Return of the Mount Hua

I didn’t see anything. (4)

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The unfamiliar face present at the Cheonumaeng meeting was not just Namgung Dowi.

‘Can I be here?’

Jao Gae scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

The reason he had followed along this far was quite simple. First, after declaring that he would abandon his position, he couldn’t return to the beggars, but at the same time, it wasn’t a good idea to just stand conspicuously in that spot. So, he thought he would stay here for a while and discreetly slip away when he felt it was a good opportunity to find somewhere else to go.

That was until he received the report this morning.

The message on the direct red line of communication was simple, saying, “Stay there.” Along with the bold “Beggars Sect” mark, signifying the Beggars Sect Leader authority.

“Damn it,”

Jao Gae muttered.

‘Tsk. He for sure acts quickly.’

Even though he was no longer part of the union, he couldn’t ignore the leaders orders. Originally, even a figure like him had to give up his martial arts before leaving the union. To create a situation to return quietly later, he had to flatten himself on the floor for now.

That was fine up to this point. Although it was a bit uncomfortable, it was a reasonable task.

The real problem was what came next.

‘Why the hell am I here?’

Wasn’t this the place where the Cheonumaeng held their meetings? So why in the world was he sitting here when he wasn’t a member of the Cheonumaeng or even the Beggars Sect anymore?

I just came because the leader called, and I sat down when told to. After that, many others came in, and it turned into this situation.

What’s even stranger is that none of these people find it odd that he’s here.

‘Is this really okay?’

Isn’t it Cheonumaeng, the Cheonumaeng?!

Even if it’s impossible now, the Cheonumaeng is a huge force within the Gangho, and is it really okay for a meeting from such a place to proceed like this?

“The first thing we need to confirm is…”

At that moment, Hyun Jong spoke up. Jao Gae also temporarily cleared his thoughts and listened carefully to what he said.

“…what’s going on with the Gupailbang on Yangtze right now.”

That’s right.

Jao Gae nodded involuntarily, agreeing with that idea internally. Since they had just clashed with the Gupailbang, it made sense to start by confirming that. The Sect Leader of Hwasan was clearly holding the reins well.

“Um, has anyone checked on that by any chance?”

“…”

“…”

At that moment, a strange silence settled in this big hall.

Every time Hyun Jong glanced at them, everyone either subtly avoided his gaze or gave him shining eyes that said, ‘I don’t know anything even if you ask!’

“…nobody knows?”

“Ahem.”

Tang Gunak coughed with a flushed face.

“Our leader turned away so resolutely that it’s not easy to go back to the riverbank and look again.”

“…well, that’s true, but…”

At that point, Jao Gae’s head was spinning.

Usually, Gupailbang’s meetings weren’t like that. Regardless of the agenda, they maintained decorum, preserved their dignity, and beneath the surface, their pride clashed fiercely.

A diplomatic way of speaking that concealed sharp intent, wasn’t that what an alliance meeting was supposed to be?

But this meeting, how should he put it…

‘It’s like a brawl, or maybe too human.’

No, perhaps it could be both. What seems overly human might appear as a brawl.

“So, um… since nobody knows what Gupailbang is doing right now…”

“Should we send someone to check now?”

“…wouldn’t that be a bit awkward?”

“Well, it would, but…”

This is a conversation between Hyun Jong and Tang Gunak, the leaders of Cheonumaeng, who have turned the Gangho upside down.

‘Is this place really okay?’

Hyun Jong, who had ordered the advance to the Maehwado, who had made even Jao Gae’s old heart race…

At that moment, Chung Myung, who had been confidently trampling over Im Sobyeong, turned his head.

“Why are we talking about thing like that among ourselves? There’s a beggar grandpa over there.”

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone’s gaze turned sharply towards Jao Gae.

Under the stinging and intense glares, he cleared his throat as if he was in trouble.

“But didn’t he leave the beggars?”

When Baek Cheon brought up the topic, Chung Myung snorted.

“A beggar left the Beggars Sect?”

“That’s what I heard.”

“But why have beggars been lurking around here before sunrise?”

“Huh?”

Chung Myung tilted his head from side to side.

“I thought he had come from the Beggars Sect to provide information… but was he actually stealing our information, perhaps?”

Chung Myung stared at Jao Gae with a bright smile.

“No?”

“…”

Jao Gae’s body trembled.

‘Hwasan Geomhyeop.’

Naturally, the faction that knows Chung Myung best in the world is Hwasan. However, the place where Chung Myung is most infamous in the world is not Hwasan, but the Beggars Sect.

How many years has it been since the beggars of Hwaeum [the village beneath Hwasan sect], who interact with Hwasan, poured out their anger and sorrow, making beggars from all over the world shed tears?

Cold sweat broke out on Jao Gae’s back.

‘What did that Hong Dae-kwang say?’

The great Demon who wore the mask of the Taoist? The leader of Evil who wrongly determined his affiliation? If he had committed himself to the Sapaeryeon, he would have become a legendary figure who would be talked about for five hundred years. But he choose the wrong sect and end up arranging flowers with a sword?

“Why aren’t you answering?”

Among them, the words that remained most vividly in Jao Gae’s memory were these.

– That guy doesn’t respect the elderly; he attacks them. He doesn’t discriminate between young and old. Don’t just pretend to be moral in front and regret after you’ve shed blood on your head; understand the situation yourself.

At that moment, Jao Gae realized what he should say.

“Listen, Sohyeop.”

“…Yes?”

He looked at Chung Myung solemnly and opened his mouth.

“Right now, I may not have an affiliation, but I used to be an elder of the Beggars Sect. Leaving the faction doesn’t mean losing one’s principles. I am an elder, and you are one of the third class disciples of Hwasan, right?”

Chung Myung nodded.

“Right, right.”

Then, with a mischievous smile, he asked,

“So?”

“That’s right!”

Jao Gae’s eyes emitted a bright blue light.

“I know a lot of things. Feel free to ask me anything! I’ll tell you everything!”

“…”

Pride is a luxury for beggars.

“Currently, the GupaIlbang is still not retreating from the banks of the river.”

“Why is that?”

“Well, that’s a bit complicated.”

Jao Gae scratched his head.

“There are too many reasons, but it seems like there are two main ones. First, the Surochae and Maninbang haven’t retreated yet. The Surochae is still maintaining its position on the Yangtze river, and people from Maninbang have disembarked but have set up camp by the river. That’s as if they could move northward at any time.”

“Hmm.”

Hyun Jong nodded heavily.

“So, Shaolin won’t easily retreat either. The effects of the Yangtze river has not yet expired, so they can’t cross to the south, but if they sit idly, Maninbang could take advantage and move north, right?”

Hearing this, Chung Myung chuckled.

“That man is as ruthless as always.”

It’s best to treat wounds as soon as possible, whether they’re physical or emotional. Untreated wounds fester and leave deep scars, be it on the body or the soul. It seemed that Jang Ilso intended to keep holding back Shaolin’s departure a bit longer, allowing their wounds to fester more on the riverbank.

“Secondly, they have no reason to withdraw.”

“You mentioned it as a reason?”

“Yes. Well, I’m not sure if this is something I should mention, but the head of Shaolin… um, I’m not sure if it’s an appropriate topic, but he…”

“What about him?”

As Chung Myung’s eyes began to squint again, Jao Gae quickly changed his words.

“That head… um… that guy.”

Chung Myung nodded with a satisfied look.

“Well, anyway, before the Abbot came here, he issued a summon to the entire Gupailbang. But only a few factions responded.”

“That’s right. So, they asked for our help as well, didn’t they?”

“Their authority has already fallen as far as it could. But in this situation, if they go all the way to the Yangtze and return to Shaolin without gaining anything… or rather, if they return without doing anything at all, what will happen to their prestige?”

“Um…”

Jao Gae said with a bitter expression,

“Shaolin may not be able to claim the title of the leader anymore. A leader can only claim that title when they have the strength to back it up.”

“I understand what you mean.”

Jao Gae nodded at Hyun Jong.

“Perhaps Gupailbang won’t be able to leave this riverbank until Maninbang withdraws. By now, Paeng family has probably joined as well, so that’s even more likely.”

“Um.”

Hyun Jong let out a heavy sigh. The battles might be over, but the war was far from finished. It sounded like a reminder that the war wouldn’t truly end until Maninbang withdrew.

“Thank you, Jao Gae.”

“No problem. I heard that in Cheonumang, everyone has to earn their keep. I guess I’ll have to pay my dues as well.”

Jao Gae smiled and then fell silent, as if his role was now complete.

Hyun Jong turned to Tang Gunak.

“Lord Tang.”

“Yes, Alliance Leader.”

“What should we do now?”

Tang Gunak paused, stroking his chin before responding,

“Honestly, we don’t have much of a choice at the moment.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“There are too many critically injured people among Namgung. We’ve only achieved some degree of stability, and if we rush to move, wounds might reopen and worsen. Even the Great Healer won’t be able to save them then.”

“I see…”

“At the very least, our sect has to treat these patients here. That means we won’t be able to move quickly for at least a five days. So, for now, we should focus on treating the patients and observe the situation.”

Hyun Jong nodded vigorously,

“Thank you for your advice.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Hyun Jong looked at the others and continued,

“Our original purpose for coming to Maehwado was to rescue the members of the Namgung Clan. Until we can move them safely, let’s stay here.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“But!”

Hyun Jong narrowed his eyes. When he did, there was only one person he directed this look to.

“You must never leave this manor! Do you understand?”

“Why?”

“Why? Why do you ask why? We have Gupailbang camping right in front of us! If you step outside, you think you’ll just stand there quietly?”

“But I’m not a child…”

As Chung Myung grumbled, everyone who knew him well couldn’t help but smile.

“Ah, he is getting all grown up.”

“Yeah, much better.”

“At least he didn’t put a sword through that monk’s head.”

Hyun Jong glanced at Chung Myung with a somewhat unsatisfied look, then turned to Baek Cheon. His gaze softened, becoming gentle and mild.

“Wow! Look at him discriminating with his eyes!”

“Shut up, you!”

Hyun Jong dramatically changed his gaze once again and earnestly instructed Baek Cheon.

“Make sure this guy doesn’t leave the courtyard.”

“…You should assign Yu Samae, Baek Sang, Yoon Jong, Jo Geol, and Soso as well.”

“Add Un Geom as well.”

“That should be possible.”

“No, I said I won’t go!”

“You’re too noisy!”

Chung Myung lips protruded even further.

Looking at him with eyes that clearly expressed he was very, very, and extremely frustrated, Hyun Jong cleared his throat and adjusted his complexion.

“And next…”

This time, Hyun Jong’s gaze fell on Namgung Dowi.

Namgung Dowi, who had been watching Chung Myung being mistreated by everyone with startled expression, straightened up in surprise.

Finally, the most important words came out of Hyun Jong’s mouth.

“We need to discuss Namgung Clan’s admission to Cheonumaeng.”

Tension coursed through his body, and Namgung Dowi swallowed dryly, his face full of anticipation.

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