Chapter 31

Chapter 30. The volcano has received a blessing. (5)

"Hmm?"

Far away, on the eaves, Qingming, who had been watching Zhang Wenren and the merchants, twinkled his eyes with amusement.

"Are you really going to come out like that?"

Qingming, who had been looking at Zhang Wenren with a subtle gaze, chuckled.

I don't know.

Whether what Zhang Wenren is doing now is to push them into real hell, or if it's to show a last bit of kindness even in such a situation.

It can be interpreted either way.

But one thing is certain: the current leader of Huashan, Xianzhong, is not as simple as he appears.

'That's right.'

Didn't he see it?

The image of Zhang Wenren sobbing while holding the door of the underground vault.

A person who maintained the appearance of a Huashan leader even as his heart was rotting away, carrying the collapsing sect on his back while not losing his gentleness and dignity.

Qingming narrowed his eyes and looked at Zhang Wenren.

'But it shouldn't be all of that.'

Patience has been sufficiently proven. But what a leader of Huashan must have is not just character and patience.

Of course, those are important. But as a leader of Huashan... no, a sect, there is something else that must be possessed.

'Exactly, coldness.'

That's what a leader is.

Even if it's a place where Daoists live, the essence of Huashan is a martial sect.

Regardless of one's character, a leader who leads a sect must have coldness. They must be able to completely entrust themselves to the gains and losses for the glory of Huashan.

Does Xianzhong have the ruthlessness required of a leader?

Qingming, who had been lying on the eaves, slightly raised his body.

Creak!

Then a bone-cracking sound came from his back.

"Ouch..."

Qingming, groaning, grabbed his waist and lay flat on the eaves again.

'Oh, I'm going to die.'

His body was so weakened that there wasn't a single spot left unharmed. Even though he was consistently practicing and recuperating, his innate qi had not returned.

He had calculated that he could recover to his original state in about three months, but the problem was enduring those three months. Already feeling suffocated in the weak body of a young man, now he couldn't even properly use that weak body.

"Ugh... I need to come up with some plan."

Qingming sighed deeply and slightly raised his head.

First, his body is a problem for later. He needed to see how the situation would end.

"Did you ask to delay the repayment date?"

Gong Wenyuan inadvertently frowned.

He had thought something would happen. He never underestimated the strength of Huashan. Dozens of sects rise and fall every day. To continue for hundreds of years in that chaotic world is not an easy feat.

Although Huashan's position is not as strong as it used to be, a sect with a long history naturally has its strength.

But...

'Is this strength just this much?'

A hollow laugh escaped him.

'Have I overestimated Huashan?'

If they had any strength left, they wouldn't have been pushed to this situation. Gong Wenyuan sighed deeply.

"Leader. I clearly stated before that we cannot delay the repayment date any further."

"I don't misunderstand. Our sect is not asking Gong Luzhu for a favor now."

"......Yes?"

Xianzhong, who had been quietly looking at Gong Wenyuan, spoke.

"I understand the position of the Huayin Merchant Association. Therefore, our sect is now directly asking all of you for a favor. Even if it's 100,000 taels, each of you has a separate amount to receive, right?"

"That's true."

"So, I am asking if there is anyone who can personally delay the repayment date."

Gong Wenyuan frowned.

'A shallow trick.'

He couldn't understand the meaning of this.

"Then, are you saying that those who cannot delay the repayment date will be paid?"

"That's correct."

"Really?"

Gong Wenyuan's eyes widened.

"Even if Huashan is not as strong as it used to be, there are still people who can lend a helping hand to Huashan. We couldn't gather all 100,000 taels, but we could gather some. If you help us, Huashan can retain its name. So, I beg you. Those who understand Huashan's situation today, Huashan will surely repay in its name."

Zhang Wenren bowed again. His posture was humble, but his demeanor was dignified.

Seeing this, Gong Wenyuan inadvertently frowned.

"What nonsense..."

"Exactly."

At that moment, You Zhongshan, who had been observing the situation, interrupted Gong Wenyuan. Although it was unintentional, Gong Wenyuan, whose words were suddenly cut off, couldn't help but frown.

"Are you saying that if we delay the repayment date, you will repay later?"

"That's correct."

"Leader. Let's be frank."

You Zhongshan continued with a bitter expression.

"Both we and the leader know that Huashan might fall tomorrow. Asking us to delay the repayment date based on the leader's words alone is asking us to take the risk of not receiving the money, isn't it?"

"......That's true."

"Is that even a reasonable request?"

Gong Wenyuan regained his composure. Although You Zhongshan had cut off his words, he was speaking on his behalf. So, it was better for You Zhongshan to take the lead.

Normally, he would have calmed You Zhongshan and stabilized the situation, but this time, Gong Wenyuan remained silent. It was necessary to push the leader a bit more.

'This is the end.'

Here, Huashan would announce the end of its long history.

Although it would be a bitter sight to see a martial sect like Huashan fall due to money rather than force, it would also be a meaningful event.

"Manager You."

"Yes, leader."

"What can our sect offer?"

"......Yes?"

Xianzhong shrugged.

A cool breeze blew from somewhere. Xianzhong smiled gently in the wind.

"Huashan has nothing left. What remains is only the honor of supporting Huayin and Shaanxi for a long time. The only thing I can offer is the name of Huashan."

"......"

"What should we believe in? The answer is only this: the name of Huashan, the history of Huashan. Is that not enough?"

You Zhongshan closed his mouth, having nothing to say.

The name of Huashan.

The history of Huashan.

Yes, perhaps it is a meaningful statement. If the people gathered here were not merchants, that is.

To merchants, names and history have no meaning. The only thing that matters to merchants is money. Whether it makes money or not. These are the people who stake everything on that.

But to ask merchants to accept the name and history as collateral?

"Ha ha."

You Zhongshan couldn't stop the laughter that burst out.

"Leader, isn't this too much of a stretch?"

"Is it a stretch?"

Xianzhong quietly looked at You Zhongshan. The weight of his gaze made You Zhongshan involuntarily flinch and step back.

"It might be a stretch."

But the voice that came from Xianzhong's mouth was soft.

"But I want to try. I believe that the name Huashan, which has protected Shaanxi and Huayin for hundreds of years, is not in vain."

"......"

"I want to ask you in return. What does Huashan mean to you? Isn't there value in the name and history of Huashan?"

No one spoke.

Huashan.

Who would dare to call that name light? Who would dare to call its history meaningless?

Now, it's just a faded name, but no one can take the name of Huashan lightly. Especially those who have lived rooted in Huayin.

That's why no one could easily continue the conversation.

Except for one person.

"The conversation seems to have stalled."

Gong Wenyuan stepped in to lighten the mood. Xianzhong's gaze turned to Gong Wenyuan. Unlike Xianzhong's slightly empty gaze, Gong Wenyuan's eyes were unusually sharp.

"To summarize, those who can delay the repayment date will do so, and those who cannot will take the money today, correct?"

"That's right."

"Fine."

Gong Wenyuan nodded.

"Originally, I should oppose this in the name of the Huayin Merchant Association, but I am a person who understands righteousness, so I will allow it. If anyone wishes, they can delay the repayment date individually. However!"

Gong Wenyuan turned his sharp gaze to the back.

"You must bear the responsibility for that. The Merchant Association will not provide separate protection to those who delay the repayment date. Even if they lose the money, that is."

It was a subtle pressure.

"Make your choice. Those who will keep the repayment date, stay here. Those who will delay the repayment date, go to the other side."

Gong Wenyuan pointed to the side.

"Is this acceptable, leader?"

"That's correct."

Xianzhong nodded calmly.

"I don't understand the meaning of this, but I will respect the leader's opinion until the end. Even if Huashan will disappear, the position of the leader of Huashan should be respected, shouldn't it?"

Xianzhong smiled without a word.

"Thank you for your consideration."

Gong Wenyuan inadvertently frowned. Despite his subtle provocation, Xianzhong's attitude remained unchanged.

'I will break that attitude.'

After a brief pause, Gong Wenyuan said with a light tone.

"What do you think? It seems there is no one who can delay the repayment date?"

"......"

"Look."

Gong Wenyuan pointed to the back. Xianzhong's gaze followed Gong Wenyuan's and looked at the merchants. Those who met Xianzhong's gaze all averted their eyes.

"Do you need more time?"

Xianzhong did not answer. He just closed his eyes.

"No matter how long you wait, nothing will change. No one will give up a large sum of money for the faded name of Huashan. So, give it up, leader. Hand over the hall and step down. You have done enough."

Gong Wenyuan, intoxicated with a sense of victory, inadvertently spread his arms.

"Alright, now this will..."

"Tsk."

At that moment.

A shuffling sound came from behind. Gong Wenyuan involuntarily turned around.

"...Manager You?"

You Zhongshan, with a face as if he had chewed on something, shuffled to the side.

To the spot where those who would delay the repayment date were supposed to go.

"What the...?"

Seeing Gong Wenyuan's bewildered expression, You Zhongshan sighed deeply.

"...Listen, Manager You. What are you thinking?"

Gong Wenyuan's angry voice sharply spread in all directions.