Chapter 1164: What Should We Do? (Part 4)

'This is it.'

Jonglihyung pursed his lips, silently observing the back of Beopjeong, who had bowed his head.

'No way...'

At first, he thought Beopjeong had lost his mind.

Bringing Mount Hua back to the Ten Great Sects and offering everything they had?

The declaration was nothing short of an unconditional surrender to the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

But the moment Beopjeong spoke his last words, Jonglihyung could grasp the true intention.

'There's nothing to lose.'

Even if they acknowledged Nokrim as a legitimate sect, what impact would it have on the Ten Great Sects? Just because they recognized the Outer Palaces as Central Plains sects, would they suddenly abandon their territory and flock to the Central Plains?

The Tang and Namgung families would just return to their original positions. So, practically, what Shaolin was conceding was merely recognizing Mount Hua. Of course, establishing Mount Hua as a counterpoint to the power structure of the Ten Great Sects led by Shaolin wouldn't sit well with them. However...

'It's incomparable to competing with the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.'

No. Come to think of it, establishing Mount Hua as a counterpoint might not be a bad thing for Shaolin. Wasn't Shaolin currently showing signs of instability?

And what if a sect that opposed Shaolin came from the outside?

The other sects who don't want to lose power to Mount Hua will inevitably gather under Soriom. The reason Shaolin was under attack was partly due to Beopjeong's mistakes, but it was also because Shaolin was perfectly positioned above other sects.

People always want to pull down those who stand the highest.

'But people hate being overtaken more.'

No one would want two people standing on their heads. If that happens, Shaolin would have a chance to recover its shaky position.

'The more I think about it, the more perfect it seems.'

If Mount Hua accepted this proposal, Beopjeong would become a hero who opposed the Evil Tyrant Alliance and Demonic Sect, uniting the divided righteous sects. A hero who sacrificed himself for the world by letting go of what he had!

What was more shocking was that all this should have been done by Beopjeong from the beginning. If things had flowed naturally, this dramatic resolution wouldn't have happened.

Wasn't it true that people preferred dramatic resolutions rather than natural victories? The saying "A disaster turned blessing" existed for times like this.

"What do you think, Hyun Jong?"

Jonglihyung's gaze fixed on Hyun Jong, who had hardened in complexion.

Of course, if the Heavenly Comrade Alliance rejected this proposal, it would be a waste of time. But it was hard for such a thing to happen. The moment they rejected this proposal, all the principles and values that the Heavenly Comrade Alliance had put forward would be thrown to the ground.

And all that remained would be the assessment that the sacrifices of the common people were ignored in the pursuit of power.

But how on earth could they reject this proposal?

Jonglihyung could see it. The dagger stuck in Hyun Jong's side. The dagger that pierced through flesh, bone, and lungs in an instant.

"Um..."

The moment Hyun Jong groaned in pain, swallowing the empty air.

"Why... Why must we do this? If that's the case, wouldn't it be better for Shaolin to join the Heavenly Comrade Alliance? If the Tang and Namgung families join the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, wouldn't the same result be achieved even if the Ten Great Sects and the Five Great Families join the Heavenly Comrade Alliance?"

Even though he couldn't grasp it intellectually, Jo Gol felt that something was amiss intuitively, and he hastily exclaimed. It was quite a disrespectful remark, given his position as one of Mount Hua's third-class disciples addressing the leader of Shaolin.

However, instead of blaming Jo Gol, Beopjeong smiled as if appreciating his courage.

"Of course, it's possible. But it may not be desirable."

"Why is that?"

"Because the common people fighting alongside us are familiar with our name. Which name do you think they'd prefer?"

"And, although it's embarrassing to admit, other sects within the Ten Great Sects might refuse to disband the Ten Great Sects and join the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. That would only lead to further division."

"Why us alone...?"

"So, I'm making this request. There seems to be no other method beyond my understanding. If you have a better idea than I do, please share it. If it's valid, I will definitely follow it."

"..."

Even those present seemed to have accepted the method proposed by Beopjeong. The method he spoke of was undoubtedly the most powerful means of dealing with the Evil Tyrant Alliance and the Demonic Sect.

'Fighting alongside the Ten Great Sects?'

The desperate efforts to enhance their strength just a little while ago almost felt stupid now. Of course, the work was not all in vain, but the name of the Ten Great Sects felt enormous.

Tang Gunak bit his lips and spoke.

"A while ago, you promised to grant Mount Hua an equal position. But in the end, isn't that just words? Is it realistically possible?"

"Why do you think it's not possible?"

"Even if Shaolin acknowledges it, other sects may not."

Beopjeong chuckled.

"Why worry about that? Can't the people here help with that?"

"..."

"Even if you change affiliations, the bonds you've built won't disappear. Isn't that more certain support than the meager promises and positions?"

"The Ten Great Sects are a bit complicated..."

"Tang Gunak, there's nothing perfect in this world."

Beopjeong said, tilting his head slightly.

"If you try to hold onto everything without giving up anything, harmony and compromise become nothing more than a dream."

Beopjeong turned his gaze slowly towards Hyun Jong.

"Isn't that right, Sect Leader?"

Hyun Jong just smiled.

Until a little while ago, Beopjeong unfailingly referred to him as the 'Maengju-nim', given his status as the leader of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. But now, it seemed like he already considered him part of the Ten Great Sects.

Quite a clever choice of words.

"I have one question, Bangjang."

"Please go ahead."

"Why are you going to such lengths?"

Beopjeong looked at Hyun Jong with unwavering eyes.

"Sect Leader is probably doubting my sincerity right now."

"...Honestly, yes."

"Then I'll be honest. I am only filled with selfish desires right now."

"What?"

"Someday in the future, I don't want to hear rumors that a crazy old man named Beopjeong, not knowing what to do, rampaged and turned the world into the stronghold of the Evil Sect."

Hyun Jong twitched.

"If my words sound like a threat, it's because I'm that desperate. I may not become a hero who saves the world, but I don't want to be a villain who plunges the world into chaos. If that happens, there will be no one left in the future to see the face of Shaolin's predecessor. I would rather fall into endless hell and suffer forever."

Hyun Jong's fingertips trembled.

Beopjeong was simply expressing his inner thoughts, but to Hyun Jong, it sounded like a warning. If he were to reject this proposal, Hyun Jong would become the villain.

Even though it wasn't his intention.

"So, I want to do what I should have done originally, even now. Regret may be late, and what's gone may be irrevocable, but isn't it better than not regretting at all?"

"...Your words are right."

Hyun Jong couldn't understand anymore.

The person sitting in front of him seemed like a venomous snake, harboring the most intense poison, and at the same time, like a monk who had abandoned all worldly attachments and attained enlightenment.

No, perhaps both of these could be one and the same.

'I don't know.'

He didn'tknow. Certainly, Beopjeong's actions and goals were those of a virtuous person, but the results of his actions were pushing Mount Hua into a corner. The victorious sage was now pressing him like a vicious evil.

'Maybe... Bangjang was like this from the beginning.'

If you consider something right, you try your best to realize that rightness. In the process, you fear no sacrifice, endure even the humiliation, and steadfastly bear momentary shame.

Yes, so far, Beopjeong has only shown them one side. The only difference now was that Beopjeong's goal had changed to joining them.

Could you say he was wrong about that?

'What should I do?'

Everyone was looking at Hyun Jong.

The ones who passionately discussed the future of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance just a while ago now looked at him with faces that didn't know what to do, only focusing on his words.

These remarkable individuals in this place had all been completely swayed by Beopjeong.

No, completely swayed?

Hyun Jong's gaze naturally turned to one person. To the one who always opened the way for them whenever they were cornered.

"To have Mount Hua in the Ten Great Sects..."

Before Hyun Jong's gaze could even reach him, Chung Myung's slow voice flowed through the room like water. His voice naturally drew everyone's attention.

"Well, it's not bad. If the Bangjang keeps his word, that is."

"If you don't trust me, we can make a vow. I don't mind even if the price is my life."

"Well, if you say so."

Chung Myung shrugged his shoulders.

"So, the Ten Great Sects are now becoming the Eleven Great Sects? The name is a bit strange."

Beopjeong chuckled.

"What does the name matter so much? The Ten Great Sects not only represent ten martial sects, but it has become a symbol itself for a long time. So, even if eleven martial sects join the Ten Great Sects, the people of the world should understand."

"Well, that might be true."

Chung Myung, with his arms crossed, shook his head.

"Bangjang."

"Why are you doing that?"

"You're more impressive than I thought. Honestly, I couldn't have imagined you going this far."

At that remark, Beopjeong smiled.

"To hear such words from Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword, it seems I made a good proposal."

"It's so good that I feel like dancing. When did you start thinking about it?"

"It just became apparent when I put it down."

"...Should I just believe in Buddhism?"

Chung Myung shook his head, as if he couldn't compete. Watching this, Beopjeong spoke again.

"So, what will you do? What's your answer?"

"...I can't think of a way to refuse. Honestly, if I don't accept this, Mount Hua will eat curses from all over the world until it bursts."

"Just because it's the right thing to do. Isn't that so?"

"...Righteousness and justice are the swords that I've been using, but to have Bangjang wield them is unexpected."

Chung Myung raised his hands slightly, as if surrendering.

"So, should I understand that you accept it?"

"Well, I guess so. For now, I'll respond positively, considering that refusing it might make Mount Hua a target of curses throughout the entire world until it bursts."

"Just because it's the right thing to do. Isn't that so?"

"Well, I guess so. I don't know how it will turn out later, but for now, responding positively and discussing it is a priority."

"Sure. I'm not expecting an immediate answer in this situation. Take your time to think."

In Beopjeong's smile, his confidence was evident. Chung Myung spoke after observing him like that.

"But before that, I have one question."

"What is it?"

"A little while ago, you said you would let go of everything to save more people. Is that true?"

"Indeed."

"Are you sincere?"

"Of course, I am."

"Oh, really?"

Chung Myung smiled. The two people's smiling eyes met each other.

"Then, what about the Southern Island Sect?"

"...Southern Island Sect?"

"Yes, the Southern Island Sect. The one surrounded by the Evil Tyrant Alliance at the end of Gangnam."

"..."

"I will decide after hearing about it. Tell me, what are you going to do with them?"

At that moment, those who had been holding their breath saw it clearly. The sight of Chung Myung's icy cold gaze piercing through Beopjeong.