Chapter 46: Even If It Goes Wrong, Don’t Blame Me (Part 1)

"W-what is this?"

Woongeom stared at Hyun Jong in shock. Hyun Jong, in turn, gazed at the distant mountains as if he, too, had no idea what to do.

"The Six Harmonies…."

It was as if his mind had become tangled, and he couldn't make sense of the situation.

The Six Harmonies was the foundational martial art that had supported Mount Hua for centuries. Just as beginners learning the sword must first master the correct grip, or as children learning to read must memorize the Thousand Character Classic, all martial arts of Mount Hua began with mastering the Six Harmonies.

But time had passed, and the world had changed. Mount Hua was no longer in a position to maintain the slow and deliberate Six Harmonies. They needed to learn faster and progress more quickly.

Wasn't that why everyone had come together to create the True Six Harmonies Sword?

Unlike the original Six Harmonies Sword, the True Six Harmonies Sword could be learned more quickly and was more practical for real combat.

"Sect Leader. Wasn't it our collective conclusion that the True Six Harmonies was necessary for Mount Hua?"

"That's correct."

"But this…."

Hyun Jong let out a low sigh.

"That's why I came to hear your opinion. As you said, establishing the True Six Harmonies Sword as the foundational martial art of Mount Hua was the will of the sect. But the words of our ancestors also carry great weight, don't they?"

"..."

Woongeom nodded unconsciously.

It wasn't just a matter of weight. The words of the ancients were a guide for future generations. Every sect strives to follow the path of their ancestors, working tirelessly to uphold their legacy.

So how could they deny such a clear directive from their ancestors?

"Hmm…"

"What do you think?"

"How could I…?"

"You are the one who teaches Mount Hua's children. When it comes to foundational techniques, even I must consider your opinion. Don't think about anything else—just speak your mind honestly."

Woongeom let out a deep sigh.

'This is difficult.'

The question of whether to follow tradition or embrace change was always a dilemma that left people conflicted. There was no clear answer.

"Sect Leader. The reason we created the True Six Harmonies Sword was because Mount Hua didn't have much time."

"That's correct."

The right path always takes more time. Who didn't know the excellence of the Six Harmonies? But at the time, Mount Hua didn't have the luxury of leisurely training disciples. When the sect could collapse at any moment, they couldn't afford to take the longer path.

"That's why I ask you this. Can Mount Hua now see its future?"

Hyun Jong furrowed his brow.

This, too, was a difficult question.

'The future….'

Mount Hua had only solved one of its many problems. While it was the most urgent and critical issue, countless others still remained.

"It's not easy to answer. Understand that I cannot give a clear response."

"Sect Leader."

Woongeom spoke as if he had made up his mind.

"Then I am opposed."

"Why is that?"

"Because it's not easy."

Woongeom sighed.

The True Six Harmonies Sword and the original Six Harmonies Sword came from the same root, but they were entirely different martial arts. Their fundamental principles were different from the start. While the Six Harmonies was slow and deliberate, emphasizing solidity and downward force, the True Six Harmonies was swift, agile, and light.

"The children learn quickly. They've already embraced the principles of the True Six Harmonies. Teaching them the original Six Harmonies now would be difficult. It might lead to a situation where they master neither. To truly master the Six Harmonies, one needs a stable lower body and a sense of gravity. It's too late now."

Woongeom shook his head.

"Our ancestors wouldn't have left such words without reason. I, too, would like to follow their guidance. But realistically, it's impossible."

"Do you truly think so?"

"Yes, Sect Leader."

"What did you say was the most essential thing for mastering the Six Harmonies?"

"A solid lower body and gravity…."

Woongeom blinked. Hyun Jong subtly turned his head to look at the children training.

"A solid lower body?"

"..."

"Gravity?"

"..."

"Their training seems to be going very well, doesn't it?"

That wasn't me…

That… that was that kid, wasn't it?

Woongeom's gaze landed on Chung Myung, who was swinging a wooden sword at the very back of the training ground.

'No way…?'

It couldn't be. The situation was coincidental, but this was too much of a stretch. Chung Myung wasn't even a Taoist—how could he have predicted this?

"From what I see, it doesn't seem too difficult for these children to relearn the Six Harmonies."

"…That may be true, but… I'm worried the children will be confused."

"Woongeom. Isn't it our duty to guide them through that confusion and lead them down the right path?"

Woongeom nodded blankly.

"Is it the children who are confused? Or is it you?"

"S-Sect Leader. Could you give me a moment?"

"Hmm?"

"I'd like to ask one of the children."

"A child?"

"I'm not the one learning. To truly understand the right path, I think it's better to ask the children who are learning the martial arts directly."

"That's a good idea."

Teaching flows from the top down, but it's the children who ultimately receive and internalize that teaching. It's important to know what they think.

"Then, Yoonjong…"

"Chung Myung!"

Before Hyun Jong could finish, Woongeom called out to Chung Myung in a loud voice. Chung Myung, who had been half-heartedly swinging his sword, flinched and looked over.

"Come here."

At Woongeom's words, Chung Myung put down his sword and shuffled over.

"You called?"

"I have a question for you."

"Yes. Please ask."

Woongeom paused for a moment before speaking.

"Between something slow but reaching greater heights, and something fast and certain, which do you think is more correct?"

Hyun Jong, who was listening nearby, frowned slightly. The question itself was too philosophical. It might be too much for a child to grasp…

'Ah, right. It's Chung Myung.'

That child was definitely special. He might be able to understand and give a proper answer.

And indeed, Chung Myung furrowed his brow as if deep in thought, then bowed his head. After organizing his thoughts, he looked up at Woongeom.

"Reaching greater heights is more correct."

"Why is that?"

"Because it's Mount Hua."

"..."

Woongeom stared at Chung Myung with a stiff expression. His eyes twitched slightly, as if showing the shock he had received from this answer.

Because it's Mount Hua.

'Hahaha…'

Woongeom glanced at Hyun Jong. Hyun Jong had his eyes closed. While his expression didn't reveal much, it wasn't hard to guess what he was thinking.

Whether the answer was right or wrong didn't matter.

What mattered was that this answer had come from the mouth of a child.

'That's right. We are Mount Hua.'

What they had lost.

Their pride in Mount Hua.

A fragment of that distant past was now flowing from the mouth of Mount Hua's youngest disciple.

"For an ordinary sect, choosing the latter would be correct. But Mount Hua is different. To restore its past glory and make its name known throughout the world again, it cannot compromise with reality."

It wasn't a question meant to reveal hidden thoughts. But this child had seen through Woongeom's unspoken concerns and answered with a truth that even adults would find humbling.

"You mean Mount Hua cannot compromise?"

"This disciple believes so."

"I see."

Woongeom nodded.

"Return to your training."

"Yes."

As Chung Myung walked away, Woongeom let out a sigh. But before he could speak, Hyun Jong opened his mouth first.

"How shameful."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

"To hear such words from a child… Haha. Because it's Mount Hua. Because it's Mount Hua… Who in Mount Hua today could say such a thing?"

Hyun Jong closed his eyes.

Even as the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, he couldn't bring himself to say such words. It was an answer he hadn't even considered in his heart. Perhaps it was only possible because it came from a child who knew nothing.

But what mattered was that this answer was making him, the leader of Mount Hua, feel ashamed.

"Mount Hua. Mount Hua…"

"Sect Leader."

Woongeom spoke in a solemn voice.

"It may be the words of a naive child. But perhaps it's because he's a child that he isn't swayed by the realities of the world."

"That's true."

"It may be difficult. But I don't want to feel ashamed in front of that child."

Hyun Jong let out a deep breath.

This wasn't a small matter. Deciding on the foundational martial art was an extremely important decision.

But what was even more important was determining the direction of Mount Hua. This small conversation had quickly snowballed, forcing Hyun Jong to make a choice.

A choice about the path Mount Hua should take moving forward.

"Woongeom, listen."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

"In the name of the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, I hereby revert the foundational martial art from the True Six Harmonies Sword back to the original Six Harmonies Sword, effective immediately."

"I will obey."

"I will discuss this with the elders and issue a formal decree, but Woongeom, you are to begin teaching the Six Harmonies to the children before the official order comes."

"Yes!"

Woongeom's eyes grew resolute.

Mount Hua was Mount Hua.

It couldn't remain an indecisive sect. As long as they bore the name of Mount Hua, they had to strive to be the best and aim for greatness. Even if their bodies were submerged in a muddy stream, they had to wait for the day they would rise and become dragons.

That was the duty and calling of those who bore the name of Mount Hua.

"It's not just the Six Harmonies. We must reconsider all of Mount Hua's martial arts. Your role as the head of the Plum Blossom Pavilion will be more important than ever."

"I am prepared, Sect Leader. If I can repay even a fraction of the debt I owe to Mount Hua, what more could I ask for?"

Hyun Jong smiled faintly and looked at the children.

'These children are the future of Mount Hua.'

They hadn't achieved it yet. Perhaps they might never achieve it in their generation. But by the time these children led the sect, Mount Hua's name should once again resonate throughout the world.

For that, Hyun Jong would do anything. And perhaps the ancestors watching over him from the heavens would also be proud of him.

Surely.

'That pathetic guy.'

Chung Myung, who had returned to his spot, clicked his tongue.

Seeing them waffle over such a small decision made his blood boil.

'Do you even need to ask? Do you really need to ask? You're spoon-feeding them, and now you're asking how to chew?'

I'd rather die than deal with this. I'd rather die.

"Ugh."

"Why are you sighing all of a sudden?"

"What do you know about how I feel?"

"...What are you talking about?"

Chung Myung frowned at Jo Geol's question.

'Let's think calmly. These guys can't do anything right. I'm sure whatever they're doing now is a mess.'

It seemed like he'd have to visit Hwayin soon.

He was worried about whether Hwayin's businesses were in order. If he left things to the Sect Leader, nothing would run properly, so Chung Myung had no choice but to take care of it himself.

"Sigh. This sect can't function without me."

"...What is he talking about, Senior Brother?"

"Leave him be. This isn't a one- or two-day thing."

It was a moment when everyone let out a sigh.