Return of Mount Hua Sect

Novel Return of Mount Hua Sect Chapter 1092

“What? Unify Kangho?”

“What is he talking about?”

Im Sobyeong clicked his tongue as a mixture of criticism and reproach poured from their eyes.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. How can you be so clueless?”

“…It’s not that we’re clueless, you just seem out of your mind.”

Namgung Dowi, who was watching this scene from a distance, was sweating so much that his back was soaked.

‘Is this really okay?’

Still, he is the Nokrim King who rules all the mountains in Jungwon.

Of course, Nokrim King seemed younger than expected, a bit sickly, and perhaps a little… well… yeah, a bit immature, but still, he is Nokrim King. If things were as they should be, a mere disciple of Mount Hua should not speak to him so disrespectfully…

“Tsk, tsk!”

As expected, Im Sobyeong showed signs of discomfort and clicked his tongue. Namgung Dowi, nervous at that reaction, shrugged his shoulders.

“This is why you shouldn’t talk to uneducated yangbans! What do Dojangs know? Can yangban who doesn’t even know what the Four Books and Three Classics are and only read the Tao Scripture guess the meaning of a noble Confucian scholar?”

“A noble Confucian scholar?”

“That’s why Confucius said, ‘A gentleman does not speak of strange events, feats of strength, or spirits (군자불어괴력난신(君子不語怪力亂神)).’ One should not converse with the treacherous ways of Taoism.”

Baek Cheon looked at Im Sobyeong with a puzzled expression.

“Is this something a bandit should say?”

“Haha. Confucius said that one who observes the nine thoughts (구사(九思)) and nine expressions (九容) is a gentleman. What does it matter where one is born? If you want to refute me, at least go through the three classics.”

Hearing this, Baek Cheon snorted.

“It looks like Nokrim King doesn’t know much.”

“Yes?”

“One of the three classics (삼경(三經)), the Book of Changes (주역(周易)), is a must-read for Taoists.”

“…Really?”

“Tsk, tsk. This is why Evil Sects are what they are. How could a bandit, raised in the mountains, grasp the profound meaning of Taoism?”

In the end, Namgung Dowi’s head drooped down. He gave up trying to interpret this crazy conversation any further.

“Anyway!”

Im Sobyeong, recovering his composure, opened his fan with a snap to change the atmosphere.

“The conversation between Maengju-nim and Chung Myung Dojang was simple. It means that in dealing with Magyo in the future, we will not break the foundation of Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”

“So what does that mean?”

“What is the foundation of Heavenly Comrade Alliance?”

“That….”

Baek Cheon glanced back at his Sajils. Then everyone cleared their throats awkwardly and turned their heads. Baek Cheon’s face crumpled. In the end, he had to answer.

“It’s hard to say I know for sure, but… isn’t it about working together with trusted friends?”

“Exactly.”

“…Oh, really?”

“….”

As Im Sobyeong gave him a disdainful look, Baek Cheon looked away.

“…That’s correct, but I need to add one thing. The most unique thing about Heavenly Comrade Alliance is that it does not discriminate based on status or background.”

Baek Cheon nodded in agreement.

That is the biggest reason why Heavenly Comrade Alliance is now considered a sect neither Righteous nor Evil (정사지간/In between).

“Heavenly Comrade Alliance was like that from the beginning. In fact, although it is called a prestigious sect only in Kangho, isn’t it true that there were those who subtly shunned Sichuan Tang Family?”

“What kind of bastard does that?”

“…Soso, calm down. No swearing.”

“It’s frustrating.”

“Whoa, whoa. Now, be nice.”

Baek Cheon smiled bitterly. Though Tang Soso was grinding her teeth, it was an undeniable fact.

Sichuan Tang Family is clearly a prestigious and powerful sect. No one can deny that they are a noble lineage.

However, due to the characteristics of using poison and hidden weapons, there was also a tendency among sects of Kangho to secretly regard Tang Family as cowardly and to look down on them as being closer to Evil Sects.

It’s just that no one dares to say this outright in front of Tang Family.

“It’s not just Kangho. Since ancient times, Sichuan has been looked down upon even within Jungwon.”

“…What’s that….”

Im Sobyeong shrugged his shoulders.

“And what about Namgung Palace and the Northern Sea Palace? They are lumped together and called ‘Five Outer Palace’ and all, but in fact, the distance between them is twice as far as the distance between them and Jungwon. They are not entities that can be grouped together. The intent behind grouping them is clear.”

“….”

“Those who are not from Jungwon.”

Baek Cheon nodded silently. This statement is also not wrong. In the end, the title ‘Five Outer Palace’ contains contempt for those who are not from Jungwon.

“So, the beginning of Heavenly Comrade Alliance is a hodgepodge of sects that are regarded with contempt and sects that are looked down on, centering on the sect called Mount Hua, who was abandoned by Jungwon…. N- NO. Yoo Iseol Dojang. P- Put down that sword. I’m not doing this because I have any ill feelings….”

Yoo Iseol was glaring at Im Sobyeong with her sword half-drawn, daring him to continue.

“Didn’t even trash like NOkrim bandits, such lowly Evil Sects scum, join in?”

Only then did Yoo Iseol put away the sword she had drawn and nodded.

Im Sobyeong felt like he had been wronged, but what could he do? That sword demon was terrifying.

“So what is Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s identity? Righteous Sects, Outer Palaces, Evil Sects, Taoist Sects, secular…. Oh my. There is also an apostate monk here. Can we count him as Buddhist?”

“Who’s apostate, who!”

“In that way, we collected all the things that exist in the world, whatever identity they have, and said, ‘We are all friends,’ and poured them out to pot and stir. Do you know what that’s called?”

“A mess.”

“Destruction.”

“A hot pot.”

“No, no.”

Im Sobyeong grinned.

“The world calls that ‘the world’.”

“The world…”

Baek Cheon repeated. Im Sobyeong tapped his neck with his fan, still smiling.

“Heavenly Comrade Alliance embraces anything. As long as the one word for ‘trust’ are satisfied, it does not discriminate based on origin or status. This means anyone can belong to Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”

“…Indeed. We even accepted bandits.”

“I know right.”

“My point exactly.”

Im Sobyeong looked at Baek Cheon with a hurt face. However, Baek Cheon, with a face saying, ‘What? Did I say something wrong? You bandit?’ managed to sprinkle salt on the wound of Nokrim King.

“…Therefore, there is no need for Heavenly Comrade Alliance to divide its forces. If necessary, we can just embrace everything within.”

“No, it’s easier said than done….”

“And that’s not the only thing that’s fascinating about Heavenly Comrade Alliance. Heavenly Comrade Alliance is a force that mixes the most diverse people, but isn’t its unity the strongest of the three forces?”

Baek Cheon nodded.

The Ten Great Sects, on the brink of fracturing, weren’t even worth discussing.

If we interpret the word ‘unity’ a little more broadly and evaluate even those who are oppressed by Jang Ilso’s presence, we might have to praise Evil Tyrant Alliance…. Based on common sense, the most strongly united of the three forces would be Heavenly Comrade Alliance, no matter what anyone says.

“This place is an insane place. Think about it. No matter how much Magyo invaded, the disciples of Mount Hua and Shaolin, the two most hostile sects in the world, joined forces, and Namgung, the leader of Five Great Family, lent its strength. Even I, Nokrim King, was dragged in.”

“….”

“The head of Heavenly Comrade Alliance, the head of Ten Great Sects, the head of Five Great Family, and the Nokrim King. Do you think this combination could ever naturally come together?”

“…Probably not.”

Baek Cheon scratched the back of his head. In the meantime, it seemed so natural that he forgot about it, but in fact, it was a situation that didn’t make sense.

If all of them could get along so easily, why would Kangho bother to distinguish between Righteous Sects and Evil Sects, prestigious and small and medium-sized sects, and thoroughly reject each other?

Even within the same Righteous Sects, the Ten Great Sects and the Five Great Family are divided depending on their form, and they implicitly keep each other in check.

“But in Heavenly Comrade Alliance, that is possible. Therefore, there is no need for Heavenly Comrade Alliance to adapt themselves to other people’s thoughts. It just needs to accept them into its fold! What does that imply?”

“Wh- What does it imply?”

“There is no need to become a part of the world. By expanding its own power, Heavenly Comrade Alliance can become the world itself. Whether it’s Ten Great Sects or Evil Tyrant Alliance, we can just swallow it up. Rather than forcefully uniting like a rag, we are pushing them under Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”

“….”

“Huhuhu. I thought he was a remarkable person, but I never imagined he had such grand ambitions. I can’t handle it, really. Huhuhu.”

Im Sobyeong’s eyes turned to Chung Myung on the eaves. His excitement was evident.

But Baek Cheon felt that there was something wrong with his words.

And at that very moment, Yoo Iseol, who had remained silent until now, opened her mouth.

“It’s different from before.”

“……Hm?”

Baek Cheon looked back at Yoo Iseol. She was looking at Chung Myung, not Baek Cheon.

“Mount Hua failed. Thoroughly.”

“….”

“In the past, I thought it was because of those ungrateful people. But that’s not it. The reason Mount Hua failed was because it was alone.”

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

“So, this time it will be different. Mount Hua is no longer alone. Even if it’s not as strong as before, there are people who will fight with us and protect each other. So don’t be afraid. We can do it.”

Everyone nodded. Though clumsy, these words resonated with them more deeply.

“Yes. If Mount Hua had been alone before, there would have been nothing it could have done within Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”

“But not anymore. Tang Family will do their best to help us.”

“It’s not just Tang Family. So, if we form an alliance, we don’t have to bow our heads. Now, Mount Hua isn’t just a single sect; it is a place that represents Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”

Baek Cheon let out a deep sigh.

‘There’s a lot of homework.’

In the past, Chung Myung would have taken the time to explain everything in detail so that everyone behind him could understand what he was saying. Isn’t Chung Myung the type of guy who easily get annoyed but somehow manages to make people understand?

But not this time. He threw the topic out there and then stepped back, as if telling them not to follow blindly but to think for themselves.

“Everyone will have different interpretations.”

“….”

“But I believe that’s the right approach. An alliance, after all, is a place where people with different thoughts come together and coordinate those thoughts.”

“Yes, Sasuk.”

“I think so. What Samae said was correct, and what Nokrim King said… There is a slight chance it might be right too.”

“…Well, I think the treatment is too different.”

Baek Cheon ignored Im Sobyeong’s complaint and spoke up.

“But I think this way. The core of the conversation between Sect Leader and Chung Myung is probably just Heavenly Comrade Alliance himself. Heavenly Comrade Alliance is a place created by people to protect each other. Such a place should not force each other to make sacrifices in order to protect itself. That goes against the very root of the reason why Heavenly Comrade Alliance was created.”

“…You’re right.”

“It will be a difficult path. Because Chung Myung is saying that we must protect the world from Magyo clutches, and at the same time, protect all those we want to protect. It must be a thorny path. So….”

Baek Cheon raises his head and looks at Chung Myung again.

The full moon above cast a gentle light on Chung Myung.

“Let us help. Because we are also among those who want to protect that guy.”

“Yes, Sasuk.”

“Yes, Sahyung.”

A quiet smile appeared on Baek Cheon’s lips as he gazed at Chung Myung.

There is no need for everyone to think the same way. What matters is believing in each other, and wanting to protect each other.

That is an alliance, that is a league, that is a sect.

Yes, that is family.