It felt like a sword made of sincere killing intent was touching his neck.
The sensation conveyed one fact.
'This is no simple threat.'
Actually, such a thing couldn't happen. It was something that made no sense. However, the abbot's instincts were clearly speaking at this moment.
If he gave the wrong answer here and now, Chung Myung could really come forward and cut his head off.
'Why is he doing this?'
The abbot couldn't understand Chung Myung's deep-rooted anger towards them all. What would Mount Hua gain by putting down Shaolin and the others?
"Amitabha…"
A disapproving chant mixed with embarrassment flowed out of the abbot's mouth. He didn't realize that the end of his disapproving voice was trembling slightly.
"Amitabha."
The disapproving voice revealed all of his frustration. In order to resolve their current situation, the cooperation of the Heavenly Friends Alliance was absolutely needed.
But if Mount Hua's Sword Saint, the center of the Heavenly Friends Alliance, was that influential, there would be no way to attract them.
Mount Hua's Sword Saint was difficult to predict in the first place. He never engaged in a losing fight, and threats didn't work on him. What on earth would he say to a person who threatened the Shaolin abbot?
It was nearly impossible to shake the man through conversation.
If there was one weakness for Mount Hua's Sword Saint, it was just…
"Alliance leader."
The abbot's gaze turned away from Chung Myung and shifted to Hyun Jong.
Hyun Jong looked at the abbot with a dark expression. Chung Myung's shoulders shook briefly at the sound of Hyun Jong's name, and the abbot didn't miss that reaction.
'Definitely.'
Mount Hua's Sword Saint didn't care about anyone else in the world but only respected Hyun Jong, the eldest of the Mount Hua sect. Whether it was because he was the sect leader or for another reason was difficult for the abbot to know, but the reason wasn't important to him.
The conclusion was that if Hyun Jong were to decide to attack, even Mount Hua's Sword Saint would struggle to oppose him.
"What do you think, Alliance leader? Do you share the same views as Mount Hua's Sword Saint?"
"Abbot, I…"
"Please do not say that the will of the disciples is yours. You know that is just an evasion."
The abbot quickly continued speaking, not giving Hyun Jong time to think.
"And please do not forget. I am now addressing the leader of the Heavenly Friends Alliance, not the sect leader of Mount Hua. Even if Mount Hua's Sword Saint represents the will of Mount Hua, it doesn't represent the will of the Heavenly Friends Alliance as a whole. Are you certain that the other sects in the Heavenly Friends Alliance share the same will as Mount Hua's Sword Saint?"
"Hmm."
Hyun Jong's face was filled with concern.
What weighed on his shoulders now was not the content of the abbot's words, but his tone.
The tone was clearly different from the start, intended to pressure Hyun Jong.
"If you are leading a sect, you must know how to make decisions that are close to unilateralism for the sake of the sect's future. Even if it seems frustrating and detrimental at the moment, you will understand that it will ultimately be for the good of the sect. If you are the Alliance leader, you will get it."
"You…"
Chung Myung's face contorted.
His expression was as if he wanted to step in and strangle the abbot at any moment. Still, unlike a moment ago, his mouth did not open carelessly.
The abbot, glancing at that, smiled inwardly. Mount Hua's Sword Saint certainly would never challenge Hyun Jong's authority. The only person who could restrain that man was Hyun Jong.
And Hyun Jong was, in fact, a weak person.
It wasn't that difficult for the abbot to persuade Hyun Jong, even with Mount Hua's Sword Saint around him.
"When I became the head of Shaolin…"
He continued to speak calmly, gradually regaining his composure.
"The first thing I felt was a heavy weight."
Hyun Jong let out a low sigh. Those who have been the sect leader of any sect couldn't help but sympathize with those words.
"The burden that my one choice could change the fate of Shaolin and the fate of the world. That is something only those who haven't been in that position could even guess."
"Umm…."
"Wasn't that the case with you, abbot?"
"…"
The abbot smiled broadly.
"There were more than a few times when I wanted to put everything down and live the way I wanted to. At those times, the name of Shaolin was what kept me going."
"…"
"I am the leader of Shaolin, so I have to listen to what my disciples say. However, there are times when I have to ignore what they say because I am the leader of Shaolin. It is surprisingly easy to act according to the moods. What is really hard is holding back what you want to do and considering the future of the sect."
A calm yet powerful voice took over Hyun Jong.
The abbot, who noticed that Hyun Jong's expression was turning heavier, slowly drove the wedge.
"I am not asking for help unconditionally. Shaolin is a sect that does not forget a favor done. If you, as the leader of the Heavenly Leader Alliance, would help us, Shaolin will definitely repay the favor. I promise to restore Mount Hua Sect into the Nine Sects and give you authority that no other sect has ever given you."
Kaka.
The prayer beads in the abbot's hands were roughly rubbed. The sound made those who were concentrating flinch.
The abbot, who had taken control of the surroundings, smiled gently.
"If that happens, it will only be a matter of time for Mount Hua to regain its former glory. It is the same for everyone trampled in the past. But shouldn't a true leader be able to see beyond those kids and see the future of the sect?"
Crack.
At that moment, the abbot heard a small cracking sound in his ears. It was probably Mount Hua's Sword Saint grabbing something to suppress his anger. Yet, the abbot held his gaze with desperate patience.
He realized he had to completely eliminate Mount Hua's Sword Saint to effectively deal with Hyun Jong.
"But…"
Hyun Jong opened his mouth.
"What would change even if Mount Hua returns to the Nine Sects?"
"A lot would change."
The abbot looked straight at Hyun Jong with sunken eyes, as if he was about to reveal a harsh reality.
"The momentum of the Heavenly Friends Alliance is indeed impressive. So now, the name of the Nine Sects might seem small. But, Alliance leader, in the lost history of murim, weren't there one or two or more like the Heavenly Friends Alliance?"
Hyun Jong's expression shifted slightly at those words.
The abbot seized the opportunity and tightened his argument.
"There were places with reputations comparable to that of the Nine Great Sects, and there were places that flaunted their power more than us. But now, only the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families remain. What has become of those sects and alliances?"
Hyun Jong's fist, hidden in his sleeve, clenched. He knew those words held true.
"It is true that the Heavenly Friends Alliance is a formidable entity. However, as you know, Alliance leader, solidarity with the Sects outside the wall cannot last long. The moment the bond breaks, Mount Hua will have to face the Nine Sects and Five Families, who harbor ill feelings towards Mount Hua. At that time, even the Sichuan Tang family did not have similar ties. In other words…"
At that moment.
The abbot's gaze turned to Chung Myung for the first time since he began speaking to Hyun Jong. It seemed as if those words were not meant for Hyun Jong alone.
"The moment Mount Hua's Sword Saint can no longer protect Mount Hua, it will face a miserable reality incomparable to the past. Do you really think Mount Hua can survive if you turn the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families into enemies?"
"You…"
Chung Myung's face contorted, and Hyun Jong shut his eyes.
Those words hit the exact spot he was worried about.
Mount Hua had expanded its strength at an incredible pace. Hyun Jong couldn't have been unaware that this was only because of Chung Myung's existence. This was why Chung Myung was someone he felt grateful to and a being precious to him.
But, where there was light, there was also darkness.
Mount Hua had grown close with the Sichuan Tang family, the Green Forest, and the sects beyond the wall. Still, their ties with the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families, which represented the existing order of Murim, had deteriorated.
If the Heavenly Friends Alliance could continue to expand at its current momentum, it would not be a problem.
But what about Mount Hua without Chung Myung?
If Chung Myung suffered a change during the war with the Four Sects Alliance, or even if that did not happen, what would Mount Hua be like after enjoying the glory brought by Chung Myung?
Would it really be able to withstand the restraints of the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families?
Probably not.
Mount Hua has already developed beyond the limits of what it can do as a sect. Demanding the same from those who would inherit Mount Hua in the future was nothing more than violence in the name of expectation.
An indescribable weight weighed down on Hyun Jong.
If he could witness all of this while he was alive, he wouldn't worry so much. But how much life did he have left?
Now, he could make a choice, but the price of that choice must be paid by those who remained alive.
"Is it truly right to burden future generations with a heavy load for just a fleeting moment of pleasure? Can the giants of Murim, who have supported the world for centuries, really make a choice that would cause resentment towards Mount Hua?"
The abbot looked at Hyun Jong, who was deep in thought, and then spoke.
"I hope you consider what truly is the path for Mount Hua. Alliance leader… No, sect leader!"
It was the final piece.
A long silence followed. Everyone waited for Hyun Jong's answer.
Hyun Jong, who had been contemplating with his eyes closed, slowly opened them. He then looked at the Mount Hua disciples who were watching him.
The expressions on their faces varied.
Some looked at him earnestly, others with complete trust. Some were filled with dissatisfaction at being told such things, while others were pondering deeply.
Among these many thoughts and meanings, finding the right path was the role of the one who held the title of sect leader.
He had often left countless decisions to them.
It was because he knew he was too inadequate to make the choices alone. However, at that moment, Hyun Jong had an intuition.
This was a choice that was entirely his to make.
To postpone this would be nothing more than passing the responsibility onto his young disciples.
It was a lonely battle. It was an ascetic journey, like walking alone on an eternal night road where you cannot see an inch ahead of you.
But Hyun Jong knew of one star that would illuminate the darkness. One star that shone brighter than anything else in the sky.
"Abbot."
Hyun Jong, having resolved his concerns, spoke while looking at the abbot.
"I completely understand what you wanted to say, abbot."
"Then…"
"If we really fight Shaolin and the others now, the future of Mount Hua might face difficulties and suffering. The name of Mount Hua, which barely survived a great crisis, may disappear forever."
The abbot nodded deeply, feeling pleased. It seemed Hyun Jong understood his point.
"Then, as the leader of a sect, isn't the choice you have to make a simple one?"
"Yes, abbot. Very simple."
Hyun Jong looked at the abbot with a calm expression.
At that moment, the abbot straightened his back without realizing it, as an unapproachable aura emanated from Hyun Jong, who had always been kind and gentle.
"When the disciples of the past visited Yunnan, there was an interesting anecdote."
"…Uh?"
But what came out of Hyun Jong's mouth was an unexpected story. The abbot frowned at this.
"What are you saying…"
"It is said that the disciples of the sect, who witnessed the poverty in Yunnan, sold the plum blossom sword they had and bought grain to share with the people. No one told him to do this, yet the disciple confessed his actions to me and apologized."
Then, the Five Swords all turned their gazes to Yoon Jong. Yoon Jong's face instantly turned bright red.
Hyun Jong also looked at Yoon Jong and smiled brightly.
"The Lord of the Beast Palace told me about it. I will share what the disciple said to the Beast Palace Lord."
"…."
"If the glory of Mount Hua makes life easier for those living in the world, then all the disciples of Mount Hua will be able to proudly boast of that glory. However, if it is only the glory of Mount Hua that stays within the sect, then Mount Hua will be a sect that can be replaced by another at any time."
The abbot's face went stiff.
On the other hand, Hyun Jong's face was soft, as if he had shaken off all delusions.
"Abbot, the most important thing for Mount Hua isn't to leave behind a fake reputation. If Mount Hua cannot leave behind a will to pass on to the next generations, then no matter how great the glory is, it is just another sect with the name of Mount Hua."
"…."
"If we choose to endure by abandoning righteousness, Mount Hua will no longer be Mount Hua. Rather than watching Mount Hua change like that, I would rather see its end with my own eyes. That is…"
Hyun Jong's eyes were filled with a dazzle that even the abbot couldn't face.
"This is my role as the sect leader of the Great Mount Hua Sect, despite my shortcomings."
A low and soft voice, yet one that contained a conviction that could never be denied, pierced the ears of the abbot.
"Go back, abbot. Mount Hua will not respond to your request. If you wanted to change Mount Hua's mind, you should have used sincerity instead of logic."
This was the declaration of Hyun Jong, the sect leader of the Great Mount Hua Sect.