Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1620

No one dared to speak.

Hyun Jong, Tang Gunak, who was always calm, and Im So-byeong, who was used to surprises, all looked shocked.

“Uh……”

Even Jo Gul, who usually couldn’t control himself, was speechless.

Jongri Gok’s announcement was that surprising.

Jongnam was a very important sect. For hundreds of years, they had been enemies with Mount Hua. Even though Mount Hua and Shaolin were now enemies, Jongnam’s hatred for Mount Hua was even stronger.

But now, Jongnam was declaring that it would completely join Mount Hua, not just cooperate!

‘Am I hearing things?’ This seemed more likely.

“What… what are you saying, Sect Leader?!” Mo Yong-wi Gyeong was the first to react. He looked like he might jump across the table at Jongri Gok.

But Jongri Gok stayed calm.

“I said what I said.”

“Jongnam… with Hua? No, are you saying we’ll *work* with Mount Hua?”

Mo Yong-wi Gyeong almost said, *Are you saying we’ll be Mount Hua’s servants?* but he didn’t. Jongri Gok heard the insult in his unspoken words, but ignored it.

“Is there a reason why we *shouldn’t*?”

“What are you talking about?!”

“Haven’t we already talked about this?”

“Yes?”

Jongri Gok looked at Mo Yong-wi Gyeong calmly.

“Those who agree with the Leader will join Mount Hua. Those who don’t, will leave. Jongnam has decided to join Mount Hua. We’ve picked one of the two.”

“Sect Leader! Are you serious? Is this really the right thing to do? Have you forgotten Jongnam and Mount Hua’s history? Everyone will laugh at us!”

“Clan Head!”

Now, Je Gal-ja In tried to stop Mo Yong-wi Gyeong, who he thought had gone too far.

Jongri Gok spoke without anger.

“Please be accurate.”

“What do you mean?”

“People won’t laugh at Jongnam, they’ll laugh at me. Jongnam is still stronger than Mount Hua. It’s not a small thing for such a sect to bow its head. Only the one who made that choice will be laughed at.”

Mo Yong-wi Gyeong was shocked.

“How can you… how can you know that and still…”

“That’s exactly why.”

Everyone looked confused. Jongri Gok looked up at the ceiling.

“I just realized it…” He spoke his thoughts quietly.

“I just realized it again. Or, I remembered what I already knew.”

“What is it?”

“The Sect Leader’s job is to be laughed at.”

Jongri Gok looked down and saw Hyun Jong.

Hyun Jong was an amateur who couldn’t hide his feelings, even in such an important position. He seemed unable to lead a sect.

But Hyun Jong had turned Mount Hua from a failing sect into one that was respected. Jongri Gok, on the other hand, had led a strong sect to disgrace.

Why? Was it just because of Chung Myung? If Chung Myung disappeared, would Mount Hua fall again?

No, that wouldn’t happen.

The only difference was that Hyun Jong had endured years of disgrace. Jongri Gok had repeatedly humiliated him, and Hyun Jong had hidden Mount Hua’s weaknesses by seeming not very capable.

Hyun Jong had endured everything, even when others ran away from becoming Sect Leader. He had taken on many things he shouldn’t have.

But Jongri Gok had only cared about the honor of Jongnam. The previous Sect Leaders had been the same.

‘With that kind of background…’

How much had he laughed at Hyun Jong?

He still didn’t think Hyun Jong was special. Jongri Gok was much more capable.

But as a Sect Leader, not just as a person…

Jongri Gok continued.

“The Leader’s idea is outrageous. It’s violent and doesn’t consider others. It’s just childish.”

Many people seemed to agree. This might be another act of violence.

“But if that violence saves even one disciple’s life, then being laughed at…”

Jongri Gok smiled slightly. He coughed to hide his emotions.

He straightened his face and said firmly, “Jongnam will not change its mind. We will be with Mount Hua.”

“Ah, no. Sect Leader, please think again…” Mo Yong-wi Gyeong tried to stop him.

“Then the Je Gal Clan will also be with Mount Hua.”

Je Gal-ja In quickly made his decision. Mo Yong-wi Gyeong shouted, “What are you talking about, Clan Head! You’re changing your mind!”

But Je Gal-ja In didn’t change his mind.

“I’m not changing my mind. I never disagreed with the Leader’s idea itself.”

“So, are you saying the Je Gal Clan agrees with the Leader’s idea?”

“That’s right.”

“Why?”

Je Gal-ja In had been the one who disagreed with the Leader the most. He said, “Because the Leader’s words are strategically correct.”

……

“I’ve thought about it a lot. But I can’t find a better way.”

“War is more than just strategy! You know that!”

“But war needs strategy. Right?”

Mo Yong-wi Gyeong was silent. Je Gal-ja In looked at Chung Myung.

“If the goal of this war is to win completely and reduce our losses, then the Leader’s plan is good.”

……

“Of course… I don’t like the Leader. And I think he presents his ideas terribly. I could find many reasons to disagree. But!”

Je Gal-ja In bit his lip.

“If the Je Gal Clan rejects the right strategy because of personal feelings, even a dog would laugh at us. I disagree with Jongnam’s Sect Leader. I will side with Mount Hua, even if it means being laughed at. That’s my pride as a Je Gal.”

He told Hyun Jong clearly, “From now on, the Je Gal Clan will join Mount Hua’s alliance. Until the war ends, I give my authority as head of the Je Gal Clan to the alliance.”

Hyun Jong felt many emotions.

The Je Gal Clan’s joining was surprising.

Jongri Gok had been quiet, but Je Gal-ja In had strongly disagreed with Chung Myung. Now, he was saying he would follow Chung Myung without question.

Mount Hua’s longtime enemy and the one who had disagreed the most since Shaolin’s fall were now standing with Mount Hua.

The conference room was noisy. This unexpected situation had changed everything.

Tang Gunak felt the change. The declarations of two people were shifting the flow.

“Just so you know, the Sichuan Tang Family agrees. The Tang Family will be with Mount Hua. As head of the Sichuan Tang Family, I give all authority to the alliance.”

He made his position clear.

“What about the others?”

Some people were embarrassed. The situation was changing, whether they liked it or not.

Tang Gunak was about to pressure Im So-byeong when Nam Goong-myung sighed.

“Hmm, I don’t have much authority…”

“Elder?”

Nam Goong-myung said, “The Nam Goong Family will also be with Mount Hua.”

Tang Gunak was surprised.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course… As an elder and Chief Manager, I need to be ready to be kicked out of the family for this.”

He could do it. He had permission from the Young Clan Leader, so he could represent Nam Goong.

But he would have to take responsibility for the consequences.

Nam Goong-myung smiled bitterly. “If I don’t support Mount Hua, I might avoid responsibility, but I won’t be treated as an uncle anymore.”

He shrugged. “The Chief Manager position is important, but being the Clan Leader’s uncle is better.”

People laughed.

“If the Young Clan Leader were here, he would support the Leader without thinking. I don’t want to be scolded by my young nephew, so I have no choice. The Nam Goong Family will stand with Mount Hua. We’ll be at the front, fighting the enemy first.”

His joke ended with a firm will. The Nam Goong Family had a great hatred for the Demonic Sect.

The Nam Goong Family’s joining was important.

“Thank you…”

“Ah, the Green Forest Bandits too. We’ll stick with Mount Hua.”

Tang Gunak and Hyun Jong were surprised.

“Green Forest King, are you changing your mind?”

“Changing my mind? What are you talking about? Deciding as the Cheonwoo Alliance is one thing. But for my Green Forest Bandits, it’s simple.”

Im So-byeong unfolded his fan.

“A Green Forest Bandit who isn’t with Mount Hua will be seen as a low-quality Demonic Sect. We have no choice.”

Tang Gunak sighed and nodded, but Im So-byeong added, “And even if that weren’t the case…”

His eyes shone above the fan.

“If it’s Mount Hua, Jongnam, the Tang Family, and Nam Goong… anyone who doesn’t join is a fool. If you want to get something, you stick to the place where you can get it.”

……

“I’ll benefit a lot. Please don’t refuse.”

Im So-byeong looked at Chung Myung, who finally smiled.