Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1147

“‘Wait… seriously, what *is* this stuff?’ a gruff voice muttered.

It just didn’t add up. It was hard to understand.

First, how could they make *so many* of these tiny pills? That question could wait. The real puzzle was: why were they giving them away to *us*?

“‘And even the young master of the Tang family thinks highly of this elixir…’

Of course, it was a bit small.

He’d always heard that elixirs were at least the size of a chestnut, but the ones in their hands now were the size of a bean.

But what did that matter?

Bean-sized or not, if it was a top-grade elixir, even one the size of a grain of rice would cause a bloodbath in the Jianghu, the martial world, the moment it was released, wouldn’t it?

People in the martial world love martial arts deeply. If they could improve even a little, they would fight for it. That’s why, even if they only heard rumors of a miraculous medicine appearing somewhere, they would all grab their weapons and rush to the place where the rumors originated, unable to abandon that small hope, even knowing that their chances of obtaining the elixir with their own skills were slim.

“‘And they’re just handing out elixirs like this?’

Everyone looked at Chung Myung with a dumbfounded expression, mouths slightly open, eyes wide and unblinking.

Even though they were divided into small portions, the amount they were giving to all these people would have been enough to give each of the Mount Hua disciples a proper-sized elixir, not just a small one, wouldn’t it?

What sect leader in the world would give away elixirs meant for their own disciples to others?

“‘I-Is it really an elixir?’

So, even knowing, they couldn’t help but be suspicious.

“‘I-Is it poison?’

“‘Why would they poison us?’

“‘Maybe they’re trying to poison us because we’ve been slacking off lately? So we’ll work harder if we don’t want to die…'”

Some were about to say it was nonsense, but they looked at Chung Myung with a strange feeling. It was absurd, but if it was that man, he really might…

“‘The young master of the Tang family said it’s an elixir!’

Ah, right.

“‘A-Actually, it’s the Tang family. Those people eat poison elixirs like medicine, right? So, maybe they call poison elixirs ‘elixirs,’ too?’

“‘Huh?’

Thinking there was some truth to it, the gazes of the crowd turned back to Tang Pae. Tang Pae protested as if he felt wronged.

“‘No matter what, do you think I can’t distinguish between a poison elixir and a regular elixir? And it’s all nonsense that the Tang family eats poison like medicine!'”

“‘…Really?'”

“‘Then do the sword-wielding sects eat swords instead of elixirs?'”

“‘What about the Thousand Poison Elixir?'”

“‘That’s a different matter! If we could increase our inner strength just by eating poison, we’d have more inner strength than the Shaolin! We’d be beating up the Namgung, too.'”

“‘Hey, why are you suddenly bringing us into this…? ‘”

Everyone nodded, finding that statement convincing.

“‘So, this is really an elixir…'”

The question was resolved, but an even bigger question arose. As they sent gazes that were both dumbfounded and pleading for an explanation, Chung Myung casually gestured with his chin.

“‘Eat it, now.'”

“‘…'”

“‘Don’t make a fuss about eating it, and when the elders are escorting you, eat it all and circulate your energy.'”

“‘No…'”

One of the Beast Palace members looked at Chung Myung with a bewildered expression and asked.

“‘I-Is it really okay to eat this?'”

“‘Would I give you something to eat if it wasn’t safe?'”

“‘That’s not what I meant…'”

Were the people here so virtuous that they couldn’t eat the elixir in their hands and could only look at it?

They, too, had thought that if they had an elixir right in front of them, they would just shut up and swallow it, no matter what happened later.

But all precious things ultimately require a fair price and a process to obtain them. Yet, an elixir they hadn’t even dreamed of just appeared in their hands.

Because of this, everyone was at a loss as to what to do.

If they were alone here, they would have swallowed it without a second thought, but there were so many others in the same situation that it was awkward to step forward and eat the elixir first.

“‘Hey, I said eat it! Are you deaf? Can’t you even gobble up something you’re given?'”

At the urging from the front, those who were fidgeting with the elixir in their hands exchanged glances. But since no one could give them a clear answer, their gazes eventually turned to the sect leaders of the alliance.

A burst of laughter escaped from Maeng So’s lips. He was dumbfounded to see the sturdy archers fidgeting like puppies needing to relieve themselves, looking at him so earnestly.

‘Was it this bad?’

This wasn’t just a reaction to receiving an elixir. His archers simply couldn’t understand receiving something from the people of the Central Plains without any compensation.

They had been talking about cooperating with the Central Plains and building a nest together under the eaves of the Heavenly Union, but the distrust in their hearts had not been dispelled.

In fact, the one who should have resolved this issue was none other than Maeng So. He, who had been the most actively considering exchanges with the Central Plains since the past, should have taken action first…

Maeng So glanced at Chung Myung, wondering if he was going too far. His face was frowning deeply, as if he was annoyed.

‘He’s just making that face.’

Now he knew a little about this person called Chung Myung. This person, who was strangely awkward at dealing with people, would become even more prickly when he was embarrassed or about to receive praise.

“Ahem.”

Maeng So cleared his throat briefly and opened his mouth.

“‘That elixir…'”

What should he say? Maeng So took in all those who were looking at him and continued.

“‘It is an elixir prepared by the Heavenly Union for you.'”

That was the correct way to say it. It certainly wasn’t wrong.

This elixir was the essence of the Heavenly Union, created by combining the ice essence of the Northern Sea, the purple jade grass of the Beast Palace, and the efforts of Mount Hua.

To stretch it a bit, it could also be seen as the result of the Namgung’s financial power and the Green Forest’s efforts to facilitate trade throughout the world. And even the Tang family’s alchemy skills had contributed.

No matter how great Mount Hua was, the Violet Dawn Elixir was something they couldn’t have created with their own strength alone.

“‘So, there’s no need to look at it with such eyes. You are simply enjoying what you rightfully deserve.'”

This was probably the official position of the Heavenly Union, and Chung Myung’s position to break down the walls between those belonging to the Heavenly Union.

When one side gives something to the other, it ultimately divides them into the giver and the receiver. Chung Myung didn’t want that. That small difference in position would eventually divide them into superiors and inferiors.

Those belonging to the Heavenly Union receive the same treatment regardless of their sect. Wasn’t that the principle that Chung Myung had newly established for the Heavenly Union?

So, for Maeng So, who had to uphold that great principle, this was the only answer he could give. But…

“‘However, also…'”

Maeng So paused, glanced at Chung Myung, and smiled slightly.

‘I don’t necessarily have to follow your words. Do I?’

Since Chung Myung had said that there were no superiors or inferiors in the Heavenly Union, it wouldn’t be bad to take advantage of that contradiction.

“‘If you take away the fancy packaging, this elixir was made by Mount Hua and given to you.'”

“‘No, that’s…'”

The moment Chung Myung tried to say something, Maeng So quickly continued, cutting him off.

“‘There’s no need to refuse what’s been given. It’s not something small enough to refuse while listing the reasons and justifications for the elixir. But, it’s also not something a person of principle would gobble up without a grateful heart.'”

Chung Myung glared at Maeng So with wide eyes. But Maeng So neatly ignored his gaze.

“‘So, have a grateful heart for Mount Hua, who stayed up for several nights to make the elixir and selflessly gave it to you, and then take it.'”

Chung Myung’s eyes blazed.

“Ahem.”

Faced with a gaze that seemed ready to devour him whole, Maeng So slyly averted his eyes. Then, Tang Gunak stepped up to support Maeng So.

“‘The Tang family is the same.'”

At those words, all the Tang family members stared at Tang Gunak.

“‘Someone with a bad temper might say that they’re feeding you well in order to exploit you, but everyone knows that it’s not as easy as it sounds.'”

“‘…'”

“‘There’s no need to say thank you. No, don’t try to get away with such easy words. The way to repay this elixir is difficult but simple. It’s to make sure that the elixir you receive in the future is evaluated as having been worth its value. That will be enough. It’s not like anyone wants more than that.'”

“‘…'”

“‘However… be sure to have a grateful heart for the sect leader and the elders of Mount Hua who have collapsed from exhaustion while making this elixir. That’s separate from this.'”

The Tang family members nodded, feeling a heavy weight in their hearts.

“‘Are you going to be like this?'”

Chung Myung asked through gritted teeth, and Tang Gunak shrugged.

“‘Then what should I say? Should I say it’s nothing special?'”

“‘It wasn’t actually that difficult, though.'”

“‘You’re speaking so comfortably. Why don’t you realize that the moment you say that, we become fools who couldn’t even do that easy thing?'”

“‘…'”

“‘We have to say something, at least to avoid becoming incompetent idiots. You’re not telling us to just listen to the criticism without making any excuses, are you?'”

“‘Ugh…'”

Chung Myung groaned.

“‘No, that’s not what I meant…'”

Then, he inadvertently turned his head and flinched, stepping back.

The sight of the guys who had been half-dead with complexions like zombies just a moment ago now looking at him with sparkling eyes was too much to bear.

Chung Myung, flustered, broke down.

“‘Th-That, uh…'”

“‘Ugh, seriously.'”

At that moment, a savior appeared.

“‘Is this some kind of dog training? Are you going to hold a memorial service in front of the elixir?'”

People’s gazes turned to the source of the loud voice. Im So-byeong, who had already plopped down on the floor, had thrown aside his fan and was scowling.

“‘Whether you’re grateful or repay the favor, that’s up to each of you. But, if those of you who need to follow the formalities are done, let’s eat now. Huh? I’m about to die from wobbly legs, is this the time to be picky?'”

“‘Uh…'”

That was definitely true.

“‘If you’re not going to eat it, move it aside. I’m going to eat it.'”

Without hesitation, Im So-byeong tossed the Violet Dawn Elixir into his mouth and sat cross-legged.

Wasn’t the first step always the hardest?

As Im So-byeong opened the floodgates, others also sat cross-legged one by one and pushed the Violet Dawn Elixir into their mouths.

“‘But, Chung Myung.'”

Jo Gul raised his hand as if he didn’t understand something, and Chung Myung waved his hand dismissively, as if he didn’t want to hear it.

“‘You guys just eat it, too.'”

“‘That’s not what I mean…'”

“‘Ah, just eat it. There’s no need to give it to anyone else. We’re all eating the same thing. It’s not like anything will go wrong if you eat more of it.'”

“‘No, that’s not what I mean!'”

“‘Huh?'”

Jo Gul raised his share of the Violet Dawn Elixir and twisted his face.

“‘It seems like our share is a bit smaller than the others?'”

“‘…'”

“‘Are you sure they’re all the same?'”

“‘…'”

“‘Let’s be honest without cheating. I’ll let you off the hook if you tell me now.'”

It was the moment when Chung Myung, with veins popping out on his forehead, was about to roll up his sleeves for the first time in a while.