Hyun Dang. Hauryang.
He was once dubbed Mount Hua’s hope because he was expected to revive the sect’s downfall.
At the time, Hyun Jong had never doubted that Hyun Dang would become Sect Leader for Mount Hua. Hyun Dang was both an idol and a goal for young Hyun Jong.
However, Hyun Dang abandoned his expectations and left Mount Hua alone.
That’s also just before he becomes the new Sect Leader.
‘A shameless human being.’
Hyun Young pursed his lips.
His rage wasn’t solely directed at Hyun Dang, a traitor who had abandoned Mount Hua.
It was more understandable.
The situation was insufficient for Mount Hua Sect to blame those who had left. Hyun Young was also resentful of those who left Mount Hua but understood their decision in the back of their minds.
But Hyun Dang is an exception.
He left Mount Hua with Hyun Bob Saje without saying much just before becoming Sect Leader.
It would never happen, but all first-class disciples had died for the time being, and Baek Chun had to take over as Sect Leader. However, it is the same as Baek Chun leaving Mount Hua, followed by Baek Sang and Saje.
Of course, Yoo Iseol, Yoon Jong, and, most importantly, Chung Myung are now in Mount Hua. As a result, even if Baek Chun abandons the current Mount Hua, it’s not a big deal, but there were no Chung Myung, Yoon Jong, or Yoo Iseol in Mount Hua at the time.
All of the sect’s expectations were focused on Hyun Dang.
And the incident was a huge shock to Mount Hua, which barely managed to maintain its shape as a sect.
The condition of the Sect Leader of the previous generation declined after suffering, and the person who was supposed to be the Sect Leader of the later generation kicked his seat and left the sect.
What could a more obvious omen be?
This incident eventually led to the departure of those who thought there was no future in Mount Hua.
In addition, all of the sects who were continuing to exchange with them have severed their ties with Mount Hua.
In other words, it means that Hyun Dang was the one who made the final hit on Mount Hua, who had fallen.
Crunch.
Hyun Young’s teeth were chipped when he thought about it.
Hyun Jong, who had never dreamed of becoming Sect Leader, took the position without time to prepare. Just because his rank is the highest among those left in Mount Hua Sect.
Hyun Young remembers.
The seat of Sect Leader.
As soon as he climbed the heavy and painful place, many of the disciples left Mount Hua and Hyun Jong could only stare at such sight.
That small, and sad back.
Since then, to Hyun Young, who knows what path Hyun Jong has taken, Hyun Dang has been more hateful than the Southern Edge Sect.
He clenched his lips.
He can see Hyun Dang, who is visibly bewildered, and Hyun Jong, who calmly exudes energy in front of him.
See. (보라)
It’s over there.
A person who has endured harsh storms and painful years like an old pine tree rooted on a cliff.
Hyun Young’s proud Sahyung, and Mount Hua’s proud Sect Leader.
‘Sect Leader.’
Hyun Young was surprised to see the coldness in his eyes.
Hyun Jong, who couldn’t even compare to that Hyun Dang in the past, now seems to be a person who is bigger than Hyun Dang. He has survived that long time of suffering, so he can no longer be Hyun Jong of the past.
“Hmm.”
When Hyun Dang was speechless and surprised by Hyun Jong’s energy, Hyun Bob coughed loudly and managed the atmosphere.
“Sect Leader, I think that’s a little too much.”
“…too much?”
Hyun Jong’s stern eyes are on Hyun Bob.
“What’s too much?”
“…….”
“Is there anything wrong with what I said?”
“It’s not like that, but…….”
Although he stepped forward, Hyun Bob seemed to be at a loss for words.
In fact, in terms of logic in the first place, they couldn’t have anything to say in front of Hyun Jong. Wasn’t the reason they had the guts to climb Mount Hua because of the fragile image of Hyun Jong that remained in their memory?
‘When did he get this determination?’
Hyun Bob couldn’t hide his surprise.
As he had told Hyun Dang, people don’t change that easily. But Hyun Jong, who is now in front of him, felt like a completely different person than he knew.
Isn’t there dignity that is not lacking for a person who leads a sect?
He firmly believed that no matter how many things someone goes through, the fundamentals of people do not change, but now that he sees Hyun Jong, he even felt that something he believed in all along is collapsing.
That’s why he’s perplexed.
“Eum.”
Fortunately, however, Hyun Dang calmed himself down while the other dragging time and raised his head slightly.
“Sect Leader.”
“Do speak.”
“How can’t I understand Sect Leader’s heart? Of course, you’ll hate me.”
“…….”
“But, is it so hard to give me a chance? I really only want to make atonement for Mount Hua. If you give me a chance, I’d like to help Sect Leader bring Mount Hua back to its glory like in the past. To do that, I will not mind my bones being crushed. That’s why I led my whole family up to Mount Hua, didn’t I?”
Hyun Jong smiled brightly at Hyun Dang’s long words.
“I do not doubt what Sahyung says.”
“Then…?”
“Mount Hua just doesn’t need your help anymore.”
“…….”
“Did you say you wanted to help Mount Hua?”
Hyun Jong stared at Hyun Dang with cool, sinking eyes.
“Then get out of Mount Hua right now. That’s the only way you can help Mount Hua.”
“This ……!”
Hyun Bob was furious and his eyes were wide open.
“That’s too much to hear! Do you think you’re the only one who suffered? You didn’t know that we, who left Mount Hua, haven’t had a comfortable day until this day!”
“So?”
“…what?”
Hyun Jong’s eyes were now as cold as frost.
“So you must have been really tired. Do you want me to comfort you?”
“…… thi- this guy.”
Hyun Bob’s face twitched with anger, but he couldn’t say anything in front of Hyun Jong’s gaze. His tongue, which used to move smoothly as if it had been oiled, has now hardened as if it had been glued.
Instead, Hyun Dang opened his mouth.
“Hyun Jong-ah”
“How dare you!”
When Hyun Sang, who was next to Hyun Jong, tried to yell in anger, he raised his hand and dissuaded Hyun Sang.
“Sect Leader!”
“It’s fine.”
Hyun Jong shook his head slowly and stared at Hyun Dang.
“Tell me.”
Hyun Dang let out a deep sigh.
“I know, I’m a sinner of Mount Hua. But could you give me a chance to atone for it?”
“…….”
“Do you remember? In the past, I especially cared about you. Considering that relationship…”
“That’s enough of your nonsense.”
“…what?”
“The person sitting in front of you now is not your Saje Hyun Jong, but Mount Hua’s Sect Leader. I don’t decide on the importance of Mount Hua by personal feelings.”
“…….”
“I won’t say much. Leave right now and never cross Mount Hua again.”
It was a very firm voice.
So much so that they can’t find anything to fight against.
Hyun Dang trembled unknowingly.
He was not impressed by the fact that Hyun Jong had grown greatly. He feels an unbearable humiliation that someone who could not even step on his shadow in the past is now pushing him back.
“This…….”
Hyun Dang bit his lips.
His eyes suddenly became cold, which had been shaking for a long time, unable to hold back his anger.
“Sect Leader …….No, Hyun Jong.”
“This guy keeps doing it!”
Hyun Young was furious, but Hyun Dang continued without giving a break.
“I understand what you’re trying to say. You mean you don’t understand me at all.”
The gentle attitude he has shown so far is gone. All that was left was a cold smile and an arrogant expression.
Watching that, Hyun Jong let out a sad smile without realizing it.
‘Nothing has changed from the past.’
In the past, Hyun Dang was just like that.
A person who ignores and treats others recklessly. And arrogant.
But in the past, Mount Hua needed that arrogance. Those who lost their confidence needed to be led by those who had too much confidence.
Wasn’t Hyun Jong once fascinated by Hyun Dang?
But…….
‘It’s different.’
Confidence and arrogance are similar but not the same.
Had Hyun Dang sat in the Sect Leader position, Mount Hua would have disappeared into history without ever being revived.
Before Chung Myung even joined.
“Go back, that’s it.”
Hyun Dang smiled bitterly and spoke calmly.
“Good. That’s a good word. But before that, let me ask you a question.”
Then, he stared at Hyun Jong with cold eyes.
“Do you deserve it?”
“…….”
Hyun Jong looked silently at Hyun Dang. Hyun Dang twisted the corners of his mouth even more.
“I’ll ask you again. Do you deserve to give me an order?”
“Why won’t I?”
“Are you asking because you don’t know?”
Hyun Dang reached out and grabbed the glass of water. Then he drank the water without delay and set the glass down with a relaxed hand.
At the leisure oozing from the fingertips, Hyun Sang and Hyun Young looked at Hyun Dang with anxious eyes.
Hyun Dang, who was silent for a moment, looked at Hyun Jong and said with mocking eyes.
“If you’re really Mount Hua’s Sect Leader, you deserve to kick me out.”
Hyun Sang and Hyun Young jumped up from their seats and stared at Hyun Dang with murderous eyes.
But Hyun Dang wasn’t a bit shaken when he received the look. Rather, he continued his speech with a relaxed face.
“But let me ask you…….”
A mischievous smile appeared on his lips.
“Are you really Mount Hua’s Sect Leader?”
“Look at this guy!”
“How dare you throw up that delusional remark!”
It was strange.
Hyun Young and Hyun Sang dyed their faces red and even breathed out their lives.
But they, too, only made noises, and could not hide their bewildered look.
Hyun Jong just stared at Hyun Dang with a calm face even though he was told the most offensive words.
“What do you want to say?”
“Literally.”
Hyun Dang smiled triumphantly as if he had accomplished what he wanted.
“You’re not Mount Hua’s Sect Leader.”
“…….”
Hyun Jong’s expression remained unchanged, but Hyun Dang relaxed as if he enjoyed the reaction.
And he spoke leisurely.
“Who decides the Sect Leader? It is the current Elders of the sect and Elders of the previous generation. In other words, it is said that the only person who can decide who will be the Sect Leader of the next generation is the previous generation.”
“…….”
“And!”
Hyun Dang’s voice gets higher.
“Mount Hua’s last generation Sect Leader. Also, your and my teacher decided that I will be the next Sect Leader of Mount Hua. In other words, it is I, Hyun Dang who are the true Sect Leader of Mount Hua. Not Hyun Jong.”
Hyun Young’s face turned red and screamed.
“Where do you come up with such sophistry?”
“Sophistry?”
Despite Hyun Young’s fierce criticism, Hyun Dang was just relaxed. He looked over at Hyun Jong and asked again.
“Do you think so, too?”
“…….”
Hyun Jong gave no answer.
Hyun Dang, who understood the silence as positive, shrugged.
“You don’t know. You really don’t know anything. It’s not that simple to succeed in a legacy of a prestigious sect. Only those worthy of that qualification can be the Sect Leader.”
“How dare an excommunicated person talk about Sect Leader qualifications on his lips!”
“Who excommunicated me?”
Hyun Young closed his mouth.
Hyun Dang looked at him and shouted in a dignified tone.
“There’s no one left to excommunicate me! Who dares excommunicate me? You guys? You, who was only my Saje, with what qualifications do you excommunicate me!”
“This…….”
He looked elated as if he was fighting a battle he had already won.
“Answer me, Hyun Jong. Who is the Sect Leader of Mount Hua? Who did your teacher and former master choose as Mount Hua’s Sect Leader? There’s only one answer you can give if you’re really a law-abiding person.”
Hyun Jong stared at him with sunken eyes.
Hyun Jong, who had been staring for a long time, finally opened his mouth.
“Mount Hua’s Sect Leader is…….”
This is the harshest cliffhanger this comic has seen yet. TBH, I feel like this is where Chung Myung shows up. Nobody is better at wordplay than our boy, and this Hyun Dang goober is trying to win with a technicality. Hyun Jong grew iron balls during these past two chapters, I feel like it’s a good time for the Divine Dragon to show up and embarrass this absolute goober of an old man
Gaah I hate those two leeches
Arggg i hate clifdhanger😤😤
And chung myung jumps in uber pissed
…
I hope~