章節 295: Chapter 1184: I Will Bear It (Part 3)
A short yet long silence filled the air.
It wasn't merely silence; it was a profound stillness, almost bordering on stagnation.
The lingering effect of Baek Cheon's final words penetrated through everyone in the room.
Perhaps it wasn't an extraordinary event, considering it was just a change in one of the many sects within Kangho.
However, for those who witnessed the scene, surging, inexplainable emotions swirling around made it difficult for them to escape this lingering feeling.
It would be challenging to determine who among those present was most deeply moved by this scene. On the other hand, deciphering whose thoughts became the most complicated would be effortlessly evident.
Beopjeong's eyes trembled continuously. It was hard to believe that the person who had just shown such sunken eyes moments ago now seemed almost impossible to read.
'What on earth...'
He alternated his gaze between Hyun Jong and Baek Cheon with a perplexed expression. It was absurd.
Choosing the leader of a sect was never an easily decided matter. What kind of position was the sect leader? It was a weighty responsibility that determined the future of a sect. However, handling such a significant matter in this manner was beyond comprehension.
Even though the Mount Hua Sect was an unconventional sect that had long abandoned formalities, this was still difficult to accept rationally. It would have been more believable if all of this were an intentionally orchestrated play by the disciples of Mount Hua. That would have been more trustworthy.
However, even that vague hope shattered into pieces.
"What... what is this..."
A voice echoed from somewhere, and when Beopjeong turned his head, he saw Chung Myung completely dumbfounded. Words like 'lost his soul' fell short in describing Chung Myung's current state.
"This... no... no, what is this... this..."
"..."
"Even if a sect goes backward... there should be a limit. Oh my... oh my god..."
He mumbled unintelligible words while staring far beyond the ceiling with eyes like those of a fish left out to dry.
"Seeing this... I... I... oh my, Sahyung... Mount Hua is ruined... Mount Hua..."
Of course, Beopjeong understood that Chung Myung possessed both the appearances of a swindler and a fraudster. But even for Beopjeong, who had seen both sides of Chung Myung, this reaction was impossible to attribute to acting.
Did this mean that everything was truly decided here?
'Is he in his right mind?'
Beopjeong looked at Hyun Jong with a bewildered, almost pitiful expression. Hyun Jong was known to be cautious to the point of being timid. Yet, to handle such a crucial matter so carelessly was beyond reason.
'No, that's not it.'
Beopjeong, who had been in a daze, suddenly regained his senses.
Now was not the time to blame Hyun Jong or analyze the current situation. The events had already unfolded, and there was a sense of urgency that if not handled carefully, the situation might take an unexpected turn.
Sensing the crisis, Beopjeong muttered a brief prayer.
"Amitabhul."
The voice resonated clearly in the room, and those who had been almost entranced turned their gaze towards him.
Beopjeong, trying to maintain composure, spoke up.
"...Maengju-nim. I dare not interfere in the affairs of another sect, but this seems excessively radical."
Beopjeong unintentionally made a displeased expression. As he spoke urgently without properly organizing his thoughts, he ended up saying something that might upset Hyun Jong. In a moment, he realized what mistake he had made, but surprisingly, Hyun Jong nodded with understanding.
"To Bangjang, it may seem that way."
"..."
"However, this decision is made by me, the Sect Leader of Mount Hua. The authority to choose and appoint the next Sect Leader lies solely with me, the current Sect Leader of Mount Hua."
Beopjeong's lips pressed tightly together.
Hyun Jong's words were correct. Determining the next Sect Leader of a sect solely depended on the will of the current Sect Leader. Elders assisting the Sect Leader or even the former Sect Leader could offer their opinions, but they couldn't force the Sect Leader's choice.
In this regard, what significance did the words of the leader from another sect hold?
But Beopjeong couldn't step back from this position. Considering his status, he couldn't simply withdraw.
"Well...Isn't choosing the Sect Leader undoubtedly the most significant event that a sect should conduct with proper formality?"
"That's right."
Hyun Jong once again nodded gently.
"So, for now, it will be not the Sect Leader but the Deputy Sect Leader. The Deputy Sect Leader will act as a temporary position, representing the Sect Leader's authority in matters decided by the Sect Leader."
"...That..."
Even Beopjeong found it difficult to object to this statement. From the beginning, opposition was almost unreasonable, but now there was no room left for even that unreasonableness.
And at that moment.
"Deputy Sect Leader, step forward."
"Yes!"
Hyun Jong unfastened the sword at his waist and handed it to Baek Cheon.
"In the name of the Mount Hua Sect, I grant full authority to Baek Cheon for negotiations with the Shaolin Sect."
"I accept the duty."
Baek Cheon confidently received the sword and bowed. Without delay, he untied the Plum Blossom Sword from his waist and, in its place, fastened the Great Virtuous Sword Hyun Jong had handed him.
What more could Beopjeong say upon seeing the Great Virtous Sword?
The Great Virtuous Sword was retrieved by none other than Beopjeong, who had returned it to Mount Hua. However, wasn't that sword currently putting Beopjeong in a difficult position?
He can't even feel anger anymore.
Baek Cheon, who had the Great Virtuous Sword at his waist, stood up from his seat and turned around to face Beopjeong. The figure of Hyun Jong sitting behind him on the stone seat overlapped with him.
At that moment, Beopjeong had to exert an enormous amount of mental strength to calm the facial muscles that were trying to contort on their own.
"...Amitabhul."
Beopjeong, who was discomforted, closed his eyes.
'Let's calm down.'
Upon reflection, there was no need to be flustered. It was just that the situation was so absurd that it felt urgent, making him appear desperate as if a fire had broken out in front of his eyes. But when you think about it, wasn't the only thing that had changed his conversation partner?
After all, wasn't it just a change of conversation partner, now dealing with someone like Baek Cheon, who had just put on a new robe, rather than the formidable Hyun Jong who had already gone through ascetic practices?
It was true that the display presented by this individual named Baek Cheon was indeed so remarkable that even Beopjeong found it necessary to take a second look. However, it was crucial to note that this assessment was solely in relation to Baek Cheon as a junior disciple.
If the benchmark for this evaluation were not a junior disciple but rather a sect leader, there would be no reason to be generous. Upon closer examination, wasn't it conceivable that it would be easier to deal with a newly adorned martial artist like Baek Cheon, rather than the formidable Hyun Jong, who had repented enough to wear an ascetic robe?
Beopjeong took in a breath. He meant to congratulate Baek Cheon.
However, Baek Cheon opened his mouth faster than Beopjeong.
"First, I apologize to Bangjang for the rudeness I committed."
"..."
"I knew it was inappropriate for the occasion, but it was such an urgent matter that it unintentionally made Bangjang wait. I apologize."
Baek Cheon lightly bowed his head.
Beopjeong had no choice but to nod his head. Complaining now wouldn't change anything. So, it would be better to show some generosity.
"Thank you for understanding. I, Baek Cheon, as the Deputy Sect Leader delegated with full authority from Mount Hua Sect's Sect Leader, aim to clarify Mount Hua's stance."
"Um, Baek Cheon Dojang... No, the Deputy Sect Leader."
"Yes."
"It seems as if what you are saying is a bit out of sync. I believed it was you and your colleagues who asked me this monk to treat Hyun Jong-jin as the Lord of Heavenly Comrade Alliance, not the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, isn't that right?"
Beopjeong glanced at the others and spoke.
"The disciple came here to negotiate with the Heavenly Comrade Alliance's leader. How can the Sect Leader of Mount Hua act as a representative for the Heavenly Comrade Alliance's leader in negotiations with the disciple? That does not make sense."
It was a sharp observation. However, Baek Cheon had already smiled as if he knew Beopjeong would say that.
"It seems like there is a bit of a misunderstanding."
"...A misunderstanding?"
"Yes, Sect Leader. I am not representing this negotiation. I am here to convey the response of Mount Hua to your proposal."
"This meeting..."
"This meeting is, of course, a discussion about the future of both the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and the Ten Great Sects. However, shouldn't the Mount Hua Sect be allowed to reveal its own intentions? Since the Bangjang has made different proposals to each sect, shouldn't we also respond to those proposals?"
"...I see."
To summarize, Hyun Jong delegated the position of Mount Hua's Sect Leader to Baek Cheon, but did not hand over the position of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance's leader. Therefore, Baek Cheon, as the deputy sect leader of Mount Hua, intended to respond on behalf of Mount Hua to the proposal Bangjang had made to Mount Hua.
"All the disciples of Mount Hua are deeply grateful for the proposal you made, Bangjang."
"Well, that's a relief. So, if..."
"However, Bangjang."
Baek Cheon smiled quietly. However, strangely, the smile, which should have looked infinitely gentle, appeared several times more resolute than a stern expression.
"The Mount Hua Sect will reject the proposal you made. Mount Hua will not return to the Ten Great Sects."
Beopjeong's eyes widened involuntarily.
He had been trying to guide the conversation in a positive direction through careful dialogue. However, this rascal abruptly reached a conclusion from the beginning, and not only that, but it was in a direction he did not want.
"Now, wait! Deputy Sect Leader!"
"And!"
Baek Cheon didn't stop there; he continued with a firm voice.
"The rights over the Heavenly Comrade Alliance belong to all the sects within the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. Even if the sects belonging to the Heavenly Comrade Alliance now all share the same views as the Ten Great Sects,"
Baek Cheon took in everyone sitting there with his eyes. Everyone's clear gazes were directed at him.
He understood the expectations in those eyes, the burden conveyed by their attitudes. Without avoiding any of them, Baek Cheon accepted it all and spoke with all his strength.
"Mount Hua alone will remain with the Heavenly Comrade Alliance."
His voice spread clearly and distinctly like lines drawn in a single stroke on pure white paper.
"And so, under the name of the Mount Hua Sect Leader, I declare that the Heavenly Comrade Alliance will not be disbanded. Even if all the sects leave the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, leaving only Mount Hua, Mount Hua will uphold the name of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance."
Bangjang's mouth involuntarily gaped open.
What on earth was this kid blabbering about?
However, unlike the shock Bangjang received, Baek Cheon, facing Bangjang, was calm and unwavering.
"Oh, please don't misunderstand."
"...Misunderstand?"
"Misunderstand? What misunderstanding is there?"
Baek Cheon, who had previously spoken firmly as if enduring a mountain, now spoke with a gentle tone as soft as a breeze.
"Of course, Bangjang probably wouldn't think that way, but Mount Hua does not intend to be hostile to Shaolin or the Ten Great Sects. We are heading towards the same destination, just taking slightly different paths."
A warm smile appeared on his solemn face.
In any other situation, this smile might have held a positive meaning. But it wasn't the case now. Those who witnessed the smile, even Mount Hua's disciples, felt their hearts twist.
"Even if we don't go under the wing of Ten Great Sects, surely Shaolin, as the pinnacle of the martial world, can still embrace a single Mount Hua?"
"..."
"To resolve the crisis facing Ten Great Sects, cooperation from all over the martial world is needed. And, as you know, I am nothing more than a greenhorn who has just become the Deputy Sect Leader."
The moment Bangjang's mouth involuntarily gaped open, Baek Cheon bowed his head with utmost courtesy.
"Please guide us a lot in the future, Bangjang."
"Uh..."
Bangjang, with a bewildered face, couldn't continue his words.
Watching Baek Cheon openly eating away at Beopjeong, Tang Gunak, who observed the scene, temporarily closed his eyes, feeling dizzy.
'Why...'
Why were these people from the Mount Hua Sect...? Why...
The thought that Mount Hua they knew had returned brought both joy and pain to everyone.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票