Return Of The Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 233

“Don’t move! Anyone who moves is a criminal!”

“…What’s he saying?”

“Just understand him. He gets like this sometimes. It’s not new.”

Baek Cheon sighed deeply, watching Chungmyung hiss like a venomous snake.

Behind Chungmyung was a sack of Violet Cloud Grass. As soon as they returned to the Beast Palace, he snatched the sack and insisted on guarding it himself, acting like this.

“He’s being cute, so cute,” Jo Gul whispered, grinning and nudging Baek Cheon with his elbow.

“Please don’t even joke about that,” Baek Cheon said quickly. “You know I’ll think you mean it.”

Baek Cheon chuckled, watching Jo Gul shiver dramatically.

Chungmyung was acting very strangely, guarding that sack of grass like a dragon protecting gold. But Baek Cheon sighed quietly.

‘I can understand why he’s like this.’

Even though they got it easier than they thought, the Violet Cloud Grass was still very important. It was this very grass that was needed to make the Chaos Origin Pill, and only by making the Chaos Origin Pill could Mount Hua regain its former glory.

For Mount Hua right now, this Violet Cloud Grass was more valuable than anything. So, it made sense that Chungmyung was worried.

“If it’s that important, you shouldn’t be guarding it here. We need to return to Mount Hua quickly.”

Chungmyung nodded.

“It’s taken longer than I thought. The elders must be getting very impatient.”

“⋯⋯.”

Baek Cheon imagined the elders with long necks and shook his head to get rid of the silly picture.

‘Yes, the journey has been far too long.’

Who would have known they would have to go through so much just to obtain that patch of grass?

Thinking that, Baek Cheon felt the sack of Violet Cloud Grass was even more precious.

He turned his head to look at the other disciples and said,

“Is everyone ready to leave?”

“There’s not much to prepare. We don’t have much luggage.”

“Hmm, that’s right.”

He nodded quietly. Then, looking at Chungmyung again, he said in a slightly lower voice,

“Then, let’s go say goodbye to the Beast Palace Lord now. He has shown us much kindness, so we must give proper thanks.”

“Hmm, we should.”

Chungmyung nodded.

He wanted to skip the greetings and head straight to Shaanxi, but it was necessary to maintain a good relationship with the Beast Palace Lord.

‘Because the Violet Cloud Grass is being held hostage.’

Chungmyung narrowed his brow slightly.

The more he thought about it, the more he realized the Beast Palace Lord was a clever man. He gave them the Violet Cloud Grass, which wasn’t a big deal to them, and won Mount Hua’s favor. He even made fields of Violet Cloud Grass near Sindam, which was a good way to keep working with them in the future.

Of course, it was also beneficial for Mount Hua. They obtained the Violet Cloud Grass relatively easily and secured a future supply source.

Just then, Yoon Jong and Jo Gul cautiously approached Chungmyung.

“What! Don’t come near me!”

“We’re not going to take it, you idiot! We’re also people of Mount Hua!” Jo Gul shouted, feeling unfairly accused.

Yoon Jong opened his mouth with a slightly serious face.

“Chungmyung.”

“Huh?”

“We need to talk for a moment.”

“Huh?”

Chungmyung tilted his head, seeing Yoon Jong’s serious face.

“Why would we do that?”

Chungmyung’s voice rose sharply. On the other hand, Yoon Jong, who had brought it up, was calm, as if he had expected this reaction.

“No, think about it carefully.”

“It’s not like we’re blocking the Yunnan merchants from going! Why should we persuade them when they don’t want to do it?”

“There are several reasons.”

“Are you going to talk about people starving again? Yoon Jong. That’s not really our problem. No, of course, I feel bad too. But there are things we can do, and things we can’t.”

“No, it’s not just because of that.”

Then, Jo Gul, who had been listening quietly, waved his hand and added,

“Chungmyung. If Yoon Jong was just trying to do something out of kindness, I would have stopped him before he even talked to you. But if you think about it, there’s more to it than that.”

Chungmyung narrowed his brow slightly at Jo Gul’s words.

“Then?”

“It’s profitable.”

“Huh?”

“Money!”

Jo Gul’s eyes gleamed.

At the word ‘money,’ Chungmyung looked at them with a strange expression.

“So⋯⋯.”

“Let me explain⋯⋯.”

But before Jo Gul could speak, Chungmyung quickly said,

“Because the food situation in Yunnan doesn’t seem good, if we buy food and exchange it for Yunnan tea to sell, we can make a huge amount of money?”

“Uh⋯⋯.”

“Of course, there are small-scale merchants doing that now, but that alone isn’t enough to meet the demand, so if we can get the Yunnan tea trade rights, we can make as much money as the biggest trading groups in the Central Plains?”

“⋯⋯.”

“And your family can do that, so it’s like getting two good things at once? Is that what you’re saying?”

Jo Gul stared at Chungmyung with a blank look.

“⋯⋯Were you thinking about it?”

“Do you think I’m an idiot?”

“Yes.”

“What?”

“Ah, no.”

Chungmyung chuckled.

“I know what Yoon Jong is thinking, but you’re only seeing part of the picture. What’s important to us isn’t making money in Yunnan, but maintaining a good relationship with the Beast Palace.”

“⋯⋯.”

“We don’t need to do something they don’t want us to do, just to help them. Money? Of course, it’s important. But there are things in the world that are more important than money.”

Yoon Jong and Jo Gul stared at Chungmyung with blank eyes.

And they exchanged glances.

‘I thought he would go crazy and jump at the chance if we talked about making money.’

‘I thought Sasuk knew that too! Who knew he would say that? He’s usually so interested in money!’

Chungmyung looked at them like they were being silly.

“So, stop thinking about this and pack your bags.”

“⋯⋯Ugh.”

Yoon Jong groaned and hung his head.

“Then, can’t you just try to bring it up?”

“Heo.”

Chungmyung looked at him with a very displeased expression. But Yoon Jong didn’t give up.

“The Beast Palace Lord really likes you. He might listen to you. The reason the Beast Palace is blocking the tea trade is because they dislike the people of the Central Plains, but if you step in, it could be good for both sides.”

Chungmyung narrowed his brow slightly.

Come to think of it, it wasn’t entirely wrong⋯⋯.

After a moment of contemplation, he finally opened his mouth.

“I’m really just bringing it up.”

“Yes. I won’t ask for anything more.”

“But!”

“Huh?”

Chungmyung grinned.

“There’s something I need Sasuks to prepare.”

“Huh?”

“It’s nothing much.”

Chungmyung grinned.

“Just some clothes that will help with talking to them, you know?”

Anxiety clouded Yoon Jong and Jo Gul’s faces.

“⋯⋯.”

Baek Cheon stared at Chungmyung with a blank look.

“That⋯⋯.”

“Why?”

“⋯⋯No.”

His gaze swept over Chungmyung from head to toe.

“⋯⋯Why are you doing this?”

“So, what?”

“Ugh.”

Baek Cheon sighed deeply.

Chung Myung wore a blue robe, like a wise scholar. In his hand, he held a fan made of white bird feathers. It was supposed to look like the fan of a famous wise man, Zhuge Liang, but it was made very roughly and looked a bit messy. Chung Myung fanned himself a few times with the rough feather fan. He then stuck out his chest, looking pleased.

“To talk business in Yunnan,” Chung Myung said, “you have to look the part!”

Baek Cheon watched Chung Myung put his hands behind his back and laugh in a way that was very strange for him. Baek Cheon frowned and looked away.

But when Baek Cheon looked to the side, he saw something even worse.

“What happened to you two?” Baek Cheon asked, shocked. “You look terrible!”

“…”

Yoon Jong and Jo Gul just quietly wiped tears from their eyes with their sleeves. They looked very sad and tired.

The white feather fan Chung Myung was holding wasn’t bought from a shop. Yoon Jong and Jo Gul had made it themselves.

Chung Myung had ordered them to get him a scholar’s robe and a white feather fan. They were too scared to go to the market in Kunming, so they went into the jungle instead. They had to chase birds with long tail feathers.

Because of this, they were cut by sharp branches, got rashes from poisonous plants, and were even scratched by angry birds. They were a mess. Their clothes were ripped, their faces were red and swollen, and they looked like they hadn’t slept in days.

*’That awful Chung Myung!’* Yoon Jong thought angrily.

*’He’s worse than a monster!’* Jo Gul thought, his eyes still watering.

But they had managed to make a fan that looked kind of like a real white feather fan. This fan, made with their tears and pain, was now in Chung Myung’s hand.

“Heh heh,” Chung Myung chuckled. “History always comes back around! They’ll listen to me now, for sure! Hee hee hee!”

Baek Cheon watched Chung Myung laugh to himself. He spoke in a very serious voice.

“Everyone, listen carefully.”

“Yes, Senior Brother!” they replied.

“When we go back home, to the Central Plains, we must keep this a secret. If the real Zhuge family finds out about this, they might be very angry and come after us with swords.”

“Yes, we understand,” they all said, sighing. They knew Baek Cheon was right.

Chung Myung didn’t notice their worries. He was still happy with his outfit. He spread his arms wide, showing off the robe, and cleared his throat loudly, “Ahem!”

“Now, about meeting the Palace Lord…”

Just then, a voice came from outside.

“Hello? Is anyone in there?”

“Huh?” Chung Myung turned his head, surprised.

Chung Myung opened the door. A man from the Beast Palace stood there, bowing politely.

“The Palace Lord wants to see Chung Myung Dojang,” the man said respectfully.

“Huh? Really?” Chung Myung blinked.

“Why does he want to see me?” Chung Myung asked.

“I don’t know the reason,” the man replied. “He just asked you to come to his room whenever you are free.”

“Oh, I see.” Chung Myung nodded.

*This is perfect!* he thought. *I was wondering how to meet him. This is going just as planned.*

“Okay, I’ll go now,” Chung Myung said.

“Hmm…” Baek Cheon watched him, looking worried.

“Don’t worry!” Chung Myung said, grinning. “I’ll be nice. Remember, I’m Zhuge Chung Myung now!”

“Zhuge Chung Myung, my foot,” Baek Cheon muttered under his breath.

“Ahem!” Chung Myung cleared his throat again and walked away, hands behind his back, feeling very important.

Baek Cheon watched Chung Myung leave. His face was serious and troubled.

“Everyone,” Baek Cheon said to the others.

“Yes, Senior Brother!”

“Pack your bags right now.”

“Huh? Why?” Yoon Jong asked, confused.

“Just pack them! And keep them with you, all the time. We might need to run away suddenly,” Baek Cheon said, his voice urgent.

“Okay,” they replied, looking worried.

Baek Cheon looked at the direction Chung Myung had gone, his eyes full of worry.

*Please, Chung Myung, please don’t cause any trouble this time.* He prayed silently.

❀ ❀ ❀ (This symbol is fine to keep as a scene break)

“Ah, you’re here,” the Beast Palace Lord said, looking up as Chung Myung entered.

“Yes. Did anything happen last night?” Chung Myung asked.

“What problems could there be?” the Beast Palace Lord chuckled. “But… why are you dressed like that?” He looked at Chung Myung’s robe and fan with amusement.

“I wanted to look a bit more presentable,” Chung Myung said with a grin. “You know, for important talks.”

“Hahahahaha!” The Beast Palace Lord laughed loudly. “You really do look like a scholar in that!”

“Right?” Chung Myung said, pleased. “Heh heh!” He subtly spread his arms again to show off the robe and quickly walked to sit in front of the Beast Palace Lord.

“You asked to see me, so I came,” Chung Myung said directly.

“Yes, that’s right.” The Beast Palace Lord nodded. “There’s something I need to talk to you about.”

“Please, tell me,” Chung Myung said, leaning forward.

The Beast Palace Lord looked at Chung Myung with his strong, sharp eyes. He was a big man with a powerful presence.

“It’s a little embarrassing for me to say this,” the Beast Palace Lord began, his voice a bit lower than usual. “But… hasn’t the Beast Palace been very kind to Mount Hua?”

“Yes, we are very grateful,” Chung Myung replied sincerely.

He really meant it. He knew that even though the Plum Blossom Sword Saint was famous here long ago, it was still very generous of the Beast Palace to treat them so well now.

But the Beast Palace Lord looked a little awkward, not his usual confident self. He opened his mouth again, speaking slowly.

“It’s not exactly because of that kindness, but…”

“Yes?” Chung Myung asked, curious. He felt a bit uneasy seeing the Beast Palace Lord act so strangely.

“There’s… a favor I need to ask,” the Beast Palace Lord finally said.

“A favor?” Chung Myung repeated, surprised.

“Yes,” the Beast Palace Lord sighed again. He looked directly at Chung Myung.

“This is a request from the Beast Palace to Mount Hua, and also from me personally, the Beast Palace Lord, Maeng So…”

“Wait a moment,” Chung Myung interrupted.

“Hmm?” The Beast Palace Lord paused.

“Your name is Maeng So?” Chung Myung asked, checking.

“Yes, that’s right,” Maeng So replied.

“So? (小)” Chung Myung repeated the name, using the word for “small.”

The Beast Palace Lord nodded, a faint smile on his face.

“When I was born,” he explained, “I was so tiny that my father gave me that name, I’ve been told.”

“…” Chung Myung was speechless for a moment.

*No way.* He thought, staring at the huge, muscular man in front of him. *How could someone who was so small become this big? What did he eat growing up? Magical herbs?*

“Ahem, anyway!” The Beast Palace Lord Maeng So continued, looking a little embarrassed about his name.

“This request,” he said, “is from me, Maeng So, the Beast Palace Lord, to Chung Myung Dojang of Mount Hua.”

Chung Myung sat up straighter. He understood that this was serious. He knew he had to be respectful to someone who had been so kind to them. Chung Myung’s playful expression disappeared, and his face became serious.

“Please, tell me what it is,” Chung Myung said formally.

“It’s… not a big thing, really,” Maeng So said, hesitating again. He seemed to be choosing his words very carefully. He took a deep breath and finally spoke.

“I know it might be difficult, but… could Mount Hua maybe… start trading directly with Yunnan?”

“Pardon?” Chung Myung asked, confused.

“Trade…” Maeng So repeated.

“Pardon?” Chung Myung said again, still not understanding.

“I mean… tea trade…” Maeng So clarified.

“Pardon?” Chung Myung asked for the third time, completely lost.

“Of course, I know it’s a difficult thing to ask,” Maeng So added quickly.

Chung Myung stared at Maeng So, his face blank. “You’re asking us… to trade tea?” he asked slowly, making sure he understood.

“Yes, that’s right,” Maeng So confirmed.

“Mount Hua?” Chung Myung asked again, just to be sure.

“That’s right,” Maeng So nodded.

“…” Chung Myung was completely dumbfounded. He just stared at Maeng So, unable to speak.