Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 240

“Gone already?” Tang Gunak asked, his voice showing his surprise.

“Yes,” Dang Zhan replied. “They left.”

“So soon?”

“That’s right.”

Tang Gunak looked at Dang Zhan, his face showing he was confused. He leaned back in his large chair, the silk of his dark blue robes rustling softly.

“It was only an hour ago we heard the Mount Hua people got back from Yunnan to the Four Seas place. And now you’re saying they’re already back in Shaanxi?”

“It surprised me too,” Dang Zhan said, “but that’s the news.”

“Humph.” Tang Gunak sighed. He seemed very surprised and a little sad. He tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair. “What could be so important that they couldn’t even stop for a quick tea?” He muttered, more to himself than to Dang Zhan.

He had thought that even if they were busy, they would at least visit the Dang Clan. But they returned to Shaanxi without even showing their faces.

‘Heartless lot.’

Tang Gunak sighed softly.

When he thought about it, they didn’t really have a reason to visit the Sichuan Dang Clan. They were equals, not in a relationship where they had to report to him.

‘Still, I must think of them as special if I’m disappointed.’

A bitter smile touched Tang Gunak’s face.

It felt like when you were a child, and your friend didn’t come to play where you had planned to meet.

“And this hasn’t been confirmed yet, but…”

“Hmm?”

“It seems the Mount Hua disciples have somehow gotten the exclusive rights to Yunnan tea.”

“Exclusive rights?”

“Yes, but we need to check it.”

“There’s no need to check,” Tang Gunak said calmly.

Dang Zhan, who was telling him the news, looked surprised.

Seeing this, Tang Gunak spoke as if it was not a big deal.

“If it’s that rascal, he’d steal anything, not just exclusive rights. Our Dang Clan had things stolen from right under our noses, so how could the Beast Palace be any different?”

“I guess so.”

Dang Zhan remembered Chung Myung and nodded, as if he understood.

“Anyway, it’s a shame they already left.”

Just then, an excited voice came from outside.

“Clan Lord!”

“What is it?”

“The Guild Lord of the Four Seas Commerce Guild wants to see you.”

“Hmm?”

Tang Gunak frowned.

‘The Four Seas Commerce Guild.’

“Show him in.”

“Yes, sir!”

Soon after, the door opened and Jo Pyung, the Guild Lord of the Four Seas Commerce Guild, came in.

“Greetings, Clan Lord Dang.”

“It’s been a while. What brings you here?”

“I came to give you a letter.”

“A letter?”

Tang Gunak tilted his head.

‘If the Guild Lord himself is delivering it…’

“Is it from the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua?”

“It is.”

Tang Gunak chuckled.

Seeing the smile, Jo Pyung bowed slightly, looking a bit stiff.

“I’m sorry if I was disrespectful.”

“It’s not that. I just find it funny.”

“May I ask what you find funny?”

“Think about it. The Guild Lord of the Four Seas Commerce Guild and I are important people in Sichuan. But the Guild Lord is delivering a letter from that young kid, and I’m happy to get it. Isn’t it funny to see us like this?”

Jo Pyung smiled a little.

“What matters is not age.”

“You’re right. More importantly, the letter?”

“It’s here.”

Tang Gunak took the letter from Jo Pyung and quickly opened it. He started reading with interest.

After reading the whole letter carefully, he put it down, his face now blank. Then, he looked closely at Jo Pyung.

“Does the Guild Lord know what’s in this letter?”

“I was just told to deliver it. I was told the Clan Lord would then tell me what to do.”

“He’s got guts.”

A smile that showed he was amused spread across Tang Gunak’s lips.

“The letter says the Four Seas Commerce Guild will handle the tea trade with Yunnan from now on.”

“To be exact, Mount Hua will have the exclusive rights, and we’ll just do the work for them, taking a small commission.”

“Even that small amount will make a lot of money.”

Tang Gunak slowly stroked his beard.

“The Divine Dragon of Mount Hua wants our Dang Clan to help with the tea trade too. He says if we stop the bandits between Sichuan and Yunnan and protect the merchants, he will pay us well.”

Jo Pyung pressed his lips together, surprised by the letter. He kept looking at Tang Gunak’s face.

‘He truly is a man without fear.’

This was about Chung Myung, not Tang Gunak.

The idea itself wasn’t bad. It was a way for the Dang Clan to make money without much effort.

The problem was that Chung Myung was making this offer to the Dang Clan.

Asking the proud Dang Clan to be guards was something only Chung Myung would think of.

“Hmm.”

Tang Gunak scratched his chin, pretending to be worried.

“What do you think?”

He was asking Dang Zhan.

Dang Zhan bowed his head and answered quickly.

“Clan Lord, accept it.”

“Why?”

At Tang Gunak’s question, Dang Zhan took a breath.

“Of course, it’s not an easy choice. But it’s also not hard. And if we think about the benefits, there’s even less reason to say no.”

“Are we going to get a few coins?”

“It’s not about money.”

“Hmm?”

Dang Zhan looked at Tang Gunak, his eyes serious. He really believed what he was saying.

“Money is not important. What’s important is that we can go to and from Yunnan as protectors of the merchants.”

“Is that even possible?”

Tang Gunak asked, doubtful. Dang Zhan looked at Jo Pyung. Jo Pyung, who had been watching quietly, quickly spoke.

“I’ve heard that Mount Hua is friends with the Beast Palace, and the Mount Hua disciples can go anywhere in Yunnan just like the people who live there. If the Dang Clan makes an alliance with Mount Hua, they will be treated the same way.”

“Hmm.”

Being treated like the people of Yunnan.

Tang Gunak thought hard.

Dang Zhan spoke again.

“Being able to go to Yunnan means we can also become friends with the Beast Palace, right? We can’t miss that chance.”

“He’s got guts.”

Tang Gunak shook his head a little, looking serious. But he didn’t seem angry.

But then, his lips started to curve up, as if he was trying to hide a smile because he found it funny.

“Guild Lord of the Four Seas Commerce Guild.”

“Yes, Clan Lord Dang.”

“From now on, all trade with Yunnan will be protected by the Sichuan Dang Clan. Anyone who tries to stop this trade will be seen as an enemy of the Sichuan Dang Clan.”

“Thank you, Clan Lord Dang!”

Jo Pyung bowed deeply.

With this, everything was set. The merchants who were not happy with the Four Seas Commerce Guild being the only agent, and the bandits who wanted the money, would not be able to do anything.

In Sichuan, the Tang Family was like royalty. Their power was absolute.

They, along with the fearsome Beast Palace, controlled the vital trade route between Sichuan and Yunnan. No one dared to interfere. This trade brought wealth and influence, solidifying the Tang Family’s position at the heart of Sichuan.

“Then… would you care for a cup of tea?”

“No, Clan Leader. I have too much to do right now. Once the first trade route is properly established, I will come and see you again soon.”

“No need to come in person when you are busy. Just send word.”

“Thank you for your consideration. Then, I wish you good health.”

As Jo Pyung bowed and hurried out, Tang Gun-ak tapped the desk with his fingers. The polished mahogany of the desk gleamed in the soft light filtering through paper windows. The room was simply furnished, but the air hummed with unspoken power. A faint scent of jasmine tea hung in the air, a calming contrast to the weighty decisions made within these walls. Tang Gun-ak pondered Jo Pyung’s words, his fingers drumming a silent rhythm on the smooth surface.

After thinking for a moment, he suddenly looked up at Tang Zhan.

“What do you think?”

“It’s beyond what I expected.”

“Isn’t it?”

Tang Zhan nodded.

“Someone like the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua wouldn’t simply use us as escorts. This is probably meant for us to use Mount Hua’s alliance to connect with the Beast Palace as well.”

“Likely.”

“If the Beast Palace, the Tang Family, and Mount Hua form a bond of friendship, a line connecting Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Yunnan will be created. If this happens, these three sects will be able to wield immense influence in the west of the Central Plains.”

On the map of the Central Plains unfolding in Tang Gun-ak’s mind, the west burst into bloom with plum blossoms, spreading like wildfire.

“Is he trying to redraw the stagnant power map of the Jianghu?”

“I can’t understand how much he is planning. He’s accomplished this much with just one trip to Yunnan.”

“Indeed… Yes, certainly remarkable.”

The corners of his lips gradually curled up as he entertained various assumptions.

‘Truly a devilish mind.’

The Sichuan Tang Family had been agonizing over this for decades, and he solved it in just a couple of months.

‘This isn’t the end, is it, Divine Dragon of Mount Hua?’

Tang Gun-ak could only wonder what that fellow would do next.

“The Tang Family will gain immense profits from this deal. If I had known this would happen, I would have given the Mount Hua Sect Leader an even bigger gift.”

“It’s not too late. You can prepare a gift and send it now.”

“Is it necessary?”

“If the gift arrives after the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua reaches Mount Hua, it will make the Divine Dragon look even more powerful, and we will be seen as smart for supporting him early on.”

“Tsk tsk. They are not the kind to be approached with such politics. You still have a long way to go.”

“⋯⋯I apologize. Then, we’ll forget about the gift…”

“Prepare a grand one in my name and send it.”

“⋯⋯.”

“⋯⋯.”

“What?”

“⋯⋯Nothing.”

Tang Zhan subtly lowered his head. Tang Gun-ak, finally taking his eyes off his son, wore a subtle smile.

‘The Central Plains will be played in the palm of that fellow’s hand.’

But strangely, an irresistible joy surged within him.

“Mount Hua, Mount Hua. I must watch how high you will soar. No… I will gladly become one of those wings.”

Tang Gun-ak’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

“Huff! Huff! Haaah! Chung Myung! I’m going to die at this rate!”

“You won’t die, you won’t die! I’ve never heard of anyone dying from running.”

“Hey, you crazy bastard! Even so, running from Sichuan to Shaanxi? Does that even make sense? At least let’s ride a horse!”

“We’re faster than horses.”

“⋯⋯Th-that’s true, but!”

Chung Myung frowned at the protests erupting from here and there.

“Take one more step instead of grumbling! Our Sect Leader’s neck will snap before our legs do! Go and rest, go! Once we get to Mount Hua, we can rest anytime!”

“Keeeugh.”

Jo Gul, who had barely visited home and was now running away without even getting a proper meal, groaned. They had been running at this pace for four days already. His mouth tasted so sweet that he didn’t even need candy anymore.

Jo Gul, grabbing his trembling legs, pulled on Yoon Jong, who was half out of it.

“Senior Brother! Get a grip!”

“⋯⋯Enemies.”

“Yes?”

“⋯⋯I should have been nicer to the bandits. I didn’t know it would be this hard.”

“⋯⋯.”

At that moment, Baek Cheon, who was panting, looked at Chung Myung with slightly questioning eyes.

“By the way, Chung Myung.”

“Yeah? What is it, Martial Uncle?”

“Why did you involve the Tang Family? No matter how I think about it, you’re not the type to share money with others.”

“Ah, that?”

Chung Myung grinned.

“It doesn’t cost anything.”

“⋯⋯Huh?”

“The Saha Merchant Guild decided to pay for it.”

“⋯⋯.”

“Of course, it will cost a lot of money, but where else can you use Tang Family warriors with money?”

“Th-that’s true.”

“Bandits are already swarming around, and if word gets out that grain and tea are being traded, they’ll really come running like a pack of dogs with fire in their eyes, right? But if you just inject a few poison needles there, everything becomes peaceful.”

“⋯⋯That’s quite a clear reason.”

Jo Gul, who had been listening to the conversation in silence, glared and charged at Chung Myung.

“Hey! What are you talking about! Are you saying you’re ripping off my family now?”

Chung Myung clicked his tongue at Jo Gul, who was running at him, forgetting how tired he was. And then he promptly kicked him in the backside.

“How could someone like this be born in a merchant family? It’s good for the Saha Merchant Guild because it’s safe, it’s good for the Tang Family because they make money, and it’s good for us because we’re relieved. Why is this a scam!”

Chung Myung started running again, chattering excitedly.

“We won’t be going to Sichuan or Yunnan for a while, so we need to make sure there are no problems even if we don’t go. Then money! Hee hee hee hee! Money will roll in like crazy! We don’t do anything, and they make money by going back and forth! Where is there a more perfect job than this! Ehehehe!”

Baek Cheon glanced at him and shook his head. For a moment, Chung Myung’s eyes seemed to change into the shape of coins.

‘I strangely feel sorry for Yunnan and Sichuan.’

‘I’m sorry. But please understand that you’re not the only ones suffering. Mount Hua is having a hard time too…’

And it was at that very moment.

“There.”

“Huh?”

Yoo Iseol, who had been running silently beside him, pointed to the distant horizon with slightly dazed eyes.

“Mount Hua.”

“Ah…”

It finally began to come into view.

Far away, the towering cliffs enveloped in clouds. The colossal mountain peaks soared majestically.

“⋯⋯We’ve finally arrived.”

“It’s Mount Hua!”

The long, arduous journey had come to an end, and they had finally arrived at Mount Hua.

“Let’s go!”

“Yes, Martial Uncle!”

“Yes!”

The disciples of Mount Hua began to run towards Mount Hua without delay, with exceedingly light steps.