Novel Return of Mount Hua Sect Chapter 661

“I pay my respects to Sect Leader.”

Politely, Peng Ak greeted Hyun Jong in front of him. Then he turned slightly and faced Tang Gun-ak.

“It has been a while, Tang Gaju-nim.”

“It does feel like a long time since we last met.”

Tang Gun-ak nodded slightly with a serious look.

As both Hebei Peng Family and Sichuan Tang Family belonged to the Five Great Family, there was bound to be some interaction between them. Thus, Tang Gun-ak was already acquainted with Peng Ak.

“It feels very different from when I met you at Sichuan Tang Family.”

“Is that so?”

It was an implicit remark that Sichuan Tang Family, a member of the Five Great Family, was sitting here without any other consultation, but Tang Gun-ak brushed off Peng Ak’s words without any visible discomfort.

Peng Ak’s eyes sank slightly dark.

‘I cannot fathom what he’s thinking.’

As he had felt before, Tang Gun-ak certainly wasn’t easy to deal with.

“First of all….”

Then Hyun Jong opens his mouth first.

“I heard you’re the first one to come. I appreciate you giving way and waiting.”

“No, Sect Leader.”

Peng Ak shook his head.

“It’s just that I have much to discuss, so please don’t worry.”

“Many things to discuss, you say…”

Hyun Jong smiled faintly.

Although they had already met several representatives of the Ten Great Sect and the Five Great Family, most of them had only conveyed light congratulations and had not revealed their true intentions.

“It seems like a joyful matter.”

“I’m not sure. Is this something to be pleased with?”

Peng Ak, who smiled bitterly, headed for Tang Gun-ak.

“Founding the Heavenly Comrade Alliance is a good thing. It might bring a breath of fresh air to the stagnant Kangho, which has been fixated on the Ten Great Sect and the Five Great Family.”

Tang Gun-ak looked silently at Peng Ak.

“But, Tang Gaju, you must not be unaware of how great a ripple this matter will cause.”

“….”

Peng Ak’s gaze was really sharp.

“Hebei Peng Family’s Gaju-nim is also expressing great concern about the movement of the Tang Family. No matter what Gaju’s intentions are, wouldn’t it seem from the outside that the Tang Family is leaving the Five Great Family and changing affiliation to Heavenly Comrade Alliance?”

Tang Gun-ak’s lips, which had been silent all along, rolled up slightly.

“It wouldn’t be wrong to see it that way.”

“…Yes?”

“It’s not an incorrect statement.”

Peng Ak could not hide his bewildered expression in response to the unexpected answer.

“Are you saying that sincerely?”

“Although I am not a great figure, my position as Gaju does not allow me to lie so easily.”

The calm and serious answer shook Peng Ak’s gaze.

“Then, are you declaring that the Sichuan Tang Family will withdraw from the Five Great Family?”

“If we have to do so, we will.”

Tang Gun-ak responded with a calm look. His eyes seemed to penetrate through Peng Ak’s body.

Peng Ak’s face stiffened in an instant. If it weren’t Tang Gun-ak who said those words, he would have yelled at the top of his lungs.

The position of Gaju of the Sichuan Tang Family and the dignity of Tang Gun-ak were simply too overwhelming for Peng Ak to act recklessly.

Hyun Jong, who was looking at Peng Ak’s expression, quietly pushed the teacup toward him.

“It’s tea from Yunnan. It’s not bad for calming your mind.”

Peng Ak looked at the teacup while biting his lips. As he watched the tea steam rise, he slightly bowed his head.

“I apologize. I got a bit excited.”

Hyun Jong smiled broadly.

“Who can blame you for getting excited when thinking about matters regarding family and sect? Please don’t worry about it.”

Tang Gun-ak presses coldly and Hyun Jong gently resolves it.

Peng Ak sighed. Even the Elder of the Peng Family couldn’t grasp the situation in front of this combination, and it was easy to imagine how the ordinary small and medium-sized sect leader would have felt here.

‘This is not an ordinary situation.’

The existence of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance has also been a long-known fact for Peng Family. However, they hadn’t paid much attention to it because they believed that even if the Tang Family and Mount Hua joined forces, it would be impossible to topple the fortress of the Ten Great Sect and the Five Great Family.

If Heavenly Comrade Alliance ended in a miserable failure, the Tang Family’s status in the Five Great Family would also significantly decline. Then, the Peng Family would rather gain collateral benefits, so there was no need to make a fuss.
However.

‘Who would have imagined that the situation would change so much in just a few months?’

Even the proverb ‘when the wind rolls up, the waves roll down’ was overshadowed.

Let alone the Sichuan Tang Family, Mount Hua’s reputation skyrocketed, quite literally, to the sky in just a few months.

Having pacified Nokrim’s rebellion and achieved victory in sparring matches with Wudang, the world was boiling with Mount Hua’s name.

‘Moreover…’

Wasn’t there a rumor that Mount Hua had started trade with the North Sea Ice Clan and even that said Ice Clan would join Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

The North Sea was something that even Shaolin couldn’t deal with. Mount Hua’s status would undoubtedly rise even higher if the rumor were true.

“Tang Gaju.”

Peng Ak sighed and continued.

“As you may know, we are not the kind of people who can beat around the bush.”

“I’m well aware of that.”

Tang Gun-ak held back a smile.

Peng Family was the most famous among the Five Great sects for its impatient temperament. While other factions were observing the situation with some politeness, Peng Family immediately laid out their concerns, making it easy to guess their impulsive temperament.

“Until now, Kangho has considered Heavenly Comrade Alliance to be just an alliance between sects located in west Jungwon.”

“That’s not entirely wrong.”

Tang Gun-ak spoke nonchalantly. However, Peng Ak did not back down easily.

“Even in the same alliance, the meaning changes depending on who participates. And even if the same people participate, the status of the alliance changes depending on their status, doesn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

“Now, the status of Heavenly Comrade Alliance is excessively high.”

Peng Ak made a faint groan and continued.

“Gaju of Peng Family is worried that the existence of Heavenly Comrade Alliance will disturb the once-peaceful Kangho.”

Tang Gun-ak’s eyes were still calmly fixed on Peng Ak.

“Just a moment ago, Elder said that Peng Family doesn’t know how to beat around the bush, but it seems that Elder Peng doesn’t share that trait.”

“….”

“What the Peng Gaju is worried about now is not the confusion of Kangho, but that Kangho being divided in two and fighting each other, isn’t it?”

“Well…”

Tang Gun-ak shook his head without waiting for an answer.

“I am well aware of Peng Family’s concerns, but I have no intention of backing down.”

“Then… do you really want to antagonize the Ten Great Sect and Five Great Family?”

When Peng Ak inquired once again, Hyun Jong, who was listening, spoke on behalf of Tang Gun-ak.

“That’s a little strange.”

“… What’s Sect Leader mean?”

“How can leaving the Five Great Family imply hostility toward them?”

“….”

“The creation of an alliance other than the Ten Great Sect and the Five Great Family does not mean that it will antagonize the Ten Great Sect and the Five Great Family. If that’s what you’re saying, then the Ten Great Sect and the Five Great Family must be hostile to each other as well.”

“That’s not what I’m saying…..”
“Elder-nim.”

Hyun Jong gently cut off Peng Ak’s words with a beaming smile.

“I believe that the existence of Heavenly Comrade Alliance will be of help to Kangho. That’s what Heavenly Comrade Alliance is for.”

“….”

“Don’t worry too much, as the things you’re concerned about won’t happen.”

His words were so smooth and soft that it was difficult to argue any further.

Within them, however, was a firmness that made it impossible to say anything more. Eventually, Peng Ak had nothing else to do but sigh.

“I understood Sect Sect Leader’s intention. I understand the meaning.”

“I’m glad you understand.”

“But as you know, Kangho is not a place where things can be achieved by will alone. Whatever Sect Leader’s intentions may be, Kangho will not look at Heavenly Comrade Alliance with such good eyes.”

“….”

“Please understand that I am saying this without malice. Perhaps the existence of this alliance will lead to the downfall of Mount Hua and the Tang Family.”

Tang Gun-ak’s eyes turned cold by his outspoken remarks.

However, Hyun Jong just smiled after hearing those words.

“Thank you for your concern.”

“….”

“But there are paths in the world that must be taken despite their difficulties. Even if we must endure hardships beyond comparison, how can we hesitate if it’s a path we must walk?”

Peng Ak could no longer respond and just looked at Hyun Jong.

“Rather than that, please tell them, Peng Gaju. That the door of Heavenly Comrade Alliance is always open, and we don’t necessarily limit its composition to the sects in west Kangho. If their thoughts change, they are welcome to come anytime.”

“… I will convey your message as is.”

Peng Ak silently bowed in his seat.

“Once again, congratulations on the birth of the new alliance. We, Peng Family, will stay here until the founding ceremony is over, then leave after saying our goodbyes.”

“If you do that, it would be more than enough. Please convey our gratitude to Peng Gaju for gracing the event.”

“Yes, of course.”

Peng Ak lifted his body up and headed outside. Then, he glanced back at the closed door as if there was still some lingering regret.

‘Hyun Jong…..’

Tang Gun-ak is strong. He’s a man who doesn’t need any more modifiers.

Of course, strength is a good thing. Kangho is a world dominated by the strong. But the problem was that Tang Gun-ak was not only strong in martial arts but also in his disposition.

A recklessly strong man is bound to cause chaos. If the head of Heavenly Comrade Alliance were Tang Gun-ak, Peng Ak wouldn’t be worried about its existence.

He would be the perfect person to completely control and revive a family connected by blood, but not someone who could unite those who have gathered for different purposes.

But….

‘Mount Hua… So it’s Mount Hua.’

Hyun Jong is different.

Although Peng Ak repeatedly uttered sharp words at the first meeting, Hyun Jong never lost his gentle demeanor.

When someone becomes the leader of a large alliance, it is only natural that they carry a certain weight on their shoulders. Even if they were not like that before, they quickly get used to receiving compliments and flattery from those around them and tend to take offense even from small criticisms.

However, Hyun Jong treated him with humility from beginning to end.

What if Tang Gun-ak subdued other sects with force, while Hyun Jong appeased and led them well?

‘I may not have seen the full potential of Heavenly Comrade Alliance yet.’

With a heavy sigh, Peng Ak moved slowly.

‘I will have a lot to report to the Gaju.’

Left in the room, Hyun Jong and Tang Gun-ak faced each other. Hyun Jong said quietly.

“I’m sure Peng Family is not the only one thinking like that.”

Tang Gun-ak nodded.

“I think so, Sect Leader. Although no one says it, among those who came here, probably less than 30% welcome the founding of Heavenly Comrade Alliance. If we only count those who can be called prestigious sects, it would be less than 10%.”

“Hoho, 10%. Now I truly feel that it’s a thorny path.”

It’s not an easy task. It’s like raising a flag against the order that has ruled the world.

“Nevertheless, so many people have gathered.”

“….”

“That means we can’t ignore it, even if it’s not very appealing.”

Tang Gun-ak smiled bitterly.

“Now we can just show them that Heavenly Comrade Alliance is a more formidable place than they think. This founding ceremony is for that purpose.”

“I understand Tang Gaju’s intention. However… I still don’t know if I can handle such a heavy responsibility.”

“If Sect Leader does not take the position, no one else can become the leader of Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”

“….”

“Putting every other reason aside…”

Tang Gun-ak looked at the door with a bitter gaze.