Chapter 1163
What should we do? (3)
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I am 63 chapters ahead on my Patreon and Buymeacoffee. So today I am posting 10 chapters here on my blog.
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“Gupailbang… Return?”
“Return where?”
Moans resembling sighs escaped from the lips of the disciples of Hwasan. Their eyes were fixed on Beop Jong, seeking confirmation for the words they just heard, as if to ascertain whether it was genuine. The shock they experienced was undeniable.
Yet, the shock they felt was incomparable to what Hyun Jong and the elders experienced.
Thunk.
The grip on Hyun Sang’s thigh was so tight that it seemed it could pierce through the flesh. However, he remained oblivious to the pain.
The return to Gupailbang. Could anyone have imagined such words coming from Beop Jong?
The disciples were clueless. Chung and Baek disciples present here could not fathom the significance of these words for the elders.
They watched with wide eyes, wondering how the predecessors of Hwasan, expelled from Gupailbang, felt in their last moments. Those who departed while longing for the day when the name of Hwasan would rise again in Gupailbang.
They vividly remembered their teachers’ continuous pleas, urging them to someday restore the splendid glory of Hwasan, even though they knew it was an unattainable dream.
And now, someone with the power to make that dream come true was suggesting Hwasan’s return to Gupailbang.
Of course, in the past, Beop Jong had mentioned similar words. However, back then, ‘the return of Hwasan to Gupailbang’ was nothing more than a sweet lure for Beop Jong to wield Hwasan as he pleased and a mere strategic move on his part.
But now, Hwasan is no longer a place where Beop Jong can freely exert his influence, nor is it a place where he can throw a strategic move and conveniently smooth things over. Hwasan has become a sect that can hold Beop Jong accountable for his statements.
For him, who is well aware of this fact, to bring up these words means that the proposal is sincere.
“That… those words…”
Hyun Jong, who was about to ask if it was sincere, suddenly fell silent. Whatever he says now would be awkward given the circumstances. He is not only the Sect Leader of Hwasan but also the Alliance Leader of Cheonumaeng.
The condition for Cheonumaeng’s dismissal must not be a fruit [과실(果實) – as fruit/reward for smth] of Hwasan’s return to Gupailbang.
“You’re being too excessive.”
At that moment, Tang Gunak spoke up.
“Hwasan is the core of Cheonumaeng. No matter how great Gupailbang is, being there can never surpass the position of the leader of Cheonumaeng.”
“Well, you could think that way.”
Beop Jong readily acknowledged that fact.
“Moreover, what do you propose to do with the remaining factions once Cheonumaeng is dismantled?”
“Would that be a problem?”
“Well… yes?”
Beop Jong smiles.
“The problem comes from Tangga being part of Cheonumaeng. Is it truly awkward for Tangga to return to its original position in Five Great Families? Where the Tang clan has been for hundreds of years?”
“…”
“Namgung is the same. Is it so strange for Namgung clan to use the name of the Five Great Families again?”
“We have no such intention.”
When Namgung Dowi answered coolly, Beop Jong nodded.
“Young Lord. I have nothing to say to you, sadly.”
“…”
“But if Young Lord genuinely cares about the family, a bit of stubbornness should be let go.”
“I believe being with Cheonumaeng is for the sake of the family.”
“Now, that’s natural. But what about a hundred years from now?”
“Of course…”
“Without our Alliance Leader, without Hwasan Geomhyeop, and after everyone here has turned to dust, do you think being part of Cheonumaeng will benefit the family?”
“…”
“No, it won’t. I’m well aware of the lofty ideals and noble aspirations of our dear Cheonumaeng. However, that…”
Beop Jong declared with a composed voice.
“Cheonumaeng wasn’t created by Cheonumaeng itself – it was created by individual people here. Am I wrong?”
Namgung Dowi’s face twisted.
“We will continue with the same purpose…”
“Within one sect, it’s already difficult to pass down the will of the predecessors, let alone an alliance of numerous sects like Cheonumaeng carrying on the will over generations. Do you really think that’s possible?”
“…”
“Young Lord is an outstanding person. It could be possible. However, Young Lord, there’s no guarantee that the next generation will have someone like you as the leader. Moreover, the generation after that is even less certain.”
Beop Jong nodded.
“Cheonumaeng won’t last long.”
“No, but…”
“It’s not because Cheonumaeng is lacking. On the contrary, it’s because it’s too overwhelming. Human capacity has its limits. Will they truly be able to handle the vast meaning behind Cheonumaeng?”
No one could easily answer his question.
“I understand because I’ve experienced it. Although I didn’t consider my capacity to be small, I couldn’t grasp the true meaning of Cheonumaeng. So, let me ask you. What if someone like me appears among the descendants of Cheonumaeng in a time without Hwasan Geomhyeop and esteemed Hyun Jong? What would happen to Cheonumaeng?”
“Uh…”
This time, no one dared to speak. The expected outcome was apparent, and voicing it would only lead to criticism against Beop Jong.
“Still, is preserving Cheonumaeng truly for the future?”
At that moment, Baek Cheon’s sharp voice resounded coldly.
“I don’t know if I’m in a position to speak, but Abbot, in Cheonumaeng, there are not only us but also people from the Outer Palaces. You didn’t invite them here to say these words…”
“We will abolish the name “Outer Palaces” and will recognize the Northern Sea Ice Palace and Nanman Beast Palace as rightful sects of the Central Plains.”
“…”
“We promise to support them as much as, if not more than, you do now. Then, they can achieve what they desired so much – what Cheonumaeng cannot provide. Entering the Central Plains confidently instead of being just bordering barbarians.”
“N-No, Nokrim! Nokrim is part of Sapa, but it’s also in Cheonumaeng!”
Jo Geol’s frantic outburst made Beop Jong laugh.
“That’s a dilemma for me as well. We can discuss it together. However, isn’t Nokrim already a place that can’t be called part of Sapa?”
“Well, that’s true.”
“If Nokrim promises not to harm commoners anymore, we might not refuse recognizing them as a legitimate faction. Since even the Buddha encourages the repentance of evildoers, wouldn’t it be a splendid thing?”
“Uhm, if that’s the case…”
Jo Geol scratched his head and stepped back.
If Im Sobyeong had heard these words, he might have rolled his eyes and pledged allegiance to Beop Jong. No matter how much Hwasan favored Nokrim, the impact of a single acknowledgment from Shaolin would be irreplaceable.
“Well, isn’t that the solution?”
At that moment, Chung Myung, who had been calmly listening, spoke up.
“I believe I’ve already given an answer to that. We have no reason to return to the hollow shell that is Gupailbang…”
“Is it only the shell you’re concerned about?”
“Huh?”
Beop Jong stared at Chung Myung and smiled knowingly.
“We promise to give Hwasan an equal position to Shaolin.”
“What?”
Chung Myung spoke informally unintentionally, surprised by the unexpected proposition. Even for Chung Myung, who thought he had Beop Jong’s manipulations written on the palm of his hand, this statement was shocking.
What kind of place was Shaolin?
Even during the war with Demonic Cult in the past, when Hwasan stood alone, holding back the tide of the war, Shaolin never relinquished its pride as the leader of Gupailbang.
Now, proposing an equal position to present Hwasan, a position that even during those times, Hwasan, with its enormous power, couldn’t secure, was surprising.
“Enough of this nonsense…”
“In the name of the Leader of Shaolin, I will declare it to the world. Hwasan and Shaolin will have an equal standing and collaborate with each other.”
“…”
Chung Myung’s mouth gaped open.
“Well… Abbot. This… I’m asking just in case, but…”
“Just in case?”
“By any chance, are you doing something weird these days, like losing your memory or not knowing where you are… kweok!”
Chung Myung collapsed forward on the spot. Hyun Young swiftly retrieved his foot that had just kicked Chung Myung in the back of the head.
“Sorry, Abbot. This guy sometimes loses focus and…”
“Oh, Elder…”
“It’s Hyun Young.”
“…I’ll remember that.”
Beop Jong blinked. As if he had never thought there could be someone among Hwasan’s elders who would step on Chung Myung.
“Amitabha.”
Trying to calm down his slightly shaken mind, Beop Jong looked straight at Hyun Jong.
“Alliance Leader.”
“…Yes, Abbot.”
“Of course, I am aware that this alone is not sufficient. What Hwasan currently enjoys and what it will give up in exchange for the path it seeks are merely small things.”
At that moment, Chung Myung sprang to his feet, vigorously nodding his head up and down. Beop Jong calmly continued.
“But even so, Alliance Leader, you need to accept my proposal.”
“… What do you mean by that?”
“If you are just the Sect Leader, you are free to reject my proposal. However, if you are the Alliance Leader of Cheonumaeng, you must not reject it.”
Hyun Jong displayed a puzzled expression. Beop Jong smiled.
“The reason is simple. Because Cheonumaeng is Cheonumaeng. Whether Cheonumaeng and Gupailbang are in conflict, or they cooperate minimally, or they put everything aside to become one again.”
Hyun Jong’s face hardened.
“Which of the three scenarios do you think will be easier to deal with? And which one do you think can save more people?”
“Well…”
Hyun Jong couldn’t finish his answer, but it was as good as answered. Even a little kid could answer that question in this situation.
“I believe Cheonumaeng has been sincerely fighting for the common people. The authenticity of that has already been proven by all of you.”
Beop Jong glanced over those seated in the room.
“So, I humbly ask for this. Shaolin will take the first step. Therefore, I urge all of you not to refuse the opportunity to save more people and the world due to pride. I implore you.”
The room fell silent, as if everyone was holding their breath. Beop Jong slowly bowed his head.
Tang Gunak, with a stiffened face, bit his lip firmly.
‘This is… an unexpected turn of events.’
This is the justification that Chenumaeng has advocated so far. And the values it tried to protect. Now, this principles had turned into a sharp double-edged sword aimed at their throats.
‘Beop Jong…’
The momentary fear of Beop Jong washed over Tang Gunak. He instinctively clutched his thigh in an uncontrollable reflex.
At was a feeling of someone slowly, very slowly, tightening a thick rope around their necks.
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