Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 312

Baek Cheon smiled a little. “Grass Three,” he thought. “Such a bad name.” He watched the beggar. “Is he looking for his friends?” Then he frowned. “Wait. Why is he walking over here?”

A young beggar walked towards the Mount Hua disciples. His face looked happy as he saw someone he knew. “Chosam!” he called out. “It’s you, Chosam, right?”

“Huh?” Chung Myung’s group looked at each other. *Is he talking to us?* They followed the beggar’s eyes. *Who is he looking at?*

Then they saw. He was looking right at Chung Myung. They all looked confused.

*Thump!* Chung Myung put his bottle down harder than he meant to. He looked up at the beggar. His eyebrows went down a little. “What are you talking about?” he asked. “Who are you?”

The beggar looked surprised. “Don’t you know me? It’s Guchil! Mouth Seven! We were together!”

“Guchil?” Chung Myung thought hard. *Guchil… Mouth Seven…* The name felt like a small bell ringing in his mind. Then his eyes went wide. “Wait…”

Chung Myung jumped up, pointing at Guchil. His hand shook a little. “You! You’re *that* beggar!”

Guchil. The young beggar from the place where homeless people lived. That was when Chung Myung first woke up in this new body. Wasn’t Guchil the one who helped him when he was so confused? He was in a new body, a hundred years in the future. It seemed like Chung Myung and Guchil were friends back then.

*Right,* Chung Myung thought, a flicker of memory in his mind. *Guchil…*

“So, you *are* Chosam!” Guchil smiled widely. “It’s been ages! You said you were going to Mount Hua. And you really did it! You became a Mount Hua disciple?”

“Looks like it,” Chung Myung said, a little surprised himself.

Baek Cheon was still trying to understand. He looked confused. *A beggar? Chung Myung was really a beggar?* He had joked about it, but Baek Cheon never thought it was true. Chung Myung? A beggar? It just didn’t fit. It wasn’t about Chung Myung looking rich now. It was more that Baek Cheon couldn’t picture Chung Myung quietly asking for food. *That loud, wild guy? Begging?* If Chung Myung had said he used to be a thief or a robber, Baek Cheon would have believed it right away.

But Baek Cheon pushed that thought away. The important thing was… “Wait,” he said slowly. “…Chosam?”

Chung Myung didn’t say anything.

“Your name… was Chosam?” Baek Cheon asked again, his voice quiet.

The other Mount Hua disciples gasped and covered their mouths. *Chosam?* They looked like they were trying not to laugh. It was a truly terrible name. Baek Cheon started to shake, trying to hold back his laughter. He saw Chung Myung’s face getting red, and he couldn’t stop himself anymore. He burst out laughing. “Hahaha! Chosam! Really?”

Chung Myung just glared at him.

“Our amazing Chung Myung,” Baek Cheon went on, still laughing, “was called Chosam! Chosam!”

“Dongryong, shut up,” Chung Myung growled.

“Jin Dongryong sounds much better than Chosam!” Baek Cheon teased.

“Chosam is cool, actually,” another disciple chimed in, trying not to giggle.

“Yeah, Chosam!” another agreed.

“Ugh!” Chung Myung tried to kick Baek Cheon under the table, but Baek Cheon easily moved his leg away.

“Oh my! Chung Myung’s kicks used to be strong,” Baek Cheon said, pretending to be surprised. “But Chosam’s kicks are so weak!”

“Ugh,” Chung Myung groaned. “To be made fun of by Jin Dongryong because of my name…”

“Chosam deserves it!” Baek Cheon laughed.

The other disciples smiled, watching them argue like children. *They’re both the same,* they thought. *Hard to say who is worse.*

Chung Myung walked over to Guchil. He couldn’t just be friendly right away, not after all this teasing. “How did you get here?” he asked. “All the way to Mount Hua?”

“I came to watch the fighting competition,” Guchil said.

“You?” Chung Myung raised an eyebrow.

Guchil nodded. “I’m a Two-Knot Beggar now.”

“Oh?” Chung Myung looked down at Guchil’s waist. He saw two knots tied there. “You joined the Beggars’ Sect?”

“Um… you’re a bit strange,” Guchil said. “I was already in it. I was a beggar with no knots back then.”

“Ah. Right.” Chung Myung felt a little foolish. He didn’t remember everything from before. “Well, anyway, good to see you. But does the Beggars’ Sect even do martial arts?”

“I got lucky,” Guchil said.

Chung Myung smiled a little. He knew it wasn’t just luck. The Beggars’ Sect was spread all over the land. Only the best beggars, the ones they thought were special, got to come to events like this. *This guy must be good,* Chung Myung thought. “Yeah,” he said. “Good to see you.”

“But you really came all the way to Shaanxi,” Guchil said. “I thought you just ran away.”

“Run away? What do you mean?” Chung Myung asked, confused.

“It’s not easy for a kid to get to Shaanxi alone. The Chief Beggar was so angry when you disappeared back then. He was really mad.”

“Yeah, about that…” Chung Myung paused. “Wait a second.”

“Huh?”

“Chief Beggar?” Chung Myung asked slowly.

“Yeah, the Chief Beggar,” Guchil nodded.

“So, that… the same Chief Beggar from back then?”

“Yes, the same one.”

Chung Myung’s face changed a little. *Chief Beggar. Oh no. Not him.* “Just asking,” Chung Myung said, trying to sound casual. “Did that Chief Beggar… did he come here too?”

“Yeah,” Guchil said. “He came with us.”

Chung Myung quickly looked at the people behind Guchil. He wasn’t there. Chung Myung’s lips curved into a small, dangerous smile.

“Guchil,” he said, his voice suddenly quiet and cold.

“Yes?” Guchil blinked, noticing the change in Chung Myung.

In a voice that sounded like it came from deep underground, Chung Myung asked, “Where is he?”

“Where is who?” Guchil asked, confused and a little scared.

Chung Myung’s voice was now very soft, but sharp as ice. “Where is that beggar now?”

Jongpal’s back straightened without him even thinking about it. So many fighters were here. He could feel their eyes on him. People looked at the four knots on his belt as they walked by. *Hehehe,* he thought proudly. They were right to be impressed. He was young to be a Four-Knot Beggar. Those knots showed everyone that he was important, one of the best young members of the Beggars’ Sect. Other fighters knew what the knots meant. Normal people didn’t care, but here in Dengfeng, where fighters were everywhere, the knots made him stand out.

“A Four-Knot Beggar,” someone whispered.

“He’s still young. Already a Four-Knot Beggar,” another voice said.

Jongpal leaned back a little, enjoying the attention. *My future is bright,* he thought. It was already great that people saw his talent and made him a Four-Knot Beggar. But even better, Hong Daegwang had called for him to come here. Hong Daegwang, who used to be in charge of the Luoyang group of beggars. *He’s going to be the next Sect Leader,* Jongpal thought. *And he wants me with him. That means he sees how good I am.*

To be the Sect Leader of the Beggars’ Sect, you needed more than just being good or nice. The Sect Leader controlled all the beggars in the land. Some fighting groups were stronger than the Beggars’ Sect, but no one had more people following them. So, the Sect Leader had to be strong and powerful. Hong Daegwang calling for him meant he was choosing his followers. *And he chose me.* Jongpal’s mouth opened a little in surprise and happiness. If Hong Daegwang became the Sect Leader, Jongpal would get a great position too. *No, wait.* He thought bigger. Maybe more than just a great position. Maybe… after Hong Daegwang…

“Hehehe!” Jongpal laughed quietly to himself, excited. It seemed crazy now, but maybe it wasn’t impossible. Maybe he could be the Sect Leader one day. He imagined holding the special stick that the Sect Leader carried, the Dog Beating Staff, and telling all the beggars what to do. *To make that happen, I need to be close to Hong Daegwang first,* he thought. *I need to be his best man.*

Recently, it was said that Hong Daekwang left his job as leader in Nakyang, a city, and moved to Hwaeum, a place with few people.

Some people who talk too much were saying that Hong Daekwang had lost his direction, but Jongpal didn’t think so.

Hong Daekwang went to Hwaeum because he wanted to, not because he was ordered to. That meant he had a plan.

‘Maybe he wants to be the leader of Henan province.’

That position controls a whole province, not just one city. If he got that job, he’d be closer to leading the whole Beggars’ Sect.

“Then I can at least become a branch leader! Hee hee hee!”

Feeling happy, Jongpal walked quickly.

“But where is the Haewol Inn?”

He was sure he was going to the Haewol Inn…

Looking around, he frowned and stopped someone walking by.

“Excuse me…”

“Ah! I don’t have any money!”

“…That’s not why. Where is the Haewol Inn?”

“Hmm? The Haewol Inn is just around that corner.”

“Thank you!”

Smiling, Jongpal walked in the direction the man pointed.

“If I had been in the tournament, I would have won for sure.”

Tsk.

Those old leaders in the Beggars’ Sect have no sense. Why didn’t they send him to the tournament in Shaolin? He thought they would participate since they were told to come.

Anyway, it doesn’t matter.

Getting a good position is more important than winning a tournament like this.

Feeling very happy, Jongpal turned the corner and stopped again, looking around.

‘So, the Haewol Inn is…’

Ah, there!

Huh?

But… what is that?

Jongpal tilted his head.

He saw a group of people standing in front of the inn.

The Haewol Inn was a wooden building with red lanterns hanging by the door. On one side were the familiar faces of beggars from Hubei, their clothes dusty and worn. And the other side?

Jongpal’s eyes became narrow slits as he looked closely.

‘Black uniforms. Plum blossom patterns on their chests.’

Mount Hua Sect?

A strange light appeared in Jongpal’s eyes.

The Beggars’ Sect was known for collecting news and secrets. Because of this, Beggars’ Sect members like Jongpal were always eager to learn new things.

Even though he hadn’t been in Shaolin for long, Jongpal knew that the Mount Hua Sect was doing very well in the World Martial Arts Competition.

But why were the Mount Hua Sect members with the Beggars’ Sect members?

‘They don’t seem to be fighting.’

The atmosphere wasn’t friendly, but they weren’t arguing either.

Did his group become friends with the Mount Hua disciples?

“Heh heh heh. When things go well, they really do.”

The Jianghu is the world of martial artists and sects. It was about information and connections!

Getting important information was most important, and making friends with successful people was second.

Especially Mount Hua, who was now the center of attention in the Jianghu. Making friends with them would be helpful!

Jongpal rubbed his hands together and walked towards them.

“Guchil!”

“W-Wangcho?”

Guchil’s eyes shook when he saw him.

Jongpal didn’t notice Guchil’s reaction.

“Haha! It looks like you’ve made some good friends while I was gone. Will you introduce me to the heroes of Mount Hua?”

“Ah, no, Wangcho. That’s…”

Guchil was nervous and hesitated, trying to say something. But he stopped talking.

What could he say?

Jongpal, not noticing anything, walked over and put his hands together in front of the Mount Hua disciples.

“It’s nice to meet you. I am Jongpal, a Fourth Class Beggar in the Beggars’ Sect. People in the Jianghu call me Little Fire Beggar.”

Baek Cheon, who was standing in front, looked at Jongpal with pity.

“Little Fire… Even a wildfire starts from a small flame.”

“…And it burns itself too.”

“I don’t know what you’ve done, but why did you do that…?”

Jongpal tilted his head, confused.

“…Yes?”

“It would be better to carry firewood and jump into the fire.”

“If I were him, I’d drown myself in a dish of water.”

“Poor thing.”

Jongpal tilted his head further.

‘What are they talking about?’

He didn’t understand what they were saying. They were talking about him.

What had he done? And why did they say ‘poor thing’?

Jongpal was about to ask again when…

Swish.

He heard fabric moving.

Jongpal quickly turned his head.

‘Huh?’

One of the Mount Hua disciples, who was squatting in the corner away from the group, slowly stood up.

‘Who?’

He had long, messy hair tied up. He was wearing a black uniform.

He was handsome, but Jongpal noticed his twisted, dark smile.

It was like the smile of a thug from the back streets, not a disciple of a good sect. That…

“Yo, Jongpal.”

He slowly got up and walked towards Jongpal.

Jongpal stuttered.

“D-Do you know me?”

“Know you? I know you very well.”

“…I don’t remember meeting you. Who are you?”

“Chung Myung of Mount Hua.”

“Ah. Chung Myung… Chung Myung?”

Jongpal jumped back slightly, surprised, and looked at the man again.

‘So this guy is?’

If he was Chung Myung, that was the name of the Mount Hua Divine Dragon who was becoming famous!

Was this Chung Myung, the greatest of the younger generation?

‘He looks like what I’ve heard.’

But why did the Mount Hua Divine Dragon know him?

“H-Have we met before?”

“Met? You think we just met?”

Chung Myung smiled.

“We even lived together. Why are you pretending you don’t know me? It hurts my feelings.”

“…Pardon?”

Chung Myung smiled brightly. More brightly than ever.

“Ah, you might not know me if I say Chung Myung. My original name, well, that is…”

“Chosam.”

Chung Myung frowned at Baek Cheon’s voice.

“…Yeah. Do you know me if I say Chosam?”

Jongpal tilted his head.

Chosam?

Chosam…

“Huh? Chosam?”

Jongpal’s eyes widened. He remembered the young beggar who had been in his hut.

“Chosam? You’re Chosam?”

“It seems like you finally remember.”

“Haha! Unbelievable! The Mount Hua Divine Dragon, who is famous, is Chosam! It was you! Wow! It’s really good to see you.”

“Oh. Good to see me?”

“Of course, it’s good to see you! So, how have you been…”

“Good to see me?”

Jongpal stopped talking as Chung Myung tilted his head.

Huh?

Why was the atmosphere like this?

“That’s right. Good to see me. You must be happy to see me. But you won’t be as happy as I am. Wangcho.”

Chung Myung smiled, opened his arms, and walked towards Jongpal.

Jongpal also opened his arms and welcomed Chung Myung.

“Y-Yeah, it’s really good to see…”

“I wanted to meet you! You son of a beggar!”

Chung Myung jumped into the air and slammed his heel on Jongpal’s head.

Koooong!

With a loud sound, Jongpal fell to the ground like a log.

Plop.

Twitch. Twitch.

Jongpal’s body moved on the floor.

And then.

“Aaaaargh!”

He held his head and rolled on the floor. Tears fell from his face because of the pain.

“Ah, no, why! Why?”

Chung Myung smiled and rolled up his sleeves at his cry.

“I’ll tell you the reason later.”

His eyes gleamed with a fierce blue light.

“Let’s start with a beating first.”

Chung Myung charged at Jongpal like a mad dog.