Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 108

*Plop.*

Another body hit the ground.

The Jongnam disciples watched, their faces as white as paper, eyes wide with fear.

‘Six,’ someone whispered, voice trembling.

Six had fallen.

Six in total!

Six of Jongnam’s best second-generation fighters, all beaten by a single, younger disciple from Hwasan. They hadn’t even landed a single blow. It was a complete loss.

But it wasn’t just losing that made their stomachs twist with dread. It was the thought that they might not win *any* fights. The idea of being completely defeated by this one person was truly terrifying.

‘Are we going to be wiped out? By a single third-generation disciple?’

Their fingertips tingled. Cold sweat ran down their backs. Their vision blurred, and their legs felt weak.

Everyone knew how much of a disgrace this was.

If something like this happened, even once in a million tries, the news would spread everywhere.

It would be a great victory for Hwasan.

And a terrible shame for Jongnam that would never be forgotten, even after many years!

This terrible shame was happening right now, because of them. Realizing this, the Jongnam disciples felt not just pressure, but terror.

“Next!”

Then they heard that terrifying, merciless voice.

No one stepped forward.

They weren’t stupid. They might get lucky once or twice. But winning six times in a row couldn’t be a coincidence.

It was hard to believe, but that third-generation disciple from Hwasan, Chung Myung, was stronger than them.

Much stronger.

Losing wasn’t scary anymore. What was scary was the thought of making Jongnam look even worse with each loss. It was a huge weight and fear.

“S-Someone, go out there.”

“I, I can’t do it. I can’t win⋯⋯.”

“S-Senior Brother. You should go, right?”

“What do you want me to do? I⋯⋯.”

Just then…

“You are a pathetic bunch.”

Jin Geum-ryong scolded them in a very cold voice.

“Are the disciples of the Great Jongnam so scared of a kid ten years younger than them? You’ve all forgotten what shame is.”

Everyone lowered their heads, unable to speak.

Jin Geum-ryong stepped forward.

“I will go.”

“S-Senior Brother!”

“I can’t watch that arrogant brat any longer. Watch as I win back Jongnam’s honor. Though I don’t know if there’s any honor left to win back!”

Jin Geum-ryong, his face twisted like a demon, was about to go to the sparring arena when—

“Stop.”

“⋯⋯.”

Jin Geum-ryong turned to see Sama Seung staring at him, his face as hard as stone. Sama Seung kept looking at him and called out another name.

“Man-jeok.”

“⋯⋯Yes, Elder.”

“You go out there.”

“⋯⋯I, I⋯⋯.”

Sama Seung stopped him sharply, not wanting to hear any excuses.

“Go out and hold him back, even if it’s just to slow him down. Do you understand?”

“⋯⋯Yes.”

Jin Geum-ryong tried to say something, but Sama Seung glared at him.

“Come with me.”

“But, the sparring match is still⋯⋯.”

“Just come here!”

Sama Seung dragged Jin Geum-ryong to the back. They went to a place where no one could hear them if they spoke quietly. Sama Seung turned and looked at the sparring arena.

“Do you think the others can win?”

Jin Geum-ryong couldn’t answer.

It was an obvious question. But he couldn’t answer, not because he felt sorry for his fellow disciples, but because he couldn’t accept that he had to give that answer.

The Jongnam second-generation disciples were very skilled.

But against Chung Myung, they didn’t seem to have any chance of winning.

Sama Seung spoke to the confused Jin Geum-ryong, his words sharp and forceful.

“You are right.”

“⋯⋯Yes?”

“He is like a monster. No, we should call him a monster’s cub for now. But if we don’t stop him, he will become a real monster someday.”

“⋯⋯Elder?”

“And that monster will block Jongnam’s path again. Do you understand what this means?”

Jin Geum-ryong’s eyes flickered.

‘That much?’

He knew that Chung Myung was very strong for his age. But would Chung Myung really stop Jongnam?

Jin Geum-ryong gritted his teeth.

To say that Chung Myung would be an obstacle to Jongnam was like saying that Jin Geum-ryong couldn’t handle him. Whether that was true or not, Sama Seung thought so.

He felt angry.

‘Is he saying that I can’t even handle a kid like that?’

It was an insult he had never heard before.

Jin Geum-ryong was clearly angry. Sama Seung watched him quietly and spoke.

“Geum-ryong, you are very talented.”

“⋯⋯.”

“But how many people are called talented in this world? There are probably more than ten people as talented as you, even just in your generation. Maybe more.”

Jin Geum-ryong bit his lip.

Seeing this, Sama Seung asked coldly.

“Do you think you can be the best in the world someday?”

Jin Geum-ryong, who was usually very confident, couldn’t answer.

Being the best in the world was a big deal.

As Jin Geum-ryong hesitated, Sama Seung narrowed his eyes.

“A very talented person. Yes, that’s good. It’s enough to continue Jongnam’s spirit and make Jongnam great again. But!”

Now Sama Seung was going to say what he really wanted to say.

“You can’t be the best in the world with just that.”

“⋯⋯.”

“To be the best in the world, talent is not enough. You have to be like a monster. It’s a world where people ignore rules, use power to control everything, and even go against nature with their abilities. Yes⋯⋯.”

Sama Seung slowly turned his head towards the sparring arena.

“Like that monster.”

Jin Geum-ryong’s shoulders shook.

“Elder, I⋯⋯!”

Sama Seung’s cold voice stopped Jin Geum-ryong from protesting.

“But.”

Sama Seung’s eyes flashed with a deadly intent.

“No matter how much of a monster he is, he is still young. Even a tiger can be killed by a dog when it is young.”

Jin Geum-ryong realized what he meant and looked at Sama Seung in surprise. As if to confirm his thoughts, Sama Seung whispered in a very quiet and eerie voice.

“Kill him.”

“E-Elder!”

Sama Seung whispered, his face pale like a ghost.

“It is still possible. He is a monster, but you can still handle him. So, you must kill him now. If you don’t kill him now, you will never get another chance.”

“⋯⋯.”

“Never forget. Talent alone does not make someone the best in the world. Many are called geniuses, but only one becomes truly great. Talent means nothing if it is destroyed before it grows. Kill him, Jin Geum-ryong. You must kill him now! If you cannot kill him, then cut off his arms!”

Jin Geum-ryong unconsciously took a step back.

‘He’s lost his mind.’

It wasn’t just his words. Sama Seung’s eyes showed a scary madness. Anyone could see he was not thinking clearly.

“Elder, please, think calmly…”

“Calm?” Sama Seung’s laugh was dry and sharp, like branches snapping. He stepped closer to Jin Geum-ryong, his eyes burning. To show he was in control, even though he clearly wasn’t, Sama Seung gritted his teeth, his jaw tight.

“Are you going to let that little brat make you look weak for the rest of your life?”

Jin Geum-ryong stopped talking. He felt a coldness spread through him.

*Overshadowed? By that child?* The thought hit him like a punch.

Jin Geum-ryong’s hand tightened into a fist. His nails dug into his skin, but he didn’t feel it. The shame was a burning fire in his chest, almost too much to bear.

“The choice is yours.”

Sama Seung growled.

“I will take all responsibility. You simply made a mistake. Mistakes happen frequently during sparring matches, right?”

Jin Geum-ryong stared at Sama Seung. His eyes were full of anger. After a moment, he finally spoke.

“Let me make one thing clear first. I am not so unimportant as to be overshadowed by someone like him.”

Despite the negative words, Sama Seung waited for him to continue. If it was Jin Geum-ryong that he knew, he wouldn’t stop there.

“However.”

As expected, Jin Geum-ryong opened his mouth with a chilling expression.

“If that child’s existence stops Jongnam from being glorious, then we don’t need to worry about how we do things, you agree?”

A gruesome smile bloomed on Sama Seung’s lips, like a crack spreading across dry earth.

“That is correct.”

Plop!

Another one falls.

That makes eight.

Chung Myung flicked his sword, then looked at Jongnam with an arrogant gaze.

Only two remained. He saw the faces of the Jongnam disciples, filled with despair.

‘Not yet.’

It was too early to give up hope. Chung Myung had something else planned.

“It seems filling ten victories won’t be easy?”

Jin Geum-ryong would naturally be the last to come out, but filling the one before him would be difficult. With everyone so frightened, who would step forward?

‘It’s a shame, but should I just be satisfied with nine consecutive wins?’

It was then.

Thud thud.

A man silently and slowly walked onto the sparring stage. Chung Myung’s eyes sparkled as he recognized the person coming forward.

“Really?”

The one approaching offered a sheepish smile at those brief words.

“I know that it is too early for me to compete with you, Instructor. However… I cannot stand by while the sect is embarrassed like this.”

“Hmm.”

Chung Myung nodded slowly.

That was something this man would do.

Lee Song-baek.

Lee Song-baek, the second-generation disciple of Jongnam, who had already crossed paths with Chung Myung at the Eunha Merchant Guild, stood facing him.

“Lee Song-baek, the second disciple of Jongnam, requests a match with Chung Myung, the disciple of Hwasan.”

“Chung Myung, the third disciple of Hwasan, accepts the match.”

The two stood facing each other, swords drawn.

‘What should I do?’

Chung Myung quietly stared at Lee Song-baek. He was a Jongnam disciple, yet for some reason, Chung Myung couldn’t bring himself to hate him. If that was the case……

After some deliberation, Chung Myung slightly lowered his sword and narrowed his eyes.

‘Showing him might not be so bad.’

If he could accept it and overcome it, it would be beneficial; if he couldn’t, it would be poison. Everything depended on Lee Song-baek.

“Taaah!”

Lee Song-baek charged at Chung Myung with a shout.

In response, Chung Myung’s sword slowly began to move.

This was a level of skill Lee Song-baek needed to reach one day. It was the kind of skill Jongnam used to aim for long ago. Chung Myung could only show him a glimpse of it, but…

It was enough for Lee Song-baek as he was now.

The tip of Chung Myung’s sword accurately aimed at Lee Song-baek.

And at that moment.

Lee Song-baek, who was charging towards Chung Myung, widened his eyes without realizing it.

‘That, that sword!’

Chung Myung’s entire being was obscured by the tip of the sword. No. The sword aimed at him grew larger, completely obscuring Chung Myung’s entire being.

‘Ah, no, that’s not it either!’

He couldn’t see it.

He couldn’t even feel it.

All he could see and sense with his senses was a single sword aimed at him.

‘C-Could it be… oneness with the sword?’

Before his mind could even process the interpretation, a massive shock swept through Lee Song-baek’s entire body.

Wham!

Time seemed to slow down as Lee Song-baek flew through the air, spraying blood as he was thrown backward. He could taste blood in his mouth, but his eyes were still fixed on Chung Myung.

‘I saw…….’

Plop!

Lee Song-baek also collapsed to the floor.

Nine consecutive losses.

Now, only one remained.

Chung Myung turned his head to look at the disciples of Jongnam. No, his gaze was fixed on one of them in particular.

“Come out.”

Jin Geum-ryong.

Now it was time to pay the price. Jongnam.