Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1521

The Hwasan disciples watched Poong Young-shingae’s face. He was angry, his teeth clenched tight. Then, someone chuckled.

“Ahem, it’s only natural.”

“There’s no need to get so proud. It’s just normal, you know? Ha!”

Poong Young-shingae was speechless.

The Hwasan disciples cheered silently.

‘Our Chung Myung is doing great!’

‘Sometimes, it helps to be clueless.’

‘Is he really clueless? Or is that little rascal just trying to annoy him?’

‘Who cares?’

Poong Young-shingae’s face showed many emotions quickly – anger, confusion, then finally, a tired calm. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.

“…Anyway, thank you,” he said, his voice a little shaky.

It was a strange feeling. Hwasan *had* helped. They had stopped the bad people in the Beggars’ Union.

But… it was like going to a doctor for a small cut and waking up with your arm gone. The doctor says, “You’re healed now!” It’s hard to be truly grateful, right?

No, it would be a relief if only his arm was gone. In reality, he had also lost half his money. The more he thought about it, the more his head hurt.

“So, what are you going to do now?”

“First, I need to fix the main base since it’s destroyed. And…” Poong Young-shingae rubbed his chin.

“Once the Elders’ positions are settled, I plan to step down.”

“Positions?”

“I want to keep my promise not to blame the Elders, but I can’t just leave them as they are. This made me realize they had too much power.”

“Hmm.”

Chung Myung looked at Poong Young-shingae strangely, as if he didn’t believe him. Poong Young-shingae had to explain further.

“If they stay where they are, they’ll just get in the way of the new Chief. People don’t change easily. I have to take responsibility for the people I messed up with and step down.”

“So, you want to start fresh with new people?”

“Exactly.”

Chung Myung nodded, then stopped suddenly.

“Then the next Chief is… by any chance…”

“It’s that ‘by any chance’ you’re thinking of.”

The Hwasan disciples all looked to the side. Hong Dae-kwang stood there, looking like he didn’t belong.

“Why? What?”

The Hwasan disciples showed different reactions.

“Well, yes. Actually… there isn’t really another option…”

“After all that trouble, it would be weird if someone else became Chief now.”

“That’s true. That’s definitely right, but, well…”

The Hwasan disciples looked at each other, all wondering the same thing.

‘Will it be alright?’

They couldn’t help but feel worried. That man as the Chief of the Beggars’ Union?

“Have you decided?”

“Yes, Sword Saint.”

“…Really?”

“…”

“Seriously? Really? No regrets? Do you have a plan? No, what are you thinking…”

“Hey, you! How can you do this to me!”

“I know you, Uncle! You’re not the type to boss anyone around!”

“You said you’d make me the Chief!”

“That was an emergency!”

“What? And you call yourself a Taoist!”

Chung Myung glared.

“This is like trying to fix something and making it worse! I’m going to mess up the Beggars’ Union even more trying to save it!”

“How much have I helped you, you punk!”

“Is that helping? Is it?”

Poong Young-shingae, who had been smiling at the bickering pair, said calmly.

“I’ve decided that ability isn’t everything.”

“Hmm?”

“If someone is lacking, others can help. That’s what positions are for. What matters is whether they are on the right path, not how skilled they are.”

Poong Young-shingae’s eyes were firm; he had already made up his mind.

“And this isn’t just my idea. Ilho Shin-gae strongly recommended him. That should stop most of the Elders from arguing.”

Chung Myung looked at Hong Dae-kwang doubtfully, then sighed deeply.

“Don’t sigh in front of people!”

“He’s a beggar, not a person…”

“You little…”

Hong Dae-kwang, who had been angry, puffed out his cheeks.

“I’m the most surprised right now! I thought I was going to get yelled at when I was called to the main base, but then a war breaks out, and now I’m becoming the Chief overnight!”

“So, you don’t like it?”

“I love it!”

“…”

“Ah, no. I didn’t mean that.”

Not only the Hwasan disciples but even Poong Young-shingae stared at Hong Dae-kwang blankly.

“…Think about it again.”

“Please reconsider.”

“I don’t think this is right.”

Poong Young-shingae looked conflicted, but he shook his head again.

“There is no changing my mind.”

“Aish.”

“It’s over.”

“Let’s cut ties with the Beggars’ Union. It’s finished here.”

Poong Young-shingae smiled sadly at the Hwasan disciples’ reactions.

“Don’t worry too much. I plan to make Jao-gae the Protector.”

“Ah!”

“If it’s Jao-gae, then…”

“Then it’ll be a bit better.”

Everyone nodded at the mention of Jao-gae. No one paid attention to Hong Dae-kwang, who was feeling hurt.

“But, Sasuk. What’s the difference between a Protector and an Elder?”

“They’re similar. Some groups use the names the same way. But Elders are like respected older members. Protectors are like strong guards who have real power to protect the group.”

“What does that mean?”

“The Protector’s job is to protect the group, so they are more focused on fighting.”

“…I understand.”

He didn’t understand.

Baek Cheon decided to ask Jo Gul later to explain it again. Poong Young-shingae spoke again.

“And after seeing him today, I think Choo Myun-gae would be a good Protector too, so I should ask him to help.”

“Ah, that ugly beggar grandpa?”

“Hey, you! Don’t call people ugly to their face!”

“No, his nickname is Ugly Face because he’s ugly! If you’re going to complain, tell the Beggars’ Union beggars who gave him that nickname!”

“…Huh?”

Now that he thought about it, that was true.

“Ahem!”

Poong Young-shingae cleared his throat and looked away. Baek Cheon smiled.

‘This isn’t a bad result for us.’

No matter what, Hong Dae-kwang was passionate, willing to talk, and friendly to Hwasan.

There was no way that him becoming the Chief of the Beggars’ Union would hurt Hwasan.

Besides, they had seen that Jongnam and Shaolin also supported Hwasan.

This might be even better than just replacing the Chief of the Beggars’ Union.

‘Especially Shaolin…’

Just then, Chung Myung spoke.

“When are you going to hand over the job?”

“I need to fix the main base first.”

“So, you’ll step down as soon as that’s done?”

“Shouldn’t I?”

Poong Young-shingae looked relieved. He could finally let go of the heavy burden he had been carrying.

“Thanks to Sword Saint, I realized that the Beggars’ Union should be led by those who will live in the future. Of course, I’m not very confident…”

Poong Young-shingae glanced at Hong Dae-kwang and shook his head.

“That’s just the wishful thinking of someone who is about to quit.”

“…”

“I can still make up for what I did to the Beggars’ Union even if I’m not the Chief. I want to spend the rest of my life fixing things, not as the Chief, but as a regular beggar.”

Poong Young-shingae looked up at the ceiling.

He wasn’t just looking at the ceiling, but at the person who would be above it.

“That’s what my teacher would want too.”

“Tsk.”

Chung Myung clicked his tongue.

“The guy who needs to make up for things is already dead.”

“Chung Myung-ah!”

“Watch your mouth! Watch your mouth, you punk!”

To others, it would sound rude, but Poong Young-shingae just smiled. Because Chung Myung was the only one who could scold his teacher.

And because he knew that those harsh words were spoken out of concern.

Chung Myung looked at Hong Dae-kwang.

“Anyway, I have to talk to this guy now?”

“…”

“The Chief of the Beggars’ Union…”

Chung Myung’s face twisted. He had started this to fix the Beggars’ Union, but somehow the result was…

“Ugh. Anyway, future Chief.”

“Haha! Speak, Hwasan Sword Saint!”

Hong Dae-kwang puffed out his chest and raised his chin. Chung Myung hit him on the chin without thinking.

“Kyaa!”

“Hey, Chung Myung-ah!”

“He’s the Chief! The Chief!”

“Not yet! Not yet!”

“Why did you hit me out of nowhere!”

“You make me want to hit you!”

“No, that’s true, but…!”

Even Baek Cheon couldn’t argue with Chung Myung.

But Hong Dae-kwang didn’t seem to be in pain. He chuckled and jumped up.

“Oh, it’s alright.”

“Yes?”

“Hwasan is the one who made me Chief, so a little chin strike is nothing! Haha!”

“Ch, Chung Myung-ah! Hold back!”

“Why are you getting so angry!”

“To be honest, it’s infuriating, Sahyung.”

“…Actually, me too.”

Hong Dae-kwang was the kind of person who made you understand the phrase ‘to rub someone the wrong way.’ Chung Myung groaned and asked.

“Ugh, so what are you going to do now?”

“About what?”

“The Beggars’ Union! You’re becoming the Chief! What are you going to do with the Beggars’ Union now?”

Hong Dae-kwang rubbed his red and swollen chin.

“What else can I do? It’s obvious.”

“Huh?”

“Hwasan Sword Saint, I’m not very smart, as you know.”

“Yeah, and you have no tact.”

“I have no ability either.”

“And you’re ugly.”

“…Enough, you little punks.”

Hong Dae-kwang gritted his teeth. Then he sighed deeply. His face became serious.

“Even so, I think I’ve come this far because I can recognize people.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m especially good at finding someone who can guide me.”

Hong Dae-kwang stood up straight. He was no longer acting silly, but looked determined.

“Hwasan Sword Saint, Chung Myung, the Chief Strategist of the Heavenly Union.”

“Hm?”

“As soon as I become Chief, I will ask the Beggars’ Union to join the Heavenly Union. Please accept us.”

Seeing Hong Dae-kwang’s sincere and cooperative face, Chung Myung became serious too. Hong Dae-kwang continued.

“I will help the Heavenly Union with all the power of the Beggars’ Union, to fight the crisis that has swept the world!”

“Hmm.”

Chung Myung clasped his hands and bowed respectfully.

“If the Chief says so, then our Heavenly Union will welcome the Beggars’ Union with all our heart.”

Chung Myung’s eyes shone as he spoke strongly.

“And everyone will work hard to make sure we can do what the Chief wants from the Heavenly Union.”

“I just believe.”

The two men shook hands.

When they first met in Luoyang, neither of them was famous or important.

Now, they were shaking hands, representing a group and an alliance.

The two men looked at each other and let go.

Poong Young-shingae was touched and was about to speak.

“Ahem.”

Chung Myung’s face twisted strangely.

“But, uh…”

“Hm?”

“…I don’t know if this is a good thing.”

“…”

The Hwasan disciples felt the same way as Chung Myung, but only in their hearts.

A new chapter began for both the Beggars’ Union and the Heavenly Union.