Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1619

Everyone looked at Jongli Gok with tense faces. The air in the room was thick with unspoken questions.

It was obvious why. Situations change everything. Jongli Gok was the same man, but now he was in a different position. Just a short time ago, when they were following the Heavenly Union’s orders, Jongli Gok was just one of many helpers. But now, as they all waited for his opinion, he was important. His silence felt heavy in the room.

This was because he was the leader against Mount Hua.

With the Shaolin Temple gone and the Nine Great Sects falling apart, Jongnam, led by Jongli Gok, was the only group that could truly stand against Mount Hua’s leadership. What Jongli Gok said next could completely change the mood of the meeting.

Everyone knew this, so they held their breath and watched him. But Jongli Gok did something unexpected.

Thud.

Jongli Gok slowly looked at everyone in the room, then sat down in an empty seat and closed his eyes, not saying a word.

Some people looked relieved because they couldn’t tell if Jongli Gok agreed or disagreed. Others looked disappointed.

Tang Gunak cleared his throat to make the mood less heavy.

“Ahem. If we are to continue the meeting…”

He paused for a moment.

“The Southern Barbarian Beast Palace and the Northern Sea Ice Palace disagree with the current plan, and the Sichuan Tang Family agrees…”

“Our Murong Family also disagrees.”

Murong Wi-gyeong raised his hand before Tang Gunak could finish.

“I understand why the Commander-in-Chief is suggesting this. However…”

Murong Wi-gyeong looked at Chung Myung with sharp eyes.

“I’m not sure if changing our plans now, so close to the war, is a good idea. We need to be practical, not just think about what sounds good.”

Tang Gunak tried hard not to sigh.

‘Right. This is normal.’

He had thought so at first, too. People are naturally afraid of change, especially those with a lot to lose.

Now, the feeling in the meeting room was clear. Three families had already disagreed, and only the Sichuan Tang Family agreed with Chung Myung. With this atmosphere, it would be hard for anyone who agreed to speak up.

If Namgung Dowi were here, he would have supported Chung Myung…

“Then, what about the Green Forest?”

Tang Gunak then asked Im So-byeong for his opinion. He knew Im So-byeong, being from a different group, might not be very helpful. But he hoped Im So-byeong could stop everyone from agreeing too quickly with one side.

But Im So-byeong’s reaction was very cynical, not what Tang Gunak expected.

“Well… the Green Forest is going to be a target anyway, so does it matter if we agree or disagree?”

“Green Forest King?”

Im So-byeong looked around at the others with cold eyes.

“I bet some of you think it’s good to send bandits like us to the front lines to be killed and slow down the enemy.”

“Green Forest King, you’re going too far.”

“Oh, am I?”

Im So-byeong looked at Tang Gunak. Tang Gunak was speechless at Im So-byeong’s calm and clear gaze.

If you thought about it, the Green Forest would probably suffer the most if Chung Myung’s plan was followed.

Of course, the Green Forest was a part of the Heavenly Union and had a clear position, but not everyone agreed with the Heavenly Union’s position.

If you thought about it honestly, that was right. Would the Green Forest, working under Jongnam, Zhuge, or Murong, be treated fairly? Would they really see the bandits of the Green Forest as equals?

That wouldn’t happen. In fact, even the other families might hate or avoid the Green Forest.

Tang Gunak sadly understood that the Heavenly Union, which he thought was about everyone agreeing, was not really like that.

In the end, only a few leaders controlled each family and made the decisions. And even they had joined the Heavenly Union because they saw Mount Hua as the center, and they didn’t really trust each other.

‘Is the Heavenly Union that the Mount Hua Divine Swordsman talked about really possible?’

Now, even Tang Gunak was starting to doubt it. Even Hyun Jong, the leader of Mount Hua, had closed his eyes and stayed quiet. As the leader, it was hard for him to speak easily. People might not believe his words were honest.

“Then…”

Tang Gunak opened his mouth to try to improve the situation. But then, Zhuge Ja-in raised her hand.

“Before that, I have a few questions for the Commander-in-Chief.”

Chung Myung unfolded his arms and looked at Zhuge Ja-in.

“As you can see, everyone disagrees with this. What will you do if this doesn’t go the way you want it to?”

Chung Myung chuckled.

“Are you worried that I’ll just give up and leave if things don’t go my way?”

Zhuge Ja-in didn’t deny it. Chung Myung shrugged.

“Well, what can I do? I still have to fight. I have to fight somehow.”

“Then, why are you pushing forward with this unreasonable plan?”

“Reason? You know why, don’t you?”

Chung Myung laughed again at Zhuge Ja-in’s question. It was almost a mockery, so it was clearly rude, but no one pointed it out.

Soon, Chung Myung’s eyes became serious.

“Because I have to win.”

His heavy voice filled the room.

“Because I don’t want to lose. Because I don’t want to die. Because I’m tired of watching people die for no reason.”

If you saw it, you would understand why the war had lasted so long. Why even Cheong Mun, who was so wise, had to sacrifice himself and Mount Hua.

People who try hard to protect what they have won’t give it up easily. Even if everyone could survive by giving up a little, they hold on until they lose everything.

The old groups must have been even worse than this. How did Cheong Mun feel watching this? What was he thinking when he told Chung Myung to give up his life?

Chung Myung looked at everyone with cold eyes.

“I want to ask you something. What exactly are you trying to protect?”

“Commander-in-Chief, your words are a bit…”

Tang Gunak tried to calm him down, but Chung Myung ignored him and gritted his teeth.

“Is sacrifice that cheap?”

“…”

“Is death that unimportant? Weren’t the lives lost in Hubei enough to show you how serious this is?”

“Chung Myung…”

Baek Cheon tried to stop him, but even Baek Cheon’s words didn’t affect Chung Myung at this moment. Those who haven’t experienced it will never understand the cycle of choices that can’t be undone, and the weight of what was lost.

“Honor, glory, power… I don’t know how important these useless things are. But I think lives are more important than them.”

Maeng So, who had been listening quietly, sighed.

“Commander-in-Chief, I disagree because this is a serious matter. I’m afraid lives will be seen as unimportant.”

“We can make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“…”

“I’m not perfect. And as Commander, I can’t decide everything myself. We can talk and work together. Everyone will have different ideas and ways of doing things. That’s why this position is here.”

“Hmm…”

“To believe we can’t do it is to deny everything we’ve achieved. If that’s true, what’s the point of this place? Of our friendships? Of this whole alliance!”

“Chung Myung!”

Even Hyun Jong was shocked and raised his voice.

This was bad. Even if they didn’t agree with him, they couldn’t let anger grow. That would break the group apart forever.

But despite Hyun Jong’s plea, Jongri Gok noticed Chung Myung’s words.

“That’s right.”

Everyone looked at him.

“From the start, this was a flawed idea. Forcing every sect in the Cheonwu Alliance – those who didn’t join willingly, and those with different goals – to follow one purpose is just oppression.”

Jongri Gok, the leader of Jongnam Sect, continued with a cold look as everyone watched.

“An alliance without a purpose is worthless. Wouldn’t it be better for those who share the same goals to split off?”

“What do you mean, Sect Leader Jongri?” Tang Gunak asked.

Jongri Gok made his point clear with a chilling statement.

“Let’s forget about weak ideas like friendship and loyalty, and only gather those who want to be together. Just because the Nine Great Sects were attacked doesn’t mean everyone has to join the Cheonwu Alliance, right?”

This was the worst possible outcome. Tang Gunak’s face turned pale. The plan he made to prevent division was now causing even more!

Jongri Gok asked, “What do you say, Strategist?”

Chung Myung didn’t answer.

“Were you serious before? That even if all this fails, you’ll fight with all your strength? Even if this meeting just means everyone looks out for themselves?”

Instead of answering, Chung Myung glared at Jongri Gok. But his question had planted a seed of doubt in Chung Myung’s mind.

*Could he really do that?*

He had been through this before. What happened when he struggled alone while everyone else looked out for themselves? Could he really walk that path again?

*No, was that even the right path to begin with?*

But if not, should Chung Myung and Hwasan act like the other sects this time? Should they step on other sects to make sure Hwasan survives, to save even one more disciple?

*What is the right thing to do?*

Seeing Chung Myung’s face, Jongri Gok chuckled.

“A pointless question. You already know the answer.”

Jongri Gok looked away from Chung Myung and at Hyun Jong.

“Alliance Leader.”

“Speak, Sect Leader.”

“What will you do, Alliance Leader? If more people agree with the Strategist, will you force those who don’t want to, to give up their disciples?”

“Sect Leader…”

“Isn’t that just another kind of violence? As the Alliance Leader, are you willing to unite even with those who don’t share the Cheonwu Alliance’s goals?”

Hyun Jong, looking at Jongri Gok with tired eyes, slowly nodded. Tang Gunak was shocked. He tried to interrupt, but Hyun Jong spoke firmly.

“The Cheonwu Alliance was never meant to be a place where anyone could control another. If we force those with different goals, it’s no longer the Cheonwu Alliance.”

“So, you’re saying those who disagree don’t have to join?”

Hyun Jong closed his eyes and nodded again.

“I hope everyone will join us… but if that becomes oppression, I’ll do what’s right.”

Jongri Gok listened and smiled.

“Then it seems we’ve decided.”

He looked sharply at Chung Myung.

“What do you think?”

Chung Myung didn’t answer.

“There’s no point in wasting time. Those who agree with you will follow you. Those who disagree can group together. Just like the Cheonwu Alliance came from the Nine Great Sects, a new alliance can come from within the Cheonwu Alliance. Right?”

Chung Myung just stared at Jongri Gok with dark eyes.

“Will you do that? Or… will you bury all this and lead an alliance that is empty and weak?”

He hadn’t spoken for long, but Jongri Gok had taken control. Unlike those who became sect leaders because of family or status, he became the leader of one of the top three sects through his own skill. Jongri Gok was showing everyone how he led the great Jongnam Sect.

Chung Myung said coldly, “I don’t want to force anyone. I just… want to reduce the sacrifices.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“But if that’s misunderstood…” Chung Myung paused and bit his lip.

“I don’t want to force anyone.”

“Does that mean those who disagree should leave?”

“No. It’s the opposite. It means those who share the same goals should go together. That’s how the Cheonwu Alliance started.”

Tang Gunak nodded, as if giving up. *That’s right.* That was the right start. Let those who can be trusted come together. Let’s create a relationship where we can trust each other.

Maybe the frustration he had felt lately came from breaking that rule. Because he had to trust those he couldn’t trust. Because he had to be with them even though he didn’t trust them.

So maybe this is a better way.

Only then did Jongri Gok smile and nod.

“Then the conclusion is simple. Those who agree with the Strategist can go with Hwasan. And those who don’t like this can leave Hwasan. Even if they leave, they’ll still be part of the same orthodox faction, and they’ll fight against the Sa Pae alliance together. Right, Strategist?”

Chung Myung nodded firmly. Hyun Jong, seeing Jongri Gok’s look, also nodded as if he had no choice.

He never thought it would come to this, but now that the words were spoken, there was no going back. Jongri Gok took a deep breath and muttered, “It’s cleaner now.”

People waited for Jongri Gok’s next words. What would Jongri Gok, the leader of Jongnam, do?

“Then I’ll clearly state Jongnam’s position.”

Everything Jongri Gok had said would be complete when Jongnam stood against Hwasan. Becoming the center of a new force instead of Shaolin, gathering all those who disliked Hwasan, or rather, those who disagreed with Chung Myung’s methods… the orthodox faction would be divided into two groups: Hwasan and Jongnam.

Jongri Gok had figured all this out in less than a minute.

Jongri Gok looked at everyone, including Hyun Jong, who seemed resigned, Tang Gunak, who looked anxious, Jin Geum-ryong, who was watching Jongri Gok with a strange look, and finally Chung Myung, who was calm, and declared, “Jongnam will go with Hwasan.”

“What…!”

Moyong Wi-gyung was so surprised he jumped up, forgetting his manners. But Jongri Gok only looked at Chung Myung.

“From now on, I give up my authority as the leader of Jongnam and give the rights to the Cheonwu Alliance… no, to Hwasan and the new alliance. This is my last order as the leader of Jongnam, and I won’t accept any objections.”

“Uh… uh-oh?”

Hyun Jong was speechless at the unbelievable event.

“Sect Leader…”

“This is Jongnam’s position.”

The declaration swept through the conference room like a storm. It was a huge storm that no one had ever seen before.