Return of the Mount Hua Sect

Chapter 1137

The expressions of those who filled the training ground suddenly turned blank.

‘N- No….’

How should one describe this? Out of the blue? Absurd? Or just plain strange?

Anyone who has ever experienced Mount Hua Sect knows that the one who represents Mount Hua is Chung Myung, no matter what anyone says. Whether viewed from the outside or from within, Chung Myung has an incredible amount of influence on the sect called Mount Hua.

However, the perspective of those who have experienced Mount Hua up close for a long time is a little different.

The center of the sect called Mount Hua may be Chung Myung, but the center of the disciples belonging to Mount Hua is Baek Cheon. Chung Myung merely leads them, and no matter what anyone says, the one who unifies their thoughts and actually controls them is this devoted young man.

Even Hyun Jong, the sect leader of Mount Hua, didn’t he use Baek Cheon instead of Chung Myung when he had something to convey to the disciples?

It is not simply a second choice chosen because Chung Myung is busy. It is the result of a tacit agreement that while Chung Myung is leading the broad direction of Mount Hua, Baek Cheon should be the one leading Mount Hua’s disciples.

Baek Cheon, who was the definite future sect leader to Mount Hua and the representative of the current Mount Hua disciples, bowed his head in front of them out of the blue.

Tang Pae looked around with a blank expression. Everyone else seemed just as stunned and couldn’t even muster the courage to speak.

Whether it was because he was the only one who moved, or because they thought he was the right person for the job, everyone’s eyes were focused on him.

Tang Pae, under tacit pressure, finally opened his mouth with a reluctant expression.

“Dojang…. Why are you doing this all of a sudden?”

Only then did Baek Cheon raise his head. He looked evenly at everyone, including Tang Pae.

At that moment, many words came to Baek Cheon’s mind. Polite words, words to soothe and calm, words to make the others feel apologetic, etc.

But those things eventually disappeared in an instant. Now was not the time to just save face and suture things together.

“This won’t do.”

In the end, what came out of his mouth were his honest feelings.

“Right now, we are training against absolute martial masters who we can’t encounter just anywhere. Every moment is precious beyond comparison.”

Everyone nodded at those words.

Whether enduring this training was difficult or not, everyone agreed on one thing: this was a rare opportunity that might never come again.

Even if you are a member of Sichuan Tang Family, how many times in your life would you have the opportunity to face off against the gaju? Even if you are a member of Beast Palace, would you have the opportunity to fight seriously against Beast Palace gungju?

Where else can you experience a situation where not one, but three of such people rampaging?

“But right now, we are wasting this time. This opportunity that may never come again.”

“….”

“I’m thinking about Heavenly Comrade Alliance, and furthermore, I’m thinking about Kangho, but to be honest, I don’t understand those grand ideas well. But I don’t want to waste this precious time like this. When we should be focusing all our strength on facing those masters, I don’t want to let old grudges get in the way.”

Several people, especially Namgung Dowi, nodded vigorously.

“So please, I ask you. Let’s combine our strengths.”

Tang Pae opened his mouth with a slightly displeased expression.

“Is it because it’s for a greater cause?”

“No.”

Baek Cheon said bluntly.

“Because that’s the way to help Mount Hua.”

Baek Cheon’s gaze was fixed on Tang Pae.

“Isn’t that the case for you too, Sogaju?”

The corners of Tang Pae’s mouth hardened slightly.

Right now, Baek Cheon is asking him. Do you want your subordinates to waste this great opportunity just because of some trivial grudge? Or do you want to use this time to improve yourselves?

‘He speaks well.’

Anger surged up momentarily. The beginning of all this was when Mount Hua was teasing and beating up Tang Family, and Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword caused everyone to suffer terribly.

But when those who are no different from the perpetrators start spouting righteous nonsense, he can’t help but get angry.

Murder is wrong. But if someone who has already committed murder is preaching that while being avenged, wouldn’t it be natural to feel disgusted?

“It’s ridiculous for Mount Hua to speak such words.”

Baek Cheon bowed his head again without an excuse. Tang Pae, who had been picking on him for no reason, groaned at the sight. Then he let out a sigh and said.

“But… don’t think that Dojang is the only one who cares about our disciples.”

What came to Tang Pae’s mind right now was none other than the look in Tang Gun-ak’s eyes.

The words about how they’ve been given everything without earning it themselves, there is no reason to be impatient or desperate.

‘Not a single word was wrong.’

The one who needs to be most desperate right now is none other than Tang Family. They are in a much superior position, but unable to deal with the disciples of Mount Hua.

Therefore, they should be more impatient, and they should be more desperate. What Baek Cheon is doing now, Tang Pae should have done first.

But Tang Pae just lay there, and Mount Hua, which had no reason to be impatient, bowed its head first.

If you are desperate, you need to take action. Worrying inwardly and not moving is not true desperation.

“Emotions aside, I agree that we need to do something. The intention of those seniors is not just for us to take a beating and build endurance.”

Baek Cheon nods his head resolutely.

“I agree as well.”

At that moment, Namgung Dowi quickly opened his mouth.

“If things continue like this, nothing will change even after a year. We can’t face them if we keep getting in each other’s way. This isn’t something that can be overcome by willpower or training.”

This was a remark that could have hurt Namgung Dowi’s pride.

He is essentially the gaju of Namgung Family. For sogaju to say they can’t face their gaju unless they unite is one thing, but for gaju of Namgung Family to admit he can’t face another sect leader is entirely different.

As gaju of the great Namgung Family, known as the greatest family in the world, these were absolutely not words worthy of being spoken.

However, Namgung Dowi readily admitted his limits. These were words that the old him would never have said, even if it killed him. But now he realized that refusing to admit his limits was even more pride-crushing.

“There must be a way we can fight together. There has to be a way for us to help each other instead of getting in each other’s way. Why don’t we start by finding that?”

Tang Pae nods his head firmly at Namgung Dowi’s words.

But then it happened.

“How noble of you.”

One of Beast Palace warriors who had been watching the situation openly sneered.

“The three great sects of Jungwon have made a truly remarkable decision.”

The three people looked at the person who had spoken with a stern face. Before the others could open their mouths, Baek Cheon spoke first.

“I apologize if we have offended you.”

“No, no. What’s there to be offended about? If the prestigious three sects have made such a decision, we’ll just follow along. What can lowly Outers people do but follow your lead?”

It wasn’t something that could be simply accepted as just one person with a twisted personality being blatantly sarcastic. Only one person spoke, but the eyes of those sitting behind him were all similar. Even Beast Palace and Ice Palace warriors nodded as if he had a point.

“We have no intention of….”

“Your intentions must be good.”

This time, the warrior of Ice Palace opened his mouth.

“But whenever something happens, aren’t the ones who decide the direction of Heavenly Comrade Alliance Mount Hua, Tang Family, and Namgung Family? And all they get back to us is notifications.”

“….”

“So, if we’re saying we’ll accept it this time too, is there a problem?”

Even Baek Cheon was at a loss for an answer to this question.

It was a bit unfair that Namgung was suddenly included, but it was hard to deny that up until now, it was Mount Hua and Tang Family who had been deciding the major and minor matters of Heavenly Comrade Alliance, and the others were simply notified.

Certainly, that is a departure from the original intention of creating Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

Even if it wasn’t Baek Cheon’s fault, the fact that the Tang and Namgung naturally took the lead in a place where everyone was present was more than enough to touch on the discontent they had been building up.

“I apologize for that. However, we did not mean to…”

“No, Baek Cheon Dojang. I don’t understand why you’re saying that if there’s no dissatisfaction. We just need to follow your lead, right?”

A sigh escaped Baek Cheon’s mouth. He could handle straightforward attacks, but dealing with sarcastic remarks like this was much harder. From his perspective as the great disciple of Mount Hua, no matter what he said, he couldn’t do anything more than pretend to be nice.

While Baek Cheon was pondering what to say, an irritated voice rang out sharply.

“How filthy sarcastic, you damned barbarian bastards.”

In an instant, the disciples of Ice Palace and Beast Palace were furious and turned their gazes at once. However, the moment they saw the one who spoke, their half-opened mouths closed again.

Im Sobyeong, wearing a miserably crumpled scholar uniform, was looking at everyone with annoyance in his eyes, barely able to keep his upper body upright. Everyone suddenly acts reserved by that sight.

“Have any of you faced as much discrimination as us Evil Sects son of a beast? We were treated like slaves by Mount Hua even before Namgung joined, and we’ve been treated like this here until now!”

When Im Sobyeong grew angry, Ice Palace and Beast Palace warriors averted their gaze.

“I’m Nokrim King, you punk! Nokrim King! If your gungju had stayed here like this, would you punk put up with it! Look at my face!”

When Im Sobyeong, with one eye dyed blue, got angry openly, no one could open their mouths. If the leader of another sect had been treated like that, alliance or whatever, they would have started a war that day.

However, Im Sobyeong tolerated such treatment without a single complaint. Compared to what Im Sobyeong and Nokrim had been through, wouldn’t it be no exaggeration to say that Outer Palace had been treated like an honored guest?

“That’s why Jungwon and Outer Palace are so shameless. You’re asking for help for all the things you’ve done for Heavenly Comrade Alliance! Even we, who have been slaves for years, can’t say such things!”

“…No, what….”

“Kuhuhum.”

Those who were about to reflexively answer, “Because you are of Evil Sects,” quickly covered their mouths. That was no different from saying people from outer regions should be discriminated against.

“If you’re going to complain, come back after slaving around for three years.”

“….”

“Fuck.”

Im Sobyeong, exhausted, looks up at the sky and lets out a deep sigh.

“Baek Cheon Dojang.”

“Yes, Nokrim King.”

“We’ve taken enough of a beating, haven’t we?”

“…Yes, we have.”

Im Sobyeong spoke with fire in his eyes.

“I’m sick and tired of getting beaten, so let’s figure out a way. I’m not even entertained by watching you get beaten anymore.”

At those words, Baek Cheon’s lips slightly curled up.

“I agree with you.”

“Then.”

Im Sobyeong looked at the place where Chung Myung and the others had disappeared with burning eyes.

“Let’s show those high and mighty guys how scary rebellion can be! Emperor, gaju, it doesn’t matter—a single stab with a bamboo spear…”

“Alright, that’s enough!”

That’s crossing the line, you Evil Sects!

“Everyone, gather around!”

At the order of Im Sobyeong, who quickly sorted out the situation, the people who had been lying around began to gather little by little.

Baek Cheon snickered watching them.

‘I’ve done enough, you damned son of a beast.’

Baek Cheon spoke to Chung Myung who was probably watching this scene from somewhere, and approached Im Sobyeong with an innocent expression.