Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 795

“Sect Leader!” The urgent cry made Heo Do-jin turn. His brow furrowed, a line appearing between his eyes.

He saw figures in black uniforms sprinting towards him. Behind them, a more colorful group in green and blue attire followed, their clothes bright against the dusty ground.

It was an unusual sight – black uniforms mixed with green and blue. But Heo Do-jin knew instantly who they were.

“Hwasan…” The name escaped his lips in a low voice. In this martial world, only the Hwasan Sect was known for causing such a stir.

He was running into the most troublesome people – Hwasan, known for their loud ways and unexpected actions – just when he needed to focus on the Black Dragon Company.

“…What shall we do?”

At Heo San-ja’s question, Heo Do-jin’s eyes gleamed.

“There’s no reason to avoid them. It’s not as if we’ve committed any crime.”

Soon, a strange smile flickered around his lips.

He hadn’t seen Hwasan in person since the martial arts competition years ago. He’d only heard whispers and rumors since then – tales of their sudden rise, their unusual methods, their… boldness.

‘I need to see it with my own eyes,’ he thought.

Having made his decision, Heo Do-jin said briefly.

“Heo San.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“We must meet the Hwasan Sect.”

Heo San-ja stopped in his tracks, surprised.

“…Sect Leader, are you sure? There’s really no need for us to approach them first. It’s not… proper.”

It wasn’t that meeting Hwasan was a problem in itself. Wudang was a respected, ‘righteous’ sect. While they didn’t have strict rules about upper and lower ranks like some less honorable groups, everyone understood the unspoken order. Wudang was clearly above Hwasan in reputation and skill. It was expected that Hwasan would approach them, not the other way around. Heo San-ja worried that if Heo Do-jin initiated the meeting, it might make Hwasan think they were more important than they were.

Heo Do-jin saw Heo San-ja’s hesitation and his expression hardened slightly.

“Are you still worried about empty politeness?”

“…Sect Leader, but…”

“Enough with these meaningless formalities. What truly matters is what we learn, what we gain from this meeting.”

Hearing this, Heo San-ja reluctantly nodded.

Once Heo Do-jin had made up his mind, any further discussion would be a waste.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

As Heo Do-jin changed direction, the Wudang disciples following behind him also turned and headed towards Hwasan.

Meanwhile, Hyun Jong watched Wudang approach and let out a small, involuntary groan. ‘Ugh.’ The presence of Wudang’s elite was almost physical, like a heavy blanket pressing down on him.

‘Wudang…’ These were not just martial artists; they were warriors. They weren’t trying to intimidate, but a deep, powerful energy seemed to radiate from them, a silent testament to real battles fought and won.

“They’re coming this way, Sect Leader.”

“I know,” Hyun Jong replied, though his voice was tighter than he wanted. He swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the approaching group. Years ago, the mere thought of facing the Sect Leader of Wudang would have made his knees weak. But Hwasan was different now. He was different. As Sect Leader of Hwasan, and now leader of the Cheonwoo Alliance, he had to stand tall. He had to project strength.

‘But…’ Despite his resolve, a trickle of cold sweat ran down his back.

His position had certainly changed. But surely, the way they treated Hyun Jong had changed just as much, or even more.

The gaze that Heo Do-jin, at the head of the group, sent his way weighed heavily on Hyun Jong’s shoulders.

It was then, just as the weight of the moment threatened to crush Hyun Jong, a voice cut through the air.

“Well, well, look what the cat dragged in. Did they lose something and have to crawl back to find it?” Hyun Jong blinked, the tension instantly broken. He turned to see Chung Myung, hands behind his head, regarding Wudang with a completely unconcerned air.

“…Chung Myung-ah.”

“They look like they’ve got ants in their pants, don’t they? Bet they wouldn’t have given us a second glance before, would they?”

“…”

“Sect Leader.”

“Hmm?”

“Go easy on them, alright? They’ve probably been stewing in their own juices ever since Wuhan. Be generous. After all,” Chung Myung added with a completely straight face, “aren’t they practically our grand-students in the grand scheme of things?”

Hyun Jong stared at him, momentarily speechless, before a surprised, hollow laugh escaped him.

Chung Myung was truly unique. No one – not even the Abbot of Shaolin, the head of the most revered Buddhist sect – would dare to speak of Wudang with such casual disregard.

“Hoo.” Hyun Jong took a deep breath. And yet, somehow, Chung Myung’s words had worked. The heavy weight that had been pressing on him seemed to vanish like smoke. He could now face the approaching Heo Do-jin with a much calmer, almost amused, expression.

As they drew closer, both groups slowed their pace. Heo Do-jin approached Hyun Jong with a smooth, confident gait. Hyun Jong, feeling a renewed sense of composure, brought his hands together in a formal gesture of respect.

“I greet the Sect Leader of Wudang,” he said, his voice clear and steady.

“I am Heo Do of Wudang,” Heo Do-jin replied, returning the bow deeply. When he straightened, his face was open and friendly, though his eyes held a certain sharpness. “It seems like a long time has passed since the Cheonhaugi Jisu Martial Arts Competition, Sect Leader,” he said, his tone warm.

“Indeed,” Hyun Jong responded, meeting his gaze. “I am immensely pleased to meet you again.”

After the customary greetings were exchanged, Heo Do-jin smiled gently.

“At that time, I never imagined that Hwasan would rise to such fame. Congratulations.”

“You flatter me. No matter how much Hwasan has raised its name, how can it be compared to Wudang, the North Star of the martial arts world? It was merely good fortune.”

“Haha. Isn’t excessive modesty impolite? You have now become the leader of the Cheonwoo Alliance, and if you call even that luck, the members of the Cheonwoo Alliance will be heartbroken.”

“It’s all thanks to everyone looking favorably upon me. If the leader had been decided by skill and popularity, how could I have risen to that position? The heavy burden is weighing down my shoulders.”

Jo Gul, who was listening to the conversation, whispered to Yoon Jong.

“Senior Brother, Senior Brother. Both of them are speaking so softly, but listening to them gives me a creepy feeling?”

“Geol.”

“Yes?”

“…Shut your mouth. If you cause an accident here, I’ll grind your bones to dust.”

“…Yes.”

Jo Gul quietly covered his mouth with both hands.

At that moment, Heo Do-jin quietly looked at the people standing behind Hyun Jong.

“If you don’t mind, may I ask who those people standing behind you are?”

“They are people from the Seventy-Two Bandit Groups of the Green Forest.”

“…I see.”

Heo Do-jin nodded silently. That was the extent of his reaction.

Hyun Jong, who had expected him to object to his association with the evil sects, looked at him with a slightly strange expression.

He never expected Heo Do-jin to say nothing about this.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Ah… I thought I would have to make some excuses.”

At Hyun Jong’s words, Heo Do-jin simply smiled.

“Isn’t it because you, Sect Leader, have reformed even the ruffians of the Green Forest with your great virtue? I am simply envious. Even if I pursue the Dao for my entire life, I don’t think I can even follow in your footsteps.”

“…You flatter me.”

Hyun Jong was flustered and lowered his head.

Heo Do-jin looked around at the disciples of Hwasan with a satisfied expression.

‘Sharp.’

The aura that subtly emanated from them was no less than that of Wudang. Of course, it wasn’t as profound as Wudang’s, and it even felt somewhat light at first glance. Even as a polite remark, it couldn’t be called the energy of a profound Daoist…

‘But instead, it’s clear and free.’

A novel impression suddenly struck him.

‘Since when did being heavy and profound become representative of the Dao?’

From the beginning, the Dao was supposed to be unconstrained.

Heo Do-jin, who had been lost in thought for a moment, nodded heavily and looked at Hyun Jong.

“In the past in Wuhan…”

Hyun Jong’s face hardened at the mention of Wuhan.

The martial arts competition that had taken place in Wuhan.

It was a pleasant memory for Hwasan, but it must have been a terrible memory for Heo Do-jin. Heo Do-jin was deliberately bringing up that story in front of the Hwasan Sect.

“Our disciples were disgraced, and I was deeply displeased.”

“…It was merely good fortune.”

Hyun Jong replied with a slightly uncomfortable feeling, but unexpectedly, Heo Do-jin’s face was calm.

“I also had that thought in my heart. But after seeing the disciples of Hwasan today, it seems that it was by no means just luck.”

Heo Do-jin once again offered a formal greeting to Hyun Jong.

“I am learning a lot, Sect Leader.”

“Please don’t do this. I haven’t done anything.”

“If you, Sect Leader, had not done anything, how could Hwasan have reached this point today?”

Just as Hyun Jong was about to utter another word of humility, Heo Do-jin’s gaze was precisely fixed on someone else.

“Isn’t that right, Hwasan Divine Dragon?”

“Our Sect Leader is quite amazing, isn’t he?”

“Haha. That’s what I mean.”

“As expected, you can tell just because you’re the Sect Leader of Wudang! That’s why people need to be in high positions.”

“Hahaha!”

“Hehe!”

The two men looked at each other and laughed as if they were a good match.

But unlike their bright expressions, their eyes were sharply observing and assessing each other.

“I heard you defeated Heo Gong?”

“Yes, with skill.”

“…”

Heo Do, momentarily speechless, glanced back at Hyun Jong. But Hyun Jong had already put his hands behind his back and turned his gaze to the distant sky.

‘I can’t help it either, so you deal with it’ was the expression on his face.

“Skill… Yes, skill. Heo Gong is not someone who can be defeated by luck.”

“Yes. He was amazing.”

“And you, who defeated such a person, are even more amazing?”

“Hehe. That’s not exactly what I meant, but since you’re pointing it out so specifically, it’s hard for me to deny it. Ahem!”

“…”

Heo Do-jin looked around at the Hwasan Sect again, but no one could meet his gaze. Their disciples, who were embarrassing to show anywhere, were sticking out their bellies even in front of the Sect Leader of Wudang.

‘I want to hide.’

‘I’m so ashamed I could die.’

“Haha.”

Heo Do-jin laughed out loud and nodded.

“Good. There’s no reason to hesitate to say that something great is great. Lao Tzu also said that useless etiquette eats away at human affairs.”

At his refreshing words, Chung Myung looked at Heo Do-jin with a gleam in his eyes.

“But it’s best to be careful. Our children are still training without forgetting to eat and sleep in order to defeat you.”

“Challenges are always welcome.”

“Challenge…”

Heo Do-jin pondered for a moment and smiled.

“Since you said that, don’t refuse to step back when our children challenge you next time.”

“Uh… I can’t promise that.”

“Haha. Then there’s nothing I can do.”

Heo Do-jin finished the light conversation and said to Hyun Jong.

“There are many stories I would like to share, but I am in a situation where I must hurry on my way, so it is a pity that I cannot talk more.”

“Won’t there be another opportunity?”

“Yes. I will visit you again then and ask for your guidance.”

Heo Do-jin offered a polite greeting.

“Then.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

As Hyun Jong politely returned the greeting, Heo Do-jin turned around without hesitation.

“Let’s depart.”

“Yes!”

The Wudang Sect ran ahead, leaving the Hwasan Sect standing blankly. Only after their retreating figures had moved some distance away did a deep sigh escape from Hyun Jong’s lips.

“…Great.”

It wasn’t that he didn’t know how much Wudang disliked Hwasan.

But Heo Do-jin never lost his courtesy and respect for even a single moment. He even went so far as to praise Hwasan highly.

Hyun Jong thought about whether he could have done that.

‘A Sect Leader of a prestigious clan must be like that.’

Humble in posture, yet possessing the power to overwhelm the opponent from that low position. If Heo Do-jin had openly bared his fangs at them, he might not have felt this pressure.

And the Wudang Sect, which supported him from behind, also did not show any of the emotions they must have built up from the previous martial arts competition.

‘There’s still a long way to go.’

He, and Hwasan, were still not enough to be compared to that Wudang.

“Hmm.”

Meanwhile, Chung Myung, who had been watching the retreating figures of Wudang from behind Hyun Jong with his arms crossed, curled up the corners of his lips.

‘So you’re still doing well, huh?’

Heo Do-jin and the people of the Wudang Sect had not committed any acts of rudeness at all.

But Chung Myung was all the more displeased with Heo Do-jin’s attitude because of that. Being able to maintain oneself correctly was the same as still having 余裕.

“Let’s see how long that 余裕 will last.”

Chung Myung’s eyes, which were glaring at the Wudang Sect, were sharp.