Chapter 1622
With our blood and our lives! (2)
Zhuge Jain found it all quite remarkable.
Past connections shape the present, and those living in the present strive to surpass the past. However, Zhuge Jain saw another hidden truth behind this phenomenon.
Maeng So had clearly opposed Chung Myung’s opinion earlier. Yet now, he was fervently supporting that very opinion. Despite this, no one in the room found it strange or pointed it out. In fact, they didn’t even harbor the slightest doubt.
Everything seemed perfectly reasonable.
This was all made possible by one person sitting across from Maeng So.
‘Hwasan Geomhyeop Chung Myung.’
If someone else had said what he did, would they have avoided ridicule? Would anyone be naive enough to believe such a dreamlike story?
Yet, because it was Chung Myung who spoke, they believed. Absurdly, they didn’t doubt that his words carried truth. Such a quality is essential to bind people together.
Just and Evil Sects, clans and sects, and even the Central Plains and the outer regions.
Cheonumaeng was an assembly of those who could never have mingled otherwise. It felt like witnessing firsthand how such an inconceivable alliance could exist.
Zhuge Jain took a deep breath and spoke.
“What about Moyong family? Have you not changed your mind yet?”
Moyong Wigyeong, realizing his isolated position, bit his lips nervously, his face pale.
“…You are being unfair. In this situation, how could I possibly object?”
“No, that’s not the answer I’m looking for.”
“…What?”
“Everyone here has voluntarily relinquished their authority, not because they were pushed but of their own accord. If someone with a different agenda joins us, the foundation of the alliance might be shaken.”
Zhuge Jain’s eyes were calm to the point of being cold. Moyong Wigyeong was simply astonished. Though Zhuge Jain spoke as if he was stating a fact, it essentially meant that if Moyong Wigyeong wasn’t going to actively participate in the alliance, he should just leave.
It might not be wrong, but the problem was that Zhuge Jain was the one saying it. How could someone who had been so hostile to Chung Myung suddenly change his stance and pressure his former ally like this?
“Lord Zhuge, how could you…”
“This is a public stance.”
Moyong Wigyeong began to speak in a resentful tone, but Zhuge Jain cut him off with determination in his voice.
“And we are discussing a crisis that has come upon the world. This is not a place to respond with personal feelings.”
Moyong Wigyeong bit his lips again.
“What will you do?”
Moyong Wigyeong’s face gradually reddened with anger. How could they just hand over command like this? Did they know what might happen? And they hadn’t even decided who would lead the new alliance yet!
Clenching his teeth, Moyong Wigyeong asked.
“Can you really accept this? Are you truly willing to let your men die under the command of those Evil Sect scum? Do you realize how ridiculous this is…”
“Yes. I can.”
Moyong Wigyeong was momentarily at a loss for words. Zhuge Jain continued,
“Surely, the idea of Zhuge family taking orders from Nokrim King would make us prefer biting our tongues and dying.”
“Exactly! That’s what I’m saying!”
“But the one giving orders will be the Advisor of the alliance, not Nokrim King. Once he relinquishes all his authority and position, he will no longer be Nokrim King.”
“For such a trivial reason…”
When Moyong Wigyeong’s words trailed off, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing, Zhuge Jain looked at him resolutely.
A trivial reason, indeed. Perhaps Moyong Wigyeong was right. Merely relinquishing authority doesn’t erase the past.
Yet, Zhuge Jain had no intention of rejecting this path.
Sometimes, there are matters that surpass all personal circumstances and positions. He might not be the person to walk that path himself, but at least he wouldn’t be the fool to hold others back.
“So, what is your answer?”
Zhuge Jain’s unyielding pressure made Moyong Wigyeong take a deep sigh.
“I…”
“That’s enough.”
“What?”
This time, Zhuge Jain firmly shook his head.
“Moyong family will withdraw.”
“No, wait, Lord Zhuge! What do you mean by that? Why are you deciding this on your own…”
“This is a matter of life and death. How can I entrust my men to a family that refuses to relinquish their authority and is filled with dissatisfaction?”
For a moment, Moyong Wigyeong’s eyes wavered greatly. Unsurprisingly, the gazes of those around him were not kind either.
‘Damn…’
In the heat of the moment, he had forgotten that this was an alliance meeting. Although Gupailbang and Five Great Families took the form of an alliance, it was essentially a place where the Abbot’s word was a law. In contrast, this place allowed everyone to speak freely, truly a ‘federation.’
This meant that if the others did not accept Moyong family, they could not join, regardless of his wishes.
Moyong Wigyeong had only one option left.
With all the Just Sects gathering under one roof, Moyong family couldn’t act independently. Moyong Wigyeong knew better than anyone that his family did not have the stature to stand alone.
“…I will join you in this endeavor.”
The answer, though not entirely clear, came out nonetheless.
Zhuge Jain, who had been watching Moyong Wigyeong through narrowed eyes, turned his gaze to Hyun Jong and Tang Gunak, as if to affirm that the final decision rested with them.
Ultimately, however, his gaze landed on Chung Myung.
“What do you think?”
“Me?”
“Yes, General.”
“Well, it’s really up to the Alliance Leader to decide…”
As Chung Myung tried to sidestep the issue, Zhuge Jain pressed him further.
“Of course, but I am asking for your opinion.”
With Zhuge Jain’s insistence, Chung Myung let out a groan and scratched the back of his head. It was clear that this person was not as easy to manipulate as Im Sobyeong.
“Well, there’s no need to refuse outright.”
“Are you saying that even if Moyong does not sympathize with the ideals set forth by the alliance?”
“First of all, I’ve never really thought about such grand ideals myself.”
Chung Myung shrugged.
“Even if such ideals do exist, a place where only those who completely agree and follow them can join will inevitably end up a dead end. It’s also ridiculous for someone who claims to tear down walls to tell others that they can’t join because they are not able to tear down that very wall.”
Zhuge Jain’s tightly closed mouth softened slightly.
“I see. If that’s the case, then I too will support your stance.”
Hyun Jong, who had been silently observing the situation, looked around at everyone.
“Does anyone else have any objections?”
Most of the sect leaders nodded silently in agreement.
“Then it is settled. The remaining matter is Haenam…”
Hyun Jong’s words elicited a faint smile from Tang Gunak.
“Since Haenam was not represented by someone who could truly speak for the sect, we will ask for their stance separately once they arrive in Shaanxi.”
Although it wasn’t a formal procedure, no one voiced any objections. It was too obvious what Haenam’s choice would be. Besides, Haenam had no real authority or prestige to uphold at the moment. This situation, if anything, was an opportunity rather than a disadvantage.
“Is there anyone else with dissenting opinions?”
Hyun Jong asked one last time, but this time everyone remained silent. A profound sense of awe momentarily crossed his face. Despite his inner doubts, the outcome had come to pass…
His gaze shifted back to Chung Myung and then to Baek Cheon, who had initiated all of this.
If it had been left to the previous leaders, such an outcome would have been unimaginable. It was the young future of Gangho who had made this possible, extending beyond just Hwasan Sect.
“Alliance Leader.”
At Tang Gunak’s urging, Hyun Jong nodded. This was just the beginning. Once the discussions moved into practical matters, even more complex issues awaited. It was too soon to get lost in reflections.
“Then, with this…”
Just as Hyun Jong was about to declare the meeting successful, a sudden interruption occurred.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
Jongli Gok, who had been silent, raised his right hand slightly.
“I have something to say in front of the sect leaders. A statement I need to make.”
“What are you referring to…?”
Hyun Jong’s eyes widened slightly at the unexpected intrusion.
“It’s not about the alliance. It’s merely about Jongnam, and…”
Jongli Gok’s gaze fixed directly on Hyun Jong.
“It’s about Hwasan.”
Hyun Jong, his eyes widening slightly, gave a slow nod.
“…Please, go ahead. I’m listening.”
“Yes.”
Jongli Gok stood up, and the room’s attention turned to him, a mix of curiosity, bewilderment, and the profound darkness that Chung Myung harbored.
Jongli Gok met their gazes, feeling the weight of the moment. His lips were hesitant, but he drew on the deep trust reflected in the eyes around him and finally began to speak.
“Jongnam holds old grudges against Hwasan.”
Immediately, everyone’s expressions tightened. Why bring up such a matter at this moment?
“Of course, it is possible to bury it. One can act as if nothing happened and move on. If I wished it, even the retired Sect Leader of Hwasan would not bring this matter to light. However… if you do not excise an old wound, it will eventually fester and ruin your entire body.”
The eyes of Jongli Gok, which had seemed to wander momentarily, gradually became more resolute. He looked directly at Hyun Jong and spoke clearly.
“Jongnam has committed an unforgivable sin against Hwasan.”
Hyun Jong’s face turned instantly to one of shock.
“S-Sect Leader.”
“This is something that Jongnam’s predecessors and I, as Jongnam’s current Sect Leader, have perpetrated. The sin…”
“It certainly is quite something.”
At that moment, a voice abruptly interrupted his words.
Chung Myung, who had drawn everyone’s attention, leaned back in his chair, clasping his hands behind his head and lounging as if all this was of no particular importance.
“It wasn’t right for so-called Just Sects to bully children as if they were catching mice while talking about competition with a ruined sect. But… well, it doesn’t really concern us. We can do the same. So don’t think you can sneak away with a half-hearted apology. It’s our turn now.”
At his words, some faces relaxed with relief, and a few others let out small laughs.
The Hwajong Union. The tournament between the two sects, Jongnam and Hwasan, which was referred to as the ‘union.’ No, it was more like domination under the guise of exchanging experience. It certainly wasn’t a very honorable matter, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to clear it up this time.
Jongli Gok stared intently at Chung Myung. Chung Myung met his gaze and said.
“So, let’s stop wasting time and get to it. We have a lot to do.”
Gradually, a slight smile curved up at the corners of Jongli Gok’s mouth.
What a strange person.
He forces others to confront what they might have buried, and now he himself is trying to be the first to forgive.
At that moment, Hyun Jong also supported Chung Myung.
“That’s right, Sect Leader. Hwasan holds no resentment towards the Hwajong Union. Although it was not an easy matter, we now regard the Hwajong Union as having been of great assistance to Hwasan and are instead grateful. So…”
Hyun Jong, flustered, didn’t know what to do. Jongli Gok, who had been watching him closely, briefly glanced up at the ceiling. Then he lowered his gaze to fix his eyes entirely on one person.
Jin Geumryong.
The one who would someday walk bearing the name Jongnam in his stead.
Jongli Gok spoke.
“Jongnam… when Hwasan was invaded by the remnants of Demonic Cult, they had ample strength but chose not to assist Hwasan, instead turning a blind eye.”
The air in the room grew chillingly cold. Jongli Gok bit his lip and continued.
“They even took advantage of that opportunity to seize Hwasan’s Plum Blossom Sword Technique and plotted to turn it into Jongnam’s own martial arts.”
“Sect Leader…”
“What on earth…?”
The shocked leaders tried to say something, but Jongli Gok’s gaze was now fixed solely on Hyun Jong.
“To make matters worse, they continued their schemes to ensure Hwasan’s complete ruin. Despite knowing full well what Hwasan had done during the Great Demonic War, they repaid kindness with enmity and committed acts contrary to justice and righteousness.”
No one dared to speak.
Not just the other sects, but Hyun Jong, Jin Geumryong, and even Chung Myung fell into a paralyzed silence.
“All of this… is the result of Jongnam’s sins that have continued for a long time. And my own sins, which I have regarded as merely natural all this time. Therefore…”
Jongli Gok lowered his head. So deeply that it seemed his forehead might touch the ground. So deeply that it was as if he was acknowledging what had been considered natural and was indeed always the case with Hyun Jong.
“If a price must be paid for these sins, I will bear it entirely. I ask that… Hwasan delivers the punishment.”
His lowered shoulders trembled. With the weight of the name he bore, and the weight of the sins he carried.
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