Return of the Mount Hua

There’s no way we wouldn’t believe it. (5)

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He wasn’t particularly imposing.

Most of those currently occupying Maehwado were Surochae’s forces, but they had already lost their momentum. On the other hand, Hwasan and Tangga warriors who had penetrated deep into their ranks were applying relentless pressure around Hyun Jong, effectively surrounding Jang Ilso.

In other words, Jang Ilso was the one encircled.

However, when facing Jang Ilso, Hyun Jong couldn’t help but feel as if his body was being swept away by a typhoon. It was a sensation he had felt once before, during the Cheonumang’s inauguration ceremony, but what he felt now was even greater and more intense. He couldn’t help but doubt whether him confronting Jang Ilso was a reasonable decision.

The leader of Cheonumang and Hwasan sect. That name undoubtedly had the qualifications to contend with the leaders of the Sapaeryeon. However, as an individual, Hyun Jong felt too small to face Jang Ilso. That’s why he remained silent.

When Jang Ilso boldly entered Maehwado alone and even when Chung Myung initiated negotiations with him instead of Hyun Jong, Hyun Jong chose to stay silent. He felt it was more appropriate that way. But… Chung Myung had sent Jang Ilso to him as if he was the one who had to deal with him.

‘Chung Myung must have told those kids.’

Those who wielded swords needed to understand the weight of the sword in their hands. They must never forget that what they held was a weapon meant to take lives.

The obviousness of this statement pricked at Hyun Jong once again. Chung Myung had said he was the sword of Hwasan. If he was a sword, it would be an incredibly sharp one, unlike any other in the world. So, if Hyun Jong held that sword in his hand, he too needed to understand its weight.

In other words…

Hyun Jong glanced at Chung Myung briefly, who continued to look at him with an unwavering gaze.

‘I must also have the qualifications to wield that sword.’

It might not be Chung Myung’s intention, but Hyun Jong at least felt that way. It was a burden he had been feeling all along.

Now, Hwasan was no longer the same faction as in the past. Merely holding the prestigious position of the the Sect Leader, which he had earned through perseverance, was not enough.

‘Am I capable of handling this sharpness?’

These sharp swords? Not just Chung Myung, but also Baek Cheon, Yu Iseol, Yoon Jong, and Jo Geol… Could he truly wield all Hwasan’s swords properly?

Holding a sword could be something akin to a curse, perhaps for both him and the sword in his hand. All these questions were still unanswered when Jang Ilso spoke up.

“Is it appropriate to address you as ‘an alliance leader’? Or perhaps…?”

“Just call me Sect Leader.”

Hyun Jong drew a line. There was the Tangga in this place. The moment he was addressed as the alliance leader, his choice would determine the Tangga’s will as well. It wasn’t what Hyun Jong desired.

However, in that moment, Jang Ilso’s lips curved into a smile.

“Humility is a good thing.”

“As long as it’s not cowardice.”

Hyun Jong closed his eyes briefly. If someone else had been in Jang Ilso’s place, they might have felt insulted. Namgung Hwang might have erupted in anger, and even the unemotional Tang Gunak might have shown signs of agitation.

But strangely, Hyun Jong didn’t feel any anger at Jang Ilso’s words. He had experienced too much humiliation in the past to be affected by a single word. Moreover, the gap between him and Jang Ilso was too vast. It was precisely because of that gap that he could remain composed.

“My bowl is not that big,” he replied calmly.

Jang Ilso raised an eyebrow at the unexpected response, as if he hadn’t anticipated it.

After silently studying Hyun Jong for a while, Jang Ilso slowly nodded.

“Alright, Sect Leader.”

There was no trace of enmity in Jang Ilso’s face as he smiled. Some might find it insincere, and others might be cautious of hidden danger within that smile. But Hyun Jong accepted the smile as it was.

Jang Ilso was someone who didn’t even acknowledge Hyun Jong’s presence. Such a person had no need to openly display enmity towards Hyun Jong. He was familiar with this.

Back when he was a leader of a ruined sect, a name was all that remained. Those who interacted with him always wore smiles. Human enmity often begins with perceived threats. Human nature tends to soften towards those who pose no threat.

That’s why… Hyun Jong found the smile both reasonable and painful at the same time.

“As the leader of the Sapaeryeon I formally request Hwasan’s mercy for Saparyeon’s secondary leader, Black Dragon King, currently under Hwasan’s authority,”

Jang Ilso said, and Hyun Jong remained silent in response.

Hyun Jong turned his gaze as if seeking an answer, but Chung Myung remained expressionless. Unlike his usual attempts to convey his intentions through expressions whenever there was a choice to make, he didn’t seem to be in that mode. With an inappropriate lack of expression, he simply watched Hyun Jong, as if he was just following through with a decision, placing the sword at Black Dragon King’s throat.

Hyun Jong, taking a deep breath, looked at Jang Ilso.

“I will ask the question that disciple of Hwasan asked.”

Silent, Chung Myung continued to gaze at Hyun Jong.

“We would like to know why we should release the Black Dragon King as you’ve said.”

“It’s simple.”

Jang Ilso looked at Hyun Jong with a slightly darkened gaze.

“That’s because it’s the only way for the Hwasan, the Tangga, and Namgung to safely leave this island.”

Hyun Jong let out a low sigh. To be honest, when you thought about it, it wasn’t an entirely incorrect statement.

Black Dragon King had been subdued, that was certain. However, except for him, most of the Surochae’s forces were still intact. If he lost his life, they would undoubtedly follow the orders of this Jang Ilso. Logically, there would be confusion during the transition of command, but…

‘Since the enemy is Jang Ilso, there’s no way such a thing would happen.’

With his position as the Ryeonju Sapaeryeon and his reputation as a Paegun, Jang Ilso is now practically the symbol of the evil factions. If it were Jang Ilso, who would be in command, instead of Black Dragon King, it might even boost morale. Besides, there’s no way Jang Ilso hasn’t prepared for this situation in advance. So, ultimately, to escape from this island, they will have to confront both the remnants of the Surochae and the Maninbang, which haven’t moved until now. Even the foothold seems to have been lost now.

Hyun Jong’s gaze subconsciously shifted beyond the river. If Shaolin stationed on the riverbank were to move, it could be a fight worth trying. But…

‘This is also unlikely.’

Hyun Jong sensed it. That Shaolin wouldn’t move. If they had plans to act together, they should have done so before the situation escalated to this point when Hwasan entered the island. Having missed the timing, they would simply watch from the sidelines.

“If we release him, will you peacefully send us back to Gangbuk [to the north of the river]?”

“Of course,”

Jang Ilso replied with a gentle smile. There’s no need to question the truth of that statement.

Hyun Jong doesn’t trust Jang Ilso. In fact, if you were to list the people in this world who trust Jang Ilso the least, Hyun Jong might be among the top. However, it’s precisely for this reason that he can believe him.

A big liar doesn’t lie about small things. Those who aim to deceive are often rather truthful. From Hyun Jong’s perspective, the matter of Black Dragon King’s life is far from a small thing. But from Jang Ilso’s perspective, it’s probably not significant enough to damage the trust he has in himself.

“What will you do?”

Jang Ilso casually pressed Hyun Jong.

“Will you release the Black Dragon King and return peacefully, or…”

Jang Ilso’s fingernail slowly grazed his lips. When his finger finally left his lips, a chilling voice emerged from Jang Ilso’s mouth.

“…are you going to kill everyone here?”

It was a clear threat, enough to send shivers down one’s spine. Hyun Jong forced down his racing heart.

Should he go ahead and kill the Black Dragon King and target Jang Ilso? Or should he step back, sparing them all, for the safety of the Hwasan, Tangga, and Namgung?

It’s a dilemma that no one in the world could easily resolve. But…

Hyun Jong looked at Hwasan’s disciples, all of them gazing at him with eyes full of trust. Whatever words came out of his mouth, they would believe and follow without hesitation. Their eyes conveyed a willingness to accept the consequences of his choices, even if it meant their own deaths.

As the representative of Hwasan, he should naturally take those gazes for granted. To do so, he needed to become an even greater person. However…

A faint smile played on the corner of Hyun Jong’s lips.

‘I am a small person.’

Acknowledging that fact brought him peace of mind. He knew he couldn’t become the outstanding person they hoped for.

Therefore, he realized something. While he might not know what choice the Sect Leader should make, what choice Hyun Jong should make was crystal clear.

He cast one last glance at Chung Myung.

‘Are you okay with this?’

A faint smile appeared on Chung Myung’s lips in response, as if to say that it was enough.

Finally, Hyun Jong took a deep breath and looked at Jang Ilso.

“Very well…”

Jang Ilso tilted his head slightly.

“Have you made up your mind, Sect Leader?”

Still facing that gentle smile, Hyun Jong spoke calmly.

“Lord Ryeonju.”

“Yes, please speak.”

“Regarding Hwasan…”

Hyun Jong paused for a moment and then firmly stated,

“I will not accept Lord Ryeonju’s proposal.”

At that moment, Jang Ilso abruptly stopped all his actions. Frozen, as if he had forgotten to even breathe, he completely ceased moving. His gaze remained locked onto Hyun Jong without wavering.

But it was only for a moment. Soon, his face contorted dramatically. It was a truly drastic change.

“What did you say?”

He growled as if shedding the veil of courtesy he had worn like extravagant clothing, Jang Ilso discarded his decorum and roared. Hwasan’s swordsmen who had been on guard behind their Sect Leader took a step forward in unison.

The negotiations had broken down.

A terrifying killing intent flickered across Jang Ilso’s face.

And then, at that very moment…

“However…”

Hyun Jong continued in his composed voice,

“I will release the Black Dragon King.”

Jang Ilso stared intently at Hyun Jong. He couldn’t immediately grasp what was going on in Hyun Jong’s mind.

“Remember, please.”

“What?”

“Hwasan does not negotiate with Sapaeryeon.”

“…”

“Yet, the reason we are releasing the Black Dragon King is because we planned to do so from the beginning.”

“You planned to do so?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

When Hyun Jong slowly turned his gaze, at the end of it was Namgung Dowi, who tightly clenched his sword until his hand turned pale.

“This vengeance does not belong to Hwasan.”

“…”

“We came here at the request of Namgung. It wasn’t for the sake of elevating our reputation or shaking the balance of power. It was simply because we couldn’t turn away from one person’s request.”

For a moment, Jang Ilso stared at Hyun Jong as if he had been struck with a knife in the back of the head. It was the first time in his life that such an expression had crossed his face.

“So the revenge for the Black Dragon King is only justified in Namgung’s name. Hwasan has no right to seize that opportunity.”

“…”

“So we will release the Black Dragon King. And I ask you, Ryeonju, to leave too. This is not the place for you or us.”

“Ha… Haha…”

For a moment, Jang Ilso’s face contorted strangely. It seemed like he was laughing, feeling dejected, and getting angry, all at the same time. With an expression like he had seen a ghost, Jang Ilso slowly turned his head.

Chung Myung .

He was smiling brightly while looking at Jang Ilso.

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I honestly can’t with Chung Myung and Jang Ilso interaction moments. I clearly see Chung Myung smiling so brightly it’s blinding.