Return Of The Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 276

Hyun Jong watched as Baek Cheon walked onto the dusty martial arts stage. He felt his own hand clench into a fist hidden in his sleeve.

*Baek Cheon.*

His shoulders tightened. Was he worried Baek Cheon would lose?

No, not really. Hyun Jong trusted Baek Cheon completely. Chung Myung had been like a sudden gift, unexpected good luck arriving at their doorstep. But Baek Cheon… Baek Cheon was the true spirit of Mount Hua, carefully trained and nurtured.

He loved Chung Myung like a child he couldn’t bear to see harmed. But Baek Cheon was different. He was like a precious bird Hyun Jong had raised from a fledgling, always afraid he might fly away or break if touched too roughly.

A knot of nervousness tightened in Hyun Jong’s stomach. He couldn’t help it.

“Is that child the eldest disciple of Mount Hua?”

“Yes. He is the eldest disciple among those of the Baek generation, a group of disciples who joined Mount Hua around the same time.”

“Then that child must be the highest in rank among those participating in this martial arts competition.”

“That is correct.”

No more words were exchanged.

Hyun Jong noticed that some were watching Baek Cheon with even more wary eyes than before.

‘The atmosphere is definitely different from yesterday.’

Yesterday, they had at least tried to pretend to be polite and exchanged some remarks. But after Chung Myung’s performance and Mount Hua’s continued victories, the atmosphere seemed to freeze over, and now it was very cold and unfriendly.

‘What are they so afraid of?’

Hyun Jong bit his lip tightly, his expression hardening.

Were they afraid of losing face?

Or were they afraid that the balance of power between the Nine Great Sects, the most powerful martial arts groups in the land, and the Five Great Families, which they had worked so hard to establish, would be broken?

‘He is just a second-generation disciple.’

If this were a true contest where first-generation disciples and elders were fighting, he would have understood their reaction a hundred times over.

But seeing them so serious about the performance of children who couldn’t even be considered the sect’s proper strength, he couldn’t help but be disappointed.

‘Are these the people who lead the world?’

Hyun Jong, unable to hide his disappointment, let out a deep sigh as if he had realized something.

‘No. No, I am wrong.’

They are not the ones who are wrong.

Hyun Jong is the one who is wrong.

Hyun Jong wondered, if two sects were equally skilled, which would thrive more? A sect led by someone like him, who avoids conflict, or a sect led by someone more assertive?

Hyun Jong, who would yield rather than compete, would have everything taken from him and would eventually drive the sect into the abyss.

‘Was I told to be careful of the timing?’

Hyun Jong nodded slightly as he looked at the back of Abbot Beop Jeong of the Shaolin Sect, who was sitting in the front.

‘The Abbot saw this far ahead.’

Of course, a kind person could also be a good sect leader.

But someone who only shouted for compromise and couldn’t take care of their own would eventually be robbed.

To protect, one had to become ruthless.

The moment he understood that their actions, which even seemed small-minded and selfish, came from a desire to protect their own sects, a chill settled in Hyun Jong’s eyes.

‘I must become more ruthless as well.’

So that he could protect those children.

So that he wouldn’t be an obstacle in their path.

Hyun Jong was learning another lesson from the reactions of the sect leaders.

“If it’s Baek Cheon, isn’t that the child who defeated the Sword Dragon of Wudang? They say he is now called another of the Five Dragons instead of the Sword Dragon? Was it White Dragon?”

At someone’s words, Heo Do, the sect leader of Wudang, smiled gently.

“My child was in his debt. But I am rather grateful to that child. Jin Hyun has been devoted to his training, forgetting to eat and sleep since that day. A child who only believed in his talent has now added effort, so I am looking forward to seeing what his future holds.”

“Haha. That is a good thing, then.”

“Perhaps.”

Heo Do Jin-in glanced at Hyun Jong with a smiling face.

“The result of the next match will be a little different from the previous one. It would be good if we could meet in this martial arts competition.”

If it were the Hyun Jong of the past, he would have said words of humility here and appropriately praised the opponent.

But now Hyun Jong knew.

He could lower himself, but he could not lower Mount Hua.

Even if he rolled around in a dung heap and was called small-minded and selfish, he could not diminish those children even by an inch.

That was what a sect leader had to do.

“It is a matter of celebration if the Sword Dragon of Wudang has achieved something. But…”

Hyun Jong wore a kind smile.

“Baek Cheon’s talent is so great that even I am surprised. I can’t imagine that child losing again to someone he has already defeated.”

Heo Do Jin-in looked at Hyun Jong with slightly surprised eyes.

“Hahaha. The result of yesterday’s martial arts competition seems to have given the sect leader great confidence.”

“That is not the case. How can a natural result be confidence? What gave me confidence was not the result of the match, but the skills of those children.”

The surroundings became quiet in an instant.

Heo Do Jin-in was about to open his mouth after staring silently at Hyun Jong.

A loud voice was heard from the side.

“If you want to talk about that connection, you will have to beat my grandson first!”

The two men’s gazes turned to the direction of the voice.

Peng Hwa-seo, the head of the Hebei Peng family, was looking at them with a displeased expression.

Heo Do Jin-in and Hyun Jong’s faces showed embarrassment as they confirmed that Baek Cheon’s opponent on the martial arts stage was from the Hebei Peng family.

“I apologize, Family Head.”

“I was short-sighted.”

“Humph!”

Peng Hwa-seo, who snorted loudly, crossed his arms and said in a booming voice.

“Our Do-wan may not be a very famous child, but his skills are excellent! So open your eyes wide and watch carefully!”

Heo Do Jin-in did not bother to reply and remained silent. And Hyun Jong watched Peng Hwa-seo, who was suppressing his anger, with calm eyes.

‘Even the head of the Hebei Peng family is so protective of his family’s child, so why did I prioritize my own face over those children?’

With a feeling of apology, he sent a heartfelt message of support to Baek Cheon in his mind.

‘Baek Cheon. Win.’

His eyes, which lightly gathered his hands, contained both trust and worry.

Baek Cheon lightly tightened and released the hand holding his sword.

‘I understand what those guys were saying.’

His opponent was Peng Do-wan of the Hebei Peng family, a family known for their martial prowess in the Central Plains.

He hadn’t particularly heard of the name, but if he was representing the Hebei Peng family, he would be one of the top talents in the world.

Nevertheless, Baek Cheon did not feel any threat from him.

All he felt was his own heart beating steadily.

And the gaze of Hyun Jong, who was watching him from above.

‘Sect Leader.’

The Baek Cheon of the past was someone who only thought about his own growth. But after meeting Chung Myung and experiencing many changes, he came to realize one thing.

How wonderful and great the sect leader was, who had accepted him without questioning anything even though he knew Baek Cheon’s identity.

‘I will make Mount Hua the best sect.’

In other words, he would make the sect leader of Mount Hua the person with the highest status in the Central Plains, the heartland of martial arts. To do that, he had to defeat the person in front of him now.

Baek Cheon looked across at Peng Do-wan with unwavering eyes.

But Peng Do-wan seemed to have taken that look as a provocation.

“Arrogant eyes.”

He threateningly slung the greatsword he held in one hand over his shoulder.

“You must have lost your mind after making some achievements yesterday?”

Baek Cheon sighed as he looked at him, who was throwing provocations out of the blue.

‘Why is my opponent always someone like this?’

It would be better if it was someone who could get along well.

Baek Cheon answered indifferently.

“Not really. I am still a little scared.”

“Hahahaha. Your mouth is as smooth as you look.”

“…”

Baek Cheon, realizing that he wouldn’t hear anything good even if he spoke, grabbed his sword.

“If you don’t intend to fight with words, I will just start.”

“No, no. I am thinking of giving you a chance.”

“A chance, you say?”

Peng Do-wan laughed heartily and said.

“If you give up now and go down, that smooth face of yours won’t get hurt. I get annoyed when I see pretty boys like you.”

“…Pretty boy?”

Paeng Dowan sneered, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “Hwasan has been lucky so far. But that’s because they haven’t fought anyone strong yet. Well, your luck just ran out! I’m not like those weaklings Hwasan has beaten. If you don’t want to be completely embarrassed, you should give up now.”

“…Thanks for the advice.”

Baek Cheon tilted his head from side to side.

Yoon Jong, who was watching him, squeezed his eyes shut.

“He’s starting to act like Chung Myung now.”

“Just let it go, Sahyung. It’s too late to turn back now.”

“…Is it ever easy to control what you feel?”

Yoon Jong and Jo Gul felt worried as they watched their Sasuk become more and more like Chung Myung.

Where had their Sasuk, whom they had respected for his chivalry and understanding of the Dao, gone?

Ah, of course, they still respected him. They really did.

The problem was that their feeling of respect had changed a little.

Paeng Dowan continued, sneering.

“So, even now…”

“Ah, whatever.”

“Hmm?”

Baek Cheon sighed, as if he was getting a little bored.

“If you’re done talking, then come at me. I’m getting bored.”

“…This bastard?”

Paeng Dowan snatched his Dao from his shoulder and pointed it at Baek Cheon.

“You think you’re strong just because you’ve been lucky. Well, I’ll make it clear to you. Hwasan, which has already fallen once, can never stand against the power of a famous family!”

Baek Cheon chuckled at his arrogant words.

“Famous family?”

“That’s right.”

Then, he scratched the back of his head a couple of times and said casually.

“If someone I know heard that, he would definitely say this.”

“…What?”

“Does a famous family have no brains?”

“…”

Baek Cheon stretched out his sword and aimed it at Paeng Dowan.

“Come on. I’ll break the head of that so-called famous family for you.”

Paeng Dowan’s face turned bright red. His face, red and blue as if he was about to explode, gritted his teeth.

“You insolent bastard!”

Finally, he clenched his Dao tightly and charged towards Baek Cheon like an angry bull.

“I’ll correct that bad habit of yours!”

“Tsk.”

Baek Cheon narrowed his eyes.

His actions were foolish, but Paeng Dowan was strong. He was trained by the famous Ha Buk Paeng clan. Baek Cheon could feel his power.

However…

‘So, this is how he must have felt.’

He now knew how Chung Myung must have felt when he used to say he would correct Chung Myung’s habits. Thinking about it, he felt his face flush.

Those who couldn’t escape the pretend appearance of being a famous family thought that their background was their skill.

Baek Cheon also realized the reality only after Chung Myung beat him.

Then?

The corners of Baek Cheon’s lips curled up slightly.

“I don’t really want to do you any favors.”

“What nonsense are you spouting!”

Paeng Dowan leaped up like a flying tiger and brought his Dao down on Baek Cheon’s head.

It was a technique that the Ha Buk Paeng clan was proud of. It was the Flying Tiger Killing Rabbit stance from the Five Tigers Severing Gate Dao.

The Dao, glowing red, fell towards Baek Cheon with tremendous force.

At the same time as that fierce power, Paeng Dowan was watching Baek Cheon’s movements carefully.

‘Evading is useless!’

Any fool who met the Flying Tiger Killing Rabbit head-on would be split in two. Anyone with sense would definitely evade it.

No matter which way he evaded, once he lost his power, he would never be able to withstand his Dao.

Then, with a series of continuous strikes, he would quickly take the advantage and leave a scar on his face…

That’s when it happened.

Baek Cheon, who had been staring at Paeng Dowan’s Dao, slightly pulled back the sword he was holding. Then, with a terrifying force, he swung it towards Paeng Dowan’s Dao.

‘Am I insane?’

Paeng Dowan’s eyes widened.

To meet such a fiercely descending great Dao with that thin sword?

Even a child would know that this made no sense.

‘Alright! Don’t blame me!’

Paeng Dowan gritted his teeth and put all his energy into the descending Dao.

Finally, his Dao and Baek Cheon’s sword crashed head-on!

Wham!

A deafening explosion tore through the air, and one person was thrown backward, tumbling across the floor.

“Oh, dear!”

“Unbelievable!”

Exclamations burst from the audience.

Judging by the size and weight of the weapons, it was only natural that Baek Cheon should have been the one thrown back.

But it was Paeng Dowan who was rolling on the floor.

“Kuh, kheeuk?”

He struggled to lift his head and look at Baek Cheon while lying on the ground. He was too shocked to hide his feelings.

“Tsk.”

Baek Cheon lightly flicked his sword and slowly walked towards him.

Unlike Paeng Dowan, whose arm was fractured and whose muscles were torn with just one hit, Baek Cheon had no injuries at all.

Finally, Baek Cheon stopped in front of Paeng Dowan and clicked his tongue.

“Hey, you.”

And he advised sincerely.

“Do some exercise.”

“…”

“If you’re that weak, you won’t even be able to carry water jugs if you come to Hwasan.”

Paeng Dowan’s mouth dropped open.

Weak?

‘Me?’

His gaze swept over his forearm.

As someone from the Paeng clan, famous for their large builds, his forearm was as thick as an ordinary person’s waist. He was so strong that even a bear would respect him.

And yet, weak?

Baek Cheon sighed and rolled up his sleeves when Paeng Dowan couldn’t understand.

Cracked and split muscles were revealed. Muscles built through hard training.

Paeng Dowan gritted his teeth and slowly stood up.

“You… You son of a bitch, where do you think…”

“Oh? Son of a bitch? Good. It makes me feel better that way.”

“Huh?”

Baek Cheon reversed his grip on the sword and hit Paeng Dowan’s head with the flat of the blade.

Thwack!

The sound of a watermelon cracking open echoed.

Paeng Dowan’s mouth gaped open. And he froze.

“Head! Head! Head! Head! Head!”