Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 119

Wi Sohaeng, after climbing the last hill, breathed heavily.

‘This mountain is truly treacherous!’

He had felt it before, but this mountain didn’t easily allow people to approach. It wasn’t just the steepness; to reach the top, he had to climb countless cliffs with barely any place to put his feet.

However, Wi Sohaeng was able to climb more easily than he expected.

Unlike before, each cliff had stakes driven into it, connected by thick ropes. By holding onto these ropes, he could climb much more easily than climbing the bare cliffs.

“Haa! It’s still so hard.”

Wi Sohaeng wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.

In Wudang, they had a place to leave swords before entering. But Mount Hua didn’t need such a place.

Because horses couldn’t climb here.

That’s why everyone who climbed Mount Hua was considered equal. Even high-ranking officials had to leave their fancy chairs carried by servants at the bottom, and those on horseback had to tie up their horses and climb on foot. That’s how difficult Mount Hua was.

“I don’t know who came up with this idea, but it’s really good. Now, people can climb Mount Hua a little more comfortably.”

Mount Hua had a long history, so it was strange they had only thought of this now. Still, Wi Sohaeng was glad they had done it.

Wiping away sweat and catching his breath, he finally saw the massive mountain gate of Mount Hua.

“…Why does nothing look familiar?”

The mountain gate didn’t look like this before, did it?

He remembered the old mountain gate. It was simple but impressive. This new gate was grand and felt strange to him.

The sign that read ‘Great Mount Hua Sect’ in strong calligraphy immediately caught his eye. Seeing it, he felt overwhelmed.

‘It’s definitely different from before.’

Ten years could change anything, so it was certainly enough time for a sect to change.

With growing anticipation, Wi Sohaeng approached the mountain gate of Mount Hua.

Even though the mountain gate was big, there were no guards in front. And because it was early, the doors were closed.

Wi Sohaeng took a deep breath and knocked on the mountain gate.

“Is anyone there!”

He thought shouting might not be right, but he didn’t know what else to do.

“A guest wishes to visit Mount Hua. Is anyone there?”

Wi Sohaeng, having shouted as politely as possible, stopped knocking and waited. If anyone had heard him…

Creak.

The door opened, and a man peeked out.

Wi Sohaeng was about to speak, but he was shocked.

“We are not receiving visitors today.”

“…Pardon?”

“Mount Hua is not receiving visitors today, so come back tomorrow.”

“Ah. I didn’t know that.”

No wonder no one was climbing the mountain.

That old man, really!

“Then.”

“Wait a moment!”

Wi Sohaeng shouted urgently.

“I’m sorry, but is there no way? I must see the Mount Hua Sect Leader.”

“We are not receiving outsiders today. If it’s not urgent, come back tomorrow…”

“I’m not an outsider.”

“Hmm?”

The man, Baek Sang, looked Wi Sohaeng up and down.

He had never seen this person before. Yet, he said he wasn’t an outsider.

“I came from Hwayoung Gate. We are a subordinate family of Mount Hua.”

“Hwayoung Gate?”

Baek Sang’s tone changed.

“Yes. I must meet the Sect Leader about the affairs of Hwayoung Gate. It is urgent. I know I was wrong to climb the mountain without knowing your sect’s rules. But considering Hwayoung Gate’s situation, wouldn’t you at least tell the Sect Leader?”

Baek Sang spoke more politely.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know much and have never heard of Hwayoung Gate.”

“That…”

“But I can’t know everything. I’ll go ask about Hwayoung Gate and tell the Sect Leader.”

“Thank you!”

“Then please wait.”

Baek Sang closed the door and went inside. Wi Sohaeng sighed in relief, thinking he had avoided the worst.

‘He had a strong presence.’

He didn’t look much older than Wi Sohaeng, but he was disciplined. He wondered what would happen if that man held a sword.

‘Is this Mount Hua?’

Wi Sohaeng waited anxiously for Baek Sang.

‘What if they turn me away?’

He realized Mount Hua’s status had changed, and his anxiety grew. Now that Mount Hua was famous, it might not care about small sects like Hwayoung Gate.

Even though they were a subordinate family, it had been decades since they had properly spoken…

Just then…

Bang!

The door burst open, and Baek Sang rushed out, his face like stone.

“You said Hwayoung Gate?”

“Yes? Ah… yes! Hwayoung Gate.”

“Please come in. The Sect Leader will see you right away.”

“Yes?”

“Quickly!”

“Ah, yes!”

Surprised by the sudden change, Wi Sohaeng followed Baek Sang inside, confused.

‘I’m so nervous.’

Wi Sohaeng swallowed hard.

Across from him, the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, Hyun Jong, sat with a kind face.

For Wi Sohaeng, a disciple of a small sect, it was intimidating to face Hyun Jong, the Sect Leader of Mount Hua.

But that wasn’t all.

To Hyun Jong’s left and right, dignified-looking Taoists sat up straight.

‘Did they really need to do this?’

He had come to Mount Hua with a last bit of hope, but he didn’t really expect to meet the Sect Leader.

Now he was seeing not only the Sect Leader but also the elders and first-generation disciples of Mount Hua. It was hard to calm his racing heart.

“So,”

Hyun Jong said gently.

“You said you came from Hwayoung Gate?”

“Yes, yes! Sect Leader! I’m Wi Sohaeng from Hwayoung Gate.”

“Hmm. I see. I am Hyun Jong, the Sect Leader of Mount Hua.”

“It’s an honor to meet you.”

Hyun Jong smiled.

“There’s no need to be so nervous.”

“…I’m a little timid.”

Hyun Jong pointed to the tea in front of Wi Sohaeng.

“Have some tea. It will calm you down.”

“Thank you.”

Wi Sohaeng picked up the teacup. He drank, but he couldn’t taste or smell anything. He was that nervous.

“Hwayoung Gate… I know there’s a Hwayoung Gate among Mount Hua’s subordinate families, but I think it’s been about thirteen years since they last visited?”

“You remember?”

“Of course. It seems that the little boy back then is you.”

“That’s right.”

Unlike now, Wi Sohaeng hadn’t been nervous at all back then. He was too young to understand what it meant to visit the main mountain as a member of a subordinate family…

‘Because Mount Hua was different back then.’

The surprise at the mountain gate was nothing compared to his shock now. Entering the mountain gate, Wi Sohaeng was amazed by the magnificent buildings and almost fainted.

The Mount Hua he remembered was a desolate place with old buildings scattered around. What had happened in the last ten years to change it so much?

‘Money is the key!’

Realizing Mount Hua’s wealth, he felt even more intimidated. He wondered if he could even ask for help.

“So, what brings you here?”

“Sect Leader, that is…”

But Wi Sohaeng didn’t get to speak easily.

Bang!

The door opened suddenly, and a man with a cold face strode in.

“Hwayoung Gate? Sect Leader, did you say someone from Hwayoung Gate is here?”

“When you come in, you should greet us first…”

“Are you the one from Hwayoung Gate?”

Hyun Young glared at Wi Sohaeng. Wi Sohaeng, startled, nodded.

“Yes. I am…”

Before he could finish, Hyun Young walked up to him and patted him on the shoulder.

‘Am I going to get hit!’

Wi Sohaeng closed his eyes. But Hyun Young smiled brightly.

“Hwayoung Gate! You came from Hwayoung Gate! Haha! You look strong, just like a disciple of Hwayoung Gate!”

“…”

“What’s wrong! Tell me anything! Did you come because you need help? I’ll solve it!”

“…”

Wi Sohaeng stared at Hyun Young, confused.

What was this sudden welcome?

Hyun Jong stopped Hyun Young.

“If you act so suddenly, you’ll embarrass people.”

“Sect Leader! It’s Hwayoung Gate! Don’t you know?”

“Hmm?”

Hyun Young frowned.

“Hwayoung Gate is the only subordinate sect that has consistently sent money to the main mountain for the past thirty years! Now, everyone is sending gifts and money to get on our good side. But when we were poor, Hwayoung Gate was the only one that treated us well!”

“Hey. Don’t say we were poor in front of the guest.”

“Hwayoung Gate sent money to help us even when Mount Hua had nothing! Money!”

“Okay, I understand…”

“There’s no sect like them. Hwayoung Gate is the best of Mount Hua’s subordinate families! They’ve been sending money for over thirty years without asking for anything. How can we not appreciate them!”

He spoke strongly, but his words were clear.

The amount of money didn’t matter. When Mount Hua was struggling, how much strength had the money from Hwayoung Gate given Hyun Young?

Money could be repaid, but not a debt of the heart. Hyun Young felt he owed Hwayoung Gate a great debt.

“So, what’s wrong? Do you need money? Just ask! We can help you out.”

“…Hyun Sang.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

When Hyun Sang stood up, Hyun Young flinched and stopped talking.

“Ah, I understand. I need to shut up, right?”

Hyun Young found his seat. Hyun Jong sighed.

‘When will he grow up?’

He worried about when Hyun Young would regain his senses, which had disappeared with the arrival of Chung Myung.

“It seems you’re more relaxed now, so tell me what’s happening. Why did you come to Mount Hua?”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

Wi Sohaeng took a deep breath and said,

“A disaster has struck Hwayoung Gate. My father sent me to ask Mount Hua for help.”

“What kind of help?”

“Chung Myung.”

“…Huh?”

Wi Sohaeng’s eyes showed determination.

“I want to bring the Hwasan Divine Dragon, Chung Myung!”

The moment Chung Myung’s name was mentioned, everyone in the room looked uncomfortable.