Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1003

Chung Myung opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.

Morning sunlight came through the window as he turned his head.

Chung Myung was still looking at the window when pain suddenly shot through his left shoulder.

Throb! Throb!

He gasped and grabbed his shoulder. It felt like his arm was being ripped off. Knowing it wasn’t true, he still loosened his clothes to check his shoulder.

He knew he had no new wounds. The scars on his shoulder were old and small. They shouldn’t hurt this much.

“⋯⋯”

Chung Myung looked at his arm for a long time, like it was something he didn’t know. Then, he slowly got up and walked to the window. He opened it wide, letting the cold morning air come into the room.

Birds chirped.

A grasshopper made a soft sound somewhere nearby.

The courtyard was wide and empty, quiet and still.

Far away, he could hear shouts and the sounds of swords hitting each other. Someone was already training.

‘Peaceful.’

Yes, it was so peaceful.

Chung Myung tilted his head slightly and looked up at the sky. White clouds moved slowly across the wide blue sky. It was such a pure blue, even ‘clear’ didn’t seem like enough to describe it. He watched the sky for a long time before his lips slowly parted.

“⋯⋯A fresh perspective,”

The world was still at peace.

❀ ❀ ❀

Namgung Dan looked around with a disgruntled expression.

Except for those who had not yet recovered, all the members of the Namgung Clan who could move were lined up here.

‘What is this nonsense?’

It had all started with a single sentence from Namgung Dowi.

– From today, we will train with Mount Hua.

‘I can’t understand it.’

Though he had put it indirectly, the hidden meaning behind those words was no different from saying that Mount Hua would be teaching the Namgung Clan. Otherwise, there would be no reason to train together with Mount Hua.

It was only natural that the faces of those who heard those words would instantly stiffen.

What kind of place was the Namgung Clan? It was a place that had risen to the top of the world with its swordsmanship alone.

The Namgung Clan was a place that had something to teach about swords, but nothing to learn.

Of course, everyone knew that the Namgung Clan’s current situation was not easy. However, lowering their heads because of weakened power was a separate matter from asking another sect for guidance.

‘What on earth is the Young Lord thinking?’

Namgung Dan glanced subtly at Namgung Dowi, who was standing in front.

The reason they showed the sincerity of coming out and lining up here was because the person who said those words was none other than Namgung Dowi.

Was it because he was the Young Lord? Because he was the one who would become the Clan Lord?

No. It was because Namgung Dowi had risked his life to save those who were here, and had returned to that hellish Plum Blossom Island on his own two feet.

‘I don’t understand.’

It occurred to him that Namgung Dowi, who was publicly the Young Lord and privately his cousin, might be acting too hastily.

‘If this matter becomes known to the outside world, it will surely be ridiculed.’

The words would surely spread that a young man who didn’t know the ways of the world had ascended to the position of Clan Lord, and had thrown away the Namgung Clan’s pride, bowing his head to Mount Hua.

“Haa⋯⋯.”

An uncontrollable sigh escaped his lips.

‘It can’t be helped. I’ll just have to go along with it appropriately and then make it disappear without a trace.’

This was by no means to rebel against Namgung Dowi. On the contrary, it was something they had to do because they understood Namgung Dowi’s position all too well.

Namgung Dowi had too heavy a burden on his shoulders right now. It was entirely possible for such a person to misjudge the situation.

If the Clan Lord made a wrong decision, wasn’t it only natural for the retainers to correct that decision?

Namgung Dan exchanged glances with his colleagues around him. They all seemed to be thinking similarly, nodding even without saying anything.

‘I’m sorry, Young Lord.’

And he hoped from the bottom of his heart that Namgung Dowi would not misunderstand their intentions as he conveyed his apology inwardly.

At that moment, a group appeared from one side of the vast courtyard, which was a bit awkward to call a training ground.

The moment Namgung Dan saw the person at the head of the group, he swallowed hard without realizing it.

‘The Sword Saint of Mount Hua!’

He instinctively tensed his waist.

The Sword Saint of Mount Hua, walking towards them with a sharp glint in his eyes, exuded an indescribable sense of pressure.

The Sword Saint of Mount Hua, Chung Myung.

Who in the current Jianghu didn’t know that name?

He had become a symbol of the Heavenly Union, surpassing the symbol of Mount Hua. And that name was bound to be a little more special to the Namgung Clan.

Because they had seen it clearly with their own eyes.

They had seen the Sword Saint of Mount Hua cut off the Black Dragon King’s arm, and they had seen him stand proudly against Jang Il-so, the leader of the Four Evil Sects, and the Abbot of Shaolin, Beop Jeong.

‘The Sword Saint of Mount Hua himself?’

Namgung Dan’s heart wavered slightly as he looked anew at Chung Myung and the Five Swords of Mount Hua walking on either side of him.

Anyone other than the Sword Saint of Mount Hua would not have been able to teach them anything. The teachings of a master were like that.

‘Ah, no.’

But he quickly regained his composure.

This was for the sake of the Namgung Clan, which was on the verge of collapse. No matter how tempting the benefits might be, they should not go in the wrong direction.

Namgung Dan gritted his teeth and looked at the Sword Saint of Mount Hua.

He recalled the image of Chung Myung on Plum Blossom Island, and it was at that moment, when he was tensing every muscle in his body…

The Sword Saint of Mount Hua, who had been walking towards them with a cold glint in his eyes, suddenly broke into a wide smile when he spotted Namgung Dowi at the head of the group.

“Aiyooooo!”

Then, he even spread his arms wide and ran forward.

He looked like a pushover… No, he looked like a corrupt merchant welcoming the son of a wealthy family who had come to make a deal.

Chung Myung, who had run up to Namgung Dowi, grabbed Namgung Dowi’s hands tightly.

“Did you sleep well last night?”

“Haa… haa… Thanks to the Sect Leader’s concern, I slept well.”

“The manor is so shabby that I’m embarrassed! If you just wait a little, I’ll tell those guys to build you a palace-like residence!”

“Ah, no, you don’t have to do that.”

“What are you saying! It’s only natural!”

“N-no, it’s really okay.”

Namgung Dowi was sweating profusely.

“Kuh, you have such a kind heart.”

Chung Myung held his hand tightly, as if deeply moved. The swordsmen of the Namgung Clan, who were watching the scene, opened their mouths in unison.

‘Is that really the Sword Saint of Mount Hua…?’

‘Is that the same person we knew?’

It couldn’t be helped.

Few of them had seen the Heavenly Martial Arts Competition held in Shaolin with their own eyes.

No, even if they had seen it with their own eyes, the impression of Chung Myung that they saw afterward was so strong that they had completely forgotten about it.

The Sword Saint of Mount Hua who fought Jang Il-so in the Black Dragon Fortress three years ago, and the Sword Saint of Mount Hua who cut off the Black Dragon King’s arm on Plum Blossom Island.

To those who remembered his cold and sharp swordsmanship, the sight of Chung Myung constantly bowing and grinning was nothing short of shocking and terrifying.

‘Was that his real personality?’

‘There’s no way, is there?’

They clearly remembered the sight of him cutting off the Black Dragon King’s arm without a moment’s hesitation and cruelly punishing him, but they couldn’t reconcile the Chung Myung of that time with the Chung Myung of now.

“Ehehehehehe!”

Chung Myung shook Namgung Dowi’s hand repeatedly with a face that was gleaming with radiance.

“Sect Leader.”

Namgung Dowi lowered his head and said.

“I look forward to working with you.”

Chung Myung grinned as Namgung Dowi became quite serious.

“Of course, of course!”

“Then.”

Namgung Dowi turned back and stood in his place, as if he were no longer the Young Lord of the Namgung Clan, but just one swordsman. Seeing the sight, Chung Myung nodded slightly and turned his head to look at everyone.

‘⋯⋯.’

‘What is it now?’

Under Chung Myung’s gaze, the Namgung Clan swordsmen began to sweat again. The lively appearance he had shown just a moment ago had completely disappeared.

Now, obvious annoyance was dripping from Chung Myung’s face.

“Tsk.”

No… is it okay for a person to change so quickly from moment to moment?

At that moment, Chung Myung, who had lightly clicked his tongue, cracked his neck from side to side.

“Originally, I’m not very interested in other sects.”

“⋯⋯.”

“But a person has to have some sense of duty. I’ll give you as much as I’ve eaten, so just do as I say. Just do as I say. Then there won’t be any problems. Understand?”

At that moment, the gazes of the Namgung Clan swordsmen subtly turned to Namgung Dan.

Namgung Dan, who received their gazes, swallowed hard.

Here, apart from Namgung Dowi, he was the most senior member of the direct line, as he was the son of Namgung Myeong. So it seemed they thought he should be the one to speak.

‘Alright.’

Namgung Dan opened his mouth with determination.

“Sect Leader. May I say something?”

“Huh?”

Chung Myung glanced at Namgung Dan.

“We are asking Mount Hua for guidance because of our circumstances, but I think a minimum level of respect is necessary.”

“Eung?”

Chung Myung tilted his head. Namgung Dan gathered more courage and continued.

“We are not disciples of Mount Hua. We are people who use the name of Namgung. Please show respect and courtesy to other sects.”

“⋯⋯.”

“In addition, I believe that the teachings we ask of Mount Hua should be limited to the posture of using a sword. Namgung does not need any further teachings. Please take this into consideration.”

It was truly a confident tone.

Namgung Dan clenched his fist slightly.

He had said everything he wanted to say to the Sword Saint of Mount Hua without trembling. It was enough to show what the spirit of Namgung was.

Of course, he respected the Sword Saint of Mount Hua. Besides, who among the young martial artists wouldn’t admire him? But the establishment of a relationship was essential. The pride of the Namgung Clan was on their shoulders.

Others seemed satisfied with Namgung Dan’s words, nodding to give him strength.

But⋯⋯.

“Sasuk.”

“Huh?”

“What is he saying?”

“He’s asking for respect?”

“So what does that mean?”

“Hmm.”

Chung Myung seemed unable to understand, and asked Baek Cheon, who was standing next to him, again.

Baek Cheon pondered briefly, searching for the most appropriate word to explain to his linguistically challenged junior brother.

“He’s saying to treat them well. Because they’re the Namgung Clan.”

“Treat them well?”

“Yeah, treat them well.”

“Ah, I thought it was something else. That’s what he meant. Treat them well.”

Chung Myung grinned at Namgung Dan.

“Kuh, I can definitely do that for you. So you want to be treated well?”

Chung Myung’s smile gradually turned strange.

“I was just going to give you as much as I ate, but since you’re so enthusiastically asking to be treated well, I have no choice but to work hard.”

“⋯⋯.”

“Well, then, shall we see if you have the skills to be treated well?”

An incomparably wicked smile formed on Chung Myung’s lips.