Chapter 1162: What Should We Do? (Part 2)

The atmosphere in the room was quite peculiar.

Of course, for those present, the presence of the Beopjeong was not unfamiliar. Hadn't Beopjeong come to Mount Hua several times before, initiating conversations?

However, those who had conversed with Beopjeong so far were usually Hyun Jong or Chung Myung. It was the first time for so many people to be together, so the atmosphere naturally became awkward. No one could easily open their mouths first.

Naturally, Hyun Jong was the one to break the ice and speak.

"I should have at least served tea, but I'm not prepared enough."

"No, Maengju-nim."

Beopjeong said with a smile.

"It seems this is your residence, Maengju-nim. It truly is modest. I believe Maengju's character is clearly revealed."

"It's just that I haven't properly arranged things in my temporary residence. How can it be modest?"

"Haha. You're still humble. It's embarrassing for this humble monk to be in your presence."

"Don't smear your saliva on... Eup! Eueup! Eup!"

As those who covered Chung Myung's mouth smiled awkwardly, Yoo Iseol and Tang Soso poked at Chung Myung's side from both sides.

Beopjeong glanced at Chung Myung as if saying, 'You too,' and Hyun Jong apologized with a slightly embarrassed face.

"I'm sorry... but..."

"There's no need to apologize."

Beopjeong said quietly and smiled.

"While the misdeeds of an ordinary person may be considered impolite, the actions of a hero become folklore, don't they? Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword is already qualified for that."

Hyun Jong sighed deeply. Despite being a proud elder, there were times when he felt truly, truly, truly embarrassed.

"I have nothing to say..."

"It's not just words."

"Yes?"

With a smile, Beopjeong continued.

"Considering what Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword has achieved in Hangu, and the deeds done for the world, I should be the one paying respects in front of him. Isn't it obvious who has helped the common people more?"

"... "

"So, please don't feel awkward."

"Thank you for your words..."

Hyun Jong replied with a bit of trembling in his voice. In his mind, there was a bit of confusion.

'What is he thinking?'

Of course, he couldn't fully grasp Beopjeong's thoughts, but for now, there was no hint of insincerity in Beopjeong's words and attitude. Therefore, Hyun Jong couldn't figure out how to respond to Beopjeong. He was already in a state where his emotions were hurt, but that didn't mean he could ignore the need to show respect.

"Bangjang."

"Please say, Gaju."

Tang Gunak looked at Beopjeong with a stern face and spoke.

"It's nice to exchange pleasantries, but what brings you here?"

"Ahem!"

The one who cleared his throat in displeasure was none other than Jonglihyung.

"Considering that Tang Gaju is known to be second-in-command of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, it seems that the prestige of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance is quite remarkable. Seeing Tang Gaju making a request to Bangjang rather than Maengju-nim is quite telling."

Tang Gunak stared silently at Jonglihyung. However, Jonglihyung faced the gaze without flinching.

"That's right. Let's put the pleasantries aside for now."

However, their brief confrontation was naturally resolved by Beopjeong's soft voice.

Beopjeong bowed slowly, expressing deep gratitude.

"On behalf of the Ten Great Sects, I express my gratitude to those who helped suppress the chaos in Hangzhou."

"How...?"

"It was a memorable journey. I didn't know you all would complete the task so splendidly."

"..."

"And I apologize for not coming earlier due to my narrow-mindedness."

"Are you saying that sincerely, Bangjang? Just your presence here is enough for us to be grateful."

As Beopjeong continued to humble himself, Hyun Jong's posture naturally had to become even more humble.

Watching this, everyone in the room keenly felt the power of the position of the leader of the Shaolin Sect. Despite all the criticism and gossip, just the fact that the leader was sitting here made them tense. Especially with a leader who showed such courtesy, it was even more so.

"If you're going to thank us after everything is done, you should have helped us from the beginning."

"Chung Myung!"

"What did I say wrong?"

Right when Chung Myung had seemed to have calmed down a bit and the Five Swords loosened their grip, he snapped back. Just as Baek Cheon was about to cover his mouth again, Beopjeong nodded calmly.

"You're right. I was foolish."

"..."

"And the one who deserves this gratitude more than anyone else is you. Thank you."

Chung Myung, who had been staring blankly at Beopjeong bowing his head, suddenly opened his eyes wide.

"Oh! I got it!"

"Uh, huh?"

"You bastard, Hao Sect Leader!"

"Uh... huh?"

"How dare an Evil Sect bastard like you impersonate the Great Bald King... Eup! Ugh!"

Chung Myung was dragged away again. This time, Yoo Iseol, Tang Soso, and even Hye Yeon joined in, giving a hard slap on Chung Myung's side.

"Ugh!"

However, those who tried to stop Chung Myung were also bewildered. Especially Jo Gol and Tang Soso, who were unable to hide their true feelings and looked at Beopjeong with a face that said, 'What did this guy eat wrong on the way here?'

"What's strange?"

As if understanding their sentiments, Beopjeong smiled and asked Hyun Jong.

"Rather than being strange…."

Hyun Jong cleared his throat and spoke in a subdued voice, covering his mouth.

"It seems you've changed a bit from before, and it's a bit disconcerting."

"You don't have to think that way. I just took a step back and looked at it from a different perspective."

"A step back?"

"Amitabhul."

Beopjeong nodded quietly.

"Even though those who practice Buddhism should be the most cautious of arrogance, I found myself ensnared by it. It's only now that I've realized that."

"…."

"Everyone seeks their own virtue. Even if that virtue is different from mine, I forgot that that was not necessarily wrong. I was forcing only my virtue and nothing else."

"…Bangjang."

"If what I thought was wrong was eventually proven to be right, I should have admitted that I was wrong. However... Yes, Maengju-nim. I couldn't admit it. So, I shouted that what wasn't wrong was wrong. The more I did that, the more my delusion grew."

Hyun Jong's body trembled. What Beopjeong was saying now was closely related to the Taoism of Mount Hua.

Beopjeong chuckled.

"That's why I let it go. Isn't it all empty?"

"Yes, Bangjang. That's right."

Hyun Jong nodded as if in agreement.

"So, today…."

"To apologize and also to propose something."

"You said propose?"

"Yes, a proposal."

With a smile, Beopjeong spoke.

"After letting everything go, I realized. What I'm doing now, and everyone going down the wrong path because of my arrogance."

Hyun Jong paused for a moment and asked.

"Everyone is going down the wrong path?"

"Yes, that's right."

"How…?"

"…Amitabhul."

Closing his eyes and quietly reciting the Buddhist chant, Beopjeong slowly opened his eyes. Then, with unwavering eyes, he met Hyun Jong's gaze. In the profundity of that look, Hyun Jong's spine involuntarily tensed.

"I believe Maengju-nim is better aware of the current situation in Central Plains than anyone else."

Confirming Hyun Jong's nod, Beopjeong continued.

"Gangnam is being tormented by the villains of the Evil Sect, and they will attempt to invade Gangbuk across the Yangtze River at any moment. And now, for the first time in a hundred years, the Demonic Cult has reappeared. The situation can be described as 'the winds and clouds gathering, a sign of impending change.'"

"Hmm, that's correct."

"But... how can we protect the Central Plains in this situation? Aren't we just antagonizing each other?"

As Chung Myung's eyes narrowed again, Beopjeong spoke with a slightly self-deprecating tone.

"Of course, I am well aware that most of the blame lies with me. That's why I came to apologize. I apologize once again. I was too lacking..."

"Oh, no, Bangjang. How can you say it's only Bangjang's fault? My mistakes are significant as well."

Beopjeong smiled gently.

"It's even more embarrassing when the Maengju-nim says so. Living in a well, I thought the world would flow according to my will. However, I never realized that the world wouldn't follow my will until now. Instead of reflecting and accepting what should be accepted, I clung to my small pride, distorting my view of the world."

"Bangjang..."

Hyun Jong looked at Beopjeong with shaking eyes.

If the Sect Leader of the Shaolin Sect said this much about himself, shouldn't they at least believe in the sincerity contained in those words? Even Jonglihyung, sitting next to Beopjeong, seemed to be unable to hide his surprise, as if he didn't expect Beopjeong to say such things.

"Then, you mean by that proposal..."

"When the Evil Sect prospers and Demonic Sect rises, what should we do? What we should do was too obvious. We just took a long way around because we couldn't acknowledge each other."

"..."

"So, I want to suggest to the Maengju-nim. It may not be too late. What if, before something irreversible happens, we reconcile now?"

Hyun Jong nodded without hesitation.

In fact, from Hyun Jong's perspective, this was an unexpected turn of events. He just couldn't trust Beopjeong and the Ten Great Sects, but if they wanted to put themselves down and work together, why would he refuse?

"Well then, if Bangjang says so, we should naturally..."

"No, Maengju-nim."

"Yes?"

But Beopjeong firmly shook his head.

"That's not enough. Do you know why I couldn't acknowledge and rejected Mount Hua?"

"That, well..."

"Because it wasn't mine."

At the potentially misunderstood words, the disciples of Mount Hua momentarily furrowed their brows. However, Beopjeong clarified their misunderstanding with his following words.

"To be precise, it was because we were not within the same fence. I was angry when I found out that what I thought was true was not. Yes, it's because I was lacking. But... Maengju-nim. The world is not a place only for the talented. Some people may be lacking like me."

"That's true."

"For those people, the reconciliation of Mount Hua, Five Great Families, and Heavenly Comrade Alliance would just seem like a formality. It would feel like we're just pretending to get along, and in the end, we'll be divided again."

Everyone nodded at those words. Even for them, it would be difficult to escape from that perception.

"Well then, what are you suggesting?"

"We need to let go. We need to let go of what we have. And first of all, we need to break down the fence. There's only one way to do that."

Beopjeong smiled knowingly. A smile that was like a bolt from the blue, embarrassing, and perhaps unexpected.

"Dismantle the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and return to your original positions. Shaolin officially requests the return of Mount Hua to the Ten Great Sects." 

The sound of stunned gasps swiftly swept through the room.