Return of the Mount Hua

Where is Hwasan? (2)

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A profound silence weighed down the riverside. Someone might have felt relieved that Namgung Dowi wasn’t scolding or cursing at them for their actions. However, those who understood the significance of this situation could only clench their fists until blood appeared.

Here, there was Shaolin, Kongtong, and The Beggars Sect. The three martial sects dedicated to defending the riverside and upholding the agreement were right in front of Namgung Dowi. Still, he did not look at them.

He acted as if they didn’t exist, even though those who must be rescued were still trapped on that island, waiting for salvation. He had no expectations of them, and this fact tormented everyone present. The treatment they received, being unable to utter a single word of protest and instead bowing their heads, gnawed at their conscience deep within.

Everyone remained silent, as if bound by an unspoken agreement. They couldn’t answer because they didn’t know, and even if they did, they couldn’t find the courage to speak first due to their shame.

Namgung Dowi turned to look at them with cold eyes.

“Why don’t you speak?..”

“Young Lord..”

Finally, Beop Jong spoke with a stifled sigh.

“I’m truly sorry.”

The Shaolin monks understood. It was extremely rare to see Beop Jong make such an expression. Right now, the Abbot was genuinely remorseful towards Namgung Dowi.

“Very soon, the Paeng Family will arrive, and then, no matter what it takes, we will rescue Namgung Clan members who remain on that island…”

“Hwasan!”

Namgung Dowi’s voice that erupted in that moment blocked Beop Jong’s words. His face was tense. Lips that had trembled with spasms now opened again with great effort.

“…Where is Hwasan?”

Beop Jong’s head slowly lowered.

Namgung Dowi wasn’t searching for them. He wasn’t asking for salvation. Even though the ones he needed to rescue were in plain sight, he didn’t look at the ones closest to him, never calling for their help.

‘What right do I have to speak?’

Only the right of being a sinner.

“Young Lord…”

Beop Jong let out another deep sigh.

“I understand your feelings, but it can’t be this way now. Young Lord’s late father… No, shouldn’t we save them on behalf of the head of the Namgung family?”

Beop Jong’s eyes and Namgung Dowi’s eyes met head-on.

“…”

Beop Jong’s voice faltered. Had he ever met such eyes before? They weren’t the eyes of someone looking at a person. It was like looking at a pile of rocks on the roadside. There was no expectation, no desire, no hope in those eyes. It was as if they were saying that even the slightest hint of emotion was not worth feeling.

“Do you not know?”

“…”

With no response, Namgung Dowi slowly nodded his head and began to walk forward, limping.

“Y-young Lord!”

Thud. Thud.

Using his sword as a staff to support his body, Namgung Dowi silently continued the painstaking steps he had taken before.

The Shaolin monks gradually stepped aside as he walked. They bit their lips and clenched their fists, but they made way for him as if they couldn’t dare to block his path.

Thud. Thud.

Walking along the open path, Namgung Dowi seemed like he might collapse at any moment.

“Young Lord.”

“…”

“Young Lord!”

“…”

“Young Lord! What are you going to do?”

At first, Beop Jong’s voice sounded almost pleading, but it grew louder and eventually turned into a shout.

However, Namgung Dowi continued to walk as if he couldn’t hear, staggering forward.

Abbot, biting his lips, shouted again,

“Do not act emotionally! No matter how angry you may be, what can Hwasan do from Shaanxi? Do you not know what we must do to save Namgung?”

Namgung Dowi’s steps didn’t falter.

Abbot’s words didn’t reach him at all.

His indifferent actions, more than any curse or outcry, etched a profound sense of wrongdoing into everyone’s hearts.

“This…”

Abbots face turned red and then pale, trembling.

“Young Lord Namgung Dowi!”

“…Hwasan.”

Someone spoke at that moment, but it wasn’t Namgung Dowi. It was Jao Gae, who had been observing everything. Or more precisely, it was Jao Gae who spoke to Namgung Dowi instead of the Abbot.

“Hwasan is not far from here.”

Finally, Namgung Dowi, who had stopped walking, slowly turned to look at Jao Gae.

“…Where?”

“It’s hard to explain in words.”

Jao Gae spoke calmly as if he had made up his mind.

“Come with me. I’ll guide you.”

“…”

Namgung Dowi stared at Jao Gae in silence. Then, at the moment he seemed to nod his head.

“Elder! What are you doing?”

Beop Jong shouted in an angry voice. Jao Gae looked at him with cold eyes.

“I’m just telling him what he wanted to know. It’s not particularly a great secret.”

“Hwasan can’t be here! How can you say such a thing?”

“They are here.”

“…What?”

Jao Gae looked straight at Beop Jong and said clearly again,

“They are not far from here. They have been here for a while.”

Abbot widened his eyes.

“They… they clearly said they wouldn’t participate in the affairs of Yangtze! But how…”

“They probably meant they wouldn’t assist Gupailbang. They are currently helping the refugees of the dangerous areas.”

Beop Jong was momentarily speechless. The revelation of Hwasan being present here was completely unexpected. Jao Gae raised his head, looking at the Abbot, who was in a state of shock.

“If they ask you what you know, you can’t say you don’t know. So I’ve just said it.”

Abbot’s lips trembled.

There was no mistake in what Jao Gae said. Teaching what was asked wasn’t wrong. And the location of Hwasan wasn’t that significant of a secret.

But what came after was the problem.

If the word spread that Namgung Clan, ignoring the Gupailbang, had sought salvation at that Hwasan?

Wouldn’t that lead to a more terrible situation?

“Jao Gae!”

The Abbot glared at Jao Gae with a ghostly expression.

“Is this action in line with The Beggars Sect’s intentions?”

“I highly doubt it.”

Jao Gae replied calmly, nodding his head slightly.

“I’m not a Sect Leader I’m just an Elder. How could I represent the whole sect’s intentions? It’s just my own will.”

“Do you think an Elder of the Beggars Sect can have their own will?”

Beop Jong retorted with a cold tone. Jao Gae closed his eyes momentarily as if contemplating something and then let out a deep sigh.

“…You’re right.”

Realistically, Beop Jong’s words were correct. No matter how willingly Jao Gae guided Namgung Dowi, as an Elder of the Beggars Sect, everything he did ultimately reflected it’s will. There was no room for personal emotions for someone leading countless sect’s followers.

“You should step back.”

Jao Gae slowly raised his head to look at the night sky, ignoring Beop Jong’s urging.

“Come on!”

“…”

A heavy silence hung in the air. Despite Abbot’s insistence, Jao Gae, who had been gazing at the night sky without paying much attention, slowly lowered his head. Then, he let out a wry smile.

“Well, there’s no other choice.”

“You’ve thought…”

Thud!

Before Abbot could finish his sentence, Jao Gae clenched his robe roughly and tore it apart.

Abbot’s eyes widened.

“Wh-what…!”

Jao Gae threw the torn scraps of clothing onto the ground. Amidst the pitiful pieces of fabric, the knots symbolizing the status of the Beggars Sect’s Elder were clearly visible: the Eight Knots (팔결). Only an Elder could tie these eight knots.

“What does this piece of junk mean?”

“J-Jao Gae!”

“If I can’t do what I need to do because of this status, then I’ll just discard this status.”

Jao Gae chuckled as if he found it amusing. Beop Jong looked at him in utter disbelief.

“My actions now have nothing to do with the Beggars Sect. So, please don’t order me around. You don’t have the authority.”

With those words, Jao Gae turned away and quickly supported Namgung Dowi.

“I will guide you, Young Lord.”

“…”

While silently watching him, Namgung Dowi slowly nodded. Just as Jao Gae was about to take his first step, several beggars rushed over, tearing off their own robes and came to support Namgung Dowi.

“What… are you guys doing? You idiots!”

Jao Gae rolled his eyes, but beggars only laughed merrily.

“Elder… no, Nogae (Old Beggar), you’re getting old, and you can’t carry people for long journeys. Step aside. Don’t make the injured person die by accident before he even gets there.”

“Tsk. Damn it. I never imagined I’d end up as an old beggar in my lifetime. That’s why I couldn’t live as I pleased.”

Everyone had a contented expression.

Perplexed by their actions, Jao Gae was pushed away by the Beggars Sect’s disciples.

“Step aside. Can’t you see he’s injured?”

“You old fool. Carry him.”

“Yes, sir… I mean, brother.”

Seeing them support and carry Namgung Dowi, Jao Gae couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You’re all like a bunch of foolish beggars.”

“Is it just beggars that you’ll carry?”

Without giving a response, Jao Gae turned and glanced at Beop Jong, whose eyes were filled with anger. Meeting his gaze, Jao Gae smirked and spoke confidently.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes!”

The beggars who were carrying Namgung Dowi rushed forward like the wind, without a moment’s hesitation.

“…”

The ones left behind watched them with blank expressions, unable to even move. They remained still until the disappearing figures became mere dots on the horizon.

Silence descended once more. No one dared to speak, and they either bowed their heads or gazed into the distance.

They knew. They can no longer represent this Central Plains. They can’t be a place for those in desperate need.

“Ha…”

Someone let out a self-deprecating laugh that pierced the ears of everyone. The short sound was so vivid that it felt almost painful, a mixture of injustice and guilt, making the corners of their lips ache.

“Ha ha ha ha ha!”

Then, someone burst into laughter loudly.

“Hye Bang!”

Beop Jong raised his voice, almost scolding, but Hye Bang continued to laugh even louder, as if he couldn’t hear.

“Ha ha ha ha ha! Isn’t this a sight to see? Is this what the Abbot wanted?”

“Can’t you shut your mouth!”

“What will change if you shut my mouth?”

Hye Bang retorted with a loud voice.

“Yes! I must be foolish for not understanding your lofty intentions! I wish I was more foolish and ignorant, knew nothing at all!”

With a ruthless voice that seemed to be dripping with blood, Hye Bang berated him. Beop Jong, who was hit by those words, looked around with powerless eyes.

No one met his gaze. Truly, no one did.

“Hehe.”

A bitter laugh escaped from Abbot’s lips. How did it come to this, by some twist of fate?

How did it come to…

“Ami… tabha.”

With a heavy heart, he closed his eyes, and it felt as if his body was falling into an endless abyss. Into a bottomless pit.

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