Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 132

Yoon Jong’s eyes widened in surprise as he saw the swordsmen from the shaman sect rushing toward him. He thought that after winning his fight, he could finally catch his breath.

“Wait, what? This isn’t how it’s supposed to go, is it?” Yoon Jong mumbled, stepping back.

One of the swordsmen yelled, “Are you calling us cowards?”

“No, no, you’ve got it wrong!” Yoon Jong waved his hands quickly. *Four of them? Coming at me?* he thought, panicking. “This is totally unfair!” He scrambled backwards, realizing they were all targeting him just because he won first.

“This isn’t right!” Yoon Jong protested again.

“You talk too mu–” another swordsman started to say angrily.

“No! Seriously, you don’t understand!” Yoon Jong shouted, frustrated. “I’m not the strongest one here! I’m actually the weakest!”

The disciples of Wudang stared blankly at him, surprised by his reaction. Seeing the injustice on his face, they didn’t know what to say.

“Who is the second strongest?” someone asked, bewildered.

Yoon Jong immediately pointed to one person. “He’s right there! There! Are you blind?”

The faces of those who turned to look were filled with doubt.

*That* person?

Suddenly, a sword flashed through the air.

It was a Mount Hua sword technique, but different from what they had seen before.

Her feet danced across the ground, moving like a fish gliding through water, each step precise and powerful.

Yoo Iseol’s sword seemed to bend space around it.

The Wudang disciples’ eyes wavered.

“So, it’s not me!” Yoon Jong exclaimed, relieved.

Yoo Iseol was strong.

Yoon Jong knew that Yoo Iseol should have been one of the strongest second-generation disciples. She had joined the sect early and was incredibly talented with a sword.

Realistically, only Baek Cheon could beat Yoo Iseol.

And she had been taught by Chung Myung.

‘That person isn’t in their right mind either,’ Yoon Jong thought.

While others hid to avoid Chung Myung, Yoo Iseol stubbornly followed him, trying to learn everything she could.

She learned his teachings without question.

After two years, her swordsmanship was unmatched.

Yoon Jong hadn’t seen her fight Baek Cheon, but he believed she could hold her own.

Plop!

The Wudang disciple facing Yoo Iseol collapsed, unable to withstand her power.

A cold silence fell over the area.

“Aaaargh!” A sharp scream broke the silence.

Jo Gul’s opponent had also been hit and was clutching his leg. Blood poured from a long wound on his right thigh.

Four disciples had fallen instantly.

Most shocking was that Senior Disciple Jin Hyun, known for his unbreakable sword, was among them.

‘Senior Brother…’

‘Defeated by one person.’

The Wudang disciples bit their lips.

Jin Hyun was stronger than them. With him defeated, none of them could beat Baek Cheon alone.

And the others had been defeated too.

Six people remained.

Four had fallen.

Even though six remained, their fighting strength was weaker without Jin Hyun. The Mount Hua disciples were unharmed.

Could the six of them win?

The remaining disciples hesitated, unable to rush forward.

Baek Cheon saw that they had lost their will to fight and spoke calmly.

“Will you continue?”

Baek Cheon didn’t want to push them too far. If you push too hard, even someone weak will fight back.

“If you continue, Gui Pa might have a chance. But if the injured aren’t treated, it could cause problems. Is this worth risking the future of your fellow disciples?”

“Withdraw. We have won. Take your fellow disciples, get them treated, and leave Namyeong tonight. Since Jin Hyun has given his word, I believe Wudang will no longer interfere with Hwayoung Mun. And Jongdo Hall should also leave Namyeong.”

Jin Mu bit his lip as he saw his fellow disciples looking at him.

With Jin Hyun unconscious, he had to make the decision.

They had to succeed, no matter what. But…

‘We’ve already lost our chance to win.’

Fighting would only cause more damage.

Jin Mu bowed formally. “We thank Mount Hua for their consideration. We acknowledge our defeat.”

Baek Cheon nodded. “I will not see you off.”

“Then.”

Jin Mu gestured, and the unharmed disciples helped the injured, carrying the unconscious on their backs.

They glanced at the Mount Hua disciples before leaving Hwayoung Mun in silence.

“Make way!”

The Wudang disciples pushed through the crowd and hurried back to Jongdo Hall.

The people of Namyeong watched with wide eyes.

They didn’t understand the martial arts, only seeing flashes of light.

But they could see that Wudang had been defeated by Mount Hua and was leaving Hwayoung Mun.

‘Good heavens, Wudang…’

‘Mount Hua defeated Wudang.’

Who would have thought Mount Hua could defeat Wudang?

This didn’t mean Mount Hua was stronger than Wudang overall. You couldn’t judge the difference between them based on a match between second-generation disciples.

But Mount Hua had defeated Wudang.

“Wow. They say Mount Hua is regaining its glory. It seems it’s true.”

“Amazing, isn’t it? Fighting Wudang to save Hwayoung Mun!”

“Being allied with such a place is worth it!”

The crowd buzzed with excitement. Baek Cheon glanced at them and turned away.

He walked toward Wi Lip San.

“Sect Leader.”

“Ah… Ah? Ah!” Wi Lip San startled and looked at Baek Cheon, unable to speak.

“Hwasan has protected Hwayoung Gate.”

“⋯⋯.”

Baek Cheon’s fellow disciples stood beside him. Seeing the Hwasan disciples before him, Wi Rip-san bit his lip tightly.

His eyes stung.

“As the Gate Master of Hwayoung, I thank Hwasan,” Wi Rip-san bowed deeply. Baek Cheon and the others returned the bow.

“It’s nothing. We only did what we thought was right.”

Wi Rip-san couldn’t look up, while the disciples of Hwasan smiled at him.

Anyone watching would agree it was a good thing.

“Ugh, I feel so happy inside, isn’t it?”

“⋯⋯.”

If only that damned rascal wasn’t here.

“Congratulations, Gate Master Wi.”

“That was truly wonderful.”

“Haha! You kept praising Hwasan. Finally, you’re being rewarded for it.”

Wi Rip-san grinned and repeatedly returned the bows.

“Thank you. Thank you all.”

Though he had left the disciples of Wudang, Wi Rip-san couldn’t rest. The people of Nanyang kept coming to congratulate him.

Most of them had simply watched the fight between Hwayoung Gate and Jongdo Hall. Now that Hwayoung Gate controlled Nanyang, they were trying to get close by acting friendly.

Wi Rip-san knew what was happening. He smiled and greeted them back.

What did it matter?

This was a privilege only the winner could enjoy. Wouldn’t anyone agree that getting fake greetings was better than losing and leaving Nanyang?

“I didn’t realize Hwasan was this strong.”

Neither did I.

“So that’s why Gate Master Wi was so confident!”

Confident, my foot. (He was not confident at all, not really.)

Wi Rip-san forced a smile, hoping it looked confident.

After greeting guests and accepting apologies from the returning disciples, Wi Rip-san finally returned to the main building of Hwayoung Gate.

His body, still hurt from the fight, felt tired, but Wi Rip-san’s heart was happy.

‘This day has come.’

How could he not be happy? He had gained so much today.

First, he had seen that his group, which he thought had failed, had been revived. And they had traveled far to help him.

‘Father, you were right.’

He was able to see this day because he remembered his father’s words.

Wi Rip-san walked to the main building with a light step. Inside were the heroes who had protected Hwayoung Gate, probably celebrating with a toast.

‘I have to apologize!’

He had to apologize for not trusting them and for being annoyed. He would talk about the future of Hwasan and join them in a toast.

He was excited to join the others and celebrate. Wi Rip-san threw open the door of the main building and shouted.

“Did you wait long⋯⋯.”

But he couldn’t finish.

“No, no! You crazy bastard! Stop it!”

“What are you trying to do again, you rascal!”

“Catch him! Catch that bastard right now!”

“⋯⋯.”

Chairs crashed to the floor, wood splintering. A lamp swung wildly, then smashed, and oil spread, catching the rug on fire. Shouts and yells filled the air.

The scene was total chaos.

‘Did Wudang attack again?’

But no, it couldn’t be. They were gone. Then what in the world…?

Thwack!

Jo Gul, running towards Chung Myung, was kicked in the butt and screamed as he fell.

‘I think that person just knocked down a Wudang disciple.’

That kind of person gets kicked in the butt and falls down?

‘Is this a dream?’

No, it’s real.

In the chaos, Chung Myung shoved past his surprised friends and began to rummage through his bundle, taking something out.

‘Clothes?’

Why is he making such a fuss about taking out some clothes? What’s so special about those clothes…

Huh?

That’s completely black clothes. And it sticks to the body?

Heh. Anyone who sees him wearing that would think he’s a thief or an assassin…

No, why are you wearing that, you rascal!

Chung Myung, who quickly put on a set of black clothes that looked like they were made for sneaking around. They were tight-fitting, like a shadow, looked at his fellow disciples with something black in his hand.

Baek Cheon, with sweat on his forehead, raised his hands to calm Chung Myung, like trying to stop a growling dog.

“Ch, Chung Myung-ah. Calm down and think again. The Wudang guys have already left. You don’t have to go this far.”

“Left?”

“Ye, yes, they left. The work is all done now. Now we just have to return to Hwasan. The Sect Leader has repeatedly told you. Don’t cause trouble.”

Chung Myung smiled and nodded.

“Ah, that’s right. The matters of the martial uncle and the senior brothers are over. You don’t have to worry about that. I didn’t like the way you were competing, but you won, so I’ll let it slide. Except for Jo Gul.”

“⋯⋯Why me.”

Leaving behind Jo Gul, who felt wronged, Chung Myung smiled.

“But martial uncle.”

“Huh?”

“The matters of the martial uncles are over. But.”

Chung Myung put the mask in his hand over his face and tightened the string. Then, distorting his exposed eyes, he said eerily.

“My work starts now! (Those Wudang guys think they can trick us? I’ll show them!)”

“⋯⋯.”

“I’m going to turn those bastards inside out to find out what conspiracy they’ve been plotting, so wait here!”

You look like the one who’s plotting the most!

“I’m going!”

“Catch that bastard!”

“No, Chung Myung, wait!”

“Don’t do it!”

“Someone grab him!”

But despite the desperate charge of the Hwasan disciples, Chung Myung gracefully evaded all those hands and leaped out of the door.

“⋯⋯.”

Then, he winked at Wi Rip-san, who was standing in front of the door, and disappeared into the darkness. The lanterns outside Hwayoung Gate glowed warmly in the evening air.

Soon, Chung Myung’s wild laughter echoed from afar.

“⋯⋯We’re doomed.”

“Ah, no⋯⋯.”

The despairing voices of the Hwasan disciples, looking at the place where Chung Myung disappeared with a blank face, made this situation even stranger.

Wi Rip-san looked at the night sky with a smiling face.

‘Father, I think something is wrong.’

It felt like he could hear his father’s voice saying that he thought so too.