Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 144

“So, you are the Hwasan Divine Dragon,” Hong Daekwang said, touching his swollen jaw gingerly. Pain still throbbed there, a constant reminder of the young man in front of him. “Your reputation is true!” He no longer doubted Chung Myung’s skill. One touch had been enough to convince him.

Had he really been hit?

Well, not exactly.

As Chung Myung turned to leave, Hong Daekwang had lunged, desperate to stop him. “I will never go near the Beggars’ Sect again!” he’d yelled, grabbing wildly. His fingers had brushed Chung Myung’s side, only grazing his elbow.

He was lucky.

Even that slight touch had sent a shock of pain through him. Hong Daekwang shuddered to think what a real blow would have felt like.

“…I’ll offer one million two hundred thousand nyang.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“One million three hundred thousand…”

“Huh?”

“……”

Hong Daekwang was a disciple of the Beggars’ Sect, a righteous sect. Moreover, he was recognized for his abilities, enough to be in charge of a branch in the great city of Luoyang.

How could such a person be dragged around by some greenhorn?

Hong Daekwang’s face hardened.

And he resolved to steadfastly uphold the single value that the Beggars’ Sect so emphasized.

“Aigoo, young hero. That’s all the money our branch can scrape together. To get support from the main sect would take at least another fortnight. If you insist, I’ll offer two million nyang, so take one million now, and the remaining million in a month…”

“Three million nyang.” Chung Myung said this calmly, watching Hong Daekwang closely. The Jangbodo in his hand moved slightly, catching the light.

“……”

“Three million in a lump sum. Don’t even dream of anything less.”

‘That devilish bastard.’ Hong Daekwang’s eyes twitched. He couldn’t believe he was being manipulated like this. His pride as a branch leader was hurt, but he also knew he couldn’t lose the Jangbodo.

The fact that the words ‘three million nyang’ came out was astonishing. Because the appropriate price for that Jangbodo, as assessed by Hong Daekwang, was three million nyang.

Whether he knew that value and was saying it, or whether he didn’t know and was just bluffing, the amount matched perfectly anyway.

‘This shouldn’t be happening.’

But there was no choice.

Chung Myung leaned back in the chair, legs crossed. The Jangbodo in his hand fluttered.

It was as if he was saying with his body, ‘If you don’t take this, I’m going straight to the Hao Moon.’

“Young hero… As I said just now, the Luoyang branch doesn’t have that much money right now.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Pardon?”

“Beggars don’t have much money, do they? That one million three hundred thousand is everything you could find, even borrowing from everyone, right?”

“Th-that’s right.”

“But you don’t have to worry. Because there’s a way.”

“…A way, you say?”

Chung Myung smiled, a knowing smile that showed he was in control. His eyes sparkled with amusement as he watched Hong Daekwang squirm.

“If you look next door, there’s the Luoyang branch of the Great Continent Bank; if you go there and say you need emergency funds in the name of the Beggars’ Sect, they’ll cut you off about three million nyang right away. Bring it back as a check.”

“……”

“Simple, right?”

Oh, simple indeed.

That’s a really simple thing. Why didn’t I know that?

“Taking a loan from the bank just to buy something! That’s a quick way to destroy your life!”

“Why are you worrying about that? What more ruined life is there for a beggar to ruin?”

“…Huh?”

That’s not wrong?

“They are beggars because they have nothing! If they weren’t poor, they wouldn’t be beggars!”

“……”

That’s persuasive.

‘Ah, I almost got swayed.’

“Anyway, that’s impossible. We can’t give you any more than that. Even the Hao Moon wouldn’t be able to prepare that much money.”

This was true.

It wasn’t easy anywhere to come up with that much money at once.

“Then there’s nothing I can do.”

Chung Myung rummaged around and stuffed the Jangbodo away.

‘I won’t be fooled this time, you rascal.’

He was afraid of going to the Hao Moon earlier because he had called out such a low price, but not this time.

Even the Hao Moon wouldn’t give more than what Hong Daekwang had offered.

So he could afford to be relaxed.

Hong Daekwang shrugged, trying to sound unconcerned. “Well, if you think you can get more at the Hao Moon, go ahead. See what they offer.”

Chung Myung just grinned. “Nah,” he said, popping the ‘p’ sound. “Not going there.”

“…Huh?”

“I said I’m not going to the Hao Moon.”

Hong Daekwang tilted his head.

Then?

“Then where are you going?”

“To Wuhan.”

“Wuhan? Why there?”

“Since the Luoyang branch won’t buy it, I’m going to sell it to the Wuhan branch.”

“……”

Hong Daekwang’s eyes twitched.

“The, the Beggars’ Sect Wuhan branch?”

“Yes. Ah, I wasn’t going to go because it’s farther than here. But since it’s come to this, there’s no helping it.”

Hic.

A hiccup burst from Hong Daekwang’s mouth.

‘If that gets sold to the Wuhan branch?’

He’s doomed. Literally doomed.

Why is there a branch? It’s a branch to cleanly handle the work that the main sect can’t handle. And each branch leader is competing for the position of Beggars’ Sect leader in the future.

Who has accomplished how much is evaluated tick-tock. But if the Wuhan branch obtains the Yakseon’s Jangbodo, the Wuhan branch leader’s evaluation will skyrocket.

‘No way! I can’t stand seeing that Jao Gae bastard benefit!’

Not everyone in the world is like Chung Myung, but everyone has a little bit of that feeling.

It’s important for me to do well, but it’s also important for others not to do well. Especially if that person is in a competitive relationship.

“If I run diligently, I’ll arrive in a day. Then I’ll be going.”

“W-wait a moment, young hero!”

“Why?”

“J-just a moment!” Hong Daekwang grabbed Chung Myung with the feeling of shedding tears of blood.

It was also a problem for Wuhan branch leader Jao Gae to benefit, but if it was in Jao Gae’s nature, he would surely blabber that Chung Myung had first visited the Luoyang branch and couldn’t sell it, so he came to him.

If that happens, it’s not just a matter of Jao Gae benefiting. If I just sent away the Yakseon’s Jangbodo, the old, worn-out elders… No, the elders would surely run barefoot and slap me.

“I, I’ll buy it! Three million nyang!”

“Who said three million?”

“…Yes?”

Chung Myung grinned and took out the Jangbodo from his chest, shaking it.

“Three million two hundred thousand.”

“Ah, no, just a moment ago…”

“The market price of goods changes even in a short time. It’s gone up two hundred thousand nyang in the meantime.”

“……”

“Oh dear. The price of the goods is about to go up again. Now it’s three million three hundred thousand. If we wait a little longer, it’ll be three million five…”

“Aaaargh! I’ll buy it! I’ll buy it! Three million three hundred thousand!”

“Kuh. A wise choice.”

Hong Daekwang, who had become too overwhelmed, covered his face with both hands. His shoulders trembling was surely proof of his overwhelming emotion, wasn’t it?

‘To think I’d be fleeced by this young one, getting beaten up and having everything I own shaken out of me.’

He was even about to resort to usury.

He couldn’t figure out where such a guy had fallen from.

“It must be definitely guaranteed to be genuine!”

“Of course.”

“If it’s a fake, I will definitely hold you responsible!”

“Do so.”

“Keueung.”

Hong Daekwang sighed deeply.

Now it was a matter of necessity.

“Jangbaek! Jangbaek, are you out there?”

“Yes, Branch Leader!”

“Go to the main office, say it’s for me, and get two million five hundred thousand *nyang* – that’s a lot of money! And bring eighty thousand *nyang* from our branch money too!”

“B-But, what do you need so much money for…?”

“Don’t ask questions, just go, you fool!”

“Yes, sir!”

As Jangbaek rushed away, Chung Myung smiled, pleased with himself. It was a sly smile, like a cat who got the cream.

“You know how to make a deal,” Chung Myung said, his voice sounding innocent.

“…Little friend,” Hong Daegwang said slowly, his voice tight, “you are something else.”

*I want to punch that smile off his face*, Hong Daegwang thought, his jaw clenching.

‘What kind of person is this?’ he wondered. ‘He looks like a child, but he’s as cunning as an old fox. Even the experienced fighters in the *Jianghu* – the martial world – usually have some manners. They might act mysterious, but they try not to ruin their reputation. But this boy acts like he doesn’t care about anything.’

“I never thought a famous warrior from Mount Hua would be so interested in money,” Hong Daegwang said, trying to sound calm.

“If I knew how to get rich easily, would I be begging?” Chung Myung replied, tilting his head as if confused. “I understand how things are.”

“⋯⋯.” Hong Daegwang was speechless.

*How does he twist everything I say into an insult?* he fumed inwardly.

“Ugh,” Hong Daegwang groaned, feeling tricked and insulted after the negotiation. He sighed deeply.

*It’s bought now. No going back.* Hong Daegwang thought. *Better to focus on what to do with the map.* He pushed the thought of the annoying Chung Myung aside.

‘If it’s real, even three million *nyang* is a steal,’ he thought. ‘I could sell it for much more.’ But another idea sparked in his mind. ‘Or… maybe we shouldn’t sell it at all.’

‘This is the map of the Sword Tomb,’ he reminded himself. A legendary place said to be filled with ancient swords and treasures. ‘Selling it would bring a lot of money, but maybe the Beggars’ Sect could explore the Sword Tomb ourselves. If we could…’

‘No, that might be even better!’ The thought excited him.

While Hong Daegwang was lost in his plans, Jangbaek hurried back in.

“Here it is, Branch Leader.”

“Good work,” Hong Daegwang said, distracted.

“And here’s the liquor you mentioned earlier…” Jangbaek held out a beautiful bottle, made of clear glass and filled with golden liquid.

Hong Daegwang’s lips twitched.

*Seriously? Why did this idiot bring such expensive liquor?* he thought, annoyed.

But before he could say, ‘The deal is done, give back the liquor,’ Chung Myung’s hand flashed out and snatched the bottle.

“Aigo! Thanks!” Chung Myung exclaimed, grinning.

“⋯⋯.” Hong Daegwang just stared.

Chung Myung ripped open the lid of the bottle, the sound sharp in the quiet room, and sniffed deeply, his eyes closing for a moment in pleasure.

“Kheu, what a wonderful smell,” he sighed. “Too good for a place like this Beggars’ Sect branch.”

*Glug, glug, glug.* The liquor gurgled down his throat as he drank straight from the bottle. He lowered the bottle, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand with a satisfied ‘Kheu’ sound, a loud burp that echoed in the room.

“Want a drink?” Chung Myung offered, holding out the bottle.

“⋯⋯No, thank you,” Hong Daegwang said quickly, wanting to get rid of this strange young man as soon as possible.

After quickly checking the payment slips, Hong Daegwang sighed again, a heavy sound as if all the air had been sucked out of him.

“I never thought I’d borrow money from the main office in my life,” he muttered.

“It’s a new experience for a beggar, I guess,” Chung Myung said, grinning again.

“⋯⋯Here’s the map,” Hong Daegwang said, pushing it across the table. “Check it.”

The stack of payment slips was thick. Chung Myung quickly counted them, nodding to himself, and then stuffed them inside his robes. He patted his chest, feeling the weight of the money. A wide grin spread across his face. It felt like the best feeling in the world.

“Kheu, why does the smell of money always smell so good?” he sighed happily.

*Is he really a Taoist priest?* Hong Daegwang wondered, watching him.

*He seems fake, no matter how you look at him.*

*Maybe Mount Hua has changed a lot since it became weaker,* Hong Daegwang thought. *Otherwise, how could someone like him come from such a respected place?*

“Here you go,” Chung Myung said, pushing the map towards Hong Daegwang.

Hong Daegwang took the map, his fingers tracing the edges of the old parchment. It felt brittle and ancient. He held it up to the light, examining the faded lines and symbols.

‘It looks real, no matter how I look at it,’ he thought. ‘The parchment is very old. The lines are faded with time.’

He was sure he could spot a fake, even a skillfully faked one. But he couldn’t find any sign that this map was not genuine.

“Then,” Chung Myung said, standing up.

Just then, Hong Daegwang spoke, his voice colder now.

“It was a good deal,” he said, his eyes fixed on Chung Myung. “But remember this. If you’ve tricked me, you will pay for it. The Beggars’ Sect has eyes everywhere. We will find you.”

“Tricked you? Have you been cheated often?” Chung Myung asked, sounding surprised. “This map is definitely real.”

“What makes you so sure?” Hong Daegwang challenged.

Chung Myung just smiled and nodded. “Yes.”

“Oh?” Hong Daegwang’s face brightened slightly. Chung Myung’s confidence made him feel better about the deal. It made it more likely the map was real.

“What is it?” Hong Daegwang asked, leaning forward.

“The Wudang Sect already figured out the map,” Chung Myung said casually. “So it’s real.”

“Ah. Then it must be…” Hong Daegwang started to say, then stopped.

Slowly, Hong Daegwang’s beard began to tremble, then his whole body shook. His eyes widened in disbelief.

“W-What did you just say?” he stammered.

“Figured it out,” Chung Myung repeated, as if speaking to a child. “Solved the puzzle.”

“Who?” Hong Daegwang’s voice was barely a whisper.

“Wudang Sect.” Chung Myung said clearly.

“Ah… Wudang?” Hong Daegwang repeated, his face pale.

“Yes.”

Chung Myung grinned, a wide, mischievous smile that showed he knew exactly what he was doing.

“So Wudang will be going to the Sword Tomb soon,” Chung Myung said, still smiling.

“Yes,” Chung Myung nodded. “They’ve probably already left by now, don’t you think?”

“Ah, so that means…” Understanding dawned on Hong Daegwang’s face, and the realization brought only one reaction.

“WHY ARE YOU TELLING ME THIS NOW, YOU CRAZY BASTARD! RAAAAH!!” Hong Daegwang roared, jumping to his feet, his face red with fury.

Chung Myung laughed, a clear, ringing sound, and darted towards the door. He moved like lightning, dodging the clumsy grabs of the beggars who tried to stop him.

“CATCH HIM, AAAAARGH!!” Hong Daegwang screamed, his voice cracking.

But Chung Myung was too fast. He skillfully dodged the flailing hands and leaped onto the roof of the shack.

“I didn’t lie!” Chung Myung shouted down, his voice echoing. “I just didn’t tell you *everything*!”

“Sell it quickly before everyone knows Wudang is involved!” he yelled, and then, with a final wave, “Farewell!”

Chung Myung leaped away, disappearing over the rooftops. Hong Daegwang’s face turned purple with rage. He sputtered, unable to speak, and then, with a final roar of frustration, he fainted, falling backwards with a thump.

“Branch Leader!” Jangbaek cried, rushing to his side.

“Branch Leader, are you alright?” other beggars shouted, gathering around.

“That… that crazy… that…” Hong Daegwang mumbled, still dazed.

Then, suddenly, his eyes snapped open. He sat up, clutching the map tightly.

“No! My money!” he yelled, his voice regaining its strength. “No time for this!”

Hong Daegwang’s eyes blazed with a new determination.

“Find out which groups will buy the Sword Tomb map right now!” Hong Daegwang barked, his voice sharp and urgent. “Tell them we’ll sell it for a low price!”

“Do we choose who to sell to?” Jangbaek asked, confused but already moving to obey.

“No! Summon everyone! Every group nearby! Anyone who can pay in cash! It doesn’t have to be groups either. Find any famous fighters or rich people nearby and bring them all here! And get map experts to make copies of this map! Now! Go!”

“Yes, Branch Leader!” Jangbaek rushed out, his eyes wide.

Hong Daegwang’s eyes burned with a fierce light.

“And!” he shouted after Jangbaek.

“Yes!” Jangbaek called back from the doorway.

“Ask for help from the main Beggars’ Sect! We’re going to the Sword Tomb too!”

“Yes?” Jangbaek sounded surprised.

“⋯⋯Let’s see what we can get!” Hong Daegwang muttered to himself, his mind racing. “A free-for-all for the Sword Tomb treasure!”

*The Beggars’ Sect alone can’t fight Wudang,* he thought quickly. *And neither can a bunch of random groups. But if I gather enough people, enough powerful fighters… maybe, just maybe, we have a chance.*

“Alright,” Hong Daegwang said aloud, clenching his fist. “Let’s do it. It’s a battle for the legendary swords of the Sword Tomb now! And while we’re at it, we’ll get revenge on that damned Divine Dragon of Mount Hua!”

Hong Daegwang had no idea that all of this – the map, the chaos, everything – was exactly what Chung Myung had planned from the start.