Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 293

“We cannot be defeated.” Jongri Gok’s voice was low, but each word hit the air like a hammer blow.

A dangerous light flashed in his eyes – a cold, hard glint that promised pain.

Around the room, the Jongnam disciples nodded, their faces tight and worried. They barely breathed.

“I don’t expect you to win,” Jongri Gok continued. “Winning would be good, of course. If not, it’s just disappointing. But losing to Hwasan… that is different.”

In the corner, Jong Seo-han flinched as if struck. The names “Hwasan” and “defeat” hung in the air like insults. He quickly lowered his head, trying to disappear.

Jongri Gok’s gaze, sharp and cold as winter ice, turned to Jong Seo-han.

“Losing to other groups is not important. But we *cannot* lose to Hwasan again. People will always remember who wins and loses, and they will talk. Can you endure that shame?”

“No, we cannot.” Jin Geum-ryong answered with a cold face, and Jongri Gok nodded, pleased.

“Jin Geum-ryong.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“You, in particular, must not be defeated.”

“I shall keep that in mind.”

Jongri Gok’s gaze swept over Jin Geum-ryong and Jin Cho-baek, who was seated behind him.

“…Though it is unlikely, do not let your feelings get in the way and lose.”

“That will never happen. I will defeat them all and restore the reputation of Jongnam.”

“Good.” Jongri Gok nodded quietly. Then, he turned his head and looked at Lee Song-baek.

“Lee Song-baek. The same goes for you.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“I don’t expect much from you. But don’t be defeated without putting up a fight.”

The expectations are different.

The reason was different opponents, but Lee Song-baek knew.

He was learning the martial arts of Jongnam’s past, so they didn’t particularly stop him, but no one in Jongnam expected anything from him anymore.

A strange outsider.

That was Lee Song-baek’s situation, in the best light.

“I will not do anything to damage our reputation.” But he answered calmly.

With those words, Jongri Gok no longer paid attention to Lee Song-baek.

“Those who increase our honor will get the rewards they deserve, and those who damage our honor will be punished. Prove yourselves to be those who are not ashamed in the name of Jongnam.”

“We shall keep that in mind, Sect Leader.”

Jongri Gok swept his cold eyes over everyone and then strode out.

Then, the remaining disciples of Jongnam finally sighed.

Lee Song-baek, who was watching the scene from the very back, quietly closed his eyes.

‘How did it come to this?’

It’s desolate.

So cold.

The Jongnam of the past was not like this.

But after the terrible loss at the Jonghwa Assembly, Jongnam seemed to have become a different sect altogether.

“Lee Song-baek.”

At the sound of someone calling him, Lee Song-baek raised his head.

“Elder Sama.”

Sama Seung, who had led Jongnam at the Jonghwa Assembly in the past, was looking at him with hollow eyes. After the terrible loss at that time, Sama Seung seemed to have aged ten years, his appearance tired and worn.

They say the face reflects the heart?

Sama Seung of the past was a strict and cold person, but he was still someone who had the ability to care for his disciples. But now, all that could be felt from him was an easily annoyed attitude.

“Follow me.”

“…Yes.” Lee Song-baek quietly nodded and followed Sama Seung out.

Sama Seung left the Shaolin building and went deep into the forest for a long time. Only after confirming that there were no more signs of people around did he turn to look at Lee Song-baek.

“You know who your opponent is, don’t you.”

“Yes. It is Hwasan Shinryong.”

“Do not utter that insulting name in my presence.”

“…Yes.”

A venomous look appeared on Sama Seung’s face.

The name ‘Hwasan Shinryong’ was the title Chung Myung had earned by defeating the second-generation disciples of Jongnam at the Jonghwa Assembly.

In other words, that name contained the humiliation of Jongnam.

“Yes. That Chung Myung is your opponent. Do you have the confidence to defeat him?”

Lee Song-baek could not answer.

Defeat Chung Myung?

“…I will simply do my best.”

“I do not need such a weak answer. Answer me. Do you have the confidence to defeat Chung Myung?”

Lee Song-baek let out a low sigh.

“…No, I do not.”

“I thought so.” As if the answer he wanted had come out, Sama Seung pressed on without giving him a break.

“As you know, there is no one in Jongnam right now who can stop that bastard.”

“…”

“Not only you, but even Jin Geum-ryong cannot defeat him. You know that, don’t you?”

“…Yes.” Lee Song-baek answered in a small voice.

“But Jongnam must defeat him. No, winning is important, but we must kill him.”

“Elder.”

“Listen first!”

“…Yes.”

A chill surged in Sama Seung’s eyes.

“Hwasan and Jongnam are always linked. When Hwasan was at its peak, Jongnam declined, and when Jongnam was at its peak, Hwasan was almost destroyed. Do you know that?”

“…How can that necessarily be…”

“There is no point in denying reality. If you cannot admit the truth as it is, you cannot do anything.” Sama Seung said, gritting his teeth.

“You must know. Jongnam is losing its strength now. After that damned Jonghwa Assembly, Jongnam lost its energy and spirit. On the other hand, Hwasan is reviving from a situation where it was practically completely ruined. That is the reality.”

Lee Song-baek lowered his head.

Even if that was the truth, he could not understand why Sama Seung had called him out separately to say these things.

Then, Sama Seung looked at Lee Song-baek with a serious look and opened his mouth.

“How far can you go for Jongnam?”

“…What do you mean?”

“Just as it sounds. If Jongnam asked you to give up your life, would you give it up?”

Lee Song-baek quietly looked at Sama Seung and nodded.

“I would.”

“If they asked you to lose your good name?”

“I would do so.”

“Then can you give up everything for Jongnam? Even if the rest of your life is spent living in humiliation?”

“I will do it without question.”

A sad smile formed on Sama Seung’s lips.

“Yes. That is how a disciple of Jongnam should be.”

Sama Seung reached into his chest and took out a small medicine bottle.

“Take it.”

Lee Song-baek could not quickly reach out and stared at the bottle Sama Seung held out.

“What is this?”

“There is no need to say much. Just take it for now.”

Lee Song-baek paused for a moment, but eventually took the small bottle. Sama Seung stared at him with hollow eyes and said.

“Apply that to your sword before you go out for the martial arts competition tomorrow.”

“…Elder?”

“Do not ask.”

Sama Seung spoke firmly. His eyes shone with a strange light.

“The fewer who know a secret, the better. You don’t even need to know what it is. If a problem arises, you must say you know nothing.”

“Elder, this is…”

“Didn’t I ask if you were prepared to discard everything you have?”

Lee Song-baek bit his lip.

Of course, he was prepared to sacrifice his life for Jongnam.

But wasn’t this a different matter?

“Elder, poison won’t work on the Hwasan Divine Dragon. And using poison in a martial arts contest would tarnish Jongnam’s honor…”

“It’s not poison.”

“……Yes?”

Sama Seung smiled smugly.

“Do I look so careless to you? No one will know, and no one will find out. But it is something that can certainly kill that bastard. You just need to apply the liquid to your sword, making sure it doesn’t touch your skin, and then make a scratch on his body.”

Lee Song-baek stared at Sama Seung, his face stiff. *‘Is this really happening?’* he thought. This was wrong. This was cheating. How could Jongnam, who always talked about honor and doing what’s right, do something so low?

“Elder, I…” Lee Song-baek started to say.

“Lee Song-baek!” Sama Seung’s voice was sharp, cutting him off. “Are you going to disobey the sect?”

“……”

“You can’t become Jin Geum-ryong anyway. The sect doesn’t expect you to be the best anymore. You are even getting worse at martial arts. If you truly wish to repay the sect’s grace, you must not hesitate to throw yourself into a dung heap.”

His voice was terribly sinister.

“Surely you wouldn’t betray the sect that raised and taught you?”

Lee Song-baek’s eyes shook violently.

“Do as you’re told. Then everything will be resolved.”

Lee Song-baek was about to open his mouth at Sama Seung’s firm words when a chilling voice came from behind.

“How could that be a resolution?”

Surprised, the two turned to see a familiar face.

“Ji, Jin Geum-ryong.”

“Senior Brother?”

Jin Geum-ryong approached. His face was like iron, hard and cold, and his eyes were like sharp blades. He reached out his hand to Lee Song-baek.

“Hand it over.”

“Senior Brother?”

“Are you not going to listen to me?”

Lee Song-baek silently handed him the bottle in his hand. Jin Geum-ryong took it, immediately threw it to the ground, and stomped on it.

Smash!

The bottle shattered, the sharp sound echoing in the quiet room. The liquid inside scattered on the floor.

“What, what are you doing!” Sama Seung screamed in horror.

But Jin Geum-ryong merely retorted coldly.

“The Sect Leader has seemed to distance himself from Elder Sama recently. It seems you are now senile. If you are caught engaging in such trickery in front of everyone, Jongnam will be left without even its foundation.”

“There’s no way I’ll be caught!”

“Elder.” Jin Geum-ryong glared fiercely at Sama Seung.

“You said those who have benefited from the sect must repay that grace, didn’t you?”

“That’s right! Why don’t you understand?! If things continue like this…”

“Then go and die together with Chung Myung with that sword.”

“What, what did you say?”

Contempt flickered in Jin Geum-ryong’s eyes.

“If you have to do it, do it yourself. I won’t stop you even if you attack Chung Myung with poison on your sword. But!”

With a face hardened, he spat out the words with force.

“Don’t touch my junior brother.”

“……”

Sama Seung’s eyes overflowed with anger. But Jin Geum-ryong did not back down an inch. He merely glared at the elder before him with cold eyes.

“What a stupid fool.”

Eventually, Sama Seung gritted his teeth and turned away.

And he walked away without looking back.

Jin Geum-ryong muttered, watching his retreating figure until he disappeared.

“Stupid…”

Soon, his gaze turned to Lee Song-baek.

“Senior Brother…”

“Don’t think about blaming the Elder.”

“……”

“That’s enough.” Jin Geum-ryong turned and walked away. Lee Song-baek hurriedly called out to him.

“S, Senior Brother.”

“……”

Jin Geum-ryong stopped walking.

“Thank you for helping me…”

“Don’t misunderstand.” He turned sharply and growled.

“I just can’t tolerate Jongnam using such petty tricks. I will break Chung Myung with my own hands. I don’t need your help.”

“……Yes.”

“And.” Jin Geum-ryong hesitated slightly, unlike before. Then he said quietly.

“Lee Song-baek.”

“Yes, Senior Brother.”

“I hate you.”

“……”

“But, even if I hate you, you are my junior brother, and I am your senior brother. It is my duty to prevent my junior brother from going down the wrong path. Regardless of whether I like it or not, if you are in danger, I should protect you. That is the mindset that someone who will become the Sect Leader of Jongnam should have.”

“Senior Brother.”

Jin Geum-ryong, who briefly met Lee Song-baek’s eyes, stated quietly.

“Chung Myung is a wall you cannot overcome.”

“……I know.”

“Crash against it and break. I will take revenge for you.”

“……”

With those words, he went down the mountain without looking back.

Lee Song-baek, who had been quietly watching the retreating figure of his senior brother, sighed softly.

*‘Senior Brother.’*

He was so obsessed with Chung Myung that people felt uneasy watching him.

To the point where there were now people within Jongnam who were distancing themselves from him.

However.

*‘Even so, Senior Brother is still Senior Brother.’*

Lee Song-baek closed his eyes.

*‘Can I turn it back?’*

Can I return this changing sect to how it was in the past?

I don’t know yet.

The answer will probably be found tomorrow.

Tomorrow.

Right tomorrow.