Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1622

Zegal Jabin thought it was something new.

People often say the past shapes the present, and those living now try to overcome what happened before.

But Zegal Jabin saw something else, another truth hidden behind this idea.

Maeng So had strongly disagreed with Chung Myung’s idea. But now, he was supporting it more enthusiastically than anyone else. Surprisingly, no one seemed to find this strange or point it out. They didn’t even doubt it.

It was as if everything made perfect sense.

Zegal Jabin realized there was one reason for this: the person sitting across from Maeng So.

Hwasan swordsman, Chung Myung.

If someone else had said these things, wouldn’t people have laughed? Would anyone be foolish enough to believe such an unbelievable story?

But they believed it only because *he* said it. It was ridiculous, yet they didn’t doubt the truth in his words. That must be the quality needed to unite people.

The Orthodox and the Unorthodox, different sects and aristocratic families, even people from the Central Plains and those from outside.

The Cheonwoo Alliance, where people who normally would never mix, gathered in one place. It felt like he was seeing something he could barely imagine actually exist.

Zegal Jabin took a deep breath and spoke.

“How about the Moryong family? Has your mind changed yet?”

Moryong Wikyung bit his lip, his face pale, as if realizing he was alone in his opinion.

“You’re being unfair. What can I do in this situation?”

“No, I’m not looking for that answer.”

“Yes?”

“Everyone here has given up their power willingly, not because they were forced. If someone with different intentions is among us, it could shake the foundation of the alliance.”

Zegal Jabin’s eyes were calm, even cold. Moryong Wikyung was stunned. He was acting righteous, but wasn’t he really saying that if Moryong Wikyung wasn’t going to enthusiastically support the alliance, he should just leave?

It might not be wrong, but the problem was that Zegal Jabin said it. How could someone who was so eager to capture Chung Myung suddenly change his attitude and pressure his friend?

“Zegal Family Head, how…?”

“This is a formal meeting.”

Moryong Wikyung started to speak resentfully, but Zegal Jabin cut him off calmly.

“And it’s a place to discuss the crisis facing the world. It’s not a place for personal feelings.”

Moryong Wikyung bit his lip again.

“What are you going to do?”

Moryong Wikyung’s face gradually turned red.

“Are you thinking of giving up command? Do you even know what they’re going to do? We haven’t even decided who will lead the new alliance yet!”

Moryong Wikyung gritted his teeth and asked.

“Can you really do that? Can you, as the Family Head, really accept your family members dying while fighting under the command of that Unorthodox person? It’s unbelievable…”

“Yes, I can.”

Moryong Wikyung was speechless for a moment. Zegal Jabin continued.

“To be honest, I’d hate to see the Zegal family take orders from the Green Forest King.”

“That’s, that’s what I’m talking about!”

“But it won’t be the Green Forest King giving orders, but the military leader of the Alliance. He will no longer be the Green Forest King the moment he gives up his power and position.”

“Just for that reason…”

Moryong Wikyung trailed off, speechless, and Zegal Jabin glared at him firmly.

“Just for that reason… Perhaps. Of course, the past doesn’t disappear just because someone gives up power.”

But even so, Zegal Jabin has no intention of refusing this path.

Because he knows that sometimes there is something more important than personal feelings and status. He might not be good enough to walk that path, but at least he doesn’t want to be the kind of fool who holds everyone back.

“So what’s your answer?”

Zegal Jabin pressed again, and Moryong Wikyung sighed deeply.

“I…”

“Then that’s it.”

“Yes?”

But this time, Zegal Jabin shook his head firmly.

“The Moryong family should leave.”

“Ah, no, Family Head. What are you talking about again? Why are you doing that on your own…?”

“This is something you have to risk your life on. Are you saying I should trust my family’s safety to people who don’t want to give up their power, and to a family that is unhappy being here?”

At that moment, Moryong Wikyung’s eyes widened. As expected, the gazes of those around him were not friendly.

‘This…’

Because his emotions were running high, he briefly forgot that this was an alliance. The Nine Great Sects are taking the form of an alliance, but in fact, it was a form in which the court’s words became law. On the other hand, here, everyone can easily speak their mind. It’s really a form of ‘alliance’.

This means that if they do not accept the Moryong family, he cannot stay here, no matter what he wants.

Now, Moryong Wikyung has only one option left.

In a situation where those who use the name of the Orthodox are all gathering under one roof, the Moryong family cannot act alone. Moryong Wikyung knows better than anyone that the Moryong family is not a family that has secured such a position.

“…I will also join you.”

The answer came out, though not clearly. Zegal Jabin, who was looking at Moryong Wikyung with narrow eyes, turned his gaze to Hyun Jong and Tang Gunak, as if to make sure that they have the authority to decide all of this.

But the final place where his gaze reached was Chung Myung.

“What are you going to do?”

“Me?”

“Yes, Chief.”

“Well, that’s something the Alliance Lord should decide…”

As Chung Myung tried to avoid answering, Zegal Jabin grabbed him.

“Of course, but I’m asking for the Chief’s opinion.”

As Zegal Jabin pressured him, Chung Myung scratched the back of his head, groaning. Certainly, that person is not someone he could easily control.

“Well, there’s no need to refuse.”

“Even though the Moryong family doesn’t agree with the Alliance’s goals?”

“To be honest… I’ve never even thought about any big goals.”

Chung Myung shrugged.

“Even if there is some grand purpose, if this alliance only accepts people who agree with everything perfectly, it won’t work, right? It’s strange for someone who said they wanted to break down barriers to now tell someone to leave just because they don’t perfectly fit in.”

Zhuge Jarin’s tightly closed lips softened slightly.

“I understand. If that’s what you mean, then I agree.”

Hyun Jong, who had been quietly watching, looked at everyone.

“Does anyone else have any objections?”

Most of the sect leaders nodded silently.

“Then, we’ll do it that way then. Now, all that’s left is Hainan…”

At Hyun Jong’s words, Tang Gunak smiled wryly.

“Hainan couldn’t send a good representative, so I’ll ask them about their plans when I get to Shanxi.”

It wasn’t exactly proper, but no one objected. It was obvious what Hainan would choose.

Besides, Hainan didn’t have the power or respect to protect. This was a chance for them, not a loss, so they wouldn’t complain.

“Does anyone else have any objections?”

Hyun Jong asked one last time. Silence filled the room. Then, a wave of feeling washed over Hyun Jong’s face. It was a mix of relief and disbelief. He had secretly thought this moment was impossible, a dream. But it was real. It was happening.

His eyes moved to Cheong Myung, then to Baek Cheon. Baek Cheon, who had started everything.

If the leaders from the past were here, they wouldn’t believe this. It was the young people, the future of the martial world, who achieved this. And not just for Mount Hua.

“Sect Leader,” Tang Gunak said.

Hyun Jong nodded. This was just the start. When they got to the real work, there would be even more trouble. It was too early to get emotional.

“Then, with this…” Hyun Jong began, trying to calm down.

“Wait.”

Jongri Gok, who had been quiet, suddenly raised his hand.

“I need to speak to the sect leaders. I request the right to speak.”

“What do you want to say?” Hyun Jong asked, surprised.

“It’s not about the alliance. It’s about Jongnam, and…” Jongri Gok looked Hyun Jong in the eye.

“Something I must say about Mount Hua.”

Hyun Jong’s eyes widened slightly, and he nodded slowly.

“Speak. I will listen.”

“Yes.”

Jongri Gok stood up. Everyone stared at him with curiosity, doubt, and even the darkness in Cheong Myung’s eyes.

Jongri Gok looked at everyone and thought. The words wouldn’t come.

But seeing the belief in Cheong Myung’s eyes, he finally spoke with difficulty.

“Jongnam has an old grudge with Mount Hua.”

Everyone’s face hardened.

Why bring that up now?

“Of course, we could forget it. We could pretend it didn’t happen. If I wanted, the Supreme Elder of Mount Hua wouldn’t bring it up. But if old wounds aren’t cut away, they’ll only get worse.”

Jongri Gok’s eyes, which had wavered, became determined. He looked at Hyun Jong and said clearly, “Jongnam has done something unforgivable to Mount Hua.”

Hyun Jong’s face flushed with embarrassment.

“Sect Leader.”

“This is the fault of Jongnam’s past leaders, and of me, Jongnam’s Sect Leader. That sin is…”

“Well, it certainly was a bit much,” a voice interrupted.

Cheong Myung leaned back in his chair, his fingers behind his head, acting as if it was nothing.

“Treating disciples like rats, saying they were associating with a ruined sect—that’s not right, is it? But we don’t really care. We can do it too. So don’t think you can apologize and get away with it. Now it’s our turn.”

Some people looked relieved, and others chuckled softly.

The Hwajong Assembly—or Jonghwa Assembly, as Jongnam called it—was supposed to be an exchange between the two groups. But it was really a way to put Mount Hua down. It wasn’t something to be proud of, so clearing it up now was a good idea.

Jongri Gok stared at Cheong Myung, who met his gaze and said, “So, stop wasting time and let’s just end this. We have a lot to do.”

Jongri Gok’s lips curled up slightly.

What a strange person.

He makes it impossible to ignore something that could have been buried, and now he’s trying to forgive it himself.

Then, Hyun Jong stepped forward to support Cheong Myung.

“That’s right, Sect Leader. Mount Hua doesn’t hold a grudge about the Hwajong Assembly. It wasn’t easy, but we think that Hwajong Assembly helped Mount Hua a lot, and now we’re grateful. So…” Hyun Jong was flustered and didn’t know what to do.

Jongri Gok stared at Hyun Jong, then looked up at the ceiling. Then, he looked at Jin Geum-ryong.

The one who would carry the name of Jongnam in the future.

Jongri Gok said, “Jongnam… when Mount Hua was attacked by the Demonic Sect, we were strong enough to help but we didn’t.”

The air in the room froze. Jongri Gok bit his lip and continued, “We also stole Mount Hua’s Plum Blossom Sword Technique and tried to make it our own.”

“Sect Lea…”

“What on earth…?”

The shocked sect leaders tried to speak, but Jongri Gok only looked at Hyun Jong.

“Not only that, but we also tried to ruin Mount Hua. We knew what Mount Hua had done during the Demonic Sect Rebellion, but we repaid kindness with hatred and acted against what is right.”

No one dared to speak.

Hyun Jong, Jin Geum-ryong, and even Cheong Myung were silent, as if frozen.

“All of this is Jongnam’s sin, passed down from long ago. And it’s my sin, for taking it for granted. So…” Jongri Gok lowered his head. He bowed deeply to Hyun Jong, whom he had always looked down upon.

“If the price of sin must be paid, I will pay it all. Please… I beg for Mount Hua’s punishment.”

His shoulders were trembling with the weight of his name and his sin.