Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1629

“So… we have decided who will serve as Clan Heads.”

“……”

Je Gal-Jain stared blankly at Hyun Jong.

“So,” Hyun Jong said.

“Yes,” Je Gal-Jain replied.

“We need to… choose a Clan Head.”

Je Gal-Jain glanced at Chung Myung, who was grumbling next to Hyun Jong.

“Are you saying… you called me here because you don’t trust the strategist’s opinion?”

“I’m sorry, but that’s right,” Hyun Jong admitted.

“……”

Only one thought came to Je Gal-Jain’s mind: *Is there something wrong with everyone from Mount Hua? Are they all crazy?*

“I understand what you’re saying, but….”

He wondered, *Were the Je Gal Clan and Mount Hua secret enemies? Had their families been fighting for generations, trying to destroy each other?* It was the only explanation he could think of. Why else would they ask *him*, of all people, for help? He had strongly criticized Mount Hua just days ago!

“But why me?” he asked.

“Because you seem to be the most unbiased person to understand the situation,” Hyun Jong explained.

“……Unbiased?”

“Yes.”

Je Gal-Jain’s face tightened slightly. *He says unbiased, but does he really mean, ‘Because you’re the one who has criticized Mount Hua the most?’*

“I ask for your help, Clan Head,” Hyun Jong said.

“The strategist’s… talent is beyond my simple understanding. There’s no need to ask my opinion….”

“I would be grateful if you felt that way, but…” Hyun Jong glanced at Chung Myung and sighed. “It’s a bit shameful to admit, but Chung Myung’s talent is bigger than his maturity. I should have focused on teaching him to be a good person first.”

“……”

“How embarrassing to say that in front of people from other sects!” Chung Myung complained.

“Quiet, you rascal!” Hyun Jong scolded.

Watching Chung Myung pout, his lower lip sticking out like a child denied a sweet, Je Gal-Jain felt genuinely dizzy. *What kind of world is this?*

“Anyway, I want your opinion,” Hyun Jong said.

“……”

This wasn’t a situation he could avoid. They didn’t have time to waste. “If it’s for the good of the Alliance, I will give my humble opinion.”

“And ideally, I would like the Clan Head to also take on one of the Clan Head positions.”

“That won’t work,” Je Gal-Jain stated.

“Yes?” Hyun Jong asked, surprised by the firm tone.

“Please don’t misunderstand. It’s not that I don’t want to commit myself to the Alliance. It’s just that I believe there is a place where I should be.”

“A place where you should be?”

“If the command system is unified, the Clan Heads of each clan are important, but the importance of the command also increases. In my opinion, the current command has its limits.”

“Hmm.” Hyun Jong nodded.

The people in charge of the Cheonwu Alliance were Chung Myung, Tang Gunak, and Im So-byeong. Je Gal-Jain wasn’t saying their skills were lacking. Rather, he meant that the new members of the Alliance, like Jongnam and Mo Yong, were still hesitant to take orders from them.

“Therefore, I would like to be part of the command.”

“……Are you sure?” Hyun Jong looked at Je Gal-Jain with new interest. Being in the command meant taking orders from Chung Myung and working with Im So-byeong. It wasn’t an easy choice for the Clan Head of a prestigious family.

“What must be done, must be done. That’s what the strategist said.”

Hyun Jong nodded slowly, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. He had often thought Je Gal-Jain was being unfair. To think that such a person would join them and become a supportive ally. It seemed one shouldn’t judge people so quickly.

“Then….”

“In that case, if I were to recommend someone else…” Je Gal-Jain’s eyes darkened. “We can’t leave out Jongli Gok, the leader of Jongnam Sect.”

“Hmm.”

Excluding him, who represented the remaining Nine Great Sects, wouldn’t make sense.

“And I think the Palace Lord of the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace should definitely take that position as well. You know why, don’t you?”

Hyun Jong silently agreed. To prevent the two sects from outside the Central Plains from feeling left out, one of the Ice Palace and the Beast Palace had to be given an important role. Considering experience and skill, choosing the Beast Palace Lord was the obvious choice.

“And we also need a sect to represent the Five Great Families.”

“Are you talking about the Namgoong Family?”

“No. Namgoong Dowi may be recognized within the Namgoong Family, but he doesn’t have the seriousness needed for a Clan Head. The position of Deputy Clan Head is more suitable for him.”

“Then….”

Je Gal-Jain looked at the person sitting next to Hyun Jong. “I don’t know what the point of the Vice Alliance Lord position is. If someone has the skill, they should be sent to the battlefield rather than being put in a meaningless position.”

Tang Gunak’s expression turned serious. “The power of the Sichuan Dang Family may have weakened, but the skill of the Poison King Tang Gunak remains the same. Is there any reason not to use it?”

“……”

Hyun Jong looked at Tang Gunak hesitantly. Who would be more suitable than Tang Gunak as a Clan Head to deal with the Demonic Sect? But he was the Vice Alliance Lord of the Cheonwu Alliance. Moving him to the position of Clan Head was like a step down. Would Tang Gunak accept it?

“Actually…,” Tang Gunak smiled faintly and stroked his chin. “I’ve been restless sitting in the conference room. If Clan Head Je Gal says so, I can go back to my place without any problem.”

“Clan Head….”

“It’s a great opportunity for the Dang Family as well. I will prove that the Sichuan Dang Family hasn’t lost its strength.”

Hyun Jong looked at Tang Gunak gratefully.

“It’s a bit uncomfortable that I have to take orders from the strategist, though.”

“Yes? What about me?” Chung Myung asked.

“……It’s nothing. Nothing at all,” Tang Gunak said, shaking his head.

“Then three positions are filled. That leaves two.” Je Gal-Jain looked at Hyun Jong. “Alliance Lord, the Sect Leader of Mount Hua….”

“That won’t work,” Hyun Jong interrupted.

“Mount Hua has already gained too many positions. It’s greedy to want the Clan Head position as well.”

“Hmm… but.”

“Please let me have my way on this one matter.”

“……I understand.” Je Gal-Jain agreed. Even if Mount Hua didn’t take the Clan Head position, Mount Hua would fill most of the Deputy Clan Head positions, so it wouldn’t be a big problem.

“We should give one position to the leader of the Green Forest, who has the most people, but he’s a military strategist….”

“What? A Demonic Sect bastard as Clan Head! No way! I won’t let that happen!” Chung Myung shouted.

“……”

“Are you out of your mind? Clan Head, think before you speak… Ack! My ear! My ear!”

“Didn’t I tell you to shut your mouth!” Hyun Jong yelled.

“Ouch. Sect Leader, my ear! My ear is falling off!”

“……”

The ‘Demonic Sect hater’ who wanted to break down the barriers and open a new world was now in front of Je Gal-Jain’s eyes.

“……Anyway, the Green Forest King is out.” Je Gal-Jain tapped the desk. Finding someone strong enough to be Clan Head, someone as respected as Jongli Gok, Maeng So, and Tang Gunak, was harder than he expected.

“Then the only one left… is the Beggars’ Sect.”

“A beggar as Clan Head? I’d rather put a Demonic Sect guy there!” Chung Myung exclaimed.

“You little mouth! You little mouth!” Hyun Jong shouted.

“Ack! It hurts!”

Hyun Jong, still trying to calm down, massaged his face and sighed. “The Beggars’ Sect Leader has only recently taken the position, so it will be difficult for him to serve as Clan Head as well. Besides….”

“Yes. Because of the Beggars’ Sect, it’s not easy for them to belong to a clan and operate on their own.”

The information beggars needed to maintain their organization, so they also needed a Sect Leader to lead them.

“Hmm. Then the Beggars’ Sect is also….”

“The Clan Head position doesn’t *have* to be filled by a Sect Leader,” Je Gal-Jain pointed out.

“Hmm?”

“There’s someone there who has less to do now and is just playing around. That person is better than Hong, anyway.” Je Gal-Jain looked at Chung Myung, who understood immediately.

“The former Sect Leader would be better as a Clan Head than the current Sect Leader.”

“Poongyeongsingae….” Tang Gunak nodded. He was less known than his reputation suggested, but he had the seriousness needed for a Clan Head.

“Then there’s only one position left.”

“Hoo.” Hyun Jong sighed. Filling the last position wasn’t easy. Un Am had refused, and the Hainan Sect was being led by Gwak Hwan-so, who wasn’t ready to be a Deputy Clan Head. Seol So-baek was also too old to be a Clan Head.

The only one left was Do Woon-chan of the Ghost Gate… but more people didn’t know him than those who did, so he couldn’t be promoted to Clan Head.

“Alliance Lord.” Tang Gunak said softly, hardening Hyun Jong’s face.

*If it comes to this…* Was he going to have to put Unam, the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, in the Clan Head position?

Hyun Jong’s expression darkened. Un Am was already under a lot of pressure after stepping down as Sect Leader. Wouldn’t it be too much to ask him to take on the position of Clan Head as well? He was a kind-hearted person….

Just as Hyun Jong was about to speak, thinking there was no other choice, Je Gal-Jain spoke. “Alliance Lord.”

“Yes?”

Je Gal-Jain looked at Hyun Jong with a serious expression. “May I recommend someone?”

“……Clan Head?” Mo Yong Wi-kyung looked blank.

“Yes. Clan Head,” Je Gal-Jain confirmed.

“Me, me?”

“Yes.”

Mo Yong Wi-kyung stared at Je Gal-Jain, dumbfounded. *Clan Head?* He had strongly criticized Mount Hua just days ago, and now he was being offered one of the five Clan Head positions? Even over the Sect Leader of Mount Hua?

“That’s… does that even make sense? I….”

“It’s strange, but,” Je Gal-Jain said with a laugh, “it seems to make sense here.”

“……”

Mo Yong Wi-kyung, flustered, suddenly remembered something. “D, did the Alliance Lord… no! Did the strategist not object?”

“That’s….”

“Yes?”

Je Gal-Jain looked awkward. “……He said that it would be a great help if Clan Head Mo Yong would take the position.”

“Th, that’s… to think the strategist was such a generous person.”

Je Gal-Jain lowered his eyes, seeing Mo Yong Wi-kyung’s impressed face. *Ah! That guy was there! Phew, one less annoying thing. Let’s give it to him quickly. He was already sulking, so giving him that will shut him up.* He couldn’t bring himself to tell the truth.