Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1645

“I understand what the Sect Leader is saying, but isn’t war reality?”

An old swordsman’s voice was sharp and unfriendly. It sounded like he was jealous and wanted to compete.

“Reality, you say?”

“Yes.”

The old swordsman, wearing blue martial robes, stared at the person before him with cold eyes.

“The disciples of each sect follow their masters. Where else would young disciples who have no one else to guide them go? Wouldn’t they just fall from the nest and die?”

“Of course, I don’t deny that the sect’s seniors are best suited to lead the disciples of each sect. But the current situation is….”

“Even if the situation is difficult, there are things that are possible and things that are not, wouldn’t you agree? The disciples of each sect have dedicated their lives to their sect. How can we make such a demand of them?”

The man closed his eyes, listening to the angry voice. The old swordsman spoke again, firmly.

“I don’t know what the other Sect Leaders think, but at least Wudang cannot spare any disciples. My disciples wouldn’t want it, even if I did.”

As the one who had spoken was about to nod silently, another person opened their mouth. It was a Taoist wearing a coronet.

“It is certainly a difficult request, but… the words of the Mount Hua Sect Leader also have merit.”

“Sect Leader!”

The old swordsman exclaimed in surprise, but the other man smiled gently and said,

“So, how about we do this?”

His voice, unlike the old swordsman’s, was calm.

“In order to gain the support of many, it is important to show an example. In that sense, how about the Sect Leader makes a decision and offers up the disciples of Mount Hua? If the swordsmen of Mount Hua were to receive the command of our Wudang, I believe I could certainly achieve results.”

“……Sect Leader.”

“If that were to happen, wouldn’t it clearly strengthen what the Mount Hua Sect Leader is trying to push forward?”

His eyes were full of composure, but that didn’t mean they were filled with goodwill.

A faint sigh escaped from Chung Myung’s lips as he stared intently at those eyes.

“Doesn’t the Sect Leader know well that Mount Hua is not in a situation where it can spare any disciples right now?”

“Isn’t that the same for each of us?”

Chung Myung’s face hardened slightly.

The same?

What was the same? Mount Hua was at the very front, blunting the enemy’s sharpest attacks, while they were merely in a supporting position behind.

Was it such a difficult request to ask each sect to send disciples to support Mount Hua, which was suffering great losses at the vanguard?

Words continued to pour out towards Chung Myung, who was suppressing his bitter feelings.

“If it is for the sake of the Kangho and a way to reduce sacrifices, then of course we will do so. But now doesn’t seem to be the time to pursue rapid changes.”

Chung Myung reluctantly nodded.

Not because he agreed with the logic, but it was simply difficult to raise his voice alone in a situation where everyone was opposed.

“In any case, our Wudang finds it difficult to agree with the Sect Leader’s intentions. A sect is originally like a family and a home. Its strength can be fully demonstrated when fighting together.”

“……Then.”

“Do you have anything more to say?”

Chung Myung, who was about to say something, shook his head.

“I understand well what the Sect Leader has said.”

It was as if he had been rejected outright without even a proper discussion, but there was no regret or discomfort on Chung Myung’s face. There was only a calmness, as if things had turned out as they were meant to be.

Chung Myung was so calm that it made the others uncomfortable. They coughed and shifted in their seats, feeling awkward.

“Then, it seems we have finished all the discussions for today, so I will get up now.”

The Wudang Sect Leader, having said that, added as an afterthought, perhaps feeling awkward.

“It is only natural that we should reduce the time for discussion during wartime.”

Leaving behind an excuse he didn’t bother to ask about, he rose from his seat, and the other Sect Leaders also shook off their seats without hesitation. And, as if showing off their power, they walked towards the door in a line, but quickly, as if fleeing.

At that moment, the Wudang Sect Leader, who had reached the front of the door, stopped walking and turned to look at Chung Myung, who was still sitting in his seat.

“Just… if I may offer a word out of excessive caution.”

“…….”

“Who in the world would deny the brilliance and wisdom of the Mount Hua Sect Leader, but it seems that you sometimes go too far ahead. We, like commoners, find it difficult to keep up with the Sect Leader’s insight, so I ask for your consideration.”

Countless gazes were fixed on Chung Myung like arrows.

“My apologies. I’m still learning, it seems.”

“……Don’t mention it.”

The Wudang Sect Leader briefly bowed with a fist salute and turned his body completely. A small sense of victory bloomed on his lips as he turned away.

Click.

The Wudang Sect Leader, resolutely opening the door, stepped forward with a confident stride. No, he was about to step forward.

That would have been the case if someone hadn’t been standing right in front of the opened door.

“Huh?”

“This is…….”

Those who were about to question the rudeness of someone who dared to visit the meeting place of the heads of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families without a word closed their mouths like clams in an instant.

The one blocking the door stared at the Wudang Sect Leader. His gaze was exceedingly cold.

He didn’t particularly exude any aura, nor did he emit any killing intent. However, the Wudang Sect Leader’s body quickly became noticeably stiff, as anyone could see.

The man, glancing at him frozen like ice, spoke slowly.

“You all look very clean.”

At those words, the gazes of the people moved, first to their own clothes, then to the clothes of the one blocking the door.

Unlike their own spotless clothes, the clothes of the one blocking the door were stained with indelible smudges here and there.

Those who knew what the identity of those stains were could only cough awkwardly or remain silent.

“Sometimes you should train a bit, Sect Leaders. If martial artists like you are so plump, even the Demonic Sect bastards will mistake you for landlords of some manor and just pass by.”

“…….”

The word ‘plump’ was, of course, not true. They were already martial artists at their peak, and their physique wouldn’t change just because they neglected training a little.

But no one here could point this out or question his rudeness.

“That…….”

Those who were looking at the man blocking the door with uncomfortable expressions opened their mouths with suppressed voices.

“……Sword Saint.”

Plum Blossom Sword Saint Chung Myung glared at the one who had spoken without answering. The person flinched at this, shut their mouth tightly, and avoided Chung Myung’s gaze.

A snort of ridicule escaped from Chung Myung’s lips.

“Sounds like a mother bird to me,” someone mumbled, pausing. “Even a small bird will risk its life to fight a snake for its babies. They don’t just watch.”

“Sword Saint,” someone started to say, but stopped. Everyone turned to look. They seemed unable to speak, their faces showing surprise and maybe fear.

Cheong Mun sighed, seeing everyone looking at him. He spoke, “Chung Myung, be respectful to the sect leaders.” He paused, then added, more firmly, “Let them pass. Now.”

Chung Myung looked at Cheong Mun quickly, then moved just a little to the side. He made a gap, but it was only big enough for one person to squeeze through. He stared hard at the sect leaders, his eyes seeming to challenge them to try and pass.

“Chung Myung!” Cheong Mun’s voice was sharp again. Chung Myung finally stepped back more, opening the way properly. But he crossed his arms tightly over his chest and leaned against the doorframe, making it very clear he was not happy.

“Ahem,” the Wudang sect leader cleared his throat, sounding uncomfortable. “Well, then.” Everyone rushed out of the room. As they passed Chung Myung, they avoided looking at him, their bodies tense and stiff. They almost ran to get away, as if they were escaping danger.

“Hoo,” they sighed in relief when they were far enough away to barely see the conference room. “So rude!” one muttered. “How dare he act like that?” another complained. The accusations started to come quickly. “Sect Leader! Are you really going to let him get away with this? He’s gone too far!” The Wudang sect leader’s face looked tired and sad. “So, what do you want me to do?” he asked.

“We should punish him for being so rude!” someone insisted. “Punishment,” the Wudang sect leader repeated slowly, sighing. “Punishment only works if the person will accept it. Do you understand what kind of man he is?”

This was Plum Blossom Sword Saint Chung Myung. People called him one of the Three Great Swordsmen in the world, but everyone here knew that title was meaningless. Chung Myung’s skill with a sword was so much greater than the others, it wasn’t even fair to compare them. They weren’t even good enough to talk about swords with him. Who could punish someone like that?

“Don’t worry too much. A good hunting dog, even if it’s a bit wild, deserves good food if it catches prey. We all know what happens if that dog stops hunting, right?” The sect leaders looked a little calmer. “So, for now, we just need to give him what he wants. That’s best for everyone.” “Understood.”

“But,” someone started hesitantly, “is this really okay?” “Are you talking about the Sword Saint?” another asked. “No, not him,” the first person said, and we see it’s the Beggars’ Sect leader. He looked worried. “It might be true what the Mount Hua sect leader said… that Mount Hua is fighting hard and needs help.”

The Wudang sect leader stroked his long beard slowly, thinking. “Respected Leaders,” he said formally. “Mount Hua is not the only sect that can fight at the front. When Mount Hua gets too weak, then other sects can take their place. We don’t need to waste our strength helping them now. Wouldn’t that be smarter?”

The Beggars’ Sect leader’s eyes became sad as he watched the other leaders confidently declare what they would do. *’When the real danger comes,*’ he thought bitterly, *’it would be a miracle if even one of them actually helps.’* He couldn’t sigh out loud; it was too hard to argue with them. His eyes turned back towards the conference room. *Sect Leader… Sword Saint.* He felt deep pity for them both.