Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 324

Bright sunlight filled the room from the window.

Chung Myung, who had been meditating on his bed since early dawn, opened his eyes when the warm sunlight touched his face.

‘Today is the day.’ He felt a thrill run through him.

He gazed out the window for a moment before reaching for the sword placed beside his bed.

Shhhhing.

Slowly, he drew the sword and lightly flicked the blade with his fingertip.

A clear sound echoed. He smiled contentedly and rose from the bed.

“Well, shall we be off then?”

It will be an interesting day.

A very interesting one.

Chung Myung finished washing and got dressed carefully. He usually didn’t pay much attention to such things, but today, preparing everything took twice as long as usual.

It wasn’t that he felt he had to prepare in a special way for today, but he felt like he should.

Having completed all preparations, Chung Myung went downstairs.

His footsteps echoed on the wooden stairs as he went downstairs.

On the first floor, all the disciples of Mount Hua were already prepared and waiting for him.

Chung Myung shrugged, noticing everyone’s attention.

“You’re all up early.”

Hyun Young smiled faintly at his nonchalant tone.

‘He should be nervous.’

Having skill doesn’t mean one doesn’t feel nervous. Rather, those with solid skills often feel more nervous because they believe there are things they must achieve.

But Chung Myung’s face was no different from usual.

“You seem to have slept well.”

“Yes, I slept soundly.”

Hyun Young smiled and nodded.

‘That rascal.’

Looking at his nonchalant face, Hyun Young felt his tense heart easing. The other Mount Hua disciples seemed to feel the same, as the atmosphere quickly warmed.

At that moment, Hyun Jong quietly opened his mouth.

“Chung Myung.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“You may not like this, but I don’t necessarily expect you to win.”

Chung Myung waited silently for Hyun Jong’s next words.

“If you simply prove to those gathered here that Mount Hua is no longer a sect to be ignored, that will be enough for me.”

Chung Myung smiled faintly.

“That will happen, Sect Leader.”

It was a refreshing answer. Hyun Jong smiled back at him.

‘It’s a strange thing.’

A troublemaker.

A fellow who always stirs up Mount Hua.

But in moments like these, he is undeniably the most reliable one.

“Well, then…”

Hyun Jong looked at everyone.

Chung Myung had reached the finals.

But Chung Myung hadn’t created this situation alone. If the other Mount Hua disciples hadn’t performed so well, Chung Myung’s advancement to the finals would have been seen as just a small thing.

Thanks to the good results of the Mount Hua disciples, Chung Myung’s advancement to the finals was the greatest achievement.

Now, no one could ignore Mount Hua.

‘Mount Hua has become stronger.’

Hyun Jong closed his eyes slightly to calm his mind, then turned his head to look at the wide-open, imposing doors of the main hall.

“Everyone, stand tall.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“The world is waiting for us. They will try to remember every one of your movements, every one of your glances. So, let us go. Let us go and show them.”

Not even a breath could be heard.

Everyone was looking at Hyun Jong with determination in their eyes. Seeing those sparkling eyes, Hyun Jong couldn’t help but smile.

‘The result doesn’t matter in the slightest.’

Three years ago, he couldn’t have expected such gazes from these children.

But not anymore. The greatest achievement Mount Hua gained from this tournament was not fame or practical gain, but ‘confidence.’

“Let’s go.”

“Yes!”

Led by Hyun Jong, the disciples of Mount Hua strode confidently out of the main hall.

“Ah! Don’t push!”

“Who isn’t being pushed here?! Stop whining and just bear it!”

“Good heavens. This is the first time in my life I’ve seen so many people gathered!”

Shaolin was extremely crowded.

It had been crowded throughout the tournament, but today, being the final, the number of people seemed twice as large as usual.

And to top it off, more and more people arrived at Shaolin.

The air buzzed with excited chatter and the smell of street food. Colorful banners from different sects waved above the sea of people.

“Surely, the victory will go to Shaolin’s Hae Yeon? I still can’t forget the incredible power he showed. It was truly intense!”

The person who heard those words frowned and retorted.

“Nonsense! The Divine Dragon of Mount Hua won his matches in the Four Strong with just a single sword strike. And didn’t Hae Yeon suffer an injury from a Mount Hua disciple? Considering the level of those who reached the Four Strong, the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua must be much stronger than Hae Yeon!”

“Skill can’t be compared that way! You can’t know until they fight directly!”

“That’s nonsense! Are you blind or something?”

“What’s your problem, you fool?”

Those who had initially been conversing politely began grabbing each other by the collar as their emotions flared.

But the people around them didn’t try to stop them, nor did they give them a moment’s attention. Everyone was focused on when the final would begin.

Besides, similar incidents were already happening everywhere, so there was nothing particularly special about it.

Shaolin was buzzing with excitement. It felt like the air itself was vibrating.

Everyone was talking about who would win. Everyone was enjoying the final martial arts tournament, giving their opinions.

While people were busily placing bets at gambling stalls, buying food, predicting the winner, and having a boisterous time, the sun finally reached its highest point.

The time for the final, which Shaolin had announced in advance, had arrived.

The loud noise of Shaolin slowly became quieter.

“It’s Shaolin!”

“Shaolin is coming!”

“Woooaaaaaah!”

The eyes of the crowd instantly focused on one place. In the distance, between the halls, those wearing Shaolin’s yellow robes were walking with dignity.

Those who felt the strong feeling they gave off shouted even more enthusiastically.

“As expected, it’s Shaolin!”

“Shaolin is destined to win anyway!”

“The Abbot is leading Shaolin himself!”

Even amidst the pouring cheers, the steps of the Shaolin disciples did not even slow down.

For countless years, Shaolin had stood like a mountain, guarding the position of the North Star of the Jianghu. Over that long period, how could there not have been those who challenged them, and how could there not have been ups and downs?

But Shaolin had overcome all those challenges and all those ups and downs. That is why all the martial artists of the Jianghu acknowledge and respect Shaolin as the greatest sect under heaven.

The eyes of those looking at Shaolin were filled with trust.

Although Mount Hua’s challenge is fierce, Shaolin will ultimately achieve victory today as well. And Shaolin will prove to the world again that they are the greatest sect under heaven.

Those trusting eyes turned to Hae Yeon, who was walking in the middle of Shaolin and them.

But soon, that cheer became insignificant in the face of another cheer.

“It’s Mount Huaaaaa!”

“Mount Hua is coming! It’s the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua!”

“Mount Hua! The greatest sword sect under heaven!”

That cheer was much louder than the one poured out for Shaolin.

It was only natural.

Most people do not like fixed systems. They always want a new wind of change to blow.

Even if that change does not happen, those who create new waves are bound to receive support and encouragement.

Here and now, Mount Hua was the symbol of that newness.

Shaolin. And the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families.

They symbolize the system of the Jianghu that has continued for hundreds of years. Mount Hua was the existence challenging that old and established system.

Those who were fed up with the long-standing rule of the Nine Great Sects all cheered for Mount Hua.

In Kangho, the world of martial arts groups, the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families were just a few of the many groups. People who weren’t part of these famous groups often cheered for smaller sects like Mount Hua, hoping to see them beat the big names.

“Go Mount Hua Divine Dragon! Crush the Shaolin!”

“Flatten the noses of those Nine Great Sects blokes!”

“Wipe out those blasted monks!”

With the martial arts stage at the center, Shaolin and Mount Hua slowly walked along the paths that opened to the left and right. Cheers were very loud, coming from everywhere around them, like heavy rain falling down.

Yoon Jong swallowed hard, looking all around as he walked.

He slowed down a little, and Jo Gul asked, “What is it, Senior Brother?”

“No, it’s just…” Yoon Jong gave a small smile and said, “Doesn’t it seem strange to you? That Mount Hua is getting so many cheers from so many people.”

“…”

Jo Gul didn’t say anything.

Strange?

Yes, it was strange.

Only a few years ago, Mount Hua was fading from people’s minds. Even Yoon Jong and Jo Gul, who had joined Mount Hua to learn swordsmanship, didn’t think Mount Hua would ever be strong again.

They only wanted to respect the connection they had because of fate.

But now, Mount Hua was a group that the whole world was watching.

All these cheers felt unreal, like a dream.

Jo Gul remembered the first time Chung Myung came to Mount Hua. That was the beginning of everything.

That small, messy kid. The one who looked around Jo Gul’s room as if he would break if you touched him.

Jo Gul looked up at Chung Myung’s back, which was in front of him.

It wasn’t a very wide back.

But that back was now leading everyone in Mount Hua.

Who could have imagined this day would come? Even when he decided to follow Chung Myung, he never thought they would get this far.

“Senior Brother.”

“Hmm?”

“…It’s nothing.”

“You’re quiet.”

Yoon Jong smiled a little.

He knew what Jo Gul wanted to say without hearing it. But it wasn’t easy to say. Yoon Jong himself was finding it hard to speak, his heart full of feeling.

“Senior Brother, how far do you think Chung Myung will go?”

“…Who knows?”

Yoon Jong looked at Chung Myung again.

How far… No one could know.

But he was sure of one thing.

“No matter how far Chung Myung goes, no matter what world he walks through, we will be by his side.”

Jo Gul nodded without a word.

Yes.

Not just them, but Mount Hua would be with Chung Myung.

Soon, Chung Myung reached the martial arts stage and looked up. Baek Cheon, who was walking next to him, spoke calmly.

“Chung Myung.”

“Hmm?”

“Maybe this isn’t the best time to say this, but…”

“Umm…”

Baek Cheon gave a small smile.

“From the day you beat me until now, I’ve never thought anyone could be better than you.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“So…” Baek Cheon nodded and said quietly, “Come back and prove that I’m right to believe in you.”

Just as Chung Myung was about to say something, Yu Yiseol came up from behind. She reached out to his head.

“Huh?”

Tap tap.

She tapped Chung Myung’s head twice and nodded. “Win.”

“…”

Yoon Jong and Jo Gul also came over and massaged Chung Myung’s shoulders.

“You can do it, Chung Myung.”

“You can’t lose!”

Tang Soso, Baek Sang, Yeom Jin, and the other Blue Cloud and White Cloud disciples all came over and patted his shoulders.

“Win and come back.”

“We believe in you.”

“We can’t even imagine you losing. You’ll win, of course!”

Chung Myung laughed, not believing it.

“No, these people are…”

But as he was about to say he was embarrassed, he saw the look in everyone’s eyes and stopped talking.

Their eyes were full of trust.

They looked completely sure, without any doubt at all.

Had anyone ever looked at him like that before?

“…”

Of course, the old Mount Hua had also trusted him. No one had ever doubted his skills.

But these looks were a little different. It was trust that was more than just about skill. It was respect for the one who was leading them.

“…Good grief.”

Chung Myung shook his head.

“What a fuss about nothing.”

He turned to look at the martial arts stage.

“Wait here.”

The Mount Hua disciples stared at him, but he didn’t look back at them.

“Because when I come back, Mount Hua will be the best.”

With those words, he walked straight to the martial arts stage.

‘This feels a bit strange.’

He wanted to turn around, but he made himself look forward.

Because now was not the time to look back.

‘Sect Leader Sasuk.’

There were times like this.

When Chung Mun would walk ahead alone.

At those times, no one in Mount Hua would try to stand next to him. Just seeing the back of the one who was leading them gave them strength and determination without them knowing why.

And now, all the disciples of Mount Hua were looking at Chung Myung’s back.

Chung Myung was doing what Chung Mun had done in the past.

It felt heavy.

That’s why it felt strange.

Even when he fought against the Demonic Sect with the whole world watching, Chung Myung hadn’t felt this heavy.

Of course, the enemy had been very strong, and he had his limits. But the burden Chung Myung felt then was different from the heaviness he felt now.

To be trusted by someone.

He never knew it could make someone’s shoulders so heavy.

However…

‘That’s not all there is to it.’

They were pushing him.

Those eyes full of trust were pushing Chung Myung’s back.

So, he had to pay them back.

Chung Myung stopped and looked ahead. Hae Yeon was coming onto the martial arts stage.

Chung Myung smiled a little.

“Did you wash your neck, you squid head?”

Now, it was time to turn the world upside down.