Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 239

“Huuuuh…”

“Hiiiiik!”

“Gasp! Huff! Haaaah!”

The cart moved forward with unnatural speed.

From the start, Jang Ho-chae’s bandits were quite skilled. They were running as fast as they could, using all their energy.

“Keeeugh… Leader…” one bandit gasped, his legs shaking. “Can’t… anymore…”

Bang Yo’s face was red with effort. “Hold on! Just a little more! You have to!”

“I… I really can’t…” the bandit whispered, almost falling.

Bang Yo pointed with his chin towards the cart. “Then… do you want to join *them* up there?”

The bandit’s head turned slowly, like it weighed a ton. He saw the cart. His eyes widened in fear. He’d been stumbling just moments ago, ready to drop. Now, something like madness flashed in his eyes. He lunged forward and grabbed the cart with a desperate roar.

“Aaaaargh!”

“Yes! That’s it! Keep going!” Bang Yo shouted, tears mixing with sweat on his face as he pushed.

His legs were trembling, and his mouth tasted bitter, but he couldn’t stop.

Was it because they would punish him if he stopped?

No!

It was because they were treating him too well!

Bang Yo looked up at the top of the baggage cart.

Five bandits were resting comfortably next to Chung Myung.

“I told you to lie down. Why do you keep sitting?”

“We are fine!”

“Horses do not rest lying down!”

Chung Myung nodded, watching the bandits answer stiffly, their necks strained.

“Tsk tsk. You really don’t understand. I’m telling you to rest comfortably.”

“We are really fine!”

“We are comfortable! Really comfortable.”

“We slept so well because we were so comfortable!”

Bang Yo wiped his eyes.

‘How can a person be so wicked?’

Not long after leaving Gonmyung, Chung Myung put five of them on the cart.

Since they had a very large cart, there was enough space for about five people to rest besides the disciples of Hwasan.

– Why have ten people pull it at the same time? Just have five people pull it in shifts. And rest during the remaining time.

It sounded like he was being considerate, but it meant pulling the cart for twelve hours a day without rest.

Well, that was fine.

It would be a little uncomfortable because it was a moving cart, but it was still good to have some rest time.

However, those who happily went up to the cart had no choice but to grit their teeth when they realized that the resting place was next to Chung Myung.

‘I’d rather die than go there.’

‘It’s better to die running!’

‘Hell would be more comfortable. That guy is like the King of Hell’s brother!’

Those pushing the cart looked at those resting above with pitiful faces. They were all kneeling and trembling, their faces pale.

Chung Myung was lying diagonally next to them, fiddling with hay. He had a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Are you hungry?”

“No!”

“We are not hungry!”

“That’s strange. It seems like you haven’t eaten for a day. Shouldn’t you be getting hungry soon?”

“No! We are really fine!”

“Really?”

“Yes! We don’t really have much of an appetite.”

“Tsk. I can’t force you to eat if you don’t want to. Tell me anytime if you’re hungry. I’ll give you food.”

“Ah, I understand.”

As Chung Myung yawned and turned over, the bandits shed tears of blood.

‘Is hay food? Is hay food?’

‘What sin did I commit in my past life?’

‘You committed sins in this life, you bastard.’

Why did they do that?

They should have lived without committing sins.

But it was too late to regret it now.

“Anyway, rest well. I told you, if you go just twice as fast as before, I’ll let you all go.”

“Yes!”

“We believe you.”

“But…”

Chung Myung cracked his neck from side to side.

Crack. Crack.

“If you don’t arrive twice as fast, imagine what will happen.”

“……”

“You’ll have to run hard.”

“We, we will definitely arrive on time!”

“Yes. Eat hay if you’re hungry.”

Chung Myung chuckled and lay down completely.

‘Ah, I’ve become too kind.’

In the past, he would have cut off the heads of those things the moment he encountered them.

Chung Myung’s smile deepened along with the bandits’ tears of blood.

“Is there still no news?”

“No, Guild Leader.”

“Hmm.”

Jo Pyung’s brow furrowed.

‘Ugh.’

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t help but worry. His son had gone to that dangerous Yunnan and hadn’t been heard from yet.

He tried to believe in his grown son and wait, but a parent’s heart was not so easily calmed.

“Is it so difficult to send a single message? You heartless fellow.”

“The Guild Leader knows that it is difficult to send news from Yunnan to here.”

“Still!”

Jo Pyung sighed deeply and moved his feet.

Usually, walking in the garden like this would relieve his stress, but today, no matter how long he walked, he still felt restless. The garden had flowers and trees, but he couldn’t appreciate them.

“Guild Leader.”

“I know.”

Jo Pyung sighed. He was thinking about his son and his responsibilities as a Guild Leader.

He couldn’t keep spending time like this. He was the Guild Leader of the Sahae Merchant Guild, responsible for the lives of many guild members.

It was at that moment, as he turned to enter the building.

Thud thud thud thud!

“Huh?”

Jo Pyung quickly turned his head.

A loud sound of footsteps began to be heard from the main gate.

‘What’s going on?’

Thud thud thud thud thud!

Jo Pyung’s brow furrowed slightly more.

It sounded like a large army was advancing. Moreover, the sound was getting louder and louder. As if a large army was advancing towards them.

“What’s going on?”

“I, I will go check right now!”

It was the very moment when the chief manager hurriedly ran and grabbed the door.

Bang!

The main gate suddenly burst open with a huge explosion. Splinters of wood flew everywhere. The chief manager was thrown high into the sky by the force.

“Aaaaaaargh!”

The chief manager’s scream faded away, but Jo Pyung couldn’t bring himself to turn his head. The sight he saw through the broken door was too bizarre.

Those who had pulled a large baggage cart with the momentum to destroy everything in the world gradually reduced their speed, looked around blankly, and then collapsed on the spot.

Then, they began to shed tears.

“Huuuuh! Huff! Haaaah!”

“We, we survived! We survived!”

“Hee hee hee hee hee! Mother! I arrived on time!”

‘What the hell are those guys?’

Jo Pyung opened his eyes wide and looked at those lying next to the cart.

Their clothes were ripped and dirty, and their whole bodies were covered in dirt and sweat. They smelled strongly of sweat and dirt. Just by looking at their appearance, a passing beggar would bow his head and call them ‘brother.’

However, contrary to their miserable appearance, their faces were filled with overwhelming joy and emotion.

“Hic… Hic. We survived! We survived!”

“Hoo hoo hoo! Leader, we did it!”

“Yes, yes. Everyone has worked so hard. This leader is moved!”

What are they doing?

Jo Pyung, who couldn’t understand this sudden situation at all, could only stare blankly.

At that moment, someone stood up from the baggage cart.

“Tsk!”

Then he jumped down and clicked his tongue.

“How dare these guys break down the door and come in? This is Jo Gul’s house?”

“Hiek!”

“Gasp!”

Jo Pyung tilted his head.

‘Who is that?’

That person is definitely Jo Gul’s junior, Chung Myung, the Divine Dragon of Hwasan.

That means…?

“Ouch! My back feels like it’s been turned to stone,” groaned one disciple, rubbing his lower back as he slowly climbed out of the baggage cart.

“Ugh, we got here fast, that’s for sure,” said another, his face pale green. “But every bump felt like a hammer hitting my spine!”

“I feel so sick from all that shaking!” wailed a third. “Someone get me off this thing before I throw up everywhere!”

“S-Senior Brother!” yelled a younger disciple, pointing at the green-faced one. “Get down quickly! Please don’t be sick *here*!”

One by one, the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect stumbled out of the cramped baggage cart, blinking in the bright sunlight. Jo Pyung’s eyes widened as he spotted his son, Jo Gul, among them.

“Geol! You rascal! What on earth happened?”

“Father!”

Jo Gul hurried towards Jo Pyung.

“Yes, what happened…?”

Thump!

But Jo Gul, without giving his father a chance to speak, abruptly grabbed his hand.

Jo Pyung, seeing the fire in his son’s eyes, flinched and took a step back. But Jo Gul held on tightly, as if determined not to let his father go.

“Father!”

“Y-yes?”

Jo Pyung was rather taken aback, as he had never seen his son exude such a fearsome aura.

“Grain!”

“……”

“We must buy up grain immediately! We must secure all the grain in Chengdu!”

“……Huh?”

‘Good heavens, the lad doesn’t even greet me before launching straight into this….’

“What are you talking about?”

Jo Gul glared fiercely at Jo Pyung, who was trying to understand the situation.

“Tea!”

“……Huh?”

“We can trade it for tea!”

It sounded like crazy talk.

But Jo Pyung was a smart merchant, and a capable one at that, who had led the Saha Merchant Guild, one of the ten great merchant houses of Sichuan.

He quickly understood the important parts of what Jo Gul said.

“So…”

Jo Pyung, having quickly sorted things out, spoke rapidly.

“The tea you’re talking about is, of course, Yunnan tea.”

“Yes!”

“So, you’re saying… no, are you saying that your fellow disciples who went with you this time have obtained the rights to buy Yunnan tea?”

“Yes! We’ve obtained exclusive rights.”

“……Exclusive?”

‘So, exclusive… the right to exclusively sell Yunnan tea….’ This meant they were the *only* ones who could buy and sell this special tea.

Jo Pyung tilted his head slightly, muttering to himself. Then, as if struck by lightning, he jumped up, his eyes widening as if they would pop out.

“E-exclusive! Did you say exclusive rights?”

“Yes!”

“If we bring grain, they’ll give us tea?”

“That’s right! There’s no time to waste!”

Jo Pyung’s eyes began to spin.

‘Exclusive rights to Yunnan tea. If we bring grain, they’ll exchange it for tea.’

There were so many questions to ask, but now was not the time. It was better to act first and ask later!

“Chief Manager! Where is the Chief Manager!”

“Ugh… S-Senior Manager. I’m here…”

The Chief Manager, looking like he had just swum across a river, stumbled towards him, almost crawling.

“Buy up all the grain in Chengdu right now! No, we need to buy up all the grain in Sichuan! I’ll pay double! No, even triple the price! Move! Now!”

“Yes!”

“At the same time, prepare a trading expedition to Yunnan! It seems urgent, so make it as fast as possible! We’ll be loading the purchased grain, so prepare enough carts and horses!”

“Yes!”

Seeing Jo Pyung’s expression, the Chief Manager didn’t utter a word of protest and dashed into the main building with all his might.

Only after giving the orders did Jo Pyung turn sharply to Jo Gul.

“I’ve done as you said for now, so explain to me what the situation is.”

“Yes. So…”

Jo Gul began to explain the situation along with Yoon Jong.

Watching them, Chung Myung turned and trudged away. The explanation would be handled well enough, and Chung Myung had other things to do.

“Ugh…”

“I-I feel like my legs have disappeared…”

“I don’t even have the strength to drink water.”

The bandits, sprawled on the ground, groaned and rubbed their legs. Chung Myung smiled contentedly at the sight.

“You’ve all worked hard.”

“Not at all!”

“It’s all thanks to you, Great Master!”

“Yes, yes.”

Satisfaction spread across Chung Myung’s face.

Thanks to the bandits running like madmen day and night, they were able to return to Sichuan twice as fast as when they left.

“B-But, Great Master.”

“Hm?”

“……Are you going to forgive us now?”

Bang Yo, the fan owner of Jang Ho-chae, asked cautiously.

Of course, what he really wanted to say was, ‘Are you going to release us now?’ but he didn’t dare ask Chung Myung that outright.

“What use would I have for you lot?”

“……T-Then.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll let you go.”

“Th-Thank you! Thank you so much.”

Chung Myung nodded, smiling.

And it was at that very moment.

Tap tap tap!

Chung Myung swung his hand like lightning, striking the bandits’ dantian.

“Gasp?”

“Ugh!”

The bandits clutched their lower abdomens and cowered.

Realizing that their inner energy had been sealed again in an instant, the bandits looked at Chung Myung with questioning eyes.

“G-Great Master?”

“What is this…?”

But Chung Myung simply shrugged nonchalantly.

“Hey, it’s not a lie. I’m really letting you go.”

“……Yes?”

The next moment, just as a commotion was heard from behind, Baek Cheon walked in through the broken door.

“Chung Myung-ah. I’ve brought them.”

“Oh. Good job, Uncle.”

‘Brought them?’

‘Who?’

The bandits, including Bang Yo, turned their heads with uneasy eyes.

‘Why is it that ominous premonitions never fail?’

Following behind Baek Cheon were none other than the government officials.

“……”

The officials, who had burst through the door, frowned as they looked at the sprawled bandits.

“Are these the ones? The Jang Ho-chae bandits.”

“……”

The bandits looked back at Chung Myung with blank eyes.

‘Hey.’

‘Don’t tell me….’

And Chung Myung did not betray their expectations.

“Yes, it’s them. Take them away quickly.”

“W-We…”

“That son of a…”

Before they could even protest, the officials rushed in and tied them up with ropes.

“You damned bandits! You’ve been running wild for too long!”

“You’ll be beheaded! Do you think the people of Sichuan you’ve killed are few in number!”

“Drag them away!”

The bandits, unable to speak and dragged away powerlessly, all turned to look at Chung Myung.

“Aaaaargh! You tricked us like animals!”

“That horse-faced Taoist! How can you call yourself a human being!”

“You’ll fall into the fires of hell!”

Vicious curses flew about, but Chung Myung’s face remained indifferent. He even picked at his earwax, flicked his finger, and said,

“Where’s that dog barking?”

In the end, the bandits, including Bang Yo, were dragged away, spewing out all the curses in their heads.

Baek Cheon, who had been watching the scene, approached and asked cautiously.

“……Is this alright?”

“What, is there a problem?”

“They worked hard in their own way.”

“They’re still bandits. And I kept my promise. I let them go. What can I do if the country arrests them?”

“……”

“Still, it’s a bit unfortunate. Should I have packed some hay for them?”