Return of Mount Hua Sect - Chapter 677
There are bound to be uncomfortable situations in the world.
It would be ideal if one could avoid them, but as one goes through life, there are inevitably situations that must be faced.
This was exactly the case for Hyun Jong now.
‘My stomach hurts.’
Even though Chung Myung wasn’t in front of him, it had been long since he felt this discomfort in his stomach.
He stared quietly at the people sitting in front of him.
In a place where Mount Hua’s disciples usually sat around and looked up to him with admiration, now the prominent figure of each sect was staring intently at him.
Their gazes weren’t necessarily hostile, but it was easy to guess that they were neither friendly.
The Ten Great Sect and Five Great Family.
The prestigious sects that ruled the current Kangho.
Of course, Hyun Jong had already encountered the Sect Leader of each sect in one place at the Murim Competition.
However, his situation was different now.
At that time, he was nothing more than a support for Mount Hua’s disciples among the Sect Leader who was not particularly interested in him. But now, he had to face their gazes squarely.
If the figure of Heavenly Comrade Alliance weren’t protecting him on both sides, it wouldn’t have been easy for him to withstand these heavy gazes so calmly.
“Amitabha.”
Sitting in the middle, Bop Kye softly chanted the Buddhist mantra and looked at Hyun Jong with a deep gaze.
“First of all…. Congratulations on the establishment of Heavenly Comrade Alliance, Maengju-nim.”
He addressed him as Maengju rather than Sect Leader. This meant Shaolin would acknowledge Hyun Jong as the Maengju of Heavenly Comrade Alliance and treat him accordingly.
Of course, since things had progressed to this point, Shaolin could do nothing about it. Nonetheless, receiving Shaolin’s recognition was significant in Kangho.
“Thank you.”
Hyun Jong smiled brightly.
“When Elder says so, my heart feels a little more at ease.”
“Hahaha.”
Bop Kye quietly smiled.
Perhaps because of the laughter, the atmosphere in the room began to loosen up slightly.
“The people of Kangho are paying great attention to Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”
“Yes.”
“On behalf of the people of Kangho, I ask that you make an effort for the peace and well-being of Kangho.”
“You don’t even have to ask.”
Bop Kye didn’t show any hostility towards Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
This is because Bop Jeong is not so hostile to the alliance in the first place. Bop Jeong has already acknowledged and endorsed the establishment of Heavenly Comrade Alliance through a deal with Chung Myung.
Besides…
‘Certainly…’
Bop Kye could clearly understand what Bop Jeong meant before coming here. He could sense the faint tension in the faces of the prominent figure sitting to his left and right.
In the past, the prestigious sects in Kangho were scattered like grains of sand, unable to form a proper alliance. Moreover, Shaolin, which should have been the center, had also lost much of its influence over these sects.
‘If there’s no one to confront, there’s no reason to unite.’
If they decide that listening to Shaolin is not in their best interest, even the mighty Shaolin cannot control everyone.
Thanks to the humiliation at the Murim Competition, Shaolin, which had been losing control over the Ten Great Sect, did not consider the emergence of an external alliance like the Heavenly Comrade Alliance to be a bad thing.
Of course.
It was concerning that Jungwon monks and Taoists were so involved in politics, but isn’t it impossible to live in this world cleanly and uprightly?
“Amitabha.”
In any case, all of this was a matter of inner thoughts that could not be expressed.
“Bangjang of the main temple also has high expectations for Heavenly Comrade Alliance. Please…”
However, it was right at that moment.
“It seems that Elder Bop Kye is too lenient. This may not be a big deal for those who follow the Buddhist law, but for those who follow the laws of the world, this cannot be easily overlooked.”
Bop Kye and others turned to where the words came from.
Yi Byeok of Qingcheng stared at Hyun Jong with cold eyes.
His gaze soon left Hyun Jong and fixed on Tang Gun-ak.
“It’s like throwing a stone into a calm lake and creating ripples. I find it difficult to understand why Heavenly Comrade Alliance would create tension in the peaceful Kangho by forming an alliance.”
“Rather than tension…”
“Can you be sure that the intention is not hegemony?”
The last question was not for Hyun Jong or Tang Gun-ak, but for the other distinguished figures.
“Um.”
“Hmm.”
Soft groans escaped the mouths of the other distinguished figures.
Qingcheng is a sect located in Sichuan. A prestigious sect located closer to Sichuan Tang Family than any other place in the world.
Of course, the relationship between Sichuan Tang Family and Qingcheng is not enough to grind their teeth and pull their swords out like Mount Hua and Southern Edge Sect, but it is even stranger if the sects located close to each other are on good terms.
As the distance is close, the territories overlap, and they must compete for the same resources. Initially, they may be able to maintain a reasonably good relationship, but as time goes on, enmity inevitably remains.
That is why Yi Byeok of Qingcheng reacted so sensitively.
“Who can say anything about people with like minds forming an alliance? However, it is difficult to just congratulate when we do not know what the alliance will do.”
Hyun Jong frowned slightly at the overly straightforward remarks.
“The Heavenly Comrade Alliance is by no means a place to seek hegemony. The incident Elder is worried about will not happen.”
“Then!”
Yi Byeok looked straight at Hyun Jong.
“Are you saying that even if our sect has a problem with Sichuan Tang Family and we face each other with swords drawn, Mount Hua will not interfere in the matter?”
“….”
“Are you saying that you will leave the matter of the sect to the sect, regardless of right or wrong? From what I’ve seen, Heavenly Comrade Alliance doesn’t seem to be like that.”
Hyun Jong, closed his mouth as if he was speechless for a moment, then closed his eyes. Having calmed himself down briefly, he opened his eyes again and smiled gently.
“The reason why the sect of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance can become brothers with each other is that they are based on the belief that they will not commit violent acts. If the factions belonging to the Heavenly Comrade Alliance were to do something they shouldn’t, the Alliance would step in to stop it first.”
“….”
“Being a brother means stopping wrongful acts, not supporting them.”
It seemed that everyone agreed with this statement as they nodded their heads.
However, it didn’t seem like a sufficient answer for Yi Byeok of Qingcheng.
“Of course, that’s true. But no one here thinks that the Heavenly Comrade Alliance has a problem from the start. The issue is what happens next.”
When Hyun Jong looked at it as if it meant something, Yi Byeok sneered and continued.
“Even a mere child would want to wield a sword if they have one in their hands. Do you really think that the sect that has gained the powerful backing of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance will remain as docile as they are now?”
“….”
“At first, they will naturally restrain themselves. But eventually, they will want to wield that power. Can you really be sure that the Heavenly Comrade Alliance will not cause problems at that time?”
The people gathered in the room looked at Yi Byeok with strange eyes.
After all, this was a place to celebrate the alliance. Even if there were complaints or problems, it was against etiquette to openly express them here.
However, no one tried to refute Yi Byeok. They all wanted to hear an answer to this question.
While Hyun Jong was about to say something, facing the cold gaze of Yi Byeok, Tang Gun-ak, who had been silently standing by his side, slowly opened his mouth.
“Elder Yi Byeok doesn’t have to worry too much.”
“…what do you mean?”
Tang Gun-ak’s mouth was strangely twisted.
“Qingcheng must be worried about Sichuan Tang Family. Isn’t it?”
“….”
Yi Byeok closed his mouth tightly.
It wasn’t easy to answer such a direct question. Qingcheng does not have much advantage over Sichuan Tang Family in the first place. And now, with Sichuan Tang Family carrying the prestige of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance on their back…
Tang Gun-ak’s sharp eyes pierced through him.
“Do you think our sect would need the help of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance to deal with Qingcheng? It seems you are overestimating yourself.”
“Wha- What….”
Yi Byeok’s face flushed red.
Of course, he is an Elder of Qingcheng and Tang Gun-Ak was the leader of a sect. However, even so, this was a remark that crossed the line.
“Your words are too harsh!”
“Are my words too harsh?”
Tang Gun-Ak showed his teeth and grinned coldly.
“It’s not too much for an Elder of Qingcheng, not even the Sect Leader, to question the leader of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, yet my words to you, an Elder of Qingcheng, are too harsh?”
A blade-like aura burst from Tang Gun-Ak’s body, momentarily stiffening his face.
“Answer me.”
“Th- That is……
Yi Byeok closed his mouth.
Arguing right or wrong over Tang Gun-ak’s logic is not important. The important thing was that the Poison King Tang Gun-ak openly showed hostility towards him.
Even before the Heavenly Cormade Alliance was formed, Yi Byeok was no match for Tang Gun-Ak. So how could he possibly face Tang Gun-Ak with a straight eye now?
“Trying to wield power while riding on prestige?”
A mocking smile played on Tang Gun-Ak’s lips.
“That’s something you should say about yourselves, not us. If you hadn’t ridden on the prestige of the Ten Great Sect, would you dare to spout such words in this place?”
“Gaju-nim, your words are too harsh.”
As Bop Kye intervened, Tang Gun-Ak glared at everyone and said,
“Listen carefully. Hyun Jong Jinin is not only the Sect Leader of Mount Hua but also Maengju of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. Speaking recklessly to Maengju is disrespecting the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, and furthermore, is ignoring Sichuan Tang Family, Namman Yasugung Clan, and North Sea Ice Clan altogether.”
He didn’t even raise his voice.
However, his quiet and heavy tone was more threatening than any loud shouting.
“If this happens once more in front of me, Sichuan Tang Family will not stay idle.”
“That’s right.”
Maeng So, who was watching the situation, glared at the distinguished figure with his arms folded.
The oppressive aura emanating from his enormous body strongly weighed down on everyone in the room.
“I don’t know the laws and regulations of Jungwon. All I know is that Maengju is not a person that people like you can dare to treat recklessly. On the contrary, don’t forget that Maengju is also protecting you. I would have already taken care of it if it had not been for Maengju here.”
If Tang Gun-ak’s words were advice, this was more of a threat.
However, no one could easily object to his words.
‘That foolish guy gave them an excuse.’
‘How foolish!’
Yi Byeok was the first to violate etiquette.
Therefore, they couldn’t blame them for dropping their manners like this. Realizing this fact, Yi Byeok’s face turned dark.
“North Sea Ice Clan too is not a place that forfeited its virtue by any means. However, we have no tradition of admonishing the rude verbally in the North Sea.”
Seol So-baek said calmly.
“If you really want to know what’s harsh, we can let you know.”
In fact, Seol So-Baek wasn’t strong when it comes to martial arts alone.
Therefore, showing such pressure as Tang Gun-ak or Maeng So was impossible.
But where in the world would someone dare ignore the North Sea Ice Clan behind his back?
The atmosphere quickly became desolate as the three sects started protecting Hyun Jong.
“Amitabha.”
Bop Kye let out a low chant.
“I’ll apologize to Maengju on behalf of our side. Please forgive our rudeness.”
“Rudeness? How could that be considered rudeness?”
As Hyun Jong stretched his arms slightly to the left and right, the intimidating aura of Tang Gun-ak and Maeng So, who were oppressing the crowd, disappeared instantly.
Instead, Hyun Jong’s gentle and refreshing aura softly enveloped them.
“It’s a legitimate question. I understand the anxiety you all feel due to the sects within the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”
Hyun Jong smiled brightly.
“But the situation you are worried about will not happen. Please trust me.”
Bop Kye nodded quietly.
“We will trust you. We ask once again for Maengju to lead the Heavenly Cormade Alliance well.”
“I will.”
As the two people bowed to each other, Tang Gun-Ak raised the corners of his mouth slightly.
‘We’ve gained the upper hand.’
Just by giving the impression that the Heavenly Comrade Alliance would not submit to the pressure from the Ten Great Sect and Five Great Family, this gathering had been meaningful enough.
Of course, their expressions are not very good, but…….
‘All that’s left is to wrap things up nicely.’
However, Tang Gun-Ak had no idea at that time.
The fact that something he never thought of, or anyone else in the world, was now approaching Mount Hua.