Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 302

“Thirty-two…”

Beopjeong stared at the bracket with a strange look.

“The result is quite different from what I initially expected.”

At those words, the Shaolin elder, Beopgye, wore a slightly uncomfortable expression.

“I thought Wudang would not fight very hard. Wudang’s martial arts take time to become strong. The younger disciples have not been able to show their full power yet. So, there would be weaknesses.”

“Hmm.”

A common thing about the martial arts of both Wudang and Shaolin is that their power doubles as they spend more time mastering them.

So, disciples under the age of thirty, who have not trained for long, are often not as strong as disciples from other sects.

“And I also thought that the Namgung and Peng families would stand out. Everyone agrees that they are the sects that will lead the current Kangho (the martial arts world) without any weaknesses, right?”

“Indeed.”

The Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families.

They are the two main groups that lead the current traditional factions.

However, just because they are grouped under the same name does not mean that their power is all the same.

Among the Nine Sects, Shaolin and Wudang are at the center, with Jongnam and the Beggars’ Sect following behind. Among the Five Great Families, the Namgung and Peng families are at the center, with the Tang family supporting them.

From the beginning of this tournament, their strong performance was expected.

The problem is…

“With the collapse of Jongnam, their power has completely declined. The disciples of the Nine Great Sects remaining in the top thirty-two barely exceed ten.”

“Hmm.”

Beopjeong sighed deeply.

Many people group the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families together as famous groups, but to be honest, the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families are not that close.

Families connected by blood and sects connected by ideals are different from the start. In the end, they will clash in big and small ways.

So, it was not good that the Nine Great Sects showed weakness compared to the Five Great Families in a martial arts tournament hosted by Shaolin.

“There are almost twice as many disciples from the Five Great Families as from the Nine Sects. And there are four who are neither from the Nine Sects nor the Five Great Families…”

Beopgye, who was speaking, sighed deeply.

Among those remaining now, there is only one place that is neither from the Nine Great Sects nor the Five Great Families.

“To be honest, I did not expect Mount Hua to do so well.”

All four of Mount Hua’s disciples remain in the top thirty-two.

Saying four may seem like a small number, but Mount Hua was the only sect that had four disciples left in the top thirty-two. Even the great Shaolin only managed to leave three.

“What kind of invitation did they get originally?”

“It was a silver invitation. However, Hyebang, having received a complaint, decided to give them a gold invitation.”

Beopjeong sighed in relief, as if it was fortunate.

“If it weren’t for Hyebang, we would have looked very bad.”

If Mount Hua had come to Shaolin with a silver invitation and achieved such results, the martial artists of the world would have pointed fingers at Shaolin for not recognizing Mount Hua’s skills.

They would have been laughed at for having platinum invitations themselves while giving Mount Hua a silver invitation, despite being worse than Mount Hua.

Beopjeong felt fortunate just to have avoided that embarrassment.

“It is fortunate, but it is also unfair. Who would have thought that Mount Hua would do so well before the tournament started? A gold invitation shows more respect and gives more resources.”

“Indeed.”

Beopjeong smiled gently.

“Especially that child, Chung Myung, is more and more amazing the more I see him. Perhaps Hae Yeon might struggle.”

“Is it to that extent? Of course, he was impressive, but in my eyes, he was not comparable to Hae Yeon…”

“What you saw is not everything.”

Beopjeong narrowed his eyes.

‘And perhaps even what I saw is not everything.’

It’s an interesting thing.

To be unable to understand how deep a child who has not even lived half his life is.

If Hae Yeon is a clear stream that makes you feel good just by looking at it, then that child, Chung Myung, is like a pond so deep that you can’t see the bottom.

“Heaven is sometimes mercilessly cold, but at the end of that coldness, it gives warmth. It is unlikely that the appearance of that child in Mount Hua was not by chance.”

Beopjeong recited a short Buddhist prayer.

– Is there anyone here who does not know what happened to those who trusted in doing what is right, practiced bravery, and did not hesitate to give up their lives?

At the voice of the Jongnam sect leader suddenly flashing through his mind, Beopjeong’s body tensed slightly.

‘How could I not know?’

How could he not?

It was this Kangho that made them that way.

He tried to turn a blind eye. He tried not to look back.

But Mount Hua returned with its own strength and stood before them again. As if to say that those who truly seek justice may face difficulties, but they will not be defeated.

Therefore, Beopjeong had to feel an uncomfortable feeling whenever he saw the disciples of Mount Hua, as if a needle was pricking at a corner of his heart.

“Amitabha.”

Beopjeong, who had brushed away his distracting thoughts with a low Buddhist chant, shook his head.

“This tournament is now coming to an end. It would have been good if it had become a friendly event where everyone got to know each other better.”

“They will have gotten to know each other better. Especially Mount Hua will now become a sect that everyone knows.”

“Hmm.”

“Especially if that child, Chung Myung, even makes it to the finals, the reputation of the Nine Great Sects will hit rock bottom. Of course, the Five Great Families will also be ashamed too.”

“That’s right.”

“And if that happens…”

Beopgye glanced at Beopjeong’s face before lowering his gaze.

“We may have to change our minds about what we decided before.”

“If we have to, we have to.”

Beopjeong recited the Buddhist prayer again.

The past decision that Beopgye was talking about meant the kicking out of Mount Hua from the Nine Great Sects. The collapse of Jongnam was due to internal problems.

“However, we cannot decide such a thing with a martial arts competition only for the younger generation, can we?”

“That’s true…”

“Yes. I know what you mean. You mean that it will eventually happen, so we should prepare in advance.”

“That’s right, Abbot.”

The return of Mount Hua to the Nine Great Sects.

This was very important. It could be a major event that changes who is in charge in Kangho.

“If that is what is meant to be, then we must go that way.”

Beopjeong nodded.

“Anyway, let’s watch a little more for now. It’s not too late to discuss it after the martial arts tournament is over.”

“Yes, Abbot.”

“Amitabha.”

Beopjeong closed his eyes and fell into thought.

Beopgye hesitated for a moment, but instead of leaving, he cautiously opened his mouth again.

“I’m a little jealous.”

“Hmm?”

“Mount Hua must be feeling a joy that makes them feel like they’re flying right now. Thinking about it makes my stomach hurt a little.”

At those honest words, Beopjeong smiled slightly.

“They are being rewarded for their efforts. Let’s just congratulate them.”

“Yes, Abbot.”

“So…”

A slightly choked voice flowed from Hyun Jong’s mouth.

“Our ancestors would also… the thing they did, placing four disciples in the top thirty-two…”

“Grrrr…”

“Everyone will be pleased…”

“Grrr…”

He stopped speaking and stared at his disciples with a blank look.

Everyone was looking at him with expressions as if they had come to a funeral. And…

He subtly turned his head to one side. To where the source of the problem was.

Chung Myung, held by his arms and legs by Baek Cheon and his group, was growling like an angry hunting dog.

‘Why is he doing that again?’

Hyun Jong sighed deeply.

Hyun Jong’s good words seemed lost on his disciples. Despite his encouragement, the Mount Hua disciples looked like students being watched by angry parents. Their eyes were sad and empty.

“Er… Ahem.”

Hyun Jong cleared his throat.

“Well, I’ll go discuss a few things with the elders and return, so you all can res—.”

“Head!”

“Where are you going, Head! Take us with you!”

“Don’t leave us behind! Head!”

A desperate cry erupted from the Mount Hua disciples, who had been sitting in a daze.

Hyun Jong looked away, avoiding their pleading eyes.

Protecting them wouldn’t be too hard, but unless that crazed dog of Mount Hua was kept away, it would happen sooner or later.

It was better to face Chung Myung’s anger now. Waiting would only make it worse. Dealing with him quickly was the best way.

“W-well, I’ll be off.”

As Hyun Jong hurried to the second floor, the Mount Hua disciples cried out.

“Heaaaaad!”

“Where are you going, Head! Elder Hyun Sang! Un Geom, Grand Uncle!”

“Don’t leave us behind! Take us with you… Please!”

But Hyun Jong hurried away, his robes swishing, and disappeared up the stairs without a single glance back at their pleading faces.

The remaining disciples of Mount Hua slowly turned to look.

It was time to face the demon.

“…A triumph?”

A voice full of anger and meanness came from the demon’s mouth.

“A triuuuumph?”

Chung Myung twisted his body. Yoo Iseol and Yoon Jong let go of his arms.

“I taught you like you were gold and jade, afraid you’d die if I breathed on you, and you all failed. And you call that a triumph?”

His eyes rolled back in his head, showing only the whites, like he was going crazy.

The Mount Hua disciples looked at Baek Cheon with dread.

‘Do something, Senior Brother!’

‘Look at him! He’s losing it!’

Baek Cheon cleared his throat. “Chung Myung-ah. Of course, many failed, but we still have the most left, don’t we? This is something to celebrate….”

“Sasuk.”

“Yes?”

“Anyone listening would think Sasuk made it up there?”

“……”

“Don’t stand here! Go join the losers over there! You’ll become a loser too if you stay here!”

“……”

Baek Cheon trudged to where the dropouts were and sat down, hugging his knees.

“Senior Brother?”

“…What?”

“…Nothing.”

Those who saw his desolate eyes could only swallow their tears.

‘Poor thing.’

‘Why is there no exception in that bastard’s life?’

But Chung Myung’s eyes remained rolled back.

“You all failed, losing to the Nine Great Sects? I’m so angry I can’t live! So angry! You had to lose to those Nine Sects bastards? I’ll break all your wrists! Line up, all of you!”

“Um!”

Someone raised their hand.

“What?”

“I lost to the Five Great Families and was eliminated?”

“Sit down. Unless you want to die.”

“Yes.”

The rebellion was quickly stopped.

“But… I think we did pretty well.”

“Did well? What did you do well!”

“Still, the Jongnam guys packed their bags and left, but we’re still here….”

Chung Myung chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. “That’s true!” His face, which had been twisted like a vengeful ghost, softened.

“Did you see those bastards going down with their bags? That was a sight I’ll never forget!”

“Their shoulders were slumped!”

“They didn’t even look back!”

“That’s right, that’s right! They couldn’t look back!”

The senior and junior brothers eagerly joined in, knowing this was the only way to lighten the mood and avoid a beating.

Baek Cheon, sensing the atmosphere, joined in.

“It was a complete funeral home, wasn’t it?”

“That’s right. Sasuk’s wrist almost had a funeral too.”

“……”

He immediately regretted it. He should have stayed quiet. He had made things worse again.

“How embarrassing, becoming a Great Senior Brother and not even making it into the top thirty-two? And everyone else is fine, but you’re the only one who lost half your wrist? I’m so angry, I am! Augh!”

Chung Myung roared and tried to rush at Baek Cheon, but Yoon Jong and Jo Gul grabbed his limbs and held on.

“Chung Myung-ah, calm down! He’s Sasuk! Sasuk!”

“He’s injured! Beat him after he heals!”

Baek Cheon, feeling like the saddest person in the world, staggered with a pale face. Baek Sang smiled and grabbed his shoulder.

“Senior Brother, I understand how you feel.”

“…Don’t understand, you bastard.”

Baek Cheon just wanted to cry alone.

Chung Myung growled and glared at the disciples of Mount Hua.

‘This won’t do!’

The remaining disciples, except for Baek Cheon and his group, hadn’t trained with Chung Myung for very long, and their talents weren’t very high. It was a great feat to have come this far.

Other sects couldn’t understand Mount Hua’s performance. If the eliminated disciples continued to grow, they could surpass those who had defeated them.

But Chung Myung could never be satisfied.

‘I’m really so angry.’

What would his senior and junior brothers in the Immortal Realm say if they saw this?

– Hehehehe. It seems you don’t have a talent for teaching either.

Chung Myung bellowed, ‘Aaaaargh! I’m going to find that old geezer!’

Yoon Jong grabbed Chung Myung, who seemed to calm down for a moment before rolling his eyes back again. Yoo Iseol and Jo Gul also did their best to subdue him.

“Please, let’s go crazy gracefully, Chung Myung-ah!”

“Calm down, Chung Myung! You’re going to explode!”

Chung Myung gritted his teeth and looked at the three who had subdued him.

The four who had made it into the top thirty-two were all together.

“There will be no more defeat for Mount Hua!”

“……”

“If all four of you don’t make it into the top four, you’re all crawling back to Mount Hua! Got it? Especially those who lose to the Nine Sects, I’m going to roll you all the way back to Mount Hua, so try losing! Just try it!”

Baek Cheon watched Chung Myung rant and asked Baek Sang, who was squatting next to him.

“Who’s his next opponent?”

“…Namgung Dowi of the Namgung Family.”

“…He’s dead.”

“Probably?”

Baek Cheon closed his eyes and sincerely hoped Namgung Dowi would rest in peace. Of course, he also prayed for his own soul, just in case.