Chapter 30: Mount Hua Has Struck Gold (5)

Chung Myung (muttering to himself):

"Hmm?"

Chung Myung, who had been watching the sect leader and the merchants from afar on the eaves, narrowed his eyes with interest.

Chung Myung (softly):

"So, you're going to go through with this?"

He had been observing the sect leader with a subtle gaze and let out a soft chuckle.

Chung Myung (thinking):

It was hard to tell. Was the sect leader's current action meant to push them into a real hell, or was it an act of final benevolence even in such a dire situation? It could be interpreted either way. But one thing was certain: Hyun Jong, the current sect leader of Hwasan, was not as simple as he appeared on the surface.

Chung Myung (reflecting):

'Of course.' Hadn't he seen it? The sight of the sect leader clutching the door of the underground secret chamber, weeping uncontrollably. Even as his insides rotted away, he maintained the dignified appearance of Hwasan's sect leader. Despite carrying the weight of a collapsing sect on his back, he never lost his gentleness and grace.

Chung Myung (squinting at Hyun Jong):

'But that can't be all.' He had proven his patience. But what a sect leader must possess is not just character and patience. Those things are important, of course. But for Hwasan… no, for any sect leader, there is something else they must have.

Chung Myung (thinking coldly):

'Coldness.' That's what being a sect leader is about. Even if it's a place where Taoists live, the essence of Hwasan is that of a martial sect. Regardless of one's nature, a sect leader must possess coldness. For the glory of Hwasan, they must be willing to sacrifice everything for the greater good. Does Hyun Jong truly have the ruthless heart required of a sect leader?

Chung Myung (groaning):

"Ugh…"

Chung Myung, who had been lying on the eaves with his chin propped up, slowly rose to his feet. A bone-cracking sound came from his back as he clutched his waist and flopped back down.

Chung Myung (muttering):

'I'm going to die.' His body was so worn out that there wasn't a single part of him that wasn't in pain. Despite continuously circulating his energy and meditating, his depleted innate energy showed no signs of recovering.

Chung Myung (thinking):

In his mind, he calculated that it would take about a month to return to his original state, but the problem was enduring that month. He was already frustrated to death in this weak, young body, and now he couldn't even properly use that weak body.

Chung Myung (sighing):

"Ugh… I need to come up with a plan."

He let out a deep sigh and slightly raised his head. For now, his body was a problem for later. He needed to see how this situation would play out.

Gong Mun-yeon (frowning):

"You're asking for an extension on the repayment deadline?"

Gong Mun-yeon unconsciously furrowed his brows. He had expected something like this. He had never underestimated Hwasan's potential. Dozens of sects rise and fall every day. Surviving for hundreds of years in such a chaotic world is no easy feat.

Gong Mun-yeon (thinking):

Even though Hwasan's current situation was worse than before, a sect with such a long history naturally has its own strength. But… 'Is this all their strength is worth?' He couldn't help but laugh. 'Did I overestimate Hwasan?' If they had any strength left, they wouldn't have been pushed to this point.

Gong Mun-yeon (sighing):

"Sect Leader. I've already made it clear that we cannot extend the repayment deadline any further."

Hyun Jong (calmly):

"Don't misunderstand. I'm not asking you, Gong Ru-ju, for a favor."

Gong Mun-yeon (confused):

"…What?"

Hyun Jong quietly looked at Gong Mun-yeon before speaking.

Hyun Jong (firmly):

"I fully understand the position of the Hwaeum Merchant Union. That's why I'm asking all of you directly. Even if it's a hundred thousand nyang, each of you has your own share to receive, right?"

Gong Mun-yeon (reluctantly):

"That's true."

Hyun Jong (pleading):

"So, I'm asking if there's anyone here who can personally extend the repayment deadline."

Gong Mun-yeon (frowning):

'What a shallow move.' He couldn't understand what this was supposed to accomplish.

Gong Mun-yeon (skeptical):

"So, are you saying that those who can't extend the deadline will be able to get their money back?"

Hyun Jong (calmly):

"That's correct."

Gong Mun-yeon (shocked):

"What?"

Hyun Jong (explaining):

"Even if Hwasan isn't what it used to be, there are still those who are willing to lend a helping hand. We haven't been able to gather the full hundred thousand nyang, but we've managed to gather some. So, if you all help us, Hwasan can preserve its name. That's why I'm asking. Those who help Hwasan today will be repaid in Hwasan's name."

The sect leader bowed deeply once more. His posture was humble, but there was a sense of dignity in it.

Gong Mun-yeon (thinking):

Seeing this, Gong Mun-yeon unconsciously furrowed his brows. 'This is nonsense…'

Yu Jong-san (cutting in):

"So."

At that moment, Yu Jong-san, who had been quietly observing the situation, cut in. It might not have been intentional, but Gong Mun-yeon, who had been cut off mid-sentence, couldn't help but frown.

Yu Jong-san (bitterly):

"Are you saying that if we extend the deadline, you'll repay us later?"

Hyun Jong (calmly):

"That's correct."

Yu Jong-san (bluntly):

"Sect Leader. Let's be honest. We all know that Hwasan could collapse tomorrow. Even you know that, Sect Leader. But you're asking us to extend the deadline based solely on your word, even though there's a risk we might not get our money back?"

Hyun Jong (quietly):

"…That's one way to put it."

Yu Jong-san (sarcastic):

"Does that make any sense?"

Gong Mun-yeon (thinking):

Gong Mun-yeon's expression hardened. Although Yu Jong-san had cut him off, he was saying what Gong Mun-yeon couldn't say out of pride. In that case, it was better to let Yu Jong-san take the lead.

Gong Mun-yeon (silent):

Normally, Gong Mun-yeon would have tried to calm Yu Jong-san down at this point, but this time, he remained silent. Right now, they needed to push the sect leader further.

Gong Mun-yeon (thinking coldly):

'It's over now.' In this moment, Hwasan would announce the end of its long history. The fact that Hwasan, a martial sect, would fall not to the martial power of another sect but to the power of money would leave a bitter taste in the mouths of those watching. But that's precisely what made it so meaningful.

Gong Mun-yeon (mockingly):

"Master Yu."

Yu Jong-san (responding):

"Yes, Sect Leader."

Hyun Jong (calmly):

"What could I possibly offer you?"

Yu Jong-san (confused):

"…What?"

Hyun Jong spread his arms. A cool breeze blew in from somewhere. As the wind brushed past him, Hyun Jong smiled faintly.

Hyun Jong (softly):

"Hwasan has nothing left. All that remains is the honor of having supported Hwaeum and Seomseo for so many years. The only thing I can offer is Hwasan's name."

Yu Jong-san (stammering):

"That's…"

Hyun Jong (firmly):

"If you ask what you can trust, the answer is this: Hwasan's name. Hwasan's history. Is that not enough?"

Yu Jong-san (silent):

Yu Jong-san closed his mouth, seemingly at a loss for words.

Yu Jong-san (thinking):

Hwasan's name. Hwasan's history. Yes, perhaps those words held meaning. If only the people gathered here weren't merchants. To merchants, names and history mean nothing. The only thing that matters to them is money. Does it make money, or does it not? These are people who stake everything on that one thing. And yet, you're asking merchants to accept a name and history as collateral?

Yu Jong-san (laughing):

"Haha."

He couldn't hold back his laughter.

Yu Jong-san (mocking):

"Sect Leader, isn't this a bit too much?"

Hyun Jong (calmly):

"Too much, you say?"

Hyun Jong quietly looked at Yu Jong-san. The weight in his gaze made Yu Jong-san unconsciously flinch and step back.

Hyun Jong (softly):

"It might be too much. But I want to try. Because I believe that the name Hwasan has left in this world, after hundreds of years of protecting Seomseo and Hwaeum, is not in vain."

Hyun Jong (pleading):

"Let me ask you this. What does Hwasan mean to you? Does Hwasan's name, Hwasan's history, truly hold no value?"

Gong Mun-yeon (breaking the silence):

"It seems the conversation has gone off track."

Gong Mun-yeon stepped forward to lighten the mood. Hyun Jong's gaze turned to him. Unlike Hyun Jong's somewhat hollow gaze, Gong Mun-yeon's eyes were sharper than ever.

Gong Mun-yeon (summarizing):

"To summarize, you're saying that those who can personally extend the repayment deadline should do so, and those who can't should take their money today. Is that correct?"

Hyun Jong (nodding):

"That's right."

Gong Mun-yeon (smirking):

"Fine. Normally, I would oppose this in the name of the Hwaeum Merchant Union, but since I'm a man of principle, I'll allow it. Those who wish to extend the deadline may do so personally. However!"

Gong Mun-yeon turned around sharply.

Gong Mun-yeon (sternly):

"You will bear the responsibility for that decision. The Merchant Union will not protect those who extend the deadline. Even if you end up losing your money."

It was a subtle pressure.

Gong Mun-yeon (commanding):

"Make your choice. Those who wish to stick to the deadline, stay here. Those who wish to extend the deadline, move over there."

He pointed to the side.

Gong Mun-yeon (mocking):

"Is this acceptable, Sect Leader?"

Hyun Jong (calmly):

"It is."

Gong Mun-yeon (smirking):

"Well? It seems there's no one willing to extend the deadline, unfortunately?"

Hyun Jong (silent):

"…"

Gong Mun-yeon (pointing):

"See for yourself."

Gong Mun-yeon pointed behind him. Hyun Jong's gaze followed, landing on the merchants. Those who met Hyun Jong's eyes quickly averted their gazes.

Gong Mun-yeon (mocking):

"Do you need more time?"

Hyun Jong didn't answer. He simply closed his eyes.

Gong Mun-yeon (smirking):

"No matter how long you wait, nothing will change. No one will give up a fortune for the sake of a faded name. So let's end this, Sect Leader. Hand over the hall and step down. You've done enough."

Drunk on his sense of victory, Gong Mun-yeon unconsciously spread his arms.

Gong Mun-yeon (triumphantly):

"Now, this is…"

Yu Jong-san (interrupting):

"Tsk."

At that moment, the sound of shuffling footsteps came from behind. Gong Mun-yeon unconsciously turned around.

Gong Mun-yeon (shocked):

"…Master Yu?"

Yu Jong-san, with a face like he had bitten into something sour, was shuffling over to the side—to the place where those who would extend the deadline were supposed to go.

Gong Mun-yeon (angrily):

"What on earth…"

Seeing Gong Mun-yeon's bewildered expression, Yu Jong-san let out a deep sigh.

Gong Mun-yeon (furious):

"Listen, Master Yu. What are you thinking?"

Gong Mun-yeon's angry voice rang out sharply.