Welcome back, Hwasan Geomhyeop. (5)
“Please…”
Chung Myung and Im Sobyeong were fiercely arguing, while the Five Swords pretended to hold them back but subtly fanned the flames. The hellish scene went beyond mere confusion for Tang Gunak, who was accustomed to the strict rules of the Sichuan Tang Clan – it was outright painful.
‘Why is Hwasan always like this…’
Hm? Soso?
Why are you over there, doing that?
Seeing Tang Soso standing behind Chung Myung, pointing and yelling at Im Sobyeong, made something crawl up from deep inside Tang Gunak’s stomach.
These damned Hwasan’s brats have gotten to my daughter…
Thud!
“Anyway, that’s why,”
Chung Myung said, stomping the floor forcefully.
“We need to pull out.”
“Well, that part is true.”
“…Wait, Nokrim King, why are you suddenly agreeing?”
Im Sobyeong shrugged his shoulders.
“He’s not wrong. We can’t stay like this forever.”
“…Why?”
“The reason is obvious, isn’t it?”
Swoosh!
Im Sobyeong spread his fan wide open and spoke with a disinterested expression.
“There’s no way Jang Ilso will keep drooling over Gangbuk without making a move.”
“…”
“He’ll act soon, one way or another.”
“Isn’t that something everyone already knows?”
“Yes, which is why we should naturally pull out.”
Chung Myung chimed in to back up Im Sobyeong.
“We don’t know exactly what that madman will do, but there’s one thing that’s certain: to get his hands on Gangbuk, he’ll have to cross the Yangtze River.”
“Right.”
“So, what do you think will happen? The Tang clan, who has been guarding the Yangtze, will be the first to become a shield.”
“…Hmm.”
Tang Gunak quietly nodded.
He wasn’t a fool. He knew that if Sapaeryeon crossed the Yangtze, the main forces of the Sichuan Tang Clan would be the first to confront them.
But still…
“A shield, you say…”
Tang Gunak looked at Chung Myung intently.
“If it’s a shield for Gupailbang, we should certainly refuse.”
“Yes.”
“But what if it’s a shield for the common people?”
“…”
Tang Gunak slowly shook his head.
“The Tang Clan has not been guarding the Yangtze River to assist Gupailbang. It was purely for the sake of the common people.”
To be honest, that wasn’t the intention at first. Initially, they saw it as an opportunity to raise the reputation of Cheonumaeng and build their own justification while the name of Gupailbang was falling.
However, as Tang Gunak roamed the Yangtze River back and forth, living among the people there, he began to feel differently. He realized he couldn’t just abandon the land they had protected and leave the common people to suffer at the hands of Sapaeryeon.
“We cannot retreat for such a reason, not knowing what atrocities Sapaeryeon might commit against them.”
Chung Myung frowned slightly.
“Wasn’t the highest priority of the Sichuan Tang Clan always the clan’s interests?”
“That is true. However…”
Tang Gunak’s gaze fixed firmly on Chung Myung.
“That’s the way it is in Gangho. The Sichuan Tang Clan does not compete with commoners for profit. At least, not as long as I am the head of the clan.”
His tone was more resolute than ever.
Chung Myung’s lips curled up slightly.
It wasn’t the answer he was looking for. But perhaps it was an even more satisfying one.
‘I don’t know what’s happened over the past three years…’
It seemed that Tang Gunak had learned a lot after leaving Sichuan.
“Well, what Lord Tang says is right. But…”
“But?”
“The problem is that in trying to help the common people, you end up becoming the shield for those Gupailbang bastards.”
“Isn’t that a risk we have to take?”
Chung Myung’s lips curled up slightly.
“Even if Gupailbang don’t come to help until the Tang clan is completely annihilated?”
“…”
Tang Gunak fell silent at these words.
He seemed to be lost in thought, a murmur escaping his lips as he looked at Chung Myung and asked,
“Do you think that’s a possibility?”
“Yes.”
“…If we fail to stop Sapaeryeon, it’s not just Cheonumaeng that will face destruction. Do you still believe Gupailbang and the Five Great Families would stand by and watch as the Sichuan Tang Clan falls to Sapaeryeon?”
“Yes.”
Chung Myung’s calm and straightforward reply left Tang Gunak momentarily speechless. This indicated a difference in how they viewed Gupailbang.
To bridge this gap, Chung Myung spoke up.
“It seems there’s a misunderstanding.”
“…What might that be?”
“The Sichuan Tang Clan is no longer an ally of Gupailbang. It’s an enemy.”
“…An enemy?”
“Yes.”
Chung Myung nodded and added,
“From the perspective of Gupailbang, whether they fight alongside the Tang clan or let the Tang clan act as a shield to deplete Sapaeryeon’s forces before engaging them, it makes no difference. When a foreign enemy is approaching, who would cross their borders to fight together just because another enemy is in their way? They’ll just sit back, sucking their thumbs, and watch until one side is crushed.”
“…”
Tang Gunak’s expression changed several times in a short span of time. He remained silent for a moment before shaking his head.
“But that analogy isn’t quite right. Beyond the borders, there are no citizens of our country. But north of the Yangtze, there are common people who need protection, aren’t there?”
He was implying that Gupailbang and the Five Great Families would act, if not for the Tang clan, then at least for the common people. However, upon hearing this, Chung Myung smiled crookedly, as if he had been waiting for Tang Gunak to say that.
“You’ve heard about the events in Shaanxi, haven’t you?”
“…”
“Do you really think those bastards stood by and did nothing against the Evil Sects because they lacked the ability to stop them?”
Tang Gunak couldn’t find the words to respond. He hesitated for a long while, his lips moving slightly, and finally let out a long sigh.
“…No, probably not.”
If Hwasan hadn’t lifted Bongmun and intervened in time… No, if the news had reached Hwasan just a little later, Shaanxi would have turned into a scene from hell.
‘No, that’s not right.’
Tang Gunak bit his lips tightly.
Even though Xian wasn’t burned, hell had already unfolded. Didn’t two villages fall prey to the flames of those Evil Sects? It was clear that Shaolin – and specifically, Gupailbang – had stood by and watched the situation.
They had already once pushed common people into the clutches of the Evil Sects. What reason would there be for them not to do it a second time?
Chung Myung, seeming to guess what Tang Gunak was thinking, nodded and delivered the final blow.
“When Sapaeryeon advances north, how do you think Gupailbang will respond? They’ll probably come up with nonsense like ‘We need to wait for reinforcements’ or ‘We should face them in a better position,’ just stalling for time.”
“Until Sichuan Tang Clan is completely crushed by Sapaeryeon?”
“No.”
A sly smile formed again at the corner of Chung Myung’s mouth.
“Until the Tang clan fights alone and falls, and then, unable to ignore it, Hwasan and the rest of Cheonumaeng rush to the Yangtze River and get caught up in the chaos.”
“…”
“Then, wouldn’t it be so convenient for Gupailbang? The thorn in their side – Hwasan, the Tang clan, and even Nokrim – all join hands, only to clash with the other thorn, Sapaeryeon, leading to mutual destruction. They’ll wait leisurely for Sapaeryeon to exhaust itself against Cheonumaeng, then swoop in to clean up the weakened Sapaeryeon, all while praising the ‘noble sacrifices’ made.”
A sneer played on Chung Myung’s lips.
How do I know?
‘Because I’ve already experienced it.’
Neither Chung Myung nor Chung Mun were caught off guard because they didn’t know. Even knowing, they had no choice but to stake everything. If they had retreated, everyone would have fallen.
Yes, he doesn’t regret that time.
But…
‘I won’t fall for it a second time, you bastards.’
Chung Myung ground his teeth and said,
“That bastard Beop Jong isn’t a bad person.”
When Chung Myung mentioned ‘Beop Jong’ and ‘bastard’ in the same breath, Hye Yeon, who was standing in the corner, flinched and looked at Chung Myung. However, given the situation, he kept his mouth tightly shut.
“Even Heo Do Jinin isn’t a bad person. It’s just that one thing is very clear in his mind.”
“…And what is that?”
“The most important thing is the interests of his own sect above all else.”
At Chung Myung’s words, Tang Gunak closed his eyes.
That wasn’t much different from what Tang Gunak himself had thought until recently. For that reason, he could understand more clearly that there was a high probability Chung Myung’s words would come to pass.
Chung Myung’s lips curled into a bitter smile.
The times may have changed, but their thinking hasn’t. It was the same when Hwasan climbed the Hundred Thousand Mountains, the same when Hwasan was attacked by the Demonic Cult, and the same when Hwasan faced a miserable downfall afterwards.
Even the behavior of Heo Do Jinin and Beop Jong during the Yangtze River Disaster was no different. All of it was just a rational decision prioritizing the interests and safety of their own sects.
“I don’t necessarily think that’s wrong. People are like that, after all.”
“…”
“But…”
Chung Myung shrugged his shoulders.
“If that’s how they’re going to play it, then we can’t help but consider our own interests, right?”
“…You’re right.”
Tang Gunak nodded.
Now, Tang Gunak no longer wanted to oppose Chung Myung’s words. He had no intention of sacrificing the Tang clan as a shield for other sects.
“I understand what you’re saying. I also see that continuing to guard the Yangtze River in this situation could lead to the downfall of Cheonumaeng.”
“Glad to see you’re quick to understand.”
“But there’s one thing that bothers me.”
Tang Gunak furrowed his brows.
“No matter how right that direction may be, if we just pull out now, the public sentiment along the Yangtze will turn away from Cheonumaeng. People aren’t inherently that rational, are they? I’m worried all the efforts we’ve put in over the past three years will end up being in vain.”
At that moment, a wicked smile curled up on Chung Myung’s lips.
“In vain?”
“Yes, in vain.”
Chung Myung looked quietly at Tang Gunak before speaking.
“Do you know what I hate the most?”
Tang Gunak replied with an incredibly serious expression.
“Jongnam.”
“…”
For a moment, Chung Myung’s mind went blank. The mouth that had been spitting out words like a flowing stream hung open and didn’t move.
“Isn’t that it?”
“Well… uh…”
Conflicted emotions played across Chung Myung’s face. Here, the obvious answer should be ‘No!’ so that he could continue with what he was going to say.
But…
‘How on earth can I say with my own mouth that I don’t hate Jongnam?’
What? Not that I don’t hate them, just that I hate them less?
That’s the same thing, you rascals!
The only thing I hate more than Jongnam is the Demonic Cult!
Chung Myung fell silent, as if at a loss for words. His eyes darted wildly from side to side.
Unable to watch it any longer, Baek Cheon offered a helping hand to Chung Myung.
“Lord Tang, I think he’s asking not about who he hates the most, but rather what situation he hates the most.”
“Y-Yes, that’s it!”
Chung Myung quickly agreed, nodding vigorously.
Well, look at that – Dongryong can be helpful after all when he’s fed well!
“A situation?”
“Yes! A situation!”
“…Losing to Jongnam?”
“…”
At that moment, Tang Gunak thought he saw Chung Myung’s face crack like dried plaster.
It wasn’t just Chung Myung who was shocked: even the Five Swords, who had been quietly listening, shuddered.
“Wow, that would piss me off too.”
“I’d rather not even imagine it.”
“Biting my tongue and dying sounds better.”
Baek Cheon, who added the last comment, seemed ready to draw his sword and head straight for Jongnam at any moment.
Even the elders and the Sect Leader were nodding as if agreeing that it was the right thing to do.
“Ugh… yeah… I suppose that really is the most infuriating…”
Chung Myung shook his head vigorously.
“Anyway!”
“…Why are you suddenly yelling?”
“What I hate most is when someone messes with what’s mine. When someone else takes all the credit for the effort I’ve put in? I absolutely can’t stand it.”
“If that’s the case, doesn’t it mean we should all the more keep guarding the Yangtze?”
“But there’s one thing I hate even more than that.”
“…And what is that?”
Chung Myung silently stared at Tang Gunak for a moment before slowly opening his mouth.
“Clinging to illusions like profit or justification and losing the people we should never lose.”
“…”
“If it’s to avoid that, I don’t care what else we lose.”
Tang Gunak closed his mouth.
There was not a trace of a smile on Chung Myung’s face. It was clear that his words were nothing but his utmost sincerity.
‘The people we must not lose…’
He couldn’t stubbornly hold his ground after hearing those words.
“…Understood.”
The eyes of the two met in mid-air. Tang Gunak, as if having made up his mind, nodded.
“I don’t know if this decision is right or wrong. But…”
His true feelings and his honest sentiment flowed out calmly.
“I just trust you, that’s all.”
A gentle smile appeared on Tang Gunak’s lips.
________
Please, subscribe/donate on Patreon or Buymeacoffee – support my work and help me buy official cookies to purchase the chapters. My schedule is on the About page.
Return of the Mount Hua 
Leave a comment