Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 542

News of the Ice Palace’s win against the Demonic Sect travelled quickly across the Northern Sea, like a spark in dry grass.

“Were those shadowy figures really from the Demonic Sect?” asked one man.

“Of course!” replied another. “Didn’t you hear the whispers? They say the new Palace Lord, the descendant of the old one, led the Ice Palace warriors and defeated all those Demonic Sect villains.”

“Wow,” said the first man, impressed. “So, people won’t just vanish anymore?”

“That’s right, that’s right! And it means there won’t be any more outbreaks of that strange disease.”

“Really? Will it really be like that?”

An older man clicked his tongue. “Has this fellow lived his life being deceived?”

He continued, “Those within the Ice Palace confirmed it themselves. It seems the Ice Palace suffered considerable damage this time. They say there are many casualties, and now medicine and supplies are entering the Ice Palace in large quantities.”

“So, it’s really….”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“That’s a relief. A real relief.”

Those who heard the news were relieved that their lives would now be different. They no longer had to fear being caught after stepping outside their homes.

“The world changes when the Palace Lord changes.”

“Isn’t it said that he’s the descendant of the previous generation’s Palace Lord? Life wasn’t bad during the previous generation’s Palace Lord’s time.”

“Like father, like son. Of course.”

As people praised Seol So-baek, the older man’s expression subtly shifted.

“That’s what I was about to say.”

“Yes?”

“According to what I’ve heard, those who led all of this weren’t the new Palace Lord but people from the Central Plains.”

“The Central Plains?”

“You know, those strangers who told the chief of Joga Village the cause of the strange disease.”

“Ah! Those Central Plains people!”

The gathered people clapped, saying they had each heard of it.

Recently, rumors of strangers who had revealed the cure for the unknown disease plaguing the Northern Sea had spread.

Thanks to the chief of Joga Village spreading the cure, many who had been suffering were able to recover.

“Those Central Plains people led the Ice Palace in the vanguard and fought against the Demonic Sect, they say.”

“Eh. Does that even make sense? How many of them could there be?”

“Hey, do you think I’m just making this up? The warriors of the Ice Palace said it themselves. This is the real deal!”

“The warriors said it?”

People who had been doubting suddenly went silent, their mouths hanging open in surprise. There was no way they could disbelieve what the warriors had said.

“Ah, but who exactly are they?”

“I heard, what was it? Hosan? Hwa… Hmm. Anyway, they said it’s a Taoist sect in the Central Plains.”

“Not one of the Nine Great Sects?”

“That’s what they said.”

Everyone looked at each other. There was no way they could disbelieve it, but they couldn’t readily believe it either.

“If that’s true, we should be grateful to those Central Plains people for the rest of our lives.”

“You’re telling me.”

The warm breeze blowing into the Northern Sea began to melt not only the Ice Palace but also the lives of the people of the Northern Sea.

The disciples of the Mount Hua Sect had saved the Ice Palace and the Northern Sea. Therefore, they were more than qualified to be treated as the most esteemed guests of the Northern Sea Ice Palace and enjoy the utmost luxury.

…Of course, that should have been the case.

“…Geol.”

“Yes?”

“Water.”

“……”

“Geol!”

“Ah, what is it!”

“…Ice. Ugh, bring some ice. My body aches like it’s going to break.”

“Seriously….”

“Geol. Go and reapply the bandages….”

“Kraaah!”

Unable to bear it any longer, Jo Gul threw the bandage he was holding onto the floor.

“Seriously, are you going to keep using me for three days straight! I’m a patient too, a patient! Can’t you see this bandage?”

Then, Baek Cheon, who had been lying on the bed as if dead, slightly raised his head. His head and face were wrapped tightly in bandages, with long strands of hair sticking out here and there, making him look utterly strange-looking.

“Shall I go then?”

“……”

As murderous intent emanated from the two eyes visible between the bandages, Jo Gul, shrinking back, mumbled.

“No… that’s not what I meant… but I’m a patient too.”

“You can still walk, can’t you?”

“W-what about Soso! Soso’s legs are fine too.”

“Isn’t Soso a physician? Should I tell her to run errands?”

“Ah, no, but….”

It was at that moment.

“Geol.”

“Yes?”

Yoon Jong, who had been lying like a corpse on the bed next to Baek Cheon, struggled to raise himself as if rising from hell.

“Before I twist your head backwards, bring… the ice.”

“……”

“My cheeks hurt so much I feel like I’m going to die, you little brat.”

“…….Yes.”

At the sight of him grinding his teeth, Jo Gul meekly cowered. He had committed a sin, so he couldn’t even try to make excuses.

Becoming obedient immediately, he grumbled but started moving again.

“I should have broken Yoon Jong’s legs… Why are his legs still intact?”

“My legs?”

“No! My legs, my legs! I’m talking about my legs!”

Yoon Jong, who had been glaring and trying to scold Jo Gul again, clutched his waist and helplessly lay back down.

“Ugh….”

His eyes, staring at the ceiling while lying down, became blank.

“Sasuk….”

“What?”

“I think I’m going to die….”

“…..That’s a relief. I can’t even feel anything anymore. I don’t even know where it hurts.”

The aftermath of the battle came after the battle was over.

It was an injury that would have killed an ordinary person several times over. Although they were somewhat accustomed to pain, enduring such an injury was not an easy task.

Moreover….

“Damn it, this demonic transformation or whatever….”

Baek Cheon raised his arm and, looking at the dark spots visible between the bandages, ground his teeth.

Demonic Transformation (魔花).

The wounds caused by demonic energy continuously gnaw at the body. The demonic transformation left on each wounded area was proof of that.

As a result, the inner energy that should have been used to recover the body was being consumed to drive out the demonic transformation.

Naturally, recovery was bound to be slow.

“Leech-like creatures….”

“Indeed.”

At that moment, Hae Yeon, who had been lying on a bed in one corner, struggled to raise himself. And he spoke with a slight groan.

“……My body is a mess.”

“Venerable Monk, are you alright…? Puuuuup!”

“What’s wrong…? Pu, puhoooup!”

Baek Cheon and Yoon Jong, who had naturally looked at Hae Yeon, hurriedly averted their gazes, defying the pain. Their wounds hurt badly, but they couldn’t stop laughing.

“…….What’s wrong?”

“Kkeueup.”

“Uuuuup.”

Baek Cheon and Yoon Jong clutched their stomachs, shaking with laughter and groaning in pain.

“H-head….”

“Agh. I’m going crazy, head! Kkeueup.”

That was because… black spots, like flower petals, were scattered unevenly on Hae Yeon’s shiny head. As a result, it looked as if he had several large bald patches.

‘I shouldn’t laugh!’

‘I’m going to die.’

I knew I should be worried. The wound was from a demon fight, and it should be serious. But my body felt… surprisingly okay.

“Why are you all acting like this?”

“Ah, no. It’s nothing, Monk.”

“Really, it’s fine.”

Baek Cheon barely suppressed his laughter, calmed himself, and looked up at the ceiling again.

‘That was a dreadful war.’

In all honesty, I don’t want to experience that again. Those Demonic Cult people are one thing, but thinking about that terrible bishop still makes my legs tremble.

Just being able to lie here and groan felt like a gift…

“Accident! Try applying this. This is our Tang Family’s special ointment, and it’s the best for swollen wounds! I just made it. No, no. Let me apply it for you, just stay still.”

“……”

Baek Cheon’s head turned weakly.

He saw Tang Soso carefully applying ointment all over Yiseol’s face after unwrapping her bandages. Her touch was so gentle, as if she were afraid it would break if she held it too tightly or fly away if she breathed on it.

“…..Soso-ya.”

“Yes?”

“Is that medicine for reducing swelling?”

“Yes.”

“Then, give me some too….”

“Ah, right.”

Soso took out another ointment from her sleeve and tossed it to Baek Cheon.

“……”

“Apply it. It’ll be effective.”

Baek Cheon squeezed his eyes shut. The corners of his eyes were moist.

‘Still, I’m the Grand Disciple….’

These junior sisters and brothers treat the Grand Disciple like dirt on the soles of their feet. It definitely wasn’t like this before, but how did it end up like this….

‘No, it’s all because of that Chung Myung.’

Baek Cheon, thinking of Chung Myung, lifted his head with difficulty and asked Tang Soso.

“By the way, Soso-ya.”

“Yes?”

“Is there still no improvement in Chung Myung’s condition?”

“……”

Tang Soso’s face darkened slightly.

“His injuries are too severe. Frankly, it’s a miracle he’s alive.”

“The external wounds have been roughly treated, but the internal injuries are so severe….”

“Hmm….”

Baek Cheon sighed.

Unlike them, who quickly regained consciousness, Chung Myung had been unconscious for three days since being brought to the Ice Palace.

Because his injuries were so severe, he couldn’t stay in the same room as them and was receiving treatment in a separate room.

“Could there be a problem?”

“…. There won’t be a problem. It’s Chung Myung Sajung, after all.”

At Soso’s words, Baek Cheon slowly nodded.

“Yes. It has to be.”

At that moment, the closed door burst open. Yoon Jong, without even turning his head, snapped.

“Hey, you! What’s taking you so long with the ice! The whole place is ice!”

“…..Ice?”

“That… uh?”

Yoon Jong, who was about to answer, slightly raised his body and looked towards the door. Chung Myung, wrapped in bandages all over, was tilting his head to the side.

“Sajung has grown a lot. Even making me run errands.”

“……Uh, when did you get here?”

And why are you alright? Why, exactly?

“Ice? Sure, ice is good. I’ll get it to you now.”

“Che, Chung Myung-ah! That’s not it, I thought you were Jo Gul!”

“……That’s even more infuriating, though?”

“Huh?”

…Oh. That makes sense. Oh, now that I hear it, it does.

Chung Myung walked towards the window and opened it. Then, he tore off a chunk of ice from the frozen outer wall and threw it at Yoon Jong.

“Here you go, Sajung! Ice delivery! Ice!”

“Do, don’t throw it! Aaaargh!”

Yoon Jong, who had inadvertently caught the ice, screamed as if his wounds had reopened and rolled around on the bed.

Watching him, Chung Myung clicked his tongue.

“How much could you possibly be hurt to still be groaning like that! So weak! Back in my day, we didn’t even bother stitching up three or four sword wounds! We’d just slap some dirt on it, and it would heal!”

“…….That’s because you were a beggar.”

“Dongryong, be quiet.”

Chung Myung slightly frowned and roughly tore off the bandages wrapped around his body.

“Ugh, why are these bandages wrapped so tightly! It’s uncomfortable.”

“Ah, you can’t take them off yet…!”

Tang Soso, who was trying to stop him, was startled and gaped at Chung Myung’s body, which was revealed as the bandages came off.

The body, which she thought would be scarred forever with torn and split flesh, was already filled with new flesh.

“….Is he even human?”

She wasn’t a formal doctor, but she had seen many injured people. It was something she couldn’t understand with her common sense.

“Always exaggerating!”

At that moment, Baek Cheon staggered and rose to his feet.

“….Are you all healed now?”

“I’m perfectly fine.”

“….Is that so?”

Baek Cheon got off the bed and staggered towards Chung Myung.

“Huh?”

Chung Myung tilted his head.

It wasn’t just Baek Cheon who was acting strange. The other Sajung brothers also silently got off their beds and slowly surrounded Chung Myung with Baek Cheon.

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

Baek Cheon smiled at Chung Myung, who was widening his eyes.

“Chung Myung-ah.”

“Yeah?”

“You’re all healed, but we’re dying of pain right now, you see?”

“….So?”

“No matter how much I think about it, it seems to be because your inner energy is much purer.”

“…….That’s right. But why is that…?”

“So, I’ve been thinking.”

Baek Cheon slightly bared his teeth aggressively.

“If our inner strength gets a little higher, we’ll heal faster, that’s what I’m saying.”

“……. I guess so. Why are you stating the obvious…”

“Therefore.”

Madness began to gleam in his eyes.

“Hand it over, Gongcheong Oil.”

“……”

“I’m not asking for much. One drop. Just one drop is enough. One drop per person!”

“……”

“Either hand it over, or we’ll see the end of it here.”

“……”

Chung Myung blankly stared at the Sajung brothers surrounding him.

They didn’t seem to have discussed it beforehand, but watching their amazing teamwork in cutting off a person’s escape route with just their intuition as soon as Baek Cheon moved, he felt tears of emotion welling up.

But… why is that bald monk mixed in there?

And….

“….When did Jo Gul Sahyung get here?”

“Huh? Just now.”

“Then, what do you think is going on that you’re doing that?”

“Well, I don’t know what’s going on, but it seems like I should join in.”

“…..Is that so?”

Chung Myung slowly turned his head. The blue light of the sky and the sunlight were pouring dazzlingly through the open window.

Sahyung.

Jangmun Sahyung.

The kids have grown up so well.

So… in a different way….