Return of the Mount Hua

This is my role. (1)

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It fet as if a sword, thick with murderous intent, was touching his neck.

There was only one truth conveyed by this sensation.

‘This isn’t a mere threat.’

In truth, such a thing should be impossible. It defied common sense.

Yet right now, Beop Jong’s senses were telling him clearly.

If he gives the wrong answer here and now, Chung Myung might genuinely draw his sword to cut his throat.

‘Why is he going this far?’

Beop Jong simply couldn’t understand the deep-seated fury burning within Chung Myung.

What could Hwasan possibly gain by making an enemy of Shaolin?

“Amitabha…”

A Buddhist chant, laced with embarrassment, slipped from Beop Jong’s lips.

He didn’t realize that the end of his voice trembled ever so slightly.

“Amitabha.”

The chant laid bare all his frustration.

In order to resolve the situation they were now facing, the cooperation of Cheonumaeng was absolutely necessary.

But if the core of that alliance, Hwasan Geomhyeop, stood this firm, it would be nearly impossible to draw them in.

From the start, Hwasan Geomhyeop was a difficult man to predict.

He never agreed to any deal that might put him at a disadvantage, and also threats never worked on him.

What could anyone possibly say to a man who would threaten the Abbot of Shaolin himself?

Trying to sway this man through conversation was next to impossible.

If there was only one weakness Hwasan Geomhyeop had…

“Alliance Leader.”

Beop Jong’s gaze shifted from Chung Myung to Hyun Jong.

Hyun Jong faced Beop Jong with a troubled expression. At the sound of Hyun Jong’s name, Chung Myung’s shoulders twitched slightly, and Beop Jong didn’t miss the reaction.

‘Without a doubt.’

Hwasan Geomhyeop pays no heed to anyone in this world – but he does respect Hyun Jong, the Sect Leader of Hwasan.

Whether it was because Hyun Jong was the Sect Leader, or for some other reason, Beop Jong couldn’t say. But the reason didn’t matter.

The conclusion was that if he could persuade Hyun Jong, even Hwasan Geomhyeop might find it difficult to oppose him.

“What is your opinion, Alliance Leader? Do you share Hwasan Geomhyeop’s stance?”

“Abbo-…”

“Please don’t tell me that your disciples’ will is your own. I’m sure you know that’s just a way of avoiding the question.”

Beop Jong spoke quickly, as if not intending to give Hyun Jong a chance to think.

“And please remember, I am now making a request not to the Sect Leader of Hwasan, but to the Alliance Leader of Cheonumaeng. Even if Hwasan Geomhyeop represents the will of Hwasan, he does not speak for the entire Alliance. Do you truly believe that all the other sects within the Alliance will agree with him without question?”

“Hmm…”

Worry darkened Hyun Jong’s face.

What weighed on his shoulders wasn’t the content of Beop Jong’s words – but his tone.

A tone that had clearly shifted from earlier.

It was now filled with the intent to pressure him.

“A man who leads a sect must, at times, be willing to make decisions that are close to being authoritarian for the sake of the sect’s future. Even if something seems frustrating or disadvantageous in the moment, in the end, it may prove to be what benefits the sect most. I’m sure you understand this, Alliance Leader.”

“This…”

Chung Myung’s face twisted.

It was the expression of someone who wanted nothing more than to step in and snap Beop Jong’s neck right then and there.

But unlike before, his mouth did not open carelessly.

Beop Jong glanced at him and allowed himself a faint, inward smile.

It was clear – Hwasan Geomhyeop never challenged Hyun Jong’s authority.

The only snare capable of restraining that unpredictable man was Hyun Jong himself.

And Hyun Jong, truth be told, was a gentle and weak man.

Perhaps Hwasan Geomhyeop was another matter, but convincing Hyun Jong was not so difficult a task for Beop Jong.

“When I took the seat as the Abbot of Shaolin…”

He continued in a deliberately calm voice. His composure was returning, little by little.

“The first thing I truly felt was the weight of that position.”

A low murmur escaped from Hyun Jong.

These are words that anyone who has led a sect cannot help but empathize with.

“The pressure that my every choice might shift the fate of Shaolin, might even shift the fate of the world… It’s a burden no one who hasn’t held such a position can begin to imagine.”

“Hmm…”

“Was it not the same for you, Alliance Leader?”

“…”

Beop Jong smiled gently.

“There were countless times I wanted to let everything go and simply live as my heart wished. But each time, what kept me grounded was that one name – Shaolin.”

“…”

“Because I am the Abbot of Shaolin, I must listen to the words of my disciples. But sometimes, because I am the Abbot of Shaolin, I must not listen to them. Acting on impulse is surprisingly easy. What is truly difficult… is holding back what I want to do, and thinking of the sect’s future instead.”

His calm, yet commanding voice wrapped around Hyun Jong.

Seeing the deepening burden in Hyun Jong’s expression, Beop Jong slowly drove in the wedge.

“I am not asking for help unconditionally. Shaolin is a sect that does not forget favors. If you, as leader of Cheonumaeng, and as the Sect Leader of Hwasan, choose to extend your aid to us – Shaolin will surely repay that debt. Not only will we support Hwasan’s return as one of the Great Sects, but we will also grant rights we have never offered to any other sect.”

Click.

The prayer beads in Beop Jong’s hand scraped roughly against one another. The sound made those listening flinch.

Once again seizing control of the atmosphere around them, Beop Jong smiled gently.

“If it comes to pass, Hwasan’s return to former glory will be nothing more than the natural course of events. We all feel concern for the younger ones – that’s only human. But a true leader must see beyond them and envision the future of the sect, mustn’t he?”

Crack.

In that moment, a faint sound reached Beop Jong’s ears.

It was likely Hwasan Geomhyeop, crushing something in his grip to restrain his fury.

But Beop Jong mustered his resolve with desperate patience and kept his gaze firmly away from him.

Right now, he had to completely shut out Hwasan Geomhyeop if he was to deal with Hyun Jong.

“But…”

At that moment, Hyun Jong finally spoke.

“Even if Hwasan were to return as one of the Great Sects now… what would that really change?”

“A great deal would change.”

Beop Jong looked directly at Hyun Jong with steady eyes – eyes that seemed intent on laying bare the truth.

“Cheonumaeng may indeed be enjoying a powerful rise. So for now, the name of Gupailbang may feel small to you. But, Alliance Leader – how many factions in the long history of Gangho have rivaled the strength of the current Cheonumaeng?”

At those words, Hyun Jong’s expression shifted subtly.

Beop Jong didn’t miss the opening and tightened his grip.

“There were alliances that once stood shoulder to shoulder with Gupailbang in their reputation, some even flaunting power greater than Gupailbang themselves. But what remains now are only Gupailbang and the Five Great Families. Where do you suppose those once-glorious alliances are now?”

Within his sleeve, Hyun Jong’s hand slowly clenched into a fist.

He knew those words were not wrong.

“Yes, Cheonumaeng is a remarkable force. But you know as well as I – alliances formed with outsider sects can never endure through the ages. The moment that bond is severed, the reality Hwasan must face… will be Gupailbang and the Five Great Families, many of whom will bear deep resentment towards Hwasan. And by then, the only sect that will still stand by your side will be the Sichuan Tang Clan. In other words…”

At that moment.

For the first time since the conversation began, Beop Jong turned his gaze from Hyun Jong to Chung Myung.

It was clear now: these words were not meant for Hyun Jong alone.

“The moment Hwasan Geomhyeop is no longer able to protect Hwasan, the sect will face a reality far more devastating than anything it’s seen in the past. Do you truly believe, as the Sect Leader, that Hwasan can survive while making enemies of Gupailbang and the Five Great Families?”

“This…”

Chung Myung’s face twisted, and Hyun Jong slowly closed his eyes.

These words struck exactly at the heart of his concerns.

Hwasan had expanded its influence with overwhelming momentum – and Hyun Jong was fully aware that it was all because of one person: Chung Myung.

That was why Chung Myung was someone he felt endless gratitude and affection toward.

But where there is light, there is also shadow.

Hwasan had formed close ties with the Sichuan Tang Clan, with outer palaces, with Nokrim.

But in contrast, its relationship with Gupailbang and the Five Great Families – the traditional powers of Gangho – had clearly deteriorated.

If Cheonumaeng could continue to expand with the same force, it might not be a problem.

But what of Hwasan without Chung Myung?

What if, during the war against Sapaeryon, Chung Myung were to fall?

Or even if such a tragedy never occurred – what would become of Hwasan after Chung Myung’s natural lifespan came to an end?

Could they truly withstand the pressure from Gupailbang and the Five Great Families?

Most likely, no.

Hwasan had already grown beyond what any single sect should be capable of.

To demand the same of those who would one day inherit it would be nothing short of cruelty – an act of violence disguised as expectation.

An unspeakable, crushing weight pressed down on Hyun Jong.

If he could live to see all this play out with his own eyes, there would be no need to worry.

But how many years did he have left?

Right now, he only had to make the choice.

But it would be those who remained who paid the full price for that choice.

Was it truly right to burden future generations with such a weight – for the sake of momentary satisfaction in the present?

Could he really, so easily, choose to provoke the giants who had upheld Gangho for centuries and turn them against Hwasan?

Beop Jong spoke as he looked at Hyun Jong, who was lost in thought.

“Please, truly consider what path best serves Hwasan. Alliance Leader… no – Sect Leader!”

It was the final wedge.

A long silence followed.

Everyone simply waited for Hyun Jong’s answer.

With his eyes closed, Hyun Jong deliberated for a long time.

Eventually, he opened them slowly and turned his gaze to the disciples of Hwasan who were watching him.

Their faces each held different expressions.

Some looked at him with desperate hope, some with unwavering trust, others brimmed with dissatisfaction that he was even entertaining such talk, and some were lost in deep thought. 

Among all those thoughts and all those wishes, it was the duty of the one who bore the name ‘Sect Leader’ to find the right path.

Until now, he had left many decisions in their hands, because he had known how lacking he was to make them alone.

But in this moment, Hyun Jong instinctively knew: this was a choice that belonged solely to him.

To hesitate now would be nothing more than shifting the burden onto the young disciples.

It was a lonely battle.

A journey like walking an endless night road alone, where not even a step ahead could be seen.

But Hyun Jong knew of one star that could light that darkness.

One star that shone more brilliantly than anything else in the heavens above.

“Abbot.”

Having reached his conclusion, Hyun Jong turned to Beop Jong and opened his mouth.

“I understand clearly what you wished to say.”

“Then…”

“If Hwasan were to turn its back on Shaolin now, then yes – future generations of Hwasan may well face years of hardship. Perhaps, after barely surviving a great crisis, the name of Hwasan itself could vanish forever.”

Beop Jong nodded deeply, satisfaction blooming within him.

It seemed Hyun Jong had truly grasped the meaning behind his words.

“Then, as the Sect Leader, isn’t the choice you must make clear beyond any doubt?”

“Yes, Abbot. It is perfectly clear.”

Hyun Jong looked Beop Jong squarely in the eye, his face calm.

In that moment, Beop Jong unconsciously straightened his posture.

A force emanated from Hyun Jong – one so overwhelming that it was hard to believe this was the same gentle man he had always known.

“When one of our disciples once visited Yunnan in the past, there was an interesting story.”

“…Pardon?”

But what came out of Hyun Jong’s mouth was an entirely unexpected tale.

Beop Jong frowned.

“What are you suddenly…”

“It is said that, while in Yunnan, our disciple witnessed people in great poverty. He sold the Plum Blossom Sword he carried and used the money to buy grain, which he then distributed among them. No one reported the incident, but the disciple came to me on his own and confessed, asking to be punished.”

At that, all eyes of the Five Swords turned sharply to Yoon Jong.

Yoon Jong’s face flushed red in an instant.

Hyun Jong glanced at Yoon Jong and smiled faintly.

“The Lord of the Beast Palace was the one who told me of this. And now, Abbot, I’d like to share with you what that disciple told the Palace Lord at the time.”

“…”

“If the glory of Hwasan allows those living in this world to live a little more comfortably, then every disciple of Hwasan can proudly speak of that glory. But if that glory exists only for Hwasan itself… then Hwasan is a sect that can be replaced by any other, at any time.”

Beop Jong’s face stiffened.

In contrast, Hyun Jong’s face had softened – as though all doubt had been cast away.

“Abbot, what matters most to Hwasan is not upholding the facade. If we cannot pass on the will that Hwasan strives to uphold, then no matter how much glory we may attain, it would simply be another sect that happens to bear the same name.”

“…”

“If we abandon righteousness in the name of survival, then Hwasan will no longer be Hwasan. Rather than witness Hwasan so changed, I would prefer to see its end with my own two eyes. That is…”

His eyes now brimmed with a fierce clarity – so intense that even Beop Jong found it difficult to meet his gaze.

“…this is my role, of one so painfully unworthy, and yet entrusted with the position of the Sect Leader of Hwasan.”

In a low, measured tone imbued with an inescapable certainty, his words pierced into Beop Jong’s ears.

“Return, Abbot. Hwasan will not respond to your request. If you truly wished to change Hwasan’s heart, you should have come with genuine heart instead of mere logic.”

It was the declaration of Hyun Jong, the Sect Leader of the Great Hwasan Sect.

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“Even if Hwasan Geomhyeop represents the will of Hwasan, he does not speak for the entire Alliance.” – mmm, I think he actually does speak for the entire alliance.

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