Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 662

Peng Ak bowed respectfully to Hyun Jong.

“Greetings, Sect Leader.”

Then, he glanced at Tang Gunak.

“It has been too long, Clan Leader Dang.”

“Yes, it has been a while since we last met,” Tang Gunak replied with a serious expression, nodding slightly.

Since the Hebei Peng Clan and the Sichuan Dang Clan were both among the Five Great Families (five important families), they often interacted. Tang Gunak and Peng Ak knew each other.

“You seem different from when I saw you in Sichuan,” Peng Ak observed.

“Oh?” Tang Gunak replied.

This was a slight insult, suggesting that the Sichuan Dang Clan should have talked to the other Five Great Families before coming here. However, Tang Gunak ignored Peng Ak’s words and showed no embarrassment.

Peng Ak’s eyes narrowed. ‘Tang Gunak is impossible to read,’ he thought. ‘What is he really planning?’

Hyun Jong spoke first.

“I know you arrived first, and I appreciate you waiting your turn.”

“Not at all, Sect Leader,” Peng Ak said, shaking his head. “We have much to discuss, so please don’t worry about it.”

“Much to discuss, you say?” Hyun Jong smiled slightly.

He had already met several representatives from the Nine Great Sects (nine powerful groups) and the Five Great Families, but most had simply offered congratulations and left without saying what they really wanted.

“That sounds important,” Hyun Jong said with interest.

“Well, I’m not sure if you’ll think so,” Peng Ak said with a sad smile, turning to Tang Gunak. “Creating the Mount Heaven Alliance is a good thing. It could bring fresh air to the unchanging world of fighters, which has been controlled by the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families.”

Tang Gunak watched Peng Ak silently.

“But Clan Leader, you must know this will have big effects.”

Peng Ak’s gaze was sharp.

“The head of the Hebei Peng Clan is also very worried about the Dang Clan’s actions. Whatever you intend, it will look like the Dang Clan is leaving the Five Great Families to join the Mount Heaven Alliance, wouldn’t you agree?”

Tang Gunak, who had been silent, smiled slightly.

“There’s no reason it shouldn’t look that way.”

“Pardon?” Peng Ak asked, surprised.

“That’s not exactly wrong.”

Peng Ak looked completely surprised at the unexpected answer.

“Are you serious?”

“I may not be important, but I don’t easily say things that are not true.”

Peng Ak’s eyes widened at the calm and serious reply.

“Then, are you saying the Sichuan Dang Clan will leave the Five Great Families?”

“If I have to say it, then yes,” Tang Gunak replied calmly, his eyes seeming to look right through Peng Ak.

Peng Ak’s face hardened. If anyone else had said that, he would have roared in anger.

But Tang Gunak’s position as Clan Leader of the Sichuan Dang Clan and his dignity held Peng Ak back. He felt like he couldn’t just explode in anger in front of such a respected figure.

Hyun Jong, seeing Peng Ak’s expression, quietly slid a teacup toward him.

“This tea from Yunnan will help you relax.”

Peng Ak bit his lip and looked at the teacup, watching the steam rise. He then lowered his head slightly.

“I apologize. I was a little agitated.”

Hyun Jong smiled gently.

“Who can blame you for being worried about your clan? Don’t worry about it.”

Tang Gunak had pressured him coldly, but Hyun Jong warmly released him.

Peng Ak sighed. Even he, an important member of the Peng Clan, felt confused in front of them. He imagined how lost the leaders of smaller groups must feel here.

‘This is a big deal,’ he thought.

The Peng Clan had known about the Mount Heaven Alliance for a while. But they hadn’t paid much attention because they thought that even if the Dang Clan and Mount Hua joined forces, they couldn’t break the power of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families.

If the Mount Heaven Alliance failed, the Dang Clan’s position in the Five Great Families would also drop. The Peng Clan would rather gain an advantage, so they didn’t want to cause trouble.

But who would have thought the situation would change so much in just a few months?

The phrase “huge change” was too weak to describe it.

Even with the Sichuan Dang Clan’s involvement, Mount Hua’s reputation had soared. And that was in just a few months.

Having stopped the Green Forest Bandits and won against Wudang, everyone was talking about Mount Hua.

Moreover, rumors were spreading that Mount Hua had started trading with the Northern Sea, and that the Northern Sea Ice Palace might join the Mount Heaven Alliance.

Even Shaolin couldn’t do anything about the Northern Sea. If that was true, Mount Hua’s status would rise even higher.

“Clan Leader Dang,” Peng Ak said, sighing.

“As you know, we don’t talk indirectly.”

“I know that,” Tang Gunak replied with a faint smile.

Among the Five Great Families, the Peng Clan was known for being impatient. Other groups were watching the situation, making polite greetings and leaving, but the Peng Clan was already laying out their concerns. This showed how hasty they were.

“Until now, the world of fighters has only seen the Mount Heaven Alliance as a small group of sects in the western part of the Central Plains.”

“That’s not entirely wrong,” Tang Gunak said casually. But Peng Ak didn’t give up.

“Even if it’s the same alliance, its meaning changes depending on who joins. And even if the same people join, the alliance’s status changes depending on their importance, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“The Mount Heaven Alliance is now too strong,” Peng Ak said with a frustrated sigh.

“The head of the Peng Clan is worried that the Mount Heaven Alliance will shake the peaceful world of fighters.”

Tang Gunak continued to look at Peng Ak calmly.

“You said the Peng Clan doesn’t talk indirectly, but you seem to be doing just that.”

Tang Gunak shook his head before Peng Ak could answer.

“I know what the Peng Clan is worried about, but I don’t plan to change my mind.”

“Then, are you really going to make enemies of the Nine Sects and the Five Great Families?”

Peng Ak was arguing his point, his voice a little loud in the quiet room. Hyun Jong had been listening calmly, his hands folded in his lap. Now, he looked up and spoke to support Tang Gunak.

“That sounds strange, Elder Peng,” Hyun Jong said gently.

Peng Ak frowned. “Strange? What do you mean, Sect Leader?”

Hyun Jong leaned forward slightly. “Why does leaving the Five Great Families mean we are against them? We just want to make something new, not fight the old.”

“⋯⋯.”

“Creating an alliance that isn’t the Nine Sects or the Five Great Families doesn’t mean we’re hostile to them. If that were the case, wouldn’t the Nine Sects and the Five Great Families be hostile to each other as well?”

“That’s not what I meant…”

“Elder,” Hyun Jong smiled gently, cutting off Peng Ak’s words.

“This sect believes that the Cheonwu Alliance will be beneficial to the Jianghu. That is its purpose.”

“⋯⋯.”

“The concerns you have will not come to pass, so you don’t need to worry too much.” His words were so smooth and gentle that it was hard to argue with them further. But his gentle words also showed he was very firm. It was clear he didn’t want to argue more. In the end, all Peng Ak could do was sigh.

“I understand what you both want.”

“I’m glad you understand.”

“But as you know, the Jianghu is not a place that can be managed with good intentions alone. No matter your intentions, the Jianghu will not look kindly upon the Cheonwu Alliance.”

“⋯⋯.”

“Please understand that I am saying this without malice. This alliance may lead Hwasan and the Tang Family to ruin.” Tang Gunak’s eyes turned cold at the blunt words.

But Hyun Jong simply smiled upon hearing them.

“Thank you for your concern.”

“⋯⋯.”

“But there are paths in this world that must be taken, no matter how difficult. Even if we have to endure unparalleled hardship, if it is a path we must walk, how can we hesitate?” Peng Ak could not say anything more and simply stared at Hyun Jong.

“Rather, tell the Peng Clan Leader that the doors of the Cheonwu Alliance are always open. We are not limiting its composition to the sects of the Central Plains’ west. Tell him to come whenever he changes his mind.”

“⋯⋯I will convey your message as it is.” Peng Ak clasped his hands in front of him while seated.

“Once again, I congratulate you on the birth of the new alliance. Our Peng Clan will stay here until the inauguration ceremony is over, then we will bid you farewell and depart.”

“There is nothing more we could ask for. Thank you for coming.”

“Yes. Then.” Peng Ak rose slowly from his seat. He looked back at the heavy wooden door, his face still showing worry. He walked out, his footsteps quiet on the stone floor.

‘Hyun Jong…’

Tang Gunak is known to be strong. Everyone knows it. Of course, strength is a good thing. The Jianghu is a place ruled by the strong. But the problem is that Tang Gunak is strong not only in martial prowess but also in temperament. Someone who is only strong and doesn’t think can cause problems. If Tang Gunak were the leader of the Cheonwu Alliance, Peng Ak wouldn’t have worried so much about its existence.

He is the perfect person to completely dominate and revive a family connected by blood, but he is not someone who can unite those gathered with different intentions.

But…

‘Hwasan… It’s Hwasan.’

Hyun Jong is different. Even though Peng Ak had uttered quite sharp words one after another at their first meeting, Hyun Jong never lost his composure. The person who creates a large alliance and rises to the position of its leader is bound to have strength in his shoulders. Even if he is not usually like that, he quickly becomes accustomed to the praise and flattery from those around him, and he tends to take even small criticisms poorly.

But Hyun Jong treated him with a humble attitude from beginning to end.

What if Tang Gunak succeeds in suppressing other sects with force, and Hyun Jong succeeds in making them happy and leading them well?

‘Maybe I don’t understand how strong the Cheonwu Alliance can be.’

Peng Ak sighed heavily and slowly moved his feet.

‘I will have much to tell the Clan Leader.’

Hyun Jong and Tang Gunak, left in the room, faced each other. Hyun Jong said quietly.

“The Peng family will not be the only ones thinking that way.”

Tang Gunak nodded.

“I think so too, Sect Leader. Everyone may not say it, but among those who came here, there are probably not even thirty percent who welcome the formation of the Cheonwu Alliance. If we limit it to those called prestigious families, it won’t even be ten percent.”

“Haha. Ten percent. I can feel that this is a thorny path.”

It is not an easy task. This is because it is an act of rebelling against the order that has dominated the world.

“Even so, so many people have come here in large numbers.”

“⋯⋯.”

“That means they can’t ignore it, even if they don’t like it.” Tang Gunak smiled wryly.

“Now, we just need to show them that the Cheonwu Alliance is more formidable than they think. This inauguration ceremony is for that purpose.”

“I know well what the Tang Clan Leader intends. But… I still don’t know if I can handle such an important role.”

“If the Sect Leader does not take on the role, no one else can become the leader of the Cheonwu Alliance.”

“⋯⋯.”

“Putting everything else aside…” Tang Gunak looked towards the door with a reluctant gaze.

“If the Sect Leader were to step down from the leadership, wouldn’t there be someone who would attack us right away?”

“⋯⋯It would be a relief if they only came with a knife.” The two men laughed together.

“Sect Leader.”

“Yes, Clan Leader.”

“As you said, this is something we must do.”

“⋯⋯.”

“I believe in the Sect Leader and Hwasan. So, please believe in our Tang Family as well.” Hyun Jong smiled gently at Tang Gunak’s earnest words.

“If not the Tang Family, who else would we trust? I look forward to your continued support.” The two men lightly clasped hands.

And then.

Crash!

Suddenly, a loud noise from above caused both of them to look up at the ceiling at the same time.

“Hey, you brat! I told you not to climb on the roof of the Sect Leader’s residence!”

“Ugh, the nagging!”

“Come here! Are you coming here or not?! Aaargh, damn it!” Their hands tightened.

“⋯⋯.”

“⋯⋯.”

They thought. Perhaps the greatest enemy of the Cheonwu Alliance was neither the Nine Sects nor the Five Great Families.