Return of the Mount Hua

I might have gone a bit too far with my words. (2)

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“What? The whole Gangho?”

“What are you saying?”

As a gaze mixed with reproach and disdain fell upon him, Im Sobyeong clicked his tongue.

“Tsk tsk tsk. You are so clueless.”

“…It’s not that we are clueless, it seems more like you lacks common sense.”

Namugung Dowi, observing this scene from a distance, was sweating so much that his back was damp.

‘Is it really okay for it to be like this?’

Still, he is the Nokrim King who dominates all the mountains in the Central Plains.

Of course, the Nokrim King was a bit younger than expected, frail, and a bit… um… yes, a bit lacking in a sturdy appearance. But no matter what, he is still the Nokrim King. Originally, a mere disciple of Hwasan shouldn’t be able to be so rude to him…

“Tsk!”

Sure enough, Im Sobyeong uncomfortably clicked his tongue. Nervous at this reaction, Namugung Dowi shrugged his shoulders.

“That’s why you shouldn’t converse with uneducated youngsters! Dojangs wouldn’t understand anything. They don’t even know what Four Books and Five Classics [사서삼경] are, only reciting Taoist Scriptures [도경(道經): 도교 경전] let alone grasp the meaning of a noble scholar’s intentions.”

“A noble scholar?”

“That’s why Confucius said, ‘A Master does not speak of extraordinary things, disorder or gods.’* That’s why I don’t want to meddle with evil Taoists.”

Astonished Baek Cheon glared at Im Sobyeong with wide-eyes.

“Are those the words of a bandit?”

“Hehe. Confucius said that if you uphold the Nine Thoughts and the Nine Conducts**, you are a gentleman. What does the mere origin matter? If you want to refute my words, at least leave aside the Samgyeong [삼경(三經) – the Three Clasics].”

Hearing this, Baek Cheon snorted.

“It seems the Nokrim King is not well-informed.”

“What?”

“One of the Three Classics, the Book of Changes [주역(周易) – Juyeok], is a fundamental reading of a Taoist sect.”

“…Really?”

“Tsk tsk. That’s why I say, a mountain-raised Sapa like you, how could you grasp the meaning of the Taoist way?”

Eventually, Namugung Dowi’s head drooped. He gave up interpreting this insane conversation any further.

“Anyway!”

Im Sobyeong, as if trying to lighten the atmosphere, waved his fan and continued.

“The conversation between the Sect Leader and Chung Myung Dojang was simple. In facing the Demonic Cult in the future, we won’t break the foundation of Cheonumaeng.”

“So, what does that mean?”

“What is the foundation of Cheonumaeng?”

“Well…”

Baek Cheon discreetly glanced at his Sajils. As they all awkwardly cleared their throats and turned their heads away, Baek Cheon’s face contorted. Eventually, he had to answer.

“While it’s hard to say that I fully understand… it’s about being with close friends you can trust, isn’t it?”

“Exactly.”

“Oh, really?”

Im Sobyeong sent a disdainful glance, and Baek Cheon subtly turned his head.

“…It’s accurate, but there’s one more thing to add. The most remarkable aspect of the Cheonumaeng is that it doesn’t distinguish by status or background.”

Baek Cheon nodded in agreement.

That’s the main reason why Cheonumaeng is considered Jeongsajigan [정사지간 – neutral sect between righteous and evil] in Gangho.

“From the beginning, Cheonumaeng has been like this. For instance, in Gangho, Sichuan Tangga may be known as an orthodox clan, but isn’t it true that there were those who looked down on them?”

“Who’s doing that?”

“… Soso, calm down, I’m not trying not belittle anyone.”

“It’s annoying.”

“Alright, alright. Just relax.”

Baek Cheon let out a bitter smile. Although Tang Soso might complain, it was an undeniable fact.

Tang clan is undoubtedly prestigious, a family with great power. There would be no one who could deny their high status.

However, due to clan’s use of poison and hidden weapons, Gangho subtly considered the Tangga as cowardly, and there was a clear tendency to look down in them, even considering Tangga closer to Sapa.

He couldn’t bear to say those words in front of the member of the Tang clan.

“It’s not just Gangho. Historically, Sichuan has been a land that the Central Plains have been looking down on.”

“Well, that’s…”

Im Sobyeong shrugged his shoulders.

“What about the Nanman Beast Palace and the Ice Clan? They call it the Five Outer Palaces and bind them with each other, but in reality, the distance between them is much farther than the distance between Central Plains and them. They were never meant to be bound together. The intention behind calling them that is clear.”

“…”

“Not the people from the Central Plains.”

Baek Cheon silently nodded. This statement was not wrong either. In the end, the term Five Outer Palaces carried a contempt for those not from the Central Plains.

“So, Cheonumaeng began as a mishmash of factions centered around crumbling Hwasan in the Central Plains, a faction that was abandoned by their former allies in the Central Plains… Oh, no. Put down that thing. I’m not saying this out of ill will…”

Yu Iseol half-drew her sword, glaring at Im Sobyeong. As if urging him to continue.

“Didn’t even those pathetic, trash-like scoundrels from Nokrim interfere, too?”

Only then did Yu Iseol sheathe her drawn sword and nodded. Im Sobyeong felt unjust, but what could he do? That sword spirit was intimidating.

“So, what is the true identity of Cheonumaeng? Righteous sects, foreign sects, Sapa, Taoism… Oh dear. There’s even an apostate monk here. Can we consider it chaos?”

“Who’s an apostate? Who?!”

“Gathering everything that exists in the world, mixing and stirring it with the declaration ‘we are all friends,’ and pouring it out recklessly. What do you call that?”

“Chaos.”

“Destruction.”

“A stew.”

“No, no.”

Im Sobyeong chuckled.

“The world calls it ‘everyone under heavenly rule.’ [천하라***]”

“Heavenly rule…”

Baek Cheon pondered. Im Sobyeong tapped his neck with a fan. A smile still lingered on his lips.

“Cheonumaeng embraces everything. If it satisfies the word ‘trust,’ it doesn’t discriminate based on origin or status. It means anyone can belong to Cheonumaeng.”

“That’s right. Even accepting bandits.”

“Exactly.”

“That’s what I mean.”

Im Sobyeong looked at Baek Cheon with a wounded expression. However, Baek Cheon, with an expression that seemed to say, ‘What? Did I say something wrong, bandit?’ demonstrated a miraculous skill of rubbing salt into the wounds of the Nokrim King.

“So, Cheonumaeng doesn’t necessarily need to divide its forces. If necessary, it can just embrace everything within.”

“But the words are easy…”

“And what’s remarkable about Cheonumaeng is not just that. Although it’s a faction created by the most diverse individuals, isn’t its bond surprisingly the strongest among the three alliances?”

Baek Cheon nodded.

Discussing the Gupailbang just before the imminent showdown was not worth it. If you interpret the term “bond” broadly and evaluate even those oppressed by Jang Ilso’s presence, then Sapaeryeon might be elevated. However, based on common sense, the place with the strongest bonds among the three forces would undoubtedly be Cheonumaeng.

“This is an insane place. Think about it. Despite the intrusion of the Demonic Cult, the disciples of Hwasan and Shaolin, the least friendly faction in the world right now, join forces. Furthermore, Namgung, who was the head of the Five Great Families, adds their strength. Even I, as the Nokrim King, was drawn into this.”

“…”

“Cheonumaeng’s leader, the leader of the Gupailbang, the leader of the Five Great Families, and the King of the Green Forest. Do you think these are originally combinations that can mix together?”

“… I suppose not.”

Baek Cheon scratched the back of his head. He had forgotten about it too easily until now, but the truth was, this was an inexplicable situation.

If all those people can easily get along, why would the members of Gangho bother distinguishing between orthodox sects and evil sects, prestigious and small factions, thoroughly rejecting each other? Even within the same union, they divide into Gupailbang and Five Great Families based on their form, engaging in a constant power struggle.

“But in Cheonumaeng, that’s possible. So, Cheonumaeng doesn’t need to adapt to the thoughts of other places. You just have to embrace it within Cheonumaeng! What does that mean?”

“Well, what does it mean?”

“It means there’s no need to become a member of the established world order. Just raise your own banner, and Cheonumaeng will become that entire world. Whether it’s Gupailbang or Sapaeryeon, you can just swallow them up. Instead of forcibly forming an alliance like sewing a patchwork, you push everything under Cheonumaeng.”

“…”

“Hehehehe. I thought he was a mediocre guy, but he must be ambitious. Can’t stand being inferior, indeed. Hehehehe.”

Im Sobyeong’s eyes turned towards Chung Myung on the eaves. There was a sense of excitement in the air.

However, Baek Cheon felt that something in his words didn’t quite align. And at that moment, Yu Iseol, who had maintained silence until now, spoke up.

“It’s different from before.”

“…Hm?”

Baek Cheon turned to Yu Iseol. She was looking at Chung Myung, not Baek Cheon.

“Hwasan of the past has failed. Completely.”

“…”

“I used to think it was because of those ungrateful ones. But it wasn’t. The reason Hwasan failed is that it was alone.”

Baek Cheon nodded. This aligned with what Chung Myung had said.

“So, things will be different this time. Hwasan is not alone anymore. Even if it’s not as strong as before, there are others who will fight together and watch over each other. So, don’t be afraid. We can do it.”

Everyone nodded. It might be awkward, but these words resonated much more with them.

“That’s right. If Hwasan was alone before, there wouldn’t have been much it could do within that alliance.”

“But not anymore. The Tangga will do their best to help us, too.”

“Not just the Tangga. And if we form an alliance, it doesn’t mean we have to bow our heads. Now, Hwasan is not just a simple faction – it represents Cheonumaeng.”

Baek Cheon sighed deeply.

‘There’s a lot of homework ahead.’

In the past, Chung Myung would have elaborated on his words to ensure everyone understood. Despite all his annoyance, he would somehow make them understand. Wasn’t that typical of that guy?

But not this time. He simply threw out the topic and withdrew. It was as if he was saying, ‘Don’t just follow what’s decided – think for yourselves.’

“Everyone will interpret it differently.”

“…”

“But I see that as a right thing. After all, an alliance is a place where individuals with different thoughts harmonize those thoughts.”

“Yes, precisely.”

“I think so too. What Samae said is right, and even what the Nokrim King said has some… probability of being right.”

“… It seems like we’re being treated quite differently.”

Ignoring Im Sobyeong’s comment, Baek Cheon spoke.

“But I think this way. The essence of the conversation between Sect Leader and Chung Myung is simply Cheonumaeng itself. Cheonumaeng is a place created for each other’s protection. It shouldn’t force sacrifices on each other under the guise of protecting Gangho. That would fundamentally contradict the reason we created Cheonumaeng.”

“…You speak the truth.”

“It will be a difficult path. Chung Myung is now saying that while defending the world from the demon’s clutches, we must protect everyone we want to protect. It’ll be a thorny path. So…”

Baek Cheon raised his head to look at Chung Myung again.

The full moon above his head gently illuminated him.

“Let’s help him. We also want to protect that guy.”

“Yes, Sasuk.”

“Yes, Sahyeong.”

A subtle smile appeared on Baek Cheon’s lips as he looked at Chung Myung. There’s no need for everyone’s thoughts to be the same. What matters is trusting each other and wanting to protect one another.

That’s an alliance, that’s an oath, that’s a sect.

Yes, it’s family.

Next chapter >>>

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*군자불어괴력난신(君子不語怪力亂神) – Im Sobyeong refers to Confucius. “The subjects on which the Master did not talk, were: extraordinary things, feats of strength, disorder, and spiritual beings.” So basically an educated scholar does not believe in gods or ghosts. 

**Google “구용구사 [九容九思]” if you want to know what are the 9 thoughts and the 9 conducts (actions) one should uphold to be a respectable person. 

***I’m not sure about 천하라, because I can’t find hanja for it, and 천하라 as a whole googles back to Im Sobyeong, so I assume it’s something the author has invented.