Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 168

Still, I Walk On (3)

Sunlight streamed into the room as Hong Daekwang leaned back, patting his stomach with a satisfied sigh.

“You’ve worked hard, Hwasan Divine Dragon,” he said.

Chung Myung raised an eyebrow, a small smirk playing on his lips as he looked at Hong Daekwang.

“…You said you’d rest for a day, but how many days have you been here?”

“The food here is delicious, the sleeping arrangements are comfortable, and the alcohol is… Ah, no. It’s not that. It’s just that my body is enjoying the rest *too* much to recover quickly!” Hong Daekwang chuckled.

Chung Myung frowned. He remembered stories of the Beggars’ Sect of old – fiercely loyal, willing to sacrifice everything for their word. Looking at Hong Daekwang, lounging comfortably, it was hard to reconcile the two.

‘How did the Beggars’ Sect end up with someone like this… this easygoing man?’

‘Had the Beggars’ Sect always been like this? Or was Hong Daekwang an exception?’

I don’t know. People change on the battlefield.

“Anyway, Hwasan Divine Dragon. Are you going back to Hwasan now?”

“I should.”

“Is that so?” Hong Daekwang’s playful grin vanished. His posture straightened, and his eyes became serious.

His voice deepened, losing its earlier light tone. “From the bottom of my heart, Hwasan Divine Dragon, and on behalf of the Beggars’ Sect, I thank you for your aid during the Sword Tomb incident. We Beggars never forget a debt.”

Chung Myung also put aside his playfulness this time and clasped his hands towards Hong Daekwang.

“You’re welcome.”

They lowered their hands, a slightly uncomfortable silence falling between them. It was the kind of silence that comes after a serious moment, when neither person is quite sure what to say next, but there was also a new warmth in the air, a sense of shared experience.

“And now, it would be best to be careful,” Hong Daekwang said in a whisper.

“Yes?”

“Whether you like it or not, your reputation will resound in the Jianghu because of this incident. Everyone watched you in action. Your fame, which had faded a little after two years since the Hwajong Assembly, will spread again.”

“Hmm.”

“Gaining fame in the Jianghu is not always a good thing. It means that those who envy you will increase, and those who try to defeat you to gain fame will increase as well.”

“Well, that’s obvious.” Chung Myung shrugged, a hint of boredom in his voice. ‘That’s always the way.’

He’d dealt with fame before. Too much fame. He remembered the endless challenges, the tiresome posturing of those who sought to make a name for themselves by defeating him. Let them come, he thought with a flicker of his old arrogance. They’d learn soon enough.

Wasn’t it because he beat each and every one of those who came at him that he later gained the impressive title of Plum Blossom Sword Saint?

“I’m giving you advice!” Hong Daekwang exclaimed, and Chung Myung reluctantly nodded. Anyway, right now he is not Plum Blossom Sword Saint Chung Myung, but Hwasan Divine Dragon Chung Myung.

Hong Daekwang grinned, leaning forward conspiratorially. “I believe you will do well on your own. And that’s not all. We’re thinking of reopening the Beggars’ Sect branch here in Hwayeom. Consider it a permanent listening post… and a place where Hwasan can whisper its secrets too.”

Chung Myung’s eyes lit up slightly.

‘Oh?’ Sending people is probably not just the intention of the Beggars’ Sect branch. It means that the Beggars’ Sect will continue to have exchanges with Hwasan in the future.

“We don’t have anything to give you?”

“That’s for us to decide.”

“And the Hwayeom branch will also take our information, right?”

“Haha. That’s how we help each other live.”

Chung Myung chuckled. A slow smile spread across Chung Myung’s face. Information. That was exactly what Hwasan needed. He nodded, pleased.

In fact, Hwasan’s information power is currently at a level lower than that of a small and medium-sized sect. They were stuck in the mountains, only worrying about money, so how would they know what’s going on in the outside world?

Chung Myung nodded and added.

“In addition to that.”

“Huh?”

“And make sure they’re *sharp* ones. I want ears and eyes that can see and hear everything. Hwasan needs to know what’s happening beyond our mountain.”

“Hmm.”

“And leave a couple of beggars in Namyeong and give some support to the Hwayeom Gate. And also, act as a liaison.”

“I will do so.” The decision was quick and cool.

‘Anyway, it wasn’t without gains.’

I didn’t get what I was aiming for, but this alone is not a small gain. Anyway, Hwasan, which had its relationship completely severed with the Beggars’ Sect after being kicked out of the Nine Great Sects, can now exchange information with them again.

Wouldn’t Hyun Jong shed tears of emotion if he knew?

“Anyway, thank you, Hwasan Divine Dragon.”

“Yes, take care. I hope we don’t meet again.”

“We will probably meet again.” Hong Daekwang left those words and waved his hand.

“Wait.” Chung Myung’s hand tightened on Hong Daekwang’s robes, his playful tone vanishing completely. ‘Don’t forget. *That* promise. The one about sending that beggar to Hwasan.’

“Huh?”

Hong Daekwang visibly stiffened. The humor drained from his face, replaced by a flicker of something… unease?

“Of course,” he said, his voice suddenly less confident. “That’s right. I haven’t forgotten.”

“Don’t think I’ll just forget about it. Because I will never forget it.”

“⋯⋯.”

What on earth did that guy do to this kid?

“I said I’ll keep the promise! I’m Hong Daekwang!”

“If you don’t keep the promise, don’t even think about the Beggars’ Sect’s Hwayeom branch being safe.”

“⋯⋯I got it.” Hong Daekwang swallowed, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple despite the cool air. He knew Chung Myung wasn’t joking. He’d seen the boy in action. This was a threat to be taken very seriously.

Anyway, Hong Daekwang left Namyeong while being threatened until the very end.

The morning air was crisp as the Hwasan disciples gathered at the gates of Hwayeom Gate, their travel packs slung over their shoulders. The scent of pine needles hung in the air, and the rising sun cast long shadows across the courtyard.

Wilibsan, the Lord of Hwayeom Gate, along with Wisoheng and the disciples of Hwayeom Gate, came out to see them off.

“Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome.” Baek Cheon responded to Wilibsan’s words.

Baek Cheon and Wilibsan had already spent several days discussing how to manage Hwayeom Gate in the future and how Hwasan would support them.

Wilibsan, who had contacted the main sect in the face of the impending crisis, couldn’t help but be grateful to the disciples of the main sect who solved all the problems and even promised support.

Baek Cheon stepped forward, a calm and reassuring presence. “You are the Lord of Hwayeom Gate now, and Hwasan will stand by you. We have faith in your abilities.”

Wilibsan bowed deeply, his voice thick with emotion. “Thank you. I… I will not let you down.” He felt the weight of responsibility settle heavily on his shoulders, but also a surge of determination.

“Chung Myung Dojang.” Wisoheng looked at Chung Myung with a face full of regret.

“Why?”

“I feel a bit sad…”

“There are many things to be sad about. We will see each other often now.” That’s a welcome but worrying word.

“Can I also become a disciple of the main sect in the future?”

Chung Myung shook his head, his tone firm but not unkind. “No, Wisoheng. Your place is here. You must become the Lord of Hwayeom Gate.”

“⋯⋯I guess so.” Wisoheng’s shoulders slumped slightly, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. But then he straightened, a new resolve hardening his gaze. ‘I understand.’

“But it is possible to come to the main sect and train. Hwasan does not discriminate between secular disciples and main sect disciples. Sajyong Jogyeol here will also go down from Hwasan someday to take over the family.”

“Ah, Dojang Jogyeol?” Wisoheng looked at Jogyeol as if he had found an answer. Then Jogyeol’s eyes widened in alarm, and he waved his hands frantically. ‘Wait, wait! That’s just… a possibility! Nothing’s decided!’

“Anyway, it’s possible.”

Determination dwelled in Wisoheng’s eyes.

“So, for now, help your father. He will have a lot to do for a while.”

“I will.” Wisoheng smiled as if something had been resolved and stepped back.

With Wisoheng’s determined smile and Jogyeol’s flustered protests echoing behind them, Baek Cheon nodded to Wilibsan, signaling it was time to leave. Their journey back to Hwasan was about to begin, but the connections forged in Namyeong would surely shape their path forward.

“Please,” said a man from Hwayeong Mun, bowing slightly. “At least let us offer you some coins for your long journey back.”

“No need!” Chung Myung declared, puffing out his chest. A small, lumpy pouch at his belt suddenly looked much bigger. “We’re practically swimming in riches!”

The man blinked, unsure how to respond. “Ah… right.”

“Anyway, I’ll see you next time.”

“Farewell.”

As the disciples of Mount Hua waved and walked away, the people of Hwayeong Mun waved back again and again.

“They’re gone.”

“Yes, they’ve gone.”

It felt as though a storm had just swept through.

Feeling a slight emptiness, Wi Rip-san watched the departing figures of the Mount Hua disciples and smiled gently.

‘Mount Hua will change.’

No, it already has.

And someday, their names will resonate throughout the world, alongside the name of Mount Hua.

‘I can’t just stand here.’

“Let’s go inside. We have much to do. Even ten bodies wouldn’t be enough to complete the tasks the main sect has given us!”

“Yes, Father!”

The disciples of Hwayeong Mun turned around, their shoulders filled with a newfound confidence and pride.

The words ‘Mount Hua’s Vassal Family’ inscribed on the Hwayeong Mun’s signboard seemed exceptionally upright today. It looked clean and newly painted, a symbol of their changed fortunes.

Dust swirled in the empty streets of Namyeong. The crowds that had filled the city just days before were gone, leaving behind a ghost town. Doors and shutters were tightly closed; the townsfolk, spooked by the recent chaos, stayed hidden inside. Even for Namyeong, never a bustling place, the silence was heavy and unsettling, broken only by the whisper of the wind through the deserted alleys.

“In the end, we’re returning empty-handed.”

“Not empty-handed.”

Baek Cheon shook his head at Yoon Jong’s words.

“We handled the affairs of Hwayeong Mun and gained a good relationship with the Beggars’ Sect. In the process, we fought a fierce battle with Wudang and elevated Mount Hua’s reputation. We couldn’t have gained much more than that.”

“That is true, Martial Uncle.”

But he couldn’t help but feel a lingering disappointment.

They had suffered so much because of the Hongwon Pill, but in the end, they hadn’t obtained anything from the Sword Tomb.

“Yakseon… Yakseon, that blasted man!” Chung Myung, still bothered by that part, kept grinding his teeth.

But what could he do? The Hongwon Pill wouldn’t fall from the sky just because he dragged his feet and complained. They had no choice but to return.

Baek Cheon subtly quickened his pace, eager to leave Namyeong quickly to sever these lingering feelings.

Just then, Yoo Iseol, who had been silent until now, opened her mouth.

“By the way.”

“Hm?”

“Why did the man named Yakseon become a Sword Thief?”

“Huh?”

Yoo Iseol glanced at Chung Myung.

“You said before, start there. From the Sword Thief.”

Baek Cheon, who had been listening quietly, nodded and added.

“Come to think of it, you did say something like that. Chung Myung, what’s the reason?”

“How would I know? I’m just saying.”

“Hmm.”

Baek Cheon shook his head.

It was Jo Gul, surprisingly, who answered the question.

“It must have been to hide his identity.”

“Huh?”

“As Yakseon, he could never have done what he did. He went around to all the sects, defeated the absolute masters, and stole their swords. If he had done that under the name of Yakseon, there would have been an uproar. There would have been people trying to catch and kill Yakseon.”

“That’s obvious, but…” Baek Cheon narrowed his brow. There seemed to be another reason. That one alone didn’t quite explain it.

“No. That’s not it.”

This time, it was Yoon Jong.

“He hid his identity while stealing swords.”

“That’s right.”

“Why did he do that? He stole them, then just stuck them in the Sword Tomb and smashed them. It doesn’t seem like he coveted them in the first place.”

Jo Gul narrowed his brow. Thinking about it, it was indeed strange.

Yakseon didn’t covet divine weapons. Nor did he covet the reputation of being the best in the world.

Looking back, everything Yakseon did under the name of the Sword Thief was nothing more than a pointless act.

Then why did he do such a thing?

And why did he create the Sword Tomb?

Just then, Yoo Iseol spoke again.

“He just hated it?”

“Huh?”

“Maybe there doesn’t need to be a reason. Maybe he just hated it.”

Hated it?

Yakseon hated martial artists?

Baek Cheon tilted his head slightly.

“Yoo Sahyung, tell me more.”

“Yakseon is basically a doctor.”

“That’s true.”

Although he was more of an alchemist, Yakseon was fundamentally a doctor who practiced medicine. He was more famous in the Jianghu because of the Hongwon Pill, but he had spent his life treating the injured and sick.

“Because he was that kind of person, I think he hated it. The martial artists who pointlessly wielded their swords and killed people. Even if he healed them, they would just kill again.”

“He started all this with such simple emotions? Then what about the Sword Tomb?”

Yoo Iseol said with an ambiguous expression.

“Wasn’t it to warn them? The Jianghu people. If it weren’t for Yakseon’s disciples, no one would have known he was the Sword Thief.”

“No, wait a minute.”

Yoon Jong tilted his head.

“Come to think of it, Yakseon had disciples, so why was the Hongwon Pill’s alchemy method lost? Wasn’t it passed down to his disciples?”

“I heard that Yakseon didn’t teach his disciples the Hongwon Pill’s alchemy method. They weren’t qualified or something?”

“He’s a strange person the more I hear about him.”

“In the end, all of this is Yakseon’s whim?”

It was then.

Chung Myung, who had been walking slowly as if lost in thought, stopped.

“Huh?”

Everyone turned to look at Chung Myung.

“Chung Myung, why?”

But Chung Myung, as if not hearing anything, looked at the distant sky and muttered something.

“Yakseon. Hongwon Pill. Sect. Sword Thief. Alchemy. Disciple. Test. Test… Sect…”

The entranced muttering continued.

“Continues. Leaves behind. Tests… Jianghu people. Then…”

Soon, Chung Myung’s body trembled.

Then, as if realizing something, he turned his body as if possessed and started walking in the opposite direction from where he had been going.

“Hey, where are you going?”

The moment Yoon Jong tried to grab Chung Myung, Baek Cheon quickly stopped him and pulled him back.

“Shhh!”

“Uh…”

“Let’s follow him. Quietly.”

“Ah, I understand.”

Soon, everyone carefully began to follow behind Chung Myung, who was muttering something as he walked.

‘What did you figure out! You monster,’ Baek Cheon thought, an uncontainable anticipation blooming in his eyes.

Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]

Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]

Status: Ongoing Author: Released: 2019 Native Language: Korean
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[English Translation] Chung Myung, the legendary Plum Blossom Swordmaster of Mount Hua, awakens after a hundred years of slumber only to find his once-mighty sect reduced to ruins. With unwavering determination, he disguises himself as a young disciple and embarks on a mission to restore Mount Hua to its former glory. From training new disciples to facing lifelong enemies, Chung Myung must revive the sect while uncovering dark conspiracies that threaten the martial world. "Return of Mount Hua Sect" is an epic tale of resurgence, sacrifice, and fierce battles that will shake the world!

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