Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 608

Chung Myung slumped back in his seat, a frown on his face. He had been hoping for a chance to talk, but the elders had quickly moved on to serious matters. He puffed out his cheeks in dissatisfaction and grumbled.

“We haven’t met in ages; we could at least chat a bit.”

“Indeed, indeed.”

“Aww, the elders were too harsh.”

“Right.”

“Huh?”

Unexpected reactions greeted him, and Chung Myung tilted his head. ‘Why are these guys agreeing with everything I say, for once?’

“Sasuk?”

“Haha, you must understand. This is a meeting with Wudang, so the elders are bound to be a bit on edge, wouldn’t you say?”

“No, that’s not it. Why are you all creeping closer to me?”

“Seize him!”

“Yes!”

Baek Cheon’s group pounced from left and right, grabbing Chung Myung’s arms and holding on tight. Even Hae Yeon, who had been standing in the back, rushed forward to clutch his waist, and Baek Ah, leaping from his arms, latched onto his neck.

“Don’t let him run wild, no matter what! We can’t ruin this important meeting with Wudang!”

“Yes, Sasuk!”

“We’ll stop him, even if it costs us our lives!”

What in the world were these blighters doing?

Chung Myung looked around, utterly bewildered, and said,

“Surely, you don’t think I’d start a fight with them, do you?”

“No.”

Baek Cheon shook his head firmly.

“You’re not the type to do that. I guarantee it.”

“Right?”

“It wouldn’t end with just a fight.”

“⋯⋯.”

Baek Cheon’s face right now was the most resolute thing in the world.

“Behave yourself before I tape your mouth shut. I’m serious.”

“⋯⋯.”

Everyone cheered inwardly as they watched Baek Cheon silence Chung Myung.

‘He’s really reliable when it’s utterly pointless!’

‘Truly Sasuk is the best!’

After going through so many hard times together, they had learned many things, but the one they had put the most effort into was how to stop that blasted rascal from running amok.

Of course, it hardly ever worked, and they couldn’t say for sure that it was working now either.

Even as they subdued Chung Myung, the elders’ conversation continued.

Heo Sanja smiled gently.

“It is a great pleasure to meet you. I am Heo San from Wudang.”

“I am Hyun Sang from Mount Hua.”

“I am Hyeon Young from Mount Hua.”

The moment he heard the name Heo San, a subtle glint appeared in Hyeon Young’s eyes. ‘Is that Heo Sanja, the right-hand man of Heo Do Jin-in?’

They couldn’t have come all the way here on their own judgment. Such a large group moving meant it was naturally the decision of the sect leader. But sending Heo Sanja, whom he trusted the most, meant that Heo Do Jin-in’s wariness of Mount Hua had grown quite strong.

“For such esteemed guests to visit this remote place, I hardly know how to express my gratitude.”

“Remote place? Huhan is like Wudang’s front yard. The disciples of Mount Hua have come to visit, so how could we, as hosts, sit comfortably in our rooms?”

“Haha, as guests, we are sorry for not greeting the hosts first.”

“Ah, that was not my intention. Please do not misunderstand.”

Jo Gul, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, whispered to Yoon Jong.

“Sahyung.”

“Hmm?”

“It feels like there are knives hidden in their words.”

“⋯⋯Be quiet.”

He told him to be quiet, but Yoon Jong felt the same way.

‘It’s fierce.’

They were smiling as they talked, but each word was heavy. They were trying to suppress each other with words, without giving an inch. But conversely, that meant Hyeon Young and Hyun Sang were maintaining their dignity against the elders of Wudang. Even with the disciples of Wudang forming ranks to pressure them.

‘Our elders⋯⋯.’

Baek Cheon smiled quietly without realizing it. Watching that scene filled him with a sense of pride.

“By the way, Sasuk.”

“Hmm?”

Jo Gul tilted his head and asked,

“Isn’t that Wudang elder the same person we saw at the Sword Tomb before?”

“That’s right.”

“If I remember correctly, he seemed to get along with that Chung Myung bloke.”

“He did.”

To be precise, it wasn’t getting along but fighting, but even for Jo Gul, it wasn’t easy to say such a thing in this situation.

“Then⋯⋯.”

Jo Gul hesitated, unable to say something, and Chung Myung turned his head sharply.

“What?”

“⋯⋯.”

“Are you wondering why the Wudang elder is so weak?”

“H-Hey! When did I say that?”

Chung Myung smirked.

Of course, Chung Myung was strong enough back then that he couldn’t be called a late-stage disciple, but he was incomparably weaker than he was now. No matter who he was, it would take time to regain his strength in fighting.

“No need to beat around the bush. It’s true.”

“Huh?”

“That elder isn’t very strong.”

“⋯⋯.”

Hearing those words, Baek Cheon’s group looked at Heo Sanja, who was standing far away, with slightly surprised faces.

‘Not strong?’

How could such a person become an elder representing Wudang?

“You all seem to be misunderstanding.”

“Hmm?”

“Mount Hua is a bit of a special case. Most famous sects are like this. Unlike Mount Hua, the strength of these well-known sects comes from their elders and first disciples.”

“Well, yes. That’s obvious, isn’t it?”

“No. I don’t think you understand at all⋯⋯.”

Chung Myung snorted.

“The power of the elders becomes the power of the sect. But do you think those elders, who are the power of the sect, have time to wander around without training?”

“Uh⋯⋯.”

That was something they had never thought about.

“Most elders are like that. They have already done and seen everything, and they have learned a lot from experience. So now, instead of just learning new things, they focus on perfecting their own sword skills. Do you know what happens then?”

“W-Well?”

“They take a single sword and scatter to the mountains to practice swordsmanship.”

“⋯⋯.”

“You can’t order them around because they’re elders, and if you ask them to do something outside, they make it clear they don’t want to. They do whatever they want, and when something really big happens to the sect, they finally show their faces and tell everyone what to do. That’s what elders are.”

“⋯⋯That’s a terrible assessment.”

“As if you’ve seen such an elder somewhere.”

Chung Myung smiled silently and looked up at the sky.

– You blighter! Please do some work! Some work! An elder who does nothing but drink! The other disciples are running around with their feet blistered while you do nothing, you rotten rascal!

‘Ah, I’m sorry.’

These were the words that Cheong Mun of the past had said while holding onto Chung Myung.

‘If only I had known then.’

If he had known then that managing a sect was such a headache, he would have helped Cheong Mun with all his might.

⋯⋯No, to be honest, he would have stepped up two or three more times. Two or three times.

Anyway.

“So, from the Wudang sect leader’s point of view, there’s no one better than that person. He may not be the best in terms of fighting skills, but he has a decent reputation, is diligent, and faithfully carries out the sect leader’s wishes. That’s a very important skill that can’t be compared to strong but foolish people.”

Chung Myung used to ignore people like him. But now he was wiser. He understood that a sect needs people like that to become strong.

Jo Gul looked puzzled. “Oh, so he’s a pretty big deal after all?”

Chung Myung said firmly, “No, not really. It’s true that he’s not considered strong for a Wudang elder. So don’t underestimate all the Wudang elders because of that man.”

He glanced sharply at Heo Sanja.

“It’s not that I’m underestimating him. But the real Wudang elders are sword demons. They want enlightenment through the sword. All they do is swing their swords, except when they’re eating or sleeping. You can’t take them lightly.”

The others swallowed hard and nodded.

“And… the first-generation disciples are the same.”

Chung Myung looked at the Wudang disciples standing behind Heo Sanja.

“You might think Wudang isn’t that great because their disciples didn’t do well in the last martial arts competition.”

“Well…”

“But Wudang disciples rarely become famous when they are young.”

Chung Myung spat out the words. “Taoist martial arts become stronger over time. Other sects improve quickly, but Taoist martial arts seem weak at first. But they build up and build up, becoming like a great mountain. Mount Hua is similar, but Wudang is stronger in the Taoist way of fighting.”

“…”

“Wudang disciples get stronger as they train. The third-generation disciples aren’t important, and the second-generation disciples are just okay. But the first-generation disciples are different people. And by the time they become elders… they become monsters.”

Chung Myung’s face hardened as he spoke. The others felt even more nervous than his words.

Baek Cheon asked slowly, “So, Wudang is that strong?”

“That’s right,” Chung Myung replied.

“That’s reassuring.”

“Hmm?”

“They have to be that strong to be Wudang.”

“…”

“There’s no point in trying so hard to win if the opponent is weak. It’s better if they’re as high as a mountain. And…” A smile appeared on his face. “A mountain is only meaningful if you can overcome it.”

“…”

Chung Myung stared at him, then looked at the others. They were all watching the Wudang sect with serious expressions.

Chung Myung smiled slightly.

“Dongryong is speaking wisely today.”

“What did you say, you little punk?”

Yoon Jong raised his hand to stop them. “That’s enough. Let’s listen to the elders first.”

Everyone nodded and looked at the elders.

The conversation continued.

Heo Sanja bowed his head slightly. “First of all, thank you for defeating the Daebyeolchae. Wudang couldn’t do it. Everyone in Hubei will be grateful to Mount Hua.”

Hyun Sang replied, “It is only natural for a sect that believes in doing what is right. Please don’t mention it.”

‘Ah, Senior Brother,’ Hyun Young thought, twitching his eyes. He had chosen an okay answer, but it wasn’t a good reply. It could sound like Wudang didn’t know what was right and had left Daebyeolchae alone.

But Heo Sanja didn’t seem to notice or care. His expression didn’t change.

“It’s not just Daebyeolchae. I heard that the disciples of Mount Hua also did a lot in the Northern Sea.”

“Ah…” Hyun Young’s eyes twitched again.

What happened in the Northern Sea wasn’t well known in the Central Plains yet. People were talking, but no one from the Central Plains was traveling to the Northern Sea. Trade with Mount Hua was just starting.

But Wudang knew about it. Their information network was very good.

“It’s nothing special. We just did what we had to do.”

Heo Sanja smiled gently. “Haha. Is that so? Not only the Northern Sea, but also Yunnan and the martial arts competition. Mount Hua’s spirit was very high. I respect you from the bottom of my heart.”

“Even if Mount Hua’s spirit is high, we can’t compare to Wudang. You are being too polite.”

“Hahaha. That’s not true. Mount Hua’s spirit is excellent these days.”

“…”

Heo Sanja glanced at the Wudang disciples. “So, about that… Unlike the disciples of Mount Hua who travel the world, our Wudang disciples don’t know much about the world.”

“How can you say such a thing…”

Heo Sanja smiled, his eyes sharp. “So, I have an idea.”

Hyun Sang and Hyun Young felt their stomachs tighten. They watched Heo Sanja closely.

“We are both Taoist sects, and we both use swords, right?” Heo Sanja continued, his voice smooth. “What if our disciples showed each other their sword skills? It would be a good way for us to learn from each other and grow stronger.”

Hyun Sang’s smile disappeared. His face became like stone.

*A duel.* He understood. This was not a friendly suggestion. This was a challenge.

‘So directly?’ Usually, they don’t say it so directly. A duel means someone will win and someone will lose. If people hear about the result, it would be bad for the losing sect.

So, they usually talk about these things secretly and hide the results.

‘Isn’t this against etiquette?’ But that was why it was a checkmate. Wudang would only lose a little face, but not Mount Hua. If they didn’t accept the duel, people would say that Mount Hua was afraid of Wudang and ran away. Their reputation would be ruined. Or, they might protect their reputation, but people would think that Mount Hua was no match for Wudang.

‘That sly fox…’ Hyun Sang understood why Heo Dojin trusted Heo Sanja so much. With just a few words, he had put them in a difficult situation and was trying to take away all their gains.

“What do you think, Dojang?”

Heo Sanja asked again, but Hyun Sang couldn’t answer. The Wudang disciples looked strong. If he agreed and they lost…

“Huh? That?” Hyun Sang turned his head at the strange voice.

‘Why is that rascal doing that again?’ Chung Myung was being held back by Baek Cheon and his group. He hadn’t been gagged yet, and he shouted, “Are you suggesting a duel right now?”

Heo Sanja laughed. “Hehehe.”

In Wudang, a regular disciple would never interrupt the elders. But Heo Sanja knew what kind of person Chung Myung was, so he wasn’t surprised.

“That’s right, Little Dojang. Isn’t it a good thing?”

Chung Myung grinned. “Yes. It’s a good thing. But… are you sure you’ll be alright?”

“What do you mean?”

Chung Myung grinned. “If you challenge Mount Hua and end up losing, Wudang’s reputation will be ruined.”

“Ch-challenge?” Heo Sanja glanced at the merchants of the Geumseon Merchant Guild. The onlookers were whispering.

“Haha. It seems that people and sects have to become famous like this. The Wudang are challenging us! Our Sect Leader should have seen this.”

“…”

Heo Sanja looked dismayed.

The Wudang disciples behind him looked angry. Fists clenched, bones cracked, and teeth gnashed.

Chung Myung grinned at their anger. “Still, Mount Hua has a history, so we can’t refuse. We have to show you what a real Taoist sect and a real sword sect are.”

Heo Sanja’s face turned red.