Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 238

That’s how it happened.

Wow.

Guo Jing, the leader of the Hwa Pyung Merchant Guild, stared in disbelief. His mouth hung open.

Are you saying you’ve secured the cooperation of the Beast Palace?

Yes.

Baek Cheon’s calm ‘Yes’ made Guo Jing even more speechless.

‘It sounds true, but it’s hard to believe.’

Almost a hundred years ago, the Beast Palace stopped all trade between Yunnan and the Central Plains. The merchants in Sichuan wanted to trade again because it would make them very rich. For years, they tried to convince the Beast Palace to change their mind.

But no matter how hard they tried, the Beast Palace refused. And now, these young Taoists had succeeded?

Then, that… the exclusive rights, you say?

From now on, all trade in Yunnan will be conducted in the name of Mount Hua.

W-wait just a moment. Taoist, then we…!

Baek Cheon glanced at Jo Gul.

Jo Gul smiled and clasped his fist in salute.

Hwa Pyung Merchant Guild, who brought us here, has not been forgotten for their kindness. Merchant guilds who trade using Mount Hua’s name can still travel freely in Yunnan. So, for you, nothing will change.

Ah….

Guo Jing let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. His shoulders relaxed, and a smile slowly spread across his face.

‘This is no ordinary matter.’

This meant Mount Hua would control all trade between Yunnan and Sichuan. They could decide who traded and how.

The tea trade from Yunnan made a lot of money. Merchant guilds that couldn’t trade tea would lose money and become less powerful.

‘Now is not the time to be doing business.’

He had to inform the guild leader of this fact as soon as possible. Only then could they come up with a plan.

Above all….

Guo Jing’s gaze turned to Jo Gul.

‘The second son of the Sahaeng Merchant Association.’

It would not look good for Mount Hua to operate directly in Sichuan, so they would definitely need an agent. Blood is thicker than water, and that agent was likely to be the Sahaeng Merchant Association.

Guo Jing quickly thought everything through. A wide, fake smile spread across his face as he clasped his fist.

Congratulations. You have gained something great.

You’re too kind.

Then you will be returning to Sichuan now. How about we escort you?

I believe the guild’s schedule is not yet finished?

That is not so important. We were just about to return to Sichuan as well.

Guo Jing’s mind raced.

Now, more than business, it was important to build a relationship with them. Even better would be to escort them with the utmost care and go straight to the main guild of the Hwa Pyung Merchant Guild.

He imagined the guild leader running out to greet them without shoes – that would be perfect!

Baek Cheon’s answer quickly destroyed Guo Jing’s hopes.

Thank you for the consideration, but we will have to return separately. We are in a great hurry.

The road from here to Sichuan is very rough. It would be the fastest way if we escorted you. It is also difficult to find horses here.

Ah, well….

Baek Cheon hesitated, trying to find a polite excuse. Just then, he noticed a large cloud of dust rising in the distance, along the road. The ground vibrated slightly.

…It seems they are coming?

Yes?

Guo Jing turned to see what Baek Cheon was looking at. His eyes widened in surprise.

Aaaaargh!

Run! Run!

Hee hee hee hee hee!

The bandits, clinging to a large cart, were panting with their tongues hanging out as they ran towards them with all their might.

Keuk!

A-arrived!

The bandits, who had stopped in front of them, collapsed to the ground and gasped for breath. Baek Cheon felt a pang of pity as he watched their chests heave up and down, gasping for air.

W-what is going on….

Guo Jing stared at the fallen bandits with an expression full of confusion.

‘Why do they have hay in their mouths?’

Guo Jing was completely confused.

Suddenly, a head popped up from behind the cart. Chung Myung clicked his tongue loudly, a sharp, disapproving sound.

Can you even make it to Sichuan being this weak?

Hearing Chung Myung’s voice, the bandits who had collapsed on the ground jumped and looked up quickly.

Y-yes, we can!

Don’t worry! We are not tired at all! Really!

Please save us!

Then Chung Myung shook his head and sighed.

Tch. If I weren’t a Taoist….

Tears welled up in the bandits’ eyes.

‘Is this what a Taoist should be doing!’

‘Since when did Taoist become a word for calling a devil? When did the world become so terrible?’

‘Mother, I miss you.’

Regardless, Chung Myung jumped off the cart and trudged towards Baek Cheon.

I brought the horses.

…What’s with the hay in their mouths?

Chung Myung shrugged.

I thought they might be hungry. They’re horses going on a long journey, so they need to be well-fed.

….

Baek Cheon’s eyes twitched.

Chung Myung-ah.

Huh?

They did bad things, but shouldn’t we still treat them like humans, even though they are criminals?

Huh?

Chung Myung pretended to consider Baek Cheon’s kind words. He slowly turned to look at the bandits, a strange glint in his eyes.

Did you hear that? Do you want to be treated like people?

The bandits turned pale and waved their hands.

No! We are horses! No, how could we be horses! Please treat us like cows or dogs!

I am definitely not a human! I would rather die than become a human!

Moo-oo-oo-oo! Moo-oo-oo-oo-oo!

….

Watching the chaos, Baek Cheon rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

That’s what they say?

Seeing Chung Myung grinning, he couldn’t help but sigh.

‘What on earth do you have to do to become like that?’

He didn’t even want to imagine it. Baek Cheon shook his head, but Chung Myung said as if to reassure him.

Don’t worry. I promised to release them if they get to Sichuan quickly.

Oh? Really?

Yeah. They just have to go back twice as fast as they came here. Then I’ll let them live.

…What if they can’t?

Hmm. That’s….

Chung Myung tilted his head with a slightly puzzled expression. Baek Cheon asked again at the unexpected reaction.

Why?

No. I was just wondering if saying it with my own mouth would help the Sajos and Sahyungs’ education and those guys’ morale. Do you really want to hear it?

…No. I just won’t listen.

There are some things in the world that are better left unknown.

Baek Cheon was about to add something, but ended up shaking his head.

Anyway, it was certain that they were criminals who deserved to be executed without any excuse.

Baek Cheon turned his body and looked at Guo Jing.

Anyway, that’s it. We need to leave now. We’ll send you official word from Mount Hua later, so please wait for that.

Gwak Gyeong watched the Mount Hua group, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. He couldn’t think of a reason to stop them.

When all the Mount Hua disciples were on the wagon, Chung Myung called out, “Alright, let’s go!”

Chung Myung stopped, surprised by a small voice beside him. “Um?”

“Huh?” He turned to see a small child holding the hand of an even smaller one.

“Ah. You are…” Yoon Jong’s eyes widened when he saw the child. He quickly jumped down from the wagon and approached them.

As Yoon Jong got closer, the child hesitated, then bowed deeply. “Thank you.”

“Thanks to you, my brother was able to fill his stomach. Thank you so much.”

Yoon Jong looked at the child, his heart heavy. He nodded slowly, a small smile touching his lips. “That’s good to hear.”

“I will never forget this. Thank you.”

Chung Myung glanced around. From all over the alley, children peered out, approaching them shyly.

Some came to the wagon to thank them, while others bowed from a distance and scurried away.

One child clung to Yoon Jong’s hand, and another grabbed his sleeve, looking like he was about to cry. Their gratitude was clear in their wide, innocent eyes.

Chung Myung looked up at the sky, a soft smile on his face. “Goodness,” he murmured.

“Master,” he thought, “I might not be the hero you wanted me to be… but maybe Yoon Jong is.” He imagined his master smiling down at them.

“Brother! Let’s go now,” Yoon Jong said.

“Uhm, I know.”

“We need to hurry and buy rice in Sichuan and send it, right? They said there’s no grain to buy here, even if we have money.”

“That’s right.”

Yoon Jong’s face was determined. He stroked the heads of the children around him. “Just hold on a little longer,” he said softly. “Then you won’t have to go hungry anymore.”

Their faces showed no expectation. They had probably heard it countless times, so they couldn’t trust it.

But for now, this was enough. Yoon Jong’s eyes burned with a fierce determination. He knew words were not enough; he needed to act.

Yoon Jong ruffled the hair of the last child, then climbed onto the wagon. “Let’s go quickly! We’re in a hurry!” he said, his voice slightly excited.

“What are you doing?” Chung Myung asked.

“Ah. I know!” Chung Myung chuckled and called out to the bandits. “Let’s go, you lazy ones!”

“Yes!” The bandits, as if suddenly energized, jumped to their feet and rushed to the wagon. Four pulled from the front, four pushed from the back, and one clung to each side.

“Push until your legs break! Got it?”

“Yes, Boss!”

The wagon lurched forward, then picked up speed with surprising force, bouncing and swaying as it raced down the alley. Chung Myung glanced at the children and then looked away.

“Let’s go!”

“Euryaaaah!!”

“Hee hee hee hee hee hee hee!” The bandits shouted their own battle cries as they pushed and pulled the wagon.

The children stared, mouths open, at the wagon kicking up dust as it moved away.

Gwak Gyeong, who had been watching, nodded quietly. “Like a storm, really.”

“Manager, what should we do?”

“About what?”

“Shouldn’t we tell the merchant guild about this right away?”

“We should.”

“I’ll turn the trading caravan around.”

Manager Gwak shook his head. “No. There’s no need for that. Give them one horse and send only one person.”

“Is that alright?”

“Yes.” Gwak Gyeong felt more at ease. “Maybe… maybe these people are different.”

He had seen so much greed and lies in his life, but Yoon Jong’s kindness felt real. A small smile touched Gwak Gyeong’s lips.

“Goodbye,” the children called.

“Thank you.”

Looking at the children waving, he became even more convinced. Gwak Gyeong smiled. He had seen so many people who talked about good things but did bad things.

Manager Gwak shook his head. He couldn’t judge them after only watching them for less than a month. Maybe they too would soon reveal their true colors and try to take advantage of the Yunnan people.

However, looking at the children seeing off the wagon, a strange feeling grew in Gwak Gyeong’s chest. Yoon Jong’s kindness felt real.

Yoon Jong’s actions of trying to feed the children even by selling his sword, and the look in his eyes as he stroked their heads, created a subtle sense of anticipation. Not as a merchant, but as a human being.

Watching the wagon disappear, Manager Gwak whispered, “Have a safe trip. Warriors of Mount Hua.”

“Run! Run, you lot! Why are you slowing down? I’ll break your legs!”

“If we don’t arrive in Sichuan on time, you all die, and I die too!”

Grunting, the bandits pulled the wagon with the determination to die, sticking out their tongues. Yoon Jong threatened them, increasing their speed.

The disciples of Mount Hua looked at each other, dumbfounded. “Why is he like that?”

“It seems like the words ‘we need to buy grain for the children’ were the final blow.”

“Even so, to that extent?”

“I know.” It wasn’t Chung Myung scolding the bandits, but Yoon Jong.

The disciples shook their heads at the extreme scolding that made Chung Myung look kind by comparison.

Chung Myung smiled slightly, thinking, “Yoon Jong, you’re becoming more interesting than I thought.”