Chapter 1191: Why Is This Happening? (Part 1)

"Bangjang."

"..."

"Bangjang!"

It was only after repeated calls that Beopjeong turned to face Jonglihyung. Jonglihyung's face was flushed red. Beopjeong calmly asked.

"Why are you like this, Bangjang?"

"Are you really going back like this?"

"What else?"

Jonglihyung raised his voice as if frustrated.

"Is this how it's going to end, with lukewarm acceptance? Are you reacting like this even after witnessing their arrogance?"

"..."

"Bangjang personally made the proposal. No, that's not it. Bangjang didn't make the proposal, did he? Wasn't it directly suggested by the Ten Great Sects?"

Jonglihyung glared with frustration in his eyes.

"I mean, honestly, Bangjang, how good of a proposal did you make? Even enduring bitter remarks that didn't need to be heard, extending a hand that didn't need to be extended, how could they just kick that hand away like this?"

But Beopjeong just smiled at him.

"Isn't it enjoyable?"

"What?"

"Seeing young people full of vigor as you get older is a pleasure. Besides, it's even harder for us in Shaolin to see those who are so determined."

"I, is this really..."

"Let it be."

Beopjeong raised his head quietly.

"It's unfortunate that things have gone awry, but from our perspective, it's not entirely a bad thing."

Jonglihyung tilted his head as if not understanding.

"How is this not a bad thing? We failed to absorb them, and openly disgraced Bangjang... Well, no, that..."

"I was disgraced."

"No, it didn't mean that..."

Jonglihyung mumbled, avoiding Beopjeong's gaze.

However good he tried to package it, no matter what was said, in the end, from an outsider's perspective, it would only seem like Sect Leader Beopjeong of Shaolin, had received a reprimand from Baek Cheon, now the Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua, and had been disgraced.

The illustrious Sect Leader of Shaolin being humiliated by the upstart Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua, how much would the martial arts world enjoy that? Whether they knew it or not, it would become a rumor spreading throughout the rivers and lakes in a matter of days.

"Thinking about it that way, it's a bit unsettling."

"Bangjang?"

Jonglihyung stared at Beopjeong as if not understanding at all. Even if he said it was unsettling, Beopjeong's face didn't look like that of someone who was unsettled right now.

It might have been a facade, but it still seemed somewhat relieving.

"This isn't entirely a bad thing."

Jonglihyung, unable to contain himself, asked again.

"In the end, didn't everything meet with a tragic end? The Heavenly Comrade Alliance declared they would take a different path from the Ten Great Sects. As a result, hasn't Kangho become even more sharply divided than before?"

"..."

"While the Evil Tyrant Alliance and Demonic Sect covet the Central Plains, we're splitting among ourselves. Where in the world does such a grotesque act exist?"

"Amitabhul."

Perhaps frustrated with Beopjeong, who had dismissed his dissatisfaction calmly, Jonglihyung raised his voice.

"There is no such law. Just because there are the Ten Great Sects or the Five Great Families, did that mean they always got along well? Wasn't there a time when they opposed each other even more fiercely than enemies? Yet, whenever the Kangho faced a crisis, as if nothing had happened, they joined forces again. That's why the Ten Great Sects could be the Ten Great Sects, right?"

"That's right. That's how it was."

Beopjeong nodded calmly, acknowledging that the statement was not incorrect.

"But how can they say such absurd things? Even if they are still young, there is no such law!"

Beopjeong smiled wryly.

"Sect Leader."

"Yes?"

"What fools do in ignorance is not fault the fools but the fault the wise who failed to teach them properly."

"That, that..."

"In the end, saying that is just spitting on my face. We failed to properly inform and persuade them, so who can we blame?"

Jonglihyung cleared his throat uncomfortably. Beopjeong smiled again.

"And... what Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua said was not just from mere enthusiasm or ignorance. It wasn't something he said because he didn't know or learn, but rather because he learned too well and understood too well."

"What does that mean...?"

Beopjeong just nodded without explaining further.

"So, let's just watch."

"Bangjang. Right now is not the time to wait..."

"The more urgent, the more reason to step back, isn't it?"

Jonglihyung began to chew on his lips in frustration. Honestly, Beopjeong's calmness in all of this was incomprehensible.

"Bangjang, do you really not know?"

"What are you talking about?"

"How much damage Bangjang suffered due to the breakdown of this treaty. Still..."

Jonglihyung stopped talking. But Beopjeong, as if understanding what he wanted to say, finished his sentence.

"Being in a narrowed position and proposing unnecessary negotiations only ended in humiliation. Now, there will be more people who look down on me, thinking I'm even more ridiculous."

"..."

"It's okay."

Jonglihyung didn't respond, but Beopjeong had already heard the answer as if he had finished his words.

"That's not important. What matters is that, regardless of how it happened, the Ten Great Sects are now in a situation of isolation and helplessness."

"But what I'm saying is..."

He was about to respond out of frustration, but a perplexing statement pierced Jonglihyung's ears.

"What could be better than this situation?"

Jonglihyung blinked with a dazed expression.

"Oh, no, Bangjang. Didn't you misspeak? How is this a good thing? It's so bad that it's hard to find something worse."

Upon hearing this, Beopjeong lightly nodded.

"It depends on how you view the situation. Think about it, Sect Leader. Now, even within the righteous sects, the influence and prestige of the Ten Great Sects have diminished and they find themselves unable to pursue their goals freely. Isn't that the case?"

"Yes! That's exactly what I'm saying!"

"So, it's undeniably a favorable situation."

Jonglihyung couldn't hide his bewildered feelings as he stared at Beopjeong. In his mind, he couldn't help but think, 'Has this man lost his mind after facing humiliation?'

However, Beopjeong just chuckled at Jonglihyung's expression.

"It seems the words of this monk are difficult for you to comprehend, Sect Leader."

"To be honest, yes."

"Sect Leader, do you know why people in the world have cheered for the Heavenly Comrade Alliance instead of the Ten Great Sects?"

"Well..."

Jonglihyung couldn't answer. It wasn't because he didn't know, but rather because he didn't want to say it out loud.

"Because of their righteousness?"

"..."

"Yes, of course, that's true. But that's not the only reason. People supported the Heavenly Comrade Alliance so far because the Ten Great Sects were perceived as powerful and authoritative."

"Ah...."

Only then did Jonglihyung understand what Beopjeong was saying, vigorously nodding his head.

It might be a statement that others would criticize, but Jonglihyung realized that Beopjeong's words were not entirely wrong.

In the eyes of the world, the Ten Great Sects were not only absolute experts but also absolute authorities. Due to the perception that they were the righteous sect protecting the strong, they refrained from openly expressing hostility. However, could there not be commoners who were upset by their actions?

"Then, what you're saying, Bangjang..."

"Yes, Sect Leader. Due to this incident, the Ten Great Sects will no longer be the strong."

Beopjeong continued calmly.

"Gangnam is controlled by the Evil Tyrant Alliance, and the western part of Gangbuk is controlled by the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. As a result, the Ten Great Sects' influence has decreased to less than half of what it used to be."

"..."

"So, people in the world will no longer see the Ten Great Sects as the powerful force that can do anything as they wish. And that includes those within the Ten Great Sects."

A subtle smile played on Beopjeong's face.

"People naturally unite internally when faced with external threats. Do you know why the Ten Great Sects didn't merge despite all this time?"

Jonglihyung hesitated slightly before responding.

"External enemies... were not truly threats."

"Yes, that's right. Although we experienced a tough situation once, the Evil Tyrant Alliance wasn't strong enough to bring down the Ten Great Sects. But now, how about this? The moment the Heavenly Comrade Alliance separates from the Ten Great Sects, the Evil Tyrant Alliance becomes a much more formidable foe. Moreover, the Ten Great Sects, having to contend with both the Heavenly Comrade Alliance for dominance of the Central Plains righteous sects, are in a situation where they cannot act freely."

"..."

"No one who wants have what they hold in their hands taken away. The moment I announce today's results, the sects within the Ten Great Sects, which have kept their distance until now, will have to reconsider their thoughts."

"...Is it really going to be like that?"

To the voice still filled with doubt, Beopjeong closed his eyes and sighed in frustration.

"Just look at the sects in Sichuan for a moment. Qingcheng and Emei are struggling with threats from the Evil Tyrant Alliance in the south and the rising power of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance in the north. Can they withstand without the roof called the Ten Great Sects?"

"...Diancang will be even worse. Diancang is located in Yunnan."

"Yes, that's correct."

In fact, one of the major reasons the sects in Sichuan didn't show loyalty to Beopjeong was because of the hidden rivalries within the Ten Great Sects. Historically, the sects centered around Hanam—Shaolin, Wudang, Mount Hua, Kontong, and Southern Edge—had completely different power scales compared to the peripheral sects located in Sichuan, Yunnan, and Qinghai.

As Beopjeong's influence narrowed, the sects that had disobeyed were all peripheral sects. But now, they, too, would no longer be able to continue this confrontation.

Trying to take a bit more power from Shaolin or risking losing everything to the Heavenly Comrade Alliance—what choice was there?

"If you do that, the problem at hand will be solved."

"Not only that."

Beopjeong said with a slight nod.

"The reason the Ten Great Sects had to consider so much with each decision was also because the Ten Great Sects were the strong ones. Everyone was ready to criticize those decisions. But now that the Ten Great Sects cannot be considered an absolute power, there will be no room for criticism even if they act according to their own wishes."

"Ah..."

"Meanwhile, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance has raised the standard of righteousness so high. In the future, whenever there is a need for righteousness, the world will seek the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, not the Ten Great Sects. It might be a bit embarrassing, but it'll give us room to step back."

Beopjeong chuckled.

"But even a bit of embarrassment is manageable, right? So, Sect Leader, don't try to hide today's events but actively publicize them. Tell them that the Sect Leader of Shaolin was humiliated by the young Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua and was rejected."

"...Will that really be okay?"

"It's not just okay; it's necessary."

"Ah, I understand, Bangjang."

"Amitabul."

Beopjeong expressed his displeasure with a brief prayer.

They didn't know. They didn't know what they had done. They would soon realize as they observed the changing situation.

"Behold, Deputy Sect Leader. Responsibility follows every action. Now, that responsibility will be borne by the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, not the Ten Great Sects."

Beopjeong had simply progressed the situation a bit faster. For now, that was enough.

"But, Bangjang..."

"Please speak."

Jonglihyung, having gauged Beopjeong's mood, opened his mouth again.

"But in the end... no matter what happens, that Heavenly Comrade Alliance has completely separated from the Ten Great Sects in a situation where we have to fight against the Evil Tyrant Alliance..."

Beopjeong shook his head slightly.

"It's just a slight detour. Ultimately, things will flow according to fate."

"..."

"A young man overflowing with courage becomes a timid old man not because of a lack of courage or diminishing ambition. It's just that... the world is not as easygoing as it would be if everything went according to plan."

"True."

"If we come to understand why the previous generations had no choice but to compromise, we might be able to accept a Heavenly Comrade Alliance who understands the essence of the world, rather than an inexperienced Heavenly Comrade Alliance who might go in any direction. In the end, it means taking a step back in order to find a better path."

"I understand."

Jonglihyung nodded as if he now grasped everything. Didn't he, at least for himself, think that Baek Cheon's lofty ambitions might not amount to much? It would probably be more advantageous to absorb those who have softened, rather than rigid individuals like the unyielding Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

However, there was just one concern...

"But, Bangjang."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

"That... I'm asking just in case, but if... really, by some chance, if the Heavenly Comrade Alliance truly adheres to their intentions until the very end, then..."

What would happen?

The conclusion of the question was buried in anxiety. Beopjeong slowly closed his eyes.

"At that time..."

Beopjeong, who had been silent for a while with closed eyes, looked up at the sky. The sky was endlessly vast and intensely blue, enough to make one's eyes water.

"It will be one of two things. Either everyone will perish fairly. Or..."

"..."

"Just as life blooms again from the ashes, a different world will unfold, unlike anything before."

Jonglihyung suddenly shivered. The lingering echo of Beopjeong's somewhat dreamy voice remained in the air for a long time.