Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 146

“Isn’t that Odoksu? They say his hands can kill with a single touch!”

“The Ghost of Jiangxi? I heard stories about him even as a child. Seems he was nearby.”

“That’s the Foundation Sword Sect. I suppose they can’t miss out on something like this?”

“I see the Songbaek Sect of Luoyang and the Janwol Pavilion as well. It seems all the famous sects nearby have gathered!”

“…Wait a minute. Isn’t that the Samsal Ghost in the red robes?”

“Even that human butcher has come. This matter will bring more misfortune than fortune!”

People in Namyeong murmured and pointed as more and more martial artists arrived. Dust clouds rose on the road as groups of fighters arrived on horseback. More walked in through the town gates, their swords glinting in the sun.

“Is it really the Sword Tomb?”

“Anyone with sense would rush here. But… isn’t this just another rumor? I’ve heard this ‘Sword Tomb’ story so many times. Remember last year? Total nonsense.”

“This time it’s different. The Beggars’ Sect spread the news! If the Beggars’ Sect says it’s true, it must be.”

“Hmm. That’s true.”

“That’s why even those famous figures have put everything aside to rush here, isn’t it? If you get the Sword Tomb, you’ll be the most powerful person in Jianghu.”

“Forget those foolish dreams. What amazing skills do we have to get a divine weapon in this fight?”

“Don’t be so sure. You never know what might happen. Who knows? Maybe we’ll get lucky!”

Even as he spoke, his eyes darted around, searching for any advantage. A tiny spark of hope flickered in their depths.

Divine weapons are like that.

Most people in Jianghu are just forgotten. Only a few become famous through their skills and create history.

It’s like how everyone in Jianghu wants to be the most powerful person, but only one can reach that position.

Most ordinary people in Jianghu, including those gathered here, are like extras in a play, while only a few become famous.

However, if one could get a divine weapon, maybe they could join the ranks of those few heroes.

This is a temptation no one in Jianghu could refuse. The thought of holding a divine weapon, of becoming powerful, was like a fire in their hearts. They couldn’t ignore it, even if it was dangerous.

Few think they can outdo others and take the divine weapon. But they can’t abandon the hope that maybe, just maybe…

“It feels like a war is about to break out.”

“Isn’t that always the case? The one who survives wins the divine weapon of the Sword Tomb.”

Two people slipped out of the crowd. The air felt thick with tension, like before a storm. Every glance felt like a challenge, every whisper like a threat.

Yoon Jong, the older disciple, looked worried. “Isn’t this going to be a real disaster, Sasuk?” he asked Jo Gul.

At Jo Gul’s words, Yoon Jong looked around with a blank expression.

“Crazy guy…”

What? Start a game?

There’s a limit to everything!

What on earth is he doing?

Groups of martial artists kept arriving, like waves crashing on the shore. The roads were choked with people, all heading towards Namyeong. Already, the streets of Namyeong were overflowing. Inns were full, and people were sleeping in the streets.

“…I don’t know what he’s thinking.”

In a way, it’s amazing.

Just to make it difficult for the Mount Hua Sect to get the Sword Tomb, he has brought the situation this far. Could a normal person even imagine this?

Yoon Jong thought they had been underestimating Chung Myung all along.

‘Or is it…?’

Is Chung Myung a completely different person when he’s dealing with the sect members compared to when he’s dealing with others?

“Let’s go back for now.”

“Yes, Sasuk.”

Yoon Jong and Jo Gul pushed their way back through the noisy crowd, heading for Hwayeong Gate. The air was thick with dust and the smell of sweat.

Yoon Jong reached Hwayeong Gate, quickly opened the door, and stepped inside.

Baek Cheon, who had been waiting, rushed over as soon as he saw them.

“How is it?”

“It’s a complete mess. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen so many martial artists together.”

“There seem to be more martial artists than people from Namyeong now.”

“…Is that so.”

Baek Cheon’s face was pale, his eyes wide with worry. He wrung his hands nervously.

“Is it really okay to do this?”

Baek Cheon’s face twisted.

“How would I know!”

Chung Myung was impossible to understand. No matter how much he tried to understand, he couldn’t figure out what he was thinking.

“But who is that person?”

“…”

Yoon Jong narrowed his eyes and looked at the two people sitting on the main hall porch. The guy lying on the porch, holding a liquor bottle, was Chung Myung, whom they often saw, so that was that.

But the person sitting across from him…

“A beggar?”

“Shhh.”

Baek Cheon put his finger to his lips.

“Don’t call him a beggar! It’s rude. We should call him ‘Hwaja’ instead.” (Even though they were called the Beggars’ Sect, they were a powerful group, and ‘beggar’ was considered an insult.)

“Who is that Hwaja?”

“I heard he’s the Luoyang Branch Lord of the Beggars’ Sect.”

“No. Why is someone like that here…?”

“Who knows? That rascal Chung Myung must have done something again.”

Everyone’s faces fell. Yoon Jong sighed, rubbing his temples. Jo Gul slumped his shoulders. Even Baek Cheon, usually so composed, looked defeated.

‘Please, let’s live like human beings. Like human beings.’

‘Whatever you do, let’s do it within the bounds of common sense.’

‘At this rate, I’m going to die young, really.’

Whatever they were thinking, Chung Myung was leisurely swigging from his liquor bottle.

“…Are you satisfied?”

“With what?”

“Are you happy now? Is this what you wanted?”

“Why are you saying such strange things? What did I do?”

Hong Daekwang just grunted in frustration.

‘That devilish little brat.’

Of course, Hong Daekwang had created the current situation. After hearing that the Mount Hua Sect was about to arrive, Hong Daekwang used all his connections to spread the treasure map and the rumor that the Sword Tomb was in Namyeong.

It couldn’t be helped.

If the Mount Hua Sect arrived in Namyeong, secretly took the Sword Tomb, and went back, Hong Daekwang would be left completely fooled. But he couldn’t sell the treasure map for money like Chung Myung either.

If he sold the treasure map that the Mount Hua Sect had already started excavating, people would stop trusting the Beggars’ Sect.

If that happened, the Beggars’ Sect elders would be furious.

“What are you going to do now?”

“What do you mean? I’m just going to watch.”

“Like this?”

“I’m fine. I made a lot of money.”

Hong Daekwang made a choked sound of anger!

Chung Myung tapped his chest. That part was particularly bulging. Hong Daekwang’s stomach churned with anger as he saw Chung Myung tap his chest. He knew exactly what was bulging under Chung Myung’s robes – the promissory note, his money, laughing at him.

‘I can’t even beat him up.’

He’d probably get beaten instead.

He had confirmed that the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua’s skills were real, if nothing else.

Hong Daekwang suppressed his seething anger.

He wasn’t a fool. He was an extremely clever man. He had been caught off guard by Chung Myung, but that wasn’t because Hong Daekwang was stupid, but because Chung Myung was so cunning.

‘It will take a few more days for support to arrive from the main sect.’

But the Mount Hua Sect would arrive soon.

It was impossible to deal with the Mount Hua Sect with their strength alone. The Beggars’ Sect’s strength was not weaker than the Mount Hua Sect, but unlike the Mount Hua Sect, where all their power was together on Mount Hua, the Beggars’ Sect’s power was spread across the country.

It would take at least a month to gather them. Moreover, they didn’t even have the time to receive help from the nearby branches right now.

The matter here had to be dealt with by the Luoyang branch and, at best, the Wuhan branch working together. There was no way they could fight the Mount Hua Sect with just two branches.

In the end, the only person to rely on was…

‘This guy.’

Everything was going wrong.

‘No, why does it have to be this guy?’

He hated him so much. But Hong Daekwang had no choice but to come to Chung Myung with tears in his eyes. The first reason was that the only people he could trust here were the disciples of Mount Hua, who had defeated the second-generation disciples of the Mount Hua Sect.

And the second reason was…

‘He’s not in his right mind, but this guy definitely has something he believes in.’

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have done something like this. Even if everyone else cursed him for being crazy… No, no. Hong Daekwang also cursed him for being crazy, but at least he was convinced that there was something in Chung Myung’s madness.

“Shouldn’t we be moving now?”

“Want a drink?”

“…Martial artists are everywhere outside!”

“Geez, everyone’s so greedy.”

Hong Daekwang finally exploded.

“Hey, you! Aren’t you supposed to get your hands on the Honwon Dan! The Honwon Dan! The legendary medicine! Are you just going to sit here and let someone else take it!”

“You sure are interested in other people’s business.”

Chung Myung lay down and whistled.

Hong Daekwang clutched his chest at his leisurely attitude.

‘My, my stomach hurts.’

Where did such a monstrous guy come from?

He could feel the Mount Hua disciples watching him, their eyes filled with a mixture of pity and amusement. They knew he was losing his mind.

Sssst.

“Ack! You scared me!”

Hong Daekwang was horrified by the appearance of a woman who suddenly appeared next to him and almost fell backwards.

‘Who is this?!’

Before he could even figure out who had appeared, her lips slightly opened.

“Mount Hua Sect has arrived.”

Thump.

Chung Myung jumped up from his seat.

“They’re here!”

Chung Myung leaped to his feet, knocking over his liquor bottle with a crash. The smell of spilled alcohol filled the air, but he didn’t notice. He was already sprinting towards the gate, his voice ringing out, ‘Let’s go!’

“Alright!”

“Let’s go!”

The disciples of Mount Hua, who had been grumbling and complaining until now, changed their expressions the moment Chung Myung’s voice burst out. They all started running after him at once.

“Uh, uh?”

Only Hong Daekwang, unable to keep up with the surprisingly rapid change, could only make a deflated sound and panic.

The disciples of Mount Hua jumped over the wall that had not yet been repaired and disappeared like arrows.

Hong Daekwang, who belatedly came to his senses, shouted.

“Ch, chase after them! You lazy beggars! Quickly! Follow them quickly! Hurry!”

“Uh, we can’t see where they went!”

“Damn it, follow me!”

Hong Daekwang ended up taking the lead and leading his subordinates.

‘No. What the hell are those guys made of!’

Just a moment ago, he had been wondering if those guys were really disciples of the prestigious Mount Hua Sect, but as soon as Chung Myung’s words fell, their demeanour changed, and they rushed out.

Of course, the one who changed the most was Chung Myung.

“We have to stick to Mount Hua no matter what! No matter what!”

He knew, deep down, that if anyone was going to cause trouble and find the Sword Tomb, it would be Mount Hua. He had to follow them, no matter what.

Hong Daekwang gritted his teeth and focused his energy, pushing himself to run faster, trying to keep up with the Mount Hua disciples disappearing into the distance.

In the training hall, only two people were standing there, blankly staring at the scene.

“…Father.”

“Why?”

“What is all this about?”

“I don’t know.”

Hwayeong Gate Lord Wi Rip-san sighed, a bitter line etched around his mouth. He looked around the empty training hall, shaking his head.

“He must have a plan.”

“Really?”

“I want to believe so.”

Deep down, Wi Rip-san feared the worst.