Chapter 1211: That's How It Is (Part 1)

Namgung Dowi, who had been observing the situation from a path leading to the training grounds, turned to Tang Pae with a blank expression.

"... What on earth is going on?"

"Well... It seems like it's not Baek Cheon Dojang, but Un Am Dojang who will become the Sect Leader."

"Un Am Dojang?"

Namgung Dowi blinked his eyes.

'So, the person named Un Am Dojang...'

His gaze turned to Un Am, who was standing next to Baek Cheon.

'...Is him.'

For Namgung Dowi, it was a somewhat perplexing situation. While Un Am might've had a presence among the disciples of Mount Hua, for Namgung Dowi, Un Am wasn't particularly noticeable. In fact, not only Un Am but even the Un line's overall presence wasn't particularly strong.

'Is this okay?'

Of course, logically speaking, if the Hyun line stepped down, it was natural for someone from the Un line to take the position of Sect Leader. However, what kind of position was the Sect Leader of Mount Hua? It would be difficult for an ordinary person to bear its weight, and they would have to handle the position of the Lord of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

In the midst of this, hearing that Un Am would become the Sect Leader, confusion first set in.

"... I don't know."

Tang Pae also muttered in a similar sentiment. The gaze looking at Un Am's back was subtle.

It was undeniable that it would be much more comfortable to communicate with Baek Cheon whether from the perspective of Namgung Dowi, who would become the head of Namgung, or Tang Pae, who would become the head of the. That's why, for now, they could only send cautious glances.

"Indeed... He is the Sect Leader."

However, Tang Gunak, who had silently watched the situation so far, nodded his head as if he could understand this choice.

"I didn't think about it, but... it seems like the right choice."

At that, Tang Pae asked cautiously.

"Gaju-nim... Do you think it's good for him to take the position of Sect Leader of Mount Hua?"

"There's no such thing as good or bad."

Tang Gunak smiled and said.

"Who can ascend to the position of Sect Leader of Hwasan and lead the sect better? This question is, of course, extremely important."

"Yes, that's correct."

Tang Pae nodded. That's why he thought Baek Cheon should become the Sect Leader. Although he didn't know much about Un Am, considering reputation and relationships with other sects, there was currently no talent in Mount Hua comparable to Baek Cheon.

"But... the position of Sect Leader is not something that can be decided by such things alone. It's not only about the qualifications and reputation. It's also crucial to consider what someone has done for the sect so far."

"..."

"If you choose the Sect Leader based only on their qualities and reputation, who will dedicate themselves to the sect, and who will make efforts for the sect? Mount Hua should create a place for those who will shine in the bright places, but at the same time, it should not turn away those who have quietly worked hard in the shadows."

Upon hearing this, Tang Pae nodded. Tang Gunak was deeply impressed inwardly.

"Even I had forgotten this fact... but it seems that Sect Leader didn't overlook it. It's such a natural choice for Mount Hua to be Mount Hua..."

Tang Gunak's gaze turned to one side. At the end of that gaze, Chung Myung was grinning.

If someone unfamiliar saw it, they might think that Baek Cheon was a pitiful disciple who had been pushed down a level. However...

'A person who would be aware of this fact before Sect Leader is Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword.'

Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword had consistently opposed Baek Cheon taking the position of Deputy Sect Leader.

But now, even though Baek Cheon had risen to the position of Deputy Sect Leader just like before, he seemed happy.

The law must be upheld. The reason for upholding the law was that it contained essential elements for defining the identity of a sect.

The predecessors of the sect, after much contemplation, had asked the later generations to uphold these laws. How could one dismiss it as just a tedious old saying?

Whether he understood intellectually or instinctively, Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword knew this fact. So...

"Hihihihihihi... Hilarious!"

"..."

"Hehehehehe. It's amusing!"

"....Is it?"

"Hmm."

Tang Gunak shook his head, shaking off Chung Myung's faint but clear voice. It was annoying that his ears were good enough to catch such things.

"But is it okay? That person..."

"There's no reason why it wouldn't be okay. The newly appointed Deputy Sect Leader will assume the authority of the Sect Leader, and the new Sect Leader will work hard to support him. Isn't that no different from Baek Cheon taking the position of Deputy Sect Leader alone?"

"Ah..."

Tang Gunak looked at Hyun Jong with a smiling face.

"Baek Cheon Dojang will be in charge of external affairs, and the internal affairs of Mount Hua, which the Sect Leader used to handle, will be entrusted to the new Sect Leader. It doesn't make much difference for us. At the same time, he has taken care of both the legitimacy and the law. It just meant stepping down a bit earlier from the position of Sect Leader."

Everyone looked at Hyun Jong with newfound eyes at those words.

It was just a seemingly insignificant choice, but listening and seeing, it was remarkably reasonable. What was even more impressive was that he had led the results through a choice of stepping down first.

"... I can feel the wisdom."

"It seems so because he's a Taoist. We couldn't have imagined it."

Tang Gunak nodded.

"That's why Mount Hua is both a martial sect and a Taoist sect."

The eyes of the three turned to Un Am and Baek Cheon. Towards the two who would lead the new era of Mount Hua.

"Sect Leader... I..."

Un Am unintentionally opened his mouth toward Hyun Jong. It was a place where he shouldn't say such things, but he couldn't help but speak up.

However, Hyun Jong didn't scold him. Instead, he responded with a warm voice, almost comforting.

"Why? Don't you believe in yourself?"

"...That's not something to discuss. I've already stated my intentions..."

"I see. You surely did."

Hyun Jong looked at Un Am with compassionate eyes.

"But, Un Am. My feelings are different."

"Sect Leader, I am not qualified to become the Sect Leader of Mount Hua."

"Is that so?"

Hyun Jong turned his head and looked at Baek Cheon beside him.

"What about you, Baek Cheon? Do you think Un Am is inadequate to be the Sect Leader of Mount Hua?"

"No, Sect Leader."

Baek Cheon's immediate and confident response came.

"Sasuk-nim is more suited to be the Sect Leader of Mount Hua than anyone else. I cannot even compare myself to him. If Sasuk-nim had not consistently refused, and if the situation were not urgent, I would have naturally asked Sasuk-nim to take the position of Sect Leader."

"I see."

"Sect Leader..."

Hyun Jong smiled at Un Am, who seemed unsure of what to do.

"Un Am."

When Unam looked up with a puzzled expression, Hyun Jong spoke. There was sincerity in his expression, voice, and every aspect.

"There will never be a moment when you are not lacking."

"..."

"What matters is not whether you are lacking or not, but whether you are prepared to bear the responsibility despite your shortcomings. Baek Cheon has shown that, hasn't he?"

"Sect Leader..."

"I felt the same way. I felt endlessly inadequate and lacking. Becoming the Sect Leader was truly frightening and daunting."

Un Am bit his lip. The words of his teacher resonated clearly in his ears.

"But I know. You have the qualifications."

"..."

"You said it yourself. Now is not the time for such an era. It's a time when someone who steps forward, not someone who guards, should take on the role of Sect Leader."

"Yes."

"Maybe those words are true. Maybe it's a more rational choice. But Un Am, my heart doesn't say so."

Rationality meant discarding what needed to be discarded and choosing what needed to be chosen.

However, countless values would get buried in that rationality. Hyun Jong didn't want that. He knew better than anyone how those buried within rationality viewed the world.

As soon as the question was finished, a loud voice that seemed to pierce the sky burst out. Un Am's shoulders involuntarily trembled.

"So, ask."

Hyun Jong's gaze returned to Un Am.

"Un Am, as a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, will you safeguard the spirit of Mount Hua and risk your life to lead the disciples?"

Un Am nodded. With a head lowered almost to the ground, his voice, filled with moisture, emerged.

"Disciple... Disciple Un Am..."

And finally, his head lifted.

"I dare... I dare to bear that heavy responsibility."

Hyun Jong nodded and swiftly unsheathed the Great Virtuous Sword strapped to his waist.

"In that case, I, Hyun Jong, proclaim Un Am, a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, as the new Sect Leader of Mount Hua, succeeding me as the Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect. I declare this to the world."

Having risen the Great Virtuous Sword above his head, Hyun Jong sheathed it again and offered it to Un Am with both hands. Un Am received the sword with trembling hands, displaying boundless reverence.

"This disciple! Will dedicate my life to fulfill the duties of Mount Hua's Sect Leader!"

Simultaneously, a tremendous cheer erupted. Although the disciples of Mount Hua had hoped for Baek Cheon to ascend to the position, now, amidst the uproar, they were wholeheartedly celebrating Un Am as the new Sect Leader, letting go of the lingering regret for Baek Cheon.

In the midst of the clamor, Chung Myung smirked.

"...This is a mess."

No etiquette, no formality.

The succession ceremony as he knew it wasn't supposed to be like this. Here, there were no rites to the heavens, no wishes and blessings to the ancestors. There wasn't even a legitimate procedure or a strict oath.

However... he didn't feel the urge to criticize it.

Despite so many shortcomings, the succession ceremony he was witnessing now was much more to his liking than anything he had seen before.

'Isn't that right, Sahyung?'

Looking up at the sky, he felt like he could see Cheon Mun smiling brightly.