Sometimes, one is surprised by people.
When seeing someone think thoughts that ordinary people would not, or think in a direction different from ordinary people.
But the greater surprise is when you see with your own eyes someone who sees farther than ordinary people.
"We feared the Demonic cult. Along with that, we worried about the unification of the Evil Sect and the division of the Nine Great Sects. Therefore, we were flustered and hurried. What we thought then was how we should deal with them from now on."
At Tang Gunak's words, Hyun Jong nodded.
"That is an accurate statement."
"But only the Mount Hua's Sword Saint was seeing something different. Not how to deal with the demonic cult, but how we ourselves must change. Similar, yet a completely different story, isn't it?"
Tang Gunak, who was speaking, sighed.
"Truly strange..."
"Hmm."
Though it was an unexpected remark, only Hyun Jong nodded as if he understood its meaning.
"Sometimes when I look at the Mount Hua's Sword Saint I wonder how a person can think that way. How can someone who has walked such a perfect path lack faith in themselves so much?"
"…Sect leader."
Tang Gunak's gaze shifted slightly upward. It seemed as if he was looking somewhere beyond the ceiling.
"For the Heavenly Friends Alliance, it is a blessed matter. From Mount Hua's perspective, it is certainly welcome. The existence of such a person leads everyone. But..."
Tang Gunak's eyes darkened as he hesitated briefly.
"Even from the standpoint of the Mount Hua's Sword Saint… and the individual named Chung Myung, whether that is truly welcome..."
His voice carried a clear sense of regret.
"I do not know well, Alliance Leader. Perhaps it is… a sad matter."
Hyun Jong slowly closed his eyes.
Tang Gunak's words seemed to pierce the core of the individual named Chung Myung.
Of course, on the surface, Chung Myung appears as the embodiment of self-confidence. Without doubt that he might be wrong, he always presents the right answer and moves forward without hesitation. Moreover, he is a superhuman who leads not only himself but others as well.
But what lies deep within that outward appearance?
It is doubt and anxiety bordering on self-contempt, and… fear.
Hyun Jong still cannot forget the shock he felt when he first glimpsed Chung Myung's inner self. Even though Chung Myung's arrogance was sky-high and no one could blame him for being excessive, Hyun Jong discovered that Chung Myung regarded himself as less than a worm. Anyone other than Hyun Jong would have been surprised.
Among the many reasons Hyun Jong refrains from delving into Chung Myung's past, this was the greatest.
No matter what Chung Myung has seen or experienced, even if he committed unforgivable sins… he regrets and suffers so deeply.
Not only as a sect leader but as a single Taoist, how could one pry open the wounds of someone who has suffered so long and deeply?
A long silence passed. Both wore thoughtful expressions.
Tang Gunak slowly resumed speaking.
"Shaolin prioritized its own gains above all else and even split an already established alliance."
"..."
"And the Ten Thousand People Clan is subjugating even the allied sects under its command. It may seem right for now… but thinking in reverse, they are following the footsteps of the great Evil Sect that once flaunted its power but eventually vanished into history."
Hyun Jong nodded heavily.
"On the other hand, the method chosen by the Mount Hua's Sword Saint is a completely different path. He does not build walls between sects, share what all he has, and no one stands in a superior position… Yes, that is friendship."
Tang Gunak smiled.
Until now, Chung Myung always favored other sects, but deep inside, Mount Hua was always foremost. Mount Hua's harsh training while neglecting the strengthening of other sects' forces is proof of that.
When threatened by the rise of the Four Sects Alliance, the first thing he did was to seal Mount Hua disciples and strengthen them, leaving other sects alone. Doesn't that clearly show his inner thoughts?
But now Chung Myung has begun reaching out not only to Mount Hua but also to other sects within the Heavenly Friends Alliance.
To some, it may seem like overstepping or excessive interference in matters. But considering it, it is a huge sacrifice from Chung Myung's perspective. He is someone who objectively evaluates his own abilities more than anyone.
Then Hyun Jong smiled slightly and said.
"Come to think of it, the young lord of the Namgung Family… might have awakened Chung Myung's thoughts a bit."
"I don't think there was no influence."
It was probably the first time for Chung Myung as well. The experience of a sect as significant as the Namgung Family approaching humbly to grow.
So Chung Myung, who had respected each sect's independence, has also slightly expanded the scope of what he can do.
"Family lord..."
Hyun Jong carefully chose his words as if pondering. Then he asked.
"What do you think will be the outcome of what that child is trying to do?"
"Well."
Tang Gunak smiled subtly.
"To be honest, I don't know. No one in the murim world has ever attempted this."
"Hmm."
He then looked at Hyun Jong with clear eyes and said.
"But the situation we face is also unprecedented. The Demonic Cult may erupt and invade the Central Plains at any time, the Nine Great Sects, which should be at the center of the response, are divided and weak, and the Four Sects Alliance, which is hard to expect cooperation from, grows stronger day by day."
"..."
"In this situation, the probability that the Heavenly Friends Alliance will overcome everything without sacrifice is low. Honestly, even with sacrifice, resolving this situation will be a difficult task."
"…That's right."
Tang Gunak smiled.
"Then, even if it might be like grasping at straws, shouldn't we try everything we can? Even if it has never been attempted before."
Hyun Jong also smiled back.
"That is right. All I can do is silently support what that child wants to do."
"Don't say it like that. At least for the Mount Hua's Sword Saint, there is nothing more powerful than that silent support."
A faint embarrassed expression appeared on Hyun Jong's face.
"There is much to be done."
"Yes. First, we should inform the Southern Beast Palace and Northern Ice Palace of this and request their joining. In fact… it is true that we have somewhat neglected them unconsciously."
A sigh escaped from Tang Gunak's mouth.
It was never intentional avoidance. But since the Beast Palace and Ice Palace are located far from the Central Plains, it was difficult to ask for help rashly.
But from the perspective of the two palaces, that so-called consideration might have made them feel that most of the Heavenly Friends Alliance's actions were led by Mount Hua and the Dang family.
Now that it has been declared to embrace everyone, they must never feel alienated.
"The Beast Palace Lord might find it a bit bothersome…"
At Hyun Jong's words, Tang Gunak smiled bitterly.
"That might be so. But it is something for all to endure. Authority comes with responsibility. He would understand that much."
Hyun Jong nodded and sighed.
Whenever Chung Myung faces a major event, upheaval occurs, small in Mount Hua, large in the Heavenly Friends Alliance.
But one must not blame him. Chung Myung has repeatedly overturned and rebuilt himself and the Heavenly Friends Alliance to reach this point.
What Hyun Jong must do is not to scold that fact but to allow Chung Myung to freely express his will.
"However..."
Tang Gunak opened his mouth with a slightly different expression than before.
"There are concerns. Internal issues are internal issues, but the greatest worry is probably external."
"…You mean the Nine Great Sects and the Four Sects Alliance?"
"Yes."
Tang Gunak's eyes narrowed slightly.
"The truth of this Hangzhou Demon Fire will soon spread throughout the world. If that happens, the status of Mount Hua and the Four Sects Alliance that participated will rise immeasurably. Then, the ones most uncomfortable with that fact will be..."
"The Nine Great Sects, I suppose."
"Yes. And it might be beyond what you imagine, Alliance Leader."
When Hyun Jong looked with questioning eyes, Tang Gunak gave a bitter smile.
"What Shaolin never wanted to lose was the idea of 'Shaolin protecting the murim world.' But this incident has taken that idea away to Mount Hua."
"Ah..."
Hyun Jong nodded with a slightly complicated expression. At that moment, Tang Gunak, who was about to say something, covered his mouth with his wide sleeve. His shoulders began to tremble faintly. Hyun Jong widened his eyes and asked.
"Why all of a sudden?"
"Ah, sorry. I know I shouldn't, but thinking about how that guy, the abbot is boiling mad makes me keep laughing."
It was an unbelievably frivolous remark coming from Tang Gunak.
But Hyun Jong fully understood Tang Gunak's mood. He too found it hard to contain a smile imagining the abbot raging wildly.
He composed his expression and said.
"A pitiful man."
"Indeed. He is not inherently foolish. He just knows his own excellence and has a strong pride."
In this light, the abbot stands opposite Chung Myung.
The abbot is also extremely talented. Among the millennium Shaolin talents, he stood out and ultimately became the sect leader, so he is by no means lacking.
'That is why.'
The abbot never thinks he could be wrong. He never abandons his conviction that he is right. Isn't that a perfect contrast to Chung Myung, who lives with the dagger of doubt that he might be wrong?
"So we must be careful. We don't know what the abbot, wounded in pride, might do."
Hyun Jong nodded with a heavy heart.
It is frustrating, but the Nine Great Sects nearby are a more immediate threat than the Demonic Cult aiming to destroy the Central Plains or the Four Sects Alliance eyeing the North.
Hyun Jong spoke with a firmer and more resolute voice than before.
"No matter what they think."
At the sudden change in tone, Tang Gunak's eyes across from him also brightened.
"No one will be able to lay a finger on those children. That is what I must do as the sect leader of Mount Hua and the leader of the Heavenly Friends Alliance."
Those words clearly conveyed his resolve. Tang Gunak smiled and said.
"I will also do my best to help, Alliance Leader."
Perhaps even this movement of the Heavenly Friends Alliance is just a small change. Indeed, considering the turbulent martial world situation, it is a minor change.
But Tang Gunak repeatedly affirmed that the end of this change will never be insignificant.