Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1505

Silence filled the Great Hall.

It was not polite to interrupt another group’s event, especially when invited. But no one could say Baek Cheon was wrong or rude. His points were about what is right and just.

“Sect Leader’s proxy… I understand your point, but it seems proper to discuss this after the current matter is concluded.”

“May I ask one thing?”

“Yes?”

“Have the elders, and everyone else present here, already paid their respects to the late Beggars’ Sect Leader?”

A look of bewilderment crossed the elders’ faces at those words. Come to think of it, no one present had remembered that fact.

“…That is…”

Before the elders could answer, Baek Cheon cut in.

Baek Cheon finished speaking clearly and strongly. The Mount Hua disciples exchanged glances amongst themselves, whispering silently.

‘Wow… he’s really eloquent.’

‘He always goes wild when Sajuk sets the stage. The problem is, he only comes to his senses when the stage is set.’

‘Indeed. We must distinguish between Dong-ryong and Baek Cheon.’

None of the Beggars’ Sect elders dared to speak without care.

That meant Baek Cheon’s words had hit home.

As the only outsider present, he was offering to pay respects to the late leader on behalf of the Jianghu. How could they possibly stop him?

Moreover, strictly speaking, this wasn’t something Baek Cheon should be pushing for. Rather, the Beggars’ Sect should be dragging them to pay respects to their late leader.

Having the Mount Hua Sect Leader’s proxy pay respects to the deceased leader would undoubtedly elevate the Beggars’ Sect’s prestige. Wasn’t that why they went to such lengths to invite renowned figures from outside whenever a Sect Leader retired?

The elders’ gazes, wandering this way and that, eventually converged on Ilhoshin-gae. He was the only one present who could respond to Baek Cheon’s request.

Ilhoshin-gae gave a wry smile amidst their stares, having noticed the questioning looks in the elders’ eyes.

‘This is why we shouldn’t accept outsiders.’

He knew things he couldn’t control would happen when outsiders came. Especially outsiders like the Mount Hua Sect, who were known to cause trouble.

Thankfully, he hadn’t lost the initiative yet. Ilhoshin-gae, composing himself, fixed his gaze on Baek Cheon and said,

“On behalf of the Beggars’ Sect, I thank the Sect Leader’s proxy for his deep consideration.”

“You’re most welcome.”

Baek Cheon offered a polite bow, displaying perfect humility. Before Chung Myung could show how disgusted he was, Yoon Jong quickly grabbed Chung Myung’s head and pushed it down.

Whether fortunately or unfortunately, Ilhoshin-gae, not having seen that spectacle, continued,

“However, I regret to say that it is difficult to grant the Sect Leader’s proxy’s request, as the late Beggars’ Sect Leader’s body is not present here.”

“What do you mean?” Baek Cheon asked, feigning puzzlement.

Ilhoshin-gae replied with a mournful expression, “Regrettably, the late Sect Leader passed away in a place other than this. Thus, we have not yet been able to bring his body to the main headquarters.”

“…In another place?”

“Indeed.”

“Then, what was the cause of the Sect Leader’s death?”

“I believe the Sect Leader’s proxy is also aware that the Sect Leader was suffering from an illness.”

Baek Cheon nodded silently. It was a widely known story in the Jianghu, so there was no need to verify the facts.

“Nevertheless, the Sect Leader, deeming it impossible to ignore the rise of the Four Evil Sects and the resurgence of the Demonic Sect, led his ailing body to personally investigate them. Unfortunately, things went awry…”

“Are you saying he was ambushed?”

“That is not certain. The exact details require thorough investigation. All I know is that the Sect Leader is no longer among the living, and we cannot leave the Sect Leader’s position vacant for long.”

The corner of Baek Cheon’s lips twitched faintly.

At first, it sounded like a good story. Someone who didn’t know better might admire the Sect Leader for bravely going to check on enemies even when sick.

But to Baek Cheon, who knew the truth, Ilhoshin-gae’s lies, thinly veiled with awkward sorrow, were glaringly obvious.

“Did the Elder hear this news directly?”

“Indeed.”

“Only the Elder?”

Baek Cheon’s question made Ilhoshin-gae stop for a moment.

“…What do you mean by that?”

“Are you saying that you are the only one who has confirmed the grave matter of the Sect Leader’s death?”

Ilhoshin-gae frowned, his face hardening.

‘These fellows… could they know something?’

No, that couldn’t be. The Sect Leader was not someone who would reveal himself easily. There was no way someone outside the Beggars’ Sect could know the Sect Leader’s movements.

“I am the representative of the Beggars’ Sect elders. There is nothing strange about me hearing it.”

“Then, who delivered this news?”

“Someone who was attending to the Sect Leader. A trustworthy person. He confirmed the facts and reported them to me.”

Ilhoshin-gae spoke slowly, glancing sideways to gauge the elders’ reactions.

‘Damn it…’

Those he had firmly won over showed no particular agitation. But among those who hadn’t sided with him, there was a clear, subtle unrest.

They, too, realized that the basis for this entire situation rested solely on Ilhoshin-gae’s words, and the seeds of doubt were sprouting.

Especially Chumen-gae, who had openly opposed him, was watching the situation with gleaming eyes.

‘This won’t do.’

If the discussion dragged on, there might be lingering doubts even if he became the Sect Leader. That would be a major obstacle to Ilhoshin-gae’s control.

“I understand you have many questions, but now is not the time to reveal everything in detail. Do not forget, the Four Evil Sects and the Demonic Sect are involved in this matter.”

“……”

“I trust the Sect Leader’s proxy understands that information must sometimes be handled with utmost secrecy.”

“Of course. Especially if this is the Beggars’ Sect.”

“That is precisely my point.”

“However, Elder.”

At that moment, Baek Cheon straightened his shoulders and stared directly at Ilhoshin-gae.

“What if that crucial information is incorrect?”

“…What?”

“If the information that the late Sect Leader has passed away is false, who will take responsibility for all of this?”

“Wh-what insolence!” The angry elders shouted from all directions.

The elders weren’t oblivious. By this point, they knew that Baek Cheon’s questions weren’t simply to satisfy his curiosity.

“Sect Leader’s proxy! How can you speak so recklessly as a guest?”

“Even if you represent Mount Hua, this is out of line!”

“Are you looking down on the Beggars’ Sect now?”

However, they couldn’t directly criticize or take action, only making noises around the edges.

The reason was simple: the name of Baek Cheon, the Mount Hua Sect Leader’s proxy, and the name of Mount Hua backing him.

Mount Hua was no longer the fallen sect of the past. It was the most watched sect in the world, a great sect that had proven its strength to the world time and time again.

There was no way to suppress someone representing Mount Hua, the overlord of Shaanxi and the leader of the Heavenly Union, with force.

Baek Cheon looked around at everyone with cold eyes and said,

“I simply want to know everything clearly and be certain. Otherwise, our being here could also bring shame.”

“W-well…”

“Enough!” Ilhoshin-gae raised his hand, silencing the elders.

Then, he put on a smile as relaxed as if it were painted on.

“If there is a problem with the information, I will naturally take responsibility.”

“The Elder will?”

“Of course. I started everything, so I must take responsibility. Is that enough?”

Baek Cheon stared at Ilhoshin-gae intently before nodding.

“Yes. That is sufficient.”

“I thank the Sect Leader’s proxy for his consideration. Then, I hope you will celebrate the Beggars’ Sect welcoming a new Sect Leader.”

Ilhoshin-gae looked at each of the elders for a moment before speaking again.

“And elders, do not be too angry. All of this is my fault for trying to handle things quickly in an urgent situation without following proper procedures.”

“Hmm…”

“If you say so.”

Ilhoshin-gae looked very calm. He looked at Baek Cheon and the group behind him, muttering inwardly.

‘It seems they’ve caught on to something, but there’s nothing you can do.’

From Mount Hua’s perspective, they would want to prevent him from becoming the Sect Leader at all costs. The moment he became the Sect Leader, the Beggars’ Sect would return as a perfect member of the Nine Great Sects. Mount Hua and the Heavenly Union would naturally be unhappy about that.

But no matter how much they protested now, the predetermined outcome couldn’t be reversed.

‘The one who orchestrated all of this must be you, right?’

Ilhoshin-gae’s gaze shifted from Baek Cheon to Chung Myung, who stood behind him.

It was the first time seeing his face, but anyone living in the current Jianghu couldn’t fail to recognize the Mount Hua Divine Dragon, Chung Myung. When his eyes met Chung Myung’s expressionless gaze, Ilhoshin-gae gave a faint smile.

‘Protesting won’t work. There is nothing you can do.’

Just as Ilhoshin-gae was about to speak to finish things, Chung Myung looked at him and a wide, winning smile spread across his face.

Ilhoshin-gae’s heart sank for a moment.

“Gotcha.”

“…What?”

Chung Myung’s muttered words pierced Ilhoshin-gae’s heart like a dagger.

Grinning, Chung Myung gestured with his chin at someone and asked,

“Is this enough?”

“Thank you, Divine Dragon.”

Soon after, a man who had been standing behind Chung Myung slowly stepped forward. He was so ordinary that he had been overshadowed by the presence of the Mount Hua group.

‘Who is he?’

Ilhoshin-gae’s mind raced, his face hardening.

He had never seen him before. No matter how much he searched his memory, there was no information about this stranger. But why was such a person suddenly stepping forward in this situation? What was he trying to do?

The man who stepped forward looked around and then took something out of his pocket.

An ordinary wooden club. It was the kind of club that Beggars’ Sect disciples knew very well.

Under everyone’s attention, he opened his mouth.

“What are you doing?”

At that, the elders’ faces simultaneously filled with bewilderment.

“Huh?”

“Hmm?”

The voice of that stranger was all too familiar.

Whoosh.

Suddenly, a soft, green light swirled around the club in the man’s hands. The club was soon dyed in emerald hues. The faces of all the Beggars’ Sect disciples turned pale in an instant.

That martial art is…

“If you are truly disciples of the Beggars’ Sect, pay your respects to the rightful Beggars’ Sect Leader.”

The man covered in green light spoke in a voice as cold as frost.