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Baek Cheon unwittingly clenched his fist.

It was the very thing he wanted to hear.

Yet, it was also something he dared not hope for. Bop Jeong’s words were sharp enough to stab the hearts of the listeners.

Baek Cheon had no choice but to think about how he would have responded had he been in that position. Could he have boldly chosen to oppose Shaolin in order to follow what is right?

Of course, Baek Cheon, the second-class disciple of Mount Hua, can do it.

But could Baek Cheon, the sect leader of Mount Hua, really make that choice?

Knowing how difficult the choice was, Baek Cheon’s heart raced as he watched Hyun Jong.

It was the same for the others.

The only thing in the eyes of Mount Hua’s disciples looking at Hyun Jong was trust and pride. Even when facing Shaolin’s Bop Jeong, he never backed down and carried out his own definition of righteousness and the path of Mount Hua!

Of course, Bop Jeong and Bop Kye could not join in that boiling atmosphere.

There was a sense of hopelessness in Bop Jeong’s face.

“How come….”

Being rejected was not new to him. However, facing someone who declared they would take a different path to his face was a first in his life.

Even the Ten Great Sects and the Five Great Family might have rejected his proposal, they never dared to confront him face to face, they only sent a letter from afar and walked away.

If they had been sitting in front of Bop Jeong, they surely wouldn’t have dared to say they wouldn’t follow his command.

But… What confidence does Hyun Jong have to say such words in front of him?

In front of Bop Jeong, Bangjang of the Thousand Year Shaolin?

“Maengju…. No, Sect Leader.”

Bop Jeong swallowed dry saliva as if it was difficult to continue speaking.

“This… Is this truly the will of Mount Hua? This?”

Bitterness and anger seeped through his words.

Since Bop Jeong is also a person, this memory will cloud his judgment to come. Leaving a bad memory in the mind of Bangjang of the Thousand Year Shaolin should be a heavy burden for Hyun Jong.

However, Hyeonjong simply gazed at Bop Jeong with calm eyes.

No matter how strong the wind blows, plum trees that are deeply rooted in the earth do not waver.

“Yes, it is.”

Bop Jeong slightly opened his mouth, then closed it again. Even with his profound discipline, controlling his emotions seemed not easy.

“Do you think I made all these proposals for the glory of Shaolin?”

“….”

“Although the paths may be different, all this was for the sake of all under heaven. Still, Mount Hua refuses to hold Shaolin’s hand at the end?”

Chung Myung’s eyes grew fierce. Just as he was about to speak, Baek Cheon grasped his wrist, as if to say, trust Hyun Jong.

“A path for all under heaven…”

Hyun Jong nodded slowly.

“Mount Hua does not doubt Shaolin’s words. Regardless of the method, we also choose to believe that what Bangjang seeks is peace.”

“Then why would Sect Leader refuse?”

Hyun Jong smiled gently.

“Bangjang. How can there be only one path?”

“….”

“Mount Hua also seeks the welfare of all under heaven. This is a place where we try hard not to erase the two words ‘consultation’ from our hearts no matter what we do.”

“Then….”

“However.”

Hyun Jong’s voice became firm.

“Just because our goals align, it does not mean our paths must be the same. We can strive for the same result, with Shaolin and Mount Hua on their respective path.”

“….”

“To think that the only way to bring peace to the world is to join with Shaolin, isn’t that arrogance on Bangjang’s part?”

Bop Jeong’s face distorted.

Those words of arrogance made him more angry than anything he had ever heard.

“It is Mount Hua that is arrogant, not Shaolin!”

“But this man…!”

Unable to bear it anymore, Chung Myung exploded in anger and the Five Swords grabbed the hem of his robes from all directions.

“This….”

Though Chung Myung was briefly angered, knowing that violence was not the answer here, he clenched his own thigh instead.

After a moment of silence, Bop Jeong, realizing his words were too harsh, took a deep breath. Although he regained his composure, his eyes remained fierce.

“Further conversation seems pointless.”

“I’m sorry, Bangjang.”

“Sect Leader, I respect your decision. However…”

Bop Jeong’s eyes stared directly at Hyun Jong.

“Sect Leader should remember one thing. Every choice comes with its consequences.”

The words were so blatant that the complexions of some of the disciples changed.

However, Hyun Jong just nodded calmly.

“If there is a price to pay, then we must pay it.”

“Mount Hua could’ve not paid the price. If only Sect Leader had been a little wiser.”

Hyun Jong faced Bop Jeong in silence. Those profound eyes seemed to be putting pressure on Bop Jeong.

“Certainly, if I had been a little wiser, I would not have rejected Bangjang’s offer.”

“Then how…!”

“Isn’t that what righteousness is all about?”

“….”

“The wise are bound to weigh the benefits. But one who embraces righteousness must follow the path of the heart, not their interests.”

Bop Jeong shut his mouth.

“That is the path of Mount Hua as I see it.”

Bop Jeong closed his eyes without saying a word. Only the prayer beads in his hand turned swiftly on his fingers. After a long silence, he opened his eyes.

“Righteousness…”

There was a strange smile around his mouth.

“It sounds as if Shaolin does not pursue righteousness.”

“That was not my intention.”

“…I fully understand Mount Hua’s stance.”

Bop Jeong rose from his seat.

Remaining here any longer would only add to his humiliation. There was no reason to continue facing those who could no longer be considered allies.

“Thank you for the tea. Sect Leader.”

“…Yes.”

“No need for an escort. Then.”

Bop Jeong looked all around the room. The last thing that caught his eye was Chung Myung.

“I guess you’ll be satisfied with what you wanted, Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword?”

“It looks like Bangjang was upset because things didn’t go his way.”

Chung Myung added with a chuckle.

“Isn’t that just how life goes?”

“Well said.”

Bop Jeong nodded with a stern face.

“But now it will be Mount Hua, not Shaolin, that will experience times of hardship. You’ll have to deal with the wind that Shaolin used to block.”

“Ah, right. But it seems Bangjang has rather narrow shoulders. Unable to even fend off those bastards from the Evil Sects.”

Bop Jeong pressed his lips together.

There was so much he wanted to say, but what more could he add in this situation without becoming a laughingstock?

It was not simply a failed negotiation.

It was a crushing defeat.

Despite his all-out efforts, this was the first time he couldn’t achieve his goal.

‘No, not the first.’

It’s exactly the second time. The first was the event of the Murim Competition.

‘I should have known then.’

The fact that Mount Hua could one day stand in Shaolin’s way.

“Amitabha.”

Bop Jeong, who had a low chant, turned his back on Chung Myung and opened his mouth.

“Then.”

And he walked outside without a trace of regret. Bop Kye who followed him did not even look at others or even leave a common greeting.

Tak!

As soon as the door slammed hard, all of the strength was released from the bodies of Mount Hua’s disciples, who had been tense due to tension.

“Fuuuu!”

“…I thought I was suffocated to death.”

“…That was terrifying.”

Bop Jeong is Bop Jeong.

The pressure directly radiated by Bangjang of Shaolin was not something they could handle. However, none of them acted embarrassingly and persisted well until the end.

“Sect Leader…. Would that be all right?”

“Hmm.”

Hyun Young’s worried question was met with Hyun Jong’s thoughtful hum.

“I wonder if my decision was right. But Hyun Young. Don’t we know too well that being lured by the easier path can lead to greater disasters, don’t we?”

“…Indeed.”

“I don’t know. Maybe I had placed a difficult burden on you due to my pride.”

“Is something like Shaolin such a burdensome place? They’re just a bunch of bald heads living together.”

Despite still appearing concerned, Chung Myung grinned, trying to lighten the mood for Hyun Jong, who still seemed anxious.

“There couldn’t have been a more perfect answer, Sect Leader.”

“That’s right.”

We believe Sect Leader’s words were right!”

It was only then that Hyun Jong had a smile.

‘These kids, really.’

With them around, he couldn’t hastily choose the easy path. The upper water must be clear for the lower water to be clear, but sometimes the extremely clear lower water makes the upper water clear on its own.

Tak.

At that moment, Hyun Jong’s gaze shifted towards the door.

A silent sigh escaped his lips as he saw someone silently following Bop Jeong out.

“How can they be so ignorant! How dare they treat Bangjang that way!”

Bop Kye’s face was flushed with anger.

If Bop Jeong hadn’t been there, he might have exploded several times over. From his perspective, the way they treated Bangjang of Shaolin was unacceptable. It showed a complete lack of respect for Shaolin, which had maintained peace in Kangho and mediated countless sects for hundreds of years.

Even Bop Jeong, who would normally have reprimanded such Bop Kye, said nothing this time. He kept his lips tightly sealed and walked with large strides towards the gate.

“Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword… Hyun Jong.”

A boiling voice escaped Bop Jeong’s mouth.

Has he ever experienced such humiliation in his life? It was as if he had swallowed burning coals, his insides churning and burning.

‘Since when did Shaolin start receiving such treatment?’

After all the efforts he had put in for the world, why was everyone only thinking of themselves!

Eudeuk.

Gritting his teeth, Bop Jeong bit his lip without realizing it.

“Amitabha….”

Unable to contain his rising anger, he clenched his fists tightly.

“Still, I believed there was still righteousness in Mount Hua, but I was wrong.”

“Bangjang….”

“Let’s return to Shaolin.”

Just because Heavenly Comrade Alliance doesn’t help doesn’t mean they can’t deal with Evil Tyrant Alliance. He was just trying to reduce the damage.

If that approach fails, it’s time to let them know.

That Shaolin was not being passive due to a lack of strength, why Shaolin has been called Thousand Year Shaolin, and that they had held the position of the North Star of Kangho for hundreds of years!

To those wicked Evil Sects and Righteous Sects that have forgotten their way!

At that moment, Bop Jeong’s steps abruptly halted.

“Bop Kye!”

“Yes, Bangjang!”

“Bring Hye Yeon! We can no longer leave a disciple of Shaolin in such a place.”

“U- Understood.”

It was a moment when Bop Kye, startled by Bop Jeong’s anger, was urgently trying to turn around.

“There’s no need for that, Bangjang.”

A calm voice came from behind their backs. Bop Jeong and Bop Kye turned to look back.

Hye Yeon was standing there with a Banzhang stance. Wearing the robe of Mount Hua that doesn’t fit at all.

“You’ve come just in time. Pack up! We’re going back to Shaolin together. No, there’s no need to pack! Let’s leave right away.”

“Bangjang.”

Hye Yeon lowered his hand and gazed at Bop Jeong.

His clear, large eyes were as tranquil as a serene lake.

“I will not go.”

“…What did you say?”

Bop Jeong, doubting his ears, asked again, and Hye Yeon shook his head decisively.

“I said I will not go.”

“This….”

Bop Kye’s eyes turned icy. Then, his stormy anger poured out towards Hye Yeon.