Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 263

Hyun Jong pressed his forehead as if he had a headache.

Then, with a glare, he roared,

“Can’t you hold your arm up straight?”

Chung Myung sheepishly raised his lowered arm again.

The poor fellow was kneeling in a corner of the inn, being punished by holding his arm up.

“Hey, you! Can’t you even endure that short time without causing trouble!”

“But… those bastards insulted Mount Hua first!”

“Even so, you rascal!”

“Tch!”

“Ugh!”

Hyun Jong groaned and rubbed the back of his neck, feeling like he might fall over. Hyun Sang quickly stepped forward to hold him up.

“Sect Leader, are you alright?” Hyun Sang asked, his voice full of concern.

Hyun Jong sighed heavily. “Ugh… I feel like I’m getting old faster because of that rascal.”

Hyun Sang looked worried at Hyun Jong. But Hyun Young watched them from the side. She looked like she didn’t care at all.

“You looked much younger and healthier recently, so losing a little lifespan now is fine. More importantly, why are you starving the kid! You should feed him even when punishing him. Chung Myung, get up now. You need to eat!”

Hyun Jong raised his voice again.

“I am punishing him…!”

But Hyun Jong flinched and stopped talking.

It was because Hyun Young was staring at him with bloodshot eyes.

That… isn’t that the look of someone who’s about to eat someone alive?

“Sect Leader.”

“…Huh?” Hyun Jong answered awkwardly to the eerie voice.

“Have you forgotten? The memories of hunting wild animals and digging up tree roots with the children because the sect ran out of grain?”

“…No. I haven’t forgotten.”

“Do you know what resolution I made when Mount Hua, which prided itself on being a prestigious sect, had nothing to eat and had to dig up grass roots?”

“Well, not really?”

Hyun Young gritted her teeth and said,

“I vowed that if I ever made enough money to live on, I would never let the children go hungry, even if I died trying. It’s fine to punish them, but I hope you don’t skip their meal times. Do you understand me?”

“…Yes.”

Only then did Hyun Young, with a relieved expression, smile and turn to Chung Myung.

“Chung Myung. Go eat. Now.”

“Yes!”

Chung Myung sprang up like a released spring and dashed to the table full of meat. Watching him, Hyun Jong clutched his aching head.

‘What sin did I commit in my past life….’

Is that what a junior brother and disciple are supposed to be like?

He sighed deeply and turned his head slightly to look at Hyun Young and Chung Myung.

“Well… I suppose they did well during those difficult times….”

It was then.

“Elder! Can we order alcohol?”

“Yes, yes! Eat whatever you want! If you’re going to eat, you should eat the best!”

“Giggle! He he!”

“That’s right! That’s right! My baby.”

Hyun Jong squeezed his eyes shut.

Hyun Jong’s sorrow was that he wanted to block his ears but couldn’t.

‘Let’s cut off my senses.’

Looking at that will only result in shortening the lifespan I’ve worked so hard to extend.

Hyun Jong looked at the people sitting in front of him with a stiff face.

Hyun Jong’s eyes turned to one of them.

Seeing his swollen eyes and torn lips, he felt beyond sorry, and tears welled up in his eyes.

“…I am sorry.”

“Ah, no… it’s fine. Just a bit sore, that’s all,” Jo Mal-saeng said, waving his hand with an awkward expression. He had been thoroughly beaten by Chung Myung.

The man sitting next to him, Moon Pyeong, opened his mouth with a bitter smile.

“Don’t worry about it, Sect Leader. Isn’t the martial world a place where you can’t say anything even if you get your head cut off for being caught speaking ill of another sect? I am grateful that you ended it at this level.”

“Ugh…. Still….”

“This friend will also learn something from this incident. I always thought that he would get into serious trouble someday because he speaks too carelessly….”

Moon Pyeong glanced at Jo Mal-saeng.

He had nothing to say about it either, and only pouted his lips.

“Tsk tsk.”

Moon Pyeong clicked his tongue.

‘Yes, I knew something like this would happen one day.’

In the martial world, one must be careful with their words above all else. Those who speak carelessly are bound to invite disaster.

It’s only because Mount Hua is a Taoist sect and claims to be righteous that it ended like this. If he had met someone with cruel hands, his head would have been cut off on the spot, and he wouldn’t have even been able to make excuses.

However, what’s surprising is….

Moon Pyeong’s gaze shifted slightly. He saw Chung Myung sitting at the table over there, drinking alcohol heartily.

‘The Divine Dragon of Mount Hua.’

He had heard the rumors, but he didn’t expect it to be this extreme.

In fact, Jo Mal-saeng, who was sitting next to him, was quite strong despite his loose tongue, but he was unilaterally beaten without even resisting.

A surprise attack?

‘Surely not.’

There is nothing more shameful than a martial artist talking about surprise attacks. It is basic for those who live in the martial world to always prepare for surprise attacks and ambushes.

Jo Mal-saeng wouldn’t be someone who doesn’t know that, so it means he was truly defeated by skill.

‘Mount Hua’s skills are more than I heard.’

Perhaps Mount Hua will bring a storm in this martial arts competition.

‘It’s not just the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua.’

His gaze turned to the disciples of Mount Hua, who were tearing apart the meat next to Chung Myung.

“Waiter! More meat here!”

“Dumplings too!”

“Alcohol! Alcohoool….”

When Baek Cheon glared, Baek Ja, who was shouting for alcohol, flinched and lowered his head.

“There’s always one who goes too far.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“I swear.”

“….”

The disciples of Mount Hua were literally devouring the food, tearing meat with their teeth, plates piling up quickly, and loud chewing sounds filling the air.

Moon Pyeong could only chuckle.

‘It’s a bit different from what I thought Mount Hua would be like….’

When it comes to Mount Hua, what should I say….

It was a feeling that they were a group of swordsmen with a high sense of pride in their swords, although their Taoist tendencies were slightly weaker than those of Wudang. But what Moon Pyeong saw now was truly….

“Like bandits.”

“Yes, bandi…. You should shut your mouth!”

“….”

Jo Mal-saeng, who had muttered a word with a pout, shut his mouth at Moon Pyeong’s shout.

‘Of course, they really do look like bandits.’

It’s fortunate that they are wearing good-quality martial robes instead of animal skins, and their demeanor seems more refined than that of bandits.

If they took off their clothes, they would be just like bandits who came down to raid a village.

If it weren’t for the plum blossom-engraved swords dangling from their waists, Moon Pyeong would have doubted whether they were really from Mount Hua.

“Ahem.”

Moon Pyeong cleared his throat and asked Hyun Jong cautiously.

“So, are you on your way to participate in the World Martial Arts Competition?”

“Yes, that’s right. I sent the child ahead to order the meal in advance, but I never imagined that something like this would happen in the meantime…. I am so sorry.”

Hyun Jong didn’t know what to do, and Moon Pyeong smiled wryly, a hint of amusement and disbelief in his eyes.

‘This person is too innocent for his position.’

If it were the Sect Leader of another sect, they would have immediately questioned Jo Mal-saeng’s guilt for daring to disrespect their sect as soon as they heard the situation.

Moon Pyeong bowed deeply to the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, his face full of apology. Even though he and his friend, Jo Mal-saeng, had been told they were forgiven, Moon Pyeong still looked very sorry.

‘An incredibly Taoist-like sect leader…’ Moon Pyeong thought, glancing at Hyun Jong. He then looked quickly at the Mount Hua disciples standing behind him. They were a strange mix, some looking serious, others looking like they were about to cause trouble. Moon Pyeong let out a small, nervous laugh.

‘What kind of sect is this going to become?’ he wondered.

He lowered his posture a little more.

“Sect Leader, we are the ones who have committed a sin, yet you are troubled by it, making us feel even more apologetic. I will apologize for Jo Mal-saeng. Please, understand with a generous heart.”

“Even the king is criticized when he is not here, so how could that be a sin?”

“It’s okay to talk about someone when they are not here. But if you say bad things to their face, you will get in trouble, right?”

“Hmm.”

Moon Pyeong smiled gently.

“People in the Jianghu with loose tongues often call us the Horse-Rat Duo. We are quite fast when it comes to news in the Jianghu, so to repay our sin, we will pass on any secret stories about the Great Heavenly Martial Arts Tournament that we hear.”

“If you would do that, it would be most appreciated.”

Moon Pyeong smiled gently and clasped his hands in a respectful bow.

“If you allow it, we will leave now.”

“Weren’t you planning to stay here?”

“No. We were just passing by.”

He had intended to stay, but he didn’t have the face to occupy a spot after what happened.

Moon Pyeong looked a little unhappy, and Jo Mal-saeng sighed and rose from his seat.

“I am truly sorry again, Sect Leader. I was so rude…”

“No, it’s really alright.”

“I will be sure to repay this kindness.”

Jo Mal-saeng bowed deeply and turned around with an awkward expression. Moon Pyeong also bowed and followed him out.

“Ugh…”

As the situation finally settled, Hyun Jong sighed and looked back at the elders.

“I’m worried.”

“About what?”

“They’re already causing trouble like this… I wonder if it will be peaceful in Songshan.”

Hyun Young chuckled.

“What does it matter if they cause some trouble?”

“Hmm?”

Hyun Young’s face turned slightly cold.

“When the powerless cause trouble, it’s called trouble, but when the powerful cause trouble, it becomes spirit. How many times have the Shaolin or Wudang interfered in other people’s affairs and made a mess? What did the people of the Jianghu say each time? They said it was spirit and chivalry, didn’t they?”

“Hmm.”

“Just leave them be. After all, they are the ones who will lead Mount Hua after we die. Forcing them into the mold we know isn’t always the right thing to do.”

“…You’re telling me to leave that Chung Myung alone?”

At Hyun Jong’s words, Hyun Young glanced back.

“Aack!”

Chung Myung was stabbing Jo Gul, who was eyeing his meat, with his chopsticks.

“…We might need to restrain him a little.”

“Ugh.”

Worrying. It’s worrying.

Their journey to Songshan was long, and they passed through many small towns and beautiful landscapes. Each day brought them closer to their destination and the upcoming tournament.

The disciples of Mount Hua finally arrived at the foot of Songshan.

“Oh!”

“Songshan!”

The disciples of Mount Hua, looking at Songshan, exclaimed in admiration.

Even if it wasn’t the most famous mountain in the world, Songshan was worthy of being called the most famous mountain in the Jianghu.

The reason was simple.

It was because Shaolin was located on this Songshan.

Thousand-Year Shaolin.

This Buddhist sect, named Shaolin because it was located on Songshan’s Shaoshi Peak, had firmly led the Jianghu for a long time.

Everyone’s heart was naturally filled with excitement at the prospect of visiting Shaolin, which they had always only heard about.

“Doesn’t the mountain seem to have something special about it?”

“Mountains are all the same. What’s so special about it?”

“No. Still, the feeling is very different from Mount Hua.”

Mount Hua always felt serious and grand, with its sharp peaks reaching for the sky. But Songshan was different. It felt peaceful and welcoming, like a warm hug after a long journey.

That alone was enough to give the disciples of Mount Hua a different feeling.

Moreover…

“Why are there so many people?”

“They don’t seem to be martial artists?”

The road leading to Shaoshi Peak was packed with people, filled with pilgrims and merchants who had set up stalls.

For the disciples who were always accustomed to the secluded and tranquil Mount Hua, this alone was like another world.

Then, Yoon Jong asked with a puzzled expression.

“Elder, does Songshan usually have this many visitors?”

“Hmm, I’m not sure. This is my first time coming to Songshan in person like this.”

The elders were no different. The disciples and elders alike had lived their entire lives tied to Mount Hua.

Realizing the status of Shaolin anew, they even felt slightly overwhelmed.

It was then.

“It’s usually not this crowded. It’s probably because people have flocked here to see the tournament.”

“Is that so?”

Yoon Jong turned to look at Chung Myung, who had answered.

“But how do you know that?”

“…Oh. I came here once when I was living as a beggar.”

“Is there something to get to eat on the mountain?”

“I came to eat temple food.”

“…”

Chung Myung looked at the ocean of people and said indifferently.

“Mount Hua must have been like this in the past.”

“Hmm.”

That quiet voice, seemingly insignificant, deeply pierced the hearts of the Mount Hua disciples.

Baek Cheon said in a calm voice.

“Sect Leader.”

“Hmm?”

“After this martial arts tournament ends, Mount Hua will also be crowded with people, right?”

Hyun Jong smiled gently.

“Of course, that’s how it should be.”

“Yes. Then…”

Chung Myung stretched out fully.

“Let’s go see how great these prestigious orthodox sects are.”

The elders nodded.

At the same time, one thought came to their minds.

Of course, properly experiencing the prestigious orthodox sects was also a first for them.

However.

‘It will be a first for them too.’

To experience a guy like Chung Myung, that is.

Thinking that, the elders felt sorry for them instead.

“Let’s go!”

“Yes!”

The disciples of Mount Hua began to climb Songshan with determined wills in their eyes.

‘Shaolin, huh.’

Chung Myung, who was following from the very back, slightly curled up the corners of his lips.

‘The martial arts tournament you’re thinking of is already over.’

This martial arts tournament will be a tournament solely for Mount Hua.

Because this Chung Myung will make it so.