Return of the Mount Hua Sect

Chung Myung sighed deeply and looked at Tang Gun-ak. Seeing his expression, which seemed to be filled with deep worries, Tang Gun-ak asked.

“Have your thoughts changed a little?”

“No, that’s not it.”

Tang Gun-ak looked at him with a puzzled face. Then Chung Myung smiled and continued.

“I thought, this is the kind of person who will become Gaju.”

“…What is that all of a sudden….”

Chung Myung propped his chin on his fist.

“Well, Elder Hyun Young seems to think so. He keeps saying that although I dislike the idea now, I will eventually become the Sect Leader.”

“….”

“And it seems like Sect Leader also thinks about it from time to time.”

Tang Gun-ak chuckled bitterly.

In his view, it would be stranger not to think that way. Right now, Chung Myung’s influence in Mount Hua surpassed even that of Hyun Jong. Even if Baek Cheon or Yoon Jong were to become the Sect Leader, if Chung Myung wanted to, it wouldn’t be a problem to turn them into puppets.

It doesn’t matter whether Chung Myung wants that power or not. What matters is that Chung Myung can do so. And how much of a problem that could be for the sect..

Didn’t Tang Gun-ak suffer from the Elder’s Senate, who was reluctant to relinquish power?

“I think I know what you’re thinking.”

Rather than splitting the power in two, it might be better to concentrate it in one person, Chung Myung. It might have been different for Chung Myung in the past, but the current Chung Myung subtly takes care of people.

“But that’s a pointless thought.”

“Hm? Why?”

“Because I will never be the Sect Leader.”

Tang Gun-ak looked completely puzzled.

Of course, Chung Myung may think that he has no desire for power. However, the Chung Myung that Tang Gun-ak sees is a person who throws a fit when things in the world do not go his way, and blows up obstacles in his way to somehow turn the tide in his favor.

Can you say someone who can’t rest until they get what they want has no desire for power? You may think that it’s tolerable now, but….

Tang Gun-ak, who had been lost in thought, asked calmly.

“What will you do if the person who later becomes the Sect Leader is Yoon Jong Dojang, and he does something completely opposite to your thoughts?”

“Yes…?”

Tang Gun-ak pushed Chung Myung, who seemed a little flustered, into a corner a little more.

“What if he decides to use the authority of Sect Leader to carry out something that is obviously detrimental to you?”

“….”

“I’ll try to persuade him?”

“What if he doesn’t agree?”

“What if he doesn’t respond to your persuasion?”

There was no high or low in the voice of Tang Gun-ak. It was devoid of emotion. But that was why it sounded even more impactful.

“Will you force him into submission? Or will you just let him go down the wrong path?”

Chung Myung couldn’t come up with an answer right away. This time, Tang Gun-ak spoke in a slightly reproachful tone.

“If you plan to step back, you should also relinquish your power. If you don’t relinquish it, then you shouldn’t step back. If you act double-faced, it will only make things harder for everyone else.”

“Hm.”

Chung Myung pressed his chin with his hand.

‘You must have known, right?’

But knowing something doesn’t always mean acting on it. People often postpone things that aren’t immediately pressing. Even if they know that the things they put off will eventually come back as bigger troubles.

“Therefore, it would be better to…”

“No, there seems to be some misunderstanding.”

“Huh?”

Chung Myung looked at Tang Gun-ak. His expression was nonchalant, not befitting this serious conversation.

“If that happens, I’ll just leave it alone.”

“…You?”

“Yes. What’s so strange about that?”

“Isn’t that obvious? The Chung Myung I know wouldn’t just stand by and watch as disciples go down the wrong path.”

“That’s true.”

“Then that’s contradictory.”

“No, it’s not. The premise of Gaju’s question is wrong.”

At those words, Tang Gun-ak looked puzzled.

“The premise is wrong?”

“Yes.”

Chung Myung spoke with an unwavering expression on his face.

“If such a situation happens, there’s no need to worry. It would mean that I’m wrong and Yoon Jong Sahyung is right.”

“….”

“If I’ve tried to persuade him as much as I can and he still hasn’t changed his mind, it simply means I’m wrong. Yoon Jong Sahyung is not the kind of person who would go down the wrong path, nor is he the kind of person who can’t find his own mistakes from others’ words.”

Tang Gun-ak looked at him in disbelief.

“Does that even make sense? Everyone makes mistakes and misjudgments.”

“Yes. That must be so. But… The Sahyung at that time was not a person, but a Taoist, and not a disciple, but a Sect Leader.”

“….”

“People make mistakes, but a Sect Leader doesn’t. I’ll make sure of that.”

Tang Gun-ak was speechless.

‘What on earth…’

How can someone trust another person to such an extent?

“Is Baek Cheon Dojang the same?”

“Ah… Sasuk is a bit different. That person is trustworthy during wartime, but he’s a bit pretentious in peacetime.”

“….”

“If he acts out of line, I’ll immediately pull him down and replace him with Yoon Jong Sahyung. Of course, Iseol Sago will stab him and drag him down first before I could do that.”

“Ha…”

Chung Myung chuckled as he watched Tang Gun-ak unable to hide his astonishment.

“You see? Why I can’t be the Sect Leader.”

“….”

“I felt it when I heard Gaju’s word today. Ah, this is the kind of person that a Gaju should be, and this is what a Sect Leader should think about. Then, I must not become the Sect Leader even more.”

“Can’t you do the same?”

“I’m not the kind of person who can.”

Chung Myung laughed out loud.

“Gaju-nim asked right, ‘Isn’t it a waste?’”

“Yes, I did.”

That was the beginning of this conversation. Is it not a waste to give the Jasodan to other sects instead of the future generations of Mount Hua? This is the response to that question.

“Not a bit.”

“…Really?”

“Yes.”

Chung Myung shrugs.

“That’s why I’m telling you. I don’t know anything about the future of Mount Hua. I’ve tried to understand, but honestly, I still don’t understand. And even if I did, I don’t think I could genuinely care for it.”

“Can’t you just do it?”

“There are things you can do with your head, and things you do with your heart.”

Tang Gun-ak was speechless for a moment. Chung Myung waved his hand dismissively.

“So, instead of hoarding something for future descendants I’ve never met and don’t know what will become of, I’d rather use the Jasodan now to save even one more person. That’s a hundred times better from my perspective.”

“…That’s hard to understand. No matter how important the current disciples are, they are the light of Mount Hua that will continue for generations….”

“It’s not even worth comparing.”

For a moment, Tang Gun-ak flinched. There was an unsettling sharpness in Chung Myung’s voice that cut through his words.

But when he looked again, Chung Myung was still grinning.

“Or, we could make it so. In return, let each and every disciple who survives become someone more valuable than a hundred Jasodans. Someone who can pass on even greater things to their descendants.”

“….”

“Wouldn’t that be enough?”

Tang Gun-ak eventually shook his head.

“I don’t understand at all.”

“That’s why I’m telling you. It’s not something I’m good at. Do you know what I realized this time?”

“What is it?”

“That I don’t have to do everything myself. Each person should do what they’re good at.”

Chung Myung turned to look at the training ground and continued.

“Baek Cheon Sasuk will lead and develop Mount Hua. No one can do it better than him. Yoon Jong Sahyung is the one who will establish the Tao that Mount Hua currently lacks. Sasuk may be the one with the higher reputation, but Yoon Jong Sahyung will be the one who will have the greater influence on future generations.”

“….”

“Iseol Sago will be the textbook for Mount Hua’s swordsmanship. Just the existence of that person will change the way descendants approach the sword. As for Jo-Gol Sahyung… That person may be a troublemaker, but a sect definitely needs someone like that too.”

“Hm….”

“And Gaju-nim’s daughter will be the one to train the female disciples that Mount Hua lacks. Even Sago can’t do that as well as she can. Plus, she’s good at communication, so she’ll be a conduit for things that Sasuk and Sahyung might not directly address.”

Chung Myung shrugs.

“The rest are the same. Baek Sang Sasuk will enrich Mount Hua’s finances, and the other third-class disciples will pass on their current experiences to future generations. Everyone has their own role to play. There’s no one who can be lost.”

Tang Gun-ak looked at Chung Myung again with a newfound appreciation.

This is because he never thought that Chung Myung was looking at each and every one of Mount Hua’s disciples so meticulously.

Then, another question arose.

“Then, what is your purpose?”

“Me? That’s obvious.”

Chung Myung smiled, revealing his teeth.

“I am the sword that cuts down Mount Hua’s enemies.”

“….”

“I’ll do anything to cut down those who are threatening Mount Hua right now. Jasodans? It doesn’t matter in the slightest. If it’s to save even one current disciple of Mount Hua, I wouldn’t mind giving up not just hundreds, but even thousands of Jasodans. What’s so great about that?”

A deep sigh escaped Tang Gun-ak’s mouth.

“I thought I understood you well enough… but I still don’t.”

“You only need to know one thing.”

“…What is that?”

“That that’s how much I sincerely need Sichuan Tang Family.”

Tang Gun-ak looked at Chung Myung with a slightly puzzled expression. But seeing Chung Myung still grinning, he couldn’t help but smile too.

“…If you want to make use of us, give out more Jasodan.”

“Of course. Of course.”

Tang Gun-ak, who had been looking at Chung Myung with peculiar eyes, got up and started walking.

“Are you going?”

“An obvious match is no fun to watch.”

“It’s quite fun, though. Well, see you later.”

Tang Gun-ak spoke as he turned away.

“And… let me correct you on one thing.”

“Yes?”

“You said you are the sword that cuts down Mount Hua’s enemies?”

“Yes.”

“…Someone who says they’d use a thousand precious elixirs to save one disciple is not a cutting sword.”

“….”

“That is called a protecting sword. A sword that protects Mount Hua.”

With those words, Tang Gun-ak walked away silently, feeling Chung Myung’s gaze on his back.

‘I couldn’t ask.’

Tang Gun-ak slowly closed his eyes.

There was one thing he really wanted to ask. But it was a question that even Tang Gun-ak didn’t have the heart to ask.

‘Everyone grows up perfectly and leads Mount Hua in their place. I guess that’s ideal.’

Surely, the Mount Hua that becomes like that will become a great sect. Perhaps it would be an unparalleled sect throughout history.

But if Chung Myung’s role is to be a sword that protects Mount Hua, if he’s a sword that cuts down Mount Hua’s enemies… then where would he belong when Mount Hua’s enemies no longer exist?

In a world where swords are no longer needed, what would the purpose of his life be?

‘Is it really that he thinks he’s not fit to be a sect leader?’

Or is it…..

Tang Gun-ak shook his head.

That’s a story for the distant future. Yes, it’s still far off. It’s not something they should be discussing when there are still many mountains to climb.

Tang Gun-ak walked away, his steps unhurried.

And Chung Myung stared at his back. His eyes were infinitely dark and somber.