Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1490

The Celestial Innkeeper’s eyebrows pinched together, a subtle frown line appearing between them. Lee Song-baek’s gaze was… unsettling. It wasn’t rude, but it was too direct, too intense, as if he could see right through the calm mask she wore.

Her voice, usually smooth and welcoming to guests of the inn, now had a sharp edge. “Lee Song-baek of Jongnam,” she stated, more like an accusation than a greeting.

She paused, her dark eyes assessing him from head to toe. “Second disciple of Jongnam. People say you and Jin Geum-ryong are the future leaders of your sect. A rising star, they call you. Serious, polite, disciplined – that’s the reputation. Though,” she added, a hint of doubt creeping into her voice, “your current fighting skill is… unconfirmed, isn’t it? Some even whisper you might become the next Sect Leader.”

Lee Song-baek seemed surprised, his eyes widening slightly, but the Celestial Innkeeper spoke indifferently.

“Hmm, maybe my information is wrong. The Lee Song-baek I know from Jongnam wouldn’t just jump into a conversation like this without asking. Or has Jongnam started doing things differently, like Mount Hua?”

It was a clear scolding. Lee Song-baek respectfully clasped his hands.

“I sincerely apologize for that.”

“I accept your apology. However, this isn’t something you should interfere with. Please, step aside.”

“Stepping aside is not difficult. But I would like to say one thing.”

“…What is it?”

To the Celestial Innkeeper’s clearly displeased response, Lee Song-baek raised his head straight.

“I believe what you said earlier was correct. I could clearly feel how much you care for the Beggar Union members.”

“Spare me the flattery and get to the point.”

“…Yes.”

Lee Song-baek nodded and spoke with determined eyes.

“Isn’t it possible that the righteousness you believe in is different from what the Beggar Union members believe in?”

The Celestial Innkeeper’s eyes darkened.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. If you’re going to spout nonsense, just stop now.”

“That’s…”

Lee Song-baek was about to say something more but suddenly sighed. He felt frustrated by his inability to clearly explain himself to the Celestial Innkeeper.

But he did not back down and chose another way.

Clang!

Lee Song-baek suddenly drew his sword, startling the Mount Hua disciples, who grabbed his shoulder.

“Young Master Lee! What are you doing…!”

“Just a moment.”

Lee Song-baek carefully pushed away Baek Cheon’s hand on his shoulder and extended his sword forward.

“This is my sword.”

“…”

“As the Master of the Lodgers of the Beggar Union, you must know. I practice the Thirty-Six Swords of the World. The most basic of Jongnam… No, it used to be basic, but now it’s a sword that has fallen out of favor.”

“What does that have to do with this?”

“Please, listen.”

Lee Song-baek took a deep breath and opened his mouth again.

“The elders of Jongnam considered this sword insufficient, and they decided it couldn’t lead to greatness. So, they tried to improve Jongnam with a new sword. That decision was certainly made with faith in Jongnam and care for its disciples.”

The Celestial Innkeeper narrowed her eyes slightly.

“But I am still practicing the old sword. Do you know why?”

“It seems that you and that sword are well-suited.”

“No.”

Lee Song-baek shook his head.

“The reason is simple. It is because I believe it is right for me to practice this sword.”

Lee Song-baek’s gaze, which had briefly left the Celestial Innkeeper, landed on Chung Myung.

“Of course, it wasn’t a Jongnam person who made me realize that was right. But I ultimately decided that it was right for me to practice this sword, and I acted on that decision. That is why I am here now.”

The gaze directed towards the Celestial Innkeeper was truly sincere and clear. It was the very gaze that had felt so unsettling. The Celestial Innkeeper slightly averted her eyes and said.

“What does that have to do with the current situation? I am not so bored that I can listen to you flattering me.”

“I am only asking. You said that you did all this for the Beggar Union members. The elders of Jongnam also did this for Jongnam. It is the same thing. But at least in my eyes, it looks different.”

“Different?”

“Don’t you see? Our Sect Leader must have firmly believed that it was a better path for the disciples to learn the new sword. He must have had no doubt that it was for the sake of the disciples.”

The Celestial Innkeeper’s face momentarily hardened, as if she understood what Lee Song-baek was trying to say.

“But now I am practicing the Thirty-Six Swords of the World. Even though I, who was weak and foolish in the past, made such a decision, the Sect Leader did not force me onto the ‘right’ path. That is why I am who I am now.”

Lee Song-baek looked down at his sword once and continued.

“The Sect Leader must have worried about me too. Nevertheless, the reason he did not try to stop me was because it was a decision I had made after careful thought, wasn’t it? If I, as a martial artist, had chosen and was prepared to take responsibility for it, then it should naturally be respected. But!”

Lee Song-baek’s voice reached towards the Celestial Innkeeper like a heavy sword.

“Do the Beggar Union members know what situation they are in now?”

“…”

“Do they also know that you are limiting what they can do to protect themselves and trying to make them live as ordinary beggars…?”

The Celestial Innkeeper did not answer.

“That’s… Yes, Master of the Lodgers. That’s…”

Lee Song-baek couldn’t bring himself to finish his sentence and trailed off. It wasn’t because he was too emotional. It was simply because he felt lost.

Chung Myung, who had been listening quietly, resolved this frustration instead.

“It’s not right.”

Lee Song-baek nodded, as if that was what he had been trying to say.

“Yes. It is not right. It is not fair either.”

“Because no one wants their life to be decided for reasons they don’t even know.”

“Yes! That’s it.”

Lee Song-baek quickly nodded. Clearly, Chung Myung understood what he was saying. Thinking so, Lee Song-baek felt strangely happy.

Then, Chung Myung said with a sigh.

“The words are good, but…”

“…Yes?”

“Isn’t that something a guy who stole and copied someone else’s swordsmanship shouldn’t be saying?”

Chung Myung glared at Lee Song-baek with endlessly sullen and displeased eyes. Whenever Chung Myung’s lips twitched unhappily, Lee Song-baek’s body also shrank back.

Lee Song-baek somehow awkwardly opened his mouth.

“No… that’s not what Sect Leader is doing now…”

“I’ve lived long enough to see all sorts of things. It’s true that that old man is doing frustrating things, but the right person has to point it out. Are you trying to make it sound like the Jongnam Sect Leader is some kind of saint? Huh?”

It was counterproductive. At Chung Myung’s words, the Five Swords seemed to snap out of it and glared at Lee Song-baek.

“Wow. I almost fell for it. If I had listened a little longer, I would have thought the Jongnam Sect Leader was a good person.”

“When you think about it, that guy was the one who acted arrogant at the Hwajong Assembly for copying our swordsmanship, right?”

“…We need to peel off the shell.”

“Someday, I’m going to burn it down. Jongnam.”

“…Accident. You shouldn’t say things like that in front of Jongnam people.”

“Why?”

“They prepare for it. Then it becomes difficult. You have to strike when they’re not thinking about it! You have to strike!”

Lee Song-baek’s hands folded respectfully.

Before, when the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Style was lost, Lee Song-baek might not have known about the Snow Flower Twelve Forms. But now he knew. He understood where they came from.

Of course, the current Snow Flower Twelve Forms had changed a lot from the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Style because Jin Geum-ryong and Jongnam changed them a lot. But that didn’t make up for their mistakes, did it?

I don’t know what to say to the Hwasan disciples…

Lee So-hyeop.

Yes?

Eyes down.

…Yes.

Lee Song-baek quietly lowered his head again at Yoon Jong’s words.

Cheong-myeong clicked his tongue in annoyance, then a low chuckle escaped his lips. He turned his sharp gaze to the Lord of Heavenly Pleasure. The man sat silently, his mouth still firmly closed, as if he was afraid to speak.

Cheong-myeong chuckled. ‘Well… it’s not *what* you said, but *who* said it that’s the problem.’

You must know how important information is when making a decision. That applies to the Beggars’ Sect as well. You are stopping the Beggars’ Sect disciples from doing their jobs and forcing them to live the way you want.

The Lord of Heavenly Pleasure’s eyes grew cold. The warmth in them vanished, replaced by a sharp, icy look. It was as if he had heard terribly insulting words. But that was all. Time passed, and still, no rebuttal came.

It’s not that you didn’t say it, but that you couldn’t. There’s no way the Beggars’ Sect disciples would agree to such a thing. If they had, the term ‘Righteous Blood Beggars’ Sect’ would never have existed in the first place. They can throw away their lives like mere blades of grass for the sake of the world, for the sake of righteousness. That’s what people call the ‘Righteous Blood Beggars’ Sect’ – a group known for their bravery and loyalty to justice.

The Lord of Heavenly Pleasure bit his lip. He glared at Cheong-myeong with eyes mixed with hatred and anger, then slowly tilted his head back and looked up at the ceiling. His eyes, swirling with complex emotions, slowly closed.

I suppose so.

A hollow voice flowed from the Lord of Heavenly Pleasure, his eyes still closed.

No one would agree with what I am trying to do. Those with power will want the Beggars’ Sect to become more capable, and those without power will say that it is right to act righteously without regard for their own lives.

You weren’t deceiving the outside world.

Cheong-myeong nodded as if he finally understood.

What you deceived was none other than the Beggars’ Sect. Isn’t that right?

The Beggars’ Sect might really think you are ill. Or maybe you have a look-alike. In any case, you hid yourself to deceive even the Beggars’ Sect disciples, and yet you couldn’t bear to leave this place near the Beggars’ Sect, so you remain here. Like a ghost, hidden and watching.

The Lord of Heavenly Pleasure’s body trembled slightly.

Cheong-myeong felt an inexplicable sadness at the sight.

There are things that no one in the world can understand, but that must be done. He knew best how lonely the person doing them was.

I won’t say you’re wrong. But your way is not the correct way. If you really wanted that, you should have persuaded the beggars of the Beggars’ Sect.

The Lord of Heavenly Pleasure lowered his raised head and slowly opened his eyes. The swirling hatred had subsided. But that didn’t mean his eyes had turned friendly towards Cheong-myeong.

I appreciate the advice.

But I have no intention of changing my ways now. I will save even one more member of the Beggars’ Sect to the end. Even if it is the wrong path.

He was even more determined.

The conversation ends here. Please leave.

W-wait a minute!

Jo Gul, surprised by the sudden dismissal, interjected.

You’re just telling us to leave? No, I mean… how can we just leave after saying all this? What if we leave here and tell the world about this?

Are you asking if we will tell others about this?

No, that’s not what I mean. I’m not trying to threaten you… I’m just saying, shouldn’t we sort something out…?

The Lord of Heavenly Pleasure calmly said, watching Jo Gul stammer in embarrassment.

Tell everyone if you want to.

Right, that… Yes?

I said, tell.

Jo Gul blinked.

He’s saying it’s okay to tell everyone? The story that the Beggars’ Sect Leader, who was said to be ill, is living well and eating well at the top of a high-class brothel?

If that happens, the Beggars’ Sect will be divided into those who believe your words and those who don’t, and they will turn against each other and fight again. As a result, I may be ousted, but I will stubbornly hold out until this war is over. Then the Beggars’ Sect will be less likely to get involved in this dirty war. Thanks to you, things might get easier.

N-no…

Jo Gul opened and closed his mouth, unable to say anything. Jo Gul listened. He realized that what the Lord said could actually happen. The Beggars’ Sect could fight among themselves.

Don’t even think about changing my mind. If I could be changed so easily, I wouldn’t have lasted this long.

The Lord of Heavenly Pleasure stared straight at Cheong-myeong.

Especially you, Hwasan Sword Saint. I am different from the people you have faced so far. There is no way I will change my mind through a conversation with you. So don’t waste your effort and go back. The Beggars’ Sect will not side with the Nine Sects or the Heavenly Union.

At the words that cut like a knife, Baek Cheon sighed deeply.

Is it not possible?

Because the Lord was so firm, Baek Cheon felt they couldn’t do anything more. If he tried to force it any further, he would only provoke unnecessary resentment.

In any case, coming this far had made the trip to Gae Bong worthwhile. Thinking so, Baek Cheon said,

Cheong-myeong-ah. Let’s go back for now…

That’s when it happened.

Of course, you won’t change your mind. Because you are not really in charge here.

Huh?

Isn’t that right?

Cheong-myeong, with a strange smile, stared intently at the Lord of Heavenly Pleasure, who sighed.

Is this just stubbornness now? Well, I suppose there’s no other way. All that’s left is the possibility that I am not the leader of the Beggars’ Sect. But, Hwasan Sword Saint, no matter how stubborn you are, I am indeed the leader of the Beggars’ Sect.

Oh, you probably are. But that’s not important. That’s not my point.

What do you mean?

Cheong-myeong smirked cynically.

I was a little unsure, but now I know for sure.

Baek Cheon, slightly embarrassed, lowered his voice and asked.

What are you talking about, Cheong-myeong-ah? I don’t understand the situation.

It’s simple logic, Martial Uncle. Just because someone is the leader of the Beggars’ Sect doesn’t necessarily mean they are the head of the Beggars’ Sect.

What is that…

It’s simple. Hwasan is like this too.

Baek Cheon’s eyes widened in understanding. ‘Ah!’

Baek Cheon realized what Cheong-myeong meant. ‘Leader,’ he thought. Just because he is called the leader…

Tell me. Who is behind you? Who told you to change the Beggars’ Sect like this?

At that moment, Baek Cheon saw it.

The Lord of Heavenly Pleasure’s expression changing drastically for the first time.