?”

Jongli Gok’s eyes sank deeply.

“Do you know why it’s difficult to find a virtuous person in the world?”

“Isn’t it because it’s difficult to do good?”

“No, no. Think about it this way. If someone doesn’t do good because it’s difficult, isn’t that person already not virtuous? That’s not the right answer.”

“Then…?”

“The reason is simple.”

Jongli Gok let out a faint sneer.

“It’s because they’re all dead.”

At the unexpected answer, Jin Chobaek stared at Jongli Gok, confused. Seeing his expression, Jongli Gok chuckled softly.

“Why are you looking like that?”

“Sect Leader, what kind of…”

He was about to ask what kind of strange words he was saying, but Jongli Gok spoke faster.

“I’m just kidding.”

Jongli Gok smiled as if he really was joking, but Jin Chobaek knew. These words were by no means a simple joke.

“Sect Leader, are you perhaps thinking of doing something to Hwasan…?”

“Is there a need to do that?”

“Yes?”

Jongli Gok shrugged. Then, he said more confusing things quickly.

“Listen here, Chobaek.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“What do you think a good father is?”

Jin Chobaek’s face flushed slightly. He knew that he himself was not a proper parent. If he had truly been a good father, his son would not be in Hwasan now.

“I’m not sure…”

“I think this way. Someone who teaches their child what is right and guides them on the right path? No, that’s not it. A proper parent is someone who protects their child no matter what.”

Jin Chobaek looked behind him. Jongli Gok looked at the same place and said.

“Look. Soon, this land we’re standing on will be stained red. Not just here, but many other places will be the same.”

“…That’s probably true.”

“My goal is one thing. To minimize the blood that Jongnam sheds among that blood that will soak the land. For that, I’m willing to be a cowardly villain, an evil person, anything. What do you think? Will you blame me?”

Jin Chobaek shook his head.

“I might have if I weren’t a member of Jongnam.”

“That’s an interesting answer. Haha.”

The image of Hyun Jong resurfaced in Jongli Gok’s mind as he laughed loudly. People don’t really change, do they? No matter how much Hyun Jong changed, he was still Hyun Jong.

“Don’t be too late.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I’m talking about your son.”

Jongli Gok smiled.

“If you’re too late, you might end up with regrets you can never fix. Jongnam’s embrace is generous enough to welcome a son who returns home, so don’t miss the opportunity.”

Jin Chobaek’s face hardened.

“For the record, this is not a joke.”

“Sect Leader…”

“Let’s go.”

Jongli Gok increased his speed and walked faster than Jin Chobaek and went ahead. It wasn’t because he was in a hurry to get somewhere. It was because he didn’t want to show Jin Chobaek the expression he was making now.

‘Hwasan.’

The world is not so easy.

How many sects have risen to fame as if they would take over everything? But in the end, they fell apart because they couldn’t manage their success. Just like Hwasan right now.

‘That’s how it will be. That’s how it should be.’

But what if… what if that Hwasan overcomes all of that? And if they prove that they are a sect that can bear all that weight?

Then who in the world could stop them?

Jongli Gok’s eyes darkened.

‘That’s a crazy idea.’

That kind of thing won’t happen. Never, that kind of thing will never happen.

“Patriarch. We’ve collected all the bodies, but…”

Instead of urging him to finish his sentence, Tang Gunak closed his eyes tightly.

The reason why the person reporting was not finishing his sentence was obvious. Normally, the bodies collected here would have been moved to Chengdu and buried in the Dang family’s cemetery. Shouldn’t those who gave their lives to protect their families be given that much respect?

But now that was impossible. The Dang family had already been burned down, and the Sichuan land was under the control of the Myriad Man House.

“Bury the bodies.”

“…Yes, Patriarch.”

He was about to add a word to make sure to put up a good gravestone so that it would be easy to find again in the future, but he shook his head. He suddenly thought it was all pointless.

And above all… the Dang family members, those who had fallen here, would not want that. They would rather scold him to lead the surviving family members and seek the revival of the Dang family in that time.

“Patriarch, now…”

Dang-pae, who was about to come closer and ask a question, closed his mouth for a moment as he looked at Tang Gunak’s face.

What he originally wanted to ask was, ‘What are you going to do now?’ But he thought that question was too painful for Tang Gunak to hear right now.

“Young Lord.”

“Yes, Patriarch.”

“Prepare the camp.”

“…H-Here?”

Tang Gunak nodded.

“Night is coming soon. It’s too much to move along the night road with these exhausted people. We’ll rest here for today.”

“…I understand.”

Tang Gunak looked back at Dang-pae and said.

“And… as soon as the sun rises tomorrow, prepare everyone.”

“Where are you planning to go?”

Tang Gunak didn’t answer, but Dang-pae nodded.

“Yes, I will.”

Tang Gunak, who had been quietly watching Dang-pae turn around and leave, slowly raised his head.

‘I wonder.’

The sunset sky came into view.

‘Where should I go?’

Darkness fell on the field.

Camping in the field without preparation is not as easy as one might think. Especially for children and women who have not learned martial arts.

But thanks to the Hwasan disciples, who were more than used to this kind of thing, moving busily, they were able to finish the preparations without much difficulty.

The women calmed the crying children, and the craftsmen put up tents where they could avoid the wind.

Crack.

Bright red sparks flew from the bonfires lit in various places. The faces of the Dang family members, who were silently staring at the bonfires, were soon filled with deep worries.

Only after they rested a little did they realize it.

The fact that they had lost their homes and were homeless and moving around.

Even the fact that they might never be able to return to Sichuan again.

Everyone felt sad and quiet among the people who were sitting together in groups of three or five.

“As you instructed, we have obtained pots and grains. We will prepare porridge quickly.”

Tang Gunak nodded, and the Dang family members hung pots over the bonfires here and there. A quiet voice came to Tang Gunak’s ear as he stared at what was happening without really seeing it.

“Patriarch.”

It was Hyun Jong, who had come close to him before he knew it. He carefully said, unable to offer words of comfort too quickly.

“Is there anything else we can help you with?”

Tang Gunak smiled faintly and shook his head.

“They are tired from coming all the way here, but they are not so useless. Now, the Dang family’s strength alone is enough, so don’t worry.”

Hyun Jong looked at Tang Gunak with fresh eyes.

How could he be so strong?

If Hyun Jong had suffered the same thing… If Hwasan had been burned down by the enemy’s attack and the disciples had been lost, he would not have come to his senses until now.

But even in the midst of that, Tang Gunak was maintaining his dignity as the head of the Sichuan Dang family.

“Patriarch.”

“There will be no end if you think badly. We have lost many things, but we have saved people. Isn’t that enough for now?”

Hyun Jong closed his eyes.

Listening to these words, he felt that he was too pathetic for being heartbroken by Jongli Gok’s words. Tang Gunak, who was having a much harder time, was so strong and determined.

At that time, Tang Gunak bowed politely.

“More than that… thank you.”

Hyun Jong, surprised and quickly stopped him.

“Why, why are you doing this, Patriarch!”

“If the Alliance Leader hadn’t made a decision, we wouldn’t have been able to save them.”

“That’s not a decision I made. Please raise your head. Please.”

Naturally, the voices of the two people grew a little louder.

Yoon Jong, who was watching the scene from a little further away, sighed.

“The Dang family head is really amazing, Martial Uncle.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s been through something like this, but he’s no different from usual. I can’t even imitate it.”

“That’s why he’s the family head.”

Jo Gul frowned at those words.

“What’s so difficult about that? Just do what you’ve been doing.”

“…Geol-ah, we’re having a conversation here.”

“Yes? What does that mean?”

“Here. There’s porridge over there, porridge.”

“But what’s wrong with this guy?”

The Five Swords began to argue and fight.

A sad mood and a calm conversation that seemed to ignore it, and loud jokes that tried to make everyone feel better.

In this place where so many things were mixed, Chung Myung was just silently staring at Tang Gunak. At Tang Gunak’s strong presence.