Return Of The Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 916

Shaolin Temple. A famous temple known for martial arts, was now facing a challenge.

Beopjeong, the abbot, quietly looked at the people sitting in front of him.

There was Neng Sam, known as the Compassionate Crow Beggar (a leader from the Beggars’ Sect), who was there instead of their chief. Then there was Jongli Hyeong, called the Subduing-Demon Mountain Man, who led the Mount Hua Sect. And finally, Peng Yeop, known as the Lightning Fast Blade, who was the head of the Peng Clan of Hebei.

Each of them was a strong and respected leader.

But Beopjeong had invited them himself, as the abbot of the Great Shaolin Temple. He was disappointed that only three people had come. It was a very small number, no matter how strong they were.

Kunlun was coming, but he was far away. That would only make four people. The Zhuge Family might also come, but their plans were unclear. Even then, there would only be five.

Shaolin used to be the most important place in the martial world. Back then, at least twelve leaders would have come to a meeting like this.

Beopjeong felt a deep ache in his chest. His throat was dry, like he couldn’t even speak. But he kept his face calm. He didn’t want to show the others how worried he was.

Was he trying not to show weakness?

Not exactly.

The others could already see his worry in his eyes. He didn’t need to say anything.

“Are no others expected?”

Neng Sam, the Compassionate Crow Beggar, asked the question without being polite. Beopjeong smiled as much as he could.

“The leader of Kunlun is on his way. The Zhuge Family has also said they will be here soon.”

“Kunlun and the Zhuge Family… So, the others are not coming?”

“I have not received any word from them yet,” Beopjeong answered, looking sideways at Neng Sam.

This was the Beggars’ Sect. They had spies everywhere. They knew that only these people would be in the hall. But Neng Sam said it anyway, which annoyed Beopjeong.

“The Abbot asked us to come to discuss something, so we came… But can we really have a good discussion with so few people?”

Beopjeong tried to smile gently.

“Those who are not here will have to agree with what we decide. It shouldn’t be a problem.”

“That would be good, but… I don’t know how to explain this to our chief.”

Beopjeong didn’t answer. He quietly moved the prayer beads in his hand. He always did this when he was worried.

He felt less angry now, but more sad.

Had it only been a few years since Shaolin had held the World Martial Arts Tournament? Back then, everyone thought Shaolin was the most important place in the martial world.

At that time, not only the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families (important groups in the martial world), but also leaders from all over the land had come to Shaolin to become friends with him. But in just a few years, everything had changed.

“We don’t need to worry about those who didn’t come. It’s no use looking for people who aren’t here! Too many people just talk too much!”

Peng Yeop’s voice was like ice, each word sharp and cold.

Beopjeong looked at him with interest. It’s not good to judge by looks, but Peng Yeop didn’t look like he belonged to the Hebei Peng Clan.

The Peng family was known for being large and strong. Their size helped them use swords, which is why they were famous swordsmen.

But Peng Yeop was not large. He was even a little smaller than Beopjeong.

Maybe that’s why Peng Yeop seemed sharp and dangerous, like a swordsman at the top of his game.

“More importantly…”

Peng Yeop stared at Beopjeong and asked, “What are you going to do, Abbot? You’re not going to let them get away with this, are you?”

Like a true member of the Peng Clan, he was impatient and got straight to the point.

“We are here to discuss that very thing…”

“Waiting will only make things worse. The Four Evil Alliances (the bad guys) could be attacking Jiujiang right now. The longer we wait, the worse it will be.”

What he said was true. Beopjeong felt the same way.

But someone else had a different idea.

“There’s no need to rush,” Jongli Hyeong, the leader of the Mount Hua Sect, said quietly.

“The enemy is the Four Evil Alliances. We can’t underestimate them.”

“I know, but…”

“The problem is, we don’t know if the other Nine Great Sects will help us in time. If the news gets out, they will all have to join the fight, but a lot of damage could be done before we can gather enough people.”

“But we can’t just stand here and do nothing,” Peng Yeop argued.

“We might cause trouble for no reason. Aren’t they just hanging around near the Yangtze River (a major river)?”

Peng Yeop’s voice was icy when he heard that.

“Near the Yangtze River, you say? That is the northern lands (Jiangbei).”

“Is there a rule that says the Four Evil Alliances can’t go to the northern lands?”

“What do you mean…”

Jongli Hyeong shook his head, looking detached.

“The Jiangnan Non-Aggression Pact makes us think that our lands are separate from the bad guys, but we have never stopped them from causing trouble in the northern lands. Why are you bringing this up now?”

Neng Sam, the Compassionate Crow Beggar, had been listening quietly. He chuckled.

“What the Sect Leader says is true, but the common people don’t see it that way.”

“The common people…”

“We can’t go to the southern lands (Jiangnan), but we can’t say that the bad guys can go to the northern lands, can we?”

“Hmm. That is…”

This time, even Jongli Hyeong couldn’t argue.

“That may be the reason, but the real problem is this, Abbot.”

Neng Sam looked at Beopjeong.

“You need to be honest with us. I am here with the lives of ten thousand members of the Beggars’ Sect at risk.”

“…Very well.”

“If we take the lead, will the other Nine Sects or Five Great Families really help us in time?”

Beopjeong didn’t want to answer. It was hard to tell the truth, but he couldn’t lie.

“I thought so,” Neng Sam clicked his tongue. It wasn’t right for the abbot of Shaolin to act like this, but no one said anything.

“Then, I’ll ask one more question.”

“What is it?”

“Does Shaolin really plan to lead the fight in this matter?”

“…When you say lead the fight?”

“I mean, even if the other sects don’t help, are you willing to lead the sects here and fight the Four Evil Alliances in the front line?”

“Of course…”

Beopjeong’s voice trailed off. He couldn’t say the words he wanted to say.

He knew that once he said those words, there was no going back.

The front line.

Only now did he understand how important that small word was, a word he had used so easily.

Jao Gae watched Beop Jeong closely. He clicked his tongue quietly, a sound of concern. *He’s finished,* Jao Gae thought. *He’s lost his nerve.*

It wasn’t hopeless, not completely. If Shaolin showed real strength and fought the Four Evil Sects harder than anyone else, the other sects watching from the sidelines would have to act. They would be afraid of being judged by everyone else. And if Shaolin won against the Four Evil Sects while still strong, no one could stop Shaolin from becoming the most powerful sect.

But Beop Jeong hesitated. He couldn’t bring himself to draw his sword.

‘What are you so afraid of?’

If it had been him from the Mount Hua Tournament, he would have nodded in agreement. But the current Beop Jeong stopped his head from nodding. It meant something was bothering him.

‘A true leader doesn’t just tell others what to do. They must lead by example and go first.’

If Shaolin had forgotten that fact, there was nothing more he could do.

“Then I think we have a conclusion.”

Jao Gae shrugged.

“Give up the Yangtze River and just keep them in check so they can’t come up any further.”

“Jao Gae, that is impossible.”

Paeng Yeop immediately retorted. But Jao Gae stubbornly shook his head.

“Clan Leader, I am an elder of the Beggars’ Sect. That means I am not the Chief of the Beggars’ Sect.”

“…I didn’t mean to disregard you.”

“That’s not what I mean. It means there are things I can say because I am not the Chief who is responsible for everyone. I can speak frankly, can’t I?”

“……”

“If we touch the Waterway Camp here, a war will definitely break out.”

“Why? Can’t they just retreat?”

“The Black Dragon King would. But would Jang Il-So?”

At the mention of Jang Il-So’s name, Paeng Yeop closed his mouth.

Jang Il-So was a famous warlord who had been defeated before. Even sects who weren’t involved in the Yangtze River disaster remembered his bad reputation. It was like a lasting mark on everyone’s minds.

Moreover, Jang Il-So was a man who possessed both the ability to trap his opponents in perfect schemes and a chilling decisiveness. Just hearing his name made one uneasy.

“If Jang Il-So knows that there are not many sects here to deal with the Waterway Camp, he will surely try to take advantage of the gap. Do we need to show Jang Il-So how weak we are here?”

Weaknesses.

The Nine Great Sects were not united. This division was a weakness, and they couldn’t let Jang Il-So know about it. If they took a step back and only pretended to watch, it would be difficult for them to guess the whole situation.

Even though he fully understood the words, Paeng Yeop burst out in frustration.

“What on earth are the other sects thinking? Isn’t this about dealing with the Four Evil Sects! Everyone should be eager to fight first!”

A deep worry settled on Beop Jeong’s face, making his eyes look heavy and his shoulders slump.

‘What’s the point of saying anything?’

He let out a deep sigh and looked at Jao Gae.

“Elder.”

“Yes, Abbot.”

“I would like to ask you something.”

“Please do.”

Beop Jeong paused slightly before opening his mouth.

“If the Sky Alliance were to join this war, would the Beggars’ Sect be willing to fight alongside Shaolin?”

“…Did you just say the Sky Alliance?”

“Yes.”

Jao Gae frowned slightly.

“The Ice Palace and the Beast Palace cannot come to the Central Plains, so you must be talking about the Tang Clan and Mount Hua, right?”

“That is correct.”

Beop Jeong nodded.

“I have not received an answer yet, but I have contacted the leader of the Sky Alliance. It is not impossible.”

“Possibility…”

Jao Gae furrowed his brow and pondered for a moment.

‘Indeed…’

The most unpredictable thing for him was the movement of the Sky Alliance, especially Mount Hua. He had no idea what that bizarre sect would do.

Logically speaking, the Sky Alliance, which had nothing to do with Hubei or Henan, had no reason to cooperate in a matter that even the other Nine Great Sects were backing away from.

But…

‘Isn’t it Mount Hua?’

They have a deep grudge against the Four Evil Sects, so they might take this opportunity to wipe them out. Because they are an unpredictable sect, he couldn’t say for sure that there was no possibility.

“…If the Sky Alliance joins, the situation will definitely change. Then there is no reason to keep watching the enemies. The Tang Clan will surely participate as well.”

“Hmm.”

Beop Jeong nodded quietly.

“Then we must wait for the Sky Alliance’s reply for now.”

“If the Abbot wishes to oppose them… you must either change the minds of the other Nine Great Sects who have withdrawn, or bring in the Sky Alliance. You must do one or the other.”

“…Amitabha.”

Beop Jeong murmured a Buddhist invocation.

‘In the end, it’s the Sky Alliance.’

It was almost impossible to change the minds of the sects that had not come. In the end, what Jao Gae had said was the same as telling him to bring in the Sky Alliance by any means.

In the end, he had to beg the Sky Alliance, Mount Hua again, and a sigh escaped him. But on the other hand, he was also pleased.

This meant that he didn’t have to decide Shaolin’s fate right away. For him now, even the time spent waiting for the Sky Alliance’s reply and visiting them to appeal was fortunate.

But…

But things rarely go as planned.

Bang!

At that moment, the door burst open and a person stormed inside.

Beop Jeong frowned and said sternly.

“Sect leaders are meeting here. How can you burst in like this?”

“B-Big trouble, Abbot!”

But Beop Gye shouted with a pale face. The moment Beop Jeong saw his expression, he sensed that something had happened.

“What is it?”

“T-That is…”

Beop Gye continued.

Beop Jeong’s face went pale instantly.